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747heavy this is good information regarding the post surgical regiment. 800-1000 calories and 10% of that Protein. I was just told to drink 64ozs of low cal fluids (get in the protein). I do have a list of what I should an should not have but a count is good. I was ok'd to start on solid foods a week post op, a little nervous about that but I see you continue with liquids then puree then ease into food. sounds like a good plan. Thanks for sharing

Hi sofkgrl I know your struggling with a cold and having just had surgery but I hope today is treating you a lot better. Getting down some Protein Soups and shakes and I am sure you will feel better. As for the Bike challenge. Each year in Feb Palm Beach County does a fundraiser for Literacy. They call it the Loop around the Lake. There are 4 distance Loops you can Bike ride around Lake Okeechobee in Port Mayaca Fl. There is 14, 34, 68 and 115 miles. There is a fee of about $80 to register. I believe you get a Breakfast and lunch, a t-shirt and a medal despite the loop you bike. If you get people to donate to your ride and you collect $200.00 you get the registration fee back. The 14 34 and 68 mile loops are all on the paved road of the dikes, The 115 full loop is all on the roads around the Lake. I plan to use this as my fitness challenge for 2017. I want to start a team and if people are local to Lake Worth/Lantana maybe we can train together or meetup once a month for some short rides in various parks when we are able to have enough strength to riding a few miles. I live just down the street from Prince Park and I know that Bike path around Lake Osborne is 10 miles that might be a ride we can all do during the Holidays. If you do a search this weekend you will find the website as they are doing the Loop around the Lake for Literacy Saturday.

There's a huge difference. You look great! HW 427 SW 358 sleeved 10/12/16 I may not be there yet, but I'm closer than I was yesterday.

Eat something with sugar over 25 grams and you'll experience dumping. The stuck feeling is the over stuffed feeling you get from eating protein such as steak and eggs. I couldn't stomach them at 9 weeks out. And now 19 months post up can eat very little protein...but I have lotsa of energy feel great and have lost over 130 pounds. I used protein shakes at 9 weeks out to meet my protein requirements.

Hi - don't worry about how you're doing, tomorrow will be my 2nd anniversary. I've lost a total of 81 lbs, 20 prior to surgery. I reached goal in just under 5 months. I've never felt better in my life. I wear a size 4 jeans! I am 52, I've NEVER worn this size. I totally skipped it when I was a teenager! Seriously! I have never thrown up, although there have been a couple of times I've thought I would, pretty eary out and after eating out. I still weigh and/or measure most of my food most of the time and I keep an on line food log so I can keep track of the calories and my Protein. I weigh twice a day, it's like a game with me. At night I guess what I'll weigh in the morning. I go up and down, some times 3.5 lbs in a week. I eat anything I want, but since I am not really hungry any more, it's easy to make wiser choices and not over do. A piece of cake or a cookie rather than 4 Cookies or two large pieces of cake. I am never hungry like I use to be, for the first year I basically had NO HUNGER. I ate because I knew I needed to, it tasted good and it is what we do socially. I think now I eat like a naturally thin person. I still have good restriction, I needed this, it's forced portion control. I love it and would do it again in a heartbeat! There are things I don't eat, or certainly not often. If there are french fries, I may eat four or five. Not an order and I do NOT mind throwing food away. If it's something I can eat the next day, I'll bring it home, but if not.....I make sure to eat the protein first, the rest, not a big deal. We share a lot when we go out to eat, which costs less and is healthier for my husband as well. I've been maintaining for about eighteen months, to stay between 143 and 147, I need to eat about 1200 calories a day. When I was in the losing stage, early on especially, I was only eating 500 - 650 calories per day. I was healthy and felt good. I was eating 60 - 80 gr of protein a day. Cottage cheese, eggs, tuna, chicken, fish, beef....all high in protein. Fish went down the easiest as far as meat, it still does. I keep a frozen bag of shrimp in the freezer and will steam a few oz for lunch some times. Back then I started and ended every day with a cup of skim milk, protein right there!!! Good luck.....you are on track, every lb you lose is forever! I averaged 10 lbs a month after surgery. I'd go up and down, week to week, but it was steady. Shopping is fun. Life is good!!!

