daisychains7

Thank you for the prayers. I am doing the same for all being banded soon

I'm leaving town June 6. How about you? I'm a little worried about it but I know 30 days out I can do things like chili, really moist meats, and soft veggies so it will probably be the same for you.

It's like you have been reading my mind. I think about food 24/7 now... Never was like that before. The doubts creep in sometimes. Just have to remember - living off of Protein drinks isn't normal, or how it is going to be long term with the band. My hope is that once we get adjustments and are eating good food, just less of it, things will get easier. And no - I wasn't allowed any food on the pre op diet and I haven't cheated.

Hi Moses! I wish you all the best with everything.

Only 1 more day of these liquids until surgery and I could not be happier about it! I've lost 17lbs on the pre op diet. My only complaint is that we have to do liquids again AFTER surgery, but I'd rather suck it up and heal properly then have issues later.

I am going through a lot of the same emotions as you. The first 5 days of liquids I felt completely depressed and empty inside. But now that I'm a day away from surgery I feel a little better knowing this is a new beginning for me! Remember this is the most diet restriction we will ever have, and it will only be uphill from here! In time we will be able to eat solid food again, just in a more controlled manner. I have started to see a counselor to try and deal w/ my emotions. This may be helpful to you too. I also pray and really visualize, in detail, how I will look and feel as a thinner person.

Thanks for sharing your story. I am getting banded in 2 days and sometimes I wonder if all of this is worth it. But your post made my day. I hope to be where you are a year from now. Congrats!

Yes, I had to take the same computer test and then go over my results with the psychiatrist. You have nothing to worry about it. It's all common sense.

@Lose_it LOL, burping! I'm glad the gas pains haven't been an issue. I'll have to add a heating pad to my shopping list. Definitely going to take it slow with walking. Do you feel full at all, or just like the liquid goes through you? Also - how do you know when to stop "eating"? People say fullness feels different when you have the band. I have never paid attention to if I was hungry or full.. I would just eat eat eat. So this is new to me. My surgery is on Tuesday.. ahh! @eyewonder I am still hungry all the time. It's weird -- even before I started this process, I never obsessed over food the way I have on this liquid diet. It is all I think about. Seeing commercials and restaurants makes me sad. I think once I get past the surgery and can eat again, I'll be in a better place mentally. You are right... prayer is keyl. I know that is ALL I will be doing at the hospital, and am bringing my bible.

Hey Breanne! Welcome. Our stories sound sort of similar. I'm 22 , have been larger my whole life and developed an unhealthy relationship with food when I was about 12. It's reassuring to hear that 2 years later, you're still happy with the decision to get banded. You will find lots of support here.

Hi Dawn. I know some of the feelings you're having. I'm getting banded in a couple days and one minute I'll be excited, and the next minute I wonder why I am putting myself through this. The shakes make the gag. Everything in my body wants to run to a drive-thru a sabotage myself. I am on my 9th day on liquids (1 more day to go) and I am constantly hungry too. Yes, it is torture, but the feeling of fullness isn't going to come until we are on regular foods, getting adjustments, and learning how to live with the band. Be patient with yourself because it is going to get better. Ignore the negative posts. Everyone's journey will be different and you will do this your own way. You may have started out because of your mom but it will become about you. Remember the reasons you are doing this and all the health problems you will avoid by losing weight. Message me if you ever need to vent.

Welcome! I'm still pre-op but everyone here is helpful and supportive. Feel free to message me any time.

Congrats! Glad to hear things are going well. I'm being banded in a few days.

Welcome! I'm getting banded May 8th. I definitely know where you are coming from - this is a scary but exciting road we are on. All of us are here for you, and feel free to message any time.

Girl, relax and let yourself heal. There will be plenty of time to be Superwoman after that. LOL! I am so happy that you are doing well. Have you had much gas pain? And this is probably a dumb question but... when they say walk once you get home, do they mean go for a walk outside, or just get up and do a few laps around the house? Do you find that you have an appetite like you did on the pre surgery liquids? I dread being starving for the 7+ days I have to be on liquids AFTER surgery as I was before surgery. It's reassuring to hear that you had nerves too. I am a worrier and I don't know if the reality of being on an operating table has hit me yet.

I am doing alpine punch Isopure, chocolate Pure Protein, and chocolate Oh Yeah. Some people like Myoplex and Muscle Milk as well. You can find them at The Vitamin Shoppe. Hunger and mood swings seem to be the norm. I am day 8 and its easier now because I'm so focused on surgery which is only a couple of days away. But the first few days, I wondered what the heck I was doing to myself. LOL. It sounds to me like you are still not getting in enough protein... I would give your nutritionist a call and see if you can add it 1 or 2 more protein shakes a day. Drinking lots of Water should help with headaches. Losing 7 lbs in a week is definitely possible! I have heard of people losing up to 20 lbs on the liquids alone. At least there's a silver lining right?

My understanding is that "clear liquids" is more about consistency and if you can see through the bottle/glass. Apple juice, cranberry juice, water etc. Here is my post-op diet... Day 1-7 after surgery: Clear liquids such as water, broth, apple and cranberry juice, sugar free jello, low cal sports drinks, black coffee and teas. Day 8-10: Full liquids such as tomato or cream soups, cream of wheat, greek yogurt, cal free liquids, protein drinks. Day 10-12: Pureed food such as cream of wheat, yogurts, refried beans, applesauce, pureed chicken, turkey, and tuna salad. Day 13 up until my 1 month check up: Soft foods such as chili, beans, eggs, moist meats, ground turkey, fish, deli meat, soft fruits, steamed veggies with no skin. I am going on vacation 30 days after surgery and am just praying I can be up to normal foods by then. My surgeon and nutritionist say I should be fine.

Hey Tiffanie, Thanks for your insight! I am glad youre happy with things now. A band slip sounds horrible and painful. I really need to be careful. So you had gas pain up to 6 weeks after surgery? I am going on vacation a month after mine and I hope I will feel good by then. Not ideal but i had this trip planned a year ago. What kind of foods are you able to eat now? I am on day 7 of pre op liquids and soo anxious to be able to eat real food and learn how to still live my life, but w/ the band. I have about 100 to lose. I will definitely be checking in w/ you. Buddy system helps

Hi Tiffanie! I'm 22 from MN, getting banded on Tuesday. I am nervous but excited too. How are things going for you? Feel free to message me any time. - Natalie

I know how you feel. I've gotten through all my appointments, but being 5 days away from surgery I am now having mini panic attacks about never being able to eat a whole burger (my favorite food) again, or using food to deal with my emotions, and stuff like that. I get so sad even looking at food commercials or restaurants right now. I think feeling overwhelmed is normal with a big life change, especially when we have failed at this in the past. I pray, I come on these boards, talk to my sister, play with my dog to get my mind off of it. Someone on here told me "You didn't gain this weight overnight, and you won't lose it overnight" - how true. Don't put so much pressure on yourself. There will be ups and downs and a year or two from now, you will be better for it. Also, make a list of the 20 reasons you want to lose weight. It can be anything from riding rollercoasters to avoiding health problems. I read mine when I am feeling anxious and it gets me thinking positive again. Feel free to message me any time

I am so glad everyone's surgery went well. Feel free to post your surgery day story in the "May Surgery Day Stories" thread. - Natalie

Welcome Jose! You did the right thing by reaching out to the Dr and Surgery Coordinator again. Sounds like you know where you fell down in the past and now you know what to do to get back on track. I know you will reach your goal! I am just at the start of my journey (getting banded on Tuesday) but this is a great place to find support. - Natalie

I am so happy everything went well for you today. I can't believe how quickly you got to go home! For some reason my surgeon has me staying overnight. How did the barium fluid taste? Are you feeling any hunger at this point or feeling disinterested in food?

Its such a relief to hear that, it helps to hear from someone who has gone through it. Hope to be a a success story like you a year from now. - Natalie

Congrats! 72lbs is amazing. This is encouraging. Are you still able to eat some of your favorite foods? Are you able to go out to eat with friends occasionally or is that a struggle? That's one of my biggest worries. - Natalie