IWannaBeSkinny

I definately agree with the small plate and bowls. I have a ton of 1/2 cup bowls and I use those for my lunches. When I eat at home I measure and then put on small plat. It takes up more than half of the plate usually. I was suprised at how it looked :crying:

I hope it goes fast for you too! I was very please with the time it took. Imagine, if I had to do a 6month diet, I would still be dieting!

My process was about 4 months. My surgeon is usually booked so I had my PCP appt in Sept. They put my first approval through insurance and that took about 3 weeks...then my seminar was almost a month later. I had all my nutritionist/psychologyst/pap and bloodwork done in that month. After seminar it took 3 weeks for my first appt. After that they submitted to insurance for final approval and I was approved in about a week. Surgery scheduled out to Jan. 12th (the earliest available was Jan 1st, but I needed 2 weeks notice to take the time off). So, it took about 4 months total. I have blue cross and I was under the impression from the boards that I would have to do 6 months, but they did not require :thumbup: YAY! The time actually went by really fast! Hope it doesnt take too long for yours. Are you self pay or insurance?

I think you would be ok with mushy foods...yogurt, pudding, cottage cheese. I think this stage helps get you used to the texture things should be when you swallow regular food (if that makes sence). I am 4 weeks out and I still have trouble eating some foods (probably more mental than anything). I havent had steak, bread, Pasta or anything like that.

I am 4 weeks post op. I went about a week without going the first week, then it seem to be about a week inbetween still...HMMM...I should probably add something. I don't REALLY feel bad, its just weird because I was regular before. Like someone else...I get excited when it happens too :thumbup: Just nice to know I still work correctly...

Immediately after going to my room, i thought I had to pee. But, I just couldnt. I sat there and then went back to bed. I tried a few times throughout the day and still nothing. Then, the nurse said I had half an hour or they were going to do a cath. So, I went in the bathroom and sat there until I could go. I never thhought I would have to work so hard just to do something as normal as peeing

during my mushy stage I was supposed to have 1/4 to 1/3 C at a time, and I was supposed to eat 3 meals a day.

I did that too. I had no pre op diet so it was like "what the heck" may as well :thumbdown: The stuff I think about is really bad/stupid...cookie dough/cake batter/brownies...I love that kind of stuff. The whole reaon I ever wanted to bake was for the pre fun of eating it raw. I do miss sodas sometimes, and am getting SUPER tired of water/crystal light. My favorite last meal food was a pazzokie, its freshly baked soft Cookies topped with ice cream. Man...I really was a bad eater...no wonder I am in this position Anyways, 4 weeks post op and I have only had 1 bite of ice cream cake and 1 bite of a banana dipped in choc. fondue.

I was banded the day before you and I am also on regular foods. But, my limit is 1/2 a cup at a time. Actually its supposed to be a 1/3 a cup but I have been eating up to 1/2 a cup depending on what/how hungry I am. Sorry that you threw up. I am so scared of throwing up! I would just say skip the appetizer next time :thumbdown:

I don't know how you would feel about this, but I rented my wedding dress. I got a dress for just under $500. They will alter to fit you and you only need a couple week notice. I don't know if they have them all over the place, but the one near me was SUPER nice! Just a thought.

When I was doing all my pre op reading I noticed that most books on the market are geared more towards bypass or rny surgery. But, the follow up is totally different with the band. I was pretty dissapointed in the information (book wise)available for the band pre op. I found a lot of information here on this site. You know, immediately post op, I was given the RnY guidelines on what to eat. I think that people, even surgeons tend to LUMP them all together. My point though, is that at 4 weeks post op, I can eat almost anything. I have not yet tried the breads/pastas and stuff that you were talking about...But, I have had carne asada, chicken and other things.

Hey Guys, Sorry if this is TMI. I was banded on Jan. 12th. One week later I started my period and had a semi normal one. Then a couple of days ago I spotted and that was it. Then last night I woke up feeling really sick and went to the bathroom and I was spotting again. I thought it was going to be an actual period, but, this AM nothing else. I am / was really crampy feeling. So, is this normal? Anyone else is the same boat? Thanks guys...

