honk

I'm at restriction and can eat rice and spicy food. My only real issue with spicy food that I have is being thirsty and wanting to have a drink.

Please remember weight loss with the band averages 1-2 pounds per week. I had lost a lot preband so I average 1 pound per week. You are averaging 2 pounds so I think that's pretty good. Remember you don't know what someone's situation was prebad. Did they have a preop diet? If not did they go from eating 2-3,000 calories a day to 400 a day the week after surgery?

In a word yes! And my doctor wants me to stay at a restriction level where I can still eat all foods.

Def. look for store brand a lot cheaper.

My doctor requires 7 days for clear liquids and 7 of full liquids; so I am not suprised you're having trouble with mushies at this point. Though I understand you are probably following your doctors orders. I would step back and perhaps stay with full liquids for a few days. I suggest having the soup (tomato, squash) and an hour later the protein shake. Spreading the food out will help with head hunger.

You should be able to eat solids by now. My doctor only requires one day of liquids and one of mushies.

I very much agree that living the 90/10 rule is the way to go. My big issue is creating food habits. That everytime I go somewhere or do something it means I will eat X. This leads to me eating when I'm not really hungry. I would say go have some frozen yogurt but don't give in to having some tomorrow because you can convince your self it's "not that bad".

At day 8 I was able to move to smooth soups like squash or tomato; plus a protein shake per meal. I would have the soup and then an hour or so later have the protein shake. Spreading your food out helps a lot with the head hunger. I did not move to mushies until week 3 and that considted of smooth yoghurt and low fat ricotta or cottage cheese.

Love, Love, LOVE grape tomatoes. My sister thinks I'm crazy.

I agree about gettind rid of grazable foods. They tend to be carbs, or high fat anyway. If you MUST have a snack have chicken breast strips where you can eat 1 oz. I know it sounds harsh but my doctor once I was on solids wanted 3 meals a day no snacks. I will admit to having a 160 cal. protein shake between lunch and dinner before my work out (I often go 8 hours between lunch and dinner). I think some of your issues are head hunger. You are bored and thus start eating. Also if you have a snack every day at a certain time it has become a habit and you are'nt necesarily really hungry.

I am on solids. I find that after I eat about 30 minutes later my digestive system is just moving things along. I only eat 3 times a day so no snacks; but there are days I have several visits to the bathroom.

I have not had an unfill due to being to tight and I am a year out. My doctor's office is somewhat concervative in fills as they prefer you go slow then have you be too tight. I have only had a couple stuck incidents and that was from raw carrots; so perhaps my own fault. I have not a slimming incident either (knock on wood). I went for a fill about every 3 weeks for the first 7 months. I have not had a fill in the last 4 months.

I am at restriction. I have a long time between lunch and dinner about 7 hours. By the time I get dinner I am starving. More to your point I find at 4 in the afternoon I think I am hungry. It's really head hunger because I'm bored. I'm not saying that your hunger is always head hunger but head hunger is very powerful thing.

My doctor also calls for 1 day liquids one day mushies after a fill.

I drink up until I start eating and then wait an hour after. I find that my lower calorie/fat food choices tend to be less salty and I don't really miss not drinking while I eat.

Granola is a big problem for me. Early on before restriction I would by chocolate bare naked granola and eat like half the bag in one setting. Had to stop buying it all together. I can't keep carbs in my house. To much of temptation. Also in general I find dry cereal to be a slider.

If you belong to a gym they should also be able to print out all your visits for the last year. I submitted mine as proof of my dedication to a life change.

FYI lap swimming is a great exercise. I find it really works my core (read ab musles). Water proof MP3 player is a must!

I feel your pain. It took me 7 months to get restriction. I also lost quite a bit presurgery (80 plus) which I believe has led to my being a slow looser. I also stay within 1000-1200 cal. and am averaging 1 pound lost a week. I do an hour of fairly intense cardio 7 days a week. So you are not alone.

Buy a good digital scale and start weighing at least all your protein. When that serving is gone you're done eating. Took me 7 months to get restriction. Also now that you are on solids; what are you chosing? I try to follow the 90/10 rule. Carefully watch what I eat 90% of the time and relax 10%. Also if I would be embarrased for my doctor to see me buying/eating something it does'nt get bought!

I think the best doctor's realise they are providing a services. If they don't meet the customers expectations they will go somewhere else. Totally unprofessional to not tell you they would not be taking any action for almost 3 weeks.

Are you doing any exercise? If not I would recommend starting slow and working your way up. Swimming is very good for overweight people because you don't have to worry about joints. If you are concerned about wearing a bathing suit; keep in mind once you are in the water no one can see you! I do lap swimming and have a water proof MP3 player that really makes a difference. You can also make water aerbics as intense as you want. Ask the instructor for ways to make it easier or harder.

Satisfied is different from what I used to consider feeling full. I'll be eating and I'll ask myself am I hungry enough to keep eating? Sometiems I say no and stop

I don't know what today say about your mother's comment. I will say maybe 2 months after surgery I went out to eat with my mother and I mentally cut the food in half. I stopped even though I was'nt full. My mother said to me "That's more than I've seen you eat in MONTHS". Well it was the truth and I'm sure she did'nt mean it to be hurtful but I was a little annoyed. One comment I would make is why are you drinking while you are eating? Even when I eat out and the food is more salty; I drink 1-2 large glasses of Water after ordering but do not drink while I eat. Drinking while you eat will push the food out of the pouch and you will not feel full. As for mexican I would recommend fajita's. Ask that they be made with limited oil/fat. You get your Protein and veggies and can control how much cheese/fat you eat.

Did your doctor say the protein had to be clear? I was only allowed clear broth but the protein shakes did not have to be clear and could even be made with fat free milk. NO FRUIT. I would get a confirmation. Premier ready to drink chocolate protein shake tastes very good and is very thin (160 cal. 30 g protein). Good price at Costco.