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Hey there - hang in there as many of us were hungry too - it's just a matter of finding good liquids that you like/may fill you up more. Call your doc's office for better instructions cuz this is most imp to not eat anything you aren't suppossed to - the first three weeks are really for healing and keeping that band stiched in place so don't cheat! i had to do Clear Liquids for one week then i could have some more types of liquids for the rest of the three weeks - no milkshakes for me though as those are too thick - i had v8 juice (used to hate it), thinned tomato Soup, sugar free hot cocoa, full strength juices (yum), ramen noodle broth, myoplex lite Protein Shakes, Iwas instructed to not really worry about calories just healing so you can be pretty creative. good luck - this will pass soon.

So today starts a new day and I have been having a hard time getting my proteins in. SO this am I had blueberry oatmeal for breakfast and I added a tablespoon of unflavored protein powder and 1/2 c skim milk to it and it was tolerable. Maybe this will help me reach my protein needs. Since being banded on 6/23 I have lost 21 lbs which is an average of 3 lbs a week although I have had weeks of no loss at all. I have been researching ways to have a high protein diet that is doable in the portions that I am able to take in. I am supposed to be eating 3-4 ounces of protein 2 meals a day but am not successful yet. I am only able to eat about 2 ounces. I am not complaining because I have not had a fill yet and am 7 weeks out and not feeling hungry like most that I read on here so for that I am grateful but I think that my progress would be better if I could manage to get my protein numbers up. I am going to start blogging because I think it will help me with the feelings that I am having and not able to understand yet. Somedays I feel good, someday worn down, and somedays just plain old frustrated but I am learning to take it one day at a time which is necessary through this journey I guess... patience and one day at a time. I think this band is going to be the tool I needed and I think it is going to save my life and help me to be the healthier person i want to be. Yesterday I was overwhelmed with emotions and I cried for a little bit when talking to my partner about things I was feeling. But today I feel better so maybe I just needed to get those feelings off my chest... today is a new day and tomorrow will be too so hope I am able to make the most of all of it... have a great day every one and lose a little of yourselves today

Welcome to the May Flowers! My date is set for May 13th. I am a self pay $14,500 which includes follow-up and fills for life. All tests are done, did my pre-op blood tests Tuesday and all that's left is my pre-op visit with the surgeon which I am about to call and set-up. I also start my chewable vitamins today and my low carb high/protein diet. I am excited and scared at the same time! Can I curb my appetite? Can I eat healthy? Will I use this very expensive tool to its fullest advantage.........the same fears I am sure everyone of us going in for this has. My saving grace is my friend had her band last week so I call her everyday (we live across the country from each other) and she is so happy and has lost 20lbs combined with her pre-op diet. Her only complaint is shoulder pain that is still lingering. GOOD LUCK

There's nothing stopping you from calling them up in 3-4 weeks if you're in bandster hell or feeling no restriction. All they can say is no.

I licked the seasoning off of some sun dried tomato flavored wheat thins my first week. About 4 or 5 a day...it was like heaven in my mouth. Then I gave the freshly licked crackers to my dog, and she was happy to get them. It's like we both got a treat.

I’m 3 weeks post op gastric bypass and these past couple of days I have been extremely nauseous. Zofran isnt helping not are those nausea patches they gave me. How did you guys treat nausea post op. Before the operation I’d have ginger ale, and saltines. But obviously those aren’t an option now. i only started the purée food diet a week ago and have actually put myself back on the liquid diet until my appt on the 27th because I keep having complications (inability to tolerate most foods (severe cramping, vomiting and diarrhea). But now with this nausea I’m struggling to even get in a protein drink or my daily liquid intake. Yesterday I had 20 oz liquid. It’s Sunday so my dr isn’t even in the office.

I had to do the sleep study because the doctor required it. I ended up doing 2 nights as the first it was a mild case so they did not put on the mask so I had to do another test night with the mask. Of course each test cost $1500. My doctor required 2 week compliance which meant a min of 4 hrs a night with at least 70% compliance. I got my cpap in November. I had surgery Dec 1st and returned my machine by the end of December. I had already stopped snoring with the lost of 20 lbs. My husband's also had a sleep study and I think everyone is diagnosed with sleep apnea so they can charge insurance the machine and supplies. He had his surgery on Wednesday and we returned his machine today. Neither of our cases were severe or life threatening that we really needed a machine. Good Luck and know that unless you have other medical issues most likely you can discontinue at some point when you have lost enough weight.

