Hi everyone. I'm super frustrated and needed to vent. I was banded 9/14/12, got my 1st fill in oct and my second last week. I've lost about 20 lbs so far. That is all fine. Last week the feel was too tight. I couldn't keep down anything more than a protein protein shake, everything else would come back up and I felt like crap until I had it adjusted a few days later. So now, I'm relieved that it feels better but now I'm snacking a bit too much. However I take a bite if a meatball and I feel stuck. I just never know what I'm going to feel like from day to do and it sucks. I know it will get easier but I'm just frustrated. Anyone have some words of wisdom? Thank you.

Hello and congratulations on your 20 pounds. You have to analyze what kind of food makes you feel stuck and why on my experience meets like chicken and turkey usually are the food that get stuck because i forget to cut it very small and chew it a lot.... if you have to snack a lot make sure its not excessive food and its the right food..... I used to eat or snack every 2 hrs...... but right foods..... just to keep my head of hunger..... I hope this help you and keep going you are doing great

Carolyn

I think the best advice I can offer is to ask yourself why you're snacking- are you physically hungry or are you head hungry? The band can help to appease your physical hunger but it can't and won't change your brain based urges to eat that have nothing to do with actually being hungry.

Also, as far as getting stuck, is it possible you're not taking small enough bites? A lot of surgeons and nutritionists recommend bites no bigger than your fingernail, to chew them until mush, and pause between bites. For me, when I take small enough bites and chew thoroughly there isn't anything I can't eat. If I take too big a bite? I'm going to get stuck for sure.

Hang in there, it's a huge ongoing learning experience

You should bite small and chew big and do it very slowly.

And, welcome to the lapband world. Don't expect to feel full or satiated all the time. It took most of us 6 months or more to finally figure out how to live with our bands. Don't fight it, try to understand why? Remember, you have a hole the size of a chickpea(or smaller) in your stomach now and it will take time to push meats and breads through. You may think you're are obeying the rules but it takes time to learn to eat properly with a lapband. It sure took me 6 months or more.

tmf

Snack foods are always easier to go down. Slider foods. You just have to try to learn to eat with your band. You're doing good on 20lbs.

I can relate - I am really in the same state right now. I have very good luck as long as I remember to chew thoroughly before I swallow. I am used to eating in a hurry and basically shoveling at every meal, so this has been a challenge for me. I have really found that if I slow down and consciously take the time to chew, chew, chew and swallow small amounts at a time, I don't have things get stuck. Good luck!!

chew chew and then chew some more ...that was my biggest problem I kept forgetting some foods require mre chewing then others.

All great advice... I have a question for you? I've just past my my year anniversary since banded. I lost 45 pounds in the first 5-6 months and haven't lost anything for the remainder of the year, in fact I've gained a few pounds back I know I'm making BAD choices often, but eating the "slider" foods is just easier and honestly cheaper than eating healthy food. Can anyone give me some ideas for healthy snacks that aren't too costly?

All great advice... I have a question for you? I've just past my my year anniversary since banded. I lost 45 pounds in the first 5-6 months and haven't lost anything for the remainder of the year, in fact I've gained a few pounds back I know I'm making BAD choices often, but eating the "slider" foods is just easier and honestly cheaper than eating healthy food. Can anyone give me some ideas for healthy Snacks that aren't too costly?

If you're eating slider foods because they're easier, meaning normal foods are too hard to eat, it's possible your band is too full. When is the last time you saw your surgeon?

There are plenty of healthy and affordable choices for food. For instance, store brand food. I shop at Walmart and their store brands are a lot cheaper than the name brand yet taste just as good. Bulk frozen packaged meat, like chicken breasts or fish fillets, are much cheaper than individually packaged fresh meats.

The bottom line is, you have to make healthy food decisions to lose weight. If you continue eating slider foods and junk just because it's cheap, you'll continue to gain.

Best wishes.