hopefloats

I do have pasta occasionally, but most often I eat pastina. I probably have about 2 ounces and that really fills me up.

I do a Protein Shake for breakfast, 4 oz fish and 2-3 oz. of veggie for both lunch and dinner. I do eat breakfast at 7 AM, lunch about 1:00 and dinner at about 7 PM. I am never starving for a meal, but I do feel a bit hungry when those times come. You have to be careful to get enough Protein in so that you don't have muscle loss. You don't mention the meal times or what you are having for lunch....possibly spreading it out for longer periods may help. If you add up your protein and you are coming up short maybe consider switching out the eggs for a shake and doing the eggs and cheese for dinner....or a shake for dinner. So far I haven't had a fill, but if you have had one maybe speak with your doctor to get an unfill.

I think also that some days may be more active or stressful than others and your body might just need some extra calories. I find that is true for me and I still have steady weight loss. So far I haven't needed a fill.

I can only speak for myself and I was banded on October 12. I have lost 45 lbs. since then and have not had a fill, nor will I be getting one at this point. For me I feel very satisfied on my morning shake and my 2 - 4 oz. protein +2-3 oz. veggie/fruit meals. I am definitely a food addict, but having the band in place reminds me that I can no longer eat like I used to, I find myself spending the time I would eat doing good things for myself instead. For me the band in all in my head! Remember, the band has created a pouch already, and that is what helps....calories count so make up an eating plan that is healthy and conducive to losing weight and you will see results. This is only a tool, if you do not work with it, it will not work for weight loss.

I was told to eat ounces, not by cups either. I have a protein shake in the morning, 4 oz. of broiled fish and 2-3 oz of a veggie (try to stick to green leafy ones like spinach and kale) for lunch and dinner. I haven't had a fill yet, and don't seem to need one right now as I feel very satisfied on this amount of food. I have dropped 42 lbs since my surgery on Oct. 12 and plan to begin exercising next week. Tulip, the only thing I think I would change is to switch out that potato for a green leafy veggie.

CONGRATULATIONS!! I am celebrating that I have gotten out of plus sizes and into misses! It feels better than I thought it would...

it seems like the protein shake really works well for your hunger. Maybe give your doctors office a call and see if you can increase the shake to twice a day...or maybe you can add some protein powder to your soup? For me, if I keep my protein intake to 80-90 grams a day I am never hungry between meals, maybe that will work for you too..

I was banded on October 12- Breakfast - Protein shake Lunch - 4 oz. poached salmon and 2-3 oz. spinach Dinner - 4 oz. broiled talapia and 2-3 oz. mixed veggies During the week when I work I always bring a greek yogurt and peach for a snack in case I get hungry.

I go out to eat with friends and family all the time. I really don't pay attention to what anyone else eats or drinks. I do my thing at my own pace and take home what I can't finish. For me it's about the conversation and fun.

I'd love to join in on this challenge! My son is getting married on Oct. 6 and my 1st bandiversary is Oct. 12! I would love to have 80-100 lbs. gone by then.....

It will get better Holly. I was in so much pain that I spent 2 nights in the hospital....there is no way I could have gone home...the dilaudid barely gave me relief and I really thought I had made the biggest mistake of my life. I had 2 previous c-sections and they were a breeze compared to this pain for me. It took me another week or so to start to be more comfortable, and I would say by week 4 I was completely pain free, not even the area where my port is bothered me.....I felt completely normal again, as if I had nothing done. Every day will get better and before you know it you will be feeling great!

yes, it was like my throat would close and block my air and it would radiate into my jaw and down my chest. I really think it must have been from the tube from the anesthesia...Aria3 said the PA said it was esophageal spasms, so that is probably what we are/were experiencing. Mine did go away after a few weeks, hopefully yours will go away soon.

the only person who knows is my husband. anyone else I tell them I am working with a dietician/nutritionist. I am a very private person and don't share many intimate details. Everyone is different and you have to do what is right for you.

I had a similar thing, not really chest pains, but a pain would shoot up in my chest area, through my throat and into my head giving me a bad headache. I would have to sit up or put another pillow under my head to get it to stop. Now I am just about 6 weeks and it has completely gone away. I was thinking maybe the tube from the anesthesia might have done a little damage and my body was just recovering from that. What did your doctor say? Hope you are feeling better.

I had 2 c-sections and they were by far much easier for me to recover from than my lap band surgery. I needed stronger pain meds for a longer time after the lap band. I was up and running within a week of the sections...unfortunately for me it took me several weeks after the lap band to feel good.

thanks Dulci...I too was told to go back on vitamins my second week. I will listen to my doc and follow his instructions....I am just amazed at how many different version/opinions there are.

Thanks so much Clioamuse for your encouraging words....I think since this is the beginning of my journey Corrigans statement just threw me for a loop....I have to put my logical cap back on and trust my doctor....

when I read this it really scared me.....my doctor told me 1st week clear liquids, 2nd week full liquids, 3rd week mushies, 4th week regular food, but make choices that are soft like flaky fish and soft cooked veggies...and at about 6-8 weeks to introduce raw veggies and fruit as I could tolerate it. Since it is a bit different from what your doctor has stated does that mean that I am going to have WLS failure? I have been losing between 1-3 lbs per week so far. I am trying to understand why so many people get so many different diet approaches from their doctors. I hope that I haven't gone through all this and now because of the diet plan I was given I will be a failure at this.

I was banded on 10/12/11 and have lost 28 lbs so far!

I had surgery the same day as you and I am experiencing the same pain as you are. My back is killing me and below my ribs it is still sore. The tylenol does nothing and the percoset that I had did nothing either. My doctor won't let me take motrin, so he is going to give me a Rx for a motrin substitute. I have been told it's normal too and that it will get better, but I am at my wits end. I am sick and tired of feeling sick and tired. My back pain is in the middle of my back...where is yours? I am trying to do push-ups, not the regular kind, but pushing myself away from the wall and from my kitchen counter to see if it will strengthen my back muschles. I wish I had some answers....maybe someone else?

I was surprised at how much pain I had too. I had heard so many stories of people being "uncomfortable" for a couple of days, so that is what I expected. I actually had to stay 2 nights I was having so much difficulty. The dilauded worked great for the pain but it totally made me loopy, I couldn't keep my eyes open. I was very lucky that my husband was able to be home with me because I don't know how I would have made it through the first 2 days. I had trouble lowering myself onto the toilet, very lightheaded and nauseous, and held the walls to keep my balance when I walked. It took me 3 days at home to finally feel a bit better, though I still need to take my pain med. I think we all hear the "easy recovery" stories and it seems no one shares the really bad painful stories, but the more I read on the boards the more I hear how difficult some people have it. The doctor sent me home with a Rx for Percocet and that really does a good job to control my pain, also I don't get any side effects like being loopy/dizzy/out of it. I think this is normal. Hang in there, maybe get a Rx for pain and try to rest....a few days will make all the difference. I had my surgery on the 12th and I am finally feeling on the 16th....not up to doing much, but I do feel like my body is recovering from the trauma. I wish you all the best and hope that you feel well soon.

you could also ask your doctor if you can try Percoset. That is the pain med I am taking and I love it because my head stays clear but it relieves the pain.

I went to the seminar on August 9 and I am scheduled for surgery on October 12. I have limited time off so I scheduled many appointments (cardiologist, dietician, pulmonologist, etc.) in one day to get everything done quickly.

Got my insurance approval today!!! I started my pre-op diet on 9/22 and have lost 10 lbs so far.....my surgery is scheduled for October 12th!! I am so excited I can't wait to being my new journey!!