maybe i just need to vent, if so I apologize in advance. If Im doing something wrong someone please set me straight. Im 5 weeks post op today, & since about the 2nd week post op Ive done nothing but yo-yo up & down or stay at the same weight. Granted, I was sidelined with a UTI from the catheter in the hospital & took Cipro for 10 days, which I was told would make me retain water. I lost a few more pounds after it got out of my system but since then its been lose 2, gain 1.5, lose .5, gain 1 lb. SO FRUSTRATING!!!! Im getting my protein in (75-100g per my program) getting my fluids in & walking everyday for at least 30 mins. Only thing I could be doing wrong is weighing myself too often. somedays I do it everyday, some days I will skip a day or so. I havent had my monthly since pre-op too. That was last week in august. I had to discontine by birth control pills when I started by liver shrink diet & I didnt have one the whole month of September. I feel great, i still feel like I made the right choice, Ive had zero complications, Im eating normal foods, being good, no or little sugar, no breads, mostly just good lean proteins & fluids. Am I expecting to much too soon? Just seems like with all Im doing I should see more results....thanks for taking the time to read my vent. Hoping it changes soon!

So I'm not by myself with bumps I call them this week. Also my primary has me going to a cardiologist bcause of my EKG!!! I'm due for wed 2/10! Very nervous and upset now. And people don't understand why. Because I want to be healthy and happy! Pray for release for me!!

I don't know your stats but 800 calories a day doesn't seem too high to me. Unless you're really tiny and inactive, you should be able to lose on that amount. I mostly eat mini-meals throughout the day. I start eating at about 6 AM when I have coffee before work and I eat every 2-3 hours or so until about 6-7 PM (like maybe 6 AM, 8 AM, 11 AM, 2 PM, 5 PM and 6-7 PM). I'm naturally more hungry in the daytime and not so much at night, so I don't usually need to eat at night. It looks something like this: 1. 6 AM: Morning latte (made with Kitu Super coffee, 10g or Protein and no sugar) 2. 8 AM: 1 scrambled egg 3. 10 AM: Yogurt 4. 12 PM: 1 chicken thigh 5. 2 PM: sugar-free pudding 6. 4 PM: Lunch meat wrap made with Mission Carb Balance tortilla 8. 6-7 PM (Nighttime snack): cheese stick When I was still losing, I restricted carbs but not calories, so if I had a hungry day I might eat a little more or conversely I might have a low appetite day and eat less. I ate around 800 calories a day from 6 months through about 18 months, so I guess that's why it doesn't seem excessive to me. I did not have weekend treats while I was losing (although I did have special-occasion treats, like Christmas and my birthday). The more often you eat on-plan, the faster your weight loss, but you get to decide the balance between losing weight and enjoying life. Just be alert to how things affect you, so you can adjust if there is a problem.

Hey chickadie, i'm 19 and getting banded on 25th of june. We are all here to support you, at first i couldn't find anyone my own age. Would you like to tell us all your story?

This is kind of funny because after I swim (1 hour) I am starving! My mother who also swims actually feels less like eating. Shrug. So I always plan to eat afterwards. Not sure if others will disagree (only have had one fill so no restriction) but before I eat I have a drink of water. I then eat my meal. Since I don't have restriction I usually feel like I could eat more (my doctor says 3 oz protein, 1/4 veggie, 1/4 startch). You might want to have a go to snack that after you've eaten and then waited 10 minutes that you can have if you are still ravenously hungry. Here are some thoughts grilled chicken, cheese stick, veggie, fruit. I live alone so I have the option of just not buying foods that I should'nt be eating. A greek yogurt with fruit would also only be about 160 calories which would be better than the cookies. Also how about sugar free pops?

