Bama53

Lol! Know what you mean!

Been banded since sept 13. My last fill was 1st of April and I have gotten stuck and thrown up more than my lifetime. I feel that the band is doing its job. I know I have either eaten too fast, too big a bite and did not chew good. BTW....Congrats on your awesome weight loss! Great job!

It's not just a chewing matter, it's also how fast we eat. If your band is adjusted properly, the hole(stoma) is very small. If you eat too fast or too big(or both), food starts to back up into your esophagus because the food can't pass through quick enough. This is where the sliming comes in. Food in your pouch isn't exposed to the slime. It's exposed to stomach acids.
Your esophagus thinks food is stuck and is trying to lubricate so that the bolus of food you've eaten will pass through the lower esophageal sphincter. Prolonged stuck/sliming episodes can cause esophageal dilation. Slow down and take smaller bites.
BTW-I'm speaking from experience and I'm one who still struggles with this identical issue a few times a week.

Personally for myself, when I get stuck and start sliming and the pain is almost unbearable, I go to the bathroom and get rid if it. It's usually just something small I did not chew good enough.

I have gotten stuck - several times - and hot liquid (tea), pineapple juice and pills don't help me. Too Stuck for anything to go through. I slime, PB and then god willing, throw it up. The pain hurts, can't breathe, cant swallow. It is awful and 99% of the time it my own fault. Too big, too fast, too much, didn't chew long enough. LISTEN to you body and STOP eating getting stuck is no picnic !
Melinda in Florida

That thing was left behind for a reason I think the scale is one of our worst enemies during weight loss. Since the beginning of my journey I've only weighed myself when I go and see my surgeon for my monthly check-ups! It helps me not to freak out over every little ounce that's likely Water weigh, etc. and so when you don't see those ups and downs and stalls you don't get frustrated because outta site outta mind. Plus when you go to your Dr. it's like opening a birthday gift when you find out how much you've lost...
Leave that thing alone it's evil

I have been a slave to my scale and I AM TIRED OF IT!
I just had a monthly follow up and decided Im going to get rid of my house scale and weigh in every month at my check ups! After all, I am following what Im supposed to be doing…and after almost 9 months i want to trust and believe in myself more without hopping on that contraption all the time!
Im living my life more in so many ways now (93 lbs lighter)…and since I've ditched the diet and dieting mentality its time to ditch the scale too!
WOO HOO…what a liberating thing to say!

Being normal is actually pretty great

This whole thing is like one big high dive, and you are SOARING! So happy for you. I often quite Toad from Arnold Lobel's children's book, Frog and Toad: "I don't want anybody to see me in my bathing suit." It's all in the voice.

It's still new to me also...this smaller body I inhabit. I know (and hope) that it becomes ordinary and just a part of my life, but for now, I'm still surprised by how much less space I take up as a normal sized person....and how no one notices me anymore for the wrong reasons.

@@chasingadream Yes, it really is the small things that mean the most!
You've come along ways lady! You're amazing!

That's awesome…good for you!
It is SO nice to live life again!
Yesterday, I sat next to my 4 yr old daughter on the swing set and ACTUALLY began to swing….wasnt afraid I was gonna break the darn thing.
Amazing how the little things are the ones that mean the most these days…and make me realize how truly far I've come!
Thanks for continuing to share your amazing journey!

I had my gall bladder removed last month by same surgeon who did my Lapband. He told my husband after surgery that it was full of stones and surprised I did not get removed sooner. I did not even know I had gallstones until I went to ER on april27th at 4am as I woke up with pain under my ribs on right side that got worse and I begin vomiting. I had this attack a few weeks before but thought it was diverticulitis. Stayed home from work that time on a heating pad and was sore a fed days. Got it removed May 8th and all is good:) good luck to you !!

