shonette

I have learned that smaller bites and eating very slow makes my meal time a whole lot more enjoyable. I can't drink to fast either because I have a feeling of things being stuck and I hate that feeling. I really don't desire sweets like I once did before my band. I eat my meals at home out of a salad plate to keep my portions small. I try really hard daily to drink at least 1 or 2 protein shakes and a lot of water to help flush out my system. When I eat out with my family, I try to order the smallest items or appetizers. I can go on and on but those are the things I have done or is currently doing. Losing weight is a lot easier to do now with my band. It's a tool that you have to learn how it works for you. Each person is totally different. part 4

Within a month I could eat lean meats soft cooked veggies, soups etc. It continues to be a learning process with things that do and don't work well for me. Some meats don't go down very well like beef or really dry type meats. I don't eat them because they get stuck and it's very painful. I eat little to no bread because it has the same effect on me. part3

There is a certain amount of air that is put in during your surgery to enable your doctor to put the band in place. Therefore, it takes a while to get rid of all that gas, and I am sorry to say it's a very uncomfortable feeling. I found that drinking more warm tea and broth really helped my gas pains to pass or to be minimal. Some people experience some nausea and you don't want to be throwing up due to the band slipping or flipping. Your doctor should give you a prescription for that if they don’t please ask for one in advance (prior to your surgery). Week two is a more comforting week because you will be able to have cream soups additional to all the things from week one. I really enjoyed that stage because my stomach felt more satisfied due to the heavier foods. On week three I was able to eat munchy foods like mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, pureed foods, and chunky soups that can be easy mashed with your spoon. part2

Ooooh, I am so excited for you and everything will go just fine. That is an awesome Christmas gift to give to your self. Two weeks prior to my surgery I was give a list of things I need to purchase before I had my surgery. All my required prescriptions were filled before my surgery and list of foods to eat and vitamins I should take after my procedure. The first week I was told to have clear liquids (broth, protein drinks, and sugar free drinks, popsicles (sugar free), and tea(s) etc. Due to your new band the stomach is very sensitive and swollen. It's not a good idea to think about cheating during your first couple of weeks. It's more mental and I promise you can go an entire week without food. Oh yes purchase so gas-x (extra strength) and Tums for gas. The gas pains will make you think you are having some heart pains, but it's the gas moving around in your body.part1

How is everything going with you? I pray all is well. I go today for my fourth fill and I really hope he will give me one before the holidays. Keep in touch.

I was just checking on you to see how everything was going with you. I go today for my fourth fill. Last month my doctor did not give me a fill but today am praying for a little addition to be added to my band. The holidays are coming up and I really don't want to gain any weight due to all that rich and wonderful food. (smile)!

Welcome to the band world! I pray everything went well for you yesterday during your surgery. Please take things slow and follow the instructions from your doctor. It will take some time for you to learn your band and what works for your body. It's been almost 4 months now and I am starting to feel comfortable with my food choices and workout routine(s). Some many people really don't like to hear this but you must find some type of work out routine that is comfortable for you in order to achieve good weight lost. Whenever I stop working out my weight lost stop, but when I work out things really pick up. Please keep me in touch with how things are going for you.

I am glad to hear everything is going so well. I hope you will be able to meet your goal by the end of the year. Those last couple of pounds can be some of the most difficult last few to lose. I pray things continue to go well for you. Today I go for my fourth fill. My doctor did not give me a fill on my last visit because he thought I was doing so well without one. I really hope a little is added in my band today before the holidays.

Just checking up to see how things are going with you. Everything is going well and I have a fill scheduled for thursday afternoon. I didn't get a fill last time, but I really think I need to have a little added to my band. I pray your day is blessed.

I am so sorry to hear what you have gone through. I too had an over fill a couple of months ago. I do know what you mean by immediate relief when some of the saline is taken out. So many people want to be tight, but that is not the key to good weight lost. If you are too tight reflux occurs and bad food choices are made. I am struggling right now because I have an appointment on Thursday for a fill, but I already have good restriction without a new fill. I currently have 4cc in a 10cc band. I have lost a little less than 40 pounds in four months. I don't want to be back in the same position as before with being over filled. I hope things continue to go well for you. You look great.

The type of diet you are on was the diet I was given after surgery. I was on 2 weeks of liquids, sugar free drinks and so on. The main purpose for the post op diet is to shrink down your liver for your surgery. Just focus on the big picture and why you really want to be banded. Good luck, trust God and everything will work out just fine. page 2

Congrats on your up coming surgery. My post diet was a little different. I was not restricted to only liquids for 2 weeks before my surgery. There was a list of foods that I had to eat from. I was not allowed to eat sugar, white flour and only whole wheat products. I could not eat fruits that were high in sugar or carbs. I could only drink sugar free items and limited fruit juices. I was not allowed to eat fried meats only lean cut meats or fish. I could eat low starched veggies and almost anything thing green and leafy. It was okay for me to eat dark chocolate which I love. I was encouraged to drink lots of water, protein water, and anything sugar free even sodas which I don’t drink. page 1

You have made so much progress and you should be very proud of yourself. I have finally gotten below 300 pounds in over 5 years. It feels so wonderful to finally see life on the other side. Continue the great work you are doing and yes -you do look great! My goal is 190 but right now 275 feels good. My highest weight was 365 when I was pregnant with my son in 2005.

Thank you so much for the encouragement and the push I needed. Yes, I do want to ride with my husband on his motorcycle. I have always thought it to be so sexy when a woman rides behind her man on his bike! I will follow your suggestion and just do it! You are such a beautiful person inside and out. You always have the most encouraging and uplifting things to share with others. Again, thanks so much. I will take pics and post on that day.

I do know how you feel about the weight lost being a little easier than what it is. I have never been able to keep the weight off, but I've been able to lose it a little faster. I am starting to do my own second guessing about my band. I do know it's not an easy or a quick fix, but I thought things would have gone a little faster than this. I do feel your pain.

How are things going with your weight lost. I am really trying to get down at least 10 /15 pound before 12-15-2010. My husband is riding his motorcycle with his the other bikers to give out toys for tots around the surrouding area. I don't want to look good riding with my husband.

I really hate not getting a fill. I do feel like that will slow down my weight lost, but my doctor states that has nothing to do with it. LOL! I do have a goal weight for the end of the year. I want to be down 55-60 pounds by the first of the year. That will be my birthday present. I really have to push myself a lot hard to get there. If am not at that point I still feel very grateful for the weight I have lost. There is no way in the world I would have been able to lose that much weight on my own within three months. The band is a tool that needs a lot of adjusting to work effectively. Good luck to you with meeting your goal. I plan to post some new pic by thanksgiving! I really don’t feel there is a lot of change.

I hope you feel better and hopefully the weight will start to come off soon. I was not given a fill on my last visit, because he thought I was doing fine without it. I trusted what he had to say, but a little wouldn't hurt at all. I know the weight is going to come off slowly so I just have to be patient. Check on you later.

How are you doing? Thanks for visiting my site. I see that you are a private person but the great thing about this site is most people will never see one another personally outside of their computer. I love this site and it's been a great resource for me during my entire process.