Search the Community

Hello, I am almost to my second week post op and already concerned about even being able to eat solid food ever again. I have taken a few sips of V-8 or a protein shake and it will tighten right up for a long time. I haven't started the mushy food stage yet but am even a little concerned about that. How big is my hole anyway without a fill versus with a fill? Thanks Teresa

I did clear liquids for 2days then full liquids for 10days. Now I am on soft foods and purees for 21 days.

Hi! Tomorrow is my pre-op appointment and my surgery date is scheduled for Jan 10! I'm excited but nervous that I will be surprised by the discomfort or difficulty in eating. The thought of eating puréed foods grosses me out. I'd rather just have protein shakes. My question is, is there any advice you wish you would have prepared for mentally or physically to adjust to the surgery better??

Hi Blossom! Most of the time when co-workers have lunch together everyone talks alot and worries about their own food and the time limit. I really think this will be an easy thing for you to "hide". Good luck. And dont forget Betty's suggestion. Pushing food around on your plate is also real good way to disguise our band!

I'm feeling great today :wink2: I'm 8 days post op and I woke up this morning suddenly feeling a little jump in my step. I must be pretty well healed up now. Today is my post op appt with my doctor in Dubai. I'm looking forward to asking him some questions including why I have such achiness around the front and back of my ribcage area. I have learned that I have to eat something right when I wake up so I don't feel so sluggish and icky in the morning. I was never like that before but it's necessary now. I just have some yogurt first thing. I found yoplait has a "baby" yogurt so I found that is nice a light and makes me feel better in the morning. Later I will go to "breakfast" with friends. I'll just have some soup. Thank goodness I have always been a soup freak! It makes this pureed diet thing not such a hard thing to handle :wink: I have a friend that has done the same surgery (6 years ago) and she has been wonderful. Thank God for her and her advice! Take care everyone and have a nice day :cool2:

Blossom..WOW! you are one of the few who was alllowed chili's, fixin's and desserts just being 2 weeks post op.....Lucky you I was still on clear liquids at 2 weeks post op with a week of full liquids after that, then 2 weeks of mushy's and then I was on solids. I was told no food for 3 weeks so my band can set in place and I can heal because any food in my tummy would have to digest and the digestion process is such a grumblin, rumblin thing that I did not want to risk slippage since my band was not set into place and I was not healed al ltheway by having to digest any food prior to being 3 weeks post op..so interesting how every Dr. has different post op instructions, it varies so much between Dr.'s...Anyways. I tell everyone and anyone who asks how I have lost my weight..as a matter of fact one of my customers this morning asked me and I told her, she has all ready called Dr. Orti'z office...she said she has been watching me get smaller and smaller, she is overweight by about 80lbs..so for me, the more I can help and the more I can educate about the band..The better! That's just me though!

deedee first off - woo hoo on your weight loss i'm sure you see a gigantic change with your clothes size (34 to 22!!!!) wow trying to speak "gently", i can only imagine how hard it must be to have to lose alot of weight you've done amazing - but you still have to lose more since you have unfortunately stalled (which you know we all do) it must be very mentally upsetting since you do have more to lose do to the fact you have stalled - you are probably feeling bad/upset and are eating that little extra junk that you know you shouldn't some, many have been there - upset, not losing enough - so we eat??? knock it off!!!!! i know you can turn things around you've proven how terrific you are, knowing how to follow the rules et al it can get discouraging losing lots of weight, knowing you have more to lose - but you will be successful!!! i can see the determination you have in your pretty face yes you have a lot on that plate of yours it must be overwhelming!!!! having a tooth pulled, closing on your house, moving, and going back to work after 4 years OMG - i don't know how many people could do that without feeling overwhelmed but you will pass this hurdle things will slowly get better - you will have closed on your beautiful new house you will successfully have moved, you will enjoy working again and that darn tooth will be gone look at all those accomplishments you will have done!!! glad you are "not hungry" - that must help but your hands get "lonely" and they want you to exercise telling you to lift hand, insert food STOP, STOP, STOP you can/will win this battle glad you haven't gained weight, sounds like you have gained insight i don't know what/how a vegetarian eats- can't help you on that situation if you want to go back to basics to give yourself a jump start on losing some weight - go for it!!! push, push, push everything you can/will do great i know you will get back into the proper old habits you have learned drink, drink, drink, and then drink some more glad that you come to the board for support - we're all out here for ya i see you are soooooo close to twoderland!!!! come on, come on - you are almost there - you can make it, i know you can!!!! good luck bud kathy

Hi there! I am pretty new to this since I was recently banded, but I have "the rules" fresh in my head, so maybe I can help you. As far as your weight loss stall, have you had a fill at all? If so, how many CC's and how much food are you able to eat? What my doctor wants from me once I start to have fills is to be able to eat 4 ounces of food and be comfortable for 3-4 hours, are you able to do this? Also, do you work out? If you do, maybe it is time to change up your exercises. They say that you should change it up every 8 weeks, so you keep burning as many calories as possible. Hopefully this helps you in some way, let me know how it goes.

A shopping list helps, and going to the same store, so you memorize where everything is. I had the same overwhelm too.. but the more I went back (for brief trips), the easier it became. Make sure you eat before going, so legitimate hunger doesn't make it worse. It gets better, I promise! I now enjoy going and looking for "hidden" healthy foods.

Thank you all! Today has been a bit better. I'm starving, but I feel better and have managed to get little things down. Luckily I stocked up on V8 just the other day. I think I've come to the decision of having a slight unfill however. I can’t keep doing this every weekend. Jacqui, I think you're right, I will most likely lose weight with the unfill, just due to my eating habits now. To be honest, I’ve never eaten completely “healthy” and I definitely don't work out, but after really feeling miserable, it threw my butt into gear. I'm going this weekend to get my gym membership again, and we’re throwing out all junk food and replacing it with healthier choices. No more messing around for me. Thanks again for the feedback everyone J

I would wait until after the weekend, as long as you can get liquids and some food down.

Yep! I am exactly like you! I am one week post op, and am not hungry at all. My family eats, and I have absolutely no desire for food of any kind. But I did dream about food two nights ago. I'm still on liquids, and in my dream I ate some food, and then was freaked out because I was afraid I would damage my sleeve. I was in a panic wondering what to do. I think its our brains way of figuring out how to adjust to this new way of eating.

I find myself also in a moment where I have to remind myself I already had my surgery. I had all of these goals and I have to realize even though I don't go to the gym (not a member) like I said I would do, I still don't sit on the couch, drink soda, eat fries, and do nothing to lose weight. And I have bad food intake days and days when I am really proud of myself because old me would not have said no endless Pasta bowls at olive garden lol and venti Starbucks... Don't forget to high 5 yourself for all the good choices you do too. Surgery 7/25/12

I am five weeks post op. I am meant to be on a Protein only diet and I have been cheating. Every morning I wake up and say I am going to stay on program but by 4:00pm I have fallen back into my bad habits. I have not eaten a meal and I am not hungry but I start picking off the kids plates and by 9:00pm realize all I have done is picked at foods (grazed) from 4:00pm. I need a little help and advice. I know some people are thinking why have the surgery if your gonna cheat, I did not plan on cheating. Anyone not able to dump bad habits right off to bat ? (I have lost 25ibs)

Hi, I am 4 weeks out and I really don't feel hungry but when I eat I don't feel full. I left the hospital on a pureed diet. I am now eating 3 meals a day which consist of 2 tbsp of finely diced or pureed chicken, fish, crab or scallop, Greek yogurt, cheese 2 tbsp of either pureed/mashed fruit or vegetable. 1 tsp of promise margarine or canola oil per meal to ensure I am getting enough Alpha Lineolic acid. I am also drinking 2 Protein Shakes per day. I have not had any problem with any food I have tried. I guess I should feel lucky but this also scares me a little. (I haven't tried beef yet as my doctor says no beef for 6 months). The only time I felt full was when I was in a hurry and drank my whole Protein Shake 8oz in about 10 minutes with out thinking. I felt somewhat uncomfortable but not in pain. I usually drink my Protein shake in 20 to 30 minutes with no problem. It seems there are a lot of members who are having issues with keeping foods down, fullness, etc. I am scared that my pouch is too big and I will have problems later. Is there anyone out there who had no issues at all and has done well long term with weight loss. I just need some assurance.

Mine was 1 st week clear liquid 2 nd week protein drinks basically liquids and starting Monday purée food I can't wait.

