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Nutritional deficiencies are among the common risks of weight loss surgery. Calcium deficiency in particular can be a serious problem because it may not show up until years or even decades have passed and you are diagnosed with osteoporosis, or weak bones. Osteoporosis can cause: Broken ribs from something as innocent as coughing or sneezing. Broken hips and wrists from falling. Broken ankles from stepping off a curb. Loss of height and back pain from vertebral compression in your spine. You can take charge of your bone health. Learn why calcium can help, and how you can get enough calcium after weight loss surgery. Bone Loss Is Irreversible Obesity is a serious disease that’s tough to overcome, but there is at least one positive thing about obesity: it is reversible. Hard as it may be, you can lose weight and get your health back. After losing weight, you may have lower blood pressure, sugar, and cholesterol levels, less joint pain, and more energy than you’ve had in years. That’s not true with your bones. Your bone density increases from birth until your mid or late 20s. After your skeleton is mature and you reach peak bone mass, your bone density decreases for the rest of your life. Your job is to keep the decreases as slow as possible to preserve your bone mass. Bone Health is for Everyone A lot of people think that osteoporosis is something that only frail, older women need to worry about. That’s just not true. Men and women of all ages need to think about bone health after weight loss surgery. Younger weight loss surgery patients are still building bone mass. If you get weight loss surgery before your late 20s, you may never reach your highest possible peak bone mass. Middle aged adults need to protect bone mass so you’re not at high risk for fractures when you get older. Women around menopause are already losing bone density quickly. If you don’t protect yourself after weight loss surgery, you could quickly develop osteoporosis even if you had healthy bones a few years ago. Men have higher bone density than women, but you can still get osteoporosis. Your risk increases as you get older, and you don’t want weight loss surgery to increase your risk. Calcium in Your Body Most of the calcium in your body is in your bones, but 1 percent of the calcium is in your blood and other tissues. Calcium is necessary for vital processes, like muscle contraction, hormone secretion, blood pressure regulation, and sending nerve impulses. Calcium levels in your blood are very tightly monitored. If blood levels of calcium drop, you need more calcium in your blood. Ideally, your body uses calcium from your diet to bring calcium levels back to normal. This works well when you get enough calcium in your diet. If you don’t, your bones suffer. That’s because your body pulls calcium from your bones to put in your blood when there’s no dietary calcium available. Your bones slowly get weaker every time this happens. Why Bone Loss Is a Problem After Weight Loss Surgery It’s harder to get enough calcium from your diet when you lose weight fast. That’s why you're at high risk for osteoporosis after weight loss surgery. You’re eating less food overall. You’re cutting out liquid calories, such as from milk. You’re cutting way back on junk foods that have calcium, such as pizza, fortified but sugary breakfast cereal, and ice cream. You may also be absorbing less calcium from your diet after weight loss surgery. Calcium absorption drops after gastric bypass. Vitamin D absorption, which is necessary for calcium absorption, drops after gastric bypass. Vitamin D absorption drops if you eat a very low-fat diet, which is likely after weight loss surgery. Get Three Servings of High-Calcium Foods Each Day The following foods are good sources of calcium. They also have protein, making them great choices for your weight loss surgery diet. 1 cup of non-fat yogurt or Greek yogurt. ½ cup of non-fat cottage cheese. 1 ounce of reduced-fat cheese. 3 ounces of canned salmon. 3 ounces of canned mackerel. ½ cup of tofu. Calcium at Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner Aim for one serving of a high-calcium food at breakfast, lunch, and dinner. These are some ideas for dishes with a good amount of calcium. Oatmeal cottage cheese pancakes. Baked tomatoes with low-fat feta cheese. Broccoli with melted low-fat cheddar cheese and crushed cashews. Salmon salad made with Greek yogurt instead of mayo and wrapped in a lettuce leaf. Chili made with tofu instead of beef. A fish wrap with canned mackerel, basil, tomato slices, and spinach or arugula on a small, high-fiber tortilla. Other Ways to Protect Your Bone Health Take the dietary supplements that your surgical center recommends. Those will probably include a daily multivitamin supplement and one or two daily doses of calcium. You may also be told to take vitamin D. Other nutrients affect your bone health, so make sure to eat the healthy foods on your meal plan. Regular exercise is another great way to keep your bones strong. Osteoporosis puts you at risk for devastating fractures, and you may not even know you have it until you break a bone. You can lose bone mass after weight loss surgery, but you can protect yourself with a healthy diet and exercise plan. In particular, getting enough calcium on a daily basis can keep you healthy.

