Hi JuneBugs . . . since I am trying to document my daily food intake for my upcoming surgeon visit this week . . . I have been checking out several websites that feature charts, graphs, etc. I have been surprised over the weekend to find that, even though I am eating in larger quantities than most of you ladies, my daily caloric intake ranges between 600-700 most days. I am keeping track on fitday.com using the free program. What is YOUR average caloric intake? (This site also tracks carbs, proteins and other nutrients . . . has a journalling area, exercise tracking area, etc. VERY COOL!!!) I also LOVE the weight loss graph at www.thinnerself.com -- it's a free site, too. I like being able to see the range of weights on one simple chart (where you *should* be in the process vs. your actual progress, etc.). The thinnerself site has a planner feature where you can input all of your data . . . and it tells you how much you need to lose per week to meet certain goals. For instance, I need to lose an average of 2.5 pounds per week if I want to see 150 lbs by next June!!! (Although it suggests that most people my age/height/sex weigh in at 167!!) -BJ

I know all of our docs are different. Mine says no protein drinks at all, no snacking at all, no sweet drinks, nothing to drink with meals, 64 to 80 ounces of water. Eat a late morning meal, protein first, no beef or pork. No breads, or pasta, or citrus fruit for six months. At 3 months I can have veggies and fruit (try to avoid starches and no fried foods). For each 2 bites of protien I can have a bite of veg/fruit. And if I get hungry before late afternoon or early eve. I'm to drink some more water and get my mind off of the food. Some days I think I'm hungrier, and the water doesn't help, and I'll eat 2 - 4 little cubes of cheese, or a tsp. of PB. But here is what I eat. 1 egg sometimes with 2 tsp of grated cheese, sometimes boiled and mashed with a little mayo and relish (not fried). 1/4 cup cottage cheese with a rinsed slice of lite peach or pear. the meat from 1 crab leg with mayo and relish w/ 2-3 crackers (not suppose to do stratches).3 - 4 med. shrimp fixed however. about 1/4 of a lean cusine entre. Refried beans with cheese. Chilli (homemade). I normally eat 2 meals a day, and max 1/2 cup of all of it together, I would say about 2 oz. most of the time. I think I would like some mac & cheese from Luby's. I tried humber with out the bun, it was hard to chew and I could only do aboout 1/2 of a very thin patty 2 bites of tomato and a bite of lettuce. Good luck with your visit. Hope this helps.

Hey Barb, I was never hungry until the last couple of weeks. I still don't think it's hunger, it's more head hunger because when I leave the table, it's gone. I think since my third month, I've liked looking at food and thinking "oh, I think I want that" Then when I actually get the opportunity to have it, I pass on it. It just is unappealing once it hits my plate if it isn't protein. I also seem to want to graze lately (since the 3rd month) but I am using sugar free popsicles when that hits. Once again, I think it's in my head. My kids say that I act like Hitler if I don't get at least two meals a day in. I have actually been busy and forgotten to eat all day a few times. Let me tell you, before June 11th 2004, THAT WOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED! Barb, my nutritionist told me that the most I should ever be able to eat would be 1-1 &1/2 cups of food. She also said that that would be after my pouch was done growing after 18 months or so. What did your Dr. say? My pre-op nurse had WLS two years before me and said the most she could eat was 1 cup at a time. She's about a size 1 or 3. Incidently, "Loserland Maryland" is 12 miles south of Washington DC. Near Waldorf and Accokeek. Good Luck with the surgeon this week. You need some answers. Hannah

Thanks for replying, Mz H! 1/4 cup portions? Are you hungry at all? See, this is what concerns me. I can eat 1 cup portions easily, have been able to since right after surgery My surgeon better have some answers next Wednesday, darnit. -BJ p.s. Hannah how far is "Loserland, MD" from Annapolis???

Way to go BJ!*!*!*!*! That makes you feel like a million dollars doesn't it!