lamar44

I was banded on 1/22/10 and I am SOOOOO frustrated. I've lost about 20 pounds but mostly from the pre/post-op diet. I haven't lost any for about 3 months. Eating is now no fun but I am still overeating, despite the pain of overfilling and forcing food through the band. I just cannot get mentally satisfied by the tiny portions I'm supposed to eat and I do not have the energy (physical or mental) to come up with 5 or 6 mini-meals every day. I feel like my whole life revolves around food, now just as much or more than it did pre-surgery. Please, please, please...I need some encouragement...I don't know where to start or what to do! My doc tries to help but she just keeps telling me "the band is not magic". No kidding, doc! I am so disappointed in myself and this band!

Thank you, thank you, thank you for posting this! I was banded on 1/21. Initially, I lost only 2 pounds post-op and have gained at least a half pound back. I was too embarrassed to post and thought people might be judgmental and repeat all the stuff about the band not being magical...duh! I am struggling because I feel only minimal restriction but it is becoming clear that even with restriction, I am going to have to make some changes. Oh, sweet cookie dough...please lose my number!

So, I'm 4 weeks out from being banded. Had to cancel my first fill (scheduled for last Monday 2/15) due to bad weather and can't get in until March 1. I don't think I have any restriction because I'm still eating way more than I should and am eating junk - partly out of frustration I think. I'm gaining back the 15 pounds I lost pre- and post- surgery. Did anyone else do this and did you get it back under control once your fills started? Beginning to feel that this is yet another failed attempt!

I was banded on 1/21/10. I've had lower back pain off and on for 6-8 years...nothing unmanageable, mostly when I overdo. Since my surgery, I've noticed that I'm having quite a bit of discomfort in my mid-back, I'm guessing around the back of my ribcage? Anybody else having this? Does it have to do with me leaning a different way to "protect" my abdominal area?

Nothing very exciting - just jello, applesauce, mashed potatoes/gravy....the norm. I will say that for protein shakes, the Premier Nutrition chocolate shakes sold at Costco are by far my favorite for both the pre-op and the post-op protein shakes. Good luck!

I was banded on 1/21/10. I also felt horrible - much worse than I expected....extreme nausea so bad that I couldn't even tolerate the anti-nausea pills, BAD gas pain in left shoulder and general yuckiness. 3 pieces of advice for you - walk as much as possible, drink plenty of water and take your pain meds exactly as your doc prescribed (every 4-6 hours). I did none of the above for the first 2 days and made myself feel even worse. My nausea was so bad, I didn't drink and I came VERY close to having to go back to the hospital for dehydration. The gas-x strips didn't seem to help much but they are worth a try....the moving around is the key to moving the gas. Try to get some liquid protein in but concentrate on keeping hydrated. It took me 6 days to feel semi-"normal" again. Hang in there....I'm 3 weeks out and feeling almost like my old self.

:wink2:So glad someone started this thread as I was thinking along the same lines. I was banded on 1/21. I followed the post-op diet strictly for about 9 days and then was so hungry and no energy that I started back on reg. food. Too soon, I know but I also haven't felt any restriction(the PA told me that there's between 2 and 3 ccs in my band right now and first fill will add 2-3 more)....a little bloated and too full sometimes but no sickness. I guess I know I'm kind of playing with fire but it was all I could do to gag down the shakes and yogurt for the 2 weeks pre-op and the week post-op. Anyway, I go for my first fill on 2/15 and am hoping that I get some restriction then. Anyone else not following the strict guidelines? I know I'll have the most success with the low cal/low fat "healthy" foods that I hate but I'd love to know if anyone is having success based only on the restriction/limited portions vs. following a strict low cal/low fat diet.

I was banded on 1/21. After 6 days, I was finally hungry. The shakes and liquids just weren't doing it for me so I started sampling a variety of things, pretzels, saltines, low fat cheez its, etc. When those went down ok (and it only took a few to feel satisfied) I started trying a few bites of more substantial stuff like a well mashed baked potato with a little bit of velveeta cheese. Sounds fatty but I only ate a small portion. Last night, I had a couple spoonfuls of taco meat (low fat ground sirloin) with some very well crushed tortilla chips. I know all about the low-fat, low-calorie instructions, but if this is going to work for me, I have to find things I can live with long-term and cottage cheese isn't going to do it. So far, nothing has gotten stuck. The only discomfort I've had is some minor belching and bloating. I have a 10 cc band and it's got about 2.5 ccs currently. My first fill is on 2/15. I am really looking forward to being able to add in some raw veggies and I would never have dreamed I'd miss them!

