TerriDoodle

So how do you FEEL when you drive by those places or see those commercials? And does that feeling last? Are you experienciing any kind of regrets? Every once in a while I do, but they are fleeting. I remind myself that I will be eating my favorite foods again soon...it's ok....just be patient. How's ur soreness?

Total: 808 Fat:45 405 51% Sat:18 163 21% Poly:4 40 5% Mono:12 106 13% Carbs:44 150 19% Fiber:8 0 0% Protein:60 239 30% 8 days postop and Ruh Roh. Bandster hell is coming.... I'm getting hungry!!! BUT...I eat a cup of full fluids or mushies and and I'm ok for 2-3 hours....and still only getting in <900 calories, but just spending more time hungry than I was. It's all good. I scheduled my appt for my 1st fill for May 4th. My soreness is almost all gone but still get tired easily. Grateful the wknd is coming. Incisions are looking good. Signed up with a gym today and I'm really excited about that. Hit the treadmill tomorrow. Tried scrambled eggs tonight and they went down fine. Man, did they taste good!! I can SERIOUSLY see how my relationship with food will be changing. Now, when I'm hungry, I get kind of sad that I can't go out and eat a plate full of enchiladas or a nice sandwich or a steak or even my favorite salad. But it is precisely at that moment I am grateful for my new tool. I can't overeat even if I wanted to. So I shrug my shoulders, go have a 1/2 of cottage cheese and Voila! My hunger is cured ....and so is my sadness (that I can't have enchiladas). I sometimes miss that FULL feeling I used to get....but not really. Not after I've cured the hunger with even a small amount of food. I'm over it just like that. No regrets, no more mourning. This is certainly going to be an interesting journey.

Total: 808 Fat:45 405 51% Sat:18 163 21% Poly:4 40 5% Mono:12 106 13% Carbs:44 150 19% Fiber:8 0 0% Protein:60 239 30% 8 days postop and Ruh Roh. Bandster hell is coming.... I'm getting hungry!!! BUT...I eat a cup of full fluids or mushies and and I'm ok for 2-3 hours....and still only getting in <900 calories, but just spending more time hungry than I was. It's all good. I scheduled my appt for my 1st fill for May 4th. My soreness is almost all gone but still get tired easily. Grateful the wknd is coming. Incisions are looking good. Signed up with a gym today and I'm really excited about that. Hit the treadmill tomorrow. Tried scrambled eggs tonight and they went down fine. Man, did they taste good!! I can SERIOUSLY see how my relationship with food will be changing. Now, when I'm hungry, I get kind of sad that I can't go out and eat a plate full of enchiladas or a nice sandwich or a steak or even my favorite salad. But it is precisely at that moment I am grateful for my new tool. I can't overeat even if I wanted to. So I shrug my shoulders, go have a 1/2 of cottage cheese and Voila! My hunger is cured ....and so is my sadness (that I can't have enchiladas). I sometimes miss that FULL feeling I used to get....but not really. Not after I've cured the hunger with even a small amount of food. I'm over it just like that. No regrets, no more mourning. This is certainly going to be an interesting journey.

8 days postop and Ruh Roh. Bandster hell is coming.... I'm getting hungry!!! BUT...I eat a cup of full fluids or mushies and and I'm ok for 2-3 hours....and still only getting in <900 calories, but just spending more time hungry than I was. It's all good. I scheduled my appt for my 1st fill for May 4th. My soreness is almost all gone but still get tired easily. Grateful the wknd is coming. Incisions are looking good. Signed up with a gym today and I'm really excited about that. Hit the treadmill tomorrow. Tried scrambled eggs tonight and they went down fine. Man, did they taste good!! I can SERIOUSLY see how my relationship with food will be changing. Now, when I'm hungry, I get kind of sad that I can't go out and eat a plate full of enchiladas or a nice sandwich or a steak or even my favorite salad. But it is precisely at that moment I am grateful for my new tool. I can't overeat even if I wanted to. So I shrug my shoulders, go have a 1/2 of cottage cheese and Voila! My hunger is cured ....and so is my sadness (that I can't have enchiladas). I sometimes miss that FULL feeling I used to get....but not really. Not after I've cured the hunger with even a small amount of food. I'm over it just like that. No regrets, no more mourning. This is certainly going to be an interesting journey. I seriously can't keep up with who's doing what anymore....we've got such an active board! Jenn- Did you say you're having surgery on Monday and returning to school 2 days later? That seriously may not be feasible....maybe I read that wrong. Sara - you sound like you're doing alright!

