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I didn't eat Peanut Butter till I was at goal. It's very calorie-dense and doesn't offer much in nutritional value, in my opinion. Now that I am at goal, it's a treat food. I like it on graham crackers. Sometimes I put cut up banana on top. Lynda

Stay on a schedule, pre plan your meals and Snacks. You're probably not feeling hungry so staying on a schedule helps. Set your phone alarm, fit bit alarm or the like as a reminder to eat. Some of my snacks are: Sargento snack sticks, hard boiled eggs, lunch meat and yogurt. Keep anything that is in small portions ready to eat that is low fat, low carb with Protein on hand. What are your protein requirements? Mine is 90-100 My Calorie is min 600 max of 800 and I'm just about 6 months out. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Week 30 Last week’s weight – 194.6 This week’s weight – 193.6 Total weight lost this week – 1 Beginning weight – 246 lbs Total weight loss since surgery – 52.4 lbs Surprised I lost 1 lb this week mainly because I had one of those “I’m tired of constantly thinking about what goes in mouth” week and pretty much said “the heck with it!” I ate poorly the majority of the week. Maybe that shocked my system?!?! Who knows. I did A LOT of medicine ball squats at Crossfit and someone told me that a good leg workout burns more calories than any other muscle group in the body. Maybe that contributed to my loss this week? Whatever…I will take it. Bottom line is I am getting closer to getting out of the 190’s. It definitely feels like a slow process to get out of there though. I have semi shelved the vitamix idea (unless I happen to come across one that is priced really really well). I did come to the realization that week that I am officially not a huge fan of vanilla protein powder. I bought a tub from Unjury and I’m not loving it. In their defense I didn’t like the slimfast vanilla protein drink either. I made a drink the other day with oj, vanilla protein powder, and frozen berries and I am thankful I looked in the mirror before I left for school because I had seeds from the berries all over my teeth from drinking it. I do like their chocolate splendor and strawberry sorbet and I usually drink two a day (for a total of 40 grams of protein). I still avoid soda but I have indulged here and there. I drink it very slowly and I never can finish one. There isn’t one particular food I avoid because it bothers my pouch. I can pretty much eat anything at this point but in smaller amounts. I don’t experience hunger like I did prepouch which is AWESOME. I’m becoming ambivalent about food and don’t feel the need to eat until I am stuffed. At week 30 I am still very glad I had the procedure done!

I was scared too. I wondered how I would even make it home on the plane having nothing but a sip of apple juice in the morning. Pre surgery I would get shakey and almost panicky with low blood sugar if I didn't eat. I seriously couldn't function. I can't tell you how weird it is to eat 600 calories and feel just fine.... go hiking even. You'll love it!!!!!

I believe your in a stall too. Mix up your calories, try something like a low, medium and high calorie days. Make sure your doing what your NUT says and as said before in this site by Tiffkins, 'throw a monkey wrench' in your diet to confuse the body. Also something I do in stalls is take a stool softener, and usually breaks my stall!! I've had two stalls already!!

I found the best thing ever! Hershey's makes sugar free Chocolates, I got the Special Dark ones (those are least sugary to begin with) and one little fun size bar is 30 calories. Tastes good!! I can't tell it's sugar free, and cures my chocolate fix if I need it . I take really small bites and savour it. I wouldn't eat a ton because it has lots of fake sugar, but once in a while I'm sure it's ok. Also I got some cocoa dusted almonds, they are little 100 calorie packs, it's a little sweet, and almonds are very filling, and the new Jello mousse ones are great too, and sf fudgicals

Okay, first let me say that it's a great day because I had this big bowl of banana pudding! It is low fat and low in sodium, but a little high on the calories, so I had to skimp the rest of the day, but I did it! Yay for me! And (((hugz))) back to you Tia! Someday, that will be in person. And the sodium count thingy, Teresita, is this: salt, or sodium, makes the liver fatter. Alcahol does the same thing. So they put us on a 30 day to shrink the liver. Very low sodium. Once I was on vacation, and I had so many sodas that my feet swelled. The dr. said that was because the sodium intake was so much higher at that time. So, if you shrink the liver by not consuming much sodium, it helps to clean out your system of unwanted toxins, and with a smaller liver, it is easier to get to the stomach. My dr. is real good about taking precautions. He is the only dr. that I have heard of that does this diet like this. There will be less problems in the surgery, and your body will acclimate to the lap band more easliy this way. I think I have a wonderful dr. Anyway, thanx for reading you two, you are awesome! And of course, so are you leigh....Fr. Abraham had many sons.......*evil grin* For those who don't know, which is all of you, I found out this past weekend that she hates that song, and it is now stuck in her head, so I am tormenting her with it. *bigger evil grin* I am so proud of myself. You should all check out the thread on Fr. Abraham. It's great! Well, ta ta for now!

