proshooperLinda

Yes I stay away from bread, rice, potato. The only white carb i eat is popcorn, but not everyday.

What kind of carbs are you eating? How much Protein are you getting in a day? I supplement with Protein drinks to make sure I'm getting enough Protein. I could get enough from food but it's like an insurance policy for me. Linda

I had my surgery 9 weeks ago, my dr told me Protein first then if you have room veggie or fruit. I have been eating some carbs & i havent been losing like I had been. Total i lost 36lbs.

Most important is you eat your Protein first, then and only then do you consume any carbs! What kind of carbs are you meaning? Beans,fruits and veggies are good carbs - white rice and breads are not so good for you! Everyone loses at a different rate so don't compare weight loss! Slower loss is good for you in the long run good luck and happy losing! Linda

Hi everyone!

I am 7 days post op and feel like I'm doing great! I can't believe how smoothly the surgery has gone...soooo pleased!

Anyway, I have started the "mushy" food phase. When I eat something like applesaue or yogurt, I feel full after about 1/2 - 3/4 of one of the little cups (the ones I usually put in the kids lunch bags), but I feel hungry again in an hour or two. Is that normal? Should I go ahead and eat the whole cup so I won't be hungry so soon after I eat? I guess what I'm wondering is during this phase, how long should the mushy foods make me feel full before I need to eat again? I worried I'm eating too often and I don't want to mess anything up.

Thanks for your help!

I hope when you say yogurt you are eating Greek yogurt as it's so much higher in Protein and it will make you feel fuller longer. Applesauce would not last with me so I hope that isn't a major part of your diet now. My doctor said to eat every couple of hours so I think 2-3 hours is a good time frame to look at. Are you able to eat scrambled eggs yet as that will stay with you longer too. Good luck and happy learning your new band!

OMG - have I been there before! No such thing as mindless eating anymore! First time I got something stuck I thought I'd have a panic attack as I couldn't breathe - it hurt so bad and I started sweating really bad and foaming...then I learned to throw it back out! Amen for writing this!

I'm on the liquid phase of the post-op diet and I have to get at least 48 grams of Protein and liquid also. Problem is i'm not hungry at all and getting my Protein, my Water, and Vitamins plus any kind of broth it's just too much I just can't and I'm no getting either all my Vitamins or all of my protein. Any suggestions?

The idea is first protein then Water and other liquids. There is a product called LiquiCel that is like the shot of protein. Target carries it but you have to ask at the pharmacy for it...it's not cheap but worth the price - check out the per oz. cost to compare and the taste is better than a lot of the other shots out there. There is also Isopure which is 40 grams of protein in 20 oz. of water so it counts for both! I find it at GNC and Vitamin Shoppe if you have them locally. Good luck and do the best you can! And sip. sip, and sip all day if you need to!

Fever is a sign of a problem - not something to be managed! Call your doctor before it develops in to something more severe! Since I don't run any fevers ANY fever would be an issue for me to be worried about. Please don't mess around with it - OK?

You may find this information helpful

http://drsimpson.net...estriction.html

This link is very good as it explains why restriction is NOT the goal of the lapband. I'm over 18 months out of surgery and this explains better than a lot of my visits with my doctors office what I should have been told! Click the link for a very good good explaination! I bookmarked it so I can go back and read the other pages too...good luck all on our weight loss journey! Linda

WOW - I don't believe he could be that naive! We got heavy eating what we feel like eating! Granted the band will restrict how much we eat but I think more guidance would have been helpful! We can eat sugar and ice cream etc. but if you take this time to retrain your tastebuds you'll lose more weight faster! The "rules" say eat Protein first - that way you have room for the most important thing in your diet. Lean Protein - like fish, chicken and turkey if you can digest that. At first SOFT Proteins are best - fish, cottage cheese, and Greek yogurt come to mind. Good luck with your weight loss journey but honestly Dcotors like yours makes the SUPPORT GROUPS very important... Linda

