confusion182

I was banded in March and was doing pretty well with eating exercise until early June when I graduated. Now I find myself in a bit of a funk since I have no classes, no work and nothing steady to keep me occupied. I'm in the midst of a post-college job hunt and all my free time has led to snacking and idling in my apartment. This upcoming Monday, I will have my first band adjustment in two months and an extra 10lbs when I step on the scale. I know feeling better mentally is directly related to feeling more energetic and physically healthy, and I'm ready to get back to that. I'm looking for ways to jump start my system and get myself back on track! Tips for tracking and exercising are all welcomed.

Thanks! Good luck to you, too. I've already exercised this morning, so I feel like I'm moving in the right direction.

Thank you so much! I'll give it a look. I'm starting my morning exercising which is obviously a step in the right direction. :redface: Tracking will insure that my day goes as it should.

I had my first fill on Tuesday. It was 5.5cc. I felt some serious restriction later that same day, now though everything seems like it's back to normal. Is this feeling a fluke or will the restriction sneak up on me as I have read? Also, any suggestions for good soft food to eat after coming off the first fill or exercise tips? Thanks!:redface:

I'm 23. I was banded on 3-11-10 and have lost 30lbs. I haven't had my first fill yet, though I am very excited to have it.

Has anyone else experienced weight gain once they started the soft foods/mushies phase? I'm still exercising regularly and eating according to the plan, but I've gain 2-3 pounds over the last few days, basically each day since I started the soft foods. Any suggestions?

Thanks for the info, everyone! I've been keeping up with the exercise, really pushing it actually, so I'm hoping that this will help my weight to balance out.

Hi! Well, that makes sense, in regards to the hording. It's just so frustrating. My clothes are still loose and fell looser actually, so I know I should be satisfied with that, but I'd love to see the numbers continuing to go down as well. Since you're from New Orleans, who did your surgery, if you don't mind me asking?

Hi! It's been such a long time since I've posted. I was finally banded on 3.11.2010. Between the liquid diet and nearly a week post-surgery, I'm down 20lbs and I'm feeling pretty good. Now that I have been banded, I'm looking for any and all advice for the upcoming weeks. In particular, I'd love to know how to make one of those niffy tracking bars. Thanks! It's great to meet you all (again). -confusion

Hi palseyprk, I'm scheduled for my first fill in 4 weeks, which would be about 6 weeks post op. As Itsforlife said, every doctor is different. As for hunger, are you still doing the liquid diet? You can always try one of the pre-made Protein shakes. I like taking those with me, because I can drink them and go, plus I'll be full for about 2 hours (depending on what I'm doing). Milk is also good, if you can drink it. Hope this helps!

Hi Roxy, Congrats to you, too! It's great that you're feeling so great. I can't believe it's been a week since my surgery. I'm really happy with how well everything is going.

Hi Tracy, Thanks! I hope you get your date soon. I made my tracker a little while ago. I can't wait for it to begin moving steadily down.

Hi Amy and everyone, 5kg--that's really good! As for the liquid diet, I can't wait to start the next phase. The Protein powder shakes that I had originally considered delicious taste disgusting now. At this point, I've never been so excited for pureed foods ever in my life. Thanks for the tracker help. I'll get started on one very soon.

Hi everyone! As the header says, I'm a graduating undergrad, soon to be graduate student, in New Orleans. I'm exactly a week away from going to the required informational session at Oschner, where hopefully, I'll have my surgery performed at the end of summer. I'm interested in talking to new people, especially college students, and getting some insight into how you're dealing with school, a social life, and the band. I'm so glad I found this forum. Can't wait to hear from you! --C182:smile2:

Thanks. I hope the surgery goes well. How long did it take for you to get approved and obtain a surgery date?

Hi! Nice to meet you. I just graduated from Tulane and I'll be starting grad school at Tulane in the Fall as well. Are you having your surgery done with Oschner? With all the appointments they have mandated surgery candidates attend, I'm hoping I'll have surgery by Halloween. Here's to keeping my fingers crossed.

Hey! I wanted to let you know that I've been to the general meeting and I'm on my way to getting the blood work and physicals done. I'm originally from Miami and have come back home for half of the summer. While I'm here, I'll get the basic medical appointments done. Did you have to meet with a psychologist and dietitian before you were banded? I'm so excited!

Thanks! Did your insurance pay for it or was it self pay?

LOL. Running around doing work totally counts in my book! I was doing Weight Watchers for the last two years and managed to lose 80 lbs on my own, but gradually started to lose ground around December. So I've gone from doing the elliptical and weight training to just staring at my Richard Simmons Sweating to the Oldies DVDs. Well, the mandatory info session requires that you have insurance approval before you can even come to it. I guess it's the hospital's way of making sure that potential patients can pay, though it seems harsh. Yeah, my insurance will cover it through a secondary payer, because I'm from out of state.

Yay! I've already friended you back. *g* Nice to meet you. It's sweet that your friends understand and rib you nicely about it. You've made AMAZING progress, according to your ticker! Are you exercising also? I'm so glad to find someone who can totally empathize with what's to come. This is a BIG step and its always nice to have support from people who can totally understand where you're coming from.