Astrasmom

Every thing that you are feeling is normal. We all go through the "What if" syndrome before we are banded. Did your doctor put you on a pre-op diet before your surgery? If so then you will probably have no problem losing the 10 lbs. Is it set in stone that if you DON'T lose the 10 lbs before surgery that you will be denied? Either way just think of it this way. This is your road to recovery. Recovery from all of the bad habits and things that we have learned over the years to make us over weight and unhealthy. It takes time to learn the motivational skills that you will need to succeed. This is not a diet, this is a life style change. And it's not going to be easy either. It's not a get skinny quick and eat whatever you want type of deal. What it is, is a tool to help you lose the weight and keep it off. If you follow the plan that the doctor gives you then you should be very successful in your journey through weightloss land. The most successful ones are the ones that follow the plan. The only thing that you have to give up on is bad habits. You don't have to give up on life. You can still have many of the things that you have had in the past, just in moderation. "Banders Hell" doesn't hit everyone. I think I am one of the lucky ones because I don't have my first fill until Dec. 3, and I'm really not that hungry inbetween meals. As I said if you follow the plan and work with your doctors Bander Hell for you could be as easy as me. Or it could be very difficult, sorry to say. Just make sure that you get your Protein in which will help with the hunger. And drink your fluids. Also you need to start this now. Listen to your stomach and be aware of when you are full, not over stuffed. This will help you in the long run. You will need to know the difference between 'head hunger' and real hunger. Head hunger is the one where you aren't really hungry but you eat the food just because it's there. Most important thing is TAKE THINGS ONE DAY AT A TIME. If you start looking to far ahead you WILL set yourself up for failure. Listen to your body. It will tell you when it's hungry. It will tell you when you need to stop exercising because it's tired and it will tell you when it's thirsty. Before my surgery on Oct. 23, 2009 I had no motivation at all. I was a grazer and would eat anything that didn't have legs to run away. Thank God my dog wasn't chocolate (just kidding). I hardly ever exercised. I am now 5 weeks into it and I'm not hungry most of the time. I did have Thanksgiving yesterday and DID have pumpkin pie, turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, vegetables and a glass of red wine (an hour after dinner). I didn't eat as much as I normally would have but I did eat and I lost another 2 pounds this week. Everyday is a learning process for me. I try and exercise at least 3-4 times a week for 30 minutes. Whether it be walking, playing on my Wii Fit, exercising from the TV or walking on the tread mill or life cycle for 30 minutes. I also have the support of my family and friends. Which helps a great deal. I've lost 34lbs since surgery. 44 all together with the pre-op diet. My highest weight was 305lbs. Today I am 261lbs. And I'm actually starting to get my self confidence back again. I feel great!! So now I say, if I can do it. So can you. Congratulations to you and good luck on your journey. We will save you a seat on the losers bench. :Yawn:

When you start the soft foods, try picking items that have slightly higher calories at times. When you body receives the same calorie intake everyday, it tends to go into shut down mode because it gets used to the calories that it's being fed. When you shoke it a little by giving it a slighter higher calorie count once and awhile, it will start working again. At this stage in your weight-loss however it's all about the healing process. Don't be alarmed if you aren't losing weight like you did in the beginning and with your pre-op diet. The weight you have already lost is great. This stage you are in now is called "Banders Hell". Just stick to what your doctor told you to eat in portion size, drink your fluids, gradually increase your exercise and take things one day at a time. You might want to check your measurements because inches tend to come off faster than pounds do. Don't get discouraged. It will happen. Remember the biggest thing is, we didn't get this way overnight. It's not going to come off overnight either. Good luck to you.

You are right. It's very hard to stop listening to your head and listen with your stomach which doesn't happen over night. Luckily I have learned the difference between 'Head hunger' and real hunger. Here's an idea for you what someone told me to do. Measure out your 4oz of fluids that you are supposed to drink every hour. Get yourself a shot glass. Pour some of that Fluid in the shot glass. Set your timer for 15 minutes. When the timer goes off, you should have finished the fluid in that shot glass. Pour more in it and repeat the step until the fluids are gone. Be sure you are getting in your Protein as well. Are you drinking protein on this stage of your diet as well as your liquids?

