DELETE THIS ACCOUNT!

Thanks to the veterans who answered, I always appreciate the insight of someone who has been down the path. My doctor says I can drink with meals, so not drinking wouldn't be against his orders. It's my decision, if I want to drink with a meal or not. I was just curious why so many didn't drink with meals and the reasonings behind their doctors orders.
Of course if my doctor, had said no drinking I would stick with that and would never rely on forum posts as a reason to go against against doctors orders.

I have kids and a live-in boyfriend. All three are skinny as rails and never had a weight problem in their lives. So, they still indulge in treats daily.
My trick is to only buy them stuff that I won't be tempted to graze or binge on. For instance, I can live without Little Debbie brownies and oatmeal cremes. But, I cannot resist the nutty bars. So, I will buy the others but not the nutty bars. Same with chips- I can live without potato chips but I can't resist Doritos. So again, I buy them their chips but I don't buy the Doritos.
Remember, there is absolutely nothing wrong for taking a stand for yourself and telling them you're not buying....whatever...because it's too hard for you to deal with. You don't have to eliminate everything, just the select foods you know you can't resist.

I've been banded almost 2 years and still struggle with this.
For me, I find it an ongoing process. First, I had to clean my house out of all "trigger foods". The grazing you do? I do it too. I find if I get all the foods that are going to make me want to graze and leave only healthy foods, then I don't eat nearly as much and when I do at least it's a good choice. The second part of this is, if I am going to indulge on a cookie or ice cream, it's then a conscious decision requiring me to go to the store for whatever treat it is I'm going to have. 90% of the time this alone makes me not indulge because the time I get ready to go out, I realize it's not worth the calories (or money) and decide against it anyway.
Bottom line- if you want to put the Cookies and chips down, get them out of your house entirely so you can't pick them up to begin with. It will help you a lot.
Best wishes.

You'll get a very wide array of answers on this.
The old way of thinking was that drinking during meals or too soon after meals would wash the food through the band too quickly. Studies now show this isn't true because food shouldn't sit above the band for more than a minute. In fact, food that does sit above the band puts you at risk for erosion.
Now, in light of recent studies, a lot doctors are saying sipping between bites is ok so long as you wait a minute so the food fully passes before pouring down Water. And, sipping, not gulping.
As always, it's best to do what your own surgeon recommends (if they recommend anything at all).

I have kids and a live-in boyfriend. All three are skinny as rails and never had a weight problem in their lives. So, they still indulge in treats daily.
My trick is to only buy them stuff that I won't be tempted to graze or binge on. For instance, I can live without Little Debbie brownies and oatmeal cremes. But, I cannot resist the nutty bars. So, I will buy the others but not the nutty bars. Same with chips- I can live without potato chips but I can't resist Doritos. So again, I buy them their chips but I don't buy the Doritos.
Remember, there is absolutely nothing wrong for taking a stand for yourself and telling them you're not buying....whatever...because it's too hard for you to deal with. You don't have to eliminate everything, just the select foods you know you can't resist.

I've been banded almost 2 years and still struggle with this.
For me, I find it an ongoing process. First, I had to clean my house out of all "trigger foods". The grazing you do? I do it too. I find if I get all the foods that are going to make me want to graze and leave only healthy foods, then I don't eat nearly as much and when I do at least it's a good choice. The second part of this is, if I am going to indulge on a cookie or ice cream, it's then a conscious decision requiring me to go to the store for whatever treat it is I'm going to have. 90% of the time this alone makes me not indulge because the time I get ready to go out, I realize it's not worth the calories (or money) and decide against it anyway.
Bottom line- if you want to put the Cookies and chips down, get them out of your house entirely so you can't pick them up to begin with. It will help you a lot.
Best wishes.

It's not always easy nothing worthwhile is easy, you have to work it!!! Drink your water!!!!!keep making more good choices than bad ones, get support I am a private person so not that many people in my life know about the band but here I love sharing. Sharing and talking about my journey with those that understand helps me very much and hope I help others. I am 17 months in and everyday is still A CHOICE!!

Keep making good choices!!

One thing to remember with all WLS it is a tool and all tools, screw drivers, drills, hammers, need help to be used correctly. Did you gain all your excess weight in 6 months, 1 year? I didn't. I decided when I was getting the band, I would give myself 2 years to get to my goal, not the doctors. I am at my doctor's goal now but I want to try to lose 40-50 pounds more. I'll see as I get closer.
Don't give up on yourself and go for another WLS just because you think it is an easier way out. They all need guidance.
Find a dietitian that will work with you and understand your needs.

You'll get a very wide array of answers on this.
The old way of thinking was that drinking during meals or too soon after meals would wash the food through the band too quickly. Studies now show this isn't true because food shouldn't sit above the band for more than a minute. In fact, food that does sit above the band puts you at risk for erosion.
Now, in light of recent studies, a lot doctors are saying sipping between bites is ok so long as you wait a minute so the food fully passes before pouring down Water. And, sipping, not gulping.
As always, it's best to do what your own surgeon recommends (if they recommend anything at all).

I couldn't agree with you more.
I'm 21 months post surgery, so almost 2 years, and I still see my surgeon monthly. Most of the time it's just a matter of answering some questions, getting weighed, some small talk, then leaving. But, there is something about that accountability knowing I'm going to be weighed in monthly that helps me stay on track. Plus, the support and encouragement of my surgeon and his staff go a very long way in keeping me motivated.

Once again, you're citing incomplete studies that don't take patient compliance into consideration. You can't fault the band for patient error and carelessness.
The fact is, as stated in the study I posted, when the patient does what they're supposed to do there is only a 5% failure rate.

