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Hi Kasensmom, I'm pre-op dieting too. I'm sure others will be along to help with brekky ideas, but this is what is helping me. I know that dinner is the most important meal for me to have satisfaction and variety. I'm so busy during the other meals that I'm mentally ok with just eating repetitively to satisfy my macro needs for pre-op weight loss--as long as I can get my food very quickly. So I make breakfast and lunch "lean" and fairly spare meals--super quick, 10 minutes or less. That way, I have a tiny bit over 1/3 of my daily cals/carbs, etc for an interesting dinner (energy permitting). So my go-to breakfasts are pretty much the same thing day in and day out: 1) Green smoothie: 16g Isopure bananas and cream protein powder, 1 1/2 oz frozen chopped spinach, 1 oz frozen blueberries, 1-2 oz avocado, 5g whole psyllium husks, 12oz water, 4 ice cubes. Immersion blend until smooth. This satisfies me 4-5 hours. 2) Peanut butter smoothie: 31g Isopure chocolate protein powder, 6g Peanut Butter Slim (Vitacost) Powder PB, 5g psyllium husks, 12oz water, 4 ice cubes. Immersion blend until smooth. This satisfies me 4-5 hours. 3) Premier Protein PBB smoothie: 7fl oz Premier Protein Bananas and Cream RTD, 4oz So Delicious SF Vanilla Coconut Milk, 6g Peanut Butter Slim (Vitacost) Powder PB, 5g psyllium husks, 1oz frozen chopped spinach. Immersion blend until smooth. This satisfies me 4-5 hours. 4) Egg/egg white scramble or omelet: 1 egg, 100g egg whites (carton: Real Egg Whites), 2 sprays olive oil spray, 1 slice Hillshire Farm black forest ham, 1 1/2oz baby super greens trio, 2oz mushrooms sliced, 2tbsp green salsa. This satisfies me 4-5 hours. (sometimes I will add 1 wedge of laughing cow cheese - jalapeno jack, white cheddar, smoked gouda or swiss flavor) Hope it helps. With those 4 choices, I have satisfying no-brainer breakfasts each day that hold me solidly 4-5 hours.

Hey! I have surgery next Wednesday 10/28 and my doctor isn't prescribing me any meds for after I live the hospital. Did anyone else have this happen? Hopefully if I'm in a lot of pain before discharge he will change that.

Yea...I'm one of those who sneezes, usually 9 or 10 times in a row. LOL

The difference is: I have a band EVERY DAY. I can't conveniently forget that I'm on a diet, or make exceptions because of an office party or a vacation. Calorie-wise, a bad day with the band is still a good day in diet-land. Pre-band, 1200 calories felt like a really strict diet. Post-band, it feels like a ton of food. I'm truly satisfied eating smaller portions now (well, I would be if I'd stop eating just one bite SOONER ). I've lost weight successfully in the past, but the tipping point was always me eyeballing portions, and those portions slowly growing larger. The LapBand just won't allow me to sneak in that extra 10% without sliming.