I used a pillow on my left side for about 2 weeks. I couldn't sleep on that side. Not to mention my husband sleeps on the left side of the bed so I had it there so he didn't elbow me in the side in the middle of the night, also. Try putting another pillow under your head also. Elevation sometimes helps. Good luck with your progress and contratulations.

It's ok. Try your best. You have to keep the fluids down. Did you have any fill when you were banned? Some doctors put a fill in and some don't. Mine did not. I have to wait 6 weeks. My fill is not until Dec. 3.

Usually your PCP needs to send your surgeon a letter of support and diet history. All insurance companies are different. You should also receive a letter in the mail stating that your surgery was approved. I would recommend calling the insurance coordinator at your surgeons office and see if it was cleared or call your insurance company directly. As I said all insurance companies are different but they usually want a letter from your PCP as part of the clearance. Also call your surgeons office and let them know that your PCP is refusing to see you unless they call he/she first.

Hi Everyone. Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I know I sure did and I was actually good. :sad: I am 5 weeks post op (Oct 23). I've had a problem going from the puree to the soft foods. I'm not getting enough Fiber in my diet. And let me tell you it hurts. Forgive the bluntness. I had to take 2 stool softeners and Benefiber in order to go. My question is this, what High Fiber Cereals do you eat? :Yawn:

Very normal. Try sugar free ice pops. I lived on them. They help take the swelling down also. Congratulations to you.

wow see what happens when I go playing doctor? I was wrong. I'm glad you found out what it was and I hope you will be feeling better soon. Happy holidays.

Drink lots and lots of Fluid. Avoid temptation at all costs. Drink your Protein shakes. And most of all, no matter how hard it might be, remember the goal at the finish line. It will be well worth all of the hard work in the end.

I am down 32lbs since surgery 10/23/2009. And 42lbs including pre-op diet. I don't get my first fill until Dec. 3. I'm feeling great.

I use Elite Protein Powder and Skim Plus milk. My doctor said we are to have the whey Protein isolate (soy based) ones because some of the Protein Drinks in the store have empty calories. I used to do the slim fast before I was banned and I can see the difference between drinks. Anyway you could be hungry because you aren't getting enough protein. I was told that you need at least the 2 shakes a day. And I can't have Snacks inbetween meals either. I started at 305 and now I am at 263. You have lost weight. Don't knock yourself. My pre-op weight was actually 295. All together with the pre-op diet I have lost 42lbs. And that's just from following the plan and exercising. Also try sticking to eating at the same time everyday if that is possible for you. I find that sticking to a schedule works great. Good luck and let me know how it works for you. I get my first fill on Dec. 3. After that I start the regular foods. I am also on soft foods. And I still live on sugar free ice pops.

I am on 3-4 oz a day which is 1/2 cup. I just started soft foods last week. Are you on mushies still? As for the liquids I generally wait for at least 1 hour after I eat to drink anything. If you get your fluids in it might help you. And I am only eating 3 meals a day with 2 Protein Shake. If I needed 3 the nutritionist said that I can have them. They are 8oz instead of of the 4oz. Try some sugar free ice pops. They help you get your Fluid in.

I am 42. My highest weight was 305. I was banded on Oct. 23, 2009. Have lost 42lbs all together with the surgery and the pre-op diet. This has to be the most exciting thing I have done in my life. And if I had to do the surgery all over again I would. I wish you all the luck in your journey. You will be sitting us on the losers bench in no time. If you have questions along the way please ask them. Would love to be your Buddie. What I can't answer for you the more experienced ones will be able to answer.

