Hi All,<br /> <br /> I am getting banded on Wednesday this week. I have been on optifast diet, which is like hell on earth really. I have been desperately craving carbs, but hey only another 2 days and then i guess i will be on liquids.<br /> <br /> But on to my questions. <br /> <br /> 1. If drinking softdrink or the like, is burping normal? or what does occur with burping?<br /> <br /> 2. I have read that eating rice is a problem, is this all rice? Brown rice? Rice in a handroll (sushi?)<br /> <br /> 3. what sort of weight loss rate is normal? I am currently 170cm and weigh 170kg does the initial weight come off faster? <br /> <br /> I cant actually weigh myself at home, scale only gos up to 120kg. So i have no idea if i have lost weight in the week i have been on the optifast. I must say that I find the stuff abhorrent and would almost prefer starving. <br /> <br /> anyway, thanks for any answers.<br /> <br /> <br /> raph

Hi Raph

I am from Outback WA, and yes the optifast is disgusting I suggest your try Terry Ferguson much nicer. The wrestling sounds intersting my Doc said that after 6 weeks I should have no problem fighting fires as I am a volunteer fire fighter and that using the 4WD for work should be good. I hope that helps. Rice well I think I am odd as I have had no prob as long as it is cooked.. sushi mini rolls fantastic......I believe the softdrink is because of gas getting behind the band and casuing pain. Trust me that hurts. I actually dont like fizzy drink but I love champagne & I havent yet tried that. I hope this hepls cheers Jo

1. If drinking softdrink or the like, is burping normal? or what does occur with burping?

2. I have read that eating rice is a problem, is this all rice? Brown rice? Rice in a handroll (sushi?)

3. what sort of weight loss rate is normal?

You are going to want to steer clear of carbonation post-band, for the most part. Burping is burping and that won't change...but you'll be doing a LOT of it post-band, at least for the first month. Rice, Pasta and breads tend to swell up once they get into your system. I would steer clear of all of those until you are comfortably into solids and can experiment with what works and what doesn't. When you do try these foods later on, be very careful with them...take it really slow and see how your body reacts. I can eat rice and bread IF I take it very very very slow. And whenever you get a fill, start completely over on the rice, bread, etc. because you will probably not tolerate it the same after a fill as opposed to before. The operative words here is easy does it.

Weight loss will vary for everyone. Doctors tend to say that if you are losing 1-2 pounds a week you are right on track. I am 5 months out, lost substantially at first (was averaging just over 2 a week), and am down to about a pound a week or less. Because I really got a jump start on it I lost a lot initially and am now only 20 pounds from goal. I've hit several plateaus along the way, and you just have to realize that this WILL happen. It's the body's natural order of things and it will break eventually. My longest one seemed to be about three weeks....