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Just had some yummy sugar free jello. Must say that being able to have popsicles, jello and broth kinda makes this easier. I am still not liking the taste of optifast, but I am pushing through that because I only have to put up with it for 10 more days! I like the ready made optifast shakes(vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry). They come packaged in what looks like a juice box, so its good for on the go. The optifast creamy soup is good as well and I add a little extra chicken bouillon to make it a little more palatable. The shakes that come like a powder and you have to mix is not that bad, although not my favorite. I have a little hand mixer(like the bullet), and that helps. I mix it with a little ice and ice cold water. I find it hard to make them taste as good as the alrady mixed ones. I also bought three different boxes of the optifast meal replacement bars. Chocolate (which is my favorite), Berry yogurt bar(yuck) and Chocolate peanut butter bar(double yuck). I It was pretty expensive so I kinda have to eat the disgusting ones at some point. I am going to save those for the last couple of days!! So, I have gone from 272 to 265.2 in these last four days. I feel a bit more energetic than I thought I would be. Have been cleaning my house like a mad women so everything is in its place and ready to go for post surgery. Every morning I get up, it is getting easier to get in the mind set that is needed for this diet. :thumbup:

Try "8 weeks on - I can eat anything," because that's what I dealt with. I headed to my doctor's office for my 3rd fill at about 8 weeks post-op, frustrated because I could still eat a 6" Subway sandwich without problems. I told my case worker and doctor that I could, and sometimes did, eat ANYTHING. Bread, eggs, melted cheese, Pasta...you name it. All the things everyone here talks about getting stuck with, I could still inhale it. True, I was fuller longer (at that point I had 5cc in a 14cc band), but it bothered me that I could still eat normal portion sizes of any food under the sun and have no problems. I *did* get stuck once, for about 30 seconds, and had the sharp chest pain...but it subsided quickly. With that information, my doctor filled me up to 7cc on that 3rd fill...WHAT A DIFFERENCE! I immediately battled with several foods over the next couple days, having intense stuck episodes (sliming, gagging, vomiting) because my brain hadn't been used to what a SMALL bite and CHEWING really was. Trial and error, though, I've learned over the last week (3rd fill was last Saturday), and after the initial swelling of the fill went down, I'm finding I probably need one more fill to take me to that sweet spot...last Sunday I could barely handle HALF a 6" Subway sandwich (had to try it again to see if I could handle it), and even that took me nearly 15 minutes to get down. But, I was able to eat steak last night...about 6oz...for dinner. I think the initial swelling from the fill went down and I'm very close to that infamous "sweet spot." What I've learned about stuck v. full... FULL - You feel full, just like you did before the LapBand. Not like when you were "overfull" from eating far too much in one sitting (double quarter pounder with cheese, supersize fry, 2 apple pies, etc.)...but just full like you know you've had enough to eat. It's not uncomfortable, and if you eat your meals slowly (as we're instructed to do), you'll notice that you get to that "full" state in about 15 minutes of eating. Once the food is cold? Stop eating...you're probably full. STUCK - HELL ON WHEELS! Imagine this...you're a high school teacher and have a 40 minute lunch before your last class of the day (sophomores - Biology), and you're planning to give a lecture for the period which requires you walking around the room and talking about biogeochemical cycles. You didn't bring a lunch, because your restriction from the fill you had two days prior has been pretty awesome...but you find that you're a little hungry. So, you grab the only thing in your classroom to eat - a snack sized bag of Doritos leftover from a BBQ you hosted recently. You eat them, being sure to chew and take small bites...but then you get lost in entering daily attendance and checking e-mail and subconsciously shove a whole chip in your mouth and chewing it up a little before swallowing. Then? The hell comes. You feel like the bony edges of the chip are poking out of your esophagus, causing SHARP pains in your sternum area. You head outside the back door of your classroom to dry/slime vomit three times...eyes watering, you walk around the "back yard," massaging your chest and trying to alleviate the pain. You're 29 years old - this can't be a heart attack. You look at the clock...only a few minutes left before the sophomores come scrambling into the classroom. You tear up, cry, agonize over the pain you're in...the sophomores come in, you can barely speak as the pain continues to subside over the next half an hour. You're done dry/slime vomiting, but the pain is still in control. THAT is the difference :thumbup:

A few things at work here. 1. A times it is normal to have a stall, or slow down. Your body is adjusting and the less you have to lose, the more it's likely to hold onto every calorie. 2. Slow and steady may be annoying but is the best. Step away from the scale. It will only make you crazy. Overall it just sounds like impatience to me. Relax.

March 16th for me too! I can't believe it's only 3 weeks away! I hope all goes well for you!

