Re: Where has my fill gone?

[Guest guest]

I'm VERY sorry to say that most places are bypass-biased. Not many

places do exclusively bands - or even mostly bands. (sadly)

Many bypass docs simply have not leanred the differences in what the

Band needs are - primarily the food intake and nutition needs.

With the bypass, the people can only eat tiny amts, and must take a

lot of supplements to make up for it. With the band, we absorb

normally, can eat a decent small meal, and do not need a lot of

suplements.

I just heard from another lady who mostly-bypass doc requires 2 weeks

of clear liquids before surgery, and 2 weeks afterwards!! That poor

lady is starving, and also anemic, weak, and miserable. Not to

mention protin deificient at a time she needs protein to heal well.

One of the big reasons I chose my doc is because he does ONLT bands -

4000 so far.

The Band Guide is in the files here, for anyone interested to print

out. I'll be adding other documents new soon, when i get back from

the TJ bash next Tuesday. In the meantime, I'm afraid I won't have a

lot of time for the board here - and Dan is on vacation. We'll both

check in as often as we can - but you guys carry on, and take good

care of each other!

One thing, though - most band docs feel it's impt to wait one full

hour after eating to start drinking again. by then, the food should

be out of the pouch. Drinking sooner than that can wash the food out,

and then we get hungry again sooner. some docs even say 2 hours, but

that makes it very hard to get enough fluids in the REST of the time.

Sandy r

Kuri patient educator

> > >

> > > ,

> > >

> > > I've been following the responses you have received and I

wanted to

> >mention a few items of interest that haven't been touched. I'm

only

> >a fellow bander, so my advice is of course for your individual

> >consideration.

> > >

> > > First, I was advised by my nutritionist to follow what is

called a

> >30/30 rule in terms of drinking and eating. This means that you

> >should not drink 30 minutes prior to eating, during or 30 minutes

> >after. Not drinking beforehand leaves your stomach dry, allowing

> >food to stick and stay in it longer. If you drink during eating,

you

> >will enable yourself to eat more. The water helps to flow the food

> >through the band. Should you drink right after eating, the same

> >effect will happen, leaving you hungry earlier. Perhaps this could

> >help you eat less at a meal, ie, just the equivalency of your

stomach

> >size.

> > >

> > > Second, protein has been proven to be the best hunger deterant.

> >When you eat carbs, your body takes it in very quickly, raising

sugar

> >levels. Since the digestion process for carbs are so quick, you

tend

> >to feel hungry faster and have the feeling of needing food again

soon

> >after as your body's sugar level comes back down rapidly. Also, if

> >you do not use this energy, it is then stored as fat. Protein

takes

> >longer to digest and therefore stays with you longer. It is also a

> >necessity for your bones and muscles when losing weight. Further,

if

> >your diet is higher in protein than the other food groups, you have

> >the opportunity to put your body in ketosis. Former Atkins

> >attempters understand about this. Read up on it. When you are in

> >this state you are in a high fat burning stage. Make sure it is

> >healthy for you, ie. not good for diabetics. Exercise is also a

> >great way to deter hunger as well as drinking water, which another

> >person posted.

> > >

> > > Third, do you eat slowly? Each 2 oz. meal should take you 30

> >minutes to eat. This is key to figuring out my fourth point.

> > >

> > > Finally, do you understand what full really feels like? I

> >personally had to figure this out. It's not being stuffed, as many

> >of us equated full to be, pre-band. Full is when you no longer

have

> >hunger pains, feel content and satisfied. It is not when you get

> >pains in your back or left shoulder. At that point you have

already

> >overeaten and can be stretching your stomach. The purpose of

eating

> >slowly is to wait for your brain to tell you you are satisfied.

This

> >response can take 15-20 minutes, giving reason to eat slow as

> >mentioned in my third point.

> > >

> > > Again, I'm no expert. These are only things that my

nurtitionist

> >and doctor have educated me on. I hope they give you a bit of

> >guidance and some food for thought.

> > >

> > > Most importantly, you are doing fine in terms of your weight

loss!

> >Next to the Lap-Band insertion being less invasive than the RNY,

the

> >most important factor to me in choosing it was that the weight loss

> >is slow...and HEALTHY. Stay strong and believe that you can use

the

> >band as a tool and be successful as a result.

> > >

> > > All the Best,

> > > D

> > >

> > > 5'4 " Age 32

> > > 262.2 / 237.2 / 160

> > > Pre-Op/Now/Goal

> > > Banded August 14, 2007

> > >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

The actual fill amount doesn't matter at all. Every band and every

person is different. for some, a 0.3 cc fill is plenty in the smaller

bands, while someone else may need 5 cc or even more in the smaller

bands (The " 4 " cc band can and does safely hold more in the rare

cases it is needed).

1.5 cc in the smaller bands is about average for 1-2 fills, but is

less than the very first fill for some of the more experienced docs

who do good assessments of the fill levels neeed. Many peopl need 3-5

small fills to get to a good level. They can be safely given about a

montha aprt. It's very essential to crepp up slowly so we don't get

too mcuh, and then need to have it taken out and start all over, even

more slowly.

In general, we need a bit more fill if :

- we are honestly HUNGRY betwen meals 3-4 hrs apart

- we can eat more than 1-1.5 cups of food with no barfing, no

hiccups, no runny nose, no pb's, no trouble at ALL

- we are not having an average of 1-2 # a week wt loss - BUT ARE

exercising, getting the fluids/protein/calcium/good carbs in.

When you have a good level - it is oftn like a lightbulb going

off! " AHA!! I'm not rally hungry much anymore. I can't eat more than

a cup of food. I'm not thinking about food all the time! "

But a good fill is NOT : inability to eat a cup of food per meal, ANY

barfing or trouble (as long as we are following the eating and food

choice rules) , ANY trouble with getting the needed 100 oz a dy r so

of no-cal fluids in., ANY chest poain or reflux.

You doc should be giving you writen info about all this!

Sandy R

>

> How can you tell if you need a fill?I had about 2 weeks a go they

put 1cc in

> on top of the 1/2cc.I have a total of 1 & 1/2cc's

>

>

> penny day

> -- Re: Where has my fill gone?

>

> ,

>

> I really think you just need another fill (or 2 or 3) After my

first one is

> when my hunger kicked in even more, because all the swelling had

gone down

> from surgery. but after a couple more I started feeling it. it is a

> continuing process. you will eventually get restriction with your

band.

> after a little while that restriction will go away and you'll need

another

> fill. the sweet spot everyone talks about is not just a single

point, it

> changes as you lose weight because there is fat around the stomach

where the

> band is placed and as you lose fat it loosens the band. so you have

to get

> more fills to replace the space that the fat was filling.

>

> I find that putting myself on an eating schedule works really well

for me.

> when its feeding time I eat, when its not I don't. I try not to

worry about

> being hungry, and concentrate on other things. this way when I'm a

little

> tight and don't feel like eating, I get enough food in. when I'm

just tight

> enough, I'm hungry at those feeding times, and when I'm looser, it

keeps me

> from eating too often. this is not always easy to do, and sometimes

I really

> struggle with it when I'm very loose, but it does help me most of

the time.

>

> When I can't seem to stick to my eating schedule and am eating more

food

> more often, I try to change the foods that I am eating to work

better into

> my calorie targets for the day. so say I was trying to get 1000

calories in

> a day. if I was eating 3 meals I would allow them to be around 325

calories

> each, if I needed 4 meals than they would be about 250 calories

each, and if

> I was eating 5 meals a day I would limit each meal to 200 calories.

