sharons

Welcome Marty - I was nervous before surgery, but I had to go through so much just to have the surgery (insurance paid) that all I wanted was to get it over with and move on to the next step; and, here I am no worse for wear. I've also been confused about the post op diets from reading many of the posts, however I'm following the plan my doctor provided (which is very similiar to Longs). I didn't have a lot of pain, more like discomfort - didn't need pain meds, but had them just in case. Lot's of gas and diaherra sp. My biggest struggle has been hunger, but even that is getting better. I had surgery on Fri (1/23) and was back in the office the following Tues. The first couple of days back was a bit taxing, but by the end of the week everything was fine. I find that these forums are an excellent source of information and support. Good luck to you. Indigo - I went to WW today and I heard a lady announce she lost 11lbs her first week on the program. It made me feel a little disappointed, cause I've only lost 3.6lbs since my last weigh in (last Sunday) and I have a band. Oh well, I adjusted my mind and chalked it up to the fact that everyone's body is different. As long as I'm losing I'll be satisfied that I made a good decision.

Saundra - I've lost 11lbs and 3 lbs just this week (post surgery). I hear the normal should be about 1-2lbs per week, so I think I lost 3 simply because I've only been taking in fluids. Whatever the case, I'm happy about the 3, last month I gained 3 (and the month before that, and before that and so on).

Ok I'll check out the food page you suggested...I hope I didn't offend anyone, it certainly was not my intention. It's just when I read how well you all have done, I can't imagine any of you needing anything else...looking at the world through my rose colored prescription glasses again.

You are quite welcome illingrl. Like I said I've been there and I wouldn't wish that feeling on anyone. I know the applesauce was good and keepin it down was even better. I'm doing ok, lot's of gas - but no pain and the "starving" feeling is starting to go away. I'm still doing the liquid diet for the most part, but the Soups I eat are probably a little more higher in calories than they should be, but I eat about about 1 - 1 1/2 cups in the course of the day. I love seafood, so I tend to eat seafood bisque or some sort of cream soup e.g. cream of shrimp. I also like Beans, so if I'm not eating the seafood type I'll eat (drink) the bean soup. The bean soup is really good and it seems to help with keeping my bowels moving regularly. I still struggle with the Water, I literally hate drinking it and I've tried everything to make it more paletable. I went grocery shopping yesterday and that was really interesting, by the time I got to the counter and looked at my purchases, I realized there was nothing in my basket except items you basically drink. I would have never imagined you could spend close to $100 on food and have virtually nothing which you could actually chew on in my selections. I kept thinking what are the people standing behind me or the cashier are thinking, if they are looking at the items I purchased. Yeah, yeah self centered thinking, I know. Does anyone ever do this e.g. while waiting in line, look at the food products the person in front of you is purchasing? Anyway, I did find this new product by SoBe. It's called lifewater. It's basically the same thing as Propel and VitaWater etc. I purchased one to try it out, cause I keep buying all these waters that I don't like after I purchase them and then have them sitting around for nothing. Well as like would have it, when I went home I tried it out. Viola! I finally find something I could tolerate. It wasn't bad at all. Only problem is - now I have to go out again and buy more since I only purchased one bottle just to try it out. Oh well, at least I found something that I could tolerate. I know I'm not getting enough water in my system - urine is too dark. This water has about 10 more calories in it than Propel (which is what my nutritionist listed as a possible option), but I didn't like Propel either. So...it will be SoBe LifeWater for me; even with the additional 10 extra calories - which is better than no water at all. Matter of fact, I think I'll go drink the rest of the bottle now (slowly of course). Hope everyone has a really great day.

Good morning all. Geez I'm reading about you guys talking about face and arm lifts and I'm thinking you guys probably don't know how good you really look - I mean to me your weight loss accomplishments are so awesome, I can't believe for the life of me that you would need anything else. Ok call me naive ...but you can't imagine how much you all inspire me - and you all have come so far, that I can't imagine any thirty year old having anything on any of you. A couple of weeks ago I was reading People magazine or one of those type magazines. They had pictures of the top female stars in two piece bathing suits - with some sort of caption about who has the best body. Well call me stupid, but Helen Mirren who has 30 - 40 years on all the women in this photo, clearly had the best body of them all. I mean she looked GOOD. You could see she works out as you could see the muscle definition in her legs, arms etc. Yes, you could tell in her face that she was the oldest, but this lady looked amazing. I've seen her in other photos and let me tell you if I could look 1/2 as good as she does when I get in my 60's, then I think to myself that 60's won't be so bad. She is a looker, with all the grace and poise that comes with maturity. In my mind, that's how I picture you all - especially you Indigo (Janet). Well anyway...yesterday wasn't too bad. I find myself eating about every hour, but for me eating consists of Protein drinks, Soups, sf pudding and chocolate milk. I'm getting used to this and I'm not as anxious about getting to the mushies as I once was. I'm not feeling badly; except I do have a lot of gas (glad I'm not really around folks when it happens LOL). I also have like a feeling of a being pinched on my left side, when I take a deep breath. I think that is probably gas to - any thoughts on this? I have my post op follow up in the morning so, I'm real interested to see what the medical staff thinks about my progress so far. What are some of things you guys ate when you progressed to pureed food. I know I can't drink my meals forever, but I don't want to make any bad food choices as I progress to the next stage.

Hi all - doing much better than the last time I posted. Still fighting hungry, but not really starving. illingirl - I'm really happy to hear you are feeling better after going to the hospital. Believe me I know how you probably felt. Well suppose to move on to pureed food tomorrow - yeah, now I have to figure out what I will eat. I don't cook much, live alone and pretty much ate out more than I ate in. Can't do that now...back to the kitchen for me. I seem to have a low grade headache right now, guess I'll go down some liquid tylenol. I was invited to a couple of Superbowl parties tomorrow - but fortunately I have a hair appointment in the afternoon. Normally I would have loved to go the parties, but these functions are "food filled" and generally all the foods you are NOT supposed to eat. I don't think I have enough strength for something like this yet. Anyway, I hope everyone has a wonderful day and you wake up to one to two pounds less than you had before.

Starving? Yes, I'm starving. I've managed to stay on the liquid diet and tomorrow progress to pureed food. One day in particular I felt like I was going into "melt down" mode, but eventually made it through that day. I later figured out part of my problem was my monthly friend was on the way for a visit - which always screws my system up, mentally and physically. I don't think I have any more will power than anyone else, but when I read everyone's post, I get some encouragement from the fact that everyone has lost something, so for me this means that if I do what I'm supposed, even if I'm not perfect in my food choices etc. I too will lose. Eventually losing itself will be the motivator, right now is just try to do the right thing, more than most of the time.

Good afternoon all - Welcome Rose, Happy Birthday Indigo (Janet), Long - wow, you have to feel great looking at those pics. Welcome Velvet. Doing pretty good today so far. It's Saturday, one of my favorite pig out days - not this Saturday :thumbup: Nothing much too report, last day of full liquids and tomorrow - on to mushies. I'm looking forward on progressing on, but to tell the truth, I actually think I was starting to adjust to liquids. The Soups have been a god sent - even though I had to blend them up until they were like Water. However, blending doesn't change contents so I've been able to get somewhere near satisfied. Still struggling with water. I've tried Crystal Light but my problem is I've never been much on sugar free products - even those with artificial sweetner. I'm working on it. Haven't started exercising yet - for a while I haven't had the strength to do much but go to work and come home. Pretty sedentary life. A mini goal for this week is to walk on treadmill at least 2-3X week. Eventually I'll learn how to add this ticker tracker to my post and begin to track any losses. Right now, I'm just trying to continue to follow my eating instructions; which that in and of itself has been challenging. I finally removed all my bandaids from the various incision areas. They seem to be healing ok - itchy. I have doc appt Monday morning so I'm hoping my doc and his staff will approve of my progress so far. I am, cause I haven't gotten sick yet and for the most part have followed the liquid diet plan - though I did have some flavored milk and some high calorie (blended) soups. For me that is good, because I'm almost certain if I didn't have the band, I would have eaten a whole hog by now Oh wel enough out of me, I hope everyone has a great day and another pound or two less. I understand how you feel Rose looking at everyone else's numbers. I wish I was there too - but I guess I have to do what they do, which is why I make checkin in here part of my plan - get encouragement and much needed support.

yeah I know what you mean. Lately when I do wake up in the middle of the night I drink a couple of oz of soy choco milk. probably not a good idea with the chocolate, but it does seem to coat my stomach and allow me eventually to get back to sleep

you guys are an inspiration to me. It lets me know things will get better.

I'm a side sleeper and usually will use hot/cold packs to sleep with. I place two around my stomach area, one on top of the port area and one on the other side. It doesn't matter if the packs are hot or cold, they are soft enough to provide some cushion and for whatever reasons they seem to alleviate any pain I feel sleeping on my side. Although, I haven't been able to sleep well since surgery, but not due to sleeping on my side, but generally I think because I get hungry in the middle of the night.

Joann thanks for letting me know I'm not really all that different and more importantly, that I'm not alone. Yesterday was really awful. Indigo - I am so grateful to you for staying with me and letting me vent. I'm sorry for posting such a long message previously, but I had no where else to go with the feelings and frustrations. Today is better. I've been drinking something pretty much all day e.g. Protein Drink, liquid Soup, popsicle, and trying to get that Water in Yuk. I hope everyone else is having a good day and hopefully, a pound or more lost.

Today was bad day. I posted in 50+ and don't even have the strength to go through it again.

Good evening all ~ I'm in a real pissy mood. As usual, I get to work and get really involved in what I'm doing and don't eat lunch. By the time I get home, I'm starved which causes me to eat anything in sight and usually the things I shouldn't. This time, however I can't eat anything in sight and liquid food isn't that appealing - even though that's all I can really have right now. I even bought some things to eat with me, but as usual, keep saying I'm going to stop and eat, but before I know it the day is nearly over and then I say I might as well wait until I get home (e.g. dinner or what used to be dinner). Well by the time I left work (maybe an 1 hour before) I turned into a b-tch right before my eyes and before I knew it I had no more patience for anything or anyone and God help the person who got in my way. When I did leave work, I was so close to saying "to hell with all this" and eat anything I could get my hands on. A colleague told me about a new place that recently opened that specializes in Soups - "Soupman." Among other soups they specialize in seafood bisque's which I love (yes a little calorie loaded, but considering all I'm eating..uh errr drinking is Water and Protein drinks, I figured the few little ozs of Soup I can have won't kill me). By the time, I found the place I was feeling faint. When I got to the front door, I discovered it was closed due to inclement weather. OMG! Ok - now I'm ready for just about ANYTHING, no matter what happens. Luckily my senses kicked in and I realized a had another Protein Drink in the car (the one I forgot to drink for lunch) and downed that and burped all the way home. Oh yeah I did find some crab bisque and when I got home I blended that up until it was virtually water - ate about 5 ozs and now, I feel like the human side of me is returning. Jeez what a mess. I am really trying hard, but food has been the most stable and comfortable part of my life for so many years. It also didn't help that everyone in my office decided to eat in today and I could smell all kinds of food I like. I could even distinguish which food someone was eating. Is this wild or what - please tell me I'm not the only person whose ever gone through this!

Thanks for the encouragement. Based on some of the stuff I've read on the forum so far, my experience thus far hasn't been as bad as some. Though I feel awful for the folks that are going through a really hard time, I am appreciative that things haven't been as tough for me. The bean soup I had was so liquidfied, that I could actually sip it through a sippie cup (no straw). I figured if bean soup can help fill me up before the band that the Fiber might help with the band. Diaherra has really lessened, but now I'm not having anyting. I'm not really constipated, and though I still have gas pain, nothing is coming out. This concerns me a bit. Don't know if I'll make it to the doc today cause of the weather, but I'll call to reschedule something soon. illingrl - In no way do I want to act as though I know much about this band thing, but you do sound like you might be anemic - dehydrated. I know a LOT about this feeling. When I was pregnant, I stayed anemic. I literally vomited anything I put in my system; even Water. It was so bad that I often had to go to the hospital and have an IV inserted just to get some fluids in me. This went on for the majority of my pregnancy. Suppose that's why I only had one child LOL. Anyway, I know how miserable you must be feeling. If you are anemic, then it is important to get to your doctor quickly. It doesn't get better, but worse - unless you can start getting some healthy fluids in your system. Right now other than being hungry sometimes, the only other problems I'm having are: intermittent pain in the incision areas, but not to the point where pain meds have been needed, lot's of gas and itching at some of the incision locations and unable to ...uhumm go to the bathroom to put it nicely. Talk with yall later.

