Sophie248

I'm feeling the same excitement and fear. I think part of it is that I really don't like drawing attention to myself. The comments - even though they may be positive - are going to bother me. I don't know how to respond. I'm angry at myself for getting to this weight in the first place. I just want the weight to go away quietly and be "normal." Maybe we are too hard on ourselves?? It also both saddens and angers me that people are going to react differently to me in relation to my physical appearance. I feel sort of invisible now, but am thinking that will change as I shrink in size. Or maybe it is me that will change?? We face a level of insecurity in all life transitions. This is a major one that will require lots of soul searching. I love that the band will allow us to take little vacations from our weight loss to allow us to catch up mentally and emotionally with our physical change. I can't imagine how people cope with quick/drastic weight loss. It will be important to nurture ourselves. This is hard work, but we need to be sure to take moments to Celebrate, relax, and enjoy our new and healthy selves.

Hi guys, I'm getting myself really confused about portion sizes. I'm now doing pureed diet, and am supposed to be only having about 6 TBS or 1/2 cup. I really thin down my pureed foods - enough so I can drink them - so I'm having about 3/4 cup. Is this too much? Do you think the 1/2 cup is for the thicker pureed foods? I can usually drink about 1 cup of thicker liquids. I also see that the recommended portions for when I go to solid food is 2 ozs. Is this how much you guys eat? That seems really low. Another place I saw said 1 cup at a time. It would be impossible to get the recommended 1200 cals and 90 grams of protien if we only eat 2 ozs or 1/2 cup at a time. Any thoughts? BTW, I'm feeling great! Hope you all are well!

Congratulations! I was hoping we'd hear from you. Glad everything went well. I'm loving that I'm not hungry and my calories are averaging 900 per day! Isn't this wonderful?

I've been craving tuna, so I made this creamed tuna soup. I'm sure it would work for salmon: Melt 2 TBS butter Add 2 TBS flour and stir until thickened Then 1.5 cups of milk and wisk Add 1-4 oz can tuna (or salmon) and stir until thick Puree in blender I also added onion powder and pepper and dill to taste. Makes 2 8oz servings. With tuna calories=258 and protein=22grams. It's really yummy!

I actually did the chew/spit thing a couple of times for this same reason. Just needed to chew something. The spitting part got to be gross, though. I started gagging. I quit smoking about 6 yrs ago and I remember needing something for oral gratification then too. I've gotten some different flavors of sugar free gum and candies to help. I also find myself sloshing my liquids around in my mouth for a while before swallowing.....weird I know.......but whatever it takes.

I was supposed to go in at 10:30, but it ended up being 1pm. I highly recommend requesting to be placed on IV liquids earlier. I had to endure 5 attempts to start an IV line. Two nurses and the anesthesiologist all tried. My veins had colapsed due to dehydration. They finally put a small line in to get me hydrated, and put 6th hole in me while I was out. My hands and wrists are totally bruised still. Best wishes.......It's such a relief when it's over and done with.

I was banded 3/5, and I'm finding it very hard to get in over 900 calories. For the past 7 days I range from 560-980. Does this change?

I had a craving for peanut butter yesterday. I mixed it with honey and warmed it so it was thinner and had a spoonful. It hit the spot. We must be craving it for some reason...

Yesterday was my first day of pureed, and I felt that pressure in my chest last night after I had some pureed chili (about 1 cup). Cottage cheese is my favorite food (has been since I was a kid), and I had my first pureed cottage cheese yesterday and it was so yummy - 1/2 cup was my after work snack, and the 1 cup chili was my supper and I was satisfied! I love this!! When I'm at work all day, I try to sip on some form of liquid protien as much as possible. I started doing that with Water a long time ago, so it hasn't been too difficult of a change. Good luck!

I'm using GNC Pro Performance Whey Protein, unflavored. I throw it in whatever. It makes things thicker, but I don't notice a yucky taste. Unjury also has an unflavored, but it clumps bad in hot stuff. There's also a chick broth flavored Unjury that doesn't clump as bad and gives your broth more flavor. Don't know if GNC has it.

FurEllie, I can totally relate. My pants are still tight around the waist, though looser in the legs/butt area. I usually always lose my stomach first too. You're right......must be the swelling. Though I have noticed my back rolls are a little smaller

One week post-op and I already decided I need to get creative with broth. Thought I'd share: chicken enchelada broth: Mix chicken broth with Uninjury chicken flavored Protein supplement, green enchelada sauce, light sour cream, blend in Magic Bullet, and heat. Beef Strogonoff broth: Mix beef broth with worchestershire sauce and light sour cream, blend in Magic Bullet, and heat. These were so yummy! I bought some cheese Soups today that I thought would be good to throw in with the enchelada broth too - maybe some avacado too. I'm going to make beef broth with red enchelada sauce, cheese soup, and sour cream tomorrow. Still have 3-4 weeks pureed to do, so I'll get to have lots more fun with broth! Another good one I had tonight: Medifast Tomato soup mix, 1/4 c tomato basil feta cheese, and 1/4 c Contadina pizza sauce, blend, and heat. Enjoy!

I'm swelling in my upper stomach - where the incisions are. It gets very puffy there, especially at the end of the day. I don't add salt to anything. I've made homemade broths to keep sodium down. I'm still only able to get in about 60 ozs of liquid. Not near enough. I used to drink a ton of water, but I'm just so full now... The gas has been gurggling around in my tummy area only. It's now coming out in a not so pleasant way. I sould be using more gas X. My family would be much happier to be around me!

One week post-op and I already decided I need to get creative with broth. Thought I'd share: Chicken enchelada broth: Mix chicken broth with Uninjury chicken flavored protein supplement, green enchelada sauce, light sour cream, blend and heat. Beef Strogonoff broth: Mix beef broth with worchestershire sauce and light sour cream, blend and heat. These were so yummy! I bought some cheese soups today that I thought would be good to throw in with the enchelada broth too. I'm going to make beef with red enchelada sauce, cheese soup, and sour cream tomorrow. Still have 3-4 weeks pureed to do, so I'll get to have lots more fun with broth!

I was experiencing the exact same thing today. Worse ever for gas. Hope I got rid of the last of it!!

I had surgery the 5th and am still swelling. I was especially swollen after working a full day fri and today. I rested sat and sun and it wasn't so bad those days.

It's been almost a week since my surgery now, and I feel pretty much back to normal today. I still have a little port side pain, but can sleep on my other side and get up much easier. Tried to shave my legs today, but had a little trouble reaching the outside area on my left leg...oh well. Would like to know when I can have a bath again though??? Started walking 15 min 2 days post op, and am gradually increasing each day. My little weiner dog is trying to figure out why I'm walking so slowly.....when we go for walks she thinks were competing in the ididerod or something. It was so nice this weekend, and I spent some time with my horse and wanted to be out riding. Don't think that is a good idea yet though... I went back to work on Friday (my work is mostly sitting at the computer and on the phone). I ended up leaving an hour early because I was getting uncomfortable sitting due to the swelling. I've done a lot of sleeping this weekend and feel great. Still using the Lortab once during the day and at night. Hopefully I'll be up to doing a full workweek this week. I'm so surprised with how little liquid is keeping me satisfied. I was finally able to get down 60 ozs yesterday, but before that I was only able to drink less than 40 ozs. I was a bit concerned as calories were under 500 and not enough Protein. Yesterday I was able to get 64 g protein and 950 cals in to 60 ozs of liquids. The nurse it will be easier when the swelling goes down. The worst part was the gas pain and swelling the 2nd and 3rd day. I have not thrown up, pb'd, or slimed, which I am very grateful for, and I'm down 13 lbs already! I made some wonderful Soup today! Tomato soup with protein supplement, then mixed in tomato basil fetta cheese, melted, and pureed. It was heaven! Do you guys have any other recommendations for the liquid stage? Some people have described having that "oh no, what have I done" moment after surgery. I was expecting that as well, but haven't felt that one bit!

It's been almost a week since my surgery now, and I feel pretty much back to normal today. I still have a little port side pain, but can sleep on my other side and get up much easier. Tried to shave my legs today, but had a little trouble reaching the outside area on my left leg...oh well. Would like to know when I can have a bath again though??? Started walking 15 min 2 days post op, and am gradually increasing each day. My little weiner dog is trying to figure out why I'm walking so slowly.....when we go for walks she thinks were competing in the ididerod or something. I'm so surprised with how little liquid is keeping me satisfied. I was finally able to get down 60 ozs yesterday, but before that I was only able to drink less than 40 ozs. I was a bit concerned as calories were under 500 and not enough protein. Yesterday I was able to get 64 g protein and 950 cals in to 60 ozs of liquids. The nurse it will be easier when the swelling goes down. The worst part was the gas pain and swelling the 2nd and 3rd day. I have not thrown up, pb'd, or slimed, which I am very grateful for, and I'm down 13 lbs already! I made some wonderful soup today! Tomato soup with protein supplement, then mixed in tomato basil fetta cheese, melted, and pureed. It was heaven! Other things that have been very helpful: heating pad, Lortab, anti nausea medication, Bolthouse Farms perfectly protein vanilla chai tea - yum (found it at Wal Mart), Medifast meal supplements, Special K2O lemon twist protein water, homemade broths I made pre surgery, gasX, Isopure mixed with cranberry juice (it's gross plain), Citrical creamy bites calcium supplements (they're like desert), Flintstones chewables, and GNC unflavored protein powder. Some people have described having that "oh no, what have I done" moment after surgery. I was expecting that as well, but haven't felt that one bit! Best wishes to those having surgery this week!! You will feel such relief when it's all done and over. The waiting is soooo hard!

I'm sure every married women here can relate. Our husbands can take us for granted. Many truly don't understand why birthdays, anniversarys, etc are so important to us. It's very good that you are learning other ways to cope with these disapointments. I think it also would be important to open up and talk to him about how this has made you feel - by telling him your true feelings - after you let some of the anger go. When my husband has been an ass, I let him know we need to have a conversation, and I make sure he understands how I feel and I try to understand his side also. I've learned to let my husband know what my expectations are ahead of time, so I don't set myself up for disapointment. It's a lot of work - but we are worth it and our relationships are worth it. Much of our healing in this process will be dealing with all these issues that we have used food to cope with, and making sure our emotional needs are taken care of. Nurturing our relationships is a huge part of that. Take care, and........ :happybday2:

dashar, Congratulations on your surgery date! You will be so glad you did. I can't tell you what a relief it has been for me to have hope again that I will finally stop failing with my struggle at losing weight. If you go up to the menu bar and do a "search" for "Ticker Factory", you'll get some listings of good threads with instructions on how to add your ticker to you signature. Good luck!

My Dr. had me get in at least 100 grams of protein per day, with 5 low carb/high protein supplements, on my pre-op diet. Protein is what keeps you satisfied and able to maintain the liquid diet and low carb helps decrease appetite. It really did work too. I was shocked.

:clap2: Way To GO :clap2: My scale showed that I had lost 11 lbs so far today, but I'm affraid to change my ticker out of fear that it will go back up! Before banding I was always up and down 15 lbs. Hope being banded will be the end to the roller coaster ride I call my "scale!"

I wouldn't think the thicker liquids would be a problem. My Dr recommends to start thicker liquids 2-3 days post op - such as protein drinks, liquid yogurts, cream soups - mainly to get adequate protein in. He has me doing 1 week full liquids, then 2-4 weeks mushies, then 2-4 weeks soft. I would think that if you felt fine, (ie. didn't have any pain or throwing up) that you are OK. Be patient with yourself and your weight loss....:eek:

What are you guys using on your incisions to help them heal? I still have the glue on mine. Should I be putting something on them now, or wait? What works to help heal them nicely?

I was in surgery waiting room at 9:30, in pre-op at 1:00, OR at 1:30, woke up at about 3:00, post-op until 4:00, then checked out of my regular room at 9:30. I went back in the morning for a swallow test/x-ray. I had no tubes in me, except for an IV (which took 5 trys to get in because I was so dehydrated by 1:00). If you have to wait a long time before surgery, I recommend requesting that they at least put an IV in earlier for fluids. They did give me a shot in the stomach to prevent blood clots, and I also had to wear the stockings and warm leg wraps. They want you up and walking as soon as you feel you can. Best wishes on your upcomming surgery!