Pebbagirl

YUM on the chili idea!!! Thanks.

Don't know where I heard this, but it stuck with me. Prepare your plate as you would for a four year old. Healthy four year olds don't eat much at all!

Don't know where I heard this, but it stuck with me. Prepare your plate as you would for a four year old. Healthy four year olds don't eat much at all!

I just want to say hang in there. You've been through a lot, but just keep on keeping on. I'm sorry you're going through this.

I am 6 days post surgery and substantially less bloated.

You are definitely not alone! I am single and my parents are out of town. I wa banded Thursday. Sitting in my bed right now eating watery, runny oatmeal (doc said it was ok) and waiting on a friend to bring me a thermometer. Luckily, I haven't had the horrible gas pains but I've had fever and body aches. Hot showers, heating pad, liquid Tylenol, walking (just in case), and SF hot cocoa are what's getting me through. I've had "what have I done" moments but keep reminding myself I WILL get past this and it WILL be worth it. Your attitude determines your altitude, so stay positive. These days are very temporary.

You might look at www.shrinkyourself.com. I'm a huge fan of it and it has helped me change my emotional eating habits so much.

Thanks to all the stuff you experienced bandsters have said, I totally "get it" that the first few months are for healing, not losing. Y'all have made it very clear not to expect any weight loss for a few weeks. I'm 4 days post op, only able to consume a max of 100 calories a day (not hungry/can't eat), and will not get on a scale until I go back for my 2-week follow up appointment.

Another post op question. I was banded 3 days ago. Sometimes it's hard to get a deep breath and when I do, I audibly suck in air. Normal?

I had surgery this past Thursday, 12/6. Per instructions, I'm having clear and full liquids but mostly clear. I'm burping a lot; is this normal?

It's helpful to hear everyone say swelling is ok. Thanks!

You should have some post-op paperwork that addresses suture leakage. I'd refer to that and follow what it says.

Banded yesterday, 12/6. No pain yesterday or this morning but sutures are sore this evening and lower belly is distended. Ow! Back hurts too. Hoping tomorrow will be better.

Banded this morning at 7:30, about 12 hours ago now. Feeling pretty good but may be because of pain meds DURING surgery. No shoulder pain at all but I've been walking LOTS. Throat is sore and I've found that a SF throat lozenge helps. Belly and back are sore, like I've had a good workout and have been doing sit ups, so nothing unbearable. I have felt hungry for real food since 7 hours after surgery. Drank about 1 cup chicken broth 10 hours post surgery and did it over the course of an hour. I have been VERY groggy and sleepy all day. Wasnt fully awake and coherent until 10 hours post. My funny of the day: when my recovery nurse woke me up telling me to take a deep breath, I opened my eyes and said, "Am I skinny yet?" I was prescribed pain and anti-nausea meds and haven't needed either. SO happy I'm banded!

Interesting tidbit: my surgeon says that diet soda IS okay, so much so that the Christmas tree in his office is decorated with tiny Diet Coke can ornaments! Hmmmm...

For myself and all other 12/6/12 Bandsters: You're off to Great Places, today is your day. Your mountain is waiting, so get on your way!

For myself and all other 12/6/12 Bandsters: You're off to Great Places, today is your day. Your mountain is waiting, so get on your way!

For myself and all other 12/6/12 Bandsters: You're off to Great Places, today is your day. Your mountain is waiting, so get on your way!

What carolinagirl said!

What a disappointment. This is a time when you have to believe that everything happens for a reason.

I guess it depends on what kind of protein shake it is and what's in it. There's no way mine are empty calories!

You said you're an emotional eater. Check out shrinkyourself.com. I have been using it for 8 weeks (it's a 12-week program) and have learned so much about my emotional eating and how to change my behaviors.

Speaking of blenders, I'm a big believer that having a good one can make all the difference. I've heard wonderful things about the Vitamix but it's super expensive at around $400 and up! A friend of mine who has a Vitamix suggested I get the Ninja because she had heard great things about it. I found one at Costco for about $100. I always add ice and usually raw spinach to my protein smoothies and it chops both up great, so fine that I can't tell there's spinach in it.

I think I've asked this before but I can't find it anywhere. I own my own business and have a super heavy travel schedule, which also means having a super heavy "at-home" time. I will have 9 weeks off after surgery but then I'll be gone for 8 weeks. Surgery is 12/5, first fill will be around 1/16 and second fill around 1/30. I will leave town for the 8 weeks immediately after that second fill and am not planning on being home during that time. My doc's office keeps telling me that it's fine to be gone that long and not get my 3rd fill until I get back, but I'm starting to worry that I WILL need a 3rd and maybe even a 4th fill during those 8 weeks. Should I plan on flying home to get those fills or just "tough it out" for 2 months? As a side note, they will prepare an "emergency unfill kit" (whatever that is) to carry with me and direct me to a local surgeon in the area where I'll be in the event that I need an unfill.

I use CytoSport 100% Whey protein vanilla but I think they have chocolate. Upon the advice of Cheznoel, I now make it with 6 oz unsweetened almond milk which thickens it up. I also add a tablespoon of SF FF jello instant pudding (chocolate), a packet of splenda and some crushed ice. The pudding does add about 35 calories and 8 carbs but between the pudding and the milk, the thing tastes like chocolate milk and I can get it down. In fact it's yummy! Also, when you're not so carb restricted you can add some frozen fruit which is super yum.