jbflorida

Today will be my first day of solids (albeit SOFT solids). I plan to have some egg salad for lunch and fish for dinner....yum!

Jana, continue doing a good job of choosing the right foods. I was on a plateau for 2 weeks (banded 5/13) even with eating less than 500 calories a day. In the last 2 weeks, I have bumped up my exercise (30 min cardio, 30 min weight machines) 3x a week and some Water aerobics (3x a week) and voila! the scale is moving! I am down 29.5 lbs....wearing size 14 pants....more to go! Stick with it! You're worth it!

I wondered if my lack of weight loss in the past 2 weeks was due to eating too little!! (what a new thought!) I was eating about 400 calories and the doc told me that maybe that is what my body needs to maintain.....I don't think so! I was just banded on May 13 and in the last few days of full liquids. I have lost 28 lbs. so I am not complaining. But I think my body is shocked and saying, "waaaaaait a minute--hold on to everything! where's the food??" So Gone4ever (also a May 13th bander)--I hope you are right! Now for a question---what's the difference between soft foods and mushie foods?

What's the difference between men and bonds? Bonds mature.

Menopause......it's been good to me! Don't miss TOM at ALL!

I have been "working" the same damn pound for 10 days now...off one day, back to see me the next, repeat, repeat. With exercise, without, it doesn't matter. I can hear my body saying, "nah,nah,nah,nah,nah." Fill on June 23. Can't get here soon enough. Can you hear the frustration???

I read here that someone's surgery was cancelled while she was on the table because she had taken phentermine before her surgery--can cause heart problems under anesthesia. You don't want that! Try to stick it out. I did Optifast for 14 days and it does get easier. Add broth, sf Jello and sf popsicles to your diet. And Water and crystal lite will help too!

Today is 2 weeks out of surgery. The port still has a lingering, occasional pain. If I place my fingers over the site, I can feel the port. Is this normal? I don't want this thing sticking out when I lose my tummy!!! Not that I'll be wearing a bikini anymore....haha

I also did not have 100 lbs to lose...more like 75-85. But I knew that 100 lbs to lose was right around the corner. I also have a High BP and sleep Apnea. Part of the band for me was Preventative. When I went to the "lesson" at the hospital the day after surgery with the other 6 new banders, they looked me up and down as the "skinny" one--that was a hoot! Of course, I am 56 and my metabolism is slower, I have "done" all the diets and I just couldn't afford Healthwise to wait. Do some soul searching. Be ready for a new way of seeing food. It can no longer be a reward, entertainment, companion or solace. Spend time on this message board. Try to go to a support group. You're worth the time you invest to decide if this is right for you.

dosnyc--had the same experience. chicken broth will help--I am assuming there is SOME Protein in there. Also had lite apple juice and the little bit of sugar helped. I called the doc on day 10 with the same problems--he put me on full liquids 3 days early. Tonight I had broccoli-cheese Soup (pureed) and OMG! I don't think I've ever tasted anything so good! Hang in there--so worth it.

Thanks NY2LA--I was on Optifast and Clear Liquids for 2 weeks preop--lost 13 there. After surgery, I was on Clear liquids only--about 100 calories a day. I was supposed to be on that for 2 weeks, but I called the doc and talked about how weak I was, etc. So on to full liquids 3 days early! YAY! I won't get a fill for at least 2 weeks, so I have to be careful not to "overdo" the puddings and oatmeal and Soups. Good luck to you!

Also a May 13 bander. Finally got on Full Liquids--just had some cream of wheat. You'd think I had a steak; I was so happy. Today was the first day I went up 1/2 lb. I'm just not going to fret about it, still down 25. Have a great weekend everyone--remember those vets!

Ashley and all, I spent 2 weeks preop with Optifast. I did just fine. Post op was Clear Liquids for 14 days. Today was Day 10 and I called the doctor because I really feel a difference in the hunger! 100 calories a day, feeling weak, blood pressure getting low-- The PA told me to have one Optifast today. I was so happy, you'd think she told me to go to a buffet. Tomorrow--2 Optifast and then on the full liquids on Saturday, instead of next Tuesday. She said my band would be fine. So this is bandster hell. The swelling has gone down and the hunger has returned. With a vengence! I will be good about the full liquids as I really want this to work! It WILL work--and I will "work it." Down 24.5 lbs as of this AM--banded on May 13. Started at 217, now 192.5. Have to buy new pants.

