sorry to ask... but...

[conservachick 0]

I feel like a loser and a horrible person right now... I just had 4 bites of pepperoni pizza... :redface: I can't believe I did that... almost 4 DAYS INTO my liquid diet... 800 calories... I was so happy today.. no headaches, feeling like I had lots of energy.. but I heated up a pizza for the kids and when I took it out of the oven I couldn't resist... I went back and forth for several minutes.. then I just cut a very small bite size piece and had it.... and it was so good for a few seconds.. but right now, if I could, I would go vomit.. but I've never been one of those.... anyway... just wanted to share.. I feel such guilt and I feel like a big fat loser!

[Spartan 4]

I am about to devour my couch, .

Actually, that is not necessarily a bad thing.

A couch can be an excellent source of Fiber, and, depending upon what activities took place on the couch, an excellent source of Protein as well.

I have a few comments on various issues you might want to consider when contemplating the consumption of a couch (or other furniture items).

1.) When planning your couch meal, it is always important to keep in mind that all couches are NOT created equal, calorie and nutrient-wise. If you are going to consume a couch or other furniture items, you need to make sure that you are eating QUALITY furniture, and not just empty calories. A day bed from Ethan Allen is ALWAYS going to provide a higher level of nutrition than, say, a futon from Ikea or a wrap-around from Sears. Also keep in mind that while initially more expensive, the Protein and Vitamin content provided by genuine Leather couches far outweighs the additional cost. Note: When purchasing a Leather couch for consumption, make CERTAIN that it IS, in fact, real leather. Naugahyde and other vinyl-like leather replacements, while filling, can often have an unpleasant aftertaste and do not have nearly the beneficial nutrient content of leather.

2.) When possible, ALWAYS choose wood-frame Couches over Metal frame. The wood provides significant Fiber and roughage, which is important to your overall health, as well as being beneficial to your digestive tract. Metal frames always take longer to digest, and the paint used to coat the metal frame can often be irritating to the stomach lining. The exception to this would be fold-out couch-beds manufactured prior to 1965, where the frame is made of unpainted Iron. These couches can often be a rich source of minerals and Iron, in particular, which will be very important to your overall health and vitality as you are losing weight.

3.) Make certain to check under the cushions before consuming the couch. There can occasionally be items there that might interfere with your pre-surgery diet efforts, such as M&Ms, pencils, TV Guides, condoms (used and in wrappers), socks, underwear, French Fries, Aunt Helen’s handkerchief, hidden Easter eggs from 1979, the occasional deceased rodent, and handfuls of loose pocket change.

The ONLY real problem in consuming a couch is that the flame retardant used on the fabric in SOME couches can act as a metabolic inhibitor, slowing the basal metabolic rate, and making it more difficult to lose the weight. So, before you actually consume the couch, you might want to check the Product Safety Tag (PST) that is attached to all furniture to check to see what kind of flame retardant was used on that particular piece.

Of course, once you actually have your Lap Band installed, you won’t be able to consume a couch, but many people are still able to enjoy a recliner, an ottoman, and even the occasional Love Seat on days when the restriction is not at its peak.

I hope this has been helpful to you in some way.

S.

[crzytchr 3]

Oh, my:lol::redface::thumbup:

[JustAskinThx 0]

Hang in there!!

I got banded one week ago today, on April 22. I had a low fat, high Protein, very low carb diet for about a month (the absolute requirement was 10 days pre-op, but the dr started me on it during my first visit to him) followed by 4 days of Clear liquids only. Those four days were horrendous! Easily the worst part of the whole thing so far. Instead of having pre-surgery jitters the night before, I went to sleep muttering to myself that at least I'd be so groggy on surgery day I wouldn't notice the hunger.

Actually, it was better than that. A lot of people, and I am one of them, have swelling in the stomach right after surgery which REALLY curbs hunger. I literally felt no hunger at all for five days, and even now it is not very severe and it is easily handled by my liquid diet. I agree with what a lot of people say above, which is that the "head hunger" persists. I do still think how wonderful it would be to have...(fill in the blank). However, with the biological kickstart of diminished appetite and not being able to eat much, I find these cravings are much easier to handle than when I was wrestling with them during the pre-op diets.

