us_plus3

So a little frustrated and severly disappointed. Banded on 8/17 and have lost about 10 lbs, 2 lbs being pre-op. I know I have only myself to blame. I started solids earlier than i should have...Like by week 2. I can pretty much eat like I did before surgery. I can eat regular bites, with regular chewing...and I am pretty much a "chew 3-4 times and swallow kinda girl." Some days I am famished! Other days, I'm ok with eating a few small meals. I noticed the SECOND I started eating something other than protien drinks, I stopped losing weight and even GAINED 4 lbs back. When I weighed in today, I was back at 182...but when I was strictly protein drinks, I was down to 181.6 I have my good days and bad and trying to stick with drinking at least 16 oz of protein drinks in addition to whatever I eat. I am supposed to go for my very first fill on Sept 8th and I am almost embarressed to see my doctor. His advice was if I wanted to see maximum weight loss, I could stick to a protein drink ONLY diet and lose a pound a day, for the next 90 days. 90 DAYS?!?!? Really? Who wants to do that!?!? Well of course, my boyfriend heard that and since it came straight from the doctors mouth, that is what I should be doing. UGGGH!!! I have been reading that now is not the time to focus on weight loss, but on healing. Well I am a mother of 3, 2 of which are under the age of 2 years, so healing had to come pretty quick for me. And because I saw such a quick weight loss in the first week and now NOTHING, Im hating life right now. I have learned more on this site than from my actual doctor, who neglected to tell me that I may have no restriction until I get a (few) fills. But I feel like I am doing something wrong. Advice and/or encouragement would be greatly appreciated.

So I am scheduled for lap band surgery, the first ever in MY LIFE, on Aug 17th....in just 8 days. I'm not too sure what to expect. While my doctor was VERY nice, he wasn't very informative (in my opinion). He asked if I had any questions, and at the time I didn't. But I was so freaked out to even be sitting in his office, that the only thing that came to mind was "can I still nurse my 9 mo old son." I feel like I have gotten more info from researching topics on this website than I did from him. I guess I just want to know how much pain will I be in? How difficult will it be for me to change my eating habits (worried about this PB or vomiting thing, food getting stuck issue). Also, I have to make a short road trip (about 3+ hrs drive) on the 20th, 3 days after surgery. Doc said I should be fine, he wouldn't advise me driving while still taking pain meds, or if I can't make a quick reaction like slamming on the breaks if needed. But will I NEED pain meds after a few days? Ive heard its a fairly quick recovery time, but 3 days?? I also do alot of bending down for my job, its very light work (personal assistant aka "gopher for the lazy"). Anyone able to resume duties that require bending shortly after? Also, because I feel like I have tried everything out there, short of wiring my jaw shut, my fear is, what if it doesn't work? :(Just thinking about it makes me want to cry. Any advice would be so greatly appreciated.