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I have had the same thoughts and sometimes feel depressed that eating will be completely different for me, but then again, that's what got me in this spot in the first place. And then I think of one of the main reasons I did this....my grandkids. When I see their faces I know I'd do anything for them, and if eating healthy is what keeps me around a little longer to watch them grow up, then so be it.

Ok I will be 3 weeks out on Wednesday. I went through something similar and I believe that's what caused my stall at a week and a half out. I wasn't eating crackers but I was making really cheesy dips that included chicken,velveeta cheese,etc. And I was eating snacks with my husband like a couple bites of cheesecake off his plate,a couple pieces of chex mix muddy buddy,etc. I had no room for the healthy stuff! At my one week post op appt my dr told me I was free to eat whatever(healthy) as long as I chewed it thoroughly and went slow. I started eating a bit of ice cream,a lil while later a couple bites of pudding,a while after that some of the velveeta dip stuff and so on...While I don't believe there is enough calories and or fat in the little bitty amounts I was sticking in my sleeve to make you gain a bunch of weight,I do believe all of this and the scale showed it with a 1 lb gain and then stall at a week and a half out: 1-Not eating planned out meals and just grazing throughout the day was getting in the way of my fluid intake. I had it in my mind that I could not tolerate protein shakes so that was being sabotoged as well,and none of these things are healthy. I was not coming to terms with the fact that my sleeve is still too small and new for me to be eating these things and still getting in the nutrition that I need. If I'm not getting in enough liquids or protein,my body is in starvation mode and will hang onto any little bit of fat it can to store for energy,I will feel weak and fatigued like I was,my hair will start falling out(one of my biggest fears). I gave my scale to my mom and made SURE to put lean protein foods first,and that's about all I can fit in my sleeve. My rule of thumb now is NO food goes into my mouth when I wake up until I have had at least 20 ozs of liquids,I follow that with a muscle milk light which has 20 grams of protein and my sleeve loves it compared to a protein shake. Then I have to have 10 more ounces of liquids b4 lunch. I can only stomach 1.5 ounces of chicken with hot sauce and a dab of blue cheese on it then I'm full. Wait about an hour and make myself finish off 10 more ounces of fluids before dinner. I then eat tuna,salmon,cheese,or chicken,something with protein for dinner. By then I have had more than 40 grams of protein and 40 ounces of liquids. I am free for the rest of the evening to drink liquids,eat a couple bites of SF pudding (I usually sprinkle some unflavored protein in it) or even eat a SF fruit bar-only 25 calories and soooo good! The reason I am saying all this is bc this: Since I put my foot down and started doing what I know I should be,my stall ended quickly and I have lost 3 more lbs in 3 days! I had to realize that I will eventually get to enjoy these things in moderation,but the whole reason I got the sleeve is so I can fill it with healthy,protein rich foods,vitamins and liquids consistently until my excess weight is gone. I will from now on save the junk food till I am farther out. That 1 lb gain and stall was enough to snap me out of it and remember what I was blessed with. Now,that being said it's just my opinion and I do believe everyone's body is different and everyone can handle things differently. I just kinda wanted to let u in on my experience thus far out and hope I can help in someway. ((HUGS)) and stay strong,we will get through this! Source: Is This Self-Sabotage?

Yes life does get better! For either good or bad I am one of those bandsters who can basically eat anything. I choose not to eat pizza everyday (which at one point of my life I did. No kidding). I try to eat by the 95/5% rule. Eat correctly 95% of the time and enjoy your treats the other 5%. The only bread I've had trouble with is cheap rolls you get at low end restaurants. I reallllyy really like bread so I choose my battles. If there is good bread to be had I can have some but I choose not to eat lesser bread the rest of the time. I don't tend to eat sandwiches because the bread is not the star of the sandwhich so only have the filling. You will be able to eat out again you will just need to choose healthy foods and to probably pack up half of what you are served.

Sounds like your on the right track! Cheri

I am just three weeks post op and I had major gas pains for the first two weeks,it does get better.a friend of mine who also has the band sugested gas -x it works great! I carry a box wherever I go.

Good luck! This is the best decision I have made for myself! Feels so good to be doing something for me! I was banded in January and love my new life! All your emotions are normal. You are going to do great!

I was terrified of going under anesthesia. Terrified!!! But let me tell you, they set me up in my bed with my iv and I got to watch tv while I waited for the surgeon. While I waited, I was given warm blankets, and then met the anesthesiaologist. They gave me something in my iv and I felt like I drank a bottle of wine. They wheeled me in to the OR, and I got myself on the operating table, all while feeling quite calm. They told me they would take good care of me, and thats all I remember. Then I woke up, in recovery, and it was the most comfortable I have ever been!!! I went in and out of sleep, and was even able to get up and go to the bathroom after a few hrs of being in recovery, with some help from the nurses, who were wonderful. I had heard a few people here say, you just have to give yourself to the nurses the day of surgery, and dont stress just relax. I never thought I could do it, and i was a mess the day before thinking I was going to die from some horrible complications...but the day of surgery, a calm came over me and I felt so ready. I did like everyone said and just let the nurses care for me...it was actually enjoyable!

OMG!! My surgeons office just called me to tell me they called Empire BCBS to let them know they were sending over docs today for my surgery. They then told me BCBS asked them a few questions and approved me over the phone! Can this really be?? I want to call BCBS so bad and find out for sure but I don't want to stir the pot...... OMG!! OMG!! I didn't even tell anyone yet but you guys, i been lurking for weeks and would not have as much info as I do now if it was not for you!!! THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU.... Do you think this is correct? It must be. I'm prob just in shock.. OMG, OMG, OMG!!!

When you put solid/mushy foods into the pouch it causes the pouch to grind. liquids do not cause this grinding. Doctors have us on liquids because they do not want that grinding to occur and pull the stitches they've used to anchor the band into place. Each doctor has his/her own opinion as to how long to let those stitches heal before allowing the stomach to grind. I was told I'd be in big trouble if I needed a re-operation because I pulled my stitches due to eating. (What the definition of trouble was, I don't know, but I did not want to find out). I was three days post-op when I was so hungry I wanted to eat my dog. My surgeon called to check on my that evening. I told him my dog was lucky he could move faster than I, otherwise I might have broken my post-op 7 day clear liquid diet. He said that since I was doing so well and was so hungry, I could move on to a full liquid diet.

I always order soup as an entree at these things. If anyone asks, depending on the time, I tell them either I had a huge/late breakfast and not really that hungry or that I am going out tonight to some fancy place and don't want to spoil it. I'll also throw in some comment about how I am trying not to eat when I am not hungry, which gets them thinking about their eating habits and all questions immediately end!