greytz

I was given a small fork and spoon also in a gift bag when I left the hospital. I used them for a long time and they really helped. I find I don't really need them any longer because I have learned how to eat smaller bites and it is habit now. Unless, on a rare occasion I am in a hurry and eat too fast and even small flatware won't help that. Do what feels best and works best.

I am so sorry you had such a profoundly bad experience but again thanks for posting it. It is good to hear the bad with the good.

You should not be sliming and you definitely need more high in protein calories. I am sure your doctor didn't mean for you to get more fill if he knew you were sliming now. You for sure want to go in and see him and let him know what is going on. It sounds as though your body is in starvation mode. The reason you probably can't eat very much right now also is because if you are sliming a lot, your stomach will have swollen and it is making a bad situation worse by tightening even further. Please do not wait to see him so that you do not do irrepairable damage.

Good for you and Good Luck to you. As I stated in my above quote, it is only my personal opinion and I actually was writing to the thread starter. As I stated in my quote also, not partaking of these things was my decision for my personal journey. I was attempting to show that there are other opinions and other ways to do things for people at the beginning of their journey. A psychologist runs our local support group who is also banded. He chooses to lose weight at a much slower pace and eat whatever he wants just less of it. It is what makes the world go round. He isn't wrong and I am not wrong. We are just choosing to move through our journey at a different pace. I also did not make the statement that if you enjoy alcohol you won't be ready for surgery. What I said was if you are consuming calories and carbonation, you may not be ready. I have seen it so many many times on this forum people who get banded and find out that they were not emotionally ready for it due to eating issues. It is a way of life change not just a miracle cure.

Thats great when you are at goal or very close to goal but just my personal opinion here that if you are just beginning your journey or you have a lot of weight to lose it is not a good option to eat sugar, drink carbonation and intake calorie laden foods or drinks. When I first began my personal journey and still now until I reach my goal, I do not partake of these things. I feel that they defeat my purpose and my intention with the band.

Wonderful efforts! You definitely can't worry about what others say and just keep doing the great job you are doing and believing in yourself. That is the pay off.

Calories and carbonation. Gotta wonder if you really want this.

The point of not drinking after eating besides the fact you can eat too much and stretch your pouch for long term damage is that you lose the satisfaction of fullness for any period of time. The point of holding off of liquids after solids is to keep the feeling of fullness for as long as possible. Technically for a small meal an average digestion time is about 30 minutes but it takes longer without liquids, hence, the full feeling lasting longer. However, if you chase your meal with liquids, you will more than likely be hungry again very soon. It takes some getting used to but is much, much better in the long run. I had to learn how to say no when I went out to eat with my husband. We would go to a restaurant and the first thing they do is try to give you something to drink. I would say no and they would just keep asking me. It drove me crazy at first. Then, I starting saying, "No thanks, I don't drink anything with my meal." I say it in a very stern voice and they get the message. It works everytime.

I acutally left the hospital the day I was banded with the stomach flu. It was awful but I didn't have any problems with slippage.

Congratulations! What a great accomplishment! Good Luck on reaching your goal. You are almost there!

This was a matter of great concern for me also. I initially wanted my goal weight to be 150. I am 5' 8" and felt like it was a good goal. All three of my doctors, PCP, Heart surgeon and my Baritric surgeon told me no way and that my goal should be 160 which is what I changed it to. But, secretly, I will still try to make 150. I think I can do it with some effort. But, I believe my body will end where it ends and I will see what happens at that point. I am exercising a lot and building muscle and losing the fat so I am not sure how I will end up. I am hoping to be at goal by April.

You look fabulous! And you must be so proud of this. How great for you. What a success! Hope you have this framed and on a wall somewhere.

I felt the pull also for a few weeks and it went away. I can really feel my port now. You can actually see it sticking out when I lay down. Makes it easier for the doctor to stick the needle in. Yeah!

First of all, cardinal rule is don't eat and drink at the same time. Next, protein solid first as in chicken, fish, pork,etc. Next, green veggie and then whole grain if you have room for it in the end. 64 oz. fluids a day but in between meals. Stop drinking fluids 30 mins before a meal and don't drink fluids until at least 1 hour after a meal. Exercise each day even if it is just a samll amount at first like a walk around the block. Then, gradually add to your routine.

I actually never had heartburn and assumed the prilosec was doing it's job. I am no longer on it and can eat anything without getting heartburn so it has not been a problem for me. I would give my system time to settle down and if it doesn't go away I would definitely call the surgeon next week. I am sure they have something to give you. As far as treating just the symptom. I don't believe banding gives you long term heartburn unless you are already prone to it. I never had heartburn to begin with therefore, I don't have the problem. If you already had it to begin with, it may be a sign of a deeper issue and you may want to consult with your PCP.

I never for a moment even suggested that you not listen to your doctor or suggested that anyone not listen to their doctor. The statement you made about the weight changing at anytime was uncalled for and I will end this discussion with you now. You have gone over the line.

That is the opinion of your doctor and your doctor only. And as I said, cereal IS a slider food. I DO eat regular solids as evidenced by my weight loss. So, there you have it. I choose to have a protein shake in the morning and you choose to have cereal. That's what makes the world go round.

It isn't my opinion. It's what it is. A slider food that doesn't fill you. Protein solids fill you and keep you full. Anything that is liquid or liquid based IS a slider food. Period. Your surgeon may say it is ok but it doesn't change the fact that it is indeed a slider food. I drink a Protein shake for breakfast but I also know it too is a slider food. It is what I choose but doesn't make it any less of a liquid.

Do worry about cereal. It is no different than drinking while eating and IS a slider food. Not worth it.

I don't have a Wii but am considering it. I don't go to the gym for just that reason. I have a treadmill at home and use it on an incline and I developed my own exercise routine after I get off of the treadmill. I walk 3 1/2 miles a day and then do light weight training along with the ball for abdomen strentgh. It works just as well as going to the gym and I don't have to put up with the hassle. Only deal is, you have to have the will power to do it every day.

It is one of the first lessons I was taught way before I was banded that my food choices have to change. I ate whatever I wanted in whatever quantity I wanted and I had to make a decision about it. I chose not to eat those things any longer. It hasn't been easy but definitely worth it. Protein solids and veggies; calories in versus calories out makes it very simple. Are you counting calories or watching your intake at all? Are you exercising at all? It makes a big difference in your weight loss efforts.

My surgeon absolutely insisted I use prescription prilosec for the first two months and it really helped. Do you have a prescription for an antacid? Call your surgeon tomorrow and find out why not if not. It sounds like you really will need it.

If you are really craving something, I say have it, get it over with and move on. You have done really well so far and giving in to a craving is still a part of life. The deal is, once you have it, don't keep eating. In other words, don't keep it in the house. If you have to go out to get something, it is less desirable than having it in the house and right at arms length. Consider it a treat like all the other posters said.

That's what I did after my too tight episode. Just the .2cc's and that did it. Sometimes just that little bit can make the difference. A little at a time is definitely the best way to go when you start getting up into your sweet spot territory.

I had to stay overnight due to a heart condition. A lot of it depends on your current health status and requirements of your insurance company. Check with your surgeon for your individual needs.