DodgerFan

Non-chunky Soup is always my go-to at restaurants. It's great for after fills or anytime, the easiest way to guaranty no stuck episodes. Going to parties with lots of appetizers, don't eat anything. Sounds extreme but honestly, it's the best way to keep from careless grazing and getting blindsided. I'm not saying I do this all the time, but post-fill for sure. And it's easier than it sounds. Good luck.

My nurse practitioner said I was one of just a few of her patients who are very sensitive to fills. Meaning, I swell a lot afterwards. I've gone back for unfills after two separate fills but only after not being able to drink Water. I figure, I know I can live on liquids so as long as water and protien shakes go down, I'm good to wait it out up to a week or so. So my lesson is is after a fill that I have to wait longer than the suggested 24 hours to try even mushies, or I'll irritate my stomach and it'll swell more.

Probably a combo of the fasting before (if your doc requires that, mine doesn't) and a little nervous anticipation. I a blood donor so not afraid of needles, but I get a little nervousness before a fill. Not sure why.

I drink three half mugs every morning, with a flavored coffeemate. Sometimes SF or FF, sometimes full sugar, full fat. I drink them 1/2 at a time cuz I drink much slower now and I don't like when it gets cold. If I want more (not lately, it's too hot) I'll drink decaf all day long.

I like mine but don't LOVE it, as some do. I don't like it for Protein Shakes as it makes em too frothy. (Protein has a soapy something in it, makes suds.) I like it for making foods soft though, like crabmeat, chicken. Going back though, I'd have bought a less expensive version with less bells and whistles...I don't use the bells and whistles much. I do grind coffee Beans with it though. =)

Usually the typical bandster rules don't apply when you're in liquid and mushie stages, so limiting your intake isn't necessary, as long as it's the right consistency for the stage you're in. It's about letting your body heal, not weight loss just yet. (Although weight loss is a nice side effect of these stages.) And yeah, you can eat anything as long as it could be sipped through a straw. (But don't drink em that way...causes gas. lol.)

It lessens a little as time goes but it doesn't go away. I was never a champion burper but now I can hang with the boys.

I was looking for the same answer. Kinda. I'm actually PBing anything thicker than water and it's making my stomach even more irritated and swollen. I'm so hungry though! I'm having embarassingly loud belly grumbles. I felt this last fill too and got an unfill after 4 days. I regretted it because in a couple weeks I was too loose. I'm going to try to go super slow and really give it some time.

I don't journal...even when the nutritionist asked me to pre-op, I had to write it all down in hindsight. Sometimes I'll keep an approximate calorie tally in my head but just out of curiosity. And you're exactly right, it feels like a chore. I just want to live.

I thought I'd add that my surgeon requires his patients to drink one of three of the purer ones for the first few weeks. I don't know the medical reason but it may be something you consider since I'm sure he didn't decide to require that for kicks. And I don't remember the other two brands but I bought one big can of the Isopure vanilla from GNC. It tastes pretty decent for being 45 grams of pure Protein. Of course, everything gets old after a while. It's a heafty price though so that's something to consider too.

I ordered one of each of the unjury samples and all were tolerable. I ordered a can of the unflavored and it tastes ok in Crystal Light. You should know, also, that the chicken Soup flavor and unflavor do not dissolve in hot Water, and they instruct you to use lukewarm. Totally ruined it for me. So far, the best choice for me, and one I've been sticking with for a couple months now, is the ready made Premier Protein shakes from costco. They only come in chocolate, which is fine with me, but are in convenient individual cartons. Here in California, they're about $23/case (18 in a case) so about $1.28 per serving. That's about as good as I've found for 30 grams of protein. (Cheaper usually means less protein.) I am NOT a planner so being able to grab one quickly from the fridge as I walk out the door is a convenience I won't trade to save a few bucks. Plus, I can't find a powder that is as smooth as a pre-mix.

I met a woman in the waiting room of my surgeon's office last week who was banded in 2007. She started in the 230's and called her goal met in the 150's, where she was comfortable. She got sick (violent vomiting) in January of this year and the doc immediately took out all of the saline. She said she started going to the gym every day, if not twice a day, and really watching her diet. But despite her efforts, between then and now she's gained 20 pounds. When the doc went to fill her back up, they realized her band had slipped. So she's counting down the days until she gets her band back. I asked her "Obviously gaining 20 pounds back sucks, but given all the effort you put in to prevent that, doesn't it kind of feel good to know that your choice to get the band in the first place was justified?" She said "Yep, absolutely!" And Loryn, this story isn't meant to be any kind of warning to you in any way...just a story that your post reminded me of. We all know everyone's different (and this woman could've been bending her story a little). By the time you have to make your decision, I'm sure you'll have made up your own mind.

Getting stuck is uncomfortable, occasionally painful, and PB'ing is gross and inconvenient. But as Catherine put it, it's a small price to pay.

My doc said no pills for a month post-op but ok after that. I will, going forward, always ask for liquid if available. I just got prescribed Actigall and have to open the capsule and dump in some liquid then drink it like a little shot. (Pharmacist ok'd this as it's not a time release med.) Morning pills are no-no's but afternoons and evenings are ok.

I was in the same boat last week. I told the NP that I felt more restriction than most people seem to at 5 cc's (10 cc band). She gave me two cc's anyway but I couldn't even drink two sips of the water she gave me so immediately took 1 out. I gave it three days and was unable to keep even a morsel of food down. And protein shakes were making me feel mildly stuck for about 20-30 seconds after every sip. Oh, and was also hearing the gurgles when I drank anything. And every sip made me feel like I needed to burp even though I was super cautious not to let any air down. I went back and she took 1/2 cc out. I've been doing mostly mushies still so I can't say if it's perfect. My doc doesn't allow adjustments any more than 6 weeks apart so I knew that if I had an unfill, I couldn't go back for more until then. Thankfully my weight loss has been pretty good but, had it not been, I might have waited longer than 3 days to decide. Also a consideration, my restriction was decent at my original 5 cc's. Sorry for rambling. :thumbup:

I've read some people will do a kind of "reboot". liquids for two days, mushies for two days. I don't know the specific structure but maybe someone else does and can post. Your signature says your first fill was in June but you don't show any after. Are you keeping up with them?

Not to discredit the previous poster, I'm sure she's heard that happens, but I've also heard the opposite too. Some insurances will almost always deny people initially, then approve the appeal. But in agreement with the previous poster, co-morbidities will undoubtedly help. I was BMI 38.5 at my initial visit. I've had acid reflux for years and my surgeon sent me to do a sleep study. I had (very) mild sleep apnea but that was enough. Good luck!

I've never heard of anyone having a flying restriction after surgery. You'll likely still be in mushy stage so just remember how important it is to follow your surgeon's post-op rules. It's not a "diet", it's letting your body heal. Enjoy your vacation!

Wow, really, 9 and you feel nothing? I'd definitely ask the Doc to check it. Also, a suggestion to all. Ask your office if there's a nurse practioner or someone else who's authorized to do fills. Not including the surgery, I think I've spent a total of 7 minutes with my surgeon. (Heck, include sugery and it's still less than a half an hour total.) He's a sweetheart of a man but a very busy bariatric and general surgeon. I started scheduling fills with the NP and it's been like night and day. She has time to ask me about exercise, my diet, how the fills feels, how I'm coping mentally, etc. I'll definitely see the doc once a year or if something ever feels off. But otherwise, it's the NP for me! Not to mention the wait time for my doc was an hour MINIMUM. Ridiculous with a full time job, two kids under age 4 and a 45 minute drive each way. With the NP, I'm in and out in 20 minutes. Wow, I didn't mean to rant. Sorry. :biggrin:

Heck yeah, never hesitate to post something positive...even if it's "woot wooting" your own horn!

Good luck! :thumbdown:

Pretty sure that wasn't in my surgeon's rules but I've heard people talk about that. I use them in my (occasional) adult beverages and anytime I blend a protein shake.

Congratulations! Feels great, doesn't it? Don't forget to keep one or two items so you can take a good "Jared" after pic!!

My starting BMI was 38.5. Years of acid reflux (GERD) and a sleep study which said I had very mild sleep apnea got me approved on the first try. But no co-morbities are necessary for approval if you're over 40. With my insurance at least.

I was banded 1/22 and have had two fills. My first one was at 4 weeks out and I thought I could skirt around bandster hell. My body said otherwise...and I didn't even see it coming. 10 days before my second fill was St Patrick's day. One cupcake and all hell broke loose...so to speak. My head went back to "old me". Thankfully, my second fill has provided some restriction and I'm pretty much a happy little banster. And yes, food-wise, things will change as you get each fill, it's different for everyone and it will change as you lose weight. Not all doctors suggest liquids/mushies after a fill but I personally think it helps your head anyway. I haven't found anything I can't eat but my band has given me a few lessons on how I can't eat!