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You know, I'm a month past banding and I still get some shoulder pain. Not all the time, but now and then. Problem is I'm not certain if it's gas or shoulder problems because I did have shoulder troubles a while back. I can't raise my arm all the way. I don't know which it is. Either way it's pain pill and heat, but I guess if it goes on much longer I"ll have to go to the orthopedic doctor and try to get some physical therapy for it. Just what I need. If it's gas, it's weird to get it once a week or so, isn't it? I'm very envious of all of you who recup'd so quickly!!!!! LOL. Gwenn

Where's my brain tonight. Of course you're all done. Khalili doesn't put it in unless all is done. So, you're just a few weeks away now! Let me know when.............. Gwenn

FANTASTIC! you see, it will all work out. Any more tests to do or are you finished? I'm thrilled for you. Gwenn

I would have loved to not give up the food, but I also know it was slow suicide. I haven't solved this yet, and I'm sure there are places in me that wanted the food more than life (isn't the the core of addiction), but I do know how unhealthy that is. I started therapy over a year ago with a woman who specializes in food related issues, and I'm still there. It's very important, even if we can't overcome our STUFF, to learn how to live next door to it rather than having it in our kitchen all the time. Gwenn

Hi Salsa, You are wise. Second time you've come up with a good answer for me. After I wrote the email, I went to the therapist. I let it all hang out there- the scale, the food, the heartburn some old favs are giving me, the gas, the bowels,the incision that isn't healing the way it should.....you name it. Believe me, no one gets to 315 pounds over 15 years without doing some dieting along the way and yes, I know all the rules, ideas, stories, etc. But, those are also the diet breakers, and why dieting didn't work. It does come down to patience because I'm hoping to move on and eat a broad spectrum of foods like a normal person would.That's the goal. Impatience is always the stinker, isn't it. I picked up some nice fish for dinner but didn't look carefully at the store and it wasn't filleted. It's a very thin fish so that made it difficult to eat. Needless to say, I wasn't in the mood for a struggle so I probably got in 2 oz. or so. Had a few more whole wheat crackers and a half a small sweet potato and I'm done today. I dont' care if I reached my Protein today. I'm done. Not even hungry when I ate. Tomorrow is another day. Thanks for listening. Gwenn

There are lots of other shakes and protein additivies you can use. Optifast is good. They gave it to me in the hospital. Walgreen carries. The caramel is good. But you can use Atkins which are very good and the NEW slimfast which is low carb no sugar- but I still like atkins best. Gwenn

Hi all, As I've moved from liquids only to mushy/soft, I gained one pound. Now I've lost 1/2 of that in days. This after 3 weeks of magic weight loss. My head says it's normal, but my emotions are running wild. That "am I ever going to lose this weight" panic is moving in on me today. I'm exercising, I'm eating small amounts. I'm eating high Protein low carbs. Probably about 800-900 calories a day. Trying to get in the 75 grams of protein a day I was told to eat. Getting in 8-9 cups of liquids as well. Tell me what you think. Here's what I ate yesterday: Breakfast 5 oz greek yogurt w splenda Mid morning-Protein Drink with non-fat milk Lunch- 5-6 oz pulverized chicken with a little lowfat mayo, 4 wh wheat crackers Dinner- 4-6 oz salmon pate (low fat mayo), a scoop of mashed potatoes. Rest was all liquid- tea, Water, decaf Any ideas?

Lots of mixed emotions before mine. Did I really want to give up the food? Did I really want to have something implanted inside me? Did I REALLY want to give up the food? Did I REALLY WANT to give up the food. This had had it's stressful emotional moments but keep moving forward. Your emotions will catch up. And as my internist told me....you can get up and walk away right up til they put you under for the surgery. You'll find good people in your surgeons office who will help you along the way! You'll do great. Good luck, Gwenn

You're correct, of course.Everything is new and so much is annoying right now. I have one tiny incision under my breast that wasn't quite closed properly. Surgeon saw it, said not a prob, use a bandaid, change it every day. It's 2 weeks later and my skin wouldn't tolerate the bandaid well so I'm rashy. And it's closed except there a little bit of stuff at the edge, like a little hard plug, and it is just loose enough that whenever my bra hits it (like all the time), it's irritated. It won't meld into the skin. I don't want to play with it or pull it off or anything. I'm biding my time until the fill next week and let the surgeon deal with it. I wanted surgical tape when I first went in and am sorry I didn't push him past the bandaid. I know it will work out and there's no infection or anything, but so many little nudgy issues. Gwenn

