clg016

I have started to make a grocery list for new items to try based on your recommendations! Thank you again for the advice!

My morning are a bit tighter and so I try to keep to something that while soft enough to not get stuck still requires chewing and has some substance to it.
Most of the time it's a Protein bar. This is also a good way to up your Protein consumption as many of them have from 10-20 grams of protein in them.
This is my "go to" if I am in a rush, or if I am not going to be eating for a long stretch of time. I try to always keep one in my pocket book in case I find myself out and hungry so my choice is not coming from a vending machine or a fast food joint.
Whole fresh foods are always better, but this is a good choice in a pinch.
As far as the level of Fluid in your band, I would have the doctor check things out for you. Either with a barium swallow, or fluoroscopic to see where you band is and the rate of digestion through the stoma.
I have read here that many people have thought they had a certain number of CC's in their band only to find that was not the case. So if your feeling your not at an optimum band level, speak to your doctor and ask to have it checked out.

I have started to make a grocery list for new items to try based on your recommendations! Thank you again for the advice!

My Protein shake keeps me full for about 4 hours, and I can't eat solid food in the morning, I've tried. I can't get solid food down until later in the day. With a properly adjusted band, Protein shakes can and are filling. Not like in the beginning with an unfilled band. Big difference.

The problem with Protein shakes for Breakfast is they don't keep you full. liquid diets never worked hence Slim fast being one of those loser diet scams. Restriction is not about restricting your food intake but keeping you satisfied for 3 to 4 hours. I would say that you need more substance for breakfast. oatmeal even though it is good for you is a carb and within an hour you are going to feel hungry. What about some breakfast sausages or bacon that is pre cooked. Greek Yogurt with some Cereal added. I still eat every two hours because I have too. My blood sugar bottoms out if I don't. Try some lunch meat or cheese for Snacks and the correct amount of Protein is 70 to 90 grams to sustain weight loss. Or if you have to have shakes in the morning then you should add some good bulk fruit to it to help keep you satisfied.

Congratulations on reaching Onederland -- and 55 down in 7 months is great. You are getting there, bit by bit! Pat yourself on the back for this success and get ready to lose the next chunk.
Of course every one is different so it's impossible to say what's right in terms of restriction. I have had six fills. My surgeon describes a tennis ball sized portion and feeling satisfied 4-5 hours. I had the portion part (would feel full) but not the duration -- was hungry again in 2-3 hours until this last fill. I find I am now able to walk away from Snacks that I was indulging in here and there. And I am exercising -- I'm pretty sure that's a big secret to weight loss success.
Good luck to you -- you're doing beautifully!

As you progress you should only rely on shakes as a last resort. shakes are a slider food and won't give you the satiety you need. oatmeal is also a slider food. Yogurt, most fruits are slider foods.
If satiety for longer times is your goal, you might want to eat more eggs, turkey sausage, 2 slices of bacon, egg beater omelettes for Breakfast.
lunch is always difficult but it looks like you're on track there. dinner, try to eat Protein first and then the veggies. And by veggies, I mean broccoli, cauliflower, green Beans, brussell sprouts. Potatoes, squash and other starchy foods won't give you much satiety and the insulin spike they give you can cause you to be hungry much sooner. Not saying to not eat these, just in moderation after you've eaten Protein.< /p>
My advice would be for you to sit down with a WLS friendly nutritionist. I did about 4 months into this journey and the advice given was priceless.
tmf

I agree with 2muchfun! Definitely try to have more dense, lean sources of Protein at each meal. I do have a Protein Shake in the mornings, cause my band is very tight the first half of the day, and sometimes I can barely finish my shake. For lunch I usually have some type of baked or grilled fish or chicken and steamed or sauteed veggies. I like to make fajita chicken bowls with 2 or 3 oz of sauteed chicken, a little sauteed onions and peppers, a dollop of plain, nonfat Greek yogurt and a Tablespoon of fresh salsa too. dinner is usually similar. If I make spaghetti and meatballs for dinner, I only have sauce and a meatball and I'm full, no Pasta. I limit my carbs to non-root veggies and occasional fruits. It seems to help with cravings of sugary foods too. I have 7.5 cc's in a 10 cc band and I'm happily in the Green Zone, but as you said, everyone is different. But I think you shouldn't give up, you're still on your journey to your sweet spot, and when you find it, it'll be so worth it! Best wishes

That sounds great! I'm not a big cauliflower fan but that actually sounds like something I would like and I will have to give it a try !

