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Janet, I always appreciate your imput. You have time and success under your belt (a much smaller belt I might add) I would rather be eating foods than the protein drinks anyday. I have been having scrambled eggs, ricotta cheese, cottage cheese, ground turkey patties, low fat yogurt, lowfat string cheese, mushed up beans, humus, a little mashed potatoes from time to time, tuna with a little fat free mayo. What other protein choices do you suggest? Are there any of these that I should not be eating? I know the potatoes are probably not a good choice but I have the small red potoes and mash them up with a little skim milk just once in awhile. What about the South Beach pre made fozen meals in a pinch, like to take to work sometimes. I have been walking my dog in the park in the evenings and using my eliptical machine at home but I haven't been consistent. The exercise factor has always been a hugh challenge for me. I am going to ride my bike today for 30 min. I know that my sister and I can't always work out together. Once I get started at the gym I know that it will be up to me to go on a regular basis. My plan is to go before work 3-4 days a week. If I wait until after work I can always find an excuse not to go. Instead of sitting in the morning sipping coffee and reading the newpaper I can go to the gym instead. I always enjoy it once there but it take alot of mental talk to get my butt in gear. Thanks for taking the time to listen and advise. I value your opinion very much. Becky

Hi everyone, I'm officially a March bandster now and want to be a part of the 50's group. I was just banded on 3/19 and am now Day 5 post-op. I'm feeling pretty good for the most part and I'm starting to get a little bit hungry, at least I was able to start creamy soups, yogurt and V-8 juice yesterday so that's helping a bit. Now I'm looking forward to this coming Wednesday, when I can add refried beans (planning a trip to Taco Bell already, lol) Anyway, being able to add some "real food" tuna, deli turkey, etc. will be my next treat that I'm looking forward to.

PJ: I take Zoloft and yes it does give me really severe pain if I don't take it with food. So, I take mine in the evening with activia yogurt. I put yogurt on the spoon, then put my pill in the yogurt and swollow. No more reflux. I wouldn't give up my Zoloft for all the rice in China. Lived with severe panic attacks and anxiety attacks for to long and I'm not going back there. Hope this helps

The new habits are very doable, just choose one and start working on it now. I got a bunch of baby spoons off of Ebay and started eating my yogurt with it every day. One day I picked up a regular teaspoon, and it felt weird!! All this long before my surgery. Then pick another skill, like tiny bites and paying attention to how much you chew. I see no point in waiting until the band is in, and doing total immersion when you can get your feet wet gradually. As for the port, it depends on the surgeon. There are two bariatric surgeons in the practice that banded me. One puts it on the right, The surgeon I drew places it front and center several inches below the breastbone. I was careful to ask about this because the one place I didn't want it to be was on the left. Lying on my right side hurts my hip, so I wanted to have my left side available for sleeping on. Hope this helps! Orea

Hope you like it. I actually found it was tasteless, so I add losts of Splenda, which makes it palatable for my tastes. It's a fairly dense cereal (lots of fiber). But it does fill me up, which was the point for me! :-) Right now I'm eating All-bran yogurt bites...because DD didn't like it. It too works well, but I think it has more actual sugar (I don't need to add much Splenda.) BTW - Splenda seems to be the most wonderful thing invented except the Band in my book. I love it. Now, I've read that it might not work as well to curb cravings, because the brain expects a sugar load because it's so sweet, then doesn't get it, and craves more...but that was just one study I think. I sure do like the sugar-free fudgsicles, and sugar free foods I wouldn't have touched before because of the artificial sweetener aftertaste, I know can't tell the difference, who it's a good thing in my book.

