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stay busy, read, shop, blog, email, have sex, take a hot bath...drink ALOT i was all liquids 2 weeks before and after surgery...its doable....use the free food items if you have them (SF popsicles saved me).......congrats and best of luck on your upcoming surgery.

Love, I did not have any eating issues (ie emotional, etc) I was just like you, snacked a lot and on high carb crap. I also did not eat huge amounts, never have, but I could eat more than I can now. I used to go out a few times a week and we'd likely share an appetizer, have a small salad, which I might eat half of, have a meal, which I normally didn't finish but ate 2/3 of and often had a bite or two of dessert, oh did I mention with wine? For each course? Ya, I drank calories too Good calories LOL I like wine When DH is out of town (our main home cook) I ate cheese and crackers, premade meals, etc. Highly processed. I also ate MacDonalds on occasion, maybe half a fries and a small burger or fish sandwich with a diet soda, not seven of them, But those calories really add up! So after the sleeve I have to say, those foods have zero interest for me, and while volume wasn't a huge issue, volume goes down significantly anyhoo after surgery. I'm four months out and only eat half a cup of food at a time MAX! Processed foods sit on my tummy like a horrible rock and while I can drink wine, I can't drink as much as I used to because I drink much slower so from three glasses at a meal/social event is down to one, maybe two (I don't get drunk easily like many do though...that varies). I couldn't drink a high fat latte if my life depended on it and sugar is uncomfortable. I can eat perhaps a tablespoon of icecream or a bite of a dessert, never a whole one. So the surgery does change how you eat and what you eat. As I progress further out I do find that now is the time to watch myself. I was eating beef Jerky as a quick Protein on the go, but it goes down too easily and I tend to want to nibble on it all day, which is a habit I won't pick back up so I've gotten into measuring it and eating it all at a "meal" verses a bite here and there. I do monitor every bite on MFP and while I do eat and drink mostly what I want, I make sure it fits in my daily goals, so you do have to do some work as well Mindset changes as you mentioned. So all of the above said, the surgery will likely help you out, and I think it's easier for those of us who don't eat huge amounts because we tend not to push the sleeve causing vomiting and sliming which I never have. But, I also had major complications and nearly died having this surgery not to mention half a mill in medical bills for an elective surgery, so I personally don't recommend it if you don't have comorbidity issues and you could do anything else to change your life. I shouldn't have had it but you can't turn back the clock so here I sit. Just my opinion Best of luck whatever you do!

Have you used a food tracker like Myfitnesspal? Maybe if you tracked your daily eating for a week or so, you would see how much you actually ate. Is it as little as you think? Does what you are eating, have a lot more fat / carbs than you thought you were actually eating... Just a thought...

It's not the surgery. It's the Texas summer. My niece is down from Boston for the week and we are stuck in the house bored because it is too damn hot to go out.

I was also banded on 9/11- I have a hard time getting in the three protein shakes the doctor wants me to have. The doctor told me to do a half a cup of cream of wheat or grits for breakfast. 1 cup of protein shake mid morning. A half of cup of any cream soup for lunch (strained). A protein shake for the afternoon. And 4 oz of Greek yogurt with a teaspoon of protein shake mix and a teaspoon of sugar free jelly and then another protein shake in the evening. I feel like I'm constantly eating. Is this pretty similar to everybody else's menu?

Ok, now this is ultra crazy. For the past three or so days I have been a bit depressed. I was stalled with no losses. I was doing what I should with the exception of I hadn't exercised so figured that was the cause of it. Then this morning I had a two lb loss. Then all of a sudden my stupid brain kicked in........ I have lost 22 lbs in less than a month. Actually in less than THREE WEEKS! DUH! What a freaking dough head!!! 22 LBS IN THREE WEEKS. I don't know where I was coming from because that is phenominal! Sheesh. Blond moment I spose. I just have to simmer down, do what is expected of me and go with it. Everything is just fine. I feel great, have gone from a size 18 in pants to a 14 and almost 12, my blouses have dropped a size and I feel great. So what the heck was I stressing over. LOLOL Has anyone else had these kinds of moments?

