Rid

I've noticed a lot of concerns that go unanswered. However, it seems like even with Lori's help, this is not a forum populated by doctors who are the ones with the answers. Lori is doing a great job, but she only has so much time on her hands. I think that lapbandtalk.com has more doctors trolling the forums. Perhaps that's a better place. I've dealt with portion control. After my most recent fill, my restriction is what it should be, and it really limits the amount of food I can eat without discomfort. My doc also advised that eating DRY food that would go through the band slowly. Food with sauces goes through easier, and allows you to eat more. Which is bad. Just some info from my doc.

Anyone else noticed an increase in spam on this forum?

Enjoy those eggs! I've had my second fill, and now that I have restriction, eggs are a problem. Pre-fill, I could eat a grilled chicken sandwich. Now it's not an option. I could also eat an egg burrito. Not even a question now. I've got the right amount of restriction, and it's amazing what a difference it makes. But be prepared for a big difference after your fills!

Even their grilled "chicken" breast is a processed mess. Everything there is evil. Any other fast food place has some semi-healthy alternatives.

My doc analogizes to a freight train. You are putting WAY less coal in the engine, so it's a little harder for the train to get up hill. However, as you lose weight, you shed some of the heavier cars. Soon enough, it is much easier to get the train uphill with less coal. The fatigue will get better. Make sure you are getting vitamins and protein!

I found that telling people that I just wasn't hungry was enough. If they asked, "really?" I just stayed firm.

They have a special feature that shows an experiment with leaving McDs food in a glass jar for weeks at a time. Shows you the rate of composition. The fries were there for months with no decomp. It's a great motivator to stay away from McDs. Even their "grilled chicken" is a processed mess.

Well, things are good! I'm going in for my second fill tomorrow. I got 1cc the first time, so it'll be interesting to see what I get now. Have had a few PBs, but it's not really that bad. If I don't chew everything up really well, it hurts. Question for anyone reading this: I notice that I still have restriction. With a properly adjusted band, I know that I will have to eat slowly, and really chew well. But over the last week or so, I don't feel full. Not for long at all. I'm not sure whether I should expect my top pouch to feel full, which means that I would only eat about 1/2 cup of food. Now, I eat a small portion, and have to eat it slow, but I don't feel full. I'll post what my doc says about this tomorrow.

Chelley, it is GREAT to hear from you. Soft foods are the worst. It's interesting... if the food is too much or two difficult to pass through the band, you PB. If the food is too soft, you don't get full. It's really hard to find where you are for your fill level. For me, I try to eat as "difficult" of food as I can, just short of a PB. Those frozen dinners will really help. I'm able to eat the diet pizza, and it is one of the most satisfying things I eat. I have to do it REALLY slow or I hurt. But I really get full, and really enjoy it. I have a whole freezer full of micro diet dinners, which helps with my busy schedule. They cook as fast as soup, and actually work with the band! I still hope you can find someone in TX, but I really wish you luck. You have a lot of support here, and again, feel free to contact me any time.

My so cal doc did prescribe prilosec for 30 days. I never had heartburn. What she's describing does sound like pre-PB. So my advice is take smaller bites and chew it better. If I take three big bites of something, I'll have the same thing. Take bites a little larger than the eraser on a pencil and see if that helps.

Two things. First, carbonation fills you up, and you should be filling up on water. Second, the carbonation can be painful and can cause the band to slip. I drank a six pack a day of diet coke pre-band. I've switched to Crystal Light, and frankly never miss the diet coke. I thought it was going to be a big problem, but I don't miss the carbonation or the caffine.

Chelley, Pre-band, I would never get full from a Healthy Choice or Smart Ones microwave dinner. I could easily eat several of them. I finally just went and bought a bunch of them. I found that with my restriction, I can actually eat just one and be full. I can even eat beef, which I can't do outside of a microwave meal. The band allows me to eat a "normal" diet. It works pretty well. One at lunch, one at dinner, and a low carb protein bar for breakfast. It's working pretty well! Take care, Rid

I agree with the advice given so far. I didn't have any problems until after my first fill. I'm one week from my fill, and I've had PB problems twice. First was with a roast that some friends made. I tried to take really small bites and chew to goo, and no luck. Second was today, this time sliced tri-tip. I think I'm seeing a pattern. I don't have problems with eggs or chicken. One thing I think is good is to really try to eat the solid food. I eat a lot less food now that I'm trying to eat solids. Even though the PB was unpleasant, I saw it as a sign that my band was working. I'd rather have a PB and be losing weight than have no restriction without PB. I think that if your plan is to never PB, you'll eat soft foods all the time, which doesn't get you weight loss. Just my two cents.

First, every doctor has a different diet plan post-op. Go with what your doctor says. No reason to do anything different. You're paying a lot of money for professional diet help. Do what your doc says. Second, your lack of restriction is standard leading up to your first fill. Everyone has it. I didn't lose any weight for a week or two prior to my fill. I got the fill, then it made all the difference in the world. I had to re-learn how to eat, and the band really started working for me. If I don't take it slow, then I'm in a world of hurt. But that doesn't happen until you get a fill. Have realistic expectations for it. I was also very fortunate. I got my first fill a lot earlier than Ortiz's patients, which helped a lot. I wouldn't worry too much if you don't lose much weight pre-fill. After your fill, if you still don't lose weight, then be concerned. Also, I'm noticing a lot of Ortiz patients having lots of trouble with the VG band. Seeing a LOT more complaints and they seem to correlate with an increase in use of a VG band. I would ask seriously about which band you're getting!

I think this is a great question. Here's how it is for me. When I "eat" applesauce, yogurt, pudding, or anything else really soft, I have no restriction at all. I can eat a bunch of it. I think that when you chew solid food to mush, it still is not as soft as "soft" food. I think there is a middle ground between applesauce and chicken sandwich. I also know that taking really small bites of solid food and chewing up really small is very satisfying. I think there is a mental element in it. Plus, I eat a lot less food when I chew up solids rather than sucking down soft foods. I think there's a lot involved in this between the saliva, the mental aspect, and the solid-ness of the food. Don't know if that makes sense, but that's how it works for me.