Angelsma

I would thank God for 10 lbs in two weeks :0 Remember, this is a marathon not a sprint (what we've always done). You'll be fine if you stick with the program; work with your band; and exercise.

Very good question so I'm surprised there aren't many answers. While I'm sure it's different for everyone I agree the previous poster, until recently I generally felt waaaay too full about 30-40 minutes after I ate. Got my second fill two weeks ago and I'm not feeling full faster. I think we are learning to listen to our bodies for the first time in a looong time.

For me, I use Shaklee's Vanilla Soy Protein powder (15 protein gram sper service and mix with a high-protein yogurt (low fat/low carb: Stoneyfield or Dannon = 15 protein grams) to make a delicious shake - add ice and you are good to go.

Acutally what you're feeling is very normal (to a degree) with the lapband or any type of bariatric surgery. From what I've read we experience a wide range of emotions for the first time due to your inability to use food as a coping mechinism. In the past, most of us have used food to stuff our emotions/feelings for so long that we don't know how to cope with them very easily without food. It is suggested that we journal or talk out our feelings with someone we trust. Me, I pray and journal ALOT! My emotions can be all over the board at times because aside from the inability to use food as a sedative, I'm going through menopause as well :thumbup: Trust, that you're not going crazy and it won't last forever - it's definitely the way we were created....to feel and experience emotions. All the best to you.

Just had my second fill 9/9/08 and feel a slight restriction with solid foods. I believe a third fill will be my "sweet spot" (I pray). Although I am working out 4-5 x's a week and eating proper foods, however, I have fluctuated between 232 - 234 lbs for nearly two weeks (started at 249). I believe it's because of the lack of restriction thus I was eating more than I should.

Not exactly sure what it could be. The only time I've felt that was when I had eaten something that I wasn't supposed to....a bagel of all things.

I feel for you. I did the same thing with a bagel 4 wks post op. I won't begin to tell you what I went through.

I would definitely go for the cotton granny panties Since I was only in/out 24hrs...except for my underwear I wore the same clothes home (because you change into surgical garb as soon as you get to the hospital). Be sure to wear clothes and shoes that you can slip on vs. tying and zipping. All the best to you.

Welcome to the club..yes, the shoulder pain can be quite bothersome. In addition to walking, drinking your water, taking Gas-X and pain relievers (if it's more muscle/skeletal like mine was from laying on the surgical table). It does go away but you may need to help it along.

Trust me that's normal. I believe everyone feels the same way until the 1st, 2nd or even the 3rd fill. I was banded on 7/10/08 and just got my first fill last Friday (cut my intake waaaaay down). Before my fill it seemed like I could eat anything (within reason) and not feel full. I went through a range of emotions until I read on here in one of the forums that everyone goes through the same thing. On the reverse, today I tried to chew, chew and chew some more chicken-fry strips as a form of protein before I worked out. Geez-o-pete, I either ate too fast or didn't chew it enough....but man it hurt getting a little stuck. I just had to wait it out and drink a little water before going to the gym. All the best to you.

If you're feeling food coming up and down that probably means you're past the point of full and going onto nearly throwing up. You should also feel somewhat full (not stuffed but full) at that point. I know if you're like me you haven't really listened to your body in so long that you forget that to really sense what/how you're feeling. I'm not sure if you can stretch out your pouch but I can imagine that an "artful" overeater could figure a way to do it.

I sent a friends request to your Myspace page but forgot that I should have sent a request first to let you I'm from Lapband Talk. My Yahoo id is gina4283. Thanks.

:crying:This is my first experience w/ getting sick post band. I was running late this morning and didn't eat breakfast or take time to pack my lunch so I bought a toasted bagel w/ cream cheese at work. First clue should have been...I haven't eaten any bread since my surgery (duh). I must have eaten too fast and not chewed enough because now I feel like I'm on the verge of throwing up i.e sweaty, queezy, and overall sick nausea. Anyone else experienced this? If so, what should I do - just wait it out or drink water to push it through? :confused2:

First, congratulations on meeting your individual goals together! Secondly, it does sound like your wife is still having food issues but in the opposite to over eating - now under eating. Melba toast and peanuts don't sound healthy at all. Maybe you should contact your surgeon's office and speak to the nutrionist. It may be as simple as having your wife meet with the nutrionist for meal planning or it could be that she needs a complete check up. I just wouldn't act like there isn't something going on that needs a doctor's attention.

All sounded normal until you said you had tingling in your arms. You should be calling your surgeon or primary care physician. It could be a pinched nerve or results of how your were positoned on the operating table but it could mean something more serious. I don't mean to be an alarmist but it is better safe than sorry.

Gas is a universal problem post surgery. Lying on your side along with lots of walking, Gas-X, and sipping lots of water after protein drinks helps.

Looking at your weight tracker it seems like you're actually on target. Tell me if I'm reading that wrong...you started at 280 (pre-op) and now 248? You have lost 32 lbs in about 12 weeks with only one fill!!! That is fantastic Where do you think you should be??? Unless you can honestly say that you're sticking to the recommended food plan minus lots of surgary / fatty food then you're doing fine. Otherwise, I think you need to change your thinking about the band and not be so hard on yourself. Remember the band isn't like gastric bypass where you lose a 1 a day...this is is more realistic i.e. 1 to 3 lbs per week. I hope this helps.

You'll find that surgeons around the world give different instructions about how long to wait until their patients can move through the varying food stages. Remember doctors are coming from a medical and sometimes liabiilty perspective. Here in America, they know people will sue if they get a hang nail so doctors will generally give everyone the same cautious advice rather than tell "Susie" she can eat creamed corn and "Bob" can only eat cream of wheat. Your question is valid but I would just stick with what your doctor says. If there is something in particular that you want to eat - ask and see what he/she says. All the best.

CONGRATULATIONS!! In addition what everyone has said before...I found the following helpful. Although I have a desk job I took off a week from work to recoup. Others here said they took 2-3 days but I was sooooo tired and needed frequent naps or least the option to lay down. Stock up on low sodium Soups cream and broth based as well as unjury chicken broth(20 grams protein) you can order from Unjury.com Fat Free/Sugar Free Jello and pudding cups. Gas-X (I used the CVS brand and it was fine) If you don't have a recyliner to sleep in seriously practice getting up w/out using your stomach muscles (harder than you think) by pressing your pillow up against your stomach firmly - your dr's may have a one-pager on this.

Thank you, thank you, thank you for telling the our story. If the truth be told, I believe that's why many of us overeat (unknowlingly)...to hide, to become invisible. However, when the truth hits us in the face; it hurts. (I wish someone would do a study on it) I can pin point when I became invisible, when people began to treat me differently, and the most hurtful is when people began to be mean and disrespectful to me.

for telling our story. I believe we can all relate to every point made in your article. All the best to you now that you've been adopted:thumbup:

Congratulations to your new life. I can't believe you got coffee and didn't need any pain meds....I am sooo jealous!!:thumbup:

Several things come to mind...First, welcome to the site. I believe you will gain some much information here. This site has been a God-send to me. I check in at least once day....most days 2 or 3 times. I search by a topics i.e. gas, recipes, before and after pics etc. Secondly, please know that you will probably begin to feel like yourself again in two weeks. Rest as you need to but remember you're on a life-long journey. Lastly, and pardon me for being so personal but you didn't say how much weight you had to lose which may be an indication as to how uncomfortable you are. At 5-days post op you should be feeling much better, taking care of yourself and walking as much as possible (at least that's what was outlined in my post surgery info). Last question..have you contacted your surgeon?

I am 4 weeks post op (meet w/ my surgeon tomorrow). At this point I am walking 30-40 minutes a day and only able to stand in the pool now that my incisions have healed (no swimming)after my dr's appt. Both exercises are so invigorating and provides a great sense of relaxation.

Are you drinking enough water??? It sounds like you're not keeping yourself well hydrated?