Sojourner

No, I have not had any difficulties with scrambled eggs; they are one of the more tolerable foods for soft foods. Let your surgeon know about how you are feeling, especially if you discover a pattern. I have recently discovered that some of the discomfort I had been feeling was actually caused by my gall bladder.

You have received much excellent information on your original post...and I sincerely hope that you will really read what others have written. The band is a tool, it's not going to work for you unless you use it properly. It's very self empowering, because ultimately you will be the one who determines the degree of success you will have on your weight loss journey. And that level of success will be determined by your diet compliance. This is a journey, and not an event. I believe that just about every member of this forum has had to cope with hunger. You learn how to manage it, or you will fail with your band. If your surgeon advises you to follow a liquid diet for 2 weeks, you do it, or you communicate to their office how you are feeling and ask for additional instructions. It's dangerous to one's health and well being to compare yourself to others, especially the differences in medical instructions. Different physicians will have their specific protocol for their practice. You don't have to like it, but accept that there are valid medical reasons for their instructions. Until you become a physician, I would avoid making your medical decisions as they relate to your band. Your health and weight loss success depend on it. I do advocate that everyone become proactive in having a voice in their medical care, but that means to be an informed consumer and ask questions. Understand that you will need to depend on sheer willpower and determination to manage your hunger until you have some restriction with fills. You can eat around the band, but just because you can does not mean that you should. If you are not loosing weight, yes, your surgeon will be asking you questions about your diet compliance. And, yes, the surgeon will know if you have not been compliant with the diet. This journey is not supposed to be punitive, and I hope that you do not get into a situation of shame and guilt feelings about what you have already done. Just become informed and compliant, and do your best every day to remain that way. Good luck...

Not all physicians are willing to take on another physician's patients for lap band follow up care. All it would take is a call or a visit to the doctor in your building to find out. I've heard that it can be difficult to locate a physician willing to do the fills if they did not perform your surgery. Best wishes...

There was only a week between my only pre op visit with my surgeon and my surgery date. I would expect that someone on the staff at the office (an RN or PAC) may be able to answer some of your questions. You may want to consider scheduling a consultation appointment also, though it may take some time to get one. The morning of my surgery the doctor visited me in the surgery suite to discuss the medication that they give you prior to the surgery (heparin), which the staff had neglected to tell me I would have to have. I had concerns, because I'm allergic to it. The surgeon came in to discuss my prior reactions to the medication, and we were able to decide on an alternative. He was unhurried, and took the time to discuss my situation, though I would not have wanted to wait to literally the last minute to discuss routine questions. Best wishes as your journey continues...

Really, there is nothing to be scared about...all I felt was a needle prick. And it was over in less than a minute. Quite painless. My first fill was done at the hospital under fluoroscopic imaging to make certain that everything was placed properly and functioning as it should. It was fascinating to watch the images on the screen. I've read where some doctors use Lidocaine to numb the port area topically so you don't feel the needle. Be certain to take at least a small gulp of Water following the Fluid being added to your band, to make certain that you can swallow adequately and know that the band is not too tight for you. Best wishes...you will be fine!

I've found that I need to limit portion size and the length of a meal...a total of only 5 oz per meal, small bites, much chewing, and only have 20 minutes per meal. I do get the sense, a subtle sign of fullness that I have had enough to eat, and stop at that point. I also sometimes will get hiccups, another soft sign to me that I have reached my limits. I do sometimes feel too tight, especially in the morning. Drinking hot tea or coffee does seem to help. Other times I have noticed restriction to the point of not feeling comfortable to drink water is while I am driving. I attribute that to stress generated by being behind the wheel, and sharing the road.

I am only able to exercise in a pool; residual issues from a car accident. I take a Water aerobics class at our local "Y" 3-4 times a week, and then also try to either walk laps in the therapy pool or swim laps in the outdoor pool. Low impact exercises in the water and water resistance are what I have to work with for exercise. Some is better than none...

I would definitely discuss this concern with my physician. I always thought everyone had a "set point", which was the body's signal that you were at a good healthy weight. When you reach that point, it would be like reaching a major plateau. You've done an amazing job with your journey...well done!

Hi, and best wishes as you begin your journey with your band... The band is a very self empowering tool to have, and as you learn to use it you will be determining how successful you will be with your weight loss. Check in post op and let us read how you are doing!

Well, I probably should not write this, because some divine band intervention may ensue...but the only thing to date I ever got stuck was a small pill which was just after I began to take whole pills again after surgery. It created an intense burning sensation for about 15 minutes, and then passed. I had to relearn how to take pills, and still did not know who much water I could tolerate swallowing with a pill, and had too little water. I am able to tolerate all meats I have tried thus far...everything from ground meats, all poultry, flaky fish, to sliced pork and lamb. I am waiting as I have been advised to do for an entire year post op before attempting to eat steak or prime rib. I believe that this is because I am "mindful" while I eat...I make a conscious effort to have small bites and chew every bite thoroughly. I try to avoid distractions during meals, and allow myself ample time to have a meal without rushing. I know that this is not always possible for many people, but if it helps with avoiding stuck episodes, it would be worth it to me to stay stuck free...IMHO. Best wishes...

I believe that most posters on this forum who have had to survive the weeks of liquid diet feel that it's a real #@%^*...but it's done for valid medical reasons. You are still healing, and it's important to allow for this healing to take place. I was on full liquids for an entire 4 weeks. I continue to use drinking SF/FF fluids, mostly Water, to help manage my hunger, and also distract myself with getting involved with a project or exercise...anything healthy to take your mind away from food and hunger. If you really feel that you are not up to follow the recommended diet, I would call your surgeon's office and let them know how you are feeling. It's possible they may give you permission to begin mushies a bit ahead of schedule. One thing to consider though, is that if you are beginning your journey, and already wanting to tailor the rules to meet your needs, how compliant will you be with the diet compliance necessary for successful weight loss in 6 months or a year? Until you reach some level of restriction after fills, you will have to rely on sheer will power for diet compliance and exercise to continue to loose weight. It's called "bandster hell" for valid reasons...and I believe that we all experience it at some points along the way. Best wishes...

You're most welcome! I agree with what you have shared...this forum has a community of bandsters who share their ideas, share emotional support and experiences. There is a wealth of first hand experience and knowledge here. Anxiety can be immobilizing if it gets out of control...it's good to read that you have been able to benefit from the individuals on the forum now on their weight loss journey. Best wishes for your journey...

I have 3 "bandster size" meals a day, and 1 snack. No calorie counting required, only compliance with right size portions.

I've never cared for the "healthier" frozen Entrees, and especially now would be looking at the nutrition label closely. I'ts just as easy for me to purchase a rotisserie chicken and a pre-made basic fresh salad, probably stems from how I was raised. My mother and my grandmother before her were into healthy eating and avoiding sugars, sodium, and processed foods in general years ahead before it became mainstream.

My hospital bill was just over $44,000, which did not include the surgeon's initial fees of $695.00 and not billable to insurance. The hospital bill was covered by our insurance at 100%, my only out of pocket expense was the $695.00 to my surgeon. Additional surgeon's fees are covered by insurance at 100%. The separate bill from the anesthesiologist was also covered by insurance at 100%, Hospitals and other medical services providers do accept a much lower amount (referred to as an "assignment") from insurance companies. The entire system is broken...costs are unrealistically high.

For my liquid diet phases, I only had Protein shakes, the allowed 3 cups of 1% milk daily, Water, clear chicken broth, SF Jello, and SF popsicles. Being on liquids meant, as per the instructions from my surgeon that there were not to be any additives to the shakes, with the exception of ice cubes. No soups were allowed, only plain broth. No fruit, and no oats, no yogurt. If you add these items to the blender when you make your shakes, it is more like a pureed liquid, and does not really meet the definition of the protein shake requirements, at least from my surgeon's opinion. The liquid diet is a %^$*#...but it is a means to the end of moving on with the diet phase of the journey with your band. Compliance now with the diet means that later you will likely discover that compliance is less challenging, especially when there will be many more options and temptations to avoid. IMHO Your mileage may vary...best wishes for success.

I had my surgeon use the medical paper tape; for whatever reason, the adhesives in the paper tape do not have an allergic sensitivity with my skin the way the other tape adhesives do. I had an angry and itchy welt behind my ear from the anti-nausea patch I was required to wear for the 72 hours post op...

