2muchfun

Vegetables yes, cereals no. Vegetables like jicama, broccoli, green Beans etc are usually low glycemic index foods which means it's harder for your stomach to break them down and digest. They also require the esophagus to go through more peristalsis contractions which stimulates the valgus nerve giving you the satiety you need. Cereals for me are like slider foods. Mostly they're highly processed so they have high glycemic indexes and that can spike your insulin.

Show off Way to go!

I was advised that steak and bread would be difficult for me to eat and those warnings were mostly true. However, there are some types of bread that break up easily and pass through the stoma with very few problems. Like the low cal flat breads? Regular breads, mostly white flour, are difficult for me to eat. Most steaks are very difficult to consume. But, if I eat tenderloin, I'm usually OK. Of course tenderloin steak is $15/lb but we can only eat 4-6 ozs anyway so one little steak is only $4-$6 and they're the most tender and best part of the beef. So, I still eat a little flat bread and tenderloin steak now and then. Not every day mind you, but occasionally. Your doctor must have had some patients who got seriously stuck on these foods and is just being cautious. I agree with B-52 that rules are guidelines. Maybe 6 months to a year you'll be one with your band and have an understanding of what your band will tolerate. Till then, obey your doctor.jmo tmf

I just read a post of yours where you state you're drinking your veggies? If you're drinking veggie juice and not eating veggies you're defeating the purpose of the band! Juice is a slider food and wont give you the satiety you're seeking? You might want to go back and re-visit how the band works its magic? Veggies are a dense food that can stimulate the valgus nerve so you might want to eat them raw or cooked.

35 lbs is a fantastic start. Welcome and look forward to hearing more about your success.

I have to agree with B-52. Until your band is activated or properly adjusted, this is just another diet. I lost 12 lbs the first two weeks after surgery(no pre op diet so no pre-op weight loss) and then nothing for the next 3.5 months. No one tells us about this before surgery and your post is repeated every day by many others who did not know how long it takes for the band to begin to work it's magic. Hang in there.

I've never had to spit water up when I've received fills and I've had about 9. The port is very hard and when the PA inserts the needle, the syringe should be able to stand up on it's own. It's as if she stuck the needle into a potato. My doc sticks the needle in and I can see it standing there all by itself.

Oh yeah. I find it nearly impossible to overeat as long as I stick with healthy foods. It's the chips, nachos, ice cream, candy, cookies(slider foods) that slide through the band and give no satiety and only spike my insulin levels so that I just want more an hour later.

Erase weight loss from your vocabulary for the next 4 weeks or till you get a few fills. I know it's difficult but losing weight during the healing phase isn't important. Some are very lucky and lose from the gitgo but most stall right after the two week post-op phase. The puree or mushy phase is sooooo much better than the liquids phase. Enjoy. tmf

It wasn't difficult or painful for me. I don't react well to anesthesia so I felt traumatized for a week afterwards. My wife said I was still loopy 6 days later. I do read on the forum of many people who seem to be in terrible pain. Some even say they have a high tolerance to pain. Mostly it's shoulder and chest pains from the gas that's pumped into your body cavity and it can take a month for that stuff to dissipate. Incision sites can ooze and be very itchy just days later. I'm told it's a lot like childbirth. A few months later and all is forgotten. I had kidney stones twice and I'd have the surgery over kidney stones any day. tmf

My opinion? The band is so different for each of us? Take B-52 for instance. He's seldom hungry and can go hours between meals and eat just a little. I've never been able to go 4-5 hours without feeling hungry. Maybe it's head hunger maybe not? I sure wish I could go 5 hours without feeling deprived but it's never been that way for me. Some folks prefer a very tight band but I've never been like that. I struggle every day trying to not get stuck on simple foods. Sometimes I go weeks without being stuck and then I get stuck every day once or twice. So, one more small fill just isn't in the cards for me. So, I've adapted by having a small snack 2.5 hours after Breakfast and lunch. Maybe a small apple, pear, cheese stick or beef Jerky. Go for the fill and let me know how it works for you? I too fumble around with this dilemma. GO BRONCOS!!

