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Hi and welcome to VST. As TMyeres1471 pointed out, what you are going through is completely normal. Once you are off restricted diet, your mindset will change. You may still get head hunger, but it won't be what it is now or what is was preop. Also, when you eat you will be satisfied with very little. I've had a few mental hurdles with wanting to eat more than my sleeve will let me, but that is easily solved by slowing down how fast I eat. When it takes longer to eat, I feel like I'm getting more. Yeah, it's head games but it works. Hang in there! I promise it will be better once you are off restricted diet. You ate in a rough part of this journey. Remember, it is only temporary.

I drew on the sidewalk with my daughter on my stomach at the park 4 days post op. if you don't have pain then you should be good. Always check with your surgeon whenever something comes up that you aren't sure about....but it sounds like you are one of the lucky ones that have a fast and easy recovery. Count your blessings! Good luck!

Had surgery 6/14 went back 6/20 ugh I was mad and uncomfortable.. But I healed so fast.. And lost alot of weight my first week.. I guess from the moving and constant walking. Sent from my Z981 using BariatricPal mobile app

i'm 32 days post-op and i can only get about 3 swallows down at a time. it takes me a couple of hours to drink 32 oz of liquid. maybe call the nutritionist. she might tell you that even if you can drink that fast, maybe you shouldn't. or she may say it's fine. i don't know, but i do know i can't drink that amount that fast. maybe i'm going too slow???

Banded July 21st. Lost close to 30 pounds. Had one fill. Can eat too much. Booked second fill Sept 18. Right now, I am having a hard time believing that I am going to one day be posting my own pictures on the Before/After Shots thread. I guess I have failed at this for 25 years and can hardly believe that this will happen. Anyone else have these doubts. At the same time time a small part of me, KNOWS it will happen and I am very excited. But it can't happen fast enough for me.

I had surgery on Friday too. Terrible left chest pains sent me to the ER two days before my flight. Tests negative, but area over heart sure hurt. Declined to stay in hopital for more tests as I would have had to forfeit my flight. My surgeon, Dr. Aceves said to bring ER tests with me and would retest upon arrival. Test again negative. But he said they would use special heart drugs during surgery. Didn't get and epidural as my heart slowed to 52 beats a minute when they tried to administer it. My surgery lasted almost 2 hrs. Bad gas and pain like you describe. Had brought tons or GasX strips and chewies AND a bottle of Tums. Took some mild Lorazepam, and ALL the pain meds I could get. Was depressed Sat and Sun. Started to burp and fart and things are a lot better now on day four. Hang in there. Write me if I can help. I had my surgery on Friday, July 29th. the nurses bragged about me to the next shift and so on.....I was uesp walking, I had already defecated, etc. My only issue then and now is the pain in my chest, in my left shoulder and on my left side. It was that way at the hospital and now at home. I am a sipping fool but sometimes I feel that I am going too fast even though I'm sipping. My gas pain is so HORRIFIC that I just want to cry. Is anyone else experiencing this? Had experienced it? How long does it last? I am out walking, trying to stay mobile but also rest at the same time but I am NOT getting any relief. Please help my fellow sleevers! I'm begging for relief.

I had my sleeve 27th July. Fully understand how you feel. Try to think positive why did you want the procedure to lose weight and back gain control. I have to remind myself everyday. The reality is that It's so hard to adjust and so dammed frustrating. Dealing with hunger wind and nausea. Suck mints for the wind and nausea. Don't eat diet foods you are eating so little your body needs the extra nourishment. Diet foods have added chemicals which can upset your stomach. Don't wait for mealtimes, try snacking regularly. This will help keep your stomach busy and stop it filling with salvia and wind. And eat very very slowly. Eat high Protein foods. Don't forget your Protein drinks like slim fast. Things to try one weetabix made milky, Porridge made milky, Fage total 2% Greek yoghurt is very high in protein. Mashed banana Cream cheese. Pate Try a crisp-bread. I managed it. Chew till mush. You can try these but be careful blend and eat slowly... Very soft scrambled egg Cottage cheese Tuna Salmon Soft Vegetables Don't forget to try to build up to 1.700 quarts of Water a day . Dehydration causes sickness and hunger. Hope this helps xox Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I'm about a week 1/2 out and wow, it's different for sure. I think my biggest problem is be able to drink slow, and head hunger. ????

I am per-op. Trying to get my mind around "life after" surgery. What do you eat? I think I am more focused on like Breakfast and lunch. Now I eat a bagel and cottage cheese and coffee at my desk during my morning reports. Lunch, I must admit, I eat fast food a lot. Obviously something that is going to have to change. I am a bit of a Subway addict and I suspicion that may not be possible post surgery. I know I will have my recovery diet, but thinking past that just curious what other people eat. I don't mind veggies but I not a fan of fruit. Also, must say, I LOVE this website! Wow! The wealth of information really helps me get my head around the process! Thanks to all who contribute!