Thanks Tiffy... again! So glad you take the time to answer all of us newbies. It seems so scary now, but I guess that is why I need the surgery.. so i can keep my calories down... Thanks, Judy

I don't mean to hurt your feelings but I think you need counselling. I would bet that there is a mind over matter component to your not tolerating ANY fill. I totally understand your sweet craving, I swear, and I cope by exercising more than any time in my life so I can maintain my loss and have my cake (candy, cookies, pie, brownies, ice cream, etc!!!! LOL) too. It is not easy...this week my cravings have been very strong and I have gone up 4 pounds. I am fresh post op bunion surgery and can't do the treadmill to burn the calories so I am fretting those pounds, but I know I will burn them when I am mobile. Lest you think I am exaggerating...I ate a 3 bar box of Dove chocolate ice cream bars in 15 minutes followed by a 12 ounce bag of new M&M peanut butter candy.......as well as regular food that day. So I do understand your dilemma. If you can find a good nice trainer that would be beneficial and maybe attacking from that end before "dieting" would work for you. Good luck and keep posting your journey. Mimi

Hey there. I had surgery the day before you. I will not get my first fill until January 3rd (if I need it...I'm hoping I don't!) so I don't think the amount of time you have to wait is abnormal. I do not find myself hungry in between meals. My advice to you is to focus on protein at this point. Protein keeps me satisfied between meals so I don't snack. Also, watch your serving sizes. Stay within the serving size guidelines and track your calories, fat, carbs, and protein. Just for some ideas, I'll list what I typically eat and the schedule I eat it on. Breakfast (8:30): Yogurt or SF Carnation Instant Breakfast. You could also have a scrambled egg with some cheese on top. Lunch (12:30 or 1:30): A serving size of FF refried beans (which is about 1/2 a cup), mixed with FF cheese, Low skim ricota cheese, and FF sour cream. It is VERY filling and VERY yummy. Plus, lots of protein! Dinner (5:30 or 6:30): If I did not have my SF Carnation Instant for breakfast, I'd have it for dinner. If I did, I'll have another serving of my FF refried beans. Sometimes I'll have a SF popsycle. I am still in the mushy stage (progressing to soft foods tomorrow). Starting tomorrow I plan on incorporating Tuna and Chicken salad with Low Fat mayo. Well, hope this helps in some way! I suggest making sure you get AT LEAST 50 grams of protein in. It should help with the hunger. Good luck!!

I saw the nutritionist this week. Along with the Protein first talk we discussed caloric intake. I'm on week 3 she said 600-800 calories. Which is fine but really? I only lost a pound this week and I'm thinking maybe it's too low? I know I know don't rush it I will get there but after a week of quarter cup servings of food a scale victory would be nice right? So my question is...do you really believe you need to eat more to lose more? Or is it best to stay so restricted?

I had the same issue. I talked to my NUT who suggested I increase my carbs. She said I needed carbs for energy which, in turn, would help me burn more calories. She suggested adding more vegetables to my Soups which were a staple in my diet. I did and it totally worked for me. My energy went up and I was able to start an exercise program which catapulted me into a new way of life. Give it a try. See if works for you.

Julie no profile/ticker (hint, hint ) have you gained??? how much wt do you need to lose???? inquiring minds (and nosey me ) want to know!!!! actual "official" #s are not really the issue the important thing is you are back on the right track now!!! you had major surgery 10 months ago - maybe slipped up a bit but you know you must (you will!!) get back to the issues/rules at hand "maybe" go on a liquid diet for a few days to give you a jump start Protein shake(yum yum ) et al then back to yogurt, cottage cheese et al small portions, chew thoroughly since you are getting back on the horse, i would keep my calorie count on the low side for a bit do/can you still see your NUT or doc for help/advice??? go to a support group what have you got to "LOOSE"??? always gives me motivation might work for you, hearing other situations hearing from newbies and their early struggles swap your stories too, you'll get more involved IMO with the "life of the sleeve" we/you will/must live this life for the rest of our healthier, happier, longer lives i think the Water rules are the most important, and can be the hardest at times to follow stop drinking about 30 minutes before you eat NEVER, EVER, EVER drink with your meals (people have been shot for less ) after you eat, don't drink for around 45 minutes drink 64+ oz of H20 a day have you been watching the boards still??? if not..........keep reading about, ask more questions being 10 months PO - you can spread some of your wisdom around too for NEWBIES et al we can't ever forget this is a FOREVER deal we made with the devil!!! (or angel :wub: ) you can do this!!!!! i know you can!!!!! one day at a time, right???? welcome back good luck kathy

