If only things were so easy! Good for you to be so disciplined with chewing!  I need to take a lesson!  I sometimes forget, but the band reminds me a little later! I didn't do the support group either because the nearest one is an hour away.  I do enjoy exercising, though!  I found that I'm kinda OCD with exercise, meaning I need to keep changing things up, or else I get bored, stuck in a routine, and quit. I dabble in a bunch of things, and actually found that doing triathlons is my greatest joy! You might want to check out some nearby "drop-in" classes or activities to see if you might like something.  Exercise is what keeps me sane, and keeps my weight steady.  I'm not as gung-ho about it as I used to be, simply because I don't want to get as light as I was.  I was too light at 160 lbs for someone 6'2" tall!  Very comfortable around 178-185.  Can't wait for warmth to get running! 

Good to see people have success. VBG Oct 03. No complications. No big loss. Wasn't really given any real rules either. I was supposed to go to support classes after, but didn't. Probably a contributing factor to my lack of loss. It was just a hassel though. I am a suburb girl, and the classes required me to go to downtown and do the whole parking ramp thing. Just a hassel. I am visiting "the rules" now though, so hopefully I will have better progress. 

I can understand how people would have problems with the meat thing. I am kind of lucky though. I was never much of a meat eater. I'm not a vegetarian, I just don't care for meat that much. I do miss salads. The VBG doesn't allow you to eat a large variety of healthy things. if you do, you have to chew like hell. If I can't chew it into nothing I spit it into a napkin. I have never thrown up. NEVER. But I am pyscho about chewing.

I didn't know about the no water for an hour before, or no water after, of no water during. I will try that and see what happens.  I think my problem is, I just don't like to excersize. I don't eat much at all. I drink tons of water.

Ive looked into the RNY, was actually supposed to have that one. Changed mind at last minute- with hospital gown and IV in. RNY is no cake walk either.

I just need to excersize. It's that easy! right!?

Has it made it better or worse?

You can do Chunky style soups (not the kind with rice or pasta - just meats and veggies) and throw them in the blender.  You should water them down a bit and puree them up.

Creamed soups - 98% fat free or "low fat" versions (but avoid tomato soup due to acid)

Jello Sugar Free pudding (I think some people recommend adding protein powder to pudding for the added protein intake)

Yogurt WITHOUT fruit chunks (I think some people recommend adding protein powder to yogurt for the added protein intake)

Carnation Instant Breakfast

Protein shakes that give a minimum of 15-20 grams protein, maximum 5 grams of carbs and less than 130 calories per serving

Apple Sauce - unsweetened of course (there's lots of unsweetened flavors out there)

Muscle Milk (You can get these pre-mixed in lots of flavors and they can be a meal replacement)

These are all suggestions from my surgeon's pre-op information package.  Hope it helps - I am so worried about not being able to get creative enough during the initial "liquid & soft" stages!

Michelle

Krista , I had my surgery 7 years ago and agree with you. I don't have to tell you what it's been like. Just recently looked into revision. I'm serious about it. However I just stared taking meds to get rid of the H pylori in my small intestine. Then I will be making a decision with my new bariatric dr about the best way to go. I'm interested in what you had. I gained back 50 pounds and feel like the first surgery was a waste of time and all the bad things that go with it is a big what for. My dr suggested the Stomacphax. What do you think. Rusty