rachelmom

hi there. so i went back today to the dr. for my second fill after she informed me that the reason i'd be getting that stabbing pain feeling in my chest means those are foods to avoid. so basically my favorite foods are kind of problematic. if i wanted to eat cottage cheese and scrambled eggs, i wouldn't be so fat. it's the mac and cheese and pizza and french fries that have always been my favorite foes. i spoke to my husband on the way home from the dr visit and i'm like, listen, i don't ever want to go back to eating an entire pizza, but i want to be able to enjoy a slice now and then, or eat half a sandwhich now and then.... i mean. i don't want to be depriving myself of my favorite foods forever. i mean, as i told the dr. i ate two small teaspoons of kraft macaronie and cheese, (which i thought would be ok because it is kinda soft and saucey) and those two bites caused horrible pains.... so what am i saying. i guess i'm just confused because i thought the lap band would be a tool to help me manage my caloric intake? i never realized i would be eating completely different foods (although i knew i had to give up my diet coke-gasp, which i was going to have to cope with) so now my band is filled as of today to 1.5 cc. and i'm just wondering if other people eat until they feel full/ satisfied? what is a typical intake for a meal? less than 1 cup? are any of you guys struggling with having to give up some of your favorite foods? i love eating carbs so much!? i guess i'm just kind of down becuase everyone seems so positive, and yea, i'm loosing weight. but when your only eating bitefuls of food and excersing, that's got to happen right? i mean i wish i could say i was eating until i was satisfied but i'm not. i'm eating to avoid horrible pain in my chest--which depending on what it is i'm eating, is a very small ammount. i mean, i won't ever be able to eat a burrito again, big sigh. this is just so hard??! did any of you have any similar experiences in the beginning? does the band adjust over time, so that while i might not be able to eat a bite of sandwhich now, maybe in a few weeks i will? gosh. this post is just a long rant, so i'm sorry. i'm just frustrated and wondering if any of you guys can relate to this place i'm at now?? if so, would LOVE to hear how your are managing??! thanks so much!!! rachel

ok. so how slow are you guys really eating and how little bites are we talking? i think i have been eating "normal" size bites, like a teaspoon at a time and chewing until rather pasty and then swallowing. is that too much or too fast? it seems to be worse when i am trying to eat like pasta in a sauce, or bread, or a piece of chicken? it seems like soft, and wet foods go down rather easily? will i never be able to eat normal foods again? sorry if i sound like i am wallowing a bit, it's just been harder than i imagined it would be. and b.t.w. i'm DYING to drink some diet soda lately.... and today i go back to my doctor and we'll see what she says but i'm going to be honest and tell her i'm hungry pretty much all the time, but that when i eat dry food it all gets stuck and really hurts and after a few mouthfuls i just stop not becuase i am full or satisfied but because i don't want any pain. thanks so much for your support and advice, as a newbie here i can definately say you are all an amazing inspiration, and anyone who thinks the band is an easy-out has no clue just how much vigilance and sacrifice this entire journey requires. may god continue to bless us all on our paths. rachel

hi there. went last week for my first fill 5 weeks after the surgey back at the end of january.--followed doctors advice, but am having a VERY hard time eating solid foods after my first fill. i eat it. i chew it. i swallow it. and then in like 5 minutes the first waves of pain come. sometimes enought to make me want to vomit it up just to stop the pain. b.t.w. we are talking about tablespoons of food here, not big quanities at all..... i'm so frustrated and upset. if i would have known i wouldn't be able to enjoy food at all, i might not have done this. the first fill was 1.3 and she recommened i make an appointment for a second fill in two weeks which is this friday. i don't know what to do because i don't want the band to be loosened as after surgery and before fill-i.e. when no restriction i could eat whatever i wanted and was gaining weight (!), so i'm scared because i DO want to loose weight, i just don't know if this is normal? does anyone have any expereience with this or any advice? i haven't called the dr. b.c. i keep thinking i just have to get used to it and i keep thinking it will get easier, but it's not. any help would be SO appreciated!!! thanks in advance, rachel