kiz

A rule of thumb my doctor uses is if you eat 1/4 of good solid Protein (ie chicken) and 1/4 cup of a solid veg (ie cooked broccoli) and you're hungry in three hours, you probably need a fill. Also, if you're not losing weight, and you're eating a healthy diet w/o slider and junk foods, you may need a fill.

Hi nomebug. I've been banded just under six months. My doctor gives fairly aggressive fills at first to help get you to restriction, and he's willing to increase a fill in two week's time if you still need more. Some doctors go a little slower, so it all depends. However, if you stay on top of getting your fills at the schedule your doctor recommends, you should get to the point that you are satisfied (full) with the meals that your doctor suggests. My doctor recommends three 1/2 cup meals plus a snack. Before my first fill, I was eating three just under a cup meals, plus a 1/2 cup heavy Protein rich snack, to keep my hunger under control. I've lost weight, and have felt satisfied all along. My slowest weight loss period was over Christmas when I only lost two pounds. Now, I'm at my "sweet spot". The surgery leaves a 4 ounce pouch above the band. Your nerves that sends a signal to your brain are at the top of your stomach. So, when you're at a good restriction level, a small amount of food is enough to let your brain know you've had enough. I was not what you would call a "big volume" eater. I was a snacker and a grazer. I was a little concerned that the band wouldn't work for me, but it's worked beautifully. Because I'm not hungry between meals, food isn't on my mind. I don't crave all the junk. It's not like my sweet tooth is gone, but I just stick to my meal plan and fluids in between, and I feel fantastic. Of course this required surgery and a big out of pocket expenditure (I was self-pay), but this has been the easiest weight loss I've ever had. I've been on Weight Watchers numerous times, I also was on phentermine with a weight loss specialist, and still, I never lost weight with this much ease. I seriously LOVE my band. :tt2:

You know, Nanook, the first one or two seasons those shows were on, I watched them, but I thought Wife Swap was more about personal growth, whereas Trading Spouses seemed to be more about confrontation. I'm almost sure the Wife Swap participants didn't get paid in the beginning, but I believe I read once that they changed that, and now they get $20,000 or in that neighborhood. I could be completely wrong about that though. You're right, the mid-western family were the paint balling/ATV'ing family.

I'm glad you found us Gus, and welcome to the group. Thanks so much for the tip. I'm going to check it out. Congratulations to your fabulous weight loss to date!

My doctor also said drinking while eating pushes the food through quicker. He's never said that the pouch would stretch.

I was allowed to start a regular diet on my fourth week from surgery. I measured my meals to not over-do it too much and added a fourth 1/2 cup heavier snack/meal (tuna, Greek yogurt w/high fiber cereal, etc). My doctor's goal is satisfaction with 1/2 cup meals, but before your first fill (sometimes after until you get better restriction), and after your swelling has subsided, you're pretty open. I kept my three main meals under just under one cup, and made sure I had good protein/veggie rich meals and added that extra heavy snack (rather than say a sf jello). This was with my doctor's approval and kept me out of "bandster's hell".

My doctor's rule is no drinking 1/2 hour prior to eating and waiting until 45 mins after eating (although his partner said in a support group meeting that waiting 1/2 hour is okay). I usually wait 45 mins to an hour. Maybe it's psychological, but it seems to help me stay full longer when I wait. On the other hand, when we go out to eat..probably a couple of times a week, I drink my Water or tea up until dinner is served and sometimes sip a little during the meal. I've ordered wine on a few occasions too. It doesn't seem to cause me any pain, but I'm only taking small sips while eating. In our support group meetings drinking while eating often comes up. The doctor said that it you have to drink, make it no more than a medicine cup full.

O-U-T :sneaky:

Yeah, for a guy who liked to throw his "superior intelligence" around, he sure was a big dummy when it came to doing this show. I read where he resigned from two boards he set on as fall-out from this show grew. The wife has said he needs counseling. From what I saw on the You Tube clips, the other family needed help on getting off the junk food and learning healthier eating habits. I really felt sorry for the teenage boy who was so over weight. Nanook, do you remember if they started eating healthier with the Life Coach mom's help?

