SoccerMom17

I was banded on 10/4, had an "unfill" on 10/8, and first fill on 11/1. In that time, I went down 24 pounds, then up 4, had my first fill, now down 7 pounds (for a total of 27 lost). It was really hard to see the scale go up, but I had no fill, and was at the end of my post-op recovery. My doctor reassured that this is normal, and they are not looking for weight loss in that first month, just for you to heal. Focus on that first - the rest will come! With the first fill, I noticed a major difference in how much it took to feel full. I feel very lucky that with one fill so far, I am seem to be at that perfect setting. Who knows, though, it may change some more and I will need another fill. Seems very weird to be on a "diet" and feel so full. I have definitely learned that waiting for and eating really good, well-prepared food is worth it. Why waste the space I have on nacho chips and then not have room for the nice pork loin I made for supper? I just track the protein and don't worry about the rest. I am very careful, especially with drinks, to stay away from sugar. I can't track and worry about everything, or I find I just give up. I make sure I get the protein and stay away from high sugar food. The rest I figure will fall in line. My luxury of the day is a McDonald's sugar-free, fat-free vanilla latte for my 30-minute drive to work. Otherwise I just drink water or propel. I have also found that by eating my supper a little later (around 7:00) that I am full for the rest of the night. If I eat right when I get home at 5:00, I am hungry right before bed (DANGER time.) NSV yesterday - was able to hook my bra (the pull-over complicated type that also has a hook) by myself. Also wore a blouse that I couldn't wear before without a huge gape/pull at the chest.

I have been keeping 100% accurate record of everything I have eaten since I started the pre-op diet on Sept. 20, through MyFitnessPal app on my phone (also have website, and everything is synced between the two.) For the first week after my "unfill" on Oct. 8, I was averaging about 900 calories a day. This was on liquids/mushies. I went to "real" food" on Oct. 15 ( a couple days early) and my average since then is at about 1500-1700 calories. It is has been HARD to keep it there - I had 2500 calories one day! Of course, in my PB life (Pre-Band, ha, ha), 2500 calories would have felt like a stringent diet. Am scheduled to see nurse practitioner tomorrow (11/1) and am pretty sure I will be getting a fill. I don't even want to see the scale, as I had lost 20 pounds, and I am sure I am back up some now. Never thought I would be BEGGING for a fill after how horrible I felt post-op.

Boy - what a difference a week makes! On to regular food, and I am able to eat everything I have tried so far, unfortunately. After being in such bad pain and having to get an emergency "unfill" on 10/8, I can't wait until my appointment on 11/1 to get a fill! Mornings are OK, as I can tell that my stomach is more swollen, therefore feel more restricted and can't eat as much. But evening is BAD - hungry and no restricted feeling whatsoever. I NEED that fill - I am down 20 lbs. and don't want to go back up this week. No pain or issues anymore. Only thing I feel is pressure at the port site whenever I have to lean over, reach out for the car door to shut it, etc. Doctor said it isn't the port I am feeling, but the swelling/scar tissue. The sample port he showed me is tiny - about the size of a dime, I am guessing, so I can't imagine it is that I am feeling.

Back to work today! Am worried about being to keep up with the required diet plan while at my desk, but also think I tended to get bored at home so wanted to eat, even though I wasn't truly hungry. One thing the doctor was right about - am definitely NOT hungry in the mornings. It is all I can do to keep down a protein shake before noon. Am still "brain hungry" in the evenings, though. Gas pains are pretty much gone, still get a few after I eat. Mushies are so much better than I thought they ever could be - who knew that I liked oatmeal and yogurt?? (Never used to like it!) Am looking forward to regular food starting Oct. 24, just for the variety. Reading the postings from those banded the last couple of days, I want to tell you - it DOES get better! The "liquid in, liquid out" was horrible, but does goes away. If not stated on your diet, ask your doctor if you can have yogurt - it really does help that. Ticker is messed up so just adding a note to signature to keep track - 15 so far, and am pretty sure it will be more when I weigh in tomorrow.

