Dave01

You are at the time when willpower has to take over. What I did was measure the food before I sat down to eat and when it was gone, I was done. Lots of liquids will also help right now. I was pretty lucky to have no appetite for a long time after surgery. Take around 30 min to eat each meal. make sure you are eating healthy choice foods and you should'nt have any problems. It does get easier once the restriction comes and you are on a more normal type of food....Dave

No gum for me. My dr recommended for me to give it up, in case I swallowed it by accident.

Wow, they had 3cc's in your band right after surgery? Mine was empty for almost 5 weeks till I got a fill. I had the shoulder pain and tons of walking made it go away. Mine was from gas pains. Keep us posted. I hope it all gets better for ya....Dave

I felt the restriction right after the fill but it went away 2 days later. After about 2 weeks, it really came back good. My 3rd one is Monday. Cant wait.

Frangipani, Thanks, dad is doing ok. They are now saying he has neuropathy ( nerve damage?) in his shoulder area. Real painful and the hydrocodone isnt helping much. He sees a specialist on Monday. Its been hard getting the walking/workout in so I have been walking real late at night, like 11-12 pm. Hope you are doing good....Dave

Got a few more days of exercise in. Its been a little rougher this month getting out each day, but I have managed pretty well. Hope everyone else is doing good. Average daily walk is up to 5.2 miles...WOOHOO

Sorry to hear you are having a rough time. Make sure you are loading up on protein and liquids. They really help if you feel hungry. Just dont dwell on the past too much. You can get back on track and do just fine. I kinda fell off my routine for the last week with dad in the hospital and stuff, but am back at it. Please dont be too discouraged if you dont feel restriction after your first fill. And a call to your dr or nutritionist may help also. What has worked well for me is " when hungry, walk" Good luck, keep the faith and it will all work out....Dave

A few more days of workouts. Man, I need to post more often to keep up with everything...LOL

The only diet I have for fills is 1 day of liquids and 1 day of mushies right after a fill. Other than that, its all the same. Good luck on the fill and congrats on the weight loss so far....Dave

Becky and Frangipani, Thanks. If they could figure what is causing him pain in his shoulder area, we should start on the recovery road. Now they are saying nerve problems. Its a wait and see thing. Congrats to all who have started the December Challenge

Been busy at the hospital with Dad, but am managing to walk when he is sleeping 4 days done so far.

I'm glad to ear they found the answer. Hopefully she will decide to keep her band. I tried many diet/exercise plans over a lot of years and this is the only one i have seen good results with. I had a few complications with my surgery, mostly due to a large amount of scar tissue from previous abdominal surgeries. Mine took just over 4 hrs to complete, but thanks to my surgeon, she was able to complete it. Tell your wife we are all here for when she gets out and home and has questions/concerns...Dave

It took almost 2 weeks for me to get back to feeling semi-normal, and then another 2 weeks before I felt really good. Walk a lot. It helps with all of the healing process.

Got my walking and weight training in for Thurs and Friday. Man was it foggy this morning. Congrats to all who participated in the November Challenge. I find this post helps motivate me to keep up with everyone else. Look out December, the Crazy Ates are coming !!!!!!!!

Just a guess on my part, but I would say a total of 3 or 4 days for the swelling to reduce. I remember mine being kinda swollen when I got banded, but not as much as your wifes. They will take good of her. I'm think they feel its easier to keep liquids going in while at the hospital and they can monitor how much she drinks/eats and what stays down. As for myself, I like doctors that are cautious.

Sorry to hear about this. Do you know if they put any fill in during her surgery? I have heard some doctors do this. Hopefully the swelling will go down and she will be home soon. If the band is really that tight, be sure she watches what she eats and follows the food plan set up by her doctor. You really want to take it easy with food for the first month. That is the real healing time and not time to worry about weight loss. Trust me, it will happen soon enough....Dave

I have to second the contacting a dr and going to a seminar. I got many of my questions answered this way. The band is just a tool that can assist you in weight loss by limiting your food intake. The rest of it is up to the person. You will need to follow a new way of eating, not necessarily a diet plan. I could eat anything but choose what I will eat. Also, as already stated, the port is under the skin, so no one can see it. Keep on asking questions as they come up. We have all gone thru the process and should be able to help. good luck.....Dave

7007 steps this morning. It sounds like more than when I post miles...LOL Another day done....Come on December Challenge

I have made it half way to my goal. 81 gone, 81 to go. I have been waiting for the scale to move that last pound. I guess threatening it with a large hammer worked:):)

Lonestar and Julie, Thank you. I could not have done it without the help and support i have recieved from all of the people on this site:whoo::whoo::whoo:

3.2 mile walk this morning. I cut it a little short to go tile shopping...LOL I'll make up for it tomorrow morning

Sunday: Lots of walking ( again) with a total of 7 miles. This morning 4.2 miles done. Now to get better with the weight training part. I have managed to get it done each time, but its not my favorite thing.....yet 20 of 20 days and going to finish the month in style

Gotta love this site and all the people on it. It has been a great source of encouragment for me to keep me doing the right thing.

Almost everyone will have those bad days. I have found that I like to watch the cooking channel to find things that are new that I can make. I see the ads for buffets, mex food and stuff and they really dont look good to me. I am using the " if i go there, I will spend x amount of money and only eat a little", so that talks me out of going. I'm only 3 months post and am sure I will have some of the days where I slip up, but after spending this much, I will TRY to resist...Dave

Kayla, first off, congrats on your upcoming band date. As for eating out, I have found that almost all restraunts have something that I can eat. I usually look at the appetizers because of the portions and get either crabcakes, tuna/chicken salad in pita (without the letuce), or theres always soup. If I order off the regular menu, I get a box before eating and put most of it away. My friends know I have had surgery, so they understand why we avoid pizza places, buffets, mex. food and Thai food. Hooters works with the grilled mahi sandwich minus the bun or the clam chowder. They also have grilled chicken. I get that and have them put wing sauce on it. Hope this helps....Dave