I'm just starting this journey. I have already been told that my insurance will not pay, and CareCredit doesn't want to finance the entire procedure, but I will find a way to do this anyway.

In the meantime, I'm trying to get into the mindset. From what I've read, everyone is one a rather low-carb diet? (Correct me if I'm wrong.)

I would love to get the low-down on your diet specifications. But even moreso, I'd like to know what your favorite products are post-surgery.

If there's already a thread about this, I apologize. I didn't see one.

People all approach this in a few different ways. There's the folks who get the band and diet, and there's the folks who get the band and don't diet at all, but just eat less, and there's the folks who don't 'diet' but try to make a point to eat healthier things.

I think you get the impression of a low carb diet from the idea that alot of people have trouble with bread and Pasta, and sometimes potatoes. Those, and other foods sometimes just don't want to pass through the band, so many of us can't eat them. There's a thread going on now in the food Forum where someone asked about a big list of foods and whether people could eat them, you might check that one out.

As for products, shortly after surgery, I had carnation instant Breakfast almost every day for breakfast. I still do sometimes when I'm tight in the morning. Other than that, I don't really keep alot of specific things around.

Hello Derbygirl. I loved the determination behind your words. I have no doubt you will find a way and that you will be a tremendous success story!

I think the low carb aspect of it comes from focusing on eating our Protein first. Then the carbs are naturally reduced. By eating the protein first, we don't find ourselves getting hungry too soon after a meal. I think it's important to have a well-rounded diet which includes carbs from fruits and veggies but I completely avoid carbs from grains because they are my downfall. As my friend says, If it's white - it aint right! (sugars and processed breads).

My favorite foods now are:

1. Gorton's fish fillets. Garlic butter or Lemon Pepper. No breading. (I eat these almost every day! 2 with some veggies. Microwave 7 mins)

2. Starkist Tuna lunch packs. Don't leave home without them!

3. Healthy Choice Meals - small ones. chicken breast or turkey slices with smushed taters.

4. Pop Secret 100 calorie popcorn or kettle corn. The only snack I allow in my house.

5. Chicken or roast beef in the crockpot.

6. Viva low fat cottage cheese and DelMonte Lite peaches. (my typical breakfast)

7. Fiber One Cereal

I also take the following daily suppliments:

1 Chewable Centrum Multivitamin

1 Vitamin E 400 units

3 Vitamin C 500 mg each (one with breakfast, lunch, dinner)

2 Calcium 600 mg (one with breakfast, lunch)

And the secret of life:

WATER! (64oz plus 8oz per every 25 pounds of excess weight) This figures up to about 6 - 16.9oz bottles per day, for me.