Entering fourth week, anyone?

[Cory_Sanchez 0]

If you were banded around March 31, could you share with me please whether you have had your first fill, what are you eating these days? I haven't had a fill yet (scheduled on 4/30) and the meeting with nutritionist and nurse practitioner is this coming Thursday. I have lost around 21 lbs on the liquid diet but now three weeks post op and not filled yet I am starting to feel hunger, has anyone gone through this? any recipes? anything? pleeeeeease! Thank you in advance for your replies.

P.S. One more thing, anyone from Massachusetts, specifically, the North Shore, (Salem, Lynn, Peabody, Revere, Saugus, Swampscott, Marblehead)... if so, maybe we can meet or support each other on the phone....., please let me know if you are interested in having a bandster buddy....

Edited April 20, 2010 by Cory_Sanchez

[janeinnc 0]

Hi - I was also banded on 3/31. I have just started eating soft food....made some seabass baked in parchment w/fresh thyme & lemon on Saturday - have been eating 2 to 3 ozs of that each evening with either 1/2 of a very small baked potato or sweet potato. For Breakfast, pretty much sticking to greek yogurt, had a soft boiled egg one morning. For lunch, I just had some portabello mushroom Soup (Whole foods has this (and other Soup flavors) in cartons - packaged similar to chicken Broth). I've also been sure to get in one Isopure Protein drink per day (40 grams protein) - you can get those from GNC. When I went for my checkup last week, my doctor mentioned eating a little something every 3 to 4 hours so mid-morning and mid afternoon - I've been having a little more soup or some hummus - something like that (this is to keep the metabolism burning at a higher rate). He also mentioned to never eat after 9pm.

That's about it - hope that helps you!

[janeinnc 0]

Oh - I meant to mention, I have not had my first fill yet - I have an appt on 5/4 for that...

[Cory_Sanchez 0]

Thank you Jane,

You see my doctors have not cleared me for meat or fish yet, I do have a meeting with the nutritionist on Thursday, I am suppose it will help to leave the appointment with a grocery shopping list. Are you hungry though? because I am famished! You must be doing well though, your fill is not until May, mine is on the 30 and I am dying to get it....I hope we can keep in touch, thanks again Jane...

:ohmy:

[janeinnc 0]

I seem to be doing okay on the hunger. When I do get hungry - I go for Water, my Protein Drinks, hot tea, Jello or just go find something to do. I've been working my way through cleaning out & organizing the closets and drawers - my house will be completely organized in another couple of weeks!

Hang in there!

[eckerd06 0]

Hello,

i was banded on 3/29....I am currently on soft foods at the time. For Breakfast I boil 2 eggs, lunch varies from tuna fish to Soup, dinner is usually fis and mashed potatoes/sweet potatoes. I was pretty hungry going into the 2nd week but once soft foods started I haven't had any issues with hunger. If anything, I have issue getting everything in for the day. I try to drink a glucerna snack shake (milk based shakes were too rich at the time for my stomach) in between meals to keep me going and get more Protein. Hope this helps....try to get all your Protein in...this is very important. Ive lost a total of 32lbs so far.

[Cory_Sanchez 0]

Thank you! that really helps! that means I could have 2 oz of salmon filet with mashed potatoes for lunch, right?

[reginemichel 1]

Hello March banders, I had my band done on March 26, I've lost a total of 26 lbs (16 before surgery and 10 after) and flucuating between 2-3lbs. (which I hate) I haven't had my first fill yet but I really need it. I don't feel like I have anything over my stomach and I could eat about anything. I'm trying to keep my eating behaviors under control but sometime it's really hard. I'm really stressed out lately from school and work (finals). Hopefully my 1st fill will help, my appointment is on 5/4/10. I must say I have notice some changes in my clothes and even my shoes. (good new) I wish I could give you some tips but not doing so great this week.

Edited April 21, 2010 by reginemichel

[girl55 5]

I had surgery march 16. I am feeling great! At 2 and a half weeks, at my appt with the surgeon, he said to start trying to solid foods. But stay away from raw veggies and bread. did that, but some meats don't go down the best, hamburger meat is pretty good and thin sliced ham works good. I now found out that scrambled eggs with cheese melted on them goes down real well. Without the cheese, NO WAY! too dry. I eat a lot cooked veggies, like green Beans and peas and beans. I get most of my Protein from my solid foods, but I also like to have carnation instant breakfast, (no sugar added) in between for extra protein, or if I start getting hungry. I've lost about 33 lbs, most of it after surgery, and the scale is edging down some more. I think the more protein in take in, the faster I lose.