Ok... I have been on Clear liquids for exactly one month now! I had my surgery 2 weeks ago. I had to be on clear liquids 2 weeks before to prepare for the surgery... and now I'm suppose to stay on them for 4 weeks after.. which... ahem means I have 2 more weeks left! (6 week total liquid diet for me) So I've been watching people eat around me... smelling food all the time... seeing it on the t.v. everyday... for one month now. It's killing me! I've done it all... popsicles, Jello, broth, Protein shakes... BLAH, BLAH, BLAH.... Yes, I've tried everything to make it interesting and I'm just having a hard to surviving this. I've made it this far but tonight I started to slip.. DUN, DUN, DUN... Everyone went to sleep and I shamefully started tasting the condiments... haha. ranch dressing, bbq sauce, even ketchup! There's an apple pie half eaten on the counter and I picked an apple out of it and sucked the glaze off! HOW PATHETIC! haha! Man, i have to admit, I'm really struggling with these last two weeks. I want to eat so bad. :phanvan Kayla

I am one week into a three week pre-op. My diet guidelines are 3-4 Protein shakes a day and 1 Lean Cuisine-type meal. Goal is to keep my calories under 1000-1200/day. I've been very good at keeping on plan, and I plan to stick with it. No cheating whatsoever. I'm having 3 shakes and the frozen dinner. I haven't been drinking that 4th shake, as I thought I'd reduce my calories as much as possible. One thing I was wondering, though, and I do plan to ask my doc on this, is if I can have one small glass of red wine several days before surgery. I realize I won't be drinking for 6 months or so after surgery, and I'm cool with that, but I would love to have one last glass sometime between now and my surgery, if it's not going to do any damage. I'd welcome your thoughts on this...

I slept in my recliner for 3 weeks don't worry it will get better day by day and milk of magnesia will help with the poop issue God Bless Prayers

I know constipation is an issue after getting banded..... here is my problem.... last week~~ tuesday I started getting gas pains? pains in my belly below my belly button.... bloating ...pain when I have a bowl movement and pain when I pass gass.... pain even to sit down....and pain during intercourse now the pain comes and goes.... my bowl movements were hard but I was having one every day yesterday and today my bowl movement is water and solid???? I called telecare....and well Im probably not going to get in to see my family doctor anytime soon....go to the ER???? anyone ever have these symptoms?

Have lost 50 since 04/22/10...50 more to go. But, I'll admit it's been real slow losing for me. On medical scooter...so can't exercise much. Since my 3rd fill...have .5cc in 10cc band, have had terrible reflux. Been sleeping upright position in my recliner every night...which doesn't rest your body & back as well as my bed. I'm also diabetic (on 2 insulines) but have cut doses in half...and off half my maintenance meds was on before. I like my band most days...I feel & look alot better....but it's been a huge learning curve for me. What's bothering me so bad right now is the GERD. On Nexium & have tried Prilosec, Pepcid AC & Rantidine. I have gastroparesis (nerve damage in stomach) due to 25+ yrs diabetes...so that slows down the food digestion alot. Nurse thinks I should get an unfill...but soooo afraid of gaining weight back...since it's come off so slow anyway. What do ya'll think? :sneaky: I see the doc again in 2 weeks.

I can't believe I'm actually posting anything. I've been stalking you guys for so long. I'm having my surgery by Dr. Landerholm in Edmonds, Washington on 3-29. I've already started the pre surgery diet (just because I wanted to get started--the doc didn't request that I do until 10 days before but I feel silly just sitting around waiting to lose weight)--anyway I've already lost nine pounds in the first week! I know it's mostly water but I havn't seen the scale respond like that for years!:clap2:

I'm 7 weeks post op and haven't regretted it once. You'll likely be nervous until the day of surgery and then you'll just be ready to get it over with. That seems to be the case for most people, anyway. Just keep your eye on the prize and know that it'll be (potentially) a tough few days after surgery and then it's all down hill from there. [emoji3] Good luck!!

I told my PCP I wanted Bariatric Surgery. She asked me why, I told her my negative experiences and how my life was going downhill fast... She didnt put up a fight. Less than a week later I was in orientation.

I was sleeved on June 28, 2012 & hit my first huge goal this week!!! I am working my butt off & loving every minute!! My hubby has lost 50 lbs just being a supportive partner & eating as I do!!! 5k set for Feb 9th & praying I can run the whole thing!! Jennifer in AL

Are you on Protonix or any other acid medication? it could be a reaction from that I would ask your doctor about it! I am 5 weeks post op and have had a rash around all my incisions the doctor told me it was a allergic reaction to the Dermabond but nothing has helped then I stopped taking my Protonix 4 days ago and it's finally clearing up!

