BandedBrunette481

I've been banded about 2 months now, I have 3cc's in my band, and I've been working at listening to the signals my band is sending. I think it's hard for us newly banded people to always tell what level of restriction we're at. I honestly don't know if I'm in the green zone or not, but I had an epiphany the other day about being full. It went like this:
Last night, after a home cooked meal with friends, everyone was sitting around talking about how full they were and rubbing their stomachs. I sat there thinking am I full too?
I wanted to ask them all how they knew they were full. Did they feel it in their stomachs, physically? Because that’s what my definition of full was before I was banded. I was full when I physically felt as though I couldn’t eat another bite. If I felt like I could still eat more, I wasn’t full.
Epiphany: I was still expecting that feeling after being banded, just that it would happen with less food, and that is all sorts of wrong!
That’s not how full is supposed to feel for anyone, banded or not. That’s what overeating feels like. Maybe full is the wrong word to use in general because, to me, it means “no more room.” My doctor often uses the term ‘satisfied’ in place of full but that doesn’t work for me either because I’m a food addict, I’m never quite “satisfied” with any amount of food. That’s how I got up to 235 pounds, ya know what I mean?
I prefer the word done, as in “I am done eating.” I don’t have to be full or satisfied to be done eating. It just means I have to stop, whatever the reason. Plus, it sounds very final and that helps me stop my head hunger.
So, was I done eating at that dinner with friends? Absolutely. I could tell that I had eaten in the sense that I felt the food in my stomach, but I wasn’t hurting or feeling uncomfortable like so many of my companions. I was just done.
It’s wonderful to realize that I don’t have to strive for full or even satisfied. I just have to eat enough of the right things to fuel my body and then be done. (This is an excerpt from my original blog post. Click here if you want to read the whole thing)
I wanted to share this on the forum because I hope it can inspire others who are struggling.
So who's with me on making "done" the new term for full?

It is never to late to get back on track! You took a big step in gaining control of your health by getting the LapBand. It's not about the band "not working for you" it's that you have to MAKE the band work for you. If you restart, follow the rules, and be patient, and diligent, the band does work, I promise
I think you should totally go back to your surgeon or find another one you feel more comfortable with and get back on track. It often takes more than just 2 fills to get to the right level so you feel full. This is the part that takes patience. Until you are able to find that right fill level with your surgeon, yeah, it is going to take a lot of hard work on your part. You're going to have to count calories, say no to foods you really want, and essentially be on a "diet." But once you get used to all these habits, it's much easier to stay on track. But you have to be committed to it or the LapBand won't do much for you and you'll gain weight. That means you have to stay active too. You don't have to become a runner overnight or anything, but daily walks are a great start. Anything you enjoy that gets you up and moving.
It's hard. As a recovering food addict and chronic couch potato, I get that. But if you just push through the hard parts, you'll be amazed at yourself. You can do this if you put your mind to it! I know I already said it, but it's not too late!! You can still make this band work for you.
What I find motivational is reading other people's success stories on here or on blogs online. I have a blog and I can say that most of us LapBand bloggers are super honest about our successes as well as our failures. Nobody is perfect. But it's nice to see what worked for other people and when I was first starting out it gave me hope and motivation to see others doing so well. So if you feel in need of inspiration, I highly suggest checking out some success stories or blogs. The link to mine is in my signature below and here are some of my favorite bloggers
Banded Wendy
LapBand Gal
My Bandemonium
cheese and Sunkist