You are awesome,,, I've enjoyed all that you had to say. Most of it matches with what I've learned from my doctor and the dietitian I met with. As far as my expectations go,,, to go to the length of surgery for weight loss,,, I WILL make this work. I'm sure if it's a rough go at the beginning,,, I will be on here asking for all the verbal support I can get. I have read so many things and talked to so many people,,, I want as much info as I can get before hand. With my paperwork going to the insurance company the end of next week,,, I've started to practice some of the habits now,,, like taking dime size bites and chewing 30 or more times before swallowing,,, I've even started doing protein shakes for breakfast,,, tried yesterday to do it for breakfast and lunch,,, but ended up eating what my 3 year old left on her plate,,, but hey, it's a start,,, baby steps, lol:-) I walk the stairs during the day,,, walk some, it's SO hot here in Houston,,, and ride my bike after the sun goes down,,, I'm hoping that if I'm in a little better shape,,, then it will be a little better on me after surgery. I had a c-section with my daughter 3 years ago and I did great afterwards,,, of course I overdid it as the doctor told me not to,,, but I could tell if I was doing too much and I'd slow down. I remember my mom came to stay with us the week after Julie was born and she ended up holding the baby and I was doing the laundry and cooking, lol. But,,, I'm 3 years older now and 50 pounds heavier,,, but I'm praying for the best. Did you stay overnight because you had a rough time and needed the rest,,,, or is that what your doc required? My doc said that if everything went well, I would have it that morning and be home that afternoon. I'm praying for the day long thing,,, I'm planning on feeling better within the week as I did with the c-section,,, so if that's my mind set,,, then that's what I'll work towards:-) I can deal with some pain,,, what put's me under is the sick stomach feeling and needing to throw-up,,,, blahhhhhh,,,, Speaking of that,,, did you get sick at your stomach afterwards? I know some people do just from the meds to put you to sleep. My doctor told me that I shouldn't have problems with being sick at my stomach if I followed what he told me to do,,,, and you can bet,,, I will do anything he says if it means no throwing up! LOL He said that if I were to ever get some sort of sick stomach virus during the process,,, he would call me in some sort of meds to try and stop it,,,, COOL :-) Did you know before the surgery all the pros and cons? Meaning,,, did you know about the dime size bites,,, no drinking during your meal,,, drinking all the water,,, eating the protein first and so on? Did you do the puree meat week? I'm so looking forward to that! LOL The dietitian said it would be good to cook some meat,,, puree it and freeze it in ice cube trays before the surgery,,, that way, when it was time and I may or may not feel well,,, I would have it ready,,, could pop in the microwave and have a nice little tasty treat, lol:-) Well,,, we just came home from The Rainforest Cafe in which I DID eat some of the volcano desert,,, so I'm feeling that "Thanksgiving Full" right now. BUT,,, I'm so interested in any information you have for me regarding the days before surgery,,, 10 days of protein shakes,,, and the week following surgery. I feel that we have some of the same views on things,,, so your thoughts will help me prepare:-) Thanks for everything so far,,,, have a great Sunday!

Hey Sheri! I am from Conyers Ga which is not far from you at all! What hospital are you having your surgery at? I had mine at Newton Medical Center in Covington Ga on 11/19/08. I have not been able to go to my meetings at all, not because of distance but just works and kids and just being tired at the end of the day:frown::frown: I do my support on this sight and I love it!!

I weighed 200 lbs when I made the doctors appt...197 a few weeks later when I walked in his door. I told myself every year on my birthday that THIS year I would lose 50 lbs. The problem was that I have been telling myself that for 15 years! I had surgery 3 months ago this week and I have already lost over 40 lbs. I feel decades younger and can't believe how much better I feel. I saw the doctor this week and my blood sugar is now in the normal range! If that isn't great enough, I went shopping last week and bought a couple pair of slacks in a size 10. I've been in 12s for a month or so but they are getting too lose. It has only been 3 months! It feels like a miracle to me and eating small meals feels normal. Can you tell I am thrilled?! You have to be sure you are ready and I put off the surgery for over a year because I was sure I could lose the weight on my own. (I didn't) When you get ready we are all here to support you! Good luck.

