HeatherinCA

Depends on the doctor. I went through it with Kaiser about 2 years ago and ended up not doing it with them, but basically they wanted you to lose 50 pounds, then they'd say if they'd allow you to do it. But if you lost 50 pound you probably wouldn't qualify. They also REALLY didn't want to do the lapband. Ultimately they had denied me because I was 250 and had no medical problems. I guess it's different for everyone, but that was my experience. So I ended up switching to a PPO and that was instant.

Me too, i'm in Hollywood

I love oatmeal for breakfast, It goes down good and its filling, just thin it out a little bit with more Water or milk. I love maple & brown sugar flavor or add a little brown sugar to plain. Or you could just have a Protein shake if that is your preference. lunch and dinner, I've been having a lot of Chili, egg salad, tuna/chicken salad, mashed potatoes, refried Beans, try bean Soup (like campbells bacon and bean), or any liquid soup. I prefer to not do soup because it doesn't have as much protein. I bought one of those stick blenders, they are like $30 http://www.amazon.com/Cuisinart-CSB-76BC-SmartStick-200-Watt-Immersion/dp/B000EGA6QI that is easiest, you can mix up Protein shakes or puree your food right in the pot or the glass. I haven't had to puree, my purees.. I just make sure it's really soft food, no hard chunks and it goes down fine.

i'd just say wear like loose gym pants and maybe flip flops, because it's really painful and hard to move around after surgery, have something easy to put on. After I wasn't hungry or wanting anything resembling food or protein shakes, I just wanted water, because I was so dry. Make sure you have tons of it on hand at home. Hospital should give you everything else you need. Gas will alleviate by walking around.

A suggestion, try pre-made shakes, they taste way better. I like the Myoplex lite. I mean sure, they aren't delicious but FAR better than the powder. When do you go in to mushies/puree? If anything i'd try eating like oatmeal or chili or something, not nuts.. I'd worry about taking solid food, because it's hard to digest.

Of course! Cause you aren't eating. i was fine about 4-5 days post op. Back to my normal schedule.

I felt the same way, I'd like to lose it normally but I know I can't. I've gained and lost the same 50 pounds probably 10 times since I was a kid. I can't lose 150 pounds on my own. I don't have enough will power to do that or enough hours in the day to do that much exercise, I need some assistance. I feel like the band is built in will power. I go out to eat, and I'm a little sad I can't eat what I always want, but since I physically can't eat it, I won't!! Then I'm ok, and I'm full on what it is I can eat. Before I would of ate it anyway and justified it in my mind. If my family wants to eat their 2,000 calorie meal they can go ahead, but I feel full and happy and healthy with my small portion of food I can eat. I'm starting to realize I don't need most of the food I was eating. I was scared too, I tried to convince myself that I shouldn't do it. But I did it. I'm feeling good now, I don't have a fill yet, but I think i can handle it. I'm sure I'll feel a million times better when I lose a lot of weight, and can do normal things like sit comfortably in a movie theatre or an airplane, and do things and not be tired all the time, and shop at a normal clothing store.

I'd actually like to see that! For reference when I get to whole foods. This was my first puree meal of oatmeal. I'm eating maybe double that now... i've been on puree for 7 days. The 1/4 cup wasn't filling me up at all (that's a 1/4 cup in a ramekin). I do that about 4x a day, various food. Haven't really been doing Protein shakes unless I can't have a proper meal

Ah that sucks, but I guess if you were deployed or something it would be hard to stick to a special diet maybe? or access to proper medical care for it?

oatmeal with a little brown sugar or brown sugar flavored, haha I think I could eat this for every meal, chili has been good, and is filling and every place and brand has a different flavor, also egg salad and tuna, also I've been doing sugar free frozen yogurt, very satisfying to have a normal dessert with everyone else. Also I've been eating chicken lettuce wraps w/o the lettuce (at like PF Changs or Elephant Bar), the pieces are minced so finely it goes down no problem for me (well I was on vacation the whole week my options were limited, and plain Soup isn't very filling). I get annoyed with things like mashed potatoes or Beans, it doesn't feel adequate for me. Like it's not a "meal"

Congrats i can't wait! I can barely remember the day i wore pants under a 20, hopefully soon!

Yea, just be mindful of what you are eating but I'm sure you can add a little more. Exactly what you said, my book says 1/4 cup of food, I think i'd pass out! haha, but I've added a little more and i'm fine.

I'm eating more than the 1/4 cup of mushies but I'm not going crazy and I'm scared to eat anything too big or any bread. But yea I noticed the lack of restriction. Just make sure you pick filling things like oatmeal and chili then you won't be that hungry

Yea it causes gas in the stomach, besides if you can't eat and drink at the same time it's not a big deal to me to not have soda. I don't really miss it. Also it's just chemicals which isn't too healthy, even though it's sugar free

Yea it causes gas in the stomach, besides if you can't eat and drink at the same time it's not a big deal to me to not have soda. I don't really miss it. Also it's just chemicals which isn't too healthy, even though it's sugar free

Check with your doc before exercise, mine said 6 weeks before anything strenuous... Just walking for now, cause your stomach is healing. Eww never did baby food haha. My fav right now is chili and oatmeal!

I had too much crap. Just needed water, prescription pain meds and a heating pad. Then I had a little bit of broth and protein shakes but I didn't have much appatite. Never needed the tylenol, nausea meds, and I used the gas-x but didn't seem to helP much

I would call and ask. The paper doesnt list every single food ya know?

I guess they will fall off! Its annoying, been almost 2 weeks!

Yea I'm too scared to try something crunchy or more solid like a chicken breast or cracker

I felt lousy for 3 days. No protein? That helps keep your energy up and not be hungry...

I'm on my 2nd week, I'm on puree, I've been having oatmeal, chili, tuna, egg salad, nothing has made me sick. I wouldn't try anything not mushy though... If you can have oatmeal I'd imagine you could do like chili or something? Think easy to chew if you have to at all, and will digest easily

That's true. I'm not on solid food yet, but I'm guessing i'll just eat what I can and take home or toss the rest. A lot of places have "healthy" options these days, I know in California they started forcing chain restaurants to put calories on the menu, which in turn is forcing some healthier options. Or I guess regardless if I'm having a 1/3 of my entree, or 1 piece of pizza that's still FAR FAR FAR less than i was eating before, I'm sure the calories are fine.

Same Pam, I'm not really hungry, if I pay attention to my body, I don't really feel restriction, but I'm not eating tons, my 1/2 of pureed food is fine, I don;t feel deprived.. I'm just restricting myself, but I hate knowing that I could eat more and probably not get sick.

Haha yea, I can only drink the fancy blended stuff with chocolate and sugar which is bad for you anyways. Ah I wanna go to Seattle again, totally my favorite place to visit