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Firefly
09-04-2006, 03:32 PM
Adjustments

How to Tell When You Are Perfectly Adjusted
You are losing 1-2 pounds per week.

If you are not losing 1-2 pounds per week:

A. You may need an eating adjustment

1. Are you eating 60 grams of protein a day

2. Are you eating 25 grams of fiber

3. Are you avoiding all liquid calories

a. Soup can be sign of “soft calorie syndrome”

b. Alcohol contains a lot of calories – 7 calories per gram


(1) It’s also a stomach irritant

c. Fruit juice is just sugar water
4. Are you making healthy food choices from a wide variety of foods?

a. Are you avoiding soft foods

b. You can’t just eat what’s easy

c. Cheese is glorified fat
5. Are you drinking 6-8 glasses of water a day between meals

6. Are you eating too much junk

a. Chips, chocolate, nuts, ice cream, cookies and other highly
processed junk foods are too calorically dense to be regular parts of a
healthy diet. But don’t avoid them completely to the point where you
feel deprived.

b. Stay out of fast food places
7. Are you getting in two servings of calcium daily

8. Do you always eat the protein first

9. Then the vegetables or fruits

a. Five servings a day

b. Potatoes are NOT a vegetable
10. Is your portion size appropriate?

a. Meat or fish


(1) 3 ounces – the size of a deck of cards

b. Vegetables


(1) ½ cup – the size of your fist

c. Starch


(1) If you eat the protein and the vegetables first you don’t need much


(2) Avoid: rice, potatoes, pasta
11. You might try avoiding artificial sweeteners

a. Some people think that artificial sweeteners stimulate the appetite

b. They are HUNDREDS of times sweeter than sugar

c. They teach you to like things too sweet

d. There is no evidence that people who use them are any thinner
than people who don’t
12. Avoid most diet foods

a. Real food usually tastes better

b. Real food is more satisfying than low calorie substitutes

c. When you are only eating a tiny bit the caloric savings is not
that great


(1) Use a teaspoon of real butter instead of a tablespoon of diet margarine


(2) The body has no way to break down artificial fats



a. They may go into permanent storage



b. Some people think liposuction is the only way to remove hydrolyzed fats from the body

B. You may need a behavior adjustment

1. Are you eating only when you are hungry?

a. If you’re not sure drink 8 ounces of water and wait.
2. Are you eating three meals a day?

a. With maybe 1 or 2 small snacks
3. Are you sitting down to eat?

4. Are you eating consciously?

a. No distractions, turn off the TV, put the book or newspaper
away, pay attention to your food and your companions
5. Are you eating slowly?

a. Put the fork down between bites

b. Take 20 to 30 minutes to finish a meal

c. Taking longer might cause the pouch to begin emptying
6. Are you taking small bites?

a. Tiny spoon, chopsticks, cocktail fork
7. Are you chewing well?

8. Are you drinking with your meals or too soon after your meals?

a. Practice water loading between meals

b. You won’t be thirsty if you are well hydrated before the meal
9. Are you stopping at the first sign of fullness?

a. Sometimes it’s a whisper: not hungry, had enough

b. Hard stop versus soft stop
10. Do not eat between meals. Stop grazing.

11. Do not eat when you are not hungry

C. You may need an activity adjustment

1. Are you getting in 30 minutes of physical activity at least 3 times a week?

a. Over and above what you would do in the usual course of your day

b. Could you make it 4 or 5 times a week?

c. Could you make it 45 or 60 minutes?
2. Are you taking advantage of opportunities to increase your physical activity?

a. Taking the stairs instead of the elevators or escalators

b. Walking on the escalators instead of riding

c. Parking your car further away from the entrance

d. Getting out of the car instead of using the drive through

e. Getting off the bus one stop before your destination

f. Washing you car by hand instead of the car wash

g. Playing with your kids

D. You may need an attitude adjustment

1. Are you committed to your weight loss journey?

2. Are you totally honest with yourself about how much you are eating and exercising?

a. Log your food and activity on ww.fitday.com for 3 days
3. Are you using food inappropriately to deal with emotional issues?

a. Have you identified what the emotions are that drive your eating?

b. Can you think of more appropriate ways to deal with those
emotions?

c. Are you willing to seek help from a qualified counselor?
4. Are you attending and participating in support group meetings?

