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I also weigh in the morning every day. Keeps me accountable and I make better food choices.

You should probably call your DR if you haven't already and let them know what's going on. Food not so worried about but fluid defiantly concerning.

Welcome and congrats! I was banded on May 1st 2013 and it's still an adjustment for me. For the excerising I work two jobs so there will be nights that I will try to talk myself out of working out. I have a wii fit at home so I always tell myself just work out for 5 mins and if I don't want to continue then I will stop. Those 5 min turns into 40 mins! The chewing part I don't have any good advice for you but for me I am afraid of having a "stuck episode" so I make sure I chrew my food throughly. For the drinking during meals I keep my water bottle out of sight! Before my meals and after my meals. Out of sight and out of mind. I hope this helps. Good luck to you and I will see you on the other side soon!

that is my husband, he feels queso should be it's own food group and eaten daily:eek:

Yum! Cat food...lol. Actually, anything sounds better than liquids. Are you using liquid or chewable vitamins? Vitamins have always made me sick but I can do the chewables without an issue.

I did not get cheese until I hit the soft food/mushies stage. I first tried fat free cheese - what that is, is actually rubber. It does not melt... it just turns from little shredded pieces of rubber into a blob of rubber. Then I tried Smart Balance shredded cheese... again... no luck. It doesn't even melt and has a funny taste. I am now having a TINY bit of 2% shredded cheese. Not often, but every now and then. I'd rather have a tiny bit of good cheese than a bigger serving of rubber or unknown wannabe cheese. I love cheese and wont give it up - but have to limit it. My doctor believes in eating well - in moderation!! Good luck to you!! Becky

I have been there too, I find that I need to avoid etating late at night and have certan foods that will cause problems most of the time this is enough to deal with it- sometimes an unfill and meds can fix the problems - but if you knw what makes it worse you may have to manage it that way long term too to prevent recurrence. For me once its under control I can be a bit more relaxed but persistant straying will lead to problems- I prefer to play it safe and avoid the pain

Eating after 7pm for me is a total no no. I end up with acidy/sour stomach. Also if what I eat is too heavy it will happen. You're going to have to listen to your body...like you said in your own posting IF you eat late at night or too much you're up at night. Gotta change that then and eat earlier, chew well and eat slow. Sometimes it is a medical condition though that causes it and medication is needed to releave it. Happens to so many people who don't have the band to bood. My doc said another thing that could cause it is if the band is too tight. The acid used by your stomach to digest your food can't make it down to the lower stomach so it ends up in your esphogus if you eat too much. Good luck and I hope you feel better!

Will do! TY! I really appreciate everyone's input this is a little weird for me with all these food issues

Hi surgery twins! Down 26 lbs. and feeling great! Just cleaned out my closet last night, and as I was trying things on, I couldn't believe how large and baggy things were looking on me! I'm down two sizes, so now I'm not trying to hide under my clothes. It's so weird to me! I'm still trying to figure out my routine of food. I start with coffee with protein shake as my creamer and add a scoop of collagen protein. The bat wings on my arms are getting noticeable, but I was expecting that because I'm 49 and I have no illusions about my lack of elasticity. I do a piece of cheese or yogurt for morning snack. A green drink (veggies only) with more protein powder for lunch. Afternoon snack is the rest of my protein shake, then dinner is chicken, fish, meatballs, or a sausage. In between all of that is water. I had some bread a couple of weeks ago, and my stomach got super grumbly. This week, I'm going to switch out the juice on a few days for some salads. I've had a little beer (stout only) and a little wine, but I don't feel I need it like I used to pre-op. I had a small piece of pizza last night for the first time, but only got through a few bites. I used to have pizza every Friday night, but like so many other things, I don't miss it and don't care if I ever have it again. Also super weird to me that I feel that way! I'll admit that I wish I was losing more than 1-2 lbs. a week, but I also haven't been this size in a VERY long time! I keep telling myself that slow and steady wins the race! I'm walking 1.5 miles every day. I belong to a gym, but haven't been in years. That's my next big "add" to my routine. Although, I might quit the gym and start going to yoga. I'm looking for strength/core building, and I like yoga way better than germy machines! I was cold all of the time for the first six weeks, but that seems to be subsiding. Three weeks ago, my face started breaking out with tiny whiteheads, which has never happened before. My energy is good at the beginning of the week, but fades by Friday. Keep on truckin', everyone!

