Kittycat

When I need a fill, I use portion control so that I won't risk stretching my pouch. I only eat a computer mouse size of meat, veggies, grains/fruit. If I am full before I finish, I stop, if not the portions are still within moderation. Good Luck!

Congrats Francie, you did it!!! Eat something that's easy to chew, chew really well and you should be fine. Enjoy!!!

Hi Barbara, You are able to eat 2-4 cups of food? The ideal is 3/4 cup of food per sitting. Gas is normal, I build up alot of gas while I eat too. Productive Burp however, is when you slime to remove a blockage of food that is stuck from either not chewing well or eating too fast or too much. Your calorie intake and exercise is great, if you can eat 2-4 cups of food per sitting though, you need a fill.

Wow!!! You look amazing, you must be so proud of yourself. That's too bad about the port tilting, could it be because your stomach muscles are tightening up? Keep up the great work, you are our inspiration!!

Always the charmer Bill!!

I was on Optifast 900 for my pre-op, 4 shakes per day, no food. I didn't like the taste of them at all. EWWW!! I added 2 tsp of unsweetened cocoa and put it in the freezer for 30 minutes and I was able to get them down, barely! I actually had one the other day, thinking it might boost me out of my plateau...and it brought back bad memories. Try them, if you like it, go for it...if you don't there are other choices on the market. Good Luck!

Wow 15 lbs since surgery is great!! Average is 1-2 per week, you have done very well!! If you want to do shakes here and there, that's up to you...I tried that one day and didn't like it at all, of course the Optifast shakes I have from pre-op don't taste that great and it brought back really bad memories of pre-op. You choose!!

Stop worrying! You can't stretch your pouch on liquids. Feeling hungry is normal, you are not eating solids. Drink lots of water and eat soup as much as you want or need. Don't count calories during the 21 day healing stage. You will be fine, just follow the guidelines and you will have nothing to worry about!

Julie's right, drink lots. Sip all day long, and when you have soup only eat 1/2 to 3/4 cup at a time, but you can have this several times a day if you need to. Don't count calories during your healing time, you need all the fluids and nutrition you can get. Good Luck!

Jessica, my surgeon only uses fluoro, if he can't find the port at all, after several tries of course. I like the way he pulls the existing fluid out first to check it, it gives me peace of mind that he's in the right spot and that there's no leakage. Try the Utah fill centre and see how it goes, if you are happy with the service, it's reasonable..why not!

Carrie and Imworthit, so glad you are back. Don't ever feel embarrassed or ashamed with us. We understand the struggles and are here to help each other. We all bring something different and special to the forum and when one or more of us missing, we wonder if you are okay and if you need us. I am happy things are turning around for you both and I look forward to seeing your around more often!! (((Hugs)))

Hi Melissa, I thought the exact same thing, I drank Diet coke the minute I woke up until I went to bed, but gave it up cold turkey when I started my pre-op diet on May 27th and haven't looked back. I actually don't even miss it. My oldest son drinks alot of pop too, so it's in the house, I have no craving for it all anymore. I only drink water now. I do not drink any calories at all, I save them for the food. In addition, diet soda is a diaretic, which always slows weight loss. You can do this, there are many former soda addicts on this forum and we've all kicked the habit!!

Well it's raining and I decided to get out the house and go to the mall, of course everyone else had the same idea and it was quite busy. I had to park quite a distance from the entrance. I walked and walked to the mall entrance and kept on going through the mall, window shopping for the clothing of the future and then it hit me...I wasn't winded at all! Three months ago, I would be winded by the time I got the entrance and actually had to stop to catch my breath before continuing. Not anymore!!! It feels so good to grab a peice of normal again!!

Hi Melissa, welcome and congrats!! You have a made a great decision to be banded!! To answer your questions: PBing is Productive Burp. If you eat too quickly, too much, do not chew well or eat something your body doesn't like (eg: greasy foods), your body creates a slime (my surgeon told me is saliva) to move the food either down into your pouch or up and out. When it comes up and out, your mouth fills with slime and brings up the food with it. It has happened to the best of us, the stuck food hurts worse than the PBing. It's a relief once it's over. Drinking with meals washes the food from your small pouch into your largest stomach area and you won't feel full after eating. The goal is to eat protein, veggies, grains and fruit, in that order. The protein is solid and takes longer to digest, hence making you feel full longer. Soda/pop is carbonated, any carbonated drink causes gas build up in your pouch and can stretch it. Avoid it at all costs. I hope this answers your questions and feel free to ask away!!! Best of Luck!!

The size of your external belly, may or maynot have any bearing on the size of our internal stomach organ. I have alot of weight on my tummy, but got the smaller band size that my surgeon uses (in Canada). However my surgeon put 3cc in my band during surgery to provide some restriction after the initial recovery stage.

Thanks for sharing and all the best to you!!

Hi Jessica, what you are feeling is totally normal. Everytime I bent a little or leaned up against something my port area was very tender. My surgoen told me to try not to bend too much for about 6 weeks, the port is sewn to your abdominal muscle and needs time to heal. The lump or hard tissue you are feeling is probably scar tissue, I have that too. Second question: My surgeon does not use fluoro at all, he feels for the port and when he locates it, he puts the needle in, withdraws the existing fluid to ensure #1 he's in the right place and #2, that all of the fluid he previously injected is still there (no leaks). Then he injects it back and plus the fill amount. You are doing great Jessica, do not hesitate to ask anything, we've all been there..or are about to be.

I am not a doctor, but my surgeon did tell me that the size of the band depends on the size of the stomach at surgery. I guess my stomach required the 9cc instead of the 12 cc (band size in Canada). If you have a 10cc, your stomach was probably about the same size as mine???? Ask the doctors, they may be able to give you more info.

LOL!! HA HA!! Too funny, LMAO!! I guess I am under-tall too!! Considering I am only 5 feet tall now, I have some major stretching to do!! LOL!!

I just realized that you have lost over 100lbs, wow, amazing..good for you!!! Congrats!!!

What do you think caused the pain? The milk?

Feel better soon! Drink like crazy, water, broth, popcicles, jello, anything you can get your hands on. No calorie or quantity counting right now, you need to heal during the 3 week period after surgery. Take care! >

I second the motion!

In Canada the band sizes are 9cc and 12 cc...I have the smaller band. It depends on the size of the stomach during surgery on which band they use. Where you banded in South Korea?

I have two fills, 5cc in my 9cc band and I have great restriction, not sure if it's my sweet spot, but so far so good! My surgeon advised a possible 3-4 adjustments (fills) before I hit the sweetspot. He also mentioned that as the fat around the stomach (under the band) goes away, more fills may be required to tighten things up. Good luck getting to the sweetspot!!