February 2006 bandsters unite!!

[skbishop78 0]

I am feeling a little better today! I still feel gas in my belly, but it is a little better...tolerable anyway. I couldn't eat anything last night....The gas made me feel so full. I was down 2 lbs this morning...so maybe it wasn't such a bad thing. Hope everyone is doing good. Happy Saturday!

[JanetC 2]

Cashley -- welcome!! :eek:

Stacey -- I'm so glad you're feeling better! Hope the rest of it leaves you fast! If you're drinking a lot of milk, you might try to cut back on it some.

Nanster -- I felt every word! WE CAN DO THIS!!

We only told family... but I got in a fight yesterday with my mom. I told her that pre-op I could eat 3 things from Taco Bell (I like using it as a measurement). Post-op, I could eat approx 1 thing. Now I think I could eat 2 things. So I'm frustrated, because I see myself creeping back up to my pre-op behavior. Her response? "Why would you be eating at Taco Bell?" AUGH!!!!! It was just an example, lol!

I often feel the need to tell others, but I think I'll wait until we get a fill or 2... until we start losing some weight! Gastric bypass has really trained people to expect miracles. You can tell them this is different until you're blue in the face... they just don't get it!

Yeah, heh, get me started & I rant a bit, lol. :confused:

Happy Saturday!!

[nanster 0]

Great Saturday Ladies!

Yes, it's annoying to have to try to explain that you still want Taco Bell, you just want to be able to STOP before you gorge yourself. We're STILL human and still like good food! People expect a 10lb drop every week or so and that's just not realistic...they tend to make you feel you're failing if you aren't hiting that mark. But, we know better and we can support each other when we start letting other people's expectations into our own thought processes.

I guess what I feel is gas too, although it's not what I would've considered "gas" before surgery. I guess I was lucky that I had a pretty durable stomach and didn't have many issues other than a little reflux.

I'm trying to live like an energetic person...even though I'm not there yet. I figure I might get there one day if I practice.

Had a scrambled egg and grits for Breakfast this morning. Very filling and tasty. (before surgery, I'd have 3 eggs and 2 servings of grits, plus lots of coffee with cream and sugar) So, little by little, I'm cutting it down while re-incorporating "regular" soft foods.

Are most of you going for a "fill" at about 1 month post-op? I haven't really decided yet what to do.

Enjoy life this weekend and do something that's just for YOU! (not just chores and errands and things for your family) YOU DESERVE IT.

My sisters have been incredibly supportive, although I didn't tell them til after surgery. I wasn't sure of my own decision, so I didn't want them to try to talk me out of it. But, they are awesome...they actually think I'm COURAGEOUS for doing this!! Now that's support!

Til Later,

Nanster

:confused:

[StormGirl 0]

Boy am I glad I read this today! I've been really down about the fact that I'm STARVING...and I've totally plateau'ed. And my mom keeps asking me if I'm eating the right things or if I'm exercising (what IS it with moms? They try so hard, but they always seem to ask the wrong question at just the wrong time!). Yes...I've strayed a little from my post-op diet...but they had told me to rush it anyways (since I was a lower BMI) and to go along with how I felt more than anything...well...I feel hungry...and it hurts! And I know that I'm supposed to be happy with any weight loss (I've had 10 lbs, which is great)...and I am happy with what I've lost, but I feel like I could eat whatever I want with no restriction (although...I haven't tried because I don't want to "test" the band - and I'm really TRYING to follow the diet). The only thing I have is massive amounts of gas...and an empty stomach. There's been a couple times where I haven't chewed a lot (and thought to myself...oh no...here it comes)...and nothing's happened!! UGH...I am so frustrated right now...especially because scheduling for a fill is totally NOT working out for a lot of different reasons & I'd really wanted to lose as much as I could before my wedding in June.

It also doesn't help that I got my period today...which I think is making me even more hungry & frustrated...

