Turning a Corner

I believe that Eileen and I have come to an understanding. FINALLY!!! I think!

I was so afraid that I was about to have more "unfill" until yesterday when I was able to eat a 1/2 slice of very toasted pumpernickel toast for breakfast... A 1 cup bowl of Healthy Choice vegetable soup, and a snack pack applesauce for lunch, AND a 1/2 sausage patty with peppers & onions for dinner, (no roll of course) and I am very, VERY happy to say that they all stayed down. nothing got stuck. I had NO sliming. AND I was very full after eating each meal!

I think my nurse that I spoke to when I called about getting another little amount out gave me the right idea for me. For my first few days after a fill, in order to eat (after the 24-48 hours of liquids) I'm going to have to have some very hot liquids to drink first. You see, as she explained to me on Thursday, hot restricts (or has the shrinking effect on) the saline in the band. Cold expands it (or can make it feel much tighter, therefore not allowing things to go thru). So I did an experiment... When I was about to eat anything, I would either eat a fruit Popsicle first or drink a cup of very hot tea/coffee/cider. And ya know what? When I had the popsicle... I could not eat without choking or feeling stuck, sliming and PB'ing, being in pain and/or throwing up. When I drank the hot liquid, I was fine... the soup??? I drank 2 or 3 sips of the broth first. And Of course the veggies were really mushy so that probably helped too

If this is the only way I can get 3 meals a day in and get them to stay in without any problems, then I guess we'll chalk it up to experience and another learning curve in my journey... Yeah, I now understand that Eileen really is in control right now and she isn't going to let me fail!