Question:
I just had my surgery Jan 3 2008, I was wondering if anyone had any advice?
My surgery was so recent I still have a couple of scabs. I am going to have to get my first fill in March. There are alot of things I just do not know, & as good as my Doctors office is, there are just some things I do not want to ask them. I also think since none of them have ever had the lap-band, there are probably things they do not know. Exp; no one told me baked tator tots (3) would make me sick. Desperately wanting some advice. Tina — TinaHallock (posted on January 28, 2008)
January 27, 2008
You might be starting solids a little soon. I can eat almost anything as
long as I chew and chew and chew. Sometimes I need to add a sauce of some
kind especially for very dry foods and meats. Anything you want to know
just ask.
— Bee
January 28, 2008
tater tots should not be part of anyones diet, too much carb,trans fat, and
course texture,crispy makes them a bad choice physically
— walter A.
January 28, 2008
You should probably not be eating those this soon, if at all. Not very
healthy and no protein really. 3 weeks out I was still on soft/pureed
foods. I was told to go to deli meats and crackers things like that after
my 4 week checkup but I also had the RYN. Good luck and please don't be
afraid to ask your doc's office. That is what they are there for.
— juliebelle0402
January 28, 2008
It is really hard to ask when someone has not been thru this themselves.
It is hard not to eat things that are around us, I know it has taken me
nearly 2-3 months to get my brain around the one oz per meal of food at a
time. I have just had my 3rd fill and I still can eat more than I should
when I just want to. This band is a tool, it is to help us help ourselves.
However I am over weight because of bad choices and other health issues.
To change all our habit just because we had surgury does not always come
quickly to some, me included. I would advise you to drink your Protein
drinks and if you are going to eat, drink something warm first, that
softens things up is what I have been told by my Doc and I have had few
things get stuck, and never had then not go down in less than a few
minutes. I know when I was ready to go in for my first fill I could eat as
if I had never had the surgury. Maybe that is what you are feeling.
Eating meat right off with out anything else can really be a problem, so
drink some warm tea or even water. Good luck, and start to really
concentrate on eating things that are protein when you do eat. I eat that
and veggie that are good with Fiber. And remember this is for a year, to
really keep going, our whole lives will be changing, and we will be happier
for it.
You can do it, Tracyld
— Tracy07
January 28, 2008
Hi Tina,
I can't believe your medical authority didn't give you a plan diet. What
kind of Surgery did you have? I had Rny surgery at a Bariatric Medical
Center of St Vincent Carmel Hospital here in the Indianapolis area.
And the hosptial gave me a very complete and varied diet broken down into
several month periods for the first year. And the first period was thru
week 6. The first listed NOT to eat was white potatoes. All foods that
first 6 weeks were to be the consistancy of baby food; so I bought the
Bullit at a local dept store and pureed tuna, ham, chicken with a bit of
mayo to get my protein. I also had to drink 64 oz of 1% milk during that
period.
Let me know if you need anymore info. I'll ask the hospital if I can give
you a copy of my first 6 months diet plan.
P.S. I'm just finishing up my 5th month and I still can't eat white
spuds!!
— Bill M.
January 28, 2008
I do not on a regular basis eat this stuff, but I have learned that
sometimes a "bite" will stop a craving. At my 3 week check up I
was asked if I was able to eat chicken, tuna & stuff like that. However
after saying all of this, I do not think that I am actually experiencing
the REAL thing right now. What I mean to say is that if I tried (I am not
going to but) I could probably eat the same amount as before, it would just
take me all day to do it. I was told that I need a fill, soon. I told the
doc it sounded that way to me too. How long did it take for all your scabs
to heal? How long do you have to continue protein shakes? Is it a good idea
just to keep taking them? Last one, promise ;-) has anyone heard of
"Vemma" it is a liquid vitamin drink, just 2 oz a day?
— TinaHallock
January 28, 2008
Tina, thanks for writing. I understand that you are timid about some
things, but think about this, you just paid upwards of $15,000 for surgery
and you don't want to ask them questions? They may or may not have the
band, but honey, they are your main source, and you paid through the nose
to use that source! Ask your questions and don't hold back. Be
respectful, but ask. Also, you said there are some things you don't want
to ask them, but you don't ask us either. What are your questions?
Regarding tater tots, some foods make one person sick, and another not, so
it is trial and error for everyone, both band and rny and other surgeries,
so as you try things, try them slow, chew well and give it time to respond.
My biggest advice is to do the program and stick to it no matter what. Be
sure and ask your surgeons office everything, and remember you have a tool
not a miracle, so use your tool well. Diet, exercise and water will always
be your key to weight loss, the tool is just a bonus. Take care. Patricia
P.
— Patricia P
January 28, 2008
Hi Tina - You should definitely speak with your doctor. Lapband may not be
as permanent as RNY but it's purpose is still the same. It is intended to
keep you from eating bad food, like tator tots. The fact that you even
attempted to eat a greasy potato only 2 weeks after having surgery means
that you still have alot to speak to your doctor about. They should have
provided you with a list and a time line, as well as recommended a
nutritionist for you to see. Did they also tell you eating meat would be a
problem also? You should really talk to your physician.
— KELLY R.
January 29, 2008
My experience has been that everybody is different at what they can
tolerate. There are things I can tolerate that really I'm not supposed to
and other things I can't. Dry meat is definately a challenge but we are
supposed to get that protein. I can eat cookies just fine, unfortunately.
Anyway, I've learned that the band is just a tool. I still have to watch
my portions and choices. It has helped a lot with this but it has not been
a miracle. The weight loss is slow but I'm hoping permanent! Do talk to
your doctor about your challenges to get some tips.
— delora10
January 30, 2008
Hi..I am 13 months post op and it has only been in the last few months that
I have really understood how food effects me. Let me be clear, following my
surgery I experimented with a lot of the foods that I was used to
eating...even fast food and snack type stuff....as crazy as it sounds, I
just didn't know any better and didn't have a good understanding of the
scope of food out there. It was a hard adjustment to go from eating fast
food and junk food constantly to eating high protein healthy foods. But I
am happy to say that after 6 months or so, I really began to change my
eating habits and my attitude towards food. Now that I have lost the weight
I just want to work hard to maintain it and I really do find myself in such
a better mind set. Like many of us, food was my best friend and I missed
the comfort it provided. I think I will always struggle with my weight but
this tool has been a great help. Good luck.
— Kristi S.
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