Bjsfinley

Hi everyone! My name is Jessica and I had my surgery on 10/13/09. I keep seeing all this talk about bandster hell and I guess I'm there. I'm starving! Protein shakes and strained soups really can get you down in the dumps when you're being bombarded by ads on tv, radio, and everywhere with all the yummy food I love so much. I've been on the liquid diet preop one week and until next tuesday. I have had a few things like some string cheese I chewed to death and some small chicken bites in my soup and I regret it but you know what, I'm human and I've done so well so far so I'm not going to beat myself up over it. I'm 22 pounds down so far. I love that but it also disappoints me that I can't tell anywhere except my rings are a little loose but I just have to tell myself to slow my role and give it lots of time. A year out, I hope to be mostly to my goal of about 100 pounds out. I work full time, go to school part time, am married and have a beautiful 4 year old daughter and live in Texas. I'm a busy girl so having to really plan out my meals is really really hard. But hello everyone!

OH OH! I was actually coming on to post a thread and ask if this is normal. I can say full sentences in a burp now (yeah I've done it) and have been so burpy since after the surgery. It's constant!

I'm having the same issues. It's weird adjusting to this. When I think about having meals with my family, it makes me sad. It's like I'm being left out of the festivities. And to be in a restaurant right now is weird. I'm still in liquids (2 weeks post op). Its honestly like seeing someone that used to be your friend or an ex and feeling that longing feeling. Like I broke up with food . And I've had many a moments where I've gone "Why have I done this to myself? I've made myself an outcast and took one of the few pleasures I have away from myself (food)?" but I think that's just 25 years worth of bad decisions calling out to me from the other side now. We're all a work in progress. Don't be discouraged. This is hard for sure but I think we'll be ok in the long run.

My port is also my largest incision. It's in the middle below my sternum. I cant feel it. Wouldn't even know its their except I had to ask my doctor when I went back for my one week check up!

I agree. Equally as bad. You're good for about the first week after because you're still swollen but once the swelling goes down you're wide open (or in my case you are) and as hungry as ever! Hang in there! I'm struggling in Bandster hell so I'm right there with you!

I take Bariatric Advantage chewable multivitamins (2 a day), a Bariatric Advantage calcium citrate (1 a day) and a Bariatric Advantage B Complex (1 a day).

I move to my mushy diet tomorrow. I've been on full liquids. I have no idea what to eat? I would love you all forever if you would post one or a few things you eat on mushies that is band friendly! Thank you all so much!:wink2:

Thanks so much!!

OMG HOW FUNNY! I was digging through my moms cabinet looking for soup the other day (I had gone over, forgot to bring a protein drink and stayed long.. P.S. I've been allowed soup since the day after my surgery but like cream soups and strained soups, no chunks) and I found a jar of dill pickle spears and stopped in my tracks! I wanted one so bad so I actually drank some of the juice! I've never done that before but it was awesome. LMAO. I was banded on 10/13/09 too. I also at the soft part of the pickle spear (chewed really well) later on.

I have BC/BS TX and I didnt have any problems. I had quite a few requirements (5 yr medical history, 6 month weight loss, psych eval, sleep study, etc) and I met all of my requirements except a full 5 yr medical history (I wrote a letter explaining why I was missing 2 years), submitted to insurance, and had an approval in about 10 days. I had my surgery on Oct 13th. Good luck! Go with an office that knows what it takes to get approval from insurance. Thats what I did.

Thank you so much! It's so nice to have found some support! Saturday was my weakest day so far but Im still doing great.

Good job on giving up soda! Baby steps and you're doing it! DO you like sherbert icecream? You might try that if you're going to have icecream. Its not the same as vanilla or chocolate or that good stuff but its cold and sweet!

Thanks so much! I get to go to mushies tomorrow. I've been so excited. I had some mashed potatoes yesterday and was in heaven! Im on mushies for two weeks and then soft foods for two weeks and then hopefully I can eat normal. This learning how to eat good thing is taking a while!

Thanks Jim! I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you! Just need lots of support!!

Thanks so much!

Hi there! On the insurance stuff, don't stress too much. I was missing a few years in my medical history but I wrote a letter pleading my case and got approved on the first try. I just had my surgery last Tuesday. I'm also from Texas. Where abouts are you from?