My progression post op is as follows First 2 days clear liquids next 2 weeks full liquids which consists of yogurt, pureed fruit and protien shakes Next 2 weeks- pureed foods consisting of protien (animal and fish) and vegetables and fruits. 2 ounces of protien and 1 ounce of fruit/vegetable 3 times a day. Them soft mushy foods with the same ratio of 2/1 protien to vegetable/fruit. I do not have to stop protien shakes but I do have to meet my protien and fluid requirement each day. So I add up my protien throughout the day and it will determine if I need to supplement with a shake. I hope this makes sense.

Too funny Jake! I dreamed of food last night too! I woke up, mouth watering over a McDonalds cheeseburger! I don't even like McDonalds! Lol! I'm eating mushies for lunch and dinner 1/2 cup or so and a medifast shake for breakfast, not because the dr told me to, but because I can't eat in the morning. I pretty much eat whatever I make my family for dinner and yogurt, tuna or eggs for lunch.

Hello Band Buddies At a recent coffee group we were talking about walking. "They" recommend you walk 10,000 steps a day. Now I'm not sure who "They" are but there are many doctors that recommend that 10,000 steps per day is the target number of steps. I came across this GREAT website that has information for beginners that are interested in increasing their daily steps. Now I'm not saying everyone get out and walk 10,000 steps everyday but if you have a "Smartphone" with an App on it that can track your steps get it and try... or if you have an iPod did you know that there is a Pedometer on the iPod... I didn't?!?! You can also buy inexpensive Pedometers from some dollar stores or drug stores or Walmart. If you don't a Smartphone or Pedometer then start by walking for 10 minutes each day... then 15 minutes the next day then try to increase it when your ready. Now that the warmer weather is here I've started walking to Timmy's twice a day. I set my Pedometer and off I go. Now I don't get to 10,000 steps in each day but I do get close to 6,800... depending on the day. I found the Pedometer motivates me. (I walk with a cane most days... I have aches and pains on many days... but when I have a "good" day and don't make excuses for not going for a walk I really enjoy it.) I'm issuing a challenge band buddies... for the Summer... "Step out on the town!" If you keep a food journal or use a food App... keep a daily log of how many steps you take. Try to increase your daily steps by 20... I think you'll be surprised how many steps you take... even if it's just around the house... down the end of the driveway or taking Lassie for a walk. What I did as a bonus to help me tone on my walks (because I'm so muscular LOL)... I bought these great weights from Canadian Tire that are only 1 lbs each and they fasten with velcro. I put one on each wrist and ankle before I head out to Timmy's. This gives me a little bit of resistance but are not too heavy. I also uses the weighs to do leg and arms lifts when I sit in a chair. Check out the website and remember EVERYTHING IN MODERATION and if you have any doubts about starting a walking program check with your family doctor or healthcare provider if your feeling walking may be too much for you. And... if anyone is interested here's the weights I use... this store is located in Canada but I'm sure you can find them in the US. http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/browse/5/SportsRec/4/FitnessWellness/WeightsAccessories/PRD~0840848P/Tempo+Neoprene+Weights%2C+2x1-lbs.jsp?locale=en Step... 1, 2, 3.... Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs Website: http://www.thewalkingsite.com/10000steps.html 10,000 STEPS A DAY "10,000 steps a day - pedometer walking program, walking routine, beginning walking, beginner walker" How many steps do you walk each day? Maybe you have heard the recent guidelines about walking 10,000 steps per day. How far is 10,000 steps anyway? The average person's stride length is approximately 2.5 feet long. That means it takes just over 2,000 steps to walk one mile, and 10,000 steps is close to 5 miles. A sedentary person may only average 1,000 to 3,000 steps a day. For these people adding steps has many health benefits. I have outlined the basic 10,000 steps program, but also added a commentary below. A reasonable goal for most people is to increase average daily steps each week by 500 per day until you can easily average 10,000 per day.Example: If you currently average 3000 steps each day, your goal for week one is 3500 each day. Your week 2 goal is 4000 each day. Continue to increase each week and you should be averaging 10,000 steps by the end of 14 weeks. Wearing a pedometer is an easy way to track your steps each day. Start by wearing the pedometer every day for one week. Put it on when you get up in the morning and wear it until bed time. Record your daily steps in a log or notebook. By the end of the week you will know your average daily steps. You might be surprised how many (or how few) steps you get in each day. There are many ways to increase your daily steps. Use your imagination and come up with your own list: Take a walk with your spouse, child, or friend Walk the dog Use the stairs instead of the elevator Park farther from the store Better yet, walk to the store Get up to change the channel Window shop Plan a walking meeting Walk over to visit a neighbor Get outside to walk around the garden or do a little weeding Continue to track your daily steps and/or mileage; and keep notes on how you feel, how your body is improving, or other changes you are making to improve your health. If you are in very poor physical condition or at any point you feel that you are progressing too rapidly slow down a bit and try smaller increases. If you have any health concerns seek your physician's advice prior to starting or changing your exercise routine. Notice: We have outlined the standard 10,000 step program because so many people ask about it. This is a good program to help get people motivated, or to get sedentary people moving. It is however our recommendation that most individuals fit 30 to 60 minutes of dedicated walking (or other exercise) into their routine at least 3 to 4 days a week. You can start with as little as ten minutes per day and gradually increase your walking routine.

