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Every night when I get off work I call the husband to see what is for dinner. The night before he said let's figure out what we are eating tomorrow night so you don't have to ask. I didn't get the fact that it bothered him for me to ask...I ask every night after work, it's just a question. I've made decisions all day and don't want to have to make one when I get off. Well last night he went off when I asked about how he doesn't know what is for dinner and I always ask and that it makes him mad because he doesn't know what to say when I ask. That threw me into thinking...my life revolves around food. Food is my best friend...it is there when I am happy, sad, depressed, bored, celebrating. It is always there and I can't stop thinking about it. I think about food from the moment I wake up until I go to bed. I think about what's for breakfast, what's for lunch, and what's for dinner. I can only eat 3 times a day so food is very important to me. I even dream about it sometimes. So I've come to the conclusion that I need to focus more on what I am doing that day and take one meal at a time. You have to be prepared when you have had the surgery, you just can't pop into McDonalds for lunch and order a burger. There has to be some meal preparation and thought into what you eat. My life just revolves around food. I love to eat out even though I can't eat that much, I like the atmosphere and getting waited on, not having to cook or dirty up dishes. I love to eat out. At first I didn't because I couldn't stuff myself from the plate of goodness that sat before me but now I am getting re-adjusted and I love it. PF Chang's is my favorite because there are appetizers that I can make a meal out of and have enough to take home for another meal later on. But just having him make me think about how important food really is got to me. I hadn't realized just how important it is and how much I think about. So that is that story. I weighed this morning and finally hit 226 lbs so I feel better since this is what I weighed last month when I went in for my fill. So anything that I lose after this will be a plus. I'll tell the doctor about my 4 day binge eating feast that I had and how I gained 10 lbs in 4 days so he will know that I am human and lost alot more than what shows on the scale. I just can't believe baked beans and birthday cake were worth gaining the weight because it has taken me 1 1/2 weeks to get it off. I don't know why I chose them to be my friends for the 4 days off but I did. I think after my fill I will stick with my protein shake in the morning along with my coffee, cottage cheese or some type of meat for lunch, and a hot dog for dinner. The hot dog helps because I know I am getting more calories from it and that is what I seem to not be hitting. Maybe that is why I am not losing the weight like I think I should be. One of the series Robert and I like started on Showtime and we missed the last 4 episodes so tonight we are going to catch up with it again. I can't wait for True Blood to start but I hope it isn't as stupid as last year. The commercials look good. We also like Dexter, it is so good and coming from being a cop, I can relate to wanting to kill off the bad guys that get away with their crimes. Yes I was a cop, I made $9 an hour working as a Deputy Sheriff for the small town I lived in. Now I make more than twice that and don't have the life threatening decisions to make. All I can do these days is turn off your cable if you don't pay. It bothers me that people come in wanting extensions on their bill because they are unemployed and can't afford to pay that month of service and you look and they have the top teir of cable there is. How can you justify paying $149 for cable for one month when you don't have a job? I know cable is a big thing in people's lives and it is the only source of entertainment for some families and I'm ok with that but don't come in and give me a pity party because you are broke and have that kind of teir. Do you really need all the channels? The high definition box and the recording box? If it were me I would downsize to just basic which runs $20, keep my internet so I could look for a job. I'm more than happy to put you on a promotion for 6 months to help you get back on your feet but we look at payment history and how long you have been a customer to do that. I've been unemployed twice lost 2 jobs and didn't have another one to back it up so I understand being unemployed. In fact before I got this job at the cable company I was unemployed and this first thing I did was get rid of the cable, internet, and house phone. I had my cell phone in case I got a call about a job and would go to the library to look on the computer for a job so I understand being in a position where you don't know where the money is going to come from for the next month. I didn't get unemployment so I didn't have that to fall back on. I understand where people are coming from that are in this position. Ok enough about that. I have the day off with the husband and we are going to meet up with my mother and her boyfriend for lunch so it should be good, don't know where we are going but it should be good wherever we go. We have some shopping to do so I'll have something to eat this coming week but really I don't need much after Monday because Tuesday is my fill and I have to be on liquids for 2 days after and then mushy for 2 days after that so that takes me to Saturday before I can eat something good. I hate getting fills for this reason but like the restriction I get from them. I'm not at full restriction but I have some. I just hope this fill does the trick. Well everyone have a good day and please don't bash me on this entry.

