gowalking

have you had any fills yet? I'm so afraid of one of those 'stuck' episodes that I'm afraid to get a fill.

I drank thicker soups rather than just broth. I found that satisfied me more.

Excellent!! That's a huge step...one I haven't made yet. It's all about living with the band, and incorporating it into our lives. I go back to work tomorrow since I had the surgery and am nervous about that first lunch with the girls....

Oh R-Sheryl....that has me so worried...getting 'stuck' and throwing up. I'm not even sure that I want any fills because of that. I know...then it's just another diet..but avoiding getting stuck is quite a deterrent in my opinion.

I'm ok with the sugar free puddings and pops but here's another suggestion...sugar free jello (which tastes an awful lot like regular) with lite cool whip...just a little...about a tablespoon. the jello is only 10 calories and the cool whip about 30 or so. I found that to help with snacks and to satisfy the sweet tooth.

I had my first BM issue this morning. Felt very constipated even though I went a little yesterday. Was bloated and it was also causing issues when urinating...felt like i couldn't empty my bladder. Realized I was not drinking enough so more water today and also started on stool softener. Haven't gone yet, but passed gas several times since mid afternoon and that alone made me feel better. Will continue with the stool softener and water and hopefully that will do the trick. Sorry if this is TMI but I figured based on the topic, it would be OK to share...)

I've been switching back and forth between regular and FF mayo because i like regular so much more. I figure I'm eating so much less than I was pre-band that a little regular mayo isn't going to kill me. I had fish mashed well and a small red potato mashed for dinner tonight. As long as I can eat, I feel more normal. I start regular food on Thursday.

Oooh..I had an NSV today! Went for a haircut and sat in the chair and while I still filled it, I didn't squeeze into it. Oh boy, was I smiling on the inside at that.

Also...if you like it, hummus is good at this stage. It's one of my favorite things to eat and even without the pita bread, it's still delish. And you get protein with it from the chickpeas..

I was banded on the 14th and today was day 2 on mushies. I've had so far, scrambled eggs, tuna fish w/ mayo, egg salad w/ mayo and tonight...soup and a large tablespoon of hummus. I can't believe how good the hummus is. I'm sure it's just being able to eat food again that makes it so tasty, but I'll take it.

interesting carolinagirl. that's why I weighed out the food because I have to know when to stop...I don't have that 'I feel full' feeling right now...no fills yet. So I portioned out one pouch of tuna which is 2 1/2 oz. and ate it all. the nutritionist told me to eat until I was not hungry and I told the skinny b***h (LOL) that if I could stop when I was satisfied, I wouldn't have a weight problem to begin with. I know from reading alot of posts that some folks calorie count, others weigh portions and others can just know when enough is enough. this journey and process seems to be so individualized that I think it comes down to doing what feels right and is working for you. thanks so much for your input and everyone else's. I'm so glad I found this site. The info and personal stories have been an enormous help.

this is so funny! I'm 10 days post op and was also given the OK to eat soft foods today. I too had tuna and mayo and just like you, I thought it was the best tuna I've ever eaten...LOL! I did the same as you....small forkfuls, chewed well, and also used a timer to make sure I was waiting 15 seconds between bites. It took me 45 minutes to eat 2 1/2 oz. of tuna but that was OK. By the time I was done, I wasn't hungry anymore and in another 15 minutes or so, I was really satisfied.

For those of you recently post op or soon to be banded, I'm ten days post op, feeling pretty good though still a little sore around the incisions. First day of mushies....protein shake for breakfast...had two hours of conference calls and didn't want to try to eat while on the phone. But for lunch, scrambled eggs, and a sugar-free pudding for a snack. Just finished some tuna w/ lo-fat mayo for dinner. So far, everything went down just fine and I'm feeling satisfied with 3 oz. of tuna. if i get hungry later...soup maybe. Just wanted to give you all a little update to let you know it gets better. I know we hear that from folks who are months or even years down the road but I wanted to let you know from one newbie to all you newbies what to expect. Congrats to us all making this journey.

today is 10 days post op for me. Protein shakes and thicker Soups like creamy tomato or butternut squash. that helped me. tomorrow I start mushies....can't wait.

yes, I will be looking for your post when you are back online. Again, best of luck. Also...I've been conversing privately with NYTeacher who also posted in this thread and she had her surgery a few months ago and has been very helpful with her experiences in terms of what comes next. Maybe we can all meet up at talk about this. Or maybe I'll see you at the support group. Take care and see you on the other side!