Denise..sounds like things are working for you with the reflux problem taken care of. My wish for you is to be able to get your fills without the problem coming back. I am sure you are somewhat paranoid about getting fills but gotta try it. I have been so lucky. I have had two fills, eat my regular portions and no hunger for up to 4 hours. Everyone is so different and hard to give advice on fills. I have been stuck twice and both times was on deli meat. That's off my menu! Please keep us informed as you get your fills and how you are doing. JoAnne...THIS IS YOUR BIG WEEK!!!!!!!!!!!! As I have said b/4, you have a great attitude going into this and have done your homework going into this. You will do just fine. Just remember to be patient in those first six weeks b/4 your fills. I kept SF Jello on hand, popsicles, etc. to carry me through. I could have never given up my coffee either. In fact, I am brewing a pot right now. I have a stainless steel (inside and out) pot that I put it in and it keeps it so fresh and drink throughout the day. Once in awhile put SF DiVinci syrup in for a treat. Happy to hear that Abbie is out at least a bit and running and playing. Hopefully she will get back on her food and become stronger. I know exactly where you are coming from...my puppa is EVERYTHING to me. He replaced my boys when they moved out 10 and 8 years ago. Love, love, love my dog. (My boys too!) DeeDee...you were asking for samples of what others eat... Typical day for me is: B-Greek yogurt with Splenda and small amount of Fiber One L-3.5 oz of protien. Salmon, chicken, steak (hamburger of any kind does not sit well) Veggies or fruit D- Same as above S-Always treat myself each evening to 100 cal pack of popcorn and throughout the day will have SF Jello or 100 cal 1/2 cup FF icecream. I do two snacks a day. My doc is very stern on no snacks. Just 1/2 cup three times daily. Went below my goal weight and had to throw the snacks in. Did not have any snacks while in the weight loss mode. Stuck to doc's rules during that time. I am just careful that everything that goes in my mouth on most has good nutritional value. I do treat myself on special occasions and have bday cake, a bar, etc. Can't totally cut everything out and feel deprived. As far as exercise...I walk the treadmill about 4 miles 5xweek when it is cold outside. Otherwise, same amount of walking outside. I also run my two sets of stairs in my house for extra exercise for about 20 minutes a day. We live 15 miles away from anywhere so do not want to spend my time on the road to go to a gym. (I work out of the home). You will do just fine. Take a listen to what others are doing and cut the foods out that you feel are holding you back some (if there are any). Bump up the physical activity up a bit if you feel you are not doing what you should. It really does not take a lot of exercise to make a difference. I am not telling you not to exercise. But, if it is not your thing, try getting at least a 30 minute walk in a day. And...never feel inadequate if you are losing a bit slower than someone else. Be proud of everything you have accomplished. K

PJ, Thanks, I might just try the yogurt. Sounds good to me. Thanks and good luck getting off the BP meds.

Lessofme - Tickerfactory.com is where we get our ticker and they have a graph too... Thin & Lynn - I was able to get in maybe 800 to 1000 calories post op - I didn't have this 2 or 4 oz rule - my rules were 60 grms of Protein I could eat about 1 cup of food - and as stated before for me mentally that's the minimum amount that I want to eat per meal - I ususlly have may be 2 cups the 2nd cup being veggie - 1st cup fish & rice - Weight control oatmeal 7 grms pt 160 calories lunch was usually Soup 200 calories 10 grms pt Clear protein Drink 70 c 15 grms pt 2 sf puddings 120 calories 6 grms pt 1 healthy choice sf fudgecicly 80 calories 3 grms pt 1 cup Beans with cheese 300 c - 15 grms pt String cheese 50 calories 5 grms pt 980 calories - 61 grms of protein For me my calorie budget s Breakfat is about 100 to 200 Lunch 200 - 300 dinner 300 - 400 Snacks 300 (3x100) Some days i may eat 900 - next day 1200 - it varies - I don't eat the same exact calories every day I used unjury Protein powder 20 grms of pt and 100 calories -so by the time you add the milk its 220 for a shake also each ounce of meat has 7 grms of protein. Add some sf yogurt to your shakes 5 grms pt 60 calories (dannon light & fit) add furit - Peanut Butter - you can boost the calories and vit by adding diff stuff I'm with Denise - I usually eat between 1000 to 1200 calories a day.. and I have lost weight every week except one - and I stayed even that week. Also, once you have been released from your doc - you need to start exercising...

Lizalee: Thank you for the encouragement... I took some Milk of Magnesia and ate an Activia yogurt, and hope that helps. My calorie count (according to Fitday.com) averages about 300 to 500 a day (depending on the kind of Soup and whatever else I have that day, so I think that is ok. I do think the Water retention may be a problem and also, I hope that the MoM and yogurt do their magic. I will keep on doing what the doctor ordered and in time, I hope the pounds will go, too. Carol & Sadie: Thank you both for your encouragement. I am hanging in there. 2 pounds down this morning and I hope the rest goes soon (and a whole lot more!). Everyone: this group helps me so much, I can't thank you all enough for what you give me. I spend hours reading posts, but usually post just to this group, and the knowledge I have acquired is so useful. Thanks and hugs to you all, Nancy

I am still having trouble with slowing down my eating. Especially dinner..when i get home from work I want to eat anything I can find, and when I do fix something I want to inhale it. but my band tells me otherwise.......so trying really hard to remember slow, chew, take my time....tonight I came home and drank a yogurt smoothie to hold my hunger at bay until I was able to fix a proper meal. Think it worked...