I went for my 1st Post-Op check up yesterday and I was an amazing 6 pounds lighter than they expected me to be! What a great feeling! I am on liquids for 2 days after my fill (3 cc's total) but after the 2 days I can eat "normal" foods. Does anyone have any suggestions for meal planning? Or some tips on the best recipes out there? I want something that's both satisfying and healthy! Ready and excited about my lifestyle change!

I am extremely happy with my decisions... Although I do constantly have to remind myself that "it will all be worth it in the end"! I repeat that several times a day!
I weighed 255 at my first pre-op appt (7/1) and weighed 243 the day of my surgery (7/29). Yesterday (8/1) I weighed myself and was 238. It was a nice feeling finally breaking the 240 barrier because my weight never seemed to drop below that!
I will be 25 tomorrow so I also consider this a birthday present to myself! I'll just have to have a Popsicle to Celebrate instead of cake!

I am extremely happy with my decisions... Although I do constantly have to remind myself that "it will all be worth it in the end"! I repeat that several times a day!
I weighed 255 at my first pre-op appt (7/1) and weighed 243 the day of my surgery (7/29). Yesterday (8/1) I weighed myself and was 238. It was a nice feeling finally breaking the 240 barrier because my weight never seemed to drop below that!
I will be 25 tomorrow so I also consider this a birthday present to myself! I'll just have to have a Popsicle to Celebrate instead of cake!

I am extremely happy with my decisions... Although I do constantly have to remind myself that "it will all be worth it in the end"! I repeat that several times a day!
I weighed 255 at my first pre-op appt (7/1) and weighed 243 the day of my surgery (7/29). Yesterday (8/1) I weighed myself and was 238. It was a nice feeling finally breaking the 240 barrier because my weight never seemed to drop below that!
I will be 25 tomorrow so I also consider this a birthday present to myself! I'll just have to have a Popsicle to Celebrate instead of cake!

Trust me, I was nervous until they took me into the OR. You'll do fine, this forum has really helped with any questions I have add. I checked the Pre-Op forums daily for updates and read other people's stories to get an idea of what I should expect. Keep me updated on your progress and I'd love to share my stories throughout the upcoming weeks as well.

I had my band placed on Monday, 7/29, and today (8/2) is the first day I have gotten out and about. The past few days have been tough, but manageable. I haven't felt hungry until today so i am sticking to my liquid diet (popsicles, broth, Water, unsweet tea) I have tried to take a few sips of a Protein Shake, but could only get a few sips down before I was full. Today I feel like I could drink my weight in water and eat a cow. Is that normal? I have my first fill/post-op appt on 8/26, but I'm such a worry wort that I know I won't be able to wait until then to see what I am feeling is normal. I have this fear that I have overdone myself and my band has slipped and/or will fail... Any help/advice will be great appreciated.

Thanks all. Never realized how lucky I am, but my very loving boyfriend made a trip to Walgreens 3 different times last night. He picked up some children's Tylenol that helped with the headaches and allowed me to sleep. Walgreens called this morning and had my prescription changed to something they has in stock. So I should be getting that shortly!

07/29/13 can't get here soon enough! I'm ready for a fresh start just before my 25th birthday.
Anyone have any tips/suggestions? What should I expect the night of my surgery? Any special things I should have on hand to get me through the first night/week?
Thanks in advance for your help!