So, I just posted on the Fill forum that my first fill went very well. I had a real interesting conversation with the doctor, however, and want everyone's take on it.

I know all of our doctors put us on varying food plans following our surgeries, and I realize that these food plans are meant to be permanent. While lamenting to the doctor that I am 4 pounds heavier than I thought, he asked me a series of questions, including:

Am I certain I am consuming no more than 7-800 calories a day(I don't count my calories, just estimate)?

Am I completely abstaining from bread, pasta, rice, and potatoes at all times (all but potatoes, yes, and I eat them last)

Am I only eating 1/2 cup of food 3 times a day (pre-fill and he was serious-my answer was no)

Am I exercising 1 hour+ 5 times a week (with a 70 hour work week and a 1 year old, I get more like 30 minutes 3 times a week)

SOOOOOO....... I got a lecture. I am to adhere to all of the above rules FOREVER if I want my weight loss to be successful. Don't get me wrong, I want this and I consider myself to be a very disciplined person. But frankly, if I adhered to these rules to the letter I would not have needed the band in the first place. ANYONE who eliminates starch and carbs, exercises 5 times a week, and eats 1 1/2 cups of food per day is going to lose weight, right?

One of the things I love about this board is how much I have learned from all of you, and how different your doctors are. I know that none (almost none) of you are doctors, but I am counting on you to advise me. I feel like these rules are a little unrealistic for me, but I want to have success in my weight loss.

Thoughts?

I know you have been given a lot of advice here and they all sound logical, but if you havent had success maybe one more wont harm.. When I met my DH he was a total vegetarian. Not even lactle ovo, and He was loosing his hair and he thought that it was just early male pattern baldness. After living with a real meat eater he couldnt stand it anymore and slowly started eating chicken and then beef. There was no change in his hair untill he began to eat beef and then he started to have baby little shoots that were quite fine. They appeared where the front of his forehead hairline was and they continued to grow in completely. He was very happy! When we talked to his DR. he commented that the beef has certain aminoacids that cannot be acquired through even the carefullest combinations of ohter protiens. I think he called them essential fatty acids or something like that. Anyway he still has that hair 23 yrs later. Do you eat any beef? I just was wondering.

I can eat beef if I chew it really well. I'll try it!