I can eat bread and bagels, but I don't do it. I do admit that I have had a few small bites of a slice of rye bread and a toasted "everything" bagel in the nearly 5 months since being banded...it satisfied my craving, and was all I needed. I never experienced any adverse effects from the bread. Being banded, a slice of whole wheat bread is allowed by my surgeon's instructions after crossing the 6 month post op mark. The other requirement for the bread is that a slice needs to contain a minimum of 3g of Protein. That means no bagels, but a green light to my favorite breads of rye and pumpernickel. I still have not decided if I will ever have a slice of bread again...

First, Part 1: The radical change for me post op was to finally "bite the bullet" with exercise, and despite the chronic pain I still have with recovering from multiple fractures, I have made the effort to engage in regular exercise to assist with adopting a healthier lifestyle. Though the exercise has increased my level of pain, I'm validated as I make the effort to do what I am able to with Water aerobic classes. Your written concerns regarding your marriage are quite common...and if your relationship is a healthy one, based on good communication and mutual respect and understanding, I hope you are able to set your anxieties aside. When one of the partners in a relationship makes major changes, you are changing the balance in the relationship, and not everyone copes well with change, particularly the individual who did not initiate the change. Some insecurities may surface with both of you, and just so you know, you will be experiencing many internal changes in addition to the external ones. Hormones gyrate, mood swings and self doubt can abound. Through it all, it helps to know that what you are experiencing is common, and with good communication with each other should be able to get resolved. Best wishes as you continue to build your self confidence and make positive changes in your life!

I read the nutrition label and decided that there were too many additives, carbs and lard in them, so the can went back on the shelf and stayed in the grocery store.

It sounds like it is too soon for you to be eating anything...like many others, I was on liquids for 2 entire weeks post op, then on mushies for an additional week. If it is painful to swallow, you need to get in contact with your surgeon's office asap and let them know what is going on. You should have been given a prescription for a pain medication pre op; take some according to directions. It is not normal to have pain with swallowing. I would return to a liquid only diet and give everything a bit longer to heal. After a fill, I have to return to a liquid diet for 2 days, then soft foods for 1 day. I hope you feel better fast!

Many surgeons will not accept another doctor's patients...mine will, and I know he is the exception, not the rule. In the event of an emergency, you would need to go to the ER; they bend the rules there quite a bit. I believe by law, there are designated hospitals which are required to treat patients who present there needing emergency treatment, and not allowed to turn anyone away. I would contact the clinic/physician who did your surgery; they may know of a network of follow up care providers in your area who they have a professional relationship with. Otherwise, I would visit the office of a local doctor and ask to speak with someone; it's much more difficult to ignore a person standing in front of you than it is to simply not return a phone call. You might also attend a local support group to ask the hospital and/or facilitator if they have the name of doctors willing to accept patients of other doctors. Best wishes...I hope you can get good results soon!

As 2muchfun has posted, you really should not be going against the instructions of your surgeon. If you are newly banded, and already want to break the rules, what will your attitude be when you are 6 months or a year post op? Once you give yourself permission to cheat, it becomes progressively easier to do it again, and again. I call it the "slippery slope". Bandsters do cheat; but those who do, especially early on will likely diminish their motivation to remain diet compliant, and therefore perhaps compromise their success with weight loss. I'd definitely let your surgeon know how you are feeling, and follow their instructions. I may be possible that they would give permission to begin mushies or soft foods early. Definitely DO NOT use chewing gum...prohibited my surgeon, and not advised by others! I had to be on liquids for 2 weeks post op, then on mushies for a week, and soft foods for another week. By week 5, I was able to tolerate moist poultry, fish, overcooked broccoli and cauliflower, and well chewed strawberries and blueberries.

Your post brought back memories of last summer for me (before my band)...just after major surgery, when all I wanted was soup, the hospital definition of a "light diet" ordered by my doctor was scrambled eggs, "mystery meat", and sandwiches. I had my husband bring chicken soup from a local deli, and heat it up in the waiting area; and he ate all my meals... Needless to say, I pleaded with the doctor to let me go home to really recover 2 days before he normally would have wanted me to be discharged. I really believe that hospitals are not the best places to recover.

Doctors all seem to have their own rules and approach to surgery...I need to have surgery now, but the general surgeon says he will not do the surgery prior to 6 months post op unless an emergency situation arises. I was all for waiting anyway, but he has the 6 month rule. On the other side, my bariatric surgeon said 3 months was enough healing time between abdominal surgeries. The general surgeon said that I will not need to have the Fluid removed from my band, but, every doctor follows their own protocol.