Cocoabean

You are averaging a pound a week! We bandsters can expect 1-2 pounds per week. So, you are on the low end, but not a failure! I averaged about 3/4 of a pound in my active weight loss phase. It was frustratingly slow. But you know, I was losing with confidence. I was not afraid that the weight was going to come back on if I sneezed. My weight has now stablized at a number I hadn't seen in years. When is the last time you checked in with your doctor for a fill? food choices are a challenge, one we all face. Unfortunately, the band doesn't work on our brains. Perhaps you could join one of the challenges here on lapbandtalk? Or are there support groups in your area? It is possible, also, to do something like Weight Watchers with the band. It can help you to get back on an eating program.

Ok, no where did I say I do this ALL the time. 4 oz of water will hardly stretch my pouch. If I can eat a cup to a cup and a half of food, do you think half a cup of water is going to stretch my stomach? After the stomach heals over the band, do you really think it is only the stitches holding it in place? Scar tissue forms. By drinking the water, it brings the stuck item up without retching. Much less trauma than letting my stomach grind and slime on the item for hours. As for a finger down the throat to urge removal of a stuck item equating to bulimia...I hardly think so, I am not doing it to lose weight or control my eating habits. I have been really, really stuck and let it ride. To the point of vomiting for 5 hours. This is better? This is less traumatic? I try to let the stuck episode reslove before resorting to these measures, when it becomes clear that it will not be going down is when I step in. Whether the vomiting is caused by the natural event of my body bringing it up or me helping it along, it has the same effect....

Oh my!! I don't really have any suggestions. Other than do a web search on clear liquid diet and perhaps you will be inspired. I just wanted to say best wishes in your recovery. Following post-op orders is not easy, but is very important to let our stomachs heal. Putting anything solid down, even well chewed, makes the stomach grind--something we don't want happening during the healing phase.

BT is right, driving and eating with a band is not a good combo. But also, fries and bands don't always mix well, either. If you stick (no pun intended) around here for a while, you'll see people getting stuck on them often. I think it is the texture, it must glob together again after chewing and form a plug. :confused: One of the few junk foods that doesn't slide right down. BT, love the vampire reference....very true, never thought of it that way!

I HATE when that happens! I have done that so many times. Eating in groups scares me for that reason. I get so involved in the conversation that I forget what I am doing and...dang it! But gosh, BT, I remember when you could not wait to get stuck and slime! :confused:

Following the rules and paying attention while eating are the best defenses. Also, if you STOP eating as soon as you feel any pain it will often go down without becoming an issue. It is when I ignore the slight signal that something is sort of stuck and I keep eating that I run into trouble. However, sometimes--it cannot be avoided. I didn't mean to scare, but sliming and sticking are facts of banded life. :ohmy: But, I'll take a stuck episode every once in a while in trade for all the benefits I have gained from being banded.

Hi Erin, That was definitely a stuck episode and what many refer to as a PB. To me, my definition is a bit different. A PB is just that, a BURP that produces something. When I get stuck like that, it may take a few urps to bring it up. I can always tell if "it" came up by what came out. As you said, at first it was just slime, so whatever was stuck wasn't there. I had one piece of something come up that was shaped like a cork. I knew it had come out! When I stand up after spewing, if it came out, I feel MUCH better. If it didn't come out, I still feel stuck. My personal methods for getting unstuck once it is clear that it will not be going down: Drink down about 4 oz of Water, I mean chug it--this almost always immediately comes back up, and usually brings the offending item with it. Do be over a sink when you try this, because you will have no response time. Leaning over at the waist over a toilet and working my stomach muscles will often bring it up. Last but not least is a finger down the throat. If you do this over a public toilet, beware of splash back! I got hit in the eye twice by the plop. Best defense is to place a seat protector in the water before letting loose. That stops the splash.

