faithmd

Actually it wasn't a useless response at all. You asked if swalloing a solid (even though it was chewed) was bad after saying that you felt like you "tolerated it well." WasaBB responded with a perfectly valid question, How do you know how well you tolerated chicken? Her follow up question was to drive home the point that the band stays in place by having scar tissue called adhesions form around it to secure it on the back side well. Can you tell us what the adhesions on your stomach look like now? The point is, how do you know that you tolerated it well since the whole point of not eating is keep your stomach from churning to work to digest anything more than liquids? Perfectly valid and helpful question. So often people come in here for validation of their behaviors after they do something they know they're not supposed to. It happens, we're human. But the fact is you went against MD advice twice and wanted to know if it was bad. It can be, now you know why. I'm sorry if you didn't get a good education about the hows and the whys of the post-op diet. It is sad how many people didn't get a good explanation of these things. The best thing you can do now it try to get back on track with your eating program. There are reasons for the staged diet.

Here's a link to a thread that has good info: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f5/how-get-ticker-your-signature-16218/

Hello KtKt, I thought you'd enjoy reading some toher threads about this same question. It's a good one, and quite popular. I love reading what drove other folks to it, kind of like commiserating together. http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f17/what-last-straw-36304/ http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f93/what-your-final-straw-36714/ http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f17/last-straw-stories-33153/ http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f17/what-your-last-straw-22868/ http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f17/what-your-last-straw-19859/

Well, some docs, especially those who primarily do the RNY still use the same guidelines for their band patients (meaning the bowel prep and leaving a catheter in). Is your pre-op diet for three days supposed to be Clear liquids? If so, then that's ther reason for no milk products. But if you can have anything, then that makes no sense. I'm thinking a steak will leave more residue in your bowel than a glass of milk would. I would put my foot down and say no catheter, personally. There is no reason for it unless you are physically challenged in some way. The surgery is around an hour (little more, little less, depends) and then a short bit in the recovery room. All total I think I was away for a bathroom for about 5 hours. I can hold it for that long, how about you? And the MOST important thing to do post-op is to get up. If you have to pee, that's a great reason to get out of bed. If you have said that if they can't band you then it's okay to convert to bypass, then I totally agree and understand the bowel prep. But if not, then I have a problem with a bowel prep pre-op. They aren't working anywhere near the bowel. But it is YOUR surgeon's requirement. I cannot advise you to do something against what s/he wants. If it bothers you, then I'd talk with him about it pre-op.

Well, at least Grawp was still there.

No way, I couldn't do that to myself. With her luck she'll be one of the ones that has no problem with sugar. Everyone I know personally who has the RNY has no problem after about 6 mos to a year out with sugar.

I hate to tell you all that I am not nearly as excited to see this movie as I had been two weeks ago. I just read a review today, and while not horrible, there was something mentioned that had me totally floored. Apparently this movie (OOTP) is the SHORTEST of all the movies so far??????????? How in the HELL can the longest book at well over 850 pages be condensed and written well and still touch on all the important points? Let me guess, no Grawp? No exploding fireworks when Fred and George leave? Maybe they even cut that part out? Not much Quidditch? I'll go see it Tuesday night at the IMAX and by then it will have cost me $52 to see this movie. Sheesh! (I bought a ticket for me and DH at the IMAX for Thursday night and couldn't go-$26 no refunds, no exchanges)

I can't imagine why not. Just watch what the calories are and the sodium, too.

Sure, but just remember, even though it may be sugar free, there is still a lot of carbs in some of those shakes. Just be careful you aren't chugging four shakes a day that are 300 calories each, okay?

Quote: Originally Posted by juliegeraci You can have anything that fits through a straw. I loved creamy soups the best. They kept me satisfied. Julie, why do you keep telling people that they can have things they probably shouldn't? Was it yesterday you told a woman who didn't tell us what stage diet she was on that she can have anything that goes through a straw I commented that we should not tell anyone that if we don't know what diet their MD wants them on. Now this OP tells us that her MD wants her on CLEARS until Sunday at noon and you tell her that creamy soups and "anything that fits through a straw" are okay? I just don't understand. I think for the most part you give good advice and I very much appreciate your responses to me and to others. But please stop telling people they can do something if we either don't know if they should do, or in this case, that we KNOW she shouldn't be doing. Everyone's doc is different, and I think we all should follow our OWN surgeon's advice, unless it is blantantly irresponsible (like telling us it's okay to have steak two days after banding or something).

Ahhh, I understand now. And adding the sugar and candy, well that's a no-brainer, is she a nutter? I admit, I ate some cotton candy (a little bit, and accounted for it's 110 calories per serving on my fitday) the past couple of days. But I can't imagine sticking to 800 calories a day and then sabotaging myself by eating candy. Heck, if I'm eating 2000 calories a day, I'm for darned sure it will be yummy food!

From what I've read around here and on other sites you very RARELY feel any restriction with a first fill, most folks say it takes 2, 3, or more fills to get there. What I don't get AT ALL is why you have to wait so long? That's INSANE. I'd ask why. It seems to vary between two and four weeks between fills for docs. It can take a couple of weeks for a fill to "kick in" so I guess that's why some will wait a bit longer than two weeks, but if your doc doesn't give you a good answer as to why not, I'd find another doc straight away

I purchased several sets of baby/toddler utensils pre-op and used those to eat with when I was at home, I would take a small salad fork to work to use. I read on another thread where someone was having great difficulty with the no drinking rule and their surgeon suggested putting a glass filled with ice CUBES on the table right when they sit down to eat. HE told her that whatever melted from the CUBES (I stress cubes, not crushed ice, melts too fast) was what she could sip on. Cubes don't melt that fast, so it was tiny amounts but it helped her. And I tried it, works.

I agree the first few days are the WORST, WasaBB and I totally agree that you have got to stay away from all refined/processed sugars. And you need to stop drinking things with artificial sweeteners in them. Artificial sweeteners intensify my snacking and sugar cravings. I have switched to Stevia or Blue Agave nectar. But WasaBB, I can't imagine saying someone has ONLY lost 40lbs in six months... That's fantastic and healthy loss at about 1-2lbs per week. I lost about that in six months and was THRILLED. Should I now reevaluate and be sad that I only lost 44lbs in six months? You know I luv ya, woman, and I'm not picking at you to be mean, but I just think that is a good loss.

I am looking forward to being able to hold up my .30-06 without feeling like I'm dying. And hiking in with my blind and gear will be soooooo much easier this year!!!

The supervised diet is for a number of things (BTW, mine was 12 months, I'm jealous of you 6 or even 3 month folks ). No idea mentioned some of them, getting used to life style changes, getting a mind set, etc. It also shows the insurance company that is going to pay loads of $$ for this surgery that you CAN make a committment to weight loss and that you will follow doctor's orders. After all, so much of WLS is following guidelines and changing our eating drastically. From their point of view, if we have dieted in the past and gained it back, or if we just continue to creep up on the scale every year, why is sugery going to magically cure all that? WLS requires a deep committment on our part and they just want to see some evidence of that committment in the form of a "supervised diet." Many insurance compoanies require a certain amount of loss on this diet, mine required 5% loss of my excess weight in that year. Worked out to 9lbs, so certainly they weren't forcing me to lose a LOAD of weight, just enough to show I cared.

Awesome, Glinda!

Babygrl, WOOHOO on the two lbs during the TOM! Areal, you are doing great!

D'oh!!! jinx! LOL!!

Name.............................Starting….Current…...Goal….....To Go losingjusme........................293...........2 94............266...........29 juliegeraci...........................226......... ...226............206...........20 areellady.............................251.5....... ..246.5.........230...........16.5 punkeyb88..........................306............ .238............225...........13 Chris_NJ.............................326.......... ..322............290...........32 PaulaD................................222......... ...222............200...........22 MM.....................................248........ ....248............230...........18 sdakotaRN...........................255........... 255............230.........,..25 Babygrl1234.........................224........... 218............199............19 faithmd................................312........ ....311.3.........285............25.7 Jan421................................267......... ...267.............247...........20 Metalband...........................203........... ..201.............183...........20 tann............................223.........221. ........198........23 Banannie......................182..........179.8. ......162.......17.8 Josette........................322..........322... .......299........23 chickatee......................217.........217.... ......199........18 beachgirl......................270..........220... .......155........65 Marlluvia.......................220..........220.. ........200.......20 Jennifur........................222..........219.. ........200.......19 KariK............................179..........179. ..........155.......24 MarCar.........................296...........291.. . .........276......20 Punkeyb88...........................238........... ..238............... 220........ 18 Jadrad7........................243..........243.............220.......23 Denise.........................330..........265..............240.......25 Wen............................303...........303.............285.......18 SWEETY.......................217..........215............199.......16 Lochnagar....................249...........249............221.......28 :welcomeB: Lochnagar! Nope it is not too late to join, just remember to copy the latest set of numbers in someone's post, then paste it into the rply box and chnage your numbers as needed. You add yourself the same way (I added you this time, but now you'll know for the future).

It is time to find a new PCP. She is supposed to work for you. You (or your insurance company, or both) pay her for her services.

Clairabellleee, this is something I posted in another thread where someone was asking about eating four days out, and it may not all apply to you, but I think a lot of it is helpful information you may not have gotten. Hope this helps you! WARNING, this is very LONG, but if you are cheating and eating when you shouldn't be, it's also very IMPORTANT. Oh for goodness sakes, people!!!!! There is a REASON that you are told not to eat, it isn't to make you miserable. I will explain why below. Some docs are advancing their patients faster, but those numbers are VERY few. I don't think the data is there yet saying it's okay to eat more solid food so soon post-op, maybe there is, but I haven't seen it yet so I will do what my doc says and that is what makes sense. Here's my tough love speech: I remind myself of this everyday. It is NOT easy to stick with this diet, especially when so many other seem to be moving faster through the food stages than I am. But I do remind myself that moving slowly MAKES SENSE and my surgeon's group has had NO SLIPS (other than one that was totally the bandster's fault-eating things he really shouldn't a few days out). Ready? I am a person who wants data to back up most things a health care provider is doing to/for me. The Allergan website (the folks who MAKE the LapBand) says this about food stages: Post-Surgery Nutrition After surgery, you will need a new nutrition plan. Your surgeon and/or dietitian can help you learn about and get used to the changes in lifestyle and eating habits you need to make. It is very important to follow the eating and drinking instructions beginning immediately after the operation. In the first few weeks after your surgery, you will be on a liquid diet since only thin liquids will be tolerated by your stomach at that time. As you heal, you will gradually progress to pureed foods (three to four weeks post-op) and then soft foods (five weeks post-op). Finally, you will be able to eat solid foods. Granted perhaps there is new research that says prolonged periods on liquid diets are not necessary and the Allergan site just hasn't been updated yet. I would wonder what a surgeon who advances quickly's complication rate is and more specifically what their SLIP rates are? Are they advancing people faster because of the AP band and the selling point that it's less likely to slip because of it's width? Is there a study they can show you to support the shorter move to soft foods? Has surgical technique changed and is there a way now to access the back of the stomach (not previously accessed because of it's proximity to the spinal nerves) and suture the band (I haven't heard of it)? The reason for the liquid diet is because the band gets "seated" on the stomach and held in place by scar tissue that forms during the weeks we are taking in liquids. The stomach is a muscle, and that muscle has to churn and undulate to digest and move food through. Liquid requires little stomach movement to process. When we start to chew something, that lets our digestive system know that food is coming down, fluids begin to be secreted to aid in digestion and the stomach starts moving in preparation to start the breakdown of food. The band is held in place on the front of the stomach by sutures in the stomach where it is pulled up and over the top of the band, then sutured to itself. There is nothing holding the back in place, the surgeon tunnels behind the stomach to pull the band around and then scar tissue forms to hold it. That scar tissue can't form properly or as well if the stomach is churning and moving to digest. Kind of like pulling a paper cut on a knuckle apart every time you bend your finger, it takes forever to heal. At least that's what the band folks have said for years that is how it all happens. Perhaps someone somewhere has done a new study and what we've always believed is actually not right. It's possible, but not likely. Do you see now why I'm hesitant to eat early? Of course, if someone can show me concrete good data (not just a study with a sample of a few patients) that the longer liquid stage is not necessary, then I'll be happy to change my thought process. I look at it this way, if I were pregnant and my doc told me I had to be on liquids to keep my baby healthy, I cannot imagine being desperate enough to put my unborn child's health at risk. I'd be on that liquid diet PAST the date the doc told me to just to be on the safe side, wouldn't you? Why won't we protect OUR OWN health with just as much vigor? Why do we risk our own health when we know that being in liquids is for a finite period of time (two weeks, four weeks, six weeks, whatever)? Why on earth are we "cheating" and risking our bands? Just because something goes down okay doesn't mean it isn't setting us up for damage later. Damage we do now freshly banded may not show up until a year or two down the line. Maybe we have a bad episode of vomiting and because we just couldn't wait to chew, we didn't get good adhesion of scar tissue early on, it may slip. Really think about it, folks. If it were to protect an unborn life, we'd do anything. This band is the key to our new lives. I truly hope that no one thinks I am speaking down to them or judging them because they have slipped up. I certainly am not! I am trying to point out the reasons why it is so important to try to get back on that horse and toe the line as long as possible. I would never dare to say that merely being banded would end years of food issues. Lord knows if I could make it to 371, I have had some food issues, and continue to have them. I am posting my tough love because it is (as I said) something I have to say to myself every day, if not more often than that. I am by no means perfect. If we screw up, we screw up...Hopefully no harm done. Take the time to evaluate what happened and get back on the path you should be on. My concern is not so much for those who make a mistake once or twice, my concern is that there are so many out there who say, "Oh, it's okay, it went down fine so I guess I can do it." Or those who look at what other's diets are and advance theirs faster than their surgeon or nutritionist reccommended. But of note, the granddaddy of the band in the Western Hemisphere supports three weeks of liquids before moving to solids. My belief is that chewed really well most solids could be considered mushy so I totally understand the jump over mushy to solid. I post this because I truly do not believe that everyone got a good education about WHY they should be sticking to whatever liquid stage their surgeon or nutritionist wants them to. So often physicians have a tendency to say not to do something, but never explain the how and the why behind it. If you can give me a good reason for something, I'm much more likely to accept it. It somehow makes a tough thing a little more doable if I know that reason for it is important. I am not comparing being banded to being pregnant in any way. However, I am pointing out that we would all do the very best we can for a child, yet we tend to be lax when it comes to our own health. Perhaps we should have lots of counseling before we have a bariatric surgical procedure. I know that it is impossible to just say STOP and then do it. If we could say STOP to ourselves, we wouldn't have been fat. But the band requires so much from us, I think (or at least I hope) that we were all fully informed about the changes we were going to have to make after banding. It isn't easy. I knew it was going to be damned hard so when I got closer to being banded I started to practice behaviors that I read about here and other places. I started eating proteins first, I got baby utensils to eat small bites, I stopped drinking with my meals, I tried to get used to chewing, chewing, chewing (the hardest for me to do). I obviously could not have handled decreasing my intake amounts pre-band, but I did the best I could. I researched, researched, researched. Am I tooting my own horn? Am I the poster child for bandsters? NO! I am pointing out that I got to that "place," I came to that magical moment where I just couldn't take it anymore. I decided (as we all did) to have SURGERY to lose weight. What a crushing blow, to admit that I just couldn't do it alone. Well, I could probably lose some, but I knew it wouldn't stay off. I needed this tool, so I learned as much about it as I could, I learned why we do things. I think if you are going to go so far as to have surgery, you should take some accountability and not say, well, I couldn't do it before, so the band will just stop me. How many threads have we all read where someone thinks it's okay to be so tight they PB on just about everything because that's how they are losing weight? That is NOT good. That's not protecting the band, or ourselves. I am only trying to catch us (and myself) and support us being as healthy and proactive in this journey as we possibly can be. I want every single Bandster to be successful and healthy in their weight loss as they can.

Good point, but the Matrix and LOTR trilogies did well. Had they shot the movie at once and just released it a few months apart that would have worked, too. Or made and released the "full" version (like Titanic or GWTW-reallllly long) and had a "kid friendly" version, cut to more like 2 hrs.

This is why I REFUSE to watch PoOprah. I think she's a git. If I had her money, I'd hopefully be thin and hot, and I'd have the cahones to be honest and admit that Stedman is just a cover.

Not until you hear back from your appeal letter. But if you need to pursue it further, may I suggest you look into Obesity Law and Advocacy Center before you appeal again. They are pretty good as what they do, and don't charge an arm and a leg.