crafty_lady1971

The liquid diet can be crazy, but it's worth it. I had a lot of jell-o and Crystal light. I walked as much as my body would let me, slept when I could, and picked up crafts when I needed to keep myself busy. I love to knit, so I got a lot done on those projects during my liquid diet phase.

The gas-x actually helped my nausea more than my anti-nausea medicine.

I'm thinking of starting a blog of my weight loss journey. Will let you know if I do.

I was banded April 24th. I got my first fill May 22nd. I was down 7 lbs at that time. I'm down another 13 lbs in 3 weeks. I'm worried that that's too much too fast though. My goal is to get to around 150 lbs. I've never weighed that as an adult. The smallest I've ever been as an adult was a size 10, but I looked very unhealthy. If I start looking like a bobble head, I'm going to have some Fluid taken out and go on maintenance. I've seen where people have had wls and lost weight too quickly or just lost you much and started resembling bobble heads. I don't want that. I just want to be healthy and not be in pain.

What I thought was the port was actually scar tissue from one of the surgical sites. I was worried that it was going to hurt bad when I got a fill, but it didn't. I hate needles, and it didn't hurt at all.

I was banded on April 24th, and my first fill was May 22nd. I had 5cc in a 14cc band, and added 1.5cc bringing it to 6.5cc. I'm suppose to go again on June 12th, but I'm having to move it a week later due to going out of town for a graduation.

I started making meals for my family that I would be eating once I was on solid food. That way they get use to it. My family agreed to eat what I can eat because if it's not in the house, it's not going to get eaten. I quit buying junk food. I do have a little stash for grandkids, but my family gets only what I buy. You're not going to be starving them. You're teaching them to eat better and healthy and make good choices now.

Hey' date=' I survived two strokes, two brain operations ovarian cancer AND gave up smoking 2 packs of cigarettes a day 31 years ago COLD TURKEY! Well the one habit I could never, EVER give up is my coffee! I used to drink about 4 cups a day and I'd always make 12 cups. However, I am such a fanatic about drinking only freshly brewed coffee that if it sat in the pot more than 30 minutes I dumped the pot. So last year I treated myself to a Kuerig coffee maker and it only makes one cup at a time. I told my doctor when I was on my pre-op diet that the one thing I didn't think I could overcome was my coffee. So my surgeon said I'm not forbidding you from having your coffee but to limit it. OK, I could live with that so I have my coffee every single day and occasionally I'll have a second cup. So, I can overcome almost everything but if they took my coffee away I would go bonkers! I treat coffee like it's dessert that's how much I love it. I know it sounds crazy but I have to have my coffee. I realize caffeine is a drug but believe it or not that if I have a headache I'll drink a cup of regular coffee and the headache starts to dissipate.[/quote']

I'm with you. I don't think I could live without my coffee. Well, my family couldn't live with me without my coffee. LOL. I too have a keurig that I love. I do the k-cups or fresh ground depending on my mood that day. I don't always have a second cup, but I have to have at least a cup everyday.

I am an avid coffee drinker. I have no intentions of retiring my keurig. I only do Decaf if it's getting close to bedtime. Otherwise it's full lead. I sweeten it with equal and a little low-fat Creamer. I use to have 3-4 cups a day before surgery, but I'm now only having 1-2. Since I can't drink carbonated sodas at the moment, I only have my caffeine with my coffee. You can't take it all away! Lol

The "no straws" is because it causes gas and discomfort for some people. I use straws and have no problems. You could try it, but stop if you feel any pain or discomfort.

Your body may fluctuate because of changing food choices. One week on only liquids, then one on mushies, then start real food. I think when you start real food, you would think that you would gain weight. It's different for everyone.

I'm sure your stomach had to get use to the fill. It's going through another healing process. This one just doesn't take as long.

I was told after any fill or if they pull Fluid out I will be on liquid diet for two days then puree foods for another two days then I go back to normal eating.

I got a fill Wednesday. I was on a liquid diet for two days and now mushies for two days. It's so your stomach can get use to the change again.

