Victoriana

Your right! I did completely misunderstand your question! I only remember the first bite of something in the beginning because I let myself get too hungry. Other people will have so many different things that they ate post op, its easy to think that their experiences could be safe, when it was only safe for them. As long as you keep communicating with your Dr. you will succeed, and your band will teach you. Baby steps are what I have to go back to as I am recovering from Cancer and I am still on oral chemo. I remember the freedom of being at goal weight when my body was not dictating to me what I could do. I only remember eating if my tummy really growled from emptiness. That freedom from thinking about what to eat next was awesome. We are blessed to have good medical care! Best Wishes.

The proper way to chew is to chew until you have almost nothing to swallow. After 15 or 20 minutes, if you have not finished your plate, leave it. That should be plenty of time to eat what your body needs. Remember, we are used to seeing portions that are waaaaay out of proper. We can he very healthy on almost no food, as long as it is nutrient rich. Just IMHO

Didn't your Dr give you a list of liquids that are acceptable for the first two weeks? I am sure someone overlooked that if not. Get yourself doing something outside your home, nervousness is probably the kind of overeating you are used to. I had a wise auntie who said if I was nervous, then that was wasted talent. She encouraged me to find some kind of art, or music or crochet or gardening, whatever to busy up that talent. She was right. Now I create all kinds of thing with my hands. Let nervousness teach you something new!

Protein is not what gives you a sense of satiety. Fiber is what gives you a sense of fullness. You include things like chick peas or hummus, which have hi protein but also complex fiber. There is soluble fiber and insoluble. Oatmeal has lots of soluble fiber bran flakes have lots of insoluble. Adjust yourself to more fiber from veggies, and do not fill on protein first. Just give yourself a try before another fill. I would expect that if you are eating mostly protein, then your elimination would be sluggish too. Best wishes!

Lots of interesting things here, I was banded in Nov of 05! I am happy to report that had I lost 130 lbs and was at goal weight for 2 years, That was then Nov 08. In Feb 09 I developed stage 2 Her 2 nu+ breast cancer. I had severe complications. I truly believe that had I not been physically on top of things, I don't think I would have survived. So, before my cancer surgery, I went to get a complete unfill as I expected to be vomiting a lot from the chemo. I was bed ridden for 30 months. Yes. I lost a lot of muscle, I did gain weight. I was absent from this forum because of the extreme meds I was on. I experienced and am still recovering from cognitive impairment, I am alive. I have circadian sleep disturbances from not having a day nite life for a while. I am in physical therapy in a warm water pool to build muscle. I have begun to loose weight but It is a mental and physical battle I have a very minor fill. I don't think my band Dr. could really believe my journey and he was not sure I should have a fill, so it is just 1cc.. I am taking things slowly, give myself grace as i feel like at my age, I am not sure muscle will ever return again. My body is disfigured terribly, I just want to be healthy, not beautiful, (necessarily lol) My hair is back, My skin is over sized but I will not be able to have reconstructive surgery. I want to regain my focus. I checked into the forum because Alex sent an e-mail inviting me back as I have not posted for such a long time. I do not know if it was auto generated, but it doesn't matter, IT WORKED! My band has been my friend. It taught me to listen to my body. I still have it and we are still friends. It is a tool. We need to take care if it and it will take care of us. Please know I am not superwoman, but I am blessed. It is my faith in God that kept my hope alive to press through to now and I will continue to press on and fight the good fight. I believe there is more for me to be here on this earth for, so I will need to be stronger to be able to do it! Ok nuff said, its true if things go well, folks usually drift away, but also if things go terribly south, folks are away too! Good night!

Today she is discussing several different surgeries, and the band is on first!! Lets watch it and discuss more later kk? thx by

The best way to never get food stuck in the first place is to never hard swallow. I have learned that to chew long enough that little pieces naturally slide down, and if there is much left after that, you have a dainty swallow. Its hard to remember, but if you allow yourself to ger ravenously hungry, Ill bet your first bite will be chewed too quickly and hard swallowed and getting that "first bite" painful syndrome. Mindfull eating is what the band will teach you if you dont think before opening your mouth to eat. So dont sweat and get all nervous about eating and getting stuck. It all becomes unstuck one way or another, just try to follow the band rules, and you will be fine. BTW. Dr.Montgomery banded me nearly 3 years ago, the after care is awsome at his clinic and He is a GREAT band DR. Best wishes!! you will be fine.

I agree that it would have been nice if a lap band Dr. was the one talking about the band with the teens. I believe with all my heart that Dr. Oz is clueless about the hows of obesity. How it starts, how it hurts and how it is much more complicated that just eating too much. So many factors contribute to the overeating, emotions, environment, family genetics, finances, lifestyles, sleep problems, food quality and on and on. I am so sad to watch the comercials on tv anymore, the food producers strip our food of esential nutrients, we are the most overfed, undernourished population... Well I thought Oprah could have focused more on the band, I think too much went into just one program. I guess when I get my own program, I can run it my way!

