bmj851

Thank you both. It's just worrying me. I can drink liquids just fine, thankfully, which is why I'm thinking it's just excessive swelling. I figured it would be better by now, but maybe it's just taking a little bit to heal. I also allowed myself to get dehydrated Monday, which I'm sure didn't help anything on Tuesday when I got sick. If I still can't eat by Monday, I'm definitely calling my office to see what they suggest.

I have a question, just to see if anyone has experienced anything similar so I won't be worrying myself to death. Tuesday (6/17/14) I had my Breakfast and my lunch with no issues. I ate a tad bit too much at lunch, but not so much that I was miserable or sick. But, when I tried to eat dinner that night, I had excruciating pain and vomited hard for several minutes. Since then, I can't eat solid food. I don't have any problem with liquids, but even cottage cheese hurts going down (though it is tolerable). I also have swelling on my stomach where the band area is (it's right under my sternum). I have gotten this when I've eaten too much (rarely) or after each fill. However, it doesn't seem to be going down. I'm living on nutrition shakes right now because I just can't eat. I don't know if it's just irritation from throwing up so hard, or if something is really wrong. It doesn't hurt unless I eat, though the swollen part is always there. I don't have any reflux or night cough. liquids go down just fine (though my first few sips of coffee in the morning are a bit uncomfortable though). I'm scared something may be really wrong, so if anyone has experience this, I'd be glad to hear your story. Thanks in advance!

This is a really personal question, but I'm curious. My husband and I want children, so I'm wondering if anyone has had the same problems. I was diagnosed with PCOS a few years ago, and was banded this year. I haven't had my period since I was 18. I was told it was related to my weight (when I started my journey, my BMI was 75). So, my question is, has anyone gotten a normal cycle after starting their weight loss? If so, how much did you have to lose? We want children badly, but I know that without losing the weight, I'll never produce eggs, and this offspring. I'm down 70lbs and I'm getting frustrated. I just want to know that there is some hope for the future. I just turned 29 and everyone I know is having children (I also have 2 nieces from my siblings, which doesn't help though I love them to pieces!). It's really getting to me (probably because of the holidays). I just want to have some confirmation that it is possible.

Thanks for listening and replying in advance.

Anyone have any issues getting back to your diet after surgery (had to do a 6 month insurance required diet beforehand)? I feel like I'm eating everything in the house because I'm starving. Sugar is definitely a big problem for me, so we try not to buy any. I don't have my first fill until the 18th, but I don't want to gain all my weight back by then either! Any suggestions? I've tried filling up with Water, doing something besides eating, etc. I also eat my Protein first, and make sure my meals are mostly protein. I'm trying to be good

My doctor makes us stop drinking Protein Shakes once we get back to eating real food. It's just an easy way to shrink your liver before surgery (if you have to do the pre-op diet) and definitely a good way to get your nutrition after surgery until you can eat real food again. I used either the Protein Powder or Ensure High Protein. They were the best tasting that I found, though the powder was cheaper in the long run.

I used the Ensure high Protein, or I bought the powder and made smoothies. The whole point is to shrink your liver. As long as you do that, I don't think it matters which liver diet you actually follow. Mine was a shake for breakfast and lunch, then a light/diet meal for dinner. I made a blender full of smoothie in the morning and that usually did all three meals, but some days I did a lean cuisine or something for dinner. I had to stay around 800 calories and at least 60g protein. Otherwise, my doctor wasn't very strict about what I actually ingested. I'd ask the doctor's office and just flat out tell them you can't stand the shakes. Or, just find out your calorie limit and make some that you can stand.

Pine Bluff, Arkansas

Exactly! I hope your surgery went well! I was nervous the morning of mine, but the nurse gave me some lovely lalaland juice and I was fine! Of course, once the anesthesiologist got done with me, I didn't know anything anyway lol.

I'll help you along the way as you help me. It helps to know I'm not alone looking at the huge chasm between where I am now and where my "healthy" weight is.

Thank you, Jim. I know there are going to be some bad periods just because I know how I am. However, I know I work well with support. which is why I joined this site. People like you who have been there and have done wonderfully give me encouragement.

