liannatx

@SaraJay425 I pureed chili. I am eating everything Elode listed right now in my puree/soft stage. chicken salad pureed is very good and filling if you don't like the tuna salad. I was also allowed Tilapia, which I love. I don't do the potatoes at all because of the carbs, but refried Beans have some Protein and Fiber... and they are just so darn good! Ricotta bake is Yummier version of fatfree cottage cheese topped with Marinara or Spagetti sauce, it is tasty and a good source of protein. I also use those little 4oz Rubbermaid snack containers! Makes it so convenient. I have a 2 oz limit, so I just fill them half way.

Google "BMI calculator" and you will find several basic calculators that will calculate your BMI according to age, height, sex, etc... I just put my goal weight and it was within normal range. You could also search and look for a basic BMI chart.

@CowgirlJane Which one is the BioEnterics band? I had the old Inamed 4cc band done in 05... is the BioEnterics the model before or after that? Just curious because I haven't heard of it... and only have vague recall of the Molina band.

I haven't used a salt shaker since surgery. This is only bizarre because I was a saltoholic pre-op. I have noticed that most foods already taste salty, but this has been consistent for me not sudden. Are you taking a PPI? I was just wondering if the spicy foods were causing acid...

I didn't like the taste of it at all, but it didn't make me nauseous. I just carry bottles to work and drink it out of habit, but often I add Crystal light or Mio to it. I have found that drinking it plain occasionally for a couple of weeks now, I like it again taste wise. I hope you get over the Water nausea because it is really the best, most convenient, and most affordable source of hydration!

I plan on having a drink occasionally if I want one. I asked my surgeon if I could drink by July (we have an event to go to) and he said yes. When I was banded I drank Chivas and Water when we went out, or Vodka with Crystal Light Lemonade, but only a drink or two (usually). I don't recall it ever stopping my weight loss and I certainly never gained from it. One ounce of Vodka is 65 calories and zero carbs, mixed with no calorie no carb mixers it isn't much damage calorie wise. My philosophy is I want live a normal life while I lose weight, and if that involves being out with friends and having a drink then I probably will sometimes.

@samuelsmom I love the Light & Fit Greek yogurt!

@Bndtoslv I was floating around 145-150 lbs for a couple of years while I had a healthy band, and I was pretty happy there. I looked and felt good and healthy. I think I really want to get to 140. I am a medium to slow loser, but I know that I can drop the weight pretty steadily, but of course it is hard not to get impatient about it, lol.

I want some Turkey meatballs! I love love love Teriyaki meatballs. I stretch/modify the Terayaki sauce by adding some lemon juice or vinegar and a packet of Stevia.

I have read many posts on different boards of people that revised to sleeve and were successful. I researched for about 2 years knowing that my band would have to come out eventually (due to common band issues). It seems to be working pretty easy for me. I am down 16 lbs in 3 weeks since surgery 3/9/15. I am not sure about the esophageal issues you had affecting your "fullness" feeling. For me it has been a different full feeling... it is in my stomach, not barfing of sliming. Most people say that the sleeve is what they wished the band had been. Truly permanent and effective. The biggest benefit for me has been being satisfied on such tiny amounts. I can only eat about 2 ounces of soft foods right now, and I am done. Literally, done like I cant eat another bite. I know this amount will increase to 4-6 oz but like you I was 100% successful with the band and know what foods to eat when my capacity increases. As to the pouch size, it is not true at all that they have to make it bigger if you were banded.. in fact I have never heard that before. I had severe damage, and had to wait for 5 months after band removal to let my stomach heal, and my Dr. used a 32 bougie on me. It is also not reversible as someone was apparently told, lol.

All of the following are good pureed, or are already soft: Refried Beans with some sharp cheddar, cottage cheese, tuna and chicken salad, baked tilapia (on my plan), ricotta cheese topped with spaghetti sauce, Cauliflower pureed with chive cream cheese, oatmeal with some Protein powder/stevia/cinnamon. Do you have separate puree and soft solid stages? Or are they combined as a step between full liquids and solids?

Lol, and my big butt will be the last place it goes from with my luck.

I have had them a few times, and yep, they are big loud hiccups! I only hiccupped a couple of times and then they stopped. I think mine were from taking too big of sips, or sips too close together... it is the only time I have had them.

Well done! Glad you got your health and confidence back. You look great!

I went band to sleeve also. I had 1 week of clear, and 2 weeks of full liquids. It is tough, but I was more afraid of creating a complication or leak than I was of the hunger. I surely wouldn't try beef yet. I think of all meat Proteins it is the hardest to digest. I think it would be best to bite the bullet and follow your surgeons plan... it seems incredibly tough now but it is really a matter of days and once you get to soft foods/purees it is totally different. They do seem to quell the hunger pangs. Just hang in there, most of us have been there and understand the liquid phase burn-out.

The first 3 days are the worst. Just tough through that and it gets easier! Congrats on the date, see you on the sleeved side soon!

I just got a tub of Protein powder, different flavors of Crystal Light, and some low sodium bullion cubes. Are you doing a liquid pre-op? I had 3 Protein drinks a day, and as much of any other flavored Water or broth that I wanted.

You look really good, Amazing progress! 9 months.... you gave birth to a new you! You also look younger now.

I just got some unflavored this weekend. I don't know what I will use it on yet, still on soft foods. I plan to use it with some crystal light, I am getting tired of the Protein drinks.

Many people try several different kinds before they find one that they like, or that agrees with their tummy. I love the Syntrax Nectars. I have the Cappuccino flavor for breakfast every morning, and a Fuzzy Navel mixed with water right before lunch. You might have to experiment, and you might find that after a few days they don't bother your stomach.

@@MsAlaineus You can find them just about anywhere, from Walmart to higher end stores. Look under 'shapewear" and you will find a variety of tank tops and shaper tops. I like the ones that allow you to wear your own bra and fit right underneath the bra. They don't create the Uni-boob look, LOL!

I had surgery on a Monday and returned to work the following Monday. Like you, I was still a little sore and tired but I had no problems at all. I think I felt better by getting out of the house and back into a routine.

I would think several weeks to a month or more? That large incision remains painful for weeks. I'm at week 3 and it still bothers me. However I do wear a shaper tank under my shirts, and that is actually comfortable, so I really don't know how the waist cinchers would feel. Maybe someone that has worn one will reply.

Are you able to sleep good at night? Are you dreading going back to work tomorrow? Lingering discomfort and that deprived feeling of not being able to eat were my only real negatives. It could be a ton of little things all piled up together. Hopefully the day will go smoothly, I actually felt better going back to work and getting back in the groove of a routine. I hope your day goes smoothly tomorrow, and you shake off this irritation.

I am a big fan of CeraVe PM for my hands (it makes hives on my cheeks, but is amazing on my hands). @@CanyonBaby convinced me it was worth getting the tub of cream... I have only been using it for a couple of days but I will admit that the slightly crepey texture that was appearing on my hands and forearms is gone. CeraVe and Bio Oil are now my favorite body moisturizers. My face is normal/oily so alternate between a retinol and Estee Lauder ANR. The combination keeps my skin pretty and balanced.