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Nerves are normal, but I found them to be completely unnecessary! The operation and recovery were a breeze, and afterwards you really aren't hungry. Although, today I have had 1 cup orange juice and 1/2 cup of vege Soup and it is now 6.30pm I am feeling hunger pains in my stomach for a bit of food - probably cannot ask for everything!! The pre-op diet, its the doc's choice and designed to shrink the liver to reduce operation risk - sometimes if it is longer than 2 weeks it is an insurance requirement to "prove" that you want it badly enough. Food - you will be able to eat again! Don't stress too much! Personally, if I could pick my perfect last meal it would be sweet and sour pork chinese!!! YUM!!

I don't think pain with any bite is normal. Like Lianna said, everything should be a consistency that can pretty much be sipped through a straw. Peanut Butter & crepes certainly can't get through a straw. I've heard people putting Wendy's chili in the blender and calling that a mushy. I don't agree that Chili is something we should eat so soon in the game, regardless of how mushy. The object is to go really easy on your stomach with soft, bland foods till your band is completely healed (that's just my opinion though.) The band demands you take tiny sips at first, tiny bites, tiny swallows. Everything must be completely mushy before swallowing. If you follow these rules and still feel pain, you should let your doctor know.

My intention to have the support group is just that... a support group. There are some of us who do not want to go to eat every time. That is one of the reasons most of us needed the surgery to begin with. I just want a group to sit around and talk about the ups and downs of the journey they are going through. We could meet at the District for coffee and sit around just getting to know each other. The reason I wanted to start the group was so that I wouldn't have to travel clear across town for support. Those that have already met for lunch and future dinner, if thats the kind of group you want to have that is fine too. Those who just want to have a support group let me know in private message on my profile. We can then make plans to meet. Not wanting to step on anyone's toes with this. JUST WANT SUPPORT!!! NOT FOOD!!! LOL!!!! Thanks, Fran xoxo

I wasnt digging at anybody. If you read the message clearly I stated that those of you that want to have a group that socializes at luncheons or dinners, that may be your thing. I just want a group that meets and discusses things on their journeys to losing weight. Some people CANT handle having food in front of them. Because I asked to have those interested to private message me, its an issue?? Sorry that bothers you or anyone else from the group that I originally tried to start. I dont want to fight about this, it isnt worth it. Good luck on your journeys!! Fran

I have seen progress, especially since I started tracking my calories. I was never a fan of "counting" calories, but it has really helped me put things into perspective. Even though I was eating smaller portions, I still wasn't making the best food choices. I also have my first first fill in over a year scheduled for next Tuesday. I'm pretty certain that will help a lot!

Well, tomorrow is the big day! I have to be at the hospital at 530 am. It's weird that I am not at all nervous. Instead, I find that I am missing food. I have been on the pre op diet and I have to admit that today has been the hardest. I am truly missing food! I feel sad that at this very moment because I cannot have anything to eat. Will I feel this way post -op?

I never went through hell. I doubt most people will. I think that some bandsters *do* have real trouble with the restrictions the band places on them, and have even more trouble with the exercise that they must do in order to lose weight on healthy food. This is no warning.

I will admit I had ONE moment of hell. True hell. I had been on post-op liquids for a VERY long time (my doctor is very conservative in the healing phases of the band), and I still wasn't able to lift my babies who were about 17 months old at the time. I was missing them (I held them on the couch, but I couldn't carry them around like before), and I was SO freaking sick of liquids. But after recovery? GOD I LOVE MY BAND! Not a SINGLE moment of hell. Not EVER. I don't miss stuffing my face with food. I don't miss the 71 pounds I've lost. I don't miss being the biggest person in the room. And I LOVE my new jeans much more than I love food. I also love that I've never felt deprived of anything -- I eat what I want. Well, I kind of miss chicken -- that doesn't go down so easily. But, if I lather it in enough marinara sauce, it goes down okay. But yeah, I had some candy at Halloween. I lost 3 pounds. I ate pie at Thanksgiving. I lost 2 pounds. The weight is falling off of me like mad and getting my band was the BEST thing I ever did for myself. I will admit, though, I was never one to eat a whole pizza. I did, however, have a massive carb addiction and was a "grazer." I felt hungry ALL the time. Now, I have to remind myself to eat. If it wasn't for my husband, my poor kids would probably starve because I forget that "normal" people are hungrier than I am! haha! No hell here. Plenty of energy, too. I am so very, very sorry that some people have hell with the band, though. That SUCKS. :biggrin:

~ how big of pills can you take or have you switched over everything to liquids? (I'm on Zoloft, a tiny pill) I am currently on what seems like horse-pill sized antibiotics, and I am getting them down without issue, 4 times a day. In the first 3 weeks after surgery, I had everything in liquid form, but I started out with quick dissolve tylenol when I ran out of the expensive liquid stuff, and I haven't looked back. I have 6ccs in a 10cc band, and I think I'm reasonably close to the green zone. ~ Do you ever drink soda? I'm worried I will miss the bubbles of my diet Dr. Pepper. How does drinking carbonated drinks feel with a lapband? I have the odd diet coke now (sometimes even mixed with vanilla vodka!) and as long as I'm not eating at the same time, I'm fine. I burp a lot, but I haven't exploded yet It makes me feel full, but only for about half an hour. And I'm not having more than one can, spread out over an hour. However, I waited until one month after surgery, before I even tried it. You really need to master burping again, as silly as it sounds, before you try anything carbonated again. ~ what specific questions about my surgeon's experience should I ask? I asked how many lap bands he had put in, and what his rates of complication where, for infection, band slippage, and erosion. ~ Why is it so critical that everything be sugar free? It seems many of the sf foods are higher in carbs to fill in flavor. I think it's all about limiting our overall calories. Carbs aren't the end-all, be all. But if you are talking about things like sugar-free yoghurt/chocolate, where they've filled it with something else full of calories, it might be best to avoid it all together, or really limit the portion and how often you eat it. ~ my go-to yogurt is Dannon Light and fit toasted coconut. Is there something I can add to it to make it "drinkable"? Can you mix it up with milk? We don't get coconut yoghurt here in these parts (Canada) so I'm not sure if you mean that it's just flavoured like coconut, or if it actually has chunks in it. I wouldn't be eating anything with chunks until you are at the approved stage in your doctor's post-op diet. But, I can't see why you couldn't thin out any yoghurt you wanted, and drink it, provided that it's within your doctor's recommended diet. I can't answer the insurance questions at all though, since I'm in Canada, and I was self-pay.

Okay now I'm totally freaked out. I don't know what to drink! I was never told I had to do protien shakes. Only Clear liquids for a couple of days then full liquids. Which was anything I could blend to a thin consisitency. What if I've already done the damage??? I think I'm way in over my head here. I've cried all day. Not because of food, just tears. I can't take me one of my depression meds because it's time released. They made me a liquid compound but it tastes so bad I'll throw up if I try it again. So clear liquids? I just want to crawl in bed and wake up when the mushies come around. I've never been successful in anything else, I don't know what possessed me to think I could do this. On top of that everyone in the world knows I've had it done!!!!! What the hell I'm I gonna do???? Patty

Are you allowed scrambled eggs? Slice of lunch meat like ham, turkey, chicken? How about cream cheese or laughing cow cheese (not sure if you get that in the states. Chicken or beef broth or the packet from Ramen noodles (DO NOT eat the noodles just the packet). Peanut Butter (1 tbsp) with a scoop of Protein powder (called a sludge) I can not remember who suggested that on here but I sure have remembered that. Are you allowed soft flakey fish fillets? Tuna in the can mixed with dill pickle relish. I am not sure what stage of foods you are at but you can judge as to what you can have now and what you will have to wait to have. Lily

Hello! Im new to this site and hoping to meet fellow bandsters to chat with. I am 27 years old and had my surgery on July 13th. Im on the soft food phase right now and so bored with the foods!!! Im trying to put some variation on things but I just hit a block in my mind. Can't wait until next week when I start my regular diet. I havent had any complications trying anything new (knock on wood). Any suggestions out there for finishing out this phase and starting my regular diet. Also, was wondering what people are doing as far as excercise?? So far I have lost 20lbs post op and couldn't be happier :thumbdown: I lost 56lbs prior to surgery and this is just further puttin me on my way!! Hope everyone has a great Sunday!!!! :scared2:

I heard it was not a good food for a banded person to eat. Is that true and does anyone have any advice on how to manage for 8 longs days? :glare:

I too love watermelon and find I can eat more of it than other foods. For that reason, I call it a slider food.

I was banded March 7th 2006 and had my first fill of 3.2cc last thursday. I have hardly felt restriction and just keep looking at the scars thinking 'were they really worth it' ! I was told liquids for a week then mushies another week. Liquids lasted 2 days and mushies another 2. I havent pushed it but I dont feel full or satiated when i eat foods and would like to know how it feels to be nicely restricted and feeling like youve eaten enough... :help:

I agree, can't chew to much. Just make sure your not drinking liquids with your food. Keep up the good work :eek:

Hello guys. I am new to band land. I was banded on 3-31-09 in Houston, TX and things went great. Well I was a little worried the day of surgery. I had surgery at 10:30am they told me I could go home at 1:30 pm as long as I could go to the potty and drink the soup/ water and Jello. Well food went down fine but going to the bathroom was a challenge. OMG around 5:30 pm I was finally able to go they were 5 min away from calling the doctor to see if I needed to be admitted to the hospital. I have never prayed to pee but there is a first time for everything J

eggs sit very funny with me since I had my surgery. I know they're supposed to be one of those high Protein wonder foods and all that but I haven't been able to eat them with the exception of a Breakfast bake I did that had bread at the bottom so they didn't taste to eggy. I think our stomach are fussy at the moment and feeling a bit abused after the surgery. I ate a bit at the weekend and felt like throwing up. I haven't been able to have anything that isn't a comforting food for breakfast. I have been enjoying oatmeal w/fruit or Protein shakes with fruit. It really is like that any time of the day so I have been just doing meat or dairy Proteins.

