I was so hungry this morning that I ate a sugar free pudding. I feel like such a failure. I couldn't hold out two more days on clear liquids. I was banded on 3/18/11. Any advice would be appreciated. Right now, I want to get this band removed. Is it really worth it to be this miserable? I am not sure I can do it.

Rachael

The first few weeks are very tough, but once you get pas this, it's so worth it. I was banded in October and the first month was the hardest. Now, about 5 1/2 months out, I've lost about 60 lbs. and I feel so much better, physically and mentally.

I know how you feel. The first week after my procedure I kept thinking "What did I do to myself? What a mistake! I want this thing out" I cried a few times because I was so miserable about not eating. I'm heading into the second week now and it's slowly getting easier. I've lost about 21 pounds so far and my back hurts less and my clothes fit better. This will all be worth it in the end!

I understand how you are feeling I was banded 3/16/11 I am so hungry I ask myself wth have I done to myself.My girlfriend that also had it told me it will get better and I pray all day and night for the strength to hold on just a lil while longer I think we need to give it a chance to go through it's course because we put this weight on ourselves and we are trying to do something about it so we have to be strong.

I understand how you are feeling I was banded 3/16/11 I am so hungry I ask myself wth have I done to myself.My girlfriend that also had it told me it will get better and I pray all day and night for the strength to hold on just a lil while longer I think we need to give it a chance to go through it's course because we put this weight on ourselves and we are trying to do something about it so we have to be strong.

I was so hungry this morning that I ate a sugar free pudding. I feel like such a failure. I couldn't hold out two more days on clear liquids. I was banded on 3/18/11. Any advice would be appreciated. Right now, I want to get this band removed. Is it really worth it to be this miserable? I am not sure I can do it.

Rachael

Ok I'm probably going to get flamed from the "the Dr. is God and one must bow and obey exactly" crowd, but your doctor set you up to fail with an unreasonable postop diet. There is absolutely no reason to be on clear liquids for a week postop so I wouldn't stress about eating a SF pudding. Many of us were back on regular foods in 2 weeks, going through each stage of the diet in 2-3 days rather than a week at each stage. At 5 days postop I was drinking Protein smoothies (about as thick as a milkshake). On day 6 I could start on mushies...solid food with no substantial shape (oatmeal, etc.).

I'm not suggesting you just toss their instructions to the trash, but realize that it is just this doctor's opinion and opinions vary widely so you have no reason to feel like a failure! Personally, at this point I'd be making it a point to get in some Protein shakes because that protein is what is going to help you with your hunger...and healing.

Flame on, Johnny!

.

I was banded 03/15/11 and I too have been having a ton of these feelings. I waiver back and forth between wanting it out. I miss food too. I went to thick liquids on day 6 and then on day 11 tried applesauce watered down a little and cottage cheese. Nothing happened and I am fine. I see the doc Monday for my two week appt and I am going to be honest that I couldn't hold out anymore. I am dying for some eggs or refried beans now. Otherwise it is quite depressing not to eat when you are feeling much better and back to normal life. It is the toughest almost two weeks I have ever had. I didn't know it would be this hard. I am still not used to having something inside my body and it freaks me out from time to time when I think about it.

Ok I'm probably going to get flamed from the "the Dr. is God and one must bow and obey exactly" crowd, but your doctor set you up to fail with an unreasonable postop diet. There is absolutely no reason to be on clear liquids for a week postop so I wouldn't stress about eating a SF pudding. Many of us were back on regular foods in 2 weeks, going through each stage of the diet in 2-3 days rather than a week at each stage. At 5 days postop I was drinking Protein smoothies (about as thick as a milkshake). On day 6 I could start on mushies...solid food with no substantial shape (oatmeal, etc.).

I'm not suggesting you just toss their instructions to the trash, but realize that it is just this doctor's opinion and opinions vary widely so you have no reason to feel like a failure! Personally, at this point I'd be making it a point to get in some protein shakes because that protein is what is going to help you with your hunger...and healing.

Flame on, Johnny!

Well, I haven't had my surgery yet, I'm 10 days away. But I agree that some doctors are more strict than others.

My doctor and nutritionist told me I only have to be on clear liquids for 2 days after surgery. Then I can move on to Full Liquids, like pudding and custard and applesauce, oatmeal and cream of wheat. By the 4th or 5th day I'm allowed to move onto soft foods like yogurt, soft cheese, blended meats and well cooked stews and casseroles, or moist meat and vegetables. I stay on that until 3 weeks post-op and then go to the regular food diet.

My doctor is considered one of the top 5 for Lap Band in the US and he's done over ten thousand surgeries. I think that you should start experimenting a little and see how it goes. Like Elfiepoo said, getting that protein is going to do wonders - right now it sounds like you have appetite fatigue, and that's a bad place to be in. Anyone who eats the same thing day after day will eventually refuse to eat it.

Not sure who Johnny is, but if he's not the God of Lapband, then I really don't care what he thinks. This is my opinion, and it should be taken as that - an opinion, not fact or chiseled in stone.

Carlene

I was banded February 23rd and can tell you that the first 2 weeks are the worse. I also ate a few things a little earlier than my doctor suggested but was later told that they figure that will happen! I don't think pudding will really hurt anything. If it were maybe meat or something maybe, but not pudding. Hang in there I promise it will get better for you.

