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There's NO WAY at 6 weeks you will be eating 1400 calories! 600-800 is pretty normal as early on as you are. I'm 5 months out, and I can't get over 1000 yet! That said, try to eat every couple hours to get your calories in. I wouldn't go back to the shakes, as your pouch does need to start getting used to "real" food. 4-6 smaller meals a day should do the trick to get your calories in. And yes, even if you're NOT hungry You've got to kick that metabolism into gear and give it some food! Good luck and good job thus far with your weight loss!

I've done my best to prepare my partners, and they've both been very supportive, They have stopped bringing food into the house that I can't have (which was a huge issue for a long time, but once I started the surgery prep, they really stepped up to the plate) Other than that, I haven't really done a whole lot to prepare them other than talk over their concerns and misgivings. They are both so active and involved in outdoor activities (cycling, etc) that my losing weight will enable me to keep up with them, and hopefully bring us closer together. They are mostly looking at all of the things we would like to do and can't because I feel held back because of my weight, and how much more we'll be able to do once I start losing and get more into the fitness groove. (the take-out/eating out is the one thing they both understand has to stop...that was a bonding method for us before. Have a stressful week? Order Chinese. Or pizza.) But they've been part of the process from the beginning, asking a lot of questions and attending the sessions with the nutritionist. They're as prepared as they can be without actually going through the surgery themselves. Hopefully it's enough.

After 2 weeks, I have to say I might miss these Optifast shakes, they were easy to make, plan and in the end didn't taste too bad. On Clear liquids tomorrow and surgery Monday morning. Good luck to my other 17th band buddies.......

How many of us have been "on a diet" for most of our lives? Too many, in my opinion. Not just because it's bad for our health or because diets don't work. It's bad for our mental health too. It leads to something I call "Dieter's Mentality." If you have Dieter's Mentality, you need to cut it out because it's going to sabotage your success. This is true whether or not you have had Weight Loss Surgery, are on your pre-op diet or are doing it the traditional way through diet and exercise. Diet Mentality is evil and it puts you in a bad place! What is Diet Mentality? It has four major components: 1) Putting food into Good and Bad buckets First of all, food is not Bad or Good -- it's just food. Some food is a better choice than others, but even then it's really just all food. If you are getting in enough of the essential nutrients and you account for your calories each day, you are doing good no matter if you have a bite of dessert once in a while or not. All food is bad food if you eat too much of it or only eat one kind. It's just as unhealthy to eat nothing but Protein as it is to eat nothing but birthday cake. A healthy diet is balanced and can even include a certain amount of junk food as long as it's a small amount and it doesn't trigger you into bad behavior. 2) Judging your worth by what you eat Making bad food choices does not make you a bad person. Your self-worth shouldn't be tied up in what you eat. Good people make bad choices all the time. Instead of beating yourself up when you make a bad choice, hating yourself, seeing yourself as a failure and otherwise engaging in destructive behavior, just figure out how to make a better choice next time. It's not easy to be dispassionate about your own behavior, but telling yourself that you made a bad choice and next time you'll make a better one is a good start and much healthier than telling yourself you are a bad person and you'll never lose the weight and you hate yourself. 3) Judging your worth by how much you weigh/how much you've lost this week The scale is just part of the picture. If you get too tied up in the scale, you get a distorted view of the world. Weeks where you lose are good weeks even if someone close to you died. Weeks where you don't lose are bad weeks even if you got a big promotion at work and did everything "right" in terms of diet and exercise. One of the dangers of measuring everything by your weight on the scale is that you can convince yourself that making bad choices is okay because sometimes you can make bad choices and still lose/maintain. You can also convince yourself that making good choices is pointless because some weeks you make all good choices and the scale doesn't move. But clearly making more bad choices than good will lead to weight gain in the long run. Anything thinking that leads you to conclude otherwise is destructive thinking. 4) Waiting until you are thin(ner) to start living Stop waiting until you get to goal to start living or loving yourself. Love yourself now. Live your life now. It's easy to fall into "when I lose 25 pounds, I will start..." type of thinking. It's a fine line between thinking about how you will reward yourself when you meet certain goals and putting your life on hold until you meet certain goals. Many of us have had the experience of thinking we were so fat back when we were in HS or college or a young adult and not being happy. But then we got even fatter and we look at those pictures from back then and we realize that we were actually pretty hot. In fact, we'd give anything to be "that fat" right now. Why not love yourself now while you're living your life instead of waiting until 10 years later to tell yourself how good you had it back then? What happens when we stop "dieting"? One of the best things I ever did for myself was to decide I was never going to diet again. It really allowed me to examine my relationship with food and to start listening to my body and figuring out why I eat what I eat. That would never have happened when I was caught up in "Dieter's Mentality". One of the things I found is that my approach to food was that of a child. I wanted people to make me or bring me food because I associate being fed with being loved. So I got myself to a point where all my meals were either quick things that require no cooking or can be zapped in a microwave or are made by my husband -- who does all the cooking -- or were purchased. In other words, other people had complete control over what kind of food I ate and how it was prepared! I never saw anything wrong with this until I decided to grow up about food. I realized that by approaching food this way, I was giving up tons of control over what I ate. Someone else buys the groceries so it's not my fault that there aren't healthy Snacks in the house. It's not my fault that I had that ice cream cone -- there was nothing else to eat and I was HUNGRY. Once I saw this pattern, I vowed to change it and start being an adult about food. I now plan out what I'm going to eat before I go to work. If I'm going to work late, I bring extra food so I'm not eating out of the vending machine. I don't eat lunch at the Cafeteria every day so my food choices aren't limited to what they want to make for me. I have healthy snacks in my drawers at work so if I do end up working late without having planned ahead, I'm eating a Protein Bar instead of a Snickers bar. This change in attitude and behavior has made a big difference. Which is not to say I haven't got much farther to go ... I still don't cook and I still eat way too much prepared food (because I don't cook). But I'm much better than I used to be and it's great to feel like a grown up! You may relate to what I said about having a child's approach to food or you may not. Not everyone gets fat the same way or has the same issues to work through. But one thing I can guarantee is that once you throw off the shackles of Dieter's Mentality, you will have the brain cycles available to see your relationship with food more clearly. You will be on the road to having a healthy relationship with food.

hi chiqui, welcome aboard, i was banded a week ago and have lost 16lbs, my emotions are really bad though, i ve been crying everyday for the past 5 days, i think this has to do with the my support system, ive been let down alot my bestmate,, dont want to go into detail..but ye, well done and welcome, its the best thing we have done for ourselves.. Gina

Hi - you look fantastic! Thanks for sharing. I'm only 5 weeks out so I do appreciate seeing the success of others to keep me motivated and mindful. Well done!

Im almost 5 weeks post op....and man ive thrown up maybe 4 times...i even woke last night dry heaving dont kno what that was about and it was a inky taste in my throat that wouldnt come up BUT.....IM LOOKING AT MY DINNER....its 4oz of talapia...smh and I never thought id ever say this but dayum ...its so much its looks like too much I only had 3 small bites and im like done...I started late today so I havent ate or drank much and I had an intense workout today smh so I need to get this fish down and my protien shot but im so full (never thought id say that either) I dont think its gonna happen. ...upside im really starting to love the mirror lol accept this week bc im on my monthly and extremely bloated tmi I kno sorry!!!!!!!

So after spending the last few days enjoying having hit my first small goal, I have decided it is time to set up a new short term goal. MAKE IT TO ONEDERLAND!!! Oh. My. Gosh! I can't believe that I am already close enough to be even thinking about onederland. This is absolutely crazy and I am soooo excited and happy. Tonight I have a "blind date"... first time I am going out with a guy since breaking up with my fiance. I feel like it's kinda soon, but I am really ready for some fun and excitement! How I am going to make it to onederland: -Keep hitting the gym 5 nights a week -Keep trying to get in my Protein -Pilates once a week -Linedancing for fun I am hoping to hit onederland before the first of the year! Think I can do it?!?!??!! Kim-

Hi. I had my surgery 2 weeks ago and have done tremendously. No pain, easy to eat, felt great. Today after work and keeping my grands for my daughter i am completely washed out I just want to crawl into bed and stay there a long time. But we have the two year olds birthday party tomorrow. I hope this is temporary. When did you all start on soft protein. I feel ready and like this would help.

