GreenChrysalis

B - packet of banana bread Weight Control oatmeal S - 2 cubes of watermelon, 2 cubes of cantaloupe (we had a reception for a new employee and I am so proud that I found it easy to avoid the chips & salsa and the cheese coffeecake!) L - 1/3 c. hummus, 1/2 c. applesauce S - Atkins strawberry shake D - probably 1 c. butternut squash soup S - cheesecake pudding I start real foods this weekend!

Thanks. I guess so, but the thing is, my in-laws were extremely overbearing and controlling. My husband stopped talking to them completely. So my mother is aware of what can happen when you cling too tightly to your adult children, and yet she is in danger of going down that road. I don't think it helps that she doesn't work, doesn't have many activities and has health problems. She just dwells on things for a long time. I am trying to be understanding but also protect my brother, who has a high-stress job and also has some health problems that are aggravated by stress. Hopefully it'll get better after the wedding!

I'm pretty sure that my DH and my friends are sick of hearing about this, so I thought I'd rant a little here. My brother, who is in his late 20s, is getting married this spring to his girlfriend of a few years. My mother has never really cared for his gf; she thinks that the gf is too demanding and self-centered. It is true that since they began dating my brother spends most holidays with her and her family. I can't blame him, as my extended family is full of nutcases and holidays are tense and stressful. I'm guessing that her family is easier to be around. She has attended smaller family gatherings (my parents, me and my DH, my other brother) but not too often. I invited them to lunch or dinner several times with me and DH but they never took us up on it, so I stopped. Consequently, although they have been together for years, I don't feel like I know the gf too much better than when I met her. I would like to get to know her better of course and will continue to make gestures on occasion, but I am not stewing about it. If he loves her and they are happy together, then I am glad for them. My mother says that she feels that way too, but it is clear that she does not. It is also clear that she is having a difficult time with my brother getting married, period. That seems odd to me since again, he is in his late 20s. I moved out after high school. But he lived at home off and on during college and then for a few years after college to save money, so maybe that's the difference. I don't think he was at home all that much during that time. My mother feels bad that she didn't get more emotional and upset when I got married -- she keeps saying that it's different when it's a son. I'm not bothered by her being so upset, though, except that it's stressing out my brother. She loves to decorate and arrange flowers, but my brother told her that his gf's aunt does that as well and that it was taken care of. I'm pretty sure this pissed off my mother as she keeps making snarky comments to me about how it'll probably be tacky, she'll probably use ugly fake flowers, et cetera. Mom is of course doing the rehearsal dinner and has ordered flowers and various decorations for it. Last night she said, "I hear that they will be having daisies at the ceremony. Daisies! I mean...who does that?" I said, "What if she likes daisies? It's her wedding!" She also said she was thinking of getting some lavender/purple flowers and I said, "But [the gf] hates purple. You know that." and she muttered, "Oh, I guess so..." Later on she said, "I don't even see why I have to be at the rehearsal" and I pointed out that she'd be walked down the aisle to her pew just like the MOB. Basically, she's being a passive-aggressive bitch because she doesn't like the gf and is bitter because she can't help plan the wedding. She keeps criticizing the gf and her mother for not hiring a wedding planner. I have said "it's her wedding, she can do what she wants" about a million times. She got married in city hall. I got married in a tiny church with less than 10 people present and had very few decorations, naturally. So she never got to plan a wedding. But she needs to get over it. I keep telling her that if she alienates my brother then she'll see him even less. She asked my brother a few weeks ago if he would come over and spend the night before he got married. "Is that weird?" she asked him. He said yes. Um, he's almost 30 years old. So yep, pretty strange. So then she asked if he could spend the day and they could play games. That's also pretty strange. When she talked to me about it, she said, "I want us to hang out as a family one last time before we never see him again...oh, I'm just kidding." Right. Finally it got set as a family lunch. My brother asked me last night if Easter was a few weeks away. I said yes and that maybe we could get out of doing a family thing that day if we're there this Sunday. I know that sounds bad, but she's getting bad. :thumbup: She's kind of turning into my grandmother, and you know what that means for me... Of course, I have no idea how well I'll be able to eat what they're having for lunch. I think it's barbecue. Hopefully there's a lot of sauce. I'm supposed to be on regular foods by then. Naturally I will be eating less and there will be comments. But there were comments when I ate a lot, too. Always comments...

A lot of surgeons tell you not to drink soda, period, once you're banded...and other say not to within the first six months. So I'd check with your surgeon before doing that.

I live in metro Atlanta, Georgia. I've lived in the state my whole life and would like to see the rest of the country if I can convince my DH at some point.

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I don't have a confession but I wanted to reply to bthin4me. I just wanted to say that I don't think you should assume that whatever is posted here will be true for you, too. Nobody is perfect, but we are all different. So focus on making yourself successful. As a fellow emotional eater, I would suggest therapy. It is helping me find healthier ways to deal with my emotions and find out why I started eating emotionally in the first place. I'll be three weeks post-op tomorrow and I've done pretty well. Good luck!

Call your doctor. Now. Good luck!

I had my surgery out of state and intended to return to my surgeon for at least the first fill. There are several local options for fills and I planned to use one of them for future fills when necessary. However... I planned to take two days off work to get my fill. But I just found out that I can't take one of those days off. So just reschedule, right? The issue is that the fill appts fill up very quickly and I was told it takes 4-6 weeks to get in. That's why I made my first fill appt when I was there for surgery. That day will be a little over 4 weeks post-op. I don't really care to wait an additional 4-6 weeks, especially if I'm in "bandster hell" at that point (so far, not bad but I end mushies on Thursday, we'll see how it goes on "real" food). I am leaning towards making an appointment for a fill locally, that way I can just take a few hours off of work and hopefully get in earlier than I would with my other surgeon. Depending on which one I choose the cost won't be that different -- to fly to get a fill I'd be paying about $400 (the fill is free, but the cost is the plane ticket, one night hotel, etc). Some doctors charge more than that for your first visit. Of course my surgeon pointed out that if someone else punctures the tubing or causes another problem when doing a fill, they won't repair it for free and he will. But that doesn't really help me at the moment. In an ideal world, I would return to him for each fill. But in an ideal world, my insurance would've covered the surgery. Or there would've been a reputable local surgeon that I could afford. Or I wouldn't have gotten fat enough to get to the point where weight loss surgery was my last resort. It's not an ideal situation but I am trying to make the best of it.

I quit using straws during my pre-op diet, just to get out of the habit. I like the idea of writing a goodbye letter to food, though. But which thing would I pick? Ugh, I have a problem. My first fill is scheduled for 3/18. I already bought my plane ticket, made my hotel reservation, etc. I was going to use two sick days (leaving late on the 19th as Dr. K told me he would prefer that I stick around in town for awhile after the fill). I was actually sick this past Monday -- no way I could've schlepped into work -- and my sick days are tight already. I earn 8 sick hours and 10 leave hours a month and I used up all of my leave hours when I got banded. I just found out that there's a big staff development day on the 18th. I have only been in this job for six months and I really need to be there; it would look so bad not to be. But I also know that if I have to reschedule my fill then who knows when I'll get in? I will be a little bit past four weeks at that point. I don't want to wait much past that for a fill. I planned to fly back to Dr. K for my first fill at least. When I made the appointment I was hoping for a Monday or Friday since that would be easier than two days in the middle of the week, but there was nothing available. :thumbdown: Does anyone think I have a chance of getting in anywhere close to the 18th if I call to reschedule?

I like this. It's good to see what everyone else is eating -- I'm always looking for ideas and so far LBT has been great in general for that. Note: My surgeon has his patients have 3 Protein supplements daily at this stage. I don't always have room for all 3. Yesterday: B - Healthy Dairy ff yogurt smoothie S - Atkins strawberry shake L - 1/2 c. tuna & avocado salad, 1/3 c. unsweetened applesauce S - Atkins chocolate shake D - 3 ounces pureed BBQ chicken thigh (recipe from Eating Well After Weight Loss Surgery), 1/4 c. mashed sweet potato w/cinnamon & 1 Splenda packet S - 1/4 c. cheesecake "pudding" (recipe is in the main mushy food thread) Today: B - 1/2 c. ff almond & honey yogurt w/ a tiny bit of mashed banana S - Atkins strawberry shake L - 1 c. butternut squash soup S - Atkins chocolate shake D - probably 1/2 c. cottage cheese microwaved with 2 T. sugar-free tomato sauce and 2 T. Parmesan (plus oregano, basil & garlic) S - Atkins vanilla shake

I bought some sets of child's/toddler's plates with matching fork and spoon sets. There are some nice ones that aren't characters or baby imagery if you look hard enough. Or I just use our saucers. My DH still eats off our regular dishes of course.

Hi April, are you getting in enough water? I would start with that. My surgeon does not want me to use psyllium (like Metamucil) because it can expand in the upper pouch and I was told to call the office if I am constipated. But he also states that it is normal to only have a BM every 4-6 days when you are eating less (less in, less out, right?). Maybe call your surgeon and ask. :biggrin: You could also try prune or apricot juice.

