Red

Hi guys, I'm day 4 on solids and I'm worrying if I am going to over eat because I have no restriction yet. I can eay anything and don't have any issues. I've been eating healthy, just too much, I think. I have a protein drink for breakfast to get a big dose of protein to start my day, then for lunch I had a small scoop of non-fat cottege cheese with 2 of those Krab sticks (fish made to look like crab), and for dinner I had a small spinach salad, cooked spinach and turkey chili. However, I had a bowl of chili, not a "cup" of chili. I also had some almonds during the day for snack and a couple of low fat mozarella string cheese sticks. I felt comfortable, but not stuffed. I doubt that I'm going to be able to keep off that 11 pounds I lost during the 21 days post surgery. But with no restriction, I just don't feel like I can eat a cup of food total per meal and not feel like I'm starving. Advice? Red

During the first week after surgery, my heating pad was my best friend. It really helped with the pain of the incisions and walking helped the gas. Give it time AimmeJo. You have had major surgery and it will take time to heal. You are going to get pains but over time, they will go away. I am day 23 and the only pain I have is an occaisonal pain at the port site. Since I am new to solid foods, I get some gas after eating which I really feel under my breasts, if that makes any sense. But I take a Gas X gel cap and it goes away almost immediately. Wearing a bra still bugs me too, so I take it off when at home. I still get tired so I know I have a little bit longer to be 100%, but I'm getting there and you will too! Red

I confess I actually love to be put under! It happens so fast and then you wake up in your room. Talk about total relaxation! Don't worry, you will be in excellent hands at the OCC! Red

Thanks Chloe, I had a tuna salad cup (good, 80 cals, Starkist) for lunch and then I had a dinner of grilled chicken strips, spinach salad and string beans. Everything went down so easily so I know I'm going to have to be super careful so I don't over eat. Thankfully next week I will be able to start swimming again for some exercise. I really need to have restriction so I'm longing to get my first fill! Red

Special K makes the bottled water but they also make a powder that you put in your own water. That's what I prefer. No prob, I can always get you some, just say the word!

Willi...I just crack up everytime I look at your avatar! So funny!

I was banded July 21st. Never saw a mask! Red

Jen, if you PM me your address, I would be more than happy to mail you some! Red

Check this link out! I like it cuz it has explanations and videos... http://askthetrainer.com/toning-triceps.html Red

I'm doing great! I got really tired of the liquid diet, to be perfectly honest. I did fine on it, but I felt hungry. I'm hoping some solids today will fill me up. No, I wasn't in the bathroom all the time, so I don't think you have to worry about that, but then, everyone is different. One thing I discovered in my liquid diet phase was those Special K protein powder packets you pour into your water. They come in pink lemonade and tea flavors, among others. They are very tasty and help you get in all that water you are supposed to drink! I also liked the Activia drinkable yogurt and the Dannon light and fit. I admit that I ate a couple of semi-skim mozzarella cheese sticks and some chili last night, so I think I officially started my solids 1 night early! Gosh did that ever taste good, but I had digestive issues in the night. Oops. But I'm down 11 pounds and feeling like a million bucks! Not to worry DixyChixy! All will be well! Good luck! Red

Let the countdown begin! By this time tomorrow you will probably have on the gown and the paper "Victoria's Secret" undies! Enjoy, relax and report back when you can! Red

benjigirl, I hope you can see from these postings that your emotions are the same felt by many that have the band. I am in that place of not having a fill yet and I don't have any restriction. I'm hungry. I think about cheese burgers and fries daily. I play head games with myself and think "well, I don't really have any restriction yet, so I can probably eat a few bites of cheese burger without it getting stuck" but then I remind myself that I paid this money for this band because I was miserable being fat. So I won the argument, but I do have it daily. So you aren't alone! It is a battle but one we will ultimately win. I'm confident about that! Hang in there! Red

Oh Sabrina...I am so sorry to hear that. From what I have seen in your postings, you are a strong woman and your head is on straight! I wish you all the best. You are a real inspiration to me. Red