I

> frequently adjust my food to work with my level of restriction.

Also when I

> am looser I try to eat foods that fill me up better, or I can have

a bit

> more volume of due to their calorie count.

>

> Keep your chin up. you can do this.

>

> - Ada

>

> 5'6 " Age 26

> 364 / 285 / 216

> Consult/Band Day/Now

> 7.20.06/3.19.07/9.3.07

> Lap Band by Dr. Greene in Rockville, MD

>

> ---------------------------------

> Luggage? GPS? Comic books?

> Check out fitting gifts for grads at Search.

>

>

[Guest guest]

i was told no liquid 30 min before & no liquid after for 60 min

penny day

-- Re: Where has my fill gone?

No matter how much I learn it seems there is more to learn.

Sandy, my doc told me not to drink 30 minutes prior to nor 90 minutes

after a meal. Your saying we can drink before? We were told that

drinking washes the food out of our 'pouches' too quickly. If I

don't drink 30 minutes prior to a meal it is hard for me to get the

meal down. I get soooo thirsty I have to sip some fluids during the

meal. 90 minutes after really isn't a problem.

Also, I was under the impression that 1 cup is the MOST we should

eat. Maybe I'm eating what I should (I'm still losing) BUT feeling

guilty about it because I 'think' it is too much. I'm going to re-

read your band guide.

My doc's practice started doing lots of RNY but now does lots of

Bands too (not as many). I'm wondering if they are really using

a 'one size fits all' approach to educating us when RNY vs LAP is

very different.

I appreciate everything you post because not only are you trained in

this stuff - you actually LIVED/LIVE it.

It took years of bad habits to get me here - I guess I'll just have

to be patient to get where I want to go.

> >

> > ,

> >

> > I've been following the responses you have received and I wanted

to

> mention a few items of interest that haven't been touched. I'm

only

> a fellow bander, so my advice is of course for your individual

> consideration.

> >

> > First, I was advised by my nutritionist to follow what is called

a

> 30/30 rule in terms of drinking and eating. This means that you

> should not drink 30 minutes prior to eating, during or 30 minutes

> after. Not drinking beforehand leaves your stomach dry, allowing

> food to stick and stay in it longer. If you drink during eating,

you

> will enable yourself to eat more. The water helps to flow the food

> through the band. Should you drink right after eating, the same

> effect will happen, leaving you hungry earlier. Perhaps this could

> help you eat less at a meal, ie, just the equivalency of your

stomach

> size.

> >

> > Second, protein has been proven to be the best hunger deterant.

> When you eat carbs, your body takes it in very quickly, raising

sugar

> levels. Since the digestion process for carbs are so quick, you

tend

> to feel hungry faster and have the feeling of needing food again

soon

> after as your body's sugar level comes back down rapidly. Also, if

> you do not use this energy, it is then stored as fat. Protein

takes

> longer to digest and therefore stays with you longer. It is also a

> necessity for your bones and muscles when losing weight. Further,

if

> your diet is higher in protein than the other food groups, you have

> the opportunity to put your body in ketosis. Former Atkins

> attempters understand about this. Read up on it. When you are in

> this state you are in a high fat burning stage. Make sure it is

> healthy for you, ie. not good for diabetics. Exercise is also a

> great way to deter hunger as well as drinking water, which another

> person posted.

> >

> > Third, do you eat slowly? Each 2 oz. meal should take you 30

> minutes to eat. This is key to figuring out my fourth point.

> >

> > Finally, do you understand what full really feels like? I

> personally had to figure this out. It's not being stuffed, as many

> of us equated full to be, pre-band. Full is when you no longer

have

> hunger pains, feel content and satisfied. It is not when you get

> pains in your back or left shoulder. At that point you have

already

> overeaten and can be stretching your stomach. The purpose of

eating

> slowly is to wait for your brain to tell you you are satisfied.

This

> response can take 15-20 minutes, giving reason to eat slow as

> mentioned in my third point.

> >

> > Again, I'm no expert. These are only things that my nurtitionist

> and doctor have educated me on. I hope they give you a bit of

> guidance and some food for thought.

> >

> > Most importantly, you are doing fine in terms of your weight

loss!

> Next to the Lap-Band insertion being less invasive than the RNY,

the

> most important factor to me in choosing it was that the weight loss

> is slow...and HEALTHY. Stay strong and believe that you can use

the

> band as a tool and be successful as a result.

> >

> > All the Best,

> > D

> >

> > 5'4 " Age 32

> > 262.2 / 237.2 / 160

> > Pre-Op/Now/Goal

> > Banded August 14, 2007

> >

>

[Guest guest]

I say the same thing every day: No matter how much i learn , there is

still more !

Docs seem to disagree on the " no eating before " time=frame - but as

I found out, and as YOU found out, NOT drinking before makes things

stick! I can see no reason at all not to lubricate the throat and

saturate the gut. please ask your doc to explain the physiological

reason for not drinking before -I just cannot see any valid ones.

Some docs say 30 min, some say 60, some say 90 - not to drink after.

I believe 60 is best, becuase the food is moved out of the pouchsthby

then, by normal GI action - and we need to start drinking then to get

enough fluids in during the day! If we don't drink for 90 minuted

after every meal and the 1-2 snacks, there just isn;t enough time to

reasoinably get in 90-100 oz a day!

WITH a good fill, msot docs say 1-1.5 cups. if your doc says 1,

that's fine. But I hope he also allows 1-2 small protin snacks. A

good band meal with a good fill (and you're not there yet, so don't

worry) lasts 3-4 hrs, not longer. If we eat breakfast at - say - 7

am, and lunch at noon - we will not make it! So I suggest a small

snack at about 10:30 - planned and healthy, not grabbed from a fast

food place or vending machine at work! 3 small but decent meals a

day, plus 1-2 small snacks, is what worked for me, and hat we teach

in heKuri group[ -and we have an awful lot of successful people!

But, as always, e each need to make small adjustments as we find what

works for us, and hat does bot.

, it took ALL of us years of bad habits to get heavy -so now we

are improving !! Be gentle on yourself, and accept the time it will

take. We're the " Turtle Club " , not the " Hare club " - who won, in the

end? :-) :-) :-)

Sandy R

> > >

> > > ,

> > >

> > > I've been following the responses you have received and I

wanted

> to

> > mention a few items of interest that haven't been touched. I'm

> only

> > a fellow bander, so my advice is of course for your individual

> > consideration.

> > >

> > > First, I was advised by my nutritionist to follow what is

called

> a

> > 30/30 rule in terms of drinking and eating. This means that you

> > should not drink 30 minutes prior to eating, during or 30 minutes

> > after. Not drinking beforehand leaves your stomach dry, allowing

> > food to stick and stay in it longer. If you drink during eating,

> you

> > will enable yourself to eat more. The water helps to flow the

food

> > through the band. Should you drink right after eating, the same

> > effect will happen, leaving you hungry earlier. Perhaps this

could

> > help you eat less at a meal, ie, just the equivalency of your

> stomach

> > size.

> > >

> > > Second, protein has been proven to be the best hunger

deterant.

