Sojourner

I would definitely discuss this concern with my physician. I always thought everyone had a "set point", which was the body's signal that you were at a good healthy weight. When you reach that point, it would be like reaching a major plateau. You've done an amazing job with your journey...well done!

Hi, and best wishes as you begin your journey with your band... The band is a very self empowering tool to have, and as you learn to use it you will be determining how successful you will be with your weight loss. Check in post op and let us read how you are doing!

Well, I probably should not write this, because some divine band intervention may ensue...but the only thing to date I ever got stuck was a small pill which was just after I began to take whole pills again after surgery. It created an intense burning sensation for about 15 minutes, and then passed. I had to relearn how to take pills, and still did not know who much water I could tolerate swallowing with a pill, and had too little water. I am able to tolerate all meats I have tried thus far...everything from ground meats, all poultry, flaky fish, to sliced pork and lamb. I am waiting as I have been advised to do for an entire year post op before attempting to eat steak or prime rib. I believe that this is because I am "mindful" while I eat...I make a conscious effort to have small bites and chew every bite thoroughly. I try to avoid distractions during meals, and allow myself ample time to have a meal without rushing. I know that this is not always possible for many people, but if it helps with avoiding stuck episodes, it would be worth it to me to stay stuck free...IMHO. Best wishes...

I believe that most posters on this forum who have had to survive the weeks of liquid diet feel that it's a real #@%^*...but it's done for valid medical reasons. You are still healing, and it's important to allow for this healing to take place. I was on full liquids for an entire 4 weeks. I continue to use drinking SF/FF fluids, mostly Water, to help manage my hunger, and also distract myself with getting involved with a project or exercise...anything healthy to take your mind away from food and hunger. If you really feel that you are not up to follow the recommended diet, I would call your surgeon's office and let them know how you are feeling. It's possible they may give you permission to begin mushies a bit ahead of schedule. One thing to consider though, is that if you are beginning your journey, and already wanting to tailor the rules to meet your needs, how compliant will you be with the diet compliance necessary for successful weight loss in 6 months or a year? Until you reach some level of restriction after fills, you will have to rely on sheer will power for diet compliance and exercise to continue to loose weight. It's called "bandster hell" for valid reasons...and I believe that we all experience it at some points along the way. Best wishes...

You're most welcome! I agree with what you have shared...this forum has a community of bandsters who share their ideas, share emotional support and experiences. There is a wealth of first hand experience and knowledge here. Anxiety can be immobilizing if it gets out of control...it's good to read that you have been able to benefit from the individuals on the forum now on their weight loss journey. Best wishes for your journey...

I have 3 "bandster size" meals a day, and 1 snack. No calorie counting required, only compliance with right size portions.

I've never cared for the "healthier" frozen Entrees, and especially now would be looking at the nutrition label closely. I'ts just as easy for me to purchase a rotisserie chicken and a pre-made basic fresh salad, probably stems from how I was raised. My mother and my grandmother before her were into healthy eating and avoiding sugars, sodium, and processed foods in general years ahead before it became mainstream.

My hospital bill was just over $44,000, which did not include the surgeon's initial fees of $695.00 and not billable to insurance. The hospital bill was covered by our insurance at 100%, my only out of pocket expense was the $695.00 to my surgeon. Additional surgeon's fees are covered by insurance at 100%. The separate bill from the anesthesiologist was also covered by insurance at 100%, Hospitals and other medical services providers do accept a much lower amount (referred to as an "assignment") from insurance companies. The entire system is broken...costs are unrealistically high.

For my liquid diet phases, I only had Protein shakes, the allowed 3 cups of 1% milk daily, Water, clear chicken broth, SF Jello, and SF popsicles. Being on liquids meant, as per the instructions from my surgeon that there were not to be any additives to the shakes, with the exception of ice cubes. No soups were allowed, only plain broth. No fruit, and no oats, no yogurt. If you add these items to the blender when you make your shakes, it is more like a pureed liquid, and does not really meet the definition of the protein shake requirements, at least from my surgeon's opinion. The liquid diet is a %^$*#...but it is a means to the end of moving on with the diet phase of the journey with your band. Compliance now with the diet means that later you will likely discover that compliance is less challenging, especially when there will be many more options and temptations to avoid. IMHO Your mileage may vary...best wishes for success.

