illuminationlady

It all depends...on the things mentioned above, such as your eating habits or you could be to tight. If I couldn't eat at all I would rethink getting a little tiny unfill. I am not hungry in the morning but I force myself to have some form of protein, such as eggbeaters. I have to eat very slowly and carefully but this sustains me for many hours. Lunch is practically nonexistent for me. For dinner I split a chicken breast, yam and some veggies with my husband. Again, all very slowly and carefully or else I end up in the bathroom Pbing and sliming. My point is that yes, I am tight, and have restriction, but I can eat. And you should be able to also. Hope this helps! Best wishes! ps. I can guzzle water just fine.

Spend this time you've been given to educate yourself. I know people who had to wait longer than you have to and they have done excellent because they were well prepared. I myself had to wait 4 months for the whole process and I looked at it as a gift. Read these forums, read WLS books and prepare yourself mentally for the "loss" of food. Be positive and keep your chin up!!! Best wishes!

I've tried just about everything in moderation. Some foods give me problems, like green beans...too stringy. When I was on vacation I had beer and it didn't bother me. But I choose to not drink my calories. Like others have posted, now that I'm on a high protein diet my cravings have changed. Refering to "the Last Super" mine was last Thanksgiving. I had turkey with allllllll the fixin's. But that was the only time I cheated Preop. I knew, from reading these forums, that I would be able to enjoy food again. Best wishes!!!

Congrats! Before you know it you'll be in Onederland!!! Way to go!! and your positive attitude certainly helps! Best wishes!!!

I keep liquid Pherengan in the fridg just in case I get the flu (for vomiting). My doctor doesn't want me vomiting to much, even with the flu. Also on hand is Immodium AD. Just in case. Feel better soon....

This too shall pass...soon...you'll be back to you're outgoing self again. It takes a couple of weeks but you will get through this and feel so much better about yourself. Take care and pamper yourself right now...Best wishes!

I think of this often throughout the day. It was also an aa-ha moment for me. It really helps me get in those 64+ oz. a day. I know that I must drink a certain number of oz. before I eat anything again. In between breakfast and lunch I have a Diet Snapple. In between lunch and dinner a big bottle of water. After dinner another big bottle of water. It really does keep you from eating and often fills me up. Best wishes!!

I'm not going to miss huffing and puffing up my steps. Now I can walk up and down them without getting winded. I am also not going to miss the pain that is associated with Fibromyalgia. Fibro and fat don't mix either. I have already noticed a difference in my pain levels. I'm not going to miss having to shop at "women's" stores. It is so nice to be able to buy a piece of clothing at Target. I am also not going to miss struggling to shave my legs. I do not have a very woman friendly shower and I used to just die trying to shave my legs. Now it's easy. I'm not going to miss the feeling of shame after a binge. I know there's more. I could go on and on...so happy...me and my band..

Yes, you will know. I'm just like HB in that it happens right away or shortly after I've eaten. It usually comes from me eating too fast. I have a problem with this. It has taken me a long time and many hard lessons to make me finally slow down. It just isn't worth the pain/sliming. It doesn't happen very often any more because I'm so careful. But I do avoid green beans, breads, pastas, and a few other foods now. With some foods I can eat them but very slowly, like steak. But I can eat it. Hope this helps! Best wishes!!!

I would say you need another fill. If you are "grazing" you will gain weight. If you are hungry then you will graze. Also, we all must realize that the band cannot do it alone. You must be a willing participant. I started with an empty band and was hungry from the start. I did not graze. I measured my food and chewed a looooot of gum! I counted calories and read on this forum all throughout so as to not give up hope. I was/am a willing participant and did not gain weight during those long months awaiting restriction. I now have restriction and the weight is coming off. Thank God!!! You must be diligent in your ways and get yourself to the doctor's for a weigh in and fill. Then you must follow the rules and you will start to lose. Please don't give up! Hope some of this helps. Best wishes!!

Yes, I agree, that soup and salad will soon become your friends while eating out. I always ask for the children's menu too and check that out. Sometimes I order and then have them cut the portion in half before bringing it to me. That way I have lunch for tomorrow all boxed up nice. I, too, eat a lot of soups or salads with chicken on top. I can only eat about a cup of food now so I don't eat out much any more; only occasionally. Also, I order ice water to start and finish it before they bring my meal. I cover the glass with a small plate so the waiter doesn't refill it. The plate reminds me not to have any more with dinner or after. Hope this all helps! Best wishes!!! ps. I can't do pastas or breads any more either

BRAVO Betsy!!! Boy, do we love having you around! Well Said!

It's your decision and your body. You may have some good reasons for not telling and that's okay. We are here for you any time. Hang in there and welcome to Bandland!!! Best wishes!!!

Call your doctor. Don't wait until it turns into an emergency. He should have some kind of answering service. Don't delay...I would call. Best wishes!!!

Yes, the snacks mentioned by the previous poster are excellent but if you are getting hungry so soon you should discuss this with your doctor. You may need a little fill. Best wishes!!

I'm right there with ya! Love my band!!!!

Mushies are for after your surgery. Once you are fully healed you should be eating solid protein and solid foods with no liquids at your meals or for 30 min. after. You should be on a high protein, low carb "diet". I use that word with hesitation but until you reach "true restriction" then you must diet. You should not be eating Mushies at this stage of the game and yes, they are considered "slider" foods because they pass right through the band. You want to eat solids that will stay in your pouch causing less hunger. Also, keep hydrated. This helped me before I had restriction although I still drink 64+ oz. a day. I hope this clarifies some things for you. Best wishes!!!

I started with an empty band and was hungry from day one. I stayed on liquids about a week and then progressed to things like Cream of Wheat adding unflavored Protein Powder and make it with milk, creamed soups, a baked yam, Greek style yogurt with honey sprinkled on top, and scrambled eggs with melted cheese. I was very careful and measure my food for months until I was able to reach restriction. It took 5 fills for me but I'm there now. My point is that you should get used to counting calories again and do it right off the bat. I agree with the PP that it could be withdrawal from carbs. That will give you a rip-roarin' headache. But it doesn't last long. Hang in there and feel better!!! Best wishes!

I chew a lot of gum!!! lol I crave Starbucks or any "coffee" type drink. So I get a Skinny Latte and have them add Splenda. I do, every now and then, get an extra coffee caramel frappachino. But that is rare. The gum really helps me diet. Also, staying hydrated. Remember 64+ oz. of fluid a day. Diet Snapple is great and it, too, is sweet. Hope this helps. Best wishes!!!

I follow the rules for the most part. I think I've had one soda, a few beers, lots of wine (although for the last two weeks none), since being banded. My doctor says that if you can tolerate it you can drink it. My daughter, who was banded in March, does break the rules. She probably is giving 60 % to her diet and doesn't exercise. She does work at Home Depot so she walks a lot. And she IS losing. She drinks with meals, eats chips occasionally, drinks soda, drinks alcohol all occasionally, She told me she has about 5 sodas a week and they"re not diet. So here you have an example of a sheep and a rule breaker, both successful. I do think attitude has something to do with success though and committing to something makes us feel better and lose weight. So you can't go wrong with the right attitude! Best wishes on your journey!

I adhere to the rule for the same reason. I PB, slime...just can't do it. However my daughter, who was banded in March, can and does break the "golden" rule. I don't think she has enough restriction. The doctor does. He wins. So, this past appointment she didn't get a fill. I keep telling her it's bad but she does it any way. She even drinks some soda...I know...bad. And it's not diet either. But she's losing weight and the doctor is happy so...she does drink with her meals. I don't. Best wishes...

Humming Bird...95 lbs! Wow! No wonder you feel like your in someone else's skin! You are! You should be super proud of yourself!!! Anne...so glad a decision was made. Some times that's the hardest part...my prayers are with you and keep us update. Stacie...Yes, it was my daughter and she is doing great! Thanks for asking. She gets smaller and smaller every time I see her. Sorry you're stressed. And yes, stress can cause us to fall back into bad habits...be careful. We are here for support! I, too, am tired of those posts. I have written the explanation of "why you don't have restriction" out so many time it's not even funny. Let someone else do it. Today I worked with a personal trainer at the YMCA. She spent 1 and 1/2 hours taking my history and showing me how to use the machines. They have everything and all brand new stuff! I didn't swim because I was tired. I can't wait until I enjoy working out. Tomorrow is water aerobics! Sounds like it's real laid back too. Do as much as you're able. So I'm looking forward to it. Well gotta go make dinner. Love you all, Dottie ps sorry this does not have breaks in it. My browser won't allow it. take care...

Hang in there and take your pain meds. I took them for 3 days due to pain. I, too, was nauseated. My doctor prescribed Phenergan and it worked well. Feel better soon...Best wishes!!!

In August I will have been reading posts from here for a year. I don't think I could have come this far in my journey without these people. Reading the posts inspire me. Posting myself, teaches me and encourages me and I have made life long friends here too. So, I couldn't agree more with the OP and Posters of this thread. I, too, want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart....Dottie

I'm proof that it's different for everyone. I have 5.9 in a 10 band and I have great restriction. I eat eggbeaters with cheese for breakfast, a salad with chicken breast for lunch and 1/2 chicken breast or fish with 1.2 yam and veggies for dinner. I usually have one snack of Greek yogurt with honey dribbled on top. No more than a cup of food at a time and 64+oz. of water a day. Hope this helps...Best wishes!!!