feb27bandwoman

My weight loss!! Whoopee! Today, the cashiers where I work remarked that I was losing weight! I am doing great since being banded late February and I also was wearing clothes that fit and were not baggy!!!!

Hey saw me walking on the , came up, grabbed my arm, and said " you lost a lot of weight!", " you look fantastic!" What a great feeling!!!!!!

That is so funny! I also have to buy a few pair of undies to get me through a few more pounds..... They make me look like I am wearing granny bloomers!!!!!

I have kept papaya enzyme tablets with me all the time. They are chewable. 3-4 seem to do the trick to help that stuck food "dissolve". But, the best advice is always to eat small bites, chew well and slow down. I did learn the hard way with a stuck piece of moist delicious corned beef on st. Patrick's day!!!! I was in agony for 5 hours and finally got rid of the offending piece..... Not pretty, but I learned!

Bread is my weakness! But I have learned that it is really not my friend. I have some "wraps" that I will try with some protein.

I have learned the hard way.... Only one actual stuck episode, but it was scary. I read somewhere to cut your food into eraser sized bites.... And I thought that was too small. But, the day I did cut it into eraser sized bites, was the best meal!!!! I do have to think all the time while eating to chew and eat slowly. But, sometimes those roast chicken thighs smell and taste sooooo great, it's not easy. Also, because I am eating so much more slowly, the food gets cold and is not as appealing. A benefit , I guess! Small bites, chew, slow eating, no liquids with meals, eat without distractions..... All good advice!!!!

Any MD's use a little local anesthetic before accessing the port?

He put a little in the band at the time of surgery. Worked out well.

Good luck! It will be done as an outpatient? That's fantastic, although the overnight stay wasn't too bad!

Yes, had the surgery. Everything went well. Dr. Garber and his PAs , Donna and Irina were/are all great. Some nervousness right before going into the OR, but anesthesia was terrific and very calming. Post op , lots of walking every 2 hours through the night. Hospital staff were great and very patient and attentive. Little to no pain post op. Got dehydrated at home and couldn't get down enough Water, so they removed some Fluid from the band, instant relief! I can't say enough about the kindness and caring from Dr. Garber and his staff. Yes, the office is busy, but if you know that going in, it's ok. I took off one week from work. That was perfect. Losing weight steadily. Had one " stuck" episode with some beef..... That will not happen again! Lesson painfully learned! I am very happy with my lap band and also with Dr. Garber's care and concern. He has a wonderful group of staff as well.

Fage is my favorite Greek yogurt!!! The non-fat is great and they have flavored fat-free with honey, blueberry, strawberry, pomegranate and some new tropical type flavors.

Well,was banded late February and had my first and awful " stuck episode" yesterday. I was slicing that delicious warm and tasty corned beef, totally forgot about the band , and tossed a too large piece into my mouth and promptly got stuck!!!!! I suffered greatly from 7:30 until almost 2 AM. Productive burping, sliming, mucous and finally was able to vomit up the offending corned beef. I tried chewing the papaya enzyme tablets, but I think because of the fibrous nature of the corned beef, they really didn't work. I knew what was happening but actually called my doctor who of course, told me to be patient and it will either pass or I will bring it back up. My back, between shoulder blades hurt awfully and I am exhausted today. But, this was a hard lesson and I learned it well. Today, I am smarter and staying on liquids for the day.

Started at 287, now 3 weeks post-op, I am down to 264. Feeling great!

That is great! I , too, am looking forward to not having to travel with my beautiful, big bath sheets/ beach towels on vacation!!!

On St . Patrick's Day had 1&1/2 thin slices of very soft pressure cooker corned beef. Chewed small pieces slowly and savored the taste!!!! Had one small boiled Yukon gold potato, also very small bites, chewed well. Even was able to enjoy a very small , cracker size, piece of Irish soda bread with a bit of soft butter. Amazingly, and surprising to me, I really tasted everything and enjoyed it!

Am 2 weeks post op and on "mushiness". I was getting bored with hummus, cottage cheese, tuna and egg salad. MD/ nutritionist reminded me I could have flky white fish like tilapia. Cooked some up and really suffered after eating about 1 ounce. I should have moistened it up a bit more with some sauce. Felt very on comfortable, no vomiting, but I could feel that poor tilapia right there! Took about 1/2 hour to feel better. Chewed 4 papaya enzyme tablets and that may have helped.

The KFC pot pie commercial and the Denny's are my least favorite ones! Gross. Funny though, the commercial for cinnamon toast crunch cereal makes me crave a bowl of that cereal every time!!!!

A pound is a pound is a pound. Muscle and fat and feathers and lead .... All weigh a pound.

I am on "mushies" for one month post op. Breakfast- decaf green tea, 2 soft poached eggs Lunch- very soft baked meatballs(1/2 cup) with tomato basil sauce.... Very tasty! Dinner- will be tilapia baked with lemon and tarragon I was getting into a rut with cottage cheese, yogurt, part skim ricotta.Then I spoke with my nutritionist and she reminded me about soft, runny oatmeal and cream of wheat and she suggested the meatballs . Much happier now! Also reading Jean Mc Millan cookbook for ideas.

I am thinking about after you have moved onto eating regular food, how do you handle eating at places like the cheesecake factory or Japanese restaurants, Chinese , Indian, Thai? I know how to deal with these eating out situations from long time membership in weight watchers. But, I would like to hear from successful banded people who handle these situations. Thanks!

PB is a productive burp... Essentially it's vomiting.

I understand it is a high protein grain. I am newly banded and looking at recipes.

Was banded on Monday . Did ok post op. ate required amount in hospital day after. Tuesday night, should have crushed the Percocet and taken with applesauce /pudding. Cut into 6 pieces and got stuck. Chewed a papaya enzyme tablet, and was better. Yesterday, 2 days post op, couldn't drink more than 8 ounces water, still trying to sip slowly. Seeing MD today , maybe swollen? Maybe need some fill removed? Left shoulder pain that I use heating pad and walking to help, also stretching. Anyone had similar experience with water? Thanks.

Ok... MD removed fluid from band and I felt almost instantly better. Can even speak more easily! Now can get on with the healing part. Feel great.