I am pleased that you came here and shared your story with us Mummabear. The first step in making a change is acknowledging that something isn't working. Some questions to ask yourself.... am I willing to experience some short term discomfort if it means I live my life in a way that is meaningful to me....eg. you mention your children, think about a value related to parenting that is something important to you ...being a loving mum, being there for my children etc. What does being a loving mum mean to you? When you are taking that bite of a high calorie food is that helping you to live your life as a role model for your kids? When you are beating yourself up about the see sawing you have done over the past few months....is that helping you to teach your children how to become healthy and resilient young people? It is wonderful that you have a supportive family and friends. Make use of them, let them know that your plans for the week include making healthier food choices etc and give them permission to gently remind you when they see you making choices which could be improved. I feel as though I am a slow loser when compared with some of the people on here - big lesson - comparisons are not always helpful. :hurray: Whenever I feel as though my eating needs a tweak I start writing down everything I eat...yep, including the bits of chocolate I sneaked when no one else was looking! Don't use this as a tool to beat yourself up, instead use this as a tool to help you figure out what could be improved. Food diaries can be very helpful and are also a great reality check. Acknowledge that you have thoughts and emotions that are not always helpful for you, eg the defiant child feelings....you know what...you can have those thoughts and emotions and STILL make healthier choices. For example, I can have the thought/belief that only eating some chocolate will satisfy me while I am chewing a cracker biscuit. It is possible to have thoughts but to not necessarily have to make them true. Thoughs in themselves are merely words grouped together...it is us that makes them reality. When you say you are 'like a defiant child' that doesn't mean it has to be true, you are having the thought that you are like a defiant child...it is very different to being one. Whenever you notice yourself beating yourself up with your thoughts eg. I am pathetic, I will never succeed, I am useless ...put the words "I am having the thought" in front of those thoughts to remind you that you are not your thoughts. A book that is fantastic for anyone who is experiencing depression, anger, anxiety, eating issues etc etc etc is The Happiness Trap by an Aussie Dr Russ Harris The Happiness Trap | Stop Struggling Start Living by Dr Russ Harris . I am pretty sure he said recently that this book is available at Dymocks in Australia now. It is using a psychological cognitive behavioural technique called ACT (acceptance and committment therapy) - I use this with my clients quite a lot (I am a psychologist) but more importantly, I have been using ACT in my own life for a number of years. And by the way, I don't know Russ or stand to gain anything from promoting his book...I simply find it a great starting point for people to use on their own or together with a therapist. His website also has some tips for people who are working through the book on their own. Also, if you do continue struggling with a low mood I would suggest you have a chat to your doctor as there are a number of low cost counselling agencies and also with the new-ish medicare scheme you can get referred for up to 6 sessions of counselling with a psychologist and get a rebate so often the out of pocket difference is less than $30/session. It can be useful to call around as fees vary from clinic to clinic. There are also other counselling agencies that offer a sliding scale of fees (sorry I only know the ones in WA or I would provide the links). Wow, I have written a lot here!!!! I have bolded a few of the key points I was hoping to make. If you have any other questions please feel free to send me a message. Today is a new day for you. I wish you all the best. :cry_smile: edited to add: and by the way what a fantastic start you have made to have lost at the very minimum 10 kg's. Recognise the things you HAVE achieved so far as well.

Kiz summed it up pretty well. I had insurance (tricare standard) and it took me about 4 weeks from seminar to surgery (7/10 to 8/11) but there was no doubt, at 405, that I met the criteria. No tinkering with BMI etc etc.

Hi, I am two weeks 5 days post op. I am in the soft food phase - fish, well-cooked vege, egges, fat free cheese, sugar free pudding and tofu are allowed. My typical three meals are like the following: Breaksfast: 1 hard boiled egg; 1/4 cup of fat free cottage cheese with pineapple Two hours later I would feel hungry again. Snack: Edyy's no sugar added popsicle (30 cal, 1g sugar each) Lunch: 3 to 4.5 OZ of flat fish (half to 1 fillet); half cup (4OZ) tofu; 2-3 OZ of vege Snack: Edyy's no sugar added popsicle (30 cal, 1g sugar each) Snack2: 1 sugar free popsicle (10 cal each) Dinner: to 4.5 OZ of flat fish (half to 1 fillet); half cup (4OZ) tofu; 2-3 OZ of vege Snack: Edyy's no sugar added popsicle (30 cal, 1g sugar each) Three or fours hours after lunch or dinner, I feel hungry again. All the meals and snacks combine to about 860 calories per day. Do I seem to eat too much? I read that a lot of people are only eating 1 cup of food? Exactly how much is that? Are we talking about stuff the soft or solid food into a cup sized cup to measure? Yesterday morning, I suddenly gained 3 lbs. I did a post about it here and a lot of responses were it was probably water retention and it will go away eventually. I think that it is probably most water retention; however, am I also eating too much to contribute to the 3 lbs gain?

