Conflicted and regrettful

Conflicted as always.

Yes. I did not prepare myself for this surgery. I thought I could eat regular food after the surgery but the band would help me not eat as much. For the problem lies in the amount of food I eat, typically not the type.

I have regret. I was not able to stick to any liquid diet. I was eating Turkey 10 days post op.

I did not realize that my band could slip or pouch could expand by eating the foods I was eating. I mean I did know but didn’t put 2 and 2 together.

It’s like when you’re a child and your mom tells you not to touch the stove and you do anyway.

I am not 100% dedicated to the lifestyle that needed to be adapted to make the band work. Like I said before, I thought I could still eat like a normal person just not as much. Protein shakes, and mushy food is not what I consider normal.

I did not gather my facts correctly and had a surgery that clearly will not work if I don’t work it.

So here I am feeling REALLY guilty that I am eating and not following everyone’s advice. I did pay for this myself and since money does not grow on trees and economic times are tough, I feel even worse.

Everyone says just say “no” walk away from the food, do it for your health. Thanks guys, but my brain is a powerful tool and I can’t seem to control it.

Do I want to be skinny-yes

Do I want to look good- yes

Do I want to feel good and confident about my self-yes

Do I want to restrict my diet to soups, protein shakes and other foods that I naturally do not eat – NO

Do I want to cause myself harm by eating foods when my stomach is not healed-NO

I feel guilty and ashamed. I am going through a mental battle and losing. WHY CAN’T I JUST DO IT. All of you seem to be able to. PLEASE

I can hear the pain in your post and my heart is breaking for you. I wish I could say something to you that would magically make it better, but that just isn't possible. We all understand the unhealthy relationship you have with food because we all have it, although it is a little different for everyone.

I'm not banded yet, so I can't even offer you any advice. Be honest with your doctor though. That seems to be extremely important.

Best of luck to you going forward. I know there is something inside you that you can bring out to help you do it!

What kind of foods would make your band slip or make the pouch expand? My doctor said that I could eat anything I had eaten previously.

Thank you for the support. I took a positive step and joined the gym today. i am grateful for this.

As for food making your band slip.... i am not sure which kinds. I just know they want you on liquids and Mushy food until your stomach heals.

Slips are more common just post-op before everything heals. After six weeks you'll be golden and all foods will be allowed again. Keep in mind your band is not helping you yet, so it's all up to you until restriction...you don't want to mess this up before the band even has a chance to work for you. Hang in there. -BG

You can do it.... This liquid stage sucks but I keep looking ahead. I sit here and have planned out meal that I can eat.. SO excited for real food...

you have to remember that this is for a short time only. You have made it through 10 days. Maybe not perfect but no one is. Hang in there. Once you are on solids eat every 3 hrs, make sure you eat protein. (eggs, tuna, chicken, nuts, fish, beef, etc..) try to stick to one cup per meal. don't worry if you don't loose weight as you aren't restricted yet. I only have had one fill and I still do not feel restricted. It can take up to 2 or 3 fills. But I do notice that I don't eat as much as before. I try to eat healthy but there are days I slip. Remember, you didn't become over weight over night and you won't become slim overnight. Try to live by the eating every 3 hrs. one cup of food. Lots of protein. 40% protein, 40% veggies, 20% carbs. Wishing you the best of luck.

I went through the same frustrations you did. I was regretting my decision and doubting my new lifestyle etc. This will pass...promise. I was feeling the way you are...I am sure we all did. But after about 4 or 5 weeks I really started feeling good about things. Hang in there. This is just a small segment of a long, wonderful journey!! You'll forget all about it when you are shopping for smaller clothes