Today was by far the hardest day of my post-op phase in regards to the diet. I have started to get physically hungry but that's not really a huge problem...it's easily satisfied. But the head hunger is KILLING me. I decided to go the movies with a friend today and that was possibly too difficult a challenge at this stage. I'm so used to eating at the movies and this time I couldn't. Meanwhile, my thin friend is eating a philly cheesesteak and a side of fries next to me while the entire theatre smells like popcorn and hot dogs. I have to confess that I broke down and had a few plain M&Ms. Not wise at this stage, I know!!! I made sure they were truly melted before I swallowed and I washed down with lots of Water but I still know it wasn't a good idea!

I've been trying to avoid social situations now for nearly 3 weeks because I was afraid of something like this happening but it's been difficult. After a long period of not being that social, I recently started getting out there and met a new bunch of people that I have been going out with. Getting involved with a social group and then trying to ditch them hasn't been as easy as expected. Plus there are my regular friends who are starting to wonder why I am SO busy and can't get together. I didn't think 4-5 weeks would be this long for some reason but it's turning out to be the longest time of my life. And even when I can "eat normally" again...I'm so nervous about the eating aspect of socializing...it's easy to say that I should just avoid social situations that involve eating but it's easier said than done. I live in NYC...we don't go bike riding or hiking here...we go to dinner and drinks. That's the culture. I don't even own a bike! I guess I am just stuck for coping mechanisms in this kind of an environment...when where everyone considers themselves a "foodie" and no matter what activity we do, it always ends up in a bar/restaurant. Don't even get me started on work, which I return to on Monday. We have a free gourmet cafeteria in the office so EVERYONE eats together every single day. I've already been questioned about new "eating habits" and I dread going back to more questions and more avoidance.

I guess I'm just totally frustrated right now and feeling like a failure. Any ideas as I still have ANOTHER 2 weeks of eating like a freak?

Respectfully, eating until you're so obese that you need a surgical implant to curb it is eating like a freak.

Chin up! Remember the point of the band is to eat less and lose weight. You are recovering from major surgery. Give yourself a break. What if it was bypass? You'd REALLY be unhappy then! I know it's easy to get down in the dumps during "bandster hell" but it will pass. It is a short time in what should be a long healthy life.

You'll be able to go out to eat once you've recovered. You'll forget you ever felt this miserable, trust me.

I'm 3 weeks post-op and went to the beach yesterday with a group of girlfriends...we were there all day, and brought our own lunches in a cooler - mine was ham and cream cheese roll-ups (I ate 3 thin slices of ham with the cream cheese spread thinly on it) and then we went to Joe's crab shack for dinner on the beach - I ate 2 of the 5 chicken strips on my plate, then passed the rest of my plate around and let everyone else eat them....I didn't feel any awkwardness, in fact, everyone else was so proud of how I'm doing and it made me feel good inside. We all got up and danced and had a great time laughing and talking.....I did kind of miss having a Long Island Iced Tea with everybody though. You will get used to these situations...DO NOT avoid friends - they can be your best support system. Let them know when you are struggling, and maybe they will make wiser food choices when they are around you! Good luck - we are all going through the same thing!

Thanks Pottergirl. I take it your friends know you are banded? My friends and coworkers don't know and I don't plan on telling them..I feel the band is personal medical information. I think once I can eat real food again, things will be easier because I can explain to my friends that I am "on a diet" but being on the liquid stages and then the mushy stages makes it harder to get calories in front of others without questions being asked.

After I wrote my post, I thought about what was missing and I can see that I didn't plan well enough. I thought willpower would carry me through and you would think I have learned by now that willpower alone will not get me through to my goal. I probably should have had a low cal drink besides Water that I could sip on throughout the movie.

Any other coping strategies out there that experienced bandsters can suggest? Should movies be off limits until I have things better in hand?

This is the hardest stage after being banded, but you can make it through this. We all struggled at this point being hungry on the liquid diet while being so new to the lifestyle and trying to survive without food being such a big part of our lives.

I had to avoid going out for those few weeks because the few times I did, it was just too darn hard and I did feel like a freak. I also kept banding secret so it was even harder. I had to claim illness on quite a few occasions in the beginning.

Afterwards, it becomes so much easier. You learn to adjust and food is still a part of your life. I go out regularly and have no problem eating. People just know I am dieting and trying to eat light, and they can see by the dramatic changes in my physique that it has been working.

Life as you used to know it is not over, it is just changed. Most of us have had friends in the past who "eat like a bird" or are always going for salad or other low fat/cal options. You just become one of those people you used to wonder at in the past. :0)

Hello, I was banded on the 28th of April and have been having the same problems with my liquid diet. For me it is more of a "head" hunger as you called it. But it is also hard for me to get in enough liquids as I should be getting. I have also only told a limited amount of close friends and family and dread the day that I will go out to an event and have people ask so many questions. :confused:Any suggestions?

Btw: how do you get the weight loss scale to keep track of your progress that is at the bottom of everyone's blog?

<a href="http://www.TickerFactory.com/weight-loss/wZnvS5O/">

<img border="0" src="http://tickers.TickerFactory.com/ezt/t/wZnvS5O/weight.png"></a>

Edited May 5, 200917 yr by Cherylmoana

I can totally relate. It seems now that I am banded, everyone in my neighborhood wants to barbecue.I want to scream "I am banded stop the torture!"

i flat hated the liquid diet and felt the call of fast food especially when I was miles away from home. I mean, when your out, where do you get a liquid diet? I discovered first - chinese food. the wonton soup without the wonton is pretty much slightly seasoned chicken stock. The egg drop should also be safe (I asked my doc first) as the shreded egg has no carbs but good protene. Second, when you can't get egg drop, and you have to cheat, just do it smart. I wasn't that obese so and I knew I was taking a chance, so I won't recommend it to anyone, but I ate a ceasar salad without crutons for lunch once. To be honest, it made me feel guilty as heck. I used the guilt to actually double down and went 4 days instead of 3 on clear liquids. there's also plenty of jello. I hate to say it but it got me by. And a tip from my mother-in-law to be. She was on a liquid diet for 8 months losing 90 pounds (gained it back) chew gum. it DOES help

I am really stressing out about my upcoming liquid, pre-op diet. I start it on Dec 27. After reading the hell everybody is going through, I don't know how I am going to get through it myself. After all, if we could stick to a diet, we wouldn't be going through weight loss surgery. I find myself wanting to eat everything in the house now because I know I can't after Saturday. What a psychological roller coaster!

I am really stressing out about my upcoming liquid, pre-op diet. I start it on Dec 27. After reading the hell everybody is going through, I don't know how I am going to get through it myself. After all, if we could stick to a diet, we wouldn't be going through weight loss surgery. I find myself wanting to eat everything in the house now because I know I can't after Saturday. What a psychological roller coaster!

Pardon my bluntness, but are you being forced to have surgery?

Did you get a Psych eval? Have you committed to change your life forever? If not, maybe you should re-evaluate having surgery. The band is not magic. It will not solve your head issues. If you cannot commit to what you have to do to be successful, why bother going through the surgery?

If you have made the committment, stop overeating NOW. The liquid diet is just part of what you will need to do. Are you ready for the rest? Exercise?, High Protein?, No Junk - low carb?

You need to get your head right to do this. It is not for the faint-hearted.

TJ

I was banded in August and have lost 62 pounds. It isn't easy but it also isn't torture either. I made up my mind before surgery that whatever it takes to be successful...I was there.

I didn't find the liquid diet that hard to follow but I have to admit that I was happy when I could eat solid foods again. There is far more choices now.

I went to the movies to see "Blind side" the other day. I went by myself and I could have had anything I wanted from the snack counter. No one was with me, it was first time going to this place, so who would it hurt if I cheated just a little bit? Popcorn smelled sooooo good, nachos with cheese looked good too, & oh, the candy bars selection was great. Well, I'll tell you who it hurt if I cheated......ME, ME, Me. I thought it but I didn't do it to myself. It just isn't worth it.

Planning ahead is the answer for you. If people don't know you have a band, tell them you're trying to follow a liquid diet to "cleanse" your system before starting a healthier eating problem.

Hang in there and don't ruin your chances for the future. You owe it to yourself to be healthier, skinner, and more self-secure. You can do it. Plan, plan, plan.

Ouch TJ!!! I do know that it is going to be a lifestyle choice that will not be easy. And no, I am not being forced to have surgery. But obviously I am not being successful on my own so I need help. My head is on straight.

Aww, I hope everything works out. I know it's tough, but it'll get better! Good luck, and I wish you much continued success.

The post op liquid is pure hell. I can not agree more. But you gotta just stick with it. You gotta do this for yourself.

This is your chance to prove to yourself that you can be successful. It really does do wonders for your psychy. It gives you that umph you need to know that you WILL be successful at your new life. You've got to remind yourself that this isn't just about shrinking your liver, it's about investing in your health for the rest of your life.

Good luck, you CAN do this!!

Thanks Sweet Pete and Jackiedi! Merry Christmas to you all!!

I can certainly relate to your pain!

I am a month post op and am eating soft foods. I have messed up a couple of times, but I haven't "cheated" big because of fear; I am so scared I'm going to mess up my band that it keeps me honest (mostly!) I really hated the liquids phase because, not only was I mentally "hungry", I was physically STARVING. Those liquids just did not stick around long enough. But I managed, purely because I didn't want any complications; I was self pay and couldn't afford revision. I still worry that I'm eating too much; the hunger and satisfied signals are more subtle now, but I'm doing my best. YOU CAN DO IT!!!!

sara