1shauna1

My doc says one day liquid, one day mushies. As for the amount of fills, everyone is different! It doesn't mean anything bad if you need 10 fills to get to the right levels, or only two.

Yes, soup is easier because it's liquid and just slides in. However, to truly utilize our bands, we have to get used to eating and really chewing the solids, to give us nutrition and keep us full for longer. It's definitely an adjustment but I think you'll find it'll really help the hunger and the weight loss!

This is so me! Lol. I had a defill of .25 because I couldn't even drink my coffee in the morning, and I was going on vacation and on a plane for the first time since being banded (worried about getting too tight on the flight). So that was fine....but when I came back & got back to my routine, I'm too loose. So I got another fill of .25 bringing me back to where I was....and I'm not too tight! Possibly I could use another small fill. So, I have no answer as to why these things happen, but if you get that .25 put back in it doesn't necessarily mean you're too tight. Maybe you just can't take too much at once (and maybe that's me too!). As for the "green zone"....I agree it shouldn't mean you can't eat certain foods. What was said is great advice - I was told I could eat anything after banding, just the amounts would be different and I would be satiated for longer. Not necessarily the case (some foods definitely give me issues), but I do agree!

The sites like Plenty of Fish and Lavalife, you get all kinds of weirdos on them because they're free sites. Of course there are some creeps on Match and E-Harmony, but a lot of the men are more serious because of the cost to join those sites. Good luck! You will find him out there!

If you're having pain from those foods, you just may need to chew them more or take even smaller bites of them. However as mentioned, some foods may just be too difficult for you now. You'll have to try things and see.

You shouldn't be eating at this stage, liquids only. Try some liquid gravol or something if you can't get in to your doctor; a pharmacist can probably recommend something as well.

I have those feelings too....I think about food just as much as I did before. I think people are lucky if somehow their food thoughts go away after the surgery, but that didn't happen for me. And I'm sad because this hasn't been as easy as I had thought or hoped; I'm not down nearly as much as I had planned. Just be happy you're losing weight, and try to find other positive things to focus on like how long you'll be around for your children now. Feel better!

Judy - sorry about your mom, but it's great you were able to spend such a nice afternoon with her. We're having our Mother's Day dinner tonight and are taking my mom to a Greek restaurant. I had a fill about 2 weeks about and only now am I noticing the tightness. I was stuck all day yesterday, even on soups. This morning, coffee. However, I wonder about my allergies....they are really bad this spring so far (the dandelions are everywhere!) so I (sorry, if TMI) wonder if I'm having a lot of mucous. I just took a Reactin so hopefully that will help.

I've read in very few cases about the tubing being visible...i think the port is much more common. Mine you can definitely feel and for now it's only a slight bump on my left side....probably it will be more visible as the weight comes off. I would listen to what they say about fixing it but probably it would involve another surgery.

As Honk, mentioned, maybe it's a nerve? I've read on here about some banders have the band (I think) placement and it pinches a nerve (can't remember which one at this point but maybe you could do a search to see who on here has had that problem?). Hope you find some relief soon!

Sounds scary! I'm sorry I can't really offer help, as I was self pay and the total was $16,000 (seems so small compared!). Can you call your insurance company tomorrow and see if they can help? If they've said it was covered, then they should be covering this!

Sounds awful. I know many lapband docs will remove all fluid when you're pregnant, probably to prevent this exact thing. Make an appointment with him to have your fluid removed (baby is more important now). As to loosening the band, drink warm liquids and try not to stress. For me, stress makes me tight so I'm sure it's not helping you.

You could maybe wait a couple of days but if you're constantly getting stuck then you're too tight. Keep an eye on it.

All the time! In fact I'm just waiting for the wine to chill...

Yes, I get tight when I'm stressed, upset, sad, etc. Also when I worry about having to eat (when I go to visit my parents my dad always tries to cook for me, and I usually can't eat because I worry about upsetting him by not eating; it's very sad but stressful), I usually get tight too. Sadly, the best eating times for me is when I'm alone and just relaxing! I find then I get the least stressed out about eating and don't get tight as much.

To the OP, don't get discouraged. Dating is hard, especially when you're in your 30s and up. I know you said you don't get much response to your online dating and you don't post pics of yourself online....this is probably why. It's sad, I know but online dating, men want to see a picture. And the online dating sites always say the most responses have a few pictures. Try one of the secure sites (that you have to pay for like Match or EHarmony) because people on there are generally more serious about finding a relationship because it costs more to be on that site. They want to meet people.

I would think one small bite will probably be okay. Chew it very well.

As mentioned, we can no longer eat away our worries and stresses. Now we have to face the feelings head on and it can be hard. Does your program have any psychologists you can talk to? That might be helpful. Also, we are here . Try to relax and just focus on your healing at this time!

This has been me, over the ENTIRE life of my band! It drives me crazy! Evenings are when I want to snack, etc. so I would love more restriction then. However, I've learned from experience that making it too tight is no fun either (where I can't even keep liquids down in the mornings). You're definitely not alone in this!

I sure have, a couple of times. I believe I've had 3 defills. You probably need a little fluid out; call and get an appointment ASAP. It's no fun having to go through this for any extended period of time!

I hope this doesn't sound mean, but now you know what happens when you eat the old way! And believe me, I also learned the hard way. Take it easy on liquids for a few days. And the diarrhea, etc. is probably because you haven't eaten these types of foods for a long time, so try not to worry. Keep yourself hydrated and get back on your eating plan!

Welcome! There are so many wonderful people here to support us in our journeys!

I guess different doctors have different feelings about where the port should be placed. All probably have their pros and cons but I guess it's not for us to know! I doubt it's dangerous by the belly button. Mine is on my left side, just below my rib cage. If it's near the BB, my fear would be the waist of my pants possibly rubbing on it, but I'm sure your doc has a reason for placing it there! I think many ports are sewn into the muscle tissue, hence they do not move. I also have read of many people as they've lost weight, their ports become more visible (less fat padding over top of it). Nothing you can really do for that except wear it as a badge of honour, I guess!

Wow, you're doing great! I was never told I couldn't eat anything; in fact I was told I COULD eat everything, just smaller portions (however, I can't, lol). So, don't worry about it. Sounds like you'll be able to eat almost anything you want and you've really learned how to keep your portions in check.

Don't rely on something else, count on yourself and know that you can do this! Of course we all mourn our old lifestyles a bit (and yes sometimes I miss going to the Chinese buffet and just chowing down, but I know now it's not worth it, nor even possible!). As well, if you're currently on a fairly restrictive pre-op diet, you're probably not feeling yourself nor getting all the nutrients you need. So it may throw you out of whack for a bit. Just hang in there and know that you can do this! We've all been where you are!