finallyncontrol

So sorry for your loss and will be saying prayers for you and your family. I haven't thought about it..but I have been really stressed the last two weeks and my band has really been tight..just got off the phone with the dr from scheduling a slight unfill.

Glad you are back!! I figured you were keeping yourself busy!!!

It does get confusing. There are three doctors merging in the bldg I go to..all three have different approaches..two somewhat close and the third totally different..of course mine being the strictest!! I would say that the water...30 minutes before and 45 to an hour afterwards is probably the closest "rule of thumb" to follow. The reasoning behind this is that you want your solid proteins to stay in your stoma as long as possible to keep you full..the more liquids you have in you you will flush it out and you will become hungry quicker. You will notice that you stay full longer from eating a piece of chicken than you do from drinking a shake..I am a shake lover but I know it is a 3 hour fix..not a 4-5 hour fix.

I eat about 1/4-1/2 cup of food at each meal.

Yes, we all have our "last supper" but as LoseIt said most of us will later find out that you can tolerate all of the regular foods afterwards just in much small portions. The only thing I haven't tried is steak.

Your words were very powerful. The mind is amazing. The balance in life that we need is such a struggle and a constant effort!!

Hello there! What kind of soreness are you having?

Do you have any restriction? Have you kept a journal of what you have been eating? Is your dr not willing to give you another fill? I know I have 5ccs in my 10cc band and I couldn't eat more than 3/4 cup of food at any given time. That is why I was asking about the restriction?? Do you walk? Walking is one of the best forms of exercise. I know with having the proper restriction and walking has allowed me to be able to lose 66 lbs in 4 months...you also have to have a positive mindset YOU CAN DO IT!!! I hope this helps you!!

Congrats!! Be careful not to over do it! Also, do not be stubborn and allow yourself to take the pain medication if you need it!! Allow yourself some down time to heal. Yeah, you want to get up and walk but know your limits!!

Soon you will be able to sleep in different positions. I was a tummy sleeper, so I know what you mean! LOL Take care of yourself! Welcome to the otherside!!

Peace be with you and your family during this emotional time!! You will be in my prayers!

I did 3 protein shakes a day and nothing else..besides water and fuze drinks for two weeks pre-op and then two weeks post op!! You can do it..just keep thinking of the rewards in the end! Drink a lot of water/crystal light and keep yourself busy. Clean closets/drawers, take a walk or anything you can to keep your mind busy. That is what I did. I was banded on 11/23/9 and have lost 64 lbs so far!! It isn't easy but it is so worth it!! Something else to think about is...is it mind hunger or are you really hungry..this will be a struggle as well. Sometimes it is just your mind playing a game with you. If you can do something (anything..take a walk, sort the mail, organize sock drawer or junk drawer) else to distract this "hunger" and it goes away then you really were not hungry it was just mind hunger. If there is nothing you can do that will distract it and your stomach is growling and growling you probably are hungry.

Gorda..a couple of things...you REALLY need a fill and you need to make sure you eat enough to lose (if that makes sense). You are doing great on your fluids, that is awesome!!!! I have 6ccs in my 10cc band and have great restriction so hopefully your next fill will do the trick for you..stay on your doctor!

I agree with Jadeite..are you feeling any restriction? If not, you probably need to get a fill. I walk a lot so that helps me quite a bit. Eat 60-80 grams of protein..always make sure you eat it first..if you have room for anything else..then eat your veggies and then move on to other stuff (if you have room). I start everyday off with a protein shake. I was banded on 11/23/9 and have lost 62.4 lbs so far. I have 6ccs in a 10cc band.

Choose the surgery you feel comfortable with...my goal is to lose 126 lbs. so far I have lost 62.4 in 4 months..you can do it too! You have the desire and the drive!

Daisy congrats for never giving up!! You will be so happy with your decision. I know I have read one of the blogs on here where the person was able get rid of thier wheelchair after being banded..maybe they will read your blog and respond and give you some pointers as well!! I wish you the best!

I love EAS Myoplex Lite (Chocolate Fudge is my favorite but they have other flavors) 20grams of protein, 170 calories.

I don't do chinese but I see this everyday when I fix dinner..my two year old's plate has more on it than mine and even with that my dog eats my leftovers!!! There are rare occasions when my parents will say..can you believe she finished her plate??

Sounds like you are doing great! The more walking you can do the quicker the gas will pass and the quicker you will fell yourself. Have your son hug you very gently. I have a 2 yr old..I wasn't able to pick him up for a month..he weighs 38 lbs...so believe me I know how horrible it feels. He always had to be sat on me. He wanted to be "doctor" so he kept pulling up my shirt and examining the boo boos and seeing if they were getting better. LOL Keep taking good care of yourself!!

you two both kill me...vanishing vixen belling dancing and getting knocked up.. and you finalling reappearing from BFE!! I have chronic back problems..never thought about yoga helping!

Good luck with your allergies!! So many people are allergic to pet dander.

I think another reason they tell you "no shakes" is that they don't want you to only drink shakes, they want you to eat food to get your protein. However, they do realize that sometimes you might be tighter in the morning and you can only get a shake down and as the day progresses you can eat more. I agree with the above posts...you have to test foods..some bodies just take a while to accept certain foods and sometimes what you could eat today you can't eat tomorrow..it is just part of the journey. As Gorda said..protein shakes and bars..they will be part of your new life.

still not feeling any better??

you are doing great!

You could just have a bug..the stomach flu has been going around here. An increase in fruits could also cause you to be a little more fluid in your bowels as well or at least they do me (fresh fruit anyway).

eventually you will learn to make smaller portions for yourself. use smaller plates to begin with. It has taken me until now (almost 4 months) to quit having the thought "oh I want one more thought". I get the hiccups when I am full..then I do not eat any more. I know I will get some slashing for this but I have eaten pizza a couple of times..probably 3 slices total..(1 piece at 3 different servings) thin crust. Long story short but my husband and I recently purchased my parents house..but they didn't move out..so we all live together and my 7 yr old niece moved in also..we have a 2 yr old..so now we have 6 people in the family. We all eat the same meal. My parents are the ones addicted to pizza believe it or not. My niece and I say NO MORE PIZZA and here my mom comes home with more!! LOL. Your taste buds change...once you get banded you will see it is the best decision you will ever make!!!

I felt that it was very similar to having a c-section. If you use that same procedure of getting up & down/sitting up you will be fine. Also, take the pain medication. The quicker you get up and walk as well as the more you walk the quicker you will feel better and feel you self again. I have a two year old...so I wasn't able to lift him for 30 days (he weighs 39lbs). Other than that I was back to work in 1 week.

How cute!! She is adorable!! I didn't see the picture before I posted!