Bardy

You are refreshingly honest and you deserve to have everything you list here for you -- not just for health! Hang in there and see it through -- try to imagine the thin you and keep it in your mind. You deserve a healthy, sexy new you and you can do it. Hang in there with the prep and keep reading all of the posts and helpful information on the lapband.com website. I would encourage you to just tell those you are closest to who love you unconditionally to tell about your band -- you don't need everyone's judgments as you go through this process. Some people expect immediate miracles and really it is healthiest to lose slow and steady and keep it off. It's great to have this site for support -- keep sharing.

Wow, it is so great to have so many partners in this process! I am 5 days post-op and still having some of the shoulder blade pains -- it takes a while for all of that air to get out of your system! I am now wondering how I will get through another whole week on just a liquid diet -- but learning every day!

How long ago did you have your surgery?

I am only 5 days out and I have been having tomato soup, tomato bisque, tomato basil soup, beef broth, french onion soup, yesterday I had a soft boiled egg that I chewed to death before swallowing, many protein drinks -- the Lindora type, including the hot chocolates, lots of water, some grape juice, V-8 juice, cranberry juice, and some non-fat yogurt also sucked to liquid. That seemed to help. Keep fluids going in and walk around to get rid of the gas pains. You need to have something every couple of hours. I know, I've been hungry too -- go in a week from Friday for my first check and don't know how I will continue liquids for another whole week! Yikes. Hang in there, as long as you suck and chew to liquid consistency you can have various soups -- just nothing with any real chunks. Hope that helps.

Good job picking up the good mottos! Keep it up -- I also checked in on the recipes area and that really helped in making a grocery list of better choices. Keep hanging in there and stay on the wagon!

These are quotes on faith that really helped me -- I hope they help you too! Faith is 1) Believing when I don't see it - visualizing the future in advance. (Picture that thin, sexy, fun you!) 2) Obeying when I don't understand it or think it doesn't make sense. (Trust the experts -- they know!) 3) Giving when I don't have it to give -- to stretch our faith. (Encourage others, focus on others, it helps!) 4) Persisting when I don't feel like it. (This is tough, but one day at a time, right?) 5) Thanking before I receive it. (Thank you for being here and encouraging me -- thank you God for giving me this tool to help me with this life-long struggle!) All the best to my fellow travelers! Deb

Good for you! Congratulations on losing and being strong. I do think you can just "taste" a bite, but sometimes that is harder than just passing -- remember KFC has skinless grilled breasts and green beans that are ok for us!

I think one of the things you really need to do is keep going in for fills and to talk to your doc and nutritionist -- the folks in the office are also very helpful (at least at my docs office). You are not alone! You can do this! From what I have read from much more experienced folks than I, the adjustments and fills are critical to get to the "Sweet Spot" where you feel full after a very small portion. I like food a lot too, so I definitely relate. But I think that we will feel so much better if we take care of ourselves and lose this weight. Hang in there!

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I just got my band last Friday -- everything went well -- went home by noon and had the same issues with gas and soreness, but got up and walked a bit to help with that -- day after was the worst, but still not bad -- gas pains and soreness -- walking really helped with the gas and today I'm back at work -- the liquid diet is a challenge but I'm determined to make it through the first couple of weeks and on to mushy foods. You need to pick and choose who you tell - only the closest people who love you unconditionally and will be supportive because I agree I get sick of the attitude that "if we just tried we could lose the weight" yeah, right. Keep in touch here, I've only started reading and chatting as I just discovered this site yesterday! You may be in having the surgery today -- good luck, you'll do great!

It really sounds like you need a fill -- you shouldn't be this hungry -- I would talk to your doctor and get some help so you don't get too frustrated! Hang in there!

Good for you! So great to be going in the right direction - down! I have many of the same feelings and just got my lapband last Friday so really just starting the journey. I can't wait to get below 200 and then 190 ... on and on to the goal! Congratulations on a fantastic accomplishment! Keep going!

That was very inspiring and genuinely helpful in setting expectations and taking responsibility for our journey -- thanks for posting! I just got banded last Friday so am definitely still a newbie and learning more every day!

Life is sure tough that is for sure! Does your doctor have a counselor or nutritionist you could talk to? Sometimes the docs aren't as understanding and helpful. Remember that Christmas is a time to share your love for your family -- not about how many things we give or receive -- it's a time you can teach your children some important lessons about life -- I know that probably doesn't feel good because you want to give them what they want - but love is the best gift. Also, you should talk to your doc about the depression - perhaps it's time for some medication - it can really help. I know things seem very bleak now, but remember that God loves you and knows what you're going through - stay close to your friends and family, they love you and want to see you succeed. Hang in there!

Wow! 117 pounds down in 8 months - that's INCREDIBLE! Congratulations! I just got my band last Friday so it is really encouraging to see the success stories like yours! We all go through challenges and it helps to share -- you are an inspiration! Keep it up and hang in there and have a fabulous Christmas!

Thanks Desi -- I am getting used to the liquids and try to balance Protein drinks and other liquids as well. Thanks for the encouragement - I really needed that today! I am tracking my progress on the lapband.com website as well and am encouraged to see that actually I have dropped 4 more pounds since the surgery! BMI has already dropped 2 points! Of course I'm only 13% toward my goal but that is definitely in the right direction, and after only 4 days! You are right about the age thing -- the metabolism is definitely not as quick to respond as it used to be. I am trying to walk a little more every day to increase my activity level and stamina -- hopefully when I'm fully healed I can do more - that is a definite key to this whole thing. You hang in there, we can do this! Have a great day (or night since you're on the opposite side of the world )!! Deb

It's great to get started with planning for your date -- I did just that when I started researching this procedure back in April and actually only lost 10 pounds before my surgery date which was just this last Friday, December 3. The first day after was the toughest with soreness and the gas pains, but I'm feeling better each day. The liquid diet is a challenge and I feel hungry and have a headache -- guess that will go away as my body adjusts. I have soups and protein drinks and have mixed in the Beniful fiber for the digestion issues. I check in with my doctor in two weeks so we'll see how it goes. I am already down 4 pounds since the day of surgery! I'm glad you area all here so I don't feel so alone. Sometimes it can get discouraging especially if you're hungry.

I just got my lapband on the 3rd as well -- I felt pretty awful on Saturday -- bloated and sore, but much better Sunday -- up and around and walking as much as I can. I have had tomato soup, jello, water, vitamin water, chewable vitamins, and some liquid protein drinks - starting to feel hungry and wondering how I'm going to get through the 2 weeks of liquid diet that seems like FOREVER. Glad to find this site to compare notes and get encouragement and other ideas.