5. Have you drummed up some support from your family and friends?

6. Have you dealt with saboteurs realistically?

7. Do you have realistic expectations about the weight loss journey?

8. Are you still obsessing about food, weight, dieting, eating?

a. Obsessive – compulsive thoughts


(1) Obsess about something else

b. Perfectionism


(1) All or none, black and white thinking

c. Patience with the pace of healthy weight loss
9. Are you acknowledging your successes with non-food rewards?

10. Have you learned how to take a compliment?

11. Are you giving up diet mentality?

a. Stop weighing yourself several times a day or every day

b. Stop dieting

c. Stop depriving yourself

d. Stop defining food as “good” and “bad”

e. Stop rewarding and punishing yourself with food
12. How do you feel about all the changes taking place?

E. You may need a band adjustment

1. You feel like you are making healthy food choices in appropriate portion sizes but getting hungry between meals?

2. You can still eat white bread, fibrous vegetables and large portions.

3. You are having to struggle to lose

4. You are gaining weight in spite of eating right, exercising and having a good mind set.

F. You may need your band loosened

1. There are times when you can’t get fluids down

2. You are vomiting too much

a. How much is too much?
3. Do you have frequent reflux or heartburn at night?

a. Do not lie flat or bend over soon after eating

b. Do not eat late at night or just before bedtime

c. Rinse your pouch with a glass or water an hour before bedtime

d. Certain foods or drinks are more likely to cause reflux:


(1) Rich, spicy, fatty and fried foods


(2) Chocolate


(3) Caffeine/Alcohol


(4) Some fruits and vegetables such as; oranges, lemons, tomatoes, peppers


(5) Peppermint



a. Baking soda toothpaste

e. Eat slowly and do not eat big meals

f. If you smoke, quit smoking

g. Reduce stress

h. Exercise promotes digestion

i. Raise the head of your bed

j. Wear loose fitting clothing around your waist

k. Stress increases reflux

l. Take estrogen containing medications in the morning

m. Avoid aspirin, Aleve and ibuprofen at bedtime


(1) Tylenol is OK

n. Take an antacid (Pepcid complete) before retiring

o. Try other over-the-counter heartburn medications

p. See your health care provider
4. See your health care provider immediately (or call 911) if

a. You have a squeezing, tightness or heaviness in your chest,
especially if the discomfort spreads to your shoulder, arm or jaw or is
accompanied by shortness of breath, sweating, irregular or fast
heartbeat or nausea. These could be symptoms of a heart attack.

b. If your symptoms are triggered by exercise.

c. If your pain localizes to your right side, especially if you also have nausea or fever

d. If you throw up vomit that looks like black sand or coffee
grounds. Or if your stool is black, deep red or looks like it has tar
in it. These are symptoms of bleeding and need immediate attention.

e. If your pain is severe

(Note: Pepto-Bismol or other medications with bismuth will turn your
stool black. Iron supplements can also make the stool tarry.)

This was written by
Jessie H. Ahroni, Ph.D., A.R.N.P., C.D.E., B.C.-A.D.M.
From http://lapbandtransformation.com/Adjustments.htm

Will
06-25-2007, 03:07 PM
This REALLY helped me today. So thank you.

Firefly
06-25-2007, 11:38 PM
I'm very glad. It's a great article and really gets down to it. Focus on everything else and only then can you decide if you're really in the need for a fill. Don't just run in and get tightened just because it's the 'easy' fix. People find out too late that it's far from the right choice.

DonHoll1
08-28-2007, 03:27 AM
Great post, thanks. Donna

CAHOBBS53
09-14-2007, 09:59 AM
This was a very helpful article. I just got banded, so am not to this stage yet, but one thing that has concerned me is this emphasis on "fake foods." I don't see why we need to have artificially sweetened everything. Surely, if you are only drinking 2 oz of juice mixed with 2 oz of water it can't be that bad. I have my doubts about all that Aspartame and Splenda, etc. but would welcome any feedback on this particular point. Thoughts???

Dr.A
09-14-2007, 10:18 AM
Awesome post!!! :sun_smiley:

janz925
10-29-2007, 05:33 PM
Thanks, I'm a week away from my first fill. I'm having a tough day. Food is on my mind and I feel like I could eat everything. Fortunately I only have good choices available to me. I think I am confusing thrist for hunger. I just want the fill and hope it makes a difference.

shubedo
10-29-2007, 06:55 PM
Thanks, I'm a week away from my first fill. I'm having a tough day. Food is on my mind and I feel like I could eat everything. Fortunately I only have good choices available to me. I think I am confusing thrist for hunger. I just want the fill and hope it makes a difference.


