THE PLOT:I had my surgery on the 28th. I am a big girl with a BMI of 63. I am just moving into eating some mushy stuff.

Here is where I need help. I am feeling hungry and then I feel like I should eat and my hubbie (who is a "not following the rules" band holder) says I can't have this or that . Then I get to feeling like maybe I can't do this. Maybe I am destined to be a big eater forever. Bt my weight truly interferes with my career path and ability to get around. Just need a word from someone.

:frown::frown::frown::frown::sad::frown::crying::frown::crying::frown::crying::frown::crying::frown::crying::frown::crying::frown::crying::frown:

The first week after surgery is the hardest I think. I was banded on the 27th. I'm starting to get hungry too but I keep to the schedule the nutritionist laid out for me. Are you eating 6 mini-meals a day? I'm supposed to eat 2-3 oz of mushies 6 times a day.

I found that Egg Beaters with a little bit of chicken broth is a good source of Protein and that seems to stick in there longer. I also bought a can of that chicken that comes in a can like tuna packed in Water. It is very soft and easy to much up. I mixed 1 1/2 oz of it with 1 1/2 oz of cream of chicken Soup and it was good. My sister bought me one of those little boxes of dinners for toddlers. I can't think what it is called but it's in a yellow box and it's on the shelf with the baby food. It looks like a lunchable. This one had mashed potatoes, gravy and chicken in it. I mushed it up with some chicken broth to thin it out and that really kept me full, plus it had flavor. I mean, mashed potatoes and gravy who can go wrong! I had 3 oz of that it was filling. Maybe try some of these to see if you fill up more.

It sounds like, if you hadn't been banded and you were only on a diet, this is the point where the diet would end, and THAT'S why you got banded, right? But this doesn't make your situation easier, and I've been there and why I will be getting banded. I have one suggestion, using a simple tapping energy technique called Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT). There are many sites that explain it and show you how to do it. You might start with tapping.com, emofree.com is great. No need to pay for any of the information about EFT, there's enough online about it that's free. This can help diminish or stop hunger. Good luck.

Don't don't DONT cheat on the postop diet. Many of us think of cheating on a diet as a kind of lifestyle but this one should be called a "Prescription for good recovery" and not a diet. When we eat food (any food we chew) our stomachs churn to aid in digestion. (and trust me, one bite, one mouthful, is too much. That won't be enough to help you, but one mouthful may be the mouthful that causes a slip) That churning can tear loose the sutures that are holding your band in place while it heals.

If it helps, MANY of us are hungry post op. My BMI was higher than yours and I have 20 years on you. I stuck it out. It's hard but very important. Some cheat and get away with it but what if, when you play that game of russian roulette, what if you aren't the lucky one?

So stick to your post op diet. You'll be glad you did.

If you are just starving to weakness call your surgeon on Monday and tell him.

Thanks so much Magnolia! I have sent a friend request to ya in that we are similar in banding dates and age. I love your mushy ideas. Mine were a bit vague but I am definitely gonna try your ideas. Thanks a million!

Thanks again Monkey! You tend to be a voice of reason. I am really working on sticking to the diet. The only thing I have cheated at was having clear Chinese soup and letting some of the crunchy noodles turn to mush and then eat them:blushing:. And I do mean mush. I am gonna try some of Magnolia's ideas in that I just need to feel sorta satiated. Pray for me.

YOu are in the hardest part post op. its sooo hard not to wanna eat everything BC your starving. You said your hubby doesnt follow the rules, soo let that give you a boost to do exactly what you should and show him he should do it too.. stick with it right now i promise it will pay off. and when you get your first fill things will get easier. i was a big eater as im sure a ton of us were and your gonna get hungry just say yes to the good foods and no to the bad ones and push through the hunger ONLY A LIL LONGER! you can do it!