:frown:Ok I was banded June 24th..the swelling is going down...Im starting to get hungry...to the point of tears..I cant believe this..I feel so lame..I went into the kitchen for something to eat drink whatever u wanna call it (im on Clear Liquids for another wk)..well I just started crying..I am sooo hungry its painful...so I grabed myself some milk after I wiped away tears..This is a terrible feeling..the last two days its been happening more frequent..and thats when I try to get the heavier of things instead of broth. Is this how it will be untill I feel restriction..I have lost 10 lbs already so I feel like I am doing great..but its so hard at times when Im so hungry I feel like I cant get the drink down fast enough..is anyone having this problem?? any advice or support is appreciated..

I just keep thinking...ur gonna look hot in that size 10 jeans lol..suck it up..

WAHHH

hi, my name is kris and i'm a food addict lol

i was just "crying" to my mom because food smells and looks SO good and i'm physically satisfied after a few bites but my head wants to keep eating. i SO want to keep eating but i know if i eat one more bite i'll end up PB'ing in the bathroom.

maybe try calling your doctor to see if you can move up from clear liquids to full liquids? the slimfast optima milk chocolate saved me from going crazy! i put it in the freezer for an hour and it tastes like a milk shake AND stops the hunger for 3+ hours.

stay strong!

Congrats on your 10 lb weight loss!! I cannot beleive you are still on CLEAR liquids!! I was only on CLEARS for the first day, then full liquids---so I could have cream Soups, etc ( I was banded the day before you). WHy don't you talk to your surgeon? I bet he will approve you to either move on to full liquids or mushies....Hang in there. You will be able to eat REAL food again!!

Good luck

Bree - I was also banded on the 24th but I have not had the same problem. I do keep a bottle of water with me all the time and am constantly sipping - I also eat jello and clear broth - try to hang on - the second stage allows you more choices like oatmeal and yogurt. I get to start that tomorrow. I had my post op appt today and have lost 15 lbs and I am absolutely thrilled! Remember our journey has just started you have got to keep the prize in sight - you can do this! Yes, you will look awesome in your skinny jeans so keep that in mind whenever the tears come. Avoid the kitchen - find a project to keep busy - (if you have trouble with that let me know - I have more projects than this site has banders!) Hang in there - if you need to talk write me - we can be buddies. Best wishes, MM

Hi. I was banded May 22nd 2008. According to the schedule the dietian gave me, I was supposed to be on clear liquids for 2 weeks, full liquids for 2 weeks and then mushies for a week, and then solids. After a week of clears, I was starving. When I had my post-op appt, my doc said this was a sign that my body was ready to move up. 6 days after being on full liquids, I called the office and told them I was starving again and they allowed me to move up to mushies, as long as I took it slow. I had no problems transitioning from mushies to solids. Tomorrow is my first fill and i have been really hungry again for about a week. I am really ready for my fill.

Anyway, call your doc and ask them. Tell them how miserable you have been. You never know, maybe your doc will let you advance.

Just to let you know...a lot of people are very emotional after surgery...this is a major life change which equals stress...you are experiencing stress in your mind, but in your body, too...this is huge for our bodies to slow down from 100mph...to 10mph...one day at a time...it gets soooooooooo much better.

Keep coming here for encouragement. I stopped coming here and lost my way for a bit, but I am back with a vengence...lol. I want to be a success...I paid too damn much to throw in the towel.

Yes, it sucks...like tonight I am going to a friend's new house-she closed today and got the keys. We are having a painting party...beer, wine, and pizza. I frickin love pizza, but am bringing my own dinner...I want this so bad...I will have a small piece if it is thin crust, but I need to concentrate on my Protein (hair started to go this weekend)

Hi. I was banded May 22nd 2008. According to the schedule the dietian gave me, I was supposed to be on clear liquids for 2 weeks, full liquids for 2 weeks and then mushies for a week, and then solids. After a week of clears, I was starving. When I had my post-op appt, my doc said this was a sign that my body was ready to move up. 6 days after being on full liquids, I called the office and told them I was starving again and they allowed me to move up to mushies, as long as I took it slow. I had no problems transitioning from mushies to solids. Tomorrow is my first fill and i have been really hungry again for about a week. I am really ready for my fill.

Anyway, call your doc and ask them. Tell them how miserable you have been. You never know, maybe your doc will let you advance.

This was my experience as well. Just call and explain how you are feeling. You'll feel better soon.

Thank u guys so much for the comments! u have no idea how this has helped me! I will call tommorow and tell them that im on the verge of smacking someone if I dont eat more then nothing..ahhh what a day..but I made it..so lets see how it goes in the AM.. thanks again!

Kris suggestion really helped me about putting the slimfast in the freezer. I can't stand the taste so I chug it and when it is that good it takes pretty good.

is anyone having this problem??

Yes, you are definitely NOT alone!

I was banded the day before you (Monday) and by Wed/Thu I was starving too. I was supposed to be on clear liquids for THREE weeks (are they insane??!) but I just couldn't do it. I called the nutritionist at my Dr's office and just basically cried to her and she told me not to worry, that if it was that bad, she'd go ahead and okay full liquids.

Some doctors seems to be much more conservative about what they instruct you to do, but there doesn't seem to be a big difference between the safety of chicken broth and the safety of a Slim-Fast drink (after all, you have to have your Protein Drinks and those definitely aren't "clear"). If it's really that bad, tell them that you have to have something and that you wanted their input - but one way or another you won't last on clears. After all, what are they going to do? Take your band away?

Really, they're there to support you and help you in every way they can. If they really understand what's going on and where you're at, they'll be more equipped to do so.

Also, just a side tip - Slim Fast has a lot of carbs - basically empty calories - but if you can find them, the Atkins brand makes a high-protein, low carb vanilla drink that's really good instead (The Atkins chocolate is not good - very bland, but the Vanilla is pretty great). They have about 150 cals, 15g Protein, 9g fat and only 3g carbs.

They seem to keep me from being hungry about as long as a thicker Soup does without all the extra fat and cals that cream soups have.

I wish you luck and good job on your weight loss so far! 10 lbs in a week is GREAT!!!

About the Slimfast I think why all the carbs are in there is for energy. Carbs give you energy. Protein makes you feel fuller longer. Any one esle on this?

Welcome to being banded! I felt the same way. I was on full liquids for 3 weeks and the last week was torture! I was starving and could not have anything...I would think about what I couldn't eat and feel sad. Like I lost a friend. I came on here and read, read, read. People say to walk, or read, or get out of the house - but that doesn't help a food addict. I think of food wherever I am 24/7... (I had a dream about Krispy Kreme donuts last night) hahaha! My advice to you is keep trucking along. And I hate to be the bearer of negativity - but it won't get better until you get restriction. I go in for a fill on Thursday and today, I could eat anything. I am doing the right thing based on my will power and it is HARD. I have realized that with the band, we have to think long term. This isn't a quick fix. We still have to work and watch what we eat...it will take some time to realize, but it's true.

Good Luck to you!!