RestlessMonkey

I don't chew it...I never swallow it but all it takes is once, and I am human. Someone who posts here just recently swallowed hers and was in a panic that night because nothing would go down, no water, no saliva, nothing. Frankly, I don't think it's worth the risk. I don't want to trade one habit for another...I just let the old mouth and jaw rest.

Sure, with the caveat that you know each doctor has a different MO...LOL. They all tweak the diets etc with their own special spin so just because my doc had me do it doesn't mean it's what you need to do. I am not sure size is the only indicator of a fatty liver...? I think there is blood work etc too. ANYWAY he had me drink 2-3 EAS Carb Control AdvantEDGE shakes each day, 64 ounces of Water (at least) and one meal with 3 ounces of lean fish, chicken or poultry and some green low carb veggies. That's it. It came to about 500-600 cal a day. I used his diet as a "general guideline" the 1st 3 weeks, lost 15 pounds, but my liver was too large still when he went in on 8/11. So I did EXACTLY what he told me (I hadn't realized the importance before; from reading here I erroneously assumed it was just a diet to "get me used" to not eating. WRONG! at least in my case!) for 2 1/2 weeks and lost 17 MORE pounds. On 8/29 I was successfully banded. So learn from me; this place is GREAT but surely doesn't replace solid direction, orders, and info from your surgeon!

How very exciting. Congratulations!

I keep checking back to see if someone has answered you and so far no.... I will say my understanding (and I am FAR from maintenance!) is that we will just keep on keeping on. Once I've lost all I want I figured I'd just make a little different food choices... I have read that some people plan to get all restriction removed but to my thinking if I do that, why bother with the band? I can LOSE fine, it's keeping it off that's been the challenge for me personally. Some get a LITTLE unfill so they can add back in favorites that may have been off limits when totally restricted....but then some don't ever get that much restriction to begin with. I think the answer, honestly, is very individualized. I think it's kind of a non-issue. But I would love, like you, to hear from successful bandsters who have lost and kept it off a while, if they did something special, tinkered with their fills, or just went on with life. It's a good question, hope someone who actually knows answers you!

Sorry for your unfortunate situation. I love my band and fortunately my doc is as dedicated to the aftercare as he was to the surgery; I know the band is the right solution for me and can't imagine going this far just to have it removed. You must be frustrated beyond words. Good luck to you!

I maybe can help, because I was in a similar boat. I have a 14 cc band. I lost 32 pounds preop, (on a 5 1/2 week preop diet) and then another 9.4 post op during the 2 week liquid phase my doc requires. Then...I went nuts. Mushies...oh lord I wallowed in the mushies. And once I could eat "solids" I had EVERYTHING. I had a steak and baked potato, I had a hamburger and fries and a shake, I had pizza. I gained back 11 pounds in the 4 week stage from mushies to my 1st fill. I told myself I was "testing my band" and I guess in a way I was, but I was way over the top. No restrictions, no problems. But I figured I'd get my first fill and things would start to slow down. I did realize it would likely take 4 or more fills to feel restriction but just knew at the first one I'd start to, um "feel the love". NOT. My doctor gave me 1 1/2 CC! GOOD GRIEF. I told him "that's not worth the lidocaine you just used" and he said this. He told me : Go home and QUIT snacking. I don't care what you eat. Just eat 3 meals a day. Period. NO Snacks. No healthy snacks. no junk snacks. NOTHING with calories. NOTHING. If you snack, the band will not do what you want it to. Go learn that and come back and I'll put more in. I CAN give you restriction now but honestly I've learned that you must not snack or the band won't help you. If you try to deal with sudden restriction and no snacking all at once it can set you up to fail. So trust me. ANd I did. I decided to go back on the preop diet for the next 5-6 weeks because once I got past the initial hunger, I felt good on high Protein, low carb low fat. I miss other foods but don't suffer hunger pangs after the first couple days. I know I can't and won't ALWAYS eat this way but I can do it now and it helps my hunger. Guess what? I've lost 10 of the 11.4 pounds I had gained. Tomorrow will be 1 week fron that fateful appt and I may have lost back all I gained in my month of "wild freedom". I am not drinking 15 min before, during, or 15 minutes after I eat, per my doc's direction, unless I'm having a "meal" of those shakes I hated so much preop. (he told me as long as I treated them as a meal and not a snack, it was fine to have them) I am having 3 meals a day and I am NOT snacking. Period. Nothing. I am happy again because I'm back on the way DOWN! I know I WILL get restriction but rather than waiting for that to happen, I'm back in the driver's seat. My point is...you are in control, not the band. I understand your mindset, I think....I think a bunch of us do. But in the end, it really is just a tool. We all say that, but we need to believe and understand it to be successful, I think. Exercise alone won't cause you to lose weight, so going to the gym is GREAT! for you, but it isn't the answer. You have to take in less calories than you use, and for the band to work, you need to follow the band rules. SO..... Follow the band rules. Do what your doc says (he may not prohibit snacks like mine does) Eat protein, then veggies, then fruit, then finally wheats, grains, pastas, bread. Don't drink with your meals Get in the habit. Watch your calories for now (We won't always have to I don't think) Getting the band right is a process; I was waiting for that "miracle" to happen. My doc, who was very kind and didn't lecture me or preach (if he had, I would just have tuned him out. I'm VERY hard headed LOL) helped me realize I am in control, not the band. I know what I have to do to use it. This way, once I get restriction, it will just help me keep on going. You can do this!

I do not have experience with a transplant or life saving medication. However can you crush your pills or do any of them come in liquid form? My Internist (NOT a surgeon, didn't place my band) was telling me none of his band patients have a problem swallowing pills, but I can see where some really big ones could be problematic. There's also and issue if you have sufficient restriction and have to take any with meals, that they won't be processed on time. I think while waiting to see if your rather unique situation is addressed here, it would be good for you to just go to a seminar and ask the surgeon. Regardless of what anyone here says, you're going to have to find a surgeon who feels s/he can work with you and help you, anyway. So far I've taken all my pills easily but have no restriction to speak of.

During the preop seminar I attended my surgeon (he's the greatest) addressed hair loss. He said (and I'm paraphrasing but this is the gist of it) EVERYONE has thinning hair about 3-6 months out (some sooner) Apparently supplements (like biotin), Vitamins, or extra Protein and other interventions do not help it. It seems to be caused by the trauma of surgery. He said EVERYONE has had his/her hair grow back fine(as thick or thicker) and in his years (over 1000+ patients) of practice the only person who needed a wig was a lady who owned a wig shop. So I'm just going to wait it out, not buy supplements, and keep my money for smaller clothes! As long as you're getting your protein in and taking a Vitamin per your doctor's order (whatever s/he said to do) you'll be fine.

Hi and welcome! I'm 53 and was banded 8/29...had no trouble, issues, nausea or vomiting, etc. You'll do fine, I'm sure! I love my band, and hope you love yours too!

Actually lettuce and eggs both have carbs in them. They are LOW but they have them. All veggies have carbs. People assume if it's veggie it's carb free, but that's not true. Your best bet is to call and tell your doc you're HUNGRY and ask if you can have something else, or stick to his/her preop plan if you don't want to. We're all different and different docs require different things. You want to be successful long term and the preop diet is just the first few baby steps. So hang in there and ask your doc for help if you really can't stay on his prescribed diet! Good luck! we all know how hard it is!

I know it's HARD! I honestly (at 53 years old, and I'm TOUGH! so not a drama queen) sat and held a can of fat free refried Beans (mushie!) and CRIED because I wanted them so badly LOL but I followed my docs orders. Hang in there; you're almost through the worst!

Some people NEVER have issues and can eat anything, just in smaller amounts. Some people seem to PB EVERYTHING. The "take home" on this is we're all different! My doctor told me to wait and see how things were FOR ME before I flipped out. He said aside from stringy red beef, and maybe white bread, most of his patients say they have no problems. He reminded me that the point of the band is portion control and satiety, not banning foods. You have to remember to read this type of web site and all the posts (yes even mine! LOL) with a grain of salt. Check with your surgeon. Follow HIS recommendations, and you'll be fine.

Your safest bet is to just do what your doctor says. If the directions are unclear, call his office or your nutritionist tomorrow and ask. Every doctor seems to have a different pre and/or post op diet so it's best to ask directly what's "safe and acceptable" and what isn't!

Don't CRY! but don't cheat any more! That nasty (and it is nasty for most of us!) post op diet isn't for torture but to let our bands heal into place. One bite of cheese probably won't hurt but if you eat stuff you have to chew your stomach churns like a washing machine to aid in digestion, and that churning can pull some or all of your stitches loose. At 9 days post op 1 bite probably won't hurt you (not a doc, but logically it seems to me like you'll be ok) but get back on your post op program and stick to it. You'll make it; most of us hate it but get through. That's what they call "bandster hell"...

I have a 14 cc band and can eat normally, even after my 1st fill of 1 1/2 cc. Don't know how big around it is, actually, just that I can still eat anything I ever could and have no restriction yet. I think it is comparable to my old stomach opening. The band doesn't really form the "pouch", I was told, until they get it tightened a bit (think of a belt sitting around your waist and it fits but isn't cinched up yet)

I DID! I lost 15 pounds anyway during my 3 week preop diet. But I'm the "HORRIBLE WARNING" you hear about. My liver was still too fatty. I had surgery on 8/11 and my liver was too thick and fat to be moved out of the way. My Doctor told me his options were to "open me up" and do traditional surgery, lacerate my liver!, or close me up and let me try again. He picked #3. Can't tell you how absolutely TERRIBLE it is to come to in surgery and be told "your liver was too fat, so they couldn't place the band". Of course I started out very large (larger than most bandsters) but that isn't always a direct tie to liver size. He did tell me I was his first patient that he couldn't band because of the liver (wow did THAT make me feel better LOL...but what it did do was motivate me) I lost 17 pounds in the ensuing 2 1/2 weeks doing exactly what he told me and was banded 8/29. SO I say do what your doc says. Many get away with it so I thought I would, too. Boy was I wrong! chicken noodle Soup probably won't hurt but it probably didn't really help you either! Hang in there! It's worth it!

It never ceases to amaze me how different each doctor is about EVERYTHING LOL MY pain meds post op were pills! My surgeon told me I should be able to take any pill. Of course it's best to do what YOUR doc tells you, but I have to wonder. In this day and age, medicine is so advanced, I can't fathom never taking a pill. Good luck; you need your antidepressant so I hope you find a solution!

I can't see my port nor can I feel it unless I really poke. Mine is placed about 2" under my left breast. I sleep on my tummy just fine! The realize band has a "low profile" port that is smaller (I think), the lap band (like I have) has a larger port. I asked my surgeon and he (very tactfully) told me that for many of us, our weight makes finding the port a "challenge" and he prefers the larger port. He promised me when I lost enough weight that it stuck out or made me uncomfortable he'd gladly quickly switch them out for me! (the ports, that is, not the band !) :biggrin:

My psych eval was similar to Jazie's....over 300 questions from the MMPI test and then a quick chat. Wanted to know if I drank, did drugs, gambled, etc. I was just honest with ALL questions (that MMPI will trip you up if you try to hedge or fudge a little) and passed easily. Best advice is to be honest and not worry about it!

Our doc has stressed we're to get AT LEAST 60 gms of protein a day and now from your symptoms I guess it really is important. Thanks for posting; I knew protein was important but am so used to not having to worry about it (preband) that I've been lax making sure I get enough. I hope you feel better soon and I'm glad you shared so slackers like me can pay better attention!

Welcome! This is a great site and the band is a great tool for weight loss! :biggrin: Congrats to you!

There's a difference between things you will physically be able to eat, and things that are good choices for weight loss. Lots of people can't eat white bread (unless it's toasted) but lots of others can. Our nutritionist told us if we wanted Pasta to make sure it's well cooked, not "al dente" because she said it continues to swell in our pouches if not well cooked. Some can't eat rice, some can. Diet wise, you should follow your Doctor's guidelines, I'd think. They are all different. Mine requires 3 meals a day, NO Snacks EVER, and to eat Protein, then veggies, then fruit, and finally If room to eat pasta, bread, grains, etc. But as to what you physcially CAN eat with the band...that will depend in large part on you, how tight your band is, etc etc. I've "met" bandsters here who literally can eat anything including popcorn etc. And some have trouble with many foods. You'll just need to see how the dust clears for you, and follow a diet to promote weight loss that you can live with! :biggrin: And of course like you said, while you're healing it's best to follow your doc's guidelines to the letter. Very important for the band to heal!

Yes, unfortunately eating wrong early on can cause the band to slip. Not saying that's what happened to you! But that's why they have us on restricted diets post op. I hope it isn't but your best bet is to go get checked out!

Ok I am TOTALLY hooked on that site! I hate "journaling" but it's, uh, fascinating? I think I'm gonna love it! :thumbup:

Isn't HeatherO the bee's knees? I'll check out that site now! :thumbup: