rocketray

I had my first fill after six weeks and don't feel any restriction--where does it go? My doctor stuck me with the needle and then had me sit up with the needle still in. I drank Water and could hardly get it down so he removed some, had me drink again and it seemed good. I had some restriction for a couple of days but now it's gone. I'm going back in a month. Is this common? I just ate a six inch veggie subway sand. and felt fine! And a bag of baked lays. I don't think I should have been able to eat that much. Not that is was "bad", no mayo on it but still I never thought I'd be able to eat the whole thing and feel fine after. Is it better to walk out of the dr.s office feeling "alittle tight?" If you're going to lose some of it, it seems like you should over fill. I don't know, I'm new to this.

I only told one person at work who I trust and who I know cares about me. My husband, son and another friend also know. I work at a school and everyone talks about everyone so I didn't want my personal choices out there. I feel good with that decision and that's all that really matters, isn't it!

I've done Jenny Craig and Nutri System, I thought the quality of food was really mediocre, Jenny Craig is probably a little better quality but I don't like the idea of eating processed food and there's a lot of sugar in their food as well--and salt. The idea of meat in a can is gross, anyway I'm a vegetarian and there weren't a lot of good choices. I think Weight Watchers is a much better choice if you're looking for a program, right from the beginning they teach you how to eat--and cook! Weight Watchers seems to deal in reality much more than the others. But whatever works for you is the best for you. I do my own thing and since I've been banded, I've never eaten so healthy. Because I can't put a lot in me, I am very careful and thoughtful as to what I eat. I want to eat quality food. I didn't go thru all of this to eat a donut. Good Luck with whatever you choose.

Studio City, Dr. Lyass in West L.A.

How fast did you eat the dbl. cheeseburger?? Just wondering if you've slowed down in your eating--for me that's the hardest part of this whole thing. If you eat slow and chew--like we've been told, you will find that you eat less. Are you really hungry? I find myself in the kitchen many times during the day, I want to eat because I've been in that habit but I'm not "starving". Dealing with the head hunger is difficult as well. I agree with the other person who suggested counting calories for a few days, count your Protein as well--maybe you're not getting enough and that's making you hungry as well. Do your best, that's all you can really ask of yourself, I've found that that's usually enough. Hang in there.

If you read enough of what people have wrote you will find your answer. I read a lot of what's on this website and found it very helpful. I also watched my brother have the surgery ten months ago---I was really against him having it but then saw how well he did and how good he felt. He told me he had absolutely no regrets. I thought it was kind of drastic to have surgery but realized now that it's really an opportunity to take in order to get this part of my life together. It's not as extreme as it sounds. I'm five weeks post op, have not had a fill yet and already feel much more in control and glad that I did this. I didn't want to spend the next 25 years or so I have left on this planet obsessing about my weight like I've done the past twenty five years. I know that if something happens, the band can be removed so that's good to keep in mind. That said, it's still a big decision and I wish you luck.

I am six weeks post op--I've been on solid food for the last week and I usually eat the same thing most days: (I'm a vegetarian also) cream of wheat or heritage cold Cereal for Breakfast, if I go out to breakfast--two poached eggs and a slice of toast lunch is usually an eng. muffin with some melted cheese and sliced tomato or cottage cheese or left overs from dinner. dinner is a mexican style casserole, or stir fry with tofu, or something with lentils, or spaghetti with marinara, or a baked potato with steamed veggies and a salad. I eat the same as I did before but MUCH MUCH less and I don't eat a lot after dinner which is something I used to do. I snack on yogurt, fat free pops, a Protein shake if I haven't gotten enough protein for the day, some crackers with Peanut Butter, a string cheese, or fruit. I usually avg. about 60 grams of protein a day, about 1,200 calories. I've lost ten pounds since my surgery almost six weeks ago. When I go out I eat carefully--I've had pizza and was fine with it. I may be getting a fill tomorrow so all of the above may change. I haven't had much restriction yet. I didn't think I'd be able to eat what I used to but so far I am and I feel fine, I've never thrown up or choked on anything. But again, after a fill, all that may change. Hope this helps you.

My advice is to follow the post op diet the best you can, keep up your protein and recover. The weight will come later. You can't have everything all at once---if you're hungry/thinking about food it could be you're not getting enough protein--are you getting 60 to 80 grams a day? This is a good time to address the hunger in your head. I guess my advice is to be patient.

One other good thing to eat is cream of wheat--but make it really thin--it's considered a "full liquid" (one you can't see thru), use non fat milk or soy milk and you'll get the Protein from the milk and the cereal--about 12 grams. I was also allowed pudding--so I would make my own and use mild. The other thing with getting a fill--they like to wait until you've been on solids for a couple of weeks as well. They can't really judge how much weight you're losing until you're eating solids. hope this helps and hang in there.:scared2:

I agree, you need to be drinking at least two or three protein shakes a day, no wonder you're hungry. Also try greek yogurt, it's got a lot of protein or a soup that has protein. That should do it. Good Luck!

I am five weeks post op--this week I pretty much returned to my regular style of eating and feel fine. I am eating everything healthy that I ate before but less of it. Tonight I had tacos for dinner and I didn't have any problem with them. Things might change when I get my first fill--I don't know. My brother is ten months out and he's lost 60 pounds and eats normally, again just less of everything. You will be fine!

Yes but you can make good choices there, I always get the 6 inch wheat, veggies only, no mayo, just mustard w/ cheese. The subway by myself has fresh,crisp vegetables. I can see them make it which I like also.

There is no reason to tell anyone at work unless you'd like to. The way I feel about it is that it was a decision I gave a lot of thought to and I've invested a lot in the whole process. People who are not overweight or who have no clue to the struggles of those who are can sometimes be thoughtless and discount you. If you're prepared to deal with their comments or them talking about you when you're not there, then tell them. Because they will. I only told two people at my workplace because I know they care about me. I did not tell the people I eat lunch with everyday and they did notice I'm eating different but I just told them I'm on a diet. I took four days off and said I had a some personal surgery--they didn't question me. I am a private person and didn't want the world to know. Usually the work place is pretty gossipy. Do whatever your gut tells you. Now that it's been a month, I'm really glad I didn't tell them.

That is the way "thin people" eat, they may overdo it at one meal and be up a pound, but then they return to their reg. eating. They don't go off the deep end or use it as an excuse to keep eating. Congratulations on entering the "real world."

I was told by the nutritionist that the drinking isn't that impt. until you are eating solid food. It's all kind of the same until then. Good Luck!

I agree about the heating pad, it was very soothing. Walking also helps quite a bit. Someone told me to "stay ahead of my pain" and that really helps. Don't be stingy with your pain meds esp. when you go to bed. You want to get as good a nights sleep as you can, that's when you're body heals. I felt better after about 5 days and now it's been four weeks and I don't even feel like I had any surgery. Hang in there!

Have you been drinking protein shakes? they are very filling and if you make it with skim milk or soy milk you can get up to 25 grams of protein.

Hi, I was banded on May 21st, so I'm about where you are, this Friday will be four weeks. I've only lost 6 pounds, but I'm not stressing. I'm not at solids yet, still doing mushy food. Maybe you're eating more than you think. Two chicken breasts sounds like a lot, unless they were really small. Also are you drinking while eating Or not waiting until an hour or two after? because drinking will wash the food down and you'll feel hungry faster. From everything I've read, it seems like not everyone loses the first month, it also depends what you're bmi was. Mine was 35, a lower bmi won't lose as much as fast. Good luck.

Get a heating pad, I found it very soothing! And some lifesavers.

I had a glass of wine and the top only of a slice of pizza at a party this weekend! I didn't really miss the crust at all to tell you the truth.

I was banded on 5/21 so I'm into my third week. I did full liquids for two weeks and now into soft foods. All my bandages are gone, they fell off last week. My port site bothers me if I sit for a long time. Otherwise I really don't feel any different which is kind of weird. I don't think there's any restriction at all, but I feel full at a cup of food. I went to a party this weekend and had a glass of wine. I have had all the usual food cravings but it's easy to say no. I just tell myself that I didn't have surgery for nothing! I've only lost about 7 pounds since the surgery, 15 all together. I'm going for my first post op dr. visit on the 30th, we'll see if I get a fill or not. My brother had this surgery last Aug. and has not EVER had a fill!! The doctor said as long as he's losing weight and feeling full there's no reason to do it. And he has been. Pretty amazing compared to what I've read about people getting fills. It's really clear to me that the band is a tool, it's not the total answer. It still takes awareness and desire to choose the right foods. Here's something I made for dinner that was good/soft--a quiche with ricotta cheese/eggs/spinach/onions/cheddar cheese. No crust. It gave me a lot of Protein and some veg. And it was very easy to eat.

I think you'd want stainless steel or silver. Gold would be very expensive. You can get one on Ebay, if you're looking for something more unique, go to www.creativemedicalid.com They have some very different ones for reasonable prices. I got a bracelet from there and then a cheapie dog tag on ebay that I can throw on my neck when I don't feel like wearing a bracelet. The bracelet was 60.00 and the dog tag was only 7.00.

Three days is way to early to expect anything, you just had surgerY!! Also I only allowed full liquids for two weeks after. Today is my first day of soft food and I've only had cottage cheese. I think eggs on the third day is too much. Your stomach is not supposed to work too hard at digesting anything. I would relax and concentrate on getting back and walking around a bit.

My BMI was 35 but I had a co-morbidity--high blood pressure and acid reflux. I got ok'd no problem. I did go to one doctor before who didn't even want to talk to me at all. I thought that was kind of rude, they made me sit thru an hour long presentation and then decided not to even let me talk to the doctor. So don't give up if anyone is having problems getting ok'd.

Number One: Heating Pad--it really feels good on your incisions. Number Two and I heard it here---stay ahead of your pain. Don't be a hero and stay away from your pain meds, you got them for a reason. For me, vegetable broth was a life saver. And literally life savers--my doctor said I could have them and when I first got out of surgery, they tasted really good. good luck, I'm sure you'll do great.