Okay, I'm four weeks post-op and have had my first fill. I'm down 20 pounds since the start of the pre-op liquid diet. Today is the first day I can actually eat the way you are supposed to with the band - small portions, protein-first, tiny bites, well-chewed, etc. I've been so looking forward to "getting started" and now that it's time, I'm really excited but also a little overwhelmed! I sat down to make a grocery list and just drew a blank, LOL. Anyone else feel this way at my stage?

Hi

I am 3 weeks post op. Just start small. I stock my fridge and freezer with stuff I knew would work. I bought a bag of frozen chicken legs. I was told dark meat tended to be more moist. I also bought various types of fishing Talapia, Whitening, salmon, I bought a cornish hen, smal packages of ground sirloin, turkey meatballs. I also bought an assortment of veggies ( canned, and frozen). I picked up a number of marinades ( lemon pepper, terrikaki). I made sure items to prepare tuna salad , chicken salad, egg salad. I found some reduced fat crackers to go along with that. I kept snack foods ( cottage chees, hummus, string cheese, applesauce). With this list I know that any given time I can prepare dinner and have leftovers for lunch. My meals consist of a Protein (fish, chicken , turkey) and a veggie. My thought was to slowly ease myself back into regular foods and just keep it simple at first. Hope this helps. I am down 29 pounds since the liquid diet.

Take care

Lots of chicken breasts, ground turkey (for chili), EarthSmart margarine, Cream of Wheat, 5 min

oatmeal, yogurt, Wheat bread (toast it) eggs. Look in the food section on this site for a lot of good

ideas. Check Google for WLS recipies. Don't forget low fat cottage cheese, great source of protein.

msjustified pretty much summed it up. I would only add marinara and a light alfredo sauce to help things go down. My first fill is next week so I'm thinking of these things too. Right now it seems I can eat anything.