illuminationlady

I was just discussing this with my husband. I don't necessarily have a fear of food but just don't enjoy eating anymore, not really. I agree, this is a good thing and will keep the scale moving. Best wishes!

It's hard to believe that you would expect to lose any weight right after surgery. As PPs have stated you are pumped full of IV fluids. I gained 4 pounds the day of my surgery. Also, did your physician not talk to you about any of this? I had to attend classes, meet with a NUT, I even had to take a quiz on a booklet handed out at my first visit. All this information was in the book and told to me over, and over again. Please don't expect to lose any weight for a long while. Measure your food, count calories during this time period. Once you obtain restriction it will come easily and the weight will start to come off. Most of all, hang in there and read these boards! Best wishes!!!

For me, restriction is being able to eat about a cup of protein/veggies and having no hunger for 4-5 hours. I eat eggbeaters with cheese in the morning, salad with chicken breast for lunch, 1/2 of chicken breast or fish (I split it with DH), 1/2 yam, veggies for dinner and Greek yogurt with honey for one snack. I hardly ever feel hungry. It's like a hunger switch was turned off at my last fill. I'm at 5.9 in a 10 band. But that sweet spot, as they call it, is much different for everyone. Hope this helps you...Best wishes! ps. I drink more than 64 oz. of fluids a day..either diet snapple or water.

I really can't eat any of the things you listed, nor would I want to. I do agree with the PP that it is on an individual basis. All of those things contain a lot of carbohydrates, which I avoid like the plague. My weakness is Starbucks. I know! I know! Tons of carbs! But I treat myself once in a while and that seems to be working for me. Best wishes!!!

Congrats and welcome to bandland! You'll be saying "goodbye" to those 300's soon! I, too, have had to be DETERMINED. I started with an empty band due to complications. Bandster Hell was a long road for me...I also need knee replacement surgery on both knees, so my activity is limited. Therefore, I keep only food I can eat in this house. I do have true "restriction" now and it's wonderful. Even with my limited activity I am losing. Not as fast as some people on this board...but the weight is coming off. So hang in there and keep that great attitude! Best wishes!!! ps. it helps in the beginning, when you start real food, to measure your food and count the calories. That kept me from gaining during the wait.

Welcome Mike! Not much to report here. The scale is moving again so that always makes me happy. I need to update my ticker. I read this thread all the time but have little happening right now. I can't exercise (walk, etc.). And right now the pool is being worked on. Swimming is the best exercise for me. I need total knee replacement on both knees. I do daily chores and household chores and garden lightly but not much activity. Just waiting until I hit under 200 and then they can begin. One knee at a time. I am not looking forward to this as I've heard the recovery is a bear! Only 25 more pounds to go....Getting nervous about it and have probably already whined about it on this thread before but it's on my mind a lot. So thanks for listening again. I started a 2000 piece puzzle today of Van Gough's Starry Starry Night. I must be insane! There are pieces everywhere and it will probably take me the entire summer to complete. Never done a 2000 piece before so it should be interesting. Besides that nothing is new...just felt like writing to you all. Lots of hugs your way...Dottie

Next time you go in ask for an "aggressive fill". They might listen. I did this twice and was granted both. Best wishes!

Use the words "aggressive fill" and they might give you 3 or 4 ccs. I started with an empty band and had to use these words twice and both times was give extra fluid. Best wishes!

Thank you for the compliment. I have had to work very hard with my eating habits and Fluid intake...so it's nice to hear something positive...Best wishes!!!

I would advise you to keep talking to your friend, explaining the band "rules". My entire family was against my having the surgery and I did it any way. NOW they believe it was the best thing that I ever did. I just kept educating them over and over. Explain that it's a tool that will enable you to KEEP the weight off. 95% of people who do WW, Jenny Craig, and just on their own regain their weight and then some. Explain "restriction" and make her aware that there is a waiting period for you to achieve restriction. During this time you won't be losing quickly. That was the hardest part for me. People kept asking, "How much have you lost?" and I hadn't lost much. Now that I have restriction the weight is coming off slow but steady. Simply explain the process, maybe more than once, and she will see the results in the end. I would be up front and honest with her also about being negative. Tell her you need her support and would be happy to answer any of her questions, just to be positive. Best wishes to you on your journey!

The longest "stuck" episode I've ever had was about 2 hours. Usually it only last about 15-30 min. I have been stuck before and excused myself to the bathroom, bent over the sink, PB'd, and returned to the table right away before but that's rare. Everyone has done a fine job of describing how it feels so I won't repeat the information but I usually "slime" a lot when I'm stuck too. I know, TMI, but it's a big part of the whole show! The best advice I can give you is to not drink anything, do not panic and know that it will pass. After being stuck you should do liquids for a day because you are swollen. Best wishes on your journey.

It could be due to pressure on a certain nerve at the top of your stomach, where the band was placed. I had this same pain and it lasted about 6 weeks and slowly dissipated. Now it is gone completely. But i thought it would never go away. As it dissipated I would only get it when I was too full or stuck. I am soooooo glad that it went away. Know that with time you'll feel better. It could still be gas but I would doubt that it would last 2 weeks. The gas pains you get from the surgery usually only last about 5 days. Use adult strength liquid tylenol or any liquid pain reliever if it really gets bad. Best wishes!

I was banded in December and my whole family was against it. One daughter, 23, morbidly obese herself, another daughter, 26, in Nursing School said don't do it and my husband was against it too. I did it any way. By March my 23 year old was in surgery herself and banded. Now they all think it was the best decision I ever made for myself. I only wish I would have done it sooner. And my 23 year old is losing faster than me! I will say that it is quite and adjustment in how you think about food. It's like learning to eat all over again, only this time the right way. Best wishes!!!

I'm in the club too! My physical activity is limited because I need knee replacement surgery. So weight loss is slow but steady. Remember slow but steady wins the race!!! You are doing great! Best wishes!!!

Greek style yogurt with honey dribbled on top! Yummy!! and high in protein and low in calories and sugar! cream of Wheat is good too. Best wishes!

Welcome to Bandland!! Congrats!!

To answer your question, yes, you can work out just like you used to. Whether the band is for you or not is another question. It is a very personal decision and each person is different. But I know lots of folks who work out intensely and are banded. What ever you decide, best wishes to you!!!

Way to go!!!! I can't wait! Best wishes!!!

Yes, they go away with time. Soon you'll be craving protein. That's what I crave now and I never felt better. Your body must go through the withdrawals first then you get used to protein and want that instead. Every now and then I feel like I could eat a piece of bread but nothing like before my surgery. Better days are in store for you...Best wishes!!!

I did not express myself correctly. The pain only lasted about 6 weeks and then slowly dissipated over time. I found it would come back when I would overeat or get stuck but I don't have it at all anymore. Sorry to freak you out. Best wishes!!!

When I reach 200 lbs. I am having knee replacement surgery and I asked my surgeon this very question and he said Yes, they unfill you and if you don't have any serious complications they refill the band in about a week, taking me back up to my sweet spot. Hope this helps. Best wishes with your foot surgery.

My hernia repair was so big that they took pictures of it and the band. I had the shoulder/neck pain for a loooooooong time. It is gone now though...5 1/2 months out. So it will go away. Try some adult strength liquid tylenol for the pain. Or if it gets so bad you can't stand it take some of your left over pain reliever (the prescription one). Just know that it does go away. Best wishes!!!

Please don't feel this way! You were just banded and are going through a time period where you don't have restriction, yet, you are banded. Very anticlimactic! I was where you are for a long time and now have restriction. It is wonderful to know that you have a band and it's working. You will get there. Do what the others suggested and limit your food intake and exercise. During this period just focus on maintaining or possibly losing a few pounds. But the weight doesn't come off over night. Even with restriction I am losing 1-2 lbs a week. So, take a deep breath and relax chica! Best wishes!!!

It is very likely that you were/are swollen from the episode. My doctor recommends liquids for 24 hours after a "stuck" episode. Otherwise you continue to irritate what's already swollen and this can lead to further complications. Now that you've had 2 episodes you are probably really swollen. Stay on a liquid diet for a day or two. Best wishes!!!

Mine is immediate. I can feel the stuck episode right after eating too big a bite or not chewing enough. But it happen right away and there is nothing I can do. But I, too, feel that what you're describing is being "stuck". Tuna is not an easy food. It is very dry. Some people can't eat eggs anymore either. I'm glad I'm not one of them. Best wishes!!