Hi everyone, I am now four days out and had a much better day today. Alot of gas gone and am feeling better. Went to grocery store and had dinner with my kids and dh at our house. They made a nice salad, cut up potatoes with butter and seasonings on the grill and barbecued pork steaks. then they made pineapple upside down cake. It looked good. I sat at the dinner table with everyone and had a 1/4 cup of brocolli cheese soup mixed with a little skim milk and it was so delecious. Today so far I have had one cup unjury with 1/2 water, 1/2 skim milk, then I had half of a yogurt later, then had the soup. I was very full at dinner. Have only gotten in one 16 oz glass of water. Should I be starting on this three meals a day thing during the full liquid stage. I was just going to work through this until I get on mushies. Beckyo Someone help me make a ticker please?:ohmy:

Our Walmart does not carry any flavors except for plain and vanilla. I just dress mine up with Splenda and SF syrups. I did try another brand of Greek yogurt in honey flavor and LOVED it but only had 6g Protein. Not enough when I make it my morning meal. Will have to see if I can find it when we are on our travels this winter.

Typical day for me is: B-Greek yogurt with Splenda and small amount of Fiber One L-3.5 oz of protien. Salmon, chicken, steak (hamburger of any kind does not sit well) Veggies or fruit D- Same as above S-Always treat myself each evening to 100 cal pack of popcorn and throughout the day will have SF Jello or 100 cal 1/2 cup FF icecream. I do two snacks a day. What is Greek yogurt? Is that a brand name? I haven't seen it in the Houston area. Where do you shop?

Ok guys its really setting in now. I had the day off so I went to do all of my stage two shopping today. I bought all of my protein drinks, yogurt, Popsicles, etc etc. boy now it feels real and I am nervous till Wednesday but I know it is for the best.

I was sleeved 1/5 and had my first follow up with surgeon on 1/21. I am down 22 lbs! I don't have a scale at home so will not weigh again until I see him next month. I will be starting soft/puree foods, Monday ,when I will be three weeks out. I am so looking forward to anything other than the mashed potato, cream based Soup and yogurt that I am currently eating along with my Protein shake. Still not meeting my protein/fluid requirements but it's getting easier everyday.

Although I don't have really great restriction, I have some and what I have found to be really easy to eat, especially for breakfast or snack is some greek yogurt with berries of all kinds and maybe some banana with granola and splenda. It's so yummy and easy to eat.

I haven't had the refried beans do you know why they said no? I had scrambled eggs w/ cheese; flounder sauteed in lemon and a teaspoon of butter, yogurt (greek). On Tuesday when you go to mushy you still can't have refried beans? I am trying the ricotta recipe tomorrow.

I'm also a 10/9er and I am also eating yogurt... Plain fat free Chobani with some raspberry torani flavoring( sugar free) and a packet of Splenda. Its yummy and the yogurt has alot of protein in it.

You know, I am 100% Greek and I have never had Greek yogurt. Do you find it with all the rest of the yogurt? We don't have Trader Joes here, just Safeway and Walmart.

I am a September bandster too! My surgery is scheduled for Sept 14 and I am supposed to start my pre-op diet on Wednesday, but I started following it this morning cutting out everything except yogurt....but only becasue I have a ton of it to get rid of before Wednesday! I am excited and wish everyone much success! :biggrin: Insurance Approved: 08/05/09 Pre-Op Diet Start: 08/26/09 Surgery Scheduled: 09/14/09

75 miles? Not me :wink2: I'm lucky if i get 40! I guess i can count the elliptical trainer which i haven't been getting to since work has cut into this time too (7am calls). So I'm on day 3 after mythird fill and still unable to go to mushies. A little yogurt and I'm sliming. Hoping after riding tomorrow I'll loosen up some. In any case not an emergency keeping liquids down. I guess if no improvement by Monday I'll call the doc.

I like Fage greek yogurt at 23 grams protein for 1 cup. It tastes like sour cream. When I was on the liquid and soft foods diets it saved me from having to drink protein drinks.

The plain or vanilla flavors have less sugar than the fruit flavors. I was told to stay away from the fruit ones, and be sure to get the fat free kind. Greek yogurt definitely has more protein than regular yogurt.

Hey I never thought of using the Mio drops. I use the Torrini sf syrups or DaVinci sf syrup. I do love the Greek yogurts that have the fruit in them, but the carbs are very high. I have also put SF jam in the plain. It's really good when you add in a little sf pudding mix. The syrups thin out he yogurt but the pudding thickends it back up and makes it quite tasty.

My favorite is this - Lemon sole. Juice of one lemon; 1/2 tbsp of butter - cook in a pan. Mash it up. Another one but this is high calorie and believe it or not my doc's office suggest it (or maybe it is high cal compared to what I have been used to eating). Noodleless lasagna - skim ricotta; skim mozzarella and marinara sauce microwaved or baked. I try to keep that at the minimum though. Good ole tuna w/ light mayo Greek 0% yogurt with blended fruit or i do use a bit of honey.