Thanks guys! I am now 2 weeks post op and still struggling. I will give your suggestions a try! On a happy note I am not putting the weight I lost back on and actually have continued to lose weight! I have my first band on 4th June. I just hope I am better at this once the band has been filled!

I volunteer in the Nutrition and Diabetes Center of my local hospital and I get to see all types coming in. Really keeps me in the know. I'll be meeting with my NUT one-on-one next week for some meaningful assistance with meal planning. I've gotten such a range of info from my surgical practice that I can't keep it straight!

Hello all! As a recently sleeved gal (Monday 9/19) I'm still in phase 1 and will be well into next week, but will be returning back to work in my puréed food stage. As someone who has had an aversion to that texture of food since I was a kid, I'm wondering if anyone has any tricks or tips, and how you maybe made it work for being back at work? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

i'm at a stand still after 13 pounds down...but i am absolutely ok with that!!...its been one week and 2 days i'm finally starting to feel stronger...liquid diet really had me feeling weak, glad that phase is over!

You are doing FANTASTIC! I think there is a general misconception that the weight will "simply melt off in enormous quantities" like in gastric bypass. It doesn't. Period. We are considered a success when we loose 1-2 lbs a week. You selected banding, which is MUCH healthier in the long run. And statistics have shown that while GB's will loose faster in the beginning, by year 3, bandsters have caught up AND are more successful at keeping the weight off long term. Plus we get the added advantages of: 1) No digestive issues - we do not loose any of our stomach! 2) We can have 'tune-ups' or a fill. GB have no such recourse. 3) Band is adjustable - no "one size fits all". It can be unfilled if necessary and re-filled as needed. 4) We learn to eat correctly long term as we journey to the Green Zone and IF WE CHOOSE to comply with our required eating plans, have a greater chance of long term success than GB's My Gastroenterologist told me he wanted to tell people who wanted GB to consider the number of new cases he got each year of people who had had GB and now were in serious or life threatening gastric situations (like cancer) and who seriously complicated his ability to help them. He was totally anti bypass, but very supportive of LapBand. All this to say, give yourself a break - you're doing fabulous!

Sorry not trying to scare anyone here. I had my surgery August 10. Right after surgery and until now I am unable to keep down liquids. My surgeon told me I was tight . He used a 38 bougie but he sais that It is not only the size of the bougie but also how the skin is wrapped around it. I have never vomited so much in my life . I vomit up slimy bubbly stuff. Also meds . I am however in no pain. I am going to see him and his team every morning for fluids and meds through IV.. they seem to think i should be better soon. As the swelling will come down. Toay is the first day i feel coherent. I have no depression even having gone through this I am happy with my decision. One og the doctors there have had this done. Any three or four of the girls. The staff is really caring and even came in today for only me. They are very experienced with 20 years experience. Can anyone else share experiences?

Ok... I had my blood work done nearly two weeks ago and I will be the first to admit that I haven't followed all the rules... I had to go to soft foods before most people because I couldn't tolerate any of the Protein drinks out there... I have pretty much eaten anything I want within reason, just not very much of it... And the results are in... All my Vitamin levels were well within range except B1... Turns out the One a Day gummies have virtually NO B Vitamins... so tomorrow I have to go get a B1 shot and after that, I will be taking a B complex supplement until I am all out of the gummies.. Just bought a new bottle don't ya know... LOL.. After they are all gone, I will be looking for another gummy that I can tolerate and has what I need... Protein and all levels were good... Yippee! Oh and I just broke my first stall... FINALLY! Life is good... learning to cook small portion items so that I can have stuff to carry to work.... About to start night shifts after the first of the month.. this should be interesting...

Sorry it has taken me so long to get back to you. It has been a very busy week! I feel a little better, but I don't feel as good as I should. I'm awake now because I'm coughing again. I had one night I made it through the night.

I already went to my first follow up appt almost 2 weeks ago .. i go back july 27

This is absolutely amazing Fanny! You are doing such a great job! You may love your band but you are doing the hard work that it takes. You are having a great week!