It is never to late to get back on track! You took a big step in gaining control of your health by getting the LapBand. It's not about the band "not working for you" it's that you have to MAKE the band work for you. If you restart, follow the rules, and be patient, and diligent, the band does work, I promise
I think you should totally go back to your surgeon or find another one you feel more comfortable with and get back on track. It often takes more than just 2 fills to get to the right level so you feel full. This is the part that takes patience. Until you are able to find that right fill level with your surgeon, yeah, it is going to take a lot of hard work on your part. You're going to have to count calories, say no to foods you really want, and essentially be on a "diet." But once you get used to all these habits, it's much easier to stay on track. But you have to be committed to it or the LapBand won't do much for you and you'll gain weight. That means you have to stay active too. You don't have to become a runner overnight or anything, but daily walks are a great start. Anything you enjoy that gets you up and moving.
It's hard. As a recovering food addict and chronic couch potato, I get that. But if you just push through the hard parts, you'll be amazed at yourself. You can do this if you put your mind to it! I know I already said it, but it's not too late!! You can still make this band work for you.
What I find motivational is reading other people's success stories on here or on blogs online. I have a blog and I can say that most of us LapBand bloggers are super honest about our successes as well as our failures. Nobody is perfect. But it's nice to see what worked for other people and when I was first starting out it gave me hope and motivation to see others doing so well. So if you feel in need of inspiration, I highly suggest checking out some success stories or blogs. The link to mine is in my signature below and here are some of my favorite bloggers
Banded Wendy
LapBand Gal
My Bandemonium
cheese and Sunkist

My suggestion is to do as much research in the next few weeks as you can to prepare yourself! This site is a good place to browse to find answers to specific questions you have, all you have to do is type a few keywords in the search bar. But I caution you to take what you read of people's experiences with a grain of salt. You'll see a lot of the bad experience stories on here along with the good ones. Do not let that scare you!! If you follow your surgeon's guidelines, your chance of complications is minimal.
I also encourage you to read blogs on this site or on the web in general. There are a lot out there devoted to LapBand success stories and when I first started my journey I found it comforting to read. I felt more prepared reading what others did to be successful. I have a blog, the link is below if you want to check it out. I have a lot of info about my journey from insurance approval to now. Other good blogs to try are LapBand Gal and BandedWendy (video blog). You'll find links to other blogs in these places as well.
Best of luck to you!!! You'll do great

It is never to late to get back on track! You took a big step in gaining control of your health by getting the LapBand. It's not about the band "not working for you" it's that you have to MAKE the band work for you. If you restart, follow the rules, and be patient, and diligent, the band does work, I promise
I think you should totally go back to your surgeon or find another one you feel more comfortable with and get back on track. It often takes more than just 2 fills to get to the right level so you feel full. This is the part that takes patience. Until you are able to find that right fill level with your surgeon, yeah, it is going to take a lot of hard work on your part. You're going to have to count calories, say no to foods you really want, and essentially be on a "diet." But once you get used to all these habits, it's much easier to stay on track. But you have to be committed to it or the LapBand won't do much for you and you'll gain weight. That means you have to stay active too. You don't have to become a runner overnight or anything, but daily walks are a great start. Anything you enjoy that gets you up and moving.
It's hard. As a recovering food addict and chronic couch potato, I get that. But if you just push through the hard parts, you'll be amazed at yourself. You can do this if you put your mind to it! I know I already said it, but it's not too late!! You can still make this band work for you.
What I find motivational is reading other people's success stories on here or on blogs online. I have a blog and I can say that most of us LapBand bloggers are super honest about our successes as well as our failures. Nobody is perfect. But it's nice to see what worked for other people and when I was first starting out it gave me hope and motivation to see others doing so well. So if you feel in need of inspiration, I highly suggest checking out some success stories or blogs. The link to mine is in my signature below and here are some of my favorite bloggers
Banded Wendy
LapBand Gal
My Bandemonium
cheese and Sunkist

After surgery, you'll eat much less than you could before surgery! Some of that comes from the fact that you'll just feel less hungry in general (although some people say they don't get the appetite suppression like others do) and some of that comes from the fact that you physically cannot eat over a certain amount. Overeating with a LapBand is really uncomfortable and sometimes downright painful so you'll learn pretty quickly what your limits are. The problem is when people constantly push those limits. You don't want to constantly overeat with the band or you risk complications like stretching your pouch or band slippage. The band will also not work for you if you don't eliminate "grazing" behavior. The band works when you eat a healthy, but small proportioned meal because the food has time to sit in your little pouch and your brain gets the message that you're full. When you eat a little here and a little there, snacking away, it goes right through the band and your brain won't get the I'm full message like it's supposed to and you'll be hungry. So you'll be surprised how much you really can still eat after being banded if you don't follow the LapBand "rules."

After surgery, you'll eat much less than you could before surgery! Some of that comes from the fact that you'll just feel less hungry in general (although some people say they don't get the appetite suppression like others do) and some of that comes from the fact that you physically cannot eat over a certain amount. Overeating with a LapBand is really uncomfortable and sometimes downright painful so you'll learn pretty quickly what your limits are. The problem is when people constantly push those limits. You don't want to constantly overeat with the band or you risk complications like stretching your pouch or band slippage. The band will also not work for you if you don't eliminate "grazing" behavior. The band works when you eat a healthy, but small proportioned meal because the food has time to sit in your little pouch and your brain gets the message that you're full. When you eat a little here and a little there, snacking away, it goes right through the band and your brain won't get the I'm full message like it's supposed to and you'll be hungry. So you'll be surprised how much you really can still eat after being banded if you don't follow the LapBand "rules."

Don't fret, I'm willing to bet most of us did the same thing! I know I did. My mom kept asking me why I wasn't trying to eat healthy before I had to start my pre-op diet and my response was "Because. When I have to eat that way, I will. Right now I can eat however I want so I'm going to." And I did exactly that. I ate as I pleased, not so much that I gained weight, but I maintained my weight until I had to start my pre-op diet. That was like the starting line for me. I mentally prepared myself for it to be so it's not like it was a shock when I had to start the diet. I was fully prepared for it to suck lol But making that my starting point for my new healthy lifestyle, being determined from then on has worked for me
So don't beat yourself up over it! Just know that once you start the pre-op diet you MUST commit to the lifestyle change if you want the band to work for you. Would it be a good idea to start preparing and practicing the good habits now? Absolutely. It's recommended by both surgeons and nutritionists. I'm just telling you my story and letting you know it won't make you a failure if you don't get it all perfect right now. Best of luck to you!

Don't fret, I'm willing to bet most of us did the same thing! I know I did. My mom kept asking me why I wasn't trying to eat healthy before I had to start my pre-op diet and my response was "Because. When I have to eat that way, I will. Right now I can eat however I want so I'm going to." And I did exactly that. I ate as I pleased, not so much that I gained weight, but I maintained my weight until I had to start my pre-op diet. That was like the starting line for me. I mentally prepared myself for it to be so it's not like it was a shock when I had to start the diet. I was fully prepared for it to suck lol But making that my starting point for my new healthy lifestyle, being determined from then on has worked for me
So don't beat yourself up over it! Just know that once you start the pre-op diet you MUST commit to the lifestyle change if you want the band to work for you. Would it be a good idea to start preparing and practicing the good habits now? Absolutely. It's recommended by both surgeons and nutritionists. I'm just telling you my story and letting you know it won't make you a failure if you don't get it all perfect right now. Best of luck to you!

..how grateful I am for my band. I was on a cruise last week and was able to do whatever I wanted. I walked all over this huge ship and had no pain, no issues at all. I went onto a small boat to go snorkeling and had no problem getting on it from the dock, or getting in and out of the Water on the ladder either. I was even able to run the length of that long long pier in St. Thomas as we were late back to the ship. I kept up and even went faster than my sister. I've gotten a new lease on life and it's all due to the band. I had absolutely no issues with the food because I was so aware of how much better I was feeling this time compared to the last cruise I was on. It's easy to walk away from the buffet when you can move without pain and when you can fit in any chair, booth, lounge chair, barstool, plane seat, etc, etc.
Below is a picture of a very happy woman sitting at the bar at Maaho Beach and not sweating like a pig or embarrassed about her size. Life is good. ...oh and I lost another pound even with the increase in alcoholic consumption over the past week.

