hey vets!!! lets start a list of things for newbies to know!

I feel that maybe this can help a fellow bandster if we all can start a list of things to know.

LOL ok I will start!

1) The band is a tool and you will need to still follow a program to lose weight.   (there is no get the band and the weight just falls off on its own without diet or exercise)

You may experience a lot of hunger until you get a few fills. It took me 3 fills to feel any restriction.
Bread, pasta and rice are tough for bandsters, they easily get stuck. You probably want to stay away from those foods because of the carbs. focus on a high protien diet. When I was loosing I ate very low fat and low carb. Lots of lean meat and veggies. Eggs for breakfast. I snacked on 1/4c nuts and 2 lowfat cheese sticks. Very rote, but it worked for me. I lost 107 pounds in about 10 months. Good luck to all the newbies.

1. Just because you get the band dont mean you can never eat your favorite foods again .I eat all my favorite foods but now I have learned to eat them foods in moderation and how often to eat them foods.

Moderation not deprivation .  I live by this rule 100% of the time .

The band stop you from over eating, the band dont stop you from emotional eating, the band  dont  stop head hunger, the band dont stop you from eating unhealthy foods, the band dont stop you from eating a bag of chips or a pint of ice cream.

Like the previous poster said you still have to diet and exercise just like you did before you got the band , the band just helps you with portion control and staying fuller a little longer that is it nothing more nothing less .

.  Just remember it still has to be you that makes the choices on food, exercise, drinking Not the band .  If you make bad choices then you dont lose weight , make good choices and exercise then you lose weight :o) 

Like my doc told me if you expect the band to do all the work and you do nothing then you will not be successful.


2. Most important thing dont ever ever keep your band tight . It's not worth it in the long run    . Listen to your body !!!!

 3 .Learn the lessons that the band is there to teach us. Proper portion control, eating healthy , how to eat your favorite foods in moderation .  You need to learn these lessons because we dont know what the future holds with us and the band .

When you transition from a liquid diet to mushies to solids ... you WILL most likely gain some weight. Don't panic about this! This is normal.

NEVER eat a carb or fruit by itself. Always eat some type of protein with them. I just learned this from the dietician a few weeks ago!!

Never heard this, why does this apply?

Theresa

Well basically she says that we need to eat protein with every meal.

For carbs: She says the protein helps to break down the carbs. Your protein count has to be high enough to help burn off the carb. If it does not, it causes those crazy cravings.*Something like that*

I found this site talking about it a little bit better than I did:
http://www.theloveconsultants.com/index.php/blog/article/los e_weight_by_combining_protein_and_carbs_at_every_meal/Christ ine%20Bybee

For fruit: She says fruit can turn into sugar. Fruit alone can spike insulin levels also. The protein helps to make the fruit have you feel fuller longer and keep you leveled. I am diabetic (remission... no longer on the pills) so I have to be careful to not get the quick high then instant low blood sugar pikes. So this might just be a tip for diabetics...

I tried it today. I ate some strawberries with a buffalo flavored chicken tender. I did not get as hungry as I normally do after eating fruit nor did I get the droppies as I call it.

Try only one food at a time.  Because if something happens such as barfing you will know what food caused it.

1.  Your weight changes daily and hourly.  If you suddenly find that you have gained  several pounds without going on a binge, you may be retaining fluid.  Usual suspects:  not drinking enough fluid, consuming too much salt, sugar or carbs.
2.  Bandsters do not lose weight like people who have RNY.  Your weight loss should average 1-2 pounds a week.  Some people will lose more rapidly, some less rapidly.
3.  Cut your food into small pieces and chew very carefully.  Getting stuck is not fun and should be avoided.  Put your fork or spoon down between bites.  Take your time.
4.  Follow liquid discipline -- i.e. don't drink during your meal and for a period after.  Doctors recommend 30-60 minutes.  This will keep you from washing the food out of your pouch and will keep you feeling full.
5.  The purpose of fills is to make your band work.  Your surgeon should not "punish" you for not losing weight by withholding a fill. 
6.  Do not let your doctor humiliate you.  Also keep in mind my rule # 2.  Some surgeons who mainly perform RNY surgery expect their Band patients to lose at the same pace.  They are wrong and ignorant.

At two months out I am not a Newbie anymore - but not a vet either, however, I would like to add something. 

Take the greatest of care with the first few bites of food. Remember to take tiny bites, chew well and eat slowly. If you do this you will have no problems with the food and eating slowly will give your stomach time to send the signals to your brain. It will also allow you to pay attention to the soft stop signs and to be able to walk away.

Also - remember that just because you can eat more, doesn't mean you should. Feeling satisfied is different that feeling full but a lot better for you.

Finally - stay away from slider foods and don't graze - eat your 3-5 mini meals a day and make them meals that you enjoy.