Colleen C

You can basically eat what your band will tolerate. It is so different for different people. Some foods are stringy like broccoli but as we all know if it is canned it is mush already so prob fine but ALWAYS go by what the doctor says or it is your own risk.

You are 25 and have not wasted any time. You are exactly where you are suppose to be in your life. Many of us are much older and starting this. Try not to look back, just keep smiling and moving forward, it is only going to get better if you stick to your plan. Like you, I got teared up over such a sad death. It hurts to know anyone who dies with a sad broken heart and maybe normally you wouldn't your body is going through a lot right now. Give yourself some time, I personally think what you are going through is a normal feeling. If in a few more weeks you dont start feeling a little better then do something about it. Hugs and love to my fellow bander. Colleen

All I know is I would have not made it through the pre-op diet if it did not have an end point. The best part is after you go through it, it becomes like a detox. You stop constantly craving certain foods but I wont lie, it is not easy. You have to decide what is best for you and make the choice to do it. I was getting miserably fat and unhealthy so it didn't matter what I had to do, I had to do it for myself. I have 4 daughters who love me, need me and I would like to be here for them as long as I can and do it as healthy as possible. Got to get your head together and just do whatever you decide. It is up to you and only you. Is that sugar worth doing that to yourself? Good luck, Colleen

Not much to do after the fact but to make sure it doesn't happen again. You are feeding your feelings so I suggest making an appointment with a therapist to learn how to handle problems and feelings without food. Many of us have had to talk to someone to help with this. Your not alone but you have to do something.

I am so sorry to hear what your going through for sure. While all this is spinning around and you are trying to figure this out I suggest getting an appointment with another surgeon. Possibly another county or whatever because you need another opinion.

Of course you could but I would not. 4 of them is about 60 calories plus the sugar, carbs etc. Your main goal right now is shrinking your liver and the benefit of it is weight loss. If you have to have something maybe you could find the sugar free kind? Pre-op is the hardest part since I was banded in June. Although it is a battle, it will be so worth it. You can do it. I promise, most of us here have! lol Good luck to you, Colleen

I am 6 weeks out and so far for me, the pre-op requirements were the hardest part. I was only allowed shakes, sf Jello and broth. It was sheer determination that got me through it. I waffled a time or two with some baked chicken and fish but I was successful. The best part is I lost 23 pounds so that helped but I felt like I was starving. Just pull yourself through this. It does get better, thankfully. You are in the hardest part for most of us. Try to remember this (like said above) is mostly for your liver and safety. It also helps get you past the food withdrawals. You are on your way and soon will be rocking the new banded you. GOOD LUCK, keep us posted. Lots of good people and info on this website. Colleen

It is not anything to worry about. Just be truthful and honest and it will be over before you know it. You will soon be one step closer to your band! Woohoo! Colleen

If you would enjoy it why not?! We use to reward ourselves with food now we find new ways. Enjoy pampering yourself, you deserve it.

No matter what we choose to do there is documentation to say do it or don't do it. This goes on with every topic we could come up to discuss about WLS. It makes for a good topic to bring up to the doctor at our visits so they can either explain how we would benefit or possibly suffer from that choice. Many rules are followed because it is a majority type of decision for the whole not necessarily each person. Being 6 weeks post op I am sticking to what I was told because although I am not against not following the rules to a T at this time I have not learned my band and body well enough to completely deviate from the plan that was placed for me. What works for one may or may not work for another as well. Support and love, Colleen and have had

You have not failed unless you are quitting. As fast as we want all this to happen, it seems to be a long haul we are in for learning life over again in many new ways. Give it more time. food isn't that easy to give up. We will get it though, just hard work and time. Stay positive, Colleen

