I just got banded two days ago, 4/5/07, and now I am wondering what have I done? Can I stick with this diet for the rest of my life? I'm filling Easter Baskets and wondering how I will make it forever. Does anyone else go through these feelings after being banded? Does this mean that I am doomed not to succeed? The pain is not intolerable. I"ve had two c-sections and a hysterectomy, so the pain is very manageable. I'm just really scared of the food commitment now that I've done this.

:help:

Grats on being banded What you are feeling is very common. Many bandsters wonder what they have done in the few weeks after surgery. I know it doesn't make it any easier right now, but know that you are not alone, we are all here for you

The nice thing about the band is that you can eat normal foods, at some point. You just can't eat much. That's one reason I chose the band. I want to eat normal foods, like a thin person. I just don't want the ability to overeat. (In fact, I really need to under-eat to lose weight -- another reason I favored the band.)

Yes, you need to focus on Protein and produce first and foremost. But that's not a constant, hard-and-fast rule, and you can go outside those borders on occasion. I know that Wasabubblebutt will disagree with me, but I really don't think it's necessary to cut out all sugar, completely and forever. I have heard more than one dietician will say that that kind of extreme restriction will make you feel deprived and can easily get you into the same kind of trouble that led to your overeating habits. Think of it this way: By this time next year, when you are on regular food, you will probably be satisfied with two small chocolate easter candies (vs. half a bag - or however you may have eaten - in your past life).

During my pre-op education experience, I spent a day at an educational seminar with a dietician. I mentioned that someone I knew had eaten chocolates on the holidays after being banded. I called it "cheating." She stopped me right there and said, "There is no cheating. You can have all foods. Yes, you have to make the best choices consistently, but if you plan to NEVER indulge, you can be setting yourself up for problems."

I also think that once you get away from sweets and junk, you will not be as enticed. I am 1 week, 3 days past banding and there is Easter candy everywhere. It is not calling my name like it did in the past. (Of course, I barely have an appetite.)

Right now my biggest struggle is not being able to have full-caffeine coffee. Wah!

Good luck!

Barb,

You have made a good commitment to yourself.

In time you will be able to eat normal. Normal is not overeating. Normal

for the old us is too much food.

Try to focus on adding exercise to your lifestyle. My husband began very hostile about my exercising but finally just joined me. He is a very healthy 180 lbs 6'1" .

I went thru a mourning for overeating . I sure many more bandsters have too.

edie

I know that Wasabubblebutt will disagree with me, but I really don't think it's necessary to cut out all sugar, completely and forever.

Whoa.... there! I never made this claim! What I *have* said is that during Clear liquids cut out ALL sugar because that will make people hungry and if you are hungry what will fill you up? broth or Crystal Lite? Seriously, if you have to kill hunger which of those will do the trick? Neither will. So I always say during clears and sometimes even full liquids, cut out all sugar because of the hunger factor and bump up Protein. By cutting out sugar during the clear phase you won't GET hungry if protein is consumed.

Please don't infer I wrote things that I most certainly did not.

Now, I have also said that for me if I eat a little sugar it starts a cycle that is hard to break so I have come to realize that *I* can't have sugar. I have never made claims about anyone having to cut out sugar completely and forever. Not my claim at all.

You'll be fine once you can move back to solids. Right now it is just very difficult for you. You will be able to enjoy all your favorite foods just in smaller quantities. Keep your eyes on the prize. Julie

Sorry WABB - I was responding to this (see quote below) but I must have misunderstood. I didn't realize you were referring only to the clear liquid stage but that makes sense. One thing that is bad is that it is nearly impossible to find Protein shakes (once you move to the liquid stage) that have zero sugar.

I personally never had the "clear liquids only" stage, so I can't imagine how hard it is. I was on applesauce by the time I got out of the hospital.

You can do this, just stop ALL sugar, nope... not even a nibble. It will just make you hungry and crave more sugar. So cut out all sugar and stick to protein.

Speaking of this, how on earth does one get protein during the clear liquid stage?

