Sojourner

Was your portion size a cup or less? Did you chew every bite well? Did you eat slowly? If I don't follow these rules, I usually feel my early warning signals that I am at risk to get stuck...and so I stop eating immediately. I believe that it would have been better not to drink any liquids, and just allow your meal to pass through your band on it's own.

What you are describing with having difficulty with recognizing the difference between your before picture and current picture is not uncommon...it does take our mind some additional time to catch up with body to revise the body self image. Another example that I can laugh at now was the automatic thoughts regarding my weight as I fell into "onederland"...for months after I got below 200 pounds, I would still automatically think of my weight beginning with a 2 instead of a one. You will eventually have your mind and body in the same place...however you are still going through adjustments. Congrats on your progress!

I encourage people to focus on their own progress, as we are all individuals, no two of us will have identical weight loss journeys. Also, 50 pounds is a significant amount of weight to loose, so try to focus on what you have achieved instead of not being where you would like to be. You will reach your goals if you follow the rules...I know my journey has taught me the art of patience like nothing else ever has...

There is a psychology involved with unhealthy eating patterns, and getting to the core issues of why you have turned to food for solace is important to increase your chances of success with the band to loose weight. You must develop an alternative set of coping skills to manage your emotions. I agree that we all do need an emotional support system, however to differing degrees. This forum can be an excellent place to receive some of that support. The circumstances which goaded me into action to move forward with having my band placed was a race against the Type II Diabetes time clock...I was fortunate that my PCP sent me to an education class to learn how to eat healthier and get exercise to better manage my A1C level...but with marginal success. You know yourself better than anyone, so get in touch with your reasons for wanting to have this surgery. Do your research ahead of time to understand that this is not a magic solution, but a tool to use, and it does require commitment and exercise to be successful. Best wishes as you consider your options...

Post op, everything you eat needs to deliver big on the nutrition...and baby food does not meet the special nutritional needs of an adult bariatric patient. I also was advised that essentially any thing you eat from your allowed foods list for your initial post op stages that can be put in a blender is the best choice for the mushies stage. My surgeon advised against using any processed foods, no soup, and definitely no mashed potatoes. My favorite meal at that stage was pureed cantaloupe and pureed home made chicken salad. Other surgeons have different instructions for their patients...so I have shared mine, but the best approach is to discuss this with your surgeon or the nutritionist who works with them.

I really had to think about this...it's become difficult for me to remember how it felt to be full prior to having my band...For me it was almost a feeling of being "bloated" with a very slight pressure in my abdomen. I do recall that there were subtle signals to warn me not to over eat, however it was easy to miss those signals if you were focused on finishing everything on your plate. If I heeded those signals, I did not feel over full, just satiated and no longer hungry. With the band, I would say it is more of a feeling of tightness in the area of my band...and you are not supposed to eat to that level of fullness. That's why it is imperative to measure your portions; you don't risk stretching your pouch, and you stop eating when the feeling of hunger is gone. That's also the reason that we are supposed to have Protein first; protein is essential for proper nutrition, carbs much less...and there are many times I don't finish my veggies.

Every insurance provider is a bit different...so it is difficult to say. Once I had jumped through all of the "hoops" my insurance company required, it was about a week after my surgeon's office submitted all of my documentation until I received my approval notice from the surgeon's insurance coordinator.

Nerve "stretch receptors" in the wall of the stomach are one part of a complex series of events that signal your brain you have eaten enough and need to stop eating, and help signal satiety. There are also hormone signals involved in the process. I'm not certain that these are only located at the top of the stomach. Feeling "full" post band is a totally different signal for me than it was pre band.

My, this is another classic example of how different surgeons advise their patients...some of the foods on your list were actually on my recommended foods list, though not for the initial months following my band being placed. My surgeon has actually given me permission to have a teaspoon of natural Peanut Butter to get me through hunger until my next meal. I've eaten just about everything on your list...without incident...with the exception of soft bread. The process of learning what foods to avoid should be driven by not only discovering what your individual tolerances are, but also by the nutritional value of the foods. With our meals limited in size, everything we eat needs to deliver big on nutritional value. It's basically trial and error...just remember to control your portion sizes, take small bites, and chew everything thoroughly.

Yes, it is difficult to comply with the diet, but we do what we need to to get where we want to be. You did not harm anything, but you do need to raise your awareness about everything you put in your mouth before you do it...

That does make sense...I'm on medication to calm some of the autoimmune response. I guess that strategy is working...and long may it continue. My PCP did relate that a former patient of his that he was not totally informed regarding her medical history wanted a band, however he refused to medically clear her as she had Crohn's disease. Thanks for sharing the information...I did suspect that reasoning would be part of the logic.

I have been diagnosed with Lupus (SLE), and have a Realize band. I also have had psoriasis for many years. My physicians, specifically my PCP and surgeon knew of these diagnoses prior to my surgery. I've not experienced any complications or exacerbation with either of these medical conditions post band surgery which could be attributed to either diagnosis. I was never informed that the band would be contraindicated for someone with either of these diagnoses. I also don't see the logic why the band would be contraindicated. I would like to know more about this topic...as an aspect of lupus treatment does involve lowering the body's autoimmune responses.