I am about 8 weeks post op and have about .75 ccs in my 10cc band, I have lost about 18lbs all together and have been stuck at 212.5 for about a week and a half. I go for a second fill in about a week. In regards to you saying that you have had the willpower to eat right and change thus far and hope that you will continue to have willpower after the newness wears off. I am loosing steam and my willpower is fading. I do eat less than before and I have always been aware of the right type of food so I try to make the best choices possible but it is starting to get hard and I am frustrated that I have not lost any more weight. I need to kick the exercising into gear and count my calories but at this point I feel like I am back to the old "start a diet, do well for 4-6 weeks, loose motivation, back to old habits" cycle. I can eat anything and quite a bit of it to full me up. We are also struggling a bit financially right now so my grocery budget is has room for milk, bread and diapers and thats about it so I am eating whatever I can scrape together to make for the family. Ugggggh, I need something to pick me up. Anyways, I just wanted to comment on your concern with the motivation dying out bc I definately have experienced that. Best Wishes.

That is exactly what just happened to me. I have a 10 CC band and went for a fill and they put .3 in it and I knew it was tight but I was able to eat still. When my stomach growled it was uncomfortable and I felt almost nauseous but not really. Not sure what the feeling was but it was uncomfortable. When I went in to dr they did a barium xray and found out my band was too tight and it was backing up and I just did not feel it. My pouch had swollen so now I am on a 1 week liquid diet (which today is the last day thank goodness) and they took out 1 whole CC and I have an appt on the 3rd to go back and we will see how that goes. I had noticed that my stomach was growling and gurgling a bunch but just thought that was my band talking. My PA told me that is a sign on bad being too tight. When she took out the 1CC that all stopped.

It can take up to 2 weeks for a fill to take affect. Being as this is your first fill it probably isn't going to do much for you. In general my doctor says you need to wait 3 weeks between fills. While I understand it's hard to hear this right now but it is always better to be loose then to be to tight.

That is dependent entirely on your surgeon and his fill schedule and rules. I see my surgeon every 4 weeks and get a fill if needed.

I was banded last year in January. I was 100 lbs overweight, with a BMI of 41.5. That put me in the delightful medical category of "morbidly obese". I live in New York City, and I was referred by a friend to the Weill-Cornell Langone weight-loss center. They have a great staff and they offer lifetime consultation with their nutritionist and their nursing staff. The surgeon was George Fielding, who is well known in the field. He was banded himself about ten years ago, but you would never know it to look at him. He's a poster child for his own specialty! They require a six-week all liquid diet prior to the surgery to de-fat the liver. I lost about 20 pounds before the surgery just from that. He confided to me that he has had patients who decided to forgo the surgery after the liquid-diet weight loss. My previous experience told me that without the surgery I would certainly gain it back quickly, and add some more. The surgery involves only a minor incision and the patient usually goes home the same day. (I had to stay overnight because I have sleep apnea) Since then, I have lost a total of 80 pounds, and I'm a new man. I just had a checkup yesterday, and my doctor took me off my blood pressure medication I have been taking for 20 years. I plan to lose another 20 lbs and then go on maintainence. I had some minor problems along the way, but they were temporary. I had a long plateau after losing 60 lbs. I had to find the "sweet spot" for band tightness. I went too far, and I couldn't eat much of anything. I was losing quickly, but not getting enough nutrition. Once we worked it out, it has been smooth sailing. One of the things I really like about the band is that I just don't feel hungry very often. I went to a restaurant recently and I could only finish about half the portion. (Normally, I would be licking the plate before my wife finished her appetizer ) What I found interesting is that most of the issues which had be worried before getting the band turned out to be either non-issues or a minor nuisance, at worst. There are some foods which won't go down the band at all (e.g. soft doughy bread) but I find I don't miss them at all. It is such a different orientation not to be thinking about food all the time. If you have already had your band, and seem to be in a rut, just hang in there. It took me over a year to really hit my stride.

Had my one week appt and found out the reason I have so much pain is because I have a huge blister below the incision and lots of fluid around it. Started me on antibiotics, also an ultrasound. May have to have the fluid drained. On the upside get to move towards full liquids. I even get to try a bite of scrambled egg on Sunday

I am 7 weeks out and I have the eating issues, same as you. I don't weight myself but every 2 weeks, so I don't know if the weight is fluctuating. I make sure I drink the Protein shakes when I am not doing solids. I am losing slowly, but the inches are really coming off. I went from a 3X blouse to a XL. I don't even know my pants size; I hang out in yoga pants and they are getting loose.

Has anyone started soft foods during their puréed week? I’m tolerating puréed great and was wondering if I could advance to some softs. Any suggestions?

I lost 15 on pre op liquid diet but I did not cheat at all during this two weeks. I had a lot of food funerals before that and did not lose a lb.

Mine was called a liver shrinking diet. It was 3 weeks of 3-4 protein bars and 3-4 protein shakes a day with as much coffee and water that I wanted. I lost a total of 23lbs. While in recovery the Doctor told my wife they know I followed the diet to a tee because my liver was tiny.