Today i had my one month visit with my surgeon since my surgery on May 3rd. My doctor has had me on liquids for the entire month and today i was told i can start eating soft foods. First attempt at it was a spoonful of hummas and a deviled egg....felt horrible after had a feeling of heat come over me felt clammy and had to lay down? Second attempt a few hours later was acheese and that went down good and then a few hours later mushed up avacado and just the deviled egg mixture, felt uncomfortable going down and lots of burping is this normal? Im frustrated. Any suggestion? Ideas on what else i can they to eat.

I am so thrilled to report I will be starting full liquid diet Monday!! I couldn't be happier!!!!!!!!!!! Protein shakes, milk, gerber fruit, OJ, butternut squash Soup, pudding, even lowfat/low sugar ice cream.... and my favorite .. COFFEEEEEE.... WELL decaf... but for now I'll take it... I'll trick myself into thinking its the real thing. I'm jumping for joy....... but i do have one reservation.... I'm scared that switching from no calories to a few hundred (even if from protein) will make me gain weight. I know it's probably not an accurate hypothesis, and it has more to do with food fears and past dieting failures but I cant help think it anyways. So my question for those further along in the process.. what was the transition like... did anyone gain anything? did they stall? Did it have any effect on your progress? I'd love to hear feedback!

just take it easy. you can get a huge number of calories in smoothies. just be aware of your fruit intake, again high calorie. i would strongly caution you on coffee, even decaf. the acids in coffee could give you problems. i had great success at this stage eating my full liquid out of a bowl with a baby spoon. ANY OTHER SHAPED VESSEL THAN A GLASS! i got very tired of drinking my "food".

Well, I think I was at about 1/2 or two months out. I had to travel for work and needed something portable. And for shopping as well. :-) I still do shakes and I am at 7 months. The first bar I used was Pure Portein chocolate. Low in sugar and carbs. It is also very soft so I let it melt in my mouth. I think I ate 1/4. Waited. Then tried the other 1/4. Only could do a 1/2 bar at a time.

For Protein shakes - I also highly recommend the Syntrax nectar Powdered Protein drinks - they have them in fruit flavors and lemonade, you can buy sample packs from Amazon or "MyBariatricPantry" For the bathroom question - During these first few weeks you will not poo as much as you used to - it is definitely due to the liquid diet, once you move to more dense foods it will be more normal, I am 6 months out and I still sometimes go every three days or so. And I am eating normal foods and tend to eat high Fiber. For the smoking - just don't, take this time as the time to not go back. think about the steps you are taking to take back your health - and how the man is taking all of your money all the while knowing they are slowly killing you.... About the weird cravings - I had weird cravings, even in my dreams. It is like your brain is screaming "Why aren't you eating??" and since the diet isn't changing your brain tries to trick you. It gets better, I promise it does, and when you are 6 months out and 80 lbs down like I am, you dance every time your clothes are too big and you just keep shrinking :-D For the incisions, the healing itches, it gets better too - try bio oil after the tape falls off - I can barely see most of my incisions now. For the sex - if you feel like it, go for it, maybe go slow until you know you aren't overdoing it, it is good exercise too!

Thanks so much! Maybe a bug. I've been taking it easy today on the foods - back to some more basics and have been OK. Hopefully it was just a fluke for you too!!!