sewenup1

Any antacid should help, but you should talk to your surgeon, if your restriction isn't too tight, sometimes a tad more fill helps to stop the reflux. Danna

If you like fish, tuna mornay is great for the mushie stage. I made a chicken currie and then pureed my portion (several actually cause I froze some for lunch at work), for something sweet I pureed fruit and had it with diet yoghurt or diet custard, or with diet jellies. Remember that you can have diet jelly on mushie stage to help fill those vacant spots. Blitz some Pasta and tomato, or some lasagna for something different - looks gross but tastes great and if its too thick just add a touch of tomato soup to thin it out. Danna

What you are eating seems ok, just be careful with grapes as the skins don't chew up well and they can cause a blockage. I also find carrot, corn and peas difficult to eat unless they are really, really well cooked. I use my crockpot alot as it makes the meat so tender and easy for a bandit to chew - this is also how I eat carrots. Most of the bandits I know don't have problems with eggs, but they do have to be either soft boiled, poached or scrambled - I lived on them when I was on mushies. Perhaps you aren't chewing enough - this is usually my problem - i get distracted and forget to chew, chew, chew and then I find I get something stuck. so perhaps you could try eating slower and chewing longer and see if this helps. Danna

Hi Cinni, Congratulations on your first appointment. It's hard to tell you exactly what will happen as each surgeon has different requirements and it also depends on your weight and any co-morbidities. Public and private also have different requirements. I was a private patient, I went to my surgeon's information night and then made an appointment. First I saw the nurse, she is my main contact, she gave me more specific information than what was at the information night, explained what would happen etc. My next appointment was with the dietician, she discussed what I ate, how, why etc, explained what the changes would be once I was banded. My 3rd appointment was with the surgeon. Both the nurse and the dietician had given him their opinion as to whether I qualified, and if they thought that I would follow through on the necessary changes. He then discussed what would happen, whether he thought I would be a good risk and arranged for some blood tests. He also told me that I would have to do a period on Optifast once I had my surgery date to make sure my liver was not too fatty. Once he got the blood tests back and gave me the all clear it was about 6 weeks to my surgery. The surgery was quite easy for me, didn't have a lot of pain or any other bad thing happen but did have 2 weeks off work. I was on fluids for 2 weeks and then mushies for another 2 working up to normal meals. About 6 weeks after the surgery I had my first fill. Some surgeons require you to see a psyhologist or depending on other factors may send you to other specialists or for other tests - all depends on the individual and the doctor involved. Hope this helps a little, my blog address is below and you are welcome to read the journal I have there, it might give you a bit more info and you will realise that any nerves or fears you may have - your aren't alone. Good luck, this was the best decision I have made. Danna

You need to tell your doctor of your concern about a leak. He can check easily as all he has to do is withdraw the Fluid from your band and see how much there is - if less comes out than what should be there then it needs to be investigated. The other thing removing the fill from your band may do is that when he replaces it, the tubing may fill differently - when a band isn't filled to capacity it creases and folds around the stomach, when fluid is taken out and then put back in the tube may crease and fold in different positions - this might actually result in tighter restriction. You said that the max your band takes is 10ml, so I am guessing you have a 10ml band - I know of someone who actually has 12ml in a 10ml band, so it is possible to go higher. I really do think you should contact your doctor about having no restriction, although some people do need more fill than others. Let us know how you get on. Danna

you could also try Berroca performance - they are a soluble Multivitamin. If you need additonal Iron try Iron melts - taste really yummy. Danna

Ok, the first fill does not always give you restriction. I was lucky and got a good restriction on my second fill, but now need more fill cause I can eat anything. You have to remember that finding your perfect restriction is not a scientific process - it's trial and error and everyone's sweet spot is different. I only have 3.5 ml in but I was banded on 3 December. I have a friend that was banded at the end of February, already has 4 mls and needs more. Patience - as the add says - it doesn't happen overnight but it will happen - your weight didn't get to this level overnight so you won't lose it overnight. 1/2 to 1 kg a week is the best level - for your health and for skin elasticity - lose too fast and your skin won't be able to adjust. keep plugging away - we're all here to support you and always remember that there is someone who has probably gone through the same as you are now and will be willing to offer advice and support. keep smiling and chew, chew, chewing Danna

Luscious, Sounds great, makes me want to run down the shops and get some beef right now - 'cept I'm in my jammys - so might scare the other shoppers - better leave it till Saturday. Looking forward to trying it though!! Danna

Hi Sades, Real slow at the moment - went back for more fill about 3 weeks ago but was really sick that day so they wouldn't give me any and now can't get in again until 14 May so - no restriction and am living on will power - HELP!!!!:tongue: Danna:cursing:

I also had a BMI of over 60 but my surgeon had no issues. If you are really keen and what to prove to the Dr that you are serious about the weight loss, try doing the Optifast diet - you can lose quite a few kg's and it helps to reduce the fat around your liver. Chances are you may have to do this anyway as many Dr's require it before the surgery - mine did. Danna

Moving onto mushies soon - that is great you'll start to feel like a real person again soon. Yes please post the recipe - I bought a crockpot when I got banded so would love some recipes for it especially with the cold weather arriving here. Danna

When do you go for your first post-op visit? I went after only 1.5 weeks and was allowed to go straight to mushies and was on soft normal foods within 3 weeks - depends on how you are going - they are pretty flexible about moving onto normal foods. Danna

Hi Luscious, You probably won't do any harm but you need to drink slowly so that you don't swallow too much air - this will increase the gas problem and could cause you problems, especially pain if you already have problems with gas. I am attaching a suggested program for the Fluid stage and hope this helps - remember slowly does it to start with. This is for the full fluid stage, if you are still on clear fluids you will need to swap them with the sustagen etc. Danna On Waking Sip 100-120mls Supradyn mixture over about 10-15 mins Breakfast 240 mls Sustagen made on Water. Sip 120 mils over 10-15 mins, wait half an hour and the sip the second 120 mls over 10-15 mins. Morning Tea 120 mls juice over 10-15 mins 120 mls cup of tea or coffee using at least 60mls low fat milk lunch 120 mls runny soup made with half milk/half water eg tomato 120mls Sustagen sipped over 10-15 mins Afternoon Tea SAME AS MORNING TEA dinner 120 mls runny soup eg pumpkin or chicken 120 mls runny custard over 1/2 hour (Pauls trim custard) Supper Drink the rest of the sustagen about 240 mls in the same manner as breakfast NOTE You may still have a little low fat milk left to drink and you have at least 2 more hours of drinking. 240 mls each hour to reach your level of 2 litres of fluid daily. Remember to use the free fluids like water, tea/coffee and low joule cordials to make up total volume. Daily Intake 1500-2000 Mills daily 600 mls sustagen - Calories 120 mls liquid Vitamins - no calories (Supradyn) 240 mls fruit juice - pear, apple prune, Orange ,pineapple - Calories 360 mls reduced fat milk - drink plain or make runny custards or add to soup - Calories If desired 60 mls drinking yoghurt - some calorie value sip as desired - vegetable juice - V8 or tomato sip as desired - vegemite broth - add 1 teaspoon to mug hot water Constipation add 50 mls prune, apple or pear juice daily

Hi, i agree with Bel - get some fill out. A lot of my co-bandits have had this problem and as soon as they have some fill out and can eat properly and healthy food they start loosing weight again. Tricky things these bands. Danna

I go to the same surgeon as Sades but things are a bit different with me - everyone's experience will be different as it is a very individual thing. so far I have had only 2 fills - it has been about 8-9 weeks since my last fill as the last time I went it was decided that I didn't need additional fill at that time - I do now and am going for my 3rd fill on Wednesday. Some people have only had 1 fill and reached their sweet spot, others have several before they come close - very individual thing. Like Sades, my fills are bulk billed for the first 12 months. I am with Medibank Pvt top hospital cover - between them and Medicare - all my Hospital was paid for as was my radiology and about 70% of the anethestist bill, I only got a small amount back on the surgeon's bill and the band itself so the out of pockets were about $4,000 - 4,500. Remember you can also claim a tax offset on medical expenses over $1500. As Sades suggested,you should raise these at the information night. Danna

Yes this is normal. Most surgeons only want you to lose between .5 and 1kg per week. Remember that the faster you lose the weight the more chance there is that your skin will stay stretched. Also remember that you did not put all the weight on overnight so you won't lose it overnight, but every kg gone is good and if you follow the rules will never come back again - that's got to be good!!! Danna

Hi Sades, I'm great, how are you going? Heading back to see Steve for another fill on Wednesday, this one has run out and I can eat just about anything at the moment - desperately need some more restriction, but it hasn't been too bad being only my second fill. Danna

Like Sades, I was banded by Steve Liebman and think he is great. Most of the surgeons have information nights, you don't need referrals to attend these - you just ring up and book a seat. Perhaps you should go to some of these - you will get to meet the surgeons and they will tell you what you will need. You are also able to ask questions. Danna

Assuming you are on clear fluids at this stage, remember you can have jelly, clear broth etc to help fill you. You should be having at least 2 litres of fluids per day and siping them slowly. When are you allowed on full fluids - they will fill you better as you can usually have anything that goes up a macca's straw - and you should include plenty of Protein in these as that will help stop the hunger. Congratulations on joining the 'other side' Danna :sneaky:

There's not really a lot you can do - depends on your age, how heavy you are and how long you have been carrying the weight. I do know of someone who swears by Bio Oil - you can pick it up at Big W or health food shops. It's suppose to stop stretch marks so it may help. Danna

Congrats Nat, Just remember sip, sip, sip and slowly does it - isn't the gurgling wonderful - especially if watching a movie and it happens at the most dramatic part. Danna 8)

Well, I come on line to see what is happening and here you are having a tanty - I suppose you are lying on the floor screaming and kicking your feet??? :teeth_smile: You better be careful, they might put you on Opti for an extra week :drool: Danna

My Dr (who made me do Optimuck for 4 weeks) told me that if I really, really had to cheat then to have either an extra cup of the vege's OR a small piece of grilled fish or skin free lean chicken. As the others said, Ketosis happens with a very low carb diet, so as long as you don't have any carbs, fat or sugars you should be ok. If you can last on the Opti do, but in an emergency grilled fish, or salad will do (you are allowed a spoon of olive oil so you could add some herbs and make a salad dressing.) Danna

Get the fill. Most times slimming and PBing is our own fault - either we eat too fast or don't chew enough. I've had a couple of episodes of both - my fault - while they aren't pleasant, and if they happen too often you should be concerned - but otherwise they're nothing to be scared of. Once you have got some restriction you will start to appreciate what the band can do for you. Danna