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I've been on "DIETS" since I was 15yrs old, I'm now 31. I failed at every diet I've ever been on, I believe the main reason for this was deprivation. I'd quit all the "bad" foods cold turkey only to lose my mind while losing large amounts of weight only to "slip" and devour everything that was deep fried or covered in cholocate. Then I'd just give up on myself, and gain all the weight back and then some. I did this over and over again for as long as I can remember.. I've been banded almost 10 months, I do not deprive myself of anything. I've been losing consitantly, slowly but consitantly, and it works for me. I cut out alot for the most part. But the foods I have cut out are mostly carby filler foods that just take up space and keep me from eating my Protein, and to be honest I hardly even want to eat them anymore anyway. When it comes to my cravings (or my old habits coming back), I feed them, but in very small amounts. If I feel I need McDonalds, (which was my drug of choice, that and any other fast food) I'll have it, but maybe only a few chicken nuggets or just the meat off a cheese burger and 4 or 5 french fries. This will kill my craving, I physically cannot over do it because my band keeps me from it. But I do have some days when my band is easier than other days to "eat around" so I have to know how to limit myself. I do not keep junk food in my house, if I feel I need to eat crap like chips, chocolate or ice cream I'll buy a small bag or just a serving of it, have it and move on and continue to exercise and eat well the majority of the time. I understand everyone is different, and this may not work for everyone, but I am a true believer in having everything in moderation. Thinking back, deprivation was what got me to my heaviest weight, it caused me to lose my mind and over do it when "cheating" on diets. Now I'm satisfied, I can control my craving and I'm still losing weight. My advice to you would be not to beat yourself up about having some "slips" , it's ok to enjoy "bad" food on occasion, just not in outrageous amounts and not everyday. Stay motivated, exercise as much as you can and never forget why you got banded.. Good luck!

I ordered some fruit protein drink powder from American Bariatrics - it is a little like Crystal Light. It comes in several flavors. I couldn't do the shakes, but I really enjoy these fruit drinks. They are 90 calories and have 15 grams of protein! Mix it with 8 or 10 ounces of water, and you are getting in liquids, calories, AND protein! They have really helped me to meet my minimums. And yes - take those supplements. I have known others who have not and have landed back in the hospital with complications.

I was band on 2/19/13 have lost 25lbs since but have desire to eat late at night. All day i am not hungry then night i crave food! Help!

The first 2 days were manageable as long as I kept up on my meds. Days 3-5 I went from taking meds every 6 hours to every 10-12. Day six I no longer needed the pain meds. The first 3 days I also had the gas pain.. which was extremely annoying.

I did lose weight through the whole process, but it felt very slow. Still, the nutritionist told me this week I have lost on average 3 pounds a week (losing 10 pounds during the pre-op diet kind of skews that average) and I've lost a total of 30 pounds (not counting the 10 pounds I lost on my own in the month before I ever saw the surgeon). The nutritionist said if this last fill didn't do the trick, we'd do the next fill under fleuroscopy (sp.?) to check everything out. She also told me not to be concerned about the fact that I've already got 8 cc's in a 9 cc band -- she said once you hit your sweet spot, the next time you need a fill sometimes just .1 cc will do the trick, and also she said they can fill beyond 9 cc's but they will do it under fleuroscopy to be very careful about it. My fills went as follows, starting 4 weeks after surgery: Week 4: 3 cc's Week 6: 2 cc's Week 7: 1 cc Week 8: .6 cc Week 10: 1.4 cc Jennifer - yes, it's become apparent that my doctor is not as conservative as a lot of doctors. He has a very good record and success rate though.... he only does lap bands and has done them for years -- same as his 2 partners. They have a very big clinic and almost everyone who works there is banded, many of them for quite a long time. Even the psychologist they refer us to has been banded very successfully for 7 years. So I have a lot of faith and trust in him!

My doc didn't put a limit on SF popsicles or SF jell-o, but my stomach did. I wasn't able to eat much of anything for the 1st 10 days.

I'm in a contest to be on the cover of Triathlete magazine. To enter I shared my story about how WLS and exercising, specifically triathlons have made me more fit, and I'm happy to say I've made it to phase 1, the top 20! Please vote for me, Julie S., so that I can make it to phase 2. You can vote on all your devices, (desktops, iPads, and your cell phones). Thank you. Voting ends in Monday February 1, 2016. http://triathlon.competitor.com/2016/01/photos/2016-triathlete-fit-contest-round-1-women_127517 Here is the essay I submitted: In August 2011, I had weight-loss surgery. Like many, I had tried to lose weight on my own with diet and exercise, but I wasn’t successful. After the surgery, was it easy to lose weight? Yes. Was it easy to keep it off? Hell no! The main problem was I wasn’t being active. I met a lady who told me she was scheduled to have a second surgery to lose the weight she had regained. Fearing I would end up like her, I decided I needed to get moving, so I started swimming. Then a friend asked if I wanted to do a triathlon, so I started biking and running too. Finally, on Mother’s Day of 2012, I officially became a triathlete. From then on I was hooked. I’ve been competing in triathlons for four years now, and I’m currently training for my first half Ironman in April and first full Ironman next year. I’m happy to say that, thanks to triathlon, I haven’t regained any weight and I’m the fittest I’ve ever been. My new goal is to encourage others to be active and to try tris—whether they need to lose weight or just want to have fun.