Sounds like you may need to call your surgeon especially with the low grade fever just in case you're getting an infection. I think the one normal common thing is feeling tired and ran down at your stage. I did a lot of sleeping the first 6 weeks. Between healing from surgery to the restriction of calories,it doesn't give you a lot of energy. I'm 10 weeks and started to feel a lot more energy about 8 weeks out. If I do a lot one day the next day I'm usually wiped out. My doctor said that's normal till around 6 months out. I hope you feel better and they can get to the bottom of why you don't feel good

I think you do whatever you find works for you! Even if it makes no logical sense. I was very successful with the band and the way people say that they're eating really low calories and not losing and that suddenly they eat a bit more and weight loss starts - I dont know, I find the less I eat/more I exercise, the more weight I lose. Simple, logical, what you'd expect. I wonder, did I find success relatively easy because my body works the way science says it should? Am I lucky that I've got a "normal" metabolism or something? I suspect so. I never dropped anywhere near 600 to 800 though, so I cant really say. Maybe I would have found the same thing if I'd eaten so little. You've got to appreciate true fat loss v weight loss too though. I do find I can drop a little weight wise if I dont exercise for a couple of days. But all that is is Fluid changes in the body - exercise damages your muscles (which is what makes them grow) and they attract a little Water and swell a bit.

I do believe that body composition and weight loss are connected. I'm still researching but I wonder if those who have a hard time losing despite doing everything have lots of belly fat. My fat is mostly in my mid section. I've found that those few people I know with saggy stomachs have a hard time losing. I also believe that most people have normal metabolisms and can lose if they stay under a certain amount of calories. Then there is us who work out and eat right and don't lose or in my case gain. I eat around 1000 or less. Before I had to go up and down on my calories every few days. It was unhealthy. I starved then binged every few days. I don't want to go down that road but I've gain 2 lbs in a month.

I learned a lesson last night - don't let yourself get too hungry! Here is the story: I get home and just wasn't hungry, we were headed out the door by 6:30 to go to a meeting, our meeting was over at 9:00, we get home at 9:15 pm and I'm starvin'. So, I make myself a few shrimp, that didn't help, I grab some chips and make myself about 5 or 6 chips with some cheese on it and it kepts going from there, I don't even remember everything I ate. I just remember grabbing different things trying to satisfy my hunger. I just felt like anything I ate was not filling me up. Moral of the story - eat something if you know it will be awhile before you can eat. I should have had something small before I left for the meeting. Some almonds perhaps, maybe a protein bar, something instead of letting myself get too hungry. I learned my lesson! I didn't get to exercise last night because of the metting so I took last night off. But......Tonight - It's on! Right after my "Biggest Loser" show, I will be headed to the gym for an hour of circuit training/working the upper body and cardio at the same time. Weight - didn't weigh this morning - just didn't want to face the scales after my late night eating. I was surprised that I didn't have any reflux. Usually if I eat that late, I'm up all night with reflux. I think I've losened up quite a bit again. But my band flucuates so much, I think I will monitor it the next few weeks and see if it gets tighter again. I really thought this last fill would last me - but now, once again, I'm wondering? I'm thinking also that I will never have that tight restriction everyone talks about. Don't get me wrong, I've got restriction, I can feel it, its just not as tight as I would like it. I would like the band to FORCE me to take small bites, to FORCE me not to eat bread, to FORCE me to chew, chew and chew. However, none of this happens for me. I eat regular bites of food, I can eat bread (but I chose to stay away from it), and I chew like I did before the band. I will say every now and then the band gives me a reminder that it is there and I think, Oh, I better slow down. But for the most part, I forget its there. I have found there is only one thing I can't eat - Hamburgers! No matter how small of bites, no matter, how slow, no matter what, it gets stuck. I have given up on ever eating a hamburger again, and I'm fine with that - they are loaded with fat and calories, so thank you my little silacone buddy for forcing me NOT to eat Hamburgers! If this is it for me, if this is the most restriction I can get, then I'm okay with that too. I know that this restriction will keep me from gaining all my weight back. I do get full on a lot less food than I used to eat, so for that, I'm thankful. I just read about so many bandsters talking about how they can't eat this, or that, and how they have to slow down and chew chew chew or they PB.....I've only experienced this a limited amount of time, and that is usually right after a fill. It last a day, sometimes 2 weeks, and it has lasted a month before, but it always leaves. PBing is something I rarely, if ever do. I can't even remember the last time I PB'd. I'm losing count on how many fills I've had. I keep it updated in my journal so I can remember, but I thinks it like 16 now, or maybe even 17. It makes me wonder if I really do have a leak? My doc has tested it and says I don't. Speaking of doc, I go see my band doc tomorrow. He just wants to see how I'm doing after almost 3 years with the band. I think I will talk to him about this and see what he thinks. Okay, I guess I've written enough in my book now, so I better get to work.........:confused:

Here's an excellent remedy my grandma used to cure bloating, nausea, burping... Dilute 1 teaspoon of ORGANIC orange blossom in one cup of boiling Water. Sweeten with low cal sugar as much as u like. Sip it in small coffee cups and enjoy the wonderful smell and taste. Believe me, it's a joy to the soul and the tummy. No calories at all. Natural. And it seems that it's a hunger suppressant. Give me ur feedback. PS: U can find orange blossom in the international sector of any big supermarket or try to pay a visit to a Lebanese grocery. A bottle may be expensive but it will last for months. Sent from my Galaxy Note II using VST

I am totally addicted to fat free Greek yogurt with a spoon of vanilla sugar free Jell-O pudding. it tastes just like cheesecake to me. I add a Splenda and mix the powdered pudding right into the yogurt...I'm in heaven. High protein, low-cal (about 125 calories) and tasteeeee!

I have no idea why your NUT told you not to drink protein shakes. I was on a total protein shake for weight loss for 8 months at one point in my life. I am 3 months post op and still have a protein shake every morning for breakfast and add a scoup of benefiber to help keep me regular. I count it as liquid intake and also count it as protein and calories. As long as you are feeling good and also eating foods I see no reason why you can not have a protein shake for a meal if you choose. I know that when I hit my stall I went back on liquids for a short time and this restarted my weight loss.

The main reason she gave me was that she didn't want patients to get too used to liquids and get into the habit of not eating real food. I tried to explain to her that I'm already eating soft foods with great enjoyment and have no intention of going back to liquids - I like food too much for that! I just want it as a supplement so I can get it more protein. And believe me that I'm not getting in anywhere near enough calories at this point, so that's certainly not an issue. Unfortunately, she was more interested in her own agenda than in listening to me... I'm not the type to just ignore directions but in this case, I think it's justified. Anyway, thanks very much for your input - much appreciated!

I'm close to three weeks post-op and just got back from my first post-op meeting with my nutritionist. She is adamantly against Protein shakes because she feels that it encourages people to stay in the liquid stage rather than begin eating regularly, even though I told her that I'm eating soft foods and enjoying them and have no intention of going back to liquids - rather, I just want to supplement so I get in enough protein. Anyway, I've decided to ignore her on this issue because I really am concerned about the protein, not to mention that I'm getting in very few calories from eating (she commented that I had a much higher than normal weight loss for someone my weight). So the question I wanted to ask her and will ask you guys instead is: If I add some crushed fruit to my Protein shake so it's slightly thicker but definitely still a liquid, would I consider that a liquid or a food? I'm not enjoying the whole liquid / food separation, but am trying to stick to it as best as I can. Thanks very much for your help!

I love it, you got spunk girl. that spunk it going to get you anywhere you want to go! Zumba is a real workout, I give you big points for doing it. I heard you can burn up to 1000 calories doing it!??

Hi, I could use some advice. I was banded on Feb. 27th. I lost 26 pounds prior to getting banded, and ZERO pounds since getting banded. I had my first fill last week. I am scheduled for my 2nd fill next week (2-week increments). (I have a 10cc band. 2 ccs were put in during surgery. Last week they gave me 2.5 ccs.) I have not lost any weight. I don't feel any restriction. I have had a problem 3 times now where I didn't chew properly and the food kind of got "bottled up" and I had to burp a lot until it got moving again. I have been making moderately-healthy food choices....fish, steamed veggies, low calorie foods and drinks. I cut out diet pepsi entirely, which was a HUGE feat for me. I don't seem to have ANY problems with food choices; what I mean is, I have no problems getting some foods down that others seem to, like carby items. I have not gotten into my full exercise routine yet (prior to surgery I worked out 5-6 days a week) but I'm starting to bicycle a little after work and will start getting back to the gym this week. I wish I was losing weight, but I'm not wholly surprised that I'm not, since prior to surgery I ate well, exercised regularly, and only GAINED weight. I'm starting to get worried that maybe my band slipped? When should I start seeing weight loss? What should I do differently? I know I need to start exercising more, but that'll happen gradually, starting this week. Does anyone have any advice? What's going on with me? Why isn't this working?

I just got an activity tracking band. This can connect to an app called My Fitness Pal, which can be adapted to fit any diet goals. Is there a diet, maybe by %s that will work for a veteran type gastric bypass. I've always tried to get 80 grams of Protein in but have never seen any guidelines that include carbs, calories and or Fiber etc. I've attached an example from My Fitness Pal. Can anyone advise? Thanks, Terry food Diary MyFitnessPal.com.html