Hi Grace! I wish there were a FIX for head hunger. I think the number one thing is distract yourself. Find something else to do so you're no longer focusing on the food. I have a blog and have thought that maybe I should write in it when I know I have head hunger. I drink Water. I watch a favorite movie or read. Play with my cats. Daydream and think about how good I'll feel and look when I am at a healthy weight. Come here or find something funny to read online. Even cleaning! Just sitting there doesn't make it go away, that's for sure. I did not tell my family either but my DH knows...can't imagine living with someone who doesn't know. That's definitely tough. I have had to tell him, "I am not hungry, but I WANT that." We still eat dinner together so watching him eat pizza and chicken wings while I was sipping broth or eating Jello was tough. It is so much better now that I'm in mushies. It'll get better, that's all I can say! :biggrin: Shellie, I think that purees is pretty much the same as mushies. You can puree almost anything, which makes it so much easier. For example, tonight for dinner I am having some mashed sweet potato and a baked skinless chicken thigh pureed in my food processor with some homemade sugar-free BBQ sauce. Sometimes my pureed stuff looks weird but when you are sick of cream soups and pudding, you are happy to eat it!

Oh man, I couldn't imagine having to make food for people that I can't eat. Luckily it is just my husband and he lived off frozen dinners and other stuff (he can cook basic things like spaghetti) for the past two weeks. Now I am in the mushie phase there are a lot of things I can cook and puree my portion. I do avoid the food commercials on TV (hurray for DVR) and don't watch Food Network. I also stick to the perimeter of the grocery store (most of the junk is in the center) and my husband has to buy his own junk food. It has gotten easier. I remind myself that I haven't eaten bread, Pasta or rice in over a month (due to my pre-op diet) and I never would've imagined being OK with that before. But I am. We can do this.

Hi Bugalu, I don't think I've heard anyone say that weight just "falls" off with the band. It still takes work, but you're doing it with a tool that you didn't have before. However, you should not expect to lose weight before your first fill. A lot of people do, true, but not everyone. At one week post-op it is possible that you are retaining fluids and are still bloated from surgery. Your body is healing, give it time. It will definitely help when you can exercise again. Are you sure that you're really hungry and it's not just head hunger? It is definitely taking me some time to differentiate between the two. Good luck and hang in there!

Hi there. I had surgery on a Thursday and was back at my desk job on Tuesday. My port incision hurt the most, which makes sense, and I couldn't sleep on my side or bend certain ways at first. An icepack helped. I needed help getting up and out of bed for the first few days. Now it is still sore, but I am much more mobile. The recovery wasn't very painful at all. I had liquid Lortab and then I used liquid Tylenol when I felt I needed it. I would say the gas pain/bloating was the worst part -- lots of walking, Gas X strips and sipping/eating slowly helped that too. I am just a few days shy of three weeks post-op but so far, no regrets. I did have a moment of "what did I do to myself" when I ate something too quickly and bloated up, but that was my own fault. I have to learn how to live with the band now. :biggrin: Good luck with your decision!

Dejageel, it is way too early for a fill -- you're still healing. I've not yet seen a doctor that allowed mushies five days post-op but they are all different. Are you following your doctor's dietary requirements? Are you allowed protein shakes? You're probably not getting enough protein. I am supposed to get 60g a day and I find that as long as I hit that, I don't get hungry (except for "head hunger"). Talk to your doctor or nutritionist about feeling hungry. Good luck!

Definitely check with your doctor and/or nutritionist for requirements. Mine need to be no more than 170 calories per serving and at least 15g of Protein. I would second the recommendation for Atkins Advantage. I also like the EAS Advantage Carb Control. I can find both it and the Atkins shakes at my local Publix and Kroger. Designer whey Protein Powder isn't bad, either -- you can mix it into a lot of different things and it mixes easily with a spoon. You could also go to Vitalady.com and order samples of different brands and flavors if you like. I didn't care for most of the ones I got, unfortunately -- I needed a blender to mix and they could be chalky/gritty/overly sweet. I'm interested in the Profect "capsules" -- 25g of protein in less than 3 oz -- but I haven't found anywhere locally that sells them so I might get a sampler online. Good luck!

I'm sorry you're feeling badly. I can't tell you exactly when you'll feel better, just that you will eventually. The first few days aren't fun. Keep trying to get in those liquids, walk as much as you can, take your Gas X strips and take your pain meds. It will pass.