I hope no one takes this an attack on anyone in the group! I know there are doctors doing the surgeries and then they let people loose without much guidance as we get them in our local support group. I eat thin crust pizza and other carbs - not everyday but I do eat them...I was just reporting what had worked for me when I was first banded - protein first...ANYTHING else AFTER! Had I had a doctor like that and no support group I probably wouldn't have lost as much weight as I have...just wanted to clarify my point. Linda

So when the PA is telling me I'm not losing weight because I'm thinking like a FAT person and not a SKINNY person, I'm not the one that's crazy? This lady is telling me that hunger pains are not really hunger pains, it's food moving through the system. She says eat your portion and stop. And you will get used it the portion. She wont' fill me because I'm not losing to her satisfaction and don't DESERVE a fill! I really thought the whole purpose of this was to feel fuller with less food. Well, I can eat almost what I used to eat, but I don't because I don't want to test the waters, but I'm definitely hungry within 2 hours of eating. I had my surgery Feb 23, and had one fill, which was April 16, of 3 cc. I have an 11 cc Realize band. Should I ask for another PA in the practice? I'm from Pittsburgh and had my surgery at Magee. Anyone else share my experience?

I'm sorry it took me so long to get on this website but seeing your post really makes me MAD! I would ask for any other person in that practice and I would report her butt so fast! That is no way to talk to a patient! I know the first month after my surgery a lot of my hunger pains were gas build-up and when I took Gas-X they went away BUT I still had hunger pains. My stomach wasn't used to being empty! At 3cc that's not much of a restriction and they should be seeing you about once a month! I live in the Williamsport, PA. area so I can't help you with another provider or help that way. I had to find another provider as my insurance changed and Geisinger wouldn't take it and I couldn't afford $900. a fill...I think you should stick with your office if you can but I would definetely let them know what a horse's ass she is! I have 7cc in my band and am getting a decent restriction at that - for now. Good luck! Linda

So I went to my PCP and had the conversation about how I'm done with being over weight for the last 20yrs....(he didn't agree with me a year prior!!) And to my amazement he actually agreed with me this time!!! But he had a problem with the surgeon o went to see....so as a comprise he asked me to go see one of the best barriatric surgeons in boston.....so I graciously said yes...I was just happy to get him on board!!!! So I left his office with a large smile on my face and a tear in my eye!!! (This is actually going to happen!!!) I called the new surgeons office from the car in the parking lot and I got a machine!! So I left s message. This was Friday!! Nothing.....then I called at 3 on Monday.... no answer...left another message.... nothing..... so...finally I called today and I got my appointment!!" I'm so happy ... I started to feel like I was making a mistake!!! I don't want to be scared at this stage!!!! Just positive thoughts!!!!

Take a deep breath! Relax...I'll tell you right now you will have that thought quite a few times before you actually have the surgery. The key is to expect it and understand why you're having it! It will be a major change in your life - for the better mostly. Find yourself a local support group for bariactric patients and go to it a few times. The things you'll hear may scare you but in the end EVERYONE says even if they had complications it was something they would do in a heartbeat! I don't hear of many complications with the lapband but they can happen. I've never known anyone that has had any problems - other than if you get an overfill and that will only happen once because you learn. Good luck with your appointment and come back for our support! Linda

I'm just recently banded and my head is whirling. This is what my doctor told me when I asked him what kind of diet I would be following post lapband. He asked me to name a few of the diets I had been on: Low carb,lowfat, high Protein, etc. He asked me if any of those had worked long term for me? Well, no Doc, that's why I'm here getting surgery. He said, Ok, you are officially done with diets. You will eat what you feel like eating, but only until you feel satisfied, and that doesn't mean stuffed. He said he will adjust the band to make it possible for me to still eat and lose weight. Im taking him at his word. We'll see how it goes.

WOW - I don't believe he could be that naive! We got heavy eating what we feel like eating! Granted the band will restrict how much we eat but I think more guidance would have been helpful! We can eat sugar and ice cream etc. but if you take this time to retrain your tastebuds you'll lose more weight faster! The "rules" say eat protein first - that way you have room for the most important thing in your diet. Lean protein - like fish, chicken and turkey if you can digest that. At first SOFT Proteins are best - fish, cottage cheese, and Greek yogurt come to mind. Good luck with your weight loss journey but honestly Dcotors like yours makes the SUPPORT GROUPS very important... Linda

I read somewhere since posting that it may take time for the saline to work its way around the band. This is the only thing I have found so far that attempts to explain the phenomena. Is the saline solution thick? Why would it take 2 weeks to work its way around? I guess I am looking for why there is a delay. I realize that there is one in some folks and know how to work with it as well as swelling from PBs and stress changes. Im just curious about why.

The saline isn't thick - it's just a saline solution that way if it leaks out the body can handle it...they pull out the solution to measure how much you have in the band so that irritates the stomach anyway...then after they measure it decide how much more to add to it....at least my doctor does. I wonder if I had a bug about 2 weeks out and that's what caused my problem. I've had problems with too much of a restriction that didn't occur until a couple days later - but at that time I hadn't had too many fills yet so I let a slight overfill go - and paid dearly for it, causing reflux for 3 months to heal! I could swallow so I thought I was OK - now I know how I should feel after the fill plus they only added .5 cc last time and it's been fine since then. Good luck trying to find out more...I've been curious since as many fills as I've had I really haven't had too many problems. Linda

i have my band almot 2 years ago and only lost 42 pounds and now i cant loose a pound what can do more

Have you had any fills of your lap band since then? If we haven't had a fill it's too easy to eat things we shouldn't and end up getting more calories than we need.

Can someone point me to more information on this: "A fill may have a “Delayed Action” of up to 4 weeks. A “Delayed-Action” means that the fill may not become effective for up to 4 weeks after the fill. That is why the ALLERGAN protocol states that fills should not be performed on patients who will not have access to medical care for at least two weeks after a fill."

I have had my band for 2 years but only had 2 fills--both this year. I think I may be experiencing this delayed reaction. How does that work? Why does it happen?

I've had a delayed reaction as I felt the restriction - a little at first - then about 2 weeks out I felt greater restriction to the point of throwing up to relieve the pain and the frothing after eating to the point it was happening after just drinking liquids - even water! I ended up having to have them take out saline for relief! I think once you start throwing up it irritates the stomach and band area to the point of swelling making the problem worse! Now I know after a fill to follow a liquid diet for a couple days just to be sure not to irritate it further. Sometimes a stomach bug will have the same effect on us but at least if we follow a very soft liquid diet until we recover it tends to minimize that effect. Good luck! Linda

When my reflux was VERY BAD my coughing was also as my throat was irritated by the acid. Nexium doesn't sound like it's working. As far as the ER they are usually staffed by NEWer doctors - just out of school so they actually tend to have more current info than most other doctors. I was sent in for an upper GI to a hospital that does NO bariactic surgery and they were looking at my band and found what my problem.was...Granted I'd have been more happy at the hospital that did the surgery but I was equally happy now knowing I can trust this place if need be. Please don't let the fear of weight gain stop you from seeking help. Hopefully this is only a small speed bump on your journey. Better to live well than die skinny! Don't let it get that serious! Yes, I do mean to scare you - but only because I care! Good luck.... Linda

(PS - I would go back to a liquid diet for now because all the throwing up causes swelling which then makes the band tighter - worrying about band erosion and band slippage to a lesser degree...actually more concerned about band twisting as that can cause the problems you're having. I just had Fluid taken out as this week after a band-fill a month ago progressively was causing more pain. throwing up and swelling...now I feel human again and it took 1.5 cc's out..and I lost 3 bs. after it was taken out!)

I don't do that - unless I want it to come back up! Sometimes that is my last resort - unless I want to suffer for a long time...I find just "running" up and down the stairs a few times is enough of a jog to loosen it....good luck all... Linda

I've tried many brands - the only problem I have was the thickness. Make sure you're getting Liquid Protein as the Meal Replacement is THICKER. I like the vanilla and chocolate as you can add sugar free flavorings or syrups to them to change up the flavor. GNC total lean 25 is OK and if on sale a good buy. The first seven days of the month you get extra discounts so that's the time to buy...Good luck. Linda

A friend of mine told me about this - and it's called gravity...just kidding! You're dislodging the stuck food and that won't cause problems. It's better than all the misery and the foam and saliva getting you sick and ready to throw up. I have tried going up and down the stairs as that helps also....like you said to ideally avoid the situation but it can sneak up on you and you'll think everything is fine and BAM...there it is! I honestly don't think it has any effect on band slippage as I don't really know what causes it...but my friend has been banded over 2 years with no problems from the jumping! Good luck..Linda

Are you just drinking or what stage of food are you eating? If it's still soft food you might not really feel a restriction even with that fill...you don't want to be miserable honestly! I had a fill in late Jan. and the last couple of weeks I was having real problems keeping food down. Wasn't losing weight even though I couldn't eat or drink much of anything. Monday they took out 1.5 cc and I've lost 3 lbs. because I can drink enough fluids and am eating more protein! Who would have figured! Good luck with your journey! Linda

Just so you know - it can take a combination of adding Fiber and making sure you're drinking enough liquid also or you can get severely constipated and that is hell! Been there and done that before surgery and after...stool softners are good also. Contrary to some beliefs you don't get dependent on them honestly! walking helps too - I guess it's the gravity effect! Good luck all - Linda

like all others I was a very warm person - now I'm freezing and my hands are always cold! It's been 16 months since surgery and it's getting better! I'm not too hot during the summer and that's a good thing! I find myself holding hot coffee or sugar free cocoa in the evening! It will get better - honest!

54Shirley...please post the name of the drug as I'm always looking for something that works better. I know when the weather changes I will have a bad reaction to it...if you're in the US please let us know as different countries have different names for their drugs...hoping you're in the US personally. Thanks for any info... Linda

ok sorry if im grossing anyone out but i was just banded 1/16 and ever since then i feel like i consistently have to urinate or go number 2, however, usualy little or nothing comes out. is this common? maybe just an adjustment to my food intake which is mostly protien and Water etc. i just didnt know if it was a shock to my system and should take some over the counter laxitives because i feel backed up (gross sorry). any suggestions?

thanks

Are you getting in your Water? That will cause your urine to be very strong and irritating and feel like that! High Protein content can affect your urine the same way I found....the smell will be very strong too. Miralax and Benefiber are very good and work well too - my doctors recommend both to me. Good luck and feel no shame with asking questions as that's what we're here for - each other! Linda

Don't let other peoples stories concern you...lots of people have fills with no issues at all! There is such a thing as a delayed reaction (can be from a few days to a few weeks after) so if you start having problems swallowing or if things get too tight or painful then call your doctors office. They expect to hear from you.There is no such thing as a stupid question so don't feel afraid to call them with questions. Hopefully you have a local support group you can go to their meetings. I'm over 15 moths out from surgery and I'm always learning new things from my local support group. Good luck and happy losing! Linda

Thanks everyone good to know we are in this together. I am actually in the hospital right now I got banded this morning imfeeling great just chose to stay over night because I live 4 hrs away didn't want to ride back today

Just follow the rules of making sure you get your liquids in - sip - sip - sip....don't be surprised if you feel hunger as I was! Some doctors now put in a small amount of saline in the band - some don't....you may not feel hunger. Any questions you have don't hesitate to ask as someone has had the experience I'm sure of that! BTW - I hope you brought your pillow to hold againist you on the ride home! Your ride may vary - but it really helped me! Good luck on the journey to better health! Linda