Ann, You really should not progress your post-op diet without your surgeon's permission. When we eat solid foods, the stomach grinds. When the band is placed, they pull the stomach around it and put in stitches to hold it in place. You want those stitches to heal and not tear. Consuming liquids doesn't cause the grinding that solids do. If the post-op diet is not cutting it for you, call and ask if there is anything you can add in. I was allowed to advance my diet quicker than I expected because I was healing so well. The lack of energy..yeah, I remember that. Your body has been through quite the shock. Some people here bounce right back, some don't. We are all different. I took one week off from work. I tried to go back the second week, but did not have the energy to do more than half-time. The largest incision is where the port was placed, as has been mentioned up-thread. For the gas...walking is the best thing..not power walking. Just moving around. Also Gas-X strips can help to disperse it. I used a heating pad, it felt wonderful. Best wishes!

The Bob Mob!!! That is what the fan club can be called!! Tee hee. I am curious as to why my query about what is wrong with Subway was not answered on the post where Subway was touted as evil, but over on this thread. Christie--thanks for the nutritional info link. There are even more choices than I thought. Usually DH goes and picks it up for us. So I don't generally see the menu. Stacie--I find that each morning I have to reel my boobs back up into place...and mine are not that big. Gravity is cruel!

Wowser, Leigha!! You looked amazing! Christie, I'll wear the cheerleader outfit--ONLY if we get the old fashioned saddle shoes! I really hate seeing the good food vs. bad food--don't eat at THIS restaurant mentality. I also hate the assumption that we all have the same rules. BREAD IS NOT EVIL!!!! Ok, well, sometimes when it is stuck I say it is. My last round of blood work made my PCP very happy. The only thing not within normal was my fasting sugar at 103. He told me that as long as my numbers are good, he doesn't really care what I eat. :ohmy: He had gastric bypass a year after I got my band, so he is not ignorant to obesity nor bariatric surgery. I have yet to find a restaurant, fast food included, that doesn't have something I can eat. Even a low carb person could deconstruct a hamburger and order a side salad at McD's and be on program. Ok, rant over! Today we are going to see a show called "Avenue Q" it is an adult parody of Sesame Street, then out to dinner after the matinee show. We are going to an Italian restaurant...oh no! Our 20th anniversary is in a couple of weeks, so this is our celebration. I hope everyone has a great day!!

Congrats HB!!!! Very cool cake, Bob!

Hi Shelley, Thanks for the MI info. Very informative. I believe that Subway sells wraps and salads. I would not suggest that as a choice for a pre-op if the surgeon had prescribed a liquid diet. But for someone to say to not listen to a poster because he eats at Subway, just doesn't make sense to me. You feel the "tone," if there is such a thing in writing, to be non-supportive, that is fine, I understand that. I do believe a salad with turkey to be a low carb choice and band friendly, yes? It may be a deli-turkey. So it would have quite a bit of sodium, but I could easier eat deli turkey than I could a piece of turkey breast. Does the fact that Bob or myself can eat bread make eating at Subway wrong? Or the fact that I was not prescribed a low-carb diet make my success with my band wrong? There are no right or wrong foods, there are no good or bad restaurants. It is all about the choices we make.

Never say never!! Ha! I can eat 3" of a subway sub, also. Unless my band is not liking bread. It is fickle about bread. Then I tear off the bread and eat the filling. I just really did not get that as a flame....ooooh, you so baaad, you eat subway! We don't all have the same dietary rules. I have very few from my surgeon. Basically, if it hurts don't eat it, and whatever it is, chew it well. Or, maybe I've forgotten. My memory isn't what it used to be...oh, and he doesn't want me brainlessly eating. Yeah, I fail at that one sometimes. I guess that is related to the memory thing, huh? Whatever, it has worked. I haven't maintained 145 lbs for this long with this little effort since....well, FOREVER! Me and my band? Yeah, it's love.

I am curious...what is wrong with eating at Subway? It isn't forbidden for me. There are plenty of band friendly choices there. My surgeon even asks when judging fill time, "how much of a Subway sandwich can you eat?"

Wow Leigha, those are some painful looking shoes!! I am curious what is wrong with eating at subway? (posted on the Bob flaming thread). OMG---Bob eats at Subway once a week!!! What a traitor to his band!!!