Don't let your hopes ride too high on that first fill. It is very temperary. Just remember it is another step toward restriction and it gives you practice time for the real deal. Don't be disappointed...you are on your way!!!

Cindy

mizfish
10-29-2007, 07:05 PM
Sara,
this is a great post.
Thank you!

catkreeger
10-29-2007, 07:21 PM
Very Helpful Thanks

JudeX
11-06-2007, 07:30 AM
My first fill is Dec. 4.
This post is very helpful!
thank you!:nod:

gonetogoa
12-19-2007, 09:51 PM
Once you have been perfectly filled, does that mean that you never need another fill?

Firefly
12-20-2007, 02:16 AM
Not in the slightest. As you lose weight, your stomach can also become smaller which would mean you'd likely need more liquid in the band as well. Other situations may be medical reasons like surgery, pregnancy, swelling, slippage and a whole list of others.

gonetogoa
12-20-2007, 02:59 AM
Not in the slightest. As you lose weight, your stomach can also become smaller which would mean you'd likely need more liquid in the band as well. Other situations may be medical reasons like surgery, pregnancy, swelling, slippage and a whole list of others.
Thanks! Sara. I should clarify: I have a 4cc band and if it gets filled to the 4.5-5cc limit, then what happens? I just got my first fill of 2cc, and I cannot notice a distinct difference in my desire and/or intke amt. I was banded 9/10/07, and I am at 91.3kg, down from 123kg., but I am losing barely a kg a week...I was at 2-3/week until a few weeks back.

Firefly
12-21-2007, 02:30 PM
Well I'm not sure about kg's because of the whole conversion factor but if someone were losing 1lb a week, that's still a healthy amount, and losing is better than gaining right? Once your band is completely full I'm honestly not sure what happens, would be worth searching the forums for that, though I dont think you'll have that problem. Jumping up to 2cc for starters is pretty standard, from this point forward, you'll probably only go up in tenths or quarters. Not a guarantee but that seems to be the trend for most people. If you're not happy with the rate you're losing, dont just focus on your food intake, that's only going to do so much for you, you have to take over the reigns and get exercising.

Marganne
01-28-2008, 05:15 PM
This information was very, very helpful. Thank you.

Marganne

MoOrLess
01-29-2008, 02:30 AM
Thanks once again Sara -- as I travel this lap band journey of mine it is good to reflect and observe all the changes that fills bring (kind of like starting over again lol)....

SteffiLee
05-22-2008, 09:21 PM
Hi there- is there a way I can mark this thread or somehow be able to track it down again easily? This site is pretty overwhelming to a new person and I want to be able to find this great info again.

Firefly
05-22-2008, 09:49 PM
This thread will always be at the top of the fills section, so when you come into this thread you can't miss it. Also you can feel free to create a bookmark or even copy and paste the text into a document on your computer to have when not logged into the internet as well.

Odell
05-23-2008, 11:33 AM
SteffiLee,

As I was told, go to the top, click on Thread tools, then click subcribe to thread, then add. After that when you log on you click UserCp at the top left of the page. This will show you all your threads that have been added to at that time. If you need to get to one that has not been added to resently, after you click UserCp, look to top right and it will say, "View all subscribed threads", Click that and you will see them all. I hope this helped as much as it helped me when I got on here.

Have a GREAT day!
Odell.

MoOrLess
05-23-2008, 02:10 PM
Sara - once again - thank you for this thread!!!! Almost 9 months banded and it is awesome to come back here, re-read, re-adjust- and get on with it once again!!!

Firefly
05-27-2008, 05:01 PM
Mo, you're so funny!

:hug:

MoOrLess
05-28-2008, 04:01 PM
and honest -- sometimes I just have to kick myself in the butt~ lol

layla
09-20-2008, 05:01 AM
my doc told me I wouldnt have much restriction with the first fill and I didnt. I am still able to eat fibrous foods and eat bread and steak if Im very careful. Im also able to eat big amounts. Ive still lost 2lbs during the month though. not what I like, but not gaining! It is a struggle though, having next fill the 30th this is supposed to be the big one!

