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I had my surgery July 12 (last Thursday). I have been amazed with how well everything has went. You all told me to just walk and walk as soon and as much as I could. I have had the gas pains, but not bad at all and if I just get up and walk a little bit they have immediatly gone away. So if I have any advice for anyone getting ready to be banded, JUST WALK! I have also had the great news this morning that I have lost 7 pounds since my surgery. It is so modifational. That helps with any little pains I do get. Today I got to have applesauce, yogurt, SF pudding, and runny mashed potatoes added to my choices of food. This is suppose to last for 14 days and then I get mushy stuff. Let me tell you that applesauce never tasted so good. But I could only eat less than half a cup before I was full. I guess that is a good thing. My main problem is not drinking Water an hour before and an hour after a meal. Also none with my meal. I have just caught myself doing it absent mindedly. Got to find a way to get that to my attention. Oh well, thanks for listenly and thanks for all of the encouragement, ideas, and experiences you all share so openly and honestly. You are my special friends that I think of and pray for every day. Patti C

Steph - The Kashi GoLean High Protein cereal is pretty much a stable in my diet. 1 cup of it for 140 calories AND 13 grams of protein. It is almost a perfect food! I will tell you that you might not like it at first, but it grows on you. Since I can't have milk, I mix it with Dannon lite and fit yogurt. I eat it for my morning snack quite often. 200 calorie snack and I stay full for a long time. Janet - I so get the waking up fat again...Check out my blog (address in my signature) to see my WHOLE post on that problem. Phyl - Sorry to hear about your DD. I think Janet is right...just keep bugging her. Hopefully she will get over it quickly. Peaches - Nice job on the diet. Much easier when you have restriction, eh? I have been working on the Canadian accent! So I ran 4 miles tonight!!!!! Insert cheer, sigh, a few tears, and a big WAHOOOOOOO!. I wanted to give up at 1 mile, 2 miles, but by the time I hit three miles, I thought hell...if I have come this far, I might as well just go the full 4 miles. Thank goodness tomorrow is a rest day! My legs are sore. Then on Saturday I have my first race. I will post pictures on my blog. As for DH, he got his evaluation for the job that he was resigning from. It was TERRIBLE. His supervisor is a total a$$, so I told him to forget the fact that he had one week left and tell them this was his last night. It would have been nice to have the extra week worth of pay, but no one attacks my hubby's character without me having something to say about it. I was so pissed I almost ran to the call center and kicked that guy in the balls. Yes, I am just as fiesty as my band mom! He already started the new billing invoice job, and won't hear back from the state job until early May. So we wait. He said that he is going to get temp jobs since he is done at the other job by 9AM. Plus he can vounteer with people that have disabilities so that he can get the experience he needs for the state jobs. It will all work out in the end. I am just happy that I am going to have him home in the evenings. It has been lonely around here! Well I am icing my legs now and FREEZING so as soon as my 20 minutes is up I am going to go jump in the shower...Though if you look at my hair, sports bra and shirt you would have thought that I had just gotten out of the shower. I was sweating like a stuffed pig tonight. Check in later!

Julie, you would be a recluse in Texas if you stay in when the skeeters are out.....just kidding. Our city is really good about spraying, but we had one downpour after another, and they really haven't had time to spray. Off works for me, but I have to use a lot of it. Has anyone ever used Greek yogurt instead of light mayo for chicken salad?

Hi, Cherea, Glad to hear you are doing so well. I am so excited for next week to come! I just went out to Albertson's & got a pack of RubberMaid 4 oz containers with lids. I'm going to make up some broth, etc. ahead of time & have them in the freezer ready to heat up. I also bought 20 small Fat Free Yogurts. I'm getting ready!! Breadlady is still among the missing. Very strange since she wa posting every day even while she was at the lake. Hope all is well. Dini hasn't been on since last night, I don't think. We're leaving in the morning for three days in Canada & I'm really going to miss my new favorite website and all of you!! :canada:

Welcome Kristen07.. what has kept me sane during this time, I keep full by drinking to stay full, everytime I feel the urge to stuff my face I grab a bottle of water, crystal light, ice tea, slim fast optima or something. The first couple days are hard, but it gets easier everyday. My family had fried chicken today and I had a yogurt and it didn't even bother me.