Hey everyone, all's quiet on the western front. No damage, just an upset poochie. US Geological Survey downgraded it to 5.4. It was just so funny, I felt it and said, "earthquake." Hubby says, "what?" I said again, "EARTHQUAKE!" Then he felt it and goes, "OHHHH!" I always feel them way before he does--if he feels them at all. I almost feel nauseous as they come on. One of the technicians in my unit got called out for a water main break in an air traffic control tower reported by the controllers. Turned out to be water sloshed out of the toilet! Controllers, such prima donnas. I can say that, I used to be one. :thumbup: Humming Bird---congrats on the One Year Loss! That is soooooo fantastic! I am so impressed! Christie---Keep feeling better! That was way strange so long after a fill. Shad---Love the name Phil! So, I am over my crazy eating from the holiday weekend. That was crazy, but fun. I put on a couple pounds, but they've come off. yippee!

Christie, glad you are feeling better! We could all collaborate on a book! Me with getting stuck in the jury box and various other experiences..ugh. We just had 5.9 earthquake! yehaw! Rockin' and Rollin'!!! Butters was not happy.

Christie--All I can say is WOW!!! Glad you are feeling better. Hope it continues to get better. Shad, sorry you didn't get the fill, but glad you are losing. Karen & Stacie--right there with ya on the binge this weekend. Way yummy, but dang, time to get back in control. Dottie--glad the first knee surgery is done. Here's to a quick recovery! Bobbie, keep a good attitude, sending good wishes your way! Things are crazy here. MIL had cardiac ablation today. Which apparently took care of her atrial fibrillation. The cardiologist said she should feel a difference tomorrow or the next day. DH has not been the most pleasant person to be around of late, but I understand the stress he is under. All his siblings look to him to take her to all of her appointments as he is retired, but he truly hates anything medical. So it is not easy on him. But he is getting through. Work is work, we are getting on toward the end of the fiscal year. Money is starting to get tight, so let the fireworks begin! But, life is good! wahoo!

They really confiscated a bar? I could understand liquid, sort of, but a bar? Think I'd be telling them due to a medical condition, I can't eat the garbage sold at the game. But anyway, glad you enjoyed the nachos, I don't see any permanent damage from enjoying a junk food treat. I do it from time to time. It just isn't part of my normal diet now.

I've read it can get stuck, but I've never had a problem, either.

Bread won't become an issue until you reach full restriction. I can still eat it from time to time, I just never know when it will backfire. So I only attempt it when getting stuck won't be a problem. You are in what we "lovingly" refer to is bandster hell. You have this wonderful took inside you that is not doing much to help you. As a band veteran told it when I was early on...it is like you just got this fabulous sports car. But the gas tank is empty. You REALLY want to drive it at top speed, but you cannot fill the tank for 6 weeks, so all you can do is look at it and dream of the day you are zooming down the highway. Once you can fill the tank, your car will be working at top performance. It just takes time. Think of how much healthier you are going to be for your son without those 100 lbs. You will set a better example for him by being more active and eating more healthful foods. You have a chance to live longer and enjoy more years with him.

Nean, Sounds like you have perfect restriction for where you are at now! Awesome!! Keep up the good work!

Hey Sloan, I am tighter in the mornings as well. I get to work at 6:30 in the morning. I have a cup of coffee on my drive to work. I don't eat until I feel hungry. My usual breakfast on a work day is graham crackers with peanut butter or a protein bar taking small bites. I don't know about others, but here is how much I can eat at other meals. 1 chicken thigh with about 1/2 cup veggie side dish, a few bites of potatoes. 1 thin cut pork chop with the same side dishes. 1 beef rib (challenge to chew) with the same as above. 2-3 oz. of steak with same. 3" of a subway sandwich with a few chips (a treat!). I don't weigh and measure food. I go by my appetite and stop when I am satisfied (not full). Some days I can eat more than others. But if you look at normal weight people, this is true of them.

Alisomniac, congrats!!! You should be able to call the surgeon directly. The appeal result letter should state that you may now see the surgeon. Mine did. If not, call the surgeon to schedule and tell them what happened, they can confirm approval for the consult. After my appeal for the consult, I had no other issues getting approval for surgery. That was my only hurdle. Well done!!

I believe by your post, you are male? You'll need more than the 1000 calories a day that we women need. I think going to a nutritionist who specializes in bariatrics is a great idea. I believe obese and formerly obese people don't use calories the way a person who has been normal weight their entire life does.