Feeling Stupid...

Sorry to hear you are having awful problems. Maybe call the doctor and see him/her ASAP or find a new doctor.

Feel better.

Is it possible you're too tight? If you're taking small bites and chewing enough, you shouldn't be having all these problems.

Raisin brand is no good for me either. I can not get it down no matter how soft it is. Maybe if you like cereal you should try cheerios or something like that.

I always have problems with lettuce. I know it is soft and it should go down but some of my worst stuck episodes have been when eating some type of leafy green veggie. My theory, which may be wrong is that even though I think I chew i feel it must slip down partially unchewed and lay over the opening of my band causing me to be stuck. Sounds good in theory. Some of the dishes you are eating are more difficult to digest, pasta, lettuce, salads, cereals. If I may make a suggestion, stick to simple cooked soft proteins. Fish is a moist soft protein that is easy to digest and packed full of protein and oils that are good for you. There are also some other cooking methods that will allow you to eat chicken and some of the other proteins and this will make them easier to digest. One method is to seal your meal in pouch, vacuum and cook the meal in boiling water, this method is called Sous-vide. It may sound like a lot of trouble but it works and the food is moist and delicious. Also another method to tenderize meats is an old Chinese method using baking soda. The baking soda will give the meat an almost silky texture and make it so tender and much easier to digest. I realize that this may sound like a lot of work but learning to live with lap band requires a life style change. I am 3 years post op and have worked through many tight episodes during this journey. Many of my problems were not my bands fault but mine for making poor choices and finally learning that I needed to make this work. I was determined to make this my life and make it work for me and my family. I cook wonderful meals that most would think, you can't eat that, you have a lap band. But you know what I can and do eat most anything I want but some days, I have to remind my self to slow down, chew and spend a few days in the penalty box for not following the rules and drink my protein. So rethink what choices you have been making and stick to basics for a while. Good luck and I hope your journey is successful. Also, never feel stupid.. this is a learning curve and we all learn everyday even 3 years out.

http://www.ehow.com/how_5560702_tenderize-meat-baking-soda.html

Try to answer everyone at once:

dylanmiles 23 - late October was the soonest they could get me in.

Mis 73 - I have NO fill!

cheryl 2586 - isn't it weird...I can do oatmeal with no problem and it's mushy.

LovetheNewMe - Won't bore you with details; my whole story is in my blog. I have no fill and have been told by my doc I should be able to eat everything, just smaller portions. I too am three years out; and find that regardless of cooking technique I can't do meat or chicken. Hands down the weirdest thing I can eat that actually has some texture and good mouth feel - SeaPak Shrimp Spring Rolls - go figure!