Gus-Gus

I have had the opposite problems, I have trouble going at all and when I do it's very hard to get it to pass on through. I've tried fiber with no luck. I haven't tried stool softeners yet because I don't want to end up on the other end and have diahrrea. So any ideas would be great.

Chicken has been a lifesaver for me since banding. My hubby cooks chicken thighs in the crockpot and it comes out nice and soft and easy to eat. He puts thighs in the crockpot, dumps a jar of salsa on top and cooks it on low all day. You can also try dumping in creamed soups, or bbq sauce as well, but the slow cooking in the crockpot really does the trick.

Hi Deb, Slim, Like Deb, I haven't been posting as much lately. I have had a few bad months now and just not motivated at all to post, or hear any more horror stories or good stories etc. I needed a bit of a break. But as I am getting down to the last week so I can get in to see my doctor again I am feeling the light at the end of the tunnel. My problem is this..........my last two fills, I went in, drank Water did fine. I made it through 2 days liquids, 2 days mushies and about a half day of solids before getting something stuck so bad (both times) that I wasn't able to keep anything down. I had to go in both times for an unfill. I went from 7 cc's in a 10cc band to now I'm at 5.8 cc's. I feel like I'm going backwards. I am once again in bandster hell. On a constant battle to not overeat and have gained a few pounds. Believe me next Wednesday cannot come soon enough. I know my band is just a tool and that I have to do my part. I don't mind. I am completely happy to do my part, but dad gummit, this band has to at least meet me half way. So next Wednesday I go in for a fill again and let's all keep our fingers crossed that third time is the charm.

Awesome, Welcome to Onederland!

Good luck, I've had to go back twice now for an unfill and of course afterwards I have no restriction and back in bandster hell. I go next week for a fill again and I hope third time is the charm. My doc says we keep overshooting (needing the unfill) and then undershooting (which is where I am now) my sweet spot. I have gained a few pounds and really starting to freak out. So good luck to you. I am 8 months post op and really happy with my progress but hoping to figure this our before I start to gain wieght.

Pudgy. I know how you feel about not knowing what to eat etc. I am 7 months out and have had a few fills/unfills etc. I am once again in bandster hell. My doctor says we keep overshooting or undershooting my sweet spot, but we're working on it. I asked him about a specific diet and he says everyone is different and has to find their own comfort zone. I did find this website that I liked, but you may also try others to see what works for you. this one has a Gastric band food pyramid that is cool, but you need to find your own comfort zone. So good luck and don't get discouraged. http://www.lap-band-surgery-site.com/lap-band-diet.html

I have been too tight twice now and had to have an unfill. Of course immediately afterward I end up too loose. I am still working things out. It sounds like your not chewing enough and getting stuck. Too tight is when you can't hold down any liquids including water. Not holding down yogurt after you've gotten what is stuck out could be some swelling. When you have something come back up, stick to liquids for a meal or two to give your stomach a chance to recuperate. And chew chew chew. Good luck.

I have had my band 7 months now and being from Southern CA, my family has annual passes to Disneyland (Disney World shouldn't be too different). I have no problems at all. Every restaraunt has a good kids meal selection and they don't ask questions. If its a sandwich or burger, I take off the bread. Tomorrowland Terrace has a great Protein kids meal that has yogurt, string cheese, sliced apples, whole wheat gold fish crackers and a drink. Great meal at the end of the day when you want a snack but not the whole thing. I eat the cheese and yogurt, hubby gets the apples, and my son gets the fish. Main thing to remember is this is your new healthy life. Have fun and enjoy Disney World.

I agree with Cathy, if you didn't re-gurgitate the grits it probably wasn't a PB. Keep in mind that right now you have very little in your stomache that sticks. Liquids go right through you. Whatever gave you the initial pain (could be the healing or left over gas) could have been exacerbated by the pain meds. Pain meds are sometimes really harsh on a tender stomache. Just FYI, my doctor recently told me that slips do happen but they aren't as common as people think, so try not to worry too much about them. Be careful and diligent always but don't stress to much either.

I don't know about you, but my band does not like me very much this week. I don't know how I offended it or what I need to do to get back on it's good graces, but I had a fill last Wednesday, I did fine Thursday and Friday and since Saturday, I have been able to keep down very, very little food or liquids. I feel like I got something stuck, but no matter how much I pb or slime, I don't think I've been able to dislodge it yet. I have tried the papaya enzymes, tums, going back to liquids.......... It is not happy with me this week.

Hello fellow bandsters: You gotta check out this really cute website with lapband items. (please note, I am not personally affiliated with this web site, I just thought it was fun). Lap-Band-Surgery-Site Online Store

I have been banded for 7 months now and I also worry but I also figure that a flipping port or slippage is probably very rare or there wouldn't be so many success stories. I've learned to just relax and enjoy the journey. If there is a problem then I'll deal with it then.

As for cheating. I weigh myself once a week (Saturday mornings) and those are the days I allow myself a treat or two. I don't go crazy, just don't keep track like I do the rest of the week. I find that after my doctor does a fill and puts me on what he calls band re-training ie: two days liquids, two days mushies and then solid food again, that will kick start my wieght loss gain. So maybe if you do liquids for a couple of days or even Protein shakes for b-fast and lunch and then a meal for dinner that might get your body moving again. Also, make sure you are getting in plenty of Water. That often helps me too. Good luck to you.