I had my surgeon use the medical paper tape; for whatever reason, the adhesives in the paper tape do not have an allergic sensitivity with my skin the way the other tape adhesives do. I had an angry and itchy welt behind my ear from the anti-nausea patch I was required to wear for the 72 hours post op...

I can eat bread and bagels, but I don't do it. I do admit that I have had a few small bites of a slice of rye bread and a toasted "everything" bagel in the nearly 5 months since being banded...it satisfied my craving, and was all I needed. I never experienced any adverse effects from the bread. Being banded, a slice of whole wheat bread is allowed by my surgeon's instructions after crossing the 6 month post op mark. The other requirement for the bread is that a slice needs to contain a minimum of 3g of Protein. That means no bagels, but a green light to my favorite breads of rye and pumpernickel. I still have not decided if I will ever have a slice of bread again...

First, Part 1: The radical change for me post op was to finally "bite the bullet" with exercise, and despite the chronic pain I still have with recovering from multiple fractures, I have made the effort to engage in regular exercise to assist with adopting a healthier lifestyle. Though the exercise has increased my level of pain, I'm validated as I make the effort to do what I am able to with Water aerobic classes. Your written concerns regarding your marriage are quite common...and if your relationship is a healthy one, based on good communication and mutual respect and understanding, I hope you are able to set your anxieties aside. When one of the partners in a relationship makes major changes, you are changing the balance in the relationship, and not everyone copes well with change, particularly the individual who did not initiate the change. Some insecurities may surface with both of you, and just so you know, you will be experiencing many internal changes in addition to the external ones. Hormones gyrate, mood swings and self doubt can abound. Through it all, it helps to know that what you are experiencing is common, and with good communication with each other should be able to get resolved. Best wishes as you continue to build your self confidence and make positive changes in your life!

I read the nutrition label and decided that there were too many additives, carbs and lard in them, so the can went back on the shelf and stayed in the grocery store.

It sounds like it is too soon for you to be eating anything...like many others, I was on liquids for 2 entire weeks post op, then on mushies for an additional week. If it is painful to swallow, you need to get in contact with your surgeon's office asap and let them know what is going on. You should have been given a prescription for a pain medication pre op; take some according to directions. It is not normal to have pain with swallowing. I would return to a liquid only diet and give everything a bit longer to heal. After a fill, I have to return to a liquid diet for 2 days, then soft foods for 1 day. I hope you feel better fast!

Many surgeons will not accept another doctor's patients...mine will, and I know he is the exception, not the rule. In the event of an emergency, you would need to go to the ER; they bend the rules there quite a bit. I believe by law, there are designated hospitals which are required to treat patients who present there needing emergency treatment, and not allowed to turn anyone away. I would contact the clinic/physician who did your surgery; they may know of a network of follow up care providers in your area who they have a professional relationship with. Otherwise, I would visit the office of a local doctor and ask to speak with someone; it's much more difficult to ignore a person standing in front of you than it is to simply not return a phone call. You might also attend a local support group to ask the hospital and/or facilitator if they have the name of doctors willing to accept patients of other doctors. Best wishes...I hope you can get good results soon!

As 2muchfun has posted, you really should not be going against the instructions of your surgeon. If you are newly banded, and already want to break the rules, what will your attitude be when you are 6 months or a year post op? Once you give yourself permission to cheat, it becomes progressively easier to do it again, and again. I call it the "slippery slope". Bandsters do cheat; but those who do, especially early on will likely diminish their motivation to remain diet compliant, and therefore perhaps compromise their success with weight loss. I'd definitely let your surgeon know how you are feeling, and follow their instructions. I may be possible that they would give permission to begin mushies or soft foods early. Definitely DO NOT use chewing gum...prohibited my surgeon, and not advised by others! I had to be on liquids for 2 weeks post op, then on mushies for a week, and soft foods for another week. By week 5, I was able to tolerate moist poultry, fish, overcooked broccoli and cauliflower, and well chewed strawberries and blueberries.

