scorrea

Good for you to be back at work! I was banded on June 19th. I started at 252 at 5'2. I have not had a fill yet and at my last dr appt I was down to 242! I know I have gained at least 2 pounds back since that weigh in, but I am ok with that. I have finally gotten it through my thick head that this is a process. It will not happen overnight. I spent my whole life eating bad and its natural for me to continue to do so, it is hard for me to think before I eat. Tonight we went to a restaurant and I had a small portion of food, I was so proud of myself! Even my normal waitress noticed I ordered just a salad with some protein on it. She was like " that's it?" I smiled and said yes! It was a victory for me! Welcome to this journey.. I dont have all of the answers, probably not even half, but you can always reach out to me! Stephanie

I had the same problem, the liquids were killing me and every doc seems to be different. I think the reasons are all different. The basis for all post op is the same, but the time lines seem to be different. I understand cheating, yes I did too. I felt horrible for it and felt I ruined everything! I came clean to my doc and he told me at my post op visit that I probably didnt do any harm with what I ate, just to start doing what he said now. I trust my doctor, if you have any questions about what you should be eating, call your doc! My doc permitted me, after the clear liquid stage, when I was on just liquids to have a scrambled egg, just one, to keep me from shaking and headaches from hunger. Not all people agreed with me or my doc. I listened to him and used my head! You will get through this! It feels like it will never end right now, but it does! I felt the same way! Good luck and keep your head up!

I have the same problem. Its hard not to eat! It is pure willpower and if we were good at that we would not be in this position in the first place!! My doctor did not give me limits on what to eat, like a cup or half a cup, just to use my head. Eat Proteins first, try to stay full and cut out the junk. I have tried to keep as much to it as I can, I have been pretty successful, but not perfect. It will get better after we get fills!! We just need to make it there first! Good luck!!

Ok, I need help here. I am hoping someone has had something like this and can explain it to me. Day before yesterday this started. Its a weird feeling I get where my port is, a kind of throb, like a heartbeat. Not painful at all, just feels weird. I can easily touch my port through my skin... I am not sure what is going on. I am almost 4 weeks post op, still too soon for a fill. Up until now, nothing has bothered me at all. No food issues whatsoever. It is not a constant feeling either, it comes and goes. Like I said it just feels weird. It does not seem to happen with any certain movement, more random like. Please, does anyone have any ideas? I cannot reach my doctor tonight over this. I dont think its emergent. I appreciate any help I can get. Stephanie

I am in the same spot too. I lost some weight 2 weeks after surgery, but now that I am on regular foods, hunger is an issue. I have not had a fill yet, so no restriction.. means hunger and wanting to eat. I am trying to make better choices. I am a night eater.. a horrible thing.. still havent stopped completely, but I have cut it down and have brought better foods into the house for me to eat. It is hard. I have to think about not beating myself up over it. I didnt gain all this weight in a few weeks, so I know I am not going to lose it that quick either. My habits are 40 years old! They need time to change too! Good luck and it will get easier!!

I only took my pain meds the day I came home from surgery. I went to Aleve the next day and was completely off any pain med within 48 hours of surgery. I do not know if this is the norm, for me it was not. I hope you are feeling better!

Mind you, I have not had a fill yet, so I was more open than most.. you guys all did really great! I had no Breakfast (I know bad... I need to break that habit!) Lunch: a few roasted Littleneck clams Dinner: 2 small chunks of chicken off of a skewer with a grilled piece of pepper and onion, 2tbspn of cole slaw, 2tbspn of potato salad Dessert: one cheesecake filled fresh strawberry and I was full! I have no restriction yet, so this is great for me. I would have been able to eat all those clams and at least one if not one and a half, skewers of food! Oh wait, cannot forget the glass of pineapple lemonade sangria! It was good!! Water after that though

I also have colitis and Celiac's disease and feel the same way you do. The life of giving up wheat, oats, rye and barely, not a biggie. Restricting dairy for sake of colitis? nada! Gaining control of eating what I can so not to be overweight??? I struggle! Why? I have no idea! I have always been overweight. I have been gluten free for 7 years, in fact my whole house is gluten free (just to keep mommy safe) and I am happy as a clam! I do not understand this! self sabotage? I want you to know you are not alone on your restrictions diet. GF, calorie and carb reduced with little dairy is doable. I just need to figure it all out. Good luck to you! Stephanie

I have this pain below my left ribcage and thru my back. Could it be just gas again? could it be something worse like a slip? I was banded on June 19th. I saw dr today but it really wasnt bothering me then. Now it is and I am getting nervous. I am not having any trouble eating or drinking either. Am I just worrying? I appreciate any help

I did 7 days worth of liquids before the surgery. It seems doctors are different and have different views on how long to be on liquids before. I found a protein shake that worked for me, that took a few trials and errors.. and stuck to Herb ox bouillion for soups. It was not easy. I wont lie to you! I know most people on here that I have read struggled a bit with that part. I am sure you can read on here what others did too to get through the liquids phase. I was allowed to have a scrambled egg or a yogurt if the hunger got too bad and I shook or got really bad headaches, which I did. I am a size 22 now and I want to be a 14/16. I am excited for this journey, for this change in my life. I have always been overweight and I am ready to have some control! Wishing you the best!

