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tonya66

Gastric Sleeve Patients

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Blog Entries posted by tonya66

  1. 11/20/08

    · tonya66 · 11/20/2008 19:58

    Life has been fast paced, haven't had much time to post.
     
    I'm focussing on eating more, but eating the right stuff. I think I haven't been eating enough calories.
     
    I'm also focussing on eating LOW CARB, Low fat, and lower calories.
     
    I either don't eat enought on days, or I eat all the bad stuff. I'm focussing on CLEAN eating.
     
    Wt - 170.1

  2. 11/12/08

    · tonya66 · 11/12/2008 18:54

    Day three of my pouch test. For info on this check this site out - http://www.5daypouchtest.com/
     
    Today I can have proteins, but soft proteins. So far menu as follows:
     
    Bfast - yogurt with added protein mix
     
    Lunch
    Chicken soup, mostly ate the chicken
     
    Dinner
    canned white meat chicken with a little spinach dip mixed in.
     
    Wt - didn't weigh today - yay. I'm trying to stay off the scales until Monday....

  3. Fill #14

    · tonya66 · 11/10/2008 19:27

    Fill #1 - 3/6/07 - 2.2cc's
     
    Fill #2 - 4/17/07 - 3.0cc's
     
    Fill #3 - 7/6/07 - 3.5 cc's (I think it was only 2.5cc's because when I went back for fill #4, he could only w/draw 1.8 cc's)
     
    Fill #4 - 7/20/07 - filled me back to 3.0 ccs - He should have filled me more!
     
    Fill #5 - 8/17/07 - 3.4cc's
     
    Fill #6 - 10/08/07 - filled me to 3.8cc's - the best restriction I've ever had,but still could eat big bites of food, so I figured I needed to be tighter.
     
    Fill #7 - 11/21/07 filled to 4.0 cc's. By the evening could not hold anything down, not even my saliva. PBing all night - horrilble experieince
     
    UNFILL #1 - 11/23/07 - unfilled to somewhere between 2.5 to 3.0 cc's - NO RESTRICTIONS AGAIN :angry_smile:
     
    Fill #8 - 1/18/08 Went in and the doc filled me back up to just right under 4.0, according to Flouro, it was perfect. Well, by next morning, could not hold down saliva again, ended up back in hospital
     
    UNFILL #2 - 1/19/08 - Doctor had to unfill me to 3.0 again because of the swelling from all the PBing for being too tight. Again, NO RESTRICTION - :cursing:
     
    Fill #9 - 2/12/08 - 3.5 cc's - was tight for about a week, now feel lose again. grrrr, still have "some" restriction, just not quite enough! Next fill scheduled for 4/7/08 - I hate that it takes sooooooo long to get in to see the fill doc.
     
    FILL #10 - 4/7/08 The doc just added .4cc's, making me at 3.9cc's. I think this might be the one!
     
    FILL #11 - Was scheduled on 6/25/08 - but the doc did not fill me up, I was leaving for a cruise on 6/27 so he didn't want to risk me being too tight, so did not get a fill.
     
    FILL #11 - 8/5/08 Went for a fill, this time the doc took all my fill out and all he could get out was 2.4 cc's. Filled me up to 4.0 cc's, I left, had to go right back because I could not drink, he took out a little over .2 cc's, he said I'm somewhere between 3.5 to 3.7 cc's. - I had great restriction for 2 weeks, but It has now loosened some. I feel I might need a tad more. I'm worried I have a very slow leak.
     
    UNFILL #3 - 8/5/08 - Took a little over .2 cc's out, had pretty good restriction, but still a tad too lose.
     
    FILL #12 - 9/17/08 - Added just 1/10th of a cc - I think I'm somewhere between 3.8 to 3.9 cc in a 4cc band. I am hoping and praying this is the fill that I stop with! I do not have another appointment for another fill, will wait this one out and see.
     
    Fill #13 - 10/06/08 - Doc added about 2/10's of a cc. He took everything out and put it all back in and said I was about 3.7 to 3.8cc's. - which is where he said I was last time.
     
    FILL #14 - 11/10/08 - Doc took everything out and I had about 3.6cc's, which is pretty good. He then filled me up to just under 4.0cc's I believe I'm about 3.9cc's. I ate some canned peaches and set around the office for a bit, made sure none came back up. Seems to be doing good so far. I hope this is my last fill!

  4. 11/11/08

    · tonya66 · 11/11/2008 18:58

    I got my fill yesterday, then came down with a stomach bug. OOOO I was sick. So dizzy too. My entire family had it, and it was coming out both ends. Except for me, all I can do is dry heave. I've noticed since I've been banded I CANNOT throw up. I just dry heave. I've read where others say they can't either.
     
    Anyhow, after my fill, it was not long before I started feeling ill. I was a little worried because my fill is pretty tight. Anyhow, I just decided to ride it out, well, I was up a lot thru the night dry heaving, so was my hubby, except he was doing more than dry heaving.....it was an unpleasant night for all of us. My two kids were sick too.
     
    Anyhow, feeling much better today, stomach is still in a few knots, but taking it easy. Sticking with soft foods, like protein shakes and creamy soups. Making sure my stomach is healed. Also I am doing the 5 day pouch test since it was the perfect time to start it (since I just had another fill).
     
    Had to give up the exercise yesterday and will probably not go tonight either, just not feeling that great.
     
    wt - 170.3

  5. 11/5/08

    · tonya66 · 11/06/2008 14:38

    NO am workout this morning, however, I was planning on going tonight because I will be doing lower body workout. I just cannot do weights in the morning, I need to be awake and have my strength.
     
    I should have got up anyhow and did my cardio. But not going to beat myself up over it, UNLESS I don't go tonight, but thats not going to happen, I WILL GO TONITE!
     
    Wt 170.7 - grrrrrrr

  6. Day 4 of my workouts

    · tonya66 · 11/05/2008 14:39

    Today makes day 4 that I have exercised. Yay. I woke up at 5 am and finally made it the gym. I know that I won't tonight so I did get up this morning. Now I don't have to worry about it because I have my exercise in for the day. I'm so happy I did it.
     
    My eating has been GREAT since Monday. So far, no slips, except 1 peanut butter cookie that I ate over a two day period.
     
    Wt was up this morning, but I know thats what I usually do when I first get to the gym, so I'm not worried about it. I feel skinnier, I feel better and thats what counts.
     
    This morning, did the elliptical for 30 min, 20 min of HIIT. I will also go down at 10 and don another 15 min on elliptical and probably at 3 will walk a mile.
     
    Thursday I plan on going to the gym in the am, and also in the pm. I need to do my lower body workout Thursday.
     
    Well, off to work I go...............
     
    Menu today
     
    Bfast
    Low Carb yogurt with low fat granola
     
    Went to wally world to get some deli meat, was very hungry ended up eating a slice of the hickory ham and a slice of the mild chedder cheese as I was waiting for the lady to finish slicing my turkey.
     
    Lunch
    3 0z of talapia with some grilled squash and mushrooms.
     
    Dinner
     
     
    Exercise
    5 am - 30 min on eliptical (20 min of HIIT)
     
    10:00 AM - 15 min on eliptical
     
    3:00 pm - 30 min brisk walk in my office spine
     
    wt - 170.8 - grrrrrrrrr - I DO NOT want to see the 170's again! I know I have not gained, my clothes feel lose on me, so I'm not going to worry about it!

  7. 11/4/08

    · tonya66 · 11/04/2008 15:59

    I made it to the gym last night! Yay! HOWEVER, did not make it up this morning. grrrr. Still working on it, but not there yet.
     
    My plans today:
     
    10 am - 20 min on elliptical
     
    3:00 pm - 20 mim on elliptical
     
    No exercise tonight - going to a meeting and home to bed.
     
    wt - 169.8

  8. 11/3/08

    · tonya66 · 11/03/2008 17:00

    A new month, a new week, and new focus, new goals!
     
    My husband wants to get back to the gym, so we are going tonight. I also went down to the gym today on break and did 20 min on the elliptical machine.
     
    I'm going to focus on exercise this month! I know I say it all the time, but I really really am trying, I don't know why I do so good for a week then fall off the wagon. I think if my husband gets to the gym, that will help to have a buddy.
     
    wt was up a bit this morning 170.6 grrrrrr
     
    I brought my lunch today, I brought some roasted chicken, i'm headed down to the cafe to get a small tosses salad to go with my chicken.
     
    I also scheduled yet another fill. grrrr. I'm sick of fills, but I'm not giving up until I have my sweet spot. My next fill is next week at 10:00 am. Yay. I can't wait to get a fill and hopefully have my sweet spot. This fill is pretty good, I just think I need a tad more.
     
    Wt 170.6
     
    Exercise - 10:00 am - 20 min on elliptical
     
    3:00 pm - 30 min brisk walk around my building spines a few time.
     
    8:30 pm - upper body workout
    30 min on elliptical

  9. 10/27/08

    · tonya66 · 10/27/2008 21:08

    I'm back from my week long stay in Miami. Yay! I ate bad bad bad. But only gained 3 lbs, so not too upset over it. I'm back on the wagon.
     
    It's a sad day at work today, one of my co-workers commited suicide Friday after work. None of us saw it coming. He worked until 5 Friday, cleaned out his desk and went home and killed himself. His poor wife found him when she got home. Its so sad. I just can't imagine someone taking his own life, for what? He didn't leave a not behind, no one understands it right now. I just ache because we didn't know, what could we have done to help him? It's just so sad and makes me sad.

  10. I'm a BAD girl!

    · tonya66 · 10/24/2008 02:00

    I'm in Miami, Florida on business and just eating all the wrong stuff, I'm so mad at myself! I need to gain control! I do not want to step on the scales when I get home because I know that I've gained.
     
    I MUST get back to the gym when I get home - I don't want to see the 170's again, but I have a feeling I'm back into the 170's. grrrrr. Its my own fault! I need to slap myself and gain control.

  11. Oh yeah, life is good!

    · tonya66 · 10/14/2008 16:52

    Melting away this week, but I'm not complaining. I love being in the 160's. Today I hit an all time low, or the lowest I have been in 18 years! I weighed in at 167.7 - I love it!
     
    My last fill is really working, I'm satisfied on a small amount of food, but yet I can eat anything and don't have problems with PBing. I think this is the "sweet spot", the only thing I kinda have problems with is ice cold drinks, I have to slow down on those.
     
    Yes, Life is good in the band world right now.
  12. I am saying goodbye to the 170's, and good ridance! I am sick of the 170's! I am so happy to officially weigh in at 169.4 this morning.
     
    I know a lot of it has to do with the fact I was sick all weekend, and barely ate a thing. But hey, I'm happy anyhow.
     
    I also am having really good restriciton these days, might be that fill #13 - but either way, I can only eat a few bites before I am totally stuffed. I love it! I just love restriction and it is soooo hard for me to get it. I must be some type of genetic freak!
     
    Now that I'm on the mend from my virus I had, I MUST now focus on my exercise. The past few weeks I've been sick and just haven't been able to do it, no energy, no mojo, no nothing.
     
    Well, will update my blog later.

  13. Fill History - Fill #13

    · tonya66 · 10/10/2008 13:36

    Fill #1 - 3/6/07 - 2.2cc's
     
    Fill #2 - 4/17/07 - 3.0cc's
     
    Fill #3 - 7/6/07 - 3.5 cc's (I think it was only 2.5cc's because when I went back for fill #4, he could only w/draw 1.8 cc's)
     
    Fill #4 - 7/20/07 - filled me back to 3.0 ccs - He should have filled me more!
     
    Fill #5 - 8/17/07 - 3.4cc's
     
    Fill #6 - 10/08/07 - filled me to 3.8cc's - the best restriction I've ever had,but still could eat big bites of food, so I figured I needed to be tighter.
     
    Fill #7 - 11/21/07 filled to 4.0 cc's. By the evening could not hold anything down, not even my saliva. PBing all night - horrilble experieince
     
    UNFILL #1 - 11/23/07 - unfilled to somewhere between 2.5 to 3.0 cc's - NO RESTRICTIONS AGAIN :cry_smile:
     
    Fill #8 - 1/18/08 Went in and the doc filled me back up to just right under 4.0, according to Flouro, it was perfect. Well, by next morning, could not hold down saliva again, ended up back in hospital
     
    UNFILL #2 - 1/19/08 - Doctor had to unfill me to 3.0 again because of the swelling from all the PBing for being too tight. Again, NO RESTRICTION - :thumbup:
     
    Fill #9 - 2/12/08 - 3.5 cc's - was tight for about a week, now feel lose again. grrrr, still have "some" restriction, just not quite enough! Next fill scheduled for 4/7/08 - I hate that it takes sooooooo long to get in to see the fill doc.
     
    FILL #10 - 4/7/08 The doc just added .4cc's, making me at 3.9cc's. I think this might be the one!
     
    FILL #11 - Was scheduled on 6/25/08 - but the doc did not fill me up, I was leaving for a cruise on 6/27 so he didn't want to risk me being too tight, so did not get a fill.
     
    FILL #11 - 8/5/08 Went for a fill, this time the doc took all my fill out and all he could get out was 2.4 cc's. Filled me up to 4.0 cc's, I left, had to go right back because I could not drink, he took out a little over .2 cc's, he said I'm somewhere between 3.5 to 3.7 cc's. - I had great restriction for 2 weeks, but It has now loosened some. I feel I might need a tad more. I'm worried I have a very slow leak.
     
    UNFILL #3 - 8/5/08 - Took a little over .2 cc's out, had pretty good restriction, but still a tad too lose.
     
    FILL #12 - 9/17/08 - Added just 1/10th of a cc - I think I'm somewhere between 3.8 to 3.9 cc in a 4cc band. I am hoping and praying this is the fill that I stop with! I do not have another appointment for another fill, will wait this one out and see.
    Fill #13 - 10/06/08 - Doc added about 2/10's of a cc. He took everything out and put it all back in and said I was about 3.7 to 3.8cc's. - which is where he said I was last time.

  14. 9/29/08

    · tonya66 · 09/29/2008 12:15

    Well, I'm mad at myself. I blew it at the fair, I blew it Friday night (just a little), I blew it Saturday and I blew it Sunday!
     
    My weight showed it too!
     
    I've got to stay focussed all week and have ZERO cheat days!
     
    Wt - 173.3 - this is up 1 1/2 pounds!
     
    I did get up and exercise this morning! Yay!

  15. Day 4 of my 5 am workouts!

    · tonya66 · 09/25/2008 19:11

    Today makes day 4 of getting up at 4:45, and heading to the gym. I'm happy but tired at the same time. :rolleyes2:
     
    I did sneak in a weight this morning - NOT PLEASED. I would have thought I would be down at least a pound by now, NOT.
     
    Weight - 171.3 - I was 171.9 on Monday! So I'm down .6 - I guess its not that bad, hopefully by Monday I will be down to 170 or 169. If not, I will get there! Just slooooow
     
    I'm going to fair tonight, so that might hinder it a bit. :clap:

  16. 9/24/08

    · tonya66 · 09/24/2008 13:22

    I'm going strong with my 5:00 am exercise routine.
     
    Oh how I wanted to NOT get up this morning, matter of fact, I told myself when the alarm went off that I would go ahead and take today "off". I was trying to talk myself out of getting up. As I lay there, trying to go back to sleep, I realized, I was awake and could not go back to sleep.
     
    I drug myself out of bed, jumped into my exercise clothes and headed to the gym. I did 35 min on the elliptical machine. The only bad thing is my knee is burning burning burning. I can feel it grind with each downstroke on the elliptical, not good. I may be over doing it a bit. I've been hitting the gym both 5 am and 8 pm.
     
    I did not weight this morning, I'm trying to hold of until either Friday or Monday. I am hoping the next time I weigh I am in the 160's.
     
    I was soooo hungry this morning too, so I call IHOP and ordered an egg white omlet, I picked it up on my way to work, it was good, but I could only eat about 1/3 of it. Saving the rest for bfast tomorrow.
     
    I'm off to work...........

  17. 9/23/08

    · tonya66 · 09/23/2008 14:06

    I am feeling good! I got up yesterday morning at 5:00 am - worked out, then last night went back to the gym and did some circuit training while working my upper body.
     
    I went to bed early last night, took an ambien so I would go to sleep. The alarm goes off at 5 am and I'm a little druggy from the ambien, but I forced myself to get up and I hit the gym again. I will also try and go tonight around 8:30 and do 30 min on the elliptical.
     
    I did not weigh this morning and trying to stay off the scale until Friday. I really want to be in the 160's and I'm getting close!
     
    The only "bad thing" I did, was I made this roasted chicken with a mushroom gravy and homemade mashed potatoes. I had a small bowl of the potatoes with the chicken and gravy poured over it, it was soooooo good, I had to have another scoop of it. So I ended up eating two helpings. I'm sure it was loaded with calories.

  18. 9/22/08

    · tonya66 · 09/22/2008 14:58

    Went to Nashville this weekend, I had a great time. Ate too much and drank a little too much, but we had fun.
     
    This morning woke up at 5am and hit the gym. I'm trying to get my groove back. I am also going to go tonight to work with weights.
     
    Here us new plan:
     
    Mon - 5:00 am - cardio 30 min
    8:00 pm - weights and 15 min on elliptical
     
    Tuesday - 5:00 am - cardio 35 min
    9:00 pm - cardio 30 min
     
    Wednesday - 5:00 am - cardio 40 min
     
    Thursday - 5:00 am - cardio 30 min
    8:00 pm - weights
     
    Friday - 5:00 am - cardio - 45 min
     
    Saturday - 3:00 pm - weights and 30 min on cardio machine
     
    Sunday - OFF
     
    wt - 171.9
  19. 1 mo post op (Feb 18)- 206.8
    2 mo post op (March 18) - 198
    3 mo post op (April 18th)- 193
    4 mo post op (May 18th)- 184.2
    5 mo post op (June 18th(- 178
    6 mo post op (July 18th)– 174
    7 mo post op (Aug 18th)- 178 - went on vacation and ate big (7 day cruise)
    8 mo post op (Sept 18th)- 174
    9 mo post op (Oct 18th)- 170
    10 mo post op (Nov 18th) - 167
    11 mo post op (Dec 18th) - 170 - haven’t even been trying
    12 mo post op (Jan 18th 2008)- 174 - again, not trying. But finally refocused - exactly where I was at 6 mos post op – so basically no weight loss in the past 6 mos
    13 mo post op (Feb 18th) - 183 - Ouch! started taking steroids and made my weight go up, along with not eating right and no exercise!
    14 mo post op (March 18th)- 185 - grrrrr
    15 mo post op (April 18th)- 180 - weight is finally going down, but inches are actually coming off faster since I've been exercising a lot.
    16 mo post op (May 18th)- 178
    17 mo post op (June 18th)- 175
    18 mo post op (July 18th)- 179- still not focussed:sad:
    19 mo post op -(Aug 18th) - 178 - focussed again - This time I am committed to getting to goal and will not stray! I do not ever want to see the 180's again!
    20 mo post op (Sept. 18) - 171 - :rolleyes2:
     

  20. Fill History

    · tonya66 · 09/17/2008 19:27

    Fill #1 - 3/6/07 - 2.2cc's
     
    Fill #2 - 4/17/07 - 3.0cc's
     
    Fill #3 - 7/6/07 - 3.5 cc's (I think it was only 2.5cc's because when I went back for fill #4, he could only w/draw 1.8 cc's)
     
    Fill #4 - 7/20/07 - filled me back to 3.0 ccs - He should have filled me more!
     
    Fill #5 - 8/17/07 - 3.4cc's
     
    Fill #6 - 10/08/07 - filled me to 3.8cc's - the best restriction I've ever had,but still could eat big bites of food, so I figured I needed to be tighter.
     
    Fill #7 - 11/21/07 filled to 4.0 cc's. By the evening could not hold anything down, not even my saliva. PBing all night - horrilble experieince
     
    UNFILL #1 - 11/23/07 - unfilled to somewhere between 2.5 to 3.0 cc's - NO RESTRICTIONS AGAIN :cursing:
     
    Fill #8 - 1/18/08 Went in and the doc filled me back up to just right under 4.0, according to Flouro, it was perfect. Well, by next morning, could not hold down saliva again, ended up back in hospital
     
    UNFILL #2 - 1/19/08 - Doctor had to unfill me to 3.0 again because of the swelling from all the PBing for being too tight. Again, NO RESTRICTION - :frown:
     
    Fill #9 - 2/12/08 - 3.5 cc's - was tight for about a week, now feel lose again. grrrr, still have "some" restriction, just not quite enough! Next fill scheduled for 4/7/08 - I hate that it takes sooooooo long to get in to see the fill doc.
     
