aviva1979

I was banded 8 days ago and wish I'd taken a stoplight softener from the jump. Your body still has some refuse in the system that is gonna work it's way out - and b/c of the pain medications there is a chance it will be a while before your first BM. Even with all the liquids, my first BM was hard and dry as a stone and incredibly painful. A Phillips stool softened cured me and all BMs since have been normal.

I'm expecting to feel my old nemesis, Hunger, until I'm in the green zone (and then will continue to be on the looking for Hunger's skanky sister - Head Hunger). I've made my peace with it. I need this to work.

I find drinking water with some lemon juice in it helps. Jello helped a bit. I'm grateful that I found a broth that made me feel full. As with pre op diet, the more protein I got in the less hungry I felt over time.

My appetite is starting to return. It's because the swelling in or stomachs is starting to go down and we are healing. Just stick with band sized portions of whatever phase diet you are in and if necessary eat a bit more frequently. I'm personally choosing to "white knuckle" it and if I'm hungry - well - isn't the first time and i will survive. I know I'm in the fastest time frame for loss that I will have and am trying to maximize it while getting all the nutrients my body needs to heal.

It took me 4 days I think. And it was horrible. I highly recommend taking a stool softener if you're not already. Since then I've been fine and back to normal but that first one after all those pain meds was literally hard as rocks.

OMGosh!!!! Wishing you whatever it is you wish in a case like this.

Your stomach is likely swollen from the procedure, and the burping from gas. Your appetite will return as you heal and the burping will eventually die down (be sure to sip slowly).

I also tire of my vanilla and strawberry powders. Sadly I don't care for the choc ones. To make them more interesting I've been into smoothies. Strawberry powder with some diet lemonade blended with ice is diff enough that it feels like variety. And then you can get more elaborate from there.

Mine came of by my 2nd shower with a soapy washcloth. I needed a little rubbing alcohol to get the residual adhesive off.

Co-sign all the reassurance and motivation from previous posters and would add that once you get past the "miserable" hump you will gain so much confidence in yourself. I finished my pre op diet feeling on top of the world and finally more in control of my relationship with food. Also helped a ton in preparing me for post op diet. Good luck to you!!

Ditto, ditto.

What flavors/brand are you eating? I looked at some yesterday but couldn't bring myself to get any.

I had a hybrid hiccup burp the first few days after surgery. Gone now.

I am 1 week banded and feel like I made 1000% the right decision. Good luck to all those being banded in the second half of July!

I had my surgery a week ago today and mostly fee back to normal minus some swelling in my tummy, occasional port pain, and I get tired easily. I will be working a half day tomorrow and return FT on Monday.

Should I return it and for the nutribullet? Has anyone had both?

So I went to target today and couldn't remember which "bullet" this thread was about. I ended up buying the Magic Bullet.

If you enjoyed Shades (I did, tho I have a few points of contention with it) there's another series you might enjoy - the Crossfire series by Sylvia Day. Also sexy, but dare I say better written.

My summer reading is the Song of Ice and Fire/Game of Thrones series. On book 2 now.

I love shopping sales racks so I will probably buy ne clothes as soon as I need them... But I also have some nice suits for work n stuff that I'm gonna try and take to a tailor. For like 5-10 bucks you might be able to get a seam or two taken in.

Maybe mix some unflavored protein powder in with borscht? My personal opinion but I think the body can absorb nutrient better closer to their whole form... So a cold beet soup could be refreshing, beneficial for the liver, and possibly be a meal replacement if you add some protein. Good luck!

Such an inspiring update / thank you for sharing!

I just had half a cup of applesauce and half a cup of chive cottage cheese and felt satisfied. I teared up. I'm so grateful for the satisfied feeling on a cup of food.