daisychains7

I will give you guys struggling through the pre op diet hope: It is SO much easier after surgery to follow the liquid diet. You will have no interest in food for a few days, and once you do, knowing you would be physically ill if you eat solid food makes it a heck of a lot easier to avoid. Please hang in there because it will get easier soon.

Hi Maeg! I am only 11 days post op, so I'm learning as I go along too. But I did do a lot of research before i decided on the band. The first thing I did was go to a lapband information session at the hospital. You should be able to find one near you. My insurance needed me to have a certain BMI to qualify, get tests done, meet with a physical therapist, psychologist and bariatric doctor, as well as go on a 6 month medically supervised diet. I also chose to go to a bariatric surgery support group to educate myself. Its not as overwhelming as it sounds. Go to an information session locally, call your insurance co to see what you need to do to qualify. The bariatric team at your clinic will guide you through it and give you all needed info.

Ok Debbie, I will post here on Monday to say how i did that day. I haven't exercised more than short walks since being banded, so I need to go back to the gym Monday. I am progressing to mashed/soft foods tomorrow and had a little stuck incident w/ beans yesterday, so I really need someone to talk to as I am introducing new foods.

My doctor said the exact same thing. I had lost 20lbs on the pre op diet.. I'm 11 days post op and have only lost 3lbs since I was banded. I guess I expected big numbers. But I'm trying to be realistic, avoid the scale and focus on learning to eat right for my band as opposed to a number.

I am so happy everything went smoothly for you on surgery day. I too was amazed by how much I rely on my abdomen to get up and down! I didn't have any interest in food the first few days so I think that's normal. Congrats on being banded!

Ok, i was banded 11 days ago and other than the normal pain and nausea, had no issue until yesterday. I am on puréed foods for another day, and I stupidly had refried Beans without measuring how much I was eating, barely chewed, then had apple sauce. Was fine for an hour and then I felt like there was a rock in my chest. It hurt so bad but I was still able to get Water down. Woke up today, felt better except for tiny amount of pressure in the chest. I have done tons of walking today, and had 1/2 cup apple sauce eating VERY slowly. I've had water and milk. Now a bit of the pressure is back and every time I have water I burp, and it hurts. It gurgles in my chest. I'm so frustrated. Is this normal when you first have the band. When you get stuck or have an "oops" with food, how long til things feel clear again?

Well, it took me an hour but I was able to eat a whole 1/2 cup of applesauce! I don't feel like I've overeaten but did burp a few times after. I can't wait to have soft foods tomorrow but no clue how I will have 1 cup. Hah. Has anyone started mashed/soft yet?

I'm on pureed foods right now. Tomorrow I start mashed/soft foods. Excited but nervous for that. I'm not quite able to have 1 cup of food in a sitting yet, or maybe I just need to eat WAY slower. When I ate 3/4 cup refried beans and 1/4 cup apple sauce yesterday I think I got stuck. I haven't been chewing cuz all the food is mushie

Is anyone else having really thick saliva? I've been having this issue since the day of surgery 11 days ago. I am drinking lots of water and brushing my teeth 3x a day and it doesn't help. My tongue remains yellow (that's the color my vitamin dissolves into). Please someone say this isn't just me??

THANK YOU! I was burping a lot, putting my arms up and beating my chest. The pressure is a waaay better this a.m.... Almost all, though not totally gone. How long does this feeling usually last? I thought I was being careful when eating, but I guess not.

Congrats to all banded in the past few days. I think I am having my first "stuck" episode or something close to it. I had refried beans (about 1/2 cup) and apple sauce (1/4 cup) about 4 hours ago. I don't know if I ate too much, or too fast, but I feel like there is a rock in my chest that won't go away. It won't budge. I've been walking & sipping water for a couple hours and it's not flowing through as easily. Help!! Has anyone experienced this yet?? I can't tell when I am hungry or full yet, and I have been eyeball measuring my food... Stupid me. I am using 1/2 cup measuring cups starting tomorrow and timing myself. I start soft foods on Sunday and I'm worried.

Going to the mall w/ my sister tonight. Checked the nutrition facts and I will probably get one of the jamba juice light smoothies w/ soy protein for dinner. 170 cals and 14g protein for the smallest size.. I dont think ill be able to have more than half. I'm on mushies. Those of you on mushies, how long are you staying full for? I don't think I stay full for more than 1 or at most 2 hours at a time. my band has no fluid in it yet tho.

So glad it went well. Yay!

This is a great idea, Debbie! I would be up for even just having a thread where we check in nightly with each other. I think the next few months will be a challenge, trying to find what foods work and proper restriction.. and I need all the support I can get. Even though I am 100% happy I got banded, I have a lot of mixed emotions and confusion about the best way for ME to live with the band. I see many posts in the regular section about "shoulds" and "can'ts".... that stresses me out instead of making me feel excited for this journey. I want to get control of my emotional eating and my food choices, without feeling deprived. I also want to stay motivated to exercise 5 days a week. I am going to start attending the support group at the hospital every month, but I think it would help to check in here every day too. Let me know.

Welcome Becky! I'm 22 and was banded 10 days ago. I figure it is best to do this while we are young. There are going to be ups and downs, but it feels so good to be taking control of my life for a change. You'll find lots of great tips and support here.

My surgeon said not to expect any weight loss in the first 4-6 weeks, since the body is still in the healing stage. But I'm sure everyone is different.

It sounds like the student doctor will be doing the procedure, while the surgeon supervises him. I am sure this student doctor is good, and knowledgeable, but I don't think I'd be comfortable with someone that new operating on me either. I would want only the best. If you're not comfortable, do not hesitate to say so. It's your right.

Nothing to be nervous about. youll do great. the surgery is over as soon as you know it and you'll be feeling great again in no time. When you're up to it, post and let us know how it went.

I am so happy your surgery days went smoothly, Manda and Sabrina! After the first few days the pain gets so much better. Congrats on being on the other side.

Yay!! I started my mushies yesterday. Applesauce never tasted so good. Does oatmeal if it's thin count as mushies? I really want some today. I'll keep you in my thoughts today. I am extremely afraid of needles too but other than Heparin shot (which was VERY quick) nothing hurt. You will come out of surgery so glad you got it over with

I started puréed foods today, I've been having Greek yogurt, applesauce, refried Beans w/ taco sauce, and a smoothie (handful of berries, some skim milk, and Protein powder). I'm really anxious to move to soft foods. Does oatmeal count as a puréed food?

Well today I started my mushies. I've had tea w/ milk, applesauce, refried beans w/ salsa. I am sipping on a smoothie (raspberries, blueberries, Lactaid free milk, and protein powder). The beans are thick but I haven't had any issues or nausea yet, so I'm happy. Has anyone had an stuck issues yet? That's what I'm most scared of.

Great job, Joel. That's incredible! What's your secret? Have you completely changed what you eat, just less portions, or both? What exercise do you do? Hope to be in your shoes one day

Hang in there girl. The bloating and pain gets a lot better. As a lactose intolerant person, I have a challenge getting Protein in because anything w/ a milky consistency makes me want to puke. I'm just doing my best until I get to soft foods and normal foods.

Wow, that is amazing!! Congrats on all you have accomplished.