This weekend was a big deal for me. Friday night was the first time I'd eaten out in a restaurant since being banded. I had some egg salad and a bit of DH's milkshake (I know, that can't happen much -- I looked up the whole thing and it's 1000 calories, good thing I'd never drink it all!). Saturday...I went to visit my brother at college. We ate dinner out that night and I got something I'd had before because I knew I'd be able to eat a decent amount of it. I did leave all of the rice but I don't think that looked too odd. This morning I had a scare, though. We were at breakfast and I'd gotten scrambled eggs and grits. But the grits were really dry and thick (I always make them very wet and thin). One tiny bite hurt going down. At one point I thought, oh no, am I going to PB?!? But they went through. No more of them for me. I did mention that none of my family knows I'm banded, right? Yeesh. This is going to be tricky. Hopefully less so as time goes on...I still couldn't imagine telling any of them. There is so much drama and awful stuff happening in my family right now, more than I'd ever want to get into. :thumbup: On a different note I would recommend the cookbook "Eating Well After Weight Loss Surgery." I made the baked BBQ chicken thighs and both my DH and I loved them -- the thigh and some of the sauce worked great in my food processor. I hadn't made my own BBQ sauce in years and this one was unique, it had apple cider and Asian chili paste with garlic in it. Countdown to first fill -- 16 days. I do get hungry now but I'm able to get satisfied watching my portion sizes and drinking the protein shakes. The food gets cold and I get bored and realize that I'm full. Crazy. Oh well, I have to get some work done. Yep, on a Sunday night. That's what happens when you freelance (I work a full-time job too).

This is an awesome idea. I have been to several showers and I'm not really a fan of the traditional games, but that might just be me. For the mom-to-be you could get some nice sparkling cider or juice so she doesn't feel too left out by everybody else drinking wine.

I am sorry to hear that you're feeling badly. Quite a double whammy to have your gallbladder taken out too. I know the sweet stuff gets old quickly, but you have to stick to your doctor's orders. Doesn't sound like you're getting in enough liquids or Protein. sugar free popsicles are a good way to go for hydration if you are having a hard time with Water, juice and broth. As for the protein, you really need to do your best there because you can't heal if you're not getting enough protein. There are unflavored protein powders and I know unjury makes a chicken Soup one so you can get it in without having the sweet shakes and powders. Sip slowly. I have to watch the clock because it's so hard not to guzzle, especially if you don't care for the taste. You're bloated after surgery anyway so your weight will fluctuate a lot but that does sound like a big weight loss, so maybe discuss that with your surgeon. You're probably just having gas pains, also. I had and still have it and it does cause chest pain sometimes. For me Gas X strips work the best. Good luck and keep us updated!

L.A., glad to hear from you and so glad that you're doing well. Yay! Getting in that water is challenging. I have to make myself remember to fill my glass. I really like Crystal Light. At work I use the "on the go" packets so that I can decide if I want water or flavored water. I also like to put lemon or lime slices in my water at home just to mix it up. I hope you tell us how your first fill went. Well, last night was monumental for me. First mushy! I had some soupy refried beans and some guacamole. It was so delicious. Maybe not the brightest thing to choose something that normally gives me gas (pinto beans!) when I already get bloated/gassy very easily. The problem is that today my gut is making little noises and I have to, um, hit the bathroom for relief. I work in a very quiet office with one other person so it's not like I can blame it on somebody else. My challenge is to walk more. I know it will help with the bloat/gassiness. But I have the usual excuses. It's cold outside. Where will I walk? I could walk the length of my street and back, at least. I live on a street with a cul-de-sac but it's off a fairly busy street. I have a walking DVD (Leslie Sansone) but that gets old really fast. Maybe I need more of 'em... Hope everyone is well!

Hi Amie! I am so glad that you had a good experience. I definitely felt like I was hunched over for the first few days and walking at a snail's pace. I'm two weeks out now and my port area is still pretty sore, I can't move my torso in certain ways or too quickly. But it's getting better. You'll get better too. Congratulations! The gas. Well, it's a whole new experience for me. Sometimes, no matter what I eat or how slowly and carefully I eat it, I end up feeling bloated. It's just not fun. Gas X, warm showers, the heating pad, asking DH to rub my tummy...they all help but it still takes time to pass. Last night, it was time I would've rather been sleeping! I know that I need to move more. I probably need to start walking after dinner, but there's nowhere very nice around my house to walk. I have some walking DVDs, so I guess that's the answer. Get off my butt.