I'm glad you're getting your leg checked out. Ask them about your liquid intake too. I didn't think we could dump with liquids....? If I remember right we were to drink 1-2 oz every 15 minutes. After the first week it becomes easier. I remember it hurting going down and after even drinking a tiny sip but now I can drink normally thigh I have to remember not to chug or it will feel like I swallowed a ball. There are lots of choices for Protein drinks. nectar brand is good, lots of flavors, juice and shakes. The shakes are getting too sweet though it seems and too thick. I had to be on liquids for just under two weeks. Premiere Protein Drinks, adkins protein drinks, sf flavor additives to Water, I preferred Mio, some prefer Sf Crystal light.

Talk to your doc again. Don't know why he/she's suggesting bypass just for the Diabetes. I had Type 2 Diabetes and was on insulin and pills. A week after surgery I was able to go off all meds and after 6 months my A1C was 5.6 – not even in the pre-diabetic range. So with that type of info in hand, ask your doc again about the sleeve vs. bypass. Might there be other reasons?

Final visit with NUT today and showed a 1 pound weight loss...that was all I needed!!!!! All paperwork is being submitted to insurance this week! Don't know if it is going to take longer because of the holidays..(hope not). Now I've got to just wait for that call!!!!!

Short and to the point: The Last three days have been horrible. Night sweats, unable to eat, stomach spasms, cramps, lower back pain. Ordinarily, I would not be concerned, but I have never had night sweats and stomach spasms. Today would make my 13th day post surgery and I am due to start tomorrow. Have any of you experienced band tightness, stomach pain, inability to eat food, night sweats three or four days before your cycle and/or during your cycle?

Mine came the day after surgery, a week early. I was less than thrilled.

Am on day 3 for the pre op diet and have been so depressed since starting it. Because my BMI is over 50> I have to do two weeks of nothing but Protein shakes,sugar free Jello,water,and sugar free popsicles . So so far I have only cheated once with a small bite of pre cooked chicken but the other day I stopped by McDonalds and ordered to chicken biscuits, but I didn't eat them . I went home and tossed them in the trash and cried . Am also having trouble falling asleep at night. Anybody else have have these problems?

Good for you on not giving into the temptation even though you bought McDonald's. Those two weeks are tough. It's hard realization of what kind of power food holds over us. I used it as a time of reflection and got a better understanding of what my relationship with food needed to be like after surgery. The sudden cutoff of sugar & carbs can play havoc on your body, and the anxiety leading up to surgery doesn't help either. You're going through the toughest part of the 2 weeks. Days 3-5 were my difficult time, but once I was past it the rest wasn't so bad. Keep yourself busy and do things you enjoy. Hang in there. It does get better!

Thanks for the response. I will have 2 weeks pre-op liquid diet. And then a few weeks afterwards of liquid before moving on to the pureed and then to soft foods. So I'm a little nervous to start a liquid diet already 2 months before surgery. I know 20 pounds in 2 months doens't sound that "hard" to do but if I could lose weight on my own I wouldn't be doing surgery. I have done weight watchers before and lost 20-25 pounds but in 16 weeks. I guess I'll just do the weight watchers thing again and just really watch very closely. Thanks again for your post and have a blessed day. :biggrin:

I found this to be very private and hard to talk about, did not even tell my Dr. I am 7 weeks post op 45 pounds down and I no longer have that issue. Very happy....NSV I guess

hello, i was also banded on the 23 of may and new to this site. I must say that iam a little jelious. i live in NY and i have only had water(plain) and crystal lite for 6 days.nothing else and iam starving. My doctor told me no carbs...no sugar....no nothing. iam ready to start the shake fase today and that last for 2 weeks. then i get mushies. i have no idea about if u are doing is right.....but ask your doctor before u try anything. btw the mashed pots soup sounded soooooo good.! thanks your band buddie Care

My DH and I start our pre-op diet next Friday. We have to do 3 weeks of 5 Protein shakes a day...and we can have up to 2 cups of broth daily as a treat (!). We've already made a pinkie-swear pact that nothing either of us says or does during those 3 weeks can be held against us.

Well, I took 4 weeks off so when I went back to work, I felt FANTASTIC!! However, I did feel pretty good (except for gas and bloating which walking helps) by the 4th day and even better by the 7th day so I think you should be ok, just don't overdo it and walking will be the BEST thing that will help with gas. Good Luck!

Wow, 45 lbs! That's amazing ! Are you exercising a lot to achieve such terrific weight loss? 'Cause 1to2 lbs is about average per week. Keep up the great work and keep doing what ever it is that is working so well for you! It is so exciting to have a great jump start in your journey. Kudos to you!

It all comes down to the doctor and what they are comfortable with. They may feel that a long time of liquids after surgery is safer or they may just be a crappy surgeon that has had problems with leaks in the short run and they attribute that to what the patient ate. Who knows? Does that mean that a surgeon who is fine with soft foods a week out is better? Who knows?