Yeah, slime is like thick saliva or mucus..yuck I bought my pills at Trader Joe's, but I'm sure you can find them at vitamin stores or even health food shops. They help break down protein, and for me, it works right away. The kind I have is: Natural Papaya & Pineapple Enzymes.

I've had my band for close to six months, and I'm beginning to feel like the lone non pb'er, not that I'm complaining. Twice, I've been stuck enough to slime a few times, but the food went down. Both times happened at home, and had I been out to eat, I don't think I would have gotten to that point, because I wouldn't have pushed it. My stuck episodes were both my doing. The first one was with Chinese Chicken and Broccoli. The broccoli was very firm and the chicken seemed a little stringy, but it tasted so good, I kept eating...than I overate. My nose ran, I sighed, I hiccupped, but not having having those "stop eating" cues before, I took one more bite. Yikes, it wasn't pleasant. I began to burp, and it was painful. I chewed a papaya/pineapple pill, slimed twice, and it was over. The second time, I decided to drench my cereal in milk and it caused the cereal to go down too quickly. I slimed once, and that was it. I carry my papaya/pineapple pills with me, and if I'm at a restaurant and the meat or fish I'm eating starts to feel a little heavy in my pouch area, I chew a pill, wait a couple of minutes and am mindful to eat a little slower and chew a little better. I think my band must be a little looser than some, but for me, it's better that way. After all the posts I've read about overfills, slips, erosion, and reflux, I want to try to keep my band just tight enough to help me with my weight loss, but not so tight, I'm having trouble eating a pretty normal diet..just a lot less of it, and with healthier choices.

I love The Onion. Their election coverage was hilarious.

Hi Blossom, and congratulations! I hope you continue to have much success with your band.

Last movie we saw at the theater was Grand Torino. Thought it was great. Clint was perfect for the role. I actually liked the ending but that's all I'll say to not ruin it. Last movie we rented was My Best Friend's Girl. Very cute movie with lots of laughs. My husband liked it too. Next movie we plan to see is Taken.

Wow, bigpapa2, your post was very inspirational! Thank you for taking the time to put your feelings into words.

One thing is for certain, the rainbow guy is not a bander. He obviously doesn't chew, chew, chew.

LOL, Beth. I say dedicate it to all the "right" people on the internet!!

It's great to read about how all the samurai are doing!! I can't believe our six months' bandiversaries are just around the corner.

Hopefully, someone with medical expertise will weigh in on your question, but from what I've read, there are two separate types of medical tubes. A breathing tube goes into your lungs, not down your esophagus. I don't think it's probable that I would need to have my stomach pumped in an emergency situation that neither I nor someone from my family would be able to let medical personnel know I have a band. I just carry my card in my wallet, and also have my band noted on my cell phone under emergency info. edited my post: I'm glad you posted, kimaly. Stomach pumping is what I meant rather than feeding tube.

Absolutely not! I was self pay, and even though I still have some more weight to lose, it's been worth every penny. I started this process for good health, but I've been given my life back. I was very active throughout my life, until I started putting this weight on in my 30s, and since I got my band, I've already made drastic changes. I walk 4 - 5 miles daily, I have the energy to hike in the mountains with my family, I don't feel drained all the time, and I could go on and on.

Chances are, you need a fill. If you're getting hungry between meals, you're able to eat too much, and you're not loosing weight, then you're probably still not getting good enough restriction. Also, restriction wanes after you lose some fat around your stomach, so you're restriction will lesson as you lose weight.

They pump gas into your stomach to expand the area to preform the surgery (sort of like a balloon). Some people also experience shoulder pain as the gas moves around.

Did they tell you when to expect the swelling to subside? My port doesn't protrude at all, so hopefully, it is just swelling. (I'm a patient of Dr. Brengman's too).

cue Billy Joel :mad2: They say there's a heaven for those who will wait Some say it's better but I say it ain't I'd rather laugh with the sinners than cry with the saints the Sinners are much more fun... you know that only the good die young

Carrie, didn't you say you worked in the medical community too? I'd call that a twofer. :mad2: