2muchfun

I did try Sensa. I found that Sensa removes the flavor of food but never really satisfied me. I would begin eating a meal and wonder why I like this food? I would still be hungry and would seek out other food. I forgot to use Sensa at least 50% of the time. I would try it if I were you. We're all different and who knows, this may be your miracle prescription and avoid an expensive surgery. Try as many plans as you can and make the band or bariatric surgery your very last option. tmf

#1. I agree, around 6 weeks. #2. Regarding the fruit. Fruit is high in carbs and most diet plans want you to keep your carb intake fairly low. Also, many fruits are very fibrous and can cause a blockage(stuck episode) and that's not something you want so early in your recovery. #3. Jean's right again. Worthless calories. I've allowed myself one beer or one glass of wine per week. Sometimes none and sometimes two. I've found I really don't miss alcohol as well as many other foods. #4. Most doctors and nutritionists do recommend no fluids up to 15 minutes before and 60 minutes after a meal. I have to say I don't follow this rule and I'll tell you why below. I drink right up to a meal. Sometimes, if I'm excessively tight, I need the liquid to help my meal pass through my stoma(not often). I will also drink right after a meal but only if I have satiated my appetite. But, you should follow your doctors advice. Now my caveat. As we all travel down our own paths with our bands, we all find ways to make it work(or not) with our bodies. In the beginning I followed the rules as closely as anyone. But as we became familiar with each other(me and my she-band) I've made some adjustments that work for my band and also aid my weight loss journey. Such as drinking during or after a meal. I found that sometimes I had to drink just so I could consume enough of my food to keep up my nutrition levels. I've never drank fluids just so I could eat more food. I'm the one in control over this element of my weight loss plan. You are not here yet. And it takes time to get to the green zone and understand how your body communicates with your band. For some, it's 3 months and others, years. So be patient and follow the rules till you have some experience under your belt. tmf

Maybe 2 weeks?

Anyone who can only consume 4-5 bites per meal is experiencing a temporary phase of being overly tight. Most bandsters will outgrow this phase or return to their doctor for an unfill. I've also seen where some people only consume 500 calories a day. Let me say that although we can survive on such a small amount of food it's not recommended and I doubt those folks keep that slow pace up for months on end. Also, I think some people underestimate how much they consume and are simply unaware of how many calories they are actually consuming. And even though we sometimes can only eat 4-5 bites of food, we almost always can drink or eat slider foods well in excess of 4-5 bites. tmf

Mis73, OK, thanks. I may do that occasionally. I think before the band I did that often. Only I would make a large quesadilla with a couple of tortillas and a bunch of cheese. Or, a large bowl of popcorn. Now, maybe a pear, peach or dill pickle. Hmm? Seems like that head hunger thing doesn't happen anymore? Gee, I wonder why that is? I must have found some super power the allows me to not feel hungry anymore? I should find a way to market this new power I have and make a bazillion dollars? NAAAAAA! tmf

I weigh myself 2 times a day. Doesn't discourage me one bit. You gotta know where you are to get to where you're going. tmf

I keep seeing this head hunger comment? I'm not sure what that is? Can't I just love the taste of a chicken fried steak and eat it because it tastes good? I mean, I don't, but I had a glass of chocolate milk today just because I love the flavor. I wasn't hungry, just wanted what I want. tmf

LOL...Aint bandster hell great? I like the way B-52 puts it: It's all about restriction, otherwise it's just another diet. I was in BH for 3.5 months and didn't gain any weight. It's a good time to work on your food choices and eating skills. tmf

How long have you been in the green zone? Or, how long since you have had enough restriction to make you eat less? tmf

Well, you're not alone here. Wish I could help you but I had no problems with my post op pain. Took a few ibuprofens and that was about it. If you don't see a lot of responses try again during the week a little earlier might be a good idea? tmf

They say that self payers have a higher % of success. Good for you. tmf

What kind of protein are you consuming? Have you tried slider foods and do they pass through? tmf