Your post brought back memories of last summer for me (before my band)...just after major surgery, when all I wanted was soup, the hospital definition of a "light diet" ordered by my doctor was scrambled eggs, "mystery meat", and sandwiches. I had my husband bring chicken soup from a local deli, and heat it up in the waiting area; and he ate all my meals... Needless to say, I pleaded with the doctor to let me go home to really recover 2 days before he normally would have wanted me to be discharged. I really believe that hospitals are not the best places to recover.

Doctors all seem to have their own rules and approach to surgery...I need to have surgery now, but the general surgeon says he will not do the surgery prior to 6 months post op unless an emergency situation arises. I was all for waiting anyway, but he has the 6 month rule. On the other side, my bariatric surgeon said 3 months was enough healing time between abdominal surgeries. The general surgeon said that I will not need to have the Fluid removed from my band, but, every doctor follows their own protocol.

Be careful...your incisions are still healing. The lifting weight limitations are likely still there for your own protection. I hope you have a few strong friends who will be willing to work to move the heavy things for pizza!

It's a sign that you are not supposed to eat bread with the band...what you have described sounds like a stuck episode ( I thankfully have never experienced this, but have read from other's experiences). You must have more restriction than you realize... It's impossible to say that this episode with the bread is an indication that you have reached the green zone. You will have to wait and see if your hunger is diminished to know if you are in the zone. I hope you received some detailed instructions about what foods you need to avoid; if not, you should consult with your surgeon's office or a dietitian to get a detailed list. Bread is notorious for causing stuck episodes. My surgeon's instructions are to avoid all bread for the first 6 months post op.

I Your post reads to me that you have to adjust your eating speed and patterns to match your new level of restriction in your band. If your band was too tight, you would not be getting any food into your stomach, or you would be PB'ing or sliming. You have already recognized that you can eat your meals when you slow down. Different doctors have their own patient instructions; I was advised that every meal should consist of only 3oz of a lean Protein and 2 oz of a Fiber carb choice. You should to eat the protein first, as it is more important for proper nutrition, and then eat the carbs. I was also advised to never let a meal last beyond 20 minutes. Best wishes...

There are a few things to do that will help you with food choices, and maybe to manage your hunger as well. First: measure your portions at every meal, eat Protein first. take small bites, chew every bite well. Time your meals. Schedule a consultation with a dietitian to help you plan and follow through with healthier eating patterns. Make it difficult or very inconvenient for you to make poor food choices. There should not be any tempting food items in your home. Many of us are too lazy to make the effort to go to the store to get your food "vices", whatever they may be. It sounds like your calorie intake is too low, and you did not mention if you were getting enough protein to meet your daily protein goal. Both not having enough calories or enough protein will slow your weight loss down. Exercise is a must...even if it's only 10 minutes every day, some is better than none. Drink SF/FF fluids to help manage your hunger. Stay busy...if you feel hungry, go for a walk, start cleaning out a drawer, anything to use as a distraction to take your focus away from food. Learn the difference between authentic hunger and "head hunger". Don't give into head hunger. Don't allow yourself to get obsessed with your scale. It's so easy to get discouraged...we all will have challenging days. Stay focused on your goals, and take a day at a time. The more you empower yourself to take control back with your eating, the better you will feel about what you have already accomplished.

I took my regular Vitamins (not chewable) until 2 days before my surgery, and began taking the chewable ones after I was allowed regular (not clear) liquids post op. If you have questions about your physician's instructions, contact their office for clarification.

I had abdominal surgery (not for the band), and one of my incisions drained for 6 weeks while it was healing. That was not a laparoscopic incision. I was anxious about it, but was told that if the area was not warm and red, and the discharge clear, that it was just the healing process taking a bit longer. The surgeon who had made the incision followed up with me several times to make certain that the site was healing, and not infected. Yes, call your surgeon, and let them know what is going on...keep the area clean and covered with a sterile bandage. Don't be scared, let your doctor know.

I had to have pizza as the prep for a recent medical test...I know, sounds like Sci Fi... We got a very thin crust pizza, which was crispy. I tolerated it well, and had to remember to chew each bite to excess. One strange series of events which I have noticed since getting my band, is that I no longer crave or even like some of the foods which I previously would have devoured...pizza and potato chips are 2 recent examples. I am proof that yes, you can eat one potato chip and not want more.