I am 4 1/2 weeks post op and am eating all foods. I don't seem to have restriction because I can eat just as much as I did pre-op, at least most of the time. But because of this I forget to chew thoroughly or I eat to fast and a few times I've done that I get a serious chest pain that lasts anywhere from 1-4 minutes then it passes. When that is happening my eyes water from the discomfort and I feel like I want to burp but am unable to. There isn't any "slime" involved. Just intense chest pain but once it passes I am still hungry and can continue eating. What the heck is happening to me? I don't understand how anything can get stuck since I don't seem to have any restriction. Also, is it bad that that has happened? Will it dilate my pouch? If so will I feel it? :help:

But because of this I forget to chew thoroughly or I eat to fast and a few times I've done that I get a serious chest pain that lasts anywhere from 1-4 minutes then it passes. When that is happening my eyes water from the discomfort and I feel like I want to burp but am unable to. There isn't any "slime" involved. Just intense chest pain but once it passes I am still hungry and can continue eating. What the heck is happening to me?

Sounds like restriction. The slime usually comes after a certain point, not as soon as restriction is achieved. So you can have restriction, and have food be tight or get stuck, and then pass -- and you never progress to the sliming or having to bring the food up. Sounds like you're there, so take care to chew well and swallow moderately.

Eloo, I'm 3 weeks post-op and I feel like I can eat anything and feel no restriction either. It's a horrible feeling! I want to feel full after I eat a little bit but that's not happening. I don't get my first fill for another month. I hope I don't gain the 20 lbs. I've already lost. Will power isn't a strong suit for me!

Eloo, you are not alone. What you are feeling is restriction. Once you get a fill you will feel it sooner so you will not be able to eat as much. Good luck to you.

Berry, do you ever eat and just feel like you are no longer hungry? (vs. feeling "full"?) I haven't really felt "full" since right after my surgery (2 weeks out). But it doesn't take much before I feel satisfied / the hunger goes away.

You will notice a HUGE difference after a fill or two (or three). I know the second fill I got made a world of difference.

Bruce

Thanks for all of your responses. I guess I am having some restriction. I think what is confusing for me about this whole restriction thing is that like the other day that excruciating chest pain feeling came on after my second bite of food. It felt like it was stuck in my esophogus and took several minutes to pass but once it did I was ready to continue eating. Do you guys think that I was feeling it pass through the stoma and it was to big of a bite so was a tight fit? Is it bad for this to happen? Will it stretch my pouch? I am anxious for a fill because I have gained almost all of my 10 pounds back. I've been eating like a crazy person and I never realized how fast I eat until now. I feel like a pig. It's so mental though because even though I know I am eating to fast I don't slow down. There is something satisfying about a big bite and shoveling the food in. Isn't that terrible? I need a band for my brain... know any good surgeons? lol:faint:

I am also three weeks post op. I suppose some would say I am lucky and already have restriction. I would say this is my training period. Since my band, I have not tried to eat like I used to, only try 1/2 to a cup at at time because I think of it as a tool. I practice everyday making good choices-this from a person who spent many years in the binge/purge cycle. I am by no means an expert, but check out some old timer threads or those threads in which a 100lbs or so were lost. The band is not magic-it only works if you work with it.

Eloo, I'm with you! I don't have any restriction and feel like I can eat anything I want and eat large bites! I eat very fast too and it drives me crazy! I've lost 20 lbs. and I'm afraid I'm going to gain it all back! I need a fill and quick!

Get to a Dr. ASAP

I am anxious for a fill because I have gained almost all of my 10 pounds back. I've been eating like a crazy person and I never realized how fast I eat until now. I feel like a pig. It's so mental though because even though I know I am eating to fast I don't slow down. :faint:

The one thing I've learned is that you MUST learn to follow the rules. The band is not going to magically help anyone lose weight. I try my best not to depend on restriction for my weight loss. Instead, I view my band as a safety net that is there to catch me if I fall and not something to keep me from my bad habits. At 4 1/2 weeks out you are at the perfect stage to get things straight. You're healed up well-enough to really start focusing on changing your lifestyle. We can all eat around our bands, the trick is learning that it's not worth it. You CAN do this if you want to! Just relax and stay focused! I believe in you!

First of all I want to say thank you guys for the support and telling me I need to redirect my thinking. I know that the band is a tool and not magic but for some reason it's like I've been testing all my limits, seeing just how far I can go and what I can and can't eat anymore. My drive to eat is higher now than before being banded. I admit, I am having some anxiety about having my first fill. My mentality has gone back to "eat everything now while I still can get it down." I desperately want to change me way of thinking but for some reason I am having a hard time. I have good moments through out the day where I want to eat right and I do, then its like the fat chick in me comes out after a while and wants to be a pig. Writing all of this to you guys, a bunch of people I don't even know, is really hard for me. I don't like to ask for help from anyone, I'm usually the one helping others. Admitting that I need support isn't easy.....but I admit it, I need it. :rolleyes