VickieSH

About not eating everything and nosy servers...I request a "to go" container as soon as my food arrives and pack much of it away. lunch for tomorrow!! :smile:

Having my weight go up-and-down my entire life, I've saved clothes in every size from 16 to 30. I was excited to get back into smaller sizes, but discovered that they didn't fit quite the same way they did the first (or second) time around. My weight has come off in different places than in the past. Finally I just gave up and packed 30 bags of clothes and donated them. When I shop now, I bring to the dressing room outfits that I might have never tried on before and am pleasantly surprised at the way clothes fit my body now. I never thought I'd wear a pair of tights. :thumbup:

Okay...let's not yell or chastise the newly-banded. :thumbup: It takes a while, some trial and error, before you find a peace between eating what's healthy (making wise choices), and falling back to those old eating patterns. LOL...the very first thing I ate when I got home from the hospital was a half bag of Cheddar cheese Straws. Those suckers were DELICIOUS. Be patient with yourself and try to avoid temptation. Personally, I can't eat pizza anymore. The gooey cheese forms a plug and it all comes right back up. Ugh.

Productive Burp.

I snag a few extra air sick bags whenever I fly and always keep one in my handbag for situations like this.

Haha...yes, you will, Erin. It takes a while to unlearn what you've done most of your life.

It's kinda like instant "aversion therapy", isn't it? Usually, if you have a PB or a really bad "stuck" feeling, you can bet you've either eaten too quickly, taken too large of a mouthful, not chewed it well enough, or eaten something your band just isn't going to be able to tolerate.

It amazes me how different everyone and their experience with the band is!! I didn't have my first fill until three months after the surgery, then another three months later, and finally the most recent last week. I'm only at 5 cc's and can barely keep anything down (other than soft foods) due to the restriction. Don't give up yet...maybe try eating as if you were feeling a restriction? Avoid breads, stick to meat and other proteins... Sorry...wish we could be more help.

This was one of the most frustrating aspects of my band procedure!! I wasn't able to sleep on my side for at least four weeks. That sucked.

Vickie...be thankful that the procedure you had for weight loss is, in fact, both adjustable and reversible...just in case. Hang in there and be patient! You'll be back on track in no time!!

Top baked potatoes, mixed with finely chopped chives. Mix with seasonings for dipping baked sweet potato chips Add applesauce Dollop on top of tomato or butternut squash soup As a base for salad dressing

Vickie from SoCal checking in!! Feeling good, healthier...losing a steady 2-3 pounds every week. Had a third fill on Tuesday and I'm at 5cc's. Having a difficult time keeping anything down right now, but that seems to be par for the course for me. It'll loosen up in a week or so. My only complaint so far is I can't afford to keep buying new clothes every four or five weeks. Oh...and I miss McDonald's. :thumbup:

You're welcome. One more: RESPECT YOUR ELDERS. :thumbup:

One of the best gifts we give ourselves is to trust our internal instincts. My grandmother used to say, "If it doesn't feel right, it probably isn't." Stick with your gut! :thumbup:

Don't become obsessed with the bathroom scale. Weigh in once a week at the same time, same day (i.e. Sunday, 9:00pm) Greek-style yogurt is your friend. Celery is not your friend. Small bites, chew really well. Join a support group. Moisturize your skin. Avoid alcohol. Take it slow and easy; be patient with yourself. :thumbup:

I was banded on 12/1 and still don't have any appetite yet. I'm having food cravings (steak, potatoes, veggies, etc.) in my head, but don't actually feel hunger in my body yet.

My guy was also banded in Mexico and not permitted any type of food (only clear liquids) for the first three weeks or so after surgery. Personally, I'd go insane. :sad_smile: Have you connected with a bariatric program local to you? If so maybe ask them if they have a prescribed diet for you to follow?

Hi Anne! I'm really fortunate that my physician provides a handbook which details week-by-week what I'm allowed to eat and drink during recovery...even a shopping list for the first few weeks!! The nutritionist is also available through email and that's probably going to be helpful too! My program doesn't allow coffee for six months. :sad_smile:

:girl_hug: My little brother used to do that when we were growing up because he hated meat, or he'd hide it inside his baked potato skin. It was my job to clear the table and load the dishwasher after dinner. I would always sneak his hidden food and not tattle on him. Wonder how I got to be a chubster?! :thumbup:

Happy Saturday morning early December bandsters!! I feel scared that I'm still experiencing port site pain. On a scale of 1 - 10 I'd say I'm at a 5 or 6 most days (surgery date was 12/1). The most comfortable position is either sitting up straight (then hurts like Hades when I stand up) or reclining on my back on my bed. I still can't tolerate laying on my side even with a firm pillow braced against my stomach. Walking (I think it's the weight of my lower belly "dragging" the port site down) is tough and I'm still taking LorTab exilir every 7 hours or so. I'm scheduled to return to work on Monday and am scared I'm not going to be well enough to go back. I think if I'm not feeling considerable relief by Monday morning, I'm going to call my doctor (my post-op appointment isn't until 12/16). I'm worried that I'm injured myself either coughing or dry heaving the first night I was home from the hospital. Ugh. I didn't expect this much pain. :thumbup:

I'd also go with a soup from the menu (remember to be aware of fat and protein!). Something like French Onion Soup that you can slowly sip on the broth only? Tonight I had a quarter cup of organic creamed butternut squash soup and added a dollop of honey-flavored greek-style yogurt...sprinking of salt, pepper, and cinnamon...perfect!! Warming and comforting...both salty and slightly sweet...it took me 25 minutes to slowly eat it. Time for LOTS of conversation!! :thumbup: Maybe even consider gently suggesting a place that you've already researched their menu online or one where you can call the chef in advance and request a special order? Good luck and have a fun time!!

Gas-X makes a strip with the same delivery as the breath strips that came out a few years ago which you place on your tongue to melt. How convenient for banded patients?! Gas-X > Products Below is a coupon!! :thumbup: https://secure.novartisotc.com/secure.novartisotc/gasx/trial_alt.jsp

I was banded on Monday (12/1) and am also really gassy. I don't want to take any kind of OTC medication for it...I'll just go with the flow (so to speak!) :thumbup:

Lots and lots and lots of crazy sex. :thumbup:

Personally I find it impossible to believe!! The human body NEEDS nutrients (especially proteins) to heal!! My post-op diet includes two high protein/low sugar shakes (Worldwide Pure Protein/35 grams Protein per shake), greek-style yogurt (14 grams protein), tomato juice, ff/sf jell-o, ff/sf popsicles, low-fat cream Soups thinned down with non-fat milk, and all the Water I can take. This lasts two weeks until after I go to my surgeon for follow-up. It continually amazes me how every doctor or program differs on this kind of stuff!!