I erased the other blog simply because I was afraid that the surgeon was going to see it and he is the closest to me being 2.5 hours away.

Please I have another question for myself, not my dietician. . .

how do you fit a cup of food into a one ounce pouch?

This particular surgeon (DR Fox in Richand Washington), he places the band then pulls the stomach up around the band and stiches the stomach to itself wrapping the band. this makes this surgery ir-reversible. Further, he measures and makes certain that the little tummy is less than one ounce. (so you folks that fit one cup of food in, I dont know how you do it)?

The stack of one ounce cups we are given are for use with social settings only as we were instructed at both orientations that we do not need any solids, now later or ever - we are to drink a protein shake in the morning (no milk) and one in the afternoon, and chew two flinstones vitamins - that is all we will need for now and ever.

After I read all the posts I was perplexed - do I, find the next closest surgeon more then four hours away (what about follow ups)

do I continue with this surgeon and find a more sufficient diet plan or figure out how to work this blog and ask you kind folks, do I - well what do I do.

I did not misunderstand the one ounce meal. I has been covered at not one but two orientations and there are one hundred potential clients asking questions like

how long is the one ounce meal - forever

how many one ounce meals - up to 2

what do you eat in your one ounce cup - first protein then - well just fill it with protein.

etc.

Further, he actually bragged about a former patient who collected shot glasses and set them as dinner plates at the table.

Again, now I am nervous, but I am also relieved.

It is no wonder the dietician gave me this assignment in the first place, she too was probably questioning how I was supposed to get all of my nutrition in a one ounce cup -(I just thought the doctor was accurate) -

we live in a very small community and I highly doubt there is another bander withing 45 minutes of me.

I'm perplexed about almost everything you said...my doc too pulls the stomach up and sutures it to itself to hold the band in place, helps decreased slippage and I THINK most docs do it this way now...however, it can still be reversed. I think anyone who tells you to live off of shakes and vitamins for all of eternity is not in touch with reality and would not be the doc for me. Or an ounce a meal...that's just not realistic. And I can't imagine healthy either..... I would ask for clarification and if that's what they are really expecting I would go elsewhere, convenient or not. We joke about my doc being a food nazi be even he permits 4 ounces at a time!

Good luck with everything!

I too go along with all that Christie has to say, sound advice, this HAS to be something you can LIVE with, I would not let anyone make a l oz pouch out of my stomach! EVER! Get a second opinion.

I would run, and run fast.. Like I said on your page, this does not sound remotely safe at all! I would drive a lil' further if it were me.

I agree with the others. I think this all sounds very bad and not a normal lapband approach. one ounce? shot glass? That sounds like it could lead to nothing but complications. I would find a new surgeon if that is how this Dr. does things.

You know I already responded to the post you deleted as "RUN Now!" I know some people here who have to fly or drive very long distances to get to their docs (I'm almost 11 mo. out and I've been back to my doc 5 times...4 fills and 1 post-op). It's normal practice to stitch the stomach over the band and it is reversible. The pouch should be made about the size of an egg and it will stretch to be able to hold 1-1.5C. The stretching is what causes our sense of satiety. The only thing you need close by is an ER/Hospital that can do an emergency unfill if needed. Good luck.

He sounds like a quack his expectation are unreal. Do yourself a big favor and get a different doctor

Thank you all so much. Because we live in such a small community I believe it is assumed that our options are limited. I did call my dietician this morning and I called my Primary Care doctor. I am not discussing other options with them. I guess it all sounded so crazy but I also didnt know there were others with OTHER diet plans either.

This whole situation may delay things for me a bit = but this is also a life changing option and a few months wont change a thing.

Againk thank you for opening my eyes and - wow, I am actually figuring out how to blog -

T.

A couple months is nothing if you look at how long it took you to get here...take your time, consider ALL your options and do what's right for you. I'm glad you questioned what your doc said and sought out advice. I can't IMAGINE anyone having surgery with this guy and thinking they can live (happily) like that after...

Good luck! We're here to help!