daisychains7

@Gillybean I GAINED 7.5lbs once I switched from liquid to food, so consider yourself lucky. haha. Seriously though, I think this is totally normal. My surgeon said not to expect any loss for 6 weeks. And once we reach the green zone, we won't be losing more than 1-2lbs a week. So actually.. you are doing great. Avoid the scale for the next month. @whymomwhy Sounds like things are going well. @Lose_It Thats smart. I'm doing the same and no major issues. I found shredded beef in sauce worked A LOT better for me than ground beef with sauce. Easier to chew down. Its funny certain things work and certain things don't. Fish has also been very easy to eat. Well today I had my first NSV! I am going on a cruise in a week and I ordered 2 formal dresses online (one in size 18, one in a 20.. I normally wear 20). Tried it on when it arrived today and a size 18 was way too big on top! The dress is plus size so didn't even come in a 16 which I needed. I cannot wait til I am out of plus size entirely, but for now... this feels pretty good Here was my day: Breakfast - 1/4cup yogurt (I noticed my band was really tight this morning) snack - 8oz milk lunch - 1/3cup shredded beef, 1/4cup peaches, 2 small pieces of broccoli Snack - 8oz milk dinner - 1/2cup chicken noodle soup Snack - 8oz milk Exercise - did 30 minutes on the elliptical, some arm raises with 5 lb weights, and leg stretches.

I have always thought cherry blossoms and koi fish were beautiful because of what they symbolize.

Glad you are feeling better! Well I'm proud of myself... I survived a family dinner at ruby Tuesday's. I ordered the Blackened tilapia w/ mango salsa and got steamed broccoli and tomatoes for my side. I put about a cup of it on a small plate, took tiny bites from that and got through 3/4 of it. Now I have tons of leftovers. Here's what I ate today... Breakfast - 2/3cup peach yogurt snack - 8oz milk lunch - 1/3cup tuna w/ a tbsp light mayo, 1/4cup mango Snack - Water Dinner - 1/2 cup tilapia, 1/4 cup veggies Snack - 8oz milk Walked around the mall for 20 minutes as exercise. Does that count? Lol. Seeing my personal trainer for a workout tomorrow. I noticed today I got full on about half the amount of food I'd been eating this week. Not sure what's up with that, but I'm listening to my body

Did they send you home with anti nausea meds? That helped me a lot the first few days. You just had a major surgery 5 days ago and your bowels are going to be moving slow for a while. Try peppermint tea. I would call the Dr about the vomiting just to be safe. Its been three weeks since my surgery but every few days I have a brief low moment where I wonder what I did to myself. Try to remember the first 6 weeks is for healing. Life with the band will not be like this forever.

Just remember if you have the self control to do this and follow the rules, you can do anything.

You will be totally fine. There will be some pain for the first few days but it's not unbearable. Get a heating pad and take the pain meds on schedule. Before you know it, it'll be a distant memory.

Trust me, the wonderful drugs they give you will erase all of your cramps. LOL! I had surgery a few weeks ago. There are rough days but overall totally worth it for the outcome. I'm sure you will do great.

That's great Debbie! I have always used food to deal with family stress and it's hard to learn a different way. You did great! Ok ladies. I am going to TGI Fridays and Red Lobster next week. I don't want to, but we have family in town and I can't get out of it. Any suggestions on what to order? I'm a bit stumped because it has to be healthy AND a soft texture. I'm trying to avoid Soups as it goes right through my band. Didn't exercise today... Yell at me for it. It was pure laziness. Next week I am determined to do 5 days a week of exercise, even if just 20 minutes each day. Feeling a bit discouraged cuz my belly looks to be expanding. Lol. Literally look 9 months pregnant overnight! Why is this?! Here's what I ate today: Breakfast - 2/3cup strawberry greek yogurt lunch - 1/4cup tilapia, 1/4cup steamed veggies snack - 1/2cup Greek yogurt dinner - 1/4cup deli turkey, 1tbsp hummus, 1/4cup mandarin oranges, 1 tsp laughing cow cheese Snack - tea with almond milk And Water. A bit sick of the yogurts. May try some tuna w/ light mayo tomorrow or oatmeal.

Tried some tonight. I didn't love it but I just tried the plain kind. I've only ever had cream cheese in cheesecake (lol guess we know why I need the band huh?). The weekend went ok for me but I have family visiting and we are going to TGI Fridays tomorrow then Red Lobster on Thursday. I know I won't be able to eat more than a cup at either but I'm scared of making the wrong food choice.. Especially since I have gained weight the past week (despite following the rules). I am soft foods so I think very saucy chicken, fish or shrimp with steamed veggies will be ok. How is it going for you? Hmm... No I am not on any meds anymore, just Vitamins. I am on soft foods, so my Dr has ok'd me to eat soft veggies and ground/shredded meats with sauce on them. Of course I have to chew chew chew. My energy has been better since getting off liquids but still not where it used to be. Next week I am determined to exercise 5 days again.

Tammy, I'm going to try that laughing cow cheese. A trip to the grocery store is in order. May also do saucy pulled pork in my crockpot next week and see how that goes. I'm pretty bored of ground turkey and fish. So glad I'm not the only one. I intended to workout today but just feel wiped. Monday is a fresh start and new routine!

Before i got this surgery I made a long list of things I want to do after I lose the weight. For example, I want to be able to shop at regular stores, try parasailing and surfing, take a dance class, fit comfortably in an airline seat, walk into a room and feel sexy, ride roller coasters and buy lingerie at Victorias Secret. I want to be healthy. I want to get rid of this back pain and avoid the diabetes that plagues the obese members of my family. I want to be the star of my life instead of sitting in the background. I refuse to waste another year of my 20's missing out on things because of my size. I've only been banded near three weeks now but I believe the ups and downs will be worth it.

When I knew I was getting banded I started a consistent routine, 5 days a week and joined a gym. I was doing Zumba and dance classes. Since I started the liquid diet I had no energy.. Two weeks post op I feel so out of the swing of things. Getting back on track today! The band isn't going to do the work for me

I love this thread! I had a really great routine before surgery so my plan is to resume that. Just wish my energy was what it was before surgery 2 days a week I meet with a personal trainer for 1 hour. I do elliptical and weights with her. The other 3 days, I will exercise for at least 30 minutes. I have an elliptical at home, so it will either be that, wii fit (I LOVE my MJ experience dance game), walk or workout DVD. I used to go to Zumba every Monday night so my goal is to resume some type of exercise class in June.

Are you not eating because you can't get/keep food down, or because you dont feel hungry? I'm worried.... You have to eat something! It may help to go back to easy foods like yogurt and have 1/4 cup at a time. Welcome! Hey Debbie. Sounds like you did well today! I've been off painkillers for a week now. I think part of it is not being active for a few weeks. Got to build my stamina again. I also have dealt w/ depression in the past which effects my energy level. Ok just checking in, here was my day: Breakfast - 1/2cup yogurt, 1/4 cup berries snack - 8oz skim milk lunch - 1/4 cup mango, 1/4 cup yogurt, 1/4 cup ground beef (don't recommend this... No matter how much sauce I put on the beef it was still hard to chew down) Snack - tea with skim milk dinner - 1/2 cup tilapia, 1/4 cup steamed carrots, and few noodles of macaroni Snack - 8oz skim milk Went on a 15 minute walk with my dog today. I know that's not much but it felt SO good to move and get fresh air. Tomorrow I will go to the gym.

It sounds like you are doing great! I am glad I'm not the only one going through this. I got a little discouraged this week when I saw I had gained nearly 8lbs in the space of a few days - despite following the guidelines for soft foods. Have not cheated once so I was shocked. We have to remember this is a marathon, not a sprint. The first 4-6 weeks are for healing, and then the real loss begins Plus, once we are healed up and able to exercise more, that'll help.

I'm right there with you. Banded on 5/8, lost about 12 lbs in two weeks. Then I weighed myself a few days ago after switching to soft foods and I had GAINED 7.5 lbs. I know I've been following the rules, so I can't beat myself up about it. Focus on eating the right foods and step away from the scale for a few weeks.

Very true. I think I need to go to the grocery store to find more soft foods. I need more variety than ground meat, canned fruit and yogurt. Anyone have suggestions? Also I discovered today that ground beef isn't a great choice for me. I didn't get stuck, but even with a ton of sauce it's still pretty tough to chew down. Fish, turkey and chicken go down easier. I really don't enjoy eating the way I used to... chewing something into mush isn't very tasty. lol.

LOL! Get it girl!

Hey Beth! Congrats on starting your journey I'm 22 and was recently banded. There have already been ups and downs but I can't wait for the new me. Lots of support here!

18 days post op now. My pain is pretty much all gone but I'm scared to sleep completely on my side. lol. I feel like I need to start working on my exercise now. Before surgery I was working out 40 minutes 5 days a week. I was doing elliptical and zumba class. Now it's like I have very little stamina or endurance. Walking a few blocks makes me tired. I went for a 15 minute walk with my dog today. Is this normal, or do I need to push it more?

LOL!! That's hilarious!

You're not crazy... just prepared! Not a bad thing. I'd also suggest giving up carbonated beverages, and start doing some light exercise if you are able. Sounds like you are right on track so just keep doing what you're doing. Wish you the best on your journey.

Interesting question. Curious to see how everyone's fullness feels. When I was on liquids, I knew I was full when I felt bloated. I would also get pain on my left side. Now that I'm eating food, it feels different. Feels like my chest is full. I can kind of feel the food sitting in there, and I know if I keep eating it will "overflow". I also may burp a couple times. I have only been "stuck" once so far. That was a painful, deep pressure like a rock stuck in my chest. I am sticking to measuring my food for now, never going above 1 cup total. I have never been good at listening to my body... in the past I would eat when I wasn't even hungry, and would continue eating even after I was full. This is so new to me, that i hope it becomes more obvious after I get fills.

How did you prepare the chicken? Maybe with some marinade or sauce on it it will go down better? I have only had issues with refried Beans so far, but it was pretty unpleasant. A lot of moving and a glass of pineapple juice to break it up were the only things that helped! Here was my day: Breakfast - 1/2 cup yogurt, 1/4 cup banana snack - 8oz milk Lunch - 1/4 cup kiwi, 1/4 cup cheesy broccolli, 1/2 cup shredded chicken dinner - 1/2 cup yogurt, 1/4 cup shredded chicken Snack - 8oz tea with skim milk I will probably have another 8oz milk before bed. Didn't do any exercise but I need to step it up this weekend. I am going to try ground beef with taco seasoning, or maybe shredded pork in the crockpot. I am getting pretty tired of eating the same foods all the time. Do you guys think baby bell light cheese (in tiny pieces) counts as a soft food? I am lactose intolerant so have never tried that cheese before.