indenial

You're describing reflux or GERD, nothing that you want. Acids aren't supposed to back up and, if left unchecked, may conceivably do some damage over time.
You're also describing what sounds like a too-tight band in general. If it were I, I'd make an appointment to have a little saline taken out. I've never felt as though food or liquid was stuck in the pouch, but I know the discomfort of being stuck in the esophagus. Again, nothing you want and nothing that's good.
In a perfect world you're able to eat and drink comfortably and get a signal when you've reached satiety. It's well short of feeling stuffed or even full.
If you no longer have the band manufacturer's "owner's manual" that you should have been given around surgery time, ask for it at your practice. Reread to reacquaint yourself with what it means for a band to be a good, working partner.

I never feel starved. I sometimes feel deprived but maybe only once a month when I see a particular pizza ad. We still have pizza a few times a year but not weekly like before. I can eat about anything I want but I don't. I'm satisfied with so much less food now. Deprivation and constant hunger are why diets don't work. This works for me. "Sometimes to get where you want to go, you have to do what you are afraid to do. You must be brave and push forward. Miracles occur when you give as much attention and energy to your dreams as you do to your fears".

We have been where you are, I agree with what everyone is saying just know that at the end of this journey there is a prize waiting for you to get there. YOU CAN DO THIS! DON'T GIVE UP !

My doctor told me to eat chunky chunky chunky as soon as I could tolerate it. I was able to eat scrambled eggs 4 days out and fish and tender meat within a week. I am almost 2 months out and having second fill this week. I need a bit morevrestriction. I can't imagine going longer on liquids than I did! If I never see another shake it will be too soon...

I'm am officially now 6 weeks out an I had alot of the same feelings . I'm a big cooker for all my family an have the in laws over alot to eat so I know how hard this is an you ALL aren't alone in your feelings this is a process we all go through I have trouble not being able to taste the food that in serving that is frustrating to me, but you got to drill it in your head that you did this for a reason an it will be a mind over matter fight everyday because we are all used to our brain thinking one way about food an we are trying to change this. Food is an addiction an like a addict ( I'm guessing never had any addictions) I am learning everyday I can beat the battle, hang in there don't give up yet after day 3 it get better everyday

I'm a newbie! 3 days post op....it's a struggle but it's temporary! I am grateful for these posts...
My daughter ate Chipotle & my mom ate ribs right in front of me earlier so I completely understand...while I sipped my broth...BUT THIS TOO SHALL PASS

Being in size 4 pants and small and medium shirts and looking fabulous is WORTH those white knuckle nights going to bed hungry post-op. TRUST ME.

My husband was doing the same. Then I started leaving the room when he'd eat and he seriously would ask me, "Why?" he, and the kids, are now eating the kitchen and staying far away from me with food. They want this for me and it shows. Maybe he just needs to know how hard it is for you?

I am currently going through the same issues/emotions as you are. I think we just need to HANG in there! I do believe its going to get better but I have so many emotions these last 5 days. The first day back at home was the worse!!! I was angry that I couldn't eat what I wanted and angry that I was getting angry about it!!! Good luck with your journey and hang in there!!

It must be very hard having someone there eating in front of you, too. I was single when I went through it, so I suffered alone, which actually was better for me. It is a REALLY hard time of the process though, and I feel for you. Just take it a day at a time, an hour at a time, a sip at a time. You'll get to have more food in the weeks ahead, and then the fills will make a big difference.

I want food. I want real food. I just want bacon and eggs for Breakfast. A sandwich for lunch and something grilled for dinner. My husband is supportive. but he just dosn't get it. I am hungry. I'm drinking shakes, and drinking Soup . Yogurt and blended cottage cheese . While he's eating anything he wants right in front of me. I am going to burst, hit the wall.
My whole world revolved around meals . My social life was around meals. I don't know what to do with myself.
I miss the act of sitting with my husband in the evening and sipping a wine with cheese , and Bruschetta. I can't swim because of the incision. I feel like I'm going crazy here. If I could go to sleep for the next month I would.
This is hard. Everyone talks about the rewards. They never say how hard it is. I can't turn back. I feel stuck and frightened . What the heck did I do???? Will I ever appreciate the band. I just don't know.

Thank you Missy xo

Thats it i guess. Right now I'm in Bandsters hell. I know it will pass. Just not happy right now. Thank You for replying. I so much appreciate reading your messages.

Ok, consider this a "tough love" moment.
You have to suck it up and deal with it. The post op diet is temporary and you need to focus on that. Soon you will be back on normal food and this tiny hurdle will be nothing more than a distant memory. In fact, I bet you'll even look back in retrospect and go "geez why was being so dramatic?" I know I do when I look back at what a whiny baby I was.
For the record, I was on liquids for 4 weeks after surgery. Yup... four long stink'n weeks. I thought I'd die of starvation. When I finally got to mushy food I thought I'd died and gone to heaven. In all, it was 8 weeks post surgery before I got real food again and during that time I had to watch my kids eat everything from pizza to McDonalds while I was so hungry I contemplated eating my own foot.
We all survived our post op diets and you will too.

It is hard at first and to get through it, you have to crank up your WANTPOWER. I too, have a hub that can eat anything, but I decided I wanted to live and live well, way more than I wanted to eat junk.
The post op diet doesn't last forever. When you're hungry, drink Water, Diet hot chocolate, Decaf tea and keep yourself so busy, you don't have any time to sit around and think of food. Clean closets, drawers, the yard, anything....
You need to tell yourself, "you are not going to die", " I can do anything I put my mind to".
I never heard anyone say here, that it was easy. In the beginning we call it "bandsters hell", but it will get better and dropping size after size of clothing feels soooooo good.
You can do it! Find your want!
Best Wishes

I'm only 5 days post op and have full hunger back. My husband is the same, he ordered pizza just a few minutes ago. But this is my journey, I've convinced myself that this is what I want. Pizza made me very unhappy, sad in fact. I will continue to work with my thoughts and retrain my brain. Remember there will come a time when you can eat those things but in smaller portions and in moderation. Also, I keep a clothing catalogue on my nightstand to remind of the clothes I will be buying. Keep strong, it will pay off.

Fantastic job on the weight loss. Theres nothing like seeing a difference in something as usual as sitting in chairs and having to wear larger gowns. Think if it this way. The arthritis was going to happen any way. Would have felt worse if you were not losing weight and still gaining.
You are beautiful and you are doing a great job ! Keep the faith sista!

Good luck. Hope everything goes well.!

Sounds you want your cake and eat it too. i can only say , I ate what ever I wanted before the band. Now I regret it because I had so much more to lose.

Sounds you want your cake and eat it too. i can only say , I ate what ever I wanted before the band. Now I regret it because I had so much more to lose.

Coughing and sneezing are the worst. A pillow helps. I sneezed last night and broke out inot a cold sweat it hurt so much. It does go away. Congrats on your surgery. Now the fun begins!

quitting smoking and carbonated drinks. still a challange on the smoking part.

One day, one hour, one minute at a time. Sounds trite, but it is the way to do it. You can't make it a whole day? Can you make it the next hour? Walking, swearing, shouting, crying, but make it the next hour. You made it the hour? Can you do another one? How about 30 minutes?
When you look at 11 days, it seems like an eternity, but when you look at a day, or an hour, then the task becomes more manageable.

Wow.
All I know about closing that hole is that it'll take a lot of patience. I had 2 holes that refused to close after my breast reduction and had to keep packing them with the gel and sterile gauze for several months. They did eventually close, though.
Good luck!

Hey Jrock,
Congrats on your decision to embrace exercise!! I wast 450+ pounds and on oxygen and started my walking program with 30 seconds and now I compete in Triathlons. The key is start today... And increase a little each day. Also I used to live in Vegas and understand the heat you are dealing with there.
I suggest:
1- Immediately get a Leslie Sansone walking DVD / pop it in and follow - keep track of the time ( how long you do it) start with what you can do without it being an huge huge effort - write down the time it took - maybe 3 min maybe 5, it doesn't matter just document it. Then do it EVERY day adding 30 seconds each time.
2- Two additional days a week go to the mall or a target or Walmart and walk briskly and with purpose - distance and time of walk depends on your specific rate needs etc...
3- The DVD walk should be done as soon as you get out of bed - Pre coffee Pre shower - right away.
Hope in Your Future is Power in Your Present!
Lee
280lbs Lost - All diseases reversed - ACE certified Personal Trainer & Health Coach