anewlife10

Yay!!! Congratulations!

There are a few things I cant eat anymore: Bread Rice Pasta Shrimp White meat chicken hard boiled eggs (i have no idea why, but i get sick everytime I try) Tortillas

funny... i just did a post about this last week. noises are just a part of it. if its not my stomach its coming from my chest & throat. It gets annoying and embarrassing at times!

I didnt drink at all for the 1st 6 months after surgery... now I drink from time to time. I usually stick with Vodka & Cranberry when I am out. If I am at home I will have a Skinny Girl Margarita or Sangria or a Jose Cuervo Light Margarita, not too many calories or carbs in them... unless you drink alot of course . I would steer clear of anything carbonated though... so beer is out for me.

I always have a hard time with chicken... especially white meat, so I very seldom eat chicken anymore because its not worth the discomfort to me. If I do eat it, I take bites so small...about the size of a pea and chew it like there is no tomorrow.

What has your doctor said your diet should be at 3 weeks post op? I have noticed that all the doctors seem to have different plans & theories. My doctor wanted me to work in foods with substance at day 7...by 3 weeks post op I was pretty much eating regular food. just had to watch my calories, carbs & make sure I was getting enough protein. Cooked veggies are easier to tolerate than raw ones, still that way to this day. However before my first fill I pretty much was able to eat the same as I did pre-op... so back then I was able to tolerate bread. Now bread is something I stay clear from because it always gets stuck.

I think its a personal decision. Like the poster previously, I felt more comfortable with the band because if there were complications it can be removed. I love my band and feel its the best decision I have ever made

Have any of you experieced this.... Last night I was laying in bed with my fiance and we were trying to have a serious conversation and he laid his head on my stomach and my stomach kept making crazy noises! It was so distracting and embarrassing! He kept stopping mid-conversation and asking me if I was hungry, then he thought I had gas ~ which I didn't. I wasnt at all hungry either ~ I hadn't eaten or drank anything in at least 2 hours prior to that. Have any of you had the noises going on? ... like all the time!

It's a horrible feeling! I still have that happen from time to time. It is so hard to always take such small bites and chew, chew...and chew! I also have a horrible time with chicken. I'm sorry you are feeling so bad! Hopefully it will go away sooner than later. Walking around seems to be the only thing that helps me... it usually will come up before it will pass through, at least in most of my cases.

It's completely normal. Your swelling from surgery is most likely going down. I was the same way.. I felt no differently really until my 2nd fill, by my 3rd fill I finally felt the restriction.

I agree with your reasoning that the weight didnt come on overnight... that might be why its slower for us to grasp our new look. I have been coming out of my box and wearing clothes I would never dream of wearing before... its scary at times! Slowly I am seeing that I am on the 'smaller side' of the scale for the first time in my life. It's a big thing to see & grasp.

Don't get discouraged! I know its easier said than done... but trust me, I was where you are so I know the feeling. There were times I was thinking, I should have just stayed on a diet and I would have the same results or thought I should have gone with gastric bypass instead... but trust me, all those thoughts are out the window now. The weight really did come off and my whole life changed. It's not a magic pill and there are times where I would gain a couple of lbs, but then they would come off plus some. I have lost over 100 lbs in a year and am 11 lbs below the target weight my dr gave me and 1 lb below my personal goal. In time, I am sure you will be happy with your results.. there will peaks and valleys, but in the end I think you will be happy with your decision. Hang in there!

I think we can all relate to this post! To this day there are so many foods I miss. I havent had McDonald's in over a year! Sometimes I look at it and think... "oh what I would do for a Big Mac", but the difference now, from pre-op, I think about what that Big Mac would do and how it would make me feel, so I don't do it. But I can't lie and say that I dont have my fantasies!

Yayyyyy!! Congratulations!! I will be at my one year anniversary on 10/21 and agree with you a million times over! It was the best thing I have ever done... I would do it all over again, the postives by far outweigh any of the negatives. It's a journey and there are some days that aren't great along the way, but, at least for me, those days were few and far between. Congratulations again!

I had my surgery on a Thursday and was really sore & uncomfortable until Sunday. I wasnt necessarily in pain, but I was very sore and didnt take into account how sore my stomach and stomach muscles would be so it was really hard to get in and out of bed. I would recommend a recliner/or to be in an upright position in your bed. Also... a heating pad was my best friend for helping the soreness and staying comfortable.

Denver, Colorado

I definitely have been there! I tend to be one of those hard-headed types that pushes things to the limit, but its all a learning experience. I know when to stop now, its not worth feeling miserable. Our whole lifestyle is changing, its a journey and you learn along the way. I thought it was going to be so difficult, but, at least for me, it really wasnt, but it took a few tough lessons along the way. Good luck to you!! Im sure you will do great.

Congratulations! So happy to hear your experience so far has been so good. Good luck on your weight loss journey! So many great things ahead for you

Thank you!! I have to say getting banded was the absolute best decision I have ever made, I don't regret it for one minute. I went from high blood pressure and Type II Diabetes to a normal bp and no signs of Diabetes. The only thing I take now are my Vitamins. It's not a magic pill and takes some work, and while there are times I miss being able to go to a restaurant and eat a normal meal, I still am so happy I did it. Good luck to you... get ready for a whole new life. You will love it!

I truly think your feelings are very common. I am down to a size 8, but for quite some time I found myself still walking into Lane Bryant to take a look, even though there was no way I could fit into even a 12. For the past month I have had people tell me that I am getting too skinny ~ something I have NEVER been called in my life... I STILL dont see 'skinny', I see not too over-weight anymore. I have been told it takes our brains to see what everyone else sees. It's a very strange feeling, and I am slowly adapting. It's funny because when I was at my heaviest, I didnt see that either, I knew I was way way over-weight, but I didnt think I looked as big as I actually did ~ now its the opposite. Maybe I am just weird!

I agree with you when it comes to the different instructions from each doctor! Mine wasn't nearly as restrictive, I am not sure I would have been able to do liquids for 3 weeks and mushies for an additional 4... almost 2 months?!! I wonder if it has to do with the type/size of the band... I know each patient is different, so who am I to question? I just don't know if I could have gone that long without any textured foods.

I'm with you on the craving sweets thing. I have that one week per month (pre-menstral) when all i want is chocolate. I think it would be really hard to control without the fill; with my fill i can have two bites and be done and satisfy my craving. when you had your 'over-fill' how long did you wait to get some removed? you might want them to just give you a very small fill and slowly work up. I can understand why you are hesitant after feeling that way, but to have the band for a year with no restriction seems like you aren't getting all the benefits and are just having to be on a constant 'diet'. I love my band, I do my occassional cheat but with my fills I have no desire to overeat because I dont want to feel uncomfortable. Good luck!

You are only 2 weeks post op... you most likely still have some swelling which is making you not hungry. I wouldnt worry about the food portion if you are not hungry, but make sure you are getting your Protein drinks in and your Vitamins and stay hydrated. You will get your appetite back especially prior to your first fill. I wouldnt worry, its a process and everyone is different. If you are really worried, you might want to give your doctor a call and see what he/she says. Good luck!

I think the hardest part is in the beginning... its natural to still have cravings, plus you don't have the restriction yet. It took until my 3rd fill to finally really feel the restriction which made me not want to over eat or I would be uncomfortable. I still get certain cravings and will go give into the craving, but I usually only need two bites to be satisfied and move on. As time has gone by the cravings get less and less. I used to love bread and crave it, but now its the last thing I desire. Just be patient, stay disciplined and you will be fine, but every now and then treat yourself to a few bites of what you crave. Good luck!