Those drinks made me so nauseus! I couldn't get past the odor. I tried the stuff in those lab tubes at 42 gs of Protein, but they also taste ugly. Like bad Jello. I was told I needed 77 grams of protein a day, but I only can get in about 65 without have more calories. My issue is getting the protein without the calories. In one book I have, the menus don't seem to have the protein they say it all adds up to. I'm still on soft foods, but find I'm on a protein diet to get it all in. The only carbs I have are a few in milk I add to coffee, and then a 1/2 potato (so that my stomach settles) with one meal and a few whole wheat crackers at another meal. The rest is pulverized fish or chicken or tuna fish. I'm not even eating eggs because it doesn't seem like they have enough protein to bother. I'm trying to stay 700-800 a day. I certainly don't feel like I'm eating anywhere near a balanced diet. And I'm not losing weight as fast as I was before. And I'm exercising. Gwenn

Of course.....that makes sense. I guess I just assumed the incision was over the port itself. I didn't think that it could be inch or so away from it. I guess maybe the harder spot I can feel right above the incision is the port itself......DUH! Gwenn

Hi- I'm almost four weeks after surgery with first fill scheduled for a week from now. I still have some scabbing on the port incision. If it's not all gone can they still give me the first fill? I know it's up to my surgeon, but I'm curious if anyone has had this experience? Gwenn

Sounds great. Which chat rooms do you monitor? I haven't tried that yet. Yes, I'm in LA also. I live a few blocks from Cedars-Sinai if that gives you an idea. I just looked at your profile and noticed you're a legal sec. Another connection. I'm a fundraisering director for The Jewish Federation, and my area is attorneys. That's all I work with. Isn't that funny? Are you with a firm or solo practice? Gwenn

I've been buying my husband sushi......the first 3 weeks I was on liquid and not hungry so I didn't care. Now, I'm on mushies and hungrier so you're right- I wouldn't buy it for him so fast. I have to find a sushi place that makes it with brown rice on request. My fav place used to do so, but stopped recently. Hope I can eat rice. A lot of people seem to have issues with seaweed. Gwenn

Congratulations. Wow, you're doing great. I so wish that I'd been smart enough to do this before my weight went as high as it did. But I guess all in our own times, eh? Gwenn

Good on you!!!!!!!!! I can't wait until I can say the same. Soon. Soon.

Welcome new guy. Great to see you here. I'm moving toward 4 weeks and I can tell you that much of the discomfor is gone. I haven't been the fastest healer, but eventually, we're all fine. Terri's got it right....walk, walk, walk. And I'll add a "walk" to that. It made a big difference for me. And Terri's right again about the gas pills. They also help. Hey Terri- how are you feeling? Do you know, I still have one incision that's giving me a little backtalk? It's way under my breast and there's like a little piece sticking up- like a mini skin tag. It hasn't been absorbed into the scar and so when anything hits it, it bothers me. I'd love to pull it off or something, but I don't want trouble so I'll bear with it until I go for my fill on June 4 and then ask the surgeon to "trim" it or whatever. I tried covering it with a bandaid, but the sticky stuff causes a small reaction on the skin. Another tiny frustration. On the funny side.....tonight was the first time I threw out food because I was full and knew it and decided to not finish my food. Mashed potatoes. They have been helping my stomach come back - I finally decided to treat myself the same as if I'd had a bad stomach flu- and I had a tennis ball sized dollop along with my 4-6 oz. pulverized salmon pate. I looked down and saw 1/2 was still on my plate. I actually looked up at my husband in amazement and said....oh my G-d, I'm going to have to decide whether to overeat or not. So I conjured up my courage and tossed the mashed potatoes. Reminded myself what I never really believe......I can make it again....there will always be more potatoes down the road. VERY pleased with myself on that one. It's a first. Anyway, hope you're all having a great memorial day!

First of all I think you should be very proud that you didn't put all of the weight back on. In the circumstances you describe that's pretty amazing. I doubt I would have done that well. If it were me, I think I'd check with the doctor as you have, and at the same time, I'd work the insurance end. First, to find out where you stand, and second, to see if your new company has other bariatric surgeons who could see you. My advise, gather information and keep your options open. Best of luck-Gwenn

I'm finally feeling better with food. Guess I'm so old that it's taking a while for my system to kick back in. I've added baked potato and whole wheat crackers to my world and I think they're helping. Switching back to sweet pots soon. I'm finding myself on something close to South Beach. High protein, whole wheat, etc. Enjoy Memorial Day.....watch out for the bbq sauce! Gwenn

My husband says that at night, when I'm asleep, my stomach is making wind tunnel and hurricane sounds. I've heard it too. It's hilarious. I'm was down 29 but now it's 28. I'm adding foods so I guess my body has to settle back down. I'm not complaining. We took a good walk today. I went a mile and a half, which is a big jump for me. And outside, not on the treadmill. Feels good to be tired. Hope everyone else is doing well on MEMORIAL DAY. Don't eat too much BBQ! Gwenn

