Experimenting is fine!

Disclaimer:-

1. This thread is not for recent post-ops.
2. It does not refer to any rules given by our docs for our health and the longevity of our bands (e.g. post-op diets, fill protocols).
3. It does not apply to those who find it easiest and best to follow a very strict regime.


Simply because we all have a similar lump of silicone round our stomachs does not mean that our post-op life is going to be the same. So once we are comfortable with band eating, IMO we can (with very great care) experiment. This is not something we have to live with for just a few months, this could be for life! We need to work out what we can live with long term.

These are the outcomes of  "experiments" I have made and which work for me. Not saying they will work for anyone else, just as examples of what can be done.


I was told  (IWT): don't drink with or for 45 mins after a meal.
What I have found (WIHF):  I can drink about 20 mins after a meal without any ill effect and without reducing satiety.

IWT:- stop eating about 2-3 hours before bedtime.
WIHF:- this actually causes acid reflux for me!  I am best if I eat my evening meal late. I think that if my stomach is empty when I go to bed, the acid seems to intensify. It took me several years to understand this.

IWT:-  you must eat breakfast (and I do know this is important but I simply can't!)
WIHF:- a large skinny latte gives me protein and if it slowed my loss any, who cares? Not me!

IWT:-  3 meals a day and 2 snacks if you really have to.
WIHF:- hunger is bad for me, makes me think of food and so I eat! So I have meals or snacks  whenever I feel hungry.  Some days I may have 5 meals, some days 2 meals and 4 snacks.

IWT:- soups, yoghourts are sliders, avoid.
WIHF:- not true for me! I get full after a small amount and have to stop. But hunger will return sooner than after protein - but manageably so!

IWT:-  you will almost certainly never be able to eat..... (range of things !)
WIHF:-  not true for me. I can eat everyything. Some things need a bit more care but I can eat them!

So my point? Get to know your band and then try things out - carefully!

Kate

Yep.  I agree.

Esp. the no drinking 30 min. before or after.  I did follow that rule for a long long time, but as I got more fluid in my band and got tighter, I discovered that if I drank right up till eating.. I did better.  I was better hydrated and things didn't get stuck as often.

So now I drin****il the first bite goes in my mouth and then I try not to drink for about an hour afterwards.. but if I need a sip of something before that hour is up.. I take it and no worries.  Just no large amounts of fluids for a while.

The bedtime eating varies for me.  I can't eat dense food just before bed or I'll get reflux.  Otherwise, I'm good with other foods.  Last night was a cup of Kozy Shack tapioca pudding (70 calories).  Not a big fan of tapioca.. but like the 70 calories and it's good to not have something chocolate for a change.  ::grin::

Life with a band isn't all that restrictive.. even though people who haven't been down our road may think it is.  All life is about choice if you really think about it.  :)

I agree with you and have done some of my own experimenting.  How else was I to find out the white chicken no matter how I cook it is not something I can eat.  Or that I am not able to eat raw carrots but cooked carrots are fine. 

I was told  (IWT): don't drink with or for 45 mins after a meal.
What I have found (WIHF):  my doctor is super strict and wants us to wait 90 minutes...Nope I don't go by that rule.  I wait about 20-30 minutes. 

IWT:- stop eating about 2-3 hours before bedtime.
WIHF:-with my work and workout schedule it would be imposible for me not to eat 2-3 hours before bedtime. 

IWT:-  you must eat breakfast (and I do know this is important but I simply can't!)
WIHF:-this is a rule I follow.  But I eat a small amount. 

IWT:-  3 meals a day and 2 snacks if you really have to.
WIHF:-See for me I'm not a snacker or a grazer and prefer 3 meals a day.  I don't snack between meals.  I was never a snacker.  So I eat 3 meals a day 

IWT:- soups, yoghourts are sliders, avoid.
WIHF:-  I was told the same thing about cottage cheese, eggs and ground beef and all three fill me up quite nicely. 

IWT:-  you will almost certainly never be able to eat..... (range of things !)
WIHF:-  I was told beef was impossible...I can eat any kind of beef with no problem...it's white meat I have problems with. 

IWT:- soups, yoghourts are sliders, avoid.
WIHF:-  I was told the same thing about cottage cheese, eggs and ground beef and all three fill me up quite nicely. 

Not only do I find cottage cheese, eggs and ground beef to be satisfying, I also find them a challenge to eat! You'd think that a spoonful of nice, soft, moist cottage cheese or scrambled egg would slide right down....but not for me!

Jean

cottage cheese and my band are like Hatfield's and the McCoys... It Soooo ain't happening....  even empty....my band turns its nose up at cottage cheese....

Kate,

I agree with careful experimentation, but not (as you mentioned) for new post-ops.

I especially agree with experimenting with different foods. If I cut every offending food out of my diet after every incident of careless eating, I'd end up with a sadly short list of OK foods. That's no way to live, eat, and get proper nutrition.

Jean

Oh goodness it just dawned on me who you are! Duh, I thought we had a new poster, but it's our Pollyanna! Boy do I feel dumb, but you look great!

My other avatar was out of date.  Almost 4 years old and about 12lbs slimmer!! This is more honest!!



Kate