You can avoid the discomfort of eating healthy food with the gastric band and dealing with unwanted blockages easily once you are shown the tricks how.

In essence we all understand which foods we need to eat more from to lose weight. That’s correct the more bulky unprocessed foods such as fruit, vegetables, fish, meats etc compared to the those wrapped in a plaster wrapper with bright colours displaying a variety of nutritional claims such as muesli bars, chips, cakes etc), which are much higher in calories.

Unfortunately these higher calorie foods typically pass through the gastric band more easily and the more unprocessed foods can create discomfort on eating with the gastric band. This can easily be rectified by understanding two simple elements:

1. How the gastric band works

2. Modify how you chew your food

This will enable you to eat more nutritious food pain free and maximize the effect of the gastric band to make you feel fuller for longer.

Step 1. Let’s understand how the gastric band works in very simple terms. View the area above the gastric band as a funnel not a small stomach. The total capacity of the funnel holds 1 tbs of food only.

Step 2. Modify how you chew your food. Consume maximum 1 tsp of food per mouthful, grind this into a paste before swallowing. Focus on the flavours and textures of the food by placing the food initially onto your tongue. The saliva released will help soften the food and make it easier to grind the food into a paste before swallowing. Once you have swallowed this first teaspoon of food, wait 1 minute before you swallow your next single teaspoon of food.

This will enable you to:

1. eat the right balance of foods pain free

2. maximize the effect of the gastric band and you will feel fuller for longer and

3. ultimately lose weight

For more details of my recent three articles can be accessed from the book, The Gastric Band Nutrition Essential, by yours truly.

We all see articles when they are posted, as they are linked on the side. Why did you post this as a thread as well?

I see no reason why it shouldn't be a thread? It's good information? Many people do not click on the magazine articles on the side.

tmf

I am glad this was posted as a thread. I look at the threads more than the articles. This has great information, especially Step 2. Thank you Helen!

In essence we all understand which foods we need to eat more from to lose weight. That’s correct the more bulky unprocessed foods such as fruit, vegetables, fish, meats etc compared to the those wrapped in a plaster wrapper with bright colours displaying a variety of nutritional claims such as muesli bars, chips, cakes etc), which are much higher in calories.

Unfortunately these higher calorie foods typically pass through the gastric band more easily and the more unprocessed foods can create discomfort on eating with the gastric band. This can easily be rectified by understanding two simple elements:

1. How the gastric band works

2. Modify how you chew your food

This will enable you to eat more nutritious food pain free and maximize the effect of the gastric band to make you feel fuller for longer.

Step 1. Let’s understand how the gastric band works in very simple terms. View the area above the gastric band as a funnel not a small stomach. The total capacity of the funnel holds 1 tbs of food only.

Step 2. Modify how you chew your food. Consume maximum 1 tsp of food per mouthful, grind this into a paste before swallowing. Focus on the flavours and textures of the food by placing the food initially onto your tongue. The saliva released will help soften the food and make it easier to grind the food into a paste before swallowing. Once you have swallowed this first teaspoon of food, wait 1 minute before you swallow your next single teaspoon of food.

This will enable you to:

1. eat the right balance of foods pain free

2. maximize the effect of the gastric band and you will feel fuller for longer and

3. ultimately lose weight

For more details of my recent three articles can be accessed from the book, The Gastric Band Nutrition Essential, by yours truly.

Click here to view the article

Gee...I have never experienced pain from eating. I have only used unprocessed foods in my diet from Day 1 as I returned to eating foods, both pureed and regular...fresh fruit, fresh vegetables which are sometimes steamed, and basic Proteins, such as eggs, chicken, fish and turkey.

What "pain" are you referring to? I have never experienced pain from eating...I just follow my doctor's instructions and have no complications.

Eating should not be painful if the band is adjusted properly and the patient is compliant with their diet.

Sojourner,

For many of us the proper fit and compliance is elusive. 6 fills for me and the last one was just a little too much so I may have to get a small unfill.

tmf

Sojourner,

For many of us the proper fit and compliance is elusive. 6 fills for me and the last one was just a little too much so I may have to get a small unfill.

tmf

I believe that the proper adjustment for one's band may be elusive, as I have read many posts from others who have had too much restriction and suffered consequences. Definitely good communication with the doctor is essential to avoid having the band too tight, and hopefully this could be discovered prior to leaving the physician's office.

Diet compliance is entirely another matter, that is up to the individual and the choices they make every day. Some individuals struggle with this more than others...we are all unique, and will not have identical experiences with compliance.

For me, it's about how motivated I am to be successful, and staying in touch with that awareness...every day.

Hi Guys,

Thanks for your feedback guys. I'm not sure how it got to the thread, my apologies. I just submitted it as an article as with all my others as other health professionals not specifically as a thread. I'll have to look into it. Carole there are numerous reasons why one may feel pain on eating such as a food getting blocked or over filling the 'funnel' concept above the gastric band. These could include:

1. too big of a mouthful,
   
2. inadequate chewing
   
3. swallowing too soon
   
4. time of the day
   
5. stress
   
6. previous blockage
   

to mention a few. Great news if you have not experienced discomfort on eating Carole. Keep up the great work.

Helen, I appreciate the information you have posted of late. Keep it up!

Helen, I appreciate the information you have posted of late. Keep it up!

Thanks so much. I'll keep them coming. food for thought.

We all see articles when they are posted, as they are linked on the side. Why did you post this as a thread as well?

Helen didn't post it as a separate thread. The LBT system does that automatically.

Helen didn't post it as a separate thread. The LBT system does that automatically.

Well, I learn something new everyday

I have never noticed that before. It must be one of those new features.

Helen didn't post it as a separate thread. The LBT system does that automatically.

Hi Jean, Thanks once again.