I'm struggling because I'm about a month out, and my nutritionist said I'm not eating enough. In my mind, I don't want to eat. I had such rapid amount of decent weight loss in the very beginning, and now it's slowing, and making me crazy! I'm not hungry, and when I do eat, I feel wrong and guilty....I want to lose fast like I did in the beginning...

Actually, undereating will slow your metabolism and slow down your weight loss. It's important you get in your protein (you are still healing and so you keep your strength and lose fat, not muscle). As long as you are not eating junk food, there is nothing to feel guilty about.

Im eating suuuper healthy, Im so proud of myself....but I can never get in the 1200 calories...I feel so.stuffed!! It baffles me how I lost so much weight on the 2 week liquid diet....but began eating, consuming LESS calories, and the loss slowed

Peaceful - I didn't lose anything post op when I Started mushies and soft foods. I am one of those whose weight loss comes to a dead halt if I don't eat enough. Since I started solids I am packing in the protein 3 times a day and my weight started dropping again. Maybe you need more protein? Also, don't rush it. The band is meant for slow and steady weight loss. I want mine to come off fast too but if rather have it steady and not have to worry as much about my hair falling out or excess skin. Hang tight...I'm sure you are doing absolutely great! Just make sure you take care of your health. :-)

Remember, you didn't get the band so you would starve to death! You should have got it to improve your overall health! Be more concerned right now with making smart food choices and exercise, and the weight loss will follow. It's not a race, you didn't gain the weight in a week, don't expect to lose it that way. Don't use this experience like the fad diets in the past, work on making it a lifestyle. If you don't learn the proper choices now, it is possible to regain your weight even with the lap band! You will have times that the band will not always feel this restrictive, and when that happens if your not prepared it can be devastating! Good luck, and don't feel guilty about eating healthy food!

I stayed in the soft food phase longer than most because I had some complications....I'm kinda still in it now..my port is also acting up..very painful, so it hurts to move..calling dr. tomorrow...get protein, but I find it SO challenging to get 20 g per meal! How do you do it?! I also don't eat land animals, I only eat fish...so I have to get creative to get in the protein..as soon as this stabbing in my side goes away...I'll start exercising.

Have you tried tuna salad ( w/ lowfat mayo), or salmon salad, etc. since you are still having some soft foods? Otherwise, low fat cheese and beans are a good protein food. Adding cottage cheese adds protein and even adding powdered non-fat milk to soups or tuna salad, etc adds protein. They also have unflavored protein powders that help. I have recently found that I like the "premier protein" chocolate premade protein drinks and they have 30g of protein and 160 calories so I do that at times for breakfast. I often don't do well (too tight in the a.m.) and the protein drink is a good start for me. Since you are going to your dr. tomorrow, you can ask them too. Btw, as noted in other posts above, many people don't lose during the healing period that you are in. It is soooo important to form realistic lifetime goals and habits with your eating now. So please take care of yourself.

Have you tried tuna salad ( w/ lowfat mayo)' date=' or salmon salad, etc. since you are still having some soft foods? Otherwise, low fat cheese and Beans are a good Protein food. Adding cottage cheese adds protein and even adding powdered non-fat milk to soups or tuna salad, etc adds protein. They also have unflavored protein powders that help. I have recently found that I like the "premier protein" chocolate premade protein drinks and they have 30g of protein and 160 calories so I do that at times for breakfast. I often don't do well (too tight in the a.m.) and the protein drink is a good start for me. Since you are going to your dr. tomorrow, you can ask them too. Btw, as noted in other posts above, many people don't lose during the healing period that you are in. It is soooo important to form realistic lifetime goals and habits with your eating now. So please take care of yourself.[/quote']

Thank you, you are always so kind in your replies, and I appreciate that. I've really been enjoying cooking healthy meals, I eat tuna, started tofu and edamame, eggs, cottage cheese...where do you find Premier Protein?! 30g is great! Is it mega expensive? Im tight in the am too

You're welcome! I am happy to share my experiences if they may help you. I get premier protein at Costco. It is about $28 (if I remember correct) for 18 of them. So around $1.50 each (cheaper than the McDonald's breakfasts I ate before surgery). I have seen others say they got them at Walmart too. Personally, I don't care for powdered protein mixes and my daughter even likes the premier protein drinks too. These are premixed in small cartons. They are best to drink really cold.

Thank you! I used to use the powders, but something inside me can't stand the muss and fuss of the blender anymore! Im doing muscle milk light and atkins shakes now, but i love having half a days protein in one drink! Now I just need this stabbing port pain to go away! 3 straight days now...

Remember in the beginning a lot of the weight you're losing is water weight not fat weight. So once you're actually trying to burn fat It's going to be a slower loss. You have to either burn 3500 calories through exercise or cut out 3500 calories from your food consumption in order to lose 1 pound of fat. Also if you're exercising then you could be gaining muscle which is technically going to be weight.

Remember in the beginning a lot of the weight you're losing is water weight not fat weight. So once you're actually trying to burn fat It's going to be a slower loss. You have to either burn 3500 calories through exercise or cut out 3500 calories from your food consumption in order to lose 1 pound of fat. Also if you're exercising then you could be gaining muscle which is technically going to be weight.

Remember in the beginning a lot of the weight you're losing is Water weight not fat weight. So once you're actually trying to burn fat It's going to be a slower loss. You have to either burn 3500 calories through exercise or cut out 3500 calories from your food consumption in order to lose 1 pound of fat. Also if you're exercising then you could be gaining muscle which is technically going to be weight.

Im certainly not consuming 3500 calories..Im barely consuming 1000....I'm just confused by the numbers.....grr

Congratulations on making sure that you are eating healthily.

Please continue to do so as you don't want to slip into an eating disorder now that you have taken such a positive step to manage your weight.

Peaceful - I think eating lean high protein such as chicken and fish automatically brings the calories down versus eating chicken and fish that's been breaded and deep fried. My calories hover between 600-800 per day and I'm full too. If you have a nutritionist maybe you can have them take a look or give you a few ideas? For me I use real butter (a pat a day) or an ounce of full fat regular cheese to up my cals. I discussed with my doc and for me that's ok. Maybe see what yours says. By doing this my weight started coming off again. Whatever happens stay motivated. Our bodies are having to totally readjust and they are bound to be a bit confused at the changes we've made. I think you are doing awesome!

You have gotten a lot of good advice. The 2 things I would emphasize is to continue with the protein shakes, maybe even 2 a day. I do think you need to up your calories a bit, I understand it's hard for you, but I think shakes will help. Another idea I liked is adding some fat- olive oil would be a better choice than butter- since it doesn't contain near as much saturated fat. I have come to love roasted veggies. Asperagus, broccoli brussel sprouts, squash ( zuchinni and yellow) are delicious. Just cut, add olive oil and salt and pepper. Bake in the oven at 400. They take different times, You'll know they are done when they shrink and turn a little brown. Full fat cheese is also a great idea. You want to get in at least 2 servings of calcium per day. That is what my nut says anyway. I stick to that carefully since there is ostioperosis in my family. Hope this helps.