I am in the process of the pre-op things that have to be done. My surgeon's office is saying about 4 months. I'm trying to get in my head how to determine bite sizes after the surgery as I have taken notice that I take pretty big bites now. How do you determine your bite sizes?

Also, how in the world am I going to get through these next few months? I'm so excited I don't know what to do with myself!

I felt the exact same thing, but I had to wait 7 months total by the time I had surgery. Begin to practice eating small, toddler size bites and chew until it is like a liquid paste. Just practice it for a little while, after you have the surgery and you feel that first "almost stuck" feeling, you will NEVER want to forget to chew or slow down again. I am still a newbie, but at a piece of a friend's cake (distracted bite and definitely not thinking) and whoa, I forgot to chew I just swallowed. OMG, painful even going down and then started feeling the saliva at the back of my throat getting thicker. I started taking small sips and "burping" my chest. After a couple of minutes it finally went down, but I can tell you I felt the after effects for a couple of hours. I stuck to shakes the remainder of the day.

Practice, speak with the nutritionist, read the forum topics on here and gain the knowledge you need. We are all here to support you. Good luck.

you will gt through it one day at a time...finding want power and believing in yourself...you will get many answers in regards to size of foods...i myself make it jelly bean size or a scrabble tile size...and merely chew the mess out of it...dont over think it..embrace the changes and just do it...

Thanks guys! I probably post too many questions on here but I'm just trying to grasp all I can before I actually have the surgery. My surgeon's program director told me to invest in saucer sized plates and baby spoons now so that I can get that in my head that they are going to be my utensils from now on. So, my daughter bought me 3 saucers yesterday and did the permanent marker drawings on them and baked them for me. They are cool! One of them has random things on it and, of all things, she put a bikini and a belly button ring on it. She said that was going to be my motivation. WOW!!! Thank God I have her and my other daughter's support. I really don't think they realize the changes that are going to happen. But they are 15 and 13, so I'm sure they will get it.

In the beginning you won't be too mindful about bite sizes until you start getting fills and get your first lovely stuck episode. Then you will pay attention to the bite sizes. I don't take small bites but I chew really well but I also don't have a tight band either.

I think right now I need mine closed completely. Lol

lol I am thinking of getting a fill because winter has doomed me. Not gaining but not losing either.

You can NEVER ask too many questions. Sounds like you have awesome kids.

I joined LBT several months before I got banded. First I read post after post after post. Then I took a chance and asked my first question, which lead to a bond with a group of ladies, that I will cherish like no other.

I was told to aim for bites the size of a pencil eraser. Realisticly, mine are more like the size of a hershey kiss. But chew chew chew and try not to be distracted while eating.

That doesn't mean don't dine with others, but just focus on what is in your mouth when you take each bite. Socialize between bites.

Good luck!

I have had 2 major back surgeries in a little over 2 years. My last one was in June and the medications they put me on for the nerve damage has made me gain so much weight. I've always been heavy but now I have other accompanying issues to go along with it so I'm ready to get it over with

You can NEVER ask too many questions. Sounds like you have awesome kids.

I joined LBT several months before I got banded. First I read post after post after post. Then I took a chance and asked my first question' date=' which lead to a bond with a group of ladies, that I will cherish like no other.

I was told to aim for bites the size of a pencil eraser. Realisticly, mine are more like the size of a hershey kiss. But chew chew chew and try not to be distracted while eating.

That doesn't mean don't dine with others, but just focus on what is in your mouth when you take each bite. Socialize between bites.

Good luck![/quote']

I do have great kids! Thank you! But what they don't realize is that THEY are my motivation.

I have a couple of friends who have been banded and I have questioned the fire out of one of them but she tells me that she hasn't made very many changes at all. She said that she still eats whatever she wants but just not quite as much. She also told me that she needs another fill but one more and she is at her max. I don't want this to happen to me! That is the whole reason I have chosen to be banded over the sleeve. I'm afraid of getting back into the old habits and stretching it out again.

I have had 2 major back surgeries in a little over 2 years. My last one was in June and the medications they put me on for the nerve damage has made me gain so much weight. I've always been heavy but now I have other accompanying issues to go along with it so I'm ready to get it over with

I have back issue also. Had 1 major back surgery in 2000 and 3 smaller ones since (to clean up scar tissue in my spine). I also take meds for nerve damage. Maybe that's why I gained so much weight over the years? Had no clue they caused weight gain. I think it was because I ate too much, but the meds also could have an effect.

I didn't have to wait for my surgery. I was approved in 2 weeks and my surgery was scheduled for 2 more weeks. No pre op diet required either. If I had that much time to think about it, I might have changed my mind. Thank God I didn't - the band literally saved my life.

My biggest advice to newbies: Have patience. It's not gunna happen overnight. It took me 4 mths and 3 fills to get proper restriction. I lost maybe 2 lbs during that first 4 mths. After my 3rd fill, however, the magic started. So have patience. You didn't put the weight on overnight and you won't get it off that quickly either!

Good luck!

Marci

I have back issue also. Had 1 major back surgery in 2000 and 3 smaller ones since (to clean up scar tissue in my spine). I also take meds for nerve damage. Maybe that's why I gained so much weight over the years? Had no clue they caused weight gain. I think it was because I ate too much' date=' but the meds also could have an effect.

I didn't have to wait for my surgery. I was approved in 2 weeks and my surgery was scheduled for 2 more weeks. No pre op diet required either. If I had that much time to think about it, I might have changed my mind. Thank God I didn't - the band literally saved my life.

My biggest advice to newbies: Have patience. It's not gunna happen overnight. It took me 4 mths and 3 fills to get proper restriction. I lost maybe 2 lbs during that first 4 mths. After my 3rd fill, however, the magic started. So have patience. You didn't put the weight on overnight and you won't get it off that quickly either!

Good luck!

Marci[/quote']

I wish I didn't have to do the monitored diet but my insurance requires at least 4 months monitored. After 4 months I can schedule it. My family doctor failed to document that he was monitoring it so I have to start all over again effective Tuesday. I see the cardiologist next Monday and the pulmonologist in May. I have to go next Wednesday to meet with the surgical team for the decision on the type I'm choosing.

Yes, the medications will cause you to gain weight. I was taking Cymbalta for the nerve damage, as well as Neurontin. I've stopped the Cymbalta, which has been the hardest thing ever to do. The "brain tremors" have been horrible. They feel like I am being electrocuted in the brain and it tingles down my arms and hands. I still have to take the Neurontin because I feel like I have a fire poker on my left foot and an ice cube on the right one. Plus I have no feeling on the insides of my thighs or on my right hip.

My first surgery was done through my stomach on the left side exactly where the port would go. I wonder if this will cause problems. Hmm!