Hello! I'll start with the basics... I'm 24 years old, fought with my weight pretty much all my life, and decided to do something about it while I still have so much life ahead of me. I'm engaged, and we're going to wait until I get the bulk of my weight off to get married. I'm really looking forward to actually looking decent in a wedding dress and marrying my best friend of 7 years :wub:

The last few days have been rough. I don't ever want to look at another Protein shake ever again, but know I *need* to be drinking them to keep nourished. My doctor put me on a 2 week full liquids, 2 week pureed post-op diet, and I'm really burnt out on what to eat. Plus, all this down time at home is confusing because I would normally be stuffing my face if I had this much down time at home. Pain level is excellent; I went off pain meds 24 hours after surgery. I've been pretty uncomfortable with getting air in my stomach, so I need to figure out how to swallow differently. I've been on the cloud nine of "my struggle will get easier" to walking past my beloved mixer and wanting to make Cookies I've cried a few times, but mostly just being doing the pity party thing!

I'm really looking forward to finding inspiration, support, and motivation from everyone here. Thanks for reading!

~Christy

Hi Christy and welcome!

First, let me reassure you everything you're going through is totally normal. It's extremely emotional to be banded and have to wrap your brain around all the changes occurring in your body and laugh. I know a couple days after my surgery, I woke up and went "Oh my gosh, what the heck have done to myself?" I also cried more than a couple times too. The fact my post op diet consisted of only liquids for the first four weeks definitely didn't help any, either.

The good news is, it gets TONS easier!

My surgery was 7 months ago and I'd do it again in a heart beat. I love my band and I honestly believe being banded was the best decision I've ever made for myself.

Stay strong and we're here for support and encouragement if you need us

Hi there Christy! Im almost 8 mos out, but I feel your pain still now at times. Unlike most, i didn't do liquids for more 7 day- I WAS STARVING! I paid for it in gas, pain, vomiting and stuck episodes. I had no support from other who've had the lapband, so i was winging it. Recently, I had a fill that had me so restricted that i couldn't get my smoothies down without waiting several minutes between swallows - so i became depressed over having to let go of the foods that i had become comfortable with. Now 2 weeks later, I realized that my band was doing exactly as it should.....slowing down my digestion, and keeping me satified with even smaller amounts of food. So dont throw the towel in yet, you still got lots more battles to win over obesity and old habits with your new weapon: your Lapband.

Hi Christy, the liquid phase was crappy for all of us...

I would recommend adding SF syrups or extracts to your shakes to change the flavor up a little bit- Maybe even try a new kind so you are not as bored. Another thing, I was allowed SF jellos and puddings, as well as creamed Soups. I also liked the Lipton Cup-a-soup cream of chicken (a little red box with 4 or 5 broth packets) for a different flavor.

Just keep your head up and you will be done with this phase soon enough.

Thank you guys so much for your suggestions and encouragement! It's nice to hear that no one regretted it Sbandable, it's nice to be reminded of what will probably happen if I don't stick to liquids! I'll keep following the plan. One more week to pureed food! And NWGirl, I'll look into SF syrups, that's a great idea, thanks

I just got mine 7/31. I feel the same way. I stopped eating bc I was bored of the liquids & my doctor yelled at me bc I need the Protein. Staying home & watching TV sucks bc u see all the commercials for all these delicious restaurants. Ive been getting depressed too thinking "is all this gonna be worth it?" Well let me tell u that when I stepped on the scale yesterday at the doctors office & saw 10 more pounds gone since surgery & 30 total since the liquid diet hell yeah it is!!! I've never been able to lose more than 20 on my own. The hard work will pay off. Stay positive, reach out for help as you've done & your gonna do great!

Banded 7/31/12 Pre op weight 344, starting weight 324

Thanks Luv80s! I keep reminding myself I can have those tasty foods in the commercials in awhile, just not near the quantity I was used to. And that's ok. Eating slower, I've discovered the strangest thing... I am satisfied much quicker than I realized!

Yeah its weird looking back at how much I used to eat compared to now...wow! I get full from a 1/2 cup of cottage cheese now, before it took me a couple sandwiches from mcds! I do get bummed & miss it sometimes but I don't miss feeling so full that I'm sick & uncomfortable. I know its hard right now but I just keep telling myself that I did the right thing & it will get easier & it'll all be worth it

Banded 7/31/12 Pre op weight 344, starting weight 324

Hello! I'll start with the basics... I'm 24 years old, fought with my weight pretty much all my life, and decided to do something about it while I still have so much life ahead of me. I'm engaged, and we're going to wait until I get the bulk of my weight off to get married. I'm really looking forward to actually looking decent in a wedding dress and marrying my best friend of 7 years :wub:

The last few days have been rough. I don't ever want to look at another Protein shake ever again, but know I *need* to be drinking them to keep nourished. My doctor put me on a 2 week full liquids, 2 week pureed post-op diet, and I'm really burnt out on what to eat. Plus, all this down time at home is confusing because I would normally be stuffing my face if I had this much down time at home. Pain level is excellent; I went off pain meds 24 hours after surgery. I've been pretty uncomfortable with getting air in my stomach, so I need to figure out how to swallow differently. I've been on the cloud nine of "my struggle will get easier" to walking past my beloved mixer and wanting to make Cookies I've cried a few times, but mostly just being doing the pity party thing!

I'm really looking forward to finding inspiration, support, and motivation from everyone here. Thanks for reading!

~Christy

Hello and Congratulations on your band. Mine was on Aug 6 and I've always looked at this as a great opportunity to lose the weight and keep it off. Never once have I looked at it as a down or negative, even the food we have to eat. I volunteered for this ordeal and with God's help I will succeed. I've used my Protein shakes as smoothies. I put mine in freezer for 40-50 minutes. They are excellent this way. I'm grateful that my insurance paid for this procedure and I have this wonderful "tool" in my body.

Best Wishes and Be Positive! It will get better and our goals are always the same, get healthier and look better.

That's a good reminder... that I did this voluntarily. And I did it for a reason! It'll get easier the more time that goes by. Today has been the roughest day yet... I've been smelling everyone else's lunch and/or dinner, and it's driving me up the wall that I can't even have a bite! I'm still on liquids and don't want to mess anything up, so I'm not risking it. Soon enough I'll be able to have a bite of chicken

Thank you for your positive attitude!