Hello everyone, this is a difficult post for me to write because I have fallen off the wagon. And not just stumbled off but fell out completely. I was banded in December and dropped my first 20 or so pounds very quickly. I got a fill in January and things seemed to be moving along. I thought I had a handle on my emotional eating but in the last two months I eat everything in sight.

The problem is that I am able to eat a lot and I could not figure out what was wrong but then thought my emotions are so out of wack because I was facing a layoff and then got through that, then my mom is very sick and dealing with that plus I am working on my doctorate degree and that is beyond stressful.

So two weeks ago I thought I should get another fill so I scheduled a fill but my dr is out of the office until next week so I go in on Wednesday the 13th. The good thing is that I have not gained anything back with the exception of 5 pounds which I keep losing and gaining.

I lost all motivation and even stopped working out because the balance I had in life is gone. So for all those that may have any advice, please help. I am sitting here in tears because I feel like such a failure and I have not been on these boards in a while.

Thanks

You needed a fill a while back, I'm thinking, so it's good you have one scheduled. Just hang on for that. It will help. And while you're there go ahead and make an appointment for another fill in about 4 weeks from the fill next week. If you're doing fine, they may decide you don't need it, but at least have that appointment on their book so that you have to go face the accountability of weighing in on THEIR scale and likely getting another fill.

GOOD LUCK

a failure?????????? no way!!!!!!!!!!!!!! you fell off and now ur getting back on....a failure would've fell off and stayed off!!!!!!!!!! ur going through a lot...cut urself a break....u have lost 20 pounds!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i admire u for admitting u fell off....recognizing what u need to do to fix it....and soon u will be on here posting ur loss again!!!!!!!!!! ur going to do great!!!!!!!!!! and congrats on ur loss!!!!!!!!!

Nina you will get yourself back there. Dealing with what you are dealing with no wonder. You made the first step by getting an appointment for a fill that will help you and then maybe after that you can get some motivation.

My heart goes out to you, Nina! I know that you feel terrible right now, but in less than a week from today, you are going to be back on the right path. And, two weeks from today, I'm willing to bet that 5 lbs will be near gone, if not entirely gone.

You just need to stay on top of your fill and go back ASAP if this one doesn't get you to good restriction. Don't overdo it -- just be honest with yourself about how much you are able to eat.

Once the weight starts coming off again, I bet you will find your drive to succeed once again, and I'm excited to see how well you are going to do!

Sorry to hear about all of the stress you are under right now. I've had some stress lately too, and I do find some solace in the fact that while some aspects of my life aren't where I want them to be, with the help of my band, my weight and overall health and fitness keep improving.

Hang in there!

Catherine

I want to know if anybody cheated with food like mashed potatoe or pudding first week after surgery? I am craving salty things and had surgery on May 3rd.

Please help

No! Don't cheat on your post-op diet! Puree some tortilla Soup or something. Seriously -- you could rip out the stitches if you do that (your stomach will churn more if you eat real food). There is a medical reason for the post-op diet -- you'll only be hurting yourself if you don't stick to it.

BTW, FF/SF Jello pudding was on my liquids diet.

Thanks Cathrine, I had mine in mexico and they did not have a good nutritionist. They told me I have to be on liquid for 2 weeks, I am getting sick of drinking apple juice and other juices for lat 3, 4 days. everything is sweet and I was never to crazy about sweets and make it hard. Is there any placa I can get Info , of what I can eat ? I don't mind puree and not sure what kind?

Thanks for your support

The first 3 days, I was on clear liquids. Then for another 7 on liquids that included, SF Jello, SF Popsicles, SF yogurt, chicken broth, beef broth, vegetable broth, protein shakes, water mixed with Crystal Light or K20 protein water. I was supposed to drink 3-4 protein shakes a day and everthing else was "at will".

Thank you so much, What did you eat or drink after 10 days?

Thank you so much, What did you eat or drink after 10 days?

Every doctor is different. My post op diet is as follows:

1 day (surgery day) Clear liquids

1 day full liquids

2 weeks pureed foods

2 weeks soft foods

The pureed foods I am limited to 4-6 total tablespooons three times a day and three Protein shakes per day and 8oz liquid between meals. Its hard getting all that in. I'm not hungry. When I move to soft foods, its 6-8 total tablespoons (3-4 oz). Good luck!

thanks, would you please explain between soft food and puree? and example if you can

thank you sooooo much.

pureed examples, cream Soups, yogurt, surgar free pudding, mashed potatoes/sweet potatoes, strained or pureed meat, poultry or cottage cheese, strained por pureed vegatables, vegatable juice, applesause.

Soft, all of above plus moist ground meat, flaked fish, eggs, cottage cheese, Peanut Butter, dry Cereal, potaotes w/o skin, rice or Pasta in sauce, soft crackers, cooked vegatables (no hulls or hard skin like peas/corn), usweetened canned fruit w/o skins.

Hope this helps. Also keep up on the Protein drinks in between meals since we're not eating a lot.

Starting Day 11, I could have mushy foods.....instant potatoes made runnier than normal, grits, oatmeal, cream of wheat, farina, cream soup, still at least 2 protein shakes and all the stuff on the liquid list. After 7 days of mushy foods, I started adding "regular" food one thing at a time, remembering to take small bites and chew well.

I want to know if anybody cheated with food like mashed potatoe or pudding first week after surgery? I am craving salty things and had surgery on May 3rd.

Please help

Check with your Dr. I was quite hungry day 4 and they ok'd me for cream soups which helped a lot. Just do as they say, but tell them you are too hungry!!

Nina:

Please know that a lot of people have been in a very similar place where you are right now. Sometimes life throws us into circumstances that we just have to deal with. It is in those times that losing weight just doesn't take priority, nor should it. You have a lot of time to lose this weight. Just take a big breath, take a look at where you are, where you want to be, and how best to get there.

You have a few days before you get your next fill. Use this time to review your success so far. What tools (other than the band) did you use to lose the weight you have lost? Were you exercising? Were you on Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, or some other diet plan? If you were not doing these things, do a little research and soul searching. First, what kind of exercise or activity do you enjoy doing? Can you make a committment to doing some of that kind of exercise this week? Maybe at least twice before you go to the Doctor? Second, try to find a diet plan that works for your lifestyle. Many find Weight Watchers works well with the band, or find a website where you can log the food that you eat. I know it takes a little time to do that but remember, you are going to start to make losing weight a priority again. Right?

Always forgive yourself. Don't worry about what anybody else thinks. Only you and God know your struggles from day to day. Ultimately, it is up to you to choose to make it happen. Remember that you do have that tool placed inside of you that is ready when you are.

Also trust that God can give you the strength to deal with the struggles that come your way. If you give those challenges to Him, you can clear your mind to focus on losing the weight you want to.

I know you can do it. God has already given you what you need, now just use it.