Glass is Half Full Girl

Timbergurl I know how you feel. I haven't been banded as long as you but I was forced to take a good hard look at what I was thinking was "not overeating" this past weekend. It may not be your issue but I know that when my husband pointed out to me that I am eating the same amounts of food as I was before I was banded (of course I didn't believe him at first), I had to take a good hard look at what I was doing. We have paid a lot of money to get this "tool" to help us lose weight. Like many bandsters out there I think in the initial stages, we think the band will do all the work for us. Doesn't work that way unfortunately. It sounds like you are doing all the right things. As long as you are honest with yourself it should kick in. Maybe you should contact your nutritionist/doctor at the clinic you had the operation at? Are you drinking enough Water? Totally understand your frustration but don't just sit and think about it, you paid big bucks for this and deserve some answers/help from the doctor who provided the service. Try to stay positive but look for answers - you owe it to yourself! Just think....if you didn't do this, you would be 25 lbs. heavier still!

Hmmm, throwing up is never good but totally within your control. I was banded April 29th and "spit" up some water I had yesterday because I didn't chew the bite of sandwich I had enough - lessen learned. I have never thrown up before then but I also have not had my first fill yet. My biggest challenge is to slow my eating down and chew smaller bites. From what I've heard, these are the most common reasons for throwing up. The best advice I have received/heard on this website is to take your time with everything, particularly for the first month after surgery. I have had no problems at all either with the surgery or after - no pain meds needed etc. Everyone is different. Go into this with a positive mind and know the surgery is a tool, you need to do the rest. Good luck!

I am 21 days post op and can definately feel my port because it has been sideways (can feel the bumps on the edge of it) for almost all this time. Clinic says this is not a big deal??? My incision feels hard and bumpy almost like there is something there but it's just because the skin and subcutaneous layer of fat has been sewn/stapled, whatever they do, together. It should lessen with time. I also had some seepage and just put some polysporin on it and a big bandaid. Since this incision is just about where the underwire of my bra sits when I am sitting down and relaxed, it gets irritated so I am keeping a bandaid on it until fully healed. Hope this helps.

Well, I formally move onto less mushy foods today. Terrified! So much so that I am still eating the same things I ate on the last phase (yogurt, baby food, cream of wheat). I am afraid to open the flood gates. I had some peanut butter on a spoon, ate it slow, and boy did it stick like a ball of wax - not ready for that yet. I received a notice of a "bandsters" mtg. in my general area and they are meeting at an all-you-can-eat Chinese buffet restaurant! Isn't that like taking an alcoholic to a bar for a meeting? Aren't places like that what got us in trouble in the first place? Definately will NOT be going to those meetings. Trying to motivate myself to get back to exercising. I used to go to a strenuous boot camp 5 mornings a week. Would like to do that again - maybe 3 days and get back into running. A little too soon I think as I still have pain in my left side like a running cramp - start with walking I guess. Fingers are crossed!!!:smile:

Thanks for all your comments, really helps. Now if I could just get rid of this most annoying persistent cramp in my left side I would be able to get exercising again. Any idea how long it lasts and what it is caused from? Cheers

You're definately not alone! I think most of us second guess before we have the surgery. I know I made a last minute call to my Doctor a few days before my surgery. I needed comfort in knowing that I was doing it for the right reasons. I ended up talking with my surgical nurse. She answered all my pre-surgery questions and helped put my mind at ease. I have been on every diet out there and lost and gained but never got even close to where I want to be. It's not about dieting, it's about retraining our brain and like any addiction, it's a process. The surgery is helping me by forcing me not to overeat. I am only 2 weeks+ post surgery and still learning but there are definate consequences after surgery if you overeat. Nothing earth shattering for me but it takes a lot less to fill me up and is way too uncomfortable to do so now so no choice but to eat less. I know this was the right decision for me and everyone is correct, only you can make that decision. Ask yourself this: " where will I be in 1,2 or 5 yrs. if I don't do this"?.:biggrin:

Hi Lola'smama ! Great coping strategies, thank you. I was so excited to make soup, it's one of my favourite meals but my first two recipes were a bust. Go figure. Anyway, I will perservere - tomato bisque tonight! Love the chocolate idea. Maybe some diet hot chocolate as well. Better day today but still finding that I am constantly thinking about this thing inside me. I feel it a fair bit which is unnerving but I trust that feeling will dissipate after the swelling goes down etc. Would love recipes!!!! thank you:redface:

Hi Everyone My traditional Mothers Day brunch took a back seat to soup at a nice restaurant today. I felt like I lost a good friend. I know this will take time because food has been my friend for so long but honestly...it was really hard today. I have lost 10 lbs but am terrified that the scale will stay that way for the rest of the month! Wicked sweet cravings and am starving every 1.5-2 hrs so eat a little something (usually homemade soup or yogurt) when that happens. Is this normal and will I learn to feel differently about food once I get fills and reach the sweet spot? Sooooo nervous!:smile:

Thanks Butterfly! Great to get motivation from fellow recent bandsters like you. Having a much better day today. Was really bloated yesterday - guess my body wasn't ready for all the sodium in the soup I had for lunch. Am going to make my own today. On the plus, very plus side, I went through my closet and tried on clothes that were just a little too tight to wear and guess what?....they fit! My plan is to stay away from the scale except once a week. I know the speed of losing has slowed, as it should, and I don't want to lose motivation. I am starting back into my exercise program which should help (fingers crossed). thanks again, plugging away!

Ouch, sounds aweful. I love pb&j but will stear clear after reading your experience. I too have a wicked sweet tooth and hope the surgery helps. Sounds like you are in a good place now. Run with it and keep losing! Congrats

Hey, someone else with an annoying "runners-type" cramp. I sure do. I was banded 10 days ago and it has been with me since then. I called the clinic and they told me it is probably just trapped gas and should dissipate in about a week. I have noticed it getting better over the past few days - no problems with it flaring up when I turn over in bed anymore. Just give it time!