Have you tried writing down everything you're eating? That would help you see where you're binging (if you are). Also, if you think it's emotional eating, try talking things out with someone instead of eating. You can message me if you'd like to talk. I'm always around (I get notifications on my phone from here, as well as checking the site when I'm at my computer). I'm also more than willing just to listen if you need it! Chin up! It'll get better.

Thank you all for the support. I fully believe I can do it. It's just a little daunting looking at the amount. I'm definitely proud of myself because I lost the 57 on my own! It was a lot of work, but I got there. I'm aiming for the 100 mark by the end of the year. I think 43lbs in 6 months is reasonable. It also helps being a member of a supportive community like this one, and having my family being a huge support group as well.

Thank you! I have been browsing the recipes! I also figured out the knot. I was eating too much too fast. I asked the nurse at my post-op appointment and actually showed her what I was doing so she could get a good idea before she said anything (I had taken my lunch shake with me). It's gotten much better now that I've slowed down.

I was wondering if anyone started with a ton to lose and managed to get to their goal. I have about 300lbs to LOSE before I get to my goal and I'm wondering if anyone has successfully done so when looking at such a huge amount. It's intimidating to me sometimes, and I'm just starting out. I don't want to get discouraged already!

The nurse should not have told you that. The pre-op diet is just to shrink your liver before surgery. As long as you're not gaining, I wouldn't worry about what she said. I also highly doubt your surgeon would cancel over something like that. I lost about 5 lbs on my pre-op diet, but I started it a month before my surgery (I didn't know when my surgery would be, and I have a high BMI so I wanted to get my liver as small as possible beforehand). I cheated a lot, but only so much as I ate a regular dinner instead of a diet meal (my diet consisted of 2 Protein Shakes and a diet meal for dinner, a high protein/high Fiber snack if I had enough calories left). I think I was supposed to get 800-900 calories and I usually ended up eating around 1000. I only lost the 5lbs BUT my surgeon said my liver and stomach had shrunk considerably. They were almost to normal size when he did my surgery. Even with being really heavy and having a very high BMI, because of the diet he was able to use a small band on me. That's the whole goal of the diet. Stick to it the best you can and don't worry. The only thing you definitely have to do is the 12 hr fast, but that's easy because you'll be asleep for most of it!

Oh dear! Everyone should have a support system! That's actually why I'm glad they have things like this forum and myfitnesspal. Gives strangers a chance to be friends and support each other because we know exactly what the other is going through having been there. Feel free to send me a message anytime!

My aunt is a nurse and said that if your weight plateaus you should eat 500 more calories a day for a week then drop it back down to your normal calorie intake the next. It tricks your body and kicks your metabolism back in gear. I've lost 57 lbs since last November and part of it is from doing that whenever my weight steadied. I get my first fill in September, so I'm hoping to drop even more! I fight with PCOS as well, so I can definitely understand your pain and frustration. Keep heart and don't give up!

I don't know about the stretching thing. My dietician has oatmeal on my meal planner, so I eat it. I can't do a lot of it, and it has to be super thin. I think the Water makes the oats expand as much as they can because I use 1/8 cup of oats to a full cup of water. Then I add in my butter substitute to thin them out even more. I'm still new to all this. I have a lot of information considering how many family members have done this, but I also know that each person is different when it comes to what they can/were told to eat.

Thank you for the support. They told us at our post op meeting to slowly move on as whatever stage we're on isn't keeping us full for about 4 hours. We just need to watch how fast we eat and how big our bites are. I take advice but also sort through it to what fits me. It helps that a bunch of my in laws and my dad are all banded, so I can get first hand advice/tips.

That's not too bad then! I just had my first post op appointment today. I've lost 17 more pounds just since my surgery last week so I've changed my goal to hit my 100 mark by the end of the year (I'm at 57lbs down now.....43 in 6 months should be doable!). Have you had any problems or just haven't decided to get another fill?

Thank you very much! I had my post-op appointment today and I figured I'm not doing too badly considering I lost 17 lbs since my surgery day lol. I think it'll be ok once I'm back to normal food because I don't care much for junk food, and since I know sweets are a real problem for me, we just don't buy them. I'm so ready for something other than cream Soups and Protein Shakes though!