> > When you eat carbs, your body takes it in very quickly, raising

> sugar

> > levels. Since the digestion process for carbs are so quick, you

> tend

> > to feel hungry faster and have the feeling of needing food again

> soon

> > after as your body's sugar level comes back down rapidly. Also,

if

> > you do not use this energy, it is then stored as fat. Protein

> takes

> > longer to digest and therefore stays with you longer. It is also

a

> > necessity for your bones and muscles when losing weight.

Further,

> if

> > your diet is higher in protein than the other food groups, you

have

> > the opportunity to put your body in ketosis. Former Atkins

> > attempters understand about this. Read up on it. When you are

in

> > this state you are in a high fat burning stage. Make sure it is

> > healthy for you, ie. not good for diabetics. Exercise is also a

> > great way to deter hunger as well as drinking water, which

another

> > person posted.

> > >

> > > Third, do you eat slowly? Each 2 oz. meal should take you 30

> > minutes to eat. This is key to figuring out my fourth point.

> > >

> > > Finally, do you understand what full really feels like? I

> > personally had to figure this out. It's not being stuffed, as

many

> > of us equated full to be, pre-band. Full is when you no longer

> have

> > hunger pains, feel content and satisfied. It is not when you get

> > pains in your back or left shoulder. At that point you have

> already

> > overeaten and can be stretching your stomach. The purpose of

> eating

> > slowly is to wait for your brain to tell you you are satisfied.

> This

> > response can take 15-20 minutes, giving reason to eat slow as

> > mentioned in my third point.

> > >

> > > Again, I'm no expert. These are only things that my

nurtitionist

> > and doctor have educated me on. I hope they give you a bit of

> > guidance and some food for thought.

> > >

> > > Most importantly, you are doing fine in terms of your weight

> loss!

> > Next to the Lap-Band insertion being less invasive than the RNY,

> the

> > most important factor to me in choosing it was that the weight

loss

> > is slow...and HEALTHY. Stay strong and believe that you can use

> the

> > band as a tool and be successful as a result.

> > >

> > > All the Best,

> > > D

> > >

> > > 5'4 " Age 32

> > > 262.2 / 237.2 / 160

> > > Pre-Op/Now/Goal

> > > Banded August 14, 2007

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

On the beach??? Rub it in!! It's raining here in Oregon!! BOOOO!

Sandy r

>

..> dan in maui on the beach

>

[Guest guest]

I always eat 20 if not 30 ounces before eating, if I don't I find that I can't

get all my fluids in. I was also told not to drink for two hours after I eat. I

have always tried to follow this. At worst I wait at least 1 1/2 hours. So, with

the waiting I HAVE to drink right before my meal, it also wets my esophagus and

makes it easier to eat. I have talked to lots of people who only wait one hour,

but I think I will continue to wait as close to the two hours as I can. I feel

it has helped me with my weight loss. Just sharing my experience. Good luck,

Jill

Jill S.

358/285/160??

12-09-06,Dr.Kuri

Your only as good as you think you can be!

This too will pass!

---------------------------------

Boardwalk for $500? In 2007? Ha!

Play Monopoly Here and Now (it's updated for today's economy) at Games.

[Guest guest]

Hello Sandy,

Tuesday, September 4, 2007, 8:54:15 PM, you wrote:

> On the beach??? Rub it in!! It's raining here in Oregon!! BOOOO!

> Sandy r

Actually what I'm rubbing in is Aquaphor on my sunburn. We went to

Hana on Monday and had the sunroof open. I was wearing a tanktop with

thin straps, and guess there was more sun coming in the roof than I

thought. Just a bit of pain. But since the dermatologist finds stuff

to freeze or cut off at every six month checkup, I try hard to be

careful. Guess the top was " skimpier on the shoulders " than the ones

I usually wear.

Last nite had a superb dinner and almost ate too much. If we hadn't

had a dinner extended for a couple hours (it was that kind of dinner

and place) I couldn't have eaten it all. It wasn't really " bad " , as

was three different kinds of fish, each about a 3 ounce piece, each

prepared a very different way. Fantastic. Avoided the ice cream pie

the others had. Well, had one bite, and my stoma did what it always

does with something cold...siezed up. So that was it. Didn't want to

slime or barf.

Ate pretty well at luau tonite, too. tuna, salmon, some pork, and

some mahi mahi. Avoided all sorts of " bad things " that were there.

Best to all,

dan

[Guest guest]

,

you certainly got a good discussion going!!!! And i'm very pleased

to see that water consumption, which seems to be held differently by

many, was discussed. i agree with Sandy (LOL. what choice do i have?

LOL) about water loading prior to eating. its a good thing. Its

also important because it staves off thirst during and after you

eat. in my experience, drinking just after eating (or during) does

push food through, defeating the purpose of banding. but for me, its

not an easy passing. its usually accompanied by lots of discomfort

as the food is forced through. so i never do it unless i'm not

paying attention. that's the nemesis: not paying attention. this

is the most critical step in my journey. paying attention to what

i'm doing.

prior to banding, i could eat an entire meal without noticing it.

And then i'd be so eager to taste something, that i'd eat more. So

now, the band forces me to savor each bite. its a different world.

cindy, i think you hit the nail on the head in one of your re-

responses. patience is a virtue here. you're original post was

alarming in that your disillusionment came on so early. but i think

you've got it now, so i won't preach.

just stay connected here. know that your goal won't be reached

overnight, but that the odds are in favor of you losing and keeping

it off with the band. i believe the odds are better for us than for

rny patients. i know so many who are now on diets because of the

bounce back weight gain.

george

//

[Guest guest]

Thanks . I've totally made a 360 degree turn. Thanks to all

of the discussion (and information) I'm happy to say that " I'm back

on track " , motivated, educated and practicing patience (NOT easy for

me). Also, although I LOVE water, it had kinda fallen to the back

of my mind so now I'm focusing on it too. Lots to do!

Also, since discovering the NSV term, I keep going over my NSV's in

my head and even came up with a few I didn't realize!

You all have been great and I'm VERY glad I found Sandyr and this

forum! You have no idea how much it helps!

: )

>

> ,

>

> you certainly got a good discussion going!!!! And i'm very

pleased

> to see that water consumption, which seems to be held differently

by

> many, was discussed. i agree with Sandy (LOL. what choice do i

have?

> LOL) about water loading prior to eating. its a good thing. Its

> also important because it staves off thirst during and after you

> eat. in my experience, drinking just after eating (or during)

does

> push food through, defeating the purpose of banding. but for me,

its

> not an easy passing. its usually accompanied by lots of

discomfort

> as the food is forced through. so i never do it unless i'm not

> paying attention. that's the nemesis: not paying attention.

this

> is the most critical step in my journey. paying attention to what

> i'm doing.

>

> prior to banding, i could eat an entire meal without noticing it.

> And then i'd be so eager to taste something, that i'd eat more.

So

> now, the band forces me to savor each bite. its a different world.

>

> cindy, i think you hit the nail on the head in one of your re-

> responses. patience is a virtue here. you're original post was

> alarming in that your disillusionment came on so early. but i

think

> you've got it now, so i won't preach.

>

> just stay connected here. know that your goal won't be reached

> overnight, but that the odds are in favor of you losing and

keeping

> it off with the band. i believe the odds are better for us than

for

> rny patients. i know so many who are now on diets because of the

> bounce back weight gain.

