CurvyCat

If I'm tight in the morning, it's a Protein shake made with Soy Slender and Water, or I'll have a quick cup of 1% cottage cheese. If I have time to cook, it's frequently an egg-white omelette. A little fat free shredded cheese and whatever leftover veggies and it's an easy protein bomb that keeps me full. However, like Betsy, I like savory foods in the morning, so some days I'll have Beans -- black, pinto, refried, whatever. I tend to cook up one big batch of beans at the beginning of the week and my spouse and I will eat on them all week long. Another savory and fast option that I'll do is tofu scramble. High in protein, soft enough to not stick if I'm tight, and easy to season in a variety of ways. My favorite has to be with curry powder or garam masala and a touch of plain yogurt, scrambled with onion pieces and canned peas (just about the only veggie I like canned). I've tried meat in the morning too, but it almost invariably gets stuck, which is no fun - especially when I'm in a hurry. heh

Love this post! I agree too, and I also agree with the comment that people should read and re-read and RE-re-read this before getting banded. Oh, and Wendy.... Think of your insurance-required diet plan as a time to 'practice' before getting banded. I used the time between January (when I started that plan) and June (when I got banded) to get a handle on portions, to get used to the higher Protein intake, and to ease into a more regular exercise program. I went into surgery already 44 pounds down from when I started and I am SO glad I did it, even though it wasn't always easy, and I floundered more than once. Doing so also made the adjustment to being banded just a small transition instead of a huge one. Play their game, but play it to WIN! ;D

I am so undecided! Just over 2 weeks ago I got my second fill in a 10cc band, bringing me to 5.5cc total. Since then, I have gotten stuck eating just about anything in the mornings or evenings. Even cottage cheese feels tight and uncomfortable, but at least I don't (usually) start sliming with it. Not only the usual culprits like egg whites and chicken, but soft foods too like tofu and fish. My midday meal is sort of hit or miss, I get stuck about half the time, but it's been more successful than other meals. Warm Soups go down the best, and I've been sticking with low-fat, high Protein bean soups or veggie soups with very small meat in them (like picadillo or gumbo). But, of course, soups don't stick around for long after I eat them. So, yeah. I'm either not being aware enough of my chewing and speed, or I'm too tight. I understand chewing well, but I didn't think I had to liquefy it in my mouth before swallowing. If so, what's the difference between eating regular food and the alleged slider pureed foods?!? Any thoughts on all this? I have an appointment on Thursday to get a slight unfill, but if my issues are MY doing, then I would rather fix them than pay to unfill and have to re-fill my band. I want to lose weight, of course, but because my band is helping me to feel satisfied, not terrified!

My stuck feeling hits up high too. Owch! I have yet to get it from eating too much, only from eating too quickly or not chewing enough. That may change after another fill or two in that I will have to watch portions even more closely, but so far, so good! I have to cut up hard-boiled eggs pretty small (like in tuna or chicken salad), but I can eat scrambled eggs or omelettes without any hassle right now. Like anything else, I just have to take it slowly and deliberately. Chicken has been my most frequent stuck food, but I'm determined not to give up on such an awesome source of cheap Protein.

That's a great idea, Tylee! I'll have to remember that for when I have something spicy -- sometimes I've HAD to have a sip or two when my mouth is on fire, heheh! My Dr. also has the 30/30 rule, but I often drink right up until the meal. I don't (aside from the aforementioned sips-with-spicy) drink during, and I always go at least 30 after. I too find that I stay full longer if I can wait longer to drink, so I do try to stretch it to 45 or so if I can. It's hard, though, especially in this heat, to stay away from my Water bottle. It definitely requires planning. Like I'll eat in the morning before I take my daughter to school, then on the way to the gym I get in at least 500ml or so of water before working out. Then another 500ml-750ml after working out, but before I have a string cheese or handful of almonds (I prefer to get in that snack within 45 min of working out). That way I'm hydrated AND refueled a bit after my workout. Then I can drink more later, but before lunch. Any time I can, I'm sipping on water, even through the night --- though it does make me usually have to get up twice to visit the bathroom.... LOL!

Hey there! A friend of mine recently opened a plus size consignment store in Austin, and I wanted to let folks here know about it. I'm bringing in all the stuff I'm shrinking out of, and she has a pretty awesome selection of things in all plus sizes (also formals and costumes in ALL sizes). It's definitely a good place to pick up quality stuff on your way down the scale without having to buy a whole new wardrobe. Get some new-to-you goodies and then resell them when you shrink out of 'em! Let me know what you think of the site too -- I just redesigned it for her and I'd love some feedback. Venus Envy Consignments ____________

I've found that I get a metallic taste in the back of my mouth about 20-30 minutes after eating my Calcium chew(s). I only started taking calcium after surgery, so I don't know if it would have done it before or not. I get ketosis-mouth sometimes if I'm eating little-to-no carbs for several days, but it's not metallic for me, just yuck.

I have one, and I can hardly feel it so far. I'm just over halfway to goal, so we'll see how it goes as more weight comes off. I think my surgeon uses them exclusively, as both I and my friend (who was banded by him the same day as I was, but at a higher BMI) have the low-profile ports. :thumbup:

I wish!! Nope, I started in on things at my first appointment in January. My insurance required a 90-day medically supervised weight loss program, so I decided to try to start eating like I was banded in the months leading up to my (potential at the time) surgery. A couple of factors were in play along the way there. First, I was not certain at all that I would be approved for surgery, as I had very spotty medical records showing my weight ups and downs. Second, I was undecided whether or not I wanted to go through with it, even after I was approved. I did know, however, that I was done gaining weight. I wasn't going to wait around and see what happened during the 90 day program, and I wasn't going to wait and see if I was approved before trying to start getting some of this weight off. I'm pretty good at following a restricted diet for the short term. Usually I can do 3-5 months before the hunger gets me and I fall off the wagon. I managed to stick with things from Jan 6 - May 12, when we went on vacation at Disney World. The last 2 weeks of May were a total lost cause. However, looking at my vacation photos (and other family pics) --- even after losing about 40# --- was enough to solidify my decision to get banded. So, back on track for the pre-op diet the first two weeks of June, and I got my band June 15. So...... I lost 44# before surgery, and #14 since getting my band in June! :wub: I hope to hit my halfway point by next weigh-in on Thursday, and I am SO glad that I made so much headway before getting banded. It was really hard, but worth it!

So good to know that I'm not the only one feeling this way. I too remember feeling fat in a size 14, size 12, even though I can't wait to get back in those sizes now. I too look in the mirror and still see the same thing I saw 58 pounds ago. I'm not sure when the difference will click, but it's definitely not yet. I still hate the way I look in photos, and can't see a difference there either. Fat arms, fat face, etc. Sure, the clothes are getting baggier and the number on the scale is getting smaller. But my brain is still stuck where it was. boo. Not long ago, I found a Weight Watchers food/weigh-in log from when I was about 19 -- and at my smallest weight ever as an adult. I was 163 pounds, and obviously, those 13 pounds were way too many and I still saw myself as fat then. I hope that someday I can wrap my brain around myself as a woman who is NOT overweight. That's something I've never been, even though I've been close. Making the changes in my diet and relationship with food hasn't been TOO rough. Making changes in my relationship with my body may well be the hardest part of this whole thing for the long haul.

So true what EbonyRose said about making the foods healthier without announcing that that's what you're doing. My mom has done that with a lot of the things she has in the house and my dad hasn't batted an eye. But if she were to point out that things are low-fat or "light" or whatever, he wouldn't touch them. Silly. I had a distinct advantage already when it comes to our family meals at home in that I didn't have to break them of bad habits or choices. My husband and I went through that back when I was pregnant with my first in 2003. During that pregnancy, I switched us to whole grains, lots of veggies, and lean Protein. I didn't want our kids developing bad tastes and habits early on. So our kids have been growing up with that for all prepared meals at home. Reducing our tendency to go out to eat, especially at buffets, helps tremendously with the remaining food *quality* issues I have. And it's way better for our budget too! The band is helping me with my nemesis --- quantity. Because it's totally possible to gain weight on healthy food. heheh If only I could get my husband on the "band"wagon. He has the same issues with portion control and fast eating that I have, and his waistline and yo-yo scale numbers reflect it too. I think easing your family into healthier meal choices will make it easier on you, and better for them. Maybe not all at once, but just one dish at a time. And don't tell 'em that this is a "diet" meal, just say that you're going on a cooking kick and experimenting or something. A lot of non-healthy recipes can be pretty easily modified to be much more health conscious too, with no one but you the wiser for it! :wub:

I'm still working on it, but it's been less difficult than I expected, actually. I just don't eat whatever starch we're having with the meal. So, for example, tonight was roasted chicken, veggies, and couscous. I had one spoonful of couscous, but this is actually my first time to try it at all post-op. Ate my chicken first, then a few bites of veggies, then my spoonful of couscous. I only had my first fill on Friday, and I feel a little bit more restricted than before, but not much. A lot of the restraint is still on my willpower, not the band. I have gone out to eat with them too, and that's all about making the right choices. The few times my husband and kids have gone to a buffet, I've opted out, but regular restaurants have been OK. As soon as your Dr. puts you on solids, it will be MUCH easier. I have not been able to follow through with the no drinking before meals, but I do not drink during or after for 30-45 minutes. So far so good! Like Frogstar24 said, the only thing is that I do end up sitting at the table longer than anyone else, at least when I really do take my time and chew thoroughly. That's a challenge that I'm still working on, though. :wub: Life gets more and more normal the further out from surgery I get. I look forward to hitting my sweet spot with restriction, but it's been manageable most days even without optimum restriction, especially since starting solids. Hang in there!

Hang in there, it gets better!! Mine lasted about 2 weeks, but it was getting better every day along the way. Moving helps, but driving or being in the car made it worse. Getting out and walking first thing in the morning was the best. I didn't seem to get as much out of the walking when it was later in the day, but it still helped. I took the Gas-X, but didn't really notice it making any difference with the shoulder pain. It did help the abdominal gas I had, though, so it wasn't a total waste. And like others said, don't be afraid to take your pain meds -- just don't drive on 'em. I took lots of naps the first few days. And, I needed the meds less and less until by the end of the first week, when I went off the hydrocodone completely. I still took regular Tylenol (junior chewables) off and on through the second week post-op.

Self-image is such a strange thing. I get more self-conscious as I lose weight, and it's always been the case for me, every time I have lost it. My husband doesn't get why I deflect any commentary on my weight loss, why I don't revel in the positive feedback. I don't know exactly, but I am definitely more critical of my appearance the smaller I get. The tummy bulges bother me more now because I can *almost* hide them, whereas before I just took them in stride because there was no disguising them. I've gained and lost so many times, and it's always like this. The last time I did a little better, and hopefully this time I can get comfortable with myself in a smaller body for the long haul. I've known a lot of women who've had bypass surgery and this outlook is less common than others, but definitely is not rare or unusual. We've just got to work on getting comfortable in our new bodies, for the long haul.

I'll be taking anything that can qualify to a new plus sized consignment shop that's opening here in town in a few days (the shop's owned by a friend, so it's going to help both of us! :w00t:). A few things will be going to a friend who's had bypass surgery and will probably stay about one size behind me along my way... She's at her 1-year anniversary so her loss has slowed some, and she's much taller than I am. The rest I'll donate to Safe Place (a women's shelter). When I lost 100+ a few years ago, I sold a TON of clothes on Ebay, but it was a lot of work to do. I'll probably make less money with the consignment process, but it will be way easier. I wish I'd waited to sell that stuff back then -- who knew all that weight was going to come back, and bring some friends?!? I had to buy all new fat clothes as the weight came back. Ah well, at least I kept the smaller clothes so I don't have to shop again on the way back down this time! :rolleyes2:

I had very little pain at my incision site, but I did have some significant discomfort from the "gas" pain in my left shoulder. It was manageable with tylenol, though I did take the hydrocodone for the first few days. I was off that during the day within 2 days - but still took a dose at bedtime, and off it completely within 5. I continued to take plain tylenol (junior chewables) for another week or so for the shoulder pain when needed. I think it took about 2 weeks for the shoulder pain to go away completely. It wasn't incapacitating, though. I was walking around my neighborhood in the mornings starting day 2. And I was driving on day 3 -- though driving definitely made the shoulder pain worse at the beginning. I'm a stay/work-at-home mom, so I can't say anything about going back to work out of the home, but I certainly was back on mom duties within the first week! heheh

That's a LOT of Fluid retention, especially 10 days out. I'd give a call to your Dr. and just touch base to make sure that there's nothing to be concerned about and to ask if he has any suggestions for reducing it. And congratulations on your fantastic success!

Any surgery where they remove portions of my anatomy was a no-go for me. I only recently met a couple of other banded people, but I know a LOT of folks who have had bypass over the years. All took off a lot of weight. I would say that probably 3/4 of them gained most of it back within 8 years after surgery, because they never changed HOW they ate after the initial post-surgery period. Sometimes, the aftercare involved with the band is seen as a negative... For me, it was a positive. The ability to adjust the band to suit me is a selling point, IMO. The ability to unfill it or remove it if need be is an even bigger one. I like that the band will help me to create better eating habits, and that I can go in for a fill or adjustment if I find myself floundering. The banded me is all still ME, just with a little help. I like that. The loss is slower, sure, but that's OK... I'm in this for the long haul. Any other option just wasn't an option. At least for me.

Mine said 2-3 weeks before surgery. At my post-op visit, he said 3. That turned out to be right, as my incision did not fully heal until about 3 weeks. Went swimming yesterday for the first time since surgery, in fact! My kids were ecstatic!!

My surgeon does offer a lot of different WLS options. During the seminar, he really went through the pros and cons of all of them, and was very honest about how most people do not lose as much with the Band as they do with bypass. However, he was also very clear about the higher risks involved with bypass surgery. He originally set my goal at -60% of my excess weight, or, at the time, 198 lbs. 60% of excess weight lost is the average for LB patients overall, so that's what he uses to start. He didn't push me towards bypass at all, and I personally appreciated his candor about all types of surgery options. Of course, he was happy to revise my goal before surgery when I had only 24 lbs left to get to his original goal! When I showed him in the months leading up to surgery that I was ready to be compliant, and ready to lose weight, he changed my goal to 150 lbs and has given me a lot of flexibility already in my post-op diet guidelines. I know a couple of his other patients personally outside of our WLS. One bypass and one VSG, and they both also speak highly of his approach. If you can find a surgeon that is willing to listen to you and work with you, it makes all the difference in the world. Don't let this office pressure you -- it's your body and your decision, for life!

I started mine up a couple of weeks ago. Wish I'd blogged the pre-op stuff too, but I'm not lookin' back now! :thumbup: Fed up with being overfed

Betsy's comment is dead-on on this, as usual. :thumbup: When I first started considering surgery late last year, my youngest was still nursing a few times a week. She self-weaned while I was doing the 90-day diet required by my insurance, at 29mos old (she went 2 months longer than her big sis did!). But, if she hadn't, I would have held off on getting surgery until she was done. A few months extra waiting is no big deal when considering how brief the nursing time is in a child's life. That said, I'm still producing, so while my production is low, I don't think it would be hard to get it back up and running. I'm going to be giving it a try soon, in fact, as my sister is having a very hard time producing for her 5-month old and has asked if I would be willing to pump to help keep my niece on breastmilk for as long as possible.

I'm doing lots of bean soups, fat-free refried Beans, pureed chicken and ground turkey (mixed in with other stuff), and soft fish. 1% Cottage cheese and fat-free ricotta cheese too. If I'm not getting enough Protein, then I'll add a protein shake, or add

Mine just started thinning, but I've been expecting it, so I'm just going to weather it through. My hair is pretty thin and fine to begin with, but my current cut makes it look thicker. I've gone through this already once this year in late February, a month or so after I started my 90-day supervised diet. Eventually it slowed down and my hair started to grow back in. I was at about 1100 cal per day during that most of the time, and since surgery I've been at between 800-900 calories per day. So, yeah, I figured that it would start happening again soon. I went through it a couple of months after both my kids were born too, in 2004 and 2007, so at least now I'm not quite as devastated about it as I was the first time it happened. It does come back, or at least it did for me, every time. It's just hard to be patient when you're having to clean out your hairbrush daily or scoop wads of hair out of the drain after every shower. Hang in there, it will get better!!

The not drinking during/after meals thing is probably the hardest thing for me so far. But I've been getting in my fluids throughout the day by always having my Water bottle or drink mug with me and just sipping all the time. I've been making myself start immediately when I get up and getting in one full 750ml bottle as I go about my morning routine. Then I wait 15-20 min before Breakfast, usually working on making my kids' breakfast, doing some dishes, checking email, something. It gets a head start on the water for the day, that's for sure! I love teas, so 30-45 min after breakfast, I'll have a cup of tea with my Benefiber (generic) in it, as it dissolves really well in hot beverages. And then it's just working on it across the day, and leaving it in another room while I'm eating so I'm not tempted to drink then. I also get in some extra before bed. I'm used to having to get up to pee once a night, so it's no big deal to add some water then too. It all adds up!