kellygirl

Hi! You're not crazy! You were just in a comfort zone, and now you're in a different place and need to re-establish new boundaries. One thing I would say: you may not lose much until after you get your first fill or two. The initial restriction after surgery is primarily from swelling in the area. As the area heals, the "restriction" is less as the swelling goes away.....sometimes getting to the point of almost being able to eat the volume of prebanding before the first fill. The Dr. / support group that I belong to tell us that the time between the initial surgery and the first fill (around 6 weeks) should be a time to focus on healiing and to get accustomed to the habits that the band requires (chew, chew, chew; sip,sip, sip; protein first before other foods; no water 1/2 hour before, during and to one hour after meals, etc.). Actual weight loss during this time may be minimal, but it is a valuable time to heal (so getting 60-70 grams of protein per day is very important) and to develop the habits and mentality that will go a long way to success with your band. I was banded about one week before you (3/16). I am scheduled for my first fill on 4/27. I have tried to be somewhat limited on the solids that I've introduced since then: chicken, tuna, a little ground beef, cheese, cottage cheese. I have a protein drink for one meal per day (very low carb). I don't eat anything else until I've had my protein for that particular meal (which means, often I don't eat anything else because the protein has filled me up). If there's any room left after protein, I eat a small amount of "legal" vegie or fruit. I do allow myself 1/2 C. of SF, LF ice cream a couple times a week. I haven't had any bread, pasta, etc. since my banding. But, I really haven't missed it. That's not to say that someday I may try some breads, but for now, I'm really trying to stick to the proteins and make sure I get everything, inside and out, healed really well. I wish you well! Kelly

Thanks, Pamela! things have been going really well. I go for my first fill on 4/27. So far, I'm down 17.5 lbs. since surgery on 3/16, and I"m thrilled. It's nice to be back on solids. I can hardly wait for my fill!!! Take care! Kelly

OK: I was just trying to post, and it disappeared, so I'll try again! :-) Here's my 2 cents worth: My Dr. is adamant that his bansters get 60 - 70 grams of protein per day, with no more than 30 gms at one sitting. His "rule" is that protein is ALWAYS the first thing eaten, then, if there's enough room, "legal" vegies, followed by fruit. I was banded on 3/16, and I'm set to have my first fill on 4/27. I cannot eat anywhere near the volume of food that I did before surgery. In talking with a lot of people at our support group over the past few months, most of the people who have significantly slowed or stopped losing weight are 1: not getting in their 60 - 70 gms of protein and / or are eating carbs (especially simple carbs) instead. I happen to be particularly sensitive to simple carbs......when I eat them, the weight just piles on.............probably how I ended up at 265 lbs! :-) Even though I haven't had a fill yet, when I eat by his rules, I'm satisfied, and I'm losing weight. I was 255 on the day of surgery, and I was 237.5 today. A typical day for me: breakfast: Amplify protein shake (20 gms protein) with 1-2 T. wheat germ and ground flax seed......total ~25 Gms protein Lunch: 2-3 oz. chicken or tuna w/ FF may and maybe 1 oz. of cheese (18 - 25 gms protein) snack: a glass of 1% milk or 1/4 C. of almonds chewed really well (~8 gms. protein) dinner: 2-3 oz. meat or poultry or fish and small amount "legal" vegie (18 - 25 gms protein) snack: 1/2 C. SF/LF ice cream I am very rarely truly hungry, which is great! So, if you're slowing or have stopped losing, you might consider trying the above "rules" for 4-7 days and see if it helps get you moving again. I hope this is helpful! Good luck! Kelly

I really like the Amplify Chocolate Mint (bought at GNC) and the Isopure Fruit Punch and Grape (also at GNC). For me, having them really cold is definitely best. Also, I bought a "Blender Bottle" at GNC which is great for mixing protein powders. It will hold up to 20 oz. and has a stainless stell "ball" (open like a wire whisk) inside that really gets everything well mixed when I shake it. The lid closes very tightly and is also easy to drink out of. In my opinion, it's the "Cadillac" of mixer bottles! Good luck! Kelly

Hi, Everyone! I've been lurking for a short while. I just got "banded" yesterday. The worst discomfort for me is from the CO2 that was used to expand my abdomen during surgery. My upper back (around my shoulder blades), my collar bones, and my upper chest are really uncomfortable. Did anyone else have this discomfort? If so, how long did it last? I can safely say that today, clear liquids are barely appealing, and NOTHING solid even begins to look good! I appreciate the information I've gotten from this forum. Thanks! Kelly in the KC area