Hey everyone, Was wondering about compression shirts and wraps to help prevent loose skin? Ive heard chatter about these products. Anyone tried these? Any success, suggestions? I'm only two weeks out but i want to know any information on preventive measures for loose skin. I'm sure I'm going to have some on my stomach(where i hold the most weight by far)

Hi Everyone, My surgery is a week away... well 5 Days now...since I'm still up. Nervous as I don't know what. I have been doing great on my pre op diet until today. It was my sister's birthday and we took her out I had bread and salade and felt so sick I threw up. I also felt gulity.(But that's another story. The guilt mostly comes from not telling everyone I will be having surgery. I have told my parents and my sister. Have not informed my cousin who is like a sister because of fear she may tell her parents and the word may get all over the family. See my sister had Gastric Bypass about 10 years ago and although she did great losing over 285 lbs. she is and was constantly judged. I really do not want this to be my life. After she got down to the 100's she became pregnant after being told there was absolutely No way she would ever conceive. Needless to say she has a Beautiful 6 year old now. She has gained a little weight which she is constantly dieting off. Family and Friends often ask why did you gain weight after you lost it all she is only 20 lbs away from the weight she was when the family and friends made her feel too skinny and anorexic (Which she was not EVER). I guess my fear is not being able to live up to what they will feel the surgery should be. I also, have not gone into full details with my husband. Only telling him I am seeking ways to be healthier and preparing my body to one day become a mother. He knows I plan on having something done on Thursday...but what .?, has not been reviled. If anyone has had this problem or has been dealing with anything simular, please write back.

I haven't been to they gym in a week because of the pain and when I exercise it stops me and I end up leaving. Oh well I guess it just has to pass hopefully on its own.

I know this is not an excuse and I shouldn't have done but I did. Hardcore. I was traveling on business my first three days of the preop diet and it was super hard to get out of the paid for lunches and dinners and what have you. I did pretty well on the first two days but the last day we went out to Ruth Kris Steakhouse and well, you can figure out the rest :/ is the preop diet a lost hope now ??? I'm jumping back into routine on day 4 and plan on fully sticking with the pre op, but really it was super hard with travel. #vent

Thank you all! I'm so pumped and ready for a new me! I can't wait for a new me! And I weighed myself this morning and I'm down a pound!!! So the stall may be letting up.

So I've been obsessing about the scales lately because I've hit the dreaded stall. But I noticed my clothes fitting a lot bigger lately. So I decided to try on a few pairs of jeans and pants in my closet. And they ALL zipped up!!!! Every single last one of them. Even the ones I thought wouldn't get past my thighs. I'm so beyond thrilled. Pretty soon they won't fit because they are too big!

You're three days out and this will likely balance itself. I will share though that I simply do not urinate as much as I used to before surgery (3+ months out). I do get my liquids in, but I can go a full day at work without using the ladies room. I chalk it up to an interesting side effect I have. I don't see much on it so I don't know if it's common.

Hello y'all, I'm considering getting the band the first week of Dec. with Dr. Kuri. I joined the group today hoping to get some feed back. I have lots of questions and I need some experience and support.

I was banded on 11/1/07 too and have so far only lost no more than 5lbs. And I had been on the liquid diet for two weeks prior to the surgery...during that time, I lost almost 6lbs. I have my post-op appointment on Friday and I cannot wait to be given the go ahead to eat musshy food. Right now I can't stand the fact that I am getting hungry and when I drink these darn liquids, they go through me so quickly. I have not cheated yet, and I don't intend to, but if I have to be on liquid for another week...yikes, I am gonna scream. I started this journey at 235lbs and according the my doctor's calculations, I should realistically lose 100 lbs withing a year. I am burping and farting like crazy and I still cannot drive my car comfortably. I am tired and find myself wanting to nap during the day (thank God I applied for disability as my doctor said I would need between 2-4 weeks). The most annoying this is this gas pain in my lower back left side that won't go away...oh, and I haven't pooped in days. Other than that, I am looking forward to the time people look at me and ask, "are you losing weight?" That will be my victory...yeah...oh and I plan on having a baby next year...

It varies by doctor, it's not an insurance thing. You'll find if you stick around here that every surgeon has their own plan -- some very strict, some very liberal, some pretty average. The 2 week pre-op liquid seems relatively standard. Also if you stick around, you'll see people swear by their doctor's plan like the bible "You ate WHAT at 2 weeks post surgery???!?!?" so don't let the different plans confuse you.

June 10th - a GREAT day, my three year anniversary!!! Congrats to you and welcome to the loser's side!! You are fine, I lost 17 lbs my first month, I never lost that much again in one month. I'm not sure if I lost 10 lb in a month after that first time. It's ok, I did EVERYTHING I was suppose to do, and nothing I shouldn't. I knew I'd lose, and I did. I lost 23 lbs prior to surgery and the rest in the six months following. I reached MY goal in Dec 2010 with a total loss of 85 lbs. You will be shocked at what you're going to be experiencing a year from now, I promise you!!! It's a wild, wild ride, hold on and enjoy every single part of it......wait till you can see your collar bone, then your hip bones. YES, we do have hip bones!!!! Yay!!! Wait till your clothes are practically falling off of you. Wait until shopping is FUN!!!! Go walk the mall and window shop, get a feel for your "style" - it will be totally different than it is now!!! Wait until someone says you are tiny, small....even skinny!!! It is interesting to meet people who didn't know the "old" you and they comment on how small you are......the first time I looked behind me to see if this sales lady was speaking to someone else!!! I'm serious!!! The fat girl inside me giggled!!! This is fun.....it's all new. It's going to happen. I weigh every single morning, without fail. If I'm at home, I weigh. No way will I let five pounds sneak up on me, and I KNOW for a fact that I can gain five pounds in a week. It's happened to me all of my adult life!! I pay close attention to what is going on. The scale is part of my "dashboard", I count on it, my food scale and my fitness pal to keep everything in check....just like the dashboard in my truck lets me know what's going on under the hood!! See what I mean??!!! Take this time to make changes, make some of these things your new normal.....as natural to you as breathing, that's what I did!!! Good luck, you're going to do great!

The weight will come off. Any pound you lose in a month should be celebrated. You didn't gain and you are on the right path. I really stuck to drinking a lot of water and my protein shakes the first several weeks and the scale seemed to speed downward. As soon as I added more food to my diet the weight loss really slowed. Which is ok. As long as I don't gain -I am happy. Hang in there. And please find somebody in your area that you can talk to. Don't underestimate the power of a good psychologist, behavior specialist, life coach, or support group to help you get through these times when you get upset about the process.You are ok and you will be thin and healthy very soon.

I had surgery with Dr Nick but at Baylor Plano (great hospital): 1. 2-days due to horrible nausea but I was aware that could happen. I was given Lovanox, Phengran and Ativan. The Ativan is what actually quailed the nausea. Dr. Nick visited with me before and after surgery. 2. My mother was with me so she kept all my personal items but the hospital provides lockers. 3. Yes I had a drain and an On Q-pump (medicine that goes into incision site). Both were removed prior to me being discharged. 4. You will be prescribed liquid Loratab & an PPI. Overall I had a great experience with Dr. Nick. The first few days are rough but stay focused on your goals and you will get through it. I had little to no pain pain after the 11th day. Walk as much as you can as soon as you can, trust me it helps tremendously. I have lost 45lbs and tons of inches (have not updated ticker) since 1-23-12 day of my surgery. I workout 5-6 days a week for at least an hour. If the scale rules you put it away, I weigh daily for my own accountability. You will stall but don't get discouraged stay the course and the weight will come off. You have the best surgeon in the DFW area (my opinion)! Good luck to you and enjoy the ride. It is by far the BEST thing I ever did. Katenna

I will be 6 weeks post-op this Wednesday and had my first emotional breakdown tonight and I didn't turn to food for comfort! I just wanted my mom, that's probably because I decided to go to school a million miles away from home but still food wasn't my comfort. My family and support system is what I wanted as I had my little crying meltdown. It felt so good not wanting to turn to my previous comforts, it was like I had overcome another obstacle in my journey. I knew these hormonal changes were going to throw me for a loop but wow I do not want another meltdown for a while no matter how well I handled things!

I almost a year out... I've lost 124 pounds total. 412 down to 289lbs. Stalls are normal and as someone else said, necessary. It's not always all about the scale... Sometimes you can see a change in inches when the scale doesn't move. I've gone from size 5x/6x shirts to a 2x/3x. 54 waist pants down to 46 waist. If your lifting weights that can also affect things... As you loose fat and it's replace with muscle, that affects the scale. The weight will come off... Just follow your doctor's orders and you will be fine. Sent from my SM-N920T using the BariatricPal App

You are not alone! The first two weeks I felt like that. I just wanted to feel "normal" again. My husband works nights and I feel like I had nothing to look forward to. Usually a good meal would make me feel better but obviously that wasnt an option. After I started seeing the scale move and my clothes get looser I started feeling much better. Hang in there. It's worth it!