Holly--it sounds like someone is PROUD of herself! And doesn't it feel GOOOOOOOD! From one Southern Belle to another

Holly--let's pretend that you ate the mashed potatoes. How do you now feel about the decision you made? Was it worth it? Are you now going to spend the next 6 months worried that you agitated your stomach and may have a slip? Are you going to be upset that once again, you gave in? That you made food more important than surgery success? Sure we're hungry. AND SO WHAT? You will not die. This may not seem supportive, but it's TOUGH LOVE. Do YOU want success for yourself as much as I want you to succeed? My head and heart is so much louder than my stomach. They are yelling, GO GIRL! You can do it! You are a strong woman in charge! I just started my 4th week of liquids and have 3 to go. I have lost 24 lbs. I am a powerful woman! And so are you--you just don't believe it yet. hugs, Judy

2B--only one word. Jealous. Feel sorry for them. Bless them in your heart, smile at your success and go on your way. They are not mad at you; they are angry with themselves. But if they acknowledge THAT, they may have to actually do something about it. You are an easy target for now. Try to let it roll off of you--just keep thinking how you are taking charge for a wonderful and healthy YOU! Judy

Banded on May 13 and just started Week #2 of Clear liquids. I have about 100-150 calories a day. No wonder my energy is low. I will start full liquids after next week--yay-protein drinks! Down 22.5 lbs as of this AM. My sites are itching!! Also, I can feel my port! When I lose what I want, will my port stick out?? Anyone else with this concern?

ja--wishing you a safe and speedy surgery and recovery. We are all rooting for you. I too only (only!) have 85 to lose, but I knew 185 could be around the corner--my mantra is--Who am I Kidding?? So my band is partially preventative. It is a nice feeling to know that diabetes is now probably NOT in my future! Also, I am ready to be cute again!! haha--it will have to be 56-year -old-lady-cute, but I am tired of being matronly! It just does not match my insides. I retired at age 52 and I cannot begin to tell you how great it is! You will have lots of energy for travel--maybe you'll come to FL one day! Follow your doc's order to the T. It will be so worth it. I just read a post from someone 2 days out of surgery and is asking permission on this board to have mashed potatoes. I feel compassion for that person, but we just have to suck it up! I am hungry too, on Clear liquids for one week, one more to go--bandster hell, remember? We are worth it! And I've lost 21.5 lbs. in 3 weeks. I want to hear the same success from you! God bless and I will look for you. judy

Yes, treat yourself! Treat yourself to a pedicure, treat yourself to a new CD, treat yourself with cute summer shoes--DON'T THINK OF food AS A TREAT! It is not a treat! It is nutrition! I am sorry, Angelface, I do not mean any disrespect. But seeing food as a reward for ANYTHING is what got us here in the first place. We have to CHANGE that mindset. This is not a 5 week program; it's the rest of our lives! Am I alone in thinking this?

TxChelsea--just a suggestion--why not go out to Mexican and eat like a "normal" person and really enjoy the company and the atmosphere? We have got to stop seeing food as a reward for good behavior OR a special treat. That doesn't mean don't enjoy yourself, but eat as a healthy person would and don't indulge. Think how proud you will be of yourself that you have changed your scale numbers AND your behavior! And this is what it is all about--taking charge!! And isn't it damn time??? (believe me, I am writing to myself too!) Sending you good thoughts about a successful fill.

Anneican--I was banded last Tuesday and so far, so good. Sure, there is some discomfort, but I feel a change every day. I have been on clear liquids with no problem. I think one of the best things you can do for yourself is to really research surgeons in your area and find one that has lots of band experience (over 200 done--mine has done over 1000) and has a great reputation. Use this board to help research. I think the surgeon makes the difference. My doc is strict--2 weeks preop Optifast, 2 weeks postop clear, then 2 weeks full liquid, then soft foods until I get to my goal. But he really wants me to succeed and so do I! In almost 3 weeks, I have lost 21 lbs and I feel sore, but fine. I'm not so perky as I am not eating much, but I am healing! Good luck!

Thanks for the positive notes! I was banded on Tuesday and read some things today on this board that was not, shall we say, helpful? Downright scary! I want to hear SUCCESS stories, please!

I wrote about this experience awhile back. I am retired from 30 years of teaching middle school. One day, I was kidding about my weight (I called myself "fluffy") and a boy called out and said, "You're not fat, Mrs. B, you're just short, so you LOOK fat." I thought it was hysterical. He was trying to be nice, but being a middle schooler, his mouth worked before his brain could activate.

Good question, Holly! He said I didn't need it right now. I have 3 "meals" a day that can include Clear liquids that have some calories--broth, gatorade, clear fruit juice (light sugar), Powerade, propel, sf popsicles, sf Jello. And in between, non caloric drinks--Water, tea, and crystal light. In 11 days--to full liquids, including Optifast, low carb Protein drinks, low carb yogurt, thin cream of wheat and egg drop Soup. This doc is tough, but gets good results. I started at 217 on April 28 and am at 197 19 days later. I'll survive, but if you hear a loud "YAY-FINALLY!" coming from the Southeast of the US in 11 days, it's me.

May 13 was my day. I am down 20 from the start of the preop diet. My abdomen is swollen and "tight" and sore..to be expected. I have a bit of fever--99something that I hear is normal. Since my doc does not have me on any Protein until May 28, I am weak and hungry. But I'll survive...my body can live off "the fat of the land" until then. It's unusual to feel hungry--I never stopped eating long enough before to get hungry! Still glad I did it. Just waiting to feel peppy again. How long does that take?