Hi again! I hope that others can gain from what I share with you next. I have had my band 3 years this comming November. I have lost l20lbs, so in January of this year I started with night coughing, and a little reflux. It seemed that in the middle of the night at times I would suddenly spit up and wake up with quite a start. I would go back to mushies for a couple of days and drink water like crazy as being hydrated keeps me from feeling to tight in the A.M. Things returned to normal. In mid January I had heart burn at work, and after lunch it turned to pressure, I began sweating and dizziness. I had a heart attack in 2003 and was well versed in heart health, (the reason behind getting the band in the first place) so I left for the ER. My EKG was great so the took a chest x-ray to find out why I had such pain in my chest. I showed a mass the size of my fist in my right lung. It seems that they believed it was stage 2 lung cancer, because pneumonia that advanced would have had high fever and a lot of phlem etc. The needle biopsy and cat scan were inconclusive. I visited my band Dr. the following week when I was released from the hosp. His swallowing x-ray showed that I was a little tight so he removed 1/2 of my previous fill, that fill was over 4 mo prior and seemed to be fine. I was put on antibiotics in the hosp and remained on them as per the plurologist and within a few weeks (6) the mass in the lung was reduced to nothing! It was determined that I has aspiration pneumonia. The bottom line is that any sypmtom no matter how small, can lead to bigger ones later...We must never forget the rules, hydrate, eat small portions and never go to bed with food in the stoma, and keep your fills as small as possible. I shudder to think if I were to loose my band altogether. I have not lost anymore weight and even gained a few pounds, (That darn cruise with all that great food!!). I am exercising again I know I need to build muscle and boost my metabolism. I am glad you are doing better, I am trying to stop the nexium I have been on and I do think the reflux is partly because of this. I am also convicted that the sweet tooth is fueling the reflux because when I behave, the reflux calms down. I was interested in what you originally posted, I was never dehydrated, but the night reflux is what caused me to aspirate and get an infection in the lung. This could have been much worse for both of us and I believe that our visits to the Dr. short circuted further band complications. I wish you more success. (and while Im at it, I wish me a lot more sucess too!)

Hi, have you had any other symptoms? Any dry coughing in the morning or lots of burping, I mean more than usual when eating? I seem to be able to eat just about anything right now, and trying to maintain without a fill, I have had problems with reflux lately, so mostly curious. Thx

Today on MSNBC I read an article about medical litter or UDF's, "unretrieved device fragments". The title of the article is Medical litter: Device debris poses serious risk. I have lost over 130 lbs with my wonderful band and I am enjoying greater health now than I ever have before in my adult life and I will not remove my band as long as I have no complications. I do know however that there are three ''O" rings or grommits left in my chest cavity following my procedure. I have had cat scans and x-rays that show them. They are clearly visible. I was told by someone in the medical field that everyone that has laproscopic procedures end up with these as they are part of what keeps the tools and scopes in place durring surgery. My questions are these, Does everyone really have these leftovers, and does their presence pose any risk to me in the future with MRI's or any other medical procedure that I should alert my Dr.s to? I am not trying to alarm anyone but if there needs to be education provided to we bandsters, I want everyone to know! I was also told that its no big deal, but I must really need assurance as I keep getting this nagging "Im not so sure feeling" in my intuituon. Please, I have asked someone at my Dr.s office and I got the impression that I was given the safe, dont stir up trouble pat answer to placate me. Has anyone else been given this information?

On a post I did on 6-3-2006 I attached a photo of these 3 "grommits" and if they were plastic, I wonder if they would contrast so well as the tubing from my port is also in the photo and it is barely visible. It sounds to me wifeof46pilot that you are discribing a port. What I am talking about is totally separated from the band and is actually resting near my spine. I really hope that these pieces stay put and dont migrate to a place that could cause trouble. I was hoping that there was someone from the medical community that could address what these things are made of and if any MRI or other medical procedure could cause trouble like the article addressed, like the burning that one person experienced. I just think that its wierd that the procedure could leave stuff behind that we are not informed about. It just feels so cavalier about the whole thing. I believe information beforehand shows respect for the patient. Just a thought...