Make sure you are truly hungry and it's not just 'head hunger'. Head hunger is what got the best of all of us in the first place. It's when you eat the food just because it's there, not because you are truly hungry. Also for your weight loss, try changing your caloric intake all of the time. If you stick to one specific caloric intake you body will get used to it and you will stop losing the weight. Finally make sure that you are eating foods that are higher in protein(chicken, fish, eggs, peanut butter). "Banders Hell" is the time from operation until your first banding. You must be in "Banders Hell" and back again..hah. Good luck to you. If you are really that hungry you should call and discuss this with your doctors. Make sure you are drinking fluids when you get hungry also.

My suggestion is to call your doctor and let them know what you are feeling. I don't know if they will do a fill. Although every doctor is different. Mine won't do one for 6 weeks after surgery. Also make sure you are eating higher Protein foods (chicken, fish, eggs, peanut butter). My nutritionist also said that I could have 8oz Protein Shakes instead of 4oz. You just have to drink them slow. She also said that if I am hungry with only 2 that I can stay with the 3 shakes a day. So far I am a little over 4 weeks out and I'm not really that hungry. Make sure that you are drinking when you get hungry also.

I hated the pre-op diet. I do simpathize with you. But you are almost there and all of the hard work will be worth it once they get that band on. Best of luck to you and congratulations. See you on the losers bench after the band.

3lbs away from my Turkey Day goal. I may have not made it but I feel one heck of alot better then I did 2 months ago. I am down 2 sized in pants at least and lost 42lbs. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving everyone.:biggrin:

It's not a pulled muscle. Your body is still healing. It could be the stitches pulling. Keep in mind that your muscles inside are cut so when they heal they have to re-tracked back. I am 4 weeks in an I still get that once and awhile. It will go away. Give it time. It could also be gas.

I'm there... you can add me also. http://www.facebook.com/dawn.termini?ref=profile

Try the Gas-X strips. And this might sound strange but sit down and rock back and forth. It helped me to get rid of the gas. And try and walk as much as possible. And yes the heating pad works also. That does help. It seems very hard right now. And I'm sure your asking yourself "WHY did I do this?" But I assure you that in a few more days you will feel better. Take it one day at a time. I am 4 weeks in and I don't even feel like I had the surgery. Although I'm a tiny bit hungry at times it's not really that bad. Hang in there. You will see the light at the end of the tunnel in no time. By the way CONGRATULATIONS!! Welcome to the losers bench.

The hungry is called "Bandsters Hell". Try very hard not to give into it and eat only those portions that your doctor told you to eat. Try eating things higher in Protein and waiting longer to drink after you eat. Eat some white chicken in a can with a little olive oil mayo, Flaky fish (flounder, tuna, salmon), ricotta cheese, and All natural Peanut Butter. Those have helped me. As for the peeing, it's because when you lose weight it comes out as Water. It's nothing to be alarmed about. That's how your body flushes all of the toxins out of your body (toxins and fat). Also make sure that you ARE drinking at least 64oz of fluids a day. That includes your Protein Shakes. My nutritionist also allowed me to have 8oz of protein shakes 3 times a day instead of the 4oz. She said that I can have the 2 shakes and if I am really hungry, that I can have the 3 shakes. Ask your doctor.

5lbs to go until my Turkey Day Goal. Don't know if I will make it but I sure had fun trying.

Be sure to get your Protein in. My doctor allowed me to have 8oz of Protein shake instead of 4 oz. You have to sip it really slow though. I did help a bit. If you are still on liquids it should help when you move up to the mushies. Make sure that you eat the high protein foods such as chicken and fish. And also make sure that you are getting your 64oz of Fluid a day. That helps with the hunger also. Biggest thing is not to listen to your head. I have learned to distance myself from my head hunger and understand what real food hunger feels like. It's a hard thing to do but given practice you can do it.

You should get a fill then. I was banded on Oct 23, and I'm having my first fill on Dec. 3. I'm not famished yet but I am getting a tiny bit hungry in between meals. Not to bad though.