That argument always cracks me up, Tracy. Oh, puh-leeeeze!! The mere fact that the dietician doesn't acknowledge that we each have unique metabolisms....some do better with more carbs, some with less....would tell me that she doesn't know sh** from shinola!! Time to move on!

I have seen people do well by simply adding more vegetables (and fruit) to their diet. If you evaluate what you have been eating, can you say that they are whole and healthy foods...or more pre-fab & unhealthy kinds. If you find yourself lacking the micronutrients that only whole foods can provide, maybe this is something you should do. I just did the numbers...and by my calculations I see that you are losing at a rate of 3.5#/week. I can see now why your dietician said to eat more. This rate is almost twice what doctors normally recommend.

Down another pound today to 206. Yesterday (Day 7) was my first day back at work and it was pretty tough. Didn't get enough sleep the night before and was really tired. Didn't realize how much I wasn't moving around until the gas started REALLY bothering me. I think caffeine is a problem now...or maybe just coffee. Don't like the way it settles in my stomach 1st thing in the morning. Amazing how I am weaning off without even trying. Am starting to prefer water. Cool. This is yesterday's counts (all liquids): Total: 775 Fat:37 331 44% Carbs:80 267 36% Fiber:13 0 0% Protein:36 146 20% 122

Down another pound today to 206. Yesterday (Day 7) was my first day back at work and it was pretty tough. Didn't get enough sleep the night before and was really tired. Didn't realize how much I wasn't moving around until the gas started REALLY bothering me. I think caffeine is a problem now...or maybe just coffee. Don't like the way it settles in my stomach 1st thing in the morning. Amazing how I am weaning off without even trying. Am starting to prefer water. Cool. This is yesterday's counts (all liquids): Total: 775 Fat:37 331 44% Carbs:80 267 36% Fiber:13 0 0% Protein:36 146 20% 122

I started a James Avery charm bracelet for my daughter the day she was born!! Hers is beautiful already....and she's only 13! I'm back at work today. Wish I wasn't!!!!!!! It's beautiful outside! Going tomorrow to join LA Fitness! I have a center very close to work AND to home! My company offers reduced membership fees, too! Can't beat that deal! It gets soooooo hot in Houston that you almost HAVE to have a gym. LA Fitness is really nice, too. I think I'll enjoy it there. I realize now that I'll be putting a very low priority on eating and will have lots of extra time on my hands. I mean, why not go work out and grab a protein shake for lunch now?? Way cool!

If ya'll want some great charms (and other beautiful jewelry), you should visit a James Avery store or visit his online store. All jewelry you see comes in either silver or gold. He started his jewelry business in Kerrville, TX like 50 years ago or something and everyone in Texas loves James Avery jewelry! He's starting to spread to other states now, I think. Check it out: www.JamesAvery.com

Dana - I'm perfectly content with my hunger level right now, but I'm only one week post op. It's blowing my mind how little I am eating and how 'satisfied' I feel. As I understand it, when the swelling goes down in a few days I will start to feel hungry again. I will just have more to eat...or rather, drink! I'm trying not to focus on my weight right now, but will after my 1st fill.

I know quite a bit about nutrition. I studied it in college as well as doing a great deal of additional new research during my low-carb days. Sorry, but I don't agree with you. My goals are for 1000-1200/day and I do plan on loading up once a week with 2000 calories. Shooting for 100g protein; <75g carbs. I am not concerned about fats one way or the other, except that I do know they help to maintain the blood sugar levels I have had issues with since the age of 16. My bariatric doctor's guidelines are 1000-1200 a day as well.

Had a quiet day at home yesterday. Pain is almost gone. Incisions itching like crazy!!! Took a 20 min walk. Had trouble getting my food in 'cause I'm getting bored with everything I have in the pantry. Protein was horrible, fat was way high, calories too low. Will try again tomorrow! Total: 728 Fat:40 357 49% Sat:21 189 26% Poly:3 29 4% Mono:11 96 13% Carbs:63 224 31% Fiber:7 0 0% Protein:36 144 20%

Had a quiet day at home yesterday. Pain is almost gone. Incisions itching like crazy!!! Took a 20 min walk. Had trouble getting my food in 'cause I'm getting bored with everything I have in the pantry. Protein was horrible, fat was way high, calories too low. Will try again tomorrow! Total: 728 Fat:40 357 49% Sat:21 189 26% Poly:3 29 4% Mono:11 96 13% Carbs:63 224 31% Fiber:7 0 0% Protein:36 144 20%

I'm not eating a lot of soups...maybe once a day. I have smoothies, pudding, applesauce, cottage cheese & yogurt mostly....