Sorry to hear about your port flipping!! Glad you were able to get it fixed. I was banded in February, not April, but I'm not too far off and I'm doing great! I'm down 40 pounds so far and I feel so much better, not to mention my health is getting back on track! I chronicle my progress in my blog, so there are pictures and stuff if you're interested in reading more about my story. The link is below in my signature. Best of luck to you in your journey

It is never to late to get back on track! You took a big step in gaining control of your health by getting the LapBand. It's not about the band "not working for you" it's that you have to MAKE the band work for you. If you restart, follow the rules, and be patient, and diligent, the band does work, I promise
I think you should totally go back to your surgeon or find another one you feel more comfortable with and get back on track. It often takes more than just 2 fills to get to the right level so you feel full. This is the part that takes patience. Until you are able to find that right fill level with your surgeon, yeah, it is going to take a lot of hard work on your part. You're going to have to count calories, say no to foods you really want, and essentially be on a "diet." But once you get used to all these habits, it's much easier to stay on track. But you have to be committed to it or the LapBand won't do much for you and you'll gain weight. That means you have to stay active too. You don't have to become a runner overnight or anything, but daily walks are a great start. Anything you enjoy that gets you up and moving.
It's hard. As a recovering food addict and chronic couch potato, I get that. But if you just push through the hard parts, you'll be amazed at yourself. You can do this if you put your mind to it! I know I already said it, but it's not too late!! You can still make this band work for you.
What I find motivational is reading other people's success stories on here or on blogs online. I have a blog and I can say that most of us LapBand bloggers are super honest about our successes as well as our failures. Nobody is perfect. But it's nice to see what worked for other people and when I was first starting out it gave me hope and motivation to see others doing so well. So if you feel in need of inspiration, I highly suggest checking out some success stories or blogs. The link to mine is in my signature below and here are some of my favorite bloggers
Banded Wendy
LapBand Gal
My Bandemonium
cheese and Sunkist

Congrats!!! This is just the start of an awesome life ahead with your band! Wishing you a speedy recovery and the best of luck with everything
Also, I slept in a recliner for like 2 weeks after surgery haha it's totally normal because the pressure laying down puts on your insides is just way too uncomfortable for a while.

It is never to late to get back on track! You took a big step in gaining control of your health by getting the LapBand. It's not about the band "not working for you" it's that you have to MAKE the band work for you. If you restart, follow the rules, and be patient, and diligent, the band does work, I promise
I think you should totally go back to your surgeon or find another one you feel more comfortable with and get back on track. It often takes more than just 2 fills to get to the right level so you feel full. This is the part that takes patience. Until you are able to find that right fill level with your surgeon, yeah, it is going to take a lot of hard work on your part. You're going to have to count calories, say no to foods you really want, and essentially be on a "diet." But once you get used to all these habits, it's much easier to stay on track. But you have to be committed to it or the LapBand won't do much for you and you'll gain weight. That means you have to stay active too. You don't have to become a runner overnight or anything, but daily walks are a great start. Anything you enjoy that gets you up and moving.
It's hard. As a recovering food addict and chronic couch potato, I get that. But if you just push through the hard parts, you'll be amazed at yourself. You can do this if you put your mind to it! I know I already said it, but it's not too late!! You can still make this band work for you.
What I find motivational is reading other people's success stories on here or on blogs online. I have a blog and I can say that most of us LapBand bloggers are super honest about our successes as well as our failures. Nobody is perfect. But it's nice to see what worked for other people and when I was first starting out it gave me hope and motivation to see others doing so well. So if you feel in need of inspiration, I highly suggest checking out some success stories or blogs. The link to mine is in my signature below and here are some of my favorite bloggers
Banded Wendy
LapBand Gal
My Bandemonium
cheese and Sunkist

It depends on what food stage you're in (ex: during my pre-op diet phase I was eating like 100 grams of Protein a day but the first few weeks post op you'll be struggling to get past 40) but in general, once you get past the first month of surgery, it should be about 60-80 grams of Protein per day. That's what my nutritionist says anyways