Karri, I'm the crazy one, remember? You'll be just fine. Just try to take it one meal at a time. try to add 100 calories to each meal this week. If that works, then see if you can add 50 more each meal. By then you should be about there. When you think of it that way it's a little less overwhelming. It's doable that way. I'm still pretty icky today but I'm wondering if some of it isn't the zoloft. One of the side effects is nasua and since I haven't really eaten anything in over 48 hours, maybe it's not happy in there. I did try to get some yogurt down at lunch and it settled a bit. I have to take all of my students to the math competition tonight and I really can't afford to be sick. A fellow teacher said she would take them but I hate to put it on her. I don't know....guilt guilt guilt....you would think I was Catholic. (no offence, I used to be) I did weigh in this morning and after pushing fluids in yesterday....I think I almost got to 100, I was still down so maybe with TOM visiting and the extra calorie burn with being sick I really did lose more than I thought. It will just make next month's weigh in all the better. Now....for this trip. I'm reading two different weekends and I just want to make sure I've got it straight. The LAST weekend in July or the one before it? Did I miss, in my delusionary state, where we are staying? Someone asked about other stuff to do. If there are any baseball/football fans, there is the twins/vikings stuff in town. I don't know if they have the same stadium or if they are different, but I know they are there. I'll do some more checking on tourism in the area and get back to you all on that.

Good Morning Gang - TGIF Well you didn't hear from me last night cuz I was just too tired to get on the computer.. Came home and GS had cleaned my house - so I just vegged in front of the TV.. I think the Residence Inn is a good choice by the looks of the map its right around the corner and they have shuttles to Mall & Airport... Peaches you and Linda better stay away from the cliffs !!! Phyl - Tell Uncle Ed to go you know what - I am a lady so I won't say the actual words (ya right :angry_smile:) - You are doing great 70lbs - and just cuz you didint' lose this week we know that in a week or 2 you will drop 4-5-6 lbs. Son is staying away from me - I dropped the girls off on Wed and he had this big smile on his face and then ran in the house - he knows his mother and her temper.. Brandy - I bet you can now get a two piece - at 144 - you go girl... I haven't tried on suits yet - I have one or 2 that might fit - but after a few more tanning sessions I may venture into that section at the stores. Peaches - I know ppl who did that for smoking and it worked - hope it works for you - and we all have those stories - we will share all that junk at our gab fest in July.. Especaily after a few cocktails... I will warn you all right now - I am one of those people who just love everyone when I have a little buzz - but you all know already how much I love you guys now - so if we have cocktails don't be shocked if I tell you all again and cry... I think I am very lucky that I haven't really caved into any major wanting stuff (candy/brownies) - I wonder why - last night on the way home from worked I stopped at the store cuz I wanted some of this new juice "Plum Something" 60 calories 8 oz for the lite - well Stater Brothers use to carry sf angel food cake - I looked for it cuz it's good with a little yogurt and furit - well they don't carry it anymore. So ended up with just some strawberries - then GS was going out to starbucks and asked if I wanted anything - I wanted rocky road ice cream from 31 flavors - I figured 1 scoop would be ok - then I said no - he was being super nice (must want something & his bday is on tues) and said he would get it for me - I said no that ok - I don't need it. I think about this stuff - but just haven't actual gone out to eat it or get it - I think I am afraid to - cuz if I start - then I will slowly slip back into my old eating habits - Pris Phyl can help with the glitter - I took mine off as it's wasn't working half the time - I just did a word signature... (I remember that you do it just like you do your ticker - google glitter signature I think) Phly - can you help Pris with Glitter... Karri - How funny you mentioned the school counsler - I was thinking about that for both you and Steph - See you guys I spend alot of time thinking about you all - but I didn't know if you wanted someone where you work to know your business... Ok I started this an hr ago - I gotta get stuff done - I will ck back later ..

Breaky: 1 Poptart 200 cal, Lunch: 1 ff SS yogurt, 1 serv of SF/FF Choc. pudding, cool whip light. Dinner? Will be steak 3-4 oz., baby potatoes, broc/cauli salad ... and Dump Cake for dessert...I know not the BEST dessert, but I may be full and not eat any anyways... Company for dinner tonight and tomorrow night.. going over to SparkPeople to figure it all out cal wise.. Janet & Karri: Enjoy your VISIT, we'll totally understand if we don't hear from you for a couple days.LOL DH Change of Command parade went well yest. He is so glad to be retired!!!! It all went well, wine and desserts afterwards... Not a great cal day... but not a PIG OUT.

