JaxieGirl

:unsure:I have been banded for 5 days now. I am not sure if the pains I am having in my stomach and my stomach growling is from being hungry or full. I am suppose to eat 3 meals a day which includes 1/4 c. of mushies like yogurt, mashed potatoes, cream soup, etc. I am also suppose to drink 4, 1/2c. protien shakes. As soon as I get done with my soft foods, it seems like I am immediatly hungry even when I avoid drinking right after a meal. I am not sure if these pains are hunger or fullness? I have noticed that the longer I wait, the worse the pains get. When I do eat something, the pains go away immediatly. Do you think 1/4 c. is not filling me up? I dont see my doctor until Wednesday. How do you know the difference between fullness and hunger? I am so lost!! I would appreciate some advice! :thumbup:

I finally found a protein shake I like! Unjury unflavored, yogurt, skim milk and a few ice cubes! Yum! it tastes like the smoothies you buy in the yogurt isle of the grocery store. Do any of you have any other good protein recipes?

Well after tracking the foods I have been eating on the Livestrong website I realized that I was so hungry and feeling horribly because I was only getting about 40-50g of protein when I am suppose to be at 60-80g. I also went to my doctor today. I told her I was having a tough time tolerating protein powders. I have tried the CVS brand, GNC, Matrix, and now Unjury. (Choc, Vanilla, Cookies and Cream) I even tried Muscle Milk Light. Non of them really have set well with me. She told me that I am better getting my protein in soft foods like sugar free pudding or yogurt than drinking them. I tried mixing the unflavored Unjury in mashed potatoes tonight and it want bad at all! I did try the unflavored with Crystal light. YUCK!!! Any suggestions there? I think tomorrow I am going to try milk, unflavored powder, and frozen strawberries in the blender, Ill probably add some splenda. I am determined to find something that works. Oh the unflavored unjury in the yogurt wasnt bad either. I was also told that i was not hydrated. I todl her i was frustrated with trying to get in all the 4 protein drinks and then I had to do 6 cups of water on top of that! I need to walk around with and IV in my arm! Her suggestion was if I put my powder into the yogurt or pudding, I would be albe to get more water down. As long as I am getting the protein, it can be in liquid, shake or pudding form. (I assumed that we had to drink all the protein) I guess I have to have something to bite into rather than drink. My doc also said that if I cant tolerate the unflavored, she is going to move me up to pureed meats. I hope all this helps! But remember, talk to your doc!

ReRe- I am having the same issue as you now. My incisions are healing nicely and I am having less pain. However I am having issues when I eat. I cannot tell if my stomach is growling and having pains because I am hungry or full. When I do eat my required meal I am fine, but about 20 minutes later, the pains are back. Is this fullness or am I hungry?? My mom had Roen Y she said that when you feel it up in your throat it is fullness pains. I am still not sure because I can get food down and I have not thrown up yet. As for the chills, I have had them also. Its because our bodies arent getting what they are used too. I have had them at least 4 times already. I took my temp to make sure it wasnt a fever. It wasnt. Again, I called my mom who had the roen y. She said that to this day she gets chills occasionally and she always seems to be colder than most. I guess these are things we will have to learn to live with. We need to hear from someone with more experience to help with these questions!

Sashay I am in total agreement with what you are saying about not getting enough calories. I am having to force myself to get in protein now also. I have been getting the chills lately and having moments of weakness because my calories are so low. I plan to call my doctor tomorrow to see what to do about all of this. So far I have been able to tolerate all of my liquids adn I started mushies 2 days ago. I can tolorate yogurt, cottage cheese, refried beans, mashed potatoes and soups. I never thought these foods taste so good! I dont think I have been resting like I should. Today I helped my husband with yardwork. Mostly I sat in a chair and dictated, but I did get up and move around a little too much. I ahve gone out to a few stores to walk around and I have a walking path I take to get exercise in my back yard. As far as food intake, it seems like that as soon as I need some food, I am starving for it and i have the worst stomach hunger pains. I am not sure if this is because of my lack of calories or the nature of the surgery. I really need to try to rest more and get my diet under control. Luckly i dont have to return to work until Wednesday. I could probably go back tomorrow, but I should rest while I can. How is everyone else doing on your post op diets??

I was banded yesterday April 14th. Here is my story. My preop diet was 4 Medifast meals and one 400 calorie lean meat and veggie meal for 2 weeks. The day before my surgery I was called at home and told to be at the hospital at 8am for 9:30 surgery. I arrived a little before 8 and they took me right in. They had my husband and mom wait in the family area until I was ready. When I went back they had me pee first to make sure i wasnt pregant. I changed into a robe and socks. Nurses immediatly started to come in. They asked me a series of questions, name, birthdate, why am I here, allergies, etc. The only thing I broght with me was my clothing and my glasses case. Inside my glasses case I put some lip gloss because from reading online, i knew my lips would be real dry after surgery. The first thing they did to me was take my blood pressure, temp and pulse. Then another nurse put the blood pressure things around my ankles. (i cant remmber what they are called) Those things were like getting a massage. I thought they were nice! THe next thing I got was a shot of Lovinox in my stomach to thin my blood. It burned a little bit but it wasnt that bad. A wonderful nurse gave me a small numbing needle in my hand and then put in my IV. He was great, I didnt feel it at all! I meet my aneshigiaologist and he asked to see the inside of my mouth and he listened to my heart. My family came in at this point. Within 20 minutes I had a whole bag of fluids in me from my IV. I had to pee. I asked the nurse to use the restoroom and she said she wasnt surprised. They wnated me hydrated before surgery. My doctor came in and asked me if i was ready and if i had any more questions. I asked her if it was a good time to use the restroom and she said yes because she was ready for me. THis was at 9 am. A half hour before my scheduled surgery. I went to the restroom and as soon as I got back there was 3 nurses waiting for me. One nurse was an advocate for communicating with my family. One nurse was transferring me to the surgery room, and another nurse was my surgery nurse. THey put a surgery cap on my head and I walked to surgery. As soon as I walked in the wing, I was freezing! It was so cold! They allowed me to wear my glasses until I got to the door of my surgery room. I told them I couldnt see a thing, so they needed to stay close. The room was very large. All i could see was bout 6 people walking around, large lights, and the surgery table. They had me step on a stool and lay on the table. I had to stretch out my arms. They immediatly put an oxygen mask on and after about 4 minutes they switched the oxygen to my wonderful sleepy gas! Next thing I knew I was in recovery. I woke up in pain. I was not comforatble at all. The nurse was right next to me and asked me my pain level. They ended up giving me 4 doses of pain killers. I needed to sit up so they lifted my bed. It made the pain less andit was easier to breath. They gave me my glasses and transferred me back to day surgery where my family was waiting. the nurse came in and saw that i was uncomfortable. THey had me get out of my bed and sit in a recliner. That was so much better than laying in bed! The nurse gave me some ice chips and monitored my pain. After a little bit, i got up and walked around the floor and they told me I should be ready to go home. My Doctor came in and went over my diet with me quickly. the Nurses went over my after care with my family because I was still pretty out of it. I went to the restroom after I put my clothes back on. My husband had to help me. I had the feeling I had to pee but i sat on the toilet for about 10 minutes and nothing. As soon as I came out of the restrooom the hospital volunteer was there with a wheelchair to take me out. All the nurses wished me luck. My husband drove me home. I slept most of the way with a pillow across my lap. He helped me into the house after I walked aournd the yard once. I came inside and sat on the recliner. My husband was so great. He got my pillow to comfort my belly and a heating pad for my neck. He also put some ice water in a sippy cup for me. After about 5 minutes, i dozed off. He woke me up to take my Vicotin and walk. I went back to sleep in the recliner then he woke me up again for my medicin and to walk. I aslo ate a few bites of jello. I did throw up twice because of anethsia. It was mostly air and water I was heaving. I slept in my bed with 4 pillows under my back and head and a pillow on my belly. I was up every 4 hours for pain killers. I didnt even have to set my clock. I woke up this morning and threw up again. i took a few naps and walked around my yard. I also ate a sugar free popsicle and sipped on gatorade. luckly my good friend is a massage therapist. she is oging to come over later to help with my gas pains in my neck. so far...no regrets!

