illuminationlady

Try some creamed soups, cream of wheat or some greek style yogart. I know these are mushies but I had to advance to them early on and it helped a lot. You may find that hunger is part of your life for a while until you get some restriction. I didn't get full restriction until 4 months out. Best wishes!!!

Read the article posted by Gloria. I even highlighted it, copy, pasted it into a Word Doc. and printed it out! It's on my frig. and I read it periodically when opening the door! Best wishes!!!

Weight loss comes after you reach restriction. I didn't get there until 4 months out. I am just now taking off weight. During the "waiting" period (for restriction) it was everything I could do to just maintain. Best wishes!!!

Like JoJo said, I have restriction now also. This really helps in our journey. You can see I'm 4+months out now and finally have restriction. It has been a long wait but sooo worth the ride!!! It is normal to be hungry and I cheated too but don't do it often. Every once in a while is okay...just be careful. Best wishes!!!

As stated above greek yogart is an excellent source of protein and is low in sugar. It is an aquired taste but I, too, now love it. Dribble some honey on top and you're good to go...Best wishes!!!

If your going to snack...do it right and have a cup of greek style yogart with some honey dribbled on top. It has a 16 grams of protein and hardly any sugar. This usually satisfies me. Best wishes!!!

Usually if I get sick it's because I ate too fast. It's usually my fault if I get sick. My band has been very predicatable, thank goodness. Best wishes!!!

I agree, don't go in hungry. I also prepare myself mentally and tell myself before going in that I'm going to smell the popcorn but can't have it. Since being banded I get stuck on popcorn. So, I just prepare myself prior to entering the building for the popcorn smell. I bring a bottle of water also to sip on. Hope this helps! Best wishes!!!

Your words are sooo true!!! Inspirational!!! Thanks I needed to read this right now....Hugs back...

I have a snack at about 8 pm of greek style yogart (loaded with protein and low in sugars) with some honey sprinkled on top of it. I also drink more than 64 oz of fluid every day. I find both help with hunger. Protein and filling up on fluids. Perhaps a light snack as the one mentioned above will help. Just remember to measure it out so you don't have too many calories. Best wishes!!!

I was well informed by my doctor to no expect any weight loss at first and not until I reached restriction. My doctor rocks!!!

I don't consider myself a "pro" yet but when I do get stuck (which isn't very often anymore because I follow the rules) I think the most important thing is to not panic and ride it out. Don't drink anything or eat anything else. No, getting stuck does not mean restriction. Restriction is when you can eat a half to a cup of food and stay full for 3-4 hours. I am just about there and it has taken many months to get there. When I eat out, I eat Soup for fear of getting stuck. I eat all my food slowly, and chew, chew, chew. I have not gotten stuck in about a month now but know that it will happen again because it just goes with the territory. I avoid foods that I know will stick also. Hope this helps. Best wishes!!!

Congrats on the weight loss and the attitude. I was a teacher and always posted a big banner in the front of my room; "Attitude is the Mind's paintbrush, it can Color ANY situation". It's so true! Best wishes!!!

I have Fibro and deg. arthritis in both knees. The pain after surgery was difficult but I was able to go off the pain meds after about 4 days. They kept me overnight and had me on a pain pump. If I needed pain meds I could give it to myself. It took longer to recover from the surgery for me than others. I didn't feel really myself for two weeks. I couldn't lift heavy objects for about 2 months. Hope this helps. Best wishes with you surgery. Keep us posted!!!

My doctor, too, expects you to lose weight. He keeps statistics and when I don't do well it hurts his statistics. I went on vacation for an 18 day road trip and gained 5 lbs. I caught holy hell for that. I have since lost 6 lbs. and he saw me in the hallway and high fived me (I saw his PA the second time). But back to the original post, I was well informed by my doctors, and this message board. I was very educated and it has been a long wait to start really losing. But worth it! I love my band!!!

Way to go Viv!!! Keep up the good work!! Isn't restriction sweet????

Yes, these are soft signs telling you that you've had enough to eat. The same thing happens to me, every time! Best wishes!!!

Why would he take saline out if your not losing any weight? That doesn't make sense. Congrats on losing 45 lbs. Be proud of that fact and talk to your doctor as to why he would do that. Best wishes!

Yesterday my DH hugged me and said, "You're smaller! I can tell." He called me "tiny". I know I'm not tiny yet but it made me feel really good. He said he can definetly notice a difference in my size by hugging me. I'm going to be asking for a lot more hugs...lol

I have 5.9 in a 10 band and have restriction. Everyone is different.

As stated above there are times that have been tough. Waiting for restriction is difficult. Without restriction you are hungry. I am four months out and just now am getting true restriction and the weight is coming off. But I also agree that I have no regrets in getting the band. I love my band. I KNOW I will never be 287 again! That's a really good feeling...So, my answer is No, no regrets!!!

My DH hugged me twice today and said things like, "Wow! You're skinny! I can really tell a difference!" He called me tiny (even though I know I'm not) Is he awesome, or what?????? It made me feel soooo good....My weight is coming off slowly but surely. I love my band :scared2:

It took me 5 fills to reach restriction and 4 months of careful eating to not gain any weight! But now that I'm there it is much easier but I have to work at it still.

This is all true. I am finally there also. Where I have restriction! It is heaven! It took 4 months for me to get there but I finally have it and it is wonderful. All you out there awaiting restriction, hang in there...it will come...

Some people are hungry, some are not. My daughter was banded on the 16th of March and still has no desire to eat. I was banded on the 16 of Dec. and I had a lot of hunger until I got restriction recently. Now I am not hungry any more and it is wonderful. So, to answer your question, you are normal....Best wishes...