Ok I'm probably going to get flamed from the "the Dr. is God and one must bow and obey exactly" crowd, but your doctor set you up to fail with an unreasonable postop diet. There is absolutely no reason to be on clear liquids for a week postop so I wouldn't stress about eating a SF pudding. Many of us were back on regular foods in 2 weeks, going through each stage of the diet in 2-3 days rather than a week at each stage. At 5 days postop I was drinking Protein smoothies (about as thick as a milkshake). On day 6 I could start on mushies...solid food with no substantial shape (oatmeal, etc.).

I'm not suggesting you just toss their instructions to the trash, but realize that it is just this doctor's opinion and opinions vary widely so you have no reason to feel like a failure! Personally, at this point I'd be making it a point to get in some protein shakes because that protein is what is going to help you with your hunger...and healing.

Flame on, Johnny!

.

Thanks so much! I am back on it now. I am not sure why she is so strict with her step either. Even in the book, it was one week clear liquids, one week full liquids, etc. She even said no to decaf tea. Obviously I am not a doctor, but I am not going to be so hard on myself. I may try a Protein shake tonight. Really is one day (tomorrow) gonna make a difference from Monday.

Thanks for your response. I needed to hear some positive words...my husband is not being that supportive.

I got banded on March 10 and one thing this whole process is teaching me is how to listen to my body...when it is hungry and when it is full. Yes, it is important to follow dr. directions but its also important to make the right decisions for yourself and listen to what your body is telling you. Don't worry...your body will definitely let you know if its not ready for something

Please help I'm 3 weeks going on 4 weeks post op I was banded march 8 and I lost 20 pounds and now I feel no restrictions whatsoever I'm so angry what's the point I feel like I should've got the sleeve!!! I tried eatting wingettes and I was able to get about 10 hot wings down and vegetable omg I'm so upset because nothing happened to me!!!! Can anyone help me or give me some word of advice

Please help I'm 3 weeks going on 4 weeks post op I was banded march 8 and I lost 20 pounds and now I feel no restrictions whatsoever I'm so angry what's the point I feel like I should've got the sleeve!!! I tried eatting wingettes and I was able to get about 10 hot wings down and vegetable omg I'm so upset because nothing happened to me!!!! Can anyone help me or give me some word of advice

Na-na...step away from the wings!

At 4 weeks postop and no fill, it's not surprising that you can still eat the way you did pre-band. Some lucky people get restriction just from the band. Most need some amount of fill. Even then, many people get no physical restriction from the band even when they get a cessation of the hunger.

Don't wait for the band to start helping. Make good choices now. Choose the right foods. Choose to put down the fork.

Hang in there...it gets better.

.

I was so hungry this morning that I ate a sugar free pudding. I feel like such a failure. I couldn't hold out two more days on Clear liquids. I was banded on 3/18/11. Any advice would be appreciated. Right now, I want to get this band removed. Is it really worth it to be this miserable? I am not sure I can do it.

Rachael

As long as it is a liquid, it will dissolve. Don,t do it all the time though.

Switch to a Protein shake like you said, If it's to thin for you (YOU KNOW GOES RIGHT THREW YOU)

Then use less Water, and thicken it up some! example 10oz. change to 8 oz of water added

to your Protein Shake powder to make your Protein Drink.

Also protein helps kill the hunger.

Shirley.

Please help I'm 3 weeks going on 4 weeks post op I was banded march 8 and I lost 20 pounds and now I feel no restrictions whatsoever I'm so angry what's the point I feel like I should've got the sleeve!!! I tried eatting wingettes and I was able to get about 10 hot wings down and vegetable omg I'm so upset because nothing happened to me!!!! Can anyone help me or give me some word of advice

It will take a number of fills, before you really feel total restriction.

So for now, you have to wait until you get there.

Fills of course are the key thing here. If you don't have one your

going to feel like your starving.

Protein shakes will help kill hunger. This is a plus for everyone to know.

It's not like a diet pill where your not hungry at all. It takes the edge off,

and makes this possible to do.

Just don't go over 1200 calories a day (OR WHATEVER YOUR SUREON SAID IN CALORIES)

and 60G of protein is fine. (FOR WOMEN)

sugar free puddings, Hearty Soups, oatmeal (FLAVORED) Heartier Things will help too.

But you have to take responsibility also. I know your hungry, but who is going to win this

battle? You or the Buldge.

Invest in some Protein drinks, they will help allot.

Shirley.

Rachel....I was banded on 3/15. I was reading your post thinking.....omg, thats me!! I want a burger so bad. I want some pizza!!! I am almost to the point where I can eat soft foods...mashed potatoes, baked potatoes, pudding, etc. I can't wait. lol. I can't imagine eating puree'd chicken which is one of the things suggested. That sounds disgusting!! But, seriously, hang in there. As frustrating as it is, you will make it. I just try to stay busy and not watch tv because all commercials are about food!!! Even though I haven't had a fill, i haven't been as hungry as I would have been pre-band. I don't know why, but I don't.

Hang in there Rachel.....this too shall pass!!!!