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So today is 3 weeks post op date. I am very glad that I am feeling better every week. The pain from the incision in the right side muscle was almost unbearable the first week and now it only bothers me when sitting too long. I am totally used to burping in-between bites..lol.... not something I ever thought I would be comfrtable with, but it has to be done or food gets stuck. I had a bad weekend of trying new foods, and all feeling stuck. As for the weight loss.... well I feel that I am a slow loser? I can see that lots of people have twice the success as me. I lost 9lbs the first week and 4 since then, nothign since last friday tho. I know that 12lbs is still something to be happy about. I could not even button my pants after surgery because of the iv fluids and gas inside me so at least I feel that I am fitting into my pants with ease. I know that 12lbs in 3 weeks is something I would not have done on my own. I also know that not drinking alcohol or eating late night Snacks would still be happening if I did not have this surgery. It is a shame I could not have adopted this mind set before, as I am still always hungry, so I have been cranky. The worst for me right now is the moods! I am hungry... my dr says it is gas, and ummmmm noooooo it is hunger!! so I am depressed not to be able to fullfill that emtiona need sometimes, and then angry cause I am hungry and feel pain when I eat most of the time, so then angry for putting myself in the position of being so over weight that I had to have surgery and then I feel sad that I have so many restrictions which make it hard to enjoy being out with friends and family as we used to. I am glad I made the choice to do something for me that will help change my life because I know that a year from now i will see this was all worth it. good luck to all on your journey.

i am in the same boat as you, it is embarassing all the questions people ask and they dont really see a big difference yet... my family watches me eat. i too feel hungary. i go to eat and im disappointed and in pain. or if i do eat and it goes down ok. i feel guilty maybe i ate to much, just remember how much we ate before our surgery all the fast food and sn acking and over over over eating all day long. were getting healthy. we are trying. please lets all stick together and be proud of our lil progress we have made. because before it was bad really bad. today is better because im not gorging. this is work but i feel god will bless our efforts. dont give up you are not alone. i weighed in on my day of surgery. at 304 today im 288.6 its not enough but its the truth. and its better than before.

I think the "sweet spot" has different meanings for different people. For me, I want to be able to eat almost anything (but in a small quantity), not get stuck and not be hungry for 3 hours or so. The way you feel now, is not what you want. Yes, you will lose weight quickly, but then you will start eating soft foods all the time and you won't lose anything. I think your idea to have a small unfill is spot on. Now....your fill was just 4 days ago. I'd give it 2-3 more days before getting the unfill. Sometimes after a fill, I'd swell up for a week. Then the swelling would go done and that fill was great. When I had less restriction the swelling only lasted about 24-48 hours, but later on it really was a week. Good luck, Cindy

wow. you have no idea how badly I needed to read that. I have been falling into "I'm a failure" for almost 4 months. Still playing around with my fills--not getting full quickly and making horrible food choices that cause me to make more horrible choices. However--I have joined a weight training class and I have not gone above 240 in a month. These are good things. While I'm not sure if I'm fully out of my funk--I know I have been out of it before and can get there again. Many THANKS for your words.

HI all. Im hearing alot of self bashing going on. Believe me I'm just as hard on myself. I think there is something happening that needs to be looked into. It is a vicious cycle. Scale stops moving, "I must be a failure". Didn't exercise for a few days "I must be a failure". Shouldn't have eaten that cookie "I'm a failure". Im not at goal "I failed" I'm a failure so I might as well; -eat all the other cookies - just lay in bed - sit and watch another mind numbing TV show -look back and beat myself up for all my short comings. Yep the motivation isn't as strong as when we first started this journey. Im not sure I will ever be that motivated again. But to say I'm a failure is just not correct. These last few weeks I've been trying to find my MoJo again. When I have a particularity good day I try to see what made it so good. Why did I bounce out of bed, work so hard with my trainer, take the dog for a walk and go to yoga class? Plus I made good food choices. So what gives? Is there a way to bottle this and reproduce it on the days Im just not getting it in gear? Because when Im at that place where I don't want to move my body or the peanut butter is looking really good willpower is out the door. It is really easy to say F it I'm just not meant to lose another 10lbs (or 1lb). So Im left to try to acknowledge what works. Really mindfully acknowledge that something is going right. Maybe even write myself notes of encouragement to the sorry self I might be the next day. Focus on the good. We all know what we are bad at. What is hard. Directing your energy to trying to figure out a negative will just keep you in that negative place. So why not find what you're good at and build on that. Do you work out more consistently with another person? Well make it your business to get a buddy or join a group. Do you need to make a commitment to something? Do a charity walk where they have training help. Like the Avon 3 Day Walk. Does telling your story about the band and your decision to get it remind you why you did this in the first place? Than offer to talk at your Drs support group or informational meeting. Be a mentor here on LBT. Do you do well with a list or goals? Than write a few and support them with an action plan of how you will succeed. Do you struggle with food choices? Start using The Daily Plate/Calorie King or whatever. Set yourself up with a menu for the next day or the whole week. Make a list before you go shopping, and stick to it. You get the idea. Find what works. Baby steps. Stop beating yourself up about what you haven't done. Be kind to yourself. -Since I choose not to have another cookie I feel empowered. -That walk yesterday really energized me, how can I fit in another one tomorrow? -I have come so far on my journey and Im still committed to a more healthy lifestyle. We all slip up. Sometimes for a day sometimes for a few weeks. Main thing is you have it within yourself to make the change. For Gods sake at some point you were motivated enough to get the band. Pat yourself on the back and shout "WooHoo!" Move forward. Tomorrow is a new day. I think you're doing a great job!!

You need to sip befor and after within the 30 min window. Sip all day long. It's normal not to feel restriction on fluids as they slide down. You will feel more restriction once you move to thicker foods. Just keep sipping all day. Don't want to get dehydrated.

I started my liquid diet today. Let's just say it is 2am and i am sitting here on my computer. i am a little anxious. I went out to dinner last night for my last good meal and to say good bye to my old eating habits. I realized last night that i bite into my food chew it maybe 3-4 times and than swallow and follow up with another spoonful of food. I seriously over eat and am a fast eater i never slow down to enjoy my food. The lap-band is going to force me to slow my role as my Dr. has informed me that if i try to over eat or eat too fast i will be throwing up. but yet i am looking forward to this/ LOL. For now i'll make the best of the Optifast shakes.

Melting. That's what I want to do. Mellllllt away! I know the band certainly won't make that happen but at least I won't be steadily expaaaaaanding instead! Tomorrow is the first day of my two-week pre-op diet and I'm committed to following it. I honestly don't think I've been truly committed to any diet in well over fifteen years. We'll see how well I can hang. I have been intentionally reading all the horror stories I can find about fatty livers, open surgeries, ruptured livers, cancelled surgeries and every other thing that can happen if I don't lose some weight before the big day. I hope fear motivates me since nothing else has. My pre-op diet is two or three unjury shakes with skim milk and a Lean Cuisine every day. Ironically, my "last supper" tonight was one of the Lean Cuisines. Of course, I only ate that because I was still hungry after I ate my roommate's leftover french fries that she had thrown away. Yes, you read that correctly. I got them out of the garbage. That's how pathetic I am. (Before anyone unfortunate enough to actually read this starts vomiting, I'd like to add that they were still relatively fresh and still in the fast food bag on TOP of the garbage.) Good Lord. How do I even think I can justify something like that? :rolleyes2::biggrin: I'm only putting this on my blog for the world to see because I'm hoping and praying that someday I'll be a big success story around this board. Right now I can't think of a soul who is going to read this but I'm optimistic that someday someone will want to see how I did it and where I came from. I guess you can't come from anything much lower than eating trash out of the garbage, can you? I already have two friends and my Mom who want to have a "last meal" with me before the surgery but I'm going to have to say no. I have to keep reminding myself that this pre-op diet is for my SAFETY and this time whatever weight I lose won't come back on in a week's time. Wish me luck. =)

Ok I will hold out - I got this fill on thursday. I can totally drink and keep down food so I will wait. Thanks !

I've noticed a change as well with allergies etc. I've recently been very tight, but have not had a fill in about 6 weeks. I've very stuffed up which is normal for me off and on. I wake up with sinus headaches almost every day. I couldn't imagine why this would cause the band to tighten, but maybe it does. Humm... Here's a new one...I am a Mom of 3 which has resulted in a family of 15. I have family dinners quite often and had Thanksgiving as usual at my house. I have found that I'm so tight the day before I have people over. Anyone get tighter due to stress, or just being on your feet, cooking etc? I swear that's all that's doing it. Thanksgiving was tough...cooking all that wonderful food and tasting maybe one bite of each dish. Sad, but glad. Had a pity party for a while though.

yes it is frustrating but dont worry and just keep your head up the more frustrated and depressed you get the harder it is to stay focused just stick to your diet and exercise i know it sucks but thats what needs to be done u will feel more restriction the more fills you .im up to 8.5 ccs in a 10 cc band so you have plenty of room i noticed what works best for me is pick one bad or enjoyable food and take it completely out of your routine until you just dont crave it any more. my first take away was pop i loved pop so i focused on not drinking that, then it was pizza, now im trying to work on no more burgers. its just making the right choices and i have to retrain myself to make the better choice.

Packed food for tomorrow...shake for bfast, 1/3 cup cottage cheese, 3oz chicken w/ homemade nf greek yogurt tiziki (sp) 4 slices pear, bag of edamame. Sound reasonable? That's for 8am-630pm. I was banded 2 weeks ago and have no restriction so trying to be super good about portions and choices.

I could down liquids- eat whole thing of yogurt, have a whole Popsicle... Then mushie food- I hat two baby spoons of tuna, I felt it. Then you know- there it is. I was wondering about my doc too, but boy, I feel it now

Today I moved into mushy foods and am totally thrilled. I had a third of a cup of soup and a quarter cup of cottage cheese. I think I followed the cheese to quickly with a low-sugar ice pop. Now I have some cramping which is new. Is that my sign?

Hey guys, so it is eating season, lol What are some of you going to do to try to encourage / maintain your weight loss during the holidays? And what types of foods are on your families menu? We are having turkey breast, cornbread stuffing, mac n cheese, green beens, yams, crescent rolls, pumpkin pie, (and a full buttercream sheet cake, it is also my sisters 20th b-day) What the heck am i gonna do? One thing i am gonna try is to not eat any 2nds! Happy Thanksgiving!!!!! ~Dena~

These food are ones that commonly cause bandsters problems. I think that eating chicken is excellent if you can do so. The other things though are part of the evil white group that inhibits weight loss, and should be steered away from except in limited amounts. Kabeerah is right though. Just because you CAN eat them doesn't mean you SHOULD. You are finding where your band limits are, and that's OK, but if continue to test your band like that you are not really working WITH it, but AGAINST it. Until you get a fill, you will probably be able to eat alot more than you SHOULD eventually be able to. Try to find a happy medium and put protein first. This will satisfy your hunger the most. Good luck with your new band!

I'm not sure the foods are the problem! LOL At 5 weeks I think you're being too liberal in regard to the safey of the band. Kelli

Yes i am taking something for acid , i don't luke spice food before or now and i call my dr and he told md to go back on liuqid soo i am...thanks

Hello blbaltazar! Welcome to your new life! It's so exciting and we are all cheering for you! I was newly banded on December 18th, and I shared some of the fears you mention in your post. I can speak to your concern. Relax. The recovery period is a breeze, and you will NOT be hungry or get dehydrated as long as you follow your surgeon's guidelines. Water: After your surgery is done, you will be encouraged to sip sip sip sip sip Water CONSTANTLY in your recovery period. (Don't use a straw as this could put necessary air into your tummy). I had a big glass of water with me wherever I went - living room, kitchen, by my bed... I found I had no desire to 'chug' water (as I normally do, and now can again!) but I had NO PROBLEM sipping water and staying hydrated immediately following my surgery. Other fluids will be ok as well - just follow your surgeon's recovery plan. As for food, you will be on the graduated diet post-op, right? And this you will likely find totally satisfying. Fluids will be perfect for you, at least at first, as you will likely not be very hungry, (if at all), as the post-op swelling at the band site will diminish your hunger. Welcome to your new life in which the "hunger monster" will be silenced. It's wonderful. As you heal you will slooooowly move to full fluids, mushy foods, soft foods and, eventually, 'regular' foods. The wonder of it all - you will feel better each day and will notice a pronounced diminishment in your hunger. Hooray! You got this!

One thing I read on here was to remember that its a "holiday" and not a "holiweek", Im having one reasonably sized plate and when the food on it is finished so am I. Just thinking about all the weight I used to gain over 1 day makes me cringe.

