sunnysweety

Congrats, you have done such a wonderful job, you are an inspiration!

I have had the band for 6 months and am dealing with this very issue myself. Although I have lost weight because I had some very good willpower in the beginning, my willpower has diminished over the past month or so. The band does not help with head hunger or food addiction in my opinion. That has been an entirely separate issue for me that I am learning I have to deal with if I am going to be able to make the band work for me. Although it can help you eat less, there are certain foods that it has no affect on and that is where willpower becomes the solution. I, too, would not recommend getting the band before these issues are dealt with because for me, there has been an added guilt to not doing what I am supposed to do because I have a tool that I worked very hard to get and I am not using it the way it is intended - that added guilt is very difficult to deal with.

My doc says chicken is one of the best things to eat, has your doc told you different? Sometimes my band doesn't like the chicken, especially if it is dry or if it has breading on it, but usually I do fine with chicken as long as I don't over-do it because it is definitly a gauged food for me....

I totally relate, I remember when I first was able to eat regular foods and I didn't have any restriction and was so scared the band wasn't going to work for me. But once you get restriction you definitly feel a difference and get full faster so I hope that alleviates some of your worry. The problem for me is head hunger, wanting to eat even if I don't feel hungry. I have heard a lot of other people with the band talk about that as well and it is hard to get through for some. I personally did get a fill at my first post-op appointment but it was a very small one. Other people I have talked to have gotten more of a fill though so I think it just depends on your surgeon. Wish you the best of luck and hope you can stay positive that the band will work for you, it just takes some time and willpower. I still struggle with the willpower piece, but am just trying to stay strong and work with myself on that.

Mine was 1st week clear liquids, 2nd week full liquids (3 protein drinks and 2 full liquid snacks), 3rd week pureed-type foods with protein drinks, 4th week soft foods, and 5th week solid foods.

So I was just wondering how often other people with the band typically weigh themselves?

I agree, we are all different. It took me 5 fills before I felt restriction...

Thank you for posting your personal preferences, it helps a lot to hear what other bandsters do!

If you can eat soup, I find chili to be pretty filling and good - even pureed it is tasty.

Yes, I think it is normal - it is a major life change but totally worth it. I think just having the band is such a motivator to lose weight because of what you go through to get it, including those jitters. Wishing you the best of luck!

Great job! Keep up the good work, I am sure your walking is paying off!!

I remember that the first 2 days were the hardest as far as pain for me. I would walk for 5 minutes at a time every couple hours until bedtime and I think that must have helped me A LOT because I didn't have that much gas pain. But everyone is different I think when it comes to the pain part, but it will for sure go away so hang in there!

SO nice to hear a good story like this. I was becoming quite discouraged on my lap band journey only 5 months in because I didn't have any restriction that whole time. Luckily, I have restriction now and it is so wonderful to feel like I had this done for a reason. It is so good to know that after that long, you have so much faith in the band and that I can, too!! Thanks for sharing!!

I found that canned chicken noodle soup, canned bean with bacon soup, and chili (especially Wendy's chili ) to be really good purreed.

What I remember most after my surgery was being SOOOO thirsty for water -- would recommend having a lot availalbe. I also remember being so, so sick to my stomach because of the pain meds on an empty stomach - good thing you will have the anti-nausea pills!! But like the other posts said, a container in case you do get sick would be a good idea. GOOD LUCK!!

P.S. Have you had your thyroid checked?

I am no expert, but when I reached a weight loss plateau and was doing everything I was supposed including measuring my food and exercising, I reduced my carb intake significantly as my doctor recommended and that helped me get past my plateau. But, without knowing your diet like the other posts say it is hard to say what might help. I really wish you the best of luck and hope you can start to lose weight no matter what you choose to do if you are feeling depressed, I know that feeling and still have it because I have a ways to go but find the support here helpful, so glad to see you here reaching out for some support!

Totally agree with this post, this is how it has been for me. Also, depending on your doctor it can take a while to get any restriction....I didn't have any for 5 months so did not know what it felt like to have a band. So, yes, I was very hungry on the post-op diet they gave me. Now that I have restriction, I find that I do not feel hungry for 3-4 hours, it is absolutely wonderful.

In my experience, I wish I would have waited to tell people like you have!! I have told my family and friends already. Because my weight is not coming off really quickly I feel like some of those people judge me for that, especially if I eat in front of them. It has been kind of hard, I just have to remind myself that this is my journey and my life and those people may not completely understand how the band works. I read your blog and it was nice to see someone put in writing a lot of the same feelings I have had over the years. I wish you the best of luck in telling your family and friends, it sounds like you are working really hard and I am sure they will start to notice your weight loss and wonder what you are doing!!

Hi there, congratulations on deciding to work with the band again! I agree with the last post, your doctor will probably have some good advice on what you should eat after you get your adjustment. I have found that tracking my calories is helpful and I use www.sparkpeople.com, where you can also track your weight loss goals and fitness activities. I had reached a weight plateau and became rather frustrated a couple of months back but called my doctor's office and they recommended I cut down on carbs and that got me past my plateau, I was so glad I called them. So I have been trying to eat under 75 carbs per day, that is what they recommended for me but I am sure everyone is different. Personally, my advise overall would be to stay in contact with your doctor and keep up with your fills as you need them so you can get back on track. I also think it is a great help to seek out information and support on this website, it is very informative and helpful to me. I wish you the best of luck!

My instructions after fills are clear liquids the rest of the day after the fill, clear liquids the next day, then full liquids on day 2 (including milk, yogurt w/out fruit, protein shakes), pureed foods on day 3 (no chewing required), soft foods on day 4 (soft cheeses, eggs, canned fruit), and regular foods on day 5. If you have an e-mail address I have a nice list of really specific instructions....

I am pretty sure I just got stuck this morning and it is like a feeling of pressure and air with a too full feeling at the top of your stomach. I feared this so, so much before it happened but got through it and it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. I think it just comes with the territory and teaches you to be more careful with how much you eat, how fast you eat, and how much you chew.