Am I the only one truly struggling with this?

[Cherishthepast 20]

Hang in there, I know it's easier said than done. It so worth it to follow the dr's orders. Remember your body is healing and trying to digest foods early on isn't a good thing. When you're hungry drink a shake or whatever else is on the approved list of foods for the stage you're in. If all else fails, call you doc and ask for help - let them know that you're hungry, they'll provide you with some safe alternatives.

When I was 2 weeks postop I wanted to kill for something solid, after being on liquids for 2 weeks preop I swear I was making sloshing (sp?) sounds when I walked and the gas was unbelievable; anyway, I called my doc and told him I was loosing my mind and asked if I could have a cream based Soup. He gave me the okay, I went out immediately and found something low in fat and sodium and was a happy girl. When the urge to deviate became crazy again, I called the docs office again and again and again - they became my life line.

Bottom line, don't give in to the temptation to sneak something that you shouldn't have. Your doc and his staff are there to support you - please use them.

Hang in there, it does get better.

[amanda365 0]

Day 9 for me. I found V8 has some new Soups it comes in a box with two 1 cup servings. I just picked up Garden brocoli Soup. Its awesome. No big chunks has the consistensy of like pea soup. What a change from the freakin Atkins shakes ahhhhh.. You should try them! Good luck!

[gingy 3]

Thank you for the encouragement "Cherish".... we need it in the early stages. I'm understanding what people mean about "Bandster Hell".

Gingy

[Ktfrogger 0]

I am at end of week 3 postoperative and I love love love the v8 soups! They were my saving grace. I am doing mushy now but I have to say I am having a hard time mourning crunches of any kind. Also bread... But hey - ina year we will all be looking and feeling fantastic, right?

[Jenn1214 120]

The two week post op period was extremely difficult for me. I had to fight almost every second not to go insane from lack of food, but I stuck religiously to my diet and I feel that I'm a stronger person for it. Anyone who says that WLS is the "easy way out" is full of crap! There is nothing easy about this process, but nothing easy is worth doing right?

[Sistersue 12]

I don't know where I would be without y'all. Next time I got to the store I will look for the v8 Soups. Hmmm..... Autocorrect changed I don't to icing, little Freudian slip I think.

[Saraboo 21]

Welcome to Hell. Pretty much sums it up. THose weeks in between surgery and getting your first fill are pretty much hell. Especially when you're starving and stuck on liquids. No joke, to get rid of salty cravings, I hewed on a piece of garlic bread and then spit it out. i got the flavor, and teh sensation of chewing, but I didn't actually eat it. THat's pretty much teh only thing that got me through. But here's the good news. You will make it through. YOu are strong enough to do this, and it's just a small step in your journey. Good Luck!

[betheboo 40]

I can totally identify with your pain!!!! I was banded on wed April 6th and I am already feeling hunger pains.... something I did not think I would have to worry about for at least a few weeks. The thought of only having liquids for another 10 days sickens me Recovery has not been near as easy as I thought it would be Day two I suffered from horrible nausea, today I've had horrible diarrhea and hunger pains, and on top of it all I've been dizzy since surgery and it doesn't seem to be subsiding. I was truely at the point of tears tonight but reading other people's posts has reassured me that it will get better and that I can do it!

[gingy 3]

Thank you for the encouragement "Sara". Hell for sure. I have felt like my life has ended at times... like everything I knew is now gone. food is what I leaned on for everything... now I don't have it. Then I realize "Hey, I don't need to lean on food for anything! I can do this!" I feel like I'm finally getting over the hump and life is looking better! I can imagine me in some smaller clothes

Let's do this - for us and for those we love!!!

Gingy

[JenniferW 0]

You CAN do it ! No doubt about it. I t will only get better with time. I was banded 5 day ago it sucks right now but the end result will be awesome! I cant wait to go shopping for new clothes( and I hate shopping) tquote name='betheboo' timestamp='1302426517' post='1598638']

I can totally identify with your pain!!!! I was banded on wed April 6th and I am already feeling hunger pains.... something I did not think I would have to worry about for at least a few weeks. The thought of only having liquids for another 10 days sickens me Recovery has not been near as easy as I thought it would be Day two I suffered from horrible nausea, today I've had horrible diarrhea and hunger pains, and on top of it all I've been dizzy since surgery and it doesn't seem to be subsiding. I was truely at the point of tears tonight but reading other people's posts has reassured me that it will get better and that I can do it!

[gMommy 4]

I am voluntarily doing a one week liquid diet pre-op because someone posted that it would be easier for the post-op liquid period. The first 3 days were OK until about 6pm. Then it sucked big time! I was just having 3-4 shakes a day and sugar free flavored waters. This week I decided to try the Soup in my work's cafeteria, but I only had the broth. Wow! What a difference. It was still a clear liquid, but it made me feel full longer and made me feel like I had eaten a meal. Also, eating it with a spoon instead of drinking it out of a cup made my mind think I was getting a meal.