I feel your pain/discomfort.... I had nausea and vomiting almost daily (if not multiple times day) for at least 3-4 mos afte surgery. I used Reglan when it was time to eat/drink and took Zofran 8mg at least 3 x a day. It was HELL but it eventually subsided- Mine was due more to slow healing inside due to my auto immune problems and having the band removed- there was an area that had a lot of scar tissue etc... I know it is hard but it will pass and you just have to keep on trecking on... This far out Istill have days where I feel nauseated and even vomit certain foods but it is a live an learn.. overll- I wouldnt change a thing and go back to pre-before sleeve- EVER... GOod luck...

Wow! Some encouraging words from this thread! I saw a post from Skittles not long ago on another thread. She was still doing well. I am down 22 pounds since surgery, and very happy with that, so I'm off to a good start. I've had one fill, but do not feel any more restricted. That's okay, though, as I am satisfied on a lot less food and have been eating my measured amounts and stopping. So far that is working. Advantage is I have had no PBing or other unpleasant issues to deal with. Maybe I should just keep it this way! Probably not, as I want to keep the losses going and may become complacent about amounts of food going in. I can tend to go that direction... I'm due for another fill on Feb 6th - hope to lose another few pounds before that comes up. I've been using the CPAP machine sporatically lately. I honestly believe I sleep better without it. It is still so uncomfortable on my face. I've tried several different delivery systems and they all drive me crazy. I always take it off sometime in my semi-sleeping state because it is laying beside me in the morning with the machine merrily running along. Somehow I don't see how that is helping the quality of my sleep! You all are doing so well. Congratulations on your wonderful losses! I love reading the posts of successful banded people. You are all so positive - and I am a firm believer in the power of the positive in my own life. I just received the notice of my class reunion coming up this summer. I am thrilled to know that I will be going and seeing old friends - but carrying a lot less weight with me. This is just more incentive to dig in and make it work.

Good to hear from you, Skittles. I think you are entitled to that nap if you feel like it! I'll be 67 in a few months - don't often take a daytime nap yet, but I like to sit down and read in the afternoon. I'm feeling good and have pretty decent restriction after the second fill a week ago. Funny, though - both times it has been best in the first few days, then seems to ease up some. I am proving to be a sporadic loser as usual - will stay the same for a week or more, then lose a couple of pounds. I am hopeful the losses will not stall, but every time I have one of those slowdowns, I start to worry about it. It's hard to remain confident in the ultimate outcome. I don't mind the week part, but when it gets to 1 1/2 or 2 weeks I feel like I am losing ground, not losing weight! I just keep up my exercise program and am careful with my food - and try not to think about it. My doctor wants to do at least 2 more small fills in the next 6 weeks. DH and I are going to Korea to visit with our DD and SIL - and be there for the birth of their second little boy (helping to take care of the 2 year old). We're leaving in early April, and I will be gone a month. Doctor wants to make sure I have a fill about 3 weeks before I leave, then see how things are going when I return in May. She has a good plan for me - the more I get to know her the better I like her. It's good to hear you are doing so well. Congrats!!

So i've basically been more or less the same weight for two months now and only losing 2lbs a month if i was lucky before that. i would see a little downward trend on the scale then bamn gone back to where i was. I'm not sure what to do at this point to change things up enough to make the weight drop off. I'll be honest food choices haven't been the best but over all i have stayed with in my calorie goal. i've even started taking classes in the gym to help with toning and strength so i'm working out 3/4 times a week if not more. i know my band could do with a fill i had to have some taken out as i got too tight. waiting till after my trip back home to Dublin before i do. as i don't want to risk having too tight a band while flying. what have others done to get past these stalls? i don't have a visit with the office until sep 30th so it's going to be tough going until then i'm really trying to track all i eat. and mostly i'm at the 1200 recommended cals a day feeling really down. had wanted to be at onderland for my trip home as it's scheduled on my one year bandniversary

At this stage you should be 5 to 6 weeks out and on a pureed diet/soft foods. You should be measuring your food and be consuming 3 - 4 ounce increments in each sitting. I had surgery 4 months ago and I can only eat 2 ounces in each sitting, but I eat 4 - 5 times a day and smaller portions. I was sick and regurgitating all the time, because I was getting to full at 3 - 4 ounces of food. And what also helps me is that I eat with a baby spoon and fork so I know I'm not consuming to much at a time. It's just a lifestyle change you will get use to it, and just try to eat slow and maybe start at 2 ounces, your body will let you know when you can consume more or need to back off. It gets better:)