Joy
09-20-2008, 10:54 AM
Well..............I know it is VERY early in the game as I just had my surgery on Mon.........but I am flooding myself with liquids, stopping 30 mins before & after eating....according to my Doc I can have soft foods now as I've had no probs w/ anything............but I am confused?....I don't feel hungry but I don't feel full....I really think I could eat 1/2 a cheeseburger and it would stay down!...........I'm NOT but why do I not feel ANY restriction at all? Anybody?......
Thanks,
Joy :)

rhonda
09-20-2008, 05:08 PM
I realize some leave surgery with a small fill, but I did not. Do you know if you have any fill or not? Probably not what you want to hear, but I really didn't feel any restriction until I had my second fill on Sept. 5. Unfortunately, I am already feeling hungry again and my next fill isn't until Oct. 2. From what I understand, it sometimes takes 3-5 fills to get proper, longer lasting restriction.
However, that being said, my doctor told me this....."just because you CAN eat it, doesn't mean you SHOULD eat it. (Darn it anyway, bread and pasta....yummy! I mean-bad! bad! bad!) Anyway, just know that this faze of feeling not full, and wanting to eat all the wrong things will go away eventually. I am not saying it won't come back, but at least you will be prepared for it when it decides to rear it's ugly head again! Hang in there, this will all be worth it! I PROMISE!!!

MElsie
09-20-2008, 07:51 PM
Thank you so much Sara! I needed this. It is good to re-read these things just to make sure I am doing the best that I can!
Thanks again for the great post!
Michelle

chrispygal
09-21-2008, 10:32 AM
It took a few fills for me to really feel restriction. It takes time, that's all. Hang in there! :)

graciesaunt
11-09-2008, 06:23 PM
PhotoNut (Susan)
Thank you so much for reminding me of this. I'm not drinking enough water, getting my total fiber and obviously my protein in.

Kristina & Christygal,
Thanks as well for remembering me on this. It's those like you that help keep me going when I get down.

MariannD
05-09-2009, 06:54 PM
Very informative article....thank you.

MyGenesis
05-09-2009, 07:13 PM
Mariann...
THANK YOU FOR FINDING AND POSTING THIS!
It is an amazing compliation...all in one place!

Kate
09-24-2009, 05:29 PM
So glad I found this! This will get printed and pasted to the bathroom mirror!

Gwennie
09-24-2009, 05:55 PM
Don't let your hopes ride too high on that first fill. It is very temperary. Just remember it is another step toward restriction and it gives you practice time for the real deal. Don't be disappointed...you are on your way!!!

Cindy

So why is that, I have had several fills, and I have not had that full feeling, and not much restriction to speak of. Actually, just came back from the doctors office a while ago. Had another fill today, this is my 5th adjustment, one was too tight. My surgery was 2 months ago, July 23rd. I am upset over not having the full feeling, and paying so much money. Talked with the doctors today, and they did not see my point at all. They feel I have given up on the lab band. My response was no way, I just want the full feeling, how could they not get that. Thats what I expected from the surgery.

Gwennie
09-24-2009, 06:46 PM
The whole thing you wrote on the perfect fill, was very informative. I have copied it. I was banded 2 months ago, and am have a very hard time with fills, I have no to little restriction, never have felt full. You can read my help cries, on "Need to Know". Anyway, I was not keeping track of fiber, only protien. I do have an appointment with a nutritionist, but in the mean time, I'll be trying to get the fiber you listed.

wifey0916
09-29-2009, 09:54 AM
Gwennie it takes time. I thought I would not need another fill after my last one. But guess what I did got one today a small one but I really needed it. When I was able to eat bread again and was hungrier then I had been I knew it was time. You will get there remember you have only been banded 2 monthes.

gregken77
09-29-2009, 10:29 AM
Yeah I copied this and printed it out. Its on my ice box and every door in my house! My house looks like a post-it note I swear! ha ha

christie
09-30-2009, 08:50 AM
bumping this to the top again. VERY important information here!

PhotoNut
09-30-2009, 09:44 AM
Yeah I copied this and printed it out. Its on my ice box and every door in my house! My house looks like a post-it note I swear! ha ha

LOL! Too funny, Greg!

I'm glad this is still being viewed by everyone. This is indeed an excellent guide for our entire banded lives. All too often we forget the simple basics and allow confusion to frustrate us. Remember that this journey will always need guidance, from you and from your doctor. Even bandsters who are living at goal weight need to refer to this basic "reality check".

To be sure that credit is given where credit is due, this check list was written by Jessie H. Ahroni, Nurse Practitioner and Clinical Coordinator of Northwest Weight Loss Surgery Facilities in Everett, Washington. Jessie has been banded since 1988.

believeinme
11-04-2009, 03:24 PM
WOW, I didn't even know they were using the band in 1988!!!!

Banded Nana
11-04-2009, 05:55 PM
Thank you so much for this...I've been banded for 5 months, and this has really helped!!!

amyk
11-04-2009, 06:16 PM
I'm getting my first fill on the 18th and I thought that would be it, so the first one is not much?

alucy1967
11-09-2009, 01:27 PM
Hi Guys,

I had my 4th fill Friday. I have 5.5 cc in a 10 cc band. I am having a hard time distinguishing between it working now or is it too full. If I eat more than about 1/2 cups of food, I spit it up, it is somewhat uncomfortable when I eat anything, and my back hurts like when I first had the band placed. I don't know if I'm losing it or this is what I have been waiting for and just now got it. Does it losen up some over a short time? I can't believe it, I am not hungry for the first time in my life, but I don't feel great either. Any suggestions??

Phaither
11-02-2010, 09:53 AM
it sounds too tight to me. mine allows me to eat if i chew everything into a puree, but if i dont, it just comes back up. my cousin, also a bariatric surgeon, says the band should never loosen once filled unless there is a leak. so, if you are uncomfortable it's probably too tight.
good luck!
faith

healthy1
11-02-2010, 01:32 PM
Thanks this is worth printing off for me banded 10/2010 this is one I will keep on hand and keep looking back at.
Thanks.Healthy

paulam
11-13-2010, 05:14 PM
I had my first pb tonight. Chinese food. I have felt no restriction since I got banded 9/10/10 and I just wasn't paying attention to chewing. That was pretty uncomfortable. Chew, Chew, Chew....

nightnurse
11-14-2010, 08:17 AM
Why are PBs so random

lapellen
11-14-2010, 12:31 PM
I wonder if I'm overthinking this, but........My surgery date is Dec. 9th. When you finally get back to solid foods, can you pretty much eat anything as long as you chew it up properly???

MoOrLess
11-14-2010, 05:27 PM
it sounds too tight to me. mine allows me to eat if i chew everything into a puree, but if i dont, it just comes back up. my cousin, also a bariatric surgeon, says the band should never loosen once filled unless there is a leak. so, if you are uncomfortable it's probably too tight.
good luck!
faith

just a quick general comment -- the band DOES loosen - that is why we need adjustments. As we lose weight, the stomach shrinks, and the band loosens. But that should be the only reason it loosens up, I agree. It CAN tighten too much due to allergies, inflammation, stress, STUCK food, etc. Then it's time to get a slight unfill so you can eat solid protein again.

MoOrLess
11-14-2010, 05:51 PM
I wonder if I'm overthinking this, but........My surgery date is Dec. 9th. When you finally get back to solid foods, can you pretty much eat anything as long as you chew it up properly???

hi! Yes and no is the answer to your question. Most bandsters find that dry meat (chicken esp) and breads don't go down well, no matter how much or little restriction you have. Everyone finds different foods that just won't work for them. The best advice I can give is to take one bite, put your fork down, and wait, chew and chew and chew, then try it again. If it seems to go down too slowly, you start getting a slight tightness in your chest, or you can't get a third bite down, it maybe just that one time - or it might end up being a food you can't eat. It depends a lot on your restriction level and what is going on at that particular meal -- stress, allergies, sinuses, illness, etc.

lemonzlime
01-27-2011, 11:51 AM
Thanks for this post, I'm newly banded (as of 11/18/10) and have had 2 fills now. 7.5cc's in a 14cc band. The first fill I really didn't feel any different, could eat what I wanted just less. I felt a little discouraged because I knew this wasn't the infamous "sweet spot". After the 2nd fill I do notice its better, I can't each as much and the hunger isn't there. I think with another .5cc or 1cc I should be close. The hardest part is just figuring out what your feeling and if you are at a good spot.

Thanks again for posting :)

CowgirlSpurz
06-01-2011, 12:43 PM
Thank you for this post... it was a GREAT reminder for me! Sometimes I think I am in need of an adjustment when in reality I just need to stop and think about what I'm eating and when I'm eating it. It's so easy to fall back into old habbits, this was very helpful.