>

> george

>

> //

>

[Guest guest]

I do eat only 2 oz. at a time, per my doctor's instruction. Further, the

Lap-Band website mentions this practice in Step 3 of the journey under Dietary

Guidelines from The First Year After Surgery.

" Your stomach can only hold about one-fourth of a cup of food, or two ounces, at

a time. "

It also reiterates the point under Rule 1 of Ten Important Rules for Living with

the Lap-Band under Continued Well-Being.

" Rule 1: Eat only three small meals a day.

Your new small stomach pouch can hold only about one-fourth of a cup of food. If

you try to eat more than this at one time, you may become nauseated or vomit. If

you routinely eat too much, the small stomach pouch may stretch. Frequent

vomiting will cancel the effect of the operation and can also cause certain

complications, such as stomach slippage. To avoid this, you need to learn to

listen to your body. "

I do feel full (satisfied) when I practice the 30/30 rule I mentioned with a 2

oz. meal. Should I have any trouble (which I have not yet) with food going down

because of not drinking beforehand, there is a natural pill called Papaya Enzyme

that breaks down food which is stuck. This supplement was suggested by my

nutritionist. I am only 3 weeks out from surgery and I am under the impression

from my doctor's office that I continue eating this size meal for the first

year, as the website supports. At that time, my stomach's pouch should be 4 oz.

The nutritionist says most individual's are at 8 oz. a year out if they don't

follow the rules they were given. With this, in terms of calories per day, the

nutritionist says about 400-600 calories are injested at this particular stage.

It alarmed me at first, but I do realize my body is using lots of stored fat to

keep it going and I am taking in all of the nutrients I need in daily vitamins

and pills (minus protein, which is why for n

ow I am concentrating on this intake to get in 50g per day).

I've not questioned the instructions I received since both the doctor and the

Lap-band's official website coincide; and, because of this I am a bit shocked

that a cup of food or more is suggested to eat at a time at 's and my

stage. Without drinking during the meal, I'd never be able to put that much

down. It would make me vomit and/or give me shoulder and back pain. Hence,

this is why I suggested to (who is less than 2 months out from surgery)

that she also follow the 30/30 rule (Lap-Band's Rule 4), ensure her portion size

is that of her stomach's current size (Lap-Band's Rule 1), to eat slowly

(Lap-Band's Rule 2) and to properly recognize when she is full (Lap-Band's Rule

3) as my doctor has taught me.

I am sure everyone has been given different instructions from their doctors

depending on how long the doctor has been inserting Lap-Band's, whether the

doctor also does RNY's, etc., but I will continue to follow the rules and

guidelines I have been given. I located my doctor from the Lap-Band website and

feel confident in how my experience has been and my health has already improved.

A friend of mine who had the Lap-Band in Feb. '06 also chose his doctor from

Lap-Band.com. His doctor was located at Washington Hospital - highly

reputable (but a long drive for me) - and he was given the same instructions to

follow as mine, so that gives me even more reassurance. I only hoped that my

comments may have given a different approach if ones she was given weren't

working. No matter what doctor we all have, I feel the manufacturer's website

is probably the best factual information we can rely on and can only say it's

done me well so far.

I don't want this to become controversial in any way, please. (I always fear

that in e-mails that fly back and forth.) I'm simply sharing what I have

learned and references that support it. I respect everyone's opinions, comments

and successes in however they make their Lap-Band lifesyle change right for

them. The latter is probably the most key!

Best of luck to all,

D

[Guest guest]

D, at just a few weeks out from surgery I could only eat very little at a

time as well. Swelling takes a bit to go down. If you can stay not hungry

eating only 2 ounces of food at a time at 6 months or a year I would LOVE to

know. I become content after 1 cup (8 ounces) of food. Congrats on

becoming a loser and good luck! Like you said, we all have what works for

us. It is all individual.

Sometimes being a loser is a GOOD thing!

5'11 " 306 / 231 / 180

PreOp / Now/ Goal

Banded 09/14/06

>From: d_harman@...

>Reply-

> ,< >

>Subject: Re: Where has my fill gone?

>Date: Wed, 05 Sep 2007 17:05:31 +0000

>

>I do eat only 2 oz. at a time, per my doctor's instruction. Further, the

>Lap-Band website mentions this practice in Step 3 of the journey under

>Dietary Guidelines from The First Year After Surgery.

>

> " Your stomach can only hold about one-fourth of a cup of food, or two

>ounces, at a time. "

>

>It also reiterates the point under Rule 1 of Ten Important Rules for Living

>with the Lap-Band under Continued Well-Being.

>

> " Rule 1: Eat only three small meals a day.

>Your new small stomach pouch can hold only about one-fourth of a cup of

>food. If you try to eat more than this at one time, you may become

>nauseated or vomit. If you routinely eat too much, the small stomach pouch

>may stretch. Frequent vomiting will cancel the effect of the operation and

>can also cause certain complications, such as stomach slippage. To avoid

>this, you need to learn to listen to your body. "

>

>I do feel full (satisfied) when I practice the 30/30 rule I mentioned with

>a 2 oz. meal. Should I have any trouble (which I have not yet) with food

>going down because of not drinking beforehand, there is a natural pill

>called Papaya Enzyme that breaks down food which is stuck. This supplement

>was suggested by my nutritionist. I am only 3 weeks out from surgery and I

>am under the impression from my doctor's office that I continue eating this

>size meal for the first year, as the website supports. At that time, my

>stomach's pouch should be 4 oz. The nutritionist says most individual's

>are at 8 oz. a year out if they don't follow the rules they were given.

>With this, in terms of calories per day, the nutritionist says about

>400-600 calories are injested at this particular stage. It alarmed me at

>first, but I do realize my body is using lots of stored fat to keep it

>going and I am taking in all of the nutrients I need in daily vitamins and

>pills (minus protein, which is why for n

>ow I am concentrating on this intake to get in 50g per day).

>

>I've not questioned the instructions I received since both the doctor and

>the Lap-band's official website coincide; and, because of this I am a bit

>shocked that a cup of food or more is suggested to eat at a time at 's

>and my stage. Without drinking during the meal, I'd never be able to put

>that much down. It would make me vomit and/or give me shoulder and back

>pain. Hence, this is why I suggested to (who is less than 2 months

>out from surgery) that she also follow the 30/30 rule (Lap-Band's Rule 4),

>ensure her portion size is that of her stomach's current size (Lap-Band's

>Rule 1), to eat slowly (Lap-Band's Rule 2) and to properly recognize when

>she is full (Lap-Band's Rule 3) as my doctor has taught me.

>

>I am sure everyone has been given different instructions from their doctors

>depending on how long the doctor has been inserting Lap-Band's, whether the

>doctor also does RNY's, etc., but I will continue to follow the rules and

>guidelines I have been given. I located my doctor from the Lap-Band

>website and feel confident in how my experience has been and my health has

>already improved. A friend of mine who had the Lap-Band in Feb. '06 also

>chose his doctor from Lap-Band.com. His doctor was located at

>Washington Hospital - highly reputable (but a long drive for me) - and he

>was given the same instructions to follow as mine, so that gives me even

>more reassurance. I only hoped that my comments may have given a

>different approach if ones she was given weren't working. No matter what

>doctor we all have, I feel the manufacturer's website is probably the best

>factual information we can rely on and can only say it's done me well so

>far.

