Depress

sewenup1 · January 20, 2008

i am going crazy missing food and see people eating and i cna't. also pain in my shouilder is that normal?

The reason most of us have been banded is because we couldn't or wouldn't control our eating - the band is there to help us eat less and to feel full. The trick is that we have to make the decision to change our lifestyle or we have wasted all our time and money. The pain in your shoulder is due to the gas used in the op. Try drinking some peppermint tea every day and in the meantime use some soluble pain killers.

I don't want to sound unsympathetic, but you have to work with the band it is only a tool and as my Dr said, until I try something I don't know if I will be able to eat it or not.

Danna

Twilight · January 20, 2008

Utah,

Your doc and/or team should have given you some guidelines to follow for the first 4-6 weeks post op. I know that my guidelines were for about 6 weeks total. There seem to be about as many guides as there are banding patients out there. If you have doubts about what you can/can't eat, try there first.

My first two weeks were hell. I was angry A LOT! My husband would chew too loudly and I'd be upset. My son put too much food in his mouth and I growled. I got angry if I thought they were eating their food and not enjoying it enough. After all, I would be super grateful to eat it. I would LOVE it. I would savor every single bite. How could they be so ungrateful and greedy. So YES, I understand the frustration.

But now I am 6 weeks out and eating just about anything I want. There are a few exceptions but it is mostly back to normal. I'm working on making better choices.

Something that helped me when I was struggling... I would cook dinner and then find something else to do. I did the dishes. I did some laundry. I called a friend. I painted my nails. Anything that I could that would keep me away from the frustration that dinner was. It may be worth a try.

Have you tried writing about it? What you write down may give you more insight into what the root of your frustration is.

I hope this is getting better for you. When you originally posted I felt your pain. Keep posting and keep in touch. We will worry about you.