Jodi_620

If you want a little chocolate go for it. Try to find a healthy version of it. Like Reverie suggested get some dark chocolate it should satisfy your chocolate craving and it has all kinds of other healthy benefits. Or get something SF and lowfat like pudding or fudgsicles.

I never had soup in the beginning because I too was told it is a slider but now I disagree. Maybe a broth soup is a slider but a hearty bowl of soup with veggies and meat is very satisfying for me.

Personally I can't tolerate it. But for most it is a slider food. You also need to try and aim for somehting with more nutrients first. But if you love popcorn by all means have some for a snack every once in a while.

Never eaten mussels pre or post band. I've eaten calamari. I didn't get stuck but it is one of those foods that aren't as enjoyable anymore because it just doesn't go down very smoothly. I remember the surgeon telling me pre-op that like bread, I probably wouldn't be able to tolerate shrimp. But I can eat it just fine...but then again I can eat bread most of the time too.

I can't drink 64oz of water per day. I do keep water with me and sip on it all the time but I probably only manage 32 to 40 oz per day and I do fine with that.

I agree with others, 1/3 or 1/2 cup isn't enough; I don't see me ever being satisfied, that is just too restrictive and I can't imagine getting enough nutrition with so little food.. My measurements would be closer to 1 cup.

I am with NYYnNYGFAN, the PureProtein products were the best.

I don't really need to supplement with protein at my stage but I do love that juice, matter of fact I'm having some right now, LOL. I always feel like I need more fruits and veggies so I get the fruit juices for myself, it is a great boost of vitamins for me. I find that I am tighter in the morning so most mornings, a half bottle of this stuff is perfect to satisfy me until lunch and it tastes sooo good.

I chew gum and in the begninning, I chewed a lot. I even accidentally swallowed a piece one time and nothing happened. In the beginning it was a good way to satisfy the "oral void" from not eating as much. It is also a good way to satisfy a sudden sweet craving. I don't find that I need it as much now but I still always have some on hand.

The sleeve sounds like it may be better in some ways but at the time it was not an option offered to me. All I can tell you is that I have no regrets getting the band. Oh yes, there are some days of weakness when I wish it wasn't there but I love my band. I I did the research and knew it was for me and I have done well with it. I can see how it may not be for everyone. You need to search your heart and decide if it will work for YOU! I wish you the best!

Need more info. When were you banded? What did you eat?

Thanks :0)

During the weight loss phase I rarely allowed myself such things. Now that I am maintaining, I have my days where I can't eat certain foods and days where I can and after almost 3 years, I can tell beforehand what I can handle. Overall, if is not a tight day I can pretty much eat anything I choose just not a lot of it. I don't deprive myself of a small piece of cake or a potato chip or two on occasion and I wouldn't want to deny myself the pleasure of such goodies from time to time. I always make it priority to have my three nutritious meals a day then if I want a snack and am able to eat it, I do.

I don't understand the fear of going back to the doctor. Is it your doctor makes you feel like you can't go to him for an adjustment or is it some sort of guilt thing in your own mind? Part of having the band is keeping up with adjustments and diet. If you are eating too much or gaining weight don't feel bad, just go get and adjustment. If you don't use your band as it was intended you can't be as successful.

That is cool...mine comes out to 44.4%!

LOL, I guess I could have relayed that a little better :smile2: Actually, there are several muscles used to sneeze. But the only one in the lower area of the body is the diaphragm and that is mainly used to draw in air before the sneeze. Your chest and throat muscles actually finish the job.

I gave up all my bad habits at once and was a ball of nerves, having emotional fits of anger and tears and was just unbearable to be around. I went natural and took Sam-E. It has been used in several European countries for years for major depression. It took a week or so to kick in but it worked wonders for me with no side effects. You can get it at any drug store, about $30 for a month's supply.

Banded more than 2 1/2 years ago and I still weigh every morning, first thing after using the bathroom. IMO It is only a problem if you let it bother you. At first it was a motivational tool now it is a maintenace tool I use it as a tool to tell me how good or bad I did the previous day. Over this time I have learned how certain foods, my cycle and activity levels affect that number. Understand that 1-3 pounds either way means absolutely nothing...I can flucute that much within hours. During my weight loss phase, Friday was my official weight recording day all other days were just a guide. And I do remember a crazy period in the beginning when that darn scale was not moving but my clothes were getting too big; I've never been able to explain why that happened but I know based on stories from other bandsters it is does happen.

First, I love your post! :smile: I agree with all the above. I would also like to add, take a look at what you ate for your previous meal. Was it something that got your blood sugar spiking? That will throw me into a food craving frenzy every time so it might be something you should at least look at. Bread, Pasta, potatoes, rice, sugar could trigger this in some.

I had to eat liquids for two weeks, followed by a surgery, followed by two more weeks of liquids and two of mushies. Like anyone else, I still have to exercise and watch what I eat. And no matter what, I can never just take a day off and eat whatever I want. Easy way out? I don't think so. I always tell people not to confuse successful with easy.

My doc said no to coughing and sneezing. You use your abdominal muscles for that. It is no more dangerous to sneeze than it is to exercise. Yes, vomiting can cause slippage. Your stomach convulses as your wretch and that can cause swelling and slippage. My doctor recommends coming in for an emergency unfill if I get stomach flu. Otherwise if I eat improperly or vomit once or twice for any other reason, he recommends a day or two of liquids to allow time for any swelling to go down.

After four surgeries, I can say for sure that at least for some, hairloss can happen due to surgery. And two surgeons have verified this with me. The best explanation I received is that the body can go into "survival mode" shutting down non-essential processes (like hair). Add to the stress of surgery the severe change in diet and sudden weight loss and it is clear why a lot of us lose hair after WLS. Through this and the other surgeries, the loss has always been temporary and the cycle for me is six months (hairloss 3 months in, loss lasts for 3 months then I see regrowth). Taking Biotin (300mcg a day) and making sure you are getting enough Protein will help you through the cycle and encourage regrowth of nice healthy hair.

Soft foods like oatmeal or scrambled eggs for breakfast. Thin high protein soups, refried beans. My favorite go to food that I keep stocked at all times is chili. It has plenty of protein and flavor so it is satisfying and easy to get down.

I chew gum and even accidentally swallowed it post banding. I have never had issues with it. Not being able to drink after a meal I need the gum to freshen my breath. It is also a great way to satisfy a craving in a calorie/sugar free way.

If you haven't had a fill yet, your band is loose and you don't have to worry as much about overeating causing slippage. Of course I am not saying that you can go crazy with eating. It is when you get fills and are really restricting the flow of food from your pouch that overeating can cause slippage or doing so long-term can cause your pouch to stretch. Follow the rules...eat the right foods, chew small bites well, eat slowly and stop when you feel full and you should have no worries.