tootiemagoo

8inches gone from my waisted didn't know I had one.

I know this probably isn't what you want to hear but it's honest.
If I were in your situation, I wouldn't go through with the surgery at all unless I had a definite way to get the aftercare necessary. Doctor visits and multiple fills aren't optional- they're mandatory. Being compliant with post op follow ups and doctor's instruction is crucial to be successful with the band. This is especially true in the first couple months after surgery. It's pointless to put yourself through surgery if you don't have a definite way to pay for the necessary care after.
Good luck. I truly hope you find a way to make it work.

Today is my 13th wedding anniversary so I decided to try on my wedding dress. I am about 15 pounds heavier than I was on that day so I tried not to get my hopes up too high. It was a but of a struggle and I had to do some serious sucking in but I got it on and zipped!!! It was an exciting NSV! I didn't think I'd ever be able to put it on again.

Thanks guys! I def am trying to eat right....but still do not do so all the time. I know it's work- but it's discouraging bc if I was able to not overheat & eat healthy- I wouldn't have needed to be banded. Just feels like I had nothing done at this point :(

I am posting two days late! I had my surgery June 15 2012. I started at 215 and as of this morning I weighted 145 pounds and this is the lowest since I was 18 and now I am 33! My goal Is 125, my doctors goal is 140! I am 5 3'. I really wanted to reach 135 one year after my surgery, but well I'm so happy with where I am now! Hopefully I will be able to loose the other 25 pounds by new year or next spring. I been the same weight for the past month and a half! Another hard platue!
To all newbies: take it easy and play it right! I am one of the people who never thought that I would be able to make it to where I am today! It took me almost 8 month to experience what green zone is! I platued so many times and it took me each time more than a month to break it! I had my moments where I cheated and ate food that I wasn't supposed too. I fell in a wagon couple times where I gained 5 pounds, but I never have up and always got back on track quickly! If I made where I am today and of I will make it and loose the remaining 25 pounds, I am sure all of you can make it! Today I am a size 4/6 and 8 is big on me! I am tearing while I am posting this!
Before

After
July 07 Bandsters.doc

If we didn't have issues with food, none of us would have needed the band. Give your Doctors office a call and speak to one of the staff members. Be honest and tell them that you have stumbled. You will not have been the first and you def won't be the last. Never forget that they are there to help you.
You are in a hard place at the moment. The band is not going to work properly until you find the right amount of fill for you. Every time you go to eat something, think of that small pouch they have created for you. That kept me mindful of the rules.
Now dust yourself off and move forward. You have a wonderful tool that is going to help you get to your goal

My goal through this entire process is to learn to live with all foods in moderation. I just watched my 13 year old daughter (who is the perfect size for her age) eat a hand full of plain chips and just stop. She didn't have to eat the entire bag, like I used to. If anything, this is my wish.

I'm so worried about the damage I could have done I've decided to go back to full liquids for a couple of days, just to play it safe.

At the end of the day, we have to live with our OWN choices and decisions. As my mother always used to tell me, when you eat poorly, you aren't fooling anyone but yourself. If I (or anyone else) stops losing weight because of poor choices, then it's our issue to deal with. My friend's sister recently told me that someone she works with has the band. She said that the woman lost a bunch of weight, but has gained a lot back. She also said that the woman told her that she's not doing anything wrong....or different. My response was.......YES she is! The band isn't failing her; she is failing the band. Weight doesn't mysteriously start reappearing, when eating controlled band size portions & counting calories. I guess some people will continue to live in denial, until they are truly ready to take another path......band or no band.

I agree, guilt is not a helpful emotion, although I know it's hard not to feel it when you've gone off the plan. You have a good attitude about getting right back on track. At 21/2 weeks out I was on solid food, so I think your ok there. Good luck!

Yes Yes Yes Guilt is a major dragon for me in this battle. I have promised myself that I will never let it draw me back into that dark cave to sneak eat . This is a life long commitment so there will always be celebrations or special days or even slip days. Unless it makes me ill( haven't found anything yet) then I can have a small portion or taste, enjoy it, chart it and move on to the nonfood fun- part of life. Don't let other peoples concept of what your diet should be dictate how you feel about what you are eating. It gives them way too much power, the food way too much power and you become less. This is my battle and my rules and I plan on winning. So can you. SO glad you are back on track!