Try some electrolyte drinks. I found the added energy boost got me through. I had poor concentration too - my head was very doughy some days but that was complicated by my low blood pressure. Are there specific foods that make you feel unwell or is it basically everything? Your tummy can be fussy for a while & something you eat today without an issue can make you unwell the next. It will pass. Are you eating slowly? I know that can be hard at work but it is important so as not to put pressure on your tummy. You may need to eat a little more especially as a tall, very active male. Have a chat with your nutritionalist & surgeon. Periods of not losing weight, stalls, are common we say the first one happens at three weeks but it can be earlier or later & they can persist for one to three weeks.

It will be fine your doing good. Try som beens or mashed potatos with meat gravy. You will be to real food soon.

Hello everyone. Later this week (Wed. to be exact) I actually get to start real food. I understand that you are to take small bites and chew...chew...chew....then chew some more. I am with True Results and they want us to wait 2 minutes between bites and to limit each meal to no more than 20 minutes. Ok...anyone have any suggestions how to do this?? I have been on MANY weight loss programs/plans and know that one really shouldn't watch tv or read when eating....but when I read I have found that it is much easier to wait those 2 minutes between bites...(I generally eat by myself or dinner with my 3 year old who really isn't much of a conversationalist). Does anyone else have any other suggestions?? It is so difficult to take a bite...chew...swallow...then wait for 2 minutes while looking at what is still on the plate. Is it so horrible to read if it helps me to slow down??? Also...I had a rough weekend and have "gained" several pounds (I have only been banded about 3 weeks and am now on the "mushie" stage). Is it normal to have a gain as I switch from thick liquids to mushies then from mushies to real food?? Please help ease my mind... Thanks everyone!

try papaya enzymes, you can get them at walmart or any pharmacy, they will help disolve the food that is stuck

No raw fruit, veggies or nuts for 3 months per my guidelines. Plus, I didn't have room for these foods. Grazing is heavily discouraged, and for me, nuts promote grazing so I avoided them like the plague. I ate steamed, cooked, boiled, roasted veggies during the losing stage, but very little amounts only because I honestly didn't have room for them after protein.

I'm a newbie, but have read a few posts on here that indicate with proper restriction (green zone), you shouldn't be having much head hunger if any. One poster (name on the boards is B-52) described that he just doesn't think about food much at all and has to remind himself to eat. I've read others that describe the same thing. This makes sense to me. If you have to fight head hunger, then it sounds like the band isn't helping very much. I certainly hope head hunger goes away for me, as I'm afraid my will power is not nearly enough. My thought is you definitely need a fill.

No advertisement, just a recommendation. Bariatric Mindset Success 6 month accountability workbook. This workbook I found on amazon is helping a ton. Keeps everything in one place. I’m feeling more in control and less stressed. It’s not just about food. It’s about your mental health. Also listen to the Weight Loss Surgery podcast by Reeger Cornell.. huge support Sleeve 4/26 Hw:215 Sw: 215 Cw: 191 Gw: 145

Johni What sorts of things are you eating? Keep in mind that just because you have 9cc in the 10cc band, you STILL might need a bit more fill - but if you have discomfort when eating - that isn't good either. If you are eating good solid foods like chicken Beef, Pork or Fish - you should at least feel like you are no longer ravenously hungry anymore... Maybe you should throw out that concept of trying to feel "full" and just stop eating when your body stops screaming at you. Trust me, I know it's easier said than done. I also understand that "drop in the bucket" feeling. That is why I never succeeded at dieting before. The task was simply too great to undertake all at once. BUT, now I can take a little break and then get back on track without instantly gaining every ounce I lost and then some. That's the very best thing about the band. Please tell what sorts of things you are eating. 9cc should be doing SOMETHING - even if it isn't great or perfect, you should have some restriction. Keep the faith.