I met with my surgeon in August and didn't get banded until last week. I wasn't self pay so had to meet insurance requirements and then the hospital was closed for several weeks because of Sandy damage. I only met her the one time but I spoke with the nurse in the office a few times to ask additional questions so go ahead and have your consult even if you don't have the surgery right away.

great to see you online ladybabies. welcome to the other side.

I'm trying to find an informal support group for NYC folks but nothing specific so far. Just a few threads for NYC folks like this one. If you can find something more, please let me know, OK? I've been in touch with some of the NYC folks but no face to face that I can find. The info is below for the support group from the hospital. I'm a week post-op and was also very nervous about the surgery...all those gas pain horror stories...and nausea and bloating, etc. I can tell you that I had very few issues and have been feeling better and better each day, and so far no issues with the liquid diet either...even with thicker soups and a little pastina to help fill me up. I've been hungry at times but have gotten through it with ice pops, or the Protein shakes and the soups. Good luck and please keep me posted on your recovery. 0-12 Months After Surgery Third Wednesday of every month, 6-8 p.m.. Location: 550 First Avenue, Skirball Conference Room. Take the "D" elevators to the 2nd Floor. Our Office: Phone: 212-263-3166

Hi Bubie. There are two support groups run out of the hospital. One is for new bandsters and one is for those who are a year or more out. Did you have your surgery at NYU? If yes, the office can give you info. If not, let me know and I'll find the phone numbers for you.

Hi all you NYC gals. I did a search on 'Manhattan' and saw this thread. I'm newly banded...Dr. Ren did my surgery a week ago. So far, I'm doing well...feeling OK and managing as well as possible on the all liquids. I have made some modifications...I'm drinking thicker soups to help fill me up...and pureeing some of the ingredients....veggies and such and putting them back into the soups. Also added a couple of spoonfuls of pastina again to fill up. No problems so far and went today to Food Emporium to buy some items for the mushies stage. Sugarfree pudding, instant cream of wheat, Ritz crackers for after mushies. Can't wait to put some tuna or egg salad on a couple of ritz crackers for lunch. Never would have thought I'd long for egg salad...but never thought I'd be getting a band either. Would love to hear from any of you regarding how you are doing...what kinds of experiences you all are having, and things like going out to dinner....which is such a part of living here as you all know. Have you gotten together? I'm going to try to make it to the support group at NYU...do any of you go there? I'm also going to join the Y finally after talking about doing so for many years. I have arthritis in my knees and exercising in the pool is better for me than walking/biking. Would love to hear from some of you fellow city dwellers.

don't eat, don't eat, don't eat! Remember your surgery is tomorrow and this is not the time to risk it. Talk to the hubby. Yes, he betrayed your trust, but maybe he was just worried about you and needed to talk to people he trusts to get some input. Talk to him....ask him why he told but not in an accusing way. Just hear him out... We all have issues and we turn to food when our buttons are pressed. We need to approach our issues in a different way. Just think about tomorrow being the first day of a new life...concentrate on you and what you are doing for yourself....don't let this sabotage you.... Good luck tomorrow!!

many of us seem to have had differing pre-op diets and it seems the same for post-op as well. I'm on liquids for ten days but I must say that I've had more than just the broths. I bought low fat thicker type soups like Campbells Healthy tomato and Amy's squash soup...even got the Thai soup and will just avoid the mushrooms and puree the sweet potato and dump it back into the soup. I find that it fills me up better than the clear broths.

I bet the story is an urban myth. All that matters is success.

thanks for posting your first experience with mushies. I was banded on the 14th and have been wondering alot about how the next stage would go. I'm still all liquid but have been hungry and am hoping that mushies will leave me more satisfied.

Thanks for the feedback. I hear what you're saying and I've distanced myself when I had to. The person is family so it's impossible to get rid of him, nor would I want to, most of the time he is supportive and shows me the respect I deserve. I just have to remind myself to not let the remarks sabotage me right now. Oh, and I'm not the only one who gets those barbs....I hear it aimed at my sister as well, but she just tells him to stuff it. Again...I think it's just because this whole experience is new and I'm not good with the unknown. Once the band truly becomes part of my life, and not the defining thing it is right now, I know I'll be good to go.