illuminationlady

It's your decision and your body. You may have some good reasons for not telling and that's okay. We are here for you any time. Hang in there and welcome to Bandland!!! Best wishes!!!

Call your doctor. Don't wait until it turns into an emergency. He should have some kind of answering service. Don't delay...I would call. Best wishes!!!

Yes, the snacks mentioned by the previous poster are excellent but if you are getting hungry so soon you should discuss this with your doctor. You may need a little fill. Best wishes!!

I'm right there with ya! Love my band!!!!

Mushies are for after your surgery. Once you are fully healed you should be eating solid protein and solid foods with no liquids at your meals or for 30 min. after. You should be on a high protein, low carb "diet". I use that word with hesitation but until you reach "true restriction" then you must diet. You should not be eating Mushies at this stage of the game and yes, they are considered "slider" foods because they pass right through the band. You want to eat solids that will stay in your pouch causing less hunger. Also, keep hydrated. This helped me before I had restriction although I still drink 64+ oz. a day. I hope this clarifies some things for you. Best wishes!!!

I started with an empty band and was hungry from day one. I stayed on liquids about a week and then progressed to things like Cream of Wheat adding unflavored Protein Powder and make it with milk, creamed soups, a baked yam, Greek style yogurt with honey sprinkled on top, and scrambled eggs with melted cheese. I was very careful and measure my food for months until I was able to reach restriction. It took 5 fills for me but I'm there now. My point is that you should get used to counting calories again and do it right off the bat. I agree with the PP that it could be withdrawal from carbs. That will give you a rip-roarin' headache. But it doesn't last long. Hang in there and feel better!!! Best wishes!

I chew a lot of gum!!! lol I crave Starbucks or any "coffee" type drink. So I get a Skinny Latte and have them add Splenda. I do, every now and then, get an extra coffee caramel frappachino. But that is rare. The gum really helps me diet. Also, staying hydrated. Remember 64+ oz. of fluid a day. Diet Snapple is great and it, too, is sweet. Hope this helps. Best wishes!!!

I follow the rules for the most part. I think I've had one soda, a few beers, lots of wine (although for the last two weeks none), since being banded. My doctor says that if you can tolerate it you can drink it. My daughter, who was banded in March, does break the rules. She probably is giving 60 % to her diet and doesn't exercise. She does work at Home Depot so she walks a lot. And she IS losing. She drinks with meals, eats chips occasionally, drinks soda, drinks alcohol all occasionally, She told me she has about 5 sodas a week and they"re not diet. So here you have an example of a sheep and a rule breaker, both successful. I do think attitude has something to do with success though and committing to something makes us feel better and lose weight. So you can't go wrong with the right attitude! Best wishes on your journey!

I adhere to the rule for the same reason. I PB, slime...just can't do it. However my daughter, who was banded in March, can and does break the "golden" rule. I don't think she has enough restriction. The doctor does. He wins. So, this past appointment she didn't get a fill. I keep telling her it's bad but she does it any way. She even drinks some soda...I know...bad. And it's not diet either. But she's losing weight and the doctor is happy so...she does drink with her meals. I don't. Best wishes...

Humming Bird...95 lbs! Wow! No wonder you feel like your in someone else's skin! You are! You should be super proud of yourself!!! Anne...so glad a decision was made. Some times that's the hardest part...my prayers are with you and keep us update. Stacie...Yes, it was my daughter and she is doing great! Thanks for asking. She gets smaller and smaller every time I see her. Sorry you're stressed. And yes, stress can cause us to fall back into bad habits...be careful. We are here for support! I, too, am tired of those posts. I have written the explanation of "why you don't have restriction" out so many time it's not even funny. Let someone else do it. Today I worked with a personal trainer at the YMCA. She spent 1 and 1/2 hours taking my history and showing me how to use the machines. They have everything and all brand new stuff! I didn't swim because I was tired. I can't wait until I enjoy working out. Tomorrow is water aerobics! Sounds like it's real laid back too. Do as much as you're able. So I'm looking forward to it. Well gotta go make dinner. Love you all, Dottie ps sorry this does not have breaks in it. My browser won't allow it. take care...

Hang in there and take your pain meds. I took them for 3 days due to pain. I, too, was nauseated. My doctor prescribed Phenergan and it worked well. Feel better soon...Best wishes!!!

