Thats All Folks

Congratulations!! You look wonderful!

If you're worried about stretching your pouch, the easiest solution is to stick to a cup or less of food, regardless of whether or not you feel satisfied. If you're not satisfied on a cup or less of food I'd consider a fill. Best wishes.

Actually, you may think you're hardly eating anything but little food can be jammed with a lot of calories. Likewise, it's possible you're eating so little calories that you've stalled out your metabolism. Either way, I'd definitely start counting calories.

If you're having trouble keeping food down, especially liquids like Protein shakes, you need to speak to your doctor asap. It sounds like you're too tight. Being too tight and vomiting can both lead to slips and are nothing to mess with. Best wishes

Unfortunately for most people, just working out isn't enough. You have to control your portions and calorie intake, too. Do you make sure your meals are a cup or less of food? Do you track calories?

It's per sitting not serving. Your entire meal shouldn't be more than 1 cup with all the food combined.

Much, much better. Thanks

Always follow your own doctors instructions, but most say each meal should be no more than 1 cup of food per meal total.

It's not the fact it was specifically bread, it's the fact I highly doubt you're supposed to have bread or anything more than maybe liquids or mushies at only 13 days post op. Btw, chewing food to mush does not count. If it's not the consistency of baby food before it hits your mouth then it's not considered mushy food post diet acceptable. Your stomach has been manipulated and sutured. It's wounded and needs time to heal. It's no wonder you're having this problem because you're not giving that swelling time to resolve itself. Get back on your post op diet, follow it strictly, and tell your doctor exactly what you did and the result after. Let him make sure you didn't do any damage. Best wishes.

Patty is dealing with a lot right now but she's fine. Her and I still talk via texts and Facebook regularly

Yes. I just try to eat my dinner before 7pm and no carbs after 7pm.

You'll have to be careful about chewing and bite size but the band isn't meant to physically stop you from eating. The band is meant to keep you satisfied on much less food for much longer periods of time but you can definitely find ways to over eat. This is why it's so important to measure your portions so you don't accidentally over eat.

I chose the band because I couldn't justify cutting out 75-80% of my stomach. If something goes wrong with the band I can just get it removed but you can never get back the majority of your stomach they remove. God forbid you get something like stomach cancer with the sleeve- you're totally screwed.

I use the fat free but I add a little mustard to it. It gives a little tang. I use it in chicken and tuna salad all the time.

I agree, measure your food so you run less of a risk of accidentally over eating. When you pause between bites, ask yourself "am I still hungry?" And if the answer is no you're done. Remember, when eating with the band eat until you're satisfied not full.

I don't count carbs. I make sure to get in at least 60g of Protein daily, limit fat to 20-25%, and stick to 1200 calories or less but I don't limit carbs. I just make sure the carbs I'm eating are healthy ones. For instance, if the bread/pasta/rice is white, says the word "enriched" or "bleached" I don't buy it. I buy whole grain/whole wheat breads and Pasta and use brown rice. It's worked very well for me.

I wish there was a "love" button for this. Another GREAT article, Jean!!!!

I'm so glad it's helped. I usually carb cycle for 2 weeks when I hit a plateau and it's enough to get my metabolism moving again steadily. It's so weird but for some reason, the whole "shocking" your metabolism does seem to work.

I just had it done about 4 weeks ago, but mine was a lot more involved. I had about 12 pounds of excess skin removed/tummy tuck/massive hernia repair combination. I won't lie, it was definitely painful. The first couple of days home from the hospital I definitely had a couple "oh gawd what have I done to myself?" moments. But around day 10, the pain subsided considerably and I was like "oh hey I look kinda awesome!" I actually posted my before and after pics here if you'd like to see them. It's pretty dramatic: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/topic/169905-tummy-tuck-before-after-pics/ I'm definitely thrilled with my results and think it was a very good decision. I'm just dealing with some other physical issues from the surgery that aren't common. I think if you're only having skin removal the recovery will be a lot easier and quicker.

I don't see why they'd unfill you for a colonoscopy. It has nothing to do with your stomach and it's a very minor procedure. Heck, I didn't even have mine unfilled for gallbladder removal or a tummy tuck/hernia repair/skin removal.

You'll have to ask your doctor. They all have different rules and yours may have a specific reason for having you wear it.

A slider food is a food we can eat like we don't have a band- it slides right through so you can eat tons without any problems. Ice cream and frozen yogurt are both major sliders.