Struggling 2 weeks Post-op/ Advice please?

[vsg4vfc 7]

Hi This is my first time posting in this forum so I'm a bit nervous but I really need help.

I am 2.5 weeks post op. In the first week I lost weight fast (357->350). During the first half of week 2 my weight loss slowed a lot (350->347). Now I'm stuck and even gaining back a little and I'm terrified because it feels way too early for me to be feeling like this.

I am currently on the soft food stage which I have done for the most part minus boiled chicken which I try to chew more. However in the last 3 days I've hit a big obstacle. I'm falling back into my old habits. It's summer and for a college student like me that means hanging out with friends which means eating all the time. I still eat much less than I used to but still more than I should be able to handle after surgery.

The last 3 days have been extremely hectic socially and I ended up forgetting to measure my food and count my calories and I did NOT chew properly. I'm eating much faster than normal and more than the 8oz I should be holding. I'm scared because I'm not feeling anything other than being full earlier. Otherwise: no choking, clogging, coughing, vomiting feelings, etc. I'm scared I may have stretched out my stomach or the band. The other REALLY bad thing I have been doing is chugging Water. It's over 110 degrees where I live and every chance I get I'm chugging Water. Including right before meals. I've just been too thirsty to sip the water and during the meals the food just makes me thirsty and I eventually gave into eating and drinking. In terms of actual food I'm eating probably 10-16 oz per meal + 1-2 glasses of water. And like I said, no extreme fullness at all. I don't think I've even been chewing them properly enough.

My doctor is out of town and I need help. Any tips on surviving heat and social activities without ruining my diet? And if I go back to the instructions will I be ok or is my band/stomach permanently stretched

[bambam31 168]

Very very very common.... Focus on healing... You may be many fills from sufficient restriction and the real fat loss period may be months away... Focus on fundamentals right now and increasing activity and exercise levels as soon as your doc releases you too... The Water intake is great... Keep it up... Don't get frustrated. When the surgery swelling subsides the hunger comes screaming back and it will take shear will power to remain in a calorie deficit... Long term success requires lifestyle change and now is a good time to commit to that!

Brad

[Judy Robinette 51]

don't worry I agree with Brad, very common! I am 2 weeks 2 days post surgery. I have begun to add small solids to my diet, but I have to chew them till mushy. With that being said, I am seeing that because I take so long to chew, it takes longer to eat, thus makes me not hungry fast! It is still very early for both you and I, don't be afraid to ask questions, everyone on here is very nice and lots of advice to offer. I have had a few outing with friends and at friends houses, and what I do to keep me from eating is I get up and walk around, I drink lots of Water, and engage in conversation. Changing your diet is one thing, but changing how you do things will also make a huge difference. I haven't lost any weight for days now, but I am loosing inches. It will be about the same until you get your fills and find out where your restriction level is. Keep up the good work and hang in there:)

[vsg4vfc 7]

Thank you very much! I know my hunger was very low when I felt any swelling. I know I healed fairly fast and without thinking I swallow more solid foods than I should because I don't chew enough and I don't feel any pain. The last 3-4 days have been so bad and I need to get back on track ASAP. I'm just afraid of feeling hungry again

[deleteme 176]

Thank you very much! I know my hunger was very low when I felt any swelling. I know I healed fairly fast and without thinking I swallow more solid foods than I should because I don't chew enough and I don't feel any pain. The last 3-4 days have been so bad and I need to get back on track ASAP. I'm just afraid of feeling hungry again

Where do you live? I'm in AZ and am 10 days post op now. Try to portion out your meals and add Protein whenever possible.

Sent from my iPad using LapBandTalk

[bambam31 168]

Your band starts out with very little Fluid so as the surgery swelling subsides you lose that restriction. And with that loss the hunger will return with a vengeance. It's best to know what to expect so that you can be confident that its' normal and have a strategy to deal with it. You have to get into the mindset of staying focused and determined. The rewards are soooo worth it.