Hi Terri and Ddem, Terri- Good to see you and hear you're doing well. I'm so happy for you. Yes, scrambled eggs, I have heard since, are too rubbery. Also, I forgot that I'd always heard that eggs were harder to digest than most foods. I didn't do anything but make it through that horrible day. I'm doing a little better, but still burpy and get tightness after eating sometimes. A burp takes care of it. I've read more and more that the first few months can be tough and up and down (Weight Loss Surgery for Dummies) and that calmed me down. I'm realizing that I am who I am with my own age and anatomy and I'm not someone who can go out and eat sushi a week after banding. Maybe that's for the best anyway. Ddem- I've heard about the meat tenderizer and warm Water. Good to know but hope I won't need it because it sounds dreadful. I've also heard that very warm water itself can help as it soften the band. I've heard some people use a little warm water if they are at a party or something and want to eat a little more than usual. Amazing that people figure out whatever they can to get around the band. Last night, I got tired of feeling icky and decided to do what I would have done if I'd had a bad stomach flu and hadn't eaten in days.....I had a baked potato. I've been trying to stay away from many carbs, and meet my Protein without eating more than the 4oz the books say....but you know what? I'll lose weight if I eat 800 calories rather than 600. Even at 1000, I'll lose. The potato was wonderful and really helped. It moved gas and it help me "move" LOL and it filled me up a bit. Now, I'm going to have a half baked or sweet potato with my main meals. I think I was actually eating too little and things like salmon, which is so healthy and so high in protein, was a little to oily for an empty stomach right now. Today I had my cottage cheese with a few blueberries, and I'm going to have a soy shake as a snack and then two protein meals with 1/2 potato. I think that sounds like a plan. I'm going to start a food journal today and keep track of calories and approximate protein. This way, if I'm having any trouble, I can show it to the dietician. And then I don't have to keep track as much. Anyway, see you all later. I'm going out with my husband to do some errands and get a CD to watch tonight. Gwenn

Once you can have solids again, I have an even better recipe, one that even my dietician at the surgeon's office asked me for. It's brownies made with black beans and eggs. Good protein source and it tastes delicious: Black Bean Brownies (TRIED AND TRUE) 1 15oz. can of UNSEASONED black beans - drained and rinsed well. 4 large eggs (or 2 eggs and ½ cup of egg beater type product) 1 cup Splenda 3 tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder –darker is better. 1 tsp. baking powder 2 tbsp. oil (I use olive oil- 2 FULL Tablespoons- I even let it spill over as I fill them. 1 Tbs Vanilla ( I let this run over also) ½ tsp baking soda chopped nuts or a handful of dark choc chips- optional Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix all ingredients in a food processor or blender- blend very very well. Pour into an 8x8 baking pan sprayed with cooking spray or oiled with canola or olive oil. Bake for 30-40 minutes. (til toothpick pulls out clean). Outer edges tend to be a little dry but it should be nice and moist inside. Variations: Ice the brownies with lite film of peanut butter or sf ff chocolate sauce. Peanut butter inside gets too dry. Or, make with white beans (no cocoa of course). Many people like kidney beans(with the unsw. chocolate) and you get a sort of red velvet brownie. If you can find sf marshallow fluff (like Walden farms), pour ½ batter, use white beans, drop in some of the marshmallow, then add balance of batter. Sort of an SBD “Twinkie”.

I had a different post-op diet. 3 weeks clear liquids which to my surgeon also included protein shakes and milk. And cranberry juice. I wasn't told when to drink what. Just to get 75 grams of protein a day plus other fluids as much as possible. I sipped all day including the shakes which are filling. I used Atkins, but Slim fast now has a low-carb shake without sugar that has 20 grams of protein in each. So you don't need as many. I also had permission to use the 25 calorie no sugar hot choc my supermarket sells. That was actually very satisfying. I wasn't really hungry. When I was, it was gone in a few sips. If you really are hungry, you should check in. Maybe he'll move you forward faster. Gwenn

Thanks for info. Now if I can just get back to food without the gas and discomfort I'll be one happy girl Gwenn

I'm heading towards mashed potatos. I had good luck with pulverized chicken, then a little less wiht very delcious and nutricious salmon. Made it into a pate. I just think that it's bit oily for an empty stomach. It's hard because what I feel like having is toast and jam with tea. That would settle me down nicely. I think I'm going to do some mashed potatos and slammed chicken tomorrow. I don't eat much at each sitting, but I've got to stop the gas pains and feel a little better during the day. Thanks_Gwenn