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Lauraann, you need to have your band checked for complications. If there's no saline in it and you're still getting food stuck, but you're not losing, something is possibly wrong. The band is plastic, hon. It's highly unlikely it'll shrink like a worsted wool sweater. I've just had my bandiversary, and I still throw up but I know why every time. I've eaten something I shouldn't, like bread or stringy meat. That's why my doc continues to monitor his patients. His low carb diet is not easy, especially with all the temptations presented in our modern society. I threw up today, but I knew I ate that stuffed portobella mushroom too fast. My fault, not the band's. Have your band checked and take a serious look at your food intake. Keep a food journal and mark down honestly how much you ate, what you ate, calories, proteins and carbs. Your nutritionist may be the really strict kind like mine. Then again, s/he may not be. Why not have the data for them in case they ask? Time for some serious analysis with your surgeon and his team of experts. Think of it not as going before a judge like a criminal, but like a seeker going before the guru.

10/31/2011 So today is my birthday. I woke up this morning and lay in bed feeling depressed. Hopeless. Like a failure. I had so many hopes pinned on being successful with weight-loss after my sleeve surgery. But I am 5 weeks since surgery and I haven't lost anything to speak of. I go up and down the same few pounds. Pre-surgery I lost 25 pounds in about 8 weeks. Post- surgery I haven't lost more than a few pounds. I am now trying to figure out what I am doing wrong and how I can make this work for me. I am getting my protein everyday. I am getting the fluids. I am taking my vitamins. I am not eating refined carbs -- mainly I eat fruit and vegetables and fiber cereal to keep my colon moving properly. Unfortunately I am hungry pretty often. I keep appropriate foods on-hand and drink lots of Crystal Light. But if I am hungry, I do eat something. I need to move everyday. I have not yet made daily exercise a routine. I exercise in starts and stops -- not with regularity. I am going to focus on working on this part of the equation. If anyone can relate to this I would love to hear how you found your way to weight loss. This is an unbelievable process to go through to find that it isn't working for you. I am really disheartened. I don't want to fail. Ms. C Surgery date 9/23/2011

Let me preface this by saying, my surgeon does not require a liquid pre op diet. I have lost 30 lbs so far. On Friday, I got my surgery date which is next Friday. I figured that I would do my own liquid diet thanks to some helpful people on here. My problem is this, how do I cook for my son? Last week before I knew I was approved and had my surgery date, I bought all the ingredients for a butternut squash, spinach, gruyere and penne Pasta casserole. It's out of a "Cooking Light" magazine, so it's not completely full of fat, salt and other unhealthy ingredients. My son wolfed it down. I had a small bowl. I did really good all day with Protein shakes. And I did try to pick around the pasta and eat the butternut squash, onions and spinach as much as possible. My son is VERY used to eating stuff like this with lots of veggies and I don't want to change our staple recipes just for me. I also am not big on self sabotaging myself either.

LilMiss, I am not trying to be argumentative, please don't misunderstand. You know best what works for you, I just want to make sure you are not unnecessarily depriving yourself of a power food. I am not sure what nuts you are looking at, maybe sweetened nuts, like honey roasted or other nuts with flavorings (and usually some sugar)? In general, nuts are considered a low carb foods: http://lowcarbdiets.about.com/od/whattoeat/a/snacks.htm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Low-carbohydrate_diet I really like the following site because it shows the ratio of protein/fat/carb in the little pyramid and it is easy to see what is low/high carb/fat/protein: http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/nut-and-seed-products/3086/2 -- almonds 6g/2% carbs per ounce (3g of those are actually fiber) http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/nut-and-seed-products/3137/2 -- walnuts 3g/1% carbs per ounce (2g of those are actually fiber) This is low carb and you should be save to eat them. 1%, the only lower carb would be no carb at all :-) What I couldn't find was a definition of low carb, ie. a threshold value for grams of carbs. Either way, good luck on your mission :-)

I thought that might be the case. Try going back to focusing on protein and cut out sliders. Go and see your surgeon and discuss with him/her how to proceed. You may need a fill or infill. I had the same issues and was told by my surgeon that he didn’t think I would be able to get my band to “ work” again. Apparently they have discovered that they have a limited lifespan and after a while they cause serious issues like oesophageal failure. I was suffering bad reflux with a limited amount of fill but was still hungry and putting on weight. I revised to RNY in Jan and am very happy. I have lost all my excess weight and my diet is now far healthier than with the band.

Fat and Protein fill me up! I can eat maybe 3 ounces of protein. I try and eat more balanced and sometimes need the carbs to keep my digestion moving and give me energy. It's just remembering not to eat too much of them cause carbs I can eat no problem. Proteins have to be careful cause if eat quickly or too much will vomit.

That's 3 out of 3 on the liquid diet so far, so that's what I'll do. I started today: Protein shakes, broths, and ... it sucks, I can't lie. I will stick with it though, I know I need too. p.s. Prunes lol! I might have to throw some of those little bad larrys in as an exception to help me along.

I've started to adjust my diet by incorporating more Protein shakes (flavored with 1/4 c. berries, half a banana, coffee, or a tablespoon of PB2) as Meal Replacements - right now I do at least one meal a day 6 days a week, sometimes two meals. Either Saturday or Sunday I let myself off the hook a little (I'm still 3.5 months out from my pre-op diet, at least, so I'm not going to be super strict with myself just yet). I'm making a conscious effort to rebalance my plate so that starchy carbs are a small bit player on the dish, while protein and non-starchy produce take the leading roles. I hope to be fairly close to my pre-op diet by the end of June, although I will likely still be at 1000 calories a day, more or less, until I start the diet for real. I actually have planned two splurges after July 1, though - I will have BBQ on the 4th of July and I won't feel guilty about it, and I will have a nice birthday dinner without worrying about calories, protein, carbs, or fat in the middle of the month, probably a few days before I start my diet for real. With those two events planned, I think I will be satisfied to live within the confines of what I need to do for that week before the surgery, and I suspect I will have dropped a few more pounds between now and then if I stay on top of things now

Congrats on the surgery date! I had a tough time following the preop diet. All I could think about was yhe food I would probably never get to eat again. If you're EXTREMELY heavy with a bmi over 40...they recommend it to shrink the liver so complications during surgery are less likely. Its also good to get into a routine for after surgery. I splurged...had my favorite meal and lots of it. There is nothing wrong with that...im glad i did it. Just get it out of your system as quickly as possible and set a goal and get prepared. Also...use this time yo get used to your Protein shakes. Learn to love them. That and Water will need to be your best friends for the two weeks post op! Good luck girl, have that last supper!

I actually like my shakes. I drink EAS carb control. Low carb and 17 g of Protein. Sent from my KFOT using VST

I'm a type II diabetic and have had my band for 14 months. Until two weeks ago (I think), I was taking Lantus in the morning and Humalog with each meal. Now I don't have to take any! My diabetes is controlled by my diet. The band works by putting pressure on the vagus nerves, which tell the stomach to quit producing ghrelin, the hunger hormone. This means that instead of constant hunger, we are satisfied for 4 hours or so after a meal. I eat 3 oz of Protein, 1/2 cup of vegies for lunch and the same for dinner but with an additional 1/4 cup of starch (rice, Beans or potatoes). I don't eat wheat products or sugar because both affect my blood sugar more rapidly and negatively and cause intense cravings. I will tell you that my biggest difficulty over this last year has been eating due to the ravenous hunger as a result of blood sugar shifts so the sooner you can get that under control, even with meds, the better. Here are some things that helped me. Avoid sugar and wheat products. Both will cause very rapid fluctuations in our blood sugar. Disregard any advice/orders by your nutritionist and doctor to eat only 3 meals a day. I can do that now that my blood sugar is under control but I couldn't before. I ate every 2.5 hours to keep my blood sugar stable. Here's how my day went... B: 2 eggs and 2 sl bacon or a low cal/low carb Protein shake mid-morning: hard boiled egg or 1-2 oz of cheese or 1 slice of a deli ham (about 1 oz) L: 3 oz protein, 1/2 cup vegies mid-afternoon: same as mid-morning D: 3 oz protein, 1/2 cup vegies, 1/4 cup rice, beans or potatoes mid-evening: same as other mid-meal Snacks Vegies should be low carb...green beans, asparagus, broccoli. If I want a starchy vegetable like corn or peas or winter squash, I count it as my 1/4 cup starch, not a veg. My .02...try eating the above type diet before you get the band and if you're still dealing with real hunger, eat protein or a low carb vegie instead of opting for the high carb stuff. If/when you get the band and you're on a restricted diet for awhile, the most critical element will be to make sure you get your protein throughought the day. Most surgeons say 60gm is what to aim for. I found that wasn't enough to keep my blood sugar stable on such a limited diet. I was probably closer to 120gm per day. Your goal has to be to keep your blood sugar stable so you don't get into the situation caused by blood sugar shifts. If i can help, please feel free to contact me privately.

