Carol Conley

I was told to have only liguids for 2 days after my fill. I had my protein drinks. I had the same experience you are having. I called the Dr. they told me to stay on liquids. Still salia and PB. History: I had 2 fills, 1.5cc, and 1cc. I have a 4cc lapband. I would slime everytime I tried to eat anything solid. I kept thinking it was my fault. I wasn't chewing long enough, etc. I really didn't want to have any of my "fill" removed because I thought I would quit losing weight. I waited 2 months eating only sugarfree icecream (for some reason I can always eat icecream: not a good idea) and protein drinks. Finally I had .25cc removed and it was wonderful. That is such a tiny amount of fluid. I was amazed even the next day I could eat REAL food again but not too much. You burn more calories digesting REAL FOOD than liquid (or icecream). I still feel restiction and have times when I PB or slime but it is ususally because I have eaten too fast or I have eaten too much. I was amazed at how having such a small amount removed could make so much difference! By the way, even sugar-free icecream is SATAN'S FOOD for me.

I was told before I was Banded NOT to tell anyone but my family and very close friends. They are the only people I told and I am so glad. I have heard friends of mine talking about others who have had Gastric Bypass and have gained some weight back and how much money was wasted that they should have lost it the "real" way. No way I will tell any of them and have them judging my highs and lows. It takes work even with a tool like a lapband. Some people say they want you to do well but they are just waiting for you to fail. If you don't want people asking you "how it's going" and watching every bite you eat, don't tell. I went out to eat with my aunt, who is like a sister to me, about 4 0r 5 weeks post-op and when everyone was ordering she told the waitress I couldn't order anything because I had had "stomach surgery". Well, I went ahead and told the waitress that my aunt was right I had surgery but I could eat and I ordered. My aunts intensions were good but still I can speak for myself! I haven't even told my mother inlaw, I go to her house at least once a week and take her to the store, etc. Of course she never knew my husband and I had separated for 2 years about 12 years ago either:)! She thinks I had surgery to remove a hernia and some scar tissue. She hasn't even noticed I've lost almost 40 pounds. I really wanted to share my happiness with having this surgery and how glad I am that I did but I am really glad I decided not to. You will have ups and downs, and it is too bad that not everyone is happy for your success and is not there for you when things are going a little slow!

I am so happy I made the right choice for me, the Lapband. I didn't have to recover from major surgery, my body is able to absorb the nutrients I eat and I losing weight at a reasonable rate (about 38 pounds since 3-28-06). I can really feel when I am full. I have not had to completely change my life style and I can have all of the same foods I had before my surgery, I just don't want as much (not near as much). With my band I can control how much restriction I feel, for ever. I have nothing against any other surgery, I just know that this was the right choice for me. By the way I am 57yrs. old and needed to lose at least 100 pounds. I hope this will help you from a purely personal point of view.

For me is was being able to wear "real" jeans, without stretch for the 1st time in years.

I have troulble getting enough calories. So I try to count calories on "Fitday", or keep a running total in my head. Since my 2nd fill, about a month ago, I am have alot of trouble with solids.

What is the difference between PBing and Sliming. I had my 2nd fill 6/5/06 and have had problems since then. It is not consistant though. It seems like I can tolerate some solid food after it gets cold. But then I will try it again and I don't vomit but "slimmy stuff" just keeps coming up. Is that sliming? It can last up to 45 minutes. I think PB means progressive burping and what I feel isn't a burp it is more like heaving. What is it that causes this to happen and what is it?

It has been a month now since my 2nd fill. I still don't know until I try something if I can eat it or not. I've sure learned not to swallow the bite I am chewing if I get that "feeling in my chest". I can usually drink anything but there is no pattern to when or what I can eat. I am getting very frustrated. I haven't vomited but I'm sure doing something...probably slimming. for some reason I don't want to have any of the saline removed. In a stupid way I am starting to like the restricition, not the slimming and the yukky feeling. I keep thinking I will get used to this thing!

