Is anyone else from South/Central New Jersey? I was just banded a week ago and I feel hunger pains. Is this Normal?:rolleyes2:

Not from NJ, but just got banded Friday (01/25/08). During the pre-op meeting with my doctor's Patient Educator, that was one of the things she mentioned was normal. She said it would happen around Day 4. For me I think it was the night of Day 3, but definitely by yesterday (day 4).

So, I'm guessing that's about normal.

I haven't been "banded" yet, my consult is tomorrow. But I was wondering about the hunger factor. If it goes away or not and what in the world happens if your will power cracks and you eat something you're not suppose to soon after surgery. Did they tell y'all what would happen if you cheat on the liquid/mush diet? Because that really scares me. Good luck to both of you!

To come this far and blow it is not something i want to even think about trying. If worse came to worse, i'd just eat more pudding - but I'm not budging from the stage diet. I've heard horror stories of people eating too soon.

The hunger I have felt hasn't been the kind that is so unbearable I can't stand it. It's been coming at about every 2-3 hours - so I time my shakes and pudding/jello, etc so that it satisfies that hunger -- and try to remember to drink the Water too. When I eat the suggested serving, that seems to satisfy me, so far.

I don't blame you, I wouldn't want to blow it either after finally having the surgery! Do you mind me asking you about how many calories a day are you on now? Of course I'm just really curious because I'm getting ready to go on the same journey!

I think roughly 750 ... 3 Protein shakes per day + 2-3 servings of either Jello, pudding, yogurt. This is just for stage 1 (week 1 & 2), then it changes to Mushie foods for 2 wks, then adding regular. It's amazing that you actually feel full after 4-6 ozs of something! lol

I was told not to worry about the calories right now - Protein is the key for now.

Obviously the calories will go up once real food is introduced, so I wasn't bothered that it was only a couple of weeks with the reduced amount.

Those amazing that that's all you're eating and that you're not starving! Congrats to you! I noticed that you and I are almost exactly the same weight, well your starting weight, do you mind me asking how tall you are? I am 5'6" and I'm hoping that I weigh enough for the insurance to pay for the surgery!

I just had my lap-band surgery on 1/30 and I feel I'm doing well. I do feel a little weak and I don't particularly like the protein shakes. I have all flavors in my frig. I still pretty weak feeling but I have had little nausea. I am extremely excited about getting a handle on my weight for the first time in my life. I am beginning to feel hungry now and look forward to mushy foods to help make one feel more satisfied.

steveamy - I'm sorry, I'm just now seeing your last post ... I'm only 5' 3.5" -- that's why I have further to go

gkeene - my instructions from doctor on the shakes were to make them fun! Try adding different things, i.e. different fruits, puddings, yogurt, etc.

I had been doing Protein shakes occasionally on my own prior to all of this and found a brand at the Vitamin Shoppe that I liked: Optimum Nutrition. When I asked the doctor's office about it, they had me give them the nutritional facts and said it was good.

I like making them thicker like a milk shake. I use skim milk, ice (more if I use frozen fruit, less if i use fresh fruit) -- there's other things you can add if you need them more sweet, like the sugar-free FF chocolate syrup, or FF creamer, or sugar subs.

However, I have to say, doing 3 a day for a full week now has just about done me in! I can't wait til I can reduce down to 2, then 1 ... of course, it's' probably time to 'shake'em up' as I've been doing the same ol' frozen strawberries the whole time. I think I'm just tired of sweet stuff and craving something savory.

Anxiously awaiting the mushy foods!

-PlanIt

Hi there. Yes, I follow what you are saying and I will try that. I too look forward to the mushy food stage but I have lost 13 pounds since my surgery last Wednesday and I already feel better....just more comfortable. I'm excited about the future. I won't let anything take me off my course. I'm still bothered by a little pain in my shoulders from the anesthesia but I understand that will go away.

Thanks for the helpful hints and good luck on your journey.

Pain in your shoulder is actually gas pain! I learned this after my daughter had pneumonia ... she had an enormous gas bubble pressing on her lungs -- we weren't sure if it was the gas or the flu that gave her pneumonia! But my lapband doctors office reiterated the point that you could have pain in your shoulders and/or upper back - which was deferred gas pain -- hard to believe! lol

Anyways -- Once I started walking a lot - that relieved a lot of gas - which in turn helped relieve the shoulder pain. The first few days, I also took Gas Relief -- the pharmacy only had baby strength & told me to take 5 droppers full (which still isn't much) for an adult dose - check w/your pharmacist to make sure.

It's amazing how fast you recover from this ... everyday I feel a ton better from the day before -- I actually slept partially on my stomach last night ... was heaven!

Good luck with your continued success!

thanks for the info - I have read about this on-line and it is much better. The second night after the surgery, I really hurt with it and you are right, every day I seem tremendous improvement.

I'm ready for advancing to something solid - I get satisfied after Soup, etc., but I still would like to have something soft but a little solid.

I think roughly 750 ... 3 Protein shakes per day + 2-3 servings of either Jello, pudding, yogurt. This is just for stage 1 (week 1 & 2), then it changes to Mushie foods for 2 wks, then adding regular. It's amazing that you actually feel full after 4-6 ozs of something! lol

I was told not to worry about the calories right now - Protein is the key for now.

Obviously the calories will go up once real food is introduced, so I wasn't bothered that it was only a couple of weeks with the reduced amount.

I was just banded yesterday. How many ounces do you make your Protein shake? I am not sure what I am supposed to be doing....