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Banded March 27th, home on the 29th. Was having a heck of a time with liquids, especially since my daughter is out of state at her "father's." I miss her. To add insult to injury I broke up with my boyfriend the day before I left for surgery after dating almost two years. I'm guessing it's mostly the emotional tie I have with food that's making it so difficult. I did find that hummus is a godsend. I know I'm not supposed to be on mushies yet but I had to do it. I am starting to get the hang of this, five days out. I'm not hungry, per se, but I find myself constantly checking for signs of hunger then trying to convince myself I have to be hungry because a few bites of this or that cannot be enough compared to the three plus squares I used to eat. They say you have to do something at least twenty-one times before it becomes a habit, I'll catch on sooner or later. Today's menu: 1/2 cup protein drink in the a.m. (150 calories) :eek: :mad: 1/2 cup of super mushy oatmeal (130 calories) 1/2 cup of hummus (200-300 calories) 1 egg scrambled for dinner (how many calories in an egg?) 1/2+ cup jello before bed to stave off the mental munchies (100 calories) Water, water, water, water I can't wait for a chicken breast!!! I dont' care if it's even cooked or defeathered or nothing.

I'm glad that someone posted this issue, because it is quite pertinent to me. I was banded 2.5 years ago in the UK. Because I lived at the time quite far away from any doctor who did fills/band care I had many many complications, including a near-removal slippage and numerous fills and unfills. Despite this, I still managed to lose close to 50 pounds. After my last unfill in April, I gave my body a good rest up until a month ago, when I got filled again. So far, I have had no problems, even though my doc filled me quite a lot, and I thought I would immediately be too tight and experience those same problems again (mostly severe pbing - not on purpose!) Not so, as I learned a few important lessons in the half year I was totally unfilled: 1. THE GOLDEN RULE: know your body. I ignored so many signals that my particular body was giving me: being very tight in the mornings, which meant that I shouldn't shove some Breakfast down my throat just because I thought I needed to eat breakfast (years of mind training). Now I have a few cups of very hot coffee, wait an hour or two until my band is a little looser and have a small breakfast/lunch. I have the same problem with dinner: I'm very tight in the evenings. In the past I would try to eat Protein and cause agony as I either ate too fast, too big of chunks of meat, etc. etc. I now know that evenings are going to be difficult for me so I cut off eating no later than 6:00 p.m., and if I'm hungry later in the evening I have some Soup or sugar free jello/pudding. Please note, this works for me, other people know their bands work in different ways, but the most important thing is: know thy body, know thy band... 2. RECORDING EVERYTHING I EAT: This is a big pain, but if I don't do this (I use fitday.com) I am very liberal and imaginative with amounts/quantities of what I eat. I'm afraid that I am becoming too anal retentive by doing this, but I'd rather swap my obsession with eating, with an obsession of recording calories, carbs, etc. It is also quite eye-opening to see how much you actually eat, when you are convinced that you are eating itty bitty harmless portions or foods. Since I was pre-diabetic at some point, I really really watch my carbs, and try to stick to around 800 calories a day. Some days are easier, some more difficult but I try to be consistent. 3. ESTABLISH A LOCAL RELATIONSHIP WITH A FILL DOCTOR/SURGEON: I live in Europe and where I once lived in Poland there were no doctors at all who did this procedure, and every time I needed help I had to board a plane to London to get filled/unfilled. Obviously, this was not an ideal situation financially and when you're really ill from too tight of a fill, every moment you're not unfilled is agony. I have now moved to Vienna, Austria and have made contact with an American trained band surgeon who is 15 minutes from my house, and only does fills under x-ray. It is a huge relief to know that if I am too tight, or need some kind of an adjustment he is just a brief trip away. This is an extreme example (I know) but it is something to consider to those bandsters who go to Mexico and need to be treated by someone else in the U.S. Really think about your decision. In my case it was my only option at the time, I'm really glad I did it, but it hasn't been easy. 4. EXERCISE: Ugh, I hate it, really I do. So I'm trying to walk approx. 30 minutes a day as I can see a purpose to walking somewhere than sitting in a gym. I also bought an inflatable exercise ball that I use with various DVDs that I have bought via Amazon. This is the area where I need to see the biggest improvement. But I have noticed when I walk a lot the scale does move down if it's been a bit sluggish... My only regret is that I don't have a local (English-speaking) band community I can use for support. My husband and friends have been terrific, but I have to say that I learned all these very difficult lessons on my own. But the point is: I've learned and I'm losing again (10 pounds in 2.5 weeks). I'm so glad I kept my band. At times I thought it was my enemy... but the real enemy.. was ME! Hope this helps someone!!! (Sorry so long)

I start mine one Thursday. Mine is 800 calorie a day. No sugar starches low carb high protien for two weeks. Good luck. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-T337A using the BariatricPal App

I haven't had my surgery yet, I am still doing my pre-op diet, its been 2 months now (my surgery has been postponed a few times >.<). On Monday of last week I was 307 and since that day my weight goes up to 309.36, and then down to 306.99. I'll go down 1 pound one day, up 1 pound the next day, or go up and up for a few days and then down, and then up again! (I did have my period until Wednesday). It is so frustrating, I did exercise only twice last week because I wasn't feeling well, the days I didn't exercise I would eat less calories, I have not stopped tracking what I eat in myfitnesspal. I know in my head that to go up I would need to consume 3500 over what I eat, and it takes me 4 days to eat 3500 calories anyway! Is this normal? A stall?

@@sarahbethemails, sushi is a weekly treat in my home - though it's homemade to control the carb and calorie counts. I've had no problem and often use the recipe here. And now that I'm further along in my WLS journey, I do sometimes use real rice, just in tiny amounts (1/4 cup per 2 rolls) and then eat it over two meals. YUM!

Hello sleevers, I am four months post op and I had it done in MX. The problem is that I haven't seen a dietician and I am confused on how much I'm suppose to eat. I've lost 56lbs so far averaging 1 lbs a week. Can someone please tell me how much protein, carbs, fat and water intake I'm to have. I am light head at times and I know that i am not drinking enough water I might get 10oz of liquid a day . I am taking 1 multi vitamin, 1000 bitien, b 12 , calcium and magnesium . Please let me know if I am missing something.

i'm also on a diet that restricts meat - i wondered the same thing, but have elected to just follow my doctor's requirements so that when i show up next thurs for surgery i'm good to go. i wonder if maybe part of it is that the Protein Shake can deliver the protein in a leaner way? less calories, fat, cholesterol, etc?

I really like the Clean Eating magazine. So far most of the recipes have been really easy and tasty. You also get the bonus of knowing that all the foods are good for you and usually pretty low-cal. Also, most of the Rachel Ray stuff is easy, lots of 30 minute meals. I picked up her magazine and have made one thing so far - Coconut and Mango chicken served over black Beans. It was really easy and quite good. I can't bring myself to eat out very often - waste of money and calories to me. Yep, it's delicious and easy but just not worth it. Give a yell if you want some recipes and I'll see what I can find for you. Oh, and I still drink with my meals too most of the time. It is so hard to stop. I am trying though and I'm sure one day I'll get there.

I'm at the end of day two and every time I close my eyes, I see an Outback Steakhouse commercial. I really don't know that I can do this. I am allowed 1-2 Atkins shakes a day, three servings of low-fat yogurt and all the no-calorie liquids like broth, crystal light, etc. I just wish the docs were more consistent...

My first week of clear liquids i was only allowed 59 Calories a day My 2nd week of Full liquids i am allowed 350 Calories a day

I was put on soft solids at 4 weeks and told to gradually move into solids. I think lots of doctors do things differently. I was told that I could eat anything but had to stay with 1500 calories a day. I feel guilty with some of the foods I eat. I sure hope I'm not slipping the wrong way. You're not alone.

I see several posts about calorie intake and how much protein you should have everyday. Will they explain all this to you in detail when you go see the nutritionist? It sounds like it can all be very confusing to monitor all that. Does anyone have trouble with counting calories accurately or determining what you are supposed to have post surgery?

The excitement of the moment is that I will be getting my fence fixed! Yay! In a remarkable stroke of luck, I got a phone call last week from a detective with the local police department (this was entirely different from the department that took my report of the fence damage...since I live outside the incorporated city limits, the sheriff's department had jurisdiction over my report). It turns out that she was in the neighborhood the morning of the incident and actually SAW a tow truck hit my fence, tear it down, then turn and flee the scene. Since she was out of jurisdiction, she didn't stop them, but she made note of the name of the towing company and tracked down their phone number. When she called them and explained that the driver could be arrested because he hadn't stopped to exchange info or report the hit and run, suddenly the company was happy to contact me and arrange to pay for the fence repair. So next week, I'll have the fencing company out to replace nearly 40 ft of damaged fence. Woohoo! Other than that, I'm mostly holding my breath. My daily weigh-ins seem very promising this week, but I'm scared to believe it yet. I haven't been doing anythig really differently than I have over the last 2 weeks, when I began varying my calorie intake daily. Actually, that's not quite true. The one thing I've altered a little bit is that I've been much better about drinking water since my last weigh-in. I still don't drink nearly the amounts you hear recommended (2/3 of your body weight in ounces??? I'd end up drowning myself!!!), but I've been getting in a minimum of 8 glasses of fluid and guaranteeing that at least 6 of them are pure water. So maybe that's actually helping? I've heard people before swear up and down that drinking water can help you lose weight, but I guess I'm just stubborn and hadn't really paid attention to it before. Silly me. Anyway, official weigh-in is on Wednesday, and I've got my fingers crossed that the number on the scale from this morning either holds steady or continues to drop. We'll see!

Thanksgiving is a great holiday, but seriously it is a day we devote to eating!:hungry: It is one of my favorite holidays because it is the day before the holiday season kicks off (well it used to be.) Remember when The Wizard of OZ was on TV? I loved the who affair as a child. My grandmother used to make all kinds of desserts; it was heaven on earth! We had gravy and stuffing, and all the yummiest food I could ever imagine! In Canada :canada:(God bless her) my mother-in-law cooks brussel sprouts, potatoes, red cabbage, and turkey. No pumpkin pie, stuffing, gravy, or green bean casserole,:Cry: as my family does not care for it. I have learned to adapt, but if anyone wants to adopt me next year I would be willing to consider it. Just send me your menu and location! :phone:Oooo I also love BLACK FRIDAY. (Just think of how many calories we will burn standing in line all day!):secret:

Nancy, Donali is right. It is a lifestyle change. I have been struggling as of late to get the last 10-15 pounds off my body. I have been trying so hard and finallly realized this is a forever thing, so I have taken the time pressure monkey off my back by not giving myself a time line. (although I am still ahead of my original target) Admittedly, I stopped doing the things that made me successful in the beginning and started getting complacent as of late. And 20+ months of trying to get to goal is a long time.!!!! Its much harder now than it was for me at 6 months out to lose the weight. My body is used to eating 1100-1200 calories a day and it doesnt want to lose more at this stage. So it does just get harder and harder, so you need to stay focused and take baby steps to a permanent lifestyle change. The great part having a band is that you can always take a break and start all over again! It is an ongoing cycle of self improvement. If you know this and set up small achievable goals like Michelle suggested, then you will eventually get where you want to go. You can do it!!! Babs in TX 334/180 -154 New goal; 170 or less....

I had this, and never really lost my hunger. It's why I'm only down 67 pounds instead of 100 at 8 months out. I got a wake up call when I didn't lose weight at all for several months and I had to start being much stricter. I weigh and track everything I put in my mouth, I don't eat gluten or processed foods, I drink at least 70 oz. of water daily, I eat sugar once in a blue moon (usually a piece of dark chocolate) and I exercise like a fiend. All to make up for those months when the weight should have been falling off of me but I was eating whatever I wanted. It's definitely not too late for you at 2.5 months out. Just go back to your plan, eat slowly, track your calories, and don't chase fullness. We should only be eating until we're satisfied, if we eat to fullness we've already eaten too much. You got this!

you didnt fail the band, nor did you mess up or any other of that woe is me nonsense...so you ate the wrong (high calorie/not so great for you items)... you acknowledged it, its over and here you are on the path to better health...eat better food choices and stay on it but def talk more positive about yourself.

Ditto with all the comments above. How many calories are you taking in daily? I, too, had no issues drinking, and I also had a lot of water weight gain due to the IV for a few weeks. It is normal.

I don't know how much you have to lose, but just make sure you are going all you can to help yourself during this "window of opportunity". Exercise, watch your protein and calories and make sure you are drinking enough! I know you will get there. 70 lbs sounds really good to me!

I am 5'6". I want to be 135 so I'll be 5 pounds more than you guys at 130. I picked that weight for 2 reasons: (1) That is about mid-way on the healthy BMI & sounded good to me and (2) I weighed that when I graduated from high school. Of course, at the time I thought I was "fat" ... but looking back at pictures, I looked goooooood! As of this morning's weigh in, I am 12.8 pounds from goal & smiling as each pound melts away. On a positive note, the good thing about stalls (just coming out of one) is that you see quite a bit of movement on the scales after one is done. Mommydog14 ... you are just over a month out of surgery. Your body is still healing and adjusting. I wouldn't consider yourself losing slowly. Pre-surgery, wouldn't you have loved to see a consistent 1.5 pounds a week? You are doing fine. Soon you will be able to exercise and up those calories. The weight WILL come off!

I have complained enough about it but I am on the same path you are! I wouldn't wish this on anyone BUT in finding the bright side: 1) I went ahead and bought a new pair of walking shorts and capris (we're talking Kmart here so no big $ invested) because I know that I won't be out of them in 10 days like some people. And I am a thrift store shopper by nature so this was a big splurge as an atta girl for doing what I needed to do. I also bought 3 new tshirts from CJ Banks. Again, on sale, but they are ELBOW LENGTH!!! and with my flappy arms just what I needed. 2) As you said, it won't come back. I know some folks have rebound weight gain but this first 20 are gone forever. and 3) Here's my biggie. I did this on the DL. I AM SO GRATEFUL for that decision. I knew I would be a slow looser. I was only eating about 2k calories a day when I was "pigging out" so I knew. When I did Weight Watches I had to undercut my allowed points by about 1/3 to lose the 1 pound a week once I'd gotten past that first 2 or 3 weeks. That's the main reason I kept this private. I will admit that in 2001-2002 I basically went on a long term fast and lost and lost fast so this is going a bit slower than even I expected. But still, it's going. And it will eventually be gone. And I am so glad I don't have to be explaining to people why I'm not losing weight. The one friend I told asked me last weekend when I was going to have my surgery. :(Yep. After 2 week pre-diet liquid fast and over 1 month post op, she wondered when I was going to finally get it done! And she's been in Florida for 3 months and not seen me everyday so it's pretty obvious it's not showing yet! Hang in there. We'll get there too. We're just walking instead of running.

Stalls are part of the process.. I hva had about 6 to 8 stalls... I am 15 months post op.. try changing your diet and add more protein.. sometimes eat a bit more calories.. stall tells your body to slow down in your weight loss.. its expexted and normal... most important part dont be discouraged.. best of luck

I have absolutely no energy on this pre op diet. I can only have Protein Shakes, Water, Zero Calorie/Zero Sugar drinks/enhancers, Sugar Free Popsicles and Jello, and Low Sodium broths. I am meeting my daily protein goal, my daily water intake, and taking all my vitamins. Somebody mentioned iron and I called my surgeon's office and they said there is no need to take iron right now and that they will check those levels 3 months out. I'm just worried because my iron runs low and I am exhausted, dizzy, and weak all the time. I have 5 more days to go on this clear liquid diet. My hunger really isn't even an issue, the water and protein keep me at bay (most) of the time. Does anybody have any other suggestions? Thank you!

Tonight is going to be snort of bourbon night. It may be a big snort. This morning started off with the impending visit of a friend of mine. He needed to go to the sawmill I frequent to get some lumber he was not able to source local to his own home. He lives about two hours from me. About 15 minutes before his anticipated arrival, my father called me to inform me that their well pump had gone Tango Utah, and they had no water. Both my parents are in their eighties. They live a little more than an hour north of me. Without going into all the sordid details, I managed to get my friend his lumber, and shuffled back to NJ, from whence he came, all the while coordinating between a plumber friend of mine and my father, who has an innate distrust of anyone he doesn't know. I am usually the one on deck for doing his plumbing work, but I told him we were hiring out if I had to pay for it myself. Oh yeah, the sawmill is located in "dark country". There is no cell service there. Not even texts get out of the cellular black hole there. So in addition to being monkey in the middle, I had to get it done while traveling in and out of phone service. One of my major accomplishments, perhaps even an NSV it is so big, was teaching an 82 year old man how to use his phone to take a picture and TEXT it to me so I could inform the plumber of what was actually going on. And I talked him through it over the phone. I did get the privilege of standing in an unheated basement in the mountains (read high temp of 15 degrees today) to help with the work. One other detail for the day is my friend had sleeve surgery almost six years ago. It did not work for him because of his intractability when it comes to his eating habits. But, he has experienced a rebirth of determination watching my success so far, so I have been counseling him as to how to mend his rotten ways (Jethro Tull reference there for those who might recognize it). So yeah. It's time for a snort. I'll be back on my strict diet again tomorrow. I am invoking the 80/20 rule laid down by the folks at my program. They never did say what those 20% bad calories could be, and I have been cleared for booze. The drinking light is lit. If I am not careful, I'll be lit too.

Have you utilized a BMR calculator and or TDEE calculator? They can provide some helpful insight. BMR calculator tells you how many calories your body burns at complete rest in a day. TDEE calculator tells you how many calories you burn a day at your specific activity level. These calculators can give you an idea if you're perhaps eating too few calories a day, especially if you're burning more calories than you realize when you work out. Also you mentioned weight lifting, and I was told by my trainer and bariatric surgeon to not lift heavy until I reach goal weight. Something about your body can't lose weight and build muscle simultaneously... so lower weights and higher reps is what I was told to do while losing weight. Best of luck to you! You'll get there!