jguttery

Congrat to you!!!!!!!! The pre-op diet does suck!!!!! AND so does the first couple of weeks of the post-op diet!!!!!!! But use this time to learn new habits!!!!! I have always been told that it takes 21 days to kick a habit, If you take the time to learn portion control and size now, eating after all the post op dieting ends won't be a problem for you and you will see amazing results. If it hadn't been for the pre-op and post op diets I would have never learned portion control. Best of Luck in your journey!!!!!!!

I could never imagine getting a whole Big Mac down just a few days after sugery......... a week out of surgery I could only eat about a half cup of cream Soup. Another classic examples of why it is important to make sound informed decisions.

I was banded on 11-1-10, and I really didn't have too many struggles. Sure I was sore after surgery, have a couple of stuck food incidents here and there, but otherwise there isn't one thing that has really been hard. The hardest struggle and I really don't think of it as a struggle is that everyone in my house is obese and all the junk foods are still around. That being said, I went into this journey realizing that I was going to have to change me and not anyone else. To change the way I ate and the way I "thought" about food. I have my own section of the fridge, where I keep my heathy food, and have learned not to dig around the fridge to find something to eat. Yes there are those days, that I feel like I am hungry when I know I am not. Today just happens to be one of those days. I still eat out.... just look at the appetizer menu or value menu depending on where I go. My progress so far: 83 pounds lost in just under 120 days, have gone from a tight 3XL shirt to a XL or L and from a size 44 or46 jeans to a 36.

I was banded in November, and remember every single bit that you are going through. The shoulder pain is probably from gas. Mine seemed to move around alot and finally went away about midway of the second week. The gurgling, it's probably not as loud and you imagine, but you are more alert on the sips you are taking. But yes, It seemed loud and awkward to me too. Congrats on the progress of your journey!!!! John

I figured I would add my 2 cents onto this post. Which starts with, I have no understanding why people who have had other WLS's feel so eager to put down the band and tell all the negative aspects. With that being said, I do believe that the band takes a lot of dedication to lifestyle reform and learning heathier habits, ie no more breakfasts for me of 6 biscuits with gravy, 4 sausage patties, hashbrowns smothered, covered, diced, chopped, capped and whatever else I could add on. I hate to her that a friend is trying to tell you that you are making the wrong decision! Here are some of the life changing positive aspects I have found with the band. 1. No more C-PAP, 2. Lower Blood Pressure, 3. I use the stairs now, 4. I can walk from the back of the parking lot without loosing my breath, 5. Actually can walk into any store and find my size in clothes, 6. Trying to remember what a back ache feels like, 7., Strangers treat me nicer, 8. Haven't heard a fat cop doughnut joke in a while, 9. Sex life has improved, 10...... okay I can go on and on and on. Use the pre-op diet/post op diet time as a way to learn healthier eating and a better lifestyle. The band can be a wonderful tool (there's that word again), however it's up to you and you alone. The best of luck in whatever decision you make!!!!! john

The one thing I can add is that I felt like I had a harder time coming out of anesthesia and clearing my lungs, and I do atribute that to being a smoker.

I have never been sore after at stuck and sliming episode, but I definately don't ever feel like trying to eat again for a few hours later. I remember the first time I got stuck.... a tiny piece of chicken that was too dry!!!! An hour of sliming and PBing, plus I made the mistake of thinking.... maybe a couple sips of water will get it down, learned real fast liquids just make it worse. I have found that my band is tighter in the mornings, and if I have some hot liquids an hour or so before my first meal it helps.

Congrats on your journey! The first couple of weeks seemed the hardest for me. You will find that each day you feel better and better.

The first meeting with the surgeon he asked if I smoked, I told him yes and of course he suggested I stop. However, I didn't and no one said anything about it during the pre-op appts, nothing was said the day of surgery, and nothing has been said at any of the post-op appts.

It maybe that your stomach is still healing and that is the pains you are feeling. I know what I thought was hunger pains actually went away in a couple of weeks. Yogurt four days post-op? Lucky you... I had two weeks of clear liquids!!!!!

