My 2 Week Update

[dietpeach 0]

I also posted this on the Pos-Op board, but I thought I should share it with my December friends, too. :biggrin:

It's been two weeks since my surgery, and I have updates. I lost 20 pounds on my 2 week pre-op diet, and since then I've lost 14 pounds more. I've been absolutely fanatical about following all the rules of each stage of the diet. I want to succeed, and I especially don't want complications (slips, erosions, etc.) I know sometimes that's unavoidable, but at least I won't have any guilt if it happens.

liquid Phase: After reading on these boards that many people gain weight before their first fill, I was deeply concerned that I would lose my progress. So on my liquid phase, after the first few days where I could only get down broth and tea, I stuck pretty much to my pre-op diet, not eating the vegetables of course, but adding in more Protein Shakes, for a total of 800-1200 calories a day. I did not drink diluted juice even though it was "permitted," sticking instead to Protein shakes and, two times, fat-free milk.

Mushy Phase: I knew from reading these boards that a major pitfall for many bandsters is the mushy phase. Being that we're hungry and mushies go down easily, the calories can easily add up - many people understandably gain weight during this stage. I didn't want that to happen, so I was afraid to move forward to mushies - but I knew I should leave the liquid diet behind already. I was trying to solve the problem, when I decided that I could do mushies but I would have to keep track of what I was eating and how much. So, I joined Weight Watchers.

Diets never worked for me for very long in the past, but I figured the 3.5 week liquid diet should have shrunk my stomach a bit, and knowing I have a fill coming makes it mentally easier to hang on and not go off plan. Before surgery I didn't think I'd care if I gained a little before my fills, but now I do. I've lost 34 pounds in 4 weeks, and I just don't want to go back.

I've been sticking like glue to the plan. I weigh and measure everything before I put it in the food prcessor, and I track it online as soon as I've eaten it. I eat mostly low point foods, but I've also splurged on higher point items - did you know you can process french fries? To make them mushy I mixed in some Soup, which I also have to count points for, but they still tasted like french fries, and were worth every point LOL! I've also pureed pizza with a little extra sauce - it doesn't taste like pizza by the time you add the sauce in, but it was fun. Mostly, though, I stick to low point foods: sugarfree pudding, fatfree yogurt, scrambled egg whites with fatfree salsa (pureed), boiled vegetables (pureed), unsweetened applesauce, etc. I also eat whatever my family is having for supper, measured out and pureed. All in all, I've lost 14 pounds since surgery.

Anyway, that's where I'm holding now. I have my first fill next month, and I'm terrified. I hope it won't be too painful! Anyway, that's the update. Good luck to everyone on this journey!

Edited December 19, 2008 by dietpeach

[dietpeach 0]

Well, I hope my story has been helpful to somebody. I was hoping it would be.

Does anyone else have an update? I know Pete was banded the same day as I was. I hope you're all hanging in there. It's getting tough, but I'm trying my best.

[bethm 0]

It helps alot dietpeach :tongue:

I was banded Dec 11th. I've been allowed basically my preop diet from day 3 (basically Protein shakes, Water, broth, sf Jello, sf popsicles) and also allowed cream of wheat and oatmeal (skipping those. yech) and pureed Soups (had pureed french onion today and yesterday had pureed fish chowder). Sticking mostly to lots and lots of Water which I seem able to chug.. well not chug but drink like I normally did..

I lost 17 preop and 12 post op so far.

Emotionally I am still rollercoasting like crazy. I read all these negative stories on here and I need to stop. I know the stats for slippage, erosion, re-surgery to fix are relatively low. All I know is I really really don't want to go through surgery again for a very long long time if not never again.

I'm a big baby and the port incision site is sore and looks like it sits on top of a bowling ball all swollen. I know that's normal but it's still a little disconcerting for me to see.

I am proud of myself though for doing this. I know I needed to do something. I want to do what I can to avoid vomiting and PB and all the other things that I don't really want to accept as a normal every day occurance that it seems to be on these forums :tongue_smilie:

I am happy and excited about my future as a thinner, healthier person. I deserve this.. it was my christmas present to myself. I want to be around for a long long time.

Sorry if this is rambling. it's late and I'm tired *yawn*

How are all the other Decembers doing?

[Florida Pete 1]

Hiya DietPeach!

Congrats on your loss! That is just great!

Well my first two weeks has gone very well. On the pre-op diet I lost 23 lbs. Since banded I have lost another 19 lbs. I am following the diet very closely and out walking every single day. I am in the mushy phase now and very happy to be in this phase after 2 weeks of liquids. I push forward every day looking forward to the day when I have lost the weight and feel really good about myself. The great part is that I have already had several people at work notice that I have been losing weight. Many of them tell me that can see it in my face. It's certainly a great feeling to be getting the good comments but by no means does it mean that I slow down one bit at pushing forward with my weight loss program. To many times have I delayed this. To many times have I allowed myself to just do what I want. Now is the time to make this happen and become the man I once was. Thin and healthy!

So the first two weeks down with much success and many more ahead to continue the hard work and dedication for a better life!!

[dietpeach 0]

Pete, you've been a great inspiration to me all along. I feel in many ways you're the driving force for the December bandsters! You're doing amazing, and please keep it up because I'm drawing strength and inspiration from you.

Beth, I hear you about not ever, ever wanting another surgery! Those nightmare complication stories scare me, but I also feel bad when I read about people who had surgery and within a few hours were on their way home, not in pain, I really suffered post-op. I was in tremendous pain, and I'm left to wonder what's wrong with me that I suffered more. Well, it's behind us now - I hope we both never need more surgery! Keep up the great work.

As for me, the swelling of my stomach must be going down, because I'm getting so much hungrier, I think I'm in bandster hell now. There's not much I can do about it but try to fill up on veggies and add in exercise. I started exercising last night, and it felt great. Hopefully it will help.