langes21

I get it too. Pretty much every time I eat. I can rub it away sometimes but it is uncomfortable. Right now I think my band is too tight. I got a fill last Tuesday and started eating "real" food on Friday. I have been in pain with every meal this weekend. It feels like there is something stuck in my esophagus. I can't eat anything and I am starving. I'm calling tomorrow to get some liquid out. This is bad.

I'm having the exact same problem. I got a fill last Tuesday, then two days of liquid and now that I am eating solid food again I am not able to eat or drink anything without it feeling like something is in the way in the middle of my chest. It hurts like crazy when I swallow something. I am even having to drink something to try to get the food down. It hurts bad. I hope that it will work itself out but my husband says to go and get some of the liquid taken out again. It's a good weight loss system to not be able to eat anything. lol. Just not going to be something that I can do long term. It hurts too much.

It is good to see that I am not the only one mourning my old relationship with food. It has been my best friend for so long and it is sad to see it go, even though it is way better for me now. I am getting 2nd fill tomorrow. I really hope it helps. I feel like I am always hungry.

You are not doing this for your dad. You are doing this for yourself. When he sees how healthy and happy you are he will see that this is the right choice for you. He will come around. Just stay true to yourself and your goal of a healthy and happy life.

I would like to join! I have never participated in a challenge but I could definately use a nudge in the right direction. Count me in.

I was banded on 4-3. I am getting my second fill tomorrow morning. I am hungry all the time. I don't think that I have felt the "restricted" feeling and I am eating more than I should be eating. I wonder if it is possible that I have already stretched the stoma. I worry about that alot. My dr. says that it may take a few fills to find that "sweet spot" so I am hoping that tomorrow's fill will be the magic number and I will have the restriction and ability to continue losing weight. It is just comforting to know I am not the only one. I don't post often but I do read what others say. Going through this journey is much easier together.

I'm using the EAS carb control shakes. Don't like the vanilla. It tastes like milk of magnesia to me. The strawberry and chocolate are not too bad though. I can start eating soft foods today. I have been having some food for the last four nights for supper and have not had any problems. Hopefully the soft food week will go fast so I can start eating normal food and only have the shakes to suppliment the protein. It's been a tough month so far but seeing results makes it worth it.

I am. Being Easter today is tough! I am making a frozen lasagna and garlic bread for my family. I had my surgery yesterday. Still not feeling that great. Hopefully tomorrow will be better. I have to go to work tomorrow. Yes, I am tired of liquids. I started the protein shakes again today and lots and lots of water. One more week of clear liquids and then the next week it will be more liquids, then week three is mushy foods. Then the fourth week is where we can eat regular foods. Im just ready to be back to normal...whatever normal is.

Good luck on your journey...how do you like the protein shakes so far? Pretty gross but the weight loss will be worth it.

Thanks Becky! I just got banded this morning so when I can drive again I am going to hit up GNC and grab some. What is the carb and sugar level? I have to have 60 grams of protein and limit carbs and sugar. The fruity drinks would be a wonderful change of pace and not have such a nasty aftertaste. Stacey

I don't know about the fruity drinks...where did you get them, from your doctor? They sound pretty good. I am using the Gladiator shakes from Smoothie King. It's not too bad if you add some splenda and fruit. I put pineapple in it and it isn't too bad. I don't know if you are a coffee drinker but I have also tried the vanilla and added instant coffee and cinnamon and that was tolerable. DON'T try the chocolate peanut butter whey protein from Wal-Mart. GAG CITY!!!!! The Muscle milk isn't so bad if it is cold enough. I just don't like any of them and I can't wait til they don't have to be the main source of nutrition.

If you have a Smoothie King in your area they have a drink called Gladiator. If you add splenda it's not too bad and the aftertaste is tolerable. I would NOT recommend Whey Protein chocolate peanut butter flavor from Wal Mart. GACK!!! It's aftertaste is terrible! I tried to go the cheap route and get it from Wally World...big mistake. Don't try it. You will gag! Splenda can't even help it. :thumbup:

How did your surgery go yesterday? Do you feel any different?

Yesterday was the day I was scheduled to be banded. I was at the hospital at 5:30 am for 7:30 surgery. About 8 o'clock or so the doctor's nurse came in and said that the doctor was sick and we would have to reschedule. I thought it was an April Fools joke. Nope. Had to reschedule for Saturday. I sure hope that two days is enough time to heal enough to go back to work. I have to go back on Monday. So all was not lost. My husband and I both took the day off for the surgery so instead we took the kids out of school early and took them to Kemah. It is a boardwalk right on the ocean down here in Houston. I have to say it was a wonderful day spent with my kids and husband. I think it was such a nice day that God designed the doc to be sick so we could have such an awesome day together. Seeing their smiles so big their faces hurt was well worth waiting two more days until the surgery. Of course at the time I was mighty irritated. Gotta look on the bright side, I suppose.

What a great idea to make a list of things to take with you to the hospital. My dr. said I should be out of there within 4 hours. What about a book to read in case there is wait time? April 1st is on it's way!!! Only three more days then it's off to the beginning of a new life. BTW....school picture day was last week. Standing next to my class seeing myself was proof enough. If I had any worries they are all gone now!!! All you need is a full body shot to know that we are doing the right thing having this surgery! I can lie to myself by what I see in the mirror but pictures and store windows don't lie! Next year's class picture I am gonna look great! I can't wait!!! Come on April 1st. I have lost five more pounds. For those of us unlucky enought to have to do the pre-op diet, I just put some cinnamon in my protein shake with some splenda....try it!!! YUMMMY! Thanks for much for the support everyone. We are all going to look and feel so much better when we do this for ourselves.

One week until the surgery. I am having second, third, fourth and fifth thoughts. I just don't know. I have been so hungry during the pre-op and I have been faithful. Since 3-12 the only thing that touched my lips that wasn't appropriate was two cups of popcorn. A moment of weakness but it didn't keep me from going straight back on the diet the very next minute. I am just scared that it is not the right thing to do. I mean, we are placing a foreign object in our bodies. Forever. I know it is my addiction to food that is trying to talk me out of this but I am so hungry from not eating now, how is it going to be when I can't have anything but clear liquids for a month? Plus I have been busting my bottom working out and not eating and I only lost 4 pounds from last Wednesday to yesterday. I just don't get it. Then my "monthly" visitor showed up just at the wrong time so that is going to pack more weight on no matter what I do. I am frustrated and worried. I just need to keep in prayer, keep on the program and not give in when there is a feeling of weakness. Thanks for listening to me rant. Sorry it is so long. I apologize for being such a baby but I need help. Stacey

Good for you not eating. I am on the pre-op diet as well. I started on March 12th and I am going to still be on it until surgery day 4-1. It stinks! You are a better person than me for not eating at the shower. We just have to remember it will be worth it. I hope!

I'm not a smoker but my addiction to cokes is tough to break! I love to drink sodas. And eat. I have really begun to think that I am so scared of not being able to eat anything I want. I am on day nine of 19 days of pre-op starvation. My surgery date is 04-01. Being a 12 pack a day soda drinker is hard to break. Yes, I know it is better for me but I sure do miss my ol' buddy diet coke.

I use coffee sometimes to make the protein shake with lots of ice. Kinda like an iced coffee. I put some splenda in it and it is almost enjoyable. (Still don't like the protein shake drink.)

You got my vote! God Bless you and I hope that you will be the winner.

Hello, I am on day 7 of 19 yes, I said 19 days of starvation. My surgery is on 4-1-10. I started the pre-op on 3-12. I am so hungry. I am still feeling hungry. I wish that I could be like others I have read on here and not feel hunger anymore. Then it is still a liquid diet for three to four weeks after surgery. I do like the results so far though. Lost almost 15 pounds the first week. From 320.5 to 306. I am really hoping to see 299 at least by surgery day. So...we are all in this together. Let's keep each other motivated.

I started the liquid diet last Friday. UGH...My surgery date is one day after you. Make sure your DR. knows about the prior problem so he or she can be prepared. Yes, the risk is worth it. Or will be when we don't have to have protein shakes two meals a day!

Hey Rita, Dr. Hollis is doing my surgery on 4-1-10. I am excited but I thought that the initial visit with him he used his speech he uses for everyone and that my questions would only slow him down from using his script. Hopefully I am wrong about that and only looking for a reason to be nervous about the surgery. I have been on the pre-op diet for 7 LONG days now and I still have two full weeks to go until the first. Good luck on your "day". Stacey

Thanks Anne! Now we just have to get that little guy to move to the right!

Ok. sorry I am slow...but if someone could help me I would appreciate it. I have made the ticker, I have it as my signature but I am not sure what to do to get it to show. Can anyone help me? Thank you so much!