wonderpooh2u

I've only spoken to a nutritionist once, and that was pre-op. But I have a book of guidelines that I follow, with portion sizes and Protein intake (60-80g like everyone else). Thank you for clarifying the whole 'NUT' thing lol... All of this is just so new, and I don't want to screw anything up. I definitely appreciate any and all input and advice!!!

Yikes! I never called my surgeon a nut! I think it was someone else on my thread, but it wasn't me LOL... Yes, to the portion sizes and Protein intake amount. If I eat how it says, which I do, my calories stay around 600-700. I think that's too low, plus I get hungry. So that's where my confusion is. I see others with 800-1000 caloric intakes, and I'm following what the paperwork says, which is soooo much lower. So I don't know if I should up my portions, or just leave it be, and keep feeling hungry, which is frustrating, but if I feel hungry, I'll drink about 3 oz of a Protein shake and I'm usually ok. I even asked my husband if I should eat until I'm full, and he said not to yet. So what the heck LOL?!?! I was gonna ask my surgeon today, as I had an appointment, got there and they told me it was yesterday. Really? That's why I set my phone when I was still in the office for the 15th. I was so stressed when I left! Anyhow, I think I'm just gonna eat and not overdo it and not worry about it. I'll see my doc on Monday, and get some answers then! Thank you, everyone!!! <3

YAY FOR JUNE BANDERS!!!

Yup, I've looked at it cover to cover to the point I can almost memorize it. It says NOTHING about calories. Which really surprises me....

Seems like a whole lot of body tricking....

One month post-op, eating solids. But how many calories should I be taking in? I haven't had a fill yet (2 wks), and I'm forever hungry. I don't want to take in too much, then have to go back to liquids after my first fill. I know I'll have to be on the liquid diet for a minute, but after I can go back to my solids, how many calories?

Crystal76... Wow! You poor thing! I hate hearing people suffering with things having gone thru this to make their lives better! Hate it! So far, is the one cc going ok for you? My surgeon doesn't even put any primary Fluid in, leaves the bands completely empty when he places them. I was banded on June 12, and I won't get my first fill for another two weeks. From what I've read, it seems a lot of people have issues that have fluid in right away. I could be wrong about that, but what I've seen, it's been common. I hope you get relief soon!

Proudmary... I haven't tried to gulp lol, I'm too afraid to! I've been doing everything I've been told. Just the one day this weekend when I did some grazing. I didn't feel different, but even with an empty band, I knew when I'd had enough. As for liquids before and after meals, that's the only thing I haven't followed. That's been probably the most difficult to do. If I eat tuna fish, or crackers, anything more dry, I NEED the liquid. Chewing to mush isn't enough. I don't drink a lot, but take a sip here and there if I know I'm eating something more dry. I don't know if there's a problem with that, but I haven't had any issues. Who's to day I won't after the fill tho? I don't know about anyone else, but I read in the book my surgeon gave me, to not drink an hour before or after. Ok, so how am I supposed to get enough fluids in me??? Following that 'rule' I don't get enough Fluid. Nowhere near it. As for my husband, he would eat a normal meal the same day he was filled. Never had/has an issue. But he hasn't followed the rules since probably week two LOL, and shame on him! He's been very lucky to not have any issues with the band AT ALL, and he's had his for 3.5 years. He has been stuck quite a bit, because he doesn't chew enough, but that mostly occurred within the first couple of years. It's rare for him to get stuck now.

Glad to hear it!

How are you feeling, Ariellestarr? Hope everyone is doing GREAT!!!

Sorry to hear that, teachercns.... I hope the sleeve is working better for you! My brother-in-law had the sleeve done in April. He's down about 50-60 lbs, I think he said. Best of luck!

I don't know why I didn't know that. Probably because my surgeon figured my husband would've given me the rundown (we had the same surgeon). I did YouTube it, and wow! It's a pretty short procedure! Very interesting to watch. And good to know

Oh, junebug! I wouldn't know what to do if my pants started to fall down lol! I'm not looking forward to getting my first fill. My hubs told me how weird it feels. He never did the fluids afterwards like we should, then he felt like poo. It's gonna be hard to go back to those yucky fluids. If I have to drink anymore apple juice or chicken broth, I'll scream lol. Honestly tho, I expect to have to, I just dread it. I won't get my first fill for two more weeks, either the last week of July or the first week of August. I'm down 24.6 so far, that's pre-op included, about 17 I think, post-op. I ate too much this weekend (more than just the three meals and two snacks). I hope I didn't gain. It's so hard to have yummy stuff right at arms length, and not munch! Oh, how I love watermelon, cheese roll and multi-grain crackers LOL. I didn't stuff myself, just shouldn't have grazed. And the food was everywhere, so it was so hard! Ugh.... No pants falling for me! Yet, anyway LOL

I was told to take small bites, and put my fork/spoon down, and actually concentrate on what was already in my mouth, not what was going to be in there NEXT. Savoring my food was never anything is done before, so now it's really nice!

