Looking for some non-judgmental feedback

[FLORIDAYS 3,040]

I really only want to hear from people who are sharing my experience, the last thing I want is a bunch of replies from people who are sticking religiously to the diet plan and not having any problems adhering to it.

Thanks!!!!!

I appreciate you not wanting anyone to be judgemental and since I dont walk in your shoes I won't be. However I didnt cheat for 6 months post op so you can stop reading if you like.

If you are still reading.... I didnt cheat for 2 main reasons. I have gained and lost the same hundreds of pounds over the years and needed to find something which will help me keep off the weight. I believe I found it in the band. Now that the liquids, gas and post op pain is over I am learning to live with the band.

I REALLY want this band to work and was / am committed to do whatever I have to do to see that it does.

The second reason is that I was scared to death if I cheated I would botch something up and have to go back in the hospital for a removal or to fix something I messed up. But I am not telling you this to be self rightous. I am telling you this to make sure you know that if you eat the right foods at the right time and the correct quantity...you will be successful which I am guessing you want more than anything.

SO many people think the band is a license to eat whatever you want... just smaller quanities of it. In theory when you are maintaining I suppose thats true. But I am not there yet. I count every calorie that goes in my mouth (with a phone ap) and know that if I go over 1000-1200 per day I will not lose anything.

Recently when I have veared off for a meal or two I havent gained any weight.... I just didnt loose for a few days. I could eat one piece of pizza and be stuffed instead of eating 4! That in itself tells me this band will work once I hit my goal.

Best of luck to you!

[stratcat 10]

I have to say that I am a cheater and will take advantage of the loop holes --- but I am a smart cheater. I asked the right questions and found out what the intent of the rule was. Then once I knew what the real reasons for the rule were, I could negotiate and cheat smart.

In the case of the first week of surgery -- the intent is to keep the stomach as still as possible so it heals faster and better. The rule is pretty hard to negotiate around. I was further disadvantaged becasue I am lactose intolerant and allergic to eggs. I got pretty weak from near constantly having the runs -- liquid in liquid out.............I began to have cravings on day 5 and 6 too. I was saved by KFC mashed potatoes with gravy. These will give you a fuller feeling and the gravy feels like cheating.

But honestly -- the fact that you ate pizza scares me for your safety.

If you were my BFF (and you ARE asking for advice) I would tell you to bend the rules with some KFC mashed potatoes and gravy, but not break them blatantly with no disregard for your surgery with something completely dangerous to your well-being as pizza.< /p>

[rikikareen 0]

I did the same thing as stratcat...mashed potates with gravy or refried Beans thined out. I would really look at the other reasons you may have eaten the pizza...we are all here for the same reason...if this were easy we wouldn't have had surgery to help us. The only advise I can offer you is to make good choices and if you are going to "cheat" be smart about it. I will tell you that the sooner you allow yourself to cut corners the harder it will be to achieve your goal weight. This is the place I am in...I lost a lot of weight but I have been fighting the last couple of years to get to my goal...know that you are not alone but you have to hold yourself accountable first !

Good Luck!

[Jennifer H 0]

My liquid diet consist of applesauce, puddings, yogurts, cream Soups, Jello, broth and Protein Shakes. I only have 3 stages to go through, 2 weeks of liquid, 2 weeks of mushy foods and the solids. My mushy foods even consist of some foods some people seem not to be allowed to have. Its so different for everyone what they are and arenot allowed to have for each stage.

[Mewizza 3]

I cheated on day 3 with 2 little popcorn shrimps. I also when to creamy and mushy food a little faster then I was supposed to but I was very careful not to over do it. Just try to stand on plan.

[ROTJob 1]

I guess I fall into the smart cheating category too. I made it up til today and finally I had to have SOMETHING with some flavor. I found a tub of french onion dip in the fridge and dipped my finger in twice and licked it off.

I swear I nearly passed out from the sensation of flavor.