Im almost 10 months out. I don't think i have a stricture but i notice i can eat more carbs than protein. In almost any form. Its scary actually. But i can only get down about an 1.5-2oz of dense protein. If i try i might fit in veggies with that. But i usually don't bother. I still have about 20lbs to goal and eating carbs slows me down. Hope you're able to get where you want to be soon[emoji4] Sent from my SM-G925T using BariatricPal mobile app

I am 10 days out and still on clear liquids. The last couple days I've had spells of mild nausea after being on my feet for a few hours, to the point that I had to lay down for a few minutes to let it pass. I haven't been able to stomach protein other than what I get from homemade chicken broth, so that's probably part of the issue for me. I agree that you should back off the soft foods for the time being.

I finally recieved my date for surgery yesterday, the 19th of Nov. three days before my birthday, Happy Birthday to me. I like this gift but am really scared. Woke up this a.m. and first thing I thought of is "what the hey am I doing, this is so drastic". wish I could do it on my own, but I know I can't, have tried it many times. I just pray I am doing the right thing. I know if I don't do it I won't live to see my grandkids grow up. I am so tired of not be able to do anything because of my weight, and I want to do everything. My husband and I retired and now is the time to play. I can't so I believe I am doing the right thing, we'll see. :mad2:

My surgery was 1/14 and I am down to a size 18 from a 24. It feels great, but I am mostly out of clothes in my closet to wear so I went hunting for some deals on jeans. I have bought some things from the local thrift stores but one of the stores near me was having a 40% off one pair and get the second pair totally free. It brought the cost down to about $13 for a pair of jeans, which is only a few more bucks per pair than my local thrift stores. I went a little crazy and bought pants all the way down to a size 9/10. I have never been smaller than a 14. I was a 14 in high school. Looking at those tiny pants and trying to imagine wearing them is kind of impossible. For all of you that have gotten to goal - what size did you end up in? Did any of you start in a 24 and end up in a 9/10 or smaller? Is it possible for our bodies to change that much after RNY?

Hi Ginsin007, you're on a pre-op diet already (surgery date 1/10)? You'll be able to lose 10-15 by surgery. Best of luck Sent from my SM-N910T using the BariatricPal App

Wow, I just logged in to see about how much people lose on pre-op diet. I have surgery on 1/10 and of course, these past few weeks have been awful. The holidays are always bad and I thought this year I'd be a bit better. NO..hoping to lose 10-15 on pre diet. I see this and a bit worried. Sent from my SM-G900H using the BariatricPal App

I started my pre-op liquid diet on Memorial Day and did well until today. I fought every urge to cheat and eat real food but some how I made it through the moment. That was until a few hours ago. I had a momement of weakness and went to Wendy's and got a kids meal and ate the whole thing. I am even more disappointed in myself because I knew that I was already at an increased risk for surgery problems because my liver is 3 times the normal size of someone my age and weight. I feel so helpless and I'm worried I am going to have trouble staying on the diet now because I couldn't make it 10 simple days on liquids only. Anyone go through a similiar momemt of weakness? I am prepared for harsh responses, heck I probably really need to hear them so that I don't fail like this again.

Well i was banded June 2008! and have only lost 54 pounds i weigh 189 right now far from skinny,and guess what?! i have only 5.3 cc in my 10 cc band and they cant put anymore in because whenever they try to even put .2 i get stuck and cant even drink water! so my surgeon told me it will be up to me to eat only a cup of food, also i was eating 1200 calories a day and exercising every other day,well the dietician told me i should go down to 1000 calories a day,not easy to do when u dont have alot of restriction,one last thing my surgeon said i might not lose any more weight and no one will tell me why they think this, i havent lost any weight in 5 months!!!!!!!!!!!!!! now thats what i call real frustration!!!!!!!! you guys are just starting out be easy with yourselves you will make it!

Good luck everyone! I'm getting banded on January 14 at 10:00am. I have a 2 week pre-op diet of only 900 cals a day (5 Boost diabetic per day). Seems quite extreme compared to some! My doctor is doing Lap-Bands with fewer incisions, and they need my liver as small as possible, is the reason for the 2 weeks.

7 more hours and I'll be checking in at the hospital. The 10 day liquid protein diet has been fun. At least I've lost 11 lbs or so. Today was clear liquids and that broth sure tasted good.