I have been banded since June 20, lost 40 lbs (20 pre op & 20 post op). I went out to eat and shared a dinner with my husband of food that I have not been having at home few ribs, fries, slice of garlic bread and now I am right back to craving and wanting to eat too much too often. Does anyone else have this problem? I don't understand why "cheating" once in a while is such a big problem for me. Is it just part of being addicted to food? I don't have a fill yet but had been loosing nicely until this happened and have since been fighting cravings and gained two pounds this morning. I do realize that the big picture is what counts and for the month I have lost fine and most likely the doctor wont fill me still because I have lost a decent amount this month. My biggest question I guess is what do I do in the future on those times I must eat out. Do I just have to suffer through the withdrawals all over again or what does anyone else do that suffers from this? Thanks for listening, Colleen

Do something now on finding a better tasting or tolerable shake. For me each one I had to drink got worse, lol. It takes effort but you will find one and get through it. We all did. Good luck to you. Colleen

It is quite normal to feel nervous even though you know you want it.

For some it is common to be hungry, I was. Congrats to you. Colleen

A piece of cake is not worth throwing in the towel. Don't give up on your WLS plan for it. If everyone that slipped up quit, there would not be enough people on this website to even know it existed. It wasn't the best choice and you have to ask yourself why you did it and learn to handle that (emotion?) (was it stress?) in a different way. food comforts us in many ways. Most of us are going through it. The withdrawals suck but are a part of it. Seriously, take a breath and realize one piece of cake was not on the plan but don't punish yourself so harshly. Kind of like giving yourself the death penalty for a parking ticket. This is your life and your lesson to get through. Get yourself back together and next time go for sugar free pudding or something but keep trying. Don't quit on yourself. Hugs and support, Colleen

The crazy thing is the scale doesn't always make sense. I lost 22 pounds on the pre-op. It was two weeks, very restrictive. I felt like I was a super model because I starved the whole time and all I could do is remind myself it was temporary and I could do it. So can you! Try not to be too hard on yourself mentally because our bodies can do their own thing for a few days let alone the hormones and time of month etc. If you stick with it, the weight will come off and be so worth it. Colleen

1 1/2 cups of food a day plus shakes, not surprised you feel starved. If you can do it then stick to it. For me if I could have starved myself I would have not needed the surgery for help. I would for sure be calling the surgeons office and let them know this is more restrictive than I could handle. Some times things can be tweaked to better fit each one of us personally. I really do hope they can help you find an answer. We all have a life besides this and it is hard when we can't get a break from obsessing over food more than we already do. lol Good luck, Colleen

It is odd how different doctors are. I had surgery on June 20 and no fill yet at all.

I was hungry after surgery throughout the whole liquid to mushy stage. When the full diet came along it made a huge difference. Everything you are allowed right now just goes right through if you aren't swollen. It will get better. Just do the best you can. If you are sure you are actually hungry and not just desiring food then why can you not eat? I cant imagine being successful if you feel like you are starving. It is just a slippery slope though knowing the difference in the beginning. I hope you feel better ASAP. Colleen

I can't help but to think most of us eat healthier WITH the band so taking it out would not be on my want list.

Don't you have another shoe with laces? I am sure dollar tree or dollar general has them.

Not a decision anyone or any horror story can make for you. Find a very qualified doctor and make the decision on whats best for you by what you are willing to do and give up or not. No one else can know what you can or are willing to do but you. Sometimes the good or bad stories are that persons willingness or not to follow the program as required by that surgery. Good luck to you. Colleen

It does sounds a bit unprofessional but if you don't know who they are talking about not sure how it effects that person. To not show up for surgery does seem like a pretty big deal but hey, who are we to judge their decision? They could have been in an accident or whatever. Unless they were talking about someone identifiable I don't see a major problem. Take it up with the surgeon at the office it happened so they can understand it made you uncomfortable.

Sometimes I think our inner self takes longer to heal than the weight does to come off. It is a journey. Congrats for getting to a great weight, now work on the thoughts. Why not visit with a therapist? You deserve to see the beautiful person you really are, just like you are.