Cocoabean

White meat chicken is a no-go for me. Period, don't even try it. Pasta is hit or miss. Bites of meat need to be cut to pieces about the size of a pencil eraser, and then chewed well. It is not the same to chew a bigger bite well. I don't understand the mechanism of the band, but I do know if I eat too quickly, or eat try to eat too big of a portion, it doesn't go well. And it isn't pretty. As Elcee said, after each fill there is a learning curve. After I have a stuck episode I take it very easy for a couple of days, then go back to solids slowly.

Many surgeons do an Upper GI the day after surgery. Mine did not. The barium is not delicious, but it is not so bad. It is a like thick Mylanta. I think for a post-surgery one it is just a few swallows. My UGIs were done at 2.5 years post-op and about 3 months ago. Best wishes for tomorrow and a speedy recovery.

Did you get light headed? I sometimes have a drop in blood pressure if I've been standing for a long period of time. Could have been a blood sugar drop, as well. Finally, maybe you were just hungry. Real, true hunger.

For starters, don't get on the scale daily. Once per week is sufficient. The daily fluctuations will drive you insane! I can eat more some days, less on others. It is the way of my band. Many bandsters journal their food. There are tons of online journals available. It might help you to better see what you are eating. I don't normally track my food. But I did for a few days when I was on a plateau. I thought I was eating about 1200 calories a day. Imagine my surprise to find I was actually consuming 1700! Tracking can help you find hidden calories you didn't realize were there. Are you at proper restriction? If not, don't focus so much on weight-loss. Focus on good habits that will take you through banded life. Solid Protein first, quality veggies, then starches. Quit eating when you are SATISFIED, not full. Small bites that are chewed well. Proper hydration. Exercise. The weight-loss will follow.

Thanks for the follow-up info. I am very sorry the band did not work for you. I wish you great success with your bypass!!

I've had two upper GIs. They were exactly as Horsegirl described. There were no meds involved other than the gas creating stuff and the barium. It was cool to watch on the screen. Mine were both after banding, so I got to see my band in action. The last one took about 45 minutes or so, but they did a little bit more to include my esophagus, looking for dilation. No sweat!

No catheter, no heparin, no compression stockings. I don't do unjury. I get a flu shot each year. Hadn't even thought of it as a good idea for a bandster until just now. I've been banded nearly 4 years. I haven't vomited yet other than stuck food. I don't have children in my house, so I don't have little germ buckets nearby. When/if you get the flu, you could ask your doctor for anti-nausea meds. Your profile says you are 2000 miles from me, sorry I can't babysit. Tomorrow should be better on the pre-op!

What TWI said, tell one person and you've told a bunch. I chose to be open about my surgery. I didn't announce I was having it done, but as I lost people asked how I was doing it (as they always will). So, after I'd told one or two people at work, others would approach saying, "I heard you had lap band surgery!" Granted, those I told were not asked to keep it quiet. Also, when eating in a group and I experience trouble, I prefer to just tell people rather than prevaricating. But that is me. It would be just as easy to say I am not feeling well, or I am not very hungry. Each of us will figure out what works. The only person I did NOT want to know was my MIL. She was a worrier and would never let the topic rest. If I had a cold, she'd ask me about it each time I saw her for the next 3 months. I get migraines, I take meds daily to prevent them, but still have them sometimes. Each visit I got the 3rd degree about my migraines and why couldn't they stop them, why did I need to take so much medication for them? What causes them? Why can't they cure them? Yeah, ain't going there with the band. I think she had a suspicion though. She'd seen me go through multiple diets and failures. Then saw me be successful without my talking about it. All she ever said was you look great! The woman who used to try to drag me onto a scale to see how much I weighed when I was at my peak. She never once asked how I was doing it. So, perhaps a SIL told her and explained I wanted it keep it private...dunno. She passed last April without it ever becoming an issue. Bless her heart.

Dr. Ortiz has a great reputation from what I have read. San Diego is a bit cold today. You must be bringing Vancouver with you! Brrrrrr. Should be warming up though. Will any of you spend any time in San Diego?