I think it depends on how fast you want to lose. I am not that experienced but it sounds like you are eating more than 1/2 to 1 cup at a time. I was told that was an indicator as to when and if you need a fill. I would wait until you are not hormonal though. I was able to eat about 1 cup after my 1st fill and I just had my 2nd fill and right now I can only eat about 1/4 to 1/2 cup of solid food, with mega chewing! Make sure you are getting enough fluid daily. I became dehydrated last week and I could eat anything solid! It took a couple of days to rehydrate completely.

I had my 2nd fill 2 days ago and wow what a change! My Dr. has done both of my fills and I had no pain or dicomfort except he had me lay with the small of my back over a pillow and now my back hurts but that is the only pain. I sure feel restriction now! The night after my fill I thought I would try solid food, just 1 bite and I knew that was a bad idea! I had major restriction and for the 1st time I started "sliming". I thought it would never stop and the discomfort from the restriciton was really bad. Finally, my bite made it's way through I guess. But today I am sore where I think the band is and my throat is sore. So now I know why you aren't suppose to eat solids for 2-3 day after you are filled and I won't. I called the Dr. office and nurse said to say off of solids a few more days as I had probably caused swelling and inflamation around the band area! Live and learn! But, I am losing weight now, YEAH!

I just got my 2nd fill 3 days ago. I have not had any problems with PBing or Slimming....until the day after I got my fill I was hungry and thought I was smart and went ahead and tried to eat something solid. As soon as I had a bite (I thought I had chewed it well, but still too soon for solids), I started Slimming. I didn't know what it was at first and it just kept on coming, and coming! Who knew, I won't break the rules again. I had followed everything the Dr. and Nutritionist had said until then. Live and learn.

For years my husband never saw me take a bite of food because he would criticize me. We have cleared all that up and he is great now (we've been married 38 yrs now). I am a "night person" and no matter how early I get up I still stay up late. I used to eat after my husband went to bed and I still really want to snack late at night. That is so stupid! I know I'm not hungry but I still crave something to eat usually it is not something good for me. This in not a band thing it is a brain thing. When I was in WW my coach suggested I "replace" the activity of eating with another activity. So I replaced eating with "skin care rituals". My skin looked alright but the cravings were still there and I would usually satify them. That is why I'm here, banded, and still trying to overcome years of loving my late night friend, food! I would like to know if any of you have had this problem and how you deal with it. I can go all day and never feel hungry but then....!:phanvan I have done OK since my surgery but it seems to be getting harder. My Brain doesn't want SF Jello. It wants Cheeto's or something else that I will overeat. If anybody has any suggestions I will try anything!

:phanvan I had 1 fill at 5 weeks post-op and I go back to the Dr. on June 13th. I think I've lost about 24 pounds but my scale is friendlier than the Dr. I have noticed the last couple of weeks that I have felt hungrier and I haven't noticed restriction as much. Then all of a sudden I trouble getting anything down. I noticed I'm not eating as slow as I did at first and I'm not chewing as long, laying down my fork etc. It makes me so mad when I finally remember everything I'm doing wrong. I've been being too adventurous with what I am eating too. Well, I haven't gained any weight back but it sure is slow to come off. Go turtles! I really "enjoy" having my band. I know that sounds odd. It is like a security blanket. __________________

:phanvan I had 1 fill at 5 weeks post-op and I go back to the Dr. on June 13th. I think I've lost about 24 pounds but my scale is friendlier than the Dr. I have noticed the last couple of weeks that I have felt hungrier and I haven't noticed restriction as much. Then all of a sudden I trouble getting anything down. I noticed I'm not eating as slow as I did at first and I'm not chewing as long, laying down my fork etc. It makes me so mad when I finally remember everything I'm doing wrong. I've been being too adventurous with what I am eating too. Well, I haven't gained any weight back but it sure is slow to come off. Go turtles! I really "enjoy" having my band. I know that sounds odd. It is like a security blanket. __________________