Rachel412

Do it now. You will have to deal with holidays for the rest of your life!

It would be in your best interest to stick to protein drinks and avoid Slim Fast, Ensure, etc.

I don't miss fast food either! I don't miss eating anything I could get my hands on just to get that "full" feeling. I don't miss my back fat rolls touching.

I totally disagree with the nurse. In a perfect world, you'd know when it was time to stop eating, but most of us didn't have restriction post-op until we'd been filled, a few times. My instructions were 4 oz. of protein, 1/2 cup of veggies, and then if you're still hungry, up to 1/2 cup of grains. That meal 3 times a day.

Words of wisdom? Well, this is the time to prove to yourself how strong you really are. You just need to power through it. Think of how proud of yourself you'll be when you're cleared to go to real foods, but you look back and say "that was so hard, but you know what, I did it."

Honestly... I love movie popcorn too, and I'm really scared of getting a piece of kernel skin lodged in my stoma, so I don't eat at the movies anymore. No matter what substitute food I'd bring, I'd still be mindlessly shoveling it in. Maybe get yourself a fancy drink you can really sip and savor, like Starbucks?

Deep fat fried, and pan fried with a quick spritz of Pam, are totally different. One you should avoid, and one is really just fine

It sounds completely normal! You'll soon learn to bend in a different way when you get up... it's hard to remember in the beginning but it'll become second nature to angle your body a different way so you don't pull on your port.

Well... it may not be much help to you, but my port area is always sore, and quite often feels bruised and achy. The PA at my WL practice thinks it's because my port is so close to my rib cage that I'm constantly bumping and irritating it. Sometimes I'll bend the wrong way and pull it and holy moly, that is BAD pain. It'll get worse for a couple of days, then go back to that almost constant ache.

I too would say it's not likely band related. Your stomach is really high up, pretty much under your rib cage. Perhaps some sort of digestive issue? I hope it clears up or you get answers soon!

I think right around 10 days after surgery was the worst part for me. I was hungry, and I was healing, but I was in a HORRIBLE mood and was depressed and mad at the world. Please be kind to yourself, it WILL get better! I second that you should call your doctor and ask if you can be moved to the next food stage early, but DO NOT do it on your own. When you get through all of this you will be so proud of yourself for being able to follow the post-op diet. (BTW I still think your particular diet is too strict. I think you need more Protein.)

Clear liquids 1 week (including 3 Protein shakes a day made with water), full liquids 1 week (shakes made with milk), mushy foods 1 week, soft-ish foods 1 week, then proceed as tolerated. I think only 6 oz. a day of a Protein Drink is ridiculous. That's the only nutrition you're getting, you should be able to have more than that! (for the other person who asked... yes I was tempted to cheat during my post-op time. no, I didn't cheat. If you cheat, all you're doing is hurting yourself.)

It's normal. It's likely due to swelling that persists for a few weeks past surgery. Enjoy it while you've got it

well... what are your options?

Swelling right after a fill is totally normal. I'd back off to liquids only for another day and then slowly try eating again.

It's not dumping syndrome, it's your body trying to get used to being back on solid foods again. Sounds like you also might be having anxiety about it which may cause IBS-like symptoms. How many days has this been happening?

Sounds like your BMI was under 40 when you walked in the door on the first day. There's no way they should have wasted your time, I'm so sorry.

I saw you complaining that you're not getting enough replies. I think most people don't really read the introductions board, so if you have a question you might be better off trying to post it in post-surgery questions. That being said, I'm really concerned that you had been given no information whatsoever about your post-op/banded "diet" before you had the surgery. You were never told what kinds and amounts of food you'd be expected to stick to once you were banded? If so, I wonder what else they didn't tell you. Yes, most banded people are told to stick to a high Protein, low-carb diet. It's probably similar to Atkins, but not the same. Personally, I try to stick to 80 or more g of protein a day, and under 100g of carbs a day. As for post-op I had 1 week Clear liquids, then 1 week "full" liquids. So that was pretty much anything I could drink, no lumps. Nothing that could be chewed. I'd put whatever soup I wanted in the blender and mix it up, then drink it down.

The band probably isn't going to stop you from eating- it'll make it so that you're satisfied with a smaller meal, and you stay satisfied for 4-5 hours. Read the link in my signature. Can you tell us a typical day worth of food for you? And are you exercising?

I set it. The doctor said it was about what size I wanted to be, not any charts. So my goal weight is a lot higher than what a chart would probably say.

I picked up protein bars when I was getting groceries for the family today. I have a shaker and can make my protein drinks with water, so that'll be OK. I was focusing on buying shelf-stable food so man, I bought more carbs today than I've purchased in years!

You're doing just fine. You're one of the lucky ones who has results from the band, even without any fills. Enjoy it, and congrats!

I lost my 7 year old