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Not all of us have the same "feeling" from being overfull or stuck. I am almost 2 yrs out and have only had a couple of "stuck" or "sliming" incidences. Usually come from eating too fast, being nervous when I ate or eating too fast. From your explation of how you felt, I would say the same as Betsy...most likely some of the food you already had in the pouch were not going through and then you added the peanuts on top of it making you feel like you were blown up. It's important to watch that overfilling thing. #1 reason I say that is that you do not want to be so full that your food sits in your esophagus. If you are feeling a little irritated today, you are wise to baby your pouch today and do soft or liquids. The first few months can be quite difficult in figuring out when you get to that full feeling. Try to avoid eating more once you have had your meal. I found that it really helped to weigh and measure in the beginning and also to push myself away from the table when done or got the feeling I was one bite away from pushing the limits. I would get myself out of the diningroom and kitchen and find an activity to take my mind off of eating if I still felt hungry. I truly believe it is true what is said about it taking 20 minutes for your head to realize that your stomach is satisfied. Wishing you the best.

That is so true and thank you for amending my statement, Emjay. So nice to know now that things will just fit.

I "only" wanted my life back and I got it! I "only" spent a matter of months working the LB rules and I got my life back. I "only" got my body moving 30 minutes per day and the "only" thing that happened is that I got my life back. I not "only" look in the mirror and am happy with the results, I "only" have to look now every once in awhile because I have gained a new confidence in waking up every day and "only" feeling healthy and happy! And this "only"....I "only" went shopping for one outfit for a wedding but ended up with "only" three just cuz they fit!:smile2:

Hey Sue...sorry you are struggling a bit. Fire away with any questions you might have. Can you give us a sample menu of your typical day? Are you getting an adequate amount of daily fluids? Are you moving that body at least 30 minutes a day? Just let us know your concerns.

Hey Shawna...first off congrats on taking the steps with getting the LB and your start to a new/healthy life. Also, congrats on the 24lbs lost thus far. No tricks really to getting your first fill. Just take it as it comes and try not to worry what it will be like. I have only had 2 fills and both were a peice of cake. No discomfort or pain. Stomach was just a little "stiff" the next day. My doc has no restrictions on food b/4 or after a fill. I was very careful and stuck to very soft foods or liquids for a couple of days just to be sure things were moving smoothly. Just follow your doc's rules and you should sail through it. Good luck!

Willow...hope you didn't take my "slider" comments as a lecture. I do understand where you are coming from on eating something softer for lunch. A lot of ppl are still tight around noon. Wishing you the best.

Sounds like you are REALLY frustrated with the scale. Try to put it away and only weigh in once a week or bi-monthy. Also, try to back off on the sodium. I used to live with a salt shaker in my hand. I scoffed at the fact that it would make a difference. I actually feel a lot better once I cleaned my body of it. I can tell now if I have had to much. I feel just plain sluggish and all the things that come with it. Swollen fingers and lower stomach and I also start to crave it when I introduce it into my diet again. Another suggestion...soups are full of sodium. Also as slider food. I also consider tuna salad a slider. Try to do without any processed foods if you can help it. And, if you are trying to loose, try to do without the saltines. Lots of carbs. If you feel you cannot give up the crackers, look for a whole grain but really watch how many you are eating. They add up fast and are also a slider. You sound like you are really trying and watching things.

Willow...first of all, congrats on the 50lbs lost. There are so many factors that can make our scale jump. TOM? Sodium intake, what you ate the last few days. Calm down. We all have that happen. If you are comfortable weighing yourself everyday, you are going to notice a jump every now and then. If you know you are eating right and exercising, just be patient and you will see a decrease in your scale #'s b/4 you know it. Take a deep breath and go enjoy your day. Don't let that 2lbs throw you off track! Good luck. :frown:

Trishfish...I have a questions for you...What if you DON'T fail? Think of the possibilites if you do not fail! As Besty stated in the above post...it's a process. Take it one step at a time; just as you have the pre-op steps that you have needed to go through. My personal take: After making the decision to have LapBand surgery, I could FINALLY see the light at the end of the tunnel. I was FINALLY going to have some help keeping this weight off once I got to goal. You are the one that needs to be vigilant as to making good/healthy food choices, but, with the right restriction, the band will help you along the way. With determination and the band, and following your doc's advice you have a great chance at a successful outcome. Wishing you the best!

I make a batch of steel cut oats with raisins and freeze in one cup containers. I just take one out b/4 bed and pop in microwave in the morning. I also prepackage high protein/high fiber cereal to eat on the run. Greek yogurt works. I always have hard boiled eggs ready to eat in frig. I, too, rely on protein bars and never tire of them because I keep a variety on hand. I also always have a container of Egg Beaters egg whites on hand along with turkey sausage and shredded cheese so I can make a quick omelette. A tbls of peanut butter spread on 1/2 banana is also something I will grab that is easy. Another make ahead....eggs, sausage or ham, onions, peppers and a little cheese and bake in muffin tins and freeze. Ready to eat in just a few minutes.

Great reminder. It's been awhile since I went searching for the unaswered posts. Will get back into the habit. Great idea!

Hang tough, Aunt Suzie....been there/done that. It is difficult when almost EVERYONE you have contact with feels that it's their right to comment on how you look. Once they get "used to" how you look, the comments will wane. 99% of the time ppl mean well...just have a lack of tact. The other 1% I haven't figured out yet. I still get comments over a year after getting to goal and am at the point where I can now just blow it off. One thing I did when someone would ask me a question...some examples: I'm in the grocery store and my cart is full...someone I am barely aquainted with walks up and says...I bet you don't eat one thing in that cart, do you? My response...Why do you ask? She stutters. I'm at a sports event in my cute jeans. Again, someone I barely know walks up and asks "What size jeans do you wear?" My response is Why do you ask? She says...well, well, well and walks away. I'm at a wedding for my Goddaughter and all dressed up in my new dress. Cousin of the bride walks up and say "Oh my God! You are way too skinny" (which I am not). My response...Where were you when I weighed 249lbs? I know some of my responses sound snarky but when you get those kind of comments every time you leave the house, you need to take control of the situation and just walk away. I, too, in the beginning felt I had to explain. I am far from egotistical but I look healthy and feel healthy and this is all about us, right?

As Betsy stated, measuring food is a very important habit to get into. I also weighed my hard protein. Could not always finish my 3-4 oz. I just waited for the "full signal". I always tried to cut my meat into very small bites and waited a bit between bites. I tend to get that feeling....one more bite would be too much. I found it was much easier to listen to my full feeling if I ate my meals when I was very calm in the beginning. If I felt stressed, it was more difficult to watch for the signs of when I have had enough. In the beginning, I ate some meals alone and eventually worked up to eating with the family at most meals.

Starting out on this journey, all I wanted to work for were the pins my surgeon gave out with each goal...50lb pin, 75 and 100lb pins. They mean everything to me. But, I did reward myself with a few things along the way as well. I did permanent eyeliner and eyelash extensions just b/4 goal. I bought a new wardrobe for each season. My favorite being a couple of pairs of 7 for All Mankind jeans. Resized all my rings and added a couple of diamonds to each for good measure. But, the biggest reward I find is just how great I feel. Love and apprciate all the "things" I have rewarded myself with. But love more the "things" I have done for myself physically and emotionally to get myself to this point.

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to read positive posts such as yours. I made a promise to myself when I started this journey. It was to accept the body I ended up with and appreciate it. And, I do. I spent 13 yrs of my life obese and looked back at the fact that I never recognized and appreciated my slim figure prior to that. If ppl could go into this with a reasonable picture in their minds of what the end result will be, we would all be happier in the end. Did I expect perfection? Nope. I just wanted to have the chance to make up for lost time and live in a healthy body again. So happy for you and congrats on finding peace with your perception of what you expect when you look in the mirror.

As Besty stated above, take this time prior to surgery and start making changes. I look back on the time I prepared for LB surgery and see it as a gift (8 extra months to prepare). I researched for 3 yrs prior to surgery and was fully prepared. No way did I want to wake up from surgery and feel like I had the rug yanked out from under me. I mourned the loss of food long b/4 the surgery was done. I will give you some examples of how I prepared: Starting 8 months b/4 surgery I forced myself to eat as close to a banded person as I could. I cut my calories to 800-900 daily. I made myself shift gears to another actvity when I was about to reach for something that I should not eat and just eating out of boredom. I also forced myself into a rule of NEVER eating after 6pm. Nothing. I think this helped prepare me more than anything. I was a night time snacker. I have a snack every evening now but never out of control snacking like b/4. I would do ANYTHING to take my mind off of food. I would go rinse with mouthwash, brush my teeth, take a walk, sit in a warm bath, go ride my bike, get on the treadmill, grab my book...and, always take myself out of the situation that tempted me (example, walking out of the kitchen). I was able to lose 54lbs prior to surgery. I had friends that doubted why I would then have surgery after being able to lose the weight prior....I could see the light at the end of the tunnel...I knew the band would help me through. Being prepared (truly in your head ready) is the best weapon to carry with you along this journey. If you feel you are not ready...back up and take a look at things. Maybe you need to see your therapist for a few sessions...maybe a few visits with your nutritionist...maybe keep visits in place with both of them prior to and after surgery. Wishing all of you luck

It's really not that tough to get in, Anne. It does not happen in the first stages and you just kind of learn to get all your protein in. I would journel my calories and right along beside it, I would do my protein grams and fiber. There are easier ways to do it (dailyplate, etc.). As you can see from my last post, there are many options.

I omitted a protein that was a staple of mine during the first few months after LB surgery. Greek yogurt.

Jessica....I remember feeling the same way you do. It was during my mushy stage and I was panicing thinking there would be NO WAY to get adequate protein. There are so many ways. I should have listed foods earlier when I responded to your post. Here are just some that have always worked for me: Beef jerky roasted/died soynuts eggs/egg salad dried edamame protien bars (read nutrition values carefully and watch the calories) cottage cheese baby bell or cheese sticks Laughing Cow cheeses spread on deli meats tuna salads chicken salads grilled fish or seafood See? There are many options. If you need cooking ideas, head to the Food and Nutrition threads and read through them. Good luck!:thumbup:

Scottyd..went back and re-read this thread. I guess I don't have a clue where the attack came in. I think everyone who posted was just giving their take on the subject...not attacking Ohm...sorry if you read something into it and took something the wrong way.

#1...my band is on the loose side so I have no problem eating 6oz of good Protein for 2 daily meals. #2...I have 20gr of protein in a bar each morning for breakfast and at least one more during the day for a snack. I also make my Snacks high protein/high Fiber cereals...dry or with milk. I am on the low side of the BMI charts due to an extremely high metabolism that hit about a year ago...a few months after reaching goal. My body requires quite a few more calories per day than the norm.

Just going to add my 2 cents regarding protien grams consumed per day. I am 21 months out from band surgery. Each and every day I really try to get between 80-100 grams of protein. I do notice that when I get sloppy about getting enough protein per day, I feel sluggish and tired for a few days in a row. Never thought that it would have that affect on my body. As far as drinking your protein...what works for one might not work for another. I almost have an admiration for those that CAN drink their protein in the morning. I have NEVER been able to choke down even one protein drink. Tried the nose-plugging routine and that didn't even work. I feel if you are drinking your protein to stave off hunger and are staying within a reasonable calorie count for the day....more power to ya!

Awww...such a pretty little thing!:wink2:

Believe it or not..Jackie-O was about 20 yrs prior...this was my mother's wedding dress I was wearing

119# on wedding day:biggrin: