bandedbob

You ar eall wondeful open honest people - thank you for opening up your experiences - I am grateful ~

I have a group of friends who are 'party animals'. As an example we have a summer home, and individual guests will regularly bring a 40-pack of beer for a Saturday visit, or a 'handle' (a 750 ml) large bottle of (pick your hard stuff) and mixers. I am a Lap Band patient and admittedly party too, however knowing that my weight is health-affecting, need to slim down. I am trying to find an 'acceptable' alternative to significant beer and random liquor consumption. I have given up beer for the last 14 months and I came across conflicting anecdotes regarding vodka, which seems to be the low-calorie / lo carb drink of choice for Lap Banders - Vodka is the lowest calorie liquor and the best choice especially when combined with crystal lite Vodka has 7 calories per gram which is equivalent to lard or Crisco (pure fat) Vodka is made from various source materials (potatoes [carbs], grain ,other) In consulting my bariatric surgeon on which path to choose (band or bypass) he indicated if a patient took in the most calories from liquid sources (fraps, Soups, sauces, liquor (?)) he would recommend gastric bypass. I find myself drinking regularly to counteract work related stress, I am very highly compensated for my work (6+ figures / and have hit 7 figures) and need some stress relief - not interested in 'seek help' from other sources and reply’s (fyi)... I see gastric bypass patients losing 100+ pounds and am getting frustrated with limited weight loss which I m sure is affected by alcohol consumption. What are band patients doing (consuming / using) for alcohol consumption while trying to progress with weight loss???? Save the liquor soap box for your congregation – just answer the question pls… Thanks/ Banded Bob

My nutrientist suggest 4-5 ounces of lean Protein with the following guidelines: Less than 7 grams of fat Less the n 7 grams of carbs 21 grams of protein or more Limited greens if necessary That makes choices very limited. Breakfast: eggs, lean meat ommlettes, greek yogurt, smoked salmon, cheese Lunch: Lean protein: thin and trim coldcuts http://www.thinntrim.com/catalog/product_detail.cfm?component=2&category=2&group=5 steak, etc dinner : same as lunch : fish / steak / chicken / tofu

I had the Lap Band surgery in October 2010 - so it has been 15-16 months. Initially I had over 35 lbs of weight loss, but never really felt the 'smaller stomach', or 'pouch' so often described. I have limited capacity to exercise because I need a knee replacement (bone on bone / no cartilage / arthritis). I have a broken foot and put on 12-15 pounds over the holidays so I am back here for advice... I often feel great restriction, especially the first morsel of food in the morning. I have 'frothed' which is the production of massive amounts of saliva to help get food down - and have puked because of this (one time). I have thrown up from not chewing food sufficiently (especially chicken and smoked salmon) on a dozen occasions and it is quick and not unpleasant, but not desirable. It simply reminds me I cannot 'gobble' food down. I have been carb restricted due to self imposed limits for 14 months - no bread, pasta, muffins, subs, pizza etc. but if I splurge on pizza I can eat as much as I want - WHY ? I have a delayed one year follow-up in 2 weeks and would like to have had more weight loss. When does the effect of the band 'kick in' ... I feel restriction (almost daily) / I have frothed / I have lost 35 lbs / I have gained 12 lbs / I want to lose 80 lbs / I do not eat at all like I used to (no waffles. no muffins. no snacking, no subs) yet I see no limited progress.. Please share your thoughts and experiences.... when does the band start to 'work' and how do you know it is working ???

Well I spoke to my doctor and I have 8.5 cc's in a 14 cc band if that is useful to anyone. I can still eat more than 2-4 oz. but am feeling restriction on more types of food. I cannot (and should not) eat bread for instance. Dry chicken (breast meat) can get stuck, and the first food item inthe morning, if I do not have coffee or some Water, can be difficult to swallow. I find myself chewing a LOT more, and am loosing 1-2 lbs every 2-3 weeks, so the weight is s-l-o-w-l-y coming off. I have another fill scheduled in a week or so. Interesting note - I got a co-pay bill from my last fill (it was neglidgable) - but the physician's charge was $300 !! Three hundred bucks for 5 minutes of work ! If I had a script for syringes and access to sterile saline I would do it myself !!!! But that's just me (being silly)...... Wishing you all the very best .....................

Hi Ninababy - sounds like we are in a similar place - I am trying to find the 'sweet spot' and wish I could find a definition, or personal experience describing that. Sometimes if I do not chew food thoroughly it seems to get stuck and wants to come back up - not a nice feeling (panic and mild regurgitation) ! For the most part (98%) food processes fine. I can still take in way over 2-4 oz. of food, for example I eat a bowl of salad w/ chicken or fish or anchovies for the Protein, but the volume is still significant - so it's not 2-4 oz. in volume so I do not think my restriction is where it needs to be. As I mentioned I have a fill coming up and hope to 'be there'. If I can get my fill history I will post it here so others might derive some benefit from it.... regards Bandedbob

Well I am finally feeling some restriction. Beef, chicken and fish can get stuck. I feel real full after 4-5 oz. protein. I do however feel like I need one more fill. I can still eat how much food I want to - so I am not there yet. I have lost 7 lbs since last Sunday (275 down to 268) and feel good about that. Next time I see the Dr. I will ask the fill amounts and dates to share back here. Eating mostly protein is difficut - especially trying to create some variey, and keep cholesterol down, and the 'system processing' everything along. We have started eating a lot of fish. Easy on the system , low in fat, quick to prepare, and mostly low in cholesterol. My nutritionist says to keep red meat to one meal a week. I do not eat greek yougert, or cottatge cheese or anything similar. So its ommelets for breakfast - some type of canned fish for lunch (smoked sardines, tuna, pink salmon, octopus, smoked mussles, or similar) or some high protein option from the cafe'. Dinner is fish , beef, or chicken. A easy eat-out option is chicken or beef teryaki from the Chineese food place.

Well I got another fill Monday , now chicken AND beef and fish can get stuck if I do not chew chew chew. I have a 14cc band and its at 8+cc filled. I feel real full after 4 oz Protein - very full - like after a holiday meal! So I think I am very close to the 'sweet spot' I am getting another fill in 3 weeks - I hiope that does the trick for me. I wish you all well, and thanks for the fantastic interaction !

There are so many reply's to this post - I hope it is still active. I had my surgery in October. I lost ~ 40 lbs pre-and post surgery due to diet change. I have had 4 fills, and am seeing my weight creep back up. I have NO restriction on a 14cc Band. Occasionally chicken breast gets stuck, or deli turkey if I do not chew well. I enjoyed reading the initial post - it really is encouraging. Here is my question: when one finally feels 'restriction' is it the same feeling as the food getting stuck ? Because that almost causes a panic in me (so I hope not). Can someone please describe the feeling of 'restriction' or restriction vs 'food getting stuck'. Also I am presuming that when there is restriction, the food is s-l-o-w-l-e-y passing through the opening and you do not get that panicky feeling when food gets stuck. I am 8 months out and have had no surgery related progress. pls share your experiences / thank you

This should be another whole other topic , but how about food shopping ?! Do you see what some people buy - 8 x macaroni & cheese, chips - chips - chips, cheeze dip and on and on - yup yoused to love em all. Surgery in October - have not had a beer, pizza, or Pasta for 4 months - no problem! But - you do have to plan ahead and purchase the right foods and stick to your shopping list. Funny how our perspecitves change. I now have lot more respect for 'self control' for folks who always maintained a healthy life stlye and have their health too.

My band was in October - but my first fill was in January due ti the holidays. I have had 2 fills -, 3 cc and 2 cc. No real pain, nothing to minimixe the experience. Just a very small needle prick in the incision area. I have had 2 fills and still feel no restrictions. I can eat a head of lettuce - so I know there is more then 2-3 oz. of space there to fill. Hoping the next fill will help me get to the 'green zone' Cruising on my pre-op diet, and looking forward to more weith loss. Hang in there / ignore the 'prick'. BDB

I guess after the pain subsides and you are off the pain meds (who can get off on percocet or roxicet - no one I would imagine / they are marathon enablers when used recreationaly) anyway, after you are off the pain meds and can move comfortably around in bed (while sleeping, tossing to and fro) you are probably good to go. Listen to your body. Sex can wait because it is optional - healing is a necessary bodily function to seal up all the incisions and whatnot and a absolute priority post op - thats why they call it recovery. When in doubt err on the conservative side or consult your physician. I am sure this is very different for everyone.