Brad

[lisamase 52]

I'm almost a month out and had 1 full last week. I'm hungry and made a few bad choices. I even gained 2lbs this week. Feeling pretty bad about it. Felt so good with no appetite first few weeks. I hope to have another fill Friday. I need that no hunger feeling back to assist me, it's hard. Especially socially cause having fun always meant food friends and drinks. I want to be successful... So we just need to get motivated daily and from what I hear, will power and patience

[vsg4vfc 7]

@msapp77: I'm from Northern California but pretty inland. I'm not very used to the weather here cause I used to be much closer to the beach. I can't imagine the heat in AZ! Thank you for the advice

@bambam31: Thank you very much for this info. Knowing that really does make me feel better.

@lisamase: I completely understand. The first week was heaven because I just didn't have an appetite period. I want to be successful to. I think joining this forum and hearing people's stories will definitely help me stay motivated

[lisamase 52]

@msapp77: I'm from Northern California but pretty inland. I'm not very used to the weather here cause I used to be much closer to the beach. I can't imagine the heat in AZ! Thank you for the advice <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

@bambam31: Thank you very much for this info. Knowing that really does make me feel better.

@lisamase: I completely understand. The first week was heaven because I just didn't have an appetite period. I want to be successful to. I think joining this forum and hearing people's stories will definitely help me stay motivated <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

I agree! Helps me daily

[Hopeful.In.NY❤ 20]

I totally can relate. What they neglect to inform us before the surgery is that until you have a fill this really is a diet. I am following all the rules but being hungry is no fun .. I just focus on the weight loss and it helps . But I too get confused with the drinking .. Cause it's hot and I'm very active so if I drink alot it impacts when I can eat.. So in turn I'm not eating enough . I am only 2 and 1/2 weeks out .. First fill isn't till July 23 and nothing in my band at surgery. Hang in there!

[vsg4vfc 7]

It's been tough Especially because I have a friend visiting from my hometown and taking classes with me so we eat lunch together and I want to take her to all the best places in town. And I have to stop it because I am 100% off my diet and it is awful. My breakfasts + dinners have been healthy and on track. I could do a bit better in snacking but its not too bad but my lunches are just going crazy

[vsg4vfc 7]

It's been a while since I've posted. I wish I didn't come here to post whenever I'm feeling discouraged. But if anyone out there is still reading I'm in a bit of trouble again.

My weight started going down. I dropped a few more pounds down to 342 and I was ecstatic! Then my birthday weekend came and since I'm a college girl that meant celebrating it multiple times with multiple groups of people which meant a LOT of good food. I gained a few pounds after that and went back to 344 but what's awful is that now it's been 3-4 days since then and my eating habits are 100% back to normal. I drink less Water with a meal now but other than that I'm eating 4-5 meals a day and I don't feel full at all. I'm eating half healthier foods half awful foods but more than anything I'm eating a LOT of everything.

I have my first fill on Monday but I'm terrified about going in and showing her that I gained weight. Any tips to lower my appetite?

[Mary Ash 16]

It's been a while since I've posted. I wish I didn't come here to post whenever I'm feeling discouraged. But if anyone out there is still reading I'm in a bit of trouble again.

My weight started going down. I dropped a few more pounds down to 342 and I was ecstatic! Then my birthday weekend came and since I'm a college girl that meant celebrating it multiple times with multiple groups of people which meant a LOT of good food. I gained a few pounds after that and went back to 344 but what's awful is that now it's been 3-4 days since then and my eating habits are 100% back to normal. I drink less Water with a meal now but other than that I'm eating 4-5 meals a day and I don't feel full at all. I'm eating half healthier foods half awful foods but more than anything I'm eating a LOT of everything.

I have my first fill on Monday but I'm terrified about going in and showing her that I gained weight. Any tips to lower my appetite?

Hi!!!

I felt the urge to respond to your post because the college stuff was catching my eye. I hate to say this, but I got my band nearly four years ago while away at college and I found it EXTREMELY EXTREMELY difficult. I was living on campus and the food choices on the MANDATORY meal plan were atrocious and the vendors did little to work with me even after scheduling and meeting with managers and their nutritionists many times.

Psychologically it was also hard to deal with because its hard to decide who you want to tell and who you need to tell.

What I'm trying to say is you are going to face a ton of challenges being in the college setting that not everyone with a band is going to understand or foresee ( my surgeon sure didn't as I was the youngest person he has ever banded)

Once you get a fill I think you will have a better handle on the over eating but there is way more to it then that, it's a mind game as well. Please feel free to message or ask me any questions about anything that comes up! I wish I had know someone else in my situation when I was newly banded!!