reverie

Congrats! Wishes for a successful surgery and quick recovery!

Sometimes a small unfill, like .2cc can do the trick. I'd take a small unfill over esophageal cancer any day.

While you may be able to/may have to work your way up to 1200 calories a day, in the beginning it really isn't necessary. I ate 600-1000 calories for the first 5-6 months and lost flawlessly. Why? I had the extra fat storage for my body to burn therefore a big calorie deficit was okay. Nowadays I am eating 1600 calories and up because I am doing a good 2 hours of exercise each day and I'm closer to my goal, meaning a huge calorie deficit isn't ideal or necessary. You'll have to find a caloric level that works for you, not anyone else. As for snacking, I disagree. I eat 6 times a day; 3 meals, 3 Snacks. Just make sure the snacks are healthy. Almonds, fruit, Peanut Butter, other nuts, vegetables, a Protein bar, etc.

Your body is pumped full of gas and fluids during surgery; how can you not expect to gain weight? Also your body just went through major trauma and change; it's going to absorb all the calories and nutrients it can to HEAL. Honestly, stay off the scale for awhile, it's not going to do you any good.

You can try OTC acid reflux medication but really do not leave this untreated. While your restriction may be great, acid reflux is VERY harmful.

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I wouldn't suggest using a straw early on. Try buying a blender cup instead. They sell them at GNC, Vitamin Shoppe, etc. They're a tall-ish bottle with a wisk ball so your Protein won't settle at the bottom. Also most companies nowadays offer free or relatively cheap samples of their protein before you buy a big tub of it. I know of a few who were successful in emailing/calling companies and explaining that they just had surgery and were looking to try out a few different brands of protein.

It's called acid reflux. You need a small unfill.

Eh, healthy is relative, truly. You have to find what works for you. There is no one size fits all diet out there. Some people do well with low carb, some don't. Some do well with high fats, some don't. You have to test the waters and find what works for you. Google won't help at all sadly. Why not just eat what you like and focus on eating smaller portions of it? Or find ways to make your favorite foods healthier. Again, it's up to you to find what works for you. Some people here eat 800 calories a day and lose, some eat 1800. There is no one diet that promises weight-loss. Personally I'd suggest doing low carb for a few weeks and see what it does for you. Low carb being under 50g of net carbs each day.

I take pills with no problems; big ones as well.

You're still within the 6 week healing period and in all honesty weight loss is not your biggest concern right now, and it shouldn't be. Why don't you wait until after 6 weeks to jump into dieting? Depriving your body of carbs and the nutrients it needs to heal right now is not ideal, at least not in my books. Focus on your Protein, Water, and healing, then when you're on solids decide on a diet plan. Weight-loss is important of course, but you said you're losing inches, which is better than a number on the scale.

Being able to eat a cup of food or so and being full for 2-3 hours. I am not one who sought smaller portions, ie. a half of cup of food per meal. I think that is too unnatural. I think restriction differs for everyone.

Why couldn't you? I dump cinnamon in my oats, toast, etc. Emphasis on dump too. I love cinnamon! It may even help your metabolism.

Try using TrueLemon, or pure lemon juice. Maybe try some sort of stevia product.

Up your calories. 2 hours of working out on 1400 calories max? Not enough. I'm not one to believe in starvation mode but you definitely need more calories than that. Try 1500; eat some almonds; easy calories, good fats, and not too many carbs. I'm working out for a solid 1.5 hours and eating 1600 a day. Also, check your measurements. I'm 12lbs from goal, have been going between 132-134lbs but I've dropped a pants size almost.

Nope. Liquids go right through.

Doesn't exist. Collagen lotion may help, but not much. Stretched skin is stretched skin. No lotion or cream can tighten it.

First 6 weeks = healing, which may mean no weightloss. Stay off the scale and stop comparing your loss to others.

Rhanks! Looks like you're off to a good start

Sweet spots and restriction have nothing to do with weight-loss. I don't have great restriction, compared to what most people have, and I have lost anything from 0lbs a week to 8lbs. Your restriction only dictates how long you're full for, and in some cases, what foods you're able to eat. 1-2lbs a week is ideal weightloss, WLS or not.

Tummy growling. Head hunger is when I'm bored and need something to do so I think about food.

Mix it up People think I'm crazy but add some weights in. Weight-lifting increases your metabolism much faster than cardio does. It doesn't have to be anything heavy though.

I responded to you on OH, so I'll just copy and paste One thing to add though. Before buying them, look on eBay and Craigslist. They usually sell pretty cheap! I live by the Beachbody programs! I have never done Insanity, but I do have the DVDs; maybe I'll do them one day, lol. I have done P90X, I'm on week 8 now, and loving it. Unless you're looking to add some muscle tone, I'd stick to Insanity, though before doing either one of them I would do a less-high intensity program. I started off with P90, did P90M, and now P90X. A lot of people say that these programs are for "super fit people" when really, they aren't. There's a girl on YouTube that lost a good 100lbs+ doing P90X (I believe her name is CoutureSlimdown), and she started off by only doing half of the video for each day. It's all about building up your strength and endurance and by the end of the 90 days, you'll see a difference physically and mentally. I say go for it but maybe start a bit lighater. Check out P90M and TurboJam before jumping into X and Insanity.

Definitely normal! You may still have swelling from surgery or maybe the band has given you the restriction level you need (ie. you don't need any fills). Only time will tell. Congrats on your loss so far.

20lbs in 3 months is a great loss and is on par with the expect 1-2lbs a week. As for your fills it can take, and usually does take, more than a few fills to reach "restriction." Hang in there and focus on eating right and exercising.