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Welcome - this site and the people who contribute are fabulous. Stick around! And good luck with your band

Sorry if I sound dumb but does that mean after a fill it gets even harder to eat?

Where did you find unflavored protein powder? For a little extra I've been adding that special k protein powder to some of my water - it's 5 grams which helps a little.

Not there but now I'm going to look for that in a year or so!

When I'm hungry I've found my tummy starts growling. I make myself a cup, eat slowly taking about 20 minutes and I can feel and hear the growling is gone long before I finish. I usually stop and don't eat the whole up. To me that's being full. I have noticed if I eat the whole cup I end up burping after - so maybe that's along the hiccups line? Only twice have I finished the whole thing.

I'm not sure what your dr. told you to expect but mine was very clear that the weight loss comes after you get into the green zone - which is after some fills. They talked about I'd lose some weight with the pre and post op diets but it's more about the shock to your body than it is about actual changes, at least that's what I understand. I've lost 20 pounds so I started. I was banded the 29th. My dr. was very pleased with my loss at my two week follow up but also told me again that this part of the journey is the "healing" part and NOT to expect weight loss. I think we all get it in our head that this is a magical tool. It isn't. And it's not gastric bypass which has a lot faster rate too. We're supposed to expect 1-2 pounds loss a week and that's AFTER we're in the green zone. I'm there with you, please don't think I'm ragging on you - I made the mistake of weighing myself and I'm the exact same as last week. Don't know if I go up and down or not 'cause I don't do it daily BUT I've been discouraged ever since. Telling you what I tell myself and everyone else - don't give up and IT WILL COME. Hang in there. Stop weighing yourself. Stop obsessing (if you can, I know we all do). And heal - and after a fill or two or three, we'll all start seeing it slip away. If we do this right, it WILL work. Good luck.

I guess I assumed if it's worth cheating it was worth cheating for something good - I did mention whatever among the food choices I listed in my original post since I was just guessing. I also actually cared about how she was doing so I hope she'll come back to this thread and update us.

Is it possible you need a little more calories a day? Like 1200 or so? I don't know I just haven't heard much about going under that and how it might affect a person.

I keep looking at it as a few weeks (or month?) of terrible in order for a lifetime of happiness. Hang in there and we're always here for you - I'm going through it too, just 2 weeks post surgery but also ready for real food . Doing what it takes though for that lifetime to become now... it's nearly here. Hang in there.

VERY good point. My dr. stopped one of my bp meds the day after surgery and said I don't think you'll need this. I was SO worried about it but should've trusted him because he was right - now I'm down to one and looking forward to waving it goodbye too. Smart post, thanks for sharing!!

It's just so varied. Some peeps never get a fill - I've noticed at least one girl here who hasn't had one. Some say six. I guess the average would be 3-4? It's just all so personal and the bands are so different. Don't give up hope - you'll get there. We all will.

I have to keep reminding myself you can't have faith and fear at the same time. They don't go hand in hand. Why don't you just chose to have faith in yourself, faith in your band, and let go of the fear? Sounds like a better path to me. Yes I know that's easier said than done. But just choose and then go to work on your choice. You've lost 25 pounds. That's amazing!!! You can lose the next 25 I know you can. Now you just need to know you can . Best of luck to you.

Congrats!! Never knew mushies could be so yum

I personally think it's going to take a long time to be at the "worth it" part of it. I went back to work today and I sit so I didn't think it would be bad- man I ached when I got home. My stupid uniform pants hit right on my incisions and they were so sore too. I kept thinking UGH. And I'm so wanting to eat real food - just craving salad, veggies, things I can't yet have on mushies... but I know it's going to be worth it somehow. I have some irl friends on the other side, years out, and they have ALL lost substantial weight so I have to believe I will too. Not that easy when I haven't lost much weight at all in the last few weeks (but down 20 since pre op diet so that's something) but trying not to get discouraged. Think of the good, think of the positive, think of the future with hope. Best of luck to you.

We can keep in touch if you want to - I'm always looking for someone to talk to about things . For me, I put the scale away I really did so I won't worry too much. I figure at least until I'm in the green zone it's good enough for me to wait until the dr. tells me my weight so I don't feel too bad - plus it motivates me to be good so HE won't be unhappy with me either . We can do this. I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

My hubby was the only one. My dad knows now because I asked him for a father's blessing before I had surgery. I figure I'll tell my sisters eventually and don't plan to lie but I'm not shouting it either just will wait for people to ask and when they do I'll be honest. I'm kind of nervous for peeps to find out, I don't know why.

kwood I was just wondering how your surgery went. Hope it went well.

I am so excited about my band and the life changes it is helping me make. I hope you have the same success and happiness - sounds like you have the right attitude for it. Don't worry about the downers, just look at the good side. There can always be something go wrong but there an always be something go right too - just take it as it comes. My one big fear was that I'd die during surgery and when I told my doc he laughed and said don't worry - and now I'm a few weeks out and here I still am. I like glass half full attitude - it's a great way to live!

You'll make great friends on this board if you stick around, talk a lot, get to know people. We are all here for each other. PS you will have some results in a few weeks but there will be weeks you won't - don't get discouraged, just keep trucking along.

The lap band will be a wonderful tool but it is just that - a tool. You have to be committed and want to change your life - practicing before you ever get to the band is a good way to know whether or not you're willing to do what it takes. I've seen several MISERABLE banded people who aren't willing to do what they said they would when they got banded. You can do it - follow his advice. Start over and STICK with it for awhile and I bet you'll get great results.

I third what the others said. Congrats on your decision though! Maybe the clinic doing yours will have good ideas about where to go in the States for fills, etc.?

Sounds like we're right the same - my first fill is Aug 1st. You're doing it all right and this is going to be a great journey

It is worth keeping. Remember all the reasons you got it in the first place when you're feeling discouraged. Sounds like I'm about a week behind you and I'm trying to get used to the no drinking with meals. This place is a great place for support. I know we can do this and in the long term it WILL be worth it. One day at a time, one foot in front of the other and a year from now I bet we'll look back on this and smile and help all the next year newbies along. Good luck and be gentle with yourself.

I'm a few weeks post op and my dr. told me definitely NOT to expect any weight loss right now - he called this the healing part of the diet/band. He said it will come soon enough and that after we get into the green zone is when we'll really hit it. Try not to feel too discouraged - this isn't a sprint, it's a lifelong race but we can do it. YOU can do it. Hang in there and it will come.

I would love a good support system too. Please try not to get discouraged - remember this isn't bypass, it isn't a quick fix but it can be a lifelong one. And many people have mentioned it takes several fills to get restriction... I know that's so frustrating but keep up the good work and the results WILL come.