I was diagnosed back in 97, I have just about every 'typical' symptom of PCOS plus non typical symptoms. Like yourself, the PCOS has made it very difficult for me to lose weight, impossible for me to get pregnant, and has made me emotionally miserable for many years. I have yet to get the lap band (just turned in my preliminary pprwk, hoping for May) but PCOS is the main reason why I am getting it. I've read a few books on PCOS through the decade (it wasn't commonly known in 97 but now it's pretty well acknowledged) and have been a part of a few forums and have done a lot of research, but it is changing frequently. Many women (here included) rave about how when they have lost 50+lbs, their symptoms have ceased either completely, or at least, majorly. Many people also attribute these changes to low-carb diets (of about 50g a day) Many symptoms known to go away with the weight is amennorhea (infrequent or nonexistant periods) hirsutism (excessive hair on face), infertility, insulin resistance, acne, depression, and others. Drugs typically perscribed to help with PCOS is the BCP, which dissolves the smaller cysts and allows you to menstruate fairly regularly. Others are the Metformin in up to 2000mg dosage, which can also help with fertility (often paired with clomid), welbutrin or other antidepressants, Spironolact in up to 200mg dosage or other high blood pressure medicine, which is known to help with the hirsutism and acne. They're trying out more and more drugs to help every moment. Other than trying desperately to lose the weight, start or keep exercising. I find that even though I've been exercising regularly for 4 months and haven't lost a pound or an inch, I have been *feeling* better emotionally and mentally, and it helps deal. My advice is to keep in touch with your PCP/GP as well with an/your OB/GYN. Make sure you get tested for Iron and diabetes, and get regular paps. People with PCOS are more likely to get endometrial cancer. Keep your head up! One of the most discouraging things all three of my diagnosing doctors told me, is that this isn't something that can be cured. But the more I talk to people, the more I find that isn't completely true. And if losing the weight doesn't cure it completely, atleast I'll be healthier and the symptoms won't be as bad, so it's win/win if you can lose it.:cursing: There is a light at the tunnel you can strive for.

I'm on pureed food. I am 8 days post op. I've been on purees since day5. I kinda don't see the point in making just 1/4 cup of food to eat. It's easier to just drink my protien shake and be on my way. How much (portion wise) are you all eating right now? I do eat "three meals" because I'm "supposed" to. I have 1/4 cup of applesauce in the morning,1/4 ricotta w/some tomato sauce for lunch and dinner is usually 1/4 soup or some smashed cottage cheese. I just don't think Ill get this portion thing down ever! lol...I am on purees for another week and a half....

It's going on three years since I've gotten banded. I started at 214, got down to 172, back up to 186. I am hoplessly failing the band. My problem that I didn't consider before the band, I'm a GRAZER! I literally do what cows do, I graze. All day, every day. I wake up in the morning thinking about food. I go to bed, just having had a snack first. UGH! The lapband is amazing in that it helps with my portion size, and it keeps me from eating a bunch of carbs, but it doesn't keep me from eating two pounds of bacon throughout a day. I don't know what I'm really asking of ya'll or what I'm doing. I just don't know where to turn.

So I can pretty much eat anything without problems as long as I chew enough and take my time. But I'm having a little problem with binging late at night. All my binge eating emotional eating bad habits are coming back. I feel so guilty because my weight loss stalled. I know my hormones are out of whack because my face is all broken out which is odd for me because I've never had acne. I know this transition is going to be difficult, I'm just worried that my bad eating habits are going to sabotage myself and that this weight loss tool will go to waste and needed to share without judgement. Things I can't tell my doctor. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Had my 1st fill yesterday at 10am. I can tell no differents yet. I'm on liquids till Friday. Hope on Friday I fine some differents on how much I can eat. I did lose only 1.4 lbs since my last visit to the doctor. That is really a little depressing, but I knew I was not losing and I knew I could eat way to much. I need to make better choices. I still getting many carbs. I not a great meat eater. I love cheese, but have never been able to lose weight when I eat to much cheese. I can eat beans but they are high in carbs. I don't eat eggs, I cant stand the smell or the taste of eggs. Besides I tried to eat scrambled eggs at the resturant last week and the didn't go down very good. I cant eat tuna but with the mayo and pickle relish that not to heathy either. I just have to start excerising I have no excuse now. I'm feeling much better and I'm getting my engery back. I just have to do this. The fill was the really really easy yesterday, I was really nervous, but it was a breeze.

OMG! thank you to everyone for the advice. I have my appt next week so I wont be putting it off much longer!! thanks!! ~Destynee990~

my second appointment since surgery is this upcoming week :x

Hey guys! I'm just over 6 weeks postop, on soft foods for another week or so, and suddenly I'm finding that everything I try to eat tastes disgusting. Even things I had no trouble with last week, like scrambled eggs, tuna salad, ground meat and beans--all of it makes me want to gag! I'm having trouble eating enough because I can't get down more than half of my meal, even though my stomach itself isn't protesting. I wanted to cut back on Protein shakes, but I need them to reach the protein goal at this point. Is this some sort of weird psychological thing, or is there a fixable reason this is happening? Thanks

Going in for my 2nd fill today. Hoping for at least some restriction this time. I've been the same weight for almost 3 weeks & my will power is getting weak. I'm thankful I haven't gained bc I know I'm eating way more than I should be. Keeping fingers crossed that I'm close to some restriction!

Wish you all the best! If you ever want to chat I'll be around. (9 weeks post-op-gastric bypass.)

Ive only lost about 12 lbs in like 2 weeks, but there was one week that i lost 4.8 lbs. in a day and a half, water weight i was told, who knows, who cares. lol . Anyhow im scheduled for surgery on the 22nd and am getting really anxious, its like a roller coaster, i have to fly to san diego from mississippi and have never flown before. wish me luck and all of you will do wonderful, lets do this and do it big!