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I too need my restriction! Ive been eating the recommend foods (pure mushies) but its hard to control portions because I feel like Im always hungry. I need to start watching my calories too. Im only down 6lbs since surgery, but they did warn me that when I hit musies I might gain some, so having a maintain with a little loss still feels good to me. I did also put on a coat that I havent worn in 3 years and it fit! Good thing too because it was an expensive coat, and Im gonna need it, since Im moving from Cali to Missouri in a little over a week.

Im 17 days post op and have felt okay for about 5 or 6 days now. I still burp like crazy, but I think thats expected. THe best advice i have is just to let hte burps out, dont hold them in. I did just about whatever I could to burp, and used the gas x chews (the stips made my stomach cramp up). It does get better, you just gotta keep at it.

I feel like I failed. I havent had a fill yet, so there wasnt any restrictions in my band. I had turkey, some green beans, corn, and some sweet potatoes. I stayed away from breads, but I did have some cheese cake and a bit of gingerbread dessert I know Im supposed to stay away from sweets, so Ima bit upset about that. However, I do feel like today is the exception, and not the rule, and I am back to the stirct diet/exercise plan that is needed to make my band work.

I set my goal at 145, which is at the top of the "normal" chart for 5'2 woman. However, Im not stuck on that number. Yes, it would be nice, because I cannot honestly remember being that small, but if I dont get there, its not a big deal. WHen I graduated highschool 5 years ago I was 225. I would at least like to get down to 200. That would make me smaller than my husband and his family has ever seen me (and they've know me almost 8 years).

I am glad that the boards are back! Ive missed hearing how everyone is doing! I'm 13 days post op and got to start my mushies today! I loved having and egg and some oatmeal for breakfast. I had my protien shake for lunch, then some shreaded chicken for dinner, and seem to be set for awhile. I am happy to report that I am down 7lbs since surgery. I had to go dress shopping for my husbands command christmas party, and loved being able to notice that I could wear form fitting dresses and feel okay in them! I will have to put a picture on here after the party next week. I got a 14W dress (previously an 18), and had to get new bras too because Ive dropped a band size and a cup size! Now if only I could get my jeans to cooperate as nicely.

Im on the mushy stage, so Im a bit at a loss on this. Thank goodness for mashed potatoes and turkey salad. perhaps I can enjoy a bit of cheesecake (sans crust) too. Oh well, all worth it in the end. However for Christmas its full foods! Yay!

I gained some motivation today and went to the gym. My dr's suggest working out at least a half hour everyday, so I thought today would be a great time to start. My husband is in the navy, so I decided to go to the base gym. Granted, being surrounded by all these sweaty guys with big muscles is definatly a perk, but its also a bit intimidating too. What must they think of me, this 264lb girl, drenched in sweat, but only walking 2.4 miles an hour? I started thinking about this, and realized after awhile I didnt care what they thought. :redface: Sure, I wasnt buff, and Im not fitting into a bikini anytime soon, but hey, at least Im here, Im on a treadmill (which is a real feat in itself!) and Im sweating my ass off while I walk my mile at what is considered "cardio pace" for my body. It was liberating. So now Im at home, getting ready to jump in the shower. Ive realized that Im actually kinda hungry, and its only 11:45, and I just ate at 9:30. Do I eat? Or do I wait? Only time will tell. Im gonna go jump in the shower (washing away my hard earned sweat), drink some water, and see where that puts me. I'll write more tonight, but I just felt sooo good about realizing that I didnt care what others thought because I was doing this for me that I had to share. :smile:

Kudos to you for being able to go to the DR about this problem! Im afraid that Im going to be one of those people who puts it off thinking I can fix it myself. Reading blofs from people like you help me see that if this happens I should go to the DR to help resolve the problem.

I decided I needed to write out what I was feeling through this whole entire journey, in hopes that maybe it will help someone, mostly me, but others as well. Its crazy to think that Ive finally went and done the surgery. My dr's have been after me about my weight, and wanted to push for surgery since I was 21 (im 23 now). At that time I hadnt had my daughter yet, I hadnt been married all that long, and I just hadnt lived life. I thought that I would just magically muster up the will power and stamina to lose all my weight. Well that day never came. Fast forward 2 years later, and Im laying on a stretcher in an ambulance with chest pains, a tingely face, and blue toes. I was sitting at work on the phone with a customer (actually a polite one at that) and I had a sudden chest pain and my left arm went numb. I went to the ER, and it turns out it was nothing, or nothing they could identify, but it really got me thinking. When it happened again, I knew I needed help. So what got me to my state of 297lbs? Was I eating my emotions? Was I compensating for something I was lacking with food? Did my parents make me fat? I don't think I will ever know the answer to that question, but I dont think it was any of those secnerios. I was 23, married for 3 years, and a mother to a wonderful baby girl. I had friends, I had a job, I wasnt depressed. I was just fat. like i said before, i always thougth I would wake up magically one day and be able to help myself be thin. I bought gym memberships, but never went. I had offers to walk on my lunch breaks, but had other things to do. It seems like for every good intention I had, I had something to downplay it. I worked a desk job in an office that didnt have vending machines. surely that would help keep someone who doesnt move much slim, right? Wrong. I would make sure that I was stocked up with 'snacks' so that when I was hungry I didnt battle it out. I went out for lunches and dinners so I didnt have to cook for 1 (my husband was on deployments). Also most of my socialization was based around meals. If I met a new friend, it was always safe to go out for dinner, because everyone needs to eat. It was just easier to be fat, than to be thin in my mind. Then in 2009 I got pregnant. I remember several times when I would call my mom sobbing because the dr would make some comment about my weight. "You're gonna have diabetes", "you're not gonna lose the weight after the baby", "you're gonna be bigger". These things hurt. And while I only gained 12lbs during my pregnancy, and delivered a healthly 6lb girl, I dont think I enjoyed my pregnancy as much as I could have. Instead of anticipating hearing my baby's heartbeat, I dreaded stepping on the scale. I would get a disapproving look if I gained 2lbs in a month. It was tough. Yes, it did make me more conscious of what I ate, but that feeling of dread and guilt wasn't worth it. When I first went into the surgeons office, I knew I wanted the band. I had seen the effects of the bypass, and definatly did not want to deal with that. The sleeve was an option I would consider, but i didnt know much about it. The band seemed perfect. I had read up on it, talked to other patients about it, joined support groups about it, but nothing prepared me for when the surgeon said "you're just too big". I felt defeated. Their requirements for banded patients was a BMI of 50 or under, while I was sittin on 54, the verge of 55. They thought the sleeve would be a great option, the best one that they saw, but upon hearing my insurance they knew it wouldnt be covered. "we will submit it and appeal it, but be prepared for the gastric bypass instead". This was not at all what I had anticipated. The process that I had come to terms with, and was looking forward to was slipping out of my hands. I couldn't/wouldn't do a bypass. It was too risky in my opinion. However, i trusted that my surgeon would fight for me, and said "Submit the paperwork" As i waited for the paperwork to come back, I started my own diet. Portion control was what I needed to work on. My eyes were always bigger than my stomach, and I was a member of the clean your plate club. I hated left overs, and I hated throwing food away, so I ate as much as I could. I decided after that consult I would take better care to resolve this issue. I started making my own food (as I should have done anways) and measured out everything. I also started a food log. I wrote down nutritional info for everything that went into my mouth, and watched my calories. While this was sometimes tedious, it did pay off. I was rejected for the sleeve, and had to go back to the dr to discuss the dreaded bypass. I had finally accepted it as an option, only because I knew I couldnt do this on my own. However, I had explained to my dr's and nurses's what I had been doing, and was really suprised with my weight loss. They asked if they recommended me loggin my foods (which they didnt) and said I was doing everything right for a band patient. It was that decision right there that showed my dr's that the band woudl work for me, because I was willing to work for it. So now I sit here, 7 days post op, wondering where this new band will take me. Ive already lost 28lbs thanks to pre op diets and the band, and I anticipate more. I would be happy to see me at 200lbs, but why limit myself? I just hope that I have the willpower to make myself work out. i dont want to be one of those sob stories where people wonder why it doesnt work, when they dont follow the rules. My husband goes on his final naval deployment in January. I hope by the time that he leaves me I will be down to 250 (14lbs in a month and a half) and by the time he returns in June I will be at that 200 mark. Wish me luck readers (if you're out there). Im not always the strongest willed, but I want to do this, for my family, for my friends, and most importantly for me.

I feel your pain. I am finally going to get to go to the gym tomorrow (day 8 post op) but I feel like a failure because I wasnt one of those gung ho people who go like day 3 post op. Ive never been a big gym person, and really ahve no idea what Im doing at the gym, but I figure the treadmill might be a good place to start. I also dont have a fill, and have only lost 5lbs, and am hoping that it stays off. I have to wait until December 6th to get my first fill, but what if I go back and I gain back my 5lbs and then some? Bad juju. I hope you get into the gym soon, and I hope we both succeed in our gym endevors.

OH no! I hope that everything works out. Its hard because you want this soooo badly, but you feel like the universe of insurance is working against you. I just got my band done last week, and know that one I made up my mind to have it, I wanted it then and there! But at this time I definatly think the weight is worth it. Be strong, keep taking care of yourself, and I'll be thinking positive thoughts for you.

I havent gotten my first fill yet (only 7 days out) but I can tell my appitite is back, and it will be battle of the wills before I get my first fill.

yeah, I just lost 5lbs on 3 days of clear liquids, and Ive been doing 4 days of full liquids. I havent gained anything yet, but I am maintaining (which is good, but no ideal). I need to head my butt to the gym tho!