I had my first post op appointment today, 2 weeks after my surgery. Doctor is very happy with my healing and progress! I have lost 10 pounds since my surgery and I am thrilled! I know it may not stay that way, but I am happy for now. My insicions are all healing well. I was given full clearance to resume all normal activity. He is happy with my eating, except he does not want me on protein shakes any more. He wants me to introduce a bit more things to my diet, different types of food.. slowly and carefully. I told him about my mistakes, he was very supportive. (I swallowed 3 pills at the same time!, down from my usual 8, but still) I tried the bread route too, I know, I have read here how its not good, but I guess I had to try for myself. It wasnt too bad, but not worth the yuck feeling for now. Even gluten free bread. Lots of postive feedback and I see him again in 4 weeks for a fill! Stephanie

Thanks Tina, nice post. I was doing exactly that last night, beating myself up. I am in bandster hell right now and didnt make the best choices last night. I fell into my old habit of eating during the night (yes, I know... bad!) and I feel horrible today! I am trying to chalk it up to I have 40 years to unlearn. Its hard to do. I did better today, I am determined to do better tonight. One night at a time!

Thank you for this post! Wow! This is more along the lines that I have heard of people who have had the band and have done just what you have. I joined this site and feel afraid of every last thing I put in my mouth! I had a piece of fruit today by the pool with my family and freaked! It wasnt protein, It was not because I was hungry, it was for the joy of the sweetness of pure summer fruit. I did not eat too much, I have not even had a first fill yet, I am entering bander hell, as they say. It was pure heaven! I love fruit! I love veggies! If you say that to the wrong person on here, it can come back at you so fast! I appreciate your honesty. I still follow my doctors directions... not everyone elses doctors. They are not all the same, it does not mean mine is wrong. It does not mean there's is wrong. Its a journey... I am just beginning. I wish all the best to everyone... and I hope they do to me too. Again, thank you for this post... It has given me some hope that I have lost recently.

I am too, new at this and have had the same feelings. I think they are completely normal. I still lay in bed at night and wonder! Keep your head up and know this is the best thing we could have done for ourselves and how much healthier we will be in the end!! Good luck!

My doctor also told me that it was a safe surgery. Well with the usual risks that surgery does entail. We are much more likely to develop health issues if we do not lose the weight. I was also told how many years I would be adding onto my life by doing this. Know the risks, do your homework, it still is a bit nerve wracking, but when you are sure, you will know what the best choice is for yourself. Good luck!!

I used Herb Ox chicken and beef broth and shakes mainly. I am not a fan of jello at all and popsicles are not the greatest either for me. I also drank water as much as possible and unsweetened iced tea. Good luck!

My journey seems to be different than a lot on here. From my first consult with a surgeon about the surgery, I had about 3 months to surgery. It took a while to get appointments with the other doc's I see to get clearance for surgery, then I scheduled. That was it. I had to see my gastro, a therapist, a nutritionist and a pulmonologist. and have an EKG and a swallow study done. Once I was done, my surgeon put the paperwork into my insurance and they approved it within 3 days and I scheduled surgery. I did have to prove that I struggled with my weight my whole life, that was through regular doc sending a letter to insurance. I was one of the people that did not have to lose any weight prior to surgery, I am not sure why this is. I think everyone's journey is a bit different, as is every doctor. My doc did say not to worry about the extra skin as we are losing so much slower it wouldnt be such an issue also. Good luck on your journey!!!

Thank you! Nice to see some positive things!

Thank you!

Can someone tell me what is being referred to when "PB" is being used? Thanks!

I was also banded on the 19th, I am permitted to be on mushies now though. I know all doc's are different. I was starving myself from the second day after surgery! Doc said my body would tell me when I was ready to move up to the next stage. I do not think its strange, hope you feel better soon! Stephanie

Congrats!

Hi all, since my surgery I have found this site to be a plethora of information. These feelings I am having now started really bad yesterday. I feel scared. I read so many horrible things that have happened to people because of this band, I am afraid I will have complications. How will I know if my band is slipping? My mind is running with these questions and I am scared. I was nervous before the surgery, but this is crazy, I am wondering should I just get it out? Has anyone else had these feelings? Are they normal? Do they go away as you progress? I am still so new at this. I just started mushy foods today and finally feel some relief in my stomach from the hunger! I appreciate any input

Thank you!

I have seen all over this site the phrase "slider food" mentioned. Can someone please tell me what it means?