I was totally shocked when my sleep study ended with a dx of apnea. I got my machine last Friday and to my shock I actually found there was a difference almost immediately in the quality of rest I got. Often it takes me a while to wake up in the morning and after using the machine I was much more alert in the morning. My brother (tall and skinny dang him!) has apnea and told me the machine will change my life and health so I will definitely use it regularly. In fact if dxed with apnea one requirement for the sleeve is using it for at least two weeks before the surgery, and also having it with you for surgery.

I had a vacation planned two weeks after surgery. I happened to be one of the 1% or so that had a leak. I ended up back in the hospital for 16 days and had to cancel my vacation. I would play it by ear if you can since you have travel insurance. Congratulations on your ten year anniversary! I hope you enjoy your vacation whenever you may go! HW 229, SW 214, CW 188. RNY 3/14/13

Congrats on everything! The surgery was hard for me I was in so much pain. I'm 6 weeks out and I still like laying in the bed. My energy is not back to normal yet. I was not exspecting that, but you could be perfectly fine and ready to go. I say play it by ear if you can get up right after surgery you might be one of the lucky ones. Best Wishes

I think 3 weeks is pushing it especially food wise. Your not going to be able to eat much. Your options are limited and it may make for a not so fun vacation. I would say wait 6 months. You'll be down 80+ pounds by then and will have a handle on eating. Just my opinion. I went to Disney last month and I was 4 months post op and down 85 lbs then. Food was easy to handle.

I'm three weeks out, and to be honest, I don't think I could handle traveling. But as you said lounging around on the beach wouldn't take much out of you. I just still get pretty tired and have alittle left side pain when I've done too much. If you are just relaxing, you should be fine!

I have been sick for about a week stomach virus I'm sure. Today feeling better but hungry today anyone else gone through this

Ugh that's what I'm dreading also. I'll be going on vacation in 5 weeks and I'm a bit worried since ill be staying at a resort. Not much ability to cook your own food so will have to get creative.

Hey Crystal. One of my bandbuddies who had surgery the same day as me had tested positive for the stomach bacteria, I think it's called pylori (sp?). Our surgeon had recommended that we have all of our testing done ASAP so if anything like this came up we could be treated. Our doctor put her on antibiotics for 2 weeks and she was still able to have the surgery on schedule.

Okay, so this is kind of premature for me to be concerned with but after talking with my surgeons office yesterday I am curious how many of you had this experience so I'll know what my chances are haha. They do the bacteria test to make sure you don't have too much of certain bacteria in your stomach. If there is too much present they put you on antibiotics and you can't be retested for 4 weeks. Which means surgery could be postponed for another month. Have any of you actually tested and had too much bacteria or is this something that rarely happens?? Thanks for any answers, helping to ease the over-thinker, worriers mind

I was sleeved 8/24...after a TWO WEEK stall...I am down to 312 lbs!!!!!!!!!! I started at 346 pre op and 331 dos. I am eating around 800 calories a day give or take a 100 calories. I am sooooooo happy to be done with purees, Soups and all that!!! I am eating pretty much what I want PROTIEN first...I have had a cookie but couldn't eat more than one (that is just funny coming from me who could eat 10 before) It seems like I'm eating ALL DAY LONG...but I'm good. Sometimes I think I'm eating too much when I go over 800 calories but then I think I should be eating (with a normal stomach) 1600 calories to lose weight. This has been the best thing I've done...my two week stall at 3 weeks was annoying but I got through it!!! MY SLEEVE ROCKS!!!!!!!!

On the days where I have made my band angry with me I know I need to go on liquids for awhile. Well the soups at the Bariatric center cost me an arm and a leg and my doctor has told me I can just get other soups at the store and add my Pure protein to it. He never has been specific as to what brand of soup I can use.....sooooooo what brands of soups have you all used? Snacking. Yeah yeah yeah I know, biggest rule they tell you is no snacking. BUT on the days that I am not in my home state and need a fill, I know three meals aren't going to satisfy me throughout the day. Normally, I'll eat a handful of sugar snap peas if I feel a little hunger pain before the time I need to eat or maybe some frozen berries. But that gets kind of monotonous and makes me feel sick to my stomach. So suggestions on that as well? Thanks everyone![:

Hi everyone! Like many others, I too have read this site for some time now. This is my first post because I've been a little apprehensive to post--but then I thought, "what the heck" and decided to introduce myself. I'm 19 (young I know) and I decided to begin my lap-band journey in June of this year. Basically, my main reason for choosing to have this surgery is because this really is a last resort. I know some of you may be thinking that I'm awfully young to have to move to a "last resort" but, hear me out. I've been overweight my whole life, seriously, my mom started watching what I ate at age two. Anway, at twelve I was diagnosed with dismetabolic syndrome with insulin resisitance. We hear about this a lot now, well type two diabetes in children now but when I was diagnosed my case was actually just surfacing. In one of the leading children's hospitals in the nation, I was the only patient with a condition like mine in the whole hospital. Anyway, sorry to go on and on. So, now at 19 I am at risk for PCOS and have normal blood pressure but it's abnormally high for my age. My mother and gradmother are also overweight--so I guess you could say it runs in the family. I am experiencing things that a fifty year old woman should be dealing with--not a nineteen year-old. I'll give a few more details about my self, just so you get the idea---I promise to make it short! :eek: I also have lower back pain and joint pain in my knees. I did tae kwon do for three years and while I was healthier, the weight never seemed to come off. Oh, I almost forgot my diet! Since about twelve I have been eating low carb but have not cut out carbs completely. And last but not least---my weight and height (for the whole world to see) I am 5'7 and about 330. OK, so now you know a little about me. Let's see, what else can I say...ah yes, surgeons. I have United Heath Care (primary) and Coventry (secondary) insurance but am having to go through conventry. My primary won't cover the surgery until I am 21 so...secondary insurance it is. As far as the surgeon...really my only option is Dr. Hohen from the Bariatric Center of Kansas City. Coventry only has Dr. Hohen in their network--at least that's anywhere close to where I live. I like in the KC metro area but go to school in Springfield, MO. While I am mentioning school--I'm an English Education major and I love literature---Go English! :biggrin1: Anway, this is getting to be a novella...so I'll end it here. I look forward to meeting all of you and have enjoyed reading the plethora of information on this site--it's amazing. Oh, and as of now, I am still in the beginning of this journey. As of Friday, my file is being referred to the person in charge of the psych. consult! Finally, after 3 months the ball begins to role!:clap2: Lauren :kiss2:

Hello fellow "newbee"....I have been banded for 10 days now. And I can relate to you as far as what to eat....dont be nervous about that because I was too before my surgery. And it just comes to you. The first 2 or 3 days your not gonna want anything to "eat". So I have been eating or drinking I should say.....chicken broth (i dont like beef broth) sugerfree popcicles,sugarfree jello,lots of water or crystal light ice tea. I have had some hot tea with a teaspoon of honey. That was the first week. And stating the second week, I added liquid yogart, protein shake made with skim milk, tomato soup made with skim milk, and I been having a teaspoon of peanut butter. Kinda get it nice and wet in your mouth, if you can imagine "chewing" creamy peanut butter. Then starting my third week which is this coming weds. I am going to add cottage cheese, apple sauce, cream of wheat, mashed sweet potatoes...muchie foods. Really thoughtm dont be nervous, it all comes to you. And dont be afraid at all. I was operated on weds oct 24th and I was home and walking my local Mall 4 days later on Sunday!!!!! Good luck, TONI

Well I only had to do liquids for 3 days prior to surgery. I did have a lowcarb diet I had to do for 7 days prior to that though. What got me through it was a lot of whining to the dogs, and the realization that I only had to do it for X amount of time, and any weight I lost during that time was going to stay off, as opposed to other times that I tried to starve myself and nothing happened with the scale I have a desk job with a bit of flexibility. I took 1 week + 1day off (monday through the following Monday, returning on Tuesday). The remainder of the week that I came back, I worked 5-6 hours instead of 9. I think time off really depends on what you do though

Every fill u go back to clear liquids for a week?

All drs seem to have different criteria they follow but it's basically the same for the most part...I will answer your question based on my experience. You will want to check with your dr before deviating from his rules. I had to give up carbonation..the is my drs #1 rule. No food is off limits once On solids but my band isn't fond of rice or thick pasta. First month Week one clear liquids Week two creamy liquids Week three mushies....like yogurt, hummus, mashed veggies, mashed potatoes, oatmeal...anything blended to the consistency of baby food Once on solids at week 4 I started eating the way I did throughout my journey. 1000 calories each day with portion controls being paramount. I ate three meals a day of 3 oz protien, 1/2 c veggies and 1/4 starch. I was allowed 2 snacks of fruit or a sugar free treet or something salty like 10 small pretzel sticks

I'm 2 months and 2 days and I have lost 50 lbs. the weight in the beginning went really quickly.... Within a week I had lost 20lbs... Then it just slowed. I wouldn't loose for a few days and then I'd drop 4lbs. Then I'd be at that weight for a week and then drop another 3-4lbs. It's been crazy but it's still coming off. It may seem like it's not coming off right but it is. Hang in there and you will see. Just keep following the diet.

i had/have pain in my left shoulder... i asked my dr. last week what it was from and he told me it was from then pulling right there and under the left rib..so it could possibly be from that!!!