I could not help but post. I have not even checked in for months. I too have come to a blah spot, its not my first. I doubt it will be my last. We are bound to have seasons with our emotions as well as seasons with our motivations. I have found that there is a rhythm to both and when I hit a low spot on both of those rhythms at the same time, I stall. I has lasted a couple of months once, and lately, a few weeks. This time, I stalled because I needed a slight unfill, due to a bout with pneumonia, and I needed to take some serious antibiotics. I am all better, lungs clear, but I have not had a fill again. I have enjoyed eating things I have not eaten in a long time. I have my fill scheduled, and I am sure I have gained a few pounds, I also celebrated a Th wedding anniversary cruise that was combined with a large family reunion (60) of us! I am not freaking out, I have long since let go of the eleventh commandment that I used to carry over my head, Thou shalt not should on thyself. (say that out loud very carefully, or it could be misunderstood). I will begin losing again, I am looking forward to it, I must stop the sugar stuff, it drains my energy and I know it short circuits weight loss, even if the calories are low. It has something to do with gluten in the muscles and storing or burning fat. I have lost 120 lbs, I was within 8 lbs of my goal when I took a u turn. Funny huh? Well, I reevaluated my goal and I believe I should really lose about an additional 15 lbs to get my BMI to 26 or 25. That is for optimal health, I am sure my skin will revolt. So I took a little respite, and will begin again, that is the beauty of having a tool like the band that works for you and with you. It is the most kind thing I have ever done for myself. Don't sweat the seasons, be confident that you will kick your own butt in the right time and enjoy your journey. It would be boring if you always had the same ol, same ol. At least you are aware of where you are mentally, and physically, and you are not in oblivion somewhere drowning in glutton-ville. So, thats what I think anyway! (no charge for my silly two cents)!

Oh silly me, the reason I originally logged on is that today is my second anniversary for the band! I have lost 110 lbs, and need to lose 18 more to reach my goal. I am not in a hurry, just one day at a time and I thank God for each and every day. Best wishes to all of you with your journey too. Health is possible, and I thank God that he is a God of second chances, ( and third, and fourth, and however many we need) isn't His grace amazing? Really amazing.

I have been reading and smiling, so good to see Jesus lifted up here, and I am thankful for more than I could possibly list, I am truly thankful for the blood of Jesus, and yes some may think it bizarre but it is really powerful. I wish I could post more often but I have so much on my plate, and for now I need to take care of myself and my family, and many nites I could spend way too much time at the computer. I am just so happy that the fellowship of believers finds its way to what ever means necessary to keep us in relationship with each other. Hi Gadgetlady! Long time since Ive been here. Blessings to everyone, and in case I dont get a chance to check in again before Christmas, I want to say Merry Christmas to all of you and your families, and may the peace of His presence be felt by all. Love y'all! Victoriana

I always thought that first bite syndrome is when you are first learning how to eat with the band and you accidentally take a larger than proper bite size and it causes you pain, or that stuck feeling. Another time it happens is when you allow yourself to become too hungry and accidentally swallow your first bite without chewing well enough and get that golf ball feeling. I guess it means different things to different people.

Just lurking today, as Ive been too busy to check in regularly, Nice to see an oldy checking in on the same day! Seems like a brand new board doesn't it? Still the best as far as I can see, great people, kind and supportive, Just the thing we all need at times. PS, Hope your family is doing well. Merry Christmas!

:whoo:It has been a long time since my last post, been missing everyone,and just as I began lurking, I realized that I have not reported that I am 110 lbs down now! I have 18 pounds to get to my goal, but I may rethink that when I get there. I really got excited today as I am finally no longer obese, just overweight as per my current BMI. I am so thankful for my second chance at real life with this band, It has truly saved my life.

I would call your Dr, and I think you could be right about starting back on liquids, as for me I really cant drink too much for about 2 hrs before bedtime. It happens occasionally, but mostly if I let myself become dehydrated. It really prompts me to drink lots of water earlier in the day. Good luck!

I feel so goofy, I was prepared to give you my seedless blackberry jam recipe! Wrong kind of berry me thinks.

BUSTING A MOVE HERE!!!! I have finally joined this wonderful onderfull land called onderland! I hit 198 yesterday. Am I dreaming? I just need to keep getting on the scale and rub my eyes more and more! Now I just have to find a way to celebrate without EATING something!

Even if you lost only 20 percent, your health would be better and your body will feel happier, Ive lost 100 lbs now, I still have 30 to go, no rush, just want to be healthy. I'm wondering what have you got to loose besides the weight if you do get banded. I wish you the very best, what ever path you choose, go for it!

LOLLL! I always thought that the motto was "nobody doesnt like Sara Lee" which is just as stupid, but thats what I always heard. What a goof. Just like the little girl that was singing "shes got a chicken to ride, Shes got a chicken to rii ii iid, shes got a chicken to ride and its in her hair!

Hello fellow bansters, I have been up to my ears in stuff with family, I know Ive missed you all. I know Chimboree that we have been pretty quiet lately, I think moms are busy with kids out of school too. God bless all of you and Ill be gone a while as I need to travel to see my dad and assist him with some health issues. Ill still check in, I just will be scarce again! Glad to know you all are still here!

I don't know how long you have been banded, or if you are keeping hydrated, but protein is what I was instructed to eat first when I eat my meal, that way, when I get full, I have the most important stuff on board. Call your Dr. as you may be having a low blood sugar problem. I think you should not feel so weak and shaky. I do know that we can live on a surprisingly small amount of food daily. Its really amazing.