Maytee

My husband and I went out for dinner on Mothers day and it just amazed me how I still feel like I should be eating everything on my plate. I have been really thinking about it all day. For lunch I had pizza and I ate 2 pieces and felt stuffed. I used to eat 4 or even 5 pieces before and I would them stop. I really have to retrain my mind. I know that is going to be the hardest struggle for me. I am happy to really see and feel that I can't eat as much as I use to so, I know the band is working. I just have to keep going and make sure I make the right choices. Is anyone else struggling with how much food you still think you need or want? Maytee

Heidi, My favorite protein shakes are the Myoplex lite made by ESA you can find them at hi health or GNC. They are premixed and come in Vanilla, Chocolate and Strawberry. they are delicious and are 170 cal 24g of protein and low in carbs. I started them on the pre-op diet and I am still drinking them! I will be there on the 2nd too getting my 2nd fill. I hope to meet you there. Maytee

Yes you can still breathe. The big problem is dehydration if you can't swallow. Maytee

As long as I chew really well I can still eat anything. I do have my occasional oops, I didn't chew that enough but no PBing. I have my second fill scheduled for June 2 maybe after that one things will change. Maytee

To me the hunger thing got better after my first fill. It takes longer for me to get hungry after I have eaten. It is mind over matter. I remember Dr. Miranda telling me that if you feel hungry you just might be more thirsty and try drinking more fluids first. If your still hungry then eat. Maytee

I know there are 2 different bands he uses. My band is the 10 cm that has a fill capacity of 4 cc. I can't remember how the other band is different. Maytee

My Dr. recommended Mirelax. It was a perscription only and now its' available over the counter. Its in powder form and I mixed it with any drink. It's tastless and I had no cramping at all. Maytee

I know for my self if I don't get enough protien I can get irritable. So I make sure I get at least 42 grams of protien a day. What does he eat? Maytee

I am in too!!! I am a Salon and Day spa owner. I could talk about skincare, make-up, how to change your look. I think getting together with guest speakers and workshops would be awesome! Maytee =D>

I would be up for that. I think it would be great to meet everyone in person!!! Keep us posted! Maytee

Heidi, I am getting my second fill on June 2 around 11am. I guess I will met you that day. I am very excited for you. I love my band!!!! Maytee =D>

UtahMom, Where is that pain in your upper quadrant? I had shoulder pain for a very long time. I also got my gallbladder removed in