TKW

I noticed more restriction with each fill but it took a good year to get enough restriction that I only eat 1 cup of food at a meal. It will come.

#1 - quit drinking with your meals. you're washing the food through faster so you are not getting full and quitting eating. #2 - you can eat anything because you are washing it through by drinking. Stop drinking with your meals. Restriction takes time, I had some restriction from the start, but not true, can only eat 1 cup of food restriction until 1 year after surgery, I still lost over 100 pounds during the first year. I maybe ate more than I should have at times but I made healthy choices. (and I never drink with my meal) Restiction will come, it takes patience. You would really have to stuff yourself repeatedly to stretch your pouch. If you do not have great restriction yet, the likely hood of stretching your pouch I would think would be minimal. #3 - This one is up in the air. Some people are told they can drink soda, some are told they can not. I think if you have an occasional soda it is not a big deal. I rarely drink it but I have drank it. It really fills me up. Whether or not it can stretch your pouch is up for debate. You get used to it. I used to drink a lot of soda, never miss it or crave it anymore. You have a great MOM! How is she doing? Use your common sence, make good choices and exercise. Exercise really make a huge difference. You can do this, just don't sabotage yourself. make good choices and get some exercise and QUIT drinking with your meals.

I had some restriction right from the start but I could always eat more than 1 cup of food. I could eat 2 - 3 cups easily. I watched what I ate and lost weight steadily. Then at about 1 year I had another fill and WHAM! I could barely eat. Threw up A LOT so I went in for an unfill after about 2 weeks. My Dr. took out .2 cc and ever since (the past 3 months) I am at a perfect restriction. I get full, very full, on less than 1 cup of food. I truly didn't think I would ever see the day that would happen. Just keep doing what you are doing, you will eventually get to the right restriction. Wow... you really did great pre-op. Hope everything goes well for you!

THAT was a great idea. I bought a couple different books after my surgery, but I no longer use them. hmmmmm?

After all you've been through, I hate to say it, but I think I'd look for a new doctor. I started at my regular family doctor, he referred me to the bariatric surgeon in the same Hospital. I experienced NOTHING like you did. And what the HELL is with the cameras? I'd have to find that out. It is a long process, but it is very worth it. Keep us posted and Good Luck!

I don't have the problem, but I got to tell you... I'd be going el natural! Thats a lot of work!

Nope, just the port.

cottage cheese - great source of protien scrambled eggs yogurt Good Luck to you

If I drink with meals I eat double what I would if I don't drink with my meal. It could all be in my head and what I've conditioned my self to believe but that's how it is for me.

I count calories, don't pay any attention at all to carbs. I've been very successful. I eat anywhere from 1000 - 1200 calories a day. I'd say most days my carbs are between 50 - 75. Good Luck!

I don't have a problem with bread if I eat it very VERY slowly. But I NEVER drink with my meals. I agree, if you can't tolerate it, don't eat it or eat it and be satisfied with filling up quicker... both seem like win/win situations to me!

Yeah... doesn't it feel great. It took me a year to get to the "sweet spot"! Keep up the good work!

Sometimes when you get something stuck and throw up your stomach will swell up and the band will be tighter. It's good to do mushies or liquids for a day after a bad stuck episode. I was stuck once for a good 3 - 4 hours. I just could not eat for a couple days after that. Take it easy for a day, however... fluids should go down fine. Good Luck

There is nothing I can't eat if I eat correctly. small bites, chew good, eat slowly. I don't eat a lot of bread anymore because it can give me problems but I can eat it if I'm very careful. I find the band to be 1/3 of the equation. Yes, I do have to work out and I do have to make the right food choices. In my opinion, if you don't combine all 3 of these, it may not work the best for you. That being said, there are days I don't work out and there are days I go to the Dairy Queen. I do these things on occassion but not consistantly. It seems to work for me! Good Luck with your decision!

Wow... amazing!

Yeah.... good luck!

I was terrified and feeling some of the things you are feeling (not wanting to go out) . I have always been heavy but very happy, the last few years that happiness has gone away. After 2 - 3 years of contemplating the lap band I finally took the leap and did it. It is very scary but I am so glad I did it. I'd do it agian in a heartbeat. It is time to start taking care of you, and doing things for you. You sound like a great sister and a very caring person. I don't know your brothers situation but my family has worked with handicapped people for many many years. My mother was the director of a day program for adult mentally handicapped people. She also took in 2 adult women who lived with her for 16 years, she passed away and now they live with my brothers family. They have become part of our family. Sorry, I'm going on, my point is, both these girls have parents, brothers, sisters, grandparents, cousins. Sometimes them best you can do is to set them free. It helps them find their independance. We have a very large handicapped poplulation in the city I live in. There are many, many group homes, foster homes, independent living places, day programs, job opportunities for these individuals. I'm not suggesting you stop taking care of your brother, I don't know your situation and perhaps that is what you want, but I am suggesting you start taking care of you. You matter too! Your story really touched me, I wish you luck !!!!

I have great restriction at 5.6 cc in a 10 cc band. I was lucky, I had some restriction with an empty band. But it took me almost a year to get to the point where I was full on less than 1 cup of food. Good Luck to you!

I can eat watermelon, cantaloupe, strawberry, banana, peaches, grapes but apples give me a heck of a time. They are really the only fruit I have trouble with.

I've been stuck a hundred times, oddly... never on steak. I eat it once a week. Maybe I'm just extra careful cuz I know that steak is a problem food for so many. Give me shrimp and it's practically stuck before I get it in my mouth!

today I had chicken salad on vegi crackers and some watermelon and cantaloupe.

Well sometimes you just hit a plateau, who knows why, even if you seem to be doing everything right. I have seen a lot of people on here say to increase your calorie intake because your body goes into starvation mode if you are eating too few calories. How many calories are you eating in a typical day. If it is under 1000 try increasing it to 1200.

that's great. No, i don't think he will give you a fill if you still are feeling the same (although all Dr's seem to have different standards). Some people lose all their weight and never get a fill! Continued Success to you!!!

Hi Mary - I could also eat and eat and eat. I felt some restriction right from the start with my band but it took 4 fills to get to the point that I would feel "FULL" on less then a cup of food. I get full really quick now. That being said, it doesn't always stop me from nibbling or wanting to munch on something, especially at night. Your head has so much to do with it. You really need to learn to listen to your stomach!

Definately not a mushie, you can eat it when you are on solid foods. I eat salads all the time, I never have a problem with them getting stuck, but some people have a lot of trouble with them. Chew, Chew, Chew!!!