Ever hear of hair falling out before surgery, I have been losing for about a month and a half and surgery is not til 10/14. I did lose 50 over the last six months on the preop diet. Very stressed and menopausal to boot. Hoping my stopping point will be sooner because of it, but doubt it.

My surgery is on Monday (12/11) and I am getting anxious. Feel better already. I have lost 19 so far in the pre-op restricted diet stage and 52 lost from my heaviest weight. Can’t wait to see how much better I feel as the pounds continue to drop. Good luck everyone else going through this process!!!

I don't know that I am a good one to ask. Someone on another thread said I was the poster child of what NOT to do. I had shredded chicken and mayo. I think it might have been a little too much, too soon. I have done well with cottage cheese and some canned fruit, runny oatmeal, soft white fish with some sauce. Also, pureed chicken noodle Soup was good. And cream of wheat went down easy. My docs food list said scrambled eggs, but I got the golf ball on that this morning. Ugh! I had Mexican on Friday. It will last me for 4 days since I had only 1/2 enchilada and a couple tablespoons of Beans. Skipped on the rice. The main idea is to introduce food textures gradually. I still have a lot of liquids. On work mornings, I really don't have time to devote 15-20 minutes to eating. I have a scoop of vanilla whey Protein powder in a glass of milk. I holds me until lunch. This is a list I have been collecting from LB groups and forums. If they are too thick, blend with milk and/or broth. Hope they help. Maybe they will inspire your own imagination. Blended cottage cheese and fruit Trader Joes oatmeals Chili – blended during mushie phase Cream of Wheat creamy Soups applesauce yogurt - Dannon Lite N' Fit Protein Powder for shakes frozen fruits for Protein Shakes Small pudding cups (SF/FF) or yogurt 1. refriedbeans toped with cheese 2. cottage cheese & soft low fat cheeses 3. pudding 4. cream of wheat/grits 5. yogurt 6. Jello 7. mashed potatoes 8. scrambled eggs (but not for me! ) 9. Tuna 10.Plain crackers 11. lowfat milk 12. soups(cream or pureed) SHAKES 8 oz soy milk, mini banana, frozen blue berries and a couple tablespoons bran Cereal Choclate Protien mixed with Milk, 3 strawberries, sm banana, some crushed pineapple 2 bananas peeled, broken in half and then frozen 1 cup frozen strawberries 1 cup plain yogurt 2 cups 100% apple juice .25 cup wheat germ (optional for additional fibre) mangos and peaches SOUPS chicken/beef/veggie broths (low sodium as needed) soups & broths Blend soups "Imagine" Soups - in cartons. (Potato Leek, Butternut, Squash, Corn, Creamy Tomato....and more. They are considerably lower in sodium than Campbell’s soups Egg Drop Soup - 4 Cups, 160 calories total2 - 14oz cans low sodium chicken broth 1 - tablespoon rice vinegar 2 - teaspoons soy sauce 4 - egg whites 1 - tablespoon *optional* flour for thickener (or even better buy soup thickener) 1 - tablespoon *optional* ginger I also add a few green onion chunks for flavor, but remove them after cooking since I can't have solids right now. Bring all ingredients on the stove to boil except eggs - once boiling drizzle in egg whites.