hey ladies, i just wanted to update my status. I was up every 3 hours last night for vicodin. My worst pain is in my top incision and my neck. I walked every hour yesterday around my yard. the walking and deep breathing helped with the pain. right now it is 4 am. I am sitting in my recliner with a heating pad on my neck and a pillow across my belly. those two things have been my best friend. Even when i walk, i carry my pillow! I did lay down in my bed last night to sleep. I slept on 4 pillows and i had a pillow over my belly. believe or not i actually slpet good except for the waking up for meds and having to pee. I am hoping to get some rest this morning in my recliner. i plan to shower today and walk walk walk. the staff at the hospital was wonderful yesterday. they took great care to make sure i was comfortalbe. today my diet is clear liquids. tomorrow i am allowed to start mushies! i think i will start with some runny mashed potatoes...yummm. It is somthing to look foward too! Have i regreted doing all this? no way!

well i went in at 8 today and I was home by 1:30. Things went really well according to Dr. Murphy. I have been taking my Vicodin and walking. I have not been able to lay down. My recliner is my friend along with a heating pad for my neck. TOday i ate 4 bites of Jello and one popsicle. I have been sipping on water the rest of the day. I did throw up my vicodin once when i was dry heaving. That wasnt fun at all. My eyes are closing as I am typing so I am going to write more later.

Well tomorrow is the day! I went to work this morning. It was hard to take my mind off of surgery. I have been fasting since 2pm today. I am so nervous I havent really thought about food. I am hungry, but I am not starving. I got a call that I need to be at the hospital by 8 am. My surgery was at noon so I am glad they moved me up. I will be able to get home sooner now. I had a good conversation with my surgeon on Monday. She answered all my questions and made me feel more comfortable with what is going to happen. I will probably go to bed early because I have to get up at 6. It takes me an hour to get to the hospital. I am glad to know that I am not going to be alone tomorrow. I will be thinking about all of you!

I plan to wear pj's! I am going to bring a pillow, my ID and insurance card also. It might be difficult to get some sleep tonight. Hopefully I can put this in the back of my mind so I can get some rest tonight. If not, I am sure I will make up for missed sleep with those post op pain killers! :thumbup:

I will be thinking of you BusyMom. I hope all goes well! You will do great! My banding is on Wednesday. Come back and let us know how it goes if your feeling up to it!

I know what you mean about warm food. I want warm food and I like being able to chew something! My surgery was scheduled for noon. When I went to my pre op testing, they told me it had been moved to 9:30. At this point, I really dont know the exact time. My hospital said they will call the day before with the time to arrive. I say, the earlier the better. All I have to do is wake up, shower and go. I dont think I would be good at waiting around until noon. Plus the sooner the surgery, the earlier I will get home. I am hoping I got bumped to a 7:30 or 8 am surgery. Who knows! Only 2 more days everyone! :confused:

I was bad this morning! I did not stick to my preop diet. I ate a handful of walnuts and 1 all beef hot dog (no bun of course). I was doing so well!!! Hopefully my mess up wont be a problem. I walked 1/2 mile on the treadmill because I felt so guilty! Only 3 more days until surgery. I think I am getting anxious hungry! I am not even sure if there is such a thing. These past 2 weeks have taught me that I am definitly an emotional eater! I have had to find other ways to cope with stress and boredom. I am just mad at myself for caving in! Did any of you have one of these moments?:confused:

Hey all, I wanted to give an update because we are getting so close to our surgery date. I am pretty much stuck on an 11 pound weight loss so far. I have decided that I am completely over the Medifast soups. Gross! I choose to eat Light Tuna in water instead. It has less fat grams and more protien than the soups anyway. I am still struggling everyday with the choice to stick with the plan or cheat. I have been really good though. I cheat by adding in sugar free popsicles and sugar free jello. (its just like my required fluids for the day) I think my toughest part of the 2 weeks was last night. I went out to my favorite Mexican restaurant with my friends. I ordered an unsweetened iced tea and put splenda in it. I also got a grilled chicken salad minus the cheese. The restaurant did not have any low fat dressing so i opted for a salsa dressing. I stopped myself from eating the entire plate. It was so difficult, but I stuck to eating only half. It was so hard with my freinds drinking margaritas and eating chips and salsa!! We did agree that as soon as I was back to eating solids after surgery, we would come back. One of my friends is getting married in October and I am a bridesmaid. I am excited to show off my new body at the wedding. I dont want to purchase my dress yet! My spring break ends on Monday and its back to teaching. I am only going to be at work for a day and a half this week. I am still not sure how to approach this whole surgery thing with my students. I just hope they are good for my sub who will have them for almost 2 weeks! Well I ahve been getting less and less sleep each night the surgery gets closer. I might have to take some Tylenol PM if this continues! I am prepared though. I bought all of my allowed foods, shaker bottles, liquid tylenol, dulcolex, gas x strips, baby spoons, Matrix protien and crystal light. I am going to pick up my after sugery prescriptions on Monday after my final appointment with my surgeon. Hopefully I did not forget something! My husband has to be back at work the day after my surgery and I will be home by myself. Wow, I wrote a lot! This is me avoiding the urge to eat something! hahaha!

:thumbup:Sashay- Keep with your diet! I have lost 9 pounds in 6 days. I know you might feel alone like I did, but you can do it!

My preop diet is 4 Medifast 'meals' and one 400 calorie meal of 4 oz lean meat and 1 1/2 c. cooked vegetables. Also, minimum of 64 oz of liquid. I am trying to stay positive about it. I read that a lot of people were one liquid only diets. Now that I am on day 6, I have more energy and I am not as hungry as I was in the first couple days. That dying hungry feeling I had the first 3 days was horrible, but it passed. I spent a lot of time sleeping and online. That helped tremendoulsy. Yesterday, I did not even eat my 4th Medifast meal. I wasnt even hungry! I think I am going to get my haircut today. New beginning...new hair! That and it keeps my mind off food if I am out of the house!

Hey, Good to hear from you! You might have some headaches and feel week when you start your diet. It will pass in a few days. You just have to stick with it. Tylenol and sleep helped me to get through. Today I have been busy with yard work and cleaning my house so I wont think about food.

:smile2:Hey Bunnies, My surgery is coming up soon. But not as soon as many of you! I hope everything goes well for all of you. I am anxious to hear your stories. My surgery date is April 14th in Indiana. Today is my 4th day of pre op 800 calorie diet. I have lost 8 pounds. It hasnt been so bad today. I think my body is finally getting used to things. Yesterday, I tried on a ring my husband gave me for the first time in over a year (it never fit). It actually fit! I couldnt beleive that there was a difference in just 8 pounds! I am determined to stick with the plan and not cheat! I have so many more happy moments to look foward too.

I am also an April 14th bandster. It is so nice to know that we are not alone! My pre op diet is going much better now that I am over the 3 day hump. How about yours? Good luck! We are almost there. :smile2:

Hey we are in the same boat. I am on day 4 of my preop diet and I will be banded on the 14th also. I still have a few headaches and my weakness is going away. It will get better, try naps, walking, and water. We can do this! Only 10 more days!! Feel free to message me anytime!

Today is the first day of Medifast. I have had 3 meals so far. Im not sure you could call them 'meals' It is almost 4 and I have a headache and I am really tired. I am probably going through withdrawl. It is about 80 degrees outside so I think I am going to take a nap under my open window. 13 more days to go. I was told it all gets better by the 3rd day. I am crossing my fingers.

Insane is right! I am sure your Optifast is similar. I am on day 4 now and I am not as hungry as I was. I heard of sugeons cancelling the procedure if the plan is not followed. I did not come this far to cheat. So yes...insane is right! I cant believe you have to do a month! I would think by this point doctors would be more consitant with each other. I read about so many different pre op diets. The first 3 days were the worst. We can make it though!