I just got back home after my first post-op appt. I found out I already had 5cc in a 14cc band. He put in another 1.5cc, so bite I have 6.5cc. I was dreading the needle, but it wasn't that bad. I had a little queasy feeling while he was filling it. Otherwise, it was good.

I didn't think about putting Protein powder in pudding. That's a good idea!

Thank you. That is such a great encouragement to hear.

I'm glad I'm not alone. I know that losing weight will not cure MS, but I pray that it will help with how I feel. I had an aunt who passed away in 2011, due to MS who was almost 400 lbs at the time she passed. She had been in a wheelchair for almost 12 years. She had always been a larger person due to other medical conditions she was born with. My mom and I took care of her for the last 5 years of her life. I was able to see what being overweight would do to others who might have to care for me in the future. I don't ever want to feel that my weight is a burden on my family should I need the type of care my aunt needed. My aunt was like my 2nd mom, so taking care of her was never a burden. I looked at it as an honor to give her support in her life in much the way that she had always shown me in mine. I have been to the point where I couldn't walk at times and even a point where I was unable to lift my arms to feed or dress myself. During those times, my family was very supportive, and I'm thankful for that. I know that I'm rambling a bit, but I'm so passionate for this journey to lose weight. More than any of this, I want to feel good about myself.

I'm checking to see if there are any other people who got banded who were previously diagnosed with MS and see how they are coping.

When did you have your surgery? I had that pain really bad after surgery for over a week. Note I still get it if I eat too fast or too much. It's usually gas pain. Try gas-x and a heating pad. That's what helped me.

Quinoa was added at the 4 week mark for me. I LOVE it. I prepare it like rice; the way it says on the package. Then I either eat it as a small side to a protein' date=' or mix it in with something I'm cooking. One night I sautéed some shrimp in a little olive oil, garlic and lemon. Then I mixed in the quinoa. The juice made the quinoa SO good, and it was kind of like a Chinese dish; shrimp and fried rice-ish (without the soy sauce).[/quote']

That recipe sounds so good. I'll have to try some with chicken. I love shrimp, but unfortunately I'm allergic. I'm inputting the grilled chicken right now. I haven't had any more problems with evening gas, but I can definitely feel it if I eat too much. My husband had been so good at encouraging me to talk while we eat so that I take more time between bites. It's helping.

Had anyone eaten quinoa during this stage? If so, how did you cook it, and how did you do on it?

I wasn't told no lettuce only told to make sure it's not soft leaf lettuce. I ate some for lunch with no problems, but I've read where some people might get gas pains later in the day where they wouldn't other times.

I finally got to where I can have fork cut tender meat, so I fixed a small salad with grilled chicken. I ate a little for lunch, and it was so good to actually have something to chew. The first problem came when I ate leftovers for supper. I ate about the same amount that I did at lunch, but I feel bloated, and my shoulder is sore. I took some gas-x, and hoping that helps.

I've been wondering about the whole carbonated drink thing. I got a SodaStream for Christmas and love using it. I haven't had a carbonated drink for over a month, but was wondering if I made one, and let it sit for a little while to let the bubbles die down if it would cause any problems. I guess like anything else that it's different for different people. I may have to try a few sips to see if I have any problems, but I'm going to wait until I'm on full foods first. I'm only two weeks post-op right now, so I'm careful with everything for the moment.

I was banded 5/2 and hit a major wall today. Feeling weak, nauseated with continued pain (mainly shoulder but abdominal too). I told my husband I may be withdrawing because I have the shakes! It does help to see others in the same boat! Trying to stay positive.

When I was about 5 to 6 days post-op, I started having dry heaves all day, and the shoulder pain was unbearable. I took some gas-x, pain meds, laid down, and put on the heating pad. About an hour later, I felt a lot better. I still had the dry heaves a couple more times which caused my shoulder to hurt, but I just followed the same procedure again. I didn't have any problems the next day, and the shoulder pain's been pretty much gone since. Stay positive. Your body went through a lot, but know that "This too shall pass."