You'll be in "bandster hell" until you get the fill that gives you enough restriction for the band to work it's magic. That may be 1 fill or 6. No one knows. Till then, like our esteemed forum member B-52 says, "Until there's restriction...It's just another diet" tmf

That's about all the enjoyment you'll get out of this game. Sorry but you're playing the most explosive and productive offense in NFL history

I agree with your doctor but disagree with your assessment that your weight loss is slow? 23 lbs in less than 3 months and traveling through the Holidays is quite remarkable. You're a low BMI patient and we tend to lose much less in the beginning but you're close to 8 lbs a month with is something to shout about. 6 months from now you'll look back and wish it were still as it is now. It will be easier once your band is adjusted properly but losing 2 lbs every week may be a challenge as your journey progresses. tmf

"These past two weeks on solid foods, I've been eating just about everything, and far too big of portions, and gained a pound back. So, needless to say, I was looking forward to my first fill and getting restriction to get back on the losing track. I went today, and they put in 5cc, but honestly, I am wondering if they missed my port completely?? I even called back to ask." tmf, I was referring to the words in the post above. What you're feeling is normal and happens to most all bandsters. You won't feel any restriction/satiety till your band is adjusted properly. That may be 1 fill or 10 fills(avg is maybe 3). I felt nothing the first 2 fills. My 3rd fill started my journey and my 6th fill got me to the green zone. I lost 12 lbs the first 2 weeks and then nothing the next 3.5 months. Until you get the fill that gives you restriction/satiety, this will be just another diet. I know and realize that no one told you about this phase as I don't recall hearing it either, but, this is the way it is for most of us. Keep reading and you'll see "Help" posts like yours and similar threads to this topic every single day. I know I posted my disappointment and frustration 2 years ago so you're not alone. tmf

Very few banders make it through the first 90 days with no fills. Usually in the first 2 weeks post-op your pouch and stoma site is swollen from all the trauma during surgery so you get the same effect as someone who's had 2-3 fills. Maybe you'll be one of the lucky ones and not need any fills but the swelling will go down eventually. X your fingers and follow your doctors orders. Re: Stuck episodes. Avoid them, take very small bites, chew chew chew, eat very slowly. Just the basics can help you avoid being stuck, but again, very few people avoid being stuck. It's not that big a deal anyway. In fact, it's a sign in the beginning that your band is working it's magic but you're not obeying the rules. Good luck. tmf

CG, you should really try to show a lot more enthusiasm and excitement. Your laid back calm approach is underwhelming:

Band teacher and lapbandchic: You two should go back to the beginning of this thread and read all the posts. All your questions will be answered. tmf

I've always been suspicious of amounts of saline in our bands and how accurate the readings are. Except, for fluoroscopic fills. Fills under fluoro you can withdraw all Fluid and then re-inject the fluid and measure it as the doctor monitors the swallow flow on the screen.

Melanndoll, I've never gone by the half cup guidelines. We need about 6 ozs of meat just to get our Protein so a half cup is too little. I eat at least a cup. It's hard to say how much we eat cuz salads stuff is so light. The breakfast is the most important meal slogan was probably started by Kelloggs or General Mills? I do agree that we shouldn't eat unless we're hungry though. If you aren't hungry, maybe a Protein shake or half a shake? We haven't eaten for 12 hours+ so to avoid being real hungry by lunch it might be a good idea to get something in our stomach? I see many folks on the forums who don't eat breakfast. It's not unusual and they don't eat because they're not hungry or, our bands tend to be tighter in the morning hours so eating can be difficult. And, everything O'Brien suggests may not work for you or me. tmf

Uh-oh!

No, call your doctor in the morning and see if you can take some anti inflammatory meds? You do not want to get dehydrated this early or ever really. Try sucking on ice chips so Water slowly goes down the tube. Cold water may help reduce the swelling from surgery too. Alternate every hour or so with warm/hot tea. Slowly sip with a small spoon. tmf

I only lost 50 the first 8 months and have been satisfied to maintain for the last 1.5 years. But I'm ready to hit it hard again once the weather here warms up and I can ride my bike more. Welcome to the forum and look forward to your sage advice!