finallyncontrol

I had the same feelings...I had to do something..tired of the failed diets (or the diets that didn't last). When I had my son I realized that if I didn't make permanent changes then he wouldn't have a mommie later in his life..let alone someone to play with now since I couldn't barely get up off the floor to keep up with him. He is 2 1/2 now!

oh yes I must weigh daily..can't wait until the morning!! LOL

I have used Pineapple juice if I was stuck..it will make it move one way or another...within minutes. I hope you already feel better by now..

keep your head up! if there is a will there is a way! I am self pay. I was banded on 11/23/9 and have lost 67 lbs so far with no regrets!!! I love my band!!!

great posting! and way to go on just having 4 lbs to getting there!!

Hello Sweet P, I don't think you should have pain when you eat. We were banded probably around the same time. I was banded on 11/23/9. When I got my 3rd fill I had some pain when I ate. I kind of put up with it for about 2 1/2 weeks thinking the band would loosen up a little but it just seemed to get worse. I had to get a little unfill and things are much better now. No more pain or gurgling.

My doctor feels the same way!! I have been averaging 14 lbs a month and I was so proud..he said that it was too fast..I didn't want a fill but I couldn't understand why he wasn't as thrilled as I was. We agreed to disagree..everyone is different and I haven't differed from the beginning..14 lbs/per month

Hey Slimboy just checking in to see how you are doing. I guess you should have had you staples removed on Wednesday? How did that go?? Did you get your test results? I was just thinking about you and curious to see how you were doing/feeling! Hope all is well.

So sorry for your loss and will be saying prayers for you and your family. I haven't thought about it..but I have been really stressed the last two weeks and my band has really been tight..just got off the phone with the dr from scheduling a slight unfill.

Glad you are back!! I figured you were keeping yourself busy!!!

It does get confusing. There are three doctors merging in the bldg I go to..all three have different approaches..two somewhat close and the third totally different..of course mine being the strictest!! I would say that the water...30 minutes before and 45 to an hour afterwards is probably the closest "rule of thumb" to follow. The reasoning behind this is that you want your solid proteins to stay in your stoma as long as possible to keep you full..the more liquids you have in you you will flush it out and you will become hungry quicker. You will notice that you stay full longer from eating a piece of chicken than you do from drinking a shake..I am a shake lover but I know it is a 3 hour fix..not a 4-5 hour fix. I eat about 1/4-1/2 cup of food at each meal.

Yes, we all have our "last supper" but as LoseIt said most of us will later find out that you can tolerate all of the regular foods afterwards just in much small portions. The only thing I haven't tried is steak.

Your words were very powerful. The mind is amazing. The balance in life that we need is such a struggle and a constant effort!!

Hello there! What kind of soreness are you having?

Do you have any restriction? Have you kept a journal of what you have been eating? Is your dr not willing to give you another fill? I know I have 5ccs in my 10cc band and I couldn't eat more than 3/4 cup of food at any given time. That is why I was asking about the restriction?? Do you walk? Walking is one of the best forms of exercise. I know with having the proper restriction and walking has allowed me to be able to lose 66 lbs in 4 months...you also have to have a positive mindset YOU CAN DO IT!!! I hope this helps you!!

Congrats!! Be careful not to over do it! Also, do not be stubborn and allow yourself to take the pain medication if you need it!! Allow yourself some down time to heal. Yeah, you want to get up and walk but know your limits!! Soon you will be able to sleep in different positions. I was a tummy sleeper, so I know what you mean! LOL Take care of yourself! Welcome to the otherside!!

skinnygirl, sorry for the delayed response...I agree that we all should share all the do's and the don'ts!!! I have had 3 fills to get to the 5 cc's..I have great restriction now. I see my doctor every month regardless if I need to or not..which I like! I will start with the bad..I use pineapple juice if I get stuck..which has only happened 4 times. The pineapple juice works wonderfully..relief within minutes!! Exercise...I walk and I walk daily..that and chase my 2 year old son around. Once the weather gets a little warmer I will swim. My doctor pushes walking and I agree with him. I am starting to carry hand weights but that is it. I do like to ride bicycles but my husband has a bad knee so we don't do that as often as I would like. Diet..I am not a morning eater (just how I was raised) so Monday-Friday..protein shake--Myoplex Lite 20gr protein...Sat & Sun omelet (I have more time to make it). Lunch Tuna or Chicken Salad either made with mayo or cottage cheese, cheese, egg & relish with a couple of crackers or 2 pieces of cheese rolled up in deli meat or salad. For snacks I eat Chobani yogurt or SF pudding. Now for dinner...the one thing that as soon as got off of mushies after surgery I committed to myself and my family was this was a lifetime committment not a diet. I prepare dinner for all of us quite similar to before being banded only I eat a much smaller portion. I also may make it a little more healthier. I can eat pretty much anything..I haven't tried steak..but..last night we had BBQ Chicken, tator tots, green beans. I had..2 oz of chkn, 1/4 cup of green beens and 3 tator tots and was full. My family was thrilled and they were able to put on more BBQ sauce if they wanted..mine had the flavor on it. I also have found some different recipes that we have tried..we vote on them..some we make again..others we don't. I hope this helps!! If you ever want to talk you can reach me at dsmith16@tampabay.rr.com

My heart really goes out to you! A couple of suggestions..1) you may want to contact your Dr and ask if you can introduce mushy foods to your diet at this point 2) also ask if you can take a b12 supplement to help with the fatigue 3) I take quite a bit of medications..some are crushed and mixed with applesauce others I get in liquid form (pain medication). The shoulder pain is gas..the more you can walk around the quicker this pain will go away and yes it is from the surgery. Continue drinking as much fluids as possible, this will help you feel full as well as flush your body. Most everyone questions their decision of being banded the first couple of days.."why did I do this" kind of thing but believe me it will get better. After you get through the first month and you get your first fill you will start to see results you will be loving your band and will not have any second thoughts!!! Keep your head up..this is only the beginning!

Peace be with you and your family during this emotional time!! You will be in my prayers!

I did 3 protein shakes a day and nothing else..besides water and fuze drinks for two weeks pre-op and then two weeks post op!! You can do it..just keep thinking of the rewards in the end! Drink a lot of water/crystal light and keep yourself busy. Clean closets/drawers, take a walk or anything you can to keep your mind busy. That is what I did. I was banded on 11/23/9 and have lost 64 lbs so far!! It isn't easy but it is so worth it!! Something else to think about is...is it mind hunger or are you really hungry..this will be a struggle as well. Sometimes it is just your mind playing a game with you. If you can do something (anything..take a walk, sort the mail, organize sock drawer or junk drawer) else to distract this "hunger" and it goes away then you really were not hungry it was just mind hunger. If there is nothing you can do that will distract it and your stomach is growling and growling you probably are hungry.

Normally whatever you lose between you surgery date and your first fill is a blessing. This is your healing time. After your first fill..you will start to lose weight!! Hopefully you will feel a little restriction as well after your fill..you will more than likely need another fill (most do) and maybe take away a little bit of the hungry feeling. Just keep your head up and watch what you are eating as well as your portions. If you ever just want to talk you can always reach me at dsmith16@tampabay.rr.com.

Gorda..a couple of things...you REALLY need a fill and you need to make sure you eat enough to lose (if that makes sense). You are doing great on your fluids, that is awesome!!!! I have 6ccs in my 10cc band and have great restriction so hopefully your next fill will do the trick for you..stay on your doctor!

I agree with Jadeite..are you feeling any restriction? If not, you probably need to get a fill. I walk a lot so that helps me quite a bit. Eat 60-80 grams of protein..always make sure you eat it first..if you have room for anything else..then eat your veggies and then move on to other stuff (if you have room). I start everyday off with a protein shake. I was banded on 11/23/9 and have lost 62.4 lbs so far. I have 6ccs in a 10cc band.

Choose the surgery you feel comfortable with...my goal is to lose 126 lbs. so far I have lost 62.4 in 4 months..you can do it too! You have the desire and the drive!

Daisy congrats for never giving up!! You will be so happy with your decision. I know I have read one of the blogs on here where the person was able get rid of thier wheelchair after being banded..maybe they will read your blog and respond and give you some pointers as well!! I wish you the best!