[nanster 0]

StormGirl: You are writing my EXACT thoughts!!! I have been braver about trying more "substantial" foods and, no problems so far. However, I am getting more and more hungry every day and I'm still nervous about the first "fill". Will I have to go backwards to all liquids (ie, Soup, soup, soup) again when I get filled? All I have now is a growly stomach and gas. I'm feeling more like my normal self - and that includes cravings for a burger or something like that! I really don't want to go backwards to all liquids again...or will the fill simply keep us filling fuller?? Can we eat "regular" food with the fill, once the band has healed from surgery? I'm still a little confused on that.

I have to get more active to restart the losing process, I'm sure. I'm trying, but it's very hard for me. I've never been good at physical stuff, even when I was young and thin. Sigh.:phanvan

Anyone still feeling the shoulder (gas) pain, even at 2weeks+ out??? I do, but it's off and on...not severe.

Nanster:D

[SherryW 4]

Hi Everyone, I've been away for a bit I see. I was banded 2/13 and I can honestly say yesterday and today are the FIRST days I've gone with no pain at all. No port pulling, twinging or muscle aches in that area. WHEW it feels awesome. This is also the week I've lost the restriction from the surgery and I won't be able to get a fill until April 12th. My doc won't do them before 8 weeks are up. Says we need to heal first. I didn't lose weight last week and I'm due to weigh myself tomorrow morning. I have a feeling it didn't move. Being able to eat "mushies" of course has added some calories and the trend for me on past diets, fads etc the 3 week I lose nothing. Sometimes the 4th week is the same and I never made it to the 5th week so I'm praying I can keep it together until my first fill. Every time my tummy rumbles and it's inbetween meals I'll drink some Water and if that doesn't work then I'll eat a hardboiled egg or tablespoon of peanutbutter so I'm getting the Protein but not a bunch of empty calories. Hopefully that will keep me in check until my fill. Ohhh I'm dreading the scale tomorrow but, I gotta do it. One thing with the band at least there is no giving up When it's filled it will keep me in check for sure.

As far as the gas pain I had mine for about 3 weeks. I could still feel it in there. GasX helps but doesn't get rid of it all.

Hope you're all having a good weekend!

[skbishop78 0]

Hey everyone....

I am so with everyone on this thread....Although I have had a fill and still feel hungry! I eat small portions b/c I know I am suppose to, but I know for a fact that I can eat alot more.....I feel off one day last week, and ate 7 chicken mcnuggets off my daughter and sons plate......I should not have been able to eat that many right???? I have gone back to eating what I am suppose to but, still feel hungry!! I have last 3 lbs this week, so I am not going to beat myself up for the mcnuggets.

I have been raking leaves, cleaning windows, and being neighborhood babysitter today...How come when its nice outside and you are busy doing stuff...everyone migrates to your yard??? Anyway, think I got my exercise in today!!

Hope everyone is doing well....and I will check in tomorrow!

[ReneBean 3]

I get my first fill on the 21st - and I am very excited about it. I have the VG band - and absolutely no restriction at this point. Any fill would help.

I haven't lost any weight to speak of since the surgery - so I really need to get my fill and get this show on the road. *sigh*

[SherryW 4]

Only a few days before your fill Rene that's great! I know I need one myself. Been at a standstill for a few weeks now. Frustrating when I have so much to lose. Even though people say you're not suppose to concentrate on losing the first 8 weeks...doesn't matter I wanna lose dang nabbit lol. I can definately tell I need a fill. There isn't any restriction right now except if I take a bite too big and don't chew it well. Even then that only lasts a few minutes then poof, gone and hungry again. I don't get my first fill until April 12th. Another month of no weight loss is not going to be good. I keep trying to tell myself you've lost alot already, you're doing well but I think you all know what I'm talking about. Just frustrating!