I just wanted to give a quick 3 week up date. I am down 23 pounds and feeling GREAT. First week was rough with being sore and not being able to do much. I went back to work week two and was pretty tired, I even took a nap at work the first couple of days. Third week basicallly back to new. I have struggled a bit with just wanting to eat out of boredum, but havent done it :w00t: So, now is the start of week four and I am basically without limits on food, but am still going to be taking it pretty slow. I got on the wii fit band wagon and it is pretty cool! I have a gym membership too and keep debating wheter I should cancel it or not (I have no good time to go, it is in the next town, i carpool to work...yada yada yada...LOL) Thanks for listening everyone! I am so glad to have this board

I work in a retail showroom so I am on my feet a lot during the day. I went back to work one week post op. I was pretty tired by around 2. I went home early the first day and I took a nap in the break room the second day. After 2 weeks I felt pretty much back to normal.

YAY! Glad to hear it

OH I am soooo with almost all of you! I am 3 weeks post op and have started to have some withdrawls (more like thoughts of: "I can't believe I wont be able to have ...) So here are some of the things that I have been thinking about: Diet Pepsi, The chinese buffet where I would eat 2 plates of crab legs and one of chow mein, cake or brownie batter, milkshakes and ice cream, chips and salsa, candies by the handfull, Peanut Butter and jelly sandwhiches... Ok, thats enough of my list for now. Sad to see how much I really LIVED FOR food. I like others, liked to just eat as much as possible. Its funny how now when I eat, I really make sure that it is something I actually want to eat. Otherwise, I feel like the whole meal was a waste! Before I would just eat whatever was there, and then eat more if I didnt really like it. Sorry my post was soooo long :tongue2:

Yea, I understand that feeling. We keep getting slower and slower and we are over staffed! SCARY TIMES...

1. Full Time Wife - my fav of the jobs 2. Full time Tile & Stone showroom manager - title means almost nothing...retail is not really my thing...neither is management (LOL) 3. Part time student - pre reqs for nursing program Hopefully #3 will pay off so I can quit #2 and only work a couple days a week, then I want to add #4 (being a MOMMY)

Me too! We must be pretty close. Do you go to a support group locally? Where was your surgery done?

I was able to sleep on my side again middle of 2nd week post op. It was funny because I could never sleep on my back before..and now I wake up and think...Oh...Im on my back :redface: The first time I slept on my side and grabbed my hubby (the best way for me to sleep) he was like "Hey, thats nice, its been a long time"...Crazy the things you miss so much! NEWAYS it does get better! Youll be back on you side in no time...

Congrats! I wont be much help with the question because I was only banded 2 days before you :thumbup: I still get really good restriction too, so I hope it doesnt go away...Hope yours doesnt either!

I told everyone. People started asking why I was going to Dr's appointments all the time, and I figured it was best if I told rather than people talk amongst theirselves. Everyone thought I was preggo! It has been a good support. I used to tell people when I was dieting, so I think this is similar. And its nice because people comment about the wl and stuff too!

I cleaned out my closet today. Well partially. I still have 2 boxes and a tote to go through (but, I already know they are size 16-18 and I am 22). I have a nice stack of pants that fit now, and a good stack of 20's. I will be fully clothed (thankfully) for quite awhile. I wonder how long it takes to go from a 22 to a 16? Wont it be so fun to wear these clothes again?

I am 2 weeks post op. My Dr. does put some saline in when the band is placed, but I don't know how much (I don't know how big my band is yet either). But, so far I have had really good restriction. I eat 1/3 to half a cup of mushy/soft food at a time. I stay full for 4-6 hours. At my one week appointment she mentioned, "when you are eating more than a cup at a time, then you come in for a fill". I don't know if that means no fills untill I am eating that much or what. My next appointment is at the 5 week mark.

I was wondering how long you can go with just having a few calories per day. I know some people stay on liquids for up to 5 weeks and that is so few calories. I am on mushies now and am getting less than 500 cals per day. I got scared yesterday because I was up one lb...then today I was back to where I was before. So, my question is...How long until "starvation mode" and you quit losing? Also, if I'm not hungry...I shouldnt be eating right? 'cuz that is the point of the band....