Yes, we'd be interested to know why you had your band removed. I am glad you are happy with your revision!

All I can say is that I have not "dieted" since getting my band almost 4 years ago. I have easily been maintaining this weight for over two years. The band has given me control over my portions by giving me the sense of satiety that I never had. My thoughts no longer revolve around food at all times. Before being banded I was always thinking about my next meal or snack. I always felt physically hungry. That is no longer the case.

You really need to go in. Especially if you are vomiting (which you don't say), it could be a slip. Even if it isn't, you need to be able to eat and get some nutrition in. I've been overfilled, it is miserable. I could at least stay hydrated, but otherwise could not even eat yogurt. They don't have to remove all the fill, just a bit. Then you can refill at a later date. It is not failure to get an unfill. It is just part of the treatment process of being banded.

Good point, but I see so many people here who seem to think we MUST do Protein shakes. I don't eat first thing in the morning. I have coffee on the way to work at 6am, then I eat something about 8 to 8:30 at my desk. It is what works for me.

Many surgeons don't do a fill until about 6 weeks post-op. You are doing fantastic. It sounds as though you might have some restriction already. Some surgeons put some fill in at surgery. You could be on of those patients. Keep up the good work!

You can also check out individual surgeons on state medical boards. In California (where I am) you can see where they went to medical school, how long in practice, any judgements against them, and any actions by the medical board.

First, I am sorry you had such a rough year. But on the good side, congrats on your engagement. You did not have cancer, a thyroid pill a day is not a huge deal, I've been doing that since I was 24. You'll need to monitor your thyroid levels about once a year, I am guessing. You survived a horrific fall. We bandsters cannot eat like others. It's a fact. But vomiting often is not a good thing. I believe you should see your band surgeon as soon as possible. You say you don't want an unfill, and I can understand that. But that might be what you need to allow you to eat a better selection of foods and keep them down. You REALLY need to get things checked to be sure of what is happening. I don't know about you, but I know very few people in real life who are banded, I get my support here on-line. I hope you feel better soon!

You don't have to do Protein shakes to be successful. My surgeon is against liquid calories, shakes included. He wants me to eat my calories. I bought tons of the stuff thinking I'd be needing it only to be told I was NOT to rely on shakes for nutrition. During the immediate post-op phase, yes. But after I was on solids, nope. I rarely do shakes, unless I am in a hurry or very bored with my diet.

White meat chicken is a no-go for me, period. Dark meat is good. Whenever I bring up something that is stuck, it is not identifiable by appearance. It is a mix of slime (mucous) and chewed food. It's possible that a piece was not ground or chewed well enough. After an episode like that, I have heartburn. Things just get raw and irritated. Take it easy for a while. I tend to stick to liquids/mushies the next day, depending on how I am feeling.

I am sorry to hear your story. I doubt you or your surgeon caused your troubles. The fact is complications happen. Slips happen. Troubles can happen with any surgery. I hope you are feeling better, and that you get the sleeve if that is what you wish. Thank you for sharing your story.

Snipped.. From drugs.com: Before taking Ambien Some people using this medicine have engaged in activity such as driving, eating, or making phone calls and later having no memory of the activity. Not everyone experiences this side effect.

My before pics are from 2008, and I am NOT going back to that! Here's a pic of me from January 12, 2012.

There is an entire thread of before and after pics: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/topic/4543-before-and-after-lap-band-surgery-pictures-only/

I think it's time to find a different medication than the Ambien. I know what you are speaking of. I find candy wrappers on the nightstand. But only one bite size. (Hubby confirms, only one). There are other medications you can take. Once you take that pill, there is absolutely no stopping yourself. See if you can find something else. YOU are not a failure!

Hey Alex, when I click on go to "first unread post," it just takes me to the first post. Then I have to scroll down through everything I've already seen. Just an FYI. It's the same on my Mac and my Win XP machine. It's been that way since before the the server crashed. I think since the last software update.