taarific

You can avoid the discomfort of eating healthy food with the gastric band and dealing with unwanted blockages easily once you are shown the tricks how.




In essence we all understand which foods we need to eat more from to lose weight. That’s correct the more bulky unprocessed foods such as fruit, vegetables, fish, meats etc compared to the those wrapped in a plaster wrapper with bright colours displaying a variety of nutritional claims such as muesli bars, chips, cakes etc), which are much higher in calories.
Unfortunately these higher calorie foods typically pass through the gastric band more easily and the more unprocessed foods can create discomfort on eating with the gastric band. This can easily be rectified by understanding two simple elements:

1. How the gastric band works
2. Modify how you chew your food This will enable you to eat more nutritious food pain free and maximize the effect of the gastric band to make you feel fuller for longer.
Step 1. Let’s understand how the gastric band works in very simple terms. View the area above the gastric band as a funnel not a small stomach. The total capacity of the funnel holds 1 tbs of food only.
Step 2. Modify how you chew your food. Consume maximum 1 tsp of food per mouthful, grind this into a paste before swallowing. Focus on the flavours and textures of the food by placing the food initially onto your tongue. The saliva released will help soften the food and make it easier to grind the food into a paste before swallowing. Once you have swallowed this first teaspoon of food, wait 1 minute before you swallow your next single teaspoon of food.
This will enable you to:
1. eat the right balance of foods pain free
2. maximize the effect of the gastric band and you will feel fuller for longer and
3. ultimately lose weight
For more details of my recent three articles can be accessed from the book, The Gastric Band Nutrition Essential, by yours truly.

OMG!! OK I want to know EVERYTHING. How did you figure out the band slipped? Were you not able to eat/ keep anything down OR did you just stop feeling restriction? May I ask what band you have (lap Band or Realize?) I've lost 110 but gained 30 because I haven't felt any restriction...My doc put me up to 11CCs...I'm freaking out here!!!

It was a tough journey but I finally am down 110 pounds in a years period. So happy and I'm still going!!

Biotin might help, it's good for hair.

What are you eating? You're not eating around your band are you?
I've never used this but here's a website that may help you? http://www.5daypouchtest.com/#.T6mnS4jDHzw.facebook
Have you done a barium swallow test yet?
tmf

I've also heard that some have to have all fluid pulled from the band for a month or two and then start the fill process again, almost like the body gets too comfortable with the tightness and needs to be reminded.

He's sure the band doesnt have a leak? or that your port tube doesnt have a leak?
And yes Ive heard that once you lose a lot of weight, the fat around your stomach is gone so your band will feel looser

Before my surgery I asked my surgeon "Is this really going to work?"
He said "Well, tomorrow I'm operating on someone who lost weight and needs a smaller band now"
Maybe you need a smaller band?

I am just getting started, and I have seen my primary doctor for the paperwork needed by my doctor, Pysch eval doctor appt, dietician and nurse appt just yesterday, then my next step is to meet the doctor and go over everything (get approved) then schedule my surgery and one other appt but I forgot what it was..some kind of class. Good luck!

@bigenuff thanks fior thinking of me as an inspiration. I sure could use some myself. I'm adding you as a friend and let's keep in touch with our weight loss!!!

Hi everyone! My name is Tara and I had my REalize Lap Band surgery August 1, 2008 and I've lost 110 pounds I went from a size 20 to a SIX!!!!
However, after a divorce and a new relaitonship (I found my forever guy!!! :wub: ) I have gained back about 30 pounds I have been workling with my doctor to keep track of my fills and think we finally found my target. I am hopeful I will drop the weight I've gained and am looking forward to continuing my journy with the lap band community. I wish those of you just beginning your journey the best of luck. It's sooooo worth it, I promise. Those of us "veteran banders" keep up the fight, it's an everyday process and we need to lean on people for support!!!

That is fantastic! Congrats to you
I just got approved through my insurance company and surgery is scheduled for June 5th... Ahh, a size 6 would be amazing!

I can't wait to say I wear a size 6!!! I am currently a mirror image you what you were (I am only 2 pounds over your start weight and same height!!) and in the process of seeing the dietician and nurse actually tomorrow. If you don't mind me asking, what all did you have to qualify, or did you self pay. I am going through my insurance and I hope I have met the needed critiera. Fingers Crossed!! Good luck on your 30 to lose, you can do it!
Kati

Thanks for your thoughts and encouragement ladies!!!
@Gohealthymom: my insurance paid for it, though I did pay $500 as my copay (SOOOO worth it!!) Good luck and I hope you have success.
@ready4animprovedme: Congratulations!!!! This is such an exciting time!!! Do yourself a favor and start a journal (Food and thoughts) NOW!!! The one thing I regret most is not keeping one!
One thign to remember: your fills are SUPPOSED to restrict what you eat, so if you cannot eat bread, THANK GOODNESS, and don't eat it!!! I've had several friends get saline removed because they can't eat like they used to...Remember this is a tool, not a miracle product, we have to do SOME of the work ourselves.