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This is totally normal for just after surgery. It will change in a few days. Try not to worry and just know that the stomach tightness and even feeling it when you breathe deeply is normal. If anything changes dramatically or it gets worse - call your surgeon.

I wad allowed Protein shakes the day after surgery for one week then mushies.

I have found that success comes from being consistent. It sounds like you've been doing everything right. You WILL see results. Try not to get discouraged.

Hi all, I'm just wondering what people think of the "GREEN ZONE". To you, does it mean not being able to eat your trigger foods? Does it mean eating small healthy meals and feeling full for 4-5 hours? Does it mean being able to eat any type of food in small quantities? I know what the "GREEN ZONE" means to my surgeon and to the manufacturer of my lapband but I'm just wondering what it means to some individual bandsters. I have to fill out a questionnaire every time I see my surgeon and they determine whether I am in the green zone. I just can't imagine frequents sliming, PBing and not being able to get anything but liquids down as being in the green zone. So... what does it mean to YOU? Thanks in advance for any responses.

The sugar free Popsicles worked wonders for me. They are super flavorful and good for post op.

Maybe he is nervous too? Sometimes we forget that our loved ones might freak out about us having an elective surgery. I mean we were unhealthy before surgery so it feels risky. Be gentle with yourself and with him. His blowup might really just be because he cares so much and is nervous about the surgery, seeing you in some pain, the future changes...etc.

Your total burn seems low - unless that's your daily caloric deficit. If it is your deficit - be patient. Success comes with being consistent. Don't lose your mojo! Stay motivated and committed. You can do it!

Binge six days post op? Do not do that again - ever! You risk doing serious damage to your sutures, pouch, band and esophagus. The liquids are important because food causes your stomach to contract during digestion and that should be avoided so your internal stitches can heal The good news is that tomorrow is a new day. Do the right thing - follow your surgeons orders to the letter. I hope your surgeon checks everything out tomorrow. Please tell him/her what happened. You might get read the riot act but you will learn the reasons behind the strict post op instructions.

Yay on the NSV!!!

Maybe the doctor who did the esophagus test hasn't yet sent his report over to your surgeon. They need to review it and write it up, I would imagine. It's never just a yes or no kind of thing. I wish your surgeon had consulted with you before ordering all these tests. I only had to do an EKG and a chest xray. Nothing else - not even psych. I do agree that if you are not comfortable with the time frame that you find someone else - the problem is that you will have to start the process all over. Keep in kind that after care is really important to your success. You need to have confidence in whichever surgeon you select. Best wishes!

I'm not sure sliming after three bites of salad means you are in the green zone. I see some people have liquids only for a day or so after a fill - maybe try that - sliming can't be a good feeling.

Perhaps you are losing inches instead of pounds. I'd suggest you food journal to track your calories and see what you are eating on a daily basis. Are you exercising? If not, start walking. You can do this!

I hear some people saying to take a pillow to hold against your tummy for the drive home. I didn't need it but you might want to think about having one handy

I am a total stickler for rules. Since surgery I have never had anything to drink within 30 minutes of eating. I haven't had a bite of bread, rice, Pasta, chocolate, anything... My thought is this... I know at some point - hopefully when I get close to goal - that I will slowly add some of these things back in but for now, I need to lose and that means giving up on things that have not be friendly to my attempts to lose weight in the past. I am not a believer that I will ALWAYS have to stay away from bread, rice, pasta and sweets - I just know that in my losing weight phase - they are not for me. I did just start adding honey to my coffee rather than splenda because I am trying to eat clean and green - plus I get allergies from time to time and local honey is supposed to help with those. When I first became a member on this board I was shocked at how many people seemed to "cheat" or disregard their surgeon's orders. Man, I was TERRIFIED to even think about it. Some were eating solid foods 3 days post op and I was scared to eat mushies even when my doctor had given me clearance to eat them! Everyone is different, I suppose but I know for me - I'm a rule abider for sure!

I have a soy protein shake that tastes good. I'm vegetarian so only can do whey if it is organic. I just don't want to drink it. I have two cups of coffee in the morning with a spoonful of honey in each and then nothing but water until 7:00 when I eat four ounces or fish and about a 3/4 c of some sort of veggie. I do either have a sugar free Popsicle or a sugar free pudding about two hours later. I do take a Centrum chewable, B12 sublingual and a B-Stress complex. This has been how I have felt since the day of surgery. I have no fill, never hit bandsters hell and apart from some hair loss (that no one but me has noticed), I am feeling good. Not having an appetite is something I have never experiences before.

No, I am not. My nutritionist said getting less protein was ok as long as my protein comes from high quality sources but she still wants me to add more. I just can't bring myself to eat except for once a day.

I have to force myself to eat. I haven't had more than 700 calories a day in months. I'm a bit distressed by it. Unfortunately, I am eating once a day. I don't like it either. I thought going to the gym would increase my appetite. After two weeks of intense workouts (burning 600 calories in an hour), I am sitting here at 7:00pm having eaten nothing today and not looking forward to forcing down some salmon and cauliflower. I think Reverie said she wondered if her brain was banded rather than her stomach. I feel the same way. I keep thinking I should just ride the wave as long as possible but, frankly, I am starting to feel a bit concerned.

Try a soy protein shake mixed with water or with almond milk.

My guess would be that your doctor placed Fluid in your band during surgery. Ask to have it removed if that is the case. Man of the people I hear of with trouble swallowing immediately after the band have fluid in it. I don't know what doctors do that - perhaps to avoid bandster hell - but it seems to be problematic at times. Best wishes. Keep us posted.

I hear some drink wine. Vodka and cranberry is also a non-carbonation option.

My surgeon had said that she would not do the surgery if I gained more than five pounds between the orientation meeting and my surgery date. Be sure yours doesnt have the same guideline!

Thanks for this!

Love seafood! I eat it every day. I was worried that I wouldn't be able to eat shrimp but I have to fill so I think that might be why I can. The rest of the time I eat tilapia, halibut, salmon, tuna, trout.... all delicious and really high quality sources of protein.

I'm in the same boat as you - vegetarian plus fish. My nutritionist said that because I get my protein from high quality sources, I don't need to do Protein shakes but when I last saw my PA, she said she wants me adding a Protein Shake because I told her I'm having to force myself to eat. I'm burning 500 calories daily at the gym and still have no appetite. I'm not complaining..just worry that something isn't right there! I haven't been able to get going on them again. My daily caloric intake seems to be about 500-600 too. Is your surgeon pushing you to eat more?

I know what you mean on this but the way I look at it is that the more I know, the better off I am. I think you should try not to take it personally and look at it as education rather than criticism. I have to fill out a form when I go to my surgeon's office. It's a form made by Allergan about being in the green zone. Also, every other time, I meet with the nutritionist and she goes over what I ate and what I might want to do differently. The more they know and ask the more they can help..even if it feels intrusive or critical. Every bit of information relayed has a purpose.