>

>I don't want this to become controversial in any way, please. (I always

>fear that in e-mails that fly back and forth.) I'm simply sharing what I

>have learned and references that support it. I respect everyone's

>opinions, comments and successes in however they make their Lap-Band

>lifesyle change right for them. The latter is probably the most key!

>

>Best of luck to all,

>D

>

>

[Guest guest]

" There is a natural pill called Papaya Enzyme that breaks down food which is

stuck. This supplement was suggested by my nutritionist. "

Has anyone tried Papaya Enzyme and had it work? On it's own that is. I

tried taking it two separate occasions when I was stuck and it did nothing

for me other than make me feel sicker. I know that papaya is used as a

natural supplement to aide digestion, but the only things that have helped

me (personally) when I was stuck was a heating pad or hot liquids. I have

also heard other bandsters talk about meat tenderizer????

Sometimes being a loser is a GOOD thing!

5'11 " 306 / 231 / 180

PreOp / Now/ Goal

Banded 09/14/06

>From: d_harman@...

>Reply-

> ,< >

>Subject: Re: Where has my fill gone?

>Date: Wed, 05 Sep 2007 17:05:31 +0000

>

>I do eat only 2 oz. at a time, per my doctor's instruction. Further, the

>Lap-Band website mentions this practice in Step 3 of the journey under

>Dietary Guidelines from The First Year After Surgery.

>

> " Your stomach can only hold about one-fourth of a cup of food, or two

>ounces, at a time. "

>

>It also reiterates the point under Rule 1 of Ten Important Rules for Living

>with the Lap-Band under Continued Well-Being.

>

> " Rule 1: Eat only three small meals a day.

>Your new small stomach pouch can hold only about one-fourth of a cup of

>food. If you try to eat more than this at one time, you may become

>nauseated or vomit. If you routinely eat too much, the small stomach pouch

>may stretch. Frequent vomiting will cancel the effect of the operation and

>can also cause certain complications, such as stomach slippage. To avoid

>this, you need to learn to listen to your body. "

>

>I do feel full (satisfied) when I practice the 30/30 rule I mentioned with

>a 2 oz. meal. Should I have any trouble (which I have not yet) with food

>going down because of not drinking beforehand, there is a natural pill

>called Papaya Enzyme that breaks down food which is stuck. This supplement

>was suggested by my nutritionist. I am only 3 weeks out from surgery and I

>am under the impression from my doctor's office that I continue eating this

>size meal for the first year, as the website supports. At that time, my

>stomach's pouch should be 4 oz. The nutritionist says most individual's

>are at 8 oz. a year out if they don't follow the rules they were given.

>With this, in terms of calories per day, the nutritionist says about

>400-600 calories are injested at this particular stage. It alarmed me at

>first, but I do realize my body is using lots of stored fat to keep it

>going and I am taking in all of the nutrients I need in daily vitamins and

>pills (minus protein, which is why for n

>ow I am concentrating on this intake to get in 50g per day).

>

>I've not questioned the instructions I received since both the doctor and

>the Lap-band's official website coincide; and, because of this I am a bit

>shocked that a cup of food or more is suggested to eat at a time at 's

>and my stage. Without drinking during the meal, I'd never be able to put

>that much down. It would make me vomit and/or give me shoulder and back

>pain. Hence, this is why I suggested to (who is less than 2 months

>out from surgery) that she also follow the 30/30 rule (Lap-Band's Rule 4),

>ensure her portion size is that of her stomach's current size (Lap-Band's

>Rule 1), to eat slowly (Lap-Band's Rule 2) and to properly recognize when

>she is full (Lap-Band's Rule 3) as my doctor has taught me.

>

>I am sure everyone has been given different instructions from their doctors

>depending on how long the doctor has been inserting Lap-Band's, whether the

>doctor also does RNY's, etc., but I will continue to follow the rules and

>guidelines I have been given. I located my doctor from the Lap-Band

>website and feel confident in how my experience has been and my health has

>already improved. A friend of mine who had the Lap-Band in Feb. '06 also

>chose his doctor from Lap-Band.com. His doctor was located at

>Washington Hospital - highly reputable (but a long drive for me) - and he

>was given the same instructions to follow as mine, so that gives me even

>more reassurance. I only hoped that my comments may have given a

>different approach if ones she was given weren't working. No matter what

>doctor we all have, I feel the manufacturer's website is probably the best

>factual information we can rely on and can only say it's done me well so

>far.

>

>I don't want this to become controversial in any way, please. (I always

>fear that in e-mails that fly back and forth.) I'm simply sharing what I

>have learned and references that support it. I respect everyone's

>opinions, comments and successes in however they make their Lap-Band

>lifesyle change right for them. The latter is probably the most key!

>

>Best of luck to all,

>D

>

>

[Guest guest]

Meat tenderizers and this papaya enzyme are very dngerous. The rumor

tht they haelp a " stuck " espisode has been around for a long time,

and there re people who swear by it - but some people have been badly

hsrmed and i surely never recommed it.

First, it takes meat tenderizer hours to work - how could it possibly

help in a few minutes?

Second, our stomachs and esophagus is also meat - why would it not

brek these tissues down? ( it does)

third, it is not meant to be in contact with the GI tissues - it

works by mixing with food in the INTESTINE where there re lots iof

fluids and foods.

I'lll post a good thread about the big dangers that was on another

site recently, as soon as i can.

Please do not use this stuff, and discourage others from, if you can.

i can't believe a knowledgeable professional would advise this for a

bandster!!

Sndy r

>

> " There is a natural pill called Papaya Enzyme that breaks down food

which is

> stuck. This supplement was suggested by my nutritionist. "

>

> Has anyone tried Papaya Enzyme and had it work? On it's own that

is. I

> tried taking it two separate occasions when I was stuck and it did

nothing

> for me other than make me feel sicker. I know that papaya is used

as a

> natural supplement to aide digestion, but the only things that have

helped

> me (personally) when I was stuck was a heating pad or hot liquids.

I have

> also heard other bandsters talk about meat tenderizer????

>

>

>

> Sometimes being a loser is a GOOD thing!

> 5'11 " 306 / 231 / 180

> PreOp / Now/ Goal

> Banded 09/14/06

>

>

>

>

>

> >From: d_harman@...

> >Reply-

> >To:

,< >

> >Subject: Re: Where has my fill gone?

> >Date: Wed, 05 Sep 2007 17:05:31 +0000

> >

> >I do eat only 2 oz. at a time, per my doctor's instruction.

Further, the

> >Lap-Band website mentions this practice in Step 3 of the journey

under

> >Dietary Guidelines from The First Year After Surgery.

> >

> > " Your stomach can only hold about one-fourth of a cup of food, or

two

> >ounces, at a time. "

> >

> >It also reiterates the point under Rule 1 of Ten Important Rules

for Living

> >with the Lap-Band under Continued Well-Being.

> >

> > " Rule 1: Eat only three small meals a day.

> >Your new small stomach pouch can hold only about one-fourth of a

cup of

> >food. If you try to eat more than this at one time, you may become

> >nauseated or vomit. If you routinely eat too much, the small

stomach pouch

> >may stretch. Frequent vomiting will cancel the effect of the

operation and

> >can also cause certain complications, such as stomach slippage. To

avoid

> >this, you need to learn to listen to your body. "

> >

> >I do feel full (satisfied) when I practice the 30/30 rule I

mentioned with

> >a 2 oz. meal. Should I have any trouble (which I have not yet)

with food

> >going down because of not drinking beforehand, there is a natural

pill

> >called Papaya Enzyme that breaks down food which is stuck. This

supplement

> >was suggested by my nutritionist. I am only 3 weeks out from

surgery and I

> >am under the impression from my doctor's office that I continue

eating this

> >size meal for the first year, as the website supports. At that

time, my

> >stomach's pouch should be 4 oz. The nutritionist says most

individual's

> >are at 8 oz. a year out if they don't follow the rules they were

given.

> >With this, in terms of calories per day, the nutritionist says

about

> >400-600 calories are injested at this particular stage. It

alarmed me at

> >first, but I do realize my body is using lots of stored fat to

keep it

> >going and I am taking in all of the nutrients I need in daily

vitamins and

> >pills (minus protein, which is why for n

> >ow I am concentrating on this intake to get in 50g per day).

> >

> >I've not questioned the instructions I received since both the

doctor and

> >the Lap-band's official website coincide; and, because of this I

am a bit

> >shocked that a cup of food or more is suggested to eat at a time

at 's

> >and my stage. Without drinking during the meal, I'd never be able

to put

> >that much down. It would make me vomit and/or give me shoulder

and back

> >pain. Hence, this is why I suggested to (who is less than 2

months

> >out from surgery) that she also follow the 30/30 rule (Lap-Band's

Rule 4),

> >ensure her portion size is that of her stomach's current size (Lap-

Band's

> >Rule 1), to eat slowly (Lap-Band's Rule 2) and to properly

recognize when

> >she is full (Lap-Band's Rule 3) as my doctor has taught me.

> >

> >I am sure everyone has been given different instructions from

their doctors

> >depending on how long the doctor has been inserting Lap-Band's,

whether the

> >doctor also does RNY's, etc., but I will continue to follow the

rules and

> >guidelines I have been given. I located my doctor from the Lap-

Band

> >website and feel confident in how my experience has been and my

health has

> >already improved. A friend of mine who had the Lap-Band in

Feb. '06 also

> >chose his doctor from Lap-Band.com. His doctor was located at

> >Washington Hospital - highly reputable (but a long drive for me) -

and he

> >was given the same instructions to follow as mine, so that gives

me even

> >more reassurance. I only hoped that my comments may have given

a

> >different approach if ones she was given weren't working. No

matter what

> >doctor we all have, I feel the manufacturer's website is probably

the best

> >factual information we can rely on and can only say it's done me

well so

> >far.

> >

> >I don't want this to become controversial in any way, please. (I

always

> >fear that in e-mails that fly back and forth.) I'm simply sharing

what I

> >have learned and references that support it. I respect everyone's

> >opinions, comments and successes in however they make their Lap-

Band

> >lifesyle change right for them. The latter is probably the most

key!

> >

> >Best of luck to all,

> >D

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

I used it once when I was super stuck on a bite of pork ribs. I could not

eat or drink anything for almost 24 hours. At 22 hours out I was desperate

went to the health food store bought the papaya and opened it up right there

took 4 tablets. One hour later I drank some water and the pork was gone like

nothing happened. I hope I never do that again, but it worked that time for

me.

Ales

RNY 7/11/02

Revision Banded 10/27/06

Re: Where has my fill gone?

> >Date: Wed, 05 Sep 2007 17:05:31 +0000

> >

> >I do eat only 2 oz. at a time, per my doctor's instruction. Further, the

> >Lap-Band website mentions this practice in Step 3 of the journey under

> >Dietary Guidelines from The First Year After Surgery.

> >

> > " Your stomach can only hold about one-fourth of a cup of food, or two

> >ounces, at a time. "

> >

> >It also reiterates the point under Rule 1 of Ten Important Rules for

Living

> >with the Lap-Band under Continued Well-Being.

> >

> > " Rule 1: Eat only three small meals a day.

> >Your new small stomach pouch can hold only about one-fourth of a cup of

> >food. If you try to eat more than this at one time, you may become

> >nauseated or vomit. If you routinely eat too much, the small stomach

pouch

> >may stretch. Frequent vomiting will cancel the effect of the operation

and

> >can also cause certain complications, such as stomach slippage. To avoid

> >this, you need to learn to listen to your body. "

> >

> >I do feel full (satisfied) when I practice the 30/30 rule I mentioned

with

> >a 2 oz. meal. Should I have any trouble (which I have not yet) with food

> >going down because of not drinking beforehand, there is a natural pill

> >called Papaya Enzyme that breaks down food which is stuck. This

supplement

> >was suggested by my nutritionist. I am only 3 weeks out from surgery and

I

> >am under the impression from my doctor's office that I continue eating

this

> >size meal for the first year, as the website supports. At that time, my

> >stomach's pouch should be 4 oz. The nutritionist says most individual's

> >are at 8 oz. a year out if they don't follow the rules they were given.

> >With this, in terms of calories per day, the nutritionist says about

> >400-600 calories are injested at this particular stage. It alarmed me at

> >first, but I do realize my body is using lots of stored fat to keep it

> >going and I am taking in all of the nutrients I need in daily vitamins

and

> >pills (minus protein, which is why for n

> >ow I am concentrating on this intake to get in 50g per day).

> >

> >I've not questioned the instructions I received since both the doctor and

> >the Lap-band's official website coincide; and, because of this I am a bit

> >shocked that a cup of food or more is suggested to eat at a time at

's

> >and my stage. Without drinking during the meal, I'd never be able to put

> >that much down. It would make me vomit and/or give me shoulder and back

> >pain. Hence, this is why I suggested to (who is less than 2 months

> >out from surgery) that she also follow the 30/30 rule (Lap-Band's Rule

4),

> >ensure her portion size is that of her stomach's current size (Lap-Band's

> >Rule 1), to eat slowly (Lap-Band's Rule 2) and to properly recognize when

> >she is full (Lap-Band's Rule 3) as my doctor has taught me.

> >

> >I am sure everyone has been given different instructions from their

doctors

> >depending on how long the doctor has been inserting Lap-Band's, whether

the

> >doctor also does RNY's, etc., but I will continue to follow the rules and

> >guidelines I have been given. I located my doctor from the Lap-Band

> >website and feel confident in how my experience has been and my health

has

> >already improved. A friend of mine who had the Lap-Band in Feb. '06 also

> >chose his doctor from Lap-Band.com. His doctor was located at

> >Washington Hospital - highly reputable (but a long drive for me) - and he

> >was given the same instructions to follow as mine, so that gives me even

> >more reassurance. I only hoped that my comments may have given a

> >different approach if ones she was given weren't working. No matter what

> >doctor we all have, I feel the manufacturer's website is probably the

best

> >factual information we can rely on and can only say it's done me well so

> >far.

> >

> >I don't want this to become controversial in any way, please. (I always

> >fear that in e-mails that fly back and forth.) I'm simply sharing what I

> >have learned and references that support it. I respect everyone's

> >opinions, comments and successes in however they make their Lap-Band

> >lifesyle change right for them. The latter is probably the most key!

> >

> >Best of luck to all,

> >D

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Just as I suspected on the meat tenderizer topic! YUCK!

Sometimes being a loser is a GOOD thing!

5'11 " 306 / 231 / 180

PreOp / Now/ Goal

Banded 09/14/06

>From: " Sandy " <MoonshadowRN@...>

>Reply-

>

>Subject: Re: Where has my fill gone?

