kiz

I haven't noticed if my port has shifted or not, but my doctor said that it might shift up as I lose weight. Have fun bowling, and welcome to LBT.

Congrats..LilMissDiva - NOT!!! lol kiz is retaking the medal as the rightful winner!!!

knock knock. who's there? THE WINNER!!

I also don't think you should wait until next week to get this resolved, or at the minimum stick to foods that you can tolerate without throwing up until next week (if you can identify them, and this isn't totally random). Hopefully, mushy foods are going down okay.

She clearly does not have control of her life or her children. I was on the fence about what to do with the babies, but after hearing her speak candidly, and seeing the behavior of her children, she has no earthly idea of how to handle kids under the circumstances she's facing. I know someone with two kids that act that way, and it's a nightmare to be around them. In fact, a waitress in a restaurant told her sister (this was a stranger) that it's okay to spank children. OMG..the sister (aunt) would have loved to have swatted their bottoms. The kids were running around the restaurant, making a racket, disturbing others, but the mom was completely oblivious. These kids also hit their mom, just like octo's kid was doing in the video. Two kids like that is khaos, 14 kids without proper parenting is a disaster waiting to happen, and what I mean is those children will be in physical danger. At this point, I feel like the best thing for the preemies is to put them in good loving homes where they'll get the attention and care they'll need, especially given their too early start in life. The other six kids' homelife will be monitored, I hope, and octo is going to need counseling for her delusional behavior. The doctor...I would hope he loses his license to practice "medicine". Bad enough to do this humongous implant for an infertile couple, but for a single mom with six kids that she cannot provide for in the first place is criminal.

Kayla, that sounds very normal. My first few fills only held me a couple of weeks, and as I lost weight, the restriction went away. When you go in for your next fill, ask your doctor about the percentage of slips and erosion issues (s)he that he has in his practice, if that would make you feel better. Also ask him what you can do to help minimize those problems happening to you. My doctor's rate is less than 1%. These things do happen, but you can help reduce the risk by adhering to the rules. (underlined, because I know that sometimes things are out of our control)

I'm very sorry for your loss, Ladeday. As far as the fills, it often takes a few to start getting good restriction. It depends on how much fill your doctor gives you, and how your body responds to the band. Please don't get discouraged.

I really have no idea if a regular doctor can do an unfill, but my guess is they can't. You need to take care of this ASAP, and I know you know that, but I'm afraid you're going to get very sick. I mean sick enough to require a hospital stay to get you hydrated. At this point, you may have to go to the local ER or get to Dallas. Does your local doctor understand that this is an emergency situation? If you haven't improved since your first post, you can't even hold down most liquids. I hope you're able to get help today.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29470728/

I very rarely use straws, but when I have, I don't have any problems.

Hi, and welcome to LBT. The best answer I can give you is to tell you what the band can do, if you work with it. Now, if it'll work for you is something only you and your doctor can determine. The band leaves a 4 oz (volume) pouch at the top of your stomach (think bottom heavy hour glass). The nerves that send the message to your brain that you've had enough to eat are located at the top part of your stomach. So, the band works by tricking your brain into believing that 1/2 cup or so of food you just ate is a-okay. Different doctors have different philosophies on just about everything, it seems, but my doctor wants me to eat three, Protein rich, 1/2 cup meals per day plus one low cal snack. The band has a dirty little secret though. While solid foods stick around on top in your pouch, foods like ice cream and Cookies can slide right through. You have to have a good bit of self control, but zapping hunger is a HUGE help with keeping the junk food cravings away. You also cannot eat big meals, if that's your vice. However, if you're eating very small healthy meals and not snacking on junk food, I'm not sure how the band can help.

I know what you mean, momster0. I definitely don't want to mislead you, because some people do have trouble with various foods, but for whatever reason, I haven't. The most important things to help me eat these foods is taking my time, eating smallish bites (not tiny, but maybe the width of a nickel), not having a super tight band, and chewing well (but not until my food is liquid, by any means), and probably a bit of luck. I've never pb'd or had acid reflux, so I'm very happy with the way I can eat. I got the tablets at Trader Joe's, but others have found them at Vitamin shops. I really recommend everyone have them on hand. They're very inexpensive, and I've never heard of anything negative about them. Once, I was close to pb'ing on Chinese chicken and broccoli (entirely my fault, because of getting over confident and complacent), and I took a pill and had almost instant relief. As I mentioned earlier, if I start to feel like I'm eating meat that's not going to go down well, I wait a few minutes before taking another bite, and chew one of the tabs. So far, so good...crossing fingers.

