☠carolinagirl☠

dont hate me but will be kinda tough here...as missy and sogo and honk and others say, measure/portion control and def stop at 1 cup. just because you can eat more does not mean you should. that is why the majority of us needed WLS surgery. you have to make up your mind to eat like you have (restriction) even if you dont. i do not have any fills but i eat like i do. i made my mind up when i had insurance approval that i was gonna do whatever it took to make this band lifestyle work. it is a lifestyle. you have to watch what you eat. change what you eat (from high fat/high salt/processed foods). you can eat what you want but in smaller portions and the band will help with that. but unless you help the band, you wont do much losing. those pains are signs for you to stop. chew small pieces, chew slowly (put fork down in between) and take at least 20-30 min to eat. its up to you. and how bad you want it. all the best.

and one more thing it doesnt matter if you start out at 400 or 500 or 200 or 300 as long as you start (making yourself well with the band by eating better foods and gradually start moving (like me), it doesnt matter how long it takes to get to your goal either. we are all different so start begin and never look back (the past is gone) we have today. so make it count

yes as you are swollen inside and just coming out of surgery (and all the fluids they gave you). your appetite will return as you heal. so sip sip sip and then sip some more and by gosh keep on sipping. congrats on the surgery and know each day it does get better (even though it doesnt seem like it)

I am so hoping anytime now best of luck to you

i drink a coffee each and every morning half reg and half decaf (i am a weirdo as i drink mine black) i highly doubt (but could be wrong as i am not a doctor) that a cup or two of coffee would hurt you. ps-got a coffee 3 days after surgery (didnt drink it all but had alittle)

well, keep following your dr's orders for starters congrats on the smoking and the band also. i think its amazing your strength and courage to do them both. you should be around the mushie/soft food stages unless your dr has a different program. are you not eating yet? you can eat on the band (you can eat whatever) but the band will help you eat less (especially when the fills start) but for now, since you are still healing from surgery (not even a month ago) its wise and best to eat slowly, per your dr's instructions and not over a cup at a time and focus on Protein as that is what will keep you full and gas your body. hunger now means you are healing. just keep going as the hard part is over. be a success, you are already in my book.

i also had a hernia (that i had no idea about) repaired the only thing was that taking deep breaths proved a wee bit difficult otherwise, in my opinion, i didnt see it made a huge difference to my healing (time).

we all have bad days id give you a hug if i could just because you wanna eat mexican doesnt make you bad eat it, slowly and enjoy. you are on a time out remember take a hot bubble bath or shower put on some wonderful silky lotion and believe me that tomorrow will be better i promise

speak for yourself...........

then dont. dont do it. give yourself a night off the band will help you feel full on less and we can eat anything we are not a diet so eat mexican, just eat a cup of the meal and stop. you have come a long way. its a bad day. so what, it will be better tomorrow.

i think it depends on how much weight you got to lose and also how elastic your skin is and your (age). i never thought that much of creams/lotions shrinking skin to me as i dont really buy into it. i would rather have some saggy skin on my badonkadonk then be obese and not being very mobile

after surgery, the gave a hand held breathing thing to help prevent that. did they not give you one?

why are you having a difficult time deciding? what are your thoughts on each?

if you dont i shall banish you from my kingdom and then kick your hiney

what is normal anyhow. heck i wanted to eat food and really didnt care my first food after all liquids was very runny oatmeal it was outstanding after a month with no food and only liquids

yes, i have horrid cramps (ever since i was a teenager) my dr advised me to take only tylenol. and it helps but i sure miss my motrin 800 that once a month. hope you feel better

ahem....cough cough gag gag gag

did 2 weeks pre and 2 weeks after so i can relate hang in there. you can see the light at the end of the tunnel look how great you have done

any questions dealing with insurance denials or approvals should be with the insurance company themselves. have your items ready for when they ask. you are in control so dont take (no) for an answer.

i get my Vitamins from (walmart) my surgeon ok'd those for me as i checked chewable adult vitamins calcium + (2x day) Iron (2x a day as i am anemic) (dr said not to use gummies unless i chewed very well but i dont really like them so i just stick with the chewables. its in a fruit flavor).

**REALLY IMPORTANT. This needs to be a lifestyle and mental change.** like honk said, if you can do the lifestyle/mental change in regards to this band, you will be a success whether you lose fast or slow. it doesnt matter as long as you get there. not a veteran either, but i ask myself why i waited so long??

excellent post linda you will be successful w/that attitude

being skinny will not make you happy (nor will being unhealthy) you just had major surgery a couple of weeks ago. so you are still healing and tired. bless your heart. congrats and i am so proud of you. the (not being able to eat) is mainly so that your insides can heal properly. by eating (food) too early you could hurt yourself. please dont cry and dont be depressed. it does get better and you will be happy you had this surgery in the long run. i had this surgery (to save my life literally). i couldnt hard walk. it was either have this surgery or eventually they'd have to cut out my walls of my house to get me out. i am sure of it. now that was depression. you will be able to have wine again and have birthday cake and whatever you want. but just heal for now. i see your profile picture, my gosh you are gorgeous. put a smile on that face. chin up. shoulders back and say to yourself, i am so worth it. because you are