It is never to late to get back on track! You took a big step in gaining control of your health by getting the LapBand. It's not about the band "not working for you" it's that you have to MAKE the band work for you. If you restart, follow the rules, and be patient, and diligent, the band does work, I promise
I think you should totally go back to your surgeon or find another one you feel more comfortable with and get back on track. It often takes more than just 2 fills to get to the right level so you feel full. This is the part that takes patience. Until you are able to find that right fill level with your surgeon, yeah, it is going to take a lot of hard work on your part. You're going to have to count calories, say no to foods you really want, and essentially be on a "diet." But once you get used to all these habits, it's much easier to stay on track. But you have to be committed to it or the LapBand won't do much for you and you'll gain weight. That means you have to stay active too. You don't have to become a runner overnight or anything, but daily walks are a great start. Anything you enjoy that gets you up and moving.
It's hard. As a recovering food addict and chronic couch potato, I get that. But if you just push through the hard parts, you'll be amazed at yourself. You can do this if you put your mind to it! I know I already said it, but it's not too late!! You can still make this band work for you.
What I find motivational is reading other people's success stories on here or on blogs online. I have a blog and I can say that most of us LapBand bloggers are super honest about our successes as well as our failures. Nobody is perfect. But it's nice to see what worked for other people and when I was first starting out it gave me hope and motivation to see others doing so well. So if you feel in need of inspiration, I highly suggest checking out some success stories or blogs. The link to mine is in my signature below and here are some of my favorite bloggers
Banded Wendy
LapBand Gal
My Bandemonium
cheese and Sunkist

It is never to late to get back on track! You took a big step in gaining control of your health by getting the LapBand. It's not about the band "not working for you" it's that you have to MAKE the band work for you. If you restart, follow the rules, and be patient, and diligent, the band does work, I promise
I think you should totally go back to your surgeon or find another one you feel more comfortable with and get back on track. It often takes more than just 2 fills to get to the right level so you feel full. This is the part that takes patience. Until you are able to find that right fill level with your surgeon, yeah, it is going to take a lot of hard work on your part. You're going to have to count calories, say no to foods you really want, and essentially be on a "diet." But once you get used to all these habits, it's much easier to stay on track. But you have to be committed to it or the LapBand won't do much for you and you'll gain weight. That means you have to stay active too. You don't have to become a runner overnight or anything, but daily walks are a great start. Anything you enjoy that gets you up and moving.
It's hard. As a recovering food addict and chronic couch potato, I get that. But if you just push through the hard parts, you'll be amazed at yourself. You can do this if you put your mind to it! I know I already said it, but it's not too late!! You can still make this band work for you.
What I find motivational is reading other people's success stories on here or on blogs online. I have a blog and I can say that most of us LapBand bloggers are super honest about our successes as well as our failures. Nobody is perfect. But it's nice to see what worked for other people and when I was first starting out it gave me hope and motivation to see others doing so well. So if you feel in need of inspiration, I highly suggest checking out some success stories or blogs. The link to mine is in my signature below and here are some of my favorite bloggers
Banded Wendy
LapBand Gal
My Bandemonium
cheese and Sunkist

It is never to late to get back on track! You took a big step in gaining control of your health by getting the LapBand. It's not about the band "not working for you" it's that you have to MAKE the band work for you. If you restart, follow the rules, and be patient, and diligent, the band does work, I promise
I think you should totally go back to your surgeon or find another one you feel more comfortable with and get back on track. It often takes more than just 2 fills to get to the right level so you feel full. This is the part that takes patience. Until you are able to find that right fill level with your surgeon, yeah, it is going to take a lot of hard work on your part. You're going to have to count calories, say no to foods you really want, and essentially be on a "diet." But once you get used to all these habits, it's much easier to stay on track. But you have to be committed to it or the LapBand won't do much for you and you'll gain weight. That means you have to stay active too. You don't have to become a runner overnight or anything, but daily walks are a great start. Anything you enjoy that gets you up and moving.
It's hard. As a recovering food addict and chronic couch potato, I get that. But if you just push through the hard parts, you'll be amazed at yourself. You can do this if you put your mind to it! I know I already said it, but it's not too late!! You can still make this band work for you.
What I find motivational is reading other people's success stories on here or on blogs online. I have a blog and I can say that most of us LapBand bloggers are super honest about our successes as well as our failures. Nobody is perfect. But it's nice to see what worked for other people and when I was first starting out it gave me hope and motivation to see others doing so well. So if you feel in need of inspiration, I highly suggest checking out some success stories or blogs. The link to mine is in my signature below and here are some of my favorite bloggers
Banded Wendy
LapBand Gal
My Bandemonium
cheese and Sunkist