I think i am low in something - cuz my thigh muscles hurt/ach - like i have been really working weights - I got some potassium & B complex today - and going to try and be more diligent in taking my vitamins (I am pretty bad at it) I have to get my blood tested next month anyway - Dr Bobby requires blood test every 6 months.. I have been eating spinach - yogurt - bananas - Marcy get some vitatimans that have extra Iron in them and then some laxitive in case you get stopped up... Karri - I assume that you don't take any blood pressure meds due to your age - so yes I think you need more food and make sure you are taking your vitamins... Drink so OJ...

Kathy - I have a little 3x4 sprial notebook (that i got at Target) that I carry with me. I log my food and exercise in. For me it's easy - i throw it in my purse every morning - then throw it on my desk during the day and on my coffee table at night - I don't have to be signed in anywhere to log my food. I just jot down what I ate - calories & protein grams. I jot down my weight each thrusdays and keep a running total of total lost each week.. example of page 1/2 - Wed yogurt/banana 100 c 5 pt meat 150 18 pt veggies 35 2pt fish 200 28 pt rice 120 1 pt veggie 50 2 pt shrimp 100 10 pt popcorm 100 exercise 3 miles

Mia - I started @ 250 During my whole weight loss phase I kept my caloires around 800 - 1100 - sometimes 1200 - I would vary them one day eat i would eat 800c - next 1000- then 900 etc I eat 3 meals & sf snack Breakfast - usually around 100 to 200 caliores oatmeal 160 cor Yogurt & furit or granola, egg beater omelets Lunch around 200-300 caloires 1 cup 1 pot wonder meat & veggies (rarely any startch) Dinner 300 -400 Caloires (protein/rice/veggies) I saved my Snacks for night 2 sf puddings 120 c - 1 sf fudgelcicle 80 c if you add the lite # it equals 800 and the higher ones equal 1100 Plus I was going to the gym walking on the treadmil 4-5 days a week for 2 miles.. # Date Weight 09/20/2008 143.0 08/07/2008 145.0 07/24/2008 145.5 07/17/2008 148.0 06/26/2008 150.0 06/10/2008 151.0 06/05/2008 153.0 05/28/2008 153.0 05/22/2008 154.5 05/15/2008 157.0 05/08/2008 158.0 05/01/2008 161.5 04/24/2008 164.0 04/17/2008 165.0 04/10/2008 166.0 04/03/2008 166.5 03/27/2008 169.0 03/20/2008 169.5 03/13/2008 170.5 03/06/2008 173.0 02/28/2008 174.0 02/21/2008 175.0 02/14/2008 177.0 02/07/2008 177.0 01/31/2008 180.0 01/24/2008 184.5 01/17/2008 188.0 01/10/2008 190.0 01/03/2008 190.5 12/27/2007 191.0 12/20/2007 191.5 12/13/2007 194.5 12/07/2007 196.0 11/22/2007 198.0 11/15/2007 201.0 11/08/2007 203.0 11/01/2007 206.5 10/25/2007 207.0 10/18/2007 210.0 10/11/2007 211.0 10/04/2007 213.5 09/27/2007 215.0 09/13/2007 217.0 09/06/2007 221.5 08/30/2007 223.5 08/23/2007 225.0 08/16/2007 227.0 07/30/2007 231.0 07/19/2007 242.0 07/06/2007 250.0 This is my weight loss history... I gotta say I worked hard and really didn't vary too much from eating healthy... I was very lucky never hit a plateau .. I really contribute that to the exercise - In March I got a trainer at the gym and started working with weights... Eat foods that have more substance you will feel full longer - At dinner if i was extra hungry I ate extra veggies Also try this take a diet soda - pour in a glass and let get a little flat - then take a tiny sip - the carbonation will make you full. On the weekends - I was out and about so I didn't think about food - it seemed like every month I was buying new clothes in a smaller size. Attaching menu - and picts. JoannMarie - You are just going to do so well - you have this thing down pat and you aren't even banded yet... Prayer - fingers crossed for your review - let us know ok - Hugs Jill 8.67 lbs a month - you are doing great girl - yes I know you wish it was faster but look thats 2 lbs a week - more energy - and just think where you will bee next yr on your vacation - what a great incentive to keep moving forward.. Keep up the EXCELLENT work..

