B-52

I have heard many times that drinking right after eating will "wash it down". I do not have that experience, but the opposite. I cannot drink right after eating, or I will upchuck!!! People say it will wash it down. To do that means it is still sitting there passing thru the band slowly. Someone once said it is like a slow drain, it will eventually go down. I tend to agree with this. It best describes the way I feel when I eat, with the restriction I have been experiencing. What happens when you add Water to a slow drain?? It fills up even more. If I am done eating, and I know there is food in my pouch, the last thing I need to do is add water. I simply cannot drink following a meal. Early on I did. After dinner coffee, etc. But now I can't, no matter how much I may want to. Many things I have been told soundly like silly "Rules" to try and follow. I will say that now I am in that green zone, all these silly rules happen to me naturally. I don't find them to be rules but guidelines to deal with the band and restriction.

I have been banded since Jan. I have a good amount of restriction, in the green zone. I can feel my band with every swallow, have been stuck more times that I can remember. Having said that, I take 4 Lovaza fish oil caps every morning, along with other rx meds. You would be surprised what you will be able to do. Only take one at a time, and may have to wait a few minutes in-between. And do not have any food before or immediately after. Yes, I have gotten stuck taking them,but like anything else you learn a certain technique.

Until you had a fill or 2 and start feeling some restriction, it probably not concern you right now. It can take me 45-60 minutes to get through a meal, depending on what I am eating and how much. After each bite I need to chew thoroughly, then wait between swallows for the food to pass through the band. I don't measure my food but I am usually finished with the right amount. I am happy with my band and restriction and all those little things they told me comes very naturally.

4 weeks after surgery for first fill. Was told I can go back to the gym at my 1 week post-op follow up appointment. (but don't overdo it with the weights) Whirlpool and sauna was OK after 1 week also.

Depends upon the person. I was banded on a monday, planned on taking entire week off. I was climbing the walls after 3 days. I just had to get out and do something.. Just be mindful of the effects of the pain med's you are taking, and the fact you have not had any decent food for a bit. Could effect your energy levels. I had the usual gas pains, etc, but getting up and doing something helped a great deal.

I'm not a heavy drinker, but since being banded I have had beer on many occasions. Not the end of the world. Example: went to a Yankees game...had 2 draft beers! No problems at all. Did not have any food though, just the beer and a empty stomach. drank it very slow also. I have had a beer or 2 on many other occasions, picnics, fishing, what ever this past summer.

Perfectly Normal. All part of the learning process. If you've never got stuck, you would not know how much restriction you have and that the band is doing it's job. Not only do you learn what foods are not good for you, but that you will need to take very small bites, swallow and wait before the next bite. I've read about putting the fork down and waiting a set time before picking it up again. I have learned to to that naturally or I 'm in for a stuck episode. I have been stuck more times I can count. You could get through a slice of pizza, but it would take you an hour using only the smallest of bites, with adequate time in between. But why bother??? Also if you handle it well, it is not really a "Violent" vomit because the food is above the band. It is more of a deep spit up, or whatever. Today, I was working clinics at a particular hospital so I had time for lunch in the cafeteria. Ordered a pork chop. Three little bites, well spaced out, and I knew I was finished, about to get stuck. reason is the pork chop was way overcooked and tough. Tough foods whether chicken, beef or whatever is on my no list. I should know better getting it in a cafeteria of all places. But, another lesson learned. If you ever get stuck, one way to speed up the process is to sip some Water. Preferably over the toilet because the water has no place to go and will come right back up, bringing the food with it. same thing the body does with sliming, just faster.

Don't know the reason why, but there are days when my band is tighter than other days. Also, my band is always tighter first thing in the morning. it really can't be the band getting tighter and looser, I would assume it is the upper pouch that can restrict if not exercised with various foods. For instance, If I go on a full liquid diet for a day or two, which I do occasionally, it will feel much tighter when I have my first solid food afterward.

