Gail

Leatha, Marie, Alex, Thank you for all your suggestions. Alex, you always know just what to say to get me through the obstacles. I didn't know about esophageal spasms. Leatha you are wonderful support and a great troubleshooter. I have been waiting to feel that Thankgsgiving dinner fullness, or at least some version of fullness. Marie, are you sure we weren't separated at birth? LOL! I'm glad we have each other for support. Hopefully Marie and I will soon figure out how to efficiently use the wonderful tool we were given. I honestly thought that it would be easier after the surgery. I guess, until I become more in tune to my body's signals, I will still feel like I am dieting. It's so easy to make the wrong choices. After all, we are only human! Love to all, Gail :guess :laugh:banana

Hi Leatha, The "Golf Ball" feeling usually happens more in the daytime. But last night I started with 1/2 grilled cheese sandwich on rye and then ate 1/2 a peach (minus the skin) and then some buttered brown rice and topped it off with potato chips. I was way out of control and everything went down without any trouble. Tonight I became hungry 3 hrs. after I last ate very reasonably, and after I drank 10 oz. Water 1 hr. ago. I took one bite of grilled cheese on rye, chewed very well, and it is stuck in my chest. Last night I had no trouble with the same food. I do avoid extremely fibrous foods. I don't know what the answer is. I also still do not know what a full pouch feels like. Gail

Hi, My name is Gail. I'm new to the forum. I was just banded 6/28/04. I'm struggling survival on the liquid diet. Only two days left and counting. I lost 13 lbs. since liquids. I'm taking it one day at a time because I am finding it pure torture, especially when I have to be around people who can eat real food. Any tips for the transition, if any, when starting soft foods?

Thanks for all the suggestions. I've been drinking 4 protein shakes a day and an occasional sugar free/fat free Jello pudding or gelatin. Today my stomach is growling terribly. I was having a very hard time coping. I reread the dietician's instructions about having a meal every 3 hours and I think I didn't realize that the snacks can be eaten in between the 3 hr. intervals. One more day of holding on and my first meal will be scrambled eggs on Tuesday. I can't wait!!! I am so happy that I found this website and others I can share with. I congratulate each and everyone of you. Anymone who may think that banding is an easy way out has no clue as to how much work it is. Love to all, Gail

Hi, My surgery was 2 weeks ago. It was much easier than I anticipated. I found the liquid diet one week before and two weeks after to be more of an inconvenience than the discomfort of surgery. Hang in there. It will be worth it.