I am a month out and i am scared i am going to stretch my pouch every day, i was vomitting so the doc took some fluid out, i go for my first fill next week, i feel like im struggling and it hasnt even been a month!!! please help

Hang in there, it will be worth it all. I am schedule to have my band 2/11 i will need your help also.

I think that if you reflect back to the early days of being banded...you had the same thoughts and same issues...a lot of us do. My advice would be the same to a newbee as to someone 3 yrs out...when you are bored you need to fill that time with anything that will preoccupy that time and I mean anything...get online, read a book, take a walk, clean out a closet, write a poem, draw/paint a picture, take up sewing, volunteer (I am looking into meals on wheels..ironic huh), write a letter to someone, write out a weekly or monthly food chart....I think you are getting the message.

As for making good choices..plan ahead (see above task). If you plan out meals it will be less likely for you to make poor choices. Plan out as much as you need...if it is for the next day, for the week, for the month. Cook as much as often as can..this go along with the planning..you need to have the food on hand in order to cook it so it takes planning.

I personally am not a journal-er but I fortunately did not have any issues dropping my weight (thank god) BUT I do believe that journal-ling DOES work. It allows you to see what you are actually eating...right there in black in white..sometimes you can't "see" until you see it either on a graph or on paper. I have seen too many people that all it took was to start the journal and bam there went that 10 lbs they couldn't lose.

I hope this helps and I wish you well!

Something that might help you as well and something that I thought I would NEVER do, is look for as many new healthy recipies as you can and make. And then make one, if not every day, every other day. It can be fun too. I have been doing that because I get bored with the same food and then I start eating everything else in sight. I also suffer with a lot of other pain which makes me crazy and feel like all I want to do is eat. I had back surgery 13 years ago and suffer with chronic back pain, suffer with spinal stenosis, and restless leg symdrom. I also have been having bad pain in my legs. That is why I am online right now at 2:30 am. because I had so much pain in my legs I couldn't sleep. I get depressed over the pain that all I want to do is eat. My doctor and I felt that losing the extra weight would help with the pain. I lost 18 pounds and so far, have not found any pain reduction. I am tired because of so much pain. I muddle through though and try my best to keep going. I must say though, there are times when I just want to give up and just eat and eat and eat. I also feel like I should have lost more weight. I was banded on Nov. 5th of 2010. and filled twice so far. I am having trouble getting the proper amount of protein in and I know that is very important. It is true, keep finding other things to do when the hunger urge strikes. I have a WII and my husband got me "Dance 2" and WII Fit. They are fun. I started making my own cards and I do sew. I cleaned out my basement. It took me 4 days, but I did it and it kept me from eating so it was worth it and my basement is clean. YIPPIE!! Do you knit? Try that too. It keeps the hands busy. Knit while you watch TV, then you have your hands on the needles and your mind on the TV. NOT FOOD! I am finding the best thing is finding new recipies. I am an old fashioned cook and like I said, I never thought I would be cooking like I am now. Well, best wishes to you. No one said this was going to be easy. BUT they did say it would be worth it.