neverB4

"Praise the Lord"!!!!!

What Jack says is really how we're to begin to allow the band to work for us. All of our pre-op training is diff. I've learned that I will have to make the band work for me first. I'm ready to retrain my stomach and mind to know when I'm satisfied on the littlest portion possible. Thinking of eating 1 to 1 and 1/2cups of food only 3wks out already makes me sick to my stomach! We only have a new pouch the size of an egg above our band. Are you going to eat more than that then wonder why you're not losing as fast as you think you should be? Or wonder why you don't feel restriction? An egg is 2ozs...so imagine how stretched your pouch gets. Another good help for me, and I can't stress it anough as you may have read on my other thread entries...protein!! If you can't tolerate the hunger after you eat a limited amt, and you can't get a handle on the mind-game of it, then increase your protein intake. That is, if you're not already getting at least 60gms in per day. Even more won't hurt.

You also need to take into consideration how much you're eating (portion wise) as well as how much protein each day. I'm not on a "calorie" limit, but I can only have 1/4cup each meal, limited carbs...at least 60gms protein each day. I lost 9lbs 1st 2wks post-op, then 5lbs this 3rd week post-op. yes, everybody looses diff, but I know how I'm maintaining my diet is making it work for me. You're still on the right tract..good work!!

I agree with PIX...your surgeon will be sure to tell you this..if it applies to you. It's great to get "heads-up" on things, but keep in mind, how it's said can scare some when not needed.

Aftereffects from surgery can really do some strange things! Give your body some time to get over it...as long as you're not hungry, I owuldn't stress too much about it. And I have a feeling you'll wake up one mornig soon and realize it's all coming back quickly!! Hang in there...you'll be fine.

Diamond, yes, PTL on your mom's sucessful surgery. May God continue to bless and heal,,,you both!

Gen, I love what you wrote and shared....because I have been feeling the same exact way. And what has really bothered me the most, is watching my DH and son gobble up their food in such a short time. It makes me sick and not only in the sense of the feeling, but to know what they're doing to their bodies! My daughter has always licked at her food and ate slow. She doesn't bother me as much. But funny to say, before my banding, she used to make me ill watching her do that, esp during my liquid stages-HA!!

Glad to hear all are doing well! I'm on soft foods now for 3wks....YEEAAAA!! I had 1/4 cup of macaroni goulosh last night and 1/4 cup of scrambled egg with corned beef hash this am for breakfast..YYYUMMMMMYY!!!!!! AND...I'M FULL!!!!!!!!

I just pray I can hold out until my 1st fill...on July 1st!!!!! That's almost 8wks post-op. My surgeon does no sooner than 6wks, but he's that booked. Right now I think I can do it because I'm also praying for no fill, for at least 6 mos!!

I do too! It can be discouraging and upsetting not knowing what is going on after this type of surgery. I'm so glad you're feeling better today!!!

I was told in my pre-op class and have heard it said in our support grp, YOU have to work the band at first. And this can take up to 6mos before the "sweet spot" is found. This is the time people struggle the most with the LB. Just remember, protein, protein, protein and enjoy every little morsel you get until your band begins to work for you. You can do this!!

I was around 96 cooked hotdogs with ALL kinds of fixings and a wodnerful, smelling cake. The food was kept out all day for munching. What kept me going was protein water and shakes...and the fact that everyone eating this food are overweight themselves. It kind of made me sick at times to watch how certain ones were eating, eating, eating!! It was free psych therapy for me!! HA...LOL!!!

If you're not better by morning, go ahead and call your doc. Or if you get worse by then. Esp if you're not getting enough water in and/or vomitting. I pray it's just after-effects of the anesthesia, but still, nothing to linger on with, so be safe and it won't hurt to call.

