Ilenev

I have no idea what my band is called, just that it holds 14CCs- give yourself time to heal- it takes two weeks to feel like yourself again- I guess it is mostly the anesthesia and make sure you are getting enough protein! ilene

I wasn't told to do the medifast, just liquids, and I had a very hard time-I called the nutritionist and she said that I could add cottage cheese and soft cheese and two days I had scrambled eggs- I lost 10 lbs. that week, but I cannot say I was perfect- The harder you try, the more prepared you will be after the surgery- when you first come home, you are not hungry, but when the hunger kicks in, its really hard- So much more of this surgery is "head" work- so much more than I anticipated- the support groups are really helpful- Hang in there- you are at the hardest part- best of luck to you Ilene

Good luck- you will do fine- Dr. Geiss and his staff are wonderful- I am going for my first fill on Thursday, and am looking forward to it- I had surgery on 10/1- the weight loss is slow, but should get better after the fill

I am also in limbo waiting for my first fill on 11/13- I have lost about 20 lbs., but the scale hasn't budged in the past 2 weeks (weightloss includes presurgical liquids)- the one thing that most people don't understand is that we didn't get fat because we didn't like to eat- If I could just eat 800-1000 before surgery, why would I need to do this in the first place- I am as hungry as I was before surgery- even though I am careful, I can eat probably about 80% of what I could pre-lap band I am hoping that with the first fill I will finally feel the restriction that convinced me to have this surgery in the first place-

my Doctor won't do a fill if you are going to be away for two weeks after the fill, as a precaution- I don't really know what to expect- two more weeks until my first fill

Not as far as I am concerned, but you should check with your doctor- I am eating everything except bread and pasta- eggs, hamburger, meatballs etc.

I was banded on 10/1 and am on mushies until Sunday- I can eat chicken salad without any problems- the only thing I haven't tried is bread or pasta, but I have had toast- no problem, but I haven't had a fill yet- also, I have had some nuts, but made sure to chew them well

I would be interested in a support group as well- Please let me know if anything is scheduled coming up- Thank you

I think the key to going regularly is to make sure you have enough fluids- the gym sounds like a good idea, but I am still sore from the port (tomorrow will be 3 weeks) so I have just been trying to walk alot- I am eating almost everything, but am afraid to try bread or pasta- I guess that is a good thing- I am trying to keep these 18lbs. off that I lost since this journey began, but I have 3 weeks to go until my first fill, and I certainly hope that it makes a difference

That's what I am afraid of- the Drs. don't help you deal with this "in between" stage- I also lost 18 lbs. since the pre-op diet and the 2 weeks post op, but I have another 3 weeks before my first fill-any suggestions????

I definitely can"t eat as much as I did pre-band, but I would like to feel some more restriction- I have just been very careful up to now- I have been eating good choices, keeping away from bread and pasta

Hi Brenda- Thanks for your help- my Doctor does a fill at 6 weeks- if you need it, but I can't imagine not needing it since I don't feel like I have any restriction- I am trying to be careful, but I think that I could eat whatever I wanted if I would let myself- I hope that I am not putting too much emphasis on the fill-

I was banded on 10/1 and also feel that I have very little restriction- I have to wait another 3 weeks until my first fill, but I am worried that it won't work- I guess I thought I would have more restriction after just having the surgery, but after the first week, my hunger returned- Is it the same after a fill, or is that what the band is really all about???

I was banded on 10/1 and started mushy food on Monday- tuna, egg salad, scrambled eggs, oatmeal, potatos, fish etc.- everything tastes delicious after three weeks of liquids- I haven't tried bread or pasta, though I am tempted because everyone says that after your first fill you can't eat them at all-

YOu sound like you are doing great- I also tried eggs, 3 days early, but they were delicious and I did fine- what did you eat during the mushie stage?? I am so afraid to make a mistake- also, do you attend the monthly meetings? I am going to try to attend next week and just wondered what they are like Thanks for your help

YOu sound fantastic- good for you and congrats! My Doctor requires an overnight stay and then sends you for an x-ray in the morning to make sure the band is where it is supposed to be- I didn;t mind, everyone was very nice and the pain meds helped

I wish your enthusiasm was more contagious- at day 11 I am hungry, and axiously awaiting starting real food this weekend- but I agree with you, to get this far, we must be pretty great people!

I had the fluffy ones- be carful with the hard ones- even without the band they can be difficult

I had matzoh ball soup today-just started mushies and it was fine- the ball was very soft though- I also used Dr. Geiss 2 weeks ago- I am very hungry, and hoping that the mushie stage will be better- enjoy!

I was banded on 10/1 and I am already starving- I am starting on mushie food at the end of the week, so I hope it helps- I guess I thought there would be a feeling of more resistance with just the band-It sounds like I won't feel the benefit of the band until the first fill and until then, we just need to be careful- Is that what most of you do?? Please help!!

it sounds like you are doing great- I go back on the 15th for my post op appointment- seems like a long time- Is that what Dr. Geiss did for you as well?? Do they let you start on the mushie stage at that point?? I am getting hungry and tired of liquids- what I guess I am still not sure of is if just getting the band gives you restriction, or do you really have to wait for the first fill to feel the effect of the band?? Or is it both?? Maybe someone further along can answer this for me Thanks!

It sounds like the nausea that some of you are experiencing is coming from the codeine- Many people react that way to it- I am at day 6 and feel like a new person- I will venture out today with my daughters to do some shopping Has any one else been weighing themselves every day?? I know I am not supposed to, but I can't help it- sometimes the results can be as high as a 5lb. difference, all on eating only liquids- I have to be on creamy liq. for two weeks (yogurt, pureed Soups etc.) so I thought that I would continue to lose weight- I have not found any Protein shakes that I can drink- Is there some type of Protein powder that can be added to milk possibly, as I don;'t think I am eating enough protein- Please help!!

Thank you for lettiing me know about this site- reading your stories is certainly a help- I have been home since Tuesday, and feeling better every day- the past two days I have been hungry, and feeling a little sorry for myself. I miss going out to dinner and food in general- I feel like I have just lost my best friend From what I have been reading, is it true that you really don't feel any restriction until you have your first fill?? I am supposed to stay on liquids and pureed Soups (pudding and yogurt included) for two weeks, but it is hard and I am hungry!! Any suggestions- Thanks for all of you being there Ilene

I was also banded on MOnday- what are you allowed to eat so far?? are you getting hungry?? I am not sure if I feel hungry or bored, but I am not happy-

I was banded on Oct. 1st, and just started getting hungry yesterday- also feeling sorry for myself, missing the social life of dinners with friends and family etc.- anyway, my doctor said to just eat yogurts, puddings, pureed soups etc. but today I had cream of wheat cereal (after seeing it on this site) and it was delicious, and helped with the gurgling and pains- just eat is slowly to make sure you can tolerate it and good luck