Baba Wawa

I had no restriction on caffeine or coffee. Was cautioned against drinking calories. I put one packet of raw sugar in each of the two cups I drink each morning. Artificial sweeteners and I don't get along, they give me aural migraines.

I was told the following: 1/2 to 1 cup of food Eat Protein first, veggies second, starch last, if at all. 1/4 inch bites Chew 15-25 times per bite Put fork down between bites Meal should take at least 20 min, but no more than 30 min to complete Avoid drinking for 30 min after meals. I started eating this way months before my surgery, that way it wasn't something I had to learn the hard way post op. Even with an empty band, I continue this practice, though many veggies and whole grains are off limits right now.

I have a Realize Band. I haven't seen more problems or difference in EWL between people I know with Realize or Lapband.

Copied and pasted from my comment on "Restriction Riddles" There is another factor that affects restriction: My gastroenterologist told me that he's seen many pts like me who have developed GI motility disorders causing us to feel overly restricted. Also, the stomach can spasm due to being irritated by the band. This feels like tightening, because it is, but it's not your band that tightens, it's the stomach muscle. It's not necessarily a "fickle" band as much as an irritated stomach. Since going on a low Fiber, low residue diet almost 2 weeks ago, I can eat again and I'm not vomiting, PBing, or otherwise having "stuck" episodes. I'm eating rice, noodles, potatoes, breads. No problems and no weight gain, since my portions are small.

I was told not to chew gum and haven't for 3 years. My PA told me that it could clog the stoma and need to be removed thru endoscopy...expensive and unnecessary use of medical resources.

That's awesome! You look great! I wish I was taller...

There is another factor that affects restriction: My gastroenterologist told me that he's seen many pts like me who have developed GI motility disorders causing us to feel overly restricted. Also, the stomach can spasm due to being irritated by the band. This feels like tightening, because it is, but it's not your band that tightens, it's the stomach muscle. It's not necessarily a "fickle" band as much as an irritated stomach. Since going on a low fiber, low residue diet almost 2 weeks ago, I can eat again and I'm not vomiting, PBing, or otherwise having "stuck" episodes. I'm eating rice, noodles, potatoes, breads. No problems and no weight gain, since my portions are small.

88 lbs in 33 months. Would choose VSG if having surgery today, but I don't regret getting my band.

The truth is that if your BMI is high, you're not a good candidate for surgery. Spine doctors can be brutally honest and have the bedside manner of Atilla the Hun. Mine told me the same thing, lose weight, one way or the other, just get it done and then come back. He wanted my BMI <30. Just the risk of surgery and anesthesia makes us poor surgical candidates and even if the surgery was possible, the outcome might be compromised by our obesity. These doctors have huge egos and rely on good stats for their professional reputation. It wasn't personal, but like you, when my back doctor told me I was too fat, it hurt.

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I got nuthin

Here's a link to info for medical professionals at the Lapband website:http://www.lapbandcentral.com/local/files/documentlibrary/AP_ART_OF_ADJUSTMENT_guide.pdf Hope you get some answers!

By all means, do what your doctor said, since there may be another reason for eliminating carbonation from your diet.

A flu ( influenza) shot will not protect you from an intestinal virus or food borne illness.

It's not the band. The band is (supposed) filled with saline solution, manufactured to have very little "air" content, therefore expansion/contraction effect should be minimal. The band, with its close proximity to the vagus nerve, will cause spasms, making it seem like the band is tighter.

I'm interested to know how this all turned out for the OP? I've developed motility issues and its worse since my unfill 8 months ago.

My gastroenterologist has mentioned diagnostic lap as well...if they're in there, why not just do everything?

I eat soup...eat the broth first and the solids last.

My nutritionist suggested a pre bedtime snack of 2:1 carb:protein to stabilize morning BG. She said to aim for 7 gr protein to 14 gr healthy carb such as cheese with whole grain crackers. Be sure to allow for this in your calorie count for the day. I had this problem post op and eating this type of a snack around 8 pm helped keep my am BG above 70, the threshold for low blood glucose.

It's unlikely your gluten intolerance was caused by your band. I do want to add that you CAN follow a band compliant diet and eat many foods with gluten, since its hidden in many condiments and used in a variety of foods. Here's a list: The following items may or may not contain gluten depending on where and how they are made, and it is sometimes necessary to check with the manufacturer to find out: Artificial Color4 Baking Powder4 Caramel Color1, 3 Caramel Flavoring1, 3 Clarifying Agents4 Coloring4 Dextrins1,7 Dextrimaltose1,7 Dry Roasted Nuts4 Emulsifiers4 enzymes4 Fat Replacer4 Flavoring6 food Starch1, 4 Food Starch Modified1, 4 Glucose Syrup4 Gravy Cubes4 Ground Spices4 HPP4 HVP4 Hydrolyzed Plant Protein4 Hydrolyzed Protein4 Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein4 Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate4 Hydroxypropylated Starch4 Maltose4 Miso4 Mixed Tocopherols4 Modified Food Starch1, 4 Modified Starch1, 4 Natural Flavoring6 Natural Flavors6 Natural Juices4 Non-dairy Creamer4 Pregelatinized Starch4 Protein Hydrolysates4 Seafood Analogs4 Seasonings4 Sirimi4 Smoke Flavoring4 Soba Noodles4 Soy Sauce4 Soy Sauce Solids4 Sphingolipids4 Stabilizers4 Starch1, 4 Stock Cubes4 Suet4 Tocopherols4 Vegetable Broth4 Vegetable Gum4 Vegetable Protein4 Vegetable Starch4 Vitamins4 Wheat Starch5

You might be surprised that you will do better with less fill. When we are too tight (as you were evidenced by your Esophogram), we develop maladaptive eating habits to compensate and these foods generally are slider foods not conducive to weight loss. Sounds like the np at your practice mis-managed and overfilled you. My follow up from my unfill was 5 weeks and I've heard everything from 1-6 weeks as being the norm, depending on the severity of the problem. Good luck, hope this helps!