I am trying to eat very small bites and chew thoroughly, but I'm having problems with PBs with EVERYTHING except grits, oatmeal, yogurt, and soup. Anyone else? I am really, really frustrated. Especially because I am up 4 lbs. WTH??!

What I did was take 4 oz of milk and mix it with I scoop of protein powder which is 20g of protein... If you drink 3 of those a day and have a Greek yogurt - you will get 70g of protein... But like the previous post if you use unflavored protein powder and mix one scoop in that will give you 20g of protein too... I use Unjury brand..

Hi Denise your still on soft foods? I am currently on Phase III one week from Phase 4. Currently I still drink my Protein shakes. Breakfast, I will either do a Protein shake, or 1 egg scrambled soft with cheese and a morning star sausage pattie (10gm of protein). I try to get in milk as well since it's 8 gm of protein. If I have to have a snack I do yogurt. lunch I stick to any type of fish, chicken salad, turkey burger etc... dinner same thing but I try to incorporate a veggie like broccoli, green Beans, squash, sweet potato etc.. Good luck on your journey it gets easier and the sooner you start eating regular food the more your sleeve will start to tolerate it and the better you will be. Also the quicker you will start loosing, currently I am doing about 1 to 2lbs a week and i am happy with that.

I puréed everything, just like I did for my kids. Even meatballs, meatloaf, etc. split pea soup was good too. I ate a lot of cottage cheese and Greek yogurt (both nonfat)- but sometimes wanted something hot too. Fat free refried beans were awesome too. I just found that beans, meat, mashed cauliflower (great alternative to mashed potatoes but you have to add some protein powder) were things I had to eat much slower than cottage cheese and yogurt.

I had my lap-band put in yesterday. Dr. Thomas Brown did my surgery. I have read both negative and positive things about him but from day one we hit it off and he did an excellent job on the surgery. I really like him. He is a nice man! I had to be at hospital at 5:30 a.m. They ran through the gamut of registration paperwork and I was brought up the pre/post surgery unit where they hooked up two IV's - one a saline based bag and the other a bag of antibiotics. I met with anesthesiologist and Dr. Brown and around 715 a.m. I was brought up for surgery. I honestly don't even remember them putting me under. Note to those of you who have had the surgery - I'm a puker and super drug sensitive and they gave me an anti-nausea patch that is behind my ear. It lasts for three days and has been helpful. I woke up in recovery and had to ask a few times if they actually did the surgery because I couldn't feel anything different. After being in recovery for a couple of hours they sent me back downstairs to the pre/post surgery nurses. I got up right away used the bathroom and walked the halls. By 11:30 a.m. I was in the car and on my way home. I slept most of the day yesterday. By 4:00 p.m., my beloved was waking me up every 15 minutes so I could have my sip of water. I definitely didn't get the 64 ounces but maybe 1/3 of that. This morning I woke up a little sorer - guess the drugs wore off. Even though they gave me percocet I have only been taking Tylenol every 4 hours and that is enough. I'm really scared of vomiting and know the percocet would do that. I had 2 teaspoons of runny Greek yogurt this morning and have held it in without any problems. So maybe in a couple of hours I'll try some creamed soup pulverized in the blender. Kaiser gives out a great handbook that tells you what you can eat at each week stage. I'm on full liquids for two weeks and that is fine with me. Right now I don't feel like eating, which is rather a crazy thought to me given that I've been on clear liquid fast before surgery. I also read alot on this site about gas pains. I have some but not bad either. Someone here recommend gas X strips and they work. Definitely buy that and liquid Tylenol before your surgery. Oh and this morning my beloved took off the gauze and replaced it. I have 5 incisions and they are all about the belly button. Three 1/2 inch ones, one 2 inch incision above my belly button and then a 3 1/2 or 4 inch incision to the left of it, where the port is. I'm glad it is over and look forward to losing this fat and feeling better with each passing day!

