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State of mind? Definately. Keep up on the opti-fast. You're sure to get to your BMI goal in no time.

This is called the slimies or foamies. It means you ate too much or too fast. It's normal, but definitely something you'd prefer to avoid.

if you're referring to a barium swallow, then it is an easy, fast procedure. The barium is not anything great in terms of taste, and there are supposed to be two different types of barium depending on what they are looking for. You will be fine.

Hi vwlover, I am also in the UK I start my liquid diet this Sunday talking with my surgeon 2 weeks on this diet is the norm but 3 weeks even better I am going on 4 slim fast shakes a day with skimmed milk I have chosen different flavours to give variety I need to top fluids up to 1 to 2 ltrs total per day I do not know if this would help you at all I hope it does. Michael. Sent from my SM-G920F using the BariatricPal App

I'm 1 week post op today. When eating dinner I think I ate too fast or maybe even didn't chew enough. I think a bite got stuck a little... I could feel it and it hurt really bad. I've never felt such pain... I tried to throw up and couldn't but need to do something so I stretched and wiggled a bit and the pain went away. Anyone experience this?

This post is gonna sound fake as hell...and like the kind of post I'd wince at reading last year. "Oh good grief...don't be such a liar! Seriously?!! Oh, come on!!" is kinda what would be going through my head. But I swear on huskies everywhere...I'm being dead honest. (and I really, really like huskies) Ok...here's the deal... I love oatmeal now. Like...it's one of my favorite things in the world to eat. It tastes amazing to me. And I've hated it my whole life. Now? I can't get enough of the slimey crap. I want to top it with nuts and apples and peaches and blueberries...and make it all fancy...because it's honestly delicious to me now. And I had mashed potatoes the other night...which I have always loved....and they tasted...kinda blah to me...like damn, why did I love these so much? I didn't want the quarter of a cup that I put on my plate. They just seemed utterly Meh.. Same with french fries....which used to be a favorite. I just don't really care much about them now. Sugar is different. I still love sugar. And I've tried a little bit..and wanted more. But if I eat anything more than two bites, I feel crappy. Like nauseated and just rough. I want a glass of water and to just sit for twenty minutes. Like mild dumping syndrome. I still love sugar...but sugar hates me and the conditioning is working. I don't want it anywhere near like I used to want it. A cookie doesn't look like five minutes of joy anymore....it looks like twenty minutes of yuck. Sometimes I'll have a nibble...and run away before the sugar monsters sicken me. I crave apples with peanut butter. But I don't like Jiff anymore. I used to love Jiff. Jiff tastes waxy and creepy sweet now. I like that weird healthy ground peanut butter with no additives. That stuff...on an apple...is heaven. I don't crave bread anymore. Bread kinds hates me and gets stuck a little more than other things even when I chew really well. It holds little satisfaction. I want olives. And blasamic vinegar. And fresh basil. And homemade humus. And honey lime chicken. I don't crave fast food...at all...it even smells gross...which is astounding to me. I loved fast food. I love protein bars. It's like candy...without the sugar monster to make me sick afterward. I cut them up into four 50 calorie pieces and use them as "dessert" I hate eggs and ham...which sucks because I used to really enjoy them. and I know how contrived this all sounds...and a fair number of people will think I'm spewing bullshit or wishful thinking or something....but I'm serious as a heart attack. Your cravings change. And the things you like might be WEIRD. What the hell did the aliens do to me?

My bariatric coach gave me a great idea: She said if you take the money you WOULD BE spending on eating out and fast food every week and deposit it into a jar, at one year you would have enough money to buy you a completely new wardrobe or go on a nice vacation! I'm taking her advice!

It depends on my goals for the day. Some days I do IF or TRE (intermittent fasting or time restricted eating windows). Then I make sure to hit my protein goals for the day along with the calorie load/carb load I'm doing for the day. Other days, I eat to hunger. But the difference is, I will schedule my meals. 2-3 main meals. And I will allow a snack of x y or z (very specific choices at specific timings) if needed. So it is a structured thing, not grazing, not standing at the fridge wondering what I "feel" like eating. Nope it's more like (1 cup of veggies and Greek ranch dip-homemade, or 1 hb egg, or a lite string cheese + 1 slice BH turkey or everroast chicken, or 1/2 tiny gs apple with 1/2 oz walnuts-raw), that sort of thing. Some days I schedule for a sf popsicle at night, or a sf jello, or sf protein pudding, or chia pudding.

