AZnikki

Hey there...welcome to banded life! I'm 4.5 weeks post op--I'm eating some fairly normal stuff--you just have to be really careful...i ate too fast today and wasn't chewing well (just completely forgot about the band--i was talking and visiting and all) and man--did it hurt!!! Anyway-thought I was going to throw it all up!!! I caught it quickly and just had to sit there a bit and then I was fine. Just take it easy--you don't want to go crazy--what would be the point of all of this then? Also, I know you have to be careful about the band slipping and stretching. There are some REALLY great threads on here....I didn't have time to search for them...but I think one of them was like "what's everyone eating" or something like that...and everyone kind of posted at what stages they were eating things...that was pretty helpful. Good luck to ya...BE CAREFUL and yes, CHEW AND SLOW DOWN and SMALL BITES!!!!

My best advice would be not to overdo it--emotionally or physically...I'm about 4.5 weeks post op and it can take its toll on you--and that's with a very supportive family--it's very much a mindset--gain control over the food--i had to do a lot of self-talk...when I was just 2 days post op we had a HUGE family gathering that was a cook out and there was sooo much food there...I just fed my face with all the right things every hour or so--yogurt, sugar free jello, s.f. popsicles, broth, s.f. pudding, etc...I treated myself and bragged about all the goodies...trying to convince myself that i was not "missing out"...i made it through...it's all very temporary...now, just 4 weeks later, and only a week after my first fill, it doesn't even bother me...i can find things to eat and blend in with the rest of them. Just try not to take it personally--it's not a conspiracy--at least not that I know of--I'm sure they aren't out to get you--they just don't know any better--can you talk to them??? This website is the BEST place for support...latch on!!! I've made the BEST friends on here...I have found some that I call on the phone often when I need to talk...it's very helpful...hang in there...it WILL get better!!! PM me if you need to talk!

I really like Ultimate Meal from HiHealth and Spriu tein Cookies N Cream and Chocolate and Cheeries Jubilee from Sprouts--the Spiru tein you can get in sample packets which is great b/c you can try them before investing in a whole container of it.

I got a lot of relief from a heating pad and walking--especially with my arms in the air or making wide circles with my arms. I also found comfort with hot tea. Walk, walk, walk!!! Best advice ever though!!!

No doctor here, but my unofficial diagnosis would be gas pains also...I agree about the walking and the arms above the head. I also found a lot of relief from sugar free tums and heating pads and hot tea. Hang in there...if it doesn't get better, ask your doc...that's what you're payin him for :biggrin: Don't hesitate to call him/her with even the simplest questions!

Hope, you're lucky..my discharge papers said 2 weeks, but I had to start after about 10 days...couldn't do it anymore...my busy life just couldn't handle not driving!

I used a heating pad and drank lots of hot tea. The heating pad was wonderful...didn't help me pass gas, but it helped break up the air bubbles.

I'm 3 weeks out, so needless to say, I'm well past the gas and bloating (thank GOD)..but I can tell you...I didn't find ANY relief from any gas meds--every now and then sugar free tums helped...but a heating pad worked very well, walking worked even better, and of course time. Also, hot tea was very soothing. Hope this help?!?!:biggrin: hang in there...it won't actually last FOREVER!

Indio, I couldn't agree more...it sounds like we are at about the same stage...I was banded on 3/21 and i'm eating everything I'm NOT supposed to :biggrin: I do fine during the day, but at night, I lose ALL self control. I've lost 14 pounds, but I know I could be losing more and I know that I could be damaging myself. I think once I realized that with no restriction there really wasn't much point to eating just liquids and mushies, I quit that whole game...but WOW Indio, you really put it into perspective for me and I'm totally inspired to start doing it right again. I get my fill this Wednesday. I am really hoping that that too will help my confidence. Thanks for this new post on this topic...we need to be reminded every now and then of this!

If you are on the 2 oz at a time deal, I found these great cups at WalMart--they are 3 oz. plastic cups and come in a count of 100. I poured 2 oz. of water in one and marked it with a sharpie, then I marked the whole pack so that it's easy to fill up and my kids can fix my meals and snacks and all for me. Plus...it's easier to use than the medicine cups and I feel a little more human and not quite so much like an idiot! I wasn't even embarrassed to use them yesterday at a family gathering. Think I'll have to share this on a message board! Also, those little spoons from baskin robbins for tasting ice cream--haven't shopped for em yet, but I'm gonna find em cuz that's what they want us to use. My nurse at the hospital was able to get me a bunch from the cafeteria before I left, so I keep re-using them. Gonna look on Ebay and at Michaels and Sysco and stuff for the plastic spoons--I'll post if I find the spoons soon...don't know how much longer I'll need them, but I like em...makes me stay disciplined!

Man I wish I woulda waited until YOU replied!!!

Ok Amsderb-you know me too well already--I'm all about the tranferance of my addictions! hahaha!!! I already bought some of the other containers that I replied on earlier and I bid on the ebay little wonders--and dang it if I didn't win some of the auctions! I might be savin money on the food, but not on what to put these thick liquids in! LOL!

These are great!!! I like these even better than my cups...and the little wonders that I got on ebay...dang it...may have to shop some more!!!

Thanks...bought some little wonders--got some of the midgets too...the 2 oz ones...those are pretty cool too!

Very cool about the little wonders! Yes, dancinglamb--as for the lines on the cups dreamsize8, i poured 2 oz of water into a cup and marked it and then marked a whole bunch of the cups...and yes, dancing you are right too about eyeballing it--I can tell now about what it is...they are just pretty durable...but they are disposable so I don't have to take dirty dishes home from work which is WONDERFUL for me!!! I always end up forgetting them in my car, etc....hate that! BUT...may have to check out the little wonders for at home and on occasion. Dreamsize, I use them for my protein drinks too so that I can be sure to get my 2 oz of protein drinks in about every 2 hours or so too...it helps me keep track...I just keep em stacked on my desk or keep a tally of them if I'm reusing the cup, etc.

LOL--they are at WalMart if you can go there. Yeah, they are like Dixie cups but they are plastic. I can even put warm broth in them. I wouldn't bother with ebay since you'd have shipping. :sneaky: Here are pictures!

I use them so that I don't have to measure out 2 oz. each time i go to eat something. I can just fill it to the line. Does that make sense? It's just quicker and easier.

Okay, apparently this wasn't a big hit thread...but...for what it's worth...I said I'd post it when I found it...I found a good deal on the little spoons if anyone is interested: Misc. Supplies - BayouSome.com, Inc.

Okay, so in line with Liseinseattle's comment--and girl, I'm right there with ya...I had bites from brownie today that I coulda mashed the whole thing with a fork and called it good--but...while I was in the store tonight, looking for some way to "spice" up my full liquids--i.e: new flavors of pudding and jello--my eyes were suddenly drawn to a tub of the same consistency--i thought to myself, "Self, this would be the same texture as pudding...it's made the same way...hmmm....should be fine!" One problem--wasn't sugar free--it was Philadelphia Cream Cheese Cheesecake Filling! Does anyone else see my logic here???

I USED to be able to do that BEFORE surgery---I'm only 4 days Post, so I REALLY hope that I am able to do that AGAIN!!! It would feel SOOOOO good!!!!!! My husband gets "mad" at my daughter and I cuz we sit around and burp...hehehe...what can I say, I'm a guy's gal! Hey TEX--down south, huh? From San Antonio originally! :biggrin: Miss it!

ha! just watched that show last night for the first time!!! WOW!!!! how ironic!

Lots of good advice on this thread: What are the pains from? Gas, fullness, or surgery? Also, be sure to walk, walk, walk!!! Even if only for short distances! After I started the above thread and got everyone's advice, the best thing that has helped was the heating pad and walking!

What are the pains from? Gas, fullness, or surgery? (in post-op forum) Re-Coop Time (in pre-op forum) are some good threads to look at...personally, I think you will be fine!!! But, I'm no doctor...but I had mine done on Thursday, coulda been back today, but decided to wait until tomorrow...was at WalMart on Saturday...there are others though that need 2 or 3 weeks...all depends...but as for sitting in class, etc...I think you'll be fine!

I've been told all the same--it's the full thing--drinking will trick you into thinking you're full when you're really not. I hate it too...actually I'm having trouble not drinking during my "meals" (which right now are only yogurt, pudding or malt o meal) but then I forget to drink water at other times!! Hang in there...it will all become clear. Keep asking questions!!!

LOL---no please tell her that you will NOT be out of it after you get out of the hospital--not unless you are on some totally different drugs than the rest of us!!! :0) Check on craigs list for a recliner or on LBT.com--maybe someone on here might be in your area...I know I've found people blocks away from me!