>Date: Wed, 05 Sep 2007 18:29:17 -0000

>

>Meat tenderizers and this papaya enzyme are very dngerous. The rumor

>tht they haelp a " stuck " espisode has been around for a long time,

>and there re people who swear by it - but some people have been badly

>hsrmed and i surely never recommed it.

>First, it takes meat tenderizer hours to work - how could it possibly

>help in a few minutes?

>Second, our stomachs and esophagus is also meat - why would it not

>brek these tissues down? ( it does)

>third, it is not meant to be in contact with the GI tissues - it

>works by mixing with food in the INTESTINE where there re lots iof

>fluids and foods.

>

>I'lll post a good thread about the big dangers that was on another

>site recently, as soon as i can.

>Please do not use this stuff, and discourage others from, if you can.

>i can't believe a knowledgeable professional would advise this for a

>bandster!!

>Sndy r

>

>

>

> >

> > " There is a natural pill called Papaya Enzyme that breaks down food

>which is

> > stuck. This supplement was suggested by my nutritionist. "

> >

> > Has anyone tried Papaya Enzyme and had it work? On it's own that

>is. I

> > tried taking it two separate occasions when I was stuck and it did

>nothing

> > for me other than make me feel sicker. I know that papaya is used

>as a

> > natural supplement to aide digestion, but the only things that have

>helped

> > me (personally) when I was stuck was a heating pad or hot liquids.

>I have

> > also heard other bandsters talk about meat tenderizer????

> >

> >

> >

> > Sometimes being a loser is a GOOD thing!

> > 5'11 " 306 / 231 / 180

> > PreOp / Now/ Goal

> > Banded 09/14/06

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > >From: d_harman@...

> > >Reply-

> > >To:

> ,< >

> > >Subject: Re: Where has my fill gone?

> > >Date: Wed, 05 Sep 2007 17:05:31 +0000

> > >

> > >I do eat only 2 oz. at a time, per my doctor's instruction.

>Further, the

> > >Lap-Band website mentions this practice in Step 3 of the journey

>under

> > >Dietary Guidelines from The First Year After Surgery.

> > >

> > > " Your stomach can only hold about one-fourth of a cup of food, or

>two

> > >ounces, at a time. "

> > >

> > >It also reiterates the point under Rule 1 of Ten Important Rules

>for Living

> > >with the Lap-Band under Continued Well-Being.

> > >

> > > " Rule 1: Eat only three small meals a day.

> > >Your new small stomach pouch can hold only about one-fourth of a

>cup of

> > >food. If you try to eat more than this at one time, you may become

> > >nauseated or vomit. If you routinely eat too much, the small

>stomach pouch

> > >may stretch. Frequent vomiting will cancel the effect of the

>operation and

> > >can also cause certain complications, such as stomach slippage. To

>avoid

> > >this, you need to learn to listen to your body. "

> > >

> > >I do feel full (satisfied) when I practice the 30/30 rule I

>mentioned with

> > >a 2 oz. meal. Should I have any trouble (which I have not yet)

>with food

> > >going down because of not drinking beforehand, there is a natural

>pill

> > >called Papaya Enzyme that breaks down food which is stuck. This

>supplement

> > >was suggested by my nutritionist. I am only 3 weeks out from

>surgery and I

> > >am under the impression from my doctor's office that I continue

>eating this

> > >size meal for the first year, as the website supports. At that

>time, my

> > >stomach's pouch should be 4 oz. The nutritionist says most

>individual's

> > >are at 8 oz. a year out if they don't follow the rules they were

>given.

> > >With this, in terms of calories per day, the nutritionist says

>about

> > >400-600 calories are injested at this particular stage. It

>alarmed me at

> > >first, but I do realize my body is using lots of stored fat to

>keep it

> > >going and I am taking in all of the nutrients I need in daily

>vitamins and

> > >pills (minus protein, which is why for n

> > >ow I am concentrating on this intake to get in 50g per day).

> > >

> > >I've not questioned the instructions I received since both the

>doctor and

> > >the Lap-band's official website coincide; and, because of this I

>am a bit

> > >shocked that a cup of food or more is suggested to eat at a time

>at 's

> > >and my stage. Without drinking during the meal, I'd never be able

>to put

> > >that much down. It would make me vomit and/or give me shoulder

>and back

> > >pain. Hence, this is why I suggested to (who is less than 2

>months

> > >out from surgery) that she also follow the 30/30 rule (Lap-Band's

>Rule 4),

> > >ensure her portion size is that of her stomach's current size (Lap-

>Band's

> > >Rule 1), to eat slowly (Lap-Band's Rule 2) and to properly

>recognize when

> > >she is full (Lap-Band's Rule 3) as my doctor has taught me.

> > >

> > >I am sure everyone has been given different instructions from

>their doctors

> > >depending on how long the doctor has been inserting Lap-Band's,

>whether the

> > >doctor also does RNY's, etc., but I will continue to follow the

>rules and

> > >guidelines I have been given. I located my doctor from the Lap-

>Band

> > >website and feel confident in how my experience has been and my

>health has

> > >already improved. A friend of mine who had the Lap-Band in

>Feb. '06 also

> > >chose his doctor from Lap-Band.com. His doctor was located at

>

> > >Washington Hospital - highly reputable (but a long drive for me) -

>and he

> > >was given the same instructions to follow as mine, so that gives

>me even

> > >more reassurance. I only hoped that my comments may have given

> a

> > >different approach if ones she was given weren't working. No

>matter what

> > >doctor we all have, I feel the manufacturer's website is probably

>the best

> > >factual information we can rely on and can only say it's done me

>well so

> > >far.

> > >

> > >I don't want this to become controversial in any way, please. (I

>always

> > >fear that in e-mails that fly back and forth.) I'm simply sharing

>what I

> > >have learned and references that support it. I respect everyone's

> > >opinions, comments and successes in however they make their Lap-

>Band

> > >lifesyle change right for them. The latter is probably the most

>key!

> > >

> > >Best of luck to all,

> > >D

> > >

> > >

[Guest guest]

>Hi D,

When I was first banded the swelling only allowed me to eat 2 oz

also. I had hoped this would last. I was NOT hungry (mind or

otherwise) and I was a very happy camper! Eventually, I upped my

intake to 4 oz per my doctor's advice. This was around week 3-4.

Apparently the swelling went down. I just stopped eating at 4 oz

whether I was full or not (mostly I was NOT). Around week 5 I became

more HUNGRY - my stomach would growl like crazy and although water

helped some - the hunger came back with a vengence. As I stared at

the food I could not eat (cause I limited myself) - my mind started

thinking about food all the time. Isn't this the depravation cycle

they talk about? The more you can't have the more you want? I

started thinking about food all the time - even looking up recipes

(for anyone who knows me - I DO NOT LIKE TO COOK). Even when my

stomach didn't growl, I was thinking about or nibbling on food. And

of course, I am a binge eater so once I start I can't stop - several

time I ate till I was nauseas, but thankfully never PB'd.

Now at six weeks, I really fell off the wagon and started grazing

all day. It wasn't really a matter of too much food at one meal -

it grazing all day. I KNOW now that had I followed the rules I was

given and eaten enough food at each meal (up to 1 1/2 cups per my

doc) with protein snacks when I was hungry (like the band rules I

was given) - I might not have 'fallen off the wagaon'so hard and

gotten so discouraged. Today I won't up with my stomach really

uncomfortable and I am back to eating better. These last few days

where I've proved I could eat more by doing it, took away my fear of

eating more than 4 oz. So now the band can't stop me - I have to

stop me...at least until I get more fills.

