kimmie1021

I was banded on 4/22 and went bowling on May 1st. So, eight days later. I will admit that I took it a little easier than normal and only bowled one game. It felt great to do something normal again. Last night I went cosmic bowling and bowled three regular games and one lightening game. While I didn't feel it then, today my right abdominal muscles keep having spasms. So, my advice would be....... if your doc approves of course....... is to bowl one game at a time and stop for a little bit to see how you feel. Starting off slow is the key. It was probably the lightening round that did me in. But again, I had fun. Next week I will only bowl three regular games and skip the lightening round. Good luck with your band. Please keep in touch. I love fellow bowlers. Email me anytime. Kim

Forgive me fellow banders for I have sinned.......... I have realized that I really enjoy chewing and having food in my mouth. For the most part I have stuck to the liquid diet. I have been having Soups and sugar free ice pops, my Protein shakes. blah blah blah. However, I have a job where I have to eat out a lot... not by choice, but actually take people out to lunch. So, the other day I ordered a small cup of broth and an order of chili cheese fries. I really thought that they would be wet and mushie. I was banded on 4/22, so I am still on full liquids. Anywho..... I drank half the cup of broth and took 3 very small bites of the chili cheese fries. I was very full and could feel it in my chest. I took it home and my hubby gladly finished it. Yesterday we went to a Latin Cafe and they had no broth based Soup so I ended up ordering a hamburger with no bun or sides. I asked that it be cooked medium rare. I only hate 1/3 of that in very very small bites, chewing until there was nothing left in my mouth to chew. On that meal I stayed full until today. Now, today...... I had my Protein shake this morning, cream of broccoli soup for lunch, cream of broccoli soup for dinner (6 ounces each time) and about two hours ago I decided that I really wanted some chicken breast in a balsamic vinegar dressing with tomatoes and cucumbers. All left over from my families meal last night. Read on for the ultimate eating sin......... I mixed it all up in a bowl. I then got an empty bowl. I took a bite and chewed and chewed and chewed. I then spit it all out in the empty bowl. I did this for the whole serving. So, possibly 1/2 ounce of food slipped down my throat, very liquefied. I am ashamed, but I really wanted to chew some food. It took me over an hour to do that. The juice from the food was better than I could have imagined. I don't know what made me do this except pure desperation. I needed to have that sensation in my mouth. I just finished 6 ounces of a Protein Drink. I guess I feel better. Has anyone else done this? Or am I plain strange? Good luck to everyone !!!! Kim

I am a little discouraged. I was losing weight like crazy last week. I have stayed the same weight for nearly 3 days now and I am barely eating. I wish I could eat more, but I am so full, so quick. It takes me two hours to drink my Protein shake in the morning. I have to double up on the scoops just so I can get in my protein requirements for the day. I don't eat hit 500 calories a day. I barely pee and I have only had one bowel movement since leaving the hospital. If I sip a half a cup of Soup, I am full. I have learned not to take one more sip of anything because the pain in my chest is excruciating. I had to stay two extra days at the hospital right after surgery because my blood sugars needed to be regulated and I have severe gastric reflux. That was really upsetting to me. Especially when I read how many people are out shopping the next day and feel great. Physically I am starting to really feel good, but I don't know why I am not losing anymore if I am barely eating. Can anyone share their experience with me? Thanks so much, Kim

I was banded on April 22 and I still have horrible gas pains and my stomach is still very bloated. I have already lost 23 lbs, but it's hard to tell because of the bloating. Everyone around me says that they can tell, but all I see is my swollen stomach. I used to hate when I burped or anyone else burped near me...... I now have a religious fondness of burping. Nothing else feels better. LOL I want to know how all of you are managing to drink all that you should be. I am full so fast. Good luck to all, Kim

I was just banded on 4/22/08 and I WISH I could burp. I get maybe 2 - 4 good burps a day. But I know I would feel better if I just burped a little more. So, while you all have your slime and whatever....... I will still be waiting for plain old air !!! LOL

Yes, I am on liquids. Mostly Protein shakes and broth. sugar free Jello and Sugar Free Ice Pops in between. My reflux is getting better. Even though I have lost some weight I still feel bigger than before because of everything being so swollen. About how long does that take to go away? I feel so bloated all the time. I was going to put decaf instant coffee in the Protein drinks. My doc has had me off caffeine forever now. Any advice that you can send along would be great. Thanks, Kim PS - how do I add a ticker to my post?

Hello Everyone! I was banded 4 days ago and I am excited to start my new life. The first couple of days was rough. I had to stay at the hospital for two nights due to unexplained pain and needing to be on a pump type of medication machine. Finally found out it was severe gastric reflux. Went home thursday and was thrilled to get some sleep. Yesterday I was out and about all day. It felt good to do a lot of walking. The reflux seems less severe when you are moving around. I am finding it difficult to eat as much as I am requiired to. I just don't feel hungry. My husband has been reminding me to eat. I have lost 10 lbs already. I don't know if that's a good thing considering. But today I am going to make an effort to eat my small meals throughout the day. Has anyone tried putting coffee into their protein shakes? Well, kieep in touch and I will let you all know how I am doing. Good luck to everyone!