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Niterun - I was banded the day after you. The band does wonderful things for taking away our hunger, but that head hunger sure is another issue! I've found myself standing with the refrigerator or pantry doors open, not even sure how I got there! I've had to tell myself out loud "You are NOT hungry, what are you doing??" It is just such a habit. I was gone for my stepson's wedding a week ago and it is amazing how being away from home and my routine got me away from my good habits I had going. How about getting out a picture of you at your highest weight and now, and comparing the two, so you can see the progress you have made? Or getting out a pair of your old pants that are now too big as a reminder of how far you have come? My doc suggests waiting until I am hungry to eat - not eating just because it is lunch time. That really seems to help me and is retraining me to eat when my body needs it, not just because. I've had a couple of those days where I grazed on things I shouldn't, but for me they didn't taste as good as they used to, and the guilt - oh my!! You're not alone in this - head hunger is something I'll always fight. Put yourself and your health first and really make an effort to think through any food choice before you eat. Let me know how you are doing. p.s. I log all my food and exercise on thedailyplate.com. If you aren't logging what you eat, this may help. Seeing the calories, Protein, etc., really was eye opening for me. I entered I wanted to eat 1200 calories a day (I average 950-1200) and it lets you know how many calories you have remaining after each food selection and has a great database of foods. Almost any food you can think of is listed there.

I just wanted to add this. In that period postop you'll find some people on the boards who continued to lose weight, but MOST bandsters will fight to maintain (I gained and lost the same 3 pounds weeks 2-6) and my doctor warned me I may even gain during this time period. You have the band, but you have no or little fill. I just like to put this out there as a reminder. I knew it very well going into surgery, but once I hit bandster hell stage and didn't keep losing like I had preop and in the 1 week after surgery, I thought I was doing something wrong. Just eat the foods and portions your doctor has told you and you'll get through it fine. Then once you start with fills the weight will come off, but it may take several fills to get to your sweet spot. Patience is really important with the band.

I've lost 42 pounds + 662 = 704!!!!

thedailyplate.com (livestrong.com)

Seem to be posting every other day so will play catch up again. Yesterday: B: 3/4 c. Golden Flax Cereal, 1/4 c. milk, 1/2 banana L: 1/2 buffalo chicken ranch wrap (minus wrap) on lettuce, 6 tortilla chips D: 4 oz grilled burger, 1 oz BBQ chips (gotta stop with the chips) Exercise: Yard work for 2 hours - woohoo!!!! Today: B: 2 Jimmy Dean turkey sausage patties, 1 slice fat free American cheese, 1/2 banana L: Will be 3 oz tuna, 1 T FF M. Whip, lettuce D: Going out to eat, so no clue. Anyone else watching game 7 of the NHL playoffs tonight?

We've all read on here about those people who lose a great amount of weight right after surgery, but the reality is that most of us will lose and gain the same few pounds, or even gain a bit before the first fill, so you are doing great!!! Hang in there and stick with what your doctor has told you to eat. Once you start getting fills the weight loss will come easier. Give your body time to heal and adjust before expecting too much from it. If I had any advice for you it would be to try to get in more Protein shakes - your body really needs it!

Jason - Just wanted to say how wonderful you are doing!!! Good for you that you are going to be able to have surgery this summer!! You have definitely shown you are motivated and truly want this. Keep up the awesome work!

Missed posting yesterday so will catch up - Yesterday: B: 1/2 packet Weight Control maple/bs oatmeal, 1/3 banana L: 4 oz hamburger, 1 slice onion, 5 slices potato D: 4 ounces chicken, 14 grapes Today: B: 2 Jimmy Dean Turkey Sausage Patties, 1 slice fat free cheese, 1/2 slice multigrain toast (really have to rethink bread, it's not as comfy as it used to be). L: (Will be) 1 c. chili, 1/2 banana D: (Going out with friends) Salmon, Broccoli

In my mushy stage I actually ate whatever I made for my husband - just put it in my Magic Bullet type blender first. I had meatloaf, loose meats, meatballs, salmon, tuna salad... you name it I had it. If you need to you can add some beef broth, or any other liquid that would work to make it mushier. This is what my nutritionist suggested I do.

I took the MMPI as well. Just answer the questions honestly and you'll be fine. Then a week later I met with the psychologist. At that time my mom had passed away one week before and I worried about my eval and how I would come across. However, I think they just want to make sure you don't have unrealistic expectations for the surgery. I wouldn't be overly worried about what you are going through right now, I think part of what they are looking for is how do you react to stress and life changes - obviously you are going through some right now, and you are doing what you need to cope and get through it. Just be honest and open. Life isn't perfect, and neither are we. I had to laugh - after my eval he told me that the test showed I didn't have quite as much social interaction - when he found out I worked from home he said, "That explains it!" They want to make sure you have all kinds of support. Another thing he said was that my test showed I didn't have a lot of faith (religious). I about died laughing at that one. I have very strong faith and was leaning on it heavily at that time after just losing my mother. He said, "I know, after talking with you that is the farthest thing from the truth." I told him I must have read a question incorrectly or something, and he agreed.

My doc routinely puts in 3 cc at the first fill. It took about 3 weeks for it to "kick in" and for me to notice more restriction. At my last fill a week ago I could have had up to 2 cc, but opted for only 0.5. I was doing pretty good, just getting hungry between meals occasionally and one of our kids got married last weekend, so the last thing I wanted was to be too tight. I'd rather sneak up on my sweet spot. I never want to be too tight. He told me if I felt I needed another fill in 2 weeks to call, so will see what happens. I've noticed even with the 0.5 cc he added I really have to chew more and eat more slowly than before. That is something I'm still working on.

Congrats on your surgery! It sounds as if you are doing great - keep up the good work!

I'm not from Texas but I can try to answer a couple of your questions. My doctor makes his patients sign a paper stating they will not get pregant for 1 year after lapband surgery so that may be something to take into consideration. Also, you said something about "having no choice but to diet with the band." You can gain weight with the band by eating high calorie foods or slider foods such as milkshakes, ice cream, etc. Those are high calorie and because they aren't solids won't stay in your pouch to keep you from being hungry. You can also overeat (uncomfortable but can be done) and stretch your pouch out to where it won't hold just the small amount it should. Although I've only been banded a few months it takes dedication on your part to eat healthy, follow your doctor's directions, stop when the band says enough (if not before), be proactive in your own health care to go in for fills when you need it, etc. The band won't do all the work for you, it is just there to help. Hope this helps some - best of luck!

I'm glad your surgery went well. Hang in there, you will be feeling better before long. I read and read up on lapband too and teased my hubby I was so informed I thought I could PERFORM the surgery (just teasing of course). However, now that I'm banded, I've discovered you really do learn even more as you go and some things (like gaining and losing the same 3 pounds in bandster hell) I had to relearn and remind myself of when I was actually going through it. Keep up the good work!

Good luck with your surgery - you must be so excited!!! You'll do great on your liquids.. and your postop diet. I didn't really think it was bad at all. Keep us posted when you feel up to it!!

Back from my stepson's wedding this weekend. Didn't do too bad overall, but ate a little more than usual Saturday evening at the reception. Today: B: 1 slice multigrain toast (going down harder since my fill - may be getting to the end of eating bread) 1/2 small banana L: 1/2 omelette with gr pepper, onion, ham 1/4 c. hashbrowns (left overs from yesterday's lunch) 1/2 Hershey bar (last of the candy from the wedding - thank goodness it is out of the house) D: Will be 3 oz BBQ pork 1/4 c. cauliflower S: Decaf skinny vanilla latte (coffee night with friends)

I've been MIA a while as well. Just had my second fill yesterday. Yesterday: B: Slim Fast Shake L: 1 cup Creamy Tomato Soup - Panera Bread S: Grande Decaf Skinny Vanilla Latte D: 1 cup chicken tortilla soup, strained Today: B: 1 packet Cream of Wheat L: 1 cup chili - blended, 1 T cheddar melted in 8 oz low fat peach yogurt D: Probably 1 cup chicken tortilla soup again Going out of town for our son's wedding tomorrow, so will log again on Monday.

My surgeon says 3 meals a day, no snacking. They also encourage you to eat only when you are truly hungry (learning to listen to what your body needs rather than supplying it with calories when it isn't askig for it) so I had to get away from eating simply because it was time to. This seems to work well for me - and luckily I work from home so my mealtime can vary if needed, although usually breakfast is the only one that does. Sometimes I'm hungry at 6:30, some days not til 9:00. lunch and dinner are pretty predictable. It's amazing how different our surgeons are and their philosophies, yet for the most part everyone seems to do well. I guess they differ as much as our journeys do.

I also had "Last Supper Syndrome." In fact I drove myself so nuts with it, trying to figure out what I was going to eat that I thought I would never be able to eat again (so silly) that I put myself on the preop diet a day early. I simply had to stop the madness.

Hi Andy - I didn't do many Soups, but my first thought would be the 99% fat free tomato soup. There are quite a few varieties that are fat free (Campbells) that would not have to be strained. You could also check the Progresso (WW Points) soups, I'm GUESSING those are low fat - and you could strain those. Maybe some others will pop on with other ideas for you. Good luck!!

I bought the book and read it before surgery. In addition, it was very informative for my husband. It answered many of his questions and told what life would be like for him after my surgery as well. I had surgery in March and have referred back to the book several times. You're right, it is a great resource!

Willowcat - What a post! I have been overweight for so long that I never put any thought into why -I just was. I used to watch Dr.Phil and no matter what the behavior I would see him say "what is the pay off for you doing this"? I thought he was nuts - why would I choose to be heavy?? Well when I started the lapband process I really dug down and did some thinking and discovered being fat allowed me to hide from a lot of personal issues in my past that I didn't take the time to deal with (the same period in my life where I gained the weight - duh!) - it was easire and more comforting to eat than deal with life.. So far I feel I'm handling the process well, but if for any reason I am struggling with either my loss (self sabotage) or have any emotional issues, I won't hesitate to see someone. Not only is this a huge physical change we are going through, but a very emotional one as well. We are seeing people in the mirror that we may not have seen for decades. It certainly is a journey of discovery.

I had my first fill 5 weeks ago, and also felt it "take hold" at about 3 weeks. I have to be sure I chew (something I really have to work on) well. I also have to watch and for signs of being satisfied and am finding that the amount I can eat at one meal, may be too much the next meal (varying by a couple of ounces). If you are having any questions you should talk with your doctor's office and see what they suggest.

Scott - Before you know it you will be getting ready for surgery and you'll wake up with a whole new chance at a healthy life in front of you. I understand your hesitancy to have surgery - this was only my 2nd surgery as an adult. Have a pillow handy for the ride home. I used one immediately after surgery to hold against my stomach, mainly my port incision. I felt it made it more comfy when turning over at night too, even once I got home. I think I did that for 7-10 days. Like you I have comorbidities as well. I have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and sleep apnea. My parents both had diabetes so I knew I was headed that direction for sure if I didn't get my weight under control once and for all. My blood pressure is now normal - still on my medication but it had crept up prior to surgery even with my medication, so normal even on meds is an improvement for me. My doctor told me to keep an eye on it, and if it coninues to go down I may be able to cut back on my medication soon (woohoo!). I'm anxious to see what my cholesterol is, just had that tested Friday, and my sleep apnea has improved. I haven't felt starving at all. When I got hungry weeks 4-6 after surgery I could have some Protein to tide me over, so I've never felt I had to starve at all in this process. I only get hungry at mealtime - and it is a different hunger than I had the first 47 years of my life. Follow your doctor's orders for your postop diet and care. You may see differing views from other's doctors on here, but do what YOUR doctor says. You may have a period where you don't lose before your first fill (mine was weeks 2-6) - that's normal, be prepared for that. Your body will be healing and adjusting. Once you start the process of fills the band will work if you work it. Best of luck with your surgery - and keep us posted on how you are doing once you are feeling up to posting!! Looking forward to hearing from you.

You are still healing. I experienced the exact same thing and panicked. Weeks 2-6 post surgery I lost and gained the same 3-4 pounds. I too was frustrated as my calorie intake was much lower. But you are doing everything right. Once I got my first fill at 6 weeks I began to lose consistently. Just let your body heal. My nutritionist told me to increase my calories to 1200 and I think that did help. That might be an idea?