In August I will have been reading posts from here for a year. I don't think I could have come this far in my journey without these people. Reading the posts inspire me. Posting myself, teaches me and encourages me and I have made life long friends here too. So, I couldn't agree more with the OP and Posters of this thread. I, too, want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart....Dottie

I'm proof that it's different for everyone. I have 5.9 in a 10 band and I have great restriction. I eat eggbeaters with cheese for breakfast, a salad with chicken breast for lunch and 1/2 chicken breast or fish with 1.2 yam and veggies for dinner. I usually have one snack of Greek yogurt with honey dribbled on top. No more than a cup of food at a time and 64+oz. of water a day. Hope this helps...Best wishes!!!

You might try journaling your food and really counting calories and carbs. Up your protein intake also. Whenever I plateau I do this and sometimes realize that I'm not eating right. I also agree that changing your routine might help. Best wishes!!!

Productive Burp. When a piece of food gets "stuck" it hurts. You might possibly "slime" (saliva coming from your mouth) and then you bend over the sink or toilet and "burp" up the stuck piece of food. After this you are swollen and should do a liquid diet for 24 hours. Hope this helps. Feel free to ask any questions. Best wishes!!!

This time, for you, is critical. You must measure your food and count your calories. You have to "diet" again until you reach restriction through your fills. Keep your protein high, carbs low and drink, drink drink! It's so hard to be hungry. But relief is on it's way. Once you start getting fills you will be able to eat less and less. So, hang in there...Best wishes!!!

Anne, I am praying for you!!! dottie

Okay. I did it. I got myself a bathing suit, swim cap, goggles, and went to the YMCA and got in the pool and swam...laps..4 of them. I know it's not much but I did it! Then I did the warm up on the stationary bike. I have an orientation on Thur. with one to one counseling on the equipment. I'm moving again and it's wonderful!!! Just had to share...Dottie

During this time period you aren't expected to lose. I started with an empty band and was hungry almost right away. It was ever thing I could do to just maintain. So, I measured, counted calories and watched every thing I put into my mouth. And I did maintained. Even lost a few pounds. The important thing is your attitude. Keep your chin up and hang in there. It will happen! Best wishes!!!

I love coffee and drink it every day without any problems. Starbucks is my weakness. I love skinny vanilla lattes with splenda, either hot or on ice. Occasionally I treat myself to a frappachino. But that's a rarity. My point is I love coffee and my doc says it's okay. From what I've read on this board it varies from doctor to doctor. I'm glad mine lets me have it. It's bad enough that we have to give up carbonated beverages...how could I live without my coffee...lol. Best wishes!!!

I started with an empty band due to complications. I was banded on December 16th and hungry almost immediately. It took 5 fills for me to reach restriction but it seemed like forever before I started losing weight. But I am now! Just hang in there and keep going back to the doctor for your fills. You will get there! Best wishes!!!

It took me a long time to wrap my head around not loving food anymore. I also go to a therapist and used support groups for this. I started this journey with WW and went to their weekly meetings. All of this helped a lot. I am still on my journey and yes, I miss food. Slowly but surely this "missing food" is going away. I really no longer enjoy eating, to be honest. It's takes me a long time to eat a very small amount and I get full fast. But the pounds are dropping off with little effort. I would highly recommend you seek out some sort of therapeutic help before you make your decision. It is a big decision and a very personal one. No one can decide for you but you must give up the love affair you have with food now and that is a loss. Whatever you decide, best wishes!!!

Thanks Christie for your words of encouragement. You are sweet. I posted this question in Fitness and Exercise section too but I thought I'd ask you guys too. After reviewing our budget and the fact that my pool is being reconstructed, we have decided that we have enough for me to join a fitness club. Can anyone recommend one. Remember I have Fibromyalgia and need the knee replacement so I need one with a pool. I live in Southern California. I'm interested in good and bad experiences. I'm going to research first, of course. I already looked into the YMCA in Newport Beach and it was pretty nice...three pools and only 45 a month. No contract. The only down side is that I don't think I'd get the training that goes along with just starting out...especially with my physical disabilities. I'm actually quite excited...Let me know...Dottie

It depends on many variables. As the PP stated if money is involved and this is a very organized event perhaps it is best to let someone (at least one person) in charge know you've had WLS. It may not make a difference. But to join and not disclose to the event planner that you are banded might cause a problem. On the other hand, if this is a simple competition with no "prize" per say then I wouldn't worry about it. Yes, we have to work hard at losing the weight just like everyone else but you do have a tool to help you along the way. What ever you decide best wishes and good luck....

Can anyone recommend a good fitness club in SoCal? After analyzing our budget we have determined that I can join one. I do have Fibromyalgia and need knee replacement surgery so I'll need one with a pool. I looked into the YMCA and it's $45.00 a month with no contract. They have 3 pools and all the equipment but I'm not sure I'd get the proper training. Please feel free to recommend or comment on any clubs you've belonged to. Some may be nationwide. Thanks in advance for the input.