Angelant76

OMG I'm feeling the same thing. I had the procedure on January 21st. I was doing fine up until 2 days ago. I was feeling pretty darn good being able to go 4-5 hrs without getting hungry. Then 2 days ago hit. My 1 cup became 1 and 1/4 cup and I found it more difficult to get to the next meal. I had a follow up this morning with the clinic, they told me it's normal because the swelling has come down. They coin it "lap band hell" for the next 2 weeks. Essentially I'm on soft foods then onto solid (normal) next week; it this time that I should be monitoring how long I can go feeling "satiety". This will determine my fill requirement when I return in 2 weeks. I was also told to expect an increase in weight because I am introducing real food back in the system. Hang in there!

I have only been banded since mid January and do enjoy a small glass of wine with meals a few times a week. My weight continues to drop and overall I'm eating much less then I normally would have back before the surgery.
The alcohol also does not impact me, they are liquids and go right through.
At the end of the day it's about what goes in and how much you burn. In addition it's about satiety, so if you're eating less and can go the 4 (recommended) hours and loosing the 1-2lbs a week - you're golden (in my opinion)
Also to note I read a book my surgeon had given me based on the Dr who was instrumental in the band procedure; his studies actually show that patients who enjoyed a small amount of wine throughout the week with dinner had favourable results.

I don't hold back drinking socially...either gin and tonics or bloody mary's....
Does not effect my band one way or the other....
As far as colories, I'm not a calorie counter...I look at the big picture which is I now eat 1/10th of what I used to on any given day, and when I do eat, I make the best nutritious choices I can.
I also will have a beer or two from time to time...but I don't recommended it to people just starting out...there is a lot to learn first...

I think I needed last night... The cheating, the pain, the concern and the guilt/shame. Helped me try to get my mind on track again. I will make mistakes, but this is important!

I wanted to address some misconceptions about when I reference Mindful Eating. Mindful eating is not license (at least for me) to eat with wild abandon. It does not promote unhealthy eating, however it does legitimize many-to-all foods.

Legalizing foods is not contrary to good health. It does not mean disregarding your health. food choices still matter. The difference in an inner difference as to how food information is "processed." (pun intended!)

Mindful eating is self-aware eating, self-awareness of how the food choices you select make you feel. Do your choices make you grumpy, sleepy, sluggish, etc. or leave you hungry or leave you energized, etc., etc??

Mindful eating is a healthy relationship with food in which you are not good or bad for the choices you make. There is no body-bashing or feelings of failure for imperfect diets. You don't secretly stash away "bad" foods to eat for when your dieting spree ends, or for when you decide to "cheat."

Instead, you incorporate all foods that you wish into your choices. If done mindfully, formerly secretive "bad" foods lose their power and lose the ability to make you feel "out of control." The loss of a food's power over you is key, and it really can happen!
I still eat my Protein first and follow bariatric rules, but there has been a mind shift in me.

For me, mindful eating is being "in charge." It is balancing and self-empowering. It is not necessary to dig too deeply into the jar of nut butter or to eat every cookie on the baking sheet. If I truly want a cookie, I have one and savor that one so that I am truly satisfied. I seek out the very best quality in the foods I choose.

Eating more high quality foods helps me eat less. As an example, I don't waste my time on mere mortal chocolates when I can have a piece of fine chocolate that is, figuratively, a food fit for the gods.

I hope this brings some clarity to when I refer to mindful eating and that people do not mistake it as an eating excuse to be overly permissive or as an excuse for an abundance of thoughtless choices that lead to munching all day and night.

Gradually, with practice, mindful eating can lead to the opposite. That is, eating to satisfy one's true (stomach) hunger (eating in sync with the band, and soon to be my sleeve) and the recognition of when eating is an attempt to satisfy either negative or positive emotions.

Even if you are mindful and undistracted when eating just a few bites initially, I believe you can reap great benefits from tuning into food and the why's and how's of eating over just the what's....