Thanks! I lost about 8lbs before the liquid diet, just by watching what I ate and measuring everything for portion control, then another 15 on the liquid diet (it was 3 weeks) then 5 post op. Im pretty excited about it, and cant wait until I can start truely working out again! I would watch it on the oatmeal bath depending upon how far post op you are. I wasnt allowed to submerge my incensions for 6 weeks (due to internal stiching or some unknown reason lol) so the oatmeal bath might not help. But I find mine comes and goes, but this helps alot.

I had this too, but I also had little red dots from side to side, all over my belly, and they itched like crazy! Dr said that it was just due to everything clogging up my hair pores (who knew?) along with the iodine and the dermabond. She told me just to use lotion on it. I used he Aveno baby anti itch, and it works wonderfully!

Im in a size 24, and gave away all my 20's and 22's. Now my jeans are starting to get loose (like falling down to my butt crack as Im walking down the hall with my hands full) so Ive finally went out and purchased a belt. Ive just been packing up our house (we're moving) so I usually do the whole sweat pants/PJ bottoms since Im not getting out much, but Im looking forward to being able to go out and buy that special dress for my husbands commands xmas party (he's in the navy) then that new interview outfit.

I had sex at week 1 (give me some credit, my husband is in the navy and had been gone for a few weeks BEFORE the band, so Im suprised we waited that long lol) and Ive been lifting my 1 year old on need be basis. I think that is taking its toll on me, because I feel like Ive pulled a muscle, and its not plesant. The DR said it doesnt sound like anything band/healing related, but to take it easy. No lifting over 20lbs for the first 6 weeks, and no abdominal work outs or cardio for the first 6 weeks either. Of course you know you're limit, so dont sit on you're butt all 6 weeks either walking is great exercise (and to all of you who are joggin already YOU'RE NUTS, but of course I never jogged before, so I say that with sarcasm and envy )

You guys make me hungry! I cant wait for week 7 to get here! But alas I am only on day 7, so here's what Ive managed/planned thus far: Breakfast - muscle milk light shake (chocolate milk) snack - sugar free boston creme pie pudding cup lunch - muscle milk light shake (cookies n creme) dinner - campbells low sodium Soup at hand - Creamy Tomato Ive had some bottled Water too, and might just manage some sugar free Jello in there too if I feel the need.

Okay, I hope that I can be of some help on this subject, because I just got banded last week and TriCare paid for it all except for my nutritionalist consultation (which was $60). What area are you in? Im with Triwest, and they sent me to a group (UCSD) and everything in that group was covered. I would double check with your dr to see if there is a hospital that he/she is affiliated with that you can do it at. Tri Care wont assign you to a dr that doesnt use facilities that they dont cover. Otherwise, I would grab your records and call tricare and ask for a different dr. Once you get your PCM referral, you can change all you want. I know it sucks, but sometimes it hasta be done. If you have any questions, feel free to PM me. Ive been dealing with Tri Care (insert smiley shaking fist) for 4 years now, and I know how stubborn they can be, and sometimes it takes a good bitch fit to get stuff done.

Im one of those once a day, or once every other day people, but I usually record it maybe once or twice a week. Ive taken what my surgeon said in stride (you'll flux 3lbs over and thats normal) so I like to see if Im consistant, or if that 3lbs is a flux. It hasnt sent me into a spiriling eating disorder yet, so Im gonna go with it for now :thumbup:

haha Im excited about this too. I keep a food/weight journal at fitday.com and it tells me my BMI, and slowly but surely it keeps going down! I love this site because my dr told me that he didnt recommend the band for me bc my BMI was over 50, but sure enough I got it down to 49 before my big day!

Where are you being banded in SD? I went to UCSD Hillcrest with Dr Jacobson, and it went pretty well. Best of luck to you! I know you wont regret this, otherwise you wouldn't have let yourself get this far.

Sometimes I have trouble at night, but I think thats because Ive worn myself out during the day. I still take a nap during the day after chasing around my 1 year old all morning, but Im okay with that. The pain meds are at night. It was weird because last night I wasnt going to take any, but when I laid down it felt like something was on my stomach (maybe it was my cat lol). But once I took the pain med i was relaxed enough to sleep through the night, and I got up with my daughter at 6:45 this morning, took her to daycare, and am up and ready to go to my first post op appointment.

So what is everyone eating at this point? Im 4 (or 5 depending upon how you look at it) and Ive only managed 10oz of tomato soup (split over 2 servings) half a protien shake, and a sugar free pudding cup (shared with my 1 year old). I dont have restriction (other than the swelling) so I feel like i should be able to get down more the the shake, but after about half a cup Im done with it, mainly because I dont feel like I need more to satisfy me. I go back for my 1 week check up tomorrow, so we'll see what the surgeon says. They used durabond on my instead of stitches/staples, and its starting to itch, so lets hope they have some helpful ideas to stop that.

Hey Sha! How are things going today? Ive still got a sore thoat, but Im getting over that. The surgeon used durabond over my invensions instead of stitches and its starting to itch now as it heals. Good sign i know, but its driving me crazy. Im also having a hard time getting my waterin. Anyone got some tips?