I would give anything to only eat 2 oz of food like I did at the

beginning and I truly hope that my optimal fill will keep me eating

less than a cup and not hungry in between.

Enjoy it while you can. I'm going on lap-band.com to see

the 'rules' you are talking about. I'm not sure they aren't talking

about at " optimal fill " level. Until the band stops me...I'm just

going to try to eat better with smaller amounts.

> I do eat only 2 oz. at a time, per my doctor's instruction.

Further, the Lap-Band website mentions this practice in Step 3 of

the journey under Dietary Guidelines from The First Year After

Surgery.

>

> " Your stomach can only hold about one-fourth of a cup of food, or

two ounces, at a time. "

>

> It also reiterates the point under Rule 1 of Ten Important Rules

for Living with the Lap-Band under Continued Well-Being.

>

> " Rule 1: Eat only three small meals a day.

> Your new small stomach pouch can hold only about one-fourth of a

cup of food. If you try to eat more than this at one time, you may

become nauseated or vomit. If you routinely eat too much, the small

stomach pouch may stretch. Frequent vomiting will cancel the effect

of the operation and can also cause certain complications, such as

stomach slippage. To avoid this, you need to learn to listen to your

body. "

>

> I do feel full (satisfied) when I practice the 30/30 rule I

mentioned with a 2 oz. meal. Should I have any trouble (which I

have not yet) with food going down because of not drinking

beforehand, there is a natural pill called Papaya Enzyme that breaks

down food which is stuck. This supplement was suggested by my

nutritionist. I am only 3 weeks out from surgery and I am under the

impression from my doctor's office that I continue eating this size

meal for the first year, as the website supports. At that time, my

stomach's pouch should be 4 oz. The nutritionist says most

individual's are at 8 oz. a year out if they don't follow the rules

they were given. With this, in terms of calories per day, the

nutritionist says about 400-600 calories are injested at this

particular stage. It alarmed me at first, but I do realize my body

is using lots of stored fat to keep it going and I am taking in all

of the nutrients I need in daily vitamins and pills (minus protein,

which is why for n

> ow I am concentrating on this intake to get in 50g per day).

>

> I've not questioned the instructions I received since both the

doctor and the Lap-band's official website coincide; and, because of

this I am a bit shocked that a cup of food or more is suggested to

eat at a time at 's and my stage. Without drinking during the

meal, I'd never be able to put that much down. It would make me

vomit and/or give me shoulder and back pain. Hence, this is why I

suggested to (who is less than 2 months out from surgery) that

she also follow the 30/30 rule (Lap-Band's Rule 4), ensure her

portion size is that of her stomach's current size (Lap-Band's Rule

1), to eat slowly (Lap-Band's Rule 2) and to properly recognize when

she is full (Lap-Band's Rule 3) as my doctor has taught me.

>

> I am sure everyone has been given different instructions from

their doctors depending on how long the doctor has been inserting

Lap-Band's, whether the doctor also does RNY's, etc., but I will

continue to follow the rules and guidelines I have been given. I

located my doctor from the Lap-Band website and feel confident in

how my experience has been and my health has already improved. A

friend of mine who had the Lap-Band in Feb. '06 also chose his

doctor from Lap-Band.com. His doctor was located at

Washington Hospital - highly reputable (but a long drive for me) -

and he was given the same instructions to follow as mine, so that

gives me even more reassurance. I only hoped that my comments may

have given a different approach if ones she was given weren't

working. No matter what doctor we all have, I feel the

manufacturer's website is probably the best factual information we

can rely on and can only say it's done me well so far.

>

> I don't want this to become controversial in any way, please. (I

always fear that in e-mails that fly back and forth.) I'm simply

sharing what I have learned and references that support it. I

respect everyone's opinions, comments and successes in however they

make their Lap-Band lifesyle change right for them. The latter is

probably the most key!

>

> Best of luck to all,

> D

>

>

[Guest guest]

cindy,

one more nit pik, if you don't mind. a 180 turn is what you've

done. 360 is full circle and would bring you back to where you

started. LOL

keep up the good work, cindy.

george

> >

> > ,

> >

> > you certainly got a good discussion going!!!! And i'm very

> pleased

> > to see that water consumption, which seems to be held differently

> by

> > many, was discussed. i agree with Sandy (LOL. what choice do i

> have?

> > LOL) about water loading prior to eating. its a good thing. Its

> > also important because it staves off thirst during and after you

> > eat. in my experience, drinking just after eating (or during)

> does

> > push food through, defeating the purpose of banding. but for me,

> its

> > not an easy passing. its usually accompanied by lots of

> discomfort

> > as the food is forced through. so i never do it unless i'm not

> > paying attention. that's the nemesis: not paying attention.

> this

> > is the most critical step in my journey. paying attention to

what

> > i'm doing.

> >

> > prior to banding, i could eat an entire meal without noticing

it.

> > And then i'd be so eager to taste something, that i'd eat more.

> So

> > now, the band forces me to savor each bite. its a different

world.

> >

> > cindy, i think you hit the nail on the head in one of your re-

> > responses. patience is a virtue here. you're original post was

> > alarming in that your disillusionment came on so early. but i

> think

> > you've got it now, so i won't preach.

> >

> > just stay connected here. know that your goal won't be reached

> > overnight, but that the odds are in favor of you losing and

> keeping

> > it off with the band. i believe the odds are better for us than

> for

> > rny patients. i know so many who are now on diets because of the

> > bounce back weight gain.

> >

> > george

> >

> > //

> >

>

[Guest guest]

I stand corrected : )

> > >

> > > ,

> > >

> > > you certainly got a good discussion going!!!! And i'm very

> > pleased

> > > to see that water consumption, which seems to be held

differently

> > by

> > > many, was discussed. i agree with Sandy (LOL. what choice do i

> > have?

> > > LOL) about water loading prior to eating. its a good thing.

Its

> > > also important because it staves off thirst during and after

you

> > > eat. in my experience, drinking just after eating (or during)

> > does

> > > push food through, defeating the purpose of banding. but for

me,

> > its

> > > not an easy passing. its usually accompanied by lots of

> > discomfort

> > > as the food is forced through. so i never do it unless i'm not

> > > paying attention. that's the nemesis: not paying attention.

> > this

> > > is the most critical step in my journey. paying attention to

> what

> > > i'm doing.

> > >

> > > prior to banding, i could eat an entire meal without noticing

> it.

> > > And then i'd be so eager to taste something, that i'd eat

more.

> > So

> > > now, the band forces me to savor each bite. its a different

> world.

> > >

> > > cindy, i think you hit the nail on the head in one of your re-

> > > responses. patience is a virtue here. you're original post

was

> > > alarming in that your disillusionment came on so early. but i

> > think

> > > you've got it now, so i won't preach.

> > >

> > > just stay connected here. know that your goal won't be reached

> > > overnight, but that the odds are in favor of you losing and

> > keeping

> > > it off with the band. i believe the odds are better for us

than

> > for

> > > rny patients. i know so many who are now on diets because of

the

> > > bounce back weight gain.

> > >

> > > george

> > >

> > > //

> > >

> >

>