Mine costed me $15,500 that included a 3 day stay at a very private hospital, the surgeon, anestheia, 1 year of after care, monthly visits and weigh ins. . .and a doctor at my beakon call if i need him. . .a hospital only 10 minutes away in case of emergency. . . (my doctor is also the medical director of that same hospital)

Hm. You probably don't need to hear from me then. But I will respond.....I get stuck a LOT. I was just stuck previous to coming on here about 10 minutes ago (thankfully it has passed, and you can definitely feel it has passed). I kind of consider myself a pro at it now (not something to be proud of I'm sure.....) I felt the same way; it was the major issue before having the surgery. It sounded horrible. And the first time I got stuck I felt like I was dying (mostly I think because I had never been before, and was so nervous). I couldn't get it up for a bit (I think it was toast and tomato) and I was in such pain. Above, I do NOT take any Water if I'm stuck, because it's just piling on top of a stuck pile. I do find the papaya enzyme pills help (in the Vitamin section); they are chewables and taste sweet. They helped me a lot when I was first banded, and I do carry some everywhere with me now. HOWEVER - don't let it scare you too much. As you said, yes it is because I often still eat too fast/too big bites after 1.5 years. And now it is nothing, just lean over the sink and cough. The pros of the surgery outweigh this con, I think!

Had mine this morning and agree with other comments. Don't want to highjack this thread but might be helpful to read recently posted day 1 experiences since yours is tomorrow: i was in a good amount of pain (highest 9/10 and lowest 3/10) in the shoulder and in right upper quadranr where the biggest incision is, but the nurses and docs switched me to dilaudid instead of morphine and it made all the difference in the world. Now I can slowly get out of bed without excruciating pain. I already feel 10x better than when I came out of surgery this morning!

Slider foods are the things that are so liquified once they hit your pouch that they go right through and you are hungrier sooner. For me, that is usually things that are carb based... carbs start being broken down in your mouth with the saliva that is mixed with them, while proteins require the chemicals in your stomach to start the breakdown process. The really bad part? All the calories are still available to you and absorbed. Another bad part? Get too used to them and you aren't using the band correctly. You can get stuck in a cycle of feeling hungry all the time even if you are eating pretty regularly. For sushi... I have always preferred sashimi... just the fish, no rice. So that is what I have when I go. As far as eating out is concerened, it took me about five months to go out to eat. It was when I felt comfortable knowing I could eat and stop when I was full. Now, one trick I do is that I bring my own plastic food containers, and when the food arrives I first remove the food I am not going to eat, and just get it off my plate. No need to ask for a container from the server, I just take care of it myself. The most important thing is to try things out. Nothing is off limits, it is just the quantity that you need to watch out for. Most people have no problem with spicy food, but that will be for you to find out when the time comes if your new stomach pouch likes the spicy. Personally, I start my day with a protein shake. My band is tight in the morning, and that is all I can handle but need fuel for spin class. It usually isn't until around 10 or 11 in the morning that I can handle substantial food. Also, by drinking at least one shake a day I know I am getting my protein in. Good luck! Keep up the good work, and ask as many questions as you need to in order to find the assistance you need!!!

I'm on day 4 of my 10 day liver reduction diet and have had a bit if food each day. Usually more veg, some lean protien, or cottage cheese. Mine is very strict (3-4 protein shakes and 1/2 c. Non-starchy veg each day), and I'm confused why I'm even on it, as I am getting a revision that is altering my intestine where the large and small connect, at the opposite end from where the pouch and liver are. I'm going to call the dietician tomorrow to ask about it. All the liquid is killing me, and I'm a teacher and can't just go to the bathroom whenever I want. :-( (Also, this diet is making me whiny. Please excuse my mope.)

I weighed myself today and I am down another 2 lbs. for a total of 10 lbs. I feel good about that. The biggest change has been no soft drinks. I drink flavored water only. I am making more healthy choices. Not always but mostly. I was really craving tacos. Well taco meat that I put on baked scoops. I finally made it tonight and it was ALOT. I am stuffed and miserable but my craving is gone. I had a protein shake for breakfast and smoked chicken for lunch. I still haven't gotten this whole eating without drinking. That I guess is my next task to master. It's hard to imagine not drinking while I eat. I get so thirsty. I try to have one protein shake per day instead of a meal. Breakfast is the easiest for me. I do trade off and occasionally have an egg for breakfast. Protein, protein, protein. Protein and low carb. Got to get into the habit now. I found a food journal on bariatriceating.com and a few good recipes but was confused. Some of the recipes had 12g of FAT per serving. I expected it to be less fattening. I started a binder for my food journals and recipes collections. Getting it together a little a time. BAND DATE 5-12-10:thumbup:

My doctor told me to walk for the first six weeks as I healed. He encouraged me to walk as much as I felt able to do. He did not want me to lift more than 10 pounds until I was out pass my 6 week mark. I would definately call and find out from the doctor when you can begin those things. Good luck!

I got my third fill on July 1. I have a small band (holds 4 ccs), and the dr. filled me to 3cc. On my previous fills, I had no problems, I was on the liquids for a day or two then mushies for a week. I felt restriction. OK. So I haven't lost weight in a year. (I know. I'd been avoiding having a fill) I get this fill on the 1st. I can swallow Water in the office. So I leave. I find myself burping a lot right from the beginning. I start the liquid diet. No real problem at first. I do notice I have to sip and can't take big drinks at all. I am always drinking water and usually manage to drink about 3 big bottles per day on average. I found myself not even being able to get one down, but then all my meals were liquid too, so I think I'm ok on liquids at first. I notice I have to be careful. Drinking Soup is harder than colder stuff. I pb'd a few times. I call the Dr. and ask if this is normal. I'm assured it's OK, sometimes it takes longer for swelling to go down, I'm told. About a week into it I develop reflux, which I've never had before. I wake up throwing up, horrible...very acid. I get to the point where I really can't lay down and I'm feeling sick to my stomach all the time. I call the Dr. He says to take pepcid and see if I feel better. I do at first, but after a day or so it has no effect. I call again, exhausted because I can't sleep, feeling sick much of the day. I'm eating water ice and ice cream milkshakes. These are the only things that don't make me feel sick. Even water makes my stomach upset. They order a Upper GI. I go for that, and can see everything on the screen. The barium in my pouch is a dark mass, and there are thin threads coming down from the band into my lower stomach. I ask about the threads, and the radiologist says that it is the barium, barely eeking into my tummy. I get lightheaded from the lack of food (I couldn't eat from midnight til after noon the day of the test), and almost pass out. I call the dr. the day after the test, and they want me to come in immediately for an unfill. A doctor (mine's on vacation) takes out one cc, leaving me with 2cc in, a half cc less than before I got the last fill. Immediately I find that I can drink more easily and am able to drink about 8 oz of water in five minutes, which is great. Now, last night, we were taking a family member out to eat at a buffet. (we live in Amish country, it's a really fab restaurant). I get some mashed potatoes and gravy....and it's heaven. I missed eating so much. I just wanted to take the band out and be fat. I dont know how this is going to work for me in the future. I have an appt in six weeks for another fill (probably up to 2 and a half ccs--where I was before this last fill). I don't always follow the rules of the band. I've lost a decent amount of weight but not the ideal. Sometimes I wonder if I should have gotten the bypass. I need the discipline of being sick if I eat the wrong thing. But I was so depressed and flat when I couldn't eat. It was a real torture, as being a mom of 4 I had to cook for everyone every day and I couldn't eat anything. It was very hard and very depressing. I lost 10 lbs, but have to say, it was the hardest ten I've ever lost. In the beginning of the last fill, I thought...wow...this is awesome, I can deal with this for a while, losing weight and drinking shakes. But man oh man, that reflux changed that pretty quick. So many emotions...elated when I lost the weight at first, so quickly...then depression when I couldn't eat, exhaustion and lightheadedness when I couldn't eat. I was out with my daughter after the unfill yesterday and thought I might pass out. The feeling of being able to eat those potatoes yesterday...I was so happy, it was like I could feel every cell in my body be happy over finally eating again. My mind got clearer, I could think, and my mood was over the moon. What a rollercoaster ride. Sigh.