I was banded on Sept. 9 and now it's Sept. 12 and I'm planning on being out of work only 3 days and a weekend. I am sore, but moving makes it better. I noticed yesterday that I was just sitting and staring and feeling depressed. The dr. said for me to spread out my normal medications instead of taking them all at once, so the first one I took was my anti-depressant and I'm feeling some better. I got dressed and went outside to get some fresh air and sunshine and that helped too. I know that food plays a huge role in MY life-obviously; I think part of it has to do with that. I'm still on the all liquid, which is depressing in itself, and the thought of a cream soup makes me ill. I've eaten sugar-free popsicles and jell-o until I'm one gelatanous glob. Someone please give me words of encouragement. Banded in Denver, NC.

Hang in there sweetie! I am one day past 2 weeks post-op and I couldn't be happier that I got the band. I got banded on a Thursday and went back to work the following Tuesday (Monday was a holiday). To be honest with you, going back to work was the best thing for me. It kept me busy, made me move a bit more by having to walk down the hall to potty, and made me more mindful of concentrating on eating because lunchtime is only lunchtime in our office, so you eat then or you don't eat. No eating at the desk!

The first two weeks are difficult, both physically and especially emotionally. We have to find other things to entertain ourselves now that we can no longer turn to food. Paint your nails. Even if they are short-short, treat yourself. It's ok now because you won't smear them by sticking your hand in a Doritos bag while they are still wet. Play real solitaire, not the kind on the computer. Learn to juggle! I taught myself after looking at some diagrams on the web. I had some oranges from before surgery and you should have seen them when I got done "practicing!" Can't eat it if you're throwing it

Thanks. I'm about to look up some recipes for making homemade soups that I may be able to eat. Any suggestions?