I know exactly how you feel. I had my surgery on 3/5 and my first fill 4/16. I still don't have that feeling of restriction that is always discussed on this board. I keep my portions reasonable and don't get that "full" feeling until much after I am finished eating. I think that part of my problem is that I am still eating too quickly and don't chew as much as I should. Part of this comes from the fact that I don't have restriction. My next fill isn't until 5/24. I am currently at 2.5cc in a 10cc band. I was told that I probably won't feel restricted until approximately 7cc's. It is a much harder process than I had expected, but I am SO happy that I did this. We have to keep plugging along - good luck!!! Banded 3/5/10 350lb Current 4/26/10 317lb

No one but your surgeon can answer that... He may oversew, which would bring the size down.. my surgeon said that some docs cut close to the bougie, others loose, some oversew, others don't.. so the size of the bougie does not tell the whole story. My doc used a 36, over sewed, and left the Pylorus end loose to avoid potential problems. I have never had any problems eating what I want, or vomiting after eating... I don't lose super fast, but steady. I have read one study that said that the amount of fundus cut off during the surgery (to the patients in the study) did not predict weight loss. see page 10 for study, it has to do with fundus size, content voiding speed and weightloss with the sleeve... Sleeve Gastrectomy Abstracts-1.pdf

I'm 10 months out and have had issues with vomiting since starting solids. My surgeon says it's likely to go away after a year or so. With meat, I've noticed I have more issues if it's dry at all. I can only handle chicken breast if it's really moist. I store mine with Water so it doesn't dry out. If I eat too much or too fast, I also throw up. Also can't eat anything spicy or fried or anything too sweet. Don't really need those last two anyway but it would be nice to have spicy food, I miss it.

@@Staples87 Congratulations on taking the steps to get healthy. You are very young and have you're whole life ahead of you. I too was a teen Mom, married with two kids by the time I was 19. All the responsibility without the time to enjoy childhood ourselves. I wish the very best for you and your family and I am glad you have chosen to do something now while you are so young and have not caused a lot of damage to your body yet. Staying heavy for too long really is very damaging. Good luck and keep us posted on your progress. Which surgery are you moving forward with?

For me, it was the ease of contact with the coordinater Alma, the great reputation of Dr. Garcia, the full service hospital facilities of Florence Health (Oasis of Hope), the use of The Marriott for before and after hospital stay, the high quality of care given by the nursing staff in the hospital and aftercare rounders while your at the Marrriott, and all that is included in your stay, even down to the pick up and drop off at the air port. I think for $4700 all inclusive but air fare, thats pretty impressive! Even the before surgery labwork, EKG and the leak tests are included. I've heard the staff are very attentive and the doctors who round and do the surgery spend time with you, explaining everything and alow for time for questions too...And i've heard lots of great things about them on this site...not to mention, its just about 45min. from San Diego air port so easy to get to! I deffinatly would want to be in a full fledge hospital having this done then a "clinic" that some doctors operate out of...and I've heard they facilites are way cleaner then our own hospitals....and i'm a RN so i've seen a lot of our hospitals and know we can improve...and know the attentiveness of USA nursing staffs limitations are and from what i've heard, MX goes above and beyond what we can offer....its a buisness, and they know if you provide a good product with good results, you will get more buisness and this helps their economy...for what seems like "so little" here is a lot for those across the boarder...and over the last 10 yrs or so that medical tourism has taken off, their good reputations have been growing as more and more USA and Canadian citizens go t Mx for their treatments....

ok... so tomorrow is a week and i feel good... although not eating is so horrible... i hate this liquid diet... i weight myself and i am 19 lbs down, since everything started, i mean the pre-op diet and everything... i have lost about 7 lbs since surgery... i am going to see my surgeon on monday, so i am wondering what he is going to say...

