Tabby Ann

Thank you for posting this. I am anxiously counting down the days until my first fill 8/25/11. Due to this post I see light at the end of the tunnel!!! I am glad your fill helped you. Good Luck to you!

I understand what you are going through. I was banded on 7/27/11. It seems like when my appetite came back it came back full force. My first fill is scheduled for 8/25/11. Good Luck until your first fill.

That makes sense. I guess part of me thinks in that old frame of mind still. I think as a treat in moderation it would be alright but I don't want to continue with bad habits and my downfall has always been popcorn & chips. I need to stick with my 3 meals and when I need/want a snack I need to pick ones with some nutritional value. Thanks for your reply Cindy!

Oh Okay, I just seen this. We are really close. Congrats on the band!! This is an exciting time. for you. Would love to be buddys! We can never have enough support, makes it great when we can surround ourselves with ppl that is going through the same things we are going through.

Where do you live? I am from Crittenden, Ky.... I was just banded 2 weeks ago and need to lose around 170 lbs. I keep using excuses on why I can't workout but have to make that a regular part of my life from now on. It is just so hard to get back to the gym. I plan on going back tomorrow.

This morning woke up feeling kinda bad. My stomach looked like I had swallowed a watermelon and I had some pain shooting through right side. I promise this is not an all negative post LOL Anyways figured it was normal for the bloating. I bought some Gas X and that seems to help. The nurse told me that the port is placed about where the pain was so that was understandable. I had also slept quite a bit on that side last night. I weighed over at the hospital the day of surgery and it showed me 322 lbs meaning I had lost 33 lbs. Well today according to the doctors office scales I was 331 lbs meaning I have only lost a total of 24 lbs. I know that is great but its kind of disappointing too. I am just so excited to get to 299. I know it won't happen overnight but it's going to happen! Everything seemed to be going well though. Tomorrow I can start mushy foods. I am looking forward to that but at the same time I am going to have to be careful and do it right. I need to quit babying myself and instead of sleeping in I need to plan my meals out and really do this right. during this post op liquid phase I have just been having something as I want it. I don't want to fall back into bad habits. My hubby and I went to the fair tonight and I walked around and felt better then I have in a long time. It was humid out and I got kind of hot but I could've walked all evening it felt like! I have constantly been drinking Water to keep from dehydrating. Maybe someone would know what might cause this... While I said I walked and got hot but felt great...Went to the fair, went to walmarts and came back home... Soon as I got in and sat down I got very shakey and sick to my stomach.. Does anyone else do this? Do you think that is a sign of doing too much too soon? How is everyone else doing? I also wanted to say that I am sorry if I don't always reply back to postings. This is the first msg board I have been on since MSN groups a few years ago. I am still learning my way around and sometimes can't always find my way back to previous postings LOL thanks for reading my ramblings, I know it's all over the place! Tabby

Hi Mason! I just seen your reply today. here is HUGE congrats to you on your weightloss so far!!!! yes I agree every lb counts. Brandi said while scales vary at least now we can see from time to time their scales and know exactly how much we are losing. I am just overly anxious to hit that 299 mark. I want to say goodbye to the 300s forever!!! I was actually without appetite until just a couple days and I swear it popped back overnight. I guess I can truley experience what everyone here on the boards call bandster He** LOL I know they said this is a time of healing not to worry about the weight but for me I don't want to go back to old habits. I have found eating something small every 2 to 3 hrs is good for me. Usually I start my day with cottage cheese and apple sauce. I have found for lunch I like those "smart ones" weight watcher dinners. I bought one the other day and tried it and really liked it so went back and bought a few more. They are really low in calories and a decent serving size. My husband LOVEs to cook so he makes soup and around 3 we each have a bowl of that and then supper is also prepared by him here at home. I haven't had a chance to get out and try different things. I know the first day on mushies I went overboard haha I am going to write the names of that soup down as well as the potatoes and get some in for lunch or whenever. I know I was told we can have 1200 cals a day now. If I find anything quick, good and easy I will be sure and let you know as well. I have had one steristrip fall off and I wanna rip these other off so bad. I was hoping at the post op appntmnt they would've at least changed the bandages but no such luck.. I get so tired of standing in the shower trying to protect them. I will be so glad when I can fill my tub to the top and soak!

