Emmy27

Jack, have you had a fill yet? Where are you and your doctor at with that? Thank you for sharing your experiences... Pasta is NOT the best choice, you are right. I had it for the first time last night as I went out to dinner with my family and that was the only thing that qualified as "soft" on the menu. I do not intend on making that a habit, for sure... pasta is one of my best friends and worst enemies if you KWIM... I am really struggling to determine if what I feel is HUNGER or my head talking... when I feel like I want to eat I have to stop and concentrate on my body/stomach and see if it's really hunger. I long for the day where I just "know" and don't have to question my own motives. Again, thank you for responding... time for me to get on the treadmill. I wish I looked forward to it, lol.

I would never tell someone not to have a bypass. For the single reason is that it is such a personal decision, for so many reasons people outside of the situation cannot understand. I would make sure they were educated, as you are and then leave it to them - only you know what is best for you, what will work, what risk you are willing to take. The one thing that concerns me about you deciding to have a bypass is that your husband is not supportive of it (and you understand why) - I would really try to make sure he was on board with it ahead of time. You will need all the support you can get through this process, the surgery (no matter WHAT kind you have) and post op. I can't imagine doing it with NO support, nevermind with a spouse who thinks I made the wrong decision. But again, that is ME, and MY circumstances. Good luck with your decision... it's a very difficult one at best. Please let us know what you end up doing.

I have no advice but am in the SAME exact boat - I will be four weeks post op this coming Wed (2/2) which is the day I start solids - I get filled up on about 1 cup of Pasta or two scrambled eggs (no milk)... but can eat more soup/brouth with out any problem (common - that's why it's a no-no after this healing stage). I do get hungry more often though. The earliest my doctor will do a fill is 6 weeks post op. I am suppose to contact them a few days after I start solids to discuss how much/often I eat to determine if I need a fill at the 6 week point. I figure I will wait and see then, it could be a whole new ballgame once it's solid food in there. So, no advice... just letting you know where I am - looking forward to the more experienced people replying (love this board, btw). Thanks for asking this.

Keeping you in my prayers.

Well I don't even want to SEE another egg, lol. Thank you everyone. Feeling better today - trying new things (old "new" things) and now am realizing, as I gain some freedom with what I eat that there is now a choice of what to eat. That actually scares me a bit. Thanks again. You all are so great.

Keeping you both in my prayers. For your wife, that she is able to find something to help with this pain and for you as you are your wifes best advocate. Hang in there....

It was nice talking to you today Kitty!!! Good luck with your phone calls, hope I was able to help! Brenda, Tricia, Jaime and Michelle! It's great to meet you all! Brenda - I have heard wonderful things about Dr. Rose. You are doing a great job!!!! I agree, I'd love to see before and afters! One year out and doing so well!!! I'd love to coorespond! Maybe we can have lunch sometime or something (though, let me get the hang of this first, lol). Do you come to Chattanooga at all for follow ups? We could meet up (my husband works at Memorial). AND you were banded on my younges sons birthday!!! LOL Again, I am glad to meet all of you. It's comforting to know there are REAL people out there, nearby (relatively) that are going through this same journey.

Congratulations!!!! 41 inches!!!!!!!!! That is AMAZING! Keep up the good work! I am going to the gym next week (cleared at 4 weeks to excercise beyond a daily walk of 30minutes) and am actually looking forward to it! LOL Keep up the great work! You are inspiring to those of us that are newly banded.

Is it caffiene withdrawal? Did you drink lots of soda or coffee or tea before the surgery and now have stopped? I have heard a lot about that happening to people. I had a caffiene headache once and thought I was having a stroke. I do get migraines - they are usually always on one side of your head and you are very light/sound sensitive. Some people also get nauseated. Honest, sounds like caffiene withdrawal. Try a cup of herbal tea WITH caffiene and see if it helps. Also, having someone rub your temples and or the base of your skull in the back (at the very top of your neck) can help.

You look FANTASTIC!!! Congratulations to both of you! And thank you SO much for posting it, it was perfect timing as I am in need of a pick me up (feeling like "what have I done"?) Congratulations! Nice work!

This could go here or in food.... but really, I think I need support most of all. I started the soft foods today, start solids a week from today. All I can say is it was a rought start. I was so excited to have a soft boiled egg but MAN it was bad news. I clearly messed up and ate it too fast or didn't chew well enough. If I was worried about my band having slipped before (which I am so paranoid about) this was a clear sign that is THERE and it was NOT happy. Got over it within a few minutes (and throwing up part of the egg and the Water that I drank in hopes to help it down). I was so scared that I decided to be DONE and later had chili in the blender again. If it is this bad already what is it going to be like when I start solids???? I am back to the "Oh my God, what have I done?" stage that I thought I had gone through for the one and only time my second day post op. Please tell me I am not the only one who has done this, who feels like this and who is SO paranoid that I made my band slip when I threw up. TIA!

My doctor told me I can have/should have as much soup and liquids as I wanted. I try to stick with three "meals" of soup, etc. and fill myself with cold Water the other times. Sometimes having a pudding helps too (fat free). Good luck and congratulations!

I agree, the most important thing right now is to stay hydrated. Sometimes something warm, but not hot, like tea can help too. Congratulations!!!!!

Thank you all! Wed is my week 3 switch over to soft food, I cannot wait. I am going to savour each morsel. Not sure about the PB and Ricotta, lol.... I am Italian and can't imagine doing that to Ricotta, lolol.

I am about to start the soft food stage (right before "regular food"). How long are you suppose to boil a soft boiled egg? Hard boiled? I cannot wait to have eggs... Any other suggestion for this stage? I have tuna and chicken salad ready to go, lol... cottage cheese.... Anything else? TIA

paintsva (59), Grant (56), sallykotz (41), Guamtab (40), Jonathan (32)

I am still on full liquids for one more week before soft food and let me just tell you... I crave anything that requires CHEWING! Fried green tomatos... wow.... my mouth is watering. I want a chicken club sandwich from Sonic....

Anyone still out there? I live outside Chattanooga - how about you?

I have read (I am too new to have tried it myself) that if you drink a glass of ice Water it will help increase your restriction for an hour or so... usually enough to get past the evening hour where you want to snack. HTH - hope it's not too redundent for you.

Is that the right word for it even? I've read about people being excited about reaching it... trying to keep it.... their breath smelling because of it... it clearly relates to weight loss but I have no idea what the heck it is! LOL HELP?

Congratulations! You look great! Thank you for sharing your success(es).

My doc said as soon as I feel up to it. Or dh is "up" to it.... sorry, lol.

I admire your resolve and attitude. Hoping that port and tubing stays welcomed for a very long time.

That sounds terrible! I hope that shot helps, and FAST! There are so many bugs out there lately!!!!

The strange thing is it happens anytime - like this morning... nothing to eat yet (or drink).... it happens throughout the day, one here, one there. No nausea with it, thank goodness. It's just like regular hiccups but only one intermittently. Bizzarre.... lol.