Hi ladies. Hope you all had a great day! I feel like I'm always complaining about my back, so if you feel that way too, skip this :thumbup: Though I know you won't because you are all so awesome:thumbup: I have not had an MRI yet. In January doc said if it got worse we would do one, but when it got worse and I called I've been put off for 3 weeks. He's out of town and I completely understand, but it's going to be a long couple of weeks. I'm sure when I see him again we will get to the bottom of it. It is bad enough that I won't let him just sluff me off. However, in the past, the pain has always resolved itself and I truly expected it to do that this time too. One question. Is a back specialist called an orthopedist? Is that the kind of doc I need to be looking for? I thought that was a joint doc, but maybe I'm crazy. You all are much more medically smart than I. As for food....life is going well in that department. My fill has brought me some relief from the hunger. I can eat my yogurt in the morning and be satisfied until lunch. Had a kashi bar for lunch, was fine until dinner. Had a bit of soup and good until....we'll see. So that is positive. I'm focussing on THAT success and trying to ignore the back. Well, I started this an hour ago and then got busy on the phone. I promise that after this weekend I will stay at home until my back problems have been resolved. Even turned down a free trip to TJ because of the back issues (so it must be bad!). Good night ladies. Have a great tomorrow. Hugs to you all.

Here's me. Still coughing and hacking today. I made a dr appt for tomorrow. Mostly think I need some Rx cough suppressant before I cough my brains out. That would not be good. Throat feels better... probably not strep. Beautiful Blue Jay just landed in the grass outside my window. I had a boob squish appt today. I thought it was 1pm & we got there a few minutes early. I got very antsy and a little indignant when I was still sitting there waiting at 1:35pm, so I complained. That's when they told me my appt was for 1:40pm!! I looked it up on my computer calendar when I got home. They were right! It sucks to get old! Everything is right there in my computer and I still can't get it right! I was even getting pop up reminders and I still got it wrong! I've been a little hungry today, too. Some people on the Smartbandsters mail list have talked about yogurt and granola for breakfast. That sounds good. Maybe I need a change now & then. I could take some granola on the train. I'm sure you can buy yogurt in their snack bar place.

Linda - First off, we were both banded on the same day, same city just different locales. I was banded by Dr. Ortiz. We live in a small town northwest of Ann Arbor. My oldest daughter and son-in-law both live in Allendale and both graduated from Grand Valley. Janet - I don't exactly count all the calories but I eat just about the same thing everyday. start with yogurt which is 110 calories. Lunch is usually a two egg omelet made with egg beaters, 60 calories and add two pieces of low fat or no fat cheese. 150 calories. Then for dinner I usually have a lean cusine. I drink about 4 or 5 bottles of water a day. Late afternoon and late evenings is when I cheat when I do cheat. Then it is something like a granola bar (180) Or a piece or two of rye bread and butter. I have to admit that this is probably my downfall but we've been out for a couple weeks and I have told my husband...NO MORE TRIPS TO THE JEWISH BAKERY. I also crunch on dill pickles off and on during the day. 5 calories each. Once or twice a week I make dinner to share with my husband. Also a place where the calories add up. And when I really screw up, I add at least a half hour of pedaling. As for my exersize bike, I ride it at least an hour a day....aim for 75 -90 minutes and end up with 2 hours or more at least once a week. I usually make at least 20 miles a day. Now I will let that little angel cop say its piece. I need a swift kick in the butt. I really want to lose about 20 more pounds before I go in and have my knee replaced. Then I will be able to get out and walk. EVERYBODY, HAVE A GOOD NIGHT. TALK TO YOU ALL TOMORROW.

I never pb'd when I was so tight. I just had incredible pain. I am pouting for you! It is amazing to me that some people are as tight as you are and keep going back for more because they are hungry. I want to shake them and tell them that the reason they are hungry is not because they are too loose, but rather because they are too tight. I am way looser than I was before, but even now the dang thing is so tight in the morning that it is hard for me to find foods that will keep me full for the 4-5 hours that I have to wait between meals and not cause me pain. Yogurt just doesn't cut it. Okay well back to Biggest Loser...this show is ticking me off. The stupid little games they play. I know for those people who don't understand what it is like to be overweight it is the only thing that would keep them watching. But I still don't have to like it. Nighty night

Good that you took some time for yourself! And, celebrate those NSV's! We'll all have to work on the "fat girl thinking"!! We went to the Navy support facility today... I had my heart set on these shoes I saw two weeks ago and didn't buy! DH intimidates me about buying shoes... he thinks all anyone needs is two pairs of shoes! So we go back today to do some grocery shopping and now the smallest size they have is 7 1/2... way too big for me. AND, I wanted to look at clothes. First couldn't find anyone to help me, then only a guy. He says "how can I help you?" I say, " Do you have any clothes that aren't size 2 teeny bopper clothes???" He says they don't have any plus sizes anymore. I'd already figured that out so I had an attitude!! So I told him he also didn't have anything that anyone over 30 would wear!! So I went home frustrated, and with nothing but cauliflower, lettuce, etc.!! I did get some Tostito Queso in a jar.. only 40 calories for 2 Tbsp. Figured I can use 1 TBSP in my eggbeater omelet in the morning. I found something called "Coromega" Orange Flavor Omega 3 Supplements.. about the consistency of yogurt or pudding, in squeeze tubes that you can either squeeze directly in to your mouth, or onto a spoon, or into something else like yogurt, etc. Only 20 calories, once a day, no sugar or artificial sweetner, colored with beta carotene, no dairy, yeast, wheat or gluten, tastes decent. I found it at Costco.. but Janet & I were told about it at a support group meeting we attended at her dr's office. All these body image issues you gals are dealing with are getting scary!!

Hey Girls! I had a Janet moment at the grocery store today too! I was in the dairy aisle after I picked up my fat free yogurt and was walking past the cheese. You see, cheese is my absolute downfall. There were these containers of cheese spread and cheese dip. I love all of that crap. Well, NOT TODAY!!!!! I looked at it for a longing few seconds and said to myself "Self, it is not worth it! You do not want that, and it is going to make you fat!" Then I felt like I wanted to stick my tongue out at it. I didn't, but man, was it tempting. I won that battle. I am envious of all of your travels!!! Have a wonderful time Apples and Great. Be safe but have soooo much fun. The both of you deserve it. Lori~ Any news on your daughter and the baby? Did the test results come back yet? Did I miss something? I try to keep track of each post, but somtimes I am trying to multi-task. Also, WTG on your exercise!!! Jodi~ That party sounds like something!!!! Wow. She is a lucky girl. I will try to get back on for more later, but I am going to spend some time with Andrew now. food for the day: Breakfast~ Slim Fast Lunch~ 1/2 of Protein drink, 4 cubes of cheese, 4 "party tray" sized slices of salami Dinner~ 4-5 oz chicken Breast (poached in Balsamic Vinegar, low sodium chicken broth, water), mixed veg, 1/2 redskin potato Haven't calculated calories, yet, but around 800.

Hello all! Went to a friends surprise birthday party today. It was really fun! I had to bring my "lunch box" with yogurt and boost in it. I mixed half a banana in with my yogurt in a bowl so I felt more comfortable while everyone else was eating. I got sunburned! Even though I really tried to stay in the shade. My skin is so fair, I always burn. On the way home I made Andrew stop and pick me up some more crushed lentil soup. So good. Still sticking to one cup. Seems to be working out pretty well, but I really have no restriction anymore. Will power alone is getting me through. Laura~ Oh, I did get the MM light. In chocolate. Phew! Don't want to be drinking anything that tastes like baby formula! Have a great time on your vacay! Julie~ Congrats on the 100 lbs lost!!!!! Awesome job. It sounds like you are feeling much better also. Keep up the good work! Joanne~ Have a wonderful time! There is nothing like a grandma, thats for sure. I am so lucky that at almost 27 years old I still have both of my grandmas! It is just the best. Long~ This year will be so exciting for you. Now you can enjoy dress shopping and everything with your DD. All you really have to worry about is what color to wear!!! What a great feeling that has got to be. Ladies....I really am worried about apples too. Strange not to hear from her. Now the bf is even asking where she is. I always tell him about all of you and what a wonderful help all of you are to me. It's so nice to know that I can come here and everyone understands what the other is going through in regards to the band journey. I feel so fortunate to have found all of you. I will check in tomorrow after school. I have to go to the grocery store tomorrow also. I'm going to probably spend a lot of time there and find healthy mushy things for me. I always liked grocery shopping! ~Meredith