For me the first couple of months I was stict on everything I ate... I counted every single calorie, measured every portion of veg, weighed every portion of meat, cut out all starchy carbs, and no sugar. That's what worked for me, but everyone is different. I admit lately I have been off the wagon a little, and having the occasionaly bread, or sweets. I came back to the forums in hopes of getting re-motivated and back on track. Try counting calories first... if you learn to count everything, you would be surprised where those extra calories add up..... and watch the sliders!!!!! John

I've only had my band for a little under three months and just had my first fill the other day. The times I have got stuck have usually been when my band feels tighter in the mornings, and usually on meat or bulky foods. Or when I try to take a too big bite of food. You may not be at your sweet spot, but you have just enough restriction to get stuck. Try keeping a journal or make notes on what type of food and what time of day that you get stuck. John

I started at 323 and am currently 243. I think what helped me is that I stopped thinking about food. My daily beginning meals were, egg white and veg scramble, lunch was usually fish or chicken and veg and fish or chicken and veg for dinner. A snack or two in between of fat free pudding or yogurt. Count calories, weigh portions, and limit starchy carbs.

Congrats to everyone!!!!! I was banded on Nov 1st, 2010. So far I have lost 80 lbs. Down from a size 44 jeans/48 slacks to 36 jeans and 38 or 40 slacks. My recent NSV, The wife and I went to Vegas last week and found the premium outet mall. I was great being able to pick a L or XL shirt off the rack and it actually fitting!!!!! Needless to say I racked up on Calvin Kleine, Polo, and Brooks Brothers!! john

Topazzz, Hang in there!!!!! I know it can get frustrating cause my hunger has been full force lately. I had a 2.5 cc fill yesterday and didn't notice much of a difference last night. I am hoping maybe today I will notice something. For me I know that I need to get back to some of the basics... meal planning being and counting those calories being the biggest ones. It's nice being back here on the boards. I go back to my doc in 8 weeks, however his nurse told me that is I need my adjustment tweaked just to give them a call. Guess I'll see in a few days if I need tweaked. Y'all have a great day!!!!

Hey Y'all, I was banded on Nov 1st and as of today, I have lost 80lbs without having a fill. I get my first fill later this afternoon, since I have lost a lot of my restriciton. I can tell you that each persons experience is totally different from the next. I had a decent amount of restriction the first couple of months without having a fill, however I also changed the way I eat or view food. So mine was part physical and part mental attitude. I really never experience bandster hell. My biggest suggestion is count, count, count those calories. I mean every single one of them. If it passes your lips count it!!! Avoid sliders as much as possible and pre-plan meals. I know the times I have cheated have usually been the times I didn't pre-plan my meals for the day. Good luck all!!!! John

Hey November Bandsters, It's been a long time since I have posted.... life got busy and crazy!!!!! Have my second post op appt later this afternoon and am finally ready for a fill! Hard to believe it's been almost three month since I was banded (Nov 1st). Well to date, I have had a few stuck episodes (the first one sucked!), but all the other have been fairly minor. Last one I had was a few days okay when I ate a flour tortilla, which I know I should have but did anyways. As of yesterday afternoon, I have lost 80 lbs since I started my journey, I have gone from a tight size 3XL Shirt and 44 jeans (relaxed fit) to loose XL shirts and 36 jeans. I feel better and healthier each day. Hope y'all are doing wonderful and I am going to go back through this thread later and catch up!!!!!!!!! John

I made this a couple of days ago and it was wonderful.... 4 oz Blackberry yogurt 6 oz Almond Milk 4 pineapple chunks 1 scoop vanilla flavored zero carb Protein powder 4 or 5 Ice Cubes Throw it all in a blender, and blend away..

It will take a few days to start feeling better... but you will. The pain in the chest could be gas.. could still be a little anesthesia... and could be just because you had a major surgery and everything is just sore. But it will get better. I found the more I got up and walked and stayed as active as I could the better I felt the next day. They first few days are rough... hang in there!!!

You may need to have a talk with your doctor and nutritionist. Take a close look at you calorie intake and count every single calorie. You may find that there are hidden calories that you don't realize you are even taking in. Butter on the popcorn.....Salad dressings.....Sugary drinks, all those add up fast. Don't defeat yourself my just giving into temptation to eat something and grab the first high calorie thing that is available. Notice I said "defeat yourself", it has nothing to do with the band..... as we all have heard so many times in the past, the band is just a tool.... you have to put in the work! SF jello, SF popsicles even sugar free pudding are great low cal treats that can ease that initial head hunger. Best of luck!!!!!

I was speaking with the surgeons nurse during my pre-op visit and she told me that they have one patient that has not had a single fill, and she has had the band over 1 1/2 years and has lost 100+ pounds. I'm sure that she is the exception.