Thank you all so much for your comments and notes of encouragement. I am feeling better about this today. I know I have done the right thing and will enjoy a much longer and healthier life because of it.

Syrah, in answer to your question. I bought unflavored Protein powder called powders?utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury from www.unjury.com and I add it to my Jello, Soup, broth or whatever clear drink I am having. It adds absolutely no flavor and was recommended by my doctor.

In addition, I add the dry instant milk to my Carnation Instant Breakfast and this adds additional protein also. Since it has only been 3 days since my banding, I don't know if it is helping, but both of these were recommended by my doctor.

Good luck everyone!

Barb

Sorry WABB - I was responding to this (see quote below) but I must have misunderstood. I didn't realize you were referring only to the clear liquid stage but that makes sense. One thing that is bad is that it is nearly impossible to find Protein shakes (once you move to the liquid stage) that have zero sugar.

I personally never had the "clear liquids only" stage, so I can't imagine how hard it is. I was on applesauce by the time I got out of the hospital.

If you would have quoted the entire post you would have seen that I did clarify the liquid stage. Nowhere did I make the claim "forever"... that was you. I was pretty clear about it being during this rough bit of time.

There are several Protein Shakes that use products other than refined sugar to sweeten them. Some are good, some are not.

Clear Liquid Protein would be something like unjury or Isopure. Isopure is disgusting but it does the job. On an elist I belong to we refer to it as IsoPuke. One lady describes it well, it's like drinking grape flavored beef broth. Cold. Gahhhh, it's gross.

Yes WABB, I see that now. Hence the apology.

I forgot about powders?utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury. I think Unjury is gross. It reminds me of baby formula. I told my surgeon that and he told me that he liked and recommended Isopure. LOL!

I still have trouble with sugar. I eat alot of Splenda. I was told I should get off the splenda because it makes me crave other sugars also. I love to drink tea and thats what I put in it. I also drink Crystal Light and thats sweet. I also have yogurt often which is kinda sweet (the lowfat kind) so I have plenty of opertunity to get sweets including apples and sugar free jelllo. I am not sure I would know what to eat if I cut all of that out lol. Its all dietary sugar though although I admit I will swipe a piece of candy from my kids here and there if they have it around (Easter Sucks) So I do still crave it. Now the question is do I crave sugar because of how much artificial sugars are in my diet? I am guessing so. Any ideas?

nectar brand makes wonderful no- sugar clear Protein drinks in many fruit flavors......apple, peach, kiwi strawberry, etc etc. They have a Cappacino flavor that has been my fave for over a year. It's important to get Proteins made for bariatric patients, not jocks. Micellar Milk is also very good....you can get it at VitaminShoppe as well as the clear Isopure...lots of people like the Grape . BE has the best tasting products on the market.

http://store.bariatriceating.com/shprpr.html

You probably do crave it because of that, Gummie. How far out from banding are you? I think once I get into more mushies and soft foods / solids (I'm about 9 days post banding), I can break free of so much sugar and sugar substitutes. I use a lot of Protein shakes, sugar-free puddings and jellos, etc. Frankly I am sick of sweet stuff. Once I can eat more "normally," I feel like I can get away from sweety stuff.

I had dinner with my family for Easter. I ate watered down mashed potatoes. The things I craved most were dill pickles and bread! LOL.

Speaking of this, how on earth does one get Protein during the clear liquid stage?

I have the GNC Gold Standard 100% whey Protein powder that can be mixed with skim milk (recommended 1/2 scoop with 1/2 c. skim milk). It does come in flavors and doesn't really have a bad taste like a lot of Protein drinks do.

I had the same thoughts. I was crying and saying how could I cut off something that life revolves around. Everything my family does is around food...that's what got me overweight to begin with. But after a couple of weeks went by I was good and especially after I started to eat soft foods. You can eat all the normal stuff just in smaller portions. This was the best thing I could have ever done for myself. Give yourself time to adjust. Good luck!!