happygirl65

It is hard. It was the hardest part for me hands down. What I started doing was making some Soups (like my chicken tortilla soup) and eating the broth which was so much more flavorful than the canned stuff. I would also make smoothies with vanilla yogurt and a few frozen berries, that was also yummy. Cottage cheese was allowed on my liquids so I started adding other flavors to it to spice it up a little. I have to say though I am not sure I would have done as well as I have done so far if it weren't for the "detox" from the carbs that I went through during this phase. It REALLY helped me a LOT with not having cravings so much once I went on real foods. Infact many things became too sweet! Good luck you will get through it just hang in there.

Try the special K protein powder drink mixes...they have a raspberry lemonade and a kiwi strawberry that are both good. They add 6 g protein to a bottle of water, are yummy, low calorie and the protein will really help with the hunger!

Walmart and Target carry a line of sports bras...got some that are comfortable they are like made of spandex material and are better and holding the girls up than the cotton ones. I wore a 44 D and they work well for me. Tight going on but then don't creep anywhere.

The ONLY thing that will help this gas pain is walking because that helps to metabolize the gasses trapped in your body. It will travel around. I walked a ton and always felt better after. I was always weak and didnt want to but when the shoulder pain would come on I had to and it helped. Hang in there by the end of week two you will hopefully feel right as rain.

I am going to describe it and ask the doc but I am now almost certain it is just the feeling of the band being "tighter" because it is happening more early in the day now and I think it's sudden onset/increase is due to the hormonal changes of that time of the month. Yeah...one more thing that PMS gives me...lol. So I am just trying to go with more soft choices and it seems to help. Not really fun though. I hope it doesn't make me have to put off my fill for another month but whatever the doc decides is best. I just keep telling myself that.

Been paying close attention to the feeling all day...I am thinking it is gas because when I burp...it gets better....how odd!

It is VERY common for people to hit a plateau when you go back on regular foods, just keep being good to yourself and making good choices and it will catch up in a good way. Expect 1 to 2 lbs a week from now on when you are not on a plateau, and get a tape measure to take your measurements, that will tell you better than the scale in terms of weight loss as well. Yes you will see pounds dorp off but you will see inches even when the scale stalls! Hang in there!

My doc says heartburn is not normal and to report it but what I am feeling doesn't exactly feel like heartburn and at times it doesn't make sense for it to be heartburn... 1. It feels this way first thing in the morning 2. Feels this way when I am hungry and at that TOM it is worse Is this the description of "feeling tight"? that I have read about? I just feels like there is a 10 lb weight on my chest...no burning, no nausuea or sick feeling...but I just don't know what to call this feeling. Can anyone relate?

My experience hass been a very positive one...but no matter how much I read and researched I didnt know: 1. How deep the emotions were and how hard it would be to get through those first few weeks of liquid food. No one could have prepared me for that. 2. I thought that the band would stop you from eating too much, it doesn't. The food passes rather quickly and you can eat more...doesn't mean you should so self control is still the priority now that it always was. 3. Just how quickly some of the non weight related things would improve...this has been excellent, just a month ago I had my surgery and I now sleep better, walk easier, think more clearly, my memory is improved. This may not be true of everyone so quickly but it certainly has been an important step toward a healthy future. The issues I had with food before still exist but it gets easier everyday to make those healthy choices.

couple of days...then it slowly gets better. Thicker liquids and protein helps...creme of chicken soup....protein shakes etc.

It is very likely a fear of change. It's pretty normal for spouses to be afraid that you will change so much that you wont be the same person anymore and there is a certain safety in feeling that while you are heavy they dont have to worry about someone else "wanting" you. It is sad but it is the truth. I can't honestly say if it were my hubby losing the weight that I wouldn't have the same fears, but it is the communication that makes all the difference. My husband still can't stop buying chips and other snack stuff. I just have to be strong enough to say too bad....I just don't eat that stuff...period. We still serve a stuffing, or rice, or potatoes or pasta at meals and I just don't eat those. It was harder at first and still is hard to say no to potatoes but I am committed to my goal regardless of what foods I am exposed to. I was banded on the same day as you and trust me when I tell you, coming off the liquids and going into the solids your loss slows down but it is still losing even if he can't see it. It took losing nearly 40 pounds to get my husband to see a difference. He is insecure about himself and scared but we keep talking and I hope it will get better. Until then I know I CAN COUNT ON ME, and in the end that is all that matters, even if it makes it harder. I am not going to let anything be an excuse why it's ok for me to fail. I can't and wont.

Try campbells soup at hand tomatoe next time they are having something like that...it rocks! If you add in some italian seasoning...even better! Yeah for the band working!!!

My deepest and most heartfelt condolences. It is so hard to lose someone we love. I recently lost a family member too and it is always hard to deal with it. I will think ...today I can deal and have a normal day...and then something happens that reminds me...sigh. So sad. I am sending you virtual hugs. What I would like to say is that every single day we make choices to move forward. To continue breathing, to get out of bed and face the day. Our loved ones that have passed would want us to go on, and do everything we can to continue to live our lives and treasure the gift we have been given of our precious lives. We still have the choice to make the most of it each and everyday. You have to love yourself enough to know that you are worth the effort no matter how hard it is. I would also ask your therapist about possible anti-depressant meds. It really can help especially when you have suffered a tragic loss. So consider that...but if you decide not to, then just do the best you can to take good care of yourself....start with one new thing a week....this week I will sleep 8 to 9 hrs a night....every single day this week, and when you master that....this week I will drink my 6 full glasses of Water....and when you have mastered that pick something new like cutting out processed foods again, exercising etc. Baby steps is a sure way to make things stick, just start out with the easy things and let those successes help you gain momentum and motivation. Every tiny thing every single day will help you get where you want to go. It's all worth it. The very first step is beleiving in yourself and willing yourself to move forward even when it's painful to do so. I wish you every happiness and success. (((HUGS)))

benefiber...and of course fiber in your diet