Pity, party of one.......

[Alli in StL 23]

I just have to get it out to people that understand. My poor husband is trying to be understanding, but he hasn't gone through it, so just doesn't get it, ya know? I am 6 days post op and right now, I just want the band out. It sucks. This whole Clear liquids thing is the worst thing ever. I'm so light headed, even though I'm following all the rules. The drs office told me to stop my blood pressure meds, sip on Protein Shakes all day and it should get me through the next couple days. I'm just so tired of all the same stuff......water, broth, diluted juice, Protein shakes. I can't have the sugar free stuff that I read everyone talking about. At this point, I don't care about restriction, I don't care about fills, I just want to be done with it. I want to lay down in my bed comfortably. I want to hug my kids without hurting. Why did I do this?

-Alli

[brenda62 47]

it gets better quickly, don't give up or regret your band. We all have good days and bad days without the band. Just make sure to push the Protein and go walking it will make you feel better.

[screeden 21]

we all know how you feel. the first 2 weeks are what is called "banders hell". if you knew about it, you wouldn't have gone through with it, not many would have. it will get better. don't do the Clear Liquids crap. that is unhealthy and is not good for you. drink Protein Shakes, eat some jello--i let it melt in my mouth before swallowing. give it time, you had it done for a reason. no one said that it is a simple recovery, it is an adjustment and a new lifestyle. it will get better, i promise. just the first few weeks are sucky once you get on the mushy stage it is so much better. the gas is the worst. try the mylanta gas chewables, walk around, use a heating pad on your shoulder if it is hurting. how long do you have to be on "clear liquids"? some doctors are more strict than others. i was on liquids for one week, and it was not clear liquids. i had Protein shakes, Jello, popcicles, broth with a little Tomato Soup added.

go to www.lapband.com and they have some great recipes for all the stages.

wishing you luck. it does get better.

[cakelly73 28]

I am 11 days post op, and i know exactly how you feel, but IT DOES GET BETTER!! I am finally feeling great, sleeping great, and losing weight. The first 7 days were pure hell. I just took it hour by hour and drank what i had to drink, and walked as much as possible to get rid of the gas pain. I am in the mushy stage now, and that has helped me so much emotionally to know that yes i can eat real food again. You can do it trust me, it is your battle and your battle alone, noone can do it for you. Just think of how great you will start to feel and look! hang in there! good luck!

[helen098 33]

do you have room for one more at your party?

The liquid stage is HELL – all you can do is think about food- I still have to cook for my disabled brother so shopping was HELL. I went to Trader Joes and realized there was nothing in the entire store I could eat and almost ended up crying it felt like a special level in hell for us over eaters

It does get better… I am now three weeks and one day post op and eating real food

I can’t have the sugar free foods (due to the colon cancer) so I am in the same boat…kind of jealous of the people who can eat Jello and pudding

I did eat every night after my dinner shake a regular Italian ice ..it is 100 calories and i would let it melt in my mouth before swallowing

Someone said to use this time to kind of train for the band restrictions

Practice drinking and eventually eating slowly

I am assuming you did this for the same reason I did , it was our only hope

I know it will get better hang in there

[brenda62 47]

do you have room for one more at your party?

The liquid stage is HELL – all you can do is think about food- I still have to cook for my disabled brother so shopping was HELL. I went to Trader Joes and realized there was nothing in the entire store I could eat and almost ended up crying it felt like a special level in hell for us over eaters

It does get better… I am now three weeks and one day post op and eating real food

I can't have the sugar free foods (due to the colon cancer) so I am in the same boat…kind of jealous of the people who can eat Jello and pudding

I did eat every night after my dinner shake a regular Italian ice ..it is 100 calories and i would let it melt in my mouth before swallowing

Someone said to use this time to kind of train for the band restrictions

Practice drinking and eventually eating slowly

I am assuming you did this for the same reason I did , it was our only hope

I know it will get better hang in there

I can't have the sugar free foods (due to the colon cancer) I have never heard this before. I am two years out of bad colon cancer and eat sugar free foods. Just wondering.....

[Alli in StL 23]

Well, the day's not getting any better, that's for sure. I was relaxing, taking my itty bitty sips of Water, when all of the sudden, it happened. My mouth start producing so much saliva and that feeling hits me. Yep.......I "threw up". Seems a bit silly to call it that since nothing actually comes up. It's soooo painful! Once I recovered, I called the drs office again. I have an appointment set up for tomorrow. The dr thinks I need to be unfilled. I didn't even know he'd filled me! I'm so hoping that tomorrow will bring me some relief. I honestly have no interest in having any Fluid in my band until my body is healed and adjusted to this foreign object.

Thanks so much to you guys. I know in my head that it's just Bandster Hell, but that doesn't stop the emotions from going overboard, does it?

Alli

[helen098 33]

I can't have the sugar free foods (due to the colon cancer) I have never heard this before. I am two years out of bad colon cancer and eat sugar free foods. Just wondering.....

since my colon cancer in 2006 i ate very little sugar free foods as i figured why chance it

when i went to nyu they told me that For people that have had any kind of cancer it is not advisable for them to eat any artificial sweeteners at all, they would not let me do the fast 20 program nyu has due to the cancerI asked my oncologist and he agreed no artificial sweeteners of any kind ever as the studies show once you have cancer you have a higher risk of getting another cancer and it seems like they don’t know about the artificial sweeteners.

My onc says it is not worth the risk

[cakelly73 28]

Well, the day's not getting any better, that's for sure. I was relaxing, taking my itty bitty sips of Water, when all of the sudden, it happened. My mouth start producing so much saliva and that feeling hits me. Yep.......I "threw up". Seems a bit silly to call it that since nothing actually comes up. It's soooo painful! Once I recovered, I called the drs office again. I have an appointment set up for tomorrow. The dr thinks I need to be unfilled. I didn't even know he'd filled me! I'm so hoping that tomorrow will bring me some relief. I honestly have no interest in having any Fluid in my band until my body is healed and adjusted to this foreign object.

Thanks so much to you guys. I know in my head that it's just Bandster Hell, but that doesn't stop the emotions from going overboard, does it?

Alli

[cakelly73 28]

Oh wow you are filled already?? I never heard of someone getting filled at time of there surgery? That could be why you feel like crap. You definitely need to get unfilled, your body hasnt even had time to heel. I would question the Dr. as too why he filled you during surgery.

[BaileyRose 13]

I had 2 cc's put in at surgery and had such bad swelling that I couldn't swallow Water either. Once it was taken out I felt some relief. It gets better. Promise :-)

[Thee-O 15]

Oh wow you are filled already?? I never heard of someone getting filled at time of there surgery? That could be why you feel like crap. You definitely need to get unfilled, your body hasnt even had time to heel. I would question the Dr. as too why he filled you during surgery.

From what I understand it is pretty normal to start off with 1 or 2 cc's during your initial surgery.

[StewsHunnyBunny 2]

Oh my goodness.. I hope as soon as your Doc takes some Fluid out you can heal right and be on better terms with your band.

I feel so bad for you. it breaks my heart. No one should have that much hardship with the band..

I will keep you in my prayers.