boos02

Hi everyone - I'm heading out on my first business trip since I was banded. I'm nervous about what I'll be able to eat and how it will be different from my usual travel "binges". I haven't had a fill yet so I can eat without a problem, but I hope I don't have my first sliming or pb'ing episode. Kathy

Nancy - That's a lot of PB'ing. That can't be normal. I haven't had my first fill yet, but I hope I don't experience that. I would be so unhappy. I haven't been to a fast food restaurant since surgery. I'm trying to stay away. Too many temptations! I leave on my first business trip tomorrow since surgery. I'm off to Chicago. It will be interesting with this new lifestyle. I'm used to eating ALOT when I travel! Kathy

Welcome back Janet! Well everyone, tomorrow I head out on my first business trip to Chicago. It will be interesting to see how things have changes, especially since I'm used to eating out at nice restaurants, sharing a bottle of wine, etc. I haven't had a fill yet so I'm not really restricted, but I do get full. Weight is coming off at a pretty good pace (2lbs a week). I hope I can say that when I get back from my trip! Kathy

For what it's worth, my doc told me no traveling for 4 weeks. It was mostly because the band needed to settle and my stomach needed to heal. You should ask your doctor for advice.

Long - I agree, this thread and Indio's mentor thread are the best. Although, I see that most of us toggle between several of the same threads!

Hi new2tch - I'm not sure I can help too much. I was banded on 7/21/08. It's been almost 4 weeks and I'm down 27 lbs. I'm probably still in the "honeymoon" period. Having said that - are you tracking your food, exercising 30 min a day and drinking 64oz of Water? That seems to be the key from what I've read on this website. I've heard from others that it's getting harder to get into see Dr. F. and then to get a fill. I hope they address that issue, since the group meetings are getting packed with pre-ops. Maybe they'll expand the practice. I've also talked with him about his protocol and he does go with a more conservative schedule, but I'm sure you can talk with him about it. Anyway, I'm hoping more Vermonters use this site to check-in. I think we can all use the support.

In addition to the food (I eat one 1/2 to 1 cup a sitting) are you all exercising? I was told that I need to get my heart rate up to 75-85% of my resting heart rate. That burns the most calories. I'm walking at that level 5 days/a week. It feels great!

Hi all - Janet (Indio) is away so she sent us over to this thread, but I see many familiar names already. Guess I missed this thread. Anyway, not too long ago she mentioned some "one pot wonders". They were recipes she created that can last a week. I looked for them but couldn't find them. I start solid food again this weekend and thought I would make one of them. Any ideas? Or, any other suggestions would be great. I'm hoping to make something on Sunday that will last the week for lunch at work. Kathy

Dianne - We seem to be tracking the same in almost every way, except I'm a few days a head of you. Curious, did you peel the tomato because you couldn't tolerate the skin? I've been sticking mostly to fish, but I'm planning to broaden my menu this weekend. I won't get my first fill until Sept 8 so I'm trying to test foods before then. Kathy

Melanie and Mrs JJ - It sounds like your picking and hunger may be more "head hunger". I battle with it at night too. I'm not really hungry, but I'm so used to picking or thinking about an evening "snack" that it is habit. I agree, try more fluids. Another option I've tried is SF hot chocolate. Yes, it's summer, but it's chocolate and it does the trick!!

Your liver shrinks when you are on the pre-op liquid diet. I know someone who was cancelled on the day of surgery because they did not follow the guidelines for the pre-op diet. Ask your doc what his protocol is before surgery and follow those rules.

Beckyo - if you are looking for books with food ideas, I got one the other day, "Wating Well After Weight Loss Surgery". It's written by a chef from NYC who was banded at 300 lbs. It has great recipes in it. I can't wait to get off mushies this weekend and try some. Kathy

Kimaly - My doc gave me some guidance. He said oatmeal or Special K for breakfast, to try eating a half sandwich for lunch and then a lean cuisine type meal for dinner. I'm not much for frozen dinners so I'm not sure yet what I'll do, maybe marinated chicken breast or grilled salmon. I also just got a cookbook, "Eating Well After Weight Loss Surgery". It has some great recipes in it.

Hi Melissa - I'm sorry it's been a while since I've checked in. Yesterday was a tough day for me. I was hungry all day! Since I'm still on mushies I tried to keep it to no more than 1 cup per sitting. At the end of the day had consumed 1200 calories. Any suggestions for keeping that hunger away? My first fill isn't until Sept 8th.

I have been getting creative with refried beans too. I'm going to try the Boca crumbles to switch it up a bit. I usually do beans, low fat cheese, salsa, guacomole and low fat yogurt. I transition to real food this weekend. Can't wait!

Janet - Thanks for checking in. Yesterday was a tough day for me. I was hungry all day! I kept to no more than 1 cup at a sitting, but I needed to eat more often. By the end of the day I had consumed 1200 calories. I'm still in the mushie phase until the weekend. I hope once I transition to food I won't get so hungry. On the positive side, I did get my first fill scheduled for September 8th. Hope everyone is doing well.

Dianne - Good luck on the transition to real food. I've got one more week. I was looking at my manual and it says no bacon at first. So, you may be right the bacon could have done it. Orea - I had to smile when you talked about your hairstyle change. I'm gray and I'm trying to convince myself to color my hair, but I'm petrified. In some ways that change is harder than having surgery (lol)!

Ellen - my thoughts are with you today. Janet - thanks again for those words of wisdom. Like Ellen, I wonder when the switch will change for me too. I saw surgery as the last attempt for me to make the changes I've wanted to make for 20 years. THANK YOU for being here for us. Kathy

Kimaly - Hang in there. The scale may not move every week. Mine didn't for two weeks, then it went down this week.

I too was told no more than 1 cup at a sitting. I do get hungry so I have several small meals (sometimes its just SF pudding) during the day. Having more than 1 cup could stretch the pouch.

Ellen - I'm sending a cyber hug to you. I'm so sorry for your loss. Kathy

pats_laps is a Yahoo Group. You can go to Yahoo and sign up for the group. It was started by one of Dr. Forgione's patients. Not many people participate but it's growing.

I'm on the same food schedule. Right now I'm on mushies. Yesterday I went for a follow-up visit. The doc told me not to eat more than 1/2 to 1 cup of food at any sitting. Having more may stretch the pouch. I was nervous, because I definitely could more than 1 cup. Now I eat smaller portions, just more of them.

I was at my post-op appt yesterday (three weeks out). When I told my doc I had returned to the gym he said "STOP". It takes 6 weeks for the stomach and port area to heal. Cardio is ok, but no weights/sit-ups, etc.

Hi Tamra - I'm still on the blender phase for 10 more days. I usually have a Protein drink in the morning. I get Genisoy. Then I mix it with skim milk and strawberries. It's pretty good. I had an appt today with Dr. F and he and Ellen both said I should have something else, like oatmeal. He said not to worry too much about protein as long as I get it in during the day. We'll see. I've been emailing with another gal from pats_laps. She's pre-op too. It will be great to have "buddies" on this journey. Let's keep in touch.