Help! I'm a lap-band failure...

[Guest DonnaCrosland]

Hey there,

Just joined today - but I am a "graduate bandster" 3 1/2 years out and at goal. I had/have a similar problem and we call it first bite syndrome - it is basically esophical <sp> spasms. You need to drink a bit of hot water/liquid before you eat to help the muscle relax and then slowly start with the solids.

Hope this helps.

DonnaC

295/150/142

[lianna 3]

I was going to say exactly the same thing that has been said. Sip something warm before you start eating. Make that first bite or two very very small and chew it until it practically dissolves. Really take your time with those first tiny tiny bites. I also thought I was too tight after a fill and realized that this really makes a huge difference.

As for drinking before meals, I can drink up to the first bite of food. I can feel the liquid empty into my stomach almost instantly, especially warm tea, and just stop drinking anything after that first bite.

[pattywacker58 0]

Kryssa,

Hi my name is Patty and I know what you are saying I feel like a failure also.I have had 2 fills and I think I am ready for another But when I sit down to eat it gets stuck the very first bite even if I chew really good.I throw up a few times and then I am fine ,But when I stand up and eat it never gets stuck and believe me I don't get full and I eat alot.I find myself eating junk like candy and popcorn and sugar smacks because I know it won't get stuck.I went in to get another fill but they don't have Flouro machine and they daid my port was tipped so I need to fly out of state to where they have one.So anyway can you eat ok if you stand up.Anyway don't ever think you are a failure.It might take a little time but it will all work out.Need to talk let me know.

Thanks

Patty

[bandayed 0]

Hi Kryssa -- I have a similar pattern to you and just have one more bit of advice....since you have been PBing alot. Gice yourself I rest -- try to do 2 or 3 days of liquids to let any swelling settle down. Then start fresh. Do the warm drink, and try to sit straight, and eat slowly, and chew chew chew....all great advice. Remember to pat your head and rub your tummy 3 times before the next bite JK! No, seriously whenever I go through a stage like this, I go back to liquids and the warm drink really helps...............Good luck!

[giveyouthemoon 4]

The only thing about drinking something hot is you are not suppose to drink a half hour before you eat? So do you drink something hot an hour before you eat, I know when I am tight it takes me a half hour to drink a cup of tea.

Yes, this is a bandster rule, but my Dr would rather have me not PB, so he's happy for me to break this one so I don't have other issues. I drink something warm *right* before I eat. I can actually feel everything relaxing in there and I know now how the right "open" state feels so I can start eating.

[La_madam 20]

Cutting the carbs should help with hunger..I know for me carbs crave more carbs and sugar craves more sugar. Protien definately helps curb hunger...NO oatmeal in the morning, that may be your problem try a soft scrambled egg or two..get your portein in , in the AM and it will help with hunger during the day. If I ate oatmeal first thing in the morning, forget about it, I would be eating all day long and hungry all day long, it's those damn carbs!

[the best me 6]

....since you have been PBing alot. Give yourself a rest -- try to do 2 or 3 days of liquids to let any swelling settle down. Then start fresh. Do the warm drink, and try to sit straight, and eat slowly, and chew chew chew....

Yes, very good advice. And like LaMadam said, try protien for Breakfast to help your weight loss. Get off on the right foot!

[I'llsucceed 1]

Cutting the carbs should help with hunger..I know for me carbs crave more carbs and sugar craves more sugar. Protien definately helps curb hunger...NO oatmeal in the morning, that may be your problem try a soft scrambled egg or two..get your portein in , in the AM and it will help with hunger during the day. If I ate oatmeal first thing in the morning, forget about it, I would be eating all day long and hungry all day long, it's those damn carbs!

This was my thoughts has well.

Also you may be surprized at what one person considers a small bite & what you consider a small bite. Take what ever your starting with now & cut it in half. Than make sure you put the fork/spoon down & wait a good 3 mins. This truely helped me.(actually advise given from Pro-Bandster Michelle to me ) You'll do great- Once you get it- I don't think a small unfill is too bad of an idea. Once I started getting the swing of things I was more able to listen to my band & got the tiniest of unfills, it actually helped.

[princess_n_thep 2]

And by the way Kryssa, you are NOT a failure with the band. You just haven't found your band "niche" yet. You will find it!

[vinesqueen 2]

Okay, first off, you are NOT a failure. You are still a baby bandster, how can you be a failure? This takes a while to get the hang of, I don't know of anyone who learned to ride their bike without falling off of it. Like any skill, it takes practice.

[PhotoNut 7]

Just joined today - but I am a "graduate bandster" 3 1/2 years out and at goal. 295/150/142

Hey Donna. Welcome to LBT and grats on your success with your band! Do you have before and after pics to share?

(sorry to interrup the thread, but wow.. 3 1/2 bandster at goal weight is always inspiring!)