The really hard part? Having to cook dinner for my family. Ug! Last night I got creative. I made a mexican chicken Soup. I took out all of the solids for the rest of my family to use for chicken nachos. Then I got to enjoy the yummy broth. That really helped. I found that 2-3 shakes a day are plenty for the 60-80g Protein. Switching out soup broth for one of the extra shakes actually brought my calories down for the day. So, I was able to make it through the day without "cheating" (eating solids). 7 days into the liquid, only yesterday and today were 100% liquid. But, now that I figured out something that works for me, I feel like I have a better chance of compliance post-op.

[TracyW2 137]

Welcome to BandsterHell! The upside? It does get better and this part will only be a memory soon. Now that I am almost to goal weight, I look back and barely remember those first few weeks. Believe me, it is sooooo worth it.

Best of luck on your journey!

[FinallyFree0812 9]

I just wanted to speak to you so that you don't experience the same thing I am. I started out the same way you are. Cheating a little here and there. Well, I had my surgery 10/25/10 and I am not doing good at all. I lost 33 lbs during the first couple of months. Now I am stuck and actually gaining because I don't do what I am supposed to. I eat whatever I want and eat too much. Yes I was 216 and I am now 184, but like I said, I have been gaining. FOLLOW THE RULES TO THE LETTER! YOU DIDN'T GO THROUGH THIS TO FAIL! You will be ok. It does not hurt to feel hunger. I know we don't like it, but it doesn't actually hurt. Good luck on your journey!

I am only on week two of my lapband journey.... and although today is the first day I am not physically in pain... I am starving.!!!!!!!!! And you know what? I have had bits and pieces of things I am not supposed to have. I don't have too much , because I don't want to get sick.... but a bit of this and that...oh and a few tablespoons of peanutbutter. I know its awful and lacking discipline, but I swear it's so hard to learn NOT to revolve your life around food. I realilze it's all I have ever done. In any other case, I would not be able to do a 2 week liquid diet, followed by another two weeks of a little less strict diet... If I could do it, I would have ended up overweight like I am. I am really struggling, and I feel very depressed.... oh gosh, what to do... I am craving sold Protein and salty Snacks so bad... Is it just me? Most of the people say it's ok, hand on... but I tell you what , I think I feel more of a loser now than when I didn't have this in. Any feedback? And next week is mushy stage.... any food ideas????? Thanks and good luck to everyone!!

[tnt21705 8]

I am only on week two of my lapband journey.... and although today is the first day I am not physically in pain... I am starving.!!!!!!!!! And you know what? I have had bits and pieces of things I am not supposed to have. I don't have too much , because I don't want to get sick.... but a bit of this and that...oh and a few tablespoons of peanutbutter. I know its awful and lacking discipline, but I swear it's so hard to learn NOT to revolve your life around food. I realilze it's all I have ever done. In any other case, I would not be able to do a 2 week liquid diet, followed by another two weeks of a little less strict diet... If I could do it, I would have ended up overweight like I am. I am really struggling, and I feel very depressed.... oh gosh, what to do... I am craving sold Protein and salty Snacks so bad... Is it just me? Most of the people say it's ok, hand on... but I tell you what , I think I feel more of a loser now than when I didn't have this in. Any feedback? And next week is mushy stage.... any food ideas????? Thanks and good luck to everyone!!

I am the same way. I "cheated" at the end of the 2nd week with hummas (licked off a spoon) and pimenta cheese off a spoon. Very small baby spoon, just to get a taste. I also did cottage cheese. The danactive yogurt drinks are really good, The vanilla is great. Try that too. I did V-8 juice too. It's a little thicker juice to it would tide me over. I just wanted to chew something so bad. I get it. I never thought of cream of wheat but I bet that would be good. Eat slow, slow, slow. Hope this helps.

[tnt21705 8]

I just wanted to speak to you so that you don't experience the same thing I am. I started out the same way you are. Cheating a little here and there. Well, I had my surgery 10/25/10 and I am not doing good at all. I lost 33 lbs during the first couple of months. Now I am stuck and actually gaining because I don't do what I am supposed to. I eat whatever I want and eat too much. Yes I was 216 and I am now 184, but like I said, I have been gaining. FOLLOW THE RULES TO THE LETTER! YOU DIDN'T GO THROUGH THIS TO FAIL! You will be ok. It does not hurt to feel hunger. I know we don't like it, but it doesn't actually hurt. Good luck on your journey!

I agree. I keep thinking that I did not go thru a surgery for nothing. I don't ever want to feel that pain of a stomach surgery again. The gas was terrible. That puts me right back on track if I think of cheating. Plus I am scared to death of vomiting.