I freak myself out with that kind of crap all the time. I'm still a newbie, 14 days post-op and I just keep telling myself that the difference with the band is that it doesn't depend entirely on my willpower. If you've lost 30+ pounds, the band is doing it's job and so are you. If you fall off the wagon, you can get another fill and get back on. I keep hearing the phrase that nothing tastes as good as skinny feels so with your success so far, that mental game is as good as any to keep yourself going!

Erin, Don't apologize for how you're feeling. Be proud of yourself for recognizing that this can be helped. About your cat, don't feel ashamed. More people than would ever admit have similar thoughts...they just don't act on them. I'm no expert but seems like maybe those types of thoughts happen because maybe it's the only area of your life you feel like you can control. Again, I'm no expert and I think several other posters have made great points about the affordable or even free help that is available. It's worth taking the time to check those things out. It's amazing what you can find when you really look. Best of luck...never give up!

I'm still a newbie at this...14 days post-op as of tomorrow. However, one of the things I think I see woven into every thread on this forum is personal awareness, personal advocacy and personal responsibility. It seems to me like your body is trying to tell you what it needs. We are paying these doctors waaaaaay too much money for them to not listen to us. Now, having said that, if your last doc was a quack, then maybe you should give your new doc the benefit of the doubt. I like what one of the earlier replies said about maybe the new doc was trying to work with you mentally as well as physically. I am quickly realizing that this band is as much a mental tool as a physical one. As long as we're trying to work our ways through this both physically and mentally, I think you can't help but be successful! Best wishes!

You came to the right place for support. I am only 12 days post-op and I've been on this forum every day. Your experience will be unique. I was nervous until 2 days prior to the surgery and then I had a sense of calmness and a let's get this part over with. My surgery was on a Thursday and I planned to go back to work (I teach) on Monday. This did not work for me. I ended up having a lot of pain - 90% of which was from the gas. My advice is to make sure you are getting plenty of liquids (Water, whatever) immediately and consistently after your surgery. The other thing you will find on this forum is people will tell you to walk....to relieve the gas pain. They are right! Move, move, move. I had extreme nausea so I didn't move much and the gas hung around for 5 days. The other thing is, if you are in some pain, take your pain meds on time for the first few days. As far as eating, I did not feel like eating or drinking much for the first week.....thus I became dehydrated and felt worse. Most importantly, listen to your body. Rest, hydrate and move as much as you can! Good luck and keep coming back to the forum. The support here is unbelievable!!!

I'm only 10 days post-op. Had a rough go for about 6 days but finally the nausea is gone as is most of the pain and now I am READY TO EAT! I'm physically and mentally hungry and so tired of protein shakes, sugar free pudding and broth. I don't know what else to eat! I've gotten so desperate for chewing that I did break down and eat a few crackers after totally dissolving them in my mouth. When did you guys start adding stuff back in or what did you eat in the meantime?:thumbup:

O.K. I must confess....I've been eating crackers almost every day. Not many - maybe 6-8. I'm holding them in my mouth and making them into mush but it is SOOO helping the hunger and frustration. I've tried plain saltines, cheez-its and a few pretzels. Tonight, I sliced a potato thinly, put it in a corning ware dish with a couple spoonfuls of water and covered it with plastic wrap. Microwaved for about 5 minutes and then added a bit of velveeta cheese. It was the most delicious thing! Of course it was just like eating cheesy mashed potatoes but I tried some MP from KFC the other day and the fat from the gravy upset my bowels. This way I could control the amount of fat. Not an ideal choice for every day but it was such a delicious change of pace, easy, quick and satisfying. I can't do eggs unless they are hard boiled so got to wait another week or so for that. I did tell my P.A. about the crackers today. She did not freak out...just asked if they were going down ok!