This time 6 months ago I was waking up after my surgery in the ICU. After a moment on confusion and throwing up I started my road to recovery. Before surgery it scary and so hard to imagine what life would look like now, and now I dont know what I was scared of. The journey hasnt always been easy but it has been worth it. I spent alot of time working on myself, my relationship with food and with others. I still have a way to go to be where I want to be both in weight, the way I look and the way my life looks, but it all feels very achievable now. As far as stats go to to date I have lost 105 pounds, and about 5 pounds from my first major goal....i work in kilograms, so to be in double digits will be my first big celebration. From there I have another 60 pounds to go.I wear anything from a 20 to a 14 now depending on the make. It is hard to judge but have been splurging on some goal outfits as I go along....at times I have bought clothes that are already too big for *shrug* I still have some minor issues with reflux but control this with medication at the moment, still am hopeful I will get off these soon. I eat what I want, tho my body does crave healthier more nutrient rich food and am learning to control the binge urges more than I ever have. I have been working out intensely since 6 weeks out, now work out twice a day averaging 5 days a week. My fitness is getting better and better. There have been stalls and downs but I try take them with a grain of salt and keep working on the next goals, mix it up and keep moving forward. They can really do your head in if you let them. I had my follow up with my GP last week and he did not recognise me. I am getting alot of comments, positive feedback and endorsements of what is happening, alot of positive, some people have also decided to add their opinions about who I was before and how I ate without really knowing anything about what i have gone through and the mental changes I have had to make with the physical. Some highlights (NSV's if you like) from the last 6 months: - Being able to run for over 20 minutes straight and extending that - Fitting in and feeliing confident in my first little black dress - Not complaining and actually wanting my photo taken now - Last Friday night, being able to dance the night away in heels with only minimal pain after 7 hours - Walking the whole parade route (back and forth) while in New Orleans for Mardi Gras - No more extender belts on planes, feeling more comfy in those cattle class seats - Not sure if this related but feeling less stress in my life, being able to hand stressful situations better, think this is more to do with my mental health that i have been working on, before I was a major stresshead - Only taking pain killers twice since surgery, once because I drank way too much the night before, before I felt like I was always having some ache or pain - Feeling like I want to jump, dance on a regular basis Below are the before and todate pictures, the newest picture was from a work Ball I went to last Friday and we had our hair and make up done, I got so many comments and felt so good all night. I still have work to go and plan to keep on keeping on. At the end of the first year I am planning on taking a celebration road trip around the US...not celebrating with food.

Hi all, I had a May 23rd surgery date too. I know what you are going through. My scale is wacked out. I lost ten pounds the first week and then nothing the second week, a pound the third week and then a pound this fourth week. So 12-13 pounds in a month is really disappointing. I keep telling myself - its okay because I lost 58 pounds before surgery (10 pounds during pre-op, after I gained some back during my food funeral). I know that comparing myself to others is not good because some people didn't lose that much prior to the surgery so they are in a different place with their weight loss. But it is very frustrating. I am not eating too much, not too many carbs and am getting my Protein in. I think I may have eaten too many carbs the first two weeks because the only thing I could eat was cottage cheese and other dairy products that rose my carb levels. Now, I'm all about the protein and keeping bad fat and carbs low. The only thing that I think may be a problem is that I don't always drink enough so I will work on this now. My husband gets mad at me when I get upset with the scale and tells me that he is going to hide it. I am not obsessing with it so I only "count" the time I weigh in on Monday morning. He thinks I'm being impatient and unreasonable that I am upset on what I've lost. I guess I just expected it to come off much quicker. This is the ultimate weight loss period and I'm afraid I won't be a success. I really want to get smaller. Everyone I know knows about this surgery so it is hard to say nope, no weight loss when people ask about it. I am an open person but now when I'm not losing it is hard to say that to people who are asking. Any thoughts of this being an easy process are out the window. I thought it would be easy to lose weight the first couple of months, at minimum and expected a battle after I got below 200 pounds. My scale fluctuates like crazy, even when I do weigh myself at the same time of day. I think maybe a new scale? I could see a couple of ounces but like 3 pounds between today and yesterday? It is not period weight, because I just had that less than a week ago. I don't know, I may go back to not weighing myself because it doesn't seem to help. The surgery is done, I plan on eating healthy and exercising regardless of the scale so I have to do my best. Also, weird question below - sorry if it grosses you out! Does anyone know how often we should have a bowel movement? I never (NEVER) had problems with constipation or being backed up so I don't know how often we should be having a bowel movement at this stage. I think I may be backed up but I don't want to take laxatives or stool softeners unless I truly need to. I don't know how to tell if you are (I know weird). I used to go at least once a day but I now go at least a day or two inbetween any bowel movements. I will ask my doctor about it when I see them the middle of July but wanted to see what you all thought.