And one more thing, although I don't yet have restriction, I do occasionally get a "friendly little reminder" from my band/stomach. This evening I went a little too fast and I did feel very uncomfortable. Not "oh I wanna DIE!" uncomfortable...but "hmm. I don't like this. I'm going to sit still and let this work itself out," uncomfortable.

Best wishes and best luck. YOU WILL GET THROUGH THIS!!

(without eating the couch...I swear.):smile: Meanwhile...you have come a long way already, jumped through lots of hoops and done a lot of work on yourself to get here...pat yourself on the back!

Nancy

[ladykcusa 1]

Spartan - Love your humor. Well done.

[Laura Lane 0]

yes i definitely crave food, specially on those days of the month!!! it´s something we will always live with, but getting sleeved made it much more difficult for me to pigout. so i am very happy for that. :smile:

[Laura Lane 0]

don´t be so hard on yourself, you´ve been doing great so hang in there, today you slipped up, tomorrow you start again.....good thing there´s always tomorrow to start all over again.:smile:

[LoserHeather37 5]

What an inspiration you are Amber, thank you for sharing!!! I've been dealing with the same questions and concerns!!! I'm now 5 days into my liquid diet and am now dealing with the major frustration of only losing 1 pound!!!! I haven't cheated, although I'm beginning to think that even THINKING about cheating is sabotaging me!!! If I get through this, it will be the hardest thing I've ever done!!!

[leroyspuds 0]

Spartan, you're a joy! :smile:

[lauragshsu 6]

I think the 2 week presurgical liquid diet was by far the hardest part of the whole process for me. I hated cooking delicious meals for my family only to sit down to a steaming bowl of flavored water. I felt like I cheated a lot, though, because when I cooked, I would bang the spatula or spoon on the side of the pan/pot (to get rid of chunks) and then lick it. My husband brought home italian food one night, and i licked the salt off of his breadstick when he wasn't looking (does that sound dirty to anyone else?)

[BlowTorch 0]

Actually, that is not necessarily a bad thing.

A couch can be an excellent source of Fiber, and, depending upon what activities took place on the couch, an excellent source of Protein as well.

I have a few comments on various issues you might want to consider when contemplating the consumption of a couch (or other furniture items).

1.) When planning your couch meal, it is always important to keep in mind that all couches are NOT created equal, calorie and nutrient-wise. If you are going to consume a couch or other furniture items, you need to make sure that you are eating QUALITY furniture, and not just empty calories. A day bed from Ethan Allen is ALWAYS going to provide a higher level of nutrition than, say, a futon from Ikea or a wrap-around from Sears. Also keep in mind that while initially more expensive, the Protein and Vitamin content provided by genuine Leather couches far outweighs the additional cost. Note: When purchasing a Leather couch for consumption, make CERTAIN that it IS, in fact, real leather. Naugahyde and other vinyl-like leather replacements, while filling, can often have an unpleasant aftertaste and do not have nearly the beneficial nutrient content of leather.

2.) When possible, ALWAYS choose wood-frame Couches over Metal frame. The wood provides significant Fiber and roughage, which is important to your overall health, as well as being beneficial to your digestive tract. Metal frames always take longer to digest, and the paint used to coat the metal frame can often be irritating to the stomach lining. The exception to this would be fold-out couch-beds manufactured prior to 1965, where the frame is made of unpainted Iron. These couches can often be a rich source of minerals and Iron, in particular, which will be very important to your overall health and vitality as you are losing weight.

3.) Make certain to check under the cushions before consuming the couch. There can occasionally be items there that might interfere with your pre-surgery diet efforts, such as M&Ms, pencils, TV Guides, condoms (used and in wrappers), socks, underwear, French Fries, Aunt Helen’s handkerchief, hidden Easter eggs from 1979, the occasional deceased rodent, and handfuls of loose pocket change.

The ONLY real problem in consuming a couch is that the flame retardant used on the fabric in SOME couches can act as a metabolic inhibitor, slowing the basal metabolic rate, and making it more difficult to lose the weight. So, before you actually consume the couch, you might want to check the Product Safety Tag (PST) that is attached to all furniture to check to see what kind of flame retardant was used on that particular piece.

Of course, once you actually have your LAP-BAND® installed, you won’t be able to consume a couch, but many people are still able to enjoy a recliner, an ottoman, and even the occasional Love Seat on days when the restriction is not at its peak.

I hope this has been helpful to you in some way.

S.

Now, that is funny stuff....lol!