RestlessMonkey

All the band does is help you eat less, once you have restriction. Do you think consistently eating less will help you? Honestly, think about it. If you don't, then either something with a "malabsorption" component (where the food passes through without being converted to nutrients and fat, or at least a portion of it) like RNY Bypass, or a malabsorption drug like ALLI (sp?) may help you. You know yourself best. The band is great, but it just helps with portion control. If your body doesn't want to give the weight up the band won't make it happen.

Usually after a fill, many docs say to do liquids 24 hours, then mushies then "regular". If you are sensitive, perhaps you tried to eat too soon? If I were you I'd be conservative and do liquids 24-48, then mushie 24-48. and then on to "regular" (which is what my doc recommends, by the way, when he thinks we're close to "the sweet spot") Once you've given your sensitive stomach a chance to settle, then do as others have suggested: take small bites and chew very very well. Wait a bit between bites to see if you need more food or are no longer hungry. And take a while to eat because our digestive systems don't register food for about 20 minutes. If you eat too fast and expect "hunger" to guide you, you can end up in trouble. Just take it slow, and don't be nervous. It's a learning process!

My liver shrink diet was low fat, low carb, and low calorie (and low taste LOL) with shakes and 1 meal. I think you're on the right track with a "lean Atkins" type of diet.

So the rest you lose is gravy! Well, Not-gravy gravy! :smile2: That is so good! I lost 32 in the 5 weeks of preop dieting I had and it made a tremendous difference in how I felt, etc. I am very happy for you !! You may lose close to that in 3 weeks, not 5! WTG!!

I agree with soocalchic...call your doc and/or nutritionist and ask. I was on liquids for 2 weeks (after a 5 week long preop that might as well have been all liquids) so you CAN live even if you don't want to! :smile2: Hang in there. Right now your band needs to heal into place and eating anything "off diet" too soon can do you harm.

Like the old Pink Floyd song "your lips move but I can't hear what you say". Failure can rattle on and on and I don't have a CLUE what she's on about! :biggrin: Gotta love ignore!

Yes, it's different. I was hungry as soon as I woke up! I recovered VERY fast though; no swelling, no issues drinking water, no nausea, etc. It depends on many factors.

IF toast is on your "bariatric soft" list, and "Peanut butter" is also on your bariatric soft list, then yes, you can have them together. I'd clarify that "no carbs but toasted bread is ok" discrepancy before I chowed down, though! :blushing: Realize too as you get more restricted the PB toast may not go down so easily.

Well, if you want to eat like a boa constrictor and just have one big meal occasionally, the band isn't the tool for you because "big" meals will be a thing of the past. Docs differ but mine says to eat 3 times a day (if hungry) and no snacks. That is easier on your body than just doing one meal, anyway! (even without the band) but if you are asking just as a curiosity, then if you eat one large meal of 900 cal or 3 meals spaced out of 300 each, you'd lose at the same rate.

I think that your "sweet spot" is apparently between 4.25 and 5.75. Get an unfill to 5.00, say (split the difference) and see how you feel! Make sure you are chewing well, not drinking with meals, etc. It's been my experience that you can go from "no restriction" to "too tight" VERY quickly and in just tenths of a cc.

OR...if you REALLY want a career in the military, you can have it removed and then join up. You do have to keep a healthy wait, though, to remain "in". At least, you used to when DH was in.

Ditto what they said. Maybe yes, maybe no. Try lining up aftercare BEFORE you go. And realize this is common whether you go to another country or another county; many surgeons won't take on another surgeon's patient, or at least not willingly. I THINK (don't know this) they just don't want to inherit someone else's "work".

Marmar did your doc want you to lose 20? Or am I (entirely possible!) confused?

Well, if they said no, then it must be important for you to follow it. At least you know that, instead of wondering if it's just a "form" diet and you are suffering needlessly. I just read on another post you've lost 17 pounds; hopefully that boost will help you hang in there! Just remember, you aren't the only one who has struggled with austere harsh diets. You can make it!

I'm so glad you got checked out, and caught it fast! Bless your heart, give yourself a hug, ok?

If you are doing what you are supposed to, are you losing weight? If not, have you found out why? (thyroid, other blood work, etc)

You are the MANLIEST of all men. :ohmy:

I first heard about Papaya Enzyme on this board so I'm happy to pass the info along. It really works for me; glad you find it useful too!

I've found that one of the "hands down" best ways to deal with bullies and people who are trying to stir shit, is to ignore them. Refuse to engage. So I have "Failure" on ignore. If she's trying to bait, well, I'll never know. I've seen that she's posted after me on a few threads; singing my praises, itching for a fight, or anything in between really doesn't matter a rip to me. If Susan did mean to slap me (not both of us, not Failure, but me) down on that thread TPG mentioned, that doesn't matter either. If she did I think she must've just been exasperated; I didn't say anything all that incendiary (I know; I can pick a fight with the best of them! LOL) and disengaged on my own before Susan ever showed up. Bottom line, this has been unfortunate. Do I think HH brought more to LBT than his, um, adversary? Oh undoubtedly. But done is done. I wish he had just put her on ignore . Then we'd all be on some other thread laughing and poking fun at each other. "Ignore" works. I think it's the greatest thing since caller id.

YAY! Welcome to the "club" of bandsters!

Did you ever call your surgeon and ask if you could have some food? If not, you should.

I'm another who started doing "normal" things right away. I am a firm believer in "act normal and you'll feel normal" :frown: I had a "light" couple of days but started my last year of nursing school the Tues after my Friday surgery. Before then, though, DH and I went shopping, I went out in the neighborhood etc. No driving until you're cleared, of course!

Lovenox doesn't bruise as badly as heparin! :frown: And shar pei; it isn't that common to have to have the shots post op. Your surgeon or his nurse should tell you preop with enough time for you to practice etc. However if you're worried (most of us don't like the idea of giving ourselves shots) just call your surgeon's office and ask if it's standard protocol for him.

Good, mems! Your body has been traumatized and you need your hydration! It will help you feel better faster, too! :frown:

I'm no pro but I can't imagine you'd need to take it every day, any more than you'd take a pain killer just to "feel good" unless you were in pain. ? Not sure since I have NEVER heard of it untill lap band I don't believe in ever taking a drug unless you need it so I'd say just save it for times you're stuck.