hightower

I buy the packets at the grocery store (asian isle) and add two eggs to it. Filling and warm after a fill.

I went through this on Thanksgiving. If someone asked, I just told everyone I was trying to loose weight. I found most people didn't even noticed the small salad plates I was using and small portion sizes. If I was pressed to have a special food, I would take it and then only have one bite. Once they went back to talking or offering the plate to others they stopped noticing me. That only happened once though (and you don't tell grandma no). I plan on doing that with other holiday parties coming up.

Before surgery this would sound disgusting. Now.....sounds heavenly....thanks for sharing. I have all the ingredients!

Oh yeah....First fill might not make a whole difference. I'm hoping the 2nd will. This is when our willpower needs to take over......hopefully

Wow I leave for a week and everything is different on the site. Pretty happy with myself for keeping with small plates, small portions, and lots of Water. Thanksgiving apps:shrimp with guacamole, brie, mini fillet minion in puff pastry, and pumpkin Soup. Actual meal was: ham, turkey, asparagus, sauteed kale, cranberry sauce, and mashed potatoes. Now the cocktails on the other hand...not as successful. ..need to work on that! Didn't loose nor gain...so I'll take it.

Maybe still go, but tell them you were sick the day before and only have Soup. Or tell him/ them that you had gallbladder surgery and are on a restricted diet until you heal.

thanks guys. I ran to the store and have instant oatmeal, crystal light packets and cup o Soup. I think I'll survive!

That doesn't sound right. I was at 1000-1200 calorie range and not loosing. I bumped it up to 12-1400 calorie range and the scale has started to move again. I am at or above 80 grams of Protein. Sounds like your body is in starvation mode. I make my meals are around 3-400 calories. I eat about a cup of food at a time. (6 weeks out) That is what I was told by my doctor and nutritionist. After my fill I don't think I will be able to eat 1 cup of food. Have you called your nutritionist directly and specifically asked? That is what I did.

My first fill is on Thursday and I will be flying across the country (6 hour plane ride) on Friday. Obviously I won't be able to bring Protein Shakes or Soups with me through security.....any suggestions on what to bring/buy? I thought of instant soups and add hot Water on the plane, there just not very tasty or nutritious...

- lots of dvr shows to watch (with the pain meds I couldn't concentrate on a book)

-homemade broth, thin Soup, or pho broth from a restaurant

-meals for family already bought and easy to prepare

- friend or family to stay with you and check up on you

- a variety of Protein shakes to sample after surgery (taste changes)

- a 2 oz measuring cup and a 1 cup measuring cup (bed bath and beyond)

-some sort of tracker like previously mentioned.

- a Water bottle/water container to always have near

- a sampling of juices, milks, flavorings, and definitely hot tea's.

- a favorite place to walk...mall, park path, neighborhood, etc in mind. (I have been going to different parks in the city and enjoying the trees turning and the crisp air...also getting exercise in)

- books on tape/down-loadable for those walks. I have gotten a bunch from the library and during my walks I listen to a book on my ipod.

hope it helps.

I'm all over the board with my little friend. Early, then late, light, then heavy. But I was told it's normal and will eventually even it's self out like before surgery when I could count on my little friend like clock work. ( I am 100% sure I'm not pregnant.....but if I wasn't sure, I would check that out.)

msjustified pretty much summed it up. I would only add marinara and a light alfredo sauce to help things go down. My first fill is next week so I'm thinking of these things too. Right now it seems I can eat anything.

Has anyone else had this happen? I was banded on 10/4 (~4 weeks pot-op) and had been on mushies for week 3. I had to eat out twice because we were out of town, so I did the best I could and got grilled chicken (chew, chew, chew), mashed potatoes, and carrots or broccoli. When I got on the scale Tuesday morning I had gained back 1/2 pound! I had been losing weight rather rapidly until that point. Yesterday I started on soft foods and I am very concerned that I'll gain even more weight!

Someone told me this can happen any time you change up your diet -- is that true? Or am I eating too much? I left most of my dinner on my plate - before the band I would have eaten all of it!

Help! I'm worried that I went through all of this pain, money, time, effort, etc. just to lose the 31 pounds I have already lost!!

Same here. I actually have gone up 2 lbs. But I'll take the 25 and keep plugging along. I think our bodies are freaking out and holding onto what they can we'll show them!

I have a food scale and that has helped.

I thought they were worth it. I ordered two sample packs and now post op, have ordered the containers. I didn't like the chicken broth post op so just the unflavored, chocolate, vanilla and strawberry. I did the same with other companies and other stores and am sticking with Unjury.< /p>

I have started on a few soft foods too. I had chicken and broccoli in white sauce. scrambled eggs w a little turkey sausage. Fish with peas. I only do it for dinner and have liquids or mushies for Breakfast and lunch. I keep it at 1/2-1 cup for all of it. I bought some of those lunch tuna kits that have spices, and some exotic Soups with lentils and black Beans and such to try next. One thing that I have done to help with my full force hunger pains is a few bites of banana. I end up eating only 1 whole one through the day. It has helped me not fridge surf if you know what I mean!

My main incision is exactly 2.5 inches across. I also have two 1 " cuts and two 1/2" cuts.

I had micro lap band surgery. I have three little dots on my stomach, mosquito bite size. My belly button has a 1-2 inch incision, but seems to be healing and getting smaller. I am still tender there but not to bad. My port is just to the right of my belly button. That section of my stomach was swelled and hard right after surgery but has gone down and is soft again.

We were banded the same day and I too have gas pains still. I don't have it in my shoulder but on my left side under my ribs. I guess I'll keep with the gas-x strips.

Good luck tomorrow!

I was also the 12th. I have pain on my shoulder now and then. I learned it means I have to burp. I float between liquids and mushies. Definitely learning to eat slowly. I get a sharp pain if I forget and swallow a big bite. Even with smooth mashed potatoes. Hopefully I will learn quick and not do that again!

I had a friend stay with me the night before and the night of my surgery .I've got school age kids and went to the hospital at 5:30am. She helped out with them, but as for me I was just able to nap and relax. It is nice to have someone there for the 24 hours. One thing I did was stock up on movies and DVR shows. I was to groggy and hazy to read, but watching my favorite shows was nice.

I'm having the same thing. I'm thinking it's the head hunger and cravings. When I craved salty. I got some ramen and just made the broth (the super salty packet) and it worked. Miso Soup would probably work too. As far the sweet I am happy with the Jello dark chocolate sugar free mousse.

Hope it helps

I am happy to hear you have been banded. Still waiting for my approval. But I wanted to know where did you buy you Pure Protein. The only thing I have tried is Muscle Milk Likght and only the vanilla taste good to me, but I am picky like that.

Good Luck

I have settled on unjury. They have a sample pack of all there flavors. I ordered that along with lots of other brands. There vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry are the less gritty tasting in my mind. the worldaccordingtoeggface has shake recipe's and I have not been disappointed yet. Bariatriceating.com has premade flavored shake packets (carmel lattte,icecream sandwich, Peanut Butter cookie etc) . They are good, just to pricey in my opinion. Egg face has similar combination's with regular household ingredients and sugar free syrups.< /p>

Wow I just wanted to let everyone know that day 3-4 is a huge difference! I read that some other people felt back to normal, and wow I know what your talking about now. I woke up without pain, just feeling uncomfortable in my port area (my belly button) That is a first. Before I was waking up in the middle of the night with pain and having to take my meds to go back to sleep. I don't feel groggy or gassy today. YAY!

FYI- I have been starting to get hungry even with the shakes. I was told that a bite of applesauce or cottage cheese is acceptable. Who knew a bite would make such a difference!

Hope everyone is doing well!

For those of you who have had surgery and have kids, how long do you think I will need before I can pick up and care for my 15 month old? I have help for the first 5 days, but need to make sure I don't need to find someone after that?

My paperwork said nothing heavier than 15 pounds for 4 weeks. (We both know that is unrealistic and unlikely). Do you have an older child that can help your little one get in and out of her highchair or crib? Maybe teaching her to do it herself ?

So today I am feeling more like me than I have in a few days. But I am having gas pain still. I figured out if I put a heat pack right on the gas pain I burp within a min and I feel better. Hope this helps anyone having gas pains.

That did help me. I remembered that tip yesterday and was happily burping away. Thanks!

Well I'm on the other side I had a micro laproscopic procedure done. There is only liquid stitches and 4 scabs are about the size of a eraser of a pencil. My belly button is not looking so pretty though. That is where she put my port, and I wonder if maybe fixed a hernia, I am super sore there.

Luckily I'm not hungry. Thirsty as all get out though! My lip got cut and throat pretty torn up from the tubing. I am excited to start this new way of eating and lets not forget shopping for smaller clothes!!