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Does anyone know if there are soups from restaurants that are allowed on this diet? I’m craving some soup with flavor not just out of the box/can? Also if the soup has chunks and you blend/purée it, is that allowed? I’m in my first week post surgery. Thanks.

I'm 9 weeks post op and like some of the others I still have hunger. But it's not all-consuming. Yesterday I went to swim at 12, without having lunch first (something I would never have done prior; I would have eaten at 11.) Afterwards I had to do an errand at Target. Long story short, I didn't eat until 2:30, and this was after a workout…At no point during my stop at Target did I have that weird "starving" mentality like, "I need to stop and get some lunch" or "what can I buy here?". I knew I had food at home and that was fine. In the past I probably would have picked up a sandwich somewhere between the gym and the store. Now, on Christmas Day when I was home the whole time and my job was to cook and hang out, I had more head hunger for sure. It is habitual for us (maybe we don't even realize HOW habitual) to kitchen surf, open the fridge, set out food, nibble. At one point I had a piece of leftover bacon. Why? It was there. It could have been much worse, but I think these are the types of situations I personally have to be aware of. The days of opening a bottle of wine or making a bloody mary on a holiday morning and then proceeding to cook all day are over, and have to be tempered with common sense.

I will be banded on March 12, 2010 during Spring Break, as I am currently in school for my RN. I have been an LPN since 2005 and decided to take the plunge and finish up my education and in the process suffered a herniated L4 disk on November 6, 2009. My doc told me that I had some major life style changes to make if I was going to be able to practice as an RN and #1 I need to drop 100 pounds. I was not in shock, I knew what he was going to say before he ever opened his mouth and I immediately began talking to people about other options besides another fad diet. That is where my journey actually began, finally coming to grips with the idea that I was powerless over my weight and that no matter how many diets I have been on in my lifetime that I needed some help. During the summer I took a nutrition class and actually dropped 40 pounds by eating healthy and exercising to only gain it back, plus some during the fall semester and let me tell you I am truly at wits end. I am very thankful to my physician for being honest and candid, but at the same time I wanted to scream at him for telling me to lose weight but also putting me on an activity restriction d/t my herniated disc. I finally have the feeling back in my left leg and have been cleared for walking only. I have been able to manage getting through college and only have one more semester left. I just hope that everything goes well with my pre-op diet and the surgery. I am 10 weeks out from surgery, and it sure seems like a lifetime away, but I am sure it will be here sooner than I think. I am really glad to have found this online support group and forum, so far what I've read has been very encouraging and I hope to add to the discussion.

That's a reasonable illustration of drinking with meals and why we should not drink during meals. But, to ensure folks understand what they are seeing... The video food is something that looks like applesauce or something with a consistency of applesauce. When one adds fluid to applesauce one is adding fluid to a food that already has plenty of fluid, causing the week sauce to flow through the funnel. Imagine the same exercise with a ball of bread dough (aka, a dry lump of lumpiness). Ouch. Good luck, Tek

I’m 4 weeks post op and am struggling with getting food wet enough to swallow without feeling stuck. If I start with something that is moist, like tuna with mayo, by the time I have chewed it, all the mayo seems to be gone and I’m left with very dry chewed up tuna that is hard to swallow. Lately I have been eating food in a bit of cream soup, like a soft boiled egg in a tbsp of cream soup or broth. Then when I’m ready to swallow, I add a wee bit of the soup to hep it go down. Not sure if this is cheating or not. If I chew less it doesn’t get as dry but it’s too chunky for me. Do I need to go back to chewing school? 😂

How long did u guys wait before going back to the course. Tuesday ill be starting my 6th week post opp

I have a flight on the 28th and I will be 8 weeks out at that point. My mentor from support group said she flew for 3 hours to Florida when she was 3 weeks out and felt fine. I will seek comfort in not having to sweat out getting the belt on so I dont have to use the "extra" belt. Travel safely and feel good.

When I asked my NP about ssalad at about 6 months out, she asked me what I missed. I told her it was the crunch/flavor variety of the sweet peppers, spicy onions, cukes, olives, radish, etc. She told me to go to the market sala!d bar and make a serving of toppings and have at it! I could only eat a little but is was exactly what I wanted. Now, three years out, I'm still doing the same.

I had my RNY July 2, 2013. My Preop was Prtein drinks for 2 weeks and Postop 4 weeks of Protein drinks. To be honest I was so ready to stop my merry go round I really didn't have a hard time either pre or post. I was honestly afraid not to follow my guidelines because I didn't want him to decide not to do my surgery. postop I was terrified I would do something that would undo it. I am so glad m mind was at this setting. Good Luck

I can't stand the low carb diets. For one they screw with my metobolism. I don't lose well with them. I drop a lot the first week then my body holds on to everything and I don't lose again for about 2 weeks then it's verrrrry slow. Everyone is different but my opinion of low carb diets are they don't work for ME! I think overall if I could choose a way to eat and lose weight and be healthy would be to have everything but in moderation and that is why I wanted the band. I want to be able to eat healthy carbs, fruits, veggies...all the food groups. Some Dr.'s will always push a certain diet but I'd listen to your own body and do what you think you could stick with and do forever. Just like you said, we didn't get the band because the Atkins diet works! It'll work for awhile but a lifetime success of it is very very rare.

i just got banded 3 months ago, im 53 yrs young and im 5'3 and started at 225 lbs last december. I wore a size 18 or 1x. well ive lost 22 lbs and now wear a size 16. Woo hoo ! Everything is going great, the surgery and recovery were very easy , and i can eat everthing as long as i eat slow and chew well. i thought i hit my greenzone with my 3rd fill, but now not so sure. i may be going for a 4th fill soon. dont forget to find an exercise routine that you can stick with, it has made a big difference in how i look and feel. i do a water fitness class 3x a week and walk when weather permits , and attend a local monthly support group (tonight !).its a daily struggle but oh, the rewards are SO worth it !when your too tight clothes start falling off, and you can walk up a hill easily, and it used to make you huff and puff, you'll be proud of all your hard work. Good luck !

I went to the appointment and it was GREAT. Nancy is the best. I was 100 percent honest with her and she never did anything to make me feel bad, only encourage me. SHE understood everything and didnt judge at all. I am glad they had me go!!! I learned alot. LAmadame) Nykee Protein first means this, if you sit down to eat and your plate has lets say a piece of chicken, some veggies, some rice girl) I never eat meals like this.. well almost never. Lamadame) you should eat all of the chicken first, then the veggies, then the rice if you have room left. For example my lunch today was a small zuchini cut up into small slices, 3 slices of the tyson all ready cooked chicken strips, I sauteed them together in a pan with non stick spray and vegetable seasoning, I will eat the chicken first then the zuchini it is a high protein, low carb meal with very little fat if any. girl) I know how to do this, I could write my own diet book..lol BUt I do not cook and actually cannot cook (much) (physically challanged) BUT I am telling my family thats something thats new, time to COOK! They do everything else for me, why not this! argggh lamadame) Protein supresses hunger, the more you eat, the less hungry you are. girl) Hunger has never been an issue. Hunger doesnt make me eat, hunger has nothing to do with it. lamadam) Examples of protein are chicken, beef, fish, tuna, eggs, cheese, cottage cheese, some Beans, some nuts, girl) I been adding up my protein nd I get plenty.. like 100 grams a day.. BUT I know what your saying. The counseling meeting really opened my eyes. I am actually restricted on my protein, not allowed over 80 a day. lamadam) You can do this, from one Ortiz patient to another I know he stresses protein first, if you need a little kick in the butt call me or email me, I will help you get through it. girl) They dont talk to me... BUT I will PM you with my email.. I ALWAYS need a kick in the butt.. I am SUCH a loser! Sorry to say that.. but gosh this whole thing is making me nuts.. look how crabby I am being.. lamadame) If you do not eat food that way, then maybe try starting to do it that way if at all possible. girl) Well I KNOW its possible I just dont know whats seemed impossible for the last 20 years now to follow or do anything differently that would help my diet and health and weight. lamadame) Honestly for me carbs kill any attempt for weight loss , if I eat protein it keeps my cravings and hunger under control, carbs make me crazy and ravenous all day long for more food! Good Luck to you Nykee, you can do this! girl) I know thats true.. I HAVE started today. This is what I did so far. I gave my jelly belly jar to my son, he asked why and I said "cuz I eat like 10 every morning and every night" and he thought that was the point to have a few to feel saticfied (usually the jar would of been GONE long ago, handfulls all day) I told him the little bit is prolly just keeping the carb cravings going. I left my purse at home on purpose when I went to get my daughter from school. BECASUE I made a NO FAST FOOD RULE.. I have fast food up to three times a day, and almost every day. (little things but full of fat and carbs!) It was so hard! OMG.. I cant beleive it was so hard. And tonight I go to the YMCA for my workout, just not gonna bring any cash so I wont be tempted! I had a grilled cheese sandwitch for luch.. WITH NO DRINK!!! I was drinking with my meals. I usually drank like 32 ounces or more of milk or juice with a sandwitch or a corndog. This time, sandwithc ONLY@!!! Those are the things I have done so far. Soooooooooon, I will try to make these 'meals' ... (instead of like a snadwitch) THANKS FOR THE SUPPORT!!!

Nykee, sounds like you're doing great! It's a terrific idea to keep your cash at home (but do carry your wallet), because even though fast food places do take credit, you don't want to pay with a credit card for one hot dog or something. How embarrassing that would be! I posted this on another thread, but I'll repeat it here: Why not try substituting calorie-free liquids for your milk and juice? Breaking the kind of drinking habit that you have will be hard to do all at once. (I mean between meals--you really do want to NOT drink at all for an hour after eating.) Lots of liquid is a good thing, but not if it's loaded with calories. Try those great flavored waters! They're really delicious and you can drink three gallons of them if you want. Propel and Fruit2O are two brands, and there are loads of others. You're doing great!! So did they say you could get a fill, and if so, when? After your fill you may find that a grilled cheese sandwich isn't the best bet for lunch. The bread makes it hard to eat. Start stocking your kitchen with other options--chili, tuna, deli meats maybe. The day will come and you don't want to be unprepared!

I am the same way, I had mine done april 15, I still get hungry, mostly head hunger. I have to work hard to lose, weight. I have lost 25 in 7 wks but its been hard for me. Its not as easy as alot of people make it out to be lol. I eat about 1000 to 1200 a day. an exercise an hr 4 to 5 times a week. Good luck

Ok...so I have been trying to remain calm and stick to my plan, and I have. I have lost 18 lbs and I'm 6 weeks post op. I speak to my dr at my 6 wk follow up and apparently even though I'm hitting my Protein and Water goals...I'm not eating enough ...r u kidding. It seems like all I do is eat...so frustrating!! Sent from my SM-N920V using the BariatricPal App

Hi Karen, I had my surgery 10/12 & was home the next afternoon. Dr Halpin was my surgeon at Legacy Weight Mgmt Institute, Ste 520 right next door to Dr Patterson. I am feeling good - lucky not to have nausea, vomiting, or much pain. Looking forward to weeks 3 & 4 to start adding food back. Let me know how things are going for you. Jan

Day of...round face, 2 weeks post op with bloating, and 6 weeks. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using the BariatricPal App

I haven't been here long enough to know what your full story is, but I do recall you were having so really bad breathing problems at one point, quite serious as I remember. So the mere fact that you can walk and take a dance class and got to school full time and work and still not be below the 20 mark is pretty amazing to me.Those tests don't take into account any kind of illness or disability you may have been suffering from or are recovering from. Those are really important variables that need to be taken into account in order to be accurate. I'm not say you're ready to run a marathon yet, but you sure as heck don't sound as if you should be that low on the scale. BTW, I was reading one of your old posts from a while back and happened across the information on your hubby's movie. I went right into Amazon and ordered it, should be here early next week. I can't wait to get it, it really sounds interesting. I'll let you know what I think after I have watched it. Thanks for letting us know about it. Cindy

My surgery is on the 30th and I am going to take my measurements friday that way when I do hit a stall I can do some mesurments! Thanks for the advice.

Have you had any fills yet? I lost 20 pounds after surgery say first month and then things really hit a road block. I had one fill but really has done nothing for me cant have another one until next week. I too am weighing my food, exercising every day. Do I think I am loosing inches yes. But frustrating not to be loosing weight.

@Dianne Wow, May 24. How long does the procedure take and did you come home the same day? @JaGo I definitely plan to be around through this whoe process. It was only a week and a half ago I made the decision to pursue bariatric surgery. I finally got up the nerve to call on Thursday. I am very excited about the thought of getting my life back. I'm tired of going down steps one at a time when I used run up them two at a time and not having the energy to do the things I used to do. Thank you ladies both for all your kind words and support.

Not being able to eat is not normal and waiting 4 weeks is not good.sound like u need a alight unfill.please go get it checked out before it slips.

Last fill 4 weeks ago yes been really aware of chewing and bite size can't even eat cottage cheese successfully till late evening

I'm three weeks out and I haven't felt that way, yet.. The only thing I'm sad about is surgery 10/15 and 40th wedding anniversary is 11/10, mmmmmmushiesmmm

It does get easier, I promise. I was on a liquid diet 2 weeks prior and by the 2nd week, I was fine, no cravings. I did cheat once and that was just for lack of planning on my part. I am having a harder time post op with the protein that I am back to drinking some of my leftover shakes and call me crazy, even ordered a box of them from my surgeon to have on hand for emergencies and travel once I am on food again. I am 4 days post op and have struggled with all the protein enhanced foods, I can't stomach them, so today, I had 1/2 an optifree shake and I smiled the whole time, I was soooo happy. Forget about canadian thanksgiving, focus on celebrating US thanksgiving!!!