Kat225

I feel the same way....HUNGRY!!!! Can't wait to get filled on May 14th!!!!! I hope I get restriction for at least a little while. I want to lose 12lbs a month to meet my mini goal of losing 60lbs by Sept. 1st.

I was feeling very weak the first week or so after surgery. I know it was due to my lack of food intake. I was on CLEAR liquids for about 5-6 days. This was just broth, SF Jello, SF popsicles, and crystal light. I started to get my strength back as I went on the mushy stage when I got to eat things with more nutritional value. I don't know if this is normal but it was for me. I wasn't able to eat or drink very much so there wasn't much choice in the matter.

I take a chewable because I've never been able to take regular vitamins. They always made me throw up. I take children's chewable with iron and I also take biotin for my hair.

I never heard of this before??? Interesting! It's not unusual to not have restriction until several fills so I hear.

I get this too. I'm only 3 wks out so I'm thinking it will sease. How far along are you?

I'm hungry too! I can't wait to get a fill to help. This is why it's called banster hell!!!

Soda can stretch your pouch and cause band errosion...BAD!!

Soda is bad because it can stretch your pouch and it could cause errosion which will lead to you losing your band...

I am very blessed to have a great best friend that supports me 100%. She even went with me to Mexico to get it done. She called me brave for taking control of my life. If she does feel I took the easy way out she never says it. She too has struggled with her weight but she lost it on WW. I think your friend is jealous but not in a bad vengeful way but is probably in pain about her weight. Being overweight as we all know is very painful. I think you should approach her in a sensitive way and just explain to her that the band is not easy and it takes work too. My sister in law is trying to lose weight right now and made the same comment as if we don't have to eat right and exersice to lose weight too. It's just people's perspective of WLS. Although I never put someone down for getting WLS, I remember thinking it was going to be easy...boy am I surprised!!! LOL!

I don't think it matters what your taste buds are because regardless of what types of food you prefer, one can still eat around the band. Chips and bread break down into sugar anyway. It's all carbs. Mexican food is really fattening. Sour cream, cheese, sauses, guacamole, are all very soft foods that will be very easy to eat with the band but they are not healthy. Just be careful

I haven't had a PB yet but I've never heard of them being described like this. It's when food gets stuck and it comes up. Tell your doc ASAP!

I take a chewable vitamin with iron. But you should be able to get by with just cutting larger pills in half with a pill cutter. If the pill is really large maybe cut it into 3 pieces. Not a big deal.

I'm still working on this. If I do drink with a meal I take just a small sip and move it around in my mouth to quench the dry mouth but I really try hard not to do it at all. I do drink before meals and I don't think I'm waiting long enough after to eat though. I barely have any restriction since I'm newly banded and have no fluid in the band. I will really need to perfect this once getting filled. The band will not be effected while in the plane. I flew to Mexico to get my band and I didn't notice anything on the flight home.

This is exactly how i feel too...hunger is back and it's ugly!! I don't go for a fill until the 21st...pray for me

How much experience has this doc had with the band???

It would make more sense to me to completely unfill you then slowly fill you with little bits at a time so you can eat and have some relief. Who cares about weight loss at this point. You will still lose weight you will just have to work harder.

Why won't your doc completely unfill you??? Your going to starve!!

Amber, maybe you need to be unfilled some. It sounds like you are too tight. Was it always like this or just since your fills??? It doesn't sound like you are eating too fast or doing anything wrong. It just seems like your too restricted or worst case would be your band slipped. How long have you had your band? Did you get it in the US or Mexico?

I saved up, used my income tax return, and borrowed from family. Spent $7,769 all together in Juarez, MX.

I had my surgery April 2nd with Dr. Jose Rodriguez in Juarez, MX. I was also treated like a Queen!!! My patient facilitor gave me a complete list of docs that will work with his patients all over the US. I have an appt. May 21st for my first fill. The truth is Mexico has more experienced docs but you can get good care in both US and MX. In response to the person who wrote about the chewed bone...all docs get chewed bones. What if I had my band in PA but then moved to Texas. I would obviously have to see a new doc so what's tthe difference??? I'm tired of people putting down MX. I was never treated so well in my life when I went there. The quality of care was excellent!! I'm tired of the US superior attitiude. US docs need to stop being snobs!

Southwest or Air Tran. Depends on where you live and where your headed.

I've had a few crackers with my chicken salad and I had no problems...I chewed really well. The only way to know is to try it. Just watch the portion because of carbs/sugar...

Shortgal, I go for my first fill on May 21st. I map quested the distance and it will probably be about an hour and 20 minutes to get there. I don't know how often I will get fills. I guess every doc is different in how they do things but I'm thinking I will get one as often as I need to...you know when I am not losing and I can eat way too much and I'm not staying full between meals & stuff. From what I hear those are the indications it's time for a fill. It seems each doc does things a different way so that will be a factor if she only gives small fills or larger ones. I also have to pay out of pocket for my fills and they are $200 each one, so I guess finances will also play a part in how often I get a fill. I'm praying I am one of those fortunate people who get restriction earlier rather than later. Right now it's too early to tell...

Yeah I just got banded April 2nd. I started eating soft foods now. Soft meat like crab, turkey lunch meat, or really tender chicken. I also eat a lot of sugar free popsickles, sugar free pudding, yogert, eggs salad, tuna salad, Soups and SF Jello. I need to eat more veggies. I've always had problems with this area. My main problem is fighting hunger in the evenings and weekends. Some is real hunger and some is head hunger. Oh and bread!! I love bread.... I have a doctor to do my fills in Fredrick, MD. I live in PA but this is the closest doc that will work with Mexico patients. BTW, I had a wonderful experience in MX. Treated like a queen. Unfortunately PA is too far to continue to travel to MX for my after care. Texas residents are much more fortunate in that way. I'm learning day by day to eat more like a banster. Not drinking when eating is difficult for me. That's when I used to take in most of my fluids before, so it's an adjustment. As for exercise, I've started walking short distances like around the block. I have to get up my endurance. I am really out of shape. I get winded easily. I don't know how I left myself get this way. It's gonna take a lot of work to get back to a healthy weight and lifestyle. I thought soda would be harder to give up than it is, but it's been four weeks since my last diet soda. I think it's because I can't drink when I eat that makes it so much easier. I used to love soda with a meal.

Shortgal, I'm glad everything is cool and we can agree to support one another. I look forward to learning from you and others on this board. I respect everyone's opinion and advice. So what has been working so far for you? What and how much are you eating?