Lots of questions

[DebraSV 18]

First- What exactly is sliming?

Also, How do you know you need a fill or just need to adjust eating?

I have not had a fill in about 6 weeks. I have been losing about 2lb a week ( except for our 2 week cruise where I did not gain!!), and things are slowing down to about a lb. a week.

I have not been following any real quantity rules, because I have only been told to eat Protein first, then greens, then carbs. I was told my band would basically limit me to 3/4c or so per meal. And I am so tight in the morning that all I can get down are liquids, or carb loaded things that dissolve very quickly. Protein comes back up every time. lunch is about a 3/4c limit. But I have always had an evening appetite issue and even though my quantities are much better, I am still able to eat well over a cup for dinner. Like I can eat a full cup or more of green salad and still get 3 oz of meat down with no issue at all. Sometimes I can even add a little carb to that.

I guess I'm asking if I should get a fill and let my band restrict me more, or if it is something I should kick will power in for and just make myself eat less?

I was really hoping to let my band get me to a point where my portions were such that I would not have to worry. That I would simply have to worry about making good choices.

What do you all think? Especially those of you with lots of experience?

[Bandista 7,466]

Hi there, congratulations on all -- and two pounds down a week is fantastic! Sliming is an over-production of saliva when something is stuck or getting stuck -- some people have this more than others. My surgeon was looking for a tennis-ball sized portion and not hungry again for 4-5 hours. I kept going until I achieved that -- had the portion part but not duration, was hungry again after a couple of hours. For me, that's how I knew I needed a fill. I'm an evening eater, too. Not hungry at all in the mornings plus I'm tight. If I'm not hungry, I don't eat -- that's my policy. Good luck to you -- you're doing great!

[2muchfun 8,927]

One of the most difficult things to learn with the band is how to eat small, slow and chew your food to mush. You may think you're chewing a lot but my money is on not. It took me 10 months before I finally understood. And I still get stuck. Chewing is not my problem, eating too fast and too big is my kryptonite.

One other thing you have to get out of your mind is that the band does not stop you from over-eating. Your lower stomach is still there. If you chew properly, eat very slow and small, the band helps you feel satisfied with less food. There are soft signals we all have to look for. Burps, hiccups, sighs runny nose are all signs you've eaten enough. For me, I just lose interest in my food.

The band won't stop the eating demons in your head telling you to eat that cake, munch on those chips or even eat more healthy food? It will only help you feel satisfied with less food and it's your job/duty to obey those signals.

Sorry if you were sold on the band as a restrictive device? It's not for almost all of us. It's a device that requires a lot of participation from patients. Have you seen these videos?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qa3Lwt6ElIs&list=UL Part 1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4jYJipQ7vc part 2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wbdhf44ZweI&feature=relmfu Part 3

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KF3TCKUn3YI Part 4

[DebraSV 18]

Wow. No I had not seen those videos and that's a lot of info. Clearly there are some differences in my surgeons guidance and the guy on the video. I know my band was placed with approximately 25-30% of my stomach above the band. I also find it very interesting that my doctors really don't want us drinking with the meal at all. They prefer 30min prior and 1 hr after. Also they prohibit carbonated beverages because they supposedly stretch the band. So not quite sure how to apply the differences.

But I am definitely eating too fast, and my bites are probably too big at least 50% of the time. I also have a tendency at night to eat until I feel full,so that is definitely not good.

Thanks for sharing the info. I am probably still more in the yellow than the green since I do get hungry, and I definitely eat more than 3X per day, so I have lots of room for improvement.

[2muchfun 8,927]

The drinking part of Dr. O'Brien's protocol is controversial on this forum. Even my own doc asks us not to eat 30 before, during and 30 after but admits that some of his patients do fine with drinking and eating.

I'm surprised your doctor places bands so low on the stomach? The new methods that have been in place for about 7 years now are about 3 cm below the lower esophageal schincter which means your pouch is only the size of about two tablespoons of food.

[Lady VS 1,147]

2MuchFun hit it on the nail. It does sound like you could use a small fill though. Continued success.