Grandma26

Hi, I am almost 5 weeks post op and on the soft solid food stage (tuna, egg salad, fish, etc) and doing ok. I find when I am starting to feel hungry, even if it's head hunger or real tummy grumblings a cup of something warm, broth or caff. free herbal tea takes the feeling away long enough for me to distract myself. I try to have my meals about the same time every day, usually within a 1/2 hr. either way and that keeps me from getting overly hungry. Saturday I had my 1/2 cup of food for lunch and then didn't eat again until 9:30 pm, by then I was so hungry I almost ruined everything by wanting to over eat. I was able to get hold of myself before I did any damage. Good luck and before you know it you'll be eating solids again!

Any suggestions are welcome!! If I am at home or reading or working I can do it, but if I am out at a resturant I am finding it extremly hard! I remember from my WW days they told you to concentrate on your meal! I am trying to eat slowly, I guess before my band I inhaled my food, probably without chewing!!

Being able to have my grandchildren sit on my lap without falling off because my belly is in the way!! LOL I have 6 grandchildren that all still love to climb up on Grandma's lap (the oldest being 19)!! I love that they still want to be close to me so I am working hard at my band!! (oh yea,,,,and to see my feet!! I am not there yet but my toes are starting to peek out....lol) :biggrin:

PS......I was on liquids for 12 days ! then was so nervous about eating I stayed on liquids another 2 days because I was afraid to swallow anything!!! lol Don't be afraid to move on to the next stage once the Dr. say ok. Just remember to chew, chew, chew!

Hi Nina, I find when I am feeling a little hungry something warm makes me feel a little better, it takes the urge to eat away. I usually have herbal tea, but not the minty ones they stir up my stomach more, SF hot chocolate or I have chicken broth. I like the broth with noodles or pasta and I strain it and give DH the noodles. The borth has a little more body that way. Before you know it the liquid stage will be over! Hang in there.

Hi and welcome! Congratulations for making it this far!! As I read parts of your story I thouht OMG she is writing about me!!! I understand your feelings about not being able to eat, but I want to let you know...I am only 4 weeks post-op and on the soft solid food stage, last night I went out to our monthly girls night out book club group dinner and I was able to enjoy my dinner just like the rest of the group. I didn't have the appetizer or salad because I am not at that stage yet, but I was able to choose a dinner that fit within my food allowances, I had 2 asian grilled shrimp, a small amount of garilic potatoes and grilled veggies. I am only allowed 1/2 cup but I was full and I don't have any restriction yet. I don't want you to think you won't be able to enjoy food anymore because you will, you just won't feel the need to eat every bit of food. (God I hear my mother's voice telling me that I better clean my plate because there are children starving in other countries)!!! Good Luck!!

I am 4 weeks post op and I LOVE MY BAND!!. I made it throught the liquid phase, I am working my way through the soft solid phase without any problems! I am hopeful that the next stage will go smoothly too. My biggest problem is slowing down eating my meals, I am working on it but not there yet! We all got nervous once we were scheduled and you will get even more nervous as the date approaches. Keep doing research and posting questions here, there is lots of help and support! I wish you well with your journey!

I take the Centrum Chewables. They are pretty good and I can get them down, vitamins usually make me sick to my sotmach but these don't.

Can Hunni cook his own meals while you are on liquids so you aren't tempted? It might be easier for you to stick to the plan that way and not risk hurting yourself. :cool2:

Congratulations! My surgery was pretty much like yours. I went back to work the afternoon of day 2! I had a little discomfort for a day but after that have been fiine. Good luck,make sure you stick to your Drs. instructions so you don't have problems later on. (I am still having trouble gettin in the 64 oz of liquid each day but I am working on it)

WOW !!! Congratulations, I can only imagine how you feel right now. Your hard work has paid off. Keep up the good work.

My Nutr. told me I probably won't be able to eat steak/roast beef for at least a year if at all.

Hi Hope, I had my smeinar on 4/15/09 and was I was banded on 6/25/09 and it has been great. Easy recovery, only been really hungry 2 days since my surgery and I was able to work through it. 3 weeks post op and down 21 lbs. I'm thrilled! I read the pre and post-op message boards from my seminar to the night before surgery and learned so much information. Read and ask questions and hopefully you will have a wonderfully journey! Good luck

It happens, you were in the pre-op stage so you won't do any damage where if you were banded already you might have. I didn't have a pre-op diet but I put myself on a version of one. I had a Protein shake for 2 meals and then one healthy, low cal meal for dinner. You're right ...we eat out of habit and that has been a big adjustment for me. Once you have surgery you will be more aware of what you put in your mouth. Good luck!

Hi All, I am a little confused and I am sorry if this issue has been addressed somewhere in this forum already...but, I am confused about slider foods. I always thought slider foods were things like, puddings, Jello, Soup but I have read about chips, pretzels, cake, crackers being slider foods, this is causing my confusion. Are slider foods things that pass straight through or do they stay in my pouch? Should slider foods be avoided.....or are they ok in between meals. I am working very hard to stay with the program and work through the time I am a little hungry. I am 3 weeks post-op on soft solids, and am down 21 lbs. and have only had 2 days where I felt really hungry, sugar free jello cured it :smile:

Thanks all for your help! So far I don't have a problem staying away from junk food. I can have 3 -4oz meals and 2 -2oz Snacks a day, and I love cottage cheese so that or yogurt has been my snack when I need one. I usually have fish or really mushed up chicken salad as my Protein for my meals. Can't wait until I get on regular food!

Congratulations !! I can't wait until I can say that.

My Dr. said I can have 1 cup of coffee or tea with caffeine a day and it does not count towards my 64 oz of fluids each day. Caffeine can act like a diuretic sometimes and deplete the fluids from your body. However they understand sometime you need that kick start in the AM! :thumbdown:

Protein a day. How many Protein shakes a day are you usually allowed and do they count as a meal or towards the 64 oz of liquid I am supposed to have each day? Any advice would be helpful!

I am fairly new here but besides all the per surgery nerves and research the hardest time post op for me was July 4th, I was at a BBQ and doing great not eating because I was on liquids at that point. I had avoided all of my favorite foods, feeling good, until someone put a tray of hot dogs fresh off the grill right in front of me!! I stayed strong and didn't take one, even though they are my favorite BBQ food. I laugh now because I could have been a commercial for the Good Devil/Bad Devil on my shoulder ads I have seen! I worry about gettting stuck, or streatching the pouch but I am trying hard not to have to experience that. The best so far has been to get on the scale, 3 weeks post-op and be 21 lbs down! Nothing beats that feeling.

I didn't have a pre-op diet but I was on liquids 12 days post-op. I went to an anniversary party and thought the same thing you are now. I had my shake before and than asked if they had any kind clear broth at the party and the waiter was more than happy to help me. He had Soup which he strained for me! I just carried a glass of Water and lemon all day and things were fine. No one even noticed I wasn't eating. There will be other parties, other situations but if this is important to you hopefull it won't be as hard a you are anticipating! Good Luck!

Thanks to all for your help & suggestions! I am doing well sticking to the plan but sometimes it gets a little overwhelming. I don't want to screw this up, it's too important to me. I appreciate the support from all. Hugs, G'ma

My Dr. told me they are both good and I was ok with either band. I told my Dr. to use the one he was most comfortable with and the one that he has seen the least problems with. He used the Lap Band. I am 3 weeks post-op and I am not scheduled for a fill for a few more weeks. Doing well, hunger under control

Hi, I was banded on 6/25/09 by Dr. Ewing in Paramus, NJ. I am a few days ahead of you but not much. I am feeling good. 21 lbs. down and just started the "soft solid" phase of the diet. My biggest problem is eating to fast. I am using a toddler fork and spooon so I am taking very small bites until I am used to chewing, chewing, chewing. It has really helped. I am finding it hard to make 1/2 cup of food last 30 minutes! Boy I must have inhaled my food before!

My surgery was on Thursday morning, I went back to work Friday afternoon for a few hours and then back full day on Monday. I sit at a desk all day and didn't lift or move anything, I brought my DH for that!!!