I got banded a week ago today and over the week I've really been looking over the paperwork and literally crying over what I am not able to eat. Not just junk, but meats and veggies and fruits that I can no longer enjoy. And I can't drink while I'm eating? I can't do that. I'm ALWAYS thirsty. I just don't know what to do. It has brought me to tears everyday since I've had the surgery...I just don't know what to do. And no matter how much I drink ( I drink small sips of juice/ice tea/water etc. ) all day long, and my urine is still dark which means I'm dehydrated. I'm so sad and at a loss for a solution....

I think at first you do sort of "mourn" the loss or the thought of losing--what we once loved, food.

But I think you will find it's really not like that. I never feel deprived. I do CHOOSE to eat healthy most of the time, but I certainly could eat just about anything I wanted to with minimal problems. Like others said, you will find there are some foods you have to chew more and will learn at some point you won't be able to drink with food, but your brain also gets retrained, I think, and it truly is not as horrible as you think.

Dieting before the band felt like deprivation and hunger and obsession with food. With the band it does not, not at all.

Good luck, you will do great

Seriously, don't stress about the "can't" right now. I'm 2 years out and I seriously thought that I would NEVER be able to have a meal without a few glasses of something to drink. I also didn't know how I was going to get through the day with only certain protein BUT everything is temporary, just like everyone has said. Although, I still can't have drinks with my meals because I throw up like crazy (your food goes through your band slowly and so the drink just piles up on it and causes you to vom... my kids compare it to a clogged toilet lol). The thing to remember is that this is a change of lifestyle. Focus on feeling better and healing. You will do just fine if you follow your docs advice and focus on getting healthy. Good luck to you!!

clogged toilet---that is hilarious, but a perfect analogy!

Seriously, don't stress about the "can't" right now. I'm 2 years out and I seriously thought that I would NEVER be able to have a meal without a few glasses of something to drink. I also didn't know how I was going to get through the day with only certain Protein BUT everything is temporary, just like everyone has said. Although, I still can't have drinks with my meals because I throw up like crazy (your food goes through your band slowly and so the drink just piles up on it and causes you to vom... my kids compare it to a clogged toilet lol). The thing to remember is that this is a change of lifestyle. Focus on feeling better and healing. You will do just fine if you follow your docs advice and focus on getting healthy. Good luck to you!!

What others have said is great.

I wanted to add that my doc gave me the don't drink with your meals thing. I told him that I just couldn't part with my glass of milk with dinner. He said well, go ahead. He didn't really like the idea of drinks with calories, but to take it into account of my overall total. He also said that at some point I might not have room for it. So, every evening I pour my cup of milk. I used to have 2 tumblers of it, now I pour about 6 ounces. I set it by my plate and sip it with my dinner. But as time has gone on, (nearly 3 years post-op here) I find that I don't really drink it with my meal. After I clean up the dishes, then I have it. And enjoy it!

For drinking enough during the day? After you are all healed up, you don't have to sip sip sip any more. You'll be able to drink like a normal person.

At restaurants, I always get a glass of Water. For me, based on my own experience, wether I drink with my meal or not, I do not get hungrier sooner, or eat more at the meal. Sometimes liquid doesn't go down well with food, sometimes it does.

As to foods on the "don't eat" list. Those are guidelines of what tends to get stuck. As you heal and can eat regular foods you will find what works and doesn't work for you. I can eat just about anything except for chicken/turkey breast meat and doughy breads like bagels and french bread. I also know I need to be careful when eating steak, but if I cut it into small pieces, I am fine.

When you go to eat those foods for the first time, just be careful. Go slowly and see how you react. Especially after a fill. Each fill will have a learning curve.

Take a deep breath! As my husband says, "in with the butterflies, out with the bees!" You will be fine!

Quote:"I got banded a week ago today and over the week I've really been looking over the paperwork and literally crying over what I am not able to eat. Not just junk, but meats and veggies and fruits that I can no longer enjoy. And I can't drink while I'm eating? I can't do that. I'm ALWAYS thirsty. I just don't know what to do. It has brought me to tears everyday since I've had the surgery...I just don't know what to do. And no matter how much I drink ( I drink small sips of juice/ice tea/water etc. ) all day long, and my urine is still dark which means I'm dehydrated. I'm so sad and at a loss for a solution....

"

You're very new to this, and it's a long learning process.

You may be having reaction to the anesthesia and drugs that are affecting your emotions. Also, you are going through a grieving process about what you're having to give up. It will get better, honest.

It's going to be all right. You'll be able to eat a lot of different foods, just much more slowly and in small quantities. If I were there with you, I'd hold your hand and tell you it's going to be okay. When you start losing weight, you'll look back and realize you made a great decision.

Right now, just hang in there. The period right after surgery is very tough. All the best to you!

Like everyone says things will get better and in time you will learn what you can and can not eat. Since I live in a foreign country, i didn't get the chance to see someone to talk about good foods, bad foods etc. I had to depend on my own research and talking with my doc.

I have learned so much since then and now help my docs patients with eating, foods etc.

Getting the band is not the end of your life. I have been able to keep my band a secret from everyone. I can go out eating, drinking with friends etc and no one suspects a thing. You just need to learn how to juggle everything in your life.

You can do it!