Please don't yell, i just need some help

Why that is great and inspirational. Thanks

One thing to remember is that most doctors do a "primer fill" with lap-band, but Realize, does not recommend that, so you are empty until your first fill.  My doctor has a couple of people who have gone as long as 9 months without any fluid at all and lost successfully.  I got my first fill at 3 months and my second at 9 months.

Measure your food by volume...half a cup to a cup, no more per meal.
Log your food daily...this will tell you exactly how many calories you are consuming.
Dense protein will help you to lose, sliders will cause you to gain.
You won't feel restriction unless you eat too much, feeling full isn't the same as pre-band.

Good luck Tina! 

 What kind of food are you eating?  I think 3 weeks out I was still on Mushies.  many people gain a bit going from liquids to mushie/soft diet.  Try to stay to lower cal/higher protein foods such as greek yogurt, fatfree refried beans, egg/chicken/tuna salad.    Measure and stop when satisfied not FULL.  As you move into soft food you should be able to cut them with a fork.  I was told to aim for 60-80 grams of protein a day.  Drink in between meals (not with or after) 64 oz a day..at least.

Do you have any specific questions?

I highly recommend Jean's book Bandwagon, if you don't already have it.

For breakfast i am eating greek or low fat yogurt, carnation breakfast drink or slimfast. Then for lunch i am eating tuna/tuna salad, chicken breast, pickle wraps and then for dinner I am doing lean cuisine meals, avocado's or just lunch meat or even soups and puddings or jello. I am eating around 1000 calories a day. I am drinking my water. I don't have issues chewing for the long time. I have tried bits of different things, No raw veggies or fruit yet. Sometimes i feel hungry or my stomach will growl mid day or mid night. I am trying not to eat more than the 3 meals, so somethings i will eat some pudding or jello. (sugar free/low fat)
I am exercising, doing the Wii fit. about 30 to 45 mins a day, trying to build up more.
I think my biggest question was not have the restrictions and i had gained some weight before my fill, so i wanted to make sure that it wasn't just me. Thanks for all your help, glad i came over here.....

And i will Check out that book. Thanks
Tina

I don't think that people realize how the time after you have healed and are regular food and the time until you get your first fill is so hard.  Some people have some restriction just from having the band on, but others don't once they are healed and swelling goes down.  According to my doctor it is normal to gain a little or stay at the same weight at this time.  I lost weigt for the few weeks after surgery, which makes sense since i was on liquids, then mushies, then softer solids.  Then, I stalled until I got my first fill.  So, don't beat yourself up over it.  Just continue to make smart choices as far as the nutritional value of the food you are eating.  The really hard part at this time is the hunger and cravings for the food you shouldn't have (at least it was for me).  Even after your first fill, you may not have great restriction.  One downside to the Lap-Band/Realize Band is that the right level of restriction takes time.  Good luck.

Also, if you have been cleared for exercise, maybe kicking that up or changing it around will help with the weight.

Thank you so much for your support. It's great...

I was reading some of the post here and just had to write you to say thanks.  I am two weeks post op and am feeling good and can see a noticiable difference.  I have been saying to my wife that I am getting frustrated waiting for my first fill and am terrified of doing the wrong things.

Even though I continue to follow the program set out by my doctor I still have alot of worries going forward. In week one post op I lost 14 lbs, and this week I have not stepped on the scale for a fear I might have gained weight.  I dowloaded a caolire counter for my Ipad and that has really helped me with my choices.  

Thanks again for your words of advice. like i said I am getting frustated but I guess its a slow process and not a sprint.

 Welcomeand glad your here. Ask away!!!!
wendy

Tina-
Glad you came for help and hope you got answers to help! After all, this is a support board and we are all banders, shouldn't matter what kind!
Sherie

Sure -- I am a Realize Bandster ---- the other board was just not active enough for me.

Congrats on being banded --- the best advice I have for you is to be 'fearless' in your followup with your surgeon to get the most 'bang from the band' that you can get!