The health club I belong to has all the latest equipment, tons of different classes, personal trainers, etc. etc. Also has an indoor Olympic size pool. Also, there are 2 resturants, one a casual eatery that boasts a salad chef or Pasta depending on the days. The other is a upscale restaurant that I have never tried. There is a "spa", physical therapy office, and much much more. But the reason I go there is because of the spacious locker rooms where, after a workout, I can sit in the sauna or steam room for 30 minutes, then the whirlpool for another 20. Then take a shower and put on fresh clothes. It opens at 5am, and many are there before heading to work. Sounds upscale,but it is really not that expensive. check their website: http://www.theatlanticclub.com/

With the exception of one or two, the only people I see complaining (or freaking out) are those who have recently been banded. Most are still in the healing post-op phase. Did not gain all your weight in 30 days, can't expect miracles right away. All weight loss at that time is from the pre-op and post-op diet regime. Sooner or later you will be on regular food. Then you have to learn to live and use the band. It took me 3-4 months before things started to fall in place. Six months till everything started to work the way I had hoped it would. And I am still learning things all the time.

Perfectly normal. I remember telling myself I didn't need surgery to use will power and diet plans. Then, after a few fills and few months lter, it all stated to fall in place. Hang in there, it will get easier as you progress.

Been banded since Jan. I have a Protein shake every morning for Breakfast - 25 gm Protein. Occasionally I will have a 2nd one during the day in place of a meal.

I took a week off from work. Had surgery Monday morning. Was climbing the walls by wednesday. Went into work Thursday but just hung around for a bit.. Ran many errands thursday and Friday since I had time off. Also took my mind off any gas pains I was having.

That's how it is for me now. It's no longer mind over matter, will power, etc. I have learned the hard way that there are foods I will never eat again. Because of that I am learning a new way of looking at foods, and developing new eating habits. I would look at that pizza and simply say "no way. That would be a mistake that will cause a lot of discomfort"

Right now I feel I am exactly where I am supposed to be. I feel the band is working the way I have always heard it should. All the things that I have been told.....small bites, small portions, put fork down between bites, don't drink with meals, etc etc are happening naturally. I need to do those things. I don't measure my food, but if I did I would find the recommended portion size is all I can eat at any one sitting. Last visit with the Dr., he agreed. No fill, come back in 2 months.

Only thing is.........with the band I cannot overeat. So I have begun to learn new habits and have become less and less addictive.

I jumped through hoops for 2 years in preparation of this surgery. Final step was loosing the required weight (pre-op diet). Of course I followed the diet. Nothing was going to get in my way at that point. Having said that, I did have a "last meal" Final meeting and weigh in was a Friday for a Monday surgery. Went out and had my last meal Saturday night.

My band fluctuates all the time. Can't put a rhyme or reason to it, it just does. There are days it is tight, where I like it, then there are days it is not. It is always tighter in the morning when I get up, and looser by he end of the day. If I don't eat solid foods for a day or two, just shakes (smoothies), soups etc., it will tighten up also. I'm about to go on a 3 day liquid diet of just protein shakes, right after Labor Day. See what happens after that. My guess is it will tighten up.

Mr Dr. is pretty aggressive. I was banded 7 months ago. Have been in to see him every 4 weeks since the surgery, and have had 6 fills based upon my appetite and weight gain/loss. Yes I did gain!!! Saw him just 3 days ago, and we both agreed I am at a good place. No fills this visit, will not be back to see him for 3 months now unless I feel I need to. I have a good feel of restriction. I am forced to eating only small amounts at any one sitting. If I wanted to, and I have once or twice, can go a full day without even wanting to eat. We went kyacking one day, and other than my Breakfast shake, I did not care to eat after that. (although I did have a few beers on the river!) I am aware of my band being there with every swallow, no matter what it is. It's not uncomfortable, or overly restricted, but I am aware it is there and after a small portion of food, I can not eat any more. Solid foods take a certain amount of time to pass through the band and eating anymore will only cause great discomfort. But be advised, it took me 5-6 months to get to this "Sweet Spot". I have found that most posts here with people freaking out about not loosing weight are those who have been banded very recently. You didn't get fat in one month.

As far as drinking with meals, I respond to it differently than what other people describe. Most people say it will wash the food through the band. With me it's the opposite. I have a good amount of restriction. When I swallow, the food takes a certain amount of time to pass through the band, making me feel full and satisfied faster, and forcing me to eat small quantities at a sitting. (pouch?) I could eat a entire pizza if I wanted to, but it would take me all day eating very slow. Anyway, I cannot drink with my meals, because with the food slowly passing through the band, the liquid has nowhere to go. I have had episodes where it came right back up, as opposed to washing everything down. So I can't drink while eating! Period. The food does sit in my pouch for a while. Have to wait 20 minutes after a meal before I can drink, if I feel I need to. Can't help you with Pepsi or Coke, gave up those type of soft drinks years ago. Why can't you drink beer???? I'm not a big drinker, but I do have a beer or 2, (or 3 or 4) say at a ball game or out on the boat, etc. Just can't drink it fast, and can't drink with any food. Only thing You have to watch is the carbs.

Be careful by what she means by "Crunchy" I love raw vegetables, such as carrots, but they have become a No-no for me. No matter how well you chew, etc, they will never get soft. Potato chips on the other hand, are crunchy but they will get soft and pass through my band easily. Anything breaded and fried is off my list now for foods that I can eat with little problems. I have to peel a raw apple, another one of my favorites. If you are post-op, I would think she meant "solid foods" as opposed to "crunchy"

My first was one month after surgery with 4. Followed one month later with another fill, and the month after that.

For 2-3 days I was restricted to clear fluids. Water, broth, tea, etc. After that I went on to heavier liquids, such as soups, shakes, etc. I was given a liquid medicine with codeine. can't remember the name. Someone here will. My surgery was outpatient. Checked into same day surgery at 7am. was prepped and ready to go by 9:30am. Was discharged at 6 pm. Only reason it took that long was the Surgeon wanted to see me before I left, but he got tied up somewhere else.

I had the same dilemma during the mandatory 6 month medically supervised weight loss program my insurance made me take. I was loosing weight, and was approaching the cut-off point. But I have been on many diets before and they did not work. I needed something more permanent like surgery. I am almost 60, and also felt that this was something I needed to do now before I got too old. (?) However, close to the end of the 6 months I started to gain weight back. Not intentionally, just that diets don't work and bad habits came back. BTW, like you, I also had co-morbidity's that you have described. Diabetes, cholesterol, triglycerides, angioplasty, etc, etc. That put me on a different BMI scale than other people. Does that not apply to you also?? I remember having a face to face with my primary. He said if you loose the weight, all these things will go away. He Was Right!!!! When I was going through my pre-testing, people would comment "You? You don't look like you need this surgery. A good diet is all you need" They don't know the full story, my (and my families) medical history. I remember my first interview with the PRN at the weight loss center. She asked me the standard opening question: "Why do you feel you need this surgery?" My response was "Because I don't want to die" So yes, IMO, I would gain the 15lbs. It's a small trade-off for the better things to come.

I would say, from experience, that these people must have been banded recently, within the last 4-5 months, and have not reached that "sweet spot" with their fills. I know, I've been there. As far as cheating the band......I am at that sweet spot where I can only eat small amounts at each meal, and most of the time do not feel all that hungry to eat much to begin with. I've also learned the hard way, from being stuck many times, that there are foods I need to avoid, and also I need to eat slowly with small mouthfuls. BUT Old habits die hard, and even though I can eat only small portions, there is nothing to stop me (except myself) from eating every 30 minutes, so to speak. AKA "grazing" This is not due to being hungry. It is more addictive, compulsive behavior. Does not have to be a lot, just almost constant small snacking with things like potato chips, dip, Cookies, etc, etc. You have to learn to listen to your body, not your head. Drink plenty of Water, and get your Protein in. It may sound strange, but I am learning that food is not really that important in my life anymore. I ignore it.