I really feel very confident in the band, and this is best effort ever in losing weight. My first fill will be may 6. Looking forward to it. Good luck to all of you. Nothing but good things ahead for us.

[Ghanian Queen 0]

I was banded on April 9th, I'm still doing broth, Protein drinks, but I am hungry!!! I am encouraged, but it still seems surreal, since I have not lost any significant weight.

[AllieKat 0]

Hi there! I was banded on 3/31, and on 4/14 my doc let me move up to meatloaf and salad. He said to avoid really "dry" or tough meats right now, but that was about the only restriction he gave me. Also trying to learn to not drink with meals. That is key. My appetite has returned with a vengance! I am trying so hard to stick to lean meats and salads (no carby foods), but I hate the volume that it takes to make me feel full! I loved it right after surgery when not much would go down, now it feels like there is nothing in there but my big 'ol stomach! I have a follow up on 4/29, but I think my doc as practice makes everyone wait until their 6th week for a fill. I am in hell:scared2:. It will be worth it all. I am concentrating on building an excersize routine, and trying to keep off the 20 lbs I have lost so far. It feels wonderful to have loose clothes!:smile:

[Cory_Sanchez 0]

Hi Allie Kat, you and I both, I am really hungry and I haven't had my fill yet, I'll have my first fill on April 30. I have learned not to drink with meals but I have to work on getting all the Protein in during the day. If you like cream of wheat, they have an instant, whole grain, that has 7 grams of protein and 6 of Fiber, which I think is great... if you like it creamier, you can make it with milk instead of Water and it comes out really nice... I have to concentrate on excersise as you mentioned...let's keep up the good work and hope for the best outcome possible... we will be Divas!!!!!!!!:smile:

[misspeacock 0]

i was banded on the first so tomorrow will be a full three weeks for me. my 1st fill is on may 11. right around this past weekend i started getting hungry finally. or at least a feeling the is close to what hunger used to feel like. last night was the first night i've gotten to a point of being full. honestly i ate just a little more than i should have just to see if i could get full because i'm keeping my portions between a 1/2 cup to a cup and never getting full. that hasn't been terrible though, because i've also not been starving. my average day is a Protein Shake in the morning, cottage cheese (sometimes with avacado) for lunch, and well mushed tuna or egg salad at night. for Snacks i eat bananas, a couple small bites of hummus, sugar free puddings and Jello and above all else sugar free popsicle. i had no idea how they would save my butt. pretty much when i feel like i want something i'll grab one of those and i feel like i'm eating something, i get satisfaction from that, but with minuscule consequences. honestly, i'm really looking forward to my fill. i don't really feel like i have restriction and i am afraid of gaining some of the weight i've lost once i transition into more real foods this upcoming weekend.

[caldwell33 0]

I was banded on March 24th. I lost 10 lbs after the first 2 weeks after surgery. I think I have only lost 5 more since then. I am going to the doctor today. I have not had my first fill yet. My dr. believes you should wait 7 weeks for the first fill. I will be on vacation then so I am going to have to wait 8 weeks. I can eat pretty much everything now at 4 weeks but have to be careful of chewing meats more. I am hungry most of the time, I never feel full. Thats why I wish I could get a fill now instead of waiting another 4 weeks. I'm afraid I will start putting weight on. I have been trying to stay on a 700 calorie, 70 grams of Protein a day diet, which is what my doctor says we need to do up until we get our first fill. I have been staying around there but a few days I went up to 750 cal. and then would be under in the protein to about 40-60 grams. My problem seems to be that I really don't feel full for long. I'm sure that after having a fill things will change. I would hate to have gone thru all of this for nothing. I keep reading that you don't really start losing weight until after your 3rd fill. I can't wait for that to happen. I have been maintaining my weight but not loosing any for the last week. I am getting discouraged at times but I am able to get myself out of the funk for now. I do feel like the rest of you and can't wait for a new me! Congratulations to all for doing such a wonderful job so far.

[MEDIC684 0]

I was banded on April 9th and have had no problems with feeling full and I am seldom hungry. I'm taking my Vitamins and doing some Protein Shakes along with Soups, flaky fish and a bite or two of cheese. Egg drop Soup is a fave !! Haven't had any other types of meat and i'm still a little apprehensive about trying them. Don't give up !!! I'm down 41lbs since i started the Journey with around 100 to go. Good Luck