affengirl

I am finally to a point that I feel truly restricted, but I have also started "PB"ing quite a bit. I know its a learning process as to what I can eat and how much but how do you know if things are getting stuck too much? I don't want to be in danger of slippage, but I also don't want to stay on mushies forever because they are easier to over-eat with. Once you PB, do you go back to liquids or mushies for a while or do you just continue eating normal food?

Thank you all for your answers, they have really helped. I did not PB or get anything stuck until this last fill. I have no problem with mushies, so I have pinpointed the problem at not taking my time and not chewing enough. I find that when people try to talk to me when I am eating I reflexively swallow too soon. I also have the bad habit of grabbing a bite or two from the fridge and seem to get stuck that way as well. I am fine as long as I sit down and take my time, preferably alone for now - lol My DO NOT eat list (so far): Bread slippery shrimp dry meat scrambled eggs (not sure why) sugar snap peas Favorite Protein source: cup of coffee with 2 scoops of Walmart's vanilla Protein powder whisked in. Amounts to 52 or 54 grams of protein and really satisfies for morning time (270 cal)

Flouro may help although IT IS difficult to predict the swelling in your stomach with a fill. I was on liquids for several days after my fills and my doctor strongly recommended popsicles to help with the swelling.

You are soooo lucky! I hear people getting 10+ fills in the first year. That is just crazy! I am hoping my 2nd was the key for a while.

Does he do the fill under flouroscope? I heard that "blind fills" can be hit or miss. My doctor does the flouroscope so he knows if there is room for things to go through or not. I also stayed the night at the recovery center to make sure the fill was comfortable. My problem with my first fill was that it wasn't tight enough after a few days. I went back 2 weeks later to get filled some more (and he also looked for any leaks etc.) Now I am trying to get used to the tightness and what foods I can eat - lol

Yes, you could go to mexico and financing is an option. Like I said before, it wasn't an option for me due to horrible credit, but it can definitely be an option for you. I don't want to advertise for anyone but the option I am talking about is plastered all over this site. I have been there, got my surgery there and the experience was awesome! :eek:

Don't give up! I had to go out of country for my surgery, but I finally got it after 3 years of wanting it. I was lucky to have my ex's RV that I sold to get the money to self pay. It was 1/2 the price of surgery in the US. I had no insurance and horrible credit from my divorce so financing wasn't even an option for me.

Congrats! I am lucky to have restriction on my 2nd fill which was this past tuesday. I was feeling disappointed after my first fill because it felt tight at the time but I went back to eating a decent amount within a few days. This time I can't eat bread, pasta, drier meats or even take a gas ex in pill form. I don't throw up easily (never have) but did this hiccup/burp thing that almost brought something up. I am not excited about that episode, but am excited to finally have the restriction I had hoped to have initially. I just hope it stays this way for a while. My doctor is so awesome that he did the second fill for free because the first didn't accomplish what I wanted. I got to watch on the x-ray, it was kinda cool. I really dislike the doctors that charge for a fill and then only fill a small amount each time. Must be a nice money-maker for them.

I agree with you. Unfortunately, I gave up on those clothes about 3 years ago - lol! I guess fitting into a smaller pair of jeans that I bought almost a year ago and vowed to fit into feels pretty good too!

Thank you to everyone for being such a great support system and awesome source of information!

I have been lurking and gotten some good info. I decided to join since this seems like a great bunch of people. I went out of country to get my lap-band. Its been a month and I just got my first fill 3 days ago. This liquid diet is killing me! lol. If I could successfully stay on a liquid diet I wouldnt need the lap-band now would I? I am starting with some mushier foods and actually had some peanuts yesterday (altho they were chewed into peanut butter before they went down). I am so new that I don't even know what PB means... I have an idea and am lucky enough not to have experienced it yet. I did have some serious pain on Easter when I over ate and one time with some dry roast. Anyway, the name is Mary. Hi everyone :biggrin:

What is the calorie content? A lot of helpful info from a lot of sources is either missing protein gram total or calorie total...

My first fill went well on the 6th. Just wondering how long it takes to know if its working or not.... How often do people get filled if they don't feel like the previous fill was enough? I am sure this has been asked before, but....... Also, are there any protein powders or drinks out there that are non-sweetened or sweetened with Stivia? Thanks, Mary

Does anyone know of anywhere to get fills in Southern California for a decent price? I am going to Mexico for fills at $150 a piece. also, I am not sure I posted this question in the right place: My first fill went well on the 6th (3.2oz). Just wondering how long it takes to know if its working or not.... How often do people get filled if they don't feel like the previous fill was enough? Thanks, Mary