Hugs to you all and I hope you have a better time on the scale than I did this morning

[Jerseytammy 0]

Ok I am at work and it is Monday, need I say more. I woke up with a headache that I have seem to have kept all weekend but then I turn my computer on at work and read all your replies to my last post.

WOW, thank you all so much, I dont feel like such a failure now. I know that we are all in the same boat so to speak but sometimes you just feel so alone. I have been really weepy and am having horrid moods sings since my surgery. I thought it might be because it was my time of month but it has came and gone and I am still moody as crap!!!

But I have to say a big THANK YOU to all that took the time to reply to my post. You have made my Monday not so Monday.

I have my fill on the 24th, and I have to say I am in pre-surgery mode, "eat now cause in a week you wont be able to", now crazy is that, no wonder I picked up 10 lbs.

Thanks for all your support, love ya guys!!

[Dancer 0]

Just wanted to pop in and say good morning everyone!

Haven't been feeling well over the week, so talk about crapy moods! I thought it best not to subject anyone to it!:faint:

I hope you all have a great day! Check back in later....

[Sunta 5]

Hi Everyone,

Hope everyone had a great weekend! I felt quite good this weekend and went to two museums on Saturday and a historic house tour yesterday. My gas is still 90% better (has been since I went off dairy last week), and my port/surgical pain seems to be improving every day. I'm off my recliner and back in bed! It feels wonderful. The only issues is I'm really hungry. Tomorrow I will have been on liquids for three weeks and still have a week to go! Ugh. Liquids are getting really gross. And they're not transportable since anything that's easy to transport has dairy in it (like Slimfast and Ensure). So I end up ready to pass out whenever I'm out anywhere. I honestly almost fell out in the museum over the weekend! I can't wait to start mushies! Another a really annoying thing is that the scale has simply stopped moving, even though I'm only eating/drinking 900 calories a day! What's that about? It's really infuriating. I'm praying I"m not one of those people who just doesn't lose. Anyway, wishing you all a fabulous, non-hungry, pain-free week!

[Julie* 0]

Good Morning!

I'm hanging in there and with everyone that I am just pretty hungry. I had my period and now that it's over I dropped 4 pounds in about 2 days. It was really encouraging and I hope that everyone else has the same luck. (Now I better not gain when the next cycle comes around!)

I'm pretty sick of the mushy phase but it's just for 8 more days and then I can try chewing stuff again. I'm pretty nervous and excited about that!

Sunta: I don't even know how you've managed to be on full liquids for so long! Can you blend Soup? My mushy diet is anything that I can get through a straw so creamed Soups thinned with milk have become my lifeline. Glad to hear you're back in bed though- I always feel better when I can rest better.

Tammy: Glad you're feeling better too!

Stacey: It sounds like you're going to need another fill soon. I would not be able to eat any chicken mcnuggets or any type of chicken yet as far as I can tell. I had a small bit of a cracker yesterday before mushing it in my soup and that felt like it got stuck. Could be that I am just nervous though?!

Hope everyone else is well.

[skbishop78 0]

OK GAls, I called the Doc today, and I am going in for another fill tomorrow! WOW.....I feel so abnormal..hopefully this will do it for me. I jsut feel like I can eat anything. Last night i had a full chicken breast and 6 bites of rice. OK so not Normal!! Tell ya how it goes tomorrow!

[Julie* 0]

Stacey: How did your fill go today?

I posted a question on the regular board but will re-post it here in case any of you are dealing with the same thing:

I have had a very good recovery from my banding surgery and am still on mushies. 2 days ago I noticed that I had an achy pain under my left breast that seems to come and go. It goes away at night and is worse in the morning when I stand up. Right now I just had some blended Soup and it feels yucky again. It's not by my port b/c that is on my right side and doesn't hurt at all.

I am planning on calling my surgeon tomorrow but has anyone been through this? Should I go on Clear Liquids for a couple of days to see if that helps? It's just such a weird achy pain.

Thanks- I am having the worst panic over this like my band has slipped or something. Ugh.