Hello! I am 37 years old from Wisconsin and a mother of three amazing children. I was banded on Dec. 7 and am really excited that I have found this group. I ended up having a ton of swelling and had to stay in the hospital day 2-4 post op. I couldn't even keep down a sip of water. But now I feel great, just hungry and ready for the next phase in the diet progression. I am physically doing very well, I have not been on any pain med's since day 4 when I came home from the hospital. Mentally I am still working on wrapping my head around how the next few weeks are going to go. With the holidays coming up and all the food and drinks being around I am going to have to stay strong. I am looking forward to my first fill already so I don't feel so hungry, which will be in a little over 4 weeks.

Welcome! You'll manage terrifically. IF you don't have the book

The Emotional First Aid Kit: A Practical Guide to Life After Bariatric Surgery

I strongly recommend it. Bariatric surgeries fail when people fail to learn new coping mechanisms and make the behavioral changes necessary to overcome their emotional eating patterns. This book is an invaluable resource.

I also recommend using smaller plates, like dessert plates, or even cup saucers to keep your portion sizes under control. Pick up some nice, dense Protein bars. I like the Pure Protein and Premium Protein Bars available at costco. They stick to your ribs, so to speak, and you'll find you won't be hungry again for hours after eating one. Just remember to be patient and kind with yourself and you'll do great.