Txs Browning...and sound slike you are really enjoying this new way of eating as well. That mexy dish sounds YUMMY!! For right now, I'm on puddings, yogurts, soups, thinned creamed of wheat, oatmeal, FF milk. I do a few store boughts, but most of my food is the Bariatrix brand so I can get my protein in. Plus I have 16oz of FF milk each day..that counts for 16gms. Now that I've worked back up to 60 per day, I'm starting to see more weight come off. I begin soft foods thursday which includes casseroles so I'm making a tunafish one and a cx and rice mexy one. Again I have to have at least 60gms protein so that should help. And I can't wait to have my scrambled egg thursday morning! I just hope I can tolerate it. I so love eggs.

I'm 3wks post and starting to have that "burn/twinge" feeling at port site when I bend over too far. I'm assuming due to most of my swelling being gone now. I know in time, it will stop. I don't seem to have as much restriction any more. But I'm still able to maintain my 2oz meals. I start soft foods Thursday...YIPPY!!! We went to a graduation party this weekend. 96 hotdogs were fixed with all the side fixings and a huge cake for dessert. I told my DH I would "splurge" on a little icecream since it was a full liq...well, PTL....He looked after me!! Because no ice cream was there!! And I snuck nothing. Then I fixed a feast for my family yesterday to lazy around the pool with...healthy foods. I did have 2ozs of Blue Bunny SF, FF caramel toffee crunch. And my daughter says.."Mom, it has toffe pieces so be sure to chew those really well" I love it..the support my family is giving me. PTL to that one too!!!! I pray everyone had a great, enjoyable holiday weekend as well.

I'm doing great since being banded. I'm still on full liqs for another week. My old taste-buds are beginning to pop up but I'm so set on doing what I've been instructed to do, that I can get a control on it really quick. I've lost 18lbs since surgery. I'm scheduled for 1st fill on July 1st. But I'm praying I won't need it. I so want to train my stomach to the way it should have been since I was a baby!-LOL!! I'm not trying to sugar-coat myself here. I realize we are all diff and our needs are diff. I am proud of myself for what I've accomplished so far...but I'm also proud of every person who takes stride in getting banded...and to make it work!! May we all continue to succeed!!

SC Obesity Ctr/Riverside Surgical....$13950.00. Filter placement extra. Did not inclue bloodwork with PCP, nor psych eval. Does include surgeon, facility, anesthesia,pharmacy, hospital/nurse fees, etc during OR time. Also includes 4 fills within 12mos time. Before I paid, I got an itemized list of covered fees. Be sure you get this. Since i work for BCBS, I will warn, not all fees will cover the hospital charges, anesthesia, ect of not affiliated with your surgeon. Again, check your itemized list beforehand.

One's weight can fluctuate so much just in 24hrs. What a shame about insurance guidelines. I too would stuff things in secret places to gain the extra weight. Not worth binge eating to do so if only for a few lbs!!

God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit!!!

ME? I'm a riot act...I would have to purposely go up to her little "bag of cookies" and say..."YUM, what kind are they?" then take asniff...wait to hear her response, then gloat over my WLS decision!! Let her feel like she's pulling you down, then "shmack"!! Let her hear your new LION roar!!!! Others will actually applaud you because they too know what she's all about and what she's trying to do.

My doc used the original lap-band device. he said it tends to give more restriction at first hand without a fill compared to the Realize one. I felt restriction right away. Now granted, some was due to stomach swelling. That is still going down, so as it does, I do find myself being hungrier each day. BUT, at a minimum for right now. After I eat my 2ozs of high protein, that hunger quickly gos away. Makes me chuckle a little...thinking of that Lap-band commercial...the fridge and the lion "roar"!!!!

I had those "fake" burps too, really bad at first. It almost felt like a throat spasm. It will eventually slow down and go away. For the inside belly gas, MOM helped me quite often! You guys are doing great!! I was in NO shape to even type while on my Demerol/Phenergan tabs!! And I'm glad your shouldr pain is not bad...mine was the killer for me!!

Patti-cake..that's WONDEFUL!! May the Lord continue to bless you thru all your work issues.

My ticker says it all!! I weigh officially on wednesdays. Hopefully it will be more this weds!! KUDOS TO ALL!!!!

I love to sing too. I don't do it near as much as I'm asked to. My next song..."How Great Thou Art". I love the old faves.