Ok, I'll give it a try. Immediately post op...they woke me up from the anesthesia...and I'm quite sure there are no pain meds in my system since they are trying to wake me up....and when I was in that fog my first thought was that it was hard to breathe and there was a pretty darn intense seering pain in my belly. Once they saw that I was awake they put oxygen on me and shot me up with morphine and I was OUT in lala land. So that pain only lasted maybe a minute...tops. I was VERY groggy for several hours. I had anesthesia, phenergan and morphine....so you can imagine. But the nurse and my DH would wake me up often to drink, eat jello, take BP, try the bathroom, etc. So during this time I think I rated the pain at a 5 or 6. I didn't have any trouble sitting up or walking around, but I was really sore and the incisions hurt....but I was comfortable enough to sleep easily. They gave me another shot of morphine before sending me home. Once home I slept well but had to get up several times to use the restroom and drink water...and to take pain meds every 4 hours. They did fine to control the pain to a tolerable level. It just feels like you've done a 200 situps and more of a burning type pain at the port site and another site on my lower left side, under the ribs. It hurt to lay on my left side. The next day I started dealing with the shoulder pain that everybody talks about and it can be pretty intense too....so much so that it drowns out any concern about your belly! It is definitely a concentrated stabbing pain in the front of my left shoulder ...BUT... it rarely lasted at that intense level for more than 15 mintes at a time. It came and went with no apparent pattern. It was a nuisance but not intolerable at other times. Since then it's been the incision pain that has been most bothersome. Again, not intolerable at all, just getting kind of tired of it at this point (6 days). I was on pain meds for 3 days, then took a shot last night too. I will probably take another one before bed tonight. Overall, I'd describe an average pain level of about a 4. So see? It's not bad!! And, for whatever it's worth, this was my first surgery. I have given birth twice ...the first birth was far worse than this surgery, let me tell you! 9#5oz boy and I pushed for 4 hours. The after=affects of that birth was about an 8 for several days.

Well, the thing is that I don't think anyone here will advise you to go against your doctor's orders. But maybe you could discuss it with him? Tell him about your activity on this board and ask him for the rationale behind his instructions. Maybe if you understand his reasoning it will make it easier to follow the diet he has outlined. I don't think you'll need to worry about being hungry on a liquid post-op diet...that won't happen. You may get plenty bored, however! My doctor is one of the most experienced in the country and seems to be quite liberal. He only requires liquids for 24-48 hrs after surgery. For the next 4 weeks it's on to soft foods. This is my last day off but I think I will be ready to go back to work tomorrow...will have to give some thought as to what to bring for lunch. Pain is much, much better this morning. down another pound! Well, I'm gonna get my walking shoes on and get after it today! Ya'll have a good one!

I am just trying to get in ENOUGH calories and protein at this point. I'm 5 days post-op. So I'm eating whenever I feel like it. Today managed to get in 850 cals. I personally don't feel that is healthy and am shooting for 1000 to 1200.

Pamela - you can go to my LBT journal and watch my calories, etc....I have them posted there and probably will be for sometime. I cut and paste them from www.fitday.com where I track all that stuff. I am trying to get my calories UP to 1000-1200 but haven't made it yet. I am sure it will get easier once I get to regular foods again. I'm finding it really hard to get the Protein in 'cause I'm not loving the shakes. Had to resort to pain meds again today. Incisions/Stitches were quite painful all day. DD and I had laughed REALLY HARD at a television show we were watching last night, which hurt quite a lot, and I actually feel like that didn't help matters. So take note pre-banders...only watch not-funny stuff. Also, do whatever you have to do to avoid sneezing! OMG!! Panda - You are gonna be one foxy chick (what can I say, I'm a child of the 70's) when you drop that weight, 'cause you're already sooo pretty!! Oh, to be 25 again!! I'm glad for you that you're getting this done now. All of you who are yet to be banded: Try your best to put your anxieties aside and trust me when I say that this surgery is really not that hard at all. You will all do just fine. That's a promise.

Today was a painful day. Tried to just stay with Tylenol but it didn't do much good. Finally broke down at 7:00p and took pain meds and feel sooooo much better. Duh! Sutures really felt like they were pulling...best way to describe it. It hurt! No problems eating today or getting liquids in. A good day. I think that caffeine is not agreeing with me. I LOVE iced tea but it is upsetting my tummy & making me hungry. Will observe this closely in days to come. Taking Gas-X a couple or three times a day and it's helping. Gas is much better. Starting to feel 'skinnier' :rolleyes I only have one more (scheduled) day off. I hope it's enough. Will try to take a nap or two tomorrow. Maybe the extra rest will help. Didn't do any walking today except around the house and with DD at Old Navy for a bit. Bkfst: Cream of wheat w/ butter & skim milk - 1c Lunch: Broccoli & cheese soup - 1c Snack: Yogurt/protein smoothie - 1c Dinner: cottage cheese 3/4c w/ 2 sm canned pears Total: 808 Fat:32 286 36% Sat:17 157 20% Poly:3 28 4% Mono:9 84 10% Carbs:78 293 37% Fiber:5 0 0% Protein:54 217 27%

Today was a painful day. Tried to just stay with Tylenol but it didn't do much good. Finally broke down at 7:00p and took pain meds and feel sooooo much better. Duh! Sutures really felt like they were pulling...best way to describe it. It hurt! No problems eating today or getting liquids in. A good day. I think that caffeine is not agreeing with me. I LOVE iced tea but it is upsetting my tummy & making me hungry. Will observe this closely in days to come. Taking Gas-X a couple or three times a day and it's helping. Gas is much better. Starting to feel 'skinnier' :rolleyes I only have one more (scheduled) day off. I hope it's enough. Will try to take a nap or two tomorrow. Maybe the extra rest will help. Didn't do any walking today except around the house and with DD at Old Navy for a bit. Bkfst: Cream of wheat w/ butter & skim milk - 1c Lunch: Broccoli & cheese soup - 1c Snack: Yogurt/protein smoothie - 1c Dinner: cottage cheese 3/4c w/ 2 sm canned pears Total: 808 Fat:32 286 36% Sat:17 157 20% Poly:3 28 4% Mono:9 84 10% Carbs:78 293 37% Fiber:5 0 0% Protein:54 217 27%

I called my dr's office about my bandages today too...'cause they're bothering me!! I have dissolvable stiches, covered by surgical tape with bandaids over that. They said I could discontinue the bandaids but the surg tape should stay on 7-10 days. Grrrrrr. 2 more days. My postop diet calls for at least 40g of protein/day! I'm drinking full liquids (smoothies, hearty blended Soups, etc.) adding unflavored whey Protein whenever possible and as much as possible and barely getting it in. I def. think you need to call your dr. to make sure you've got the instrux right!

Oh, Sara -- I can relate to your experience with your DH!! Of course, I find myself talking constantly about it too, but I DON'T CARE!! Know why? Because this is a MAJOR LIFE EVENT for me and I have to sit here and listen to my DH talk constantly and for years about golf, baseball and business!!!!! We're not even close to being even!! LOL! I'm so pleased everyone is doing well....and that we have each other!

I decided to write my post without reading what the others have said...because I didn't want it to influence what I have to say. I feel like I was in exactly the same position as you....4 years ago....except that I wasn't considering surgery at that point. But I HAD made all the discoveries that you have made about carbs and hunger and clear thinking, etc. I lost the weight and was really exercising for the 1st time in my life and I was within 8# of goal and easily maintaining that weight. I had it all in the bag!! Along the way I had even given away every single stitch of "fat clothes" that I had in my closet. I had nothing but size 10's, 12's and M's in there now. I was a clothes buying fool and was having the time of my life. Then, little by little, the carbs started creeping back in. And I quit smoking. And menopause hit. I gained 65# in 2 years .... to the highest weight I have EVER seen on the scale: 215#. And no matter WHAT I DID, not a pound would budge off. I finally came to the realization that after 38 years of battling this MONSTER I was sick and tired of it. I needed some real help. I went through the process. And I joined this board. And I had the very same jitters as you. I am so happy I had this done. Maybe it's too early to say that...and maybe I shouldn't....but today I am ecstatic! I'm not going to tell you what you should or shouldn't do. That's not my place. But I just wanted you to consider my story and see if there's anything you can relate to. I wish you the very best of luck in whatever you decide. The very best.

I told my mom, who is quite elderly, that I had hiatal hernia surgery (which is similar). I didn't want her to worry about all the banding pros/cons, etc. but I had to explain my absence for those few days. People at work, I only told my boss...said was having 'minor surgery' and would be out for a week; people who didn't need to know anything I said I was just going to take some vacation for a few days...and some of them are my very best friends!! Only told hubby, kids, and 2 girlfriends....all very supportive. Best of luck to you.