MSnika3

I know the answers will vary. But I'm quite curious...How long after surgery did you realize you had no restriction and could eat as you did before surgery? How did you know (where you hungry as a wolf, never full, etc)? How where you able to continue losing or keep from gaining? I'm asking because I want to be mentally prepared. My doc prescribed Phentermine before surgery. If I have to take it before I get my first fill, I won't hesitate! It is definitely an appetite killer. Thanks

Well, I met my nutritionist once, and she gave me a "manual" on food guidelines and went over the allowable foods. I've received a total of three packets of information large enough to fill a binder. Most of the info is repetitive, and a little bit is conflicting. I didn't ask about frequency of eating, but information from the nutritionist says eat three small meals a day. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner (2 oz. at a time) and 3 Protein supplements between meals. I wrongly assumed that I would have some restriction from just the band itself and all would be good. I didn't realize there was this "bandster hell" until recently. I have been sticking to the 3 meals a day. But 2oz? That is a joke!

Well, I guess that may be one of my problems. I've been trying not to graze. Yesterday I had oatmeal for Breakfast. I didn't eat again until several hours later. By then I was so starved that I ate too fast and ended up in pain. I guess I've got so much info, rules, and guidelines floating around in my mind that I'm sometimes being too careful. :leaving:

Wow Salsa, you never felt hungry! I think that is amazing. I can already say that I haven't had the same pleasure, even this early on. I think that if hunger weren't an issue for me, then I would be okay during this time period. I guess that's were my questions stemmed from. I started feeling severe hunger pains after my 4th day post op. Being limited to only liquids was pretty awful. Even with getting in all my protein shakes, I literally felt my stomach growl most of the day. If I hadn't been so hungry, I really think I would have been okay for the most part. Now that I have started mushies, I feel so much better. Currently I am cooking cheeseburgers and fries for my family and I don't have a problem not eating any, because I am not hungry and I know that when I'm ready to eat I can have something satisfying. I agree with the pride in being able to put mind over matter. But when my stomach is growling so hard it hurts, my mind isn't even part of the battle!:leaving:

Hi Abby, Just inserting my 2 cents here. I am by no means an expert, given that I am only a few days off the surgical table, but...I think that the "low carb" they probably meant was perhaps, low "bad carbs" and not strict, Atkins type of carb restriction. You know..get in all your Protein. When you eat, start with protein, then veggies, and so forth. I think you will be fine tracking WW points. Just make sure you get that protein in. I'm thinking about pulling out my WW stuff and trying to eat on the core plan. I figure that since I have about five weeks or so before my first fill, I'd better do something to keep the weight loss going. Congrats on the 20 pounds!

I guess it is quite common. I had mine repaired, also. Didn't even know I had a HH until pre-op testing.

Oh my goodness! The two of you must be superheros! 2Btiny, I can't believe you had the energy to be fiddlefarting around the computer a few hours after surgery! Caminco, you went to work the next day? You two are definitely troopers! I laid around for three days too tired and achey to do anything other than pee! You go girls!:thumbdown:

Glad you are okay, Jayme. But what caused the pain? Did something get stuck or what? I'm asking because I started mushies yesterday. Last night I had no problems. Today, I think maybe I ate too fast and had a horrible feeling in my chest. Tried to wash it away with water, didn't work. Tried twisting, turning, bouncing, bending, rolling, you name it. I didn't know what the heck was going on, but it did go away after about 30 minutes. Not sure what I did wrong, but I sure want to know so it doesn't happen again!

Hi Yvonne, Remember, your miles may vary. I had surgery on Friday May 9th, I felt well enough to return to work on the following Monday. I am a middle school teacher and this was our week of state testing. So, I didn't have to be up and about much. However, by mid-morning, I felt very under the weather. Tuesday I felt better. Wednesday I felt like hell. I was not necessarily in pain (other than nightly bouts with gas). But, I think I needed rest. It wasn't until Friday that I had completely bounced back. I wish you the best. Just take it easy.

Okay guys, I am only 7 days post op and I've got so much information floating around my brain that I'm confusing myself. Now, I understand that I shouldn't drink during meals, and a certain time period before and after. My question is...since I am on full liquids, does this rule still apply? The reason I'm asking is that I have found myself becoming more ravenous as the days pass. I don't have a problem not drinking Water while I'm "drinking my meal", but since I have started to develop this constant hunger, I'd like to be able to sip on water when the stomach starts to growl. Often that is 10-15 minutes after a bowl of Soup, Protein shake, or yogurt. I'm assuming that if I'm getting hungry so quickly after a "meal", then the liquid is running through the band rather quickly. So does that mean that I'm not in danger of washing away my meal if I sip on water when I feel hungry? Or should I just dive face first into another bowl of soup?:confused2:

Those recipes sound great. I'm adding to my weekend grocery list right now! Thanks, so much!

Dangit! That was so not what i was hoping to hear. But of course, it's what I needed to hear. I will take both suggestions. I'll wait the long, torturous 30 minutes. :biggrin: And I'll try adding more Protein. I guess i could sprinkle it in my soup. Hadn't thought of that. Thanks to both of you!

Ooooo, I didn't know the narcotics had anything to do with it. No wonder I haven't been to the restroom. While I was having severe gas pains this week, I was taking a combination of antacid, gasx, and a gooood dose of painkillers EVERY night. Guess I may not get moving for a while. Perhaps I should make an appointment with Phillips.

Everyone at work (my students included) think I'm getting over some stomach bug. I have them all thinking I am still feeling under the weather and don't have much of an appetite. I teach and school is almost over, so I won't be able to offer any suggestions past the liquid stage.

Mum, Follow your heart, and pray. If God led you to it, he will lead you through it. Please believe that. Good luck to you in this lap band journey and especially with your marriage. I will keep you, your husband, and your boys in my prayers.

I'm sure others may have more to add, as I'm very new to this (Banded only 7 days ago). But, my menu currently consists of Slim-Fast Lo-Carb, Sugar Free jello Pudding, Yoplait Light Thick and Creamy Yogurt, Yogurt smoothies, Campbell's Cream of whatever soups, Campbell's Soup at hand in the creamy tomato, creamy chicken, and cream of broccoli. My best friend eats Cream of Potato soup and clam chowder, daily(both with all chunks smashed to oblivion). I'll post anything else I think of. Hope that helps.

I am having the same confusion. I was banded May 9th. "Hunger Pains" hit on Day 4. When my stomach growls, I eat something and it seems to churn worse. I don't know what's going on. I've been suffering from so much gas pain over the past three days that I don't know how to interpret anything going on inside, right now.

Are you on clear liquids or full liquids?

I was banded 5/9. I have been suffering from severe gas pains as well. I'm currently lying on my left side as suggested by many. I can actually feel the gas moving around. Right now, the worst pain is the pressure in my chest. I've heard of an old home remedy involving baking soda and water. But I am afraid that would cause an explosion in my stomach. Has anyone ever heard of this working for those of us that are banded? Or do you think I would end up in the ER? Right now, I'd try anything that works but leaves my band in tact and functional. Don't worry, I'm not drinking any of grandma's concoctions until they've been given a thumbs up by my fellow bandsters.

Hi everyone, I've read many posts about gas pains and I thoughtI was ready. Well, last night I was in so much pain, I had to call my mom, husband, and best friend to save me. I thought I was dying. I don't know if I have a combination of trapped gas and indigestion or just trapped gas. But, I have constant pain and pressure in my chest and sharp pains that travel throughout my abdomen. I have done some walking, it hasn't helped. I have been popping Prilosec and GasX strips like tic tacs, with little relief. I will try lying on my left when I get home. I'll keep you all updated. Just wanted to whine! If anyone discovers a magic potion, please share! Thanks!

Ooooo, I'm stopping for mylanta on my way home. I'll let you know if it works!Thanks!

Hey y'all! I'm from the Mississippi Gulf Coast!

My friend and I are being banded on May 9th with the Realize band. I can't wait to get my card after surgery so that I can build my virtual self on the Realize website. I was so disappointed that I couldn't play with it before surgery!

Hey Miss Meliss, I'll answer that question. (There's no telling where KellyGirl is!) Yes, we are getting banded together. We are so excited. And you are right, we will definitely have a great support team with one another. So much so, that often times i forget to update my family on the latest!:sad: I just pray that everything continues to go as smoothly for both of us as it has already. Thanks!