The band is not for everyone...however many individuals are very successful with their weight loss journey...including me! Good to read that you are happy with your choice.

The "gold standard" Protein for bariatric patients is "whey isolate protein", because it has all of the amino acids we need for proper nutrition on a bandster diet. I have used the Wheybolic Extreme from GNC from the beginning of my journey. I'm sensitive to chemical tastes and aftertaste, and actually like these shakes in both the chocolate and Cookies 'n cream flavors. unjury brand also has the whey protein, others have given that brand positive reviews, however I have never tried it. As per my surgeon, each shake should provide you with a minimum of 20g of protein. The GNC powder (1.5 scoops) mixed with 8oz of 1% milk provides 37g of protein. Get in the habit of reading the nutrition labels to make certain you know what ingredients are in the food you eat, and also if they provide the nutrition you need.

In my experience, eating carbs leads to craving more carbs...and only you can make the decision to change what you have known to be a poor choice in eating patterns. If you're like me, you live with someone who is a normal weight, and does not want to give up all of his Snacks...I even laughed when I discovered his stash of chips in the trunk of his car. So temptations will be there. It's up to you to refocus yourself on some of your initial goals for weight loss. It's a choice to give into eating those carbs; challenge yourself to break the carb habit. I was addicted to carbs, and your brain does need them to function, however now I only allow myself to have the carbs which occur naturally in fresh fruits, vegetables, and dairy products. For me, exercise makes the difference between loosing weight and seeing the scale remain stuck. You did not mention if you are exercising on a regular basis...I've used exercise to distract myself from eating things which are not allowed on my diet.

The only driving restrictions imposed by my surgeon were no driving while you are still taking prescription pain meds and not until it did not hurt to be seated in your vehicle with a seat belt on. I believe I resumed driving about 4 days post op.

Part of my bandster life has been to get in the habit of reading nutrition labels. If you read the amount of Protein in the Carnation product, it is lacking significantly in the type of protein bariatric patients need...whey isolate. whey isolate is considered to be the "gold standard" for bariatric patients, a complete protein, and has all of the amino acids needed for proper bariatric nutrition. My surgeon advised that the minimum amount of protein every shake should have is 20g.

I've found that mixing the Protein powder with a cup of 1% milk, then adding 1 or 2 ice cubes to the blender for mixing makes the shake ticker and helps it taste better. I use the GNC Wheybolic Extreme; when mixed with milk, 1.5 scoops will give you 37g of protein. I never thought that mixing the protein powder with plain water tasted very good...It will help to experiment with different products to discover one you like. For me, using the milk helps me get the Calcium and protein I need if I'm not able to meet my daily protein goal with my meals alone.

Jim, You're not just trying, you're making your weight loss a reality and doing an inspiring job of it! Best wishes on your "bandiversary"...and to you continued success on your journey!

Yes, they will give you medication via your IV to relax you as you wait for the staff to complete all of the pre op procedures. They do make an effort to ensure you are comfortable and calm. I only took one item to the hospital with me...that was a Chapstick, and I was thankful I had it, as my lips got terribly dry. The staff at the hospital where my surgery was done made certain that I was aware and understood everything they were doing. I don't recall them giving me the anesthesia, and then the next thing I remembered was waking up in the recovery room with my husband at my bed side. Best wishes for a good surgery experience and an uncomplicated recovery!

My best friend, who had the original bypass surgery years ago, told me that she knew of 2 individuals who had been banded, and both of them had over time opted to have their bands removed...she did not know why, but she told me because she wanted me to be aware...I thanked her, continued to do my research and decided that the band would be the only type of WLS I would feel comfortable with. I've never regretted my decision, and I've never looked back. You also should do your own research, ask questions, attend an information session at a local clinic, and make your own informed decision based on what you believe to be the best choice for you. As you have no doubt read...this band highly self empowering weight loss tool...you will determine your level of success with your weight loss by the decisions and choices you make every day to comply with your diet and to adopt a healthier lifestyle which includes healthy eating and exercise. You likely won't be able to reach your goal weight without making the effort get there. Friends mean well...but they are not you. They can't see the "world view" that you do...and experiences that you have. You likely also are aware of the high risks for the negative effects of not loosing your excess weight. I encourage you to do your "homework", ask questions, and you will know what the right choice will be when you are ready to move forward. It needs to be your decision... Best wishes as you consider your options...

I had a general surgeon to do my gall bladder surgery, as my bariatric surgeon focuses only on WLS. The general surgeon had extensive knowledge about the band, I did not need to have an unfill for the surgery, and thankfully did not experience any complications with my recovery.

Prior to my surgery, my PCP did change the form of all medications which were available in other forms to either liquid or soluble tablets. Not every medication has an alternative form to administer it...and some meds should never be crushed.