Thats All Folks

I'm so sorry you're struggling. The easiest place to start is the basics: Do you count calories? If so, how many calories are you eating a day? Are sticking to a cup of food or less per meal? Do you exercise?

Not all surgeons are the same. In fact, many do suggest moist foods, especially meats. I stay away from dry meat because it's one of the few thing that will get stuck when I try to eat it. Since being banded, all the meat I cook is moist because that's how I'm able to eat it without getting stuck. It's also how my surgeon recommends it. There's nothing wrong with oatmeal, Soups, or any other liquid/mushy food. There's many healthy choices. The trick is like with everything- moderation. Just stick to band sized portions regardless if the food is solid or mushy and make sure it's a healthy choice. Best wishes.

Cereal is pretty much all carbs. You can find low sugar and high protein, but all cereal is going to be high carb.

sugar free pudding. It's only 60 calories and comes in awesome flavors like Boston Cream and Double chocolate. I drink a lot of Diet Lipton Green Iced Tea, too. I like the mixed berry and citrus flavors. It's zero calories and not carbonated. If it's really, really bad and I simply want a small treat, I'll have one of the many Skinny Cow treats. They have Cookies, candies, etc. that are all low calorie and small serving.

If it can't be put in a measuring cup (though I do measure popcorn that way), a food scale is helpful. There are 8oz in a cup, so that can help you. As far as things like sandwiches- think a deck of cards or the palm of your hand. That's about the size you're aiming for. Best wishes.

As others have stated, it's all trial and error. How tight your band is plays a big part in it, too. I personally don't restrict carbs. I count calories, restrict fat, and make sure to get a minimum of 60g of Protein in daily, but I don't do the whole "low carb" thing so many seem to be doing. So, I eat bread, rice, pasta, and potatoes regularly without issue. If I'm going to get stuck, it's going to be on dry meat. Otherwise, I end up stuck on food not because of the type of food it is but because I simply took too big of a bite and did it to myself.

I buy it in the coffee aisle of Walmart. If you live close to a Jewel, you may want to check there too if there isn't a Walmart nearby. (I grew up in the Chicago burbs so I know the area/stores well lol)

Let your doctor decide how much to come out, he knows best.

I love the expensive (high calorie) drinks at coffee shops. One of my favorites is a caramel cafe mocha. Problem is, even a medium one at McDonalds is a whopping 280 calories. So I have been experimenting and I have finally perfected a homemade one that is simply yummy. Honestly, it's so good I don't even want a calories ridden coffee shop one anymore. Swiss Miss makes a diet hot chocolate. Now, they also make a no sugar added one, and it's not the same thing. In fact, the no sugar added one DOES still have sugar and it's 60 calories per serving whereas the diet is only 25 calories per serving. So, you need the diet Swiss Miss hot chocolate Cafe al Fresco makes a 0 calorie, 0 fat caramel shot. It's only $2 for a bottle and it's so good. It comes it many flavors like english toffee, vanilla, bailys, hazelnut, etc. so you could use whatever flavor you like. -1/4 cup skim milk -2 tbsp Cafe al Fresco caramel syrup -1 packet Stevia -1 packet Swiss Miss diet hot chocolate -cofee Combine the milk, caramel syrup, Stevia, and hot chocolate in a big mug and mix it well. Then, simply fill the mug the rest of the way with coffee. That's it! A yummy caramel mocha and the entire thing is only 46 calories and zero fat!! Also, if you're looking for a way to jazz up your Protein shakes, you can substitute your favorite Protein shake for the hot chocolate. I've done this with powders?utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury Chocolate Splendor and it's really good! Enjoy!

I would ask them about their follow up care. -Will you be seeing them for fills or a PA? -How accessible are they for after hours questions and emergencies? -How often can you expect a fill if needed? I would also simply be aware of their personality. I adore my surgeon, his bedside manner is great. When I go to see him, he's very warm and always extremely supportive and encouraging of me. For me, this is crucial. I wouldn't do well with a doctor who was "all business" and didn't make me feel like he cared about me as a person, not just a patient. So when you go meet with these doctors, be aware of how you feel in their presence and make sure your personalities are a good fit. Best wishes!

