Jax, I take Flintsones complete vitamins twice daily. I know, I know, they're for children, but that's what my doctor told me to take. My metabolism is so slow I think I'm crawling but I know it will pick up as I get my strenth back from more different foods. Bad English sentence, but what theheck. You know what I mean. I took you advice and whoa, I'm doing housecleaning also. Still hurts a little when I bend at the waist and also, I've discovered Cream of Wheat. It sure stays down good.
Still searching for different soups. I'm tired of Progress beef and veggie (draining it) so think I'll try their chicken and noodles and drain it. I wonder when you can eat that Carmel Apple salad that was posted. I don't want to bother until I can eat it. Sounds delish.

Blessings.

Today was the first day I get to have full liquids!! Also yesterday must have been a magical day, because I am able to get down water (and other liquids) without pain. I must be healing!!
BY the way - I'm down 26 pounds since the pre-surgery diet!! That's 26 pounds in a little over 2 weeks! (It makes me happy, but honestly, I've been soo hungry - I think it should be WAAAAAY more!)
But I'll take what I can get.

Jax congratulations on your 26 lbs WOW MAMA thats awesome. Yep the swelling must be going down if your finding it easier to consume water/food. When I went for my 6 week check up, I could eat a 6" sub. So.... when you find yourself able to eat more...don't panic !! this is NORMAL. When you get your fills THATS when you'll be eating less and even that takes time.

Your doing WONDERFUL !!!!

It's only been 3 days since I can eat yogurt - and I think I might be overeating.
I guess it's time to start developing those new rules and habits. How have you (lovely ladies) dealt with eating less and striking down demons?

Eating less and head hunger is and will always be a constant struggle for me. Even though I have the band I can still EAT alot... I have a hard time getting up from the table after 20 minute and just walking away... my brain wants more food and I'll eat slow enough to finish a plate of food...even if it takes 1 hour. And junk food goes down fast so some times thats easier to eat than good healthy food. I'm trying and every day is a learning experience. What I must do is get in more water. I used to drink so much but for the past year I've been a slug at it....and I can feel a difference.

Wish I could answer your question but I'm still struggling / learning

.

oh geezzzz. that 'food demons' question. the emotional eating. no answers here. Like Leenie, it'll be a lifelong effort.

but here are some of the things i've found helpful for me

knitting
being honest with myself
asking the question 'what do i want - really want?' more often than not, i'm thirsty, not hungry, or angry, or restless, or just about anything other than hungry. so at that point, no matter what i eat, i'll still feel 'empty.'
exercise [heaven help me!]

and my most recent tool - and it's an obnoxious one [for me, at least]- is that i'm ranting!!!! if people ask me what's going on - I TELL THEM!!! not always pretty, but it's honest. fortunately, i have wonderfully patient friends. don't know what i'd do without them

I'm not a bander, but with the rny tummy, one of the things I've recently rediscovered is that when I feel like grazing or want to eat between meals (I try to eat every 3-4 hours) is that I have not eaten (drank) enough protein and/or I am overdoing the starchy carb things (like bread, noodles, etc.) so I don't feel satisfied. (Jiffy reminded me of this months ago & every once in awhile, I need to remember that she is a wise soul & listen again) I do well with fruits, veggies, meats--love shrimp & deli turkey, SF yogurt & LF cottage cheese.

Thanks for the support.
I've been portion-ing out my yogurt. And trying to drink more water. I think I'm back on track again. Not to be dense, but I didn't really think it would be this hard. It has been one of the most difficult things I've ever done. But so is my entire weight struggle. If it would've been easy, I guess I would already be a super model (LOL).
I think the weight gain was probably water weight (at least it makes me feel better to think that). And I've been cleared for light to moderate exercise. -So I can pick up the pace on my walking.
I just saw a picture of myself when I had lost a grip of weight (about 85 lbs) 2 years ago (that was before I gained back 45-50 of them) I looked so lean! My thighs (which are HUGE) were decent and I was wearing WHITE pants - White (I wonder what I was thinking??). I'm very excited about the prospect of getting back there - and beyond. And I'm glad I was pro-active enough to get the band, to get a tool, that might help me get there.
Thanks you gals!
Have a good day!

Jax, I'm so proud of you! Look at your weight loss and how you're beginning to see things. I also have the thing in my head that says, "Boy, wouldn't that be good?". Then I get it and can't eat it!! What a let down. Last week I bought one of those refrigerated, not frozen, South Beach Diet lunches. This was a small wheat tortilla (very small) 2 of them in package. One small package of diced chicken and some shredded cheese. The dressing tastes like diet ranch, and it wrapped up beautifully. I only did one but my eyes said, "Wow", I get both of these. Well, surprise, surprise. My stomach told me to stop after three bites and I left that small wrap with a couple of bites on it on my plate. Now this is unreal to me. I have never left things on my plate unless it was liver and onions! LOL. This has been such a change for me but I know I'm going in the right direction. Still worried about getting in enough protein. That really bothers me.

Yeah! I know, it's probably too skinny.
I just thought - well, I've been giving up or adjusting my dreams and asking for soo much less than I really want - for FAR TOO LONG.
I am quite tall and will probably stop somewhere around 170-180. (and even then, I might be really thin-or skinny-which I don't want.)
But I figured that doing the surgery and everything that I was REALLY going to go for it! And just reach for the stars!
(I am aware in the most logical part of myself that I may never make it - and I'm alright with that - but I'm not going to seek less than what I really want so early in the game. And what I really want is to be able to only have to move the top part of the scale over 2 times.)
I know it will work out either way, it'll be fine.

Ya know, I was kinda wondering when someone would point it out.. you're the first! Congratulations!

By the way, tann - you look WONDERFUL!!
I'm very happy for you - and I hope I look (almost) as good as you when I'm done!

I'm 5'10" and my doc wants me at 170. Jax you might want to talk to your doctor again about your goals. I could never get to 145 lbs...one time I got to 150.... but I think that was for a total of 10 minutes. I looked sickly (every one told me).

Your doing wonderful, just keep on truckin