DELETE THIS ACCOUNT!

My point is, our opinions are null, void, and irrelevant. You could read something here you think is a great idea or sounds wonderful, but at the end of the day you must do the pre-op and post-op diets your own surgeon requires.

You really need to contact your surgeon's office and ask. Nothing anyone tells you here will help because every surgeon has their own way of doing things. Some don't even have a pre-op diet and the ones that do vary greatly. Contact your surgeon and ask. Unfortunately asking here does you zero good. Best wishes.

I have found some weird things about being stuck lol. For instance, I just started wearing blue jeans again for the first time in over 18 years. Obviously, blue jeans are considerably tighter around my waist than elastic waist cotton pants. I am twice as likely to get stuck wearing blue jeans as I am elastic waist pants. I have one pair of jeans that are now 2 sizes too big, and I don't get stuck wearing those, but I do get stuck wearing the jeans that fit properly (tighter). So for me, tight clothes make it easier to get stuck. When I am stuck, if I stand up and walk around it passes much faster than if I'm sitting. If I can make myself burp a couple times, it usually will make the food pass almost immediately. Twice I've been really stuck, painfully so, and bending at the waist with straight legs and gently bouncing was enough to force a big burp and get me unstuck. I know...all weird stuff... but it's what my experience has been with stuck.

First bite syndrome seems to be pretty common. I have had it on and off since my 3rd fill and continue to have it sometimes. I just wait about 5 minutes then resume eating without a problem.

My surgeon said I can drink right up until I start eating. No drinking while eating, then I can drink again 30 minutes after. It took some getting used to but now it's second nature. If I couldn't drink an hour before eating too, I wouldn't be able to do it. That would be hard.

Thank you for sharing your experience so honestly. I hope others read this and learns from your journey. Best wishes.

hi lava and welcome! Wow you have had quite a journey. I'm so sorry it's been so rough. Did anyone ever do a barium swallow to make sure the band is, in fact, in the right place? If not, one really needs to be done. What you've been experiencing all this time isn't normal at all. I fear your suspicion is correct and it may have been placed incorrectly this whole time. Or, all the vomiting for so many years caused a slip. It's interesting you're feeling better after being ill, especially after vomiting. It would be so weird if the vomiting actually somehow moved the band into a better place. All the more reason I'd have it checked regardless of whether or not you start having problems again. Btw, I have Multiple Sclerosis, so my heart goes out to you with the chronic conditions. It definitely makes life all the more difficult when you're always in some degree of pain and never feel quite "normal" anymore. Best wishes to you.

I use Unjury. I tried a half dozen different protein shakes and Unjury is the only one I like. I am 6 months past surgery and I still have a Chocolate Splendor shake every morning for breakfast.

Every doctor is different, but most recommend liquids for the first day after a fill at minimum. You have probably irritated your stomach, which is likely already swollen from the fill, so now anything you eat is giving you problems. Go on only liquids for the next 24 hours to let your stomach calm and the swelling subside. Then, go to soft foods for 24 hours, then ease your way back into normal food very carefully. When you do go back on normal food, be sure to take very small bites, chew it until much, and pause between bites. Every time you get a fill will be a learning experience with the band so be patient and go slow.

I agree with the others, if you can't contact your doctor for their advice on the matter, go to the ER. You just had surgery a couple days ago and what you describe isn't normal. Always better to be safe than sorry.

I always advise people to take a big gulp of Water before leaving the office, not just a little sip. Sometimes a sip will go down when you're too tight but a big gulp won't. Twice I've had to have a little Fluid immediately removed because a sip went down but when I did the big gulp the water gurgled back up my throat.

I do but in moderation. I drink the Lipton Diet Green Tea, in mixed berry, raspberry, or citrus flavor. It's zero calories, non-carbonated, but does have some caffeine in it.

I've never experienced that, but you are only 10 days post op. If it bothers you, I'd ask your surgeon about it to be safe.

Definitely appeal, perhaps get the surgeon's office to help you. A hernia is a medical issue and is always insurance approved. It could even be something as simple as a coding issue, or the surgeon needs to submit the bill for the band and the hernia separately.

Welcome and best wishes!

I didn't even bother reading the comments. As Honk said, they're just trolls and not worth it.

btw, this story is currently on the home page of the CNN website, huge, and dead center!

You just had your surgery 2 days ago so your stomach is very swollen and irritated right now. Once the swelling subsides you will be able to sit and drink normally. You say you're "still kinda hungry" but yet you feel pressure when you drink. Are you sure it's physical hunger you're feeling, not just head hunger? Also, just because your stomach grumbles doesn't mean you're physically hungry either (banded tummies tend to "talk" a lot). These are things you'll definitely want to take notice of now that you're banded. Hang in there, it gets easier as you heal more

Yes, in fact I eat them a lot. I find though a bit high in sodium sometimes, they're a good bandster portion for quick meals,

I would contact your insurance directly and find out for yourself. I've read of many people having Lap Band surgery covered by BCBS. It may be possible you need a 6 month doctor supervised diet to qualify because you don't have co-morbidities. Definitely follow up with your insurance yourself and see what your options are.

It is extremely low, but you're only a couple days post op too. A lot of people struggle to get any calories right after surgery, As the swelling in your stomach goes down, you will slowly regain your appetite. In the meantime, just be sure to drink lots of water and stay well hydrated. Best wishes!

I agree, I have tried Unjury chicken soup, chocolate splendor, strawberry, vanilla, and unflavored. I think they're all great.

Nuts are always good, I like pistachios in particular. While they're not good as "normal" part of your diet, for a circumstances when I know I'll be traveling and unable to have decent meal choices, I will stick a Protein Meal Replacement bar in my purse. This way though not necessarily a good meal choice overall, it's still a lot healthier than most of the stuff I'd have been stuck with it if I hadn't brought one. Apples are always great on the go, too.