    FILL #10 - 4/7/08 The doc just added .4cc's, making me at 3.9cc's. I think this might be the one!
     
    FILL #11 - Was scheduled on 6/25/08 - but the doc did not fill me up, I was leaving for a cruise on 6/27 so he didn't want to risk me being too tight, so did not get a fill.
     
    FILL #11 - 8/5/08 Went for a fill, this time the doc took all my fill out and all he could get out was 2.4 cc's. Filled me up to 4.0 cc's, I left, had to go right back because I could not drink, he took out a little over .2 cc's, he said I'm somewhere between 3.5 to 3.7 cc's. - I had great restriction for 2 weeks, but It has now loosened some. I feel I might need a tad more. I'm worried I have a very slow leak.
     
    UNFILL #3 - 8/5/08 - Took a little over .2 cc's out, had pretty good restriction, but still a tad too lose.
     
    FILL #12 - 9/17/08 - Added just 1/10th of a cc - I think I'm somewhere between 3.8 to 3.9 cc in a 4cc band. I am hoping and praying this is the fill that I stop with! I do not have another appointment for another fill, will wait this one out and see.

  21. 9/17/08

    · tonya66 · 09/17/2008 19:21

    Well, just got back from FILL #12. I know I said I wasn't going to go, but I lost that restriction. I finally figured out, (DUMB ME) WHY all of a sudden I got good restriction after 1 month of my last fill.
     
    I PB'd, and that made me swollen, therefore giving me good restriction. duh. That lasted 1 week, then it went away. I freaked! I started thinking back and realized it was the PB that gave me restriction. What an idiot I am.
     
    So, I go in for fill #12, I know that just a little might do the trick, so he gave me 1/10th of a cc. I had to eat some peaches before I left, and I think this might be the fill. (I know - i've said that with every fill - lol) I guess its my hope!
     
    I believe I'm at right around 3.9cc's. Not sure because he didn't take any out of me this time, just gave me a little and that was it.
     
    Well, I'm off to Nashville tonight -
     
    Wt - 175.6 - yuck - I'm up again after losing that good restriction!

  22. 9/15/08

    · tonya66 · 09/15/2008 20:00

    Today I'm wearing a size 10 jean, my shirt is tucked in and people can't quit complimenting me. Its really almost embarrasing.
     
    I'm so happy with my weightloss - I just cannot wait to get to 155 so I can be considered HEALTHY. Only 16 lbs to be healthy, wow, thats hard to believe.
     
    Now, that my weightloss is back on track, its time to get to the gym!
     
    Wt - didn't weigh this morning, running behind and forgot. But I doubt I am down any, had a lot of sodium yesterday so probably holding water.
     
    Exercise - 15 min on elliptical machine (so far today) plan on doing more this evening

  23. 9/13/08

    · tonya66 · 09/14/2008 00:39

    Went shopping today (spent way too much money) but it sure felt good to pull a size 10 and 12 off the rack and they fit.
     
    I bought me two new pairs of jeans, very cool jeans I might add, at a hip store in the mall. I felt like a million dollars when I was able to wear a pair. I loved buying them and walking out of the store with a bag in my hand. In makes me feell like I've finally made it. Even though I'm not were I want to be, I'm moving closer and closer every day.
     
    I am sooooo close to getting out of the 170's, I just cannot wait!
     
    Anyhow, gotta run.
     
    Wt this morning 172.7:thumbup:

  24. Rules of the Road pt 2

    · tonya66 · 09/12/2008 16:34

    The next point is chewing. It is very important that food is completely chewed. Before swallowing ensure the food is a liquid. As the weight loss progresses the opening from the pouch to the lower stomach will be getting smaller. Therefore the food needs to be chewed more thoroughly. If a piece of food is too big to go through the stoma, or opening, it will get "stuck". This can be very painful.
    Slower eating becomes inevitable. Eating too fast encourages bigger bites. The bigger bite means the food isn’t chewed properly and it can get stuck. As a Bandster with over 18 months in, I still find myself falling into this trap. I get excited, chatting with friends and just forget to pay attention.
    A Bandster’s Eating Order
    Lap Band patients have a specific order in which to eat their food. It is important that there is enough protein in the diet to keep the bodies moving properly. Therefore, the protein should be eaten first. WLS patients need 40-60 grams of protein every day. This can come in a variety of ways. Protein shakes, cheese, fish, beef, chicken, soy. The challenge comes when only certain foods can be tolerated. Also, it is important that the protein is a “hard” protein (chicken, beef, and fish) if possible. It shouldn’t all come from protein shakes and cheese.
    The vegetables should be eaten second, and carbohydrates/starches last (if there is room). Proteins last longer in the pouch and take longer to process through the band allowing you to feel full sooner and maintain satiety longer.
    Hard proteins are the most difficult for a Bandster to consume. The hard proteins need to be more moist, more tender and chewed more completely than any other type of food. Generally speaking, proteins are the foods that get “stuck” most often and cause spit ups. This happens because the bite isn’t small enough and/or, because the protein hasn’t been chewed sufficiently before swallowing.
    For the record, beef is generally the most difficult food for Bandsters to eat. Beef is one of the most difficult foods for humans to digest. It can take several days for a piece of steak to actually work its way through the digestive track. And that’s on an un-banded person! So, if you eat a piece of steak and it isn’t chewed it up completely, it can sit in the pouch for an extended amount of time. Further, the stomach acids that help an un-banded person process beef are not present in the pouch and therefore are not there to help the body break the beef down.
    Remember each and every person is different so you will have to test your own waters. Some Bandsters have no trouble with beef whatsoever; others won’t go near it. From personal experience I know that each Bandster will figure out what he or she can or cannot tolerate through trial and error. Trust me when I say that tolerances change; one day ground beef is fine and the next you realize it isn’t any longer. You must be willing and able to adapt to sudden changes in your body’s ability to process certain foods.
  25. What you need to know about living with the band
    By Robin McCoy
    When you begin the decision-making process to have Weight Loss Surgery (WLS), and specifically Lap Band® Surgery, it is vital that you fully understand the changes you must make in your lifestyle. WLS is not a magic pill. Weight loss is something that you must work at to be successful. There are several rules and circumstances that someone who has undergone Lap Band® Surgery, a “Bandster,” must follow and understand to see success and have a high quality banded life.
    Drinking Before and After Meals
    Not drinking during meals is, by far, one of the most important things to learn and is vital to your weight loss success. It is also one of the most challenging.
    Stop drinking all liquids at least 30 minutes before your meal. This allows all that is in your pouch to drain through to the lower stomach. Therefore your pouch is empty when you eat allowing the food to fill you up properly.
    Forgo all beverages during your meals. Drinking during a meal flushes the food through your band and the band is unable to function properly. Most people will have 2, 3 or even 4 glasses of liquid with meals. Servers in restaurants, trained to keep customers happy, will keep beverage glasses full throughout the meal. This is unhealthy for bandsters and sabotages their success. State firmly and clearly that you do not want a beverage. From personal experience, I know the often bewildered looks that follow the statement: “nothing to drink for me,” but diligence is the key. Like most changes required after the Lap Band® procedure, not drinking with meals gets much easier with time. Having now lost over 100 pounds, I no longer have difficulty asking my server not to bring me a beverage!
    Do not drink for an hour after a meal.The main reason is the same as drinking during your meal. Liquids wash the food through the band defeating its purpose. Another reason not to drink after a meal is if your pouch is full the beverage might not have anywhere to go…except backwards resulting in a spit-up. Suffice it to say that food and liquids making a return visit is not satisfying.
    By starting this practice immediately, at the next meal, you will be well on your way to a successful banding experience.
    Smaller Bites. More Chewing. Slower Eating.
    Begin to recognize and understand what a Bandster Bite is. At your next meal look at your bite size. Look at the amount of food on your fork and remember it. Now, cut that bite in half. This is the Bandster bite size after surgery. Now, cut that bite in half. This is the size of a Bandster bite after the first fill or adjustment. After each fill the bite size will get smaller until the bandster is eating toddler-sized bites. The reason for this is so the bite can be chewed completely to a liquid before swallowing.

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