SuzanneG

I tried adding unflavored

First of all congratulations on your loss, that's amazing! You might try the ole' Weight Watcher trick, go back to measuring your food. My doctor only allows 4oz of food 3 times a day. He preaches about always measuring because it's so easy to fool yourself with your eyes and slowly 4 becomes 6 and 6 becomes 8, etc.

I'm a month out from surgery and I'm finding I just can't get enough sleep. I normally get up at 4:00am anyway, so I'm used to feeling tired, but it seems more drastic now and this morning I have dark circles under my eyes. I know about the importance of protien and I am careful to focus on that at every meal. One thing my doctor does that a lot of folks on here don't do is that he says NO PROTIEN shakes once I started on food, so I doubt I'm getting my 60, but I'm definitely making protien at least 3 of the 4 oz of food that I'm allowed. Any suggestions? <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>

I've heard the same as abeaher, but so far I'm doing OK. I'm drawn to salty foods, so nuts and chips are my weakness. I normally avoid them, but for the super bowl, I had a few corn chips and tortilla chips with cheese dip and salsa. I think for someone who has a serious sweet tooth, you may want to research gastri bypass. My mom had it 1997 and lost 165 pounds. The difference there is that if you eat bad foods with gastric, you'll either have dumping syndrome or you'll throw it back up. It has its downside though, since there is malabsorption, you have to worry about losing your hair, etc. Personally, I have found that fear of messing up the band is a power motivator. Good luck to you.

I understand what you're saying and I have seen people post on here with BMI below 35 who want the surgery. I always say that Mary Chapin Carpenter said it best, "The stars might lie but the numbers never do." I was in a plus size 20 when I started my pre-op diet. I opted for the surgery because I was having health problems, BP, joint problems, blood sugar, not to mention I was slowly losing my ability to do the things I love, yard work, etc. Nothing could be further from the truth for these people that I'm talking about. I know it's all relative, but I'm talking about people who are normal sized - litterally. As in not Plus Sized. The example from today probably wears a size 12. I really felt like she was poking fun at my choice to have the surgery.

I don't know about you guys, but this really offends me. Don't get me wrong, my BMI was 37.8 when I was banded so I'm not talking about those who need the surgery but get told they aren't fat enough (this happened to me). But I hate it when someone who is 20 pounds overweight at the most tells me that they want to get it done. I think they're probably just trying to show support, but it makes me feel like they're making fun of me. Is it just me?

Pix - You're post really made me laugh. I made hubby give up soda so I wouldn't have to suffer alone too! (He lost 11 pounds in the first 13 days while I was sipping my liquids!) Don't give up coffee, just caffine. I drink decaf every day and I don't notice the difference.

The most important thing for not feeling hungry is PROTIEN. Make sure that your liquids include 60 grams a day. I used unflavored

I really enjoyed having my own PJs and slippers on. I'm big on that. Also, it helps if your going home shoes are slip on. Good luck!

I did the exact same thing and it resolved itself the following week. You can read my thread "I gained 2.5 pounds on MUSHIES!" for more info.

I'm not speaking from personal experience, but I've seen many on here say that they are "tight" in the am. I think drinking something warm first thing in the am is supposed to help.

I'm getting my first fill on Feb 15th and I'm nervous. I live an hour from the doctor and work 2 1/2 hours from the doctor. I hate to be conservative and cheat myself out of good restriction, but my doc recommended we take it slow so I will be less likely to need an unfill.

My BMI was 35.1 when I went for my consult appointment. BCBS turned me down and said unless I had sleep apnea, heart disease, or lunch disease, I didn't qualify. I assembled an appeal package including letters from every one of my doctors, gyn, gp, gastro, pediatris, and surgeon, all stating that weight loss would correct/benefit my condition that they treat me for. I also wrote 2 letters myself, 1 medical, 1 emotional. Meanwhile, I ate like there was no tomorrow and by the time I submitted my package my BMI was 36.7. Based on my letters and my larger BMI, they approved me. I'm happy with my decision.

I made it! Even though I am at the beginning of my journey, this was a mini goal for me and I was very happy to get here!

leeanghadn, I think you hit the nail right on the head. Things have started to turn around for me. The funny thing is, we went on a trip last week and I ate out 3x a day for 7 days and lost 2 pounds! I even splurged a little as we were celebrating and had some things I would not normally have like chips and desert. However, I'm now paying the price since introducing more carbs into my diet, my blood sugar is unstable (I'm hypoglycemic) and I'm hungrier. Had a post-op appointment yesterday and everything is going well. I'll get my first fill 2/15 (with you I think, what time is yours? Mine is 1:30).

Hey, Welcome. 1. I was told no pill larger than an M&M 2. I don't know the answer to this one. I went from no burping to constant loud burping. 3. I'm the same as you. My diet calls for 4 oz meals and I stop at 4 oz, but most of the time, I'm practically licking the plate and would eat more if fear and sanity didn't stop me. Getting my first fill 2/15. When were you banded? Hope this helps.

I'm new to this, but based on other posts I've read on here, it sounds like you may be too tight. Have you had many fills? Maybe you need an un-fill. Sorry to hear about the divorce, etc.

I'm still on mushies, but things are better. I'm slowly starting to lose again. Now, will I gain again when I move to stage 3?

Me too. I was on 40mg Nexium 2x day and now I take nothing!

I get my first fill on Feb. 15th, but from what I've read, it's not going to change much. At any rate, I'm happy to be where I am and looking forward to future success.

For me the burps are much bigger and loud and come from deep in my stomach. It's kind of embarassing, I can't make them quiet, but oooh, they feel good.

Thanks everybody for the encouragement and it was really cool running into Leeanghaden at the Dr. office today! Turns out that during my first full week on mushies, I gained 2.5, lost 2.5 for a net loss of ZERO. This week, I'm down .5 so far. :-

FaithMD, I posted this in January board and here, thinking that I wanted to hear from folks who are currently where I am and also those who went through it in the past. Was that a no-no? Sorry guys.

My doc said the 4oz diet is what I will stay at. I understand the bandster hell stuff and I also understand daily flucuations, like most of you, I've dieted most of my adult life and lived by these scales. I read where someone else said they can tell when they wake up how they are going to weigh, me too, and I'm usually right within 1/2 pound. I have read tons of threads about this, but the reason it upsets is because it isnt' a result of bandster hell or poor restriction, I am keeping with the diet. VERY low calories. What ever happened to calories in vs. calories out? I'm barely eating here!

Well, I'm still pretty sore, but I have been walking. That's the only excersie I'm cleared for at this stage I'm pretty sure. Thanks, I sure hope it does. I'm really down about this, even though I'm sure it'll work out in the long run, it's dissapointing.