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You have to follow your doctor's post op diet exactly. If he says just liquids then that's all you can have until he says otherwise. The post op diet is to give your stomach time to heal and cheating on it can lead to serious complications.

Wow, you had a very emotional yet "moment of growth" morning! I avoided mirrors for not years but decades. Heck I even stopped wearing make-up so I only saw the mirror to brush my teeth or put my hair in a pony tail. It was just too horrible to face what I'd done to my body (I was originally over 400 pounds) I think not only facing the mirror in the store, but going so far as to buy one for your home, screams volumes. You are SO "ready" for the changes the Lap Band and losing weight will bring to your life. You accept who are today which is so important mentally. Honestly, I wish I'd have had that level of introspective clarity when I was still at the beginning of my journey. I have a lot of admiration for you. Best wishes for continued success!

See your doctor. It could be many things that aren't even band related at all.

My calories stay around 1000-1200 per day. Honestly, my meals are very "normal". I just eat what my family eats only smaller portions. Today I had a Protein shake for breakfast. I went to lunch with my daughter so I had a bowl of chicken Enchilada Soup at Chili's for lunch. dinner will be whole grain Hamburger Helper and some green Beans. I'll probably have a sugar free pudding for a snack at some point. If I'm hungry tonight (I'm a nightowl) I'll have a piece of string cheese or Laughing Cow cheese. Tomorrow night I'll be making mostaccioli for dinner. I'll be making pork chops and rice this week at some point, too. Oh and my daughter wants marinated chicken breasts this week as well.

It's an awesome feeling! Congratulations!

It's when you have the urge to eat but aren't physically hungry.

very cute!

You really need to talk to your doctor first. You'll still be healing and still on the post op diet. In fact, you may even still be on liquids only, depending on your doctor's schedule. Plus, you're at increased risk for blood clots so soon after surgery. Get your doctor's clearance to travel first.

It should be easy to drink shakes. In fact, drinking should never be difficult. Remember, the fills are to control hunger, not what and how much you eat.

How old are your kids? My youngest was 8 when I had my surgery so not too little. If you have really little ones, like a baby or toddler, the only issue you'll have is being able to carry/pick them up for a couple weeks. I bounced back from surgery pretty quick. Surgery was on a Friday and I was back at my normal routine by the next Wednesday.

Around Christmas this past year, I did. It was the only time since being banded I actually had a gain (about 7 pounds). For about a week I ate pretty much anything and everything I wanted. It wasn't good. Just get back on track before you sabotage all the hard work you've done so far.

My favorite NSV's so far have been: Not having to buy "plus size" clothing anymore Trying on clothes and thinking "hey I look cute" instead of "I look like a fat cow" Being able to sit wherever I want without worrying if I'll break the chair Being able to sit in booths at restaurants (I didn't fit in them before) Seeing my collar bone and feeling my ribs for the first time in my adult life Going on rides at the carnival for the first time in almost 20 years Being able to do things with my kids, like go to the zoo or even a long walk Being told I look a lot younger now

I didn't have a pre-op diet but I did have doubts right before the surgery. Like you, I asked myself how I ever allowed myself to get so huge. I was over 400 pounds and seriously miserable. Part of me was afraid the band wouldn't work for me and it'd be nothing more than another failure. The way I handled it was by separating facts from emotion. My emotions were all over the place but if I focused on facts, it seemed far less overwhelming. For instance, the fact was I had to do something or die young. The fact was also that I'd done my research not only on the band but the Sleeve and Gastric Bypass and I knew the band was the right choice for me. Despite my emotional doubts, it was a fact that I had all the information I needed to be successful with the band. For the record, getting the band was the best decision I've ever made for myself. I've lost 225 pounds over the 18 months. My life has gone from miserable to very happy. I'm so incredibly glad I didn't give into my doubts. Best wishes, and remember, do what is right for you

I used ecigs to quit over 2 years ago. I had tried Chantix, gum, and Patches before with no luck. But using the ecigs I was able to quit then slowly wean off the ecigs too. This is the brand I used. I got the starter kit. I did a lot of research before buying and this brand got really good reviews- and rightfully so. It was perfect for me. http://www.prosmokestore.com/ Best wishes!!

Unfortunately, there's not much you can do. Being on liquids sucks but it's a very important to stick to your doctor's post op diet regardless of hunger. Your body needs time to heal.

I don't think they sound silly or little. I think those are HUGE milestones! Congratulations on your success!

Dilation (pouch is stretched) is usually caused by over eating. If I were you, I'd measure everything to make sure you don't accidentally eat too much. Slips actually be without any symptoms, btw. It's rare but possible.

Some but not all signs could be: pain, heart burn/reflux, night cough, inability to eat and/or drink, trouble eating so you have to resort to only slider foods. Don't ever try to self diagnose a slip. Go see your surgeon and let him help.

Hon, you simply can't do that. Period. It's eating your emotions that got you here needing the Lap Band to begin with. I recently went through a very hard spring. In a matter of 3 months time, I had my gallbladder out, I had a tummy tuck/skin removal/hernia repair surgery, my grandma died (whom I was extremely close to), my uncle died (suddenly only a month after my grandma), I had my first serious MS exacerbation in years, and I almost died from life threatening blood clots in both legs. Quite frankly, I think this may have likely been the worst spring of my entire life. I got to over 400 pounds being an emotional eater. I'm STILL an emotional eater by instinct. But, even with this hellish couple months, I didn't give in and I didn't gain weight. You have to make a conscious decision that you worth more than that. You may be upset now but just think how much more upset you'll be if you gain weight on top of everything else? Then, you'll want to eat more because you're upset over gaining weight, which of course will only make you more upset and want to eat even more. It's a viscous, nasty cycle you have to break. Hang in there and I'll keep your brother in my prayers.

Wow that's a horrible, terrifying experience. I'm so very sorry. One thing I do think is important to point out- your near death experience had nothing to with the Lap Band. It was caused by your surgeon's repeated errors, starting with cutting your liver during surgery and missing the warning signs after. Best wishes

You have to ask your doctor, we can't answer that for you. It all depends on how healed your incisions are and if he says it's safe.