I bought 2 jars and only ate 1/2 each. I threw the rest away. They are understandably extremely bland. I figured if I had to add so much to them to make them palatable I might as well just cook and puree my own food. I would advise just buy a jar or two and see how you like it.

I'm not really a newbie, nor am I a long timer yet...I am about 6 1/2 months out. I have also read where some people get gas pain, I personally had very very little. I had a twinge the day of surgery, and I figured that was what it was, but never had it again. I did not have a big meal the night before, or anything, and I have heard some say they thought that might have affected it. I have lost 72 pounds. I have been on a plateau for about a week, I have not lost anything at all, but my jeans are getting looser, and I do that sometimes, I end up losing a bunch of inches, and no weight on the scale--not sure how that works, but it's how it goes for me!! I have not been eating like a good bandster for a couple of weeks, that damned Halloween Candy that was left over did me in!! I have lost over 41" now. I eat pretty much whatever I want, some things are hard for me, but not many. I have to watch dry chicken...it causes me to hurt. I eat breads but minimally and slowly, and not alone...I mean I eat them as in pizza with the toppings, or a sandwich with the meat and mayo. I have trouble with cucumbers. I think they hit me the same way drinking with my food does, because they are so wet, I have to be careful with watermelon too...it feels like it floats, and doesn't go down well, I have to eat it very, very slowly. My surgery was by far the easiest surgery I have ever had...I have had a few!!! I was given pain meds in my IV when I come out of surgery, by that afternoon I ask them not to give me anymore, they give me such headaches! I stayed in the hospital that day, then they drove me to the airport the 3rd day, and I flew 5 hours home, as well as a total of 5 in the car. I took one shot of liquid Tylenol, during a layover. I have not taken anything for pain since, except the occasion chewable Tylenol for random headaches etc. I had stitches, we took them out 7 & 10 days after I come home. 7 for most 10 for the port incision. Becka, I cannot begin to tell you how worth it this surgery was to me!!! I began at 289 pounds, and a size 24...I am now 217 and a size 16. I can shop in most places now, and while not thin yet, no one looks at me as anything abnormal now. I can play with my grandbabies, I walk daily because I am enjoying it!!! I joined Curves, and feel proud that I am moving my body and getting healthier. I was very happily married prior to banding, he is an awesome man, and loved me the way I was...but I am such a better wife now! I have nergy to do things with him, to work around the house more...and am a lot less self concious without my clothes which has improved our sex life as well! When I went into surgery I took 2 different medications for high blood pressure, and one for a pre-diabetic situation...I take no prescription medications anymore. My blood pressure and blood sugars are both normal now! Mostly I have hope, and faith, something I never had going into other diets, trying to "do it myself". This is doing it myself. I still have to make the choices. I could eat candy and ice cream all day and never have lost an ounce. I make wise choices (usually!!). If I needed a pace maker I would get one, for my health. I needed to lose the weight for my health, I got the band, and it is working! I hope your nerves settle down, and allow you to make a rational choice, one you can be happy with. I recommend the band to everyone I know!!! If my own Mom or Daughter needed it, I would hold their hand til they went into the surgery...I believe in it so strongly! Good Luck, any questions imparticular, feel free to ask!!! Kat

One week from today, the countdown begins. Nervous about the foods/liquids. Im doing good on the prediet except the diet pepsi. Diet Pepsi is the curse!!! I have one week to get it out of my daily routine. Already walking 30 mins on days I dont work. Graduate school is over, waiting on boards.

Follow your doctors or nutritionist outline for post-op diet. Most people are eating fairly firm full foods in 6 weeks post-op. It's typically 2 weeks liquid, 2 weeks mushy and 2 weeks soft.

I'd say that you will need to avoid boiled chicken for a while, if you're sure you chewed well, had small bites, didn't drink with the meal, and so on. Its not uncommon ... you just had a fill. Now that you've vomited your stomach and esophagus are probably irritated and I think most docs recommend just drinking fluids for a day, then back to mushies and soft food, and advance as tolerated. Try the chicken (it is a problem for some) again in a few months!

well my doc doesnt advocate the liquid diet after fills, he just says to be careful, so no, I didnt do a liquid diet at all after my recent .2ml unfill. But I found it to be like a fill. Small immediate effect,then about a week later, I noticed how much easier it was to eat, how much hungrier I was and how many more really healthy foods (as opposed to sliders) I could eat. None of which led to weight gain thank goodness. I dont know why I got so tight, one of those things I guess. PMT, plane flight etc all happening round the same time.

Do what works for you. I think the most they stress is getting in the Protein, at least 60 grams. However you can count that. I do a little of both - eating a balanced meal and tallying up my caloric intake. I don't do a food diary everyday. I sometimes take a typical day and enter it in to see how I did. It helps me make choices and know what I'm eating. I do try to get the protein in and try to judge how much I've eaten of it. I also try to eat my hard Proteins first and then if still hungry eat the other items on my plate. It works for me and I don't feel consumed with counting calories and deciding what to eat. Good luck to you.