Kelly - I'm sorry your are still having problems. I hope the pneumonia clears up fast for you. It is a good question you asked, and I am looking forward to hearing more of the older banster post their opinions on this.

If she feels it while she's drinking or soon after, she may be drinking too fast. With her new restriction level, she may need to change the rate in which she drinks. I know that is true for me. I have to drink much more slowly when I'm more restricted and if I don't or if I eat something wrong - immediate chest pain. But with chest pain you have to be careful - check with your doctor. Wish her well for me - Let us know how she's doing.

Of course it depends entirely on what you're used to eating - what your energy needs are. If you're 500lb and live on 6000 calories a day you can lose weight darn fast still eating what I'd call a lot of food. But for me personally to shift 20lb in a month - a Protein shake diet is the only way I can think of to do that - 1000 calories a day or less, lots of cardio and just put up with being starving hungry. Now, I'm at a low weight, so no doubt you fit somewhere in the middle there. Its certainly doable, not pleasant, but doable. However, there's no magic in Protein shakes. If you can stick to 1000 calories or less a day on real food you'll lose weight just the same. But presurgery, high protein low carb is important - it shrinks your liver and much as I dont believe in low carb diets, its the best way to lose a lot of weight fast.

I was also a fast eater and have had to learn to slow down. Practicing prior to surgery is OK but until you feel the consequences of not doing it then it is hard to get right. Even when you know what happens from eating too quickly it can be a mistake that you make more than once! Eating on the go is not a good idea at all. That is the easiest way to get stuck and that can be uncomfortable, painful and embarrassing depending on where you are. Once you are banded you need to pay full attention when you are eating - do not try combining it with any other activity or you will come unstuck! (Actually stuck would be more appropriate)

Elcee, thank you very much! Another question for you. I have a bad habit of eating very fast and furious! i am trying to retrain myself prior to surgery, to eat slower and chew, chew, chew. Im guessing that after the band every meal must be eaten very slowly and with much thought. Is this accurate? I dont see eating "on the go" as an option as you may not chew good enough and thus get stuck, etc... Your comments, please. Thank you.

I have only had one small stuck episode and it was quite unpleasant. But from what I have read on here, this is quite common if food is eaten too fast or not chewed well enough. Esp so soon post-op when your band is probably creating a little swelling from surgery. Just hang in there, take things slow, and use this time to learn the process! Good luck :-)

Stuck all the time ! No ! As long as you take small bites (I like the size of a DIME, you have control of it in your mouth.) chew it up to the consistency of applesauce, and take your time you won't get stuck. If you eat thick Doughey foods, that are Dry, and won't go down, yes you will get stuck! You will learn very fast, which foods do not agree with you and your band. Those foods you will not eat. Good Health to you, Shirley.

Good luck and I'll pray for a fast recovery for u

Sunday was my appointment to get the stress test done. It went by very good and fast. Yesterday I had to go back to my doctor to receive my results. Everything came out normal. And I'm cleared for surgery. I was somewhat relieve to know that I didn't have any cardiac problems specially after those chest pains. Today I have to go back to Dr. Koshi to receive my results from all the test I've had done (The abdominal sonogram, the UGI etc.) and also see the nutritionist. If everything is normal I think I'll get a date!! Wish me luck!!

nope....gotta wait til I have everything I need to send the packet in..so they will call me for a consult...I hope they do it fast...do you think since I will have the psych eval and everything else in with the packet that they will send it in for insurance before the consult...or do they need to do the consult before sending to insurance?

Thanks for all the input! I've added a new weirdness over the last couple of days...I get dizzy/lightheaded if I bend over then stand up too fast. I planted some new flowers this weekend and almost took a header into the bed when I stood up! :omg: ...looking at the two together you guys are right about not getting enough calories. I'm terrified of snacking (sugary stuff between meals is my nemesis) so I've been having two Protein shakes a day and one bowl of Soup. I've been adding protein to my soups, so I think I'm getting enough protein, just not enough calories. Think I'll look into the sf/ff pudding today :-) Thanks for helping out!

Journaling - I like the one on lapband.com (records Protein, cals etc). Preparing - I stocked up my office, car and pocketbook with healthy options (low cal Protein Bars, Water, water flavoring packets, poly o cheese sticks etc). Placing my pocketbook in the trunk of my car, so I won't be tempted to get drive thru fast food) Purchasing a pedometer. Lastly I placed a garbage bag outside my closet - every time something gets too big I put it in the bag to give away - already 2 sized down and 2 bags are filled (my closet has sizes 32 down to 20 in it!!!!) Log onto this forum often!!!!!!!!!

