Sojourner

What you have written about is normal...you are going through many physical adjustments, and hormone levels are gyrating as well. Mood swings are normal during this time of initial healing...and I do remember me asking myself "what the h#%* did you do to yourself?? The required diets for the pre op and post op times were the worst time for me...and it does get better as the days go by. The new awareness of your eating patterns that you also wrote about will serve you well as you continue on your weight loss journey. Remember that your relationship with food does need to change; and awareness of the problematic eating behaviors which contributed to your weight gain is the first step to that process of change. This journey is a process and not an event...there will be some days that are better than others. Keep yourself focused on your goals, and take a day at a time. Best wishes...

The only time I notice a difference in tightness is when my stress level increases...usually while I am driving. Then it's difficult to even sip Water. I've read many posts from others about feeling tighter in the morning...and sipping a hot beverage seems to help resolve the problem.

I agree with Cazzy...however what you are describing is not normal for a newly placed band. I would immediately notify your surgeon, and let them advise you as to what you should do. It's very important to stay properly hydrated to avoid any additional medical complications.

I've enjoyed looking at smaller sizes before I began to get there, which served as positive motivation...but I've waited to purchase clothing until it fit or was a tiny bit too snug. I've always been able to find good sales when I've needed smaller sizes.

Congratulations and best wishes for success on your journey...

To my knowledge, no one has mentioned making juice. What type of juice are you wanting to make? My guess is that it would be alright to have vegetable juice, if all the nutritional value was not removed in the process...but my dietitian has advised that drinking fruit juice is the same as drinking sugar Water.

With the band, and limited size portions, it's important that every food choice deliver big on nutrition. Greek yogurt and whey Protein shakes deliver well on nutrition. These two choices could become "slider" foods if you allowed them to be. Most important is to not develop the habit of using them as sliders. Portion control is imperative for weight loss success. I use Protein shakes occasionally now if I have not met my daily protein goal, and for 2 days following a fill, never as a snack. As for soup, my surgeon said no to any and all soups; they fall way short on the level of nutrition that bariatric patients need. The amount of nutrition per serving size by volume is just not high enough.

Your surgeon's office or nutritionist/dietitian should have given you some guidelines for both your pre op and post op diets. It's important that you comply with those instructions. The Atkins diet is high lean protein and low carb diet. Rotisserie chicken would be allowed on the Atkins diet. It does not allow for unlimited portions; you were not specific as to what "alot of chicken" meant. If you have not been given any instructions for your diet regarding portion sizes and food choices which are permitted, contact your surgeon's office and request them. Each surgeon seems to have some slightly different guidelines...and their reasons for them.

I also will be having my gall bladder removed later this month...I don't have any gall stones, but with testing prompted by pancreatic inflammation it was discovered that mine has stopped working. I've had a mild case of pancreatitis, several episodes of sharp pains, and near constant nausea for 2 months. This is apparently the result of my weight loss...but who knew??? My band had nothing to do with it...I hope that my symptoms will resolve post op. Best wishes for a fast recovery!

Hypertension runs in my mother's family...so I grew up without salt being added to anything except scrambled eggs. Eggs are still the only thing I add salt to. Using even a bit of salt has the potential to cause you to retain fluids. I was served horrible, dry "institution scrambled eggs" every morning while hospitalized for over a week post car accident...and they only gave me Mrs. Dash for seasoning. It took me over a year before I could even look at a scrambled egg, much less eat one. I'm still working on the Mrs Dash...it's a good product, I just can't tolerate it yet...

You really do need to be careful with over cooked and/or too dry meats and poultry. Reheating any meat in the microwave makes it too dry for me to eat it. Especially be careful with skinless chicken...watch it constantly while cooking it so it does not get overdone. I've had some close calls with getting stuck with "BS chicken"...so I just stay with the dark meat for the time being.

Very happy to read your news...you are a major step closer to a healthier you!

I seems to me that if you are getting stuck, that would be a signal for you to stop eating...and if you listened to the subtle signals you band is likely giving you, it would assist with loosing the last pounds you would like to. I've only been able to loose weight by managing my hunger with using distraction, drinking Water and sheer will power and determination. I have empathy for the hunger you are experiencing...I'm still coping with it every day. Best wishes...

Admirable will power...I have also discovered that I no longer think potato chips are the "must haves" like they used to be for me. I guess I crave salt occasionally. Definitely a positive role model with some humor included...thanks for sharing!

A protein shake before bed is a definite winner...I know that I'm unable to fall asleep if I'm feeling hungry. I'm fine once asleep; I've never been woken up by hunger.