Here's a great link that I think may help you considerably. It does a great job explaining what the band is supposed to do, not do, and what you need to do to be successful: http://drsimpson.net/fills/Lap-band-eating/lap-band-not-restriction/lap-band-and-restriction.html

Welcome to the forums and best wishes on your journey!

It sounds like you need to talk to your surgeon and ask for some direction. Were you given post op diet instructions? Most are given very detailed paperwork on what to have at specific stages. If you weren't given this, you should go to your surgeon's office and request it. It's really important for proper healing. Also, did you see a nutritionist before surgery? Most surgeons require them, but if yours didn't, I would find one and make an appointment. Learning how to eat smart is a major part of success with the band and a good nutritionist is so important to have.

You were just banded a couple weeks ago, so I am guessing you have little or nothing in your band. Once you have adequate Fluid in your band you will feel satisfied again. The great part is, you'll be satisfied on much less food for longer periods of time. Now as far as eating out of boredom, or what we call "head hunger", unfortunately the band can't fix that. The band can and will help control your physical hunger but the head hunger is always ours to battle. It does get easier as time goes on. Best wishes.

Congratulations!

The problem with the so-called "studies" everyone is saying prove the Lap Band doesn't work is the fact they don't differentiate between people who've had the band fail by no fault of their own (the minority) and those that failed the band because of their own mistakes (the majority). By the way, the last study I read that did differentiate between band failure and patient failure only stated the band failure as 8%. The other 92% of the time, it's the patient who's screwed up and caused the failure. As far as "no success", but that's just plain untrue. You can be as successful with the band as you are willing to work for it. The band is an amazing tool when you use it correctly and if you're committed to health- you will lose. I've lost 175 pounds in less than a year so I'm living proof it does work when you work it. Best wishes to you.

I'm very sorry you're struggling. Being sick may be a big part of it. Especially since your activity level is surely a lot lower. Do you count calories? If not, I strongly suggest doing so. Not only will it assure you're not accidentally eating too much but it will help hold you accountable too. Hang in there and feel better soon.

It depends. If I'm eating something that can be measured in a measuring cup then that is what I use. The reason being is, the 1 cup rule is because that's roughly how much your pouch can hold. For things I can't measure in a measuring cup, I use the food scale. Like meat, for instance.

Yes, I was. I had a tiny bit removed and was fine again. Call your doctor ASAP. Being too tight is very bad and vomiting with the band is dangerous.

I don't cook two meals, I cook one meal for all of us. I just cook healthy versions of old favorites and have a much smaller portion that I used to eat. For instance, I made spaghetti for dinner last night. I use the light Prego sauce then add a lot of my own spices to jazz it up. I use whole grain spaghetti noodles and 90% fat free ground beef. A one cup serving (pasta and sauce combined) is just under 350 calories. I have introduced some new dishes, like chicken breasts baked coated in corn flakes as an alternative to frying, but everything has been well received by my family. They genuinely like it. And the old favorites I've changed to make healthier, quite honestly, they can't even tell a difference unless I tell them I changed it. I had to have this surgery because my eating habits were horrible. In my mind, I would be doing my kids a grave injustice to continue to feed them unhealthy food just because it's what they are used to. I don't want them to have my fate, I want them to grow into healthy adults. I see this as my chance to teach them to cook and eat healthy while still enjoying their meals.

Wow that is a REALLY small amount! My doctor and nutritionist always say a cup or less of food per meal. A golf ball would be a fraction of that. I'm curious what others respond.

I was very worried. I started over 400 pounds and in horrible health so I knew losing weight was crucial so I didn't die way too young of obesity related diseases. But, like you, I had never successfully lost and kept it off. I was terrified of failing. What finally convinced me "hey, I can totally do this!" was seeing the numbers go down. I have counted calories and stuck to a cup or less of food per meal since the day I got home from the hospital- and it's definitely worked. As I watched my weight drop (and clothes literally fall off! LOL!) my courage and self confidence increased. I no longer worry I'll fail. I know I'll lose all this weight. I've lost 175 pounds in less than a year. I still have a ways to go, but I know over time I'll lose the rest too. Best wishes to you.

Given the choice, I'd get a Realize band over an Allergan band. The reason being is Allergan is trying to sell off their Lap Band business. I'm not sure how that will effect patients with the Allergan band (like me!) however it seems to me Realize is the more stable choice. Again, just my opinion.

Congratulations!!

Congratulations!