Band_Groupie

I have 2 days of full liquids then ease back to food. You're not likely to get good restriction with the first fill, but that all depends on how aggressive your doc is with fills and your anatomy (some never even need a fill and have restriction). I'd just know you have a chance of only being able to eat a little, but then again, that will be your future Thanksgivings anyway...and yes, I can still eat everything at Thanksgiving...just a tiny bit of each

CONGRATULATIONS Bander! You're doing really well! Keep staying ahead of the pain with your meds and SF preserves with the G. yogurt is my fav. -BG

WELCOME to LBT! If you go through this being aware you can't help but to change your mind as well...and what's better for your self-esteem than feeling better about yourself and your weight! Good luck! -BG

Woot! Restriction is great after Bandster Hell! My doc says the same thing about carbonation...says it's one of those LB rumors that gets started and takes on a life of its own. Hope the hunger goes! -BG

WHAT?!! Haven't you seen the pictures of Bandlandia?!! Sorry, I couldn't resisit... You're going to do great! I'm sure it will move fast for you and you do have NO HUNGER to look forward to...can't tell you how many diets I've been on...starving the entire time! Good luck next week! -BG

CONGRATULATIONS Bander! Sounds like you're doing perfectly!!! Send some of that warm weather over here! -BG

I tried to tackle this description when I got to what I considered my Sweet Spot (blog HERE). My preference is to have my band tight enough that I can still eat everything, but I'm not hungry between meals of about 1C (sometimes 3/4, sometimes 1.5C). I COULD eat 1.5 C at each meal, maybe more, but I don't need to in order to be satisfied. If I got another fill right now, even a little bit, I know I'd be PBing a lot, or would be resorting to sliders...not what I want, so...I'm in the zone. I DO have the morning tightness and sometimes it lasts until the afternoon if I'm drinking something cold (exactly as you described...it 'backs up' and I can feel it gurgling slowly through...my doc makes us drink a cup of water after each fill and that's always my restriction test-the last two I've gotten more slow down and gurgling with the water). I drink hot coffee first in the morning and it helps so I can get my oatmeal down as long as I eat slowly. I generally don't have any problem with later meals and can usually chug at night, although probably not as fast as I could pre-band. I do have a problem getting in all my liquids, but I just need to work harder at it. Like I said, I can eat anything including bread (which I try to avoid, but have had some). There's nothing on my can't eat list. I've always said if I get so tight that I can't eat things or have to drink my protein that I'm too tight (my doc's philosophy too), but I know some like having that control of only being able to drink some meals. I have had my stuck episodes, but it's operator error and not chewing or eating too fast and it doesn't happen often. I've had problems getting in all the fruit and vegetables too and don't often make the nutritional requirements, but I'm working that back in and I probably need to track things more often than I do. I'll be interested to see what you find out...the sweet spot is certainly a personal decision for everyone. Great question!

Thanks again GF's (still here)! -BG

Congrats! 45 is great! -BG

Call your doc...if you're vomiting a lot and have heartburn you're too tight. This can be dangerous if it goes on too long. Best wishes! -BG

15 is awesome. Bandster Hell is one great big BLAH! -BG

Copy and paste the actual picture of the ticker, not the code (and don't forget to save) -BG

You're normal if you're nervous...no matter how excited we were to finally get our band, we were all nervous too. I've lost 50 pounds, and 30-40 more times than I can count. It's not about dieting anymore...it's a lifestyle you can live with...without hunger! You're going to do great and your smart doing this at a young age! Best Wishes -BG

I already 'doctor' up the oatmeal with lots of soy protein powder, which really changes the texture so I wouldn't necessarily notice the Benefiber, but it dissolves so completely when I mix it first into the water...do you notice it in the coffee? Funny you should ask about how often...just last week I was looking at this and started today to add it twice a day. I couldn't even eat raisin bran cereal pre-band without having diarrhea...now I can take a fiber supplement with no problems LOL. I don't 'go' very often, but no diarrhea/constipation either (probably just because we eat so much less), sorry TMI.

WELCOME to LBT! It does take forever. Every doc is different on giving a date (mine only did this after they submitted everything for approval). Good luck! -BG

5 more lbs...awesome!

Great job...awareness is half the battle! -BG

CONGRATULATIONS on your banding! And what an extra 'plus' for you finding the hernia! Best wishes! -BG

Welcome to 'Bandster Hell'! The hunger will go away with fills and as you get restriction. It's all up to you until then (many gain back weight during this period, so try hard to at least maintain). It WILL end! -BG

Be really well hydrated, don't eat before a fill, and don't drink anything cold. It's a tiny sting and that's all I feel; it's over in seconds. Good luck! -BG

WELCOME to LBT! It's a normal thing to worry about...you're changing the outside, the inside is all up to you. -BG

I'm struggling here with not wanting to make you nervous, but no way would I be going back to a surgeon who couldn't complete this surgery (I'd be looking for a new surgeon). My doc doesn't have a pre-op diet, operates on some of the heaviest people that other hospitals won't take and has never not been able to complete a surgery (not even for a fatty liver). -BG

Well, if you're me...lots of flowy, empire waist, long to cover my hips (boardering on wearing a dress over pants), loose sleeved (never sleeveless), untailored (never fitted), boxy, multi-layered upon layer upon layer, mostly-black or dark clothing (and the prints I had from the women's section always look like I'm wearing tablecloths or shower curtains). Maybe the butterfly jacket can be tailored to work too...or maybe you can alter it into a bolero...or a bikini

I just add the powder to my oatmeal every morning...it dissolves completely so you wouldn't even notice it even in a drink (DH drinks that orange Metamucil every morning...it's like a glass of slime yuck!).