Good Morning everyone - Up early this morning, so not like me. When I have to get up, I don't want to, but when I don't have to, I do. Go figure. I haven't been sleeping as well since surgery. I usually have to have something filling and that I like before I go to sleep e.g.chocolate soy milk for me 3oz. I generally wake up in the middle of the night with a little gas, but hungry again and drink a little more of something...the other night it was a couple of ozs of a protein drink. I know eating late at night is a bad habit, but this is the only way I know to keep my stomach from growling and keeping me up all night. Anyone else had this problem. If so, what did you do?

I think it is always sad when a marriage ends, but in some cases it is necessary; it just doesn't make sense to me to live with someone day in and day out and be miserable - God knows for a person like me with an addictive personality especially for food, eating became my friend and solace; until it became my enemy like the effect marriage seems to have on me :cursing:. It is a lot easier living alone because your right, there is less temptation. Today was a fairly decent day. I didn't think of it before, but I took your suggestion and found some lentil soup in the cabinet and blended it up until it was virtually liquid. Though not as good as my friends bean soup would have been, but it served it's purpose. Talk with you later.

Hello All ~ I've been looking around on this site for days and have actually posted in other places, but I just found this particular forum... I too had my surgery on 1/23. The first 2 days were very difficult in that I was hungry. I had a lot of gas and diaherra (sp?). On the last night of Clear liquids, I finally couldn't take it anymore and drank about 3oz of Protein drink. This helped a lot and other than more gas etc., I didn't have any problems. I've had some pain in the incision areas, especially in the port location - but haven't had to take any pain meds, though they were prescribed. I had to take some liquid Tylenol last night, cause I felt a headache coming on, but still crossing my fingers that no pain meds yet. Taking the liquid Vitamins and having to crush up my other meds (associated with other health issues) has been a chore in the morning. Mainly cause the stuff tastes awful Yuk! I've had some tightness... I guess you could call it that, but walking has helped with this. I'm back to work today, though it snowed so we closed early. I'm walking around a little slow - but most folks in my office know I had surgery, they just don't know exactly what for. My hope is that soon they will find out (wink wink). I find myself sipping throughout the day now either Water, Protein shake and then for lunch creamy Soup and then back to a protein shake, water. For dinner I did a bean soup broth last night and ate some sf Jello (w/ff whipped cream). Everything is still in the 3-4 ozs area, but each day is better than the previous day. I have a follow-up doc appt tomorrow, but the weather may change that (snow). Well good luck to everyone and I hope we all continue to post to stay abreast of each other's progress and concerns so we can help each other. I don't know about ya'll but this has been a journey just getting here (starting in June with all pre-op stuff - no dieting though) Did have to stop for a minute cause of a broken elbow, but got back on track after healing from that. Kept thinking up until the day of surgery that something was going to go wrong and the surgery would be cancelled; but here I am in bandland. Talk with you soon.

thank you Indigo. You are so encouraging. Las Vegas - one of my favorite vacation places (live back East). Last time I was there, we rented scooters and rode them all over the place. Loved it, parking right at the entrance of the casino was great - though I'm not really a gambler...well I do like that crap table. Without having my instructions in front of me, I was to stay on Clear liquids for 48 hours post surgery, then progress to full liquids for one week and then, mushies for a week before transitioning into solid foods. At this point, I have about 2-3 more days to go on the full liquids and then I can start with the mushies. I'm doing better with the full liquids than I did with the clear. I thought I would gnaw my tongue off by the last day. Actually, the last evening of clear - I broke down and drank about 3 oz's of a store bought Protein shake. Luckily I didn't have any problems, but I couldn't even stay asleep during the night because my stomach was grumbling so much. I was about as happy to get to full liquids as many of you are in losing a lb. Forgive me but I am still so very new. I have been eating store bought Soup. I'm not much of a cook anymore; recently separated and son is grown with his own family and life. I work and attend school in the evenings - so spending time in the kitchen has not been one of those things I've been proned to do. I suspect this too will change (or need to). One step at a time, one day at a time. A friend of mine occassionally will make dinner for me. He makes a heck of a bean soup, so this time - he brought me only the broth from the soup. Boy, I thought I had died and gone to heaven. Anyway, I'm trying to log my "points" which is simply the WW way of food journaling - even though there is no way I'm exceeding my daily points. It's just another method to keep me on track; as well as keeping plugged in here. I have a treadmill and before the holidays, I was doing pretty good...at least 3-4X per week for about 30 minutes. No incline, but had started to increase my speed. However, I haven't not been able to get my mind back into it. Really need help with this. When you first started walking how often and long did you walk. Right now I'm looking at it as a chore, another retraining of the brain needed here. Who would believe that I used to work out in the gym 3-4X per week for about 2hrs per day doing some pretty intensive stuff. I did this for 5 years and I felt wonderful - even with the weight. Now, I can barely walk on the treadmill for 5 minutes at the lowest incline and speed before I'm wondering how much longer. Can anyone relate to this? One of my long term goals is to get back to this place again, but I'm having a problem getting started. Well enough out of me. I'll check in fairly regularly cause I find strength and encouragement from everything that I've read on this forum so far - even when someone's day doesn't go right; reminds me I'm not alone. Oh yeah, before I go... Long - CONGRATULATIONS ON ACHIEVING THE 100 MARK. You have every right to be proud and I bet you look real good too!

