Hi I'm new. I was banned 11-12-09 and am following the program. I felt very little discomfort after surgery. I was a bit sore around incision sites and had a few strange bruises but otherwise am well. My dr took me off of my diabetes medication and my blood sugar is normal. Everyone seems to think this is amazing. It shouldn't be high though I haven't eaten solid food in ten days. Most of the time I am excited and feel like I have more energy than ever before. Today I woke feeling a little down in the dumps. I have mental hunger often and used to really look forward to eating my meals. I think I'm a little sad to not have that right now. Kind of hard to get pumped up over clear liquids. I am trying to keep things in perspective and I understand its going to get better. Glad to find this site and share others experiences. I began at 351 and am 330 now. Lots of supportive people around me but I still feel kind of like I'm doing this alone. Sharing with the blog will hopefully help :thumbup:

Welcome to the site. I'm not banded yet and so can't help in that front - but I can say good job on the 21 pounds and that's awesome about being off the diabetes meds already. You are probably right in saying you have not eaten, so it's logical that the blood sugar is normal - but it's also so very into the normal realm that they think even when you do eat you will be fine. That's a major milestone there, I think!

How much longer do you have the clear liquid diet? This will pass. From what I have read thus far, it always does. :thumbup:

Dont feel alone. Food is the one thing we can all count on whenver we are lonely or down and most of us have used food like some people use a drug. That is what got us all in this shape to begin with. There are days that are very hard. Some worse than others. Overall I just feel blessed. Blessed to have this second chance to straighten out my life, to be healther etc. NOTHING I MEAN NOTHING TASTES AS GOOD AS SKINNY WILL FEEL. Knowing there are many many others with the same struggles you have does help. This websight is awesome and comforting. I have been banded for almost six months. I cant believe how fast it has gone. I wouldnt trade it for nothing and am so glad I had it done. Good luck and God bless. Mechelle

Hang in there.......sounds like you are on the right track. I'm two days out from being banded so, I may be leaning on you in a week........but, from the classes I went to I was advised to make a "ME" basket or any type of container and put things in it that you like; CD's, Movies, Books, etc. -- that way when you are feeling uncertain the idea is to go to your ME basket and trigger that feeling of being satisfied........

WELCOME to LBT! and congrats on the banding! You're mourning the loss of my (and your) BF...food. You'll learn to put food in it's proper place in your life...nutrition. I still love good food and the head hunger is an ongoing battle, but not having the gnawing hunger helps a LOT!!! Hang in there...Bandster Hell will end (not you- love the name, but the period you're in now)! -BG

We all went through this. It gets easier and easier. I am 4 weeks tomorrow. I think I cried every other day for the first 10-12 days. But my food addictions are slowly subsiding. This too shall pass for you. I promise!