Learned the HARD Way

[LuvU 13]

So today, I stopped by McDonalds to get my daughter something to eat. I was banded on July 3rd and have been having my doubts about the surgery. Doubts began when I couldn't imagine the "gas" pain ever going away. And today, up until my bad experience. Since my surgery a week and a half ago, I have lost 10-13 pounds, it fluctuates. I get discouraged because in my mind, I should be losing a pound a day (due to the low amount of calories I eat a day)but that is not happening. I felt like the surgery wasn't working. The gas pains have subsided and I feel basically 100%. So...I tried to eat not one but TWO of my daughters chicken McNuggets, quickly may I add. And guess what happened. I proved myself WRONG. The surgery HAS worked. I threw the nuggets up IMMEDIATELY! Needless to say, I am now a believer again and will be back on my post surgery diet ASAP! :wub: For all of you who have been recently banded, I have experimented for you and have tested the boundaries. DO NOT EAT ANYTHING OTHER THAN WHAT YOU ARE INSTRUCTED TO EAT! I guess the weight will come off once my body has healed?

[leighw 12]

McDonalds chicken nuggets are evil...lol....I tried one today and my band did NOT like it. Lesson learned indeed!

[DetChatt 188]

You all want to be careful. Experimenting early on is not a good thing. You'll be healing for quite a while, and you don't want to do damage to your band. Hang in there. You'll see results soon!

[lellow 1,713]

I don't even like Maccas nuggets anymore. They taste like cardboard.

Now that I can only eat a little bit of food, I want it to taste AMAZING, so I don't waste the little space I have on food I don't like.

When you're off your post-op have a think about that: food that tastes good and is full of texture and succulence isn't going to be MacDonald's! In my experience, great tasting food is actually healthy, whole foods that are good for you!

[dylanmiles23 2,198]

I am sorry to hear you got sick but the doctors do know best. My worst cheat was after a fill I had mushies the night before I was allowed to. I ate meatballs. Never after 'major' surgery do you f' around. Your body needs to heal properly.

[leighw 12]

I very much agree... I actually am well into normal foods stage and just wanted to try a nugget for old times sake....so did not enjoy it and will not be eating McDonalds any time soon.

[gowalking 10,790]

So today, I stopped by McDonalds to get my daughter something to eat. I was banded on July 3rd and have been having my doubts about the surgery. Doubts began when I couldn't imagine the "gas" pain ever going away. And today, up until my bad experience. Since my surgery a week and a half ago, I have lost 10-13 pounds, it fluctuates. I get discouraged because in my mind, I should be losing a pound a day (due to the low amount of calories I eat a day)but that is not happening. I felt like the surgery wasn't working. The gas pains have subsided and I feel basically 100%. So...I tried to eat not one but TWO of my daughters chicken McNuggets, quickly may I add. And guess what happened. I proved myself WRONG. The surgery HAS worked. I threw the nuggets up IMMEDIATELY! Needless to say, I am now a believer again and will be back on my post surgery diet ASAP! :wub: For all of you who have been recently banded, I have experimented for you and have tested the boundaries. DO NOT EAT ANYTHING OTHER THAN WHAT YOU ARE INSTRUCTED TO EAT! I guess the weight will come off once my body has healed?

Can I make a suggestion? Don't weigh yourself. It sounds like you are focused too much on the number and get disappointed when you don't hit what is basically an unrealistic goal. Even bandsters who do amazingly well do not lose a pound a day. The average is 1-2 lbs. a week. Remember...you didn't gain it overnight, and you won't lose it overnight either. Plus you are still healing as you note and you will absolutely fluctuate for some time until your body starts to regulate and your band starts to kick in.

As you saw today, your band is working. Don't test it or you'll open yourself up for problems that make not losing any weight seem like a walk in the park.

As so many successful bandsters on this site say, the band is a tool and you must work with it, it won't do the work for you'.

Good luck on your journey!

[lellow 1,713]

Also just to add, not just to the OP but in general, the day you got your band should have been the day you committed to changing the way you eat. I understand temptation as much as the next person because I still struggle with it everyday, but this is a life changing event, so take it seriously and don't 'test' it, because you may in fact do damage to yourself.

[LuvU 13]

Thank-you everyone for your words of encouragement. Yes, I did sign on to change my eating habits for life. "Gowalking" was right on. I need to stop weighing myself and have more realistic goals. I kind of relapsed and took on the habits I had while dieting "before" surgery. A way of life that created the weight gain in the first place. I will now focus on eating healthy and not the number on the scale. Believe me, I have learned my lesson and will never do it again. I do not want to end up in the hospital or cause a harm to my body!

[hoover123 48]

I don't even like Maccas nuggets anymore. They taste like cardboard.

Now that I can only eat a little bit of food, I want it to taste AMAZING, so I don't waste the little space I have on food I don't like.

When you're off your post-op have a think about that: food that tastes good and is full of texture and succulence isn't going to be MacDonald's! In my experience, great tasting food is actually healthy, whole foods that are good for you!

Hi...i was just going through some chats and i came across yours...do you mind me asking what is a belt lipectomy and some other surgeries you had. Are they due to a your weight loss? I had started over May 1 with my sleeve after a long battle of 3 yrs with band. Had the band out and opted for the sleeve. I know for sure once i hit my goal i will need my tummy done. I have had 3 c sections so my tummy is really stretched and with weight gain...i am just curious about the surgeries and what they endure..thank you....

[lellow 1,713]

Hi Hoover,

Happy to help with any questions you have. I'll PM you instead so as to not go off tangent on this thread.

[tigers1998 35]

LOL. I love hearing stories like this. Lets me know I am not the only one making mistakes. I just got banded on the 10th of July. I have only been off the pain pump two days. I felt good so I decided I would go for a walk. Well that walk turned into a drive across town. I figured I would go get some ice cream from the store. Well half way through my "walk of freedom", my stomach started to hurt and then I started sweating. Apparently, I wasn't as healed as I thought. LOL! Needless to say I am still sore as we speak. As far as food is concerned: I learned that small portions mean SMALL portions. Three scoops of mashed potatoes does not a small portion make. There is not position comfortable enough to deal with a full stomach after lap band. And burping is no joking matter right now as well. Lessons learned.

[2muchfun 8,927]

FYI- at the very most, you can lose about .25-.5 lbs of "FAT" a day if you consume 1000/cal and work out very hard for one hour. Good you learned quickly and 13 lbs is very good.

[Alivami@12 46]

Your story reminded me of a family friend who had gastric bypass in the late 70's. I remember bumping into to him at mc Donald's & he told us he couldn't make it past 2 chicken nuggets. He's since passed & my mom & I always remember the 2 nugget rule. Just start over. Good luck