Not at all lillith. Amazing how many Sharon S out there.

Hey there Hockeymom~ I'm on the liquid to mushie stage for the next 3 weeks or so. One week on full liquids and then another week or so on the mushies. I'll have to try the Protein pills. I purchased a large can of Protein powder, but in just the couple of off-the-shelf Protein drinks I've tried, they taste like chalk - still I am grateful for them, because I was so hungry before them. I bought some "organic free range chicken broth" but I think that chicken had a little to much "free range" if you know what I mean. Stuff was awful - another waste of money. I'll try Panera since one is right around corner from home. I didn't know you could just buy their broth. I have also tried WW and though I think it is an excellent diet plan (lost 50lbs once), I still needed more help so here I am in bandland. I still plan to stay with WW as an added tool. The final straw with me was health related too - I had not yet been diagnosed with diabetes but it runs rampant in my family. My problem was mostly with my feet. I get out of the bed like an old woman - too much weight on my feet and I don't have little feet either. sleep apnea, so I have to use a CPAP machine and the snoring was embarrassing. All of these problems are directly related to my growing weight. Besides that I could no longer stand looking at myself in a picture. I literally starting looking and feeling like a beached whale. No energy - need I go on. Anyway, this has got to work for me. I'm near feeling hopeless, but I'm not a quitter. Enough out of me, I look forward to talking with you (and others soon). pcfmel ~ how were you able to progress to the mushie's so soon? Never mind - don't tell me, the trickster side of me will use it against the good girl side of mine. LOL

Ok thank you. I knew something wasn't quite right. It's taken me 2 days to drink one whole bottle of water - I knew that couldn't be right. I don't even like water much, but I'm trying to do whatever I can to keep the hungry's from pulling me down. Besides, I was starting to feel a bit anemic.

Hello everyone. I've been reading and reading post since I found this site. I was just banded on 1/23 and currently on full liquids. I'm hungry, but so far so good. Lot's of gas, diaherra, but no vomiting thank god. My doc did stress the pre-diet, but I didn't do very well on that. I'm trying extremely hard to follow the post op recommendations. However, I don't think I'm getting enough water in. My post-op plan says that I should be sipping water more or less throughout the day, but not before or immediately after a meal e.g. broth (ha ha). It's just that the plan is calling for 3-4 ozs of this or that every 30 mins so where do I get the water if every 30 minutes I'm eating something e.g. sf popsicle, broth/creamy soup, protein shake, jello, pudding etc? What am I doing wrong?

thank you for your suggestions. I started WW before I decided on the band. I've done WW before and once lost 50lbs, but never kept it off. I like the WW plan because of its flexibility - but needed additional help which is why I decided to go with the band. I just had my surgery on 1/23 and still on th liquid diet. I do get quite hungry but when I do take in food e.g. a creamy Soup, I feel full for awhile and a little fatigued?? Anyway, I could use a mentor as well and your pre-surgery weight, current weight and age is pretty close to mine. I hope I can rely on you sometime. This is a bit of a struggle and they only reason I haven't slipped is because I hate getting sick. Ok, that last statement was negative. I'm trying very hard to stay on track because I have to lose the weight. I couldn't take it another minute. Train your mind and the body will follow

Hi - I just got banded on the 23rd of Jan. Everything your going through I'm with you. Just trying to take it one day at a time. Maybe we can check in with each other periodically - give each other some support and learn from others on this site.