Feel2Young2B40

What a "kwinkadink" as my kids would say!

Hi! It depends on each doctor's directions. Mine said Clear Liquids for 5 days, then thicker liquids for 5 days, mushies for 5 days, semi-solids for 5 days, then solids when I felt ready. I tell you though, from each graduation into the next category, that first Protein shake, fat free refried Beans, etc were the BEST I ever had! What instructions did your doctor leave for you? I would follow whatever he instructed just to be on the safe side. Take care and good luck! CONGRATULATIONS also!:clap2:

I think it really hit me when I was taken to the pre-op room to change and get ready for surgery. I remember thinking "I may die." "My kids won't have a mother." "She died because she care more about herself and tried this damned surgery." None of that happened of course. Best thing I ever did for myself. Just wish I had done it much sooner.:decision:

I'm in! I need a KICK in the butt! :cheer2:

Hi Dody! Welcome! This is a great bunch of people. Very supportive and well meaning. Hope to get to know you! :welcomeB:

chocolate IS THE DEVIL!!! THE DEVIL I SAY! The power of Christ compells you! (Sorry - just watched the Exorcist again today and have that STUCK in my head). I didn't mean to offend anyone.....

I had exactly the same problem initially. I had some days where I thought I could eat everything including the house! After your first fill you'll immediately see the difference. What size band do you have? Because if you have the large one, after healing for a week or two my doctor said your stomach is basically (almost) back to what it was before the surgery. It's frustrating because I know you want to see the weight fall off and anxious to start the losing journey but you will and you'll be happy you listened to your doctor's instructions by taking care of your band:gluck: . Good luck and take care!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!:clap2: You'll be feeling better in no time! Listen to your body as well as what the doctor says!

We went out to dinner last night with the kids and our neighbors to Outback. I wasn't really hungry so I mustered up the courage to ask for the first time if I could order off the kid's menu. The server was very nice and said of course - not a problem. Well, dinner came and they were handing out the food and a different server couldn't figure out where the extra kid's dinner went. Raised my hand and avoided eye contact because I was embarassed. Onto the NSV - by the time everyone had cleaned their plates, I was full and only was able to eat 1/3 of the kid's meal! I took home a "doggie" bag with the balance! I figured then the server knew I wasn't just trying to be cheap! Thanks for letting me share!

THAT IS A FANTASTIC NSV! Way to go!!! Keep them coming!!

Hi! I had a unique circumstance because I was the last of about 8 people in our corporate office that had it done. Initially I only told 1 of the girls that works for me who is very supportive and could keep it quiet. I told my boss that I was having surgery but didn't go into details. After the surgery and getting back to work everyone who knew I was out of the office came by and asked if I was ok. I said yes, etc but then eventually as the weight began to come off I knew there were rumors going around. I was very surprised one day when one of the VP's asked me about it. I didn't think it would get that high up in the food chain at work! Well now I don't volunteer info but I know almost everyone knows. It makes me feel a little weird every once in a while because I know or suspect people want to talk about it and ask questions but again, I don't volunteer any info unless asked directly. It's a tough call because you don't want people gauging your progress but it is nice to have people say - "you look great!!".

Hi! I've noticed lately my ability to taste food is almost gone. Like everything is bland and doesn't have any taste. I don't have a cold or sinus problem so my ability to smell is not impaired. I do notice when I smell food it doesn't instantly make me "hungry" like it did pre-banding. Pre-banding I would eat for numerous reasons - if I was in the right place at the right time, head hunger, stressed, anxious, etc and now it's only when I'm hungry. So I wonder, has my brain finally caught up with my band after almost a year? Is my fill level finally what it should be after 5 fills on the big band? Have I lost some of the "drive" or desire to feed the food monster? Has anyone else experienced this? Hopes this makes sense....

Hi Katie! I just sent you an email and forgot to tell you my screen name - Feel2Young2B40. Thanks! Laura

OMG! That's my last name. Can I tell you how many jokes I get about it? I went through the mourning of food. Still do after each fill. I was sitting here tonight hoping, wishing, praying I could have a HUGE FUDDRUCKERS hamburger. I'm not sure it ever ends. Cravings are cravings....

Hi Bethann! Good luck and keep checking in. Make sure you ask any questions you have! Laura

You are loved! It's nice to have unconditional love isn't it? That's why I love my cats and dogs. Ok - 4 cat and 2 dogs! Right now my 95 pound dog is keeping me warm and loved. It's cold out today!!

Loopy - I swear we must be twins separated at birth. I feel "protected" and feel like people won't expect so much of me if I'm overweight. It's an isolation or a barrier that keeps people at a distance. It's a tough thing you are going through and there will be many, many self doubting times but I really think in the end the choices we make are for the best. Or maybe it's making the best out of the choices you make and learning, growing and preparing for what comes next. Take care and spend some time doing what you like to do! Laura

wow! congratulations!!!!!

Hi John! Welcome! It's a great group of people who are very supportive and dare I say intelligent and not to mention hilarious! Laura

Dr. Carter is great. We had 8-9 people in our office use him and he's very supportive. He's in Arlington and does surgery at USMD as well as in Hurst at the surgery center on Precinct Line. If you need details, let me know and PM me. Also, while he's very busy, from the time I contacted him initially and til the time I had the band, it was 5 weeks. I had the answer from the insurance company within a week with their help. They know exactly what the insurance companies need and get the info to them quickly! They're all great! Laura

Yep! I threw up once when I had the flu and I swear - I almost turned myself inside out! It was TERRIBLE! Painful and it was definitely different than the standard PB. I often wondered the same thing until it happened recently. ICK!

Hi K@t! We could be band buddies! I've had mine for 11 months and could really use some renew of my band-vigor. I've had a pretty uneventful time and there haven' been any surprises just the average band story. I'd be happy though to help you out however I can! PM me when you get a chance. Laura

OMG! I thought I wrote this and didn't remember doing so! I'm going through the beginning stages of what you're going through LouLou. I feel like a sister/mother to my husband and not at all like I think it should be. We got married after I got pregnant with our son after being together for a couple of years. He's a great guy - caring, supportive, likes to cook (making me dinner now..) a little lazy but it could be worse. The problem is I don't feel the passion I used to. It's comfortable. Is comfortable bad? I don't know. We just celebrated out 14th wedding anniversary and I feel like when I married him it was just the thing to do. I love him but not like a husband. I've often thought about divorce but then I start thinking - it could be worse. Sometimes knowing the "evil" is better than the unknown. Then I start thinking am I doing myself a deservice(sp?) by just settling? Then I start thinking am I just bored? Or is it me? It is my opinion of myself and I'm not letting myself get close to him. He's never hurt me (physically or mentally) pissed me off yes but never abusive so I don't know why I can't get close. Anyway, I just wanted you to know there are other people out there who feel like you do and I congratulate you on your courage to go through with this. Good luck and take care! Laura

Kim 8 - where are you in Keller? We're in Willis Coves. Wouldn't it be funny if we were neighbors? Not to hijack the thread..

Texasbluebonnet - where are you moving to? What area of Texas? I'm in the DFW area, Keller to be exact. I'm originally from Illinois but we've been down here for about 5 years now. A different world but it's home now! Let me know where you're going to end up! Good luck! Laura