illuminationlady

Don't beat yourself up! We all go through this. One time, 4 weeks out, I ate pasta. And bread! And I ate it at a restraunt where they served me a lot. I thought I stretched my pouch and was frantic! Let this go and don't do it on a regular basis. Remember you don't have restriction yet and you're going through a time period where you must have some willpower. My weight stalled during this period and it was everything I could do in my power to not gain any weight. Best wishes!!!

I am in the same boat as PP. I have had 2 fills. The Preop diet sucks! Let's just say it and get it out of the way. Post surgery you have some restriction but that soon wears off and we're off to our first fill. All the while not having restriction. I must say after my second fill I have had some restriction. I got stuck once and just waited it out. It hurt but it passed. I plan on getting another fill on Monday but I know with the proper food choices and cutting my food up and chewing and chewing and chewing I'll be okay. And the weight will come off. To me this is a small sacrifice in trade for a lifetime of thin!!!

My therapist and I have thoroughly looked at why I'm addicted to food. I have not only been an overeater but also obsessed with diets. Most of my life I've either been fat or on a diet. I've been successful with diets in the past because I soooo obsessed about food. It's been very interesting exploring this in therapy. We looked at my childhood and how my family glorified food with big Sunday dinners and celebrations. I've learned a lot and hope to one day not have food, in an sense, have a hold on me!

Click directly on the ticker. You should have been required to save a Pin #. It should be four digits. A new window will open and ask for the pin. Once you enter the pin you can change information, and save. I usually go to my signature and resave it there too. Don't know if that's necessary but it works for me. Best wishes and hope this helps!

Leigha, I totally agree this is a loooong process. From the time we start the Preop diet to the surgery, to the first fill, then no restriction, then the second fill, then some restriction and on and on and on. If anyone ever tells me that getting the Lap Band is the easy way out I think I'll shoot them...lol. We really have to work the band and banded life (especially in the beginning) is not an easy way out!

How many of you engage in subconscious negative self talk? What do you find your "mind's eye" saying to yourself? I'm am learing about this in therapy and find it fascinating. Now I am becoming more aware of what my mind says to myself. Just curious about this...

In any other addiction, people completely give up the thing that they are addicted to. An alcoholic completely gives up alcohol. With gambling the same thing. Drugs, the same. We can't completely give up food! That being said, yes, I consider myself addicted to food. I hope that someday, with the help of the band and my friends (here on this forum, support groups, and my family), I won't be looking for that next meal and worry about hunger all of the time. I know many on these boards who have overcome this addiction... Best wishes!

I would suggest taking smaller bites. Some docs want us on mushies at this stage of the game and hummus would be a little on the thick side for this. Some docs have us on regular food by then. It all depends on what your post op instructions were. I was on mushies at that point and had nothing thicker than Cream of Wheat. Hope this helps...

Until we reach true restriction we should all be getting fills. Once you can only eat less than a cup of food at a sitting and stay satisfied you are at your sweet spot. Weight loss should average 1-2 lbs a week. And NO doctor should make you feel bad about weight gain of how much you lose. As a PP stated a little "talkin' to" in one thing but belittling is out of the questions. Best wishes!!!

I gained 4lbs. in the hospital from all the fluids they gave me. After I lost that I lost another 10lbs. But everyone is different. I wouldn't sweat it. Just take time to heal!!!

I weigh myself everyday and just EXPECT flucuations. Everyone is right. It could be just Water weight. Don't skip lunch. Like a PP stated I eat 4-5 times a day to keep my metabloism going. I could not get in enough calories in 3 meals or 2. Most of all don't worry. Drink a lot of water and you'll be fine! And rice and bread are not your friend. ps. There is a group under Social Groups for Vegitarians.

Yup, yes, normal. I just had my second fill and am just now having restriction. And I was hungry! It was everything I could do to not gain anything. I only maintained. Didn't gain. But many people do gain. So, in answer to your question, yes, people gain. But if you're careful you can maintain or even lose a little more. Best wishes!!!

Many of you know that last week I got my second fill. The next night I got stuck on a brussell sprout. Tonight we had steak....yes...steak.I took small bites and chewed a lot....but I started to feel stuck right in the beginning of the meal. I put my fork down, did not freak out and waited patiently. After about 5-7 minutes I was able to resume eating and finished my small 3 oz. piece of steak and most of my brocclii. I handled the situation very well and am super proud of myself for doing so...:biggrin:

So glad you're feeling better and I feel the same way about this forum. I would not have made it through "Bandster Hell" without them. You guys are the best support system a gal could ask for!!!:biggrin:

You make a very interesting point. I might add a protein shake in exchange for one meal.

Then I might wait it out and see how my restriction is. If you are eating controlled portions and not hungry I would wait.

I have heard of this happening at support group meetings where both types of surgeries are attending. At my support group meetings there are both types but we support each other. I found it weird that you wouldn't support each other. Strange people out there....

You could get a small fill...like .5ccs and see how you do. Best wishes!!!

Is it possible you have the flu or food poisoning?

There is some will power involved in moving to real foods. Your swelling is gone from the surgery and now you have no restriction. This time period can be very difficult for many people. I had a really hard time with it. I had to do everything in my power not to gain any weight back. You will be hungry until you get enough fills to have restriction. That being said, you will get more satisfaction out of real food and more variety. It will get you used to what portions are acceptable. You can still do your protein shakes for snacks. Just watch your calories very closely. I understand your fears but you must move on to food eventually. Why not start practicing now. Best wishes!!!

I, too, was very swollen after surgery (had a hernia repair too) and couldn't keep anything down. They had to remove all the fluid from my band and that did the trick. You need to stay hydrated. Without hydration you will feel terrible. Maybe you should call your doctor. And you did the right thing. Your just having trouble right now and this too shall pass. Hang in there. I hope you feel better real soon....

I was banded Dec. 16th and have lost 19 lbs. The scale was stuck for a while. I had no restriction. Now, after my second fill the scale is finally moving again. All total I've lost 37 lbs. But I know others who have lost a lot more. Hopefully, I'm on my way now...

It doesn't sound to me like you have restriction. Call your doctor and get in for a fill. Do you know how much fluid is in your band right now? How big is your band?

Until my second fill I had to do everything in my power not to gain any weight. It was terrible and I totally empathize with you. The swelling from your surgery has gone down and you haven't had the proper fills to bring you to true restriction. Some call this "Bandster Hell". I just made sure I ate healthy foods and not too much of them. It was very hard because now you are back on solids. Hang in there and don't expect too much from your first fill. I didn't get any restriction from that one. You can do this! Keep on this forum. It is a great source of support! Best wishes!!

That is wild!!! I never heard of such a thing!!!