JillianRN

I am in no way placing myself in a position to give medical advice, but I can only realy to you what my MD has stated that I can eat. I am also on a 5 "meal" regimine. I am only allowed to eat between 3-4 ounces during those meals. My MD prefers that I eat foods and try and get my all of my Protein which in in between 80-100 gms of protein per day. My MD did not give me any fill until my band had been in place for 6 weeks to allow the stomach time to heal. I am currently at 6cc in my band following 2 fills. I also drink between 60-80 oz of H20 a day plus I drink sugar-free tea at about 30-40 oz/day. I eat fruit instead of drinking fruit juices. For me my biggest obstacle was seperating head hunger from actual hunger. I am hoping that this has been helpful in some way. quote name='jay150' timestamp='1301790919' post='1594995'] I was banded on February 11th and I was just wondering how many meals others have per day and how much at each meal. I am currently having 3 meals (4-6 oz. each - volume measurement) and 2 Snacks (2-3 ounces each - volume measurement). I have to admit, I am still finding myself very hungry at times after I eat and I have to use extreme will power. Do these portions seem typical? Just wondering if I am having too much or too little. Maybe its just time for my second fill Any suggestions/advice would be appreciated!

Hi! I had my Realize Band placed October 8th 2010. My first fill was Dec 17 with 4 cc's placed..After the fill I was on a liquid diet for 3 days and began eating solid proteins after that without any difficulty. I have only had 2 issues with slimming and subsequently spitting up some of my food. I began to feel really hungry during the month of February and I returned March 21 for a 2 cc fill. This fill made a significant difference and I have adjusted my food to 3-4oz of food usually closer to 3cc. After my first fill I did have some righ side pain. My GP sent me for a Gallbladder ultrasound and HIDA scan both of which were normal. Before I had my fill in March I had some occasional "stitching" pain when I lift a heavier object or exercise. The port is not at all sore. I reported this to my surgeon and per my report of stsrting a Zumba class he examined me and I have no fever no difficulty swallowing or consuming my foods, we decide to take it easy for a period of time and report any worsening of symptoms. Since my fill, I continue to have pain after eating in my right side. increased abdominal gas no heartburn The pain is now straight across my abdomen at waist level on both sides now. I do not have any difficulty eating or swallowing...My question is..Is this normal has anyone ever had this type of pain before. Could this be gas related pain? I continue to have no pian at the site of my port..no burping esophageal reflux...occasionally this pain goes through to my back but not always...HELP????...lol

It is combination from the surgery (swelling) and gas...walk as much as you can..I am not sure what your Dr allowed you to have but I drank chicken broth and that took away that need for saltiness.. [ quote name=nborz' timestamp='1301701257' post='1594625] I got banded this morning... even if I sip on my broth or Water, I get stomach pressure that sits up under my ribcage. Is that from the gas? I have a hard time trying to burp it up, and have been taking GasX, but am still very uncomfortable. Add that to my back pain from the arthritis and I'm not too happy right now. But I guess I'm glad I did this so far. Ridiculously, however, I'm craving saltines since they are my "sick" food when I'm not well LOL

I just had my second fill and I am at 6cc in an 11cc band...For some reason I have trouble with salad. Be very careful with rice. If you do eat it try brown steamed rice.I would be very careful for the next xouple of days soft foods only...When you are eating your meats, cut it into erasrer sized piece band up. ..and chew chew chew until it is pulvarized. I always drink something before I eat to open the band up.. I find that sometimes when I eat too fast that I have the stuck feeling...Remember that when you have a problem of sticking that you need to give your GI tract a rest...

I do not have any pics of my scars just after surgery but I can tell you that they were ugly...lol...Especially the one that was on the top of my stomach...It looked to me puckered and was very swollen, my other 3 were covered with steristrips. I am saying this to tell you please do not think that the way your scars look in your final outcome. As long as you do not have any discharge from them, or running a fever, or have warmth to the touch, you are good...I was really bummed when I saw mine...but now they have faded and decreased in size. As far as putting anything on them, you need to wait until all steristrips are off and esentially well healed. I used Vitamin E oil on mine with really good results....Best of luck..

Praying for you tomorrow.....Life in Bandland is a blast!!