It is never to late to get back on track! You took a big step in gaining control of your health by getting the LapBand. It's not about the band "not working for you" it's that you have to MAKE the band work for you. If you restart, follow the rules, and be patient, and diligent, the band does work, I promise
I think you should totally go back to your surgeon or find another one you feel more comfortable with and get back on track. It often takes more than just 2 fills to get to the right level so you feel full. This is the part that takes patience. Until you are able to find that right fill level with your surgeon, yeah, it is going to take a lot of hard work on your part. You're going to have to count calories, say no to foods you really want, and essentially be on a "diet." But once you get used to all these habits, it's much easier to stay on track. But you have to be committed to it or the LapBand won't do much for you and you'll gain weight. That means you have to stay active too. You don't have to become a runner overnight or anything, but daily walks are a great start. Anything you enjoy that gets you up and moving.
It's hard. As a recovering food addict and chronic couch potato, I get that. But if you just push through the hard parts, you'll be amazed at yourself. You can do this if you put your mind to it! I know I already said it, but it's not too late!! You can still make this band work for you.
What I find motivational is reading other people's success stories on here or on blogs online. I have a blog and I can say that most of us LapBand bloggers are super honest about our successes as well as our failures. Nobody is perfect. But it's nice to see what worked for other people and when I was first starting out it gave me hope and motivation to see others doing so well. So if you feel in need of inspiration, I highly suggest checking out some success stories or blogs. The link to mine is in my signature below and here are some of my favorite bloggers
Banded Wendy
LapBand Gal
My Bandemonium
cheese and Sunkist

It depends on what food stage you're in (ex: during my pre-op diet phase I was eating like 100 grams of Protein a day but the first few weeks post op you'll be struggling to get past 40) but in general, once you get past the first month of surgery, it should be about 60-80 grams of Protein per day. That's what my nutritionist says anyways

My surgery last November was life-changing. I started my research just over a year ago and was banded November 5th. I'm now eight months into my new life and I'm so happy with the choice I made. In choosing weight loss surgery I was really choosing myself. While I knew that getting a band would help me lose the extra weight I have battled for so many years, I wasn't really prepared for just how powerful I'd feel as a result of making this decision. I have shown up for myself and my healthy future. I chose me, and my self-esteem has skyrocketed.
This morning I was at 191. It feels great to be in "Onederland" and now I am looking forward to seeing the eighties soon. I always believed that the closer to goal the more difficult it is to lose weight. I'm thinking of throwing that idea out the window along with some others that I've already let go of -- for example I no longer believe in my body going into starvation mode. I also don't think anymore that I "should eat" if it's been a while but I'm not hungry. Let's face it, I have all this fat stored in case food supplies run short. Now that I'm banded, I'm having way less food and guess what? My body is releasing the fat. I also no longer believe that being a fifty-something female is a deterrent to weight loss. It's coming off fine.
When I set out to do this, I gave myself a year. Not a year to get to my goal (100 pounds off which would put me around 150, which I think might be the right place), but a year to change my lifestyle. It turns out this did not take nearly that long. I feel like my body understands what's going on and that the new behaviors have integrated now. Because we are all different, we each have to find out what is ideal for our particular body and that can take some time. I'm glad I was able to be patient as I did not reach the green zone until I had seven fills. These were small frequent fills -- and doctors really vary on their approaches -- but for me it took about 4-5 months to reach the green zone.
What has worked for me (and there are many, many approaches!):
I eat when I'm hungry but I don't eat if I'm not hungry. It turns out that because I spent so many years depriving myself of food, eating when hungry is the hardest for me of the two. Now I welcome a sign of appetite and I think carefully about what would be good for me to have. I am not on a diet.
I stop eating when I get the signal that I've had enough. I was a grazer and I have to be careful not to fall back into that habit. When I've finished, I've finished. I glance at the clock and mentally calculate 4-5 hours for the next time that I may need to check in with myself to see if I have an appetite.
I don't eat in the morning because I'm not hungry yet. Sometimes it's eleven o'clock or noon, but I have even waited until afternoon. My body tells me when it's time for food and I know that it's nearly always Protein I need first. I don't worry about grams of Protein per day or counting calories.
I enjoy a Protein shake once in a while as a treat but I don't rely on them because of the slider effect. I don't end up feeling sustained on a Protein Shake and I know I need real food well-chewed in order for my band to work.
I'm pretty sure exercise is the magic ingredient to success. I walk every day that I can, and I work out in our basement. If any one had told me a year ago that I would be doing everything I'm doing -- and enjoying it -- I would not have believed them.
That's it! Here's to being patient with ourselves and figuring out what works for us individually.