Greek yogurt , lf cottage cheese.and I think tuna is in your mushi diet along with cream of chicken soup

I can graze on nuts and craisins all day... I have a beach mix with almonds, plantain chips, coconut slivers, yogurt covered raisins and pecans. I keep a measuring cup in the jar to ensure a 1/4 cup serving... If I get too hungry, my blood sugar gets unstable and I get light headed and shaky... Keeping this with me helps at the office or running errands when I need some quick protein. But eating 1290 calories a day using My Fitness Pal, taking the stairs at work instead of the elevator, parking further away AND doing the treadclimber for 30 min every other day would get me maintenance and if I'm lucky - a 1lb loss... So, it's hard even NOT eating crap. BTW, I'm 54 and was sleeved in 2012...

Hello, chickabo. Please know that I come from a place of wanting to help provide you some information and share my experience. I'm not saying I'm right or wrong, this is just my experience over the past 8 weeks. And I know when I was pre surgery I wanted as much information as I could get to help me. Before I go into my story below, I found a doctor online, Dr. Garth Davis, (http://www.thedavisclinic.com), who is a Bariatric surgeon in Texas -he is a 'plant based' doctor. I found this guy after I had my surgery, but he seems to be a good resource and one that I wish I would have found pre-surgery. You may find his information helpful or at least contact his office to get information sent to you so that you have some to help you with your doctor. Here is my story, if you want to read further: I was a vegan for several years pre-surgery. So was my family (husband and two sons). We did it for the animal issue, not the health issue. Trust me when I say I have seen more than most people on animal cruelty and food and I battle mentally with it everyday. When I first started looking into the Lap-band, I didn't find anything on vegan and Lap-band. All I kept seeing was 'Protein, protein, protein' and more 'protein.' But I knew, as a vegan, that I could get enough protein to hit 60 grams or more a day per what my doctor was telling me I had to have. I had done it for years and didn't see the issue. (When I say protein here is what I mean: There are only a few "complete proteins" (a protein that contains all the 8 essential amino acids that your body is unable to make on its own) for vegans and they are soy milk, tofu, and tempeh (these are the only true "complete proteins" for vegans). All other Proteins that you get from plants are called "incomplete proteins" like grains, legumes, seeds, and nuts. Now as vegan, you can take two "incomplete proteins" and combine them to can get a "complete protein." Example: grains + legumes or legumes + seeds/nuts.) So the issue wasn't getting "protein" per say. The issue that I saw right away was getting the enough of the right "protein" (complete proteins) which lead me to where I would have the biggest issue being vegan-- the volume of food that I would need to eat to get a minimum of 60 grams of protein a day. You see, when I was vegan (pre band), I could eat a large tofu "egg" wrap with a cup of broccoli and vegan cheese inside for Breakfast. This would give me ~14 grams of protein for ~350 calories or so (including a low carb wrap). However, when I look at the numbers in more detail with my post-band rules, this just doesn't give me the right amount of protein for the calories (10/1 - for every 10 calories in the food it should have at least 1 gram of protein). So, even thought it would give me "complete protein" for the meal, it wasn't the 10/1 rule. But more importantly, that is a HUGE amount of food to be eating after Lap-Band surgery. There is no way I could eat that much in one sitting. I might be able to make two meals of it now. That means for two meals I would only be getting ~14 grams of protein. So, having said that, I could (and do on occasion) supplement with Protein drinks (Sun Warrior Original Flavor chocolate or vanilla is the absolute best tasting and it has a 80 calories / 4 carbs / 15 grams of protein - which is great), but I quickly learned after I moved to soft solid foods (after the liquid diet pre and post surgery) that I wanted to eat food - I was SICK of drinking my calories. So protein drinks can fill in the gaps for getting more protein, but I found that I wanted to eat my calories instead of drinking them. So this wouldn't be an option for me longterm. So, what's an animal loving vegan who really wants / needs a Lap-band to do? As I was doing research, I ran across an article that talked about a devout vegan (animal lover) who was vegan for years and all of a sudden started craving animal protein. Long article short, she took a bite of something that had animal protein in it and as she said, "guess what, the world didn't end!" That was my moment. I thought, I have spent years battling my weight and part of that was doing everything that was 'best' for everyone else and it was time that I took care of me. So that is when I made the switch to vegetarian. I had huge amount of guilt (that I still carry around) but I knew I needed to at least try it versus continue down my road of being obese and miserable. You see, WLS patients aren't choosing the easy way out, contrary to what you might think, read, see, or hear. We chose surgery where we are cut open and surgically altered - that is not easy. We chose to eat very minimal amounts of food when others around us are eating pounds of it - that is not easy. We chose to exercise at least 210 minutes a week - that is not easy. We chose to have to chew every little bite we take 20-30 times - that is not easy. We have to take Vitamins that are horrible every single day - that is not easy. So to me, making a few food changes to my diet didn't seem that hard compared to all the other "not easy" stuff I was agreeing to do. So, after my pre-op and post-op diet of all liquids (which I had for 3 weeks), when I made the move to soft proteins I incorporated some yogurt (which I still can't stand) and then I incorporated some string cheese and some egg whites (not eggs). I did this very slowly. I then progressed to eating salmon, tuna, and shrimp. I still use all my vegan condiments (vegan mayo, cream cheese, sour cream, etc.) but I chose to add in easier proteins to my day. I'm not going to tell you how great I feel or how I'm losing weight by the lbs daily, but I'm just going to tell you that it is working for me right now, today and that's all I have. Opening my mind and putting more focus on me is working for me, today. And everyday is another day to do it better. I have tried to get away from "I did bad today," to "I will try to do better tomorrow" and that has helped to. I hope some of this has helped you a little bit. It's okay if it didn't. I just want you to know that whatever you choose to do, do it for you. This is YOUR time and no one or no thing can take it away from you. Sending you all the best and well wishes. Keep us posted on here! Jen