Congratulations BmeAgain! :lb21: Today is day 22 for me and I can start eating regular solid food. I'm down 11 pounds as of this morning and pretty excited about that. I hear that the time between eating solids and getting the first fill is the hardest because there isn't that feeling of restriction yet and some people gain the weight back they lost in the first 21 days. I hope that is not the case for me. You will be going through some discomfort and if you are like me, you will get tired easily. I found that I could only do so much and then I had to go lay down and rest. I didn't push myself. I walked when I got those gas pains and that helped a lot. You will feel better each day so hang in there and just let yourself heal. The only discomfort I have at day 22 is the occasional pain at the port site. It is still pretty tender but I can sleep on either side or even on my stomach if I want, without it hurting. Take care! Red

Denise, I love when people post new pictures. It just is soooooo inspiring. You look wonderful!! Red

Hey Chloe! Glad to hear you are dealing nicely with everything. I'm on day 21 today! Yew Hew! I can eat food tomorrrow! I have found that the port pain lasted longer than anything. Bending forward would really aggravate it or sitting in a car for any length of time was bothersome too. But today all pain is pretty much gone with just a little tenderness at the port site. I hear that takes awhile to go away completely. You know, I think of myself as a food addict too. I miss cheeseburgers and bread, pasta, bad carbs mostly. And I didn't eat those things all the time, but when I did, it was in very unrealistic portions compared to what other people ate. Eating that kind of stuff really filled some kind of weird void in myself that was such a comfort. I don't know what it was, really. Once I get restriction after a fill or two, I don't think I will give those foods a lot of thought because I will feel more full than I do now. I think the challenge for me will be to get through the time between tomorrow, solid food, and my first fill without over eating. You sound like you are on the right track and have good support from your family and that is going to help you to succeed. You keep up the good work and good luck in San Diego! Your great attitude is going to make you successful on this journey! Red

Beautiful picture, Maggie!

CHLOE!!! How are you feeling, kiddo?? Let us know and take care... Red

I will never call an egg EVIL, no matter what it will do to me. I LOVE eggs! I realize now that I will just have to try the foods and see what happens, but I'm terrified of the pain you guys say occurs when something gets stuck. Maybe I can be that ONE bandster that will never get stuck and never PB!! (uh huh, sure). Well, I'm down 9 lbs. I need to increase my walking now that I'm going on to solids, because I don't want to gain those pounds back. I'm also going to make my fill appointment with the OCC for a couple of weeks from now so I have something to look forward to! Love ya guys! :lb13:

Hi Tiffany, My heart goes out to you! I am on day 18 so 3 more days of liquids and then I can put some real food in my mouth! It is an amazing revelation, isn't it, to find out that food filled this huge emotional void in our lives. It is normal to feel all of these emotions...you've just lost your best friend as you knew it. I miss my binges too, but I'm trying to look at the big picture. I wasn't happy being obese. I don't care how comforting the food was. It can't make you happy in the long run, only more miserable as the pounds pack on. So just tell yourself that you are in the very early stages of your journey....things are going to get better. Force yourself to get out of the house. You will only sit there thinking about food. Go for a drive, or go to the store and look at all the clothes you are going to be able to wear that you can't now. I always suggest going and looking at before and after videos on YouTube so you see what a great thing you have done for yourself. You will be inspired! And it isn't as though you can never eat again. You will just be eating less and feeling satisfied. Hang in there! This forum will be there to support you. Best of luck... Red

I contacted OCC prior to my surgery because I too have medication for hypothyroidism that I can't miss and Celexa which they put me on when I became menopausel (what a life saver!). I was told I did not have to stop taking them and I've just been taking them as I always have. They are both about the size of an aspirin so the doctor said that was fine. I don't crush them. Everything goes down really easy as I don't have any restriction yet. Always a good idea to email or call the OCC for direction. They are great about getting right back to you.

Gosh, I don't know why I keep pushing the wrong button before I even say anything so sorry for doubling my post! #-o Congratulations Chloe! You will feel good with those pain meds the wonderful Carmen pumped into you before you left the OCC, ha ha! But remind yourself that you have had surgery and you must let your body heal. Don't push yourself. If you get tired, rest. I rested a lot for the first week and I'm glad I did. My body was always reminding me that it needed it. The first few days are the roughest, but not really so bad. You will get some sharp pains in your abdomen on occassion, but if you walk, they go away pretty fast. Be sure you stay hydrated and drink your liquids religously. You will het hungry (at least I know I did), but before long you can move on to the liquid yogurt and cream soup, and then it is much easier. Let us know if you have questions and take good care of yourself!! Red

I meant "hungry", not hungary!!