Some people get to eat food on their pre-op diets! I wasn't one of them, but I've heard of people getting to drink the Protein Shakes plus one small meal a day consisting of just Protein and veggies (which you ate). So you haven't ruined anything, don't worry! Just stay on track with your doctor's requirements from now until your surgery and you will be good to go

Towards the end of my pre-op diet I was kind of in the same boat. I wasn't gaining, but I didn't lose. I didn't lose very much on my pre-op diet at all, in fact, and I wasn't even allowed to eat any food, just Protein Shakes. Like others mentioned it is probably just a mix of Water retention and bloating from the diet adjustment. What actually helped me was increasing my water intake and going for long walks. The water helps flush your system out and the walking aides in getting your insides moving better so the bloating goes down. Best of luck to you! Hang in there

Congrats on your upcoming surgery date!! I too am a planner so I understand your desire to be prepared!
I was glad to have my recliner, my pain meds, a place to pace around, a heating pad, tea, and comfy clothes. You mentioned that you don't have a recliner, but I think sitting propped up in bed will be a good alternative. It's really just the getting in and out of bed that's going to be the tricky part. Your abs are going to be SO sore. You will be surprised how many movements you do on a daily basis involve your abdominal muscles when you get home after surgery and can really feel them haha. This is where the heating pad comes in handy though! It helps with the pain and was my lifesaver. I kept my medicine, the heating pad, and a Water bottle right next to my recliner all the time so I didn't have to reach far for them.
When you get home you're probably going to sleep a lot, but when you aren't sleeping, and when that gas pain kicks in, you're going to want to walk around. I had my surgery in the winter, so I had to pace around inside. I would be up at all hours just doing laps around the living room! The walking helps get all your insides moving and it really does help get rid of the gas pain, I swear. You'll notice the longer you sit, the more uncomfortable you feel. So before you go in for surgery find a place to do your walking, whether it's outside or a path you can walk inside your house. You'll be grateful.
I also mentioned tea as one thing I was glad I had because that's what I drank the most of post-op. Warm liquids are great for easing the post-op pain and that was my warm liquid of choice (that was also on my surgeon's approved list). I bought Decaf and herbal teas because I was told no caffeine after surgery. You probably won't feel up to grocery shopping for at least the first week so make sure you have whatever foods/liquids are in your surgeon's post op diet requirements on hand!
Best of luck to you!

Towards the end of my pre-op diet I was kind of in the same boat. I wasn't gaining, but I didn't lose. I didn't lose very much on my pre-op diet at all, in fact, and I wasn't even allowed to eat any food, just Protein Shakes. Like others mentioned it is probably just a mix of Water retention and bloating from the diet adjustment. What actually helped me was increasing my water intake and going for long walks. The water helps flush your system out and the walking aides in getting your insides moving better so the bloating goes down. Best of luck to you! Hang in there