From April 6 to April 20 is 14 days and you've lost 11 pounds. That is over 3/4 of a pound PER DAY! Please try not to be so disappointed, that is a great weight loss, the scale will go down again. You're most likely feeling the effects of your old dieting attempts, where we always failed, so you're worried this will fail. It's less than 2 weeks from surgery, give it time. Your feeling is common, time will fix it! My ticker was once at the beginning and now it's more than half way and I was worried just like you, not so much anymore!

At least you had a huge weight lost prior to the stall. I lost 14 pounds and nothing after that! From my understanding (through this forum and YouTube videos) this seems to be VERY normal. The trick is to stay with it and ride this wave and before you know it you'll be losing!

If you're not currently seeing a therapist, might be worth finding one. Weeks 6-9 were the worst for me emotionally.

Agreed, you should check with your doc. We hear a lot about hormones being released during the fat burn, so you may just need a little change. I too lost that "high/burst" about two weeks abo when I hit my 8 week slowdown/stall. Yesterday though, it seemed to return. Keep your head up and don't try to do it on your own, reach out.

Hospital gave me a stack of medicine cups to sip from. They r a life saver. I still use them at 4 weeks post op. I just wash them. 1st day home I was lucky to get 36 oz fluid down. That is minimum to prevent dehydration. Just do what u can. Take it slow. I took 3 weeks off work & needed every day. Was so tired from anesthesia, stress, pain meds, & soreness. Developed hematoma at one incision site which took 2 weeks to get better but still not gone. Made walking hurt.

Oh that first month mark is notorious for anger and depression. I think in the first few weeks you are dealing with pain and healing. Now the real work sets in.. I really feel that this sadness and anger is us mourning food. Your old friend food is no longer there to medicate those feelings of anger frustration, despair and boredom. You are left to your own devices and need to come up with other ways to deal with life. Talking it out with friends and a counselor really helped me. And also knowing this is a really normal phase made me not feel so crazy.

Stay far, far, far away from popcorn! Corn on the cob too. Once your teeth settle down from the trauma of getting the braces on, you should be able to eat just about any food, although unpeeled apples and the aforementioned corn on the cob will be a nightmare. I always had a bit of trouble with strawberries, kiwi and poppy bagels because the seeds get stuck in everything. That doesn't mean you can't eat them, but if you're going to have them you will probably have to brush your teeth soon after. Start carrying a small toothbrush kit with one of those collapsable toothbrushes. Usually the ortho gives them out for free. When I got my braces my ortho decided to go with a very heavy gauge wire and brace. I didn't eat for three weeks. To this day I've never seen another person who had the same braces I did, with the exception of Ugly Betty.

I'm 12 days post op and can't image taking a camping trip now. Mainly because at 2 1/2 weeks, I will still need my Protein shakes which I can't image drinking warm and my pureed Soups which you need electricity for your blender and then warming your food up is another story. Of course, I live in Texas and with the 100+ degree weather days, there's no way I would want to be out in that. Also, I know that I'm just now mustering up enough energy to feel alive again. But it is still very hard. I'm probably getting less than 500 calories a day and it's not from lack of trying. My stomach can only hold 4 ounces at one time. So I'm constantly putting something in my mouth whether Water, Protein Shakes, pureed soups, or medicine. In between, I have to wait for my tummy to empty out before I put something else in. It is hard work and you have to stay on top of it or you will be extremely dehydrated and will not take in enough protein. I know everyone's different. I know there are people on this forum that seem to have surgery one day and pop out of bed full of energy and ready to conquer the world after a couple of days. But this was not the case for me. I just can't image not having my electricity and a/c and running water, etc. Maybe someone else will chime in here and have a completely different outlook at it. Hope that helped! Good luck!

I'm 15 days out today and just started three week soft foods. I've been having problems getting in all of my Protein since I had surgery. Yesterday, I thought I was doing awesome but today I'm having acid reflux so much more. I'm on Previcid 30 mg which the Dr. prescribed but before the surgery I was on Prilosec 20 mg a day. I don't think the Previcid is working! Also, the last two days my left side has been hurting a lot. I thought maybe I pulled the muscle or something. It hurts really bad when I lay down. Kinda goes around from the back to the front right under the ribs on the left side. Any ideas anyone of why this is happening? I called the nurse and she is yet to call me back. I'm so surprised!! NOT! Thanks guys!