I met with my surgeon team today I am one month post surgery. At the beginning I felt restriction, clearly due to swelling. 2 weeks ago at my last appointment I was advised "the next 2 weeks will be hell" my appetite will return and it's the time I need to monitor how long I feel "satiety" until the next meal. The goal 4 hours. Basically I am able to go the 4 hrs but as suspected I was able to eat over a cups worth of food. I was very cognizant of what I ate. My portions have decreased tremendously and I'm the last to finish eating. Upon weigh in today I was down 3 more lbs since 2 weeks ago. We spoke of fills but I was unsure I needed one because clearly I was able to go the 4 hrs. As suspected I was eating perhaps too much. Clearly because I am able to get it down. I'm told now to stick to the one cup and see how long I can go In between meals. I'm okay with the plan to be honest. Is this normal? Can anyone recall after surgery they being able to consume more than a cup and having difficulty trying to understand if they needed a fill? I am committed to eating only the one cup or small dessert plate worth and seeing how far I can go, but I am ready for the weight loss to start or the journey to finding the "green zone". To date I've lost 28lbs but that includes pre cleanse and post for a month, so 1.5 months. I guess I should be glad I'm loosing and not gaining. Just trying to make sense of this limbo feeling.

Hi there and congraduations on getting your surgery! You, too, Lolo....
My surgeon described a goal of being satisfied with a tennis-ball sized portion (his lingo) for 4-5 hours. I am some one who needed several fills to get there.....in retrospect the time it took was good as I had to adjust my eating habits. I was such a shoveler, etc. Sounds to me Ike you are doing beautifully!

I met with my surgeon team today I am one month post surgery. At the beginning I felt restriction, clearly due to swelling. 2 weeks ago at my last appointment I was advised "the next 2 weeks will be hell" my appetite will return and it's the time I need to monitor how long I feel "satiety" until the next meal. The goal 4 hours. Basically I am able to go the 4 hrs but as suspected I was able to eat over a cups worth of food. I was very cognizant of what I ate. My portions have decreased tremendously and I'm the last to finish eating. Upon weigh in today I was down 3 more lbs since 2 weeks ago. We spoke of fills but I was unsure I needed one because clearly I was able to go the 4 hrs. As suspected I was eating perhaps too much. Clearly because I am able to get it down. I'm told now to stick to the one cup and see how long I can go In between meals. I'm okay with the plan to be honest. Is this normal? Can anyone recall after surgery they being able to consume more than a cup and having difficulty trying to understand if they needed a fill? I am committed to eating only the one cup or small dessert plate worth and seeing how far I can go, but I am ready for the weight loss to start or the journey to finding the "green zone". To date I've lost 28lbs but that includes pre cleanse and post for a month, so 1.5 months. I guess I should be glad I'm loosing and not gaining. Just trying to make sense of this limbo feeling.

Dr. Cobourn at Smart Shape did my surgery in June 2013. He is an excellent surgeon with a wonderful staff. Most importantly their aftercare is very good which is going to be critical for your success. I live in St. John's, Newfoundland and the still do an excellent job of monitoring me from afar. Good luck with your choice.

Thanks Lynn! I think so, too. I start my first webinars on Monday. I'm so glad I didn't go anywhere else!

@@JustWatchMe you just gave all of us a great tip!! Getting up mid way through your meal to give your mind a moment to "talk" to you!! I'm going to start doing this! Thx!

Hey freshair, I have recently been banded and I too live in Canada. Yes I made the investment and paid out of pocket. I chose to go with Dr Cobourn in Mississauga Ontario. I looked into slimband but found they were too commercialized. The clinic that I deal with has been nothing but upfront and factual with how the band works. If you have done some research then you should know the general basics of how the band works. Dr Cobourn stated straight to my face that the band is a tool that will help with satiety. You have to follow the diet recommendations and exercise daily. They tell you that the band doesn't stop what you put in your mouth. If you make poor decisions you WILL NOT get the results you want. I have seen the slimband commercials and yes they could be miss leading but I think if you are going to invest $16,000 out of pocket you better be educated about your investment. I have been doing well with the band. I follow the recommendations made by my Dr and I feel amazing. I am down 30 lbs and 2 dress sizes. There is nothing better in the world than feeling good about yourself and knowing that this is a life changing procedure.

Hey everyone! I think this is a great idea. I a north GTA and very interested.

Hey Bandsters - where you at?
Let's start sharing experiences!

I would agree call the doctor, it's likely something minor like gas but it's best to be sure.

I had the same symptoms, walk when your comfortable and take the gas-x it worked for me. Mine seemed to have subsided within a couple of days. My Op date was Jan 21! Btw nothing in my shoulders either.