Thanks for starting the "post" thread for us October bandsters! I was banded Tuesday, Oct. 4, and came home the next day. Doctor told me I had the large band put in, as I was right on the border between the two sizes, so they left a little saline in the band. I had HORRIBLE heartburn since I came home, and ended up in the ER today. I also had not been able to drink more than about 16 oz. of Protein shake and 16 oz. of water/fluids each day. 500 calories a day for 4 days, and I could hardly get up the stairs. After some Dilaudid (hydromorphone) for pain relief, my surgeon came in and did an "unfill". He mentioned that there was more in there than he had realized, maybe closer to 3 mL. After getting some Phenergan for nausea, and coming home and sleeping for 6 hours, I now feel GREAT! Not hungry, but able to drink a Protein Shake much more comfortably.

One week of pre-op diet, and lost 7 pounds! (Pre-op is Optifast - 3 shakes, one soup, one bar plus come "freebie" veggies.) After day 3, I felt much better - no headache and more energy. Still not getting in the exercise that I know I need to do, but one battle at a time to win the war. Surgery is Oct. 4, and am getting a little scared. Not about the actual surgery, as I have had a couple other surgeries, but about how I will feel after. Good luck October Bandsters!

WHO DO YOU TELL?: My husband and daughter know (she is 15), and some close, close friends, along with 3 co-workers. I don't really care who knows that I am having the surgery, I am just more afraid that something won't work, and then having to explain THAT. PRE-OP DIET: I am on day 3 now of the pre-op diet. And...I cheated on day 1...I had 2 handfuls of chex mix I now realize it was the salt I was craving more than anything. So yesterday for lunch, day 2, I added in a couple of allowed "if you are really hungry" foods - cherry tomatoes and and sugar-free Jello. (Besides the 5 Optifast products - 3 shakes, a bar, and a Soup.) I salted those 5 cherry tomatoes and savored every bite. HUGE difference last night in my hunger. Yes, I was "mentally" hungry, but I could stop myself by identifying it as brain hunger and not body hunger. Today I was a little lightheaded with some headache, but hunger is getting more manageable. Won't this be easier after surgery, because you will have the restriction? I am pleasantly surprised at how good the Optifast soup is. I bought a Magic Bullet little blender (LOVE THIS APPLIANCE!), pour 8 oz. of hot Water in to the cup, add the soup mix and blend it. No dry chunks of stuff that won't dissolve like other dried Soups. I am also allowed to add seasonings, so have added Taste of Home (? - some brand like that) Seasoned Salt with Herbs and it is good - feel like I am eating a meal with my family. So exciting to be on our journey together!

This is my first time posting. My surgery is scheduled for October 4! Some of my info for this process in case anyone wants to compare is below. FIRST - can anyone help me figure out the "ticker" to put on the bottom of my signature? I can't figure it out... 1) Pre-op diet: Started the pre-op diet today after meeting with my surgeon yesterday. Diet is Optifast - three (3) shakes per day, plus two other items (Optifast Soup or Optifast bar.) If REALLY hungry, can have 1-2 servings of certain veggies or sugar-free popsicle or Jello. Nurse practitioner told me the first three days on the Optifast are the hardest to get through. (Note - my surgeon doesn't really give you a choice on the pre-op diet. I could have used Carnation Instant Breakfast Sugar-Free, but you have to bring in the receipt to show you bought it. Optifast just seemed easier.) 2) Surgery: will be first thing in the morning, and I will be in the hospital one night. Upper GI the next morning to make sure everything is where it needs to be, and then home. Standard is 2 weeks off work, but can go back after 1 week if all is going well and job is not physically demanding. 3) Insurance: Insurance (BCBS of Michigan) process was very easy for me - surgeon's office handled all of the details. Due to my BMI being 40+, I didn't have to also have other co-morbidities. (I do have blood pressure that is right on the borderline of being high.) As part of the insurance requirements, I did have to have a psychiatric evaluation, and prove that I had tried other methods of weight loss. The surgeon also had other requirements (meeting with dietician, support group attendance.) Not really hungry yet, but tonight will be the test. Husband asked me what kind of birthday cake I wanted for my birthday this weekend (sigh...he doesn't get it, does he?) I told him cheesecake since I can't stand it, and then he and my daughter can eat it! Am looking forward to getting on this journey! 4) Currently at 285 lbs., and am 5'4" tall.