I was banded 3 weeks ago and have not made it past mushy's. I had my first fill yesterday, and you guessed it, had to start liquids all over again! Solid foods are not even in my horizon.

This is a completely different world when it comes to food, so just keep asking questions and seeking more knowledge; this forum has wonderful people to help you!!

I had several hiccups my first few weeks, and found the LB food journey a little tricky, but it gets easier. Remember: you are eating to live, not living to eat! I just keep telling myself: this would not be my first choice of food to eat, BUT I cannot eat the same as I did before and expect a different response!!!!

Try eating with baby spoons (if mushy's your bite should be 1/4 full), get the gerber size 4 oz containers and when it's gone... that's it... meal over (it should take 20-30 minutes).

A food diary will SHOCK you as to how many calories you are actually consuming & when you know you have to log in a food... oh man, does it keep you honest! Also have someone check your diary, my hubby looks over mine (another form of accountability), and he actually watches me eat and will occasionally tell me to slow down a tad... Hello!

Also, I started a little note book and began scribbling down hints from this forum that I thought would be useful in the future.

Good luck!!!!

Wow, you got a fill pretty quick. My first fill isn't until September 18 (6 wks post op). I know all about the logging of what you eat too. When I was on my diet beforehand, I had to keep a journal of everything I ate, along with the calories, carbs, and Protein. It's crazy how something so small could have a ton of calories and carbs. Right now, I'm just kinda eating what I can. Like today I had about 4 tsps. of oatmeal, a small thing of light and fit greek vanilla yogurt, then about 1/3 of a can of cream of chicken Soup. I drink unsweetened tea or Water in between my meals. I don't think that's a whole lot considering my day starts around 445 am lol. I don't know. I'm going to ask my doctor tomorrow and see what he thinks. About the food thing: I will eat just about anything, but things like V8 juice just aren't happening. The taste is just downright awful. That's what I'm talking about when I say there are some things I just will not eat.

I was banded a week ago (8/1) and was able to start mushy foods (thin oatmeal, strained cream Soups, yogurt, etc) as well as doing my liquids and I'm having trouble as well. I end up feeling like I have a knot in the center of my chest. I need to take my own advice, but seriously take is super slow. Take a sip, let it go down, then do another. I've found that it helps a lot.

I'm not eating solid foods. Like I said, my one slip up was the piece of chicken and 2 bites in was as far as I got. I really am going by what the dietician gave me for the most part. There's some stuff on there I just won't ingest.

Thanks for the advice and the link. Right now I'm eating yogurt, oatmeal, cream of chicken, smoothies and then stuff like SF popsicles, pudding, and Jello. I'm really weird about textures, so I've tried a few things in the blender and didn't care for that much. The plan in the link is pretty similar to what I'm following, though I've already done mashed potatoes. My husband made them super creamy though, so there weren't any lumps or anything like that. I'm going to add Protein shakes once we go to the grocery store this week, as well as some applesauce. I have my post-op appointment tomorrow so I'm going to ask my doctor about the knot in my chest, but I really think I'm eating more than I'm supposed to. I've cut back on my intake today and it hasn't been as bad. It also never occurred to me to look up mushy food recipes! I guess I didn't think it through very well. I'm lucky that the "menu" the dietician gave me has a lot of stuff on it to try. Right now I'm just dealing with what's in the house until we get paid and I can go to the grocery store.

It took years to get diagnosed with PCOS and the only thing I noticed the Metformin helping was my craving for sugar (it was horrible....like if I didn't have anything sweet around, I'd eat just plain sugar). I've tried Clomid and a few other drugs already and they didn't make me ovulate or anything, but I know my weight is the real issue. I'm hoping that as I lose, my system will reset and become normal. My surgeon thinks it will, so I'm keeping faith in him for the moment. He also took me off the metformin the day of my surgery and I haven't been having any sugar issues, so I'm hoping that's the first sign of what's to come!

I live in Pine Bluff and was just banded. I realize this post is a little old, but how is everyone now?