Welcome and I recommend you complete your profile so we can help you if you need it. Sounds like you've got it all under control so far though? tmf

Can you give us a typical day of what you eat? tmf

I was where you are after 5 fills and fill #6 was for .5 ccs. I had to go back 6 weeks later to have .25 removed so be aware that once you get close to the right restriction, it takes very little to make a difference. tmf

I doubt you hurt your band. I've seen similar posts from several new bandsters and usually these symptoms take care of themselves over 48 hours. If they get worse call your surgeon. tmf

I have a daughter in Star, Id and her name is Jenn-ifer. You don't provide a lot of help as far as stats are concerned? Where are you in the process? Pre or post op? You might want to fill out your profile so we can help you better. Otherwise we're just throwing mud at a wall and hoping something sticks? tmf

Fortunately you are in a minority. As Pink Dahlia said: "I'm so stinkin thrilled with my weight loss I don't care what I can't eat". I feel the same way. But you would rather weigh 400+ lbs than have the band? Yikes? I guess I value the quality of my life more than that. tmf

My doc only required liquids the day before and I was fine with that. Of course, I had my surgery the Monday following Thanksgiving. I still prefer no pre op diet. I think some of these docs go overboard and create a lot of skepticism for some of these patients. I know if I had to go on liquids for 2 weeks I'd be pissed. tmf

Did you try: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/surgeons/3545-robert-thomas/

My experience was nearly the same after fill #6. It sometmes took me 45 minutes to eat a small meal. My wife would finish her meal and go read or watch TV while I sat there waiting for my food to pass through the portal. Most meals where I was stuck I would wait 10-15 minutes for the first bolus of food to pass and then it got easier. But some foods like chicken or dry fish would take forever to eat. Some of the tricks you may learn are using low fat, low carb sauces to help these foods pass. Salsa is a good one. Also, spaghetti sauces may help some foods travel through the portal. Just make sure you aren't using it on all foods or they may become slider foods and you will eat toomuch. The upside to this phase is that you may lose a lot of weight but it's no way to live. I finally went back in for a small unfill. I was in the green zone before but now it's much more comfortable. tmf

Penna, I apologize in advance for my honest but perhaps brutal appraisal of your comments. "Yet I've been at a set point for 6 months! Throwing up plenty but the ice cream every night is what must keep on the lbs. I think this may be a common rut for lapband folks." Are you serious or are you pulling our leg? Ice cream every night? Sorry, this is not a common rut for lapband folks. Most of us follow the rules and occasionally fall off the wagon but not every night. It sounds like you weren't listening during the pre op nutrition phase? I would highly recommend you sit down with a nutritionist/dietician and be very honest about what you are eating? If you've been at a plateau and you are vomitting and eating slider foods you will never succeed with the band. Vomitting is not normal and can cause slippage and erosion. Eating ice cream every night is a no brainer. You can't lose weight and eat high fat, high sugar foods. Not gonna work! tmf

I'm sorry if I offend anyone too. But, for me, being fat was being ugly! Oh, there were all the other reasons to lose weight such as, health, fitness, joint pain, being comfortable in an airplane seat etc, but the main reason, I hated being fat and ugly. Sorry gals but no one tells us guys that we have lovely faces and it's too bad we're fat. tmf

Hope to meet you someday? I assume you've gone to some of the dinners at Red Robin with the Dr. K crowd? I went once back in December. Hope they do it again soon. tmf

It's called "bandster hell". Until you get that one fill that gives you some restriction, you may have episodes of severe hunger. For me, I was hungrier after surgery than I was before surgery. This is a time for you to begin to train yourself to eat band smart. Eat nutritious foods and do not eat slider type foods. I know some doctors tell you to only eat 1/2 cup of food but for some of us that just isn't enough. Once you are cleared to eat solid foods try to stick to veggies, salads, lean meats but try to eat till you are satisfied. If you eat nutritious food, you may not gain or lose during this phase. Keep up the fills. tmf