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I usually only crave sweets during TOM. Otherwise I would much rather have chips or crackers if I was going to "cheat". Have you tried the Quest Protein bars? I love their chocolate chip cookie dough bar. I heat it in the microwave for about 20 seconds and then eat it. I've heard some people put some whip cream on top, I've never tried that. This is my go to item when I want something sweet. To me, it taste heavenly! Plus, no guilt and I just ate a high number of protein and Fiber. I always have a few bars at the house in case a craving hits. I haven't had one in over a week, but some weeks I eat one daily. Good luck! I hope you find something that works for you. ????

my dr said after 3 weeks mushies not before

Got my band a week ago today. Been on clear liquids for this week. Get to move to liquids (creamy soups and yogurt in addition to the clear liquids), for a week starting tomorrow, then a week of soft foods (mushies) and then week 4 is when I start eating regular foods. A week of clear liquids has been rough, but I did it. Can't wait to have some soup tomorrow. Good luck to you!!! Becky

I am almost four weeks out and my doctor is a bit lenient on the diet saying soft to regular as tolerated after 3 weeks. I have had chicken, chili, veggies, a few fishies, and tuna and chicken salad. I had trouble with deli turkey and some dairy products but for the most part I just eat a little bit and seem fine.

Food was terrifying at first. Now at nine weeks out, things are iffy. Experimenting with what settles well. Most things don't but I know it will get better. Meanwhile, I am losing weight so no complaints!

Once I am healed up how much Protein do you think I will need each day to keep muscle and not lose too much weight? I like to work out and will the rest of my life and don't want to get frail looking. I was told to get a minimum of 60g of protein and to shoot for 70g. It took me 5 weeks post op to be able to get in more than 60g. Second question: My daughter works for a company who makes protein drinks. Looks like pretty good stuff. Only 1 gram of sugar but 21 grams of carbs. Does that sound right? That sounds pretty high in carbs to me. I would look for something lower in carbs because many of us are told to keep the carbs low during weight loss. Last question, for today, I have read a lot of stories about bad gas pain right after surgery lasting for quite awhile. From my research it looks like that type of bad situation is rare and most people walk off mild gas shortly after surgery. Is this true for most of you? Gas pain was horrible for me right after surgery. Walking did seem to help it but the pain was pretty strong for a few days. After that, I still had some gas pains off and on, but it was manageable. Good luck to you!

Congrads on getting moved up. Mine had been moved back 3 days, but what a mess when you make your plans in advance. Good Luck shrinking the liver, I am working to do the same. Debbie

Have you lost 70 to 100 pounds ? Cause I have and my doc says it a side effect from the weight loss she checks me out every 3 months I actually have am apt tomorrow

So I start my 3rd week post op this Thursday, we are leaving to go camping for the weekend on Friday. I know I can bring yogurts, cans of tuna and applesauce, etc. I can cook eggs also.. Any other easy ideas anyone can give me? I will bring my personal blender too lol, just need a few more ideas without it getting into too many ingredients or time spent on meals. My post op instructions had a few ideas but not many.. I really can't wait to cook for my family again, but I don't want to make big dinners just to have to puree them for myself. I think I will wait a couple more weeks then be able to make healthy high Protein meals for dinner.

I am interested in hearing replies also. I have a consultation with a local plastic surgeon next week. I have gone to my general doctor several times to document rashes to help prove my case. I will let you know what I find out too

I have lost a total of 117" - but I measure EVERYWHERE there is to measure - and I started out right from the first and took my baseline measurements. Here are some highlights 3" from my neck 1" from each wrist and ankle 5 1/2" from each upper arm (still LOTS to go here) 2 1/2" from each calf 5 1/2" from above each knee 7 1/4" from each thigh 11 1/2" from my hips and also from my belly 13" from my waist 11" from the fullest part of my bust That's about 93" - the other 14" come from other spots that I haven't listed. I agree with you - Diva - sometimes looking at the measuring tape results is more fun that watching the scales. As you build muscle - even though you get heavier - you get smaller. Since muscle has a more dense molecular structure, it takes up less volume. By the way, Diva - you are looking spectacular. I love the look on your face in your latest profile picture - you are glowing with happiness.

I follow the instructions (for the most part) of my doc and wait 24 hours before eating any solids. I've never had any problems and am still waiting for true restriction after 3 fills. I haven't noticed any yet and I'm starting to wonder if I just don't know how to identify it. lol

How long does it take to be able to eat soft food comfortably after a fill? My first fill was 4cc in a 14cc band and I could eat anything afterwards. My second fill was 1.5cc and everything I ate got stuck, except salad, so I ate salad for 3 1/2 weeks. A week later (last Friday) I got my third fill, .5cc and I'm back to getting everything stuck again. Is it normal to be in misery for 3 weeks after each fill? I have no restriction and on the rare occassion that food do go down I can eat quite a bit so I don't think I have too much fill. Is this normal? Any advice?

I was banded on march 27th and everything was going really good until this past week and i am eating everything! I go for my first fill in a week! Tell me this goes away and gets better!:smile:

Yes, it does get better. The next couple of months may be hard, but after 2 or 3 fills you'll notice you're not as hungry. For me it was gradual and the loss was kind of slow, but now I'm doing great. Right now I'm down 38 lbs. I've had 5 fills and this past month I lost 7 lbs. You are still healing so be patient with yourself, and do the best you can with your eating plan. Get some exercise, and be sure to drink plenty of water. The water helps ALOT with slowing the hunger. Wishing you all the best!

:thumbup: I had my first fill last week, everything went fine, but this week my port is hurting, it's painful, it feels like it might have moved, it's sticking out a little bit. Is this normal, could it be that it came lose or that it is just still sore from the fill? I'm kinda concerned about it. If it did come lose what will they have to do?? Thank you worried Bobbie:ohmy:

I haven't posted for awhile. My VSG was performed about 5 months ago. It has been a great 5 months. The surgery is continuing to change my life. For the first 3 months of that time the weight came off pretty fast. Things have slowed significantly the past two months. I'm still losing but it's taking more effort now. I think a big reason for the slow down is I have been busy at work and haven't been able to find the time to exercise regularly like I was before. That seems to be a big factor with or without surgery - becoming more active. This week I recommitted and exercised 5 times and the weight came off. I lost 3 more pounds and am now at my lowest yet - 70 lbs down. Last week I had to punch another hole in my belt. That's the third hole since I in-grew (the opposite of out-grew) this belt :tongue_smilie:. I have gone from a 48 to a 36 waist. 12 inches. Wow! I'm about ready to go back to Am-Vets and get some smaller clothes. We have a good one by our house that seems to have decent clothes and I have been trying to spend less on clothes until I get down to my ideal weight. My goal is to reach that by the end of the year. Then I will go for the good stuff. I guess that's what some of our tax refund is going for this year:biggrin0:. It's not just about the clothes, though. It's about the quality of life. I'm sleeping better. I'm still using a C-Pap machine, but I wake up in the morning and feel well rested. I've even been waking up earlier, without effort. I've been happier and more pleasant to be around. Just ask my wife. I am out there with my kids and have more energy to spend with them. I can do a whole day of yard work now (as opposed to 1 or 2 hours before I would die) without being exhausted or my back going out. Working out in the yard is now one of my favorite things to do. According to my doctor, getting healthy could increase my life expectency by 15 years! If those 15 years will be anything like the last couple of months have been, the VSG could very well be the best decision I have ever made (except for marrying my wife. She's a peach.) If you are considering having a VSG, do it!:thumbup: If you want to change your life and realize your full potential, do it!:thumbup: If you want to be there for your loved ones now and in the future, do it!:thumbup: I can only say good things about my experience. Reading all the successes and advice from this web site has been a real boost. Thank you all for your stories. Dan S VSG - 3/15/10 Highest Weight - 284 Current Weight - 214 Goal - 180 34 Pounds to go! Who knows, maybe I'll have to adjust my goal to 170.

Hi. I had surgery on 8/1/06 and my first fill was 1.4 cc on 9/14/06 (more than 6 weeks after surgery) I have been havinf a lot of pain with solids and it has nothing to do with my band being too tight (I dont think). As soon as I swallow any solids food, no matter how well I chew, it gives me immediate hearburn. From feeling like hard stabbing pain to the burn that feels liek a fire. And its all from my throat to top of stomach. I feel this pain way before the food would have had time to reach my stomach so I know its not directly about the band rtestriction. I cannot eat any solids til late afternoon and only after Ive eaten liquids or mushies every three hours before hand. Has anyone experienced this? Can you give me some advice or insight? I have not been able to speak with my surgeon yet. Thank you soo much. Im so uncomfortable :-( PS when I can finally eat, I do not feel much restriction at all. I'm definately not at my "sweet spot".

I eat when I am hungry and make healthy food choices....always. I try to make every day well-balanced and that seems to work for me. I never feel deprived. I now have absolutely no unhealthy cravings and only crave wholesome/healthy foods. Some days I have 6-8 healthy meals...other days 3-4. I believe the trick is to eat when you are hungry and not let yourself get so famished that you set yourself up for a binge.

I don't really calculate how long it takes me to eat, and I just eat when I'm hungry, which is usually 3 times a day, sometimes 2, sometimes 4... I just listen to my body now, when before I'd eat all day.

GERD is probably the biggest long term side effect of VSG. Not everyone gets it, but many do even though they didn't have it before surgery. some patients even have to convert to bypass afterwards if the reflux gets too bad. There are some surgeons that don't do VSG if you have bad reflux preop because it can get worse. I'd definitely discuss your concerns with your surgeon, maybe even get a second opinion. Personally, I had never even taken a single antacid before surgery. Postop I was on Prilosec for 2 - 3 months. After that my heartburn/reflux hasn't been too bad, but I do have to take Zantac or Prilosec or rolaids at least a few tines/month.

I have had lot of hair fall before my VSG surgery due to PCOS and hair fall is said to happen more from the 6th week onwards and I am freaking out. Any good Biotin shampoos out there that can help in restoring the lost hair and make my hair regrow?

Since I started my protein back I broke my stall

Early out I ate the Hormel Turkey Chili and when cleared for beef at 6 weeks, the Dennison's Fat Free Chili (formerly known as 98% fat free). I also make my own, heavy on the meat so it is Protein dense. Lynda