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Its only 8 December, 10lb since even early November is fabulous! People seem to expect such fast weight loss! And bear in mind what restriction really is. It is not a hard stop on certain foods and an automatic guarantee of weight loss. I can eat bread, Pasta and rice four years down the track and I have restriction. I've also eaten these foods regularly all the way through, as our dietary guidelines are a lot different in Australia, not eating them is absolutely no guarantee of loss either. The band (and restriction) simply helps you to be satisfied on less food. It is not meant to restrict specific foods or make you eat so little that you lose 5lb a week. Many people never lose weight that fast. And if you dont want to eat things like bread and rice, it may be down to your willpower and not the band to avoid them. You have to decide what you consider a healthy diet and consciously follow that. Going too tight often leads simply overeating slider foods like Protein shakes, yogurt, and stuff like chips and ice cream, and often weight loss stops! But you do need restriction for the band to work too, and for many people, that takes several fills to achieve.

I tried to eat a healthy, balanced diet from the get go. Besides eating plenty of Protein and veggies, I was putting soft fruits like peaches, mangos and bananas in my Protein shakes starting the 2nd week postop. Since artificial sweeteners hurt my sleeve I was using pureed fruit to flavor my plain Greek yogurt. I was OK'd for seeds and skins at 3 months postop and started adding berries to my smoothies and I had 1/4 apple with Peanut Butter as a snack several times/week. I put craisins in my mixed nuts which I. snack on everyday. In the summer, frozen pineapple, frozen melon chunks and frozen orange segments are a favorite. All that fruit and I still passed goal at 7 months and have maintained 10 pounds below goal for over 9 months. I still shoot for a healthy, balanced diet of protein, veggies, fruit, whole grains and plenty of Water. I must be getting good nutrition because I only take a 1/2 dose of a whole food based Multivitamin, some extra Vitamin D and B12 and my bloodwork is perfect.

I had the weirdest experience after my fill. I got the tiniest of fills - 1/2 a cc- and was fine in the doctor's office. I was fine the rest of the day and then in the evening I was eating a yogurt and I started getting that "stuck" feeling that I only have had in the past if I forgot to chew solid food thoroughly. The next morning I had oatmeal, and THAT got stuck. For the next two days I could barely eat any food, even mushies, until dinner time. Today is the 3rd day after the fill and I haven't tried eating anything yet, but this is SO weird! Has anyone else experienced this delayed reaction to a fill?

I'm experiencing the same thing! I had a fill on Wednesday, followed by liquid for 24 hours and soft foods for the next 24 hours. Today is Sunday and yogurt is getting stuck. I have a friend, whom is a doctor, she said that her band was tighter during her period. I started today so Im wondering if that is what is going on with me.

Hi all. You are right Joany, you can eat all the icecream and candy you want, no restriciton will stop it, to bad we don't have a quick super fill, close the whole up when you are near stuff like that, then let it out- ha ha. The other problem with the sweets is they make me even hungrier once I've had the sugar. my instinct diet book is big on desserts with fiber and fruit and protien- all three if you can, so you feel more full and satisfied. My favorite one is a 100 calorie- light and fit vanilla yogurt (the low cal kind- with aspertame or whatever, my yogurt during the day is a live active yogurt, and has more cals, but this is dessert) high fiber cereal, frozen raspberries, and melted dark chocolate- the portions work out to 100 cals- and it is so satisfying - and feels like a real dessert. not really pretty, I wouldn't serve it at a party, but for me it's great. so Joany I am self pay, no coverage- I have an HSA that I use for this, I hope the IRS doesn't mind. This blind fill place I think should be good, I hope, and if not they are close enough to not be a problem. I guess some blind fill places say if you have to come back for adjustment within 2 weeks it will be 50$. so hopefully that will be the case. I love the OCC dr's in Tijuana, very professional, and they do a great job. Thier fills are tops for sure, wish I lived in the area. But for me it's a day off work, babysitting, plus probably like 500$ in flying, parking, ground transport and other fees. I know some places charge almost 400 for a fill, so this 150 place is exciting prospect and I won't have to take off work or get a sitter. well have a great day all

