djbabe

Lisa, I KNOW I am a food addict which I why I got a band...the alternative was sewing my mouth shut and I am hesitant to think that even that would work. I still think about food all the time - now I just can't eat like it. I have the same issues as you: hunger, boredom, depression, hate my looks, cravings without the pregnancy to take the blame, you name it and I have it. I never did recreational drugs, not a big drinker as an adult but set a pizza down in front of me and sister, keep your feet and hands inside the car or they may be in jeopardy. My mom blames herself. Says if she hadn't fed us "boarding house" style then I wouldn't have these issues....I tell her all the time that that is BS. I finished my plate because there where starving kids in Africa....whatever. I ate because I wanted to, loved the taste and instant gratification, the ceremony of dinner out etc. Not my mom's fault, I would blame genetics maybe but not that she made me dinner at night. Didn't mean to ramble. Best of luck to you on your new journey!

Hey D! No bruising here either! Barely a pin prick to see. My Dr is a real pro. I still feel like I am eating more than what has been laid out for us. I actually have a tummy growling low then moves up high....Like STEREO I guess. And the funny thing is when I get hungry, it is like instant. One minute I feel satisfied. 10 minutes later my lower half of my stomach rumbles, the top over the band joins in and I have to eat or my stomach begins to hurt. I have noticed that I can drink water and belch. Not sure what that's all about but I have tried everything that I was able to eat before and am still able to eat it. I go back mid June for my next fill and I hope it will keep my appetite under control longer. I have felt some pressure in my chest if I eat too fast or when I had a small slice of banana bread, even though I chewed like a million times. That was enough to stop me right there. My daily menu as been somewhat as follows: I have been drinking a cup of tea and bottle of water first thing in the morning while getting the boys ready for school. Then make it to work and have a cup of low carb yogurt with low fat/low cal granola on top. By 10 am another bottle of water. Sometimes can make it till noon but most of the time about 11:30 fat free turkey with lo cal dressing in a tortilla wrap. Crystal light with meal and after. Then around 3-4pm hungry again and have a 1/2 cup low fat cottage cheese with splenda on top. This gets me to dinner around 7pm and for the last 3 nights I have had salad with chopped/diced chicken breast on top and ranch dressing. A jello mouse whips for dessert and then off to bed. So far I have not weighed myself. I am trying to do it once a week so i won't obsess over losing or not. I feel better, feel like I am eating healthier and it seems like I am getting into a routine. I am walking for 20 mins at work during the day but hope to start an actual program and join a gym...will be a few months though as the boys come first and boy scouts has been breaking the bank! I am so glad you had an easy fill. I have to admit that I had read through the fill thread on here and was very concerned when I went for mine only to be ecstatic and delirously happy that all went so well. Tell me how you are eating and how things are progressing. I miss rolls, I miss pizza but not enough to try them and regurgitate them. BTW, has everyone moved to another thread? I am trying to check in every other day and see what is happening with the April Bunnies. Best of luck to all of us!

D, I hope you are feeling better soon!! I am anxious to hear how your fill goes. Glad you are not too hungry and losing weight though stinks to be sick to do it. Take Care hon!! Kim

Good Morning Bunnies ~ I had my first fill yesterday....and was expecting the worse from reading too many posts and hyping myself up. After having 4 kids, fills are NO BIG DEAL!! For real, the steroid shot in the elbow last year was worse than this. Took all of 5 minutes, a little prick (the shot not the dr!) and I could feel a cold sensation circling my upper stomach and the feeling of fullness at that time. Was given a small bottle of water to sip and told to come back in 6 weeks. Simple, virtually painless without any type of topical anesthesia. My Dr is a pro....pressed around and hit me the first stick. Dr. says NOW we will see some results! Was encouraged to stay liquid yesterday and this morning so I had my boost shake and some water and feel FULL. I had lost 3lbs from my post op visit on 4/16 and I was a little bummed about that....the Dr was thrilled! Said most of his patients GAIN a few lbs. So all in all, a very pleasant experience and nothing I had psyched myself up to expect. Now I plan to go back to all the things I have previously eaten well and "test" them again to ensure I can eat them without issue. I still have yet to try bread/sandwiches and pizza. I do miss a good subway club sandwich. So if you haven't had your first fill yet, don't stress it. I know we all have different Dr's and issues but I had allowed my "research" on this board to wind me up....be open minded and know my experience was a great one! Have a fabulous day bunnies and thanks for letting me share! Kim

I am right there with you Froggie....I have had little to zero issues after the emotional ride that must have been a blessing as it brought me to this site. I too was banded on April 7th and have been able to eat just about anything. I have yet to try fried food, rolls or pizza, but guess what? So far I haven't WANTED to. My pants are hanging off of me but as I haven't broken down to buying a scale yet, I only have the loss numbers from my post op visit. I too have noticed that you are full and without the constant hunger pains (physically and mentally) I don't even think about food obsessively like in the past. I can remember before eating breakfast and already thinking about where/what I would have for lunch. I attended a church social where all sorts of yummies from the past would have had me piling my plate and going for seconds, to grab a bottle of water and some pieces of fruit. The fruit was sitting right next to the brownies and it was like I didn't even notice. That would not have happened in the past...no matter how much I would have guilted myself into trying... I go back on WED May 5th for my first fill. My plan is to retry all the things I am currently eating to make sure that with the fill I can still handle them, then slowly not deny myself other things (a slice of pizza!) and try them all. I will tell you that the fear of it all coming back up is another deterent that stops my eating too. So far that has not happened once and I have eaten taboo items such as ground beef and steak. I found where steak used to be my favorite, after chewing and chewing to get down to gristle, it is no longer the huge hightlight for me. Didn't mean to ramble. It has been a bit since I was last on this site. I questioned this procedure the week after I did it as I still felt like I had isolated myself from the rest of the world with all the rules of maintenance. I now know that I was deluding myself once again, and I am SO VERY GLAD I did this! Already, just the 20 plus pounds I have lost has made a difference in so many ways, sleeping, energy, attitude. We are all heading to a better place, I truly believe that. So with all that rambling above, GOOD LUCK for you all beginning your new journey today and tomorrow. You will complete the April Bandster Bunny Family! Hugs, Kim

Good Luck to all of you band bunnies tomorrow and in the next few days. I am doing well since my 4/7 banding and eating solids...in fact, I had a salad tonight with small pieces of chicken chopped on it. Was heavenly. I have been taking boost shakes, yogurt with low fat granola, lots of water and chewing, chewing, chewing. I will get my first fill on 5/5 and other than some tenderness under the skin and in the fat on my tummy where I imagine my port must be, am doing wonderfully. No issues at all. When I feel full, I stop - no more to eat. Best advice I can give as i went back to work 3 days after surgery is to sleep elevated for the first 48 hours. I never had any issues with gas settling in my chest or shoulders as I had before with both my hysterectomy and gall bladder surgery. I also would get up and walk whenever I got "stiff". This all helped me. Prayers and good wishes for E'sMommy, MsLady and Egarduno during your procedures tomorrow. You will all do great! Hugs, Kim

Praying for you Rubie. Take care of yourself. I went for my post op today (Banded 4/7) and my Dr. said all looks as if it is healing well. I have lost 13 lbs since my pre op texting on 3/24. I didn't weight the day before my surgery so I am using that date for start purposes. I have been released to a normal diet. I still have tenderness on the left side, which is a tad red. Dr. says this is normal as it is the larger incision housing my port. I go back on May 6 for my first fill. I really feel good and do not notice the restraints for eating. However, they are always in the back of my mind and I am eating differently now. I just came from Games night at our church and took my own juice. Ate from a fruit tray and very tiny piece of a soft cookie and had no problems. As I hate to throw up, I am really trying to be aware of everything and to chew, chew, chew. I have had no issues, just hearing others say that it has happened to them is enough for me. Plan to take it slow this week and next until my fill and I know what REAL restriction is. I don't want to give myself false hope and start eating things I know will be an issue. Thanks for listening, April Band Bunnies and GL to us all!

Hi Rubie :cool: congrats on the beginning of your new life. I was banded on Wed April 7th and walking has done WONDERS for me. I had virtually zero gas pains as I was told to walk and sleep elevated for the first two days. I went back to work on your surgery day and had a 14 hour day (wouldn't recommend THAT) but all in all made all my committments and as of Today (1 week) feel completely normal. I am still on liquids mostly but have had two business dinners and had the broth of soup from the restaurant at both and didn't feel like a moron at all. In other words, travelling in both worlds nicely. As my job requires a lot of movement from walking a 1/2 mile long plant to office work etc, I really think getting back in to the grind is why I feel really good now. I go back for my post op on Friday (should have been today but I still have big shots in the plant) and I am anxious to see what I have lost and what my Dr's take on my recovery is. Sending best wishes your way and to the rest of the April Band Bunnies! Kim

First off, Good Luck to all you banders today/tomorrow. I went back to work today after 4/7 banding. Other than finding clothes that did not rub an incision site, my day was non eventful. I even managed not to look like a moron at a dinner meeting this evening by sipping water and a bowl of chicken soup from Chilis. Picked up boys from Scouts and made it home by 9pm. TIRED but the good kind of tired of being productive. Wanted to check in with you all and now off to bed as it will be another 12 hour day tomorrow. :thumbup::thumbup:virtually zero pain today and I was worried as I stopped all pain meds but tylenol on Sunday. Liquid diet is not cutting it but boost shakes and my surprise of chicken soup at dinner with a jello chaser at home has made me comfortable. Back to the Dr. on Friday for a Post op and maybe then I will know what band size I have. Have a great Tuesday everyone! Kim

Hello Bandsters, I am Kim and I was just banded on Wednesday, April 7, 2010. I live in Huntsville, Texas and am recovering nicely. I actually began this quest back in 2006 but never qualified due to my insurance. Once that changed in July 2009 I began again and here I am. My Surgeon did not require a pre op diet so this broth/water/crystal light regimen has grown tiresome. I think those of you who embrace that diet before will most likely not have the emotions and hunger that I still experience 4 days post op. I was quite beside myself today and found this site and hope that you all will be the added support I feel I need right now. I feel separated somewhat from my family due to my diet and the fact that I am trying to take it easy, as I plan to return to work on Monday, April 12th. I know what I have done is in the long run for the best, however I am in constanct doubt that I have alienated myself. Thanks for listening and your replies and encouragement are most welcomed.