Yoda

below copied from another thread in which the same query was posed: don't forget also that "one cup" can be considered as once cup of "chewed" food.....in which case it all ends up being the same. Imagine one cup of "chewed" lettuce (ewww!...) but it is a lot more that way than puting 2 lettuce leaves into a cup. What I mean is that your pouch can hold approx 1 cup of "chewed" food....don't think of it so much as whole. That being said....after about a week on "real food" I started doing what Gaffer described.....

don't forget also that "one cup" can be considered as once cup of "chewed" food.....in which case it all ends up being the same. Imagine one cup of "chewed" lettuce (ewww!...) but it is a lot more that way than puting 2 lettuce leaves into a cup. What I mean is that your pouch can hold approx 1 cup of "chewed" food....don't think of it so much as whole.

My two cents worth: I wouldn't recommend changing your pressure without the orders from the sleep doctor (which...yes, likely means another sleep study). Just because you learn how to change the pressure on your own doesn't make it right or mean you "should". I don't know about other countries...but in Canada...there are legal issues....for instance if you get into a vehicle accident and they know your have a CPAP and you either don't regularly use the CPAP as prescribed OR have unilaterally changed the pressure....the implications are serious. So, obviously, in addition...you don't "know" when you no longer have apnea....and snoring is NOT an indication (for instance, I have never snored and yet I have apnea)....so you can't decide when to stop using it altogether...not without a sleep study. It just makes sense to lose a significant amount of weight first...then have another study. Also, as someone else said....it may not go away....don't forget that lots of "thin" people also have apnea. There is "sometimes" a connection with weight but that is not the main thing. Personally, (& thankfully!) I looooooooove my CPAP and in a way I hope I always have to use it, even when at goal.

My menstrual cycles have definitely gotten more regular....(compared to before!). I'd say they are almost 100% "normal" now....

DEFINITELY call it in Lila! Keep us posted.

May all time fave mushie (which I've mentioned before on here!): Open a can of "re-fried beans" (a mushie in itself!) and heat it up in a pan. Add some shredded cheese near the end to melt it in a bit (mmmm, even more protein!)....serve on a plate and add in a dollup of sour creme (light, of course!) and some salsa ....mix it up.....enjoy!

Good luck LeslieLee. As for advice...I didn't do Optifast pre-op BUT I did go thro the entire optifast program several yrs ago. The trick is: extract flavourings!! Orange was my fave. Mix it with the chocolate optifast and it tastes like a "Terry's Chocolate Orange Ball". Bananna and almond were also my other faves.

Thanks for letting us know Carol!! I did see it on the general board, and you look AWESOME by the way!! Many congrats on reaching your goal...and in only one year!!! :clap2: :clap2: You have so very much to be proud about. Sorry to hear the news about your hubby....best wishes going your way...all the best to you both.

.....and what a vewy vewy vewy good boy he has been!!!!! :eek:

Yeah, I regularly look at the Before & Afters on the GENERAL Thread and saw Carol's goal photo (WoodyS). AAAAMAAAAZING!!! She looks GREAT~!

We saw "Fracture" (Anthony Hopkins/Ryan Gosling....mmmmmmmm yummy!)....It was a very good movie....!

Welcome :welcome: & congrats on your banding date! You soooooo won't regret it! You are starting very close to where I started (273)....and I'm a slow loser....so imagine where you will be a year from now!!!

that is fantastic msrobby!!! Yay you!!!:clap2: Your body shape is merely "re-distributing" itself!!! The first of many to come!!!! Well done...you are doing GRRRREAT!!!! Can't you just taste the 50!

welcome rosiejan and congrats on making a great life changing decision!! I too could never stand to even LOOK at cottage cheese and so just did the yogurt...I swear, if I could do it, ANYONE can!! Keep up the good fight....ur almost there!

robgoblin: all the info re. portion sizes (even the full Fluid stage) are on the instructions provided by TLBC. Ultimately, it is up to you whether or not you follow them "religiously" or not....your choice and you naturally have to do what you feel comfortable with. That being said, I would not advise others to disregard the instructions...the choice is theirs if they wish to do so. Don't forget....even though you "feel fine"....you can still feel fine but you can't "see" your insides so you don't know if it has completely healed....apparently you need 6 weeks to "heal". Just my two cents...take it or leave it!

Silly gal!!!!!

Hi & welcome soonsunny. Don't forget that the 3/4 cup is a guide for most people. If you can only eat 1/2 cup....than that is no biggie....as long as it is rich in Protein etc. There will come a time when you can eat more. Don't force it.

hmmmmm, yeah too many threads!!! as I said in another one, Dr. Yau at TLBC is great... www.tlbc.ca but check out a few yourself and decide based on your requirements.

It is recommended you check out a few places yourself...you are lucky living right in TO. I recommend Dr Yau at TLBC (Prince Arthur Ave in Yorkville). www.tlbc.ca

Dr Yau at TLBC www.tlbc.ca

Very kewl! Thank you Alex!!! You ROCK!!!! You work hard for this site and it is mucho appreciated!!! Keep up the great work, we love your site!!!!!

Yup....I think anytime you eat a whole can of soup is too much....whether you are post op or well after your surgery!

Mr Yoda still has low blood pressure...but otherwise doing well!

A GNC brand....we use chocolate and another one called "very berry blast"

You just have to be STRONG Susan and use willpower until you are at the stage of where the band will work for you. You stuck to your pre-op didn't you? So you can DO this. Yes, it seems long...but really....6 weeks will go by in no time! To curb the hunger....have as MUCH Protein (ie. protein powder) as you can and drink drink drink your Water all day long. Otherwise, you just have to try and ignore the hunger and the belly rumbles. You know that physically speaking you are okay and don't need more food; you just have to convince yourself for now. I know, I know, if we all knew how to do that we wouldn't be here...but this is only temporary and just a necessary step you need to take at the beginning of this journey....keep that in the back of your mind; it can help. Good luck.