I had my RYN on Nov 1st, recovered well, and just washed my hair and noticed bunch of hair came out, and i was in disbelief, brushed my hair and a string of hair came out! I cannot believe that i am in hair loss? At 18 days? I am supposed to be on the puree stage, but i like only light and fit greek yogurts by Dannon and chicken broth with carrots. But i do struggle to get in the 80g of protein and water because of the chest pain when drinking/eating as jt passes down. I have to go very slow. Is this "normal" to have hair loss before 3 weeks? Sent from my SM-G973U using BariatricPal mobile app

Everytime I get stuck and throw up I worry that my band has slipped. I think this is what scares me the most because I know without my band I will not be as successful. I do know that if your band slips you should know, it will become more and more difficult to tolerate solid foods, liquids and mushy foods are easier to tolerate with band slipage. I have a friend who's husband slipped but he was not always following the plan and was constantly over extending his lap band by eating bread and pasta in large amounts. Keep us posted hope all checks out ok.

Ok I'm confused I am not losing any weight...I had my fill last week and have moved to lentils and soft foods and I'm off the soup but now I'm not losing weight...is it the lentils? I'm kind of bummed out..my portions are about 4oz each time...

Congrats, now lie down and relax. Heal, get ready to think about good things. Including a focus on what you will eat, drink and your choice of exercise. Forget about the fattening food that you ate that added weight on you.

No caffeine!!! Geaux, seriously no Caffeine, I about died when I heard that roflmao! One thing with Myfitnesspal.com since you know how it works. If I followed their suggestion for Protein, Carbs, sodium and calories I would end up gaining weight! Almost all doctors recommend the same thing with gastric sleeve and that's 80 grams of protein, 45-75 of carbohydrates and try to stay at 800-1200 calories a day (if you exercise and it tells you to add more calories and it says your aren't eating enough) ignore it. I quit doing Desserts like yogurt etc. and I started incorporating Peanut Butter on a teaspoon. I always ate my meat first, chew like 20 times and then go for your vegetables second, then and only then eat your carbs. Also, you have to learn not to drink with your dinner. I was a "choker" especially when I went out to eat. Something about eating in public, I always end up choking on my food and I am used to drinking Water with my meal. I learned that about an hour before dinner if I drank something hot like hot peppermint decaff tea I would be less hungry. I learned once I took away my drink with dinner, I chewed slower and chewed more thoroughly. I learned to wait at least 1/2 hour after I eat to then drink my water. These are all suggestions that were given to me in my packet and I spent 6 months practicing them. Not all doctors are that thorough, but it's worked for me when other things haven't. The reason for no caffeine is that it promotes stomach ulcers and more importantly, it causes dehydration. After surgery it's a struggle to get all your Fluid intake in and your liquid Protein in. Dehydration is a real problem. It's easier to quit caffeine before surgery than right after surgery because most people have withdrawals and headaches. I waited until I got approved to quit, so I had time to get used to it before I started on pre-op shake. Surgery is a week from tomorrow. A bit tired of drinking protein shakes and I decided not to have a big Memorial Bash because truthfully it would be hard having a huge party while on protein shakes, but my parents are going to swing by tomorrow to do some wii bowling. Good luck to you and can't wait to hear how your plan is going to go. All bariatric centers are different, mine seems to be one of the strictest compared to most. After surgery 2 weeks of Clear liquids, then 4-6 of full liquids then pureed, then soft, then regular. With pre-op diet, that's 10 weeks of no real solids.