Actually, that study is incomplete because it doesn't take patient failure/non-compliance into consideration.
When a patient is compliant with their surgeon and the band rules, the band is just as effective as other WLS and failure rate is only 5%. http://www.futurity.org/weight-stays-off-long-after-lap-band-surgery/

You'll get a very wide array of answers on this.
The old way of thinking was that drinking during meals or too soon after meals would wash the food through the band too quickly. Studies now show this isn't true because food shouldn't sit above the band for more than a minute. In fact, food that does sit above the band puts you at risk for erosion.
Now, in light of recent studies, a lot doctors are saying sipping between bites is ok so long as you wait a minute so the food fully passes before pouring down Water. And, sipping, not gulping.
As always, it's best to do what your own surgeon recommends (if they recommend anything at all).

I have kids and a live-in boyfriend. All three are skinny as rails and never had a weight problem in their lives. So, they still indulge in treats daily.
My trick is to only buy them stuff that I won't be tempted to graze or binge on. For instance, I can live without Little Debbie brownies and oatmeal cremes. But, I cannot resist the nutty bars. So, I will buy the others but not the nutty bars. Same with chips- I can live without potato chips but I can't resist Doritos. So again, I buy them their chips but I don't buy the Doritos.
Remember, there is absolutely nothing wrong for taking a stand for yourself and telling them you're not buying....whatever...because it's too hard for you to deal with. You don't have to eliminate everything, just the select foods you know you can't resist.

That does sound steep, I agree.
I wonder if you could negotiate with him should the need arise.

80% of mine is covered by insurance. I have a $20 copay each time I go in for a fill, so that would put my fill cost at $100. And, that fill is done by my surgeon, not a PA or nurse.
I think that's very reasonable.

Thanks miz73, the swelling in my legs isn't so much swelling as not as flabby up high as I remembered! On a lighter note, I asked my daughter who is a ob/gyn resident who, with kindness, had nothing sweet to say to me about getting on the scale after surgery. She said basically just what you said. Fluid retention, and strict orders to stay off the scale for a few weeks I guess I had dreams of seeing 135 again!

I can relate...I have a 3 1/2 and 7 yr old, and a supportive hubby who can snack and snack and snack and never really gain weight. I agree with Missy, try to eliminate things you really like.
And Bandista I get the 100 cal pack of almonds and its great...eating one at a time and really enjoying the flavor...it takes me 20 mins to eat that snack and tides me over!
good luck to you...you can do it!

Thank you.. I had to work and eat right for those pounds and just feel like it isn't enough! But I am feeling more optimistic now! I will try the nut idea.. I had almonds the other day at work and lasted hours on only a handful! I think the best thing is the knowledge I am not alone... And the sugary cocaine made me laugh out loud! I needed that!

I have kids and a live-in boyfriend. All three are skinny as rails and never had a weight problem in their lives. So, they still indulge in treats daily.
My trick is to only buy them stuff that I won't be tempted to graze or binge on. For instance, I can live without Little Debbie brownies and oatmeal cremes. But, I cannot resist the nutty bars. So, I will buy the others but not the nutty bars. Same with chips- I can live without potato chips but I can't resist Doritos. So again, I buy them their chips but I don't buy the Doritos.
Remember, there is absolutely nothing wrong for taking a stand for yourself and telling them you're not buying....whatever...because it's too hard for you to deal with. You don't have to eliminate everything, just the select foods you know you can't resist.

I've been banded almost 2 years and still struggle with this.
For me, I find it an ongoing process. First, I had to clean my house out of all "trigger foods". The grazing you do? I do it too. I find if I get all the foods that are going to make me want to graze and leave only healthy foods, then I don't eat nearly as much and when I do at least it's a good choice. The second part of this is, if I am going to indulge on a cookie or ice cream, it's then a conscious decision requiring me to go to the store for whatever treat it is I'm going to have. 90% of the time this alone makes me not indulge because the time I get ready to go out, I realize it's not worth the calories (or money) and decide against it anyway.
Bottom line- if you want to put the Cookies and chips down, get them out of your house entirely so you can't pick them up to begin with. It will help you a lot.
Best wishes.

My husband read an article recently about nuts and how they curb the appetite. He now has a jar of almonds at his desk and we have another on the kitchen counter. There is stuff in our house right now that I can't wait to get rid of -- some sugary popcorn crack cocaine that arrived by mail as a gift (thanks a lot!), etc. I am letting myself have four almonds if I'm in a place where the mental hunger is getting to me. I chew them and chew them and think about how good they are for my body, the Protein, etc. Totally know what you mean about grazing then not being hungry for when it's time for the real thing, etc. You are definitely not alone! I'm with Missy on the Snacks for the family being ones I don't crave myself. Corn chips, NO! Potato chips, fine. They can have 'em. If there were brownies around I doubt I could keep away from them.
Congratulations on the 35 pounds -- you are doing beautifully!

You are a very wise Bandster! Thank you... For not only the suggestions but for the knowledge that I am not alone in my struggle!

I have kids and a live-in boyfriend. All three are skinny as rails and never had a weight problem in their lives. So, they still indulge in treats daily.
My trick is to only buy them stuff that I won't be tempted to graze or binge on. For instance, I can live without Little Debbie brownies and oatmeal cremes. But, I cannot resist the nutty bars. So, I will buy the others but not the nutty bars. Same with chips- I can live without potato chips but I can't resist Doritos. So again, I buy them their chips but I don't buy the Doritos.
Remember, there is absolutely nothing wrong for taking a stand for yourself and telling them you're not buying....whatever...because it's too hard for you to deal with. You don't have to eliminate everything, just the select foods you know you can't resist.

I am going to make an appointment. I was glad my band looked good but still worry they missed something.