Thats All Folks

I think the best advice I can offer is to ask yourself why you're snacking- are you physically hungry or are you head hungry? The band can help to appease your physical hunger but it can't and won't change your brain based urges to eat that have nothing to do with actually being hungry. Also, as far as getting stuck, is it possible you're not taking small enough bites? A lot of surgeons and nutritionists recommend bites no bigger than your fingernail, to chew them until mush, and pause between bites. For me, when I take small enough bites and chew thoroughly there isn't anything I can't eat. If I take too big a bite? I'm going to get stuck for sure. Hang in there, it's a huge ongoing learning experience

I just got back from my monthly appointment with my surgeon. He is thrilled with my results carb cycling and encouraged me to continue doing it! His nurse echoed his statement, saying she's known others with both the band as well as the sleeve who've had great results doing it.

The first 4-6 weeks after surgery are for healing, not losing. Be patient with yourself and give your body time to heal. It's been through a lot and it's a big adjustment as you gradually get back onto real food.

Plateaus are totally normal and expected. I hit a 5 week long one where I didn't lose a pound, in fact I gained 2! It passed and yours will too

Yes, if you're talking about the soft mushy stuff kinda like oatmeal.

Oye, what a mess! I'm so very sorry you're having to go through all this. Granted this is just my personal opinion, but unless the previous images were taken since you got hit in the stomach and the pain started, I would insist on getting new ones taken. Best wishes to you. I hope they get this worked for you very soon.

Congratulations!!

Oh ok! Well I'll be honest, I'm glad it's not detached from the muscle! That is still very different from erosion, btw. It still sounds like that blow to your side is what caused the tubing to come detached. Which, he could definitely and clearly see on xray. I'm not sure if that would cause pain. Have you had a barium swallow to check your actual band placement? If not, I would. Just to be on the safe side and check your band placement. Are they going to reattach your tubing to your port?

It's been long enough you shouldn't still be having problems with solid foods. I'd definitely call your surgeon and see about a small unfill.

When I've been really stressed out, my band has been super tight and I've had similar happen. Once I calm down and a day passes, I'm fine again. It seems bands can be extremely temperamental.

Oh ouch, that sounds terribly painful! I'm so sorry! A detached port is totally different and separate from erosion. It sounds like that blow to the side was hard enough to rip the port from your abdominal muscle (ouch!). Yes, an xray most certainly would show that, too. None of this was any fault of your own, it sounds like a freak accident. Are they going to reattach it for you?

Yes, I was allowed runny oatmeal or runny cream of wheat while on full liquids. My doctor's rule was: if it ran easily off the back of a spoon, it was a full liquid. Best wishes!

This is an another example of why I wish all Lap Band surgeons followed a set protocol. It would be so much easier for us if they all followed the same "rules"!

Unfortunately, this is another case where every surgeon has a different idea what's best. Mine also says it's fine to drink right up until I start eating, no drinking while eating, and I can begin drinking again 30 minutes after eating. However, I've seen people who've been instructed to wait an hour before and after eating to drink even. The logic behind the no drinking while eating is that they don't want the Fluid washing food through the band too quickly. However, it's important to note recent studies show that food doesn't sit on top the band before passing for more than a minute anyway. So really, if that's true, then if you wait a couple minutes after a bite to take a drink then it shouldn't matter. Still, I would simply do what your particular surgeon recommends. It's the safest and best bet.

I've seen it premixed, which makes it handy for quick meals on the go. I've seen it in 4 packs of the premixed, too. I believe it was at Walmart. However...I agree with CG. I've tried it too and don't particularly care for it. I'll drink it in a pinch when I'm away from home and find it at a gas station or convenient store, but I don't like it. But...that's not to say you might not like it. I'd give it a try and see!

You've done amazing, congratulations!

That's very good news indeed!

The first fill can be really unnerving because it's a new experience. The best advice I can offer is to take a big drink of Water before you leave the surgeon's office. This way, if you are too tight, the water will likely gurgle back and you can immediately get a little taken back out. I actually had to have some removed immediately after my first two fills, I took a big drink and I had water literally gurgling back up my throat. But...I was thankful. Because I drank the water right there on the exam table, it was rectified immediately so it was no big deal. You'll do great, just try to relax

Thank you PattyGirl, love you!! :wub:

Yay!! I'm so glad it's working for you too!!!

Congratulations!! You're off to a great start!

Welcome Victoria! I'm a lot older than you, but it's nice to meet you even if I am old! LOL!

I have this happen to. I take my daily walks and I'm constantly looking around, making sure no one is nearby so I can toot down the street lol. I suspect it's likely from the increase of Protein. Plus, while veggies and good starches are good for you, they also can make you gassy.

No I'm not nutritionist however I do have a nutritionist. I also have a surgeon, I have family doctor, and I have a neurologist. I guarantee that all four know a lot more about nutrition than you do. All of them know I'm carb cycling and all of them 100% support it because it IS a very healthy way to lose weight. (yes, I did check with all them before starting this, I have to because I have other health issues) And yes, when you're losing weight quickly while eating 1200 healthy calories a day and exercising, it is healthy. Fast weight loss doesn't necessarily mean unhealthy. Fast weight loss can simply be an effective metabolism. I'm not sure why you have your panties in a twist about this. No one is doing any gimmicks, or fads, or taking any drugs. No one is forcing you to do anything. We're simply sharing our experience with each other. Oh the "idiot who wrote the book" IS a nutritionist. So is his wife. They're both trainers, too. They're also not the only ones to promote carb cycling for healthy weight loss, in fact many beside them do. It just so happens I was familiar with him and he dealt specifically with morbidly obese people so I looked into his theories deeper and went with it

I'm always higher on the high carb days, too. It's the low carb days I do struggle to get in enough calories because I'm just not hungry. It's so filling!