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I'm thinking you should probably be at the soft-foods stage (or check with your team) - the Quest Bars, if microwaved for a few seconds are very soft. It would probably depend with each type of bar. I got the idea from someone on here to put the quest bar in my pants pocket for about 10-15 minutes before I eat it -- it gets nice and soft that way, but the microwave works too.

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Hi All, Feeling GREAT!!!! I know I lost 10 lbs when I went to dr. office on 4/27 but have lost more since then. Not sure how much because I have a lousy scale. Need a new one...already on list of things to buy. Still have some gas after I eat lunch and dinner but food is going down good. Its funny how I get full so quickly....love that!! I just created this weight loss ticker and copied and pasted it and hoping it will stay every time I write a new topic or reply to someone. Did I do this right? P

I was banded for 10 years and had the same fears. Look at my signature and profile to see my success! You too can do it. But it is work. I used the lessons from that "failure" to help create my success. I am so glad I took that leap of faith! !!

These past few weeks have been tough as the all so sought after 199 has been so elusive..On 09/28/12 I weighted 203.4 and so was pretty confident I could hit 199 by the following week. My confidence was only heightened when on Wednesday, 10/03/12 I was 201.2..I just knew by the 10/05/12 I could shake off another 1.5lbs to finally join the 100 club...Well, I jump on the scale all excited and low and behold what pops up...199 even...Oh yeah oh yeah...So you know us scale obsessed folk, we have to double check, triple check, quadruple check...Well 199 never came back up...It kept reading 202...I was crushed...I told myself well you clearly are way close for 199 to even pop up because there was a time you were so far away from 199, the scale never gave a false read of 199..No doubt I am happy about my progess...31lbs and 21 inches and 4 sizes (and counting) all in 7 weeks..I just am panting for my first goal of 199..I will admit I was not as diligent about logging my food these past couple of weeks as I was previously so it is likely my carb intake got the best of me...So this is one thing I will commit to doing as it will be key to my success as well... But no sense of whining about that...Instead, I am focusing on things I can change...and that is increasing my cardio and strength...So this past week I started Insanity, again...I did it about two months prior to surgery and while it is still hard now, it was so much harder then...30lbs make a difference...My stretches are better...My form is better and I have an even greater motivation knowing I am helping Pedro (my sleeve) do some of the heavy lifting...I am remixing Insanity a bit...Instead of doing it 6 days a week, I am doing it 5 days a week, skipping the recovery day and instead running on the day of recovery...Still getting my heart rate up and helping out my running game...I would love to do a half marathon in April or May of 2013...And speaking of running my running game has gotten so much better...When I first started exercising after surgery, it was taking me 60 minutes to walk 3 miles...Now I am doing 3 miles in 43 minutes...As I cut down on the 5 minutes of walking at the beginning and interchange 1.5 minutes of running with 1 minute of walking, it will only get better...Currently, I walk the 1st five minutes (3.5mph)...run a minute (5.5-6.0mph) and walk for minute and half (3.5)..My goal is to get it to 30 minutes... Over the past couple of weeks, I have had increasing comments about how good I look...The folk that know about the surgery talk about how well I look losing the weight and that they can tell I am working out in the process as I am looking toned...A close friend of mine says you no longer look big...(oh the honesty) you just kinda blend in...Not big...not small..just about the size where no one notices your weight either way...Oh the honesty of a guy but I will still take it...lol...And a couple church friends talked about my saggy pants...Such a good feeling...I am slipping in pants I bought, two years ago and never could wear...Shirts I had given up on wearing because my belly fat/rolls showed too much...I havent worn my spanx (fool them to look thinner underarmour piece) but once (with a form fitting dress)in the past month...The muffin tops and the back fat is slowing fading away...It is such a good feeling. HW 232 & SW 227 (VSG 08/17/12 & 5'8) LW 203.4 (Week 6) CW 201.2 GW 155

Here's a first world problem if I have ever heard one... I can't get used to being so much thinner! I'm down 65 pounds and so many inches, I can no longer count. I'm down to a size 10 in tops and between a size 12-14 in pants (oh... the struggles of the in-between sizes!). And, hey, I'm enjoying my new body (minus the extra skin on the belly - oh!!! the extra belly skin!!) but I have to admit, it's freaking weird!! I see myself in the mirror or walking down the street in the reflection of glass and I can't believe it is me! Who is that woman walking around in size 12 jeans? And people aren't looking at me in a strange way any longer, when I walk in to Dunkin' Donuts and order coffee, the woman behind the counter doesn't turn up her nose at me and make me feel self-conscious about my weight... she smiles that secret "thin person club" smile (I'm convinced they have a club, you can't tell me they don't!!) lol The women at the gym don't stop and whisper any longer.. my trainer doesn't look at me with pity in his eyes...when I interview for jobs, they smile when I walk in the room now, instead of averting their eyes, which immediately are dead when they look back at me. I can't get used to the bones in my knees touching when I sleep at night, I have to put a pillow between my legs now. I can't get used to how thin my shoulders look and how wearing a cold shoulder top doesn't seem so bad now. I can't get used to how much energy I have or how walking up the stairs no longer makes my heart race or how I can walk up the whole flight without stopping to catch my breath. I work in a plus-sized clothing store and I can't get used to being at the very bottom of the sizes and how my customers tell me "I'm no longer plus-sized"... This may seem weird but I can't get used to the whole thing! And what's more.. I don't see myself as "thinner" yet. I look in the mirror and still see that "fat" girl staring back at me. I can't see what everyone else sees yet, despite the glaring evidence in front of me. Please tell me I'm not the only one.