Wonderful news!!! Very happy for you and the progress you have made...keep up the great job!

From what I can tell, the number of "dots" related to your forum "title", which is tied to the number of active posts you have made. As the number of posts increases, so does the number of 'dots"....I have no clue as to the formula the forum uses to determine this...

I have to agree with everything the post before me mentioned...it reads that you are not aware of how many calories you are having, nor are following any set patterns with your meals. Consulting with a dietitian would be very helpful to better understand what changes in your diet you need to make. I believe strongly in the benefits of imposing some structure and time management on yourself to not only keep you accountable but also aware if you have gotten off track with your diet or missed out on your exercise for the day. To the greatest degree possible, try to have meals at set times...have the meal planned in advance so you will only be looking for the ingredients you need. Get rid of any tempting diet busting carbs you may have in your home, and make them very inconvenient to get. Make it a priority to meet your daily Protein goal, as if you don't this can slow your weight loss. I allow myself to have a glass of plain iced coffee in the morning...but after that for the rest of the day and evening I only drink Water. There are many calories in beverages we don't always think about. My dietitian referred to drinking fruit juice as the same as drinking sugar water with relatively few nutrients. food choices should be lean Proteins, carbs should be Fiber ones...i.e. fresh fruit or vegetables. As others have mentioned, don't guess at the actual size of the correct portion, measure it out by volume. Research has shown that those who measure portions are will loose more weight than the "guesstimators". Try to keep in mind that you are an individual, your weight loss journey will not be identical to others, even relatives. It's negative and discouraging to compare yourself to others. Just try every day to do your best to remain compliant with your diet, continue to get some exercise, and the results you want will come. Believe in yourself...and best wishes...

Check your level of motivation to be successful with diet compliance post op...What are your reasons and goals for having this surgery? Write them down, and refer to them often. The liquid diet was the most difficult part of this journey for me; and I'm certain there are others who would agree. Things which helped me the most were to structure my time and shakes...so that the shakes were what "replaced" meals, and have a variety of liquid choices available. I had a craving for salt, and chicken broth was the only thing which helped. Don't forget you can also have SF Jello and SF popsicles. The other major help for me was to stay busy so that I could distract myself and not think of eating. If you have other family members in your home, you may want to be in a different room with them during their meals. The time does go by...take it a day at a time.

That was basically the sensation I recall experiencing when I was first diagnosed with acid reflux...though that was a number of years prior to having my band placed. I'm not certain what a bariatric surgeon would advise. My doctors have advised me to continue to take Prevacid daily as I've done for years.

At first, it's difficult post op to drink all of the Water you're supposed to have. I've always enjoyed drinking water, and really struggled with this the first few weeks. I had a difficult time remembering to both drink and eat. I found it helpful to "structure" my time, so that every day before lunch I needed to have XX # of oz, then by mid-afternoon another 20oz...I still rely on that schedule to keep me on track to have at least 80 oz of water a day. I also keep a bottle of water with me most all of the time, and sip from it frequently.

Yes, this is a difficult time...but not a reason to disregard the rules for your diet. You have to learn some effective coping skills to get you through. I've found that drinking Water and other "free fluids" (FF/SF) helps to manage my hunger. The water usually will trip the hunger sensors, and helps to avoid eating until the next meal time. Also helpful for me is distracting yourself with getting involved with a project or going out to exercise. Best wishes...you are not alone!

I can feel my stress level get elevated while I drive. I'm still a bit anxious on the road since my accident last year. I've discovered that sometimes it's difficult for me to even drink a sip of water while driving without feeling stuck.

I have experienced similar abdominal pain post op which after exhaustive testing was diagnosed as biliary dyskensia, and will be having surgery to remove my gall bladder next month. Along with this pain has been near constant nausea. Initially I thought it may have been because I had eaten too fast, and I knew my portions were the correct size. It didn't matter which speed I ate, the pain was still present. Do you still have your gall bladder? Are you timing your meals to eat slowly with small bites? If so, I would let your surgeon know how you have been feeling and seek their advice. Special note though, my bariatric surgeon missed my diagnosis entirely. It was my PCP (internal medicine specialist) who saw the hospital lab test results and investigated further to discover what my bariatric surgeon initially tried to pass off as a pulled muscle. I did confront him about that, and he apologized for not recognizing the symptoms for what they were. Second opinions may be helpful...

Happy Belated Birthday...and congratulations on your achieving your goal! You also inspire others with your success! And take credit for all of daily focus, determination and motivation which brought you to this point. This journey is not an easy one, and you are a validation of what is possible with a positive mindset...well done!