I have gotten stuck several times on different foods, but chicken is still the worse. I find that chicken thighs in the crockpot with salsa makes it really soft and easy to eat.

Jaime, I gained the most weight ever about 15 years ago. My husband and I lost three babies in the span of 2 years. I know what your going through as I was a mess. I finally went to a therapist and she told me I had not gone through the stages of grief with my first baby when I was dealing with the loss of the second and third. Remember, you need time to heal. Please consider meeting with a therapist and possibly taking some anti-depressants to get you through the tough times. I was on them for a little over a year (not permanent) but it really helped to steady me and get me through the rough times. Good luck to you and hang in there. I know it's hard sometimes, but I for one will be thinking of you.

Niecey, I know how you feel about being too tight. I think as we all approach the end of our 7th month now, we're pretty close if not at the sweet spot everyone talks about. Last month I went in for an unfill because I did fine for the first three days after may fill and then started having problems and couldn't keep Water down. The physicicans assistant said it sounded like I got something stuck that needed to work it's way out,but he did a small unfill. That worked for about a week and then I felt no restriction at all. I felt like I had never had surgery. I talked to my doctor at support group and he said wait a few weeks. I did and then went back about a month after my un-fill. He put back the same amount that was taken out. I am now at 7cc's in a 10cc band. I feel like I have finally reached my sweet spot. I stay full between meals. I am satisfied (and a little tight) after about 2-3 ounces. A snack cup of sugar free pudding takes me about 20 minutes to eat. I am down another 6 pounds. I know I have to do my part and I'm happy to do it, but I am glad my band is now doing it's part too. Keep up the good work everyone!

My doc says two days of liquids, two days of mushies then regular food after that.

I havent' reached my sweet spot. Hopefully tomorrow. Popcorn works just fine, So does bread for that matter. Especially the cheddar popcorn from Universal Studios (I stay away from that as much as possible, but sometimes I need a treat). The 100 calorie mini bags are great for an evening snack after dinner but before bed.

My doctor only used the BMI chart to determine how much weight he wanted me to lose prior to surgery. Since surgery he hasn't spoken about BMI, charts, goal weight etc. He asked me my goal and said once we got to my goal we would decide together how much farther I needed to go. As long as your healthy and losing at a safe pace, don't worry too much about charts.

I know how you feel. I had a fill the beginning of March and did fine with liquids and one day of mushies then three days of not keeping anything down. I freaked out and went in a week later for an unfill (.6 ccs) My doctor said is sounded more like I had gotten something stuck and I needed to work it out, but he did the unfill anyway. Well now I have no restriction whatsoever and I am now counting calories. I don't mind planning my meals and counting calories etc. I keep track on SparkPeople, but there are several web-sites that are similar. The keeping track helps the psychological part of the journey. But........I try to stay at 1200 calories but with no restriction and extreme hunger in between meals I am having a hard time staying under 1400 calories and some days a little over. On the weekend I got to almost 1800 (ahhhh). I have increased my exercise. Me and two friends from my support group actually walked 5.5 miles on Sunday and I try to do at least 2 miles at least three times a week. I finally called my doctor and I am going back in next week and I am hoping he will give me a fill, even if it's a little one. I know we have all heard that the band is just a tool and I'm okay with that, but when the tool isn't working....it's very frustrating. A contractor wouldn't try and build a house with a broken hammer. Hang in there Justbanded and I'll hang in there with you.

I have been having a fill about every three months. I feel my doctor is very conservative and I haven't reached by perfect level of restriction yet. Once I do, I am hoping I don't have to go as often. I do get full at meals, but I am still getting hungry about every 3 hours. I go back on the 15th for my 5th fill and I do believe I am real close to the right level of restriction. I have been either staying the same weigth or losing a pound to pound and a half a week for about 3 months now. I'm okay with that. There hasn't been any gain so I feel good about things. Really ready to resolve the hunger between meals though.

I'm right there with you sister, especially right now that I need an adjustment. I have found that I can eat pizza and bread. I force myself to stop at one slice, but it is a daily struggle. I have been told that once I reach a good level of restriction it will be easier and I hope so. I keep a daily written journal and I post my food on SparkPeople. I try to stay under 1200 calories but I am usually closer to 1300 or 1400. the weight loss has slowed a bit and I'm going in for a fill in two weeks. Hang in there, its coming off and I believe the rest will work itself out.

I have never been thin. I was one of those who was a chubby kid and grew into an overweight adult. I picked a random number of 150 mainly because it sounded like a reasonable number and I am over forty. The chart says my weight should be 125 but considering I don't know what that would be like, it's an abstract number to me. Once I get to 150 I figured I would re-assess my goal at that time.

During my post op phase I went to GNC and stocked up on Isopure. It is a clear protein drink and each bottle contains 54 grams of protein. I would pour that in a glass with ice and sip on that all day. GNC also carries a small protein "shot" like drink that is high in protein. They are very family with bariatric surgery patients and if you ask them, they will show you different kinds of ways to get in that extra protein during your liquids and mushie phases.

Like Rathsog, I got married in January so I wouldn't be all sweaty on my wedding day but yes, I am freezing all the time. My husband bought us a heated mattress pad with dual control, so I keep my side warm and he keeps his side turned off. He says it reminds him of those heating rocks that you buy when you own a pet lizard. (don't know how I feel about him comparing me to a lizard LOL), and he calls it my force field. So stock up on sweaters and booties, I'd rather be too cold and bundle up then be too hot and not able to cool down.