MeganMatters

wow. you have no idea how badly I needed to read that. I have been falling into "I'm a failure" for almost 4 months. Still playing around with my fills--not getting full quickly and making horrible food choices that cause me to make more horrible choices. However--I have joined a weight training class and I have not gone above 240 in a month. These are good things. While I'm not sure if I'm fully out of my funk--I know I have been out of it before and can get there again. Many THANKS for your words.

Jachut, Thank you. My problem is--I'm not loosing any more. I've been bouncing between 241 and 246 for months. I went into this expecting some frustration. I just find it annoying that I'm eating at the same level I was when preparing for the surgery and still feel just as hungry just as quickly. Right now I am focusing on tracking and keeping my calories around 1200-1400 a day. Funny that right after surgery I was struggling to get in 800. . . . patience!!!

Thank you everyone. I had my fill--did the liquid, mushy thing for a week and have been adding things into my diet. I'm still frustrated at how quickly I feel hungry. For example, today I had a toasted high fiber english muffin with a scrambled egg and a piece of turkey bacon at 10am. My tummy was talking like crazy by 1. I think I am going to start documenting how long things keep me full. I already track my food--but the time of satisfaction sounds like a better indicator. Here's to getting and staying below 240. . . . it's been my demon number!! cheers.

I was banded on July 24 Fill 1, 2cc on Sept.3 Fill 2, 2cc on Nov 4 Fill 3 is scheduled for tomorrow. I basically feel like I can eat anything I want. Nothing gets stuck, nothing comes back up. . . . If you have found your sweet spot--what do you eat for lunch? How long do you stay full? I'm eating 6in subway sandwiches without a blink. Is that seriously normal?? Thanks for your words!!!

WOW. I'm glad my little outing created such great conversation. This was only my second time out to eat since surgery. I hope that those of you who are embarrassed to show your card or ask for an accommodation will reconsider. Yes, we technically elected to have this surgery, but I know that if I did not make this choice I would have died in my 50s. I do not see it as a choice. I view this as my life saver. I know that I can just order a big meal and take a to-go box. However, I still feel like a restaurant limiting anyone's ability to order a smaller portion is just annoying. Surgery or not, any person should be able to order a smaller portion. Why is that a big deal?? I plan to keep asking for that kids menu, and depending on who I'm with, I'll surely pick of others' plates. I still love OG, and will probably return. I was just disappointed in their refusal to work with me. oh and it was the OG in Federal Way, Washington

I also had pretty sharp pains. I call my doctor and she explained that it was probably the stitches dissolving. It felt like a needle was poking me from the inside. It also only happened when I sat down. Not too fun, but the pain is gone now. Good luck!!

I went to lunch with my mom and sister yesterday. We went to Olive Garden. Our waitress was great, but the manager was a huge ass!! I had asked the waitress if I could see the children's menu. I also handed her my special diet card. She told me that she was not allowed to let me order from the children's menu, but that she would show my card to the managers and ask for me. Well, they said NO. Seriously. . . I couldn't even look at it!! LAME. I ended up eating some of my mom's chicken breast, and a few shrimp from my sister's plate. It was all fine in the end , but I was just pissed on the princeable. Because they refused to let me order from the kid's menu--I ordered nothing. Losers

I had to lose 16 lbs. This stuff worked for me. . . so it's worth a try. TRACK your food intake!!! fitday.com is fantastic I ate about 1200 calories a day 64 oz of Water a day Fiber is very important. I would eat a high fiber english muffin with a scrambled egg on it every morning. Veggies veggies veggies!! I also kept my carbs low. I hope some of this is helpful. You CAN do this!!!!

Hello hello! I am currently ending my 2 weeks of mushies. I do not recommend carbs. Carbs = Bad!! You obviously need some, but pureeing Pasta is not a nutritionally sound choice. Stick with veggies, Protein and your Protein shakes. I tried to puree chicken, and I just couldn't eat it. I marinaded it, cooked it, pureed it--and while it was really something that I would have happily chewed. It was ICK! My favorite foods have included: **Pureed refried beans--I eat them with thin taco sauce **sugar free pumpkin pie--I found it somewhere on here. 15oz can of pumpkin, 1 can of skim evap. milk, 2 beaten eggs, 1 cup of splenda, 1.5 tsp of cinnamon. Pop it in a pie tin, bake at 350 for 45 min. YUM! **Pureed cauliflower. Boil it, add some milk or light sour cream, puree the crap out of it. Add salt and pepper to taste. Just remember that pureeing intensifies flavors, so things will taste more salty or garlicy. . . . best of luck!!!

I did not have a required 6 month diet either. Here is my time line February 21, Seminar April 18 & 21 All obesity institute appointments (blood work, ekg, psych exam, PT, Dietitian, nurse practitioner, & psych eval) Lose 5% June 24, Surgical consult July 24, Surgery It was almost 5 months to the day. It could have been faster, if I had lost my 5% faster. . . . but hey 16 lbs in 2 months is pretty damn good. Hope that helps!!

I recommend that you call your dietitian. What you eat is such a huge part of this process. Try going back to basics--high Protein, watch your carbs. Are you drinking any calories--those are dangerous. Do you journal your food intake?? I've found fitday .com to be very helpful. Best wishes to you!!

The gas was hands down the worst part!! Especially when it put pressure under my rib cage. I found that laying on the side that hurt really helped. Also, my sister would pound on my back. I don't know if it helped in the long run, but for the moment it felt amazing. You'll be fine, I'm sure!!

GNC Vanilla Whey Protein. Favorite things to add. . . . instant decaf coffee cocoa powder (the kind for baking) cinnamon peanut butter (about 2 tsp. . . the calories are worth it, especially when you'll be on all liquids) 2 inch chunk of banana Best wishes to you!!

I was banded on the 24th and just started my mushie stage. I have not thrown up at all--nor have I felt the need to. I only felt a little nauseated when I woke up. My anesthesiologists was amazing! You will do wonderfully!

Thank you so much! I just started mushies yesterday. I started feeling hunger pains only 5 days after surgery. . . and I told myself to suck it up!!! Thanks again!

Frypan, I was banded the same day as you. The gas pains had me in tears, so I totally feel your pain. This week has been better, but just yesterday, I felt that familiar pain under my rib cage and in my shoulder. Make sure you stand up and move about. I also found that if the pain was in my left side, I would lie on my left side--it really helped!! As for weight loss. . . I track everything on fitday.com I was told to have 600-800 calories a day. 60g of Protein, at least 10g of fat, and no more than 100g of carbs. Fitday is very helpful--they do the counting for you! Best wishes!!!

Kayacee, It is so encouraging to hear that your nerves are not out of control. My surgery is on Thursday, and my head will not stop. Think think think. Shut up self!! I wish you the best tomorrow. I will be thinking about you!

I just went to the store to pick up my liquids. . . this is what I purchased: Butternut squash Soup sugar free Orange Jello V8 Spalsh, Light in strawberry banana Organic chicken broth Gatorade Crystal Light (not really nutritious--but darn good!) Sugar Free syrups to put in my Protein shakes--orange and raspberry Decaf instant coffee Make sure you look at the calories and carbs. 8oz for 110 cal or 8oz for 50 cal makes a big difference!! Also, might not be a bad idea to ask your dietitian how many calories a day they would like you to be drinking. Make sure you down the protein first!! I know that once I start the liquid thing (which I don't have to do until 1 day before surgery), I will probably get more creative. Best wishes to you!!!

Hello everyone. I'm in Corvallis!! I Feel very lucky that working for the state has given me such great insurance. My surgery is on July 24th!! Less than one week. ahhhhh!!!! My process had been with The Legacy Obesity Institute & Oregon Weight Loss Surgery in Portland. Dr. Halpin has been great! If anyone is curious about their program, I'm happy to answer questions!!

I looove ranch. I'm sure it has been the death of me in the past. I knew that if I was going to survive on more salad and other veggies I had to find something quick. I've tried the light done right--and let's be real--it's not that great!! Hidden Valley Ranch Dip mix --the non buttermilk variety, mix it up with a tub of Fat free or light sour cream. It's thick and even better after a night in the fridge. 20-35 calories in 2 TBS and 0-2 grams of fat. Soooooooooo yummy. Enjoy!!

WOW July is a great month! My date is set for the 24th. I'm sooo ready to do this. Scared as hell and can't wait to see what the future holds! I'm so grateful for this site. Here's to JULY!!

I asked a lot of questions regarding what to bring with me--what to expect when I woke up. Clothes, walking, time in the hospital. . . It was also concluded that I have to take my nails off and remove my nose ring. We also chatted about my pre-op diet, and how much she expected me to lose in a month. Best wishes to you--I'm having surgery on the 24th, so if you get your date--we'll be right on the same track!

I don't think that gaining is a good idea. However, I understand that insurance hoops are holding you back. If I were you, I would wear pants with big pockets and figure out a way to shove paper weights in all places possible--even your bra. I'm sorry you have to deal with this. Good luck to you.

Thank you for asking those questions. And Craig, that you for answering them. I too had no idea what people were talking about.

My surgery in on the 24th as well! Congrats to you!