Rachel412

That's a part of the reason that I've only told a few people. I don't need anyone lecturing me when they have no idea what the band really does for you! I try to look at how well I'm doing, the changes I've made, and then I go read the blogs of people who are successful bandsters and now try to help others. And I post here a lot Being banded doesn't mean you can never have xyz food again. It means you'll need to make a conscious choice to eat that item, and it'll probably be a bite or two or a rare treat rather than a daily occurrence. It's different for everyone really. Some people still eat "junk" food and are able to burn it off, some people can't even walk past a french fry without hitting a stall Same with beer... some people can't handle the carbonation, some people are just fine with it, some people choose to only have a few sips.

There's not really any food you CAN'T have. There are foods you should avoid, but you can have occasionally... IF your band and body tolerate them. My nutritionist said to avoid coffee, even decaf, because it's acidic and shouldn't be sitting up in your pouch. She did say I could have one a day. Carbonation, some people's bands can't handle it and of course, it makes them super gassy. Lettuce, seems to me like most bandsters can handle it just fine. If you ask around you'll see everyone's got a different "problem" food.

The top is cute, but those shorts would ride up between my thighs within a minute of me putting it on

The Realize Band comes with a card but it doesn't say anything about ordering from the kids' menu. I've never tried doing it... I like to get a regular portion and stretch it out over 2 or 3 meals, makes me feel like I got my money's worth

Congrats and welcome to the other side!

This is my favorite one so far: http://www.amazon.com/100%25-Whey-Protein-Standard-Chocolate/dp/B00024D7ZO/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1306101144&sr=8-2 24g Protein (when made with water), only 3g of carbs. My husband and I think it tastes like chocolate milk, no weird after taste.

What you're dealing with is really common as the swelling from surgery goes down. If you stick to measuring out your meals and finishing the food when your plate is empty, not when you feel full, you'll be doing yourself a favor. Most people don't have any restriction from just the band alone-- they need to get fills to start feeling restriction. Also, most people have no problems swallowing stuff before they've had fills. Continue taking small bites so you'll be used it it when your fills start!

The liquid diet and the post-op period when you're on liquids is really hard to do at a restaurant (though there's still always soup) but you'll be able to eat out just fine. Remember not to fill up on appetizers (unless that's your whole meal) and so far I've had no problems with heating up leftovers. At this point the only restaurant I'd have a really hard time eating at would be one where everything is fried... like my husband wanted to go to Popeyes when we were traveling yesterday, and we decided against it because I had no idea if they had anything there I was willing to eat.

I start sighing after every bite. If I notice that I sigh twice in a row, I'm done eating.

breakfast: protein shake lunch: small Wendy's chili with cheese dinner: 1/2 a whole grain wrap with turkey, spinach, tomatoes, greek dressing and feta cheese (I just had the other half for lunch Sunday) snack: low fat cheese stick

Congratulations Siobhan

That is amazing, especially with 10 months of pregnancy in there! Congratulations!!

Ooooooo-kay then! Have a great evening!

My response was in no way directed towards you- it was directed towards your surgeon, and from your post, it sounded like he (?) did your surgery with no real education about what you were getting yourself into! It scares me and makes me sad, all these patients out there with a band around their stomachs who just haven't been prepared for what comes next. Again, I don't hold the patients responsible for that, I hold the surgeons responsible.

Isn't it FUN!!

They found mine when they opened me up, even though they looked for one when they did my Upper GI and didn't find it. I can't say whether it affected my recovery, since I've only had this surgery once but it does seem like my recuperation was very similar to what people without hernias say. I've had MUCH less heartburn or reflux since the surgery. If I woke up at night I had to keep Tums by my bed because I'd always have wicked heartburn- no longer a problem! I think I've taken Tums twice in the past 6 weeks... total!

Hiya! I bought and read (and enjoyed) Bandwagon... jean-onthebandwagon.blogspot.com That's the author's site, and you can order the book through her or Amazon. It's a big book, 500+ pages, but I absolutely think it was worth the price. I wish you only success with this new band you'll (hopefully) get!

Awesome so far! I hated having to wait the 6 months but looking back, I'm glad I did... by the time I got to surgery I had zero doubts and I had to meet with the staff nutritionist once a month so she really did help me learn what to expect and how my eatings habits would need to change. I had my first fill Thursday and so far I can tell the difference in how soon in a meal I feel satisfied and how long that lasts- hopefully it's not just swelling

It sounds to me like you just need a tiny top-off to your fill. If you're satisfied for 3 hours, and the "green zone" is 4-5 hours, you're almost there! Congratulations!

Your best bet is really to check your BCBS' website or call them- all of the plans are a little different. Look for a "medical policy" link on your insurance site, mine's on the very first page at the bottom. Search for "adjustable gastric band". I had to do a 6 month wait period so I started the process in October of 2010 and was banded mid-April, 2011. Its fine if your BMI drops below 40, your starting weight is what matters.

Welcome to the other side! I hope Bandster Hell is kind to you. My biggest tip for getting up out of bed is to take it slow and try to swing your legs out together, not one at a time, which will keep you from twisting at the waist.

Congrats on your loss! And I know you said you don't feel restriction but it seems like you've got the best of "restriction" without all the yucky PBing and sliming side effects

Well mine is on my right side, just under where my ribcage ends... a good 4" or so higher than my belly button.

GET BETTER DRUGS! I hope you already called your surgeon I had a morphine pump right after surgery and even though I was hitting and hitting the button it wasn't helping with the pain. They ended up changing me to Dilaudid after a few hours (took a while to get approval, a new pump, etc) and it helped immediately. Not all pain killers work for all people. Keep us updated!

I'm only about 6 weeks banded, but I already love that when I look in the mirror, I see the shape of a woman and not the shape of a blob!