Dear Mark, listen to Missy, please! I am 11 mos post op and I feel you! I am unable to eat chinese fried rice because it gets stuck and I will be the first to admit I miss it terribly, that never leaves me. I miss bread too like crazy but I'm able to eat toast. Tonight for dinner my mom suggested I eat a small tortilla with turkey and cheese inside and think of it like a sandwich so that's what I had and it was GREAT! I heated or steamed the tortilla in the microwave and added the other stuff and never felt deprived. Now back to rice, I can eat at Longhorn and order the Salmon that comes on a bed of rice and eat tiny bites of their rice without getting stuck so it depends on the kind of rice with me. My surgeon says this "I don't want you to feel deprived, eat what ever you ate before only in moderation" with that said I have modified my eating habits to a healthy diet of fish and chicken and veggies, fresh fruits etc but ever so often I will eat a piece of my fav pizza. Tonight I had a cookie for dessert. I also keep Skinny cow brand candy in the house to keep me sane, I don't eat it every day but I will eat it when I crave chocolate and their ice cream is great too. My eating issues with head hunger is awful, I will be the first to admit, I feel your pain, there are times I still mourn food still 11 months out and cry that oh poor me but I chose this path to be healthy and thinner for a reason and yes I'm much older than you, I'm 47 but there are goals in life I wanted to achieve, I want to run a 5K, I want to zip line, I want to fly on an airplane and not take up a seat and half and have a belt extension, just to name a few. I'm down 67 lbs so far and feel like a million bucks already, and would do this a million times over. I am and I stress this to you, seeking help with a therapist right now for my eating issues and why I want to eat the things I want to eat. I just recently posted a post of a confession and believe me it was hard to tell everyone this but I live with my elderly mom but everytime she takes a shower at night I found myself creeping to the pantry and shoving food in, anything. I was closet eating. I finally fessed up to her and now we just sit and talk while taking her shower, kind of like I'm in jail, lol. Yes we are very close, best of friends. She's my biggest cheerleader in all of this. I do think in time it will get better for you, you are grieving foods right now and we all go thru it. Please seek professional help like me and get to the bottom of why we overeat or got us to the point of having the surgery. I wish you luck and give you many cyber hugs.
Donna

You have got a TON of great advice from everyone on here!!! One thing I can add is STOP STOP STOP watching cooking videos of foods you miss on YouTube!!!!!! That's pure torture!!!! That's like a recovering alcohol sitting at a bar watching everyone enjoying alcohol. It's torture and could lead to using bad judgment with food!

I was very lucky. I'm on day 4 with very little gas pain, no incision pain. But I take my meds religiously and move and walk a lot. The only discomfort I have is not being able to sleep on my side yet. But it's getting better with each day. Now I find myself always worrying about eating properly. Wow, that's new!

I didn't have a hernia repair but I've always had a pretty weak stomach. Maybe that's part of it. I guess everyone just a heals differently. This was my first surgery and even though unheard experiences on here I think you never really know what to expect.
I know I need to get some Protein, but I'm not gonna lie it is kinda nice being grossed out by the though of food right now. Much better than craving!

Well here I am, on the other side.... Was banded this morning and am doing great. The worst part was my throat hurt terrible from the breathing tube, but SF Popsicles and cold water/juice helped... Been keeping the heating pad on my shoulder as feels a little achy. But an also staying ahead of pain with meds and gas-x. Also been up a lot... I hoping the next few days are MILF as well!!! Thanks for all of you who went before me for sharing.... It really encouraged me and helped my fear of the unknown!!!

Greetings from the otherside!!! I was banded this morning,,, biggest issue is sore throat from the breathing tube... But it's getting better already... FYI fro those who are not banded yet. I read on here that some have requested the nausea patch, but I forgot to.... But to my surprise, my doctor does it automatically!!! I have had no nausea what so ever yet... I definitely recommend asking for one!!!

Greetings from the otherside!!! I was banded this morning,,, biggest issue is sore throat from the breathing tube... But it's getting better already... FYI fro those who are not banded yet. I read on here that some have requested the nausea patch, but I forgot to.... But to my surprise, my doctor does it automatically!!! I have had no nausea what so ever yet... I definitely recommend asking for one!!!

Greetings from the otherside!!! I was banded this morning,,, biggest issue is sore throat from the breathing tube... But it's getting better already... FYI fro those who are not banded yet. I read on here that some have requested the nausea patch, but I forgot to.... But to my surprise, my doctor does it automatically!!! I have had no nausea what so ever yet... I definitely recommend asking for one!!!

I'm set for the 17th.... Lost 12 lbs on first 7 days of preop already... All these pre and post op comments are really helping!!!

I'm set for the 17th.... Lost 12 lbs on first 7 days of preop already... All these pre and post op comments are really helping!!!

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I was banded Monday 5/6. Everything seems to be heeling pretty well. My incisions (you can see a 48 hour after photo under thread "my incisions 48 hours post-op" thread if you like) seem to be healing fairly well. No drainage today. They are starting to itch so that means they must be starting to heal! I'm happy about that.
I am still very tender/sore in the stomach area. I can put my own socks on starting yesterday though! Lol The pain isn't horrible, just taking tylenol a couple times a day. Unlike some other I have been able to eat/drink within my guidelines without any issue. I have been getting feelings of hunger and thirst. No nausea to speak of at all.
My pain/soreness gets better everyday. My gas pains haven't been horrible. I do get it them and when they do they can be pretty uncomfortable but they haven't lasted long. Usually when I eat/drink I will get them. I have had no back pain to speak of.
I had my first BM today (sorry if its tmi but Constipation can be a problem for people after surgery) and I was happy that that waiting game was over.
I feel that I've been fairly lucky overall in my recovery. My energy is nowhere near 100% but I didn't expect it to be. I am very happy with my progress so far and figured done pre-op people would like to know! Ask ANY questions on here or via message if you would like. I'm an open book.

Day 3 post op... the pain is slowly subsiding. Mostly just gas pains & discomfort where the port is (Under my diaphragm hurts) still trying to sip Water & fruit/protein juice. Ive walked around the house to help move the gas but I'm going to start walking around my neighborhood. Lord I can't WAIT til there's no more pain...