kayzoog

Fabulous! Congrats on the progress! It must feel great.

True! And you can buy better quality food because you eat less of it. Not to mention your friends picking up the tab because "you didn't eat all that much". I love it!

I find if my mind says "just one more bite", that's the one bite too many and I will feel too full. So when I think that, I know I am done and I don't do it. Good job stopping! It's hard mental work.

Usually after a fill, you go back to liquids for a couple of days, then mushies for another couple, then back to solids. Definitely ask your surgeon or his staff about what they require, but I am pretty sure it will be liquids (Protein shakes). Other than that, your fill should go really smooth! Good luck!

I just posted a blog entry about dreaming of food. Read what happened to me last night! http://banderland.weebly.com/1/post/2014/05/day-69-dream-nsv.html It will get easier as the sweets are flushed from your system, and your energy goes up. - K

Sam- we posted at the same time. I love reading your blog!!!! You are looking fabulous!

Great update! I am so happy that you are getting healthy, and loving the journey.

I agree - the first 3 days were the worst. But then little by little you start feeling more like yourself, and when your energy starts to spike, you know you are on your way! Congrats!

It's totally normal to be scared and excited! I am so happy for all of you as you follow your own journey. I am 9 weeks post-surgery and every day I discover something new about myself and the band. I am thinking good thoughts that you will have a great experience as well.

I eat only one egg in morning. I had to buy really small plates to make my portion look bigger. If I eat more than 4oz at a time, I feel super full. But, everyone is different!

I was self pay after I found out my insurance (CIGNA) does not cover any bariatric surgery. I don't regret it one bit. Best decision I ever made! Good luck to you!

@@Wm Breedlove is right! No pain for the fill which sounds strange but it's true!

Congrats on getting to the other side!

Any March 2014 Bandsters out there? My date is March 3. I've been trying out different Protein powder mixes and I got my Magic Bullet blender ready for action. Other than that, just counting down. I hope there are others getting banded on my same timeline... are you as nervous as I am? - K

Congrats on one week! Hang in there... If you are getting enough protein, then the hunger might just be mental. Good to keep the shakes going. Keep active! I find responding to other people posts during the "mental battle" periods helps me refocus my thoughts.

One of the things my nutritionist said at the very first consultation was that I would only eat a cup of food at every meal for the rest of my life. I thought she was CRAZY! I though that there was no way possible that would happen. I thought of my fajita burrito at my fave mexican restaurant that is easily 8x the amount of deliciousness. Or my homemade spaghetti dinners with garlic bread. Or even just a normal Lean Cuisine. Could I stuff that in a cup? No it's probably two. My shock was not what I wouldn't be able to eat, but the fact I was supposed to be happy with so little of it! But, now it seems so funny that it was my main concern. I am really happy with my small portions. I cut everything into tiny bites and chew, so I actually am timed right with the others at the table who are inhaling their food. I have to laugh at restaurant portion sizes that look so insane to me. I have tried pizza. It went down fine, but didn't make me energized. I physically don't like it anymore. It's just not important so I don't crave it. It's funny how the WLS changes your perspective.

Yes, it was definitely a special occasion. I think it's the first time I've ever gone there without ordering the Bloomin' Onion. And the portions are huge, which I never realized until I was monitoring my food. I knew exactly what I wanted, and I had the right portions. I have lobster maybe once a year, so the drawn butter won't be a recurring thing. LOL. I recently went to Outback. Didn't order the Blooming Onion and it was definitely strange to not have that. But, I did enjoy steak (split with my boyfriend) and actually had my first broccoli since being banded. It's still delicious to go and savor every bite!

I marked "other". Since restaurant portions are so large, my biggest worry about going to restaurants is, "Who will be my back-up eater?". Especially when I am traveling for work, I need someone to split things with, or someone to take home my left overs. A quick poll of my colleagues usually finds someone eager to help. At home I usually just eat some off of my boyfriend's plate. The best part is I rarely have to pick up the tab! "Oh Kristi, you barely ate anything, let me pay for it". Ha!

I ate 1/2 a slice of pizza after I was on solids. It smelled so good... it looked so good... it tasted so good.... but after... I didn't feel the energy I had eating my normal protein foods like egg and tuna. It really made me feel zapped of energy. I didn't like how it made me feel. I haven't had any since. And I have been around pizza a lot (I have a teenager). It just doesn't look appetizing to me. Don't get me wrong, it still smells delicious! I think part of the journey is really figuring out which "bad" foods still work for you and letting go of the ones that really don't help you. That is a mind change for sure.

I still use one shake a day to supplement my protein. The shakes are better when they aren't the only thing you are eating. I couldn't keep up the protein requirements in my first post-op week either. It took me all day to drink one shake. Just do what you can. And don't stress...

Mine gurgles a lot too. I'm almost 8 weeks out and sometimes its so loud it wakes me up at night. But it's all normal. Don't worry about gurgling, just worry about not throwing up!

Good luck everyone! As @@JustWatchMe said, the pre and post-op liquid diet takes some commitment. Even after that, you have some hard work to do when transitioning to normal foods. But it is so very very very worth it!!! I'm 7 weeks post surgery and wouldn't change a thing! It has been amazing journey so far. Kudos to all of you on getting your band dates!