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Mushies don't usually cause sliming. Try not to be paranoid (that's no way to live), but continue to eat really slowly with tiny bites. When you get to the point where you're eating real food (solids), cut your food into tiny bites, eat very slowly, and if you feel any pain in your chest, stop eating right away. Wait a few minutes. If the pain stops, then take another bite. With the band you have to pay close attention to what you're doing. I really need to take my own advice! Proceed with caution... Sliming and PBing are no fun. They can ruin your day. But if you do what you should, you'll be great, and it won't happen. Congrats on your success so far. Jennifer

I know that you don't know me, but you have MY support! You have worked so hard and you deserve to have the TT. It doesn't sound like an easy surgery, but what has been easy about this whole thing? I am just starting (27 pounds lost), but I want you to know that your success inspires me, and I wish you all the best. You go girl! Jennifer

I'm with you, Lizzy. Bariatric physicians, like all other kinds, can be insensitive at times. Or, possibly, all the time. I am the curious type, too, and I want to understand what's going inside of me! My doctor said the same thing to me - don't get hung up on the number of cc's in your band. It's irrelevant. His point was that we're aiming for the right amount of restriction, regardless of the number of cc's in our band. I said, "I hear you, and I understand, but still, I would like to know...." I have read this many times on this forum, and it's so true: although our experiences may be similar because we all have the band, our bodies are different and we are each on our own journey. I have failed at every diet imaginable, and I refuse to fail with the band. When you reach a good amount of restriction, you will know it. If you feel like giving up, imagine what your life would be like in 5 years, 10 years, etc. Don't give up! Write to the wonderful people here and get some support! (Lizzy, not all of that was directed at you, but I just wanted to say that I agree with what you wrote!) Jennifer

I wonder if it is the fact that it is a sandwich that might cause you problems. This is something that I have learned about myself this past week, as has another person who posted here. Our first impulse when we get a sandwich in our hands is to take that first big, delicious bite. It is almost impossible to take a small bite of a sandwich. I'm not so sure it's the bread that causes the problem, or if it is the size of the bite. I did an experiment last week. I took a piece of bread at a restaurant, put a tiny bit of butter on it, and cut it into tiny pieces. Then I ate the pieces with a fork and chewed and chewed and chewed. Guess what? No problem at all. And that was soft bread. So, after my horrible experience last week (I got something stuck, with vomiting and sliming afterwards), I have been SOOOOO careful to peel the skin off of sausage and cut food into tiny bites and not overeat. I haven't eaten chicken for a while, nor scrambled eggs. Those two things have caused major problems for me. Please see if you stop sliming if you don't eat your food in sandwich form, and cut the food into small bites. At the first feeling of "stuck," STOP! DON"T DRINK ANYTHING! Overall, eat slowly, like you never have before. I am by no means an expert (not even close), but I am starting to discover what works best for me. Maybe it will work for you, too.

It is frustrating after your first fill, when you are expecting to FINALLY feel some restriction, but I didn't experience much restriction, either, after the first fill. I looked forward to the second fill, which was Monday 6/13, and that was too much restriction! Not a fun week at all. Today (6/17) I had some Fluid taken out, and this evening I am doing much better. What everyone says is true -- the first fill is commonly not the one that brings you to optimal restriction. I don't understand why it takes time for the fill to "kick in," but that does seem to be true. Take heart - you'll get there! Jennifer

Denise - I just got back from getting a slight unfill. That was such a miserable experience last night. I'm sorry you were going through it, too! It's interesting that you got stuck on turkey burger. That's something that doesn't give me a problem. chicken does (white meat). I haven't tried dark meat chicken yet. I am on liquids and soft foods for a few days. The liquids I hate; the soft foods I don't mind at all. I have to be very careful with bread, too. Like you said, I'm not sure it's the bread, or whether we take bites that are way too big when the sandwich itself is big! Anyway, just wanted to tell you that I did get some Fluid taken out. Hopefully we're onward and upward now. Congratulations on your success. You are an inspiration!

Denise, thank you for what you wrote. I had a terrible evening, thanks to a first bite that was probably too big, and because I was really hungry, I kept eating. After just a few bites, I felt the familiar pain, and then ten minutes later, I was in agony. For two hours. I vomited 5 times. I just had my second fill four days ago, and since then, everything has been uncomfortable to swallow. I am thinking about calling my doctor to ask for a little "unfill" tomorrow. After being so miserable all evening, I can't believe I'm even debating the issue, but I don't want to go back to my situation after the first fill, where I felt no restriction. Anyway, your helpful hints were excellent, and I thank you.

It is SOOOO normal to be uptight before your surgery, and to be grumpy when you're on liquids. We've probably all been there. You are in a particularly rough patch right now, but it will pass. Give your little one lots of kisses and remind yourself that you are doing this for yourself and your family. I joined this forum very recently because I felt like I needed support, too. Although each of our experiences is a little different, the similarities are remarkable. My doctor is wonderful, but he didn't tell me everything. I read the posts here to see what other people think is "normal." Please, please don't be consumed by the numbers... you will lose the weight. Sometimes it will fall off, and sometimes it will hang on! My weight loss has been much slower than others who post on this forum, but I am thrilled with it. My lab tests came back normal for the first time in years. I am exercising, my clothes are fitting wonderfully, and life is good. YOU DO HAVE SUPPORT. IT'S RIGHT HERE. Keep us posted in these days before your surgery, and as soon as you feel up to it afterwards. You'll have lots of questions, and this is a great place to ask the people who have gone through it. If I could, I would come and hold your hand while you recover.

Please don't feel alone, my friend. I have had some of the very same thoughts. "Why is everyone else losing and I'm not?" "What am I doing wrong?" I felt like everyone else was losing right after surgery, even without a fill, and I didn't! Most everyone will agree that each experience is different. I think that most of us have failed so many times on diets that we are expecting to fail with the band, too. Stop that thinking! Stop it right now! It IS going to work this time. Here are my thoughts on your weight gain: Since you are gaining, you are taking in more calories than you are burning off. What could you be eating that is high in calories? What could you be drinking that is high in calories? Are you able to exercise? Even a little can help. How about talking to a nutritionist? Or, if you are not satisfied with your doctor, how about a second opinion? I just got my second fill and I am feeling anxious about starting to eat. How's that for a strange feeling? Never in my life have I been shy about eating. This "band thing" is so different from anything we've experienced before. We all feel our uncertainties. But I'm with you, and so are all of these other bandsters. Right, gang?