New and upset.

Hi, I am new. Home from the hospital yesterday.

I am so hungry, and am terrified I am going to fail at this.

My body aches and air is trying to disappate. (I have had lap surgery b4)

I am just frustrated that I am so hungry and want to eat!!!!! BUT I want to loose this weight and know that if I do eat, I won't loose this weight. But dang, I coulda starved myself without the surgery!!!!

Help!!!!

MelAnne

I just came from my psych eval today and I know how you feel. When the psych asked what my greatest fear over LB surgery was, I said "Failure. I know that most people will not fail, but what if I'm that 1-3 percent?" She said that was quite normal. That is the single greatest fear that everyone has.

So, I guess just hang in there. It will end.

Hi MelAnne, and welcome to LBT! Congratulations on taking this huge step toward a healthier life.

You are in the hardest few days right now, healing from surgery. Don't be afraid to sleep, rest, drink, rest some more, do whatever you can to be good to yourself. In a few days you can move on to full liquids and at that point you can address the hunger. There's lots of things out there to drink that really will fill you up and keep you satisfied, so try to focus on that. Do you have your protein drinks? Your broth? Your popsicles?

I know you're sore and scared, we all are just after surgery. It's a big, scary thing. But you are going to be just fine and before you know it the weight will start to come off and it will all be clear.

Take care of yourself and please keep posting! We all know exactly how you feel.

CONGRATULATIONS AND WELCOME TO BANDLAND!!! :banana

I'm sorry you're having a hard time. I didn't start feeling hungry until about 3 weeks after the surgery. I was fine with liquids. I was very hungry the last few weeks before my first fill, but seem to be doing better today. You say you were banded before? Did you have a problem with the first band?

No, this is my first and hopefully only band.

I am tired of SF popcicles and SF jello.

I am sooo hungry.

Surely I am not the only one that came home and ready to eat.

I had three bites of SF pudding and three bites of KFC mashed potatos today. I feel like I screwed everything up and have already cheated myself out of this.

My DH (darling husband) ran to the store and bought me low fat cheese and low sodium turkey. He doesn't want me hungry and depressed.

Someone tell me what to do?!

Do I give in, and eat something or continue to (try) do the liquid thing?

-MelAnne

Keep sipping your liquids! Don't move to solid food yet!!! I know you are hungry now but I promise you won't stay hungry. It will get better, and your soreness will go away. Just hang in there, we are here for you. Treat yourself to a little sugar free ice cream, or a fudgesicle. Make your hubby rub your feet. Pamper yourself and try to get your mind off of the hunger and soreness.

MelAnne, really do try to stay on liquids for at least a week. It's really important to keep your stomach from working while you're healing; solid foods will churn the muscles that should be stable and still while the band is healing into place. Don't test it, please.

Explore the world of soup! You're not on a diet so don't worry about calories at this point. Go ahead and take in whatever you need that is liquid that will help you feel satisfied. Stay away from cheese and turkey at this point; stick to protein shakes and soups without chunks.

You will be thankful that you gave your stomach this time to heal properly. Follow your doctor's instructions and you'll be just fine!!

Don't eat solid food! It isn't worth risking it. I came home hungry also. Fill up with warm cider, or tea. Splurge and get a manicure, a massage, walk around at a mall, or take a shower...ANYTHING to get your mind off your hunger! Go out to a chinese restaurant and order wonton soup, but only eat the broth. You'll feel like you are having a meal being waited on.
Hang on!

Let your stomach heal...eating solids would only disturb this process!

Like the others have said...soups (bean n bacon w/liquid and purreed), watery cream of wheat, protein drinks. Don't let yourself get to the point you are starving.

Don't count calories, at this point. Just let yourself heal, rest, and drink plenty of water.

Hugs! Good luck, Shawn

It's been a couple of days for you now. Are doing any better? You should be off clear liquids and sipping substantial liquids by now, shouldn't you? If you have a blender, puree some soup. You might need to thin it with milk (protein) or chicken soup, but if you get slightly thicker (and warmer) liquids in your tummy you might feel a little better. Now is the time for you to heal. Don't be tempted to put more solid food in there yet.

Good luck, and keep posting.

I found V8 and tomato juice to really help with the hungries. You HAVE to heal first, before even think about losing weight. Protein shakes help. Put some soup in a blender and get out all the chucks and drink it all, if you have to. I also did refried beans in a blender, watered down and chunks removed.

You won't fail if you follow the rules! Don't do the cheese and turkey yet! You will have PLENTY of time to eat that. But HEAL first! You don't want to go in for another surgery to remove the band...

Sounds to me like your inner child is throwing a tantrum. *grins* Just tell it "No" and teach it to become more trusting and patient. You are the adult and you know what's best for you and that screaming child inside. We all know what happens when we give in and let the child win by using such behavior against us, dont we? They become spoiled and uncontrollable. It's time for tough love. It's time for you to take charge and stop letting the fears and wants of your inner child control you.

There are plenty of liquids you can have that will fill you up. And, like Alex said, you don't need to worry about dieting right now so drink as often as you need to. Getting the Lap Band was a very adult decision you made. And I have a feeling that you made that decision in order to regain some control. That change won't be easy for that inner child, I'm sure that fear and rebellion rose up in most of us at some point on our weight loss journeys. But it will benefit you in the long run, so stand firm and carry on with what you started - Reclaiming your life!

Thank you for the encouraging words of wisdom!

I have continued to walk walk walk. (walked thru WalMart today and was rewarded with a run to the RR as I had my BM finally!!!) Eww Grooosss SORRY!!!!

Had lunch at a mexican resturant, kids had chicken fajitas, my mom had beef fajitas, and I had a few sips of the broth on the bean soup.

I am whipped, and back in my recliner!!!

Scales at WalMart weighted me in at 137, so there is another scale setting me at a 13 pound loss since Monday morning surgery.

I am sure it is temporary, as I will surely stall out here soon, if not tomorrow. But I am going to rejoice in it until then.

Looking forward to mushies in another week. Already planning out what I want! So one more week of liquids and I can move onward!

Thank you again, I know I am a 37 yr old adult throwing a tantrum. I also know I waited two years to have this surgery, and wanted the RNY, feel like I settled for the Lap Band, and now terrified it will not work. And, I am out all this money!

Life is good, I have today, I can work this, and if it or I fail. Start over from there.

Otherwise, the head crazies are going to make me NUTZ (ok, MORE nutz)

Here I am to throw a wrench in what everyone has said. When I came home I was on mushies right away. I too was hungry because I was afraid to eat. My doc told me that anything I ate had to go into the blender. I say follow what your doc says, but I would call and tell your doc your dilema. The doc may ok you to try mushies, but I wouldn't do it unless ok'd by your doc. Till then a lot of people have made some great suggestions.
Good luck to you and hang in there it will not be forever.
Hugs

I just got home on Monday from being banded, I lost another 8lbs in just five days, I know what you are saying about the hunger but listen to those that have gone before us, they are the guides and all will be ok.........