I used this while on my pre op diet... It's creamy chicken Soup from herbalife. 80 calories & 16 grams of protein. not a bad price either: http://www.shopherbalife.com/catalog/catalog.jsp?dsext=health2000&pid=546830&start=null&cid=1269384689024&LocaleSelect=en_US&_requestid=2778328

Thanks for all the replies! I believe I did eat too fast & too much. The doctor gave me a paper saying I could have all the above on this stage. I double checked because I am so scared of doing something wrong. I agree reading it back it does sound off the wall. I had to do 1 week of Protein & then I moved to weeks 2 and 3 of soft and pureed foods. I am glad it went as easy as it did & that I didn't make a scene in front of a place full of strangers LOL I am learning though and have done better today. Am not being such a pig and just taking a bite.. Chewing it extral careful and not rushing for the next bite. I know it will be there later. Jen120 I would love to be your buddy. I haven't been able to get online as much as I would like to lately but hope we can stay in touch!!!! Thanks again for all the replies. It's good to have some place to come to and share goals, setbacks, triumphs etc. Tabby

today was the first official mushy day for me. I was so excited! I decided I wanted to go out for lunch... We went to Dennys and I ordered tilapia, mashed potatoes and spinach. I mashed it all up super fine on my plate (ordered off seniors menu, then took half off my plate)... Still couldn't eat a quarter of what was left on my plate but knew I had to STOP. Felt like food was still setting in throat.. Not painful because I was extra careful but a diffy feeling... Wasn't long until I had I guess what was called a PB. Luckilly plenty of napkins there. I didn't realize this was possible so soon since I haven't had a fill. I am amazed at how little it is taking so far to fill up!!! I know stomach is probably still swelled some so that will cause restriction. I am loving this experience so far and know I am going to be amazing on this long Journey ahead of me.

Thanks Debora Anne. I never thought of that but makes a lot of sense!

I think each doctor has a different guideline but personally I was allowed 800 calories on my liquid pre op diet. I am allowed 1200 calories now. I am getting ready to start the mushy stage tomorrow. I know I haven't been all that hungry since surgery. The nurse told me thats because my stomach being swelled from the surgery was causing restriction but as the swelling goes down I will become hungrier. I think it will be hard to get in the 1200 when I only eat 3 times a day and maybe not more then 1/2 cup servings of whatever I am eating. Now you got me thinking. I may have to call up the nurse and ask tomorrow. I sure don't wanna go into starvation mode.

I know head hunger is about the hardest thing to deal with. I dont know if their is really any solutions other then distracting yourself as the other ladies suggested. Only bit I have to add is to be sure and pat yourself on the back when you realize you are stronger then it. I know I love the feeling of knowing that I am in control of my food instead of the food controlling me. You can do this.

I am 2 days shy of being banded for a week now. I read the boards on how most ppl is going out and being active just a few days after their banding. I realize everybodys body is different and we all react different ways. Should I be concerned that I have been getting nauseous still? I am rarely hungry and just feel so sick to my stomach. I have been taking the pills I was given. It just concerns me why I am taking so long to heal. Am I just being a baby or is this common for some ppl? I am seeing my doctor tomorrow for my post op visit.

I was so scared of the anesthesia myself. My biggest fear was waking up in the middle of the surgery. Seems I would have a better chance of winning the lottery then that happening. They are standing there monitoring you the whole time... I am sure you will be fine... I do understand your fear.. I have been there and done that!!! And I came out fine.. GOODLUCK!

I was also banded on the 27th and have had a problem with my tongue. Nothing tastes right. It's almost as if my taste buds are dead.. I was hoping this would go away. I have an appointment with my dr on Tuesday for my post op visit.

I also feel better today then I have so far. I notice I feel worse when I wake up in the morning. My throat has been really raw and my mouth stays so dry. It seems when i try and eat anything I have the worst taste in my mouth.. like my taste buds are asleep lol I am still not able to get the Protein drinks down.. I actually havent felt hungry at all. I have been trying to walk during the day. I havent had a bowel movement. I was debating on taking a laxitive or waiting another day or 2. I am glad you are starting to feel better Mason!

Hi there! Dr. Brad Watkins banded me this past Wednesday. A 2 week liquid diet was required but to get a jump start on mine I did 2 shakes and a meal for a week before the 2 week liquid diet. My problem was mainly head hunger. You just have to keep your eye on the goal.... Everytime you are craving something ask yourself what's more important your health or that craving. It really isn't easy but YOU can do it. I used the Herbalife formula 1 Protein shakes and added extra Protein Powder to them. Since I could only go to 800 calories I didn't add anything to them so I could keep the calories down. They did however give me a sheet of recipes for the shakes. Some looked really good! I know it is hard not to be nervous because this stuff is all new but just hang in there. You are going to do awesome. Dr Watkins, his staff and all the ppl at university pointe is wonderful caring ppl. Hang in there! ~ Tabby

Thanks for clearing that up Debora Anne. I don't know why I was thinking there was metal in the port.