joannedt

So funny and so true!

Look, at the end of the day, you're the one who has to live with the band, not your doctor. And while a doctor's advice should almost always be followed, you really can't substitute someone else's judgement for your own. Reading your post, it really sounds like YOU think you're too tight. And since there's no harm in unfilling, it sounds very sane and responsible to follow your gut.
Good luck! I just had an unfill and feel awesome. Hopefully you'll feel better soon!!

Funny you posted this today. I just got off the phone with my surgeons office. I asked them if its normal that I can't drink my coffee in the morning. They said yes! I get stuck every flipping time I try to eat as well. I'm miserable with the band. I've decided to get a very small .1 unfill tomorrow. I can't live this way! Hopefully I'll love my band tomorrow.

When I'm craving something I brush my teeth and gargle with a strong mouthwash. After doing that, it ruins my taste for a snack. My teeth are getting ridiculously white! Lol!

Hi Mark.
First, depression is very natural after surgery. The chemicals in the anesthetic really effect some people. I know they do me big time. The physical issues you're dealing with will subside, too. You're only a week post op and your body has been through an awful lot but I promise you in a very short time you'll be feeling great again.
You talk about never having what you love again. Why would you think that? The only thing you "can't" have is carbonation. Otherwise, there is nothing you can't have in moderation once you're back on normal food and past your post op diet. In fact, I just had chicken fried rice for dinner tonight. I eat out at restaurants fairly often, too.
I believe living with the band is all about moderation not deprivation. If someone told me I could never have Chinese food, or pizza, or even Pasta again I'd never make it. If I feel deprived, it's like a trigger for me to binge and go nuts. I allow myself to eat what I want, I just don't eat unhealthy food daily and when I do am careful to track my calories so I still stay in my daily allowance. But I still eat everything I love, I just eat much less of it.
If I were you, I'd seriously consider counseling. Food addiction is very real and very difficult to deal with. A good counselor (or even a good support group) can help so much. There's a saying around here "the band goes around your stomach, not your head". The band will help you control hunger beautifully but it can't change your mental/emotional issues with food.
You can do this, Mark. You just have to look at it realistic (moderation not deprivation), focus on your future (how healthy you'll be), and get your head into the game (counseling).
Don't give up. You got this.
Best wishes.

I called my doctor. He told me to just come to his office in the morning. In the meantime, I'm sucking on ice chips. Thanks for all your help!

I called my doctor. He told me to just come to his office in the morning. In the meantime, I'm sucking on ice chips. Thanks for all your help!

I called my doctor. He told me to just come to his office in the morning. In the meantime, I'm sucking on ice chips. Thanks for all your help!

I called my doctor. He told me to just come to his office in the morning. In the meantime, I'm sucking on ice chips. Thanks for all your help!

How filled are you and what got you stuck? I am 2.5 months out and only filled 1cc and am so scared of that first stuck episode! I am thinking about you!!

I called my doctor. He told me to just come to his office in the morning. In the meantime, I'm sucking on ice chips. Thanks for all your help!

I called my doctor. He told me to just come to his office in the morning. In the meantime, I'm sucking on ice chips. Thanks for all your help!

I called my doctor. He told me to just come to his office in the morning. In the meantime, I'm sucking on ice chips. Thanks for all your help!

I called my doctor. He told me to just come to his office in the morning. In the meantime, I'm sucking on ice chips. Thanks for all your help!

I know I am but the scale doesn't show it yet *pouts*. I currently weigh 213 but I had over 12 pounds of skin removed (10 days ago) and have lost another 4 pounds on top of that. So, once the swelling from this recent surgery goes down I'll be under 200. I'm praying that's sooner than later so I can officially be there!

I too use cocktail forks and baby spoons. I buy them at the thrift store so I've never paid more than a dollar for each. I keep a "kit" in my purse which (in a bag) has a cocktail fork, baby spoon, small paring knife, and a small plate. (the plate is in case I get something in styrofoam which is difficult when cutting up small bites)

I also use cocktail spoons, rather than a cocktail fork though I usually use chopsticks (you can order some very nice travel pairs). If I don't have my special utensils available I try cut all of my food up right away to appropriate sized portions.

There's definitely an adjustment period of learning how to adapt to your band. In taking pills and certain foods. All it takes is for you to experience a couple of good "stucks" and you learn from mistakes. I cut my food up very small and make sure all foods are cooked throughly. I do have water/drink ready just in case, even though you are not suppose to drink while eating.
Best wishes

I hit the Green Zone 4 months after surgery.....but but took me at least 2 months afterward for ME to adjust to the band...sometimes getting stuck 2-3 times a day.....
I could have gone for a un-fil, but I am glad I did not because once I got through that learning curve everything began to work just the way it is supposed to....
I never or rarely get hungry anymore, my portions are controlled by the band, and the weight began to steadily and easily come off with no effort or struggle what soever....
It became a BREEZE, the easiest thing I could have ever done, and no where near all the dieting I have tried and failed at before.....
BTW, I have not been stuck for over 18 months now.....and I eat/drink things many people here would never dream of......it has become the NEW NORMAL.....
But I did have to modify MY behavior, how and what I eat....but through that I found new freedoms.....

It's been 4 1/2 months and I'm still learning. Eating small bits is really hard. It's no fun to get stuck. I still will find my mouth full at times. It's a learning process. And to watch others how fast they eat and barely chew is kinda funny. That use to be me !!!

I dice my food up real small before I plate it. I also use small fork and baby spoon. I bought several one minute sand timers for my table and one for each purse. I use the sand timer after each bite and do not take the next bite until one minute has passed. I stop eating after 20 bites (twenty minutes). It's tough, the toughest habit to break. You have to find a method that works for you. You have to train yourself to be super aware when you're eating. This is the method I was taught at True Results. Good luck to you. Eating slow is the "New Yoga" lol.

I'm 6 weeks post-op, and I took to small bites pretty quickly. Sometimes I zone out and take a bigger bite than I should, but I haven't had any issues; no stuck episodes (yet). Sometimes I wonder if I'm even banded, because I'm able to eat pretty well. Albeit, I don't scarf the way I USED to, I'm not having any issues with the new mechanics of eating.

I was just admiring my husbands ability to eat a huge amount of fried rice, chew it and swallow. While Im still on my first bite, and have to wait like 10 minutes between each tiny bite because, its rice and I don't typically do fabulous with rice. Im guess this portion going to be small due to bordom. I guess Ill be playing candy Crush instead of spending anymore time on this meal. LOL.

I use cocktail spoons and forks... I can sit down and start my meal and ...be like crap not right silver ware and get up and switch it out