I agree with the above posts. There's so much your body is adjusting to. All the gas and liquids... I can't see how we don't gain first! But, try to focus on healing, and not the scale. There's plenty of time for that! Best of luck!

I was told that at two hours post-op, they wanted me to get up and at least walk to the bathroom. I was only in the hospital for about 24 hrs, and I was up about every 3 hrs. I started walking to the bathroom, then around the room, then to the nurses desk, then down the hall, then around my part of the floor. When I was discharged, at home I walked to the end of my block (about 5 houses). I did that about every 3 hrs. I'm now 4 weeks post-op, and I'm walking on average 3.5 miles per day, usually a mile at a time. Do only what you are comfortable with, as you are the only one who knows what your body can handle! Congrats!

I was told to sip everything liquid. It teaches you to not gulp, therefore, there's not as much going down. We are such a fast paced society, that we chug and shove everything down so quickly, that most times we don't even taste the food or drink we ingest. That's what's wonderful about this surgery. It teaches you to SLOW DOWN. I was told that I need to learn how to take small bites, sip, and savor. <3

I took 3.5 weeks off. My surgeon suggested 2-3, so I went with 3. I'm usually a slow healer, so I wanted to make sure. My surgery was scheduled on a Thursday, so I had Thur/Fri/Sat off, Sun/Mon are my usual days off, and then the following 3 weeks off. I'm glad I took that much. I work as a 911 Dispatcher, working 8-12 hrs per shift, and it's mostly sedentary. I was no longer in any pain at the 3 week mark, having to sit in a chair, and not being lazy in a recliner LOL.

Any liver problems? I know for about a week, I was really sore (painful sore, to where I was miserable unless I stretched completely out on my recliner). My husband told me being the surgeon has to go under your liver, it leaves it, and the muscles, sore. I was discharged with Dilaudid for pain, and I would take it at night to help. I noticed the pain was worse on days when I really did more than I should've. Have you been pretty active? Like you, I haven't had any issues like some do post-op, so I was doing a lot more than I was to advised to (because I'm stubborn like that lol). And I paid for it! I was down for the count for about 3 days. I hope your surgeon and doctors can figure it out. Just remember, there was a lot of moving and shifting and bloating going on in there. I hope it's only temporary... Hang in there!

Glad you are doing better! My only advice is this: Chew to pulvarization! Things may still get stuck, but lots of chewing definitely helps! Keep up the good work!

I was in minimal pain when I was discharged, but the drive home was pretty uncomfortable. My suggestion is to have a pillow for the drive home, to lean on/into for comfort. Sitting up in a vehicle, as opposed to lying on a slight angle in the hospital bed for a day, was not the most comfortable. And the gas pains can make you uncomfortable, as well. I really didn't have too much gas pain, but some people do, and pretty bad. Having Gas-X on hand would be a good idea, just in case. If you can, purchase your post-op 'foods' a day or two before your surgery, that way it's already there when you get home. I didn't have to leave the house to get anything, so that was nice, because like I said, driving or being in a car was not comfortable. Also, you won't need it right away, but there are websites that you can order from for Proteins, so that will even save you trips in the future. I use BariatricChoice.com and

Calm down..... Take a breath..... First I have to say, a week and a half and already eating eggs and potatoes? Wow! I'm 4 wks post-up and I JUST started with potatoes, about a week ago I made scrambled eggs. A week and a half seems too soon, but it seems depending on the surgeon, they all do things different. What I was told is to CHEW, and CHEW, and CHEW. Until it's baby food consistency. Literally to mush. Take small bites, too. But, all I can suggest is maybe to add low fat milk to both, to make them more liquified. I haven't (yet) had any issues with any foods, but maybe that's because I chew to pulvarization LOL. Best of luck, and take it easy! It'll all work out!

Wait.... Up and over the band??? Did I miss something??? I was never told this is how it was done...

In trying to find heathy choices, I'm running into walls. I don't want to have to constantly look for low carb, low fat/fat free, low sugar/sugar free EVERYTHING. Would a vegan diet make more sense? I don't know much about it, but from what I understand, it's supposed to be more natural? I have no idea.... Lol

So, I'm supposed to get close to 64 oz of Water (or liquids total, minus Protein shakes/drinks) and I'm finding that almost impossible. No drinks one hour before meals, and no drinks one hour after meals. 64 oz is A LOT when you have to drink slow, plus having to drink Proteins, too. I can't do it. I'm lucky if I drink 32 oz of water with some Crystal Light, Gatorade, or ice water, per day. Plus Protein shakes? It's just too much for me. I didn't drink that much, pre-op. And I was told not to use straws. Pre-op, on occasion, I DID drink 64 oz, but it was with a straw. Frustrated...