bmj851

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

Thanks! I'm following the little "menu" the dietician gave me when I met with her. I had to do straight liquids for 5 days, and now I'm allowed mushy stuff like oatmeal (thin, but still), cream soups, yogurt, etc. I tried to eat a piece of chicken last night and definitely paid for it! But it looked good, and I've been having an easy time with it, so I tried it. However, I've learned my lesson now! I'll stick with my little plan until I can get back to regular foods. I think I can start eating normally in about 6 weeks. My biggest problem is I get bored with foods so quickly!

1500 is a lot to me lol The 6 month insurance mandated diet I had to do before my surgery was 1200 calories with 100 carbs and 80+oz of water a day. It get's easier to adjust as you go along. I ate pretty much what I wanted, just in much smaller portions, and if I knew I was going to go out to a restaurant or whatnot, I'd look at their menu ahead of time to plan what I would get. I also fell in love with the 100 calorie packs and Special K stuff. But when it came to regular meals, I just ate whatever. Drinking a lot of water helps with the hunger pangs in between meals, and negative calorie foods help for a snack too (blueberries, apples, etc are all negative calorie because they burn more than they're worth and are high in fiber). Then 2 weeks before my surgery, I had to do 800 calories and 60 carbs a day. Since I was on the mostly liquid liver shrinking diet, that wasn't so bad. I just spread my protein shakes out so it seemed like I was getting more. I'm more than willing to help if you have any specific food questions! Good luck!

I just received my band on 8/1/2013 after almost a year journey to get there. I started last November preparing for this. My insurance required a minimum 6 month doctor supervised diet among other hoops to jump through. From then until my surgery date, I lost 45 lbs. I am extremely proud of that considering I've been obese for my entire life (literally from the time I was about 6 months old). I haven't had any of the normal problems I've been reading about or seen through my family who have gotten then band (my dad, my mother in law, and 2 of my aunt in laws). The biggest problem I'm having is sticking with the mushy foods, because quite frankly, it gets old eating the same thing over and over! I'm also having a little bit of a problem with feeling like there's a knot in my chest when I do eat. I don't know if it's because I'm eating too much (though I'm not sure how that's possible!) or if it's something else. I didn't have any problems with the after surgery gas, and this only happens when I eat. Any one else have this problem? Otherwise, I'm excited to see where this journey will lead me and I'm hoping that it will allow me to have children one day. My husband and I were told I couldn't have kids, but my bariatric surgeon thinks that will change once I'm in a normal weight range (I have PCOS). Here's hoping!