hi all... I think I could possibly be dehydrated or rather I have been somewhat all along. Yes the urine is darker and few I can't gulp water like I used to . I do best with room temperature water and drinks rather than cold. I drink decaf a small with alot of cream most mornings. I drink some water 8oz. I may try some lunch usually soup but mostly may just drink something water , cappucinno. I can't really eat too much until later in the day. I try to eat some sort of light flaky fish and almost always have soup . I have not tried salads and any real veggies. I tried a few times but could not. I can eat soup at lunch cream soups. I guess I have to admit I have not had meat at all since banding. . I have had chicken on occasion but I tried it this past Sat and had the worst pb episode since banding. I am very busy and don't always keep track of what I am actually eating or not eating ...I try to take my chewable vits everyday and calcium chews. I try to drink milk . I am worried I am dehydrated and lacking in protein.. What happens to you if you don't eat enough protein??? I guess I should call my pcp. I literally have had no time to go ...but is this normal for us right now? my last fill was four weeks ago . I admit I really keep to light, soft foods as a general rule.. I don't know if it is mental or really not feasible for me to eat meats, and salads. Thanks for your help...

Hi Kelly - I can relate to your difficulties. I find that my stomach doesn't open for business until the afternoon - sometimes even later than that. I spend the morning sipping on drinks and then try something like soup or cottage cheese for lunch and see how that goes. I too find that I pee a lot less and can get a bit headachey during the day so I just keep sipping fluids. Even that can be hard and I can feel it sitting there. Getting up from my chair and walking around helps somewhat.

At my last surgeon's visit, I mentioned to him that I was having difficulty consuming any solid food without discomfort or it getting stuck, but he wasn't concerned and said that he didn't care if I was restricted to fluids and mushies for the time being, and I have been banded for over 12 months. Hmm, not sure that I agree with that.

So all I can suggest is that you try and consume liquids that have some nutritional value. My staples are freshly squeezed fruit and vegie juices that I do myself, smoothies made with fruit, yoghurt, skim milk and Protein powder and homemade soups made with Beans and lentils which are a good source of protein.

Has your surgeon given you any example menus to follow or do you have access to a dietician?

Well, you definately need more Water. I'm not sure if you didn't put it in some places, but you only list 8oz of water. I think at the very minimum we need 48, and more is better. If your urine is dark you are dehydrated. It should be practically clear.

As for what you are eating, different banded folks do this different ways, but the way it's "supposed" to work, is that you eat a good 3oz of solid meat(protien, fish, whatever) and some veggies and that will keep you full for a good long time. If you *can't* eat solid foods, you are probably too tight. If you are losing weight this way, that's fine (although you need more protien and water), but then you are still going to have to learn to eat normally when you reach goal.

Hope this helps.