Hi Everyone, I'm a little concerned about my stupid decision. I had Sleeve Plication on 10/22 and was really good about the liquid diets for the first week, but I felt hungry and miserable the entire time. I mean, sleepy, tired, hungry, like mental pain... On week 2, I started the full liquids, but by mid-week, I was already eating the mushy foods. By the end of the week, I was already eating regular foods of all kinds. I haven't felt much restriction of any kind. I just finished week 3 and have only lost 6 pounds. I can't seem to get rid of the hunger pangs (literally feel like I'm starving every 2 1/2 hours.) Did I screw everything up? What can I do to fix it? I was literally able to finish a whole roll of sushi for dinner last night, and today I was able to eat a good size of lasagna. I'm so frustrated with myself and disappointed.... HELP!

This morning I stepped on the scale. 199.8. I havent seen a number in the hundreds for 10 yrs. Tomorrow will be 10 weeks since I waswas sleeved. I was 241 before surgery. Im so excited!

HELLO! For those reading this...not every experience is the same! The nurses were all helpful...you do throw up after surgery...I did, but not every hour...maybe a total of 6 times in three days. The pain meds and nausea meds worked great for me..but I take absolutely no other medications at home, so maybe things work stronger for me. No appetite in the hospital. Some pain but not excrutiating or anything. One thing I did that I think helped A LOT was ..while I was in bed I would bring knees to chest one at a time like I was walking only more of a bend than if on my feet...and burp burp burp..got rid of a LOT of gas...also, pressed into left shoulder...gas there too..burp burp burp. I felt sickly in the hosp...spiked a fever a few times...a shower worked well. It was surgery after all..but not all that painful...for me.You forget why the pain, and then walk and voila! Could lift my suitcase easily leaving the hospital..was surprised at that! The hospital IS gorgeous...and only saw Dr Rod once, just before I went under before surgery. Dr C was very helpful.Just thought I would write this..as all experiences are different. From April 1(10 days preop)to April 18th down 21 pounds...will weigh again on Wednesday April 28 or whatever... Went to work one week after surgery (surg on Sat so the following Monday..10days) ...felt yucky a bit. Back ache from sitting. A bit woozy now and then...had a lot of that after surgery....but second day, perfect. so thats the scoop.

I am 5'7" and started out with a BMI of 40. People started noticing when I lost 30 pounds. People who are very close to me started noticing the 30 pound loss and they really noticed when I went on vacation for 10 days and came back. They said I looked like a different person, even though I only lost 3 while gone. I think the absence made the difference because they weren't seeing me daily. I think random friends and acquaintances are REALLY noticing now that I have dropped almost 40, but they don't come right out and say it (probably because they don't know me very well -- and my band is a secret, so I don't tell people I'm trying to lose). They comment on how tan I've gotten (I've been working out outdoors) or some other compliment . . . but they don't mention my weight specifically. I think some people are just afraid to -- they don't want to offend anyone. DH is loving the new stuff from Victoria's Secret, though! It's been a long time since I was able to shop there! :crying:

I was banded yesterday, august 10. I am home feeling pretty good a little sore but good

I'm 62, had the sleeve on 10/24/17 and no issues recovering. The dry mouth is awful right after surgery and sipping is hard at first due to swelling but it improves quickly after that. Use biotene mouth swabs. For nausea ask the anesthesiologist to give you a scopolamine patch before surgery - works like a charm. For pain ask for acetaminophen 1000mg in the IV - I would have called anyone a liar if they told me tylenol would work that well but it really did. You will be tired for about 4 weeks and the biggest hurdle is getting enough fluids - stay on top of that from the beginning. Sometimes you can be confused about the difference between acid reflux, hunger pangs and an empty stomach - acid reflux can feel like hunger. Good luck - and see you on the other side.

