Losing4me

Hello all, My name is Ieshea and I am 33 yrs old. I was recently banded Dec 21, 2010 at a Center of Excellence in Plano, TX (Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital). My dr was Dr. Cribbins. The surgery went well (I guess); my only complain would be that I have sooooooo many questions and no one to answer them. Now maybe it's that I got it done the WEEK of Christmas so no one is accessible but when you are going through something like this someone else's day's off mean nothing to you lol. Either way, I had no idea of what to expect. I wasn't started on my pre-surgery diet until 4 days prior to my surgery and no one warned me how it would be after surgery (the recovery process nor the length of the post surgery diet) so I'm a bit overwhelmed right now. I honestly thought I'd be nibbling on holiday Snacks by now ... NO idea that I'd not be eating for 6 WHOLE weeks. I mean if not eating "real" food was not an issue for me I would NOT have needed the lapband, right? RIght. I've been faithful to my liquid diet in fear of messing something up but it's so difficult knowing what is and is not acceptable to eat. I know that I have not been drinking the right amounts bc I do feel hungry and I get heart burn from all the gas built up from me not eating; however, when I do drink something I feel "funny" not quite nauseous but not well either. Anyone else experiencing that? I start the full liquid diet tomorrow and I was sooooo very excited until I see more confusing information (my biggest frustration with this whole ordeal has been the lack of information provided to me). What is full liquid diet acceptable?? Some say I can have oatmeal and grits, etc but some say I can't have that for another 2 wks. So I'm on shakes & yogurts & Clear liquids for 2 more weeks???? Additionally, since my surgery I have had pain but refuse to take pain meds (I hate them) but noticed today that I have bruising on my stomach where I believe I must be hurting myself at night lying on my stomach and turning and pulling unconsciously. Is this common? Anyway, didn't mean to say that much; I look forward to meeting wonderful people in this group. HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!

I was banded on the 21st and OMG am I happy to see your post. I had no idea of what to expect. No one told me how it would be after surgery - recovery nor the diet so I'm a bit overwhelmed right now. I have had pain but refuse to take pain meds (I hate them) but noticed today that I have bruising on my stomach where I believe I must be hurting myself at night lying on my stomach and turning and pulling unconsciously. But then my biggest struggle is the idea of how long I have to go without eating. I mean if not eating "real" food was not an issue for me I would NOT have needed the lapband, right? RIght. I've been faithful to my liquid diet in fear of messing something up but it's so difficult knowing what is and is not acceptable to eat. I know that I have not been eating the right amounts bc I do feel hungry and I get heart burn from all the gas built up from me not eating. But when I do drink something I feel "funny" not quite nauseous but not well either. Anyone else experiencing that? I start the full liquid diet tomorrow and I was sooooo very excited until I see more confusing information (my biggest frustration with this whole ordeal has been the lack of information provided to me). What is full liquid diet acceptable?? Some say I can have oatmeal and grits, etc but some say I can't have that for another 2 wks. So I'm on shakes & yogurts & clear liquids for 2 more weeks???? But my advise would b not to eat any breads or anything else for that matter this few days after your surgery.