Good morning, I am 9 weeks out and have lost 39lbs since surgery and a total of 48 with pre surgery diet. My doctor does not want us to be concerned about calories just protein and water intake. My goals each day is 70-80gms of protein and 64oz ofwater. I use fitday.com to monitor and it also allows me to see calories. I am taking in between 400-850 a day with working out 4 days a week. I am eating food like normal except I choose protein over anything else. Here is a sample of my food items- coffee with protein, cottage cheese with fruit, pork chops, refried beans and cheese, chicken liver, egg salad, string cheese, crab meat, shrimp and salad. I have had bananas, mango, brocoli and cheese and I make my own protein shakes. Dont get me wrong I eat 2-4 oz and that is all. I have half a pork chop and 3 bites of brocoili head and I am full for hours. I also eat about 4 times a day. There are many days I still struggle with water ( my pouch does not like cold water) and I love SF popsicles. I am never hungry and have to in fact FORCE myself to eat. Our pouches are picky from one day to the next, just keep trying what it likes and tomorrow roll with the punches. Congrats on your lost!!!!!!!!! hugs, Tanya 261/252/213/140 8/2/06 RNY Lap

I had lapband surgery on 8/9/06. I have lost 30 pounds since surgery, I did not have to go on a pre-op diet. I really feel terrible about the amount I eat daily after reading the other messages posted. I eat 3 small meals a day and 2 snacks. I have had 1 fill and I do get hungry, and I have no problem drinking fluids; I drink about 64 ozs. a day. I enjoy reading the post because, regardless of the surgery we have had, I feel all of us are in this struggle together. Arial l

Hi Sue, This sounds just like me too except that my doc wants us to get protein from food and not drinks. I am eating 250-350 calories per day and feel fine. My doc said keep the calories as low as you can for as long as you can so I'm not going to worry about it yet. Including what I lost before surgery I am down 51 lbs. That's 38 since surgery. Not sure what I'm going to do once I have to up the protein cause I just don't think I can eat any more right now. Carol

Hi Pam~I am 7 weeks out yesterday. I guess I am doing fine. I had bloodwork done last week and have yet to hear from the dr's office regarding the results. I have lost 38lbs since my pre-op stuff (highest weight) and I am going by that #. All of a sudden the last couple of days I have been SO hungry. I suppose it may have something to do with not getting a lot of protein in early in the morning. I have also been feeling a bit bloated and am always surprised when the scale has moved down. Anyway, from looking at your menu, you are not getting much food. I don't know if that is bad or not. Sometimes I feel like I have eaten too much and then when I look at what I have written down, it is hardly anything. Wish I could help you on the food more. I think at this point concentrating on protein & water is the most important. I am still eating mostly soft foods. If I eat something too dry or too fast, I throw up. My dr's says we can eat "anything" from 6 weeks on, but yuck. My pouch says otherwise! I eat weight control oatmeal, chili, taco soup, egg beaters, string cheese, refried beans. I have had some bad experiences with fish and shrimp, so I am steering clear for a while. I try to eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Often I end up having a protein shake for dinner b/c nothing sounds good. You are doing great on the weight loss! Did you have your surgery on the 28th? If so, you are actually going on 6 weeks on the 9th....right? Maybe I am counting wrong. As for the scale. I know what you mean. I try to get on once a day. In the morning sans clothing. I write that # down and go with it. I seem to lose, stand still for a couple of days and lose again. I am sorry I don't have much helpful info. I guess us August people are still learning! Maybe someone else will give you some insight. Keep it up and get that protein in! **also, I LOVE CL Raspberry Ice!! I mix it and put my water bottle in the freezer for the 30 minutes after I eat. It gets icey and is delish!** Take care~ Ashley

Hey there....well this is my 6th week out and Im just like you guys...I struggle so much with the water intake....I bought a new water jug for work to try to sip sip sip, and had to switch to crystal light, cause plain water was making me nauseous :puke: but I want NOTHING to eat...I sometimes feel empty inside and wonder if that is hunger so I will try to snack on something but all of my protein is coming from milk and protein powder....about 70 - 80g a day.... I sometimes feel like eating but get scared of feeling over-full (which has happened once and I dont care to be that miserable again)... My day seems to be rolling like this: 8oz protein for breakfast w/ milk.......30g protein cheese stick snack............................ 9g protein 5 tsp turkey chili for lunch................. ?? protein pear for snack try to nibble on something for dinner but usually dont 8oz. protein for dinner w/ milk.........30g protein then try to walk but 20 minutes on my treadmill is as high as I have gotten so far. Highes****er intake I can seem to get to is 32oz and that is a struggle. ok so I know why my scales dont move much, I dont eat enough calories huh...dont drink enough water and know.... Man Im glad that we have each other, we would all be lost without the knowledge of others! You all inspire me!