*~Otherwise known as "Hopeful One Day, Scared The Next"~* :hungry: Reading through erosion posts, pictures of infections, stories of slippage and removals, I sally forth to my meeting with the Psych doc and nutritionist, with what amounts to this month's rent money in hand to pay for this visit. I don't take this surgery lightly. I was actually able to have this done by a different surgeon back in the Fall. But I needed more time to make sure I was doing the right thing. Let's be honest, going under the knife to be able to lose weight is a huge step, and a serious one. I went to a support group meeting of this other surgeon and I was shocked at how quickly and without real research these people went and had this done. I was asking questions that we discuss here in the meeting none of them had a clue about. That shocked me. I guess for some the promise of being thin is enough. Not me. Yes, I am terrified of the actual surgery, going under anesthesia. (will I be that 1 in 1000 that won't wake up?) but my fears center more on what is going to happen after the surgery. Will I heal? Will I become infected? Will I get pneumonia? Will it be freaky because there is a freaking device wrapped around my stomach? Will I become dehydrated? And farther out: Will I pass out from PBing? Will I have terrible pain in my chest like some people? Will I erode? Will complications from erosion in my stomach kill me? Emotional: Will I enjoy life without my food? Will I ever be able to enjoy food again? What will life be like without being able to just drink and eat whenever and however like before? What will I do with my time without it being centered on eating and cooking? What will I do with my thoughts and emotions that can't be comforted with food anymore?? So, my first hour is with the nutritionist. I am completely overwhelmed and set on edge by this meeting. If the seriousness of this surgery didn't hit me before, then it did now. I am a vegetarian, so getting protein is going to be paramount. The fact that I will have to be on a low carb diet was not what I expected. As a vegetarian, I eat carbs in beans, whole grains, etc. From the food choices I have, it seemed to me that food enjoyment is really going to be out the window. Yogurt, cottage cheese, tofu, protein drinks. And water. That will be my diet. I was prepared for a change, but not this drastic. What unsettled me the most was the water bit. I can hold off drinking at meals, but I guzzle water. ALL DAY. I used to be very athletic and I drank and still drink over a gallon of water a day. And I chug it. When I don't get my gallon in, I feel dehydrated and can actually feel sick. SO this is a real concern for me. I just don't see how I can keep up the levels my body is used to all these years with a sip, sip ,sip sip all day. So coupled with all that I have written above, and the fact that now I am just waiting on a surgery date has me up at night. Am I doing the right thing? Will I be doing my body more harm than being fat if something goes wrong? Anxiety and fear is riding me out. But every once in a while during the day I'll see a woman who is slim and I think "I can be that now. I actually have a chance at achieving that" or see an ad for travel and think "I can vacation now and not be miserable that I am so fat" But most of all this is about getting healthy again. I can feel my body struggling and getting sick with this weight on, and I'm only going to get bigger because I am a food junkie and I have PCOS. To be continued.....

Breakfast - 4 oz cottage cheese with 4 tblsp of lc yogurt mixed in (12 grams of protein) Lunch - grilled chicken (left over from the salad yesterday) and 2 slices of avocado Snack - string cheese Dinner - 1 FRIED chicken breast (I took the skin & crust off) TRUE CONFESSION TIME - I overdosed on girlscout cookies - I'm so mad at myself. I had 5 trefolds (150 calories - 20 g of carbs), and 3 thin mints - about (110 calores - 11 g of carbs), 1 cup of 2% milk - BAD BAD Water - 50 oz - not enough Supplements - 2 Therno Dynamx before breakfast, 1 multi vitamin, Liquid B-12 Exercise - NONE Notes - What in the heck did I do to myself? I feel miserable, I ate way too much tonight, and the cookies did not help at all. Now I am in pain, my port area hurts. I know I have over ate and I WILL NOT do this again. I can't believe I did this to myself. I need a fill - BADLY. And I must deal with my emotions rather than turning to COOKIES (MY weakness is sweets). I'm glad today is over, tomorrow will be a better day! On the bright side, I had my 6 week follow up appointment with my doctor. He said How well I've been doing on my weight loss, I explained to him, most of my weight loss came from my 1st two weeks, then he said "Oh, well, I guess your not doing too well after all" - He told me I need a fill - duh. So, I'm scheduled for my fill on Tuesday, March 6th at 12:30. I have to fast before my fill. It will be with the radiology dept at the hospital. It will be interesting what my first fill will do for me. I hope I can get back to losing weight. I don't want to gain - I need to lose. I think that is why I turned to cookies tonight. i was feeling so down - but I must learn to deal with my emotions. I have to change my behavior.

Went for my first restaurant meal since surgery on May the 11th. I have to get used to not getting to eat certain items. Im still on the mushy stage for foods until my first fill on June 15th. So I picked a cream potato soup. Not great choice calorie wise but Im not supposed to be concerned about that until my first fill. I enjoyed it but my families family go out to meal is steak and seafood. So my son loves Lonestar. The guys got huge Ribeyes. To date I am down 14 pounds. I started supplements three days ago. Yuk. Chew-ables. I feel like Im 4. We have a home group for bible study once a month and yeah we host. So that means I provide the majority of the food. Didnt feel like cooking so bought a coconut cream cake and fruit platter. and I ate yogurt. Had some questions about why I wasnt eating and I just said Im having some stomach issues at moment. Everyone left it at that For some reason I have become addicted to the food network lol. Hooked on Hungry Girl

I eat 1/4 to 1/2 of an avocado at a time. I'll do 1/2 if the avocado is small. I also like to blend it with Greek yogurt. It stretches it and adds protein. Good for a dip or spread that way.

Count yourself lucky. My surgeon requires 3 weeks of liquids only. And he means liquids, no jell-o, no yogurt, no pudding, no purees, etc. His definition of liquids is anything that can go through a strainer easy; no lumps, no bumps. I have 4 more days to go! Of course he also said that in 6,000 procedures he's only had 2 patients with leaks, so I trust him.

I guess I'm so confused bc I was given two diets. One from the hospiyal program and one from my dr. My dr. Said ok to juicing...his nut also said ok to refried beans. However, I don't trust her. The hospital nut said no to all. I just wish I could understand how all that processed stuff was better for me than juiced fruit, eggs, and cooked well beans. I could take it better if I understood why all dr are different. I'm one that needs to rationalize it...and I can't rationalize being flushed of fluids bc I can only have processed soups, broth, and yogurt. I know this will end in one week!!!

It all depends on the type of surgery. With my MGB I was able to have plain greek yogurt, clear broths (nothing with cream in it), Gatorade, Tomato juice and V8 juice. Also, I was able to have watermelon with salt added to it. I did unjury Protein, the chicken one. It tastes like chicken Soup. i still use that one now at 8 months post MGB. LIke you, I was not into so much sweets. Good luck! And whatever you try, start small.

May 26th, my surgery date, has come and gone. Along with it, 18 pounds are gone. My pre-op diet seems like it is long gone, and that took 12 pounds along with it. LADIES AND GENTLEMEN....that is a GRAND TOTAL of 30 POUNDS GONE! Wow! That is pretty amazing, and I do feel like I should be standing in the center of a crowded arena, with a microphone in front of me, announcing that to the world. But, instead, I smile shyly and tell anyone who asks, how much I've lost. I am kind of shy about stuff like this. But I digress... So I had my 2 week follow up and there was some fluid built up around the port. The doctor drained that and removed the staples. Thank GOD! They were more than ready to come out. He told me to go forth and eat anything I wantd in pureed form. And to come back in 2 weeks to make sure I am not collecting more fluid. So...in the last 3 weeks, I have been on a bit of an emotional rollercoaster. More than 1...ok maybe 3 times I have cried like a baby. I believe I wept for the loss of an old friend, FOOD FOR NUMBING EMOTIONS. Come on, I ate when I was lonely, bored, scared, angry, happy, sad and anything in between. I believe I am formally in mourning. But, having a bit of experience in the loss of loved ones...I know the sadness never truly leaves, but it does lighten up and becomes manageable over time. I believe I am entering that stage. I am managing my mourning. I KNOW I can't use my crutch anymore. Food really did an excellent job of numbing pain. I mean, food has always stood beside me. It always was ready to offer me sustenance, even after my 28 year marriage crashed and burned about 6 years ago! But now I am eating pureed foods and that brings back FLAVOR! I have my protein shake for breakfast, 1/2 cup of oatmeal for a snack. Sometimes I reverse those 2 just to have some variety (hahaha). I have FF yogurt or baby food for lunch. I have SF pudding for a snack. And all day long I have a water bottle with me. That is a very good lifestyle change for me! My boyfriend is a food lover. Yet he does not suffer from obesity. Actually, he is a chef and a food lover...a dangerous combo. Last night he made me pureed chicken and pureed vegetables. Served me 1/4 cup of each for dinner. It tasted fabulous. The texture was a little weird, but the flavor was wonderful!! He sat there and talked with me while I ate....SLOWLY. He had a look of pain on his face. This diet is KILLING HIM! I don't think he can fathom the idea of eating pureed foods. But he is my soulmate, the love of my life. So he fixes me things of great taste and will stay with me while I eat. But he will not eat in front of me. That bothers HIM too much. I assure him it's ok with me, but he just won't do it. He says he will once I can eat regular food again. That should be next week. So it won't be long. I was in pain. But I didn't like the pain medicine. I NEVER like that stuff! It made me whiny and very confused and groggy. I used it for about 8 days, then I took myself off of it. Yesterday was the first day I stood up when I awoke and stretched and didn't cringe. I am HEALING!! I feel no pain!! And although I have lost 30 pounds, I am wearing the same clothes as before I began this journey. Only now, they are looser. Some are MUCH looser!! I am still a little sad at times when I see people gorging on some of my favorite foods (last Saturday was a graduation party for 2 of my nephews and there was a lot of good food there). But mostly I am awaiting the arrival of a different old friend...Happy, Healthy and Strong Mary....I hear she is on her way to stay with me. I can't wait 'til she gets here!! She's close!!! :confused: -mary

I did the same thing as you did, but after two weeks of that I settled down. You find other things to replace the things u used to love and now can't have. I love the dessert flavored fat free yogurts they are awesome and hit that sweet tooth. You really don't feel deprived. So endulge, and then move on. Good luck with your surgery and welcome to the group!!

In the first 8 weeks any yogurt or milk product made me feel sick. Not uncommon. It's better now. Trial and error! (null)

I had a muscle milk on the 3rd day after my surgery...blasted it out after about an hour. Called the nutritionist on Mon. said that I couldn't have that at work when I went in Tues. She said my stomach just wasn't ready. Suggest yogurt smoothies. Still some of those issues but not so bad. I had 1/2 c skim milk with coffee, smoothie at luch. Had to GO at 2:00. But I must be healing cuz it hasn't happened since.

Well what a difference a day makes, well actually 2 days. I was prepared for day 11 and I did so much better. I ate properly the day before and had my usual Greek yogurt 30 min before and I did really well. Here is what I was suppose to do: As many rounds as you can do for 30 minutes: 8 minute run/walk with purpose 10 body rows 10 tuck jumps 5 plank holds for :30 seconds 20 squats Here is what I did: Rode to the park where the body row bars are 1.43 miles 3-9 min runs (that is how long it takes to run the course) for a total of 2.25 miles 30 body rows 30 tuck jumps (I can really jump higher and tuck my legs much better now) 15 plank holds (only :15 seconds each ) 60 squats Rode my bike home Total of 5.11 miles, 1 hour, 2 min. I can really feel the increased strength in my muscles and it hasn't even been 4 weeks yet. I still have 5 weeks to go and then I will start the intermediate program and then I will finish with the advanced in mid-January. My middle run was almost effortless. Almost. :thumbup:

Being 4 days out from surgery. I would think that you are still on liquids? Right? Otherwise, while I'm doing liquids, I try to break my day up some, but it feels as if I have something going IN constantly. I first get a Protein shake (atkins or EAS ready to drink) later in the morning I'm having either tapioca or sugar free Jello for some sort of substance. I'm drinking Crystal Light in between - or Water. Around noon I may have another jello, tapioca or popsicle. Later in the day around dinnertime I'm having a Campbell's Soup-at-Hand for some more substance. Towards the evening, I mix a cup of nectar Protein Drink for a bit more protein. I'll have a yogurt or another popsicle or both. If I still feel hollow, I'll grab another jello, etc. All along, drinking water or Crystal Light in between, so it sorta feels like I'm pouring something down consistently. I've tracked it in www.fitday.com and it still doesn't exceed 800 calories a day. I've also had some frozen yogurt or ice cream in the evenings also. I'll trade some of this off this coming week for something more substantial like mashed potatoes or thinned refried Beans w some cheese sprinkled on, maybe some thin oatmeal in the morning. Hope this helps!

The only protein powder that doesn't gag me is called Milk and Egg Protein. It mixes well with any fruits, frozen yogurts, etc. It doesn't taste like medicine or vitamins. They sell it on line. I found it at Smith's grocery store, but they sell it on line. They also make a brown rice and a vegetarian powder, but I'll stick to my milk and egg one. I make it with frozen pineapple chunks and sweetened coconut and toss in my vitamins. Not bad.

Alright so I know that self loathing and hating myself is what got me here. I would over eat, be mad at myself and eat more. So look here is what I am looking/begging someone to help me with. I log everything I eat in a day and I want some feed back please. I had surgery May 30th and I was an open surgery, and on Clear liquids for a month. It took me a while to heal and I feel almost 100% better. So I have had one 3.5cc fill in a 7cc band. I have some restriction, but not nearly as much as I thought I would. Below are a few examples of my food logs...feedback? Thoughts? Help? Thanks everyone.. July 21 I can tuna with lite mayo 9 crackers -whole wheat low fat and sodium 1tsp Peanut Butter 1/2 cup potatoes, 3oz of pork and a handfull of carrots raw July 23 1/2 cup all bran Cereal with 1% milk 3 oz chicken baked 1 piece of bread and 1/4 cup hummas 6 cooked prawns 1/2 cup no noddle lasagna 1oz smoked salmon july 27 1 cup allbran strawberry cereal with 1% milk 1/2 canned pear 1 cup cottage cheese 1 individual yogurt 2 baby potatoes 4 oz porkchop 3 snack packs - through the day 100 cal or less each July 29th 1 cup tortilini with tomatoe sauce 3 oz chicken 1/2 piece garlic bread 1 cup of snack mix 1/4 cup turkey rice mix 10 carrots raw with 1/4 cup hummas Let me say I work day and night shifts as a nurse and we have had company in and out of our place for the last two weeks. It sure as heck isn't as much as I ate before the band that is for sure...bigmac large coke large fries and 10 nuggests all in one sitting, but I just need either reassurance that i am ok, or a firm yelling at! I don't know, I wish things were more black and white. I booked a fill for this thursday, i am not sure if I am messing with a good thing or if it is what i need...help any feedback would be appriciated.. shannongetsslim

Last Tuesday I had my second fill - another 1ml. I have felt really good restriction all week but have felt a little easing off today but I'm not hungry as such just when I eat I dont feel as restricted. I'm back down to 101kg which is what I was a week after surgery. I am booked infor another fill next Tuesday and I'm hoping for another fill. My doctor said I will probaby need at least 3ml. Today is Mothers Day: I ate: Coffee Sm bowl yogurt Coffee 1 Glass of Champagne Chicken & Avocado entre Fish and salad - only ate 2/3 Nudie ice block 2 glasses champagne

Last Tuesday I had my second fill - another 1ml. I have felt really good restriction all week but have felt a little easing off today but I'm not hungry as such just when I eat I dont feel as restricted. I'm back down to 101kg which is what I was a week after surgery. I am booked infor another fill next Tuesday and I'm hoping for another fill. My doctor said I will probaby need at least 3ml. Today is Mothers Day: I ate: Coffee Sm bowl yogurt Coffee 1 Glass of Champagne Chicken & Avocado entre Fish and salad - only ate 2/3 Nudie ice block 2 glasses champagne

I thought with me eating much less my grocery bill would go down, but it hasn't, but it hasn't gone up either. Instead of buying crap (little debbie / french fries) I buy healthy things - fruit and veggies. I no longer buy any soft drinks, just crystal light flavor packs for water. I am married so I do have to buy for the hubs, but while he isn't banded he opted to adopted the banded life. He eats the same healthy foods I do just in a large quantity, but hey that is a step. We have opted to oust junk foods all together. So I no longer go down the junk isles. I use to buy a lb of sugar monthly, I have purchased one in 4 months now - don't use it any more. I use to buy hamburger, chicken and pork. Now I still buy chicken, but opt for ground turkey instead of beef and still do a little pork sometimes and a lot more fish. We also use eggs instead of meat - I made an awesome veggie quiche last night and it gave us dinner last night and breaksfast for today and tomorrow- that is the way to stretch a buck. I have learned that Mrs. Dash makes fish better grilled and broiled than it was when we ate it fried. So while my bill hasn't gone down, I feel like the quality of food I purchase is better and I like that. Fresh veggies and fruit are great. My hubs has given up high cal yogurt for apple slices and likes it better. So I don't mind that the bill hasn't gone down quality means more than quantity so that is the aim these days. What has being banded done for your grocery bill?

Update... I didn't make it 72 hours on just liquids. I ended up having a yogurt early this afternoon then cottage cheese later in the afternoon. And, I went to Bunko tonight and had a few rice crackers w/spinach dip (chewed up thoroughly to mush). My dietician said the only reason for the 72 hours on liquids is to avoid puking (in case you swell after the fill). Nothing felt even close to being stuck so I figure I am good to go w/food right now, but I'm just gonna take it slow and careful.