Lannae

to be honest I always use to eat with my wine BEFORE surgery, snacks were a given!! But now after surgery it is diffrent if I have a glass of wine, I choose the wine and the company..if you still feel it hard, then maybe try a new beverage...but i really have not noticed that I crave or have to eat..

Good: seeing the weight drop to a weight you have not seen in years!!!yay!! Bad : Being distracted and taking that "too big of a bite" and feeling it for hours later!!ugh!!

I know what you mean, I get the same feeling..I am not sure, maybe I am eating to fast, and not letting it settle? It may take a bit for it to go down and realize that there is no more room, but by then I have already taken that extra bite..I did see a video regaring someone saying after a cup of food, stop...and wait..I think I need to learn this!!lol!!

You are not alone, I was banded in March and I found the part right before surgery was hard, and then after a fill when you have to go back on liquids..Do I miss food, yes, but I am trying to find my alternative foods, and its not to bad. If I eat a burger, which I cant fully do, but I pretend, by cutting the burger pattie in half to make it thinner, (homemade burgers) and then I hollow out the bun, I dont eat like this all the time, but its for those treat nights. I do miss some foods, and I agree you never realize how your life revolves around food!!!! It takes a while to break the habit, I am still struggling with it, but find some good foods that you really enjoy and it will make it easier..Also when the weight comes off, you will lose the emotional regret!!!

I agree, eat protein before anything else, maybe keep a journal this way you can see what you are eating, and then maybe record it into a place like fitday.com, I think that is what it is called, but it will break down your calories, to where you are eating carbs, etc...It may surprise you..I lost strong right off the bat but then stayed at a plateau for a month and half, then just had my second fill and starting to lose again, but I am still thrilled, that I am not gaining and that it is coming off..one pd at a time!!

A few days ago I had my second fill, and now having to re learn how to eat because before I was not really even restricted. I did give up bread and pasta for the most part before just because but I could always eat these types of crackers, well this morning, I got stuck, then after a bit I felt better, only to re do it a couple hours later, but this time I was so agitated anything and everything was making it feel stuck..I had some hot tea and I am better now, but what a dummy I am..i guess, no more crackers, time to find a new comfort treat. So yes hot tea and time is what worked for me, oh and a lesson learned!!!

Hi Crush, I ended up going to Mexico and having my surgery by Dr.Ortiz, and all I can say is, fantastic!! Great care, and so far great results!!! the cost was $500 dep, then $4500.00 upon arrival to the clinic. I feel great, no hesitation!! good luck with your choice and dont look back!!

what I read is that she "felt like she could just about eat anything" doesn't mean she has made any of the bad choices. I know the feeling, I have only had one fill and have no restriction right now, and it can be hard..I am scheduled for a fill in a couple of weeks, so schedule a fill for yourself and hang in there....I am shocked at how much salad I could eat last night..ugh..lol..

I have been here off and on for years, and once again, thinking about going to Mexico for surgery. I stopped looking for a couple of reasons, one is, just one more go at a diet, but then, I am back plus 5pds more. Another reason is, I do some research and email a couple of potential places and I get a bit overwhelmed. However, I have had enough but need some guidance. I have read alot of posts, and read and researched a few doctors, but then get swayed back and forth. So I would really love to hear your story, your doctor, whatever you can. As well as cost. I dont want it to be about cost, but it is a factor. I guess I am kind of intersted if the couple of docs I have picked are ones that come up. Please I really, need help. I get overwhelmed!!! If you want to private message, please feel free..but I am really needing help!!! This board is so large!! LOL!! Huge thank you in advance!! Lannae

Very, very sad....MY thoughts and prayers to the family..

This is a time you dont really pay to much to the scale, yes choose soups lower in sodium, light etc..and just do what you can.YOu can not stay on clear liquids so just get through this, get on solids, get some fills, eat smaller portions with lean protein,and this is when the band will actually be working with you..I know it sucks, I know...but its a bigger picture here...you will do it!!

I have lost 37pds in just under 6weeks, but it was way above what I was expecting, so I am happy, kind of slowing down now, I will get my first fill in a week and half so excited about that..however, 14 pds is great!! Sure somepeople can lose faster, more, less, but the point for me with the band is...to keep it off!! I think like most of us, it was not always about losing the first 10 pds, but we would fail the diet and then gain 5 pds more, so I would rather lose 1-2pds a week, and keep it off for good!!! As for the original post..I agree see how it goes, drink water, and then see, eventually in the bigger picture if you are going by the rules, it will come off..hang in there!!

I had gas in between my shoulder blades...took about 4 days to go away but a week to stay gone..It felt like I did something to it, however it never, ever hurts to go get checked out...just to be safe...then you can treat the gas, and feel releived...

I wish I knew what to say, I was not that hungry...but what I did was drink my fluids as much as possible and also treated myself to popsicles, just hang in there....remember it is for the good!!!

Fantastic!!!! Really happy and excited for you!!!

It's hard isn't it...but just think it will get easier...Just keep it up the best you can!!

It helps prevent gas pain, or if you have gas pain.. I had it in my back between my shoulders and my friend had nothing, but it is good to keep moving!!!

I sooo remember, it was a pain..but my doctor told me that if I did not lose 12 pds before surgery, he may refuse to do it...So that always stuck in the back of my mind...hang in there before you know it, you will be on the next stage!!!

I agree your doctor will give you suggestions, what was on my list was low sodium clear chicken broth, popsicles, gautorade q2, basically anything clear and not heavy..then after two weeks I went on full liquids which included protein shakes, and more soups no chunks...then two weeks later, full food...good luck on your journey!

Myself and my friend did, sure we were a bit sore but it was not that bad at all...Your call..

Hello everyone..I was banded March 9th, so happy I finally did this!!! I have lost 35pds so far, and have NO fill YET..but am going on holidays in a week and half so didnt want to feel to restricted, or sick or have any issues. I am scheduled to have one the week after I get back, which will make it 10weeks..ugh..but so far I am doing good..sticking to my protein and working out..It already seems like ages ago I had this done..I hope everyone is doing as well.!!!!

If you feel uncomfortable telling him about this surgery, you can just tell him you had a certain kind of surgery, or you can say with a medication you had, you are more limited on what you can eat because some foods upset your stomach..Or you can be honest and tell him and others the truth regarding the surgery and say you still really wanted join the group...Or you can pick and kind of move things around until a dish comes that you can eat. I agree just go slow, people will be busy eating, drinking and talking they wont really be paying attention to what you eat..trust me, I did it...and..if you are going with your husband, as I did, I quickly would say here try this one..and put it in front of him..He has gained 5 pds, but its for me!!!

Dr.Ortiz, fantastic care!! So happy, unlimited fills and after care...but I live in Canada so a little hard to just go there..lol..but all in all happy the cost $4995.00 plus air fare..which was $580. then of course it dropped 3 weeks later ugh..but oh well.

Never heard of it...I bit the bullet and went to Mexico, in total it cost me $5582.00 including flight...It was worth it...

Honestly, and so far...yes...It is hard, but I thought the same as you, "frig" here I am calorie counting again, watching my protein again, having to excersize again , taking these wee little bites...on a normal diet..at some point I would feel starved and jump off the cycle..and then restart with maybe 5 pds more, and feel devistated...This time, it will be different..If I get starved, I can get a fill!! I have not had one yet, but even if the weight comes off slower than normal, who cares, I get what I put in!! Seriously for me, I joined this group just about 6yrs ago....and in that 6 yrs I have seen my weight go up and down and have felt so miserable, I have given up so much of my life to hide, but I kept thinking I can do it this time, and ended up back on my face....I dont want to do it anymore!!! I still have along way to go, but I want this to work, and when I feel really hungry, I will get a fill, and then I will get another, but as long as I am working on it!!!!!