anewlife10

I was banded on 10/21/10 since then I have lost 27 lbs. I can't wait to lose 55-60 more!

...and I am wondering if I need more next time. I got 5.5 cc's last Wednesday, and I have been really careful for the most part, but I feel like I havent experienced alot of the difficulties others have experienced. When I eat it seems like everything goes down fine, and I have to admit I am not the best at remembering to chew, chew and chew. I have lost 6 lbs since the fill, but I am still hungry, I just havent been giving in ~ I have been only eating 4 oz's or a half a cup at a time or less every 3 hours, but i feel like i can eat more than that and would be fine. I thought after the fill it would be harder to eat. It seems like nothing has changed as far as how I feel. Maybe this is a good thing, but I'm actually worried that I will end up failing.

It only took me 4 days for the pain to go away, but i didnt get my energy back until i started eating the mushy foods... so about 10 days to feel completely back to normal.

I know I was told that Tylenol is now my drug of choice post-op.... but I don't remember the reason why. I am having the worst headache/pms and the Tylenol isn't cutting it. I want an Advil so bad. What would happen if I took an Advil?

That's what they gave me in the hospital too. I had bought the variety pack prior to surgery... problem for me was I HATED it. I was only able to stomach the grape and green (i dont remember the flavor) ones. I had the hardest time getting protien in the beginning. While you are on your clear liquid diet, you don't even have to worry about the calories, because you're not getting many as is. I know I did the happy dance once I could move to soft foods for Protein.

You have no restriction right now and the swelling from your surgery has gone down.. thats normal. I felt exactly like i did pre-op at about week 3 and just had my first fill today. I lost 18 lbs almost instantly and then only 4 lbs in the past 3 weeks, I was upseet about that, but I also ate because I was hungry. My doctor said its normal until you get your fill.

I had my first fill today and I received 5.5 cc's. before my fill I had to go to a class where we were all going to be getting our first fill's...in the class they stressed that everyone is different...apparently the band sizes are different and there is a difference between lap band and realize band...the realize band require more of a fill.

I have noticed that every doctor is different. I only had to do liquids for 3 days and I honestly was not hungry at all, then for the next two days were the mushy foods (small curd cottage cheese, no-fat refried beans, light yogurt etc) then I moved onto soft foods but not necessarily mushy. I was fine and didn't start feeling hungry until about week 3, week 3-6 I felt like I did prior to surgery, so it was just like I was dieting and still hungry. I had my first fill today and I am so excited not to feel hungry and get this weight loss moving. I lost 18 lbs right away and 6 weeks later I am only at 22 lbs total post op, I was feeling a little down that it was only 4 more lbs, but my dr said it was good and is normal and that some people even gain in weeks 3-6. Everyone is so different. Good luck!!!

I had my surgery on a Thursday and went back on Monday...but I was soooo tired! At that point I was only on liquids and had no energy, I ended up taking off the rest of the week. Once I was able to get some food in me and had some energy, work was not such a chore ~ and I am in accounting, so its just sitting at a desk.

I had my surgery on 10/21... I feel great, lost 20 lbs so far, and feel completely back to normal. Today I have been really hungry though, its the first day that I have felt like this, I was warned it would happen at around 3 weeks, but it won't be 3 weeks until Thursday. I feel like I have eaten alot today... so far today I have had 2 pieces of light string cheese, a hard boiled egg, some watermelon, and some beef jerky. I am starting to worry a little bit. I see a lot of people on here were on way stricter diets than my dr, had me on. I was only on strictly liquids for 7 days, then soft/mushy food for 2 days, and now soft & some solids. I have eaten chicken and salmon a few times. Could I be screwing anything up? I feel so normal, like I did pre-op. I know I don't have restriction...I am hoping when I get my first fill I wont feel like this...I am beginning to worry a little bit

I keep hearing people talk about their "pre-op diet", for three months prior to surgery, I was dieting and every appoinment lost weight. At my pre-op appointment they did all of the bloodwork, EKG, etc. They told me to eat normal the entire week prior to surgery and switch to liquids 24 hrs prior to my surgery....but there was no specific 'pre-op' diet. I went to Las Vegas and ate the weekend before my surgery and it didnt seem to be an issue, I even told my surgeon about the trip. It's crazy how different every doctor is.

I was exhausted the first few days... a heating pad helped gas pains. I took pain pills for the first 4 days until I had to go back to work. How long do you have to go before you can incorporate the 'mushy' foods? It seems every doctor is different. I was able to have them after a week and that was only for 2 days then I was able to move onto soft foods. Once I got food in my system I had energy again. Hang in there! I hope those gas pains and fatigue goes away soon.

My job brought in Q-Doba for my department for lunch today.... my favorite!! I feel like I cheated, but didn't go too overboard. I took two spoonfuls of chicken and about 2 tsp of guacamole, and a drizzle of queso.... i was strong enough to avoid the tortillas, taco shells, chips, salsas, sour cream and shredded cheese.... but i still feel guilty, I wish I didn't do it.... I should have stuck to my yogurt ~ I was doing so well until now.

I am having the hardest time getting enough protein! I am getting beyond frustrated! I was banded on 10/21 and have yet to get enough protein. I am determined to do it today. I am forcing myself to drink a protein shake, I have to plug my nose with each sip...its horrible!! But thats only 25g, once I get that i have to try to find a way to get 40g more....and I still have no appetite. I never thought it would be this hard.

I do feel like I could have definitely done worse, especially with the brownies and cookies staring me in my face too. LOL. But I could have made an excuse and avoided it all together. The other thing is that all my co-workers now keep asking me if I am ok. Only my boss & supervisor know. I think I wouldnt have felt so bad if I were a little further out... I'm at 2 weeks today.

this is the hardest thing for me....

How long does your dr want you to be on a strict liquid diet? It's crazy how every dr has different time periods. I only had to be on pure liquid for one week, then i was able to have a few things (small curd cottage cheese, sf popsicles, sf jello, light yogurt)... it really helped when i was able to eat a few things... and I still lost 19 lbs so far and it will be 2 weeks tomorrow.

Yay!! Good luck... you will do great!

OMG...Halloween candy sounds so good! I came home last night and a Reese's cup was staring me in the face, it took all my will-power to not just take one little bite. I didnt do it, but I am not going to lie, I was so pathetic, thats what I was thinking of when I went to sleep. But I didn't do it, I keep telling myself that I didn't go through the pain of this surgery just to ruin it. Although my nutritionist did say that once a week, a small treat won't hurt. Eventually I will treat myself to something, I am just to scared to do it now. I feel like an alcoholic...one day at a time.

Yay!! Good for you!! I am the same way about going to the gym. I am lucky though because I joined the fitness center at work and I stay late and usually have it to myself. It will be a huge step for me the day I will go when other people are there. Congrats to you for doing it!

It is crazy how every doctor is so different. I am craving hummus right now.... can't decide if I should have some or not. I feel like I can keep asking until I get the answer I want.

After week 1, I was allowed small curd cottage cheese, fat-free refried beans, light yogurt, sf jello, sf popsicles. I only had to do that for 2 days then was able to go onto more soft foods.

The day after my surgery was the worst...I felt like I was kicked in the stomach/ribs....I was afraid it was going to last forever... I had surgery on Thursday, felt almost 100% better by Sunday. Just take the pain meds as needed and rest...I propped myself up on pillows, because it hurt to pull myself up to get out of bed. Hope you feel better soon! oh....and a heating pad was my best friend!