jennypenny

Hi Rachel! So almonds are ok? For some reason I thought they'd be hard to get down. I would imagine you'd have to chew them reeeeeally good! I like your suggestions here for lunch! How about some dinners? Jen

Thank you! It's comforting to know that it isn't just me! I haven't started 'eating' yet, but have been counting my calories even through full liquid, so I'm ahead of the game! I really appreciate your input.

Here's my quandry. So if we are counting calories and protein and fat, sugar, etc., what actual 'role' does the band play? Is it that it shrinks your stomach so you get full faster? Sometimes I feel like if I had stuck to all of these guidelines to begin with, why did I need the band. I'm not trying to be negative here, I'm really asking. How do you feel the lap band is different from all the other programs we've tried?

Ok, Be honest! Does anyone drink even a teeny weeny bit of coffee even though we're told not to? I see blogs where people do drink a bit of coffee with no negative effects. I'm not a huge coffee drinker, but I do miss my half cup in the morning.

So I'm day 9 post-op and on full liquids. On the list, it says I can have SF pudding. However, here are the stats on SF vs. Fat Free: Calories - SF 60 FF 80 Fat - SF 3g FF 0 Protein - SF 0 FF 2 Sugar - SF 0 FF 15gr There seems to be WAY fewer chemicals in the FF. Again I'm perplexed...should I be focusing more on protein, sugar, calories...? I'm torn between being strictly sugar free, vs. eating healthier more chemically reduced foods - not that I'm really eating anything at this point, but you know what I mean.

I'm so glad I started this thread! I now enjoy a cup of half caf in the morning and life is good! This forum is such a life line for me! Thank you all for sharing! jennypenny

Are we supposed to eat low carb when we get to regular foods? Ugh...I'm so confused. Calories? Fat? Sugar? Carbs? Oh my...

I'm curious.....what kinds of things do we eat during 'mush?'

I find it weird that we can have pudding during full liquid phase but not say applesauce. Also, did you or anyone have yogurt during this phase?

Also, I was banded only 4 days before you so let's keep in touch!

Hi Readhead Girl, I was only told to do two days post-op on clear liquids and then was able to start full liquids. I'd be hungry too! I'd call the Dr. and ask if you can move on to full sooner than a week if you're tolerating the clear fine but experiencing hunger. JennyPenny

I too take 4 meds (although I was able to get off Prevacid right after surgery which I'm thrilled about). Literally as I was being wheeled out of the surgery center, I said to my Dr. that there is an anti-depressant that I needed to take asap, and he said 'go ahead'. I was so relieved because I thought I was going to have to crush it too! I took it with no problem whatsoever! I don't want to suggest anything beyond your Dr.'s orders, but wanted to share that. Also, they gave me my pain med in a liquid form, and no antibiotic.

Wait, are you saying it's ok to have Protein bars during the two week full liquid phase after surgery? I pretty much thought we couldn't have anything that you have to chew.

I was banded 9 days ago. I have one week left of full liquids, and the smoothies, oatmeal etc., is beginning not to fill me up. I've been doing fine and not feeling hungry up til a day or so ago. I am eating basically oatmeal, cream of wheat, many smoothies with soy milk and protein powder, sugar free pudding, and pureed soups. Lots of liquids as well. I don't really feel 'banded' now that the gas and pressure is gone. I have another week of full liquids, then mush, and 4 weeks until my first fill and I'm feeling worried. I guess I expected to feel more 'different' in some way. Other than a big lump under my stomach I feel like if I did eat a mush food, it would digest just fine. (I'm not going to however...just sayin...) I am following my Drs. list of foods and amounts. Maybe I'm just 'head' hungry?

Thank you Rachel. It's comforting to find out these steps are normal. If you don't mind me asking, do your remember what you lost from pre-op clear liquid phase until your first fill? Also can you tell me what you drank/ate on post-op full liquid phase? Looking for new ideas.

I am a 51 year old woman and my starting weight was 200lbs. After the pre-op diet I lost 5 lbs., but I'm sure it was all water weight. I'd love to connect with other newly banded women, in any age group, to 'go through' this together. I also wanted to join the forum to be able to ask questions of other brave banders that went before me! I am currently on full liquids-oatmeal, protein shakes, cream of wheat, etc. I find it difficult at this stage because it's hard for me to tell if I'm 'full' or not due to the pressure and tenderness from surgery. I am however following the food and liquid amounts that were prescribed. My abdomen is very swollen. Aprox. how long does that last? At what point do you 'feel' your fullness? Lastly, suggestions for fat free soups. My friend made my lentil soup, but I'm afraid it may be too gassy. Love to hear from some of you.

Ok, so I just went to the movies for the first time since being banded a week ago. It was sheer torture. That wafting smell of popcorn and the thought of it married to my diet coke as I enjoy the movie has me feeling sad. Tell me it isn't so....will I never be able to eat popcorn again!? Now obviously I know it wouldn't be for quite awhile, but do I have it in my future at all? Please post-banders, take me out of my misery.

You absolutely must try Solgar - whey to Go - Vanilla flavor. They typically sell it at Vitamin Barn, GNC, etc. It isn't cheap but it's a huge cannister, lasts a long time and it's worth the taste! I use 1/2 cup milk, 1 scoop of powder, and either frozen fruit, or even just ice. It's yummy! My favorite thing in full liquid phase.

OMG I love you all! You've made my day! For some reason I had thought it wasn't digestible with a band. I can't wait to go to my next movie. I SO love this forum. Grateful it exists! Oh, and I would kill for chinese, even without the rice. If I have one more Protein shake I'm gonna scream.

I am eating 1/2 cup of everything, but I'm still on full liquid phase having been banded 6 days ago. It will be interesting to see what fills me up on mush foods, after fill, etc. I think the bottom line is that different things work for different people. No one should be preaching or judging here.....just sharing good positive information.

I know! Xavier is my hero! I feel more relaxed now. There's so much info out there it can become discouraging and overwhelming. We can do this!!!

I'm so glad you wrote your experience, because this was my expectation of how it would work for me. I don't plan on eating ice cream, Cookies, cake etc., but if I can get full on a cup or less of anything, I will lose. That combined with doing my part of eating healthy. Love the pic of your two pairs of pants! haha Also, you have aprox the same starting weight and goal as I so I'm going to friend you.

When I got out of surgery, I was concerned about taking my daily capsule. I asked my Dr. and he said to go ahead and take it. I've taken it every day with no problems.

Ok folks, I have the opposite problem! Haven't gone #2 in 11 days. Help. Don't wanna take my usual natural colon cleanse 'cause the pill is rather large.