I had to have four months of visits. It went by fast...lost some weight even. I'm on my second day of the surgery...getting ready to be discharged! First day was rough.....but today I feel great! Very little pain...excited to get my new life! So far so good. I did have a ting of regret my first day of surgery, do to mainly nausea but wow i feel so much better! And what's so great I am not hungry! Good luck and don't give up because the weight visits and all the millions of task you to get the surgery!

Thanks for replying Eric! You should try warm liquids in the morning and see how that works for you. I was very interested in your post beacuse you said something about eating softer foods first. There's something called "first-bite syndrome" where folks have trouble getting that first few bites down till the band opens up a bit and eating is a bit easier. Folks have to take a bite, then go back 5-10 min later to finish the meal. Seems like eating the liquid/softer foods first is a real help with this, especially warm soups. What you are doing is great with very good restriction, I'd think. But if you have that much trouble getting started in the monrings, are you too tight? My conclusion is that it's better to eat softer foods first and get good healthy nutritious food in, and THAT'S what keep you feeling satisfied longer, not packing the pouch full of hard protiens first thing. ??? Many may disagree with me, oh well, I want a healthy band and healthy rate of weight loss. I have never been hard and fast about eating solid protiens first to stay full longer. I eat them first (because I'm not too tight) because that's the food I need to stay noursihed and lose weight well. I ramble...but would you post more about your opinion regarding erosion? Do you feel like softer foods being a bit easier on the band helps prevent erosion?

Thanks Kathy, Ill try to rewrite. Well I got a fill again this time 2.7 c.c. . It is very tight but it is OK so I loose weight faster. In my case ( I don't know if it is true) the Dr. told me he placed my band higher than normal. Why?? Well, when I had surgery my BMI was 1 point under the minimal for surgery. But when I told the Dr. what I ate he said I would be back later with the correct BMI, I was eating about 8000-9000 calories a day. Everytime I saw a fast food restaurant I had the urge to eat. Ok... Having the band higher, makes you eat slower, because you get the sensation of fullness faster. In my case the eating procedure is different as many of the bandsters. I understand the principle of eating solids and avoid too much liquid so you don't wash your food away. I hope I am not the only one that uses the inverse. In the mornings it is very difficult to " open the Band " it takes me even up to 2 hours to make liquids go through. I usually open the band with iced Water with a lot of ice. I've heard people drinking hot liquids ( it sounds logical hot liquids make the band softer ). Ive never tried it, Ill have to give it a try. In the mornings I only have liquids. In the other meals once I open the band , I'll go for Soups, mashed potatoes,or any kinf of puree. Then I'll go with fish or chicken. Before the band I was 100% carnivorous ( red meats ), now I hardly eat read meat its to rough. next reply>>>>>>>>>

My advice is if you can get 1000 calories a day in stay at that level. You wont lose as fast but you will lose weight without side effects. Tired fatigued,hair loss, dizziness. I lost my weight at 800 calories a day for the first 9 months. After that I added gradually to 1000-1200. Protein is very important 70 grams a day,liquid 64 ounces a day, take your multivitamins and calcium, exercise if you can. My doctor said I have to stay on 800 calories a day till I reach goal. In order to exercise I had to increase calories. 17 pounds is excellent. Even if it isn't as much as others lose remember its 17 pounds that will never come back(If you stick to a healthy diet).Congratulations on getting the surgery Try not to fret about not losing fast you will get there

I recognise so much of this. Tonight I am out of town, meeting people - one has a grandchild with her, so MacDs was arranged. Everyone eating. I loved a Big Mac - tonight I ordered a burger, opened it, ate half a beef patty for protein but yum. I REALLY wanted lettuce and tomatoes and light things. I can honestly say I have never ever ‘wanted’ that sort of food before this month. I wanted pizza. Fast food. Not I want light, fresh. I want subtle taste, not a 150g bag of crisps. I am not craving sweets, fries, biscuits, buns at all. Nor nearly as much salt. Seasoning with chilli or chipotle - I want less flavouring. Drinking - I want lightly fizzed water, 20% light cranberry - don’t miss my usual apple cider (sweet sweet) at all. I am finding this basic shift in my food desires quite mentally disconcerting! Do you think it will settle, and we’ll revert?