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I started my preop diet seven months ago today, was banded on January 14th, and as of this morning, I am down 78 lbs. with 39 or so to go. I will admit that I entered into this banded life kicking and screaming. I had no choice as my arthritis is so bad I need a knee replacement and there wasn't a doctor in the world who would do it at the weight I was a year ago...267 lbs. On my size frame, that's a bad bad situation. All I can say today is that I'm so glad I had this done. My weight loss has been so good that I will be able to have the surgery six months earlier than my doctor expected. The additional weight loss I'm hoping to have is just gravy compared to the real goal here, which is to have the knee replacement so I can be more mobile again and get my friggin' life back. I'm on the cusp of this new aspect of my life and I am grateful the lapband is working for me and grateful to all who post and offer support and information on this site. As I've said before, you have all helped me to be successful and I thank you.

I would strongly suggest you check with the doctor to make sure he/she is OK with this. Sounds to me like you are a tad too tight and not eating solids is the least of your concerns if you start to have issues such as band slippage, or any of the other problems some people encounter. I don't think you want to risk your health so again, just clear it with the doc. PS: I eat three meals a day, stay at or around 1,000 calories and have been very successful with satiety and weight loss. It really is OK to be hungry as long as you are not so hungry that you can't maintain band sized portions.

ask them at your surgeon's office. they might have a support group....or the hospital where you were banded. I had my surgery at NYU and they have several groups...newbies, vets, and other WLS support other than those banded.

You have to follow your doctor's postop instructions, not what others have done as they are following their own doctor's instructions. If you think you did something wrong, call your doctor and confirm what you should or should not be consuming. I know you're hungry...and it sucks. But you have to heal and often this is the reason for being on liquids for as much as two weeks.

Hey lellow...gonna miss you but I agree completely with your post. It's very frustrating to see how many folks don't get the band at all and expect the weight to melt off and/or to never be hungry again or crave food that's not good for you, or not sticking to band sized portions yet wonder why they are not successful. Good luck and come back soon.

simple or not, NSVs are great. congrats and here's to more of them!

Welcome to the other side.

Good for you Helli. You sound like you are really ready to make the changes needed to be successful. Most of this is a head game anyway. Yes...the band is a real help with feeling satiated on less but so much of it is battling head hunger and old habits. Thoughtful eating is really a perfect statement as most of us got into this predicament because we ate mindlessly...just shoving more and more food into our faces. The food is just as good, if not more so when you truly enjoy the small portions you consume. In fact, I was out to dinner last night and had two forkfuls of lobster mac and cheese. It was delish and I enjoyed the taste without going crazy and eating all of it. As far as the hubby getting annoyed....just post here on this forum. It's lapband 24/7 and this way you don't obsess with him but you can obsess as much as you want with us...lol. Good luck on your journey. I know you will be a success story for sure.

don't worry about the weight Loretta, it will come off..you're still swollen right now. as far as the blood sugar being high....that I would check with the doctor. You don't want to screw around with your sugars...

check the calorie count as well. seeds, nuts, they are healthy but can also up the calorie count especially as you can mindlessly eat way too much if you're not careful.

Hi Tansmommy. I was banded in January so a few weeks after you. I haven't had any fills and have never felt restriction...only satiety after eating my band sized portions. I also never feel full. Again, I eat till I'm not hungry...which is not the same as full. Are you tracking your calories so you know exactly what you are taking in? That's what I do in order to know just how much I am consuming. I do not exercise as I have a medical issue that makes it impossible to do so at the moment. As such, again, I am very aware of how much food I am eating. I've lost 76 lbs. so far. Try tracking your calories in something like Myfitnesspal and see if that helps you at all. Oh..and the doctor is a jerk. He shouldn't be giving you attitude...he should be helping you to figure out how to work the band better. Good luck with your weight loss journey.

Where in NY Mike? There are lots of NYC/LI/Rockland/Westchester folks on this forum.

Hey Stephanie...is there a type of exercise that appeals to you? Biking or swimming perhaps? I'm very similar to you...a few years older but I weighed about what you did when I started...267 to be exact. I know you read my posts and are aware that I cannot exercise because of the arthritis and all I can do is swim in the pool....and it's not like burn calories swimming...it's let me just move around with no pain kind of swimming. I also stay around 1,000 to 1,150 calories. I've been amazed by the weight loss...76 lbs. as of yesterday. Maybe talk to the doctor or nutritionist....are you too high on the sodium perhaps and keeping Water weight on? All I'm saying is if I can be successful, there isn't a reason in the world that you can't have the same success. Believe me....I'm not special in any way and there's nothing different I'm doing than you are.... Stay strong, keep up the good work and keep us all posted on your progress. Best wishes...

Here's what you're getting into. a whole new way of eating/dealing with food. small portions, very very limited fast food/processed food/high calorie food...fried is a no-no, sodium is limited...you really must comit to a healthier lifestyle. if you don't, you will not succeed with the band any better than any other weight loss attempt you've made. You can also cause complications if you are not compliant. Now...if you are truly ready and want this, the rewards will be great. Just read posts from those who are successful and you will see what I'm talking about. good luck on your journey.

Don't stress...it will happen even with this little blip. I was all ready for my surgery...it was set for October and wound up not having it done until January because the hospital was damaged during Hurricane Sandy and was closed for those three months. Was it frustrating? Yes. Could I do anything about it? No. And now here it is July and I'm doing great, lost 76 lbs. so far and the three month delay is just a fading memory. Good luck and hang in there.

I have osteoarthritis and severe inflammation, which can be related to a host of other auto-immune ailments. The arthritis was a primary comorbidity and made it that much easier for me to be approved.

Fitting into an airplane seat and being able to bring the tray down all they way. Fitting into Broadway theater seats (oh boy are they narrow!) Getting onto a massage table and not having my arms hang over the sides because I'm so fat that I don't fit. Not scaring the bejeezus out of someone if I try to sit next to them on the bus or on the train. Not being stared at. Not looking horrific in a bathing suit. And most important NSV of all is that I am now eligible for the knee replacement surgery that will hopefully get me mobile and out of pain. Hooray! All these things noted above are a million times better than any fleeting feeling of pleasure from overeating. The food is still just as good (if not better) though it means eating alot less of it. I am so grateful to the lapband and my determination in helping me to change my life.

I was going to tell you same as Gary. I've been to many many ballgames and know that they do not want you to bring your own food/drinks into the stadium. You may have to explain as Gary did why you are bringing your own food/drinks. He is also correct in that there is likely nothing in the park that you can purchase that would fit the criteria for pureed foods. It might be worth it for you to contact the ballpark to get feedback on how they will deal with your need to bring your own meals and drinks to the game so you have no issues once you get there.

sometimes non support is fear. for those who are important to you, have them come to a doctor's appointment with you or if that isn't feasable, have them go to a seminar so they understand the process better. you might find more support after they have more understanding of how it works. congrats on starting this journey to a healthier you.

sorry...lol. just saw the title of your post. again, seeing as how you are not having surgery till early Sept., don't do just liquids till then. that's not healthy, OK?

when is your surgery? the preop diet is pretty severe for many...all liquids or very little actual foods. you should not do just liquids for too long. if you are just trying to eat healthy and smaller meals, then by all means go ahead and do so to give yourself a step up. my advice is to not change too dramatically especially as you have not been banded yet otherwise you will get really hungry, cheat, and then feel bad about it. that's not the way you want to start your journey. good luck!

Spectacular. What a difference...kudos to you on your success!

I try to stay between 1,000 and 1,150 calories a day. Breakfast is often oatmeal or cream of wheat w/ pat of butter. Or a slice of toast with a slice of cheese on top and then broiled in the toaster-oven (sort of like an open face grilled cheese sandwich) I have scrambled eggs once a week....cold Cereal (like rice Krispies) with skim milk once a week as well. lunch is almost always a half a tuna sandwich or hummus with a lo cal whole wheat wrap dinner is always 3 oz. Protein, 1/2 cup veggies, 1/4 cup carbs. I also have a snack or two...SF pops or SF pudding, or fruit. I've been doing this since I was allowed on regular food and I've dropped 75 lbs. in a little less than 7 months including the pre-op diet. Hope that helps you some.

yeah....unfortunately, you're just hungry right now. Hopefully once you are on mushies, it will get better.

Being out of town for the whole month of October might be tricky in terms of food progression (liquids, mushies, solids), follow ups with the surgeon, possible band issues, even fills. While I'm sure you would prefer to be banded sooner than later, it might behoove you to wait till after you are back home.