SouthFloridaDiva

I'm exactly 3 weeks post op today and I can honestly say I'm completed bored with food (especially Breakfast)! I don't want another Protein shake, Soup, Greek yogurt, egg, etc ever again! Does anyone else feel this way? I'm now on a full solid food diet but I just don't enjoy food like I used to. I don't have the desire to order a pizza or eat a tub of ice cream, but I would just enjoy some healthy variety in my life. Does anyone have any websites where I could find some recipes to add some "life" back into my diet and stay on track? (Besides BariatricEating.com) I'm -21 pounds and very happy with my progress, but I don't want it to to be like this for the rest of my life. Help!

Pita bread and Mozzarella Sticks. I love Hummus and they always give me pita bread. Its hell for me. The mozzarella sticks get stuck and I feel like I'm choking no matter how good I chew.

Awesome!! Congrats!!!

Besides this website, what are some other websites that you all love to visit daily for recipes, inspiration, etc?

Thanks everyone!

Well, it has finally happened! I am actually banded! Whew! It's been 3 days and I can't believe it. I really went through with this. Now, with every journey, there has to be hard work, right? Well, HELLO HARD WORK! I never knew the simple things like getting in and out of bed, sitting in a chair and drinking out of a bottle of water could be so challenging. Let me take a step back... So it all started on the day of my surgery. I was sitting in the surgical waiting room at the hospital with a pleasant calm actually. I was thinking to myself the whole time, "Wow! I am really going to do this!". I was excited, yet comfortable with the decision I was making. They called my name and I went to the surgical holding area. They drew some blood and then had me change into a hospital gown while they hooked me up to what seemed like every machine possible. I remember being rolled into that operating room, having the "oxygen" (I say that with complete sarcasm because that's what the nurse told me) put over me and not remembering a thing until I woke up in the recovery room. Well, HELLO RECOVERY ROOM! I remember waking up to what seemed like little elves building a house inside my stomach. The nurse then informed me that my doctor had also done a hernia repair along with my band, so I would feel a little more pain than usual. A LITTLE?! I never have felt pain like that in MY LIFE!! There has been times in the last 3 days where I almost regretted my decision because of the pain I was feeling. But each day, each hour and each minute got better and better. I'm finally feeling almost like my normal self and I can honestly say, after this little bump, I cannot wait to start my new life!

I was banded on 11/30/10 and have lost 18 pounds ( including pre-op diet). So happy!!!

How soon did everyone return to work after being banded? I was banded 11/30/10 with a hernia repair and would really like to return to work Monday 12/6. I'm worried that it might be too soon - Like feeling great in the morning but not being able to make it through the whole day. Any advice?

Thanks Everyone for the advice! Bending over is still extremely rough so I guess I will wait until Sunday night to make my decision. The advice I get on this board is truly amazing. Reading everyone's stories on here is what has gotten me through some ready tough times. Thank you to all who share your stories and advice. You really make a difference.

Thank you everyone! Everyone's advice really helped. Today, I was able to actually drink 1 cup of chicken broth and eat 1 SF popsicle. I've been walking every hour for 5-10 minutes and I'm feeling much better. The main area of pain I am having is where my port is located. I finally got on the scale to welcome the surprise of being down a total of 14 pounds (3 down since surgery day). I'm so excited for the future!!!

I was banded yesterday with a hernia repair and I feel like crap! I have tons of gas pain in which walking still has not relieved. I have no appetitite (which I don't mind) but I'm so uncomfortable in every position....whether I sit or lay down. Any suggestions??

It’s day 6 of my pre-op diet and I have never been more depressed in my life. I never knew food could have such an impact on a person. I don’t ever feel the urge to eat anything unhealthy, I just crave some type of solid consistency. I have always been a picky eater, but right now, I would submit my stubbornness for the taste of a solid. It’s so frustrating because no one knows what I’m going through. My family members continue to eat amazing food around me as the strong smells float through the air of my house. I feel like I have never cried so much in my life. I feel so angry and sad yet hopeful. I never want to feel this way in my life again. For the rest of my life, whenever I reach for something that is not good for me, I will think of this time. This has honestly been the hardest week of my life. Shopping with my friends the other day was the worst. I was starving so badly. It was Black Friday and the mall was busy with holiday cheer. Besides the fact that I felt like a fat slob walking around with my gorgeous friends, nothing was worse than sitting in the food court chomping down on some of my favorite foods. So I did what any rational person would do - I cheated. Not as bad as you think though. I ate soup with some solid pieces of chicken breast and a few noodles. Then I had a yogurt and water. I tried my best to stick to it as much as possible. After that, I walked into every store and watched my skinny friends try on beautiful clothing. I’ve never felt more out of place in my life. So I did what every fat girl does - I looked in the accessories section. My whole adult life that’s what I’ve done. It’s how I fight the embarrassment that I can’t fit into these clothes. I watched and was the “supportive friend” helping them look for outfits as I desperately wanted to be with them in the fitting room. Instead, I was holding their shopping bags and they fit their skinny selves into a size 2. Don’t get me wrong, I have the greatest friends in the world who have been so supportive. They ask me everyday how I’m feeling and sit with me on the bench as I get tired from lack of food. One thing about this pre-op diet is that it sure takes the energy out of you. I don’t think I have ever slept this much in my life. And sleeping seems to be my new favorite hobby. You can’t feel hungry when you sleep. I always like to end things on a positive note - the note being this: I WILL NEVER BE FAT AGAIN! I will be skinny, and next year at this time, I will be trying on dresses with my friends in the fitting room. It might not be a size 2, but it sure won’t be a size 20. For once in my life, I would love to be a single digit in size that doesn’t go on my feet! PS - Incase you're wondering, the only thing that has kept me going is that during this pre-op diet, I've lost 11 pounds. I know it's probably all water, but it's 11 pounds that I don't ever have to carry with me again!

Thanks so much Hopee! You're words are too sweet!

Good Luck Tomorrow!!

Hi There, Can you tell me the name of the protein powder you bought? We don't have a Wally World where I live but maybe it's something that I can buy online? Congrats on getting rid of 17 pounds! That's awesome!

Thank you so much for your kind words. I wish you the very best in your new journey as well!

I am being banded on 11/30/10. It's my 2nd day of the liquid diet and it's very hard for me. It's not that I'm craving food, but more than I feel so hungry and weak. So far, the thing that is really keeping me going are sugar free Jello and sugar free popsicles. 98% Fat Free Campbell's soup (Cream of Chicken) mixed with unflavored Protein powder is the only thing that actually makes me feel full. Good luck to all those on your pre-op diet. Think of how much this will be worth it when you fit into your "skinny jeans"!!!

Best wishes everyone! My surgery is 11/30!

I'm only pre-op but I have researched how much work this is going to be for me. I think you should take minute to realize how great you are and how awesome you are for taking this step to change your life. I wish you the very best and I know you will be successful in your journey. Don't let anyone bring you down - ever.