You need to follow a balanced diet. I am allowed nothing white..ie white flour, white bread rice potatoes...no corn.. I must maintain 60-90grams of Protein per day. Drink 8-10 8oz glasses of H20 per day. I eat 5 small meald/day They are 3 ounces each 2 ounces of protein and 1 ounce of veggies. I can also have Merita lite bread (wheat) 1/2 slice. Peanut Butter 1 tsp..They do not want you having asparagus because it is hard to digest. I can have all meats limiting the pork products. I can have grits and oatmeal. My Dr prefers that you actually eat your foods, only drinking a Protein shake in the evening if you are unable to get your required protein/day. If I can help you in any way, please feel free to contact me.. Jill

Congratualtions! WHat a wonderful Christmas present to yourself!

I have not had my first fill yet. I was banded October 8th. I am just now beginning to be hungry. I had alot of swelling in my abdomen. I think that we should know our new bodies and become adjusted to the band.

As far as the gas and chest pains are concerned, the same thing happen to me. I finally has to thin my Protein shakes down a little. I could tolerate drinking my shakes but the ratio was too much for me. My favorite shake was GNC Protein max chocolate shake. I would mis 1 scoop which is equal to 22 grams of protein to 24 oz of skim milk. Each ounce of milk has a gram of protein. For 2 weeks I had to do that then I was able to decrease the milk to 12 oz. Itis a juggling game sometimes. You just have to see what your system tolerates. Best of luck to you.. Jill

Please stay on your prescribed diet..You stomach needs time to heal and you can really damage your pouch...I know that it is hard but go back to square one and do not get off course..Best of luck to you...

Hi Becky! Glad to know that we were banded almost the same time..I would be interested to know where you are on your journey....support is a great thing...This site is an awesome place to find new friends and to receive encouragement...Keep in touch. Jill

I am 5'7 and the goal set for me was 155...I am thrilled to be losing weight..I was osrta leaning towards 140...I guess I have a little time to think that one over...

I think I enjoy cooking now more than ever. I cooked for my extended family last night. Everything that I cooked was healthy. Roast, carrots, mushrooms, green beans and green peas. I did cook rice because my Dad wanted it. I ate roast mushrooms and green beans. I was full after eating only 3 ounces. I have found that I enjoy being with my family more as weird as that may sound. Nobody really pays attention to what I am not eating. When I find myself dwelling on the "how I use to be ABLE to eat" mentality. I quickly make myself remember the weight loss so far and the fact that I do not take pain meds for my hips and knees, and I am off of one of my blood pressure meds and I can breathe....Always dwell on the things that are positive that is what will get you there. Expand on your dreams of "This time next year..." Blessing to you on your journey!

I told my oldest drt (22) as soon as I had decided to have the surgery, my youngest (8) not a chance...she would have stood up and told her entire class at SHow and Tell...she thought I had a "hernia repair"...and what did she do?....Stood up and told her entire class..after googling hernia repair on the computer...My Little Drama Queen...so when the nosy Moms at school ask me if I am doing OK since my hernia repair...I just smile and say yes...lol

I do not regret it. I think I am still in the "shock and awe" phase..lol I look at the scales moving downward and I still feel like this is not real. Although at times it has not been an easy process...I am still moving in the right direction.

Mine is mid abdomen between the top of my rib cage

WHat a wonderful CHristmas present you are giving to yourself!

It took me about 5 days to not crave carbs. I drank Protein Max Chocolate shakes from GNC, chicken broth, unsweetened tea and enough sugar-free popcicles to feed a small army all summer. Everytime I thought about food which was alot...lol I did something. Sometimes just getting outside was enough to tame the hunger. You have to realize that mentally and physically your body is doing a 360...Just remember this too shall pass...many of us have survived..and you will too..Do something good for yourself every single day...

I eat 5 meal/s day at 2 oz each. It has helped me feel like I am in control. I continually feel like I have multiple choices for the day. I eat every 3 hours. I average between 80-100mg of protein/day. If for some reason I do not get all of my protein in that I should then I have a protein shake to make up the difference.

The first week until the stitches were removed I had to keep reminding myself to stand up straight. The worst part was the port pain for me. I've had abdominal surgery before so I knew about post op pain. It took me several weeks to get over the fatigue. I did take two weeks off because I had the time..I really did not think that I needed the time...lol I was wrong..If I could do things differently, I would not have put so much pressure on myself. I was really hard on me.. I started pushing myself to walk at least 60 minutes /day as per Dr's orders and for me it was simply too much. I would have revised that exercise schedule and listened to my body. The good thing is the "ickiness" doesn't last forever. Take care of yourself.