JustWatchMe

I'm not PB'ing or having any issues with food backing up at all. It's all in my nose.

Has anyone who's ever been too tight felt nasal mucus?

No, I'm actually very happy with the way my stomach feels and don't even feel tight. I took my Tylenol easily today. I just notice the soft stops if I eat slowly, and I'm not hungry between meals and not tempted to eat slider foods. They actually want to do my second fill at the end of May, but I'm waiting to see how my upcoming vacation goes first. It's just the back of my nose. Not even my throat really. I'm not clearing my throat. Just this nasal gunk. No headache, no cold symptoms, clear nostrils. And it's not related to a meal. It's all day. Maybe it is allergies. It's been raining in Chicago all week. Ugh.

Try to keep your Protein in your stomach longer by not drinking for an hour after eating. I know the recommended time is 20 minutes, but I had more success with an hour. The trick is to drink before you eat, wait a few minutes, then eat. I'm guessing you're on liquids the first 48 hours post-fill. Protein shakes like unjury powder held me longer than other foods like Soups. Try not to snack between the three meals. When I snacked, even a glass of milk, it woke up my appetite. The tricky part is still getting your Water in, but aim to do that continuously before, not after, a meal. This is what worked for me and I wasn't hungry. Good luck.

Welcome to Bandland! Good luck and keep posting!

How long do you need off work for a panni?

Name, real or screen~JustWatchMe Goal weight for May 31st~240 Weight on May 1st~250 Age~53 City/State~Chicagoland Dietary goal for May~eat healthily in Italy Exercise goal for May~2 miles on treadmill at home, use hotel gym in Italy Personal goal for May~healthy vacation with no regrets Date banded~March 13, 2014 Total weight loss since banding/pre op diet~52 pounds Favorite Flower? Plumeria

Tmf, don't scare her! Tracy, you go girl! And feel free to rant and rave whenever necessary. (Many of us have.) But stick to it! You can do it!

My doc did not have a set number, but the psychologist wouldn't clear me for surgery until I broke my tv snacking habit. I lost a month there. Everyone's loss is different, and there are a lot of different pre-op diets. You'll lose if you adhere to yours, but you'll probably slightly gain right after surgery from swelling and healing of tissues. It can take 3-4 weeks for your body to drop the surgical weight gain, but it will come off if you stay on plan. I've had a good weight loss, but I've been very compliant. The scale bounced up and down, but now I'm steadily losing. Good luck!

"Will I ever be normal?" Why start now? Sounds funny, but for me, I've never eaten normally. Always, my whole life, I wanted more, the most, the best, the most delicious, seconds, thirds, an extra secret meal at home late at night, etc., etc., ... That was normal for me. I just want a new normal. I am thrilled to trade what was for my new normal. As of yesterday I've been on solid food for a week. Today I went to Subway and bought a six-inch sandwich. I came home, cut it in HALF, sat down and took ten minutes to eat that half. And miracle of miracles, I was done. And satisfied. I almost cried. I want this new normal so bad. I go out to eat with my normie BFF once a week. I eat slowly, and by the time she's done, I'm nearing the end of my meal, having consumed about half of the amount she ate, and about a third of what I used to sock away. And it's all good. Take out containers are my friends. I truly feared missing my old pal, food. Guess what? Food is still my friend. But I'm happy - HAPPY - with way less of it. Don't despair, it starts to turn around soon. At least it did for me. Stay connected to the feelings that come up, but don't eat over them. We all have to learn how to live a "new normal".

Delove32, your profile pic is beautiful and your complexion is gorgeous! I thought the same thing when I saw your photo. Healthy= beautiful! Woo hoo!

Hang in there. People can be such oafs. Glad your port site is better.

Today I had my first real meal after my first fill two days ago. If you had told me a year ago that I would feel "done" after eating 3oz of steak and a boiled egg, I would have laughed in your face. The dog even got the last bite of meat. He's been hanging around the kitchen when I sit down to eat lately. *hiccup* *burp* I'm so happy that my band is really in there and really doing its thing. I was hesitant about this fill before traveling in two weeks, but I think all will be well. I'm going to be very careful, not eat an hour before, an hour after, or during the 6-hour flight, but still stay hydrated. But no soda! The two days back on liquids wasn't bad. I was even grateful for it today because I had no time for lunch outside the office, so my Atkins shakes are always there for me when I need them. I was too scared to try chicken, but maybe later this week. The steak was actually leftovers from my first solids meal nearly a week ago! Even that amazes me. One 10-oz. steak gave me three meals over a week's time. Anyway, I just had to share my excitement about this wonderful little alien inside me, my little E.T. I keep humming the song, "Ooh, child, things are gonna get easier..."

