KEEPING WITH THE BASICS

One of the keys to my success with weight loss is that I have been sticking with the basics. Before the lap band surgery, for 2 weeks I had to be on a liquid diet - and it did not kill me. Then, after the surgery, I was on liquid diet again for another 2 weeks, then puree and mushy foods for a couple of more weeks - and that did not kill me either.

When they first told me I would have to eat like that, it was like OMG - I can't do this - I'm a foodie! But, I had tried everything else under the sun, and I said let's give this a try. So I did the liquid diet for the two weeks before the surgery and I lost 12 pounds! First thing came to my mind was "yea, I am 12 pounds lighter".

Then, after the surgery, two weeks more of the liquid diet, and I saw more weight lost. By this time, I was ready for the mashed-pureed foods. And again, weight dropped off. I eventually began eating small amounts of solid foods. I made sure to eat enough protein, including high-protein drinks.

Three months after the surgery, I made a decision to go back to the basics. It did not kill me before. I decided to incorporate the basics in my weekly diet. 2 or 3 days a week I do this. One day I may have a liquid diet - all protein drinks. Three days later, I will have my mushy or puree foods - and quite frankly this holds me.

When I go into the office for my fills, I sit and chat with other patients and we exchange ideas of what works for us. When I tell people about what I do - keeping with the basics - many agree that this is a good idea. As long as you get your daily protein intake, you will be ok. I have shared this idea with Dr. Fielding and with Gaspar the nurse-practioner, and they say it is safe as long as you get your protein. So I call it keeping with the basics.