GouldMama, bandster hell is that evil period of time after your surgery when your hunger comes back with a vengance but you have to finish the all liquid phase, the mushy stage, get to real food and then FINALLY start getting fills. During that time, it's tough to stick to the eating plan because your band isn't helping yet. I call that period "white knuckling it". It does go away once you start getting fills. As your fills take you closer and closer to your sweet spot, it gets easier. Use this time frame to really learn how you're supposed to eat. If (or should I say "when") you get hungry before 4 hours after a meal, eat a snack of some protein! Protein takes the longest to digest of any food you can eat and therefore stays in your stomach longer and therefore makes you feel full longer. Don't drink your protein either... Eat it.

Yes, I would go on protein shake or clear liquid diet for Friday & not put it off! Only put off, if you can't maintain strict diet but if you are unable to do it now how will you if you are approved for surgery? I will say it is hard but you have to really want a better life than a bite of food! Good luck!

I drink then workout while drinking more and then do a protein shake after. My doctor consider a protein shake drinking so I don't have to wait.

For me personally? NOTHING. Seriously. Compared to all the diets I tried and how absolutely MISERABLE I felt after suffering and struggling and striving and measuring and charting and journaling and yada yada to lose 30 measley pounds only to relax and gain it back in 1/2 the time it took me to lose it? This is heaven. So I've had to learn to chew well, so I can't drink with my meals, so it took a while for the fills to finally give me restriction. I would do it all again in a heartbeat. I think my band is wonderful. Even having to have TWO surgeries (my own fault) it's the best thing I've ever done for myself. And as for bandster hell? I've gone through similar things before (a liquid diet of some weirdo liquid Protein shots that I did in the early 70's comes to mind) ... bandster hell was nothing compared to that, because it has an end. :scared2:

It's not an absolute no-no, but it's strongly recommended that soy Protein consumption be limited to 1-2 serving a day MAX---and this recommendation is not limited to those with thyroid disease. In addition to its thyroid suppressive effects, its phytoestrogens can cause problems if used in excess. (This recommendation is specific to soy protein isolate; soy foods like edamame do not pack quite the same punch and are safer in quantity.) This should not pose a problem for you, though; soy protein isolate is not nearly as bioavailable as whey protein isolate, which is readily, readily available (and often much less expensive). It will meet your needs better than soy protein. (I especially like the Inspire whey protein isolate from bariatriceating.com.) You will be able to meet your protein needs without compromising your thyroid health--no problem at all!

I disagree about the band not restricting how much you can eat. I am restricted on how much I can eat. I read some of the posts on what others are eating and there is no way I could get all that down! I can eat about a half a cup at a time and I am never hungry till the next meal. I try to eat 4 of these meals a day and make sure I get enough calories and protein for the day. I have 5.7ccs in a 10cc band and I feel great and have lost about ten pounds in the 5 weeks since that last fill.

Tofu. Hard boiled eggs. Jerky. Yogurt. Protein bars. Cottage cheese. String cheese. Almost 7 years and those are my Go to foods. Best of luck. Keep us updated❤???´

Hi Benny and all the others on this thread. I commend each of you for your courage and for setting boundaries that feel right and comfortable for YOU. These boundary lines may or may not be the same for everyone. While others are not entitled to know such personal information I find it can be more uncomfortable to carry around secrets and tend to "over-share" as a result. So, when it came to this very personal journey I've made a conscious decision to exercise a greater level of discretion than I might otherwise have done had this been another type of surgery. I stumbled upon Bariatric Pal just in the nick of time and have been searching for this particular topic for a few days. My Feb. 3 surgery date creeps ever closer and I'm struggling with whom to tell and NOT to tell about my news. It took over a year to make my ultimate decision to move forward with my VSG and I've done tons of research as it's my nature to do so. I've also watched many YouTube videos of other sleevers. They've each made my decision SO much easier. I work in close quarters in an office setting with only about 9 administrative staff at my location. One of these co-workers had a Gastric Bypass many years ago. So far, I've told my husband, two teenage children, my mother, two sisters, my boss and one co-worker who also needs to know. These seven people have ALL been at least neutral if not outright supportive. They have expressed concern, a healthy dose of skepticism, and caution; but ultimately have been supportive - even those naturally slim ones who've not walked in my shoes along the arduous path of being overweight for years. Today, after more careful thought, I decided to open up to the co-worker who had Gastric Bypass. She smiled and hugged me. In her embrace I felt an immediate sense of camaraderie and acceptance. She told me how happy she was for me. I knew I had made the right decision. I'm sure she was also delighted to have a new "bariatric buddy" to commiserate with now! Unlike my family and co-workers, my husband's family is large (in number), rather opinionated and controlling. Once I broached the subject of weight loss surgery with one of them and she immediately responded, "NO! YOU'RE NOT DOING THAT!" I just brushed her comment aside and said I was just taking the 12-week preparation class to educate myself about the options 'out there.' Despite the controlling nature of that side of our family, we are close and they are loving and supportive of our family in many ways. I know they will feel truly hurt if I wait until after surgery to spring the news on them. I believe they will eventually come around once the realization sets in that this was my decision to make, not theirs. The partial explanation approach: "I'm just eating a healthier diet and exercising more." will never fly with this group. They all know I've tried EVERYthing to lose weight and they'd never buy it. They're far too astute. I suppose time will tell. I'm leaning toward spilling the Beans about a week before surgery so they have time to process the concept; but I'm still not 100% sure when the "right" opportunity will present itself. I'll suppose I'll just have to follow my heart and trust my own instincts ... Like most others, my decision was based primarily on the priority of extending my life and to ensuring my children and husband will have a mom/wife around for a long time; one who will soon be physically able to keep up and participate fully in our lives together. Blessings to all of you and my gratitude to those of you patient enough to read my posting. It's much longer than I expected it would be!

My date is Aug 26th as well at NYU in NYC. I am getting a little nervous reading about others who have had it out and long term consequences of the lap band. I still think it is a great option and am excited.

I have had almost the same thing happen to me without the blood. MY #1 rule is DO NOT DRINK anything to "help" it go down... that is probably why you started vomitting! That is what happened to me. Give your poor esophagus a break and sip, sip, sip on liquids for 24 hours. You have most likely really irritated your throat and you need to let it rest. Please do this and let us know how you are. Sip on some sugar free hot cocoa or hot tea. And drink some broth and Protein drinks for supper. I hope you feel better and I hope this never happens to you again!!!!

If you're already scheduled for surgery then there's just the post-op life. Walk as soon as possible. Follow your doctor's instructions on eating, drinking and getting in your Protein post op. You will likely start on on Protein drinks. You can start sampling drinks now. Buy samples were you can. There are many options; powders that you mix yourself or premixed drinks. They come flavored or unflavored. shake or Water type products. Once you decide on a brand, don't buy more than 2 weeks supply. Some people experience changes in taste buds post-op and the stuff they liked pre-op they can't stand post-op.

I wake up, and exercise while drinking my protein shake. Either a walk or recumbant stationary bike. Sometimes, I will drink my shake, first, then exercise while I am waiting the 30 minutes. You will find what works for you, through trial and error. Keep up the great work!

Oh really. I wander why some make you do the overnight stay and some is outpatient. I'm glad I got to go home though. It really wasn't as bad as I thought it would be at all! Someone else has told me about the Atkins shakes as well. I might have to try some. I just like having the protein shake in the mornings before I goto work since I'm always in a rush. Hah.

It went really well actually. It was outpatient so I was at the hospital for a total of about 5.5 hours. Pain was pretty minimal, the worst was sleeping. I'm a side or belly sleeper so that was an adjustment. I was off work for 4 weeks (work at UPS) but so far I have only lost 14 pounds. I didn't have any restriction afterward so I could eat about half of was I was eating before. Now since my fill Friday I've noticed a lil but of a difference so hopefully I'll start losing more. I got 4cc put in my band. Are you getting nervous? Do you have a preop diet? That was bad for me as well because I do not like the protein shakes at all. Hah