Lisa, I'll give you the run down of my typical week exercise and nutrition-wise. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday - lap swimming for 35 minutes at 5:30 am, 30 minute walk around 12:30 pm, 35 minute walk with the dogs 4:30 pm, 60 minute zumba (all except Friday) 6 pm Tuesday/Thursday - 30 minute walk 12:30 pm, 45 minute walk with the dogs 4:30 pm, 3-5 mile run 6 pm, 45 minute video - either kickboxing or some other cardio Saturday - 60 minute boot camp 9 am, 60 minute walk with the dogs (sometimes longer) Sunday - 60 minute walk with the dogs, run and/or video As far as my diet goes, it's pretty monotonous, especially during the work-week. It generally looks like this: Breakfast 10 am - fat free plan greek yogurt with .33 serving of Protein powder mixed in (146 calories, 26.6 g protein) Snack 1 pm - Protein shake (30 grams protein, 160 calories) lunch 3:30 pm - 1 hard boiled egg, 1/4 cup low fat cottage cheese, 2 oz raw veggie (cauliflower, broccoli, or carrots) (about 132 calories, about 14.4 g protein) Snack - 6ish pm - protein shake and one serving PB2 (115 calories, 18 g. protein) dinner - 8 pm - large salad with either tuna, salmon, edamame, bun-less veggie burger, or tofu - salad includes 3 oz romaine lettuce, 0.3 oz alfalfa sprouts, 2 oz broccoli, 2 oz cauliflower, 2 oz mushrooms, 1 oz celery, 1 oz green or red pepper, 1 oz carrots, 1/2 tablespoon greek dressing - 88 calories for salad without protein, protein ranges from 60-100 calories. Lately I've added in a small amount of fruit - 4 oz peach, 1 small plum, 4 oz mango, 6 oz apple, or a large tomato. I take one chewable multi-vitamin per day, 1200 calcium - one at breakfast, one at dinner, 2 times a week, I take a B12, and 2-3 times a week, I take 1000mg D3. (my multi-vitamin and calcium are an extra 30 calories per day) I just had my blood taken last Saturday in preparation for my year appt on the 20th. I'll know better then how my Vitamin levels look, but I'm really strict with taking my Vitamins. Eventually, when I'm in maintenance, I'd like to up my calorie intake to somewhere between 1000-1200 per day, but for right now, I'm sticking with the range I've been eating. I hope that helps!

HI all, back finally! good to read the comments. Miss Joany, I hope your infection keeps getting better! eat lots of live yogurt while you are doing those antibiotics. So I am curious, doing a bit of a survey. sort of long. Just curious about some of this stuff howdy there. so I'm taking a poll, let me know. I hope you all are doing well. 1. how many cc's you have in your band 2. do you feel you have restriction- what does that mean for you? 3. are your calories tending to stay below like 1600 (or what are your calories generally.) 4. what is your weight loss like. 5. are you hungry between meals. 6. are you exercising, and how much 7. how much water are you drinking? I'll start. 1. how many cc's you have in your band<br style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> 4.5 from OCC. I'm planning on going back, for 1 more fill, maybe depending on what people say with restriction about how they feel. But it won't be till after the holidays.<br style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> 2. do you feel you have restriction- what does that mean for you?<br style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> last week, there were things that I felt were cool, like I would get a tiny nasal drip, and I took that as a soft stop, and I wasn't getting hungry between meal. I feel like this weekend I ate till I felt very full, and never got the nasal drip. this was the first time since my fill. so maybe that sign is not happening. I will see today if I get hungry between meals, if I'm able to keep at 1200 cals per day, and not feel hungry between meals I will be happy with the way things are. we shall see.<br style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> 3. are your calories tending to stay below like 1600 (or what are your calories generally.)<br style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> generally yeas, below 1300-1200. but I don't count everyday, I also do some days where I just do what Miranda said for portions. I feel Sunday I went over my goal. but I didn't count, I need to get better with keeping track and knowing even when my schedule is strange.<br style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> <br style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> 4. what is your weight loss like. I've lost all the weight plus 1 lb that I gained from Thanksgiving weekend. I started 298 I am now 266 my surgery date I was 280 so since surgery I've lost 14 lbs in basically 10 weeks. that is not my goal, I'd really like 2 lbs per week, would still be happy with an average of 1.5 per week. I'm at 1.4, I guess with the holidays in the mix maybe I should still feel happy. but I would like it to be more, of course. <br style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> <br style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> 5. are you hungry between meals.<br style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> I feel I am mostly not hungry between meals, as time goes on since my fill, my hunger has increased between meals, but I am still able to deal with it, with my yogurt or piece of fruit, which is part of my daily food plan and staying under 1200 cals. so I am ok with that. Once I went to bed, and my belly was grumbling. but I drank some water, I abated and I fell asleep. 6. are you exercising, and how much this has not been that good this last week. I have a goal to walk somewhat briscly for a mile each day. This is 20 minutes of exercising a day. I'd like to add to that, but haven't yet. and last week durning hunting season, I did not walk at all. 7. how much water are you drinking? besides exercise this is a huge obstacle. I am trying to drink 64 oz a day, I am pitifully below that. If I could drink during meals I could jack that up. but I don't so I need to increase this a lot.

Try unflavored greek yogurt and mix a little at a time until your tuna salad is moist enough.

The Greek yogurt with fruit already mixed in is going to be higher in carbs but it's so yummy. Shyone, If you have a costco, I've been told you can buy quarts of it there pretty cheap. A lot of people really like the brand Fage. That's why I buy the plain and mix in sf syrups most of the time, to keep the carb count down. The plain is also higher in Protein.

My band is scheduled for December 13 and my doctor already has me taking benefiber for constipation leading up to surgery with the strict diet I am on... It is sugar free, tastless and can be mixed in anything from yogurt to water. 2 teaspoons twice a day.

I puree bean and bacon soup, you can puree chicken and noodle also. Just have to strain in case it doesn't puree enough. My list has sugerfree pudding and yogurt. I've done the pudding but, not the yogurt. Also my list has mashed potatoes that are watered down with broth. It should be really thinned out. But, good if your sick of all the sweet stuff like me. Good Luck.

I like the juice of half a lime, 12 ounces of Water, a bit of stevia and a table spoon of chia seeds. I let it sit for about 20 minutes and YUMMMMMMMMY I'm pre-sleeve so I know that the lime is out of the picture for a few months post-op.. does anyone know when you can start incorporated hydrated chia seeds? I was reading some MU paperwork that I think they said 3 months before adding seeds... but I don't know that hydrated chia seeds really count as seeds since they're kinda, goopy? Also another way to eat them, is to pre-make them into a gel by adding to waterand store the gel in your fridge, then just incorporate into whatever you want. That way there's no waiting for the seeds to hydrate. Some people do it this way if they like to use in yogurt or apple sauce.

I had my surgery on 9/13. I am on week 3 of 5 of full liquid Protein. I eat a lot of yogurt and don't mind the shakes. I can't have any food until after week 5. So far I'm doing ok. Going to gym a few times a week . Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Update: Didn't quite make it: 263.8 lol! So I'm down 19.8 pounds since surgery and 25 since 3 days before surgery. Yay!!!! I made Greek yogurt + Syntrax unflavored. Disgusting. I ate it all but will never make it again. For lunch - salmon pack + 1tbsp ff mayo + boiled egg = meh. I ate half of it but my 16 month old was tearing it up lol! Tomorrow I think I'll just have a plain ol' egg lol!

2nd the Oikos triple zero recommendation... that stuff is delicious. I've never been a fan of greek-style yogurt before, but for some reason I love this stuff. Been eating a half of container for a snack just about every day.

I'd keep taking the prilosec, Don't be like me, lol. There is no harm in taking it for 6 to 9 months and a lot to not taking it. Just because you don't feel GERD issues doesn't mean you aren't producing excess acid. If you can eat food at other meals, eat food at all meals. Give up the protein shakes, and yogurt is just a slider. Eat ral potein as much as possible.

Everyone is different. I'm 8 months out and I can't even consume an 80 calorie container of yogurt in one sitting. I do find if you are questioning yourself, you are probably doing that for a specific reason. Just ask your surgeon. He knows you the very best. On a side note I'm not about removing all food options from our diet. It's about being smart and mindful.

Are allowed mushies ice yogurt at this point? I as only on full liquids on week out.

My stomach growled for two months. Before, during, and after eating. But it stopped as suddenly as it started. Try to limit yogurt to 8 oz. at a time. Light and fit dannon 2x protein is my fav for only 80cal. Love that you and your stomach ARE CONVERSING!! Too funny. : )

i tend to go towards my protein shakes. My staples tend to be some sort of greek yogurt, steak, and salmon.

Yogurt was on the list from my dr to start on week 2.

I'm doing okay with things like Protein shakes (about 6-8 oz but it can take me 30-45 minutes to get it down), yogurt (4 oz in about 30 minutes), applesauce (4 oz in about 30 minutes). Warm non-calorie liquids I seem to be able to get down easier than cool (I don't drink anything cold). So like you, I need to improve in that area. On reality I feel like I could transition to puréed foods right now but unfortunately am on the above diet for another two weeks :-(

Yea, I tried to google it and it said to douche with pure yogurt with no sugar added with live bacteria.

I have to second and third Betsy and vlp. I had my 2nd fill yesterday(No issues this time!) which brings me to 6cc in a 14cc band and have found I eat 1/2 to 3/4 cup(total) of food and I am full for 3 to 4 hours. Not stuffed but like Betsy B said and I'm not hungry. I also eat 5 to 6 times a day but I eat 3 small meals and have 3 to 4 snacks a day. I snack on natural almonds, yogurt, a slice of cheese or Protein bar. I am NEVER starving but I do get hungry. It is so cool to be learning the differance. I have lost 38 pounds since 8-15-10 It has taken over 40 years to put all this weight on and it is gonna take some time to loose it.:eek:

Started at 185. Really wasnt sure if it would come offf. Its working. I cant eat enough to gain,,,,its been 14 weeks ive lost 28 lds. Thats 2 a week. Ill take it. I have 13 left. I miss food my only issue is sometimes if i eat just an extra bite i feel sick....my tummynlikes Protien shakes yogurt the best. ALL else 3bite s is it or i am in agony.