travelinsnorkel

I was banded about 3 weeks ago. Obviously I was tired from the surgery, but now I am pain free, but I am really tired all of the time. Is this normal? I thought I'd have more energy by now. I'm off of my blood pressure meds so I thought this would help. Am I not eating enough? I'm at about 700-800 calories a day. I'm not too concerned about it at this point as I'm still in the healing phase, but I really want to get back to being as active as I was before the surgery, but being tired a lot makes that hard.

Congrats! That sux that you have the flu though. I've been washing my hands like crazy to avoid catching anything. I actually have been sleeping better than I did pre-op. You're having trouble? Hope it gets better!

I'm taking my multi and calcium pills every day. Maybe I'll try upping the calories. I'm not watching them purposely, but I'm keeping track of things online so I know what I'm eating. I am really not that hungry, but maybe once I start real food I will be able to get in more calories and feel better. Thanks for the advice!

They often are, but I don't believe that this will cancel your surgery. I'm on thyroid meds and was able to have it.

My doc doesn't make self pay spend the night in case there is a problem, but they do make you stay there all day. I didn't leave until 7pmish. Good luck!

Saltines and oyster crackers are on my mushies phase diet...

I'm having the same problem. Itching all over. Not on any meds now so I know it isn't that. I did have an allergic reaction to the steri strips though, but those have been off for almost 2 weeks. My primary is just treating it with an antihistamine which helps a little.

B- 1/4C eggbeaters with ketchup L- tomato soup and strawberry yogurt S- Applesauce D- Tuna salad and 2 tbsp hummus S- yogurt

What does your surgeon say about you not sticking to the diet? I wasn't required to do a liquid diet, I was just told to not gain weight. My thoughts on the matter are that if I could do a liquid diet with no help, I wouldn't be where I am! Have you tried some other proteins that aren't milky? Maybe add unflavored unjury to broth. I would definitely call the doc's office and see what they think, I'm sure this happens to a lot of people. Good luck!

Wow, it is hard to say how it all began, but I've been overweight my whole life. Both of my parents are overweight and I'm pretty sure there is a genetic component there. I remember dieting when I was as young as 4th grade. I've always eaten fairly healthfully, just way too much. It got worse in college. Then, the past 10 or so years since it has gone up and down. With relationships ending, work stress, etc...The past year I developed diabetes and high blood pressure and I think with all of the meds I've been on, that contributed as well. In the end it was my doing, but these were all contributors.

I was told 45 minutes, but possibly up to 90 if there were complications such as a hernia repair

I agree! I feel kind of like I was given this thing and sent on my way! Yes, I am following the diet and doing what I'm supposed to do, but nothing is being done to help with the psychological aspect. I do see my regular therapist, but she doesn't really know the ins and outs of what I'm going through. I did a TON of research on the band and still don't feel totally prepared. I haven't gotten super hungry, but every day I question, am I doing this right?? I'm eating less than 800 calories a day which I'm fine on, but should I be eating more? I guess I feel like there should be more follow up sessions with nurses and or support people. Good luck everyone!

Instant potatoes were on my approved list as are saltines. I have been avoiding them for the most part, but sometimes I eat a protein and then just have a little bit of them. It is ok to have some carbs, just need to be careful and make sure that you are getting in all of your proteins. Good luck to everyone getting banded this week!

I was really busy and waited to long to eat dinner. I'm on mushies and I think I ate too fast. I feel a little pain in my pouch area when I try to breathe deeply. Any suggestions on how to help this?

I could have SF jello and pudding, broth, creamy soups, protein shakes, popcicles, and that was pretty much it, I think. Then I moved onto mushies where I can have eggs, egg salad, tuna, saltines, chicken soup with stars, beans, and cheese. I had a 2 week post op appt. It seemed like it was mostly just to check the incisions though. There really isn't much else to check unless you are having problems I suppose. If you are concerned or want to be seen sooner, I would give them a call. Good luck!

I got pills too...I'm allowed to swallow anything the size of a tylenol and smaller they said...

And I thought I was being so good, but definitely ate faster than I had before. No more gulp, swallow, gulp, swallow I suppose! I've learned my lesson...not fun!

I went through the same thing the whole weekend before my surgery. I think that surgery is a lot harder when it is something elective. I am almost two weeks out and so glad I did it and am already feeling a lot better and healthier. Good luck to you and everything will go great!

Yeah, that sounds like gas...I had what I thought was a muscle spasm in my back and it was gas supposedly. I did the 2 weeks of liquids, now I'm on mushies for 2 weeks, then get to start on real food. Good luck!

Just wondering what everyone's daily calorie intakes are...

I was allowed to take my gauze off the next day and then the steri strips started coming off themselves in7-10 days. I had to pull them off because not wanting to do anything normally, I had an allergic reaction to the steri strips (the adhesive, I'm also allergice to bandaid adhesive) and they couldn't be on anymore!

Yesterday, my first full day of mushies I ate about 500 calories and was pretty full, but I'm sure when I can work out more I will need more to sustain me. Good to know what works for the rest of you!

You don't eve get mushies in those 5 weeks?? That's a bummer! Hope it goes well for you! Wonder why your surgeon has you doing that...they all seem to have their own rules about things!

I was told that that feeling up in your chest is the new full feeling. Even though you don't have any restriction, you are swollen from the surgery. Also, supposedly the lower part of the stomach can still grow even though you are full in the upper part. Also, you probably still have a lot of gas in there still. Good luck with everything!

I have heard before that you need to retrain the people around you, but it is soooo true! I had a friend who never forwards me anything forward me this wonderful cookie recipe...they don't get it! Then, my Mom who is very supportive and lost a good amount of weight herself, asked me if I wanted to go to Cheesecake Factory with my cousin Sunday. She said I could eat ice cream or cheesecake while they eat dinner. I was like, first of all I can't eat those things and second of all I'm really not ready to go out to eat yet since I'm still in the mushy phase. I really didn't think I'd have to say anything to her, I thought that she would understand, but I guess I do!