I agree with Ashleyxx. Lean meats, low fat dairy, protien shakes (mostly for breakfast), nuts, beans, some veggies and lots of sugar free popsicles. I use my crock pot a lot! I can eat anything I want but try to stay away from carbs because I crave them so bad. I do eat at Subway here and there but I take off the top of the bread. If I need to eat fast food I usually get grilled chicken without the bun or salad with grilled chicken.

Alright cool are stories sound pretty much the same, so nice to meet you and I wish you the best on your journey, I am feeling normal eating mostly protein been kinda strict on my self and of course small amounts, but back in the day I would eat until i felt like i was gonna bust so its a major mind change im still eating too fast right now, and Im in the gym 4 days a week so all is well!!!

Get some pinneapple juice and sip on that and oh, I know the pain you were in. What was it that got stuck? Ritz Crackers is bad for me so I don't even look at them anymore. You described it just like it feels and it goes away as fast as it comes. I carry a cup around with me when I get that stuck feeling and can't swallow my own spit which is gross but it is better than standing over the sink. You have to try and relax because that will just make it tighter I have found out. Thanks for sharing because I know someone else goes thru what I go thru but have only been thru it about 4 times in 6 months and down 60 lbs. Judy

I know I've already said this but CONGRATULATIONS MY FRIEND!!!! You have done so darned amazing, and I'm super happy for you. You are *very* close to goal and you've gotten this far so fast, you'll be making a new post saying you've reached it in no time at all! Big Hugs!!!! This one deserves the BIG BANANA!!!!! :bananahuge:

I get asked this question all the time; How were you able to lose weight with Lap Band? Simple I followed the rules! I read on this web site all the time about every one hoping to get restriction and frustrated because their band is not tight enough, worried that they need more restriction. Well bandsters, the band and our weight loss is not about restriction, that is not the purpose of the band. The purpose is to slow down your eating so you eat less and become satisfied sooner. So if you are new or struggling, read below. I have lived by the rules of lapband throughout my 2 year journey. It has not always been easy and yes there were times I was hungry. This is not easy, it is a very emotional and personal journey. No two people react to the band alike and you have to have a lot of will power and want power. If you are on this site and had surgery, I know you have tried everything else and our now hoping the band is the answer to your prayers. Well it can be but it can also be the beginning of your nightmares if you do not make healthy choices. You and only you can make the band work and the sooner you figure this out the more successful you will be. I am now in my maintenance phase of this journey and living happy with lapband. I have worked hard and continue to work hard to make healthy choices to sustain everything I have worked hard to achieve. Is is easy no, but it gets easier everyday. You can be successful with lapband but you have to follow the rules. You have to become knowledgeable about the band and how it works. You have to deal with your behavioral issues surrounding food and you have to modify your behavior. If you do not do these things, you may lose weight but research has proved that successful WLS patients modify behavior. Below is an article from another site I wanted to share for all of you who are new and for those that are struggling and of course a reminder for us that have been successful. Good luck and success to all new and old, LovetheNewMe! EDIT/Addition added after original post: Just to give credit where credit is due this post came from Dr. Simpson's web site. This was a site I found very early in my band journey and have referenced it many times. It taught me things about the band that I was not aware of, it also is the site that helped me lose my last 30 lbs. this is the web address, check it out. He is one MD who coaches his patients that they can lose all of their weight. I read his book , "Losing the Last 30lbs" and it was very helpful. http://drsimpson.net/index.htm Weight loss surgery works by decreasing appetite-allowing people to eat less and utilize their fat stores more efficiently. What successful weight loss surgery DOES NOT stop you from eating anything. Whenever a patient says they don’t “feel restricted” it means they want the operation to do something that they won’t do for themselves. In this case, they want the operation to keep them from eating too much, or eating something. Successful patients DO NOT describe appetite suppression in that manner. This became clear when several groups showed that food remains above a well adjusted band for only a minute or less, not longer. It is not that the band keeps food from going through it - -it is the act of food going through the band that allows the satiety mechanism to go into effect. The study was simple – take a patient who is losing weight, and feels their band is at a good point. Give them food that they say satisfies them for a long time, and label the food with something we can see on an x-ray. We were shocked, and others repeated this experiment. But, then it all made sense. Whether they have a band, a bypass, a sleeve, or a DS – all of the operations allow a smaller amount of food to provide appetite suppression. Without that, appetite suppression does not occur. This is revolutionary in all aspects of patients – it is not “restrictive,” and having the band tight is not helpful. The bottom line is simple: solid food, slowly eaten, provides prolonged appetite suppression. This can be all overcome by: eating too fast (for band patients this leads to esophageal dilation, erosion, or slips or by drinking liquid calories, or soft food. What works for our patients who have had long term success: Measuring the food they eat Not depending on the band to tell them when to stop Not depending on the band to tell them when they are too full The Lap-band will NOT tell you when you are “full” The band will NOT stop you from eating “more” food So the latest revolution in weight loss is not in a new tool, it is in those four simple words that will keep your tool sharp: eat small portions slowly.

crossover addiction is a real issue to be sure. Money was already an issue for me, and so I'm trying to work VERY hard on the emotional issues behind why I want to soothe myself with food, spending, etc. For me, I will be trading one kind of misery for another if I don't stay focused on the issues below the behavior. What is super hard right now, with changing weight so fast, I HAVE to buy clothes, but the really hard thing is what I HAVE to do versus what I want to do. I definitely "impulse bought" a kenneth cole top this weekend. No reason to buy it atall, it was just cute and it was fun I could buy a regular old XL. I'm realizing, hard core, that just because my stomach is smaller, doesn't mean my reasons for using these behaviors has gone away. It stinks!

Congratulations on beginning your journey and just remember, your health is the best investment you can make. You are definitely worth every. single. penny! Good luck, going forward. Your date is coming up, fast. You'll be a bandster before you know it.

I find if I eat solid food, "chicken or beef" for example. I get full really fast. I try to stay away from soups or liquid food that goes straight through me. I hope this helps!

Although this is accurate there are other reasons for excessive PBing episodes other than being too tight. Eating too fast. Eating too much. Trying to drink with your meals. Eating the wrong foods (like breads, rice, etc) Some of us bandsters have problems with those foods and they can trigger a PB. Just be mindful of "why" you are doing alot of PBing. It isn't always about being too tight. IT can be related to other factors.

Experince's

That's good questions I would think both would be helpful Slim fast has a meal placement shake with more protein in it.

I also had this right after surgery, and sometimes even now a year later I get them.. I found that it is when I eat to fast, and I asked my doctor, and he said the same thing.

I can press on my port and feel it, but other than that, I can't feel that I have a band. The only time I can tell I have a band is when I've eaten something a bit too fast or didn't chew well enough. Once you have healed, you will feel totally normal. The best thing is you will begin to feel lighter and lighter and lighter.......

@@Chelsdkunk5894 When you get those cravings drink more fluids, go do something like take a walk, read a book, take a shower, go to the garden. Anything to get your mind off of it. Stop thinking that you will never have those foods again because it simply may not be true and is probably making those cravings worse. My nut has taught me very good habits that have allowed me to deal with my cravings and still indulge once in a while. When you are able to start eating normal foods again which will be a while from now, you will eat Protein first and good carbs second. My body started craving good protein and good carbs instead of all the junk I used to crave. The saying you are what you eat is so true. I used to be a fast food and sweets junkie. I had RNY, I can still eat those foods if I wanted to. My stomach will let me. I no longer desire them. The first time I tasted a French fry post surgery it was so disgusting that I just don't even think about them again. Pasta was my favorite, I have tried it a few times, I no longer care for it at all. My cravings have changed to good protein, vegetables and fruits. It really is weird the way it works. The first month or so you just have to learn to manage that head hunger you are having. Leverage fluids and go do something else to get your mind off of it. You can master the cravings, don't let them get the best of you. Also don't be afraid to reach out to your psychologist if you have a hard time with this. They will give you tools to help you through it. Good luck to you. You will do great!

Hii! So I am 7 days post op. I haven't had a full night of sleep just yet there's always something that gets in the way. Last night was the first time I was really aiming for sleeping through the night. Though, I will admit I only got like 30 g of protein in and maybe 30oz of water. I woke up super late since I haven't been sleeping. So last night was terrifying. I woke up at 1130 to these insane chills, my heart rate was scary fast and I kept feeling like I was going to pass out. Whenever I would almost fall asleep my mind would like, scare me awake like an anxiety attack and it happened throughout the whole night. I was so scared I wanted to go to the hospital. I didn't feel okay until about 730 this morning. My legs were also getting numb. Has anyone ever had something like that before?

I will be 3 months out next week and I track fat and carbs not so much calories cause I don't eat over 600 but I try to eat under 30 carbs which is hard everything has carbs in it even greek yogurt example of meals breakfast egg beater, a slice of fat free cheese, 1 slice of turkey breast, lunch fat free cottage cheese and 5 grapes, dinner which is the bulk of my carbs bocca chicken patty its so good but about 40 calories in fat and due to it being breaded it has carbs when I finsh this box I'm done with them for a while going to stick to lobster tails and shrimp and my carb intake should be under 15 a day so carbs matter. I also am guilty of snacking latley nilla waffers and reduced fat ritz crackers haven't had them in two days trying to get to 190 by next Friday. Still haven't had any fast food yeah just the snacking on crackers and cookies but in all lost 59 pounds so far probably would of lost more if it wasn't for all the mistakes I made example eating the wrong soups, drinking gatarade tons of sugar in a bottle among other things.