Band Basics?!?

I just had my second fill a week ago and it is SIGNIFICANTLY different then after my first.  for the 1st 2 days I was worried it was too tight but my Doc said that if water was going down OK that I was good. But it has been such a change from how I was eating before... and now I need to practice band basics again an I am SUCKING at it!!!

Almost every day since I have my fill I have had a major episode of pain because I ate too fast and did not chew anywhere well enough.  Do you get shooting pains in your back when you eat too fast?  I KNOW I need  to get back to basics but I am having trouble getting my head in the game again...

Can you guys REMIND me why I need to do all these things?  Perhaps I can scare myself into following the rules....LOL....
~Anna

Just one reminder needed - getting stuck too often can lead to long term complications like band slip!!!

Just cut tiny pieces, chew to destruction, swallow, wait, start again. You don't have to do that for ever, just until you are used to tthis restriction.

But if after you have done all that you are still gettig pain, you are too tight and need a tiny unfill.

Kate

"Chew to destruction"...that is hilarious.  I've not heard it put that way before. 

Also, a really bad stuck episode can cause swelling, causing your band to be even tighter.  I had a bad stuck episode with a bagel (don't eat those anymore) and I had to go back to liquids and then mushies.  I was fine after 4 days.  So if you do get stuck be VERY careful afterward...you might be even tighter than usual. 

Anna~

Just know that many others have been in the same boat, me included. In December I had my first fill in 9 months & thought I knew everything but it was like being banded all over again & right back at the beginning.

Here is what I did:
1 & 1/2 cup Ziploc bowls-I only eat out of this size containers so I can keep my portions under control
Toddler fork & spoons-found these at Walmart (they are disposables)
Cut the food up very tiny pieces and chew until toothpaste consistency. After you swallow that food, count to 50 before you even take another bite. This will ensure that the piece you just swallowed has gone down and isn't coming back up.
Set a timer for 25 minutes and make your meal last that long to eat. Your body doesn't signal that it is full for 20 minutes

I hope this helps! And like others said, if you do have a stuck or PB episode, you will swell up and it is best to go on liquids for 24 hrs after.

Good Luck!
Pam