I'll be 2 months out on Monday, but for what it's worth here is what I am eating now. I suspect that you can eat more in a sitting than I can since you are at 5 months. Breakfast: Either a GNC Lean shake 25 (strawberries and cream flavor, pre-made) or one hard boiled egg with salt or occassionally 1/2 container of greek yogurt. If I don't have the lean shake, I will have 1/2 of a Premier chocolate shake (30 grams protein). Lunch: P3 Protein snack pack, which contains small portions of turkey, marble cheddar, and almonds. The whole thing has 13 grams of protein. Snack: Mini babybel cheese wheel, original flavor Dinner: Some kind of meat, such as meatballs with red sauce, or shredded beef taco meat (filling only), hamburger patty (can eat about 1/2), 1/2 cup chili etc I have not been cheating at all. If anything I will dip/mix things with sauces or mayo but the amount is so small I don't really sweat it. I haven't had anything with sugar yet. I have twice had one single saltine cracker with my food. When I plug this into MFP it comes to 650 to 725 cals daily.

I am finding this thread a little late, but it's nice to find so many people at the same stage after the same surgery. I had by bypass 6 weeks ago today. I have been doing phenomenally well until this week. I think I got a little too cocky with new foods and didn't think about introducing veggies that are naturally high in sugar. Two days ago I had peas and suffered a lot after just a few bites. And then last night I had a terrible episode after two bites of corn on the cob. I should have known better. Today, I'm taking a break and having just yogurt and protein shakes.

OK so I just checked and of course there is no siggis yogurt to be found in my area. I'm still on the road in Texas and heading home tomorrow. I'm so ready to get home... I'm tired of unjury skim milk and Protein Water. I'm ready to play with some recipes. I need a little flavor in my life. Everything has gone as well as it could have. I continue to feel blessed with my recovery and the process in general. I haven't weighed since before my surgery so I'm excited to see if I've lost any weight or if I'm hanging onto it like I have in the past. As excited as I am to continue this journey at home I must confess that I am more excited to see, hold,kiss and sleep beside the wonderful man that is My Better Half!! Best Wishes to all who are about to embark on this journey!!!

You're doing fantastic already! What have you been having for meals? thank you ???? I've been doing Fat free cottage cheese, yogurt, ricotta cheese bake, refried beans with melted mozzarella cheese, low sodium tomato soup with broccoli, cauliflower, carrots and onion puréed.Wow. Congrats , down that much in 11 days. That's amazing. I can't wait to have refried beans. I start soft foods on Tuesday. Gonna weigh myself on Tuesday which is my 2 weeks post op. What's ricotta cheese bake? Good up the good work , it's obviously paying off.