Thanks, everyone. We're going to Italy, but I'm more excited to reunite with my daughter who's been studying abroad since January in Madrid. I miss her so much. Two more weeks!

Six days left of the trial of trials. I'm so ready for food. A week of Clear liquids pre-op and six weeks of full liquids post-op is finally entering the home stretch. Thankfully I've had good Soups this whole time, but moving to solids next week, I sure won't miss soups going forward. I'm starting to have daily daydreams about chewing food. I made it through my birthday on liquids and will make it through Easter on liquids. As an early Mother's Day celebration, my best friend and I are taking our mothers out for high tea four days after I start food, and one day before my first fill. I know I'll have to be careful that day, but I can't stop thinking about it! I'm happy I've been able to make it this far and have actually followed eating and exercise instructions, which is a biggie. I've lost a moderate amount of weight post-op, not as much as I would have thought, but it's better than nothing. I'm getting diet-weary this week, and am really looking forward to the next phase, when my band can start helping me. Just needed to throw all this out there. Thanks for listening.

That's amazing. Congratulations! Wow!

Tomorrow after work I get my first fill. I've decided I do want it now. I was told I could wait until after my May vacation, but I'm ready. I enjoyed four days of real food this week and I'll be back to liquids temporarily, I'm sure, for a few days after the fill. Hope it goes smoothly. I'll post tomorrow evening.

@@Nat1234, so good to see you posting! I had my first fill yesterday. 4.5ccs in my 14cc band. They tried five and it was too tight. I'm on liquids for 48 hours. No nausea, but I could definitely feel a difference over the last 24 hours. They told me the sensation should subside as the swelling goes down. A fill makes your stomach swell slightly, so until 48 hours is behind you, the true tightness of the band isn't felt. My doc does a second fill two weeks after the first, but I have to skip that one because of vacation. If you feel really sick or throw up, call the doctor. Otherwise, see how it is in a couple of days. And congrats on the weight loss!

@@lecouch, hang in there. It's easier after surgery, as everyone said. A side benefit of all of it is that you truly will appreciate the next phase more, and the weight loss now will give you a mental and physical boost after surgery. I made it through by telling myself I could do anything for a prescribed amount of time. My protocol was 5 days Clear liquids pre-op (never want to see Isopure again - LOL) and six weeks full liquids post-op. I finally got solids on Thursday last week. Woo hoo! Then got my first fill four days later and back on full liquids for 48 hours. It's a process. We've come so far -- we can do this! Yep

Sharpie, bless you for this post! I never knew a pressure cooker was that quick. I'm going to look into one. I use my crock pots from time to time, but those are slow cookers. Anything that can cook tender meat in half an hour? Sounds good to me! I could have dinner going while I'm on the treadmill!

Disappointed in yourself? Why? You're in a difficult time right now, trying to find the correct adjustment to your band. Frustrated, sure. Uncomfortable and hungry, yes. But don't be hard on yourself. Keep going for your fills and hang on. I'm not speaking from experience, because I've just received my first fill this week, but I've been told it can be several visits and adjustments to get to the greeen zone. Be kind to yourself and stay connected here. We're all in this together. Good luck.

Good to read this, since I leave for a two week vacation two weeks from now. I just started solid foods and had my first fill yesterday, so back on liquids til tomorrow evening. I've been wondering if I would make an effort to exercise while on my trip. I know there will be lots of walking in Italy. We're visiting four cities, and it's the first vacation I've ever taken with my husband where we're not renting a car. I'm thrilled. Today is the first day since March 14 that I'm not on the treadmill or my Water class. How I did it, beats me, but somehow I wrecked my knee in my sleep last night. Woke up and couldn't bear weight without pain. I've been hobbling around all day. Bizarre. Anyway, I'll have a challenge in Italy to keep my exercise going and eat sensibly for two weeks. I'm psyched and feel good about it now, especially since I'll have some restriction for the first time ever. So glad to hear your vacation was a success!

RJ, you're such an inspiration to me. One thing I was thinking yesterday is how this forum is like a sanctuary for me. Other weight loss boards can be so cruel, judgmental and harsh, and although that probably happens here sometimes too, I haven seen too much of it since I came aboard in March. It got me thinking that it's because we all started here as morbidly obese. We have been in a separate category of weight losers all our lives. As WLS requirements become more open to lower weight people, that may change. We may see more and more WLS patients with 40 or fewer pounds to lose. I don't begrudge anyone this lifesaving surgery, but I hope the attitude here never changes to one of judgment or comparison. Hope this makes sense. Anyway, RJ, you're a rockstar, and don't let anybody make you feel otherwise!

Congratulations on the promotion. I think you handled it great. Thinking on your feet!

Congratulations!