Dave01

Mandi, My weight loss slowed at 2 weeks, then began a few days later. Try mixing up your diet, as much as possible and I make sure to eat at the same time every day. Seems to work for me, along with tons of water/crystal light. I think the water bottle has become attached to my hand since I am always with it. I upped my walking another 10 min each time and since 8/30 have dropped 54 unwanted lbs. Good luck, I'm sure the loss will start back...Dave

My liquid diet is still very fresh in my mind. I actually posted a pic of myself on the front of my refrigerator to help remind me what I was doing this for. I did start my liquids earlier than required, just to minimize the shock to my system. I'm not sure which liquids you are allowed to have, but mine was Protein Shakes 2 times per day and broth for a meal. I limited it to 3-4 ozs of broth........ and LOTS of Water between meals. So much I thought I was going to drown...LOL Once you get the band, even without a fill, the liquids fill you up quicker. Good luck, Dave

It was toasted, so I only ate the crispier part and left the thick part on the plate. It took me 45 min to eat 1/4 of the food, but I have left-overs in the fridge for tomorrow...LOL

Went out for lunch today, the first real meal out since being banded 8/30. It took me about 15 min to decide on what to eat. Chicken salad on a pita. Kinda what I have been having at home, except for the pita. I guess good habits arent easy to break....LOL

My dr said no topopcorn too. The hard pieces of the shell will do you no good. Plus its far from a mushie...LOL My mushies were blended cauliflower, creamed Healthy Request soups. I think lettuce is supposed to be out for a while too. I had to limit my mushies to 3 oz servings. I never felt full but wasnt hungry till week 5, then very minimal hunger.

Kimmi, Congrats on the upcoming date. You will do just fine. If I can make it thru the liquids and mushies, anyone can. It does take some willpower though. Keep reading and posting when you have questions....Dave

Hey Nellie...LOL I was banded 8/30 and its not been bad at all. I was a serious impulse eater, ordering pizza at 11 pm and stuff like that. Since getting the band, I have been able to maintain a less than 900 calorie per day meal plan, without having my first fill and am not hungry. If I can do it, I'm sure you can too. The best thing I did was start a liquid diet way prior to my surgery date and started practicing not eating/drinking at the same time..... Good Luck, Dave

I was told to avoid the tomato soup. The acid in the tomatoes would not agree with me. Are you able to sip water without problems? Sorry I dont have any ideas because I never had any of the things people are posting about. I stayed on clear liquids for 2 weeks after surgery before going to full liquids. If it doesnt go away real soon, call or go back to your dr just to be sure....Dave

Its the dial kind. Ive had it for a while and its holding up ok...Dave

I'm making them with 2 scoops of whey Protein and 4-6 ozs skim milk. They total 54g of protein each and really fill you up. Powdered protein is from Walmart, Choc flavored and its good

Restriction is when the band is filled properly and it reduces the amount of food that it takes for you to feel "full". It really doesnt have anything to do with the types of food that you eat, although eating the good foods will help the band work better. 8 more days till I have my first fill and hoping for some restriction......Dave

Dave, I made it thru the pre-op liquid diet by loading up on water and crystal light. I didnt do the opti, but did the protein powder shakes 2 times a day. Good luck, Dave

I was just the opposite. 2 weeks out and on liquids, I could only manage my 2 shakes per day. 4 weeks out, on mushies, was still only doing 2 shakes but added one small 3 oz meal. Now I am on full foods, but still sticking to protein shakes and 1 small meal ( 3 oz fish) Cant wait for my first fill

I looked for one that played music, shot fireworks out and had flashing lights every time the weight went down. Clouldn't find one, so I settled on the health-o-meter one. Its right on track with my dr's big scale...Dave

If I said I didnt have second thoughts, i'd be lying to you. Right up to the day before surgeryI was wondering if this was the right thing to do. Now, 36 days after surgery, I am so glad that I went thru it. You will feel so much better, have more energy and be able to enjoy things that were not possible before. I'm down 50 lbs so far, lots to go, but ts been a great trip so far. Good luck, post up when you get banded......Dave

I keep a bottle of water with me all day, no matter where I go. It makes getting all thats required much easier. I am now up to over 2 gallons of water per day. For the first 2 weeks, I kept it at 64 ozs, counting the protein shake as liquid. It gets easier and the more you can drink, the better off you are. As for drinking and eating at the same time, use the time you are on liquids to get used to waiting before and after meals to drink. It will make it easier later on....Dave

I got there at 0500 on thursday, and after 4 hrs in the operating room, they decided to keep me till 1 pm the next day. Its not real possible to plan on the exact time you will be there. Mine was supposed to be a 45 min surgery, but things happen. Sorry if this didnt help, but just wanted to let you know its not easy to plan on stuff....Dave

Welcome and congrats on your band. The journey starts here. There are some awesome people on here with a bunch of good information....Dave

I'm on solid food now, but am continuing with a protein shake for b/fast, a small lunch, usually cottage cheese mixed with applesauce ( 3 ozs), and then 3 oz of fish and 2 oz veggie for dinner. Sometimes only a shake for dinner. I still have 10 days till my first fill, so I refuse to gain any weight back.

I never got a chance to get full.I stopped at 3oz of food, but I wasnt hungry till the 4th week

Mandi, I started the chewable Vitamin the day after surgery. My incisions started healing 2 days after. Only thing I was told is not to bathe ( showers were ok), swim or soak the areas too much. They are all healed over at 30 days. I had 2 full weeks of liquids before the mushies were allowed. I went another week longer just to make sure everything was good. Good luck, the mushies were a real treat too.....Dave

Welcome to the site. Lots of good people and information on here...Dave

Congrats on your decision.Most people are in and out the same day. At the most, you may be there overnight for observation. Depending on what you do for work, I have seen people go back in 5 days. Mine is much longer since I work offshore on a boat and cant easily get off in case of emergency. You can be up and moving the same day, in fact, they encourage it to help in healing Good Luck....Dave

October 15 will be my first fill. I cant wait. I've been doing good without one, making sure I only eat one small meal per day and 2 protein shakes, but it would be nice to feel the band working on my stomach, not just my mind...LOL

About time I joined up Name: Dave Exercise Goals: 3-4 mile daily walk, weight training 4 times per week, 45 min nightly bike ride (stationary)