Dont know how old your are, but unfortunately sleep patterns do change with age, especially with women. Sometimes its hormones , etc. I used to sleep like a baby every single night, then while expecting 26 years ago, ( I was 30) started waking up once a night. I could handle that, but then it got way worse ! Asleep at 10 pm, then every single night, wide awake at around 3:30 am. I'd have cocoa and crackers to help me maybe go back to sleep. Maybe. I tried everything. Now , I take Trazadone before bed, and combined with my ADD meds, sleep for 7 - 8 hrs straight. Zzzzzzzzzz

I'm 50 and about 6 weeks out. About 10 days postop I hit a tough spot where I couldn't make it through more than 3-4 hours without needing a 20 min nap. I'm over that but energy levels are not better than preop... Yet. I expect they'll get better as I lose more weight and continue to exercise.

Hi. I really need help. I had my sleeve on Aug 10 2016 and i have lost 17.6 kgs. Its great ive lost that amount i know, but i am soooo miserable! I cant tolarate anything. I havent eaten any form of food for the last 4 days. I can only drink Water and just recently tea! My stomach hurts and i am just so worried. Today i have broken down and cried during work. I cant handle it. I really feel that this is the worst mistake ever and ill never be normal again. ! Sent from my SM-G935F using the BariatricPal App

abetterme4.2, Thanks for your response. My only co-morbidities would be depression, GERD and back/neck pain. I love my physician but he is very, very conservative - which is usually good as he always checks everything out before he comes to a determination and is very, very careful. But he is just very no nonsense and doesn't like that I use Splenda! I anticipate he'll tell me I should do this by myself, regardless of the fact that he could look at my roller coaster weights if he went thru my history in his charts and see what a struggle I've had. My issue is that I've done so many different diets; WW 10-12 times, New Day, South Beach a half dozen times, supplements, eating prepared meals, self help books, therapy, you name it. The negative things that go thru my head because I feel like a failure all the time are just all consuming and I really don't want the next 20 years of my life to be like the last 20. You're right though, I may have to find a new doctor. I've also considered just setting it up and going to Mexico and doing it. But maybe they require a US doctor recommendation in Mexico?

Hey I've been looking for a place to post this, I almost put it in the post surgery 💩forum but I am still before surgery and I want to kinda whine, I am on Day#10 of a whole month liver-shrink diet. I am having 💩problems to be honest. My Stoll doesn't like leaving me, Oh it isn't what I would call constipation, I always heard that way hard textured and this isn't hard. I'm on 1000 calorie,100 gram protein,70 grams carb diet. Maybe it's that my colon muscles are 72 years old, maybe it isn't as firm as it once was and my muscles can't get a Firm hold, but it aches and I have sit there for not all spectacular results. The last few days I've resorted to Miralax, maybe a little help? My preconceived notion was I would have diarrhea , nope hasn't happened, am I worrying for nothing? I had more defecation fun when I was eating at will, but I do want and need this surgery. Is this common?

Slow Loser Here But Happy I to like the some of the others don't like to exercise, but I do walk the dog almost every night about 1/2 to 3/4 mile. I have not lost a huge amount of weight but am very happy to be down 19 pounds that any other way would not have come off and stayed off like it does with my wonderful band. I have to cut out white breads and white sugar, but do cheat occassionally. It just makes it easier to eat less when you get full quicker. I don't follow any commercial diet, just eat regular foods, just alot less than I used to. Good luck to you and keep us posted.

Had a horrendous time friday to monday, mom has a water infection and was rushed into hospital on friday night, she was delireous and not herself at all. Still managed to stick to the diet even though i wanted to eat comfort food. Mom is on the mend and is getting 24 hour care, so i can relax a little. My period came yesterday after only 19 days, it must be the weight loss on the 800 cal diet. I have my pre op assessment in the morning, praying i will pass everything so that the op is not delayed. Finding the diet easy now, got used to rumbling tum and eating loads of veg to fill me up. Also,i am feeling much better for the healthy diet. It will be interesting to see how much i have lost when the period ends, am so glad it came this week and not next week. Hoping this coming early will not continue, i am 54 and want them to STOP, that is it for today. I

I have also gained about 10 pounds My surgery was 02/11/2015 I find when I start back dieting I experience dizzy spells Any have any suggestions for this I started out at 409 and went down to 185. I'm now at 194 I'm a bit scared and don't want to gain much more I am working out as well Any advice would be appreciated

I was sleeved 2/10. I really didn't get hungry for the first few weeks. Now...I eat two oz of cream of wheat before I go to work. Around 11:30 or 12 I do feel hungry but it is never as stong as before. I can always pop a little protein in (a few bites of cheese, protein bar etc) and be fine till lunch around 1pm. You fill up pretty quick...it really is differant. Good luck