I was instructed that if I couldn't move from mushy to solid foods within two weeks, that I needed to call for a slight unfill.

Loving my band for almost six months.

I would estimate I chew about 30 times, depending on what I'm eating. My doctor warned me not to over chew and liquefy my food because that would make my food go right through my band and not stay in my pouch long enough to satisfy my hunger. You need to find the consistency that works for you, but 30 sounds about right for me.

momstorO, I've been banded six months, and I have very good restriction. I haven't had any problems with anything on your list. I might have to take small bites, chew well, and take my time, but I'm able to eat them and enjoy them. Besides, since I'm eating small portions, but taking my time, by taking longer to eat, I'm not sitting at the table twiddling my thumbs while others are still eating. The only thing on your list that I haven't tried more than a couple of small bites is grilled steak. I've ordered fish when we've gone to steak places, and I haven't cooked any at home. However, I have had roast beef, which can be more stringy, and I ate it just fine. I was careful and I took a papaya/pineapple extract chewable tablet, as I was eating, to help with digestion. Also, I've had lasagna with no problem, but I haven't eaten just plain spaghetti.

"Are lettuce/vegetable salads a no-no?" If you talking about liver shrinking pre-op diet, I was allowed, for the most part, unlimited green vegetables, but you have to go with your doctor's menu. Mine was very specific about shakes, Protein, etc. Stringy vegetables (ie. celery, asparagus) don't go well with the band. I haven't tried raw carrots because I've read about too many people having problems with them, but vegetables on a whole are great. I eat them every day. I know most doctors push solid protein first, but vegetables aren't off the diet. My doctor doesn't recommend lettuce the first three months because it's hard to measure and he really wants us to stick to solid Proteins and firm vegetables, especially at first (ie. cooked broccoli). I eat raw and cooked spinach every chance I get. Hopefully, your doctor or nutritionist will give you a diet list, because the food recommendations for bandsters vary greatly from doctor to doctor.

I have at least 8.4 cc in a 9 cc band, and I haven't had trouble with any foods. Occasionally I get a tight knot like feeling in my chest with meat, so I know I need to stop eating for a few minutes to let things settle. If I feel like the meat I'm eating is going to be hard to digest, I take a papaya/pineapple extract chewable tablet that I bought at Trader Joe's, and it makes a huge difference. It takes the discomfort away.

I've seen people mention using the Listerine Breath Strips.

Just be sure you're not chewing your food until you liquefy it. You want it mushy, but not so chewed that it goes straight through your band. I don't count, but I would estimate I chew good solid food, like chicken, about 30 times. Whatever you do, don't swallow a lump or something that feels fibrous. Your band won't let you get away with that.

I definitely can't see mine. I can only feel it if I'm laying on my back and raise my head up a little to sort of push my stomach muscles out. I've lost 50 lbs and have 35 to go. I hope the port stays tucked away, although if it doesn't, I'll consider a small bump a great trade for obesity. FWIW, I have a low profile port. It's just left of center a little more than an inch below my ribcage. My doctor said it could move up a little as I get closer to goal.

You probably already are doing this, but be sure and have your questions written down, so you don't forget anything. At least, I need to do that. You may not be quite so forgetful, lol. Good luck with you consult!!

Hi, and welcome to LBT. I've heard of people having problems tolerating cold beverages, especially in the morning, although, I've never had a problem with them. It sounds like you can't tolerate hot or cold. I haven't read that mentioned before, but I'm sure you're not alone. I hope your sensitivity lessens as your body adjusts to your band. Other than that, are you having any other food issues?

Check your protein shakes' nutritional label. The ones I drank had additional fiber. I'm sure being on liquids can also cause things to be a little "loose".

I agree with both of you on her mental state, but I just don't know that her delusional optimistic attitude rises to the level of taking her children away, if she has the means to care for them. It's a tough call for me. I also have a friend who took long term foster kids. In the end, she adopted ten or twelve of them at various ages. She had one biological child. I believe, over the many years she was a foster parent, she had approx 50 kids at one time or the other. Some she adopted, some were adopted by other parents, and some went back to their original homes, often on a revolving basis. The stories she told me about some of the the parents would send shivers down my spine, yet the state would work at trying to get those children back in their biological homes.