feb27bandwoman

I had this feeling about 2 weeks post-op. occasionally, I still get the feeling that I miss, yes, actually miss, food!!!! When I see/smell fresh pizza or people are talking about food or restaurants. The worst was the food commercials on TV!!!!! Now, 6 months post-op, I have those feelings about once or twice a month. My cure was to find things other than food, to fill that space. I took up knitting again and I am doing more reading and yard work. I find I have more energy at the end of the day so that I can do more! It has been a wonderful learning experience!

Doctor suggested trying out the problem type foods. Small amounts , chewed well, protein first. Know that some foods will go down easy and next day, not so much. It is trial and error, learning to eat with the band. I don' eat turkey or chicken breast, too dry. Also, corned beef, one of my favorites, but I had my first, and hopefully last, stuck episode with corned beef! The band helps me stay away fom doughnuts and cookies, pastries.more of a focus on healthy, real foods.

It has taken me 4-5 months to really internalize a soft stop, and stop eating! Thanks to Jean's book which I sometimes call my bible! Thanks Jean!

I told no one except one or two people. Co- workers are beginning to notice that I have lost weight.I just say thanks and change the subject. But, one person said " that was fast! Did you have surgery?" I just said no, and changed the subject. Some people can be so rude.

I can feel mine. Not a bad feeling, just weird.

I liked the Orgain chocolate. I also use Unjury chocolate and vanilla. Both great.

Told only husband . No one at work knows. Not fear of failure, just didn't want people to know my medical history. None of their business and plus I don't need to hear their opinions.my life, my weight, my issues. Remember you cannot"un-ring that bell"!

Went from 40 G(!!!!!) to a 42D!!! Loving it!!!!!

I drink water until I start to eat, then no liquids with the meal. Surgeon also said to wait 1/2 hour after eating to start drinking again. Seems to work.

I too, have a protein shake for breakfast every morning. I use Unjury mixed with fat free milk, sometimes adding a banana. Surgeon and nutritionist recommended as I just too tight for regular breakfast.

I have shorts from Junonia, that have a built in liner with a nylon short. No ride up and no chafing.

I have had stuck episodes , mostly with corned beef and pulled pork BBQ. It starts as a full feeling in your throat, then pressure in your chest, may also be in between your shoulder blades. With the corned beef and pulled pork, I ate too big a piece, it got stuck, I started having lots of mucous and it took a while for that all to calm down. With the corned beef, I finally had to vomit and got rid of the offending piece.... Ugh, but I did learn my lesson. Small bites, chew, chew and chew some more.....

Unjury is my first choice. Best taste, vanilla or chocolate. Great customer service as well.

Love Greek yogurt! Fage and Chobani are my choices. I also discovered scallops, broiled and very delicious, high in protein. Haddock is also a great , protein packed, low fat, soft, white fish. Delicious broiled. I also like boneless, skinless chicken thighs for a quick protein fix. Grilled or baked, delicious. For me, better tolerated than chicken breasts.

My co-workers started to notice in this summer season and when I began to wear correctly fitting clothes!!!!!!

Corn can sometimes be a problem. My MD said because it is a fibrous vegetable. In that same category is asparagus and rhubarb. I have had well cooked asparagus tips with no problem, don't like rhubarb.

I have a poached egg with 1/2 slice nonfat cheese. Goes down easy in the morning. I do have difficulty in morning, but on most days I have a protein shake with a banana in it.

I loved seafood before being banded and was worried about how I would tolerate it after. So far I have had scallops, lobster and sashimi. The scallops were broiled and were delightful!!!! They are now my new favorite!!! The sashimi is my " go to " food at a Japanese restaurant. I am avoiding rice. The lobster was in a roll and I really just picked out the lobster. Also had a Cobb salad with lobster which was great!

I am just back from vacation with people who didn't know about my surgery. I had one stuck episode at a BBQ restaurant , retreated to the bathroom, and no one said a word.Several servers questioned whether the food was ok, I just said " yes, it was great, just too much". I can now understand why I might want to order the child's mnu... But the child's menu can be gross sometimes. So, I stuck to appetizers. Worked fine!!!!

Good luck.

My MD suggests 60 grams per day. I have a high protein shake once a day to make sure I get that number.

I don't eat chicken breast, but thighs done very moist , chewed well are my go to protein. Fish has a high protein count and I make sure it is not dry. Eat tuna made with LO fat mayo, again chewed well. I try to avoid bread, unless toasted. ' Slider foods" for me is pasta, goes down too easily....well cooked veggies are great. I find that for breakfast, I have a high protein smoothie with a banana added. Just can't tolerate eggs. But, I will have cream of wheat made with milk sometimes for breakfast. No carbonated drinks, no caffeine and no juices.... Too much acid I kind of get a kick out of hearing my stomach gurgling when it is empty!!!!! A new experience!!!!! Eat slowly, chew chew chew! I had a stuck episode early on with corned beef on st Patrick's day..... Lesson learned!

4 ounces of tilapia has about 21 grams of protein. That's pretty good! Going to cook some tonight!

Always remember that you cannot un-ring that bell.....

I used Dr. Garber. Fabulous, great office staff, very compassionate and understanding.He has offices in NYC and on Long Island.