Today I met with a second surgeon, Anita Courcoulas and I have to say I was very comfortable with her. Thank you all who suggested to get a new surgeon. She answered my pages of questions and listened to me and my concerns, also explained the entire procedure to me all over again. One question I had for her was about the pre-op diet, she does not require one, and does not require me to keep track of calories although I have been doing it the last 4 months so I may continue for a bit after until my comfort zone. She does not put in a fill at time of surgery but first follow up is in 10 days after surgery and first fill at 5 weeks. I also found out the name of the clotting factor I have it's Lupus Anticoagulant (I have to see a hematologist tomorrow) to probably get more test and make that a certain, and will probably have to take lovenox for 6 weeks. Also found out I have a small hiatal hernia, but the DR is not worried, she said when I have the LB surgery it will tug down on the hernia causing it to come down, therefore eliminating that problem. I also asked what kind of band will be placed she said she determines that at the time of surgery either Realize or LapBand her choice, was her words to me. But I trust her judgement. Sorry for such a long post just wanted to share my day!!

And still sore and tired! It is depressing! I keep hoping to turn the corner and feel better. At what point did people feel more normal? Pennie 8/10

I hope I can do mine at home, I have a 10 month old. And although he will sleep through the night, I don't want to have to find a babysitter just so I can go sleep lol

So I finally saw my nut today. If I worked really hard and had a bit of luck I could get my surgery before the new year. But after some thought, financially it will be a it better to wait. So we are aiming for the first week of January. So excited to see some progress! However the Cleveland clinic requires 10% weight loss (roughly 20lbs for me). It's extremely hard for me to lose weight (thus the surgery). With my excess weight my knees and back hurt like hell and with my meds I'm always hungry. Anyone have any tips to beat hunger and exercises I can do that won't push my back and knees? My nut wasn't much help. ???? Anything but swimming for exercise please. I know it's best but the idea of a bathing suit at a gym pool terrifies me beyond belief.

After 10 years of work with no vacation, I say it is fitting to say you are taking time off for yourself. I called mine a me-cation. Though I was only out two days, a Friday and Monday, so I had the weekend. I know it sounds crazy that I went right back, but in my current position, I had the option to extend time off if necessary, though it wasn't needed. For me though, I wanted to stick to as close to the truth as possible. which I have been able to do thus far. During the pre-op diet and liquid diet phase, intermittent fasting. Just say what will most appropriate for you. But I believe another poster said it, announce the time out, don't just leave them to speculate.

No problems pre-op, now post op is a different thing altogether. i have already pushed it too far twice in 10 days, because i love to exercise and i felt so good ( not so good an hour later though)

Thanks yall !! Like seriously I have been keeping up with the diet , this pain in my toe and everything .. I'm trying to do it right but this right here is STRESSFUL but one day at a time and breath and count to 10 is what ill try and remember

Google "7 minute workout" or get one of the free apps that do it, it's a quick bodyweight workout that will get you moving. If you want to go to an actual gym, see if there's a Planet Fitness near you. They're cheap - $10/month. Also they have a great section for their "Circuit training program". It's 10 machines that work all major muscle groups. There's a light that turns green for 1 minute and red for 30 seconds. When it's green you work out on one machine. When it's red you stop and move to the next one. They also have steppers there to do some cardio between every machine. If you follow it exactly you'll do a 30 minute workout that includes 10 minutes of cardio and 10 minutes of weight training. If you want to mix things up every day, try the playing card workout - http://lifehacker.com/5849412/wednesday-deck-of-cards-workout Lifehacker also has a full workout routine if you want to try to commit to a regular sustained workout: http://lifehacker.com/5849409/the-lifehacker-workout-exercise-for-normal-people Good luck!

You are not alone, I've come across a simple technique that is working for me, since my whole system is still adopting to the new life I'm having I choose to let my sleeve do the work for now, I can't medically explain it, but basically whether I take 3 bites or 10, my toy sea to say through feeling that it's full, so I stop, my mind is still catching up, and takes me back to a not so good place, "finish your food" "Your wasteful" and " you don't like my cooking?", I only kept going once since my sleeve and ended up throwing it up, I've also came to the decision to have 1 cheat day per month, but if I go with my wife to a restaurant and I like her dessert because it looks delicious, my safety plan is to not order it and instead get a taste of my wife's, and not every time either, we are creatures of habit so the whole "eat to live, don't live to eat" is hard to stomach ( pardon the pun), but if even before we start to eat we can rationalize, it can be an easy pleasant experience, if I have an 8oz sirloin I need to be content that no matter how delicious it is, if I full after 4 or 5 bites I can put it aside, we are programmed early on to eat by what things taste like to us and how tasty they are, but if you look around the world some of the healthiest cultures that have long life spans only eat what they need to eat, don't torture yourself though, I've learned to cook for myself and I've made some awesome meals, try buying tools to help you cook

I eat refried Beans with some taco seasoning and low fast cheese, yum! Tastes like taco bell! Jess...Surgiversary 9/19/12