I was banded on 3/19 and feel the same way, no energy. I am also having a hard time getting all my protein. Some things I had planned, like protein chicken broth are not setting well at all. Today did a vanilla protein and did better. The walking hasn't helped me so far. Pam

old navy clearance has been a lifesaver for me. i found jeans at thrift stores like savers and the goodwill for $5-$10 usually. sweatpants are great too, but i'm lucky because i'm allowed to wear them at work. make sure you're donation your old clothes! i happened to come into contact with another bariatric patient who's a few sizes bigger than me, so i've been giving her all of my old stuff.

I've gone from an 18/20 to 14 in most things and 12 in jeans in a about 4 months. I still wonder if I will ever make it to a 12 or a 10. I don't have the faith I should in this whole process. Compared to my previous attempts at dieting, this seems so effortless, that I'm worried it will just stop of it's own accord well before I'm ready. Based on my past, this seems like it should be much harder to be losing so much weight! Sounds like all your shopping is going to have to be last minute Misty. Are consignment shops big in Australia? My husband has been buying me expensive clothes at a fraction of their price from online auctions. I don't have the patience that takes.

I so relate to this! I went from a 1X (or XL in certain cuts) to a 10 in five months. I could buy a pair of pants, wear them once or twice and the next time I wore them they would be too big and baggy. This was after loosing one size in the first two months. It really is an ongoing adjustment.

Well, it's the horrible New Year's Eve again. I hate this day almost more than I hate Valentine's Day. It really sucks, especially this year. I'm home (in Sherman at Desiree's) alone while she is at her boyfriend's house. Oh well, at least I have the 5 dogs here to kiss at midnight! I'm getting nervous about my appointment with Dr Provost Friday. Desiree was supposed to call all of my old doctors for me since I was traveling to my brother's, but apparently she didn't get any of my medical records. It would have helped if she had at least told me she wasn't able to get them. I'm going to have to spend Tuesday on the phone trying to get this done before Friday. I also found out that Desiree has to work Friday night, so I have to go to my appointment alone. I'm terrified enough without having to go alone. I'm afraid I'm going to forget to ask questions and that kind of thing. Desiree is much better at remembering what the doctor tells me than I am. So, I wish I didn't have to go alone. All of the puppies are gone now except for Spot. :think I thought he would be the first to go, but he's the last. He has such a good personality and is so cute, I just can't believe we still have him. A couple in Waco bought Bella and AJ. They were only supposed to get Bella, but her husband fell in love with AJ when he saw him, so they took both of them. I think they are going to a great home. They were so nice and promised to love them like babies. They also said we could call and check on them any time we wanted to, so I think they will be treated very well there. I bought a meter to check my blood sugar when I was at my brother's and it has been running very high. Of course, I didn't eat like I should through Christmas, but I thought it would be going down now that I'm here alone. I just have to get this under control before I have surgery. Donny is diabetic and his averages around 100, so he is not happy with me. I will get it under control this week. I'm not happy with Donny very much these days. In fact, I told him I had to go last night and hung up on him. He called me right back, but I was in such a pissy mood that I think I depressed him. He is driving me crazy talking about all these women all the time. First it was Sheila and Keri, but then it turned to Kandace who he was buying all kinds of expensive things for. For example, he bought her a diamond necklace and a new coat. This past week he has gotten off of her most of the time, but he is talking about a new girl, Sandy, but not near as much as he did Kandace. Then, last night he met a new one named Carol! I don't understand why he feels compelled to tell me about all of them. I don't know if it's to upset me, or just talking as a friend. I tend to believe he is trying to make me jealous, and it's working! I hate it when I let him know he is getting to me, but sometimes it's like my mouth just opens and spits out words without my control. I'm going to have to start acting like I don't care about him, or he is going to drive me insane! I'm really depressed tonight anyway because of New Year's. At least I have the Rose Bowl parade to look forward to in the morning. I think I really need to get a life! It's only 10:00 pm and I'm ready for bed. That's just sad I think. I will be alright because, after all, tomorrow is another day.....

I would be more concerned about dying myself...lol They asked me what the worst thing that could happen to me with this surgery and I had to reply dying..They felt better knowing I knew there was a slight risk of that happening... I am one of those people who everything did go wrong...And to top it off I almost died....You have to look at this differently...Are you ready for a change in yourself and your health? Do you want to really live and enjoy the time you have left? Write down the things you can't do and see if you think it is worth the possibility of complications? Five months I was in the hospital and 5 months I had nurses attending me at home...Do I regret it? NO!!! I was just existing before my surgery and was unable to stand for 10 minutes without my back giving out...I can put my grand daughter on my knee very close to me and enjoy that time with her..I can cross my legs now and I walk for hours....I am a person who now finds it hard to sit down for too long..I want to live, live and live..... If you are like me and you tried it all..And this is what is left..Don't wait! chose well and go forward....I have!

Had band since 11/08. Fluid in, fluid out, little loss. Had 2 ugi with little dialation 3 years ago. Decided to get it out this year. Saw a different physician due to insurance. Had another ugi. Didn't see anything wrong but lower abdominal erosions due to H. pylori. Scheduled for lap removal of band and revision to rny 10/22. Start preop diet monday. Preop testing 10/17.