Let's hear it for this forum! I've been on almost every day just to feel like I'm not alone. Thanks to those of you who responded because it is a HUGE relief to know that I AM NOT ALONE and even further that this is a pretty normal feeling for right now. If you're just now visiting this thread, please feel free to continue the input - it's truly helpful!:thumbup:

I really needed this today. I am 10 days post-op, nausea and most of the pain has passed and now I AM READY TO EAT!!!! I'm physically and mentally hungry and so help me, I don't know how much longer I can take shakes, sugar free pudding and broth! Seeing your progress over time does help! What confidence you obviously have and man, oh, man, I hope someday I can wear something like that animal print mini you've got on! MEEEEE-OW! Very sexy!

I think the vast majority of the population doesn't see their true physical self....either they have an overinflated sense of their attractiveness or they overestimate their own unattractiveness. I have been overweight since I was 11 and I know that I have a very difficult time really seeing what I look like. I always wonder and often ask my husband, "Is that what my fatness looks like?" when I see other heavy people. Let's face it, some people can carry fat better than others and I always like to think that I carry mine well. However, I'm thrilled to be carrying less of it every day and after 7 rough days recovering from my surgery, I have high hopes for the future....a future in which I envision the things I can do (like wrapping my arms around my knees) in addition the the things I can wear. 22 pounds lost so far! 75 to go!

I had banding done on 1/21 and have really struggled....extreme nausea, tons of pain particular in left shoulder, no appetite, etc. I might feel incrementally better today but seems like I take one step forward and two steps back. I've got to go back to work next Monday. Can you guys give me some input as to how long it took for you to feel decent again?

I'm 41, female, fertile, etc.....but I had my gallbladder out almost 15 years ago. My poop's never been the same. I've had every size, shape and color you could imagine so I've had extensive conversations with my doctors over the years regarding this, uh, colorful subject. They pretty much all agree that color is of absolutely no concern unless there is blood in the stool. The color is directly related to whatever you've ingested so the purple drink person was right on the money! Such knowledge on this forum!!!!

You are all such clever people. I've only been banded for 6 days but have been on the weight loss journey for 30 years and what I am finally learning is that while budget constraints are always something we have to work with, the cost of our food is something that should reflect our commitment and our dedication to getting healthy. Of course, donuts are cheaper than organic produce (thanks to various government subsidies) and right now, I can't say that the produce actually mentally tastes better to me, but I know that I'm making a much better investment. It's kind of the difference between playing scratch offs and winning a $5 prize and investing in your 401K for the long haul! If anybody watched Oprah today, I usually don't but you know how fate is, she had some good thoughts and guests who were speaking about knowing more about where our food comes from and understanding each piece of food that we put in our mouths. Can I say I will never eat another candy bar? NO! But I am dedicated to finding other foods that will actually give me something back (besides calories and fat) in return. That said, thanks for letting me rant and I'm glad to see that so many of you are willing to offer such great and valuable advice to total strangers! What a great forum!

Oh, my goodness. I'm overwhelmed by all the kind words and encouragement! Today has definitely been a little better. I can say I've been out of bed more than in it, so that's at least a step in the right direction. The shoulder pain has been so bad and so unexpected and whoever said that dehydration might be causing the nausea....I think you were exactly right. It's just frustrating to have to take such baby steps when I thought I would feel like diving in headfirst! I'm so glad I did this in the winter, so I have a good headstart for all the fun stuff in spring and summer. The added bonus....not to sound overly drippy or anything but, I feel like I have a whole new group of wonderful friends. You guys are AWESOME for taking a few minutes to make a perfect stranger feel so much better!

South Beach is a good supplement to your cookbook stash. I've been using a variety of cookbooks to find some good low cal meals for my family. I also ordered a subscription to Cooking Light magazine. I found a South Beach cookbook at my local Half-Price Bookstore, so you might want to check there!

Thanks for all the good advice. I have discovered a really good protein shake...It's made my premier nutrition and is only available at Costco. 30 g. of protein, 1 g. of sugar and I think it's only about 130 cals. Tastes like a richer version of slim fast and a really easy way to get in 30 g. of protein. Protein has been a huge key for me along this journey.

Hate to go there immediately, but are you female? Is it that time of the month? Maybe your hormones are kicking in....I'm 41, had the band put in 5 days ago and my hormones are all over the place messing my period up significantly. Just a thought.....one thing I am quickly learning about the band is that it requires patience, so hang in there!