I had my gall bladder removed last month by same surgeon who did my Lapband. He told my husband after surgery that it was full of stones and surprised I did not get removed sooner. I did not even know I had gallstones until I went to ER on april27th at 4am as I woke up with pain under my ribs on right side that got worse and I begin vomiting. I had this attack a few weeks before but thought it was diverticulitis. Stayed home from work that time on a heating pad and was sore a fed days. Got it removed May 8th and all is good:) good luck to you !!

I was banded back in Sept 2013. After about 4 fills, I thought I was finally in the "green zone". I ate my measured 3 meals a day with no problems eating whatever I wanted, being sure to measure out my Protein, veggies, carbs. I would have a morning snack of almonds and an evening snack of my plain yogurt with almond butter and sweetener. But then I started eating a little more, not staying full as long. When I went back to my Surgeon the 1st of April and told him I wanted another adjustment, he had no problem with it, but did warn me that some people get to the point where they do get a fill, but wished they hadn't and may be harder for them to eat then they are accustomed to. Well, let me tell you, he hit the nail on the head!! Since that last fill, I have come to understand very clearly what pb and sliming means, not to mention all the times I have had to throw up just to get relief or almost not making it to the bathroom - at home, in restaurants and in the car, you name it. I do not want to get any unfill because I know what I am doing wrong and that the band is doing what it should. I know when I take small bites, chew my food at least 20-30 times each bite, take it slow an don't drink 20 mins before or after a meal I am fine. But the minute I try to eat too fast or take too big of bites (which has been my main problem) the band does it's job. I have forgotten the basics and have gone back to them. I Finally Understand my Lapband

The West has already seen scorching weather, with temperatures reaching the triple digits, and the rest of the country is sure to see some heat waves soon. In summer, dehydration can sneak up on you fast, leading to headaches, fatigue, and confusion. Dehydration can also stall weight loss because Water helps reduce hunger. When you need to drink more water, your body can mistake thirst for hunger, causing you to eat more than you need.


Basic Guidelines for Meeting Fluid Needs after Weight Loss Surgery
On a normal day, you need at least 64 ounces, or 8 8-ounce cups, of fluid per day. When the weather is hot, dry, or windy, you need more. Meeting your requirements can be challenging after weight loss surgery because you should drink fluids between meals, not with them. You need to stop drinking fluids at least 30 minutes before a meal or snack, and you should not start drinking fluids again for another 30 minutes after you finish your food.
This is a sample daily schedule that can allow you to get all of the fluid you need without interfering with your meal plan.< /p>
7:00 a.m. 1 cup decaffeinated coffee
8:00 a.m. Breakfast
9:00 a.m. 12 ounces (1.5 cups) water
10:00 a.m. morning snack
11:00 a.m. 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
Noon lunch
1:00 p.m. 1 cup flavored water
2:00 p.m. 1 cup water
3:00 p.m. afternoon snack
4:00 p.m. 12 ounces (1.5 cups) unsweetened, decaffeinated iced tea
5:00 p.m. dinner
7:00 p.m. 1 cup water
If your meal plan includes only three meals a day and does not include Snacks, getting your fluid needs is easier because you do not need to work in the extra snacks around your beverages.< /p>
Do Not Drink Your Calories!
You only get a certain limited number of calories per day if you want to lose weight. Your calories should come from nutritious foods, such as lean Proteins, vegetables, fruits, and a small amount of starches and unsaturated fats. These healthy foods can help reduce hunger as you lose weight.
Choosing to get your calories from liquids instead is called “drinking your calories.” It is a problem because liquid calories are not very filling compared to solid foods, and you can easily take in more calories than you realize if you drink your calories. For the number of calories in a 20-ounce bottle of soda, you could have a 3-ounce portion of chicken breast, a half-cup of cooked Pasta, and a half-cup of steamed vegetables.
You should really only get substantial amounts of calories from liquids right after weight loss surgery, when you are on a liquid or pureed foods diet and cannot meet your nutrient requirements from foods. Otherwise, if you drink beverages with calories, you can gain weight or stop losing weight in a hurry. The following beverages have about 100 or more calories per 1-cup (8-ounce) serving).
Milk
Fruit juice
Regular soft drinks and fruit drinks
Energy drinks
Sweetened iced tea
Milk-based coffee beverages or coffee beverages with flavor syrups

What About Milk and juice?
Milk and juice are both nutritious, but they do not belong in your regular weight loss surgery diet. Fortified milk provides 9 grams of Protein per cup and is a great source of Calcium and Vitamin D, but it contains 90 calories per cup. Fat-free yogurt and low-fat cheese are better choices for your protein and calcium because they are solid foods. Milk is only a good regular choice when you are recovering from surgery and are on your liquid or pureed foods diet.
100 percent fruit juice can be high in potassium and Vitamin C, but it is protein-free and high in sugars. Because of its sugar content, juice can lead to dumping syndrome. Shortly after surgery, your surgeon may allow a half-cup of juice diluted with water, but when you get to the solid foods stage of your weight loss surgery diet, juice is not allowed.
I Can’t Tolerate Water!
One of the common side effects of weight loss surgery is that your tastes change. Unfortunately, sometimes that means that you no longer enjoy drinking water. If you are having trouble getting down your water, these suggestions may help.
Drink ice water instead of cool water – this can really make a difference.
Place a slice of lemon or lime on the rim of your water glass.
Squeeze lemon or lime juice into your water and add a packet of calorie-free sweetener.
Try a calorie-free, non-carbonated flavored water.
Place some leaves of mint in boiling hot water and let them steep. Drink your mint tea hot or put it in the fridge so you can have refreshingly cold mint tea later.
Keep trying. In all likelihood, you will eventually be able to tolerate water again.

What about Coffee and Tea?
Some coffee and tea beverages are clearly out of the question, unless you’re ready to spend 200 or more calories on a sweetened coffee drink or tea. The caffeine is also a problem for weight loss surgery patients, since it can irritate the stomach. Finally, too much coffee or tea can interfere with the absorption of certain key nutrients, such as Iron. If you do drink coffee and tea, limit yourself to 2 cups of decaffeinated coffee or tea per day.
Skip the Alcohol
Alcoholic beverages can be some of your biggest saboteurs after weight loss surgery. It is not just that alcohol helps to dehydrate you. Alcoholic beverages can be frighteningly high in calories. For example, a 5-ounce glass of red wine has 127 calories, a 12-ounce can or bottle of beer has 145 calories, and a 1.5-ounce shot of rum has 96 calories, and a 3.3-ounce margarita has 153 calories.
The damage goes beyond the calories in your drinks, though. Alcohol relaxes you. When you drink, you tend to lower your inhibitions. That means that you are less likely to measure your foods, stick to small portions, and pass up the high-calorie temptations. You're more likely to overeat, and regret your alcohol and food intake later.
Have a great summer and stay hydrated, safe, and healthy!

Omgosh! You look amazing!!! Thank you for sharing. Such an inspiration!

I am glad you said that. Everyone is different. But we are a lot alike too. It is best to just take what you like and leave the rest when reading about someone else's experience. Some lose faster than others and it has nothing to do with how hard they are working or how well they are following their program. There are a lot of variables. I Celebrate the differences here and relish in the similarities. This is a good place to be. :-)

Great advice, and congratulations -- looks like you are in Onederland. Yippee!

I have a been a member here since Oct 2012 and banded in Sept 2013. This site has been a Great resource for me. From educational to inspirational. There are many things I have learned during the time since I was banded thru this website that I will always remember:
1) Everyone is different in so many ways. From how many cc's you need to get to your "sweet spot" to what "you" are able to tolerate".
2)Chew, chew, chew" and take "small bites.
3)Follow the instructions/directions of your Doctor, not someone else's.
4)When in doubt, call your Doctor. You can read other people's experience's with what they are feeling or have been through, but it comes down to #1.
Good luck to everyone in their journey

Years ago some cartoonist, Larsen I think, who published a single frame cartoon that summarized my own life at just that moment.
There was a office building being swept down river and about ready to plummet over the falls. It was on fire in the upper story, and the window was broken. I don't recall whether someone was in the window....but the large sign attached to the roof proclaimed this was a "Crisis Clinic".
I was a social worker in the depths of my own despair facing a pending divorce. One catastrophe upon another, seemed beyond remedy.
Of course this may not relate to your own situation, yet for me it somehow helped me focus on finding a solution to the most imminent peril.
You know what to do regarding your healthy life style as a postOp Bandster.
You've done it with success before today.
Just what is keeping you from doing what you already know how to do?
Cheers on your journey.

Congrats on your weight loss. Great job!!!

I was banded back in Sept 2013. After about 4 fills, I thought I was finally in the "green zone". I ate my measured 3 meals a day with no problems eating whatever I wanted, being sure to measure out my Protein, veggies, carbs. I would have a morning snack of almonds and an evening snack of my plain yogurt with almond butter and sweetener. But then I started eating a little more, not staying full as long. When I went back to my Surgeon the 1st of April and told him I wanted another adjustment, he had no problem with it, but did warn me that some people get to the point where they do get a fill, but wished they hadn't and may be harder for them to eat then they are accustomed to. Well, let me tell you, he hit the nail on the head!! Since that last fill, I have come to understand very clearly what pb and sliming means, not to mention all the times I have had to throw up just to get relief or almost not making it to the bathroom - at home, in restaurants and in the car, you name it. I do not want to get any unfill because I know what I am doing wrong and that the band is doing what it should. I know when I take small bites, chew my food at least 20-30 times each bite, take it slow an don't drink 20 mins before or after a meal I am fine. But the minute I try to eat too fast or take too big of bites (which has been my main problem) the band does it's job. I have forgotten the basics and have gone back to them. I Finally Understand my Lapband

@@Red bird What a great question.
"Restriction" that everyone talks about is really a misnomer. Since it is not restriction we are looking for at all. We are looking for a feeling of satiation. The word restriction was being used by medical professionals to describe the amount of time it would take for food particles to pass through the stoma where the band is placed and into the lower chamber of the stomach when the band was first being used. Many Dr.'s will still refer to this with their patients but the best word to use is satiation.
You want to feel satisfied when you eat. Not restricted.
To expand on this feeling of "restriction" or satiation the feeling you are looking for is that proverbial "green zone" or "sweet spot" you will also see around the boards for lapband. It is the place or point of fill that you reach in your band where you are satisfied with a small amount of food and no longer hungry and your hunger is kept at bay for 3-4 hours before returning. When you hit this point you have reached that "green zone" "sweet spot" and/or "restriction" level that you are looking for.
How does it feel...well the reason I say that is different for everyone is that some like to have that band pretty tight, and they chose to eat only very tiny amounts of very soft food. They would never think of eating a steak, or a well cooked piece of pork. They would stick closer to what for me would be slider foods, like eggs, and flaky fishes.
Then there are those who chose to keep the band loose and Portion Control their meals, they eat their portion and this satisfies them and they are done. They don't feel any push back from their band, and they don't need to. It works for them because they are not hungry.
Then there are those who have a mid-line amount of fill, where the band is there they eat some solid foods like chicken, hamburger, fish or just about anything solid and the band is stimulated by the chewing and swallowing and after a small portion it signals to the brain that enough has been eaten and you are no longer hungry.
So yes that level of restriction can vary for everyone, and you may bounce around the fill levels a bit until you find that spot that is just right for you.

sorry! 1/2 c total each meal. I use can chicken and flavored tuna for my protein. 1/4 c of protein and then. 1/2 of 1/4 c of veggies and 1/2 oh 1/4c of carbs for a total of 1/2 cup for a meal. Hope that helps. Some surgeons say a cup ea meals , but my pouch only holds 1/2 cup at a time.