So Friday was a normal day felt pretty good stopped to see a friend and ended up having a drink which led to to many and proceeded to eat and drink all night long boy did i feel like **** Saturday at work ate a lot of bad stuff not alot of it just bar food(deep fried garbage ) still paying for it today feeling like i failed over the weekend and now i must be more diligent about what i eat and drink period did all the wrong things over the weekend and i know it first time in ten months i have really slipped off so feeling really guilty about it and through all of this i was able to drop below 200lbs still do not fell good about it i know it only 1 pound that was a bugger of a 1lb so back on the horse that threw me now and staying focused on me not the good time (that really was not that much fun ) oh by the way ALM is not as good at drinking as i once was for sure rant over thanks for listening

I'm on day 7 of 19 days of protien shake diet. I'm starving!!! I have to have two meals as protien shakes and one meal with 4 oz. of protein and green veggies, and one cup of fruit a day. It is not enough, let me tell ya! I started on March 12th and the surgery is April 1st. I am so hungry it's not funny. Many, many times during the day I wonder if it's worth it. Yet, I am plugging along. My bmi was 47 so I guess that's why I had to do the liquid diet so long. I wish I had you guy's doctors! LOL

Did you doc give you a prescription for a proton pump inhibitor? Some mornings I will wake up with a burning feeling in my tummy that I confused with hunger in the beginning. I found if I take an acid reducer, I felt better and that feeling went away. As for feeling full...You are still very early out, you may not be able to tell "full" yet, I couldn't and wasn't able to do for a few weeks. If you stop before the ache you're probably doing OK. My signals for full can vary - my nose might run, or a I do a hiccup/burp thing, or I feel a jab in my stomach. At 10 weeks out, I try not to eat to that point of being full. I try to eat to the point of getting rid of my hunger, rather than feeling full.

I was out of work for 1 week. I ended staying in the hospital for 4 nights because I was constantly nauseous and couldn’t really tolerate liquids. However, once I got home, I was ok because I was sure to stock up on all the liquids, broth, etc. that I needed for the first 2 weeks. Fortunately I didn’t have any incisional pain, so getting up and moving around wasn’t an issue for me. The gas pain and stomach spasms were rough at first, and they eventually faded after a week. FYI, I work as a nurse practitioner and I walk throughout the day to round on my patients within the facility where I work. I don’t do any heavy lifting or anything like that. I felt weak the first few days after returning, but it was mostly related to lack of calories and trying to keep up with my workload. After my 3rd day back to work, I was fine. I’m guessing I would have benefited from taking 10 days off, opposed to 7.

I'm 10 days post-op, but only 8 days out of the hospital (and therefore off of the IV fluids), and I have lost the 9 pounds I put on in the hospital plus 1 more pound. So, 10# in 8 days isn't bad, IMO, and it's my understanding that I'll start to see more drastic results now that the hospital weight is gone. I'm finally just about over the stupid cold I caught in the hospital and, otherwise, I feel great! Having no trouble getting in my fluids, Protein, and Vitamins. Transitioning to purees in a few days--very happy about that. Thanks for asking, AmandaRae. How are you feeling?

How much protein in your shake? Mine has 30grams. You may need to add 2 small snacks in between and then a small low fat dinner. So a cheese stick (low fat) or hard boil egg just some ideas for snacks and make sure you drinks lots of water or light drinks in between. I did it last week and I was able to do for 2 days before caving with all this Halloween party madness...tomorrow I am back on the protein shakes. I would like to lose 19 lbs before my surgery so it would leave me with exactly 100lbs to lose to my goal with my band. BTW I got the MyoFusion protein powder at GNC I like the chocolate. They told me to add a tsp of peanut butter (no sugar added) to the shake, to add flavor and if I am working out to add a scoop of raw oatmeal to add complex carbs. I will let you know how it goes. Of course tomorrow I have to go to Dunkin Donuts to buy donuts for my daughter's class. Like a ex-crack head having to get something from the crack house (SIGH)