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B: 5 ounces of blueberries L: Spinach salad with 2 oz feta cheese and fat free thousand island dressing D: Italian style Smart Dog (veggie sausage) and a half a can of mushy peas

You couldn't have written it better. Melody! Supports your position exactly the way you've been describing it.

Please don't take this the wrong way but is your surgeon really experienced with the band? I'm just wondering if it is an installation issue.

Maybe it depends if you are standing up or lying down?

Have you been tested for a dairy allergy? Maybe that might be a source of the problem. I used soy Protein powder during my post op stage because I had a hard time finding a humane whey Protein Powder. I'm not a huge dairy eater but I do eat cheese occasionally. So many doctors seems to advocate cottage cheese as a complete protein that I am really surprised to find out that some say dairy is bad. I wonder if it is the hormones in dairy products - which should be obviated by using organic products. I'd like to see the link when you find it. I'm super conscious about what I put in my body these days..

Hi there, Why is dairy bad for you? I'm vegetarian and use organic humane dairy products as a source of Protein. I've always known things like cottage cheese to be good sources of nutrition and protein. Just wondering if I am missing something here...

HI there, I'm 3 months post op and haven't needed a fill yet. I do sometimes wake up in the morning feeling like a kind of ... how to describe it... a tiny sort of ache where I think my band is placed. I always drink my coffee first thing so if it is "tight" then I think that loosens it up - I usually eat about an hour after I have my coffee. This doesn't happen every day and there's no rhyme or reason to when it does happen but sometimes I do feel a little something there. Then again... it could totally be in my mind. Ummm yeah... my response here was really helpful wasn't it? Sheesh. I'll leave it instead of deleting it in case it helps someone.

Hi Justin, I don't know the answer to the methadone part of your question. I would suggest you talk to your surgeon's office about that. Perhaps the methadone clinic might know how it works with surgery. I was on liquid Lortab for one day - it didn't do much - then liquid Tylenol for one day after surgery. The pain, for me, was minimal and way less than I expected. I honestly believe that the skill of my surgeon had a lot to do with my post-op experience so I would suggest you get someone who specializes in WLS. Best wishes to you!

I received my BodyBugg yesterday. Slept with it on last night - no problem. It's cool how it shows you whether your sleep is restful. I love LoseIt for calorie tracking and weigh ins (I have a Withings scale that reports that information to LoseIt wirelessly - that is a cool product for those who love gadgets!). I am just planning to use the daily calorie estimate on the BB website instead of logging meals because all my historical data is in LoseIt. I emailed BodyMedia to see if there is a way to import it - they said there is not. Either way, I can't wait to put this thing to good use! Anyone have any tips on making the most of the BodyBugg?

I was told no coffee for the first week. Now I have one cup of regular and one cup of decaf each day. How about some B12 tabs that dissolve under your tongue? Those sometimes give me an energy boost in the afternoon. You might have to just suffer through the first week. It is natural to be really exhausted after surgery - after all, it was only three days ago. I think I was still napping every few hours the first week. It will get better... you won't always be this tired.

I have to agree here. The spelling and grammar lesson rubbed me the wrong way too.

Good for you! Your loss has been phenomenal! Congratulations!

The grass is always greener on the other side.... especially when you think the other side doesn't need mowing. Best wishes to you. I do really hope it works for you but, as others have said, it is not a guaranteed solution.

When I was a few days post-op, I felt something similar - it hurt a bit to take really deep breaths but I was able to breathe without problem. I would contact your doctor - this deserves at least a chat with your surgeon's nurse - you should be able to breathe freely.

How did the meeting go? Are you moving forward? I was banded by her in December. She's brilliant.

My surgeon suggested I rub a small amount of baby oil on the itchy area. It also helps remove the excess glue from the steri strips once they fall off.

Nirvana?

Blueberries are so yummy right now. If you are looking for snacks with protein: 2 oz of cheese, mixed nuts, apple with peanut butter.

My doctor said six weeks. I was dying for a nice long soak.

I'm from Sacramento! I would love to go to the support group but I have class on Saturday mornings - perhaps on Spring Break or when the semester is over. Best wishes!

I love this post this morning! I think you've got a great attitude, patsal. It is one that will serve you well, I think. Good for you! Half way to goal?!?! I'd take that ANY day!

I'm on my iPhone so I can't see your signature to know en you were banded.. Can you eat more regular protein? More beans or eggs? I've also heard that Biotin helps with hair loss but I don't know if that is true. Has your doctor recommended anything?

The only thing I would suggest is to take your chicken or whatever it is and cut it up to fit into the 1/4 cup. Then dump that out on your food scale and see how much it says. Then you know how many ounces a 1/4c of chicken is. That way you won't need to cut it up the next time.

Fat free Refried beans with shredded cheese!

I used baby utensils after banding and I feel like it helped me learn what size bites to take. I filled up the baby spoon halfway each time I took a bite. I found them to be really helpful.