sherilynn

No, smaller than a shot glass for sure. But depends on when your surgery was.

Crash, Welcome! This is definately going to be the biggest and best ride you've ever been on! This Board is priceless to me. Was before I decided on my surgery, and is months after. SO glad to see you here. Sheri

For me, sliming occurs when I take too big a bite, or I eat something that is just not band friendly (egg roll!). The item gets 'lodged' above the band, or at the band. My body recognizes this 'lodged' item, and starts to produce extra amounts of saliva in an effort to 'dislodge' or move along the item. For me, it's like someone in there had turned on a faucet. It has caused me to actually drool. YES; it can be embarrassing at first, but I've learned to recognize the signs before it happens - and head for the ladies room. At home, I simply just get myself a tall cup, and use it as a spitoon. Sounds gross; it really isn't. It's just the body's way of reacting to stuck food. I don't 'foam at the mouth' like a rabid dog or anything. That's what I thought it would be like pre-band. AGain, this is my experience. Sheri:girl_hug:

EVERY SINGLE DAY is trial and error. That's why we're supposed to chew, chew, chew, in the event something doesn't go down well. Last night, I seemed like a bottomless pit! Had filet mignon and sauteed zucchini. But about 1 cup of zucchini! Sure, it's mushy and goes easier. Now today, I was full on Breakfast of three slices of bacon! And right now, I'm a little stuck on about 1/2 hot dog. Funny though...I've not yet had a problem with chocolate going down! HA! Seems that since my surgery, I've aquired a sweet tooth. Never had one before! But after all I've done, I only treat myself now to chocolate ONE time a week. And let me tell you - I look forward to it!

Kimmie, When was your surgery? Immediately after surgery, I would take 'medicine cup' sized sips. Worked myself up to shot glass sized sips. Beyond that, I got nervous. Just keep the sips coming; it's very important to stay hydrated.

I was diagnosed Type II last year; while having all my preadmission testing, etc. In hindsight, I must have been diabetic for YEARS; all the tell tale signs were there. Immediately after surgery (two weeks or so) my pill dosage was cut in 1/2. Doc wanted me off totally, but I was not comfortable with that. I'm still on meds, but I also watch my sugars and test all the time to see what food affect me drastically, and how. I am very, very level right now. Right now. But it has been a learning experience. I know now that before bed, I need to have a 'snack' with about 15 grams of carbs, to hold me in the over night, so I don't crash my levels into the 40's and 50's. I usually try a pudding 'snak pack' style. Easy to get down, and not that 'big' before bed. Three meals a day is a 'rule'; by no means is that rule meant to override any medical attention your body/blood sugar may need. You WILL be able to have your Snacks. You can even take glucose tabs, or gel if you're more comfortable with that. You will be eating alot less immediately, so it will be important to get in your Protein shakes/sugar source. I've had the 'shakes and sweats' in the middle of the night (wakes me up) as well as at work when I 'forget to eat'. I have so much to say on the subject. I have educated myself well, and continue to do so - each and every single day!. Education is a must. Jack is a HUGE source of information (as is this entire board). I'd be more than happy to share my personal experiences. I'm no doctor; but I have learned my body quite well in the last year. I had to, for the sake of my band, for the sake of my health. I would suggest to anyone to do the same. Listen to your body, know your 'triggers'. Its so, so, so important! :whoo:

7 months out, and the BURP is my 'soft stop'. I burp multiple times in a row also, almost like a hiccup. And most times after I eat my 1/2 cup or so...I burp a little later on - almost like when the band empties me. hehehe

Hey all; Just two weeks since my third fill and I'm really working the band like it's meant to be. Restriction is fabulous...though sometimes frustrating. My brain just can't quite grasp that TINY amount of food - and I'm satisfied! lol Anyway...my biggest fear with the band was PBing. Well - I DID IT; YIPEEE! Crazy as it sounds - I hadn't done it yet, and it still weighed on my mind. I was up late, and was tossing and turning. I got myself a slice of turkey breast. Chewed well, down it went. I went back to bed a few minutes later and was off to dream land. I literally sat up, and just about 1/000 of a second later opened my mouth to PB a hand full of wet slimey turkey. I was like "WHAT THE FRIG???" Then I realized what had happened. I was soooooooooooo tired, didn't 'remember' to wait a bit before laying down. So that was my offical first time. hehehe No longer a virgin. 2nd time (I'm getting around!) I (without a 2nd thought) ate 1/3 (the end) of an eggroll. All these months with hardly any restriction - and now the third fill did the trick. Anyway...I was STUCK so bad for 40 minutes, I almost was in tears this time - worst yet. I started to walk circles around the dining room table. Then felt 'it'...ran to the sink - bwaaaah...regurg'ed eggroll - right down the trash compactor. So my fellow January Bandsters - I feel like I've truly joined the real life of Bandsterville. No longer pure. (((the scale is moving dowwwwwwwwwwn)))

I FINALLY have good restriction after my third fill and 10.5 cc in my band. Imagine that! However, my restriction level is still varying from meal to meal - even day to day. I feel like my band is working with me now - a real team! To think I am full now, lunchtime on 2 small chicken fingers (leftovers). Done/full/satisfied. I try to wait at least 1/2 hour before drinking - I tried at at 37 minutes - but no way. Got a 'feeling' that wouldn't be good to take another sip. Worst part, is I have a cough!!! lol

Loosing just me... I'm with hyou on that one sister!!! A new month = new beginnings. I'm staying on plan, b/c after this most recent fill - i don't have a choice! Whooooooooooo hoooooooooooooo

Hey all… I've not been contributing much; pretty much just lurking - trying to get my daily/weekly dose of encouragement from you all; as my weight loss is NON existant. I'm teetering back and forth with the same 3 pounds! So, went for my 3rd fill into my Vanguard band this a.m. First barium swallow; he said I was too loose (No kidding!). He added 1.5 cc to the band. Swallow. I was under flouro; he asked me how 'that' felt. I said "I feel nothing". He said "Look, the fluid is backing up, that's reflexing on you, and you don't feel that?" I told him I did not. He drew out to 1.2 cc (10.2 total). He said that would be the tighest I would be able to tolerate right now. I got off the table and he told me that I am one of the few people who do not get the 'full' sensation. I honestly didn't feel anything; though I did hear a little bit of throat gurgling. So at least now I know what that is all about. He went onto tell me that weight loss is going to be more difficult for me b/c I don't get that 'stop' that most of you all get. No doubt, I get full faster - but I don't get the stop that I was hoping for. For sure I eat more than the 1/3 cup of food. :help: What a horrible blow to my psyche!!! I left the hospital in tears. :think Again, doubting myself and the choice of band vs. GB. Then I think that I'm at about 1 pound a week on average; most weight loss my first couple of months. Yes, I could do more exercise - there is always room for improvement. :cry So now, I'm onto my 24 hours of liquids. Mushies tomorrow. :faint:

I'm staying on plan, because I don't want my PRE-band ass to grow back!

Hey All, I now have 10.2 CC in my band. Doctor told me yesterday at my 3rd fill, after he filled me completely (and I started 'backing up' with barium) - that I am just 'one of those people' who don't get the full sensation. Oh great. Today, I'm sure I'm swollen. I'm getting down about 1/4 cup of egg salad; and stayed full on that for about 4 hours.

Hey Josie, After doing thousands of these fills - I'm certain he knows what he's doing. He did put me at 10.5 cc's, then pulled me down to 10.2. This a.m., I feel restriction for certain. I know he's a better judge at what is best for me with regard to the fill. I have to trust him!!! Right? lol

Sunsett - YOU KNOW how I feel!! This is exactly it! I haven't mentioned it to anyone, b/c I'm hoping it will just drop out of my memory; no negative self talk. Honestly, he's not got the best bedside manner. Perhaps I take things too personally. So, I'm not a Superstar weight loss speed looser. So what. right? lol

Thanks all; for the words of encouragement. Today is another day; I'm now on mushies. I am trying egg salad as I write this - and I feel restriction for certain. Just a couple of bites and I feel it. Do I stop? Or do I finish the 1/2 portion I took for myself? I could also be swollen in there, I'm sure of that. I'm guess a 'sure sign' is that I'm getting the throat gurgle. I want it now, I want it now, I want it now! lol What 'it' is...I will know when I have it.

Hey all... I've had two fills; I'm at 9cc in 'the big band'. I'm scheduled for my next fill 8/30. Been eating smaller portions, some days my complaint is that I am eating TOO much, much more than the 1 cup. So on Saturday, I had a hot dog and a piece of sausage; no roll. Saturday night for dinner...and I got a stuck; pretty bad, on a piece of chinese dumpling. Dealt with the sliming, no PB. Sunday a.m., got another stuck on a breafast bar - that was quick to pass. Sunday p.m., couldn't even have dinner, was just getting stuck. Ate mushies. Didn't even take my pills. Monday, stuck at lunch. Dinner, ate FINE; 5 fishsticks. No stuck. Today...(bear with me!!)...breakast was 3 slices of salami with cr.cheese. FULL, no stuck. Lunch, barely three bites of tuna salad. Here is where I am confused. I think that WHAM!!!!!!!...I have restriction. Last fill was June 28. I don't get it? I'm over my PMS/period from last week. And now I have this GREAT restriction? I think if I had realized it, I wouldn't keep getting stuck. OR>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>did that first big stuck swell me up inside??? :help::help::help:

Well, my silcone DEVIL is just driving me nuts! Last night I resorted to Orzo; mushies. Breakfast today was an eggwhite omlet, 1 slice of multigrain toast. No stuck, but definate restriction. If this keeps up I may have to postpone my fill next Thursday. Certainly don't want to go there with a swollen stomach. In general, how long would swelling take to 'go down'...given a soft diet?

Good Morning All… I have read a few posts here, as well as other sites, as well as the 'guest speaker' from my future surgeon say something such as "As soon as I left the hospital, my diabetes were gone, and my blood pressure was at a normal range". HOW in the world can someone make this claim? Is it possible? This whole Oprah issue is all over the New York radio stations this a.m. on the commute. How the DJ's are 'bashing' the 'nutshell size' stomachs that are created with the Bariatric surgeries. I hate hearing this, especially since it's taken me some time to get up the guts to do this!!! :girl_hug:

With good restriction, I know of hard and soft stops. It is possible not to have a stop? Will the band (with good restriction) make me feel full, or stuffed? I'm puzzled, b/c today of the amount of lunch I ate. Turkey and cauliflower mash. All within 1/2 hour. I know for sure it was 8oz of turkey, and 1 cup of cauliflower. Now, I'm pms - and starving. Granted, I'm full now - but i KNOW it's too much to eat with my band. I go for my 3rd fill on my 'large size' band on the 30th. Now, I do not do this often - because I get full faster than I did today. But I was still able to do it; and it upsets me. I have the gurgling in my throat; not a good sign. I wish I was at my sweet spot NOW!!!!!

As per my other post of earlier; I deal with this on two angles. First being, how in the world is that tiny amount of food going to/or possibly is satifying to me???? That’s just some days. Secondly, how in the world can I possibly eat so much with a band around my belly? That's the other days. I'm not quite yet at the happy medium.

I fortunately didn't have to live with the ridicule growing up fat. As an adult, I had been heavy a long time. She seemed to have a better head on her shoulders than the mother did; that's for sure. 'Red Tape'? No, Mom - Educate yourself...it's all about safety as well. Either way, I wish her luck. I'm sure we'll be seeing more and more of this.

Go up top to the FAQ's. There is a posting on there with the best list you could ask for.

Oh yes...you'll loose in your feet. So far, I'm down 1/2 size.

I would really love to know why.... Somedays I can eat so much Somedays I can eat so little and be satisfied Sometimes I don't want to eat Sometimes all I think about is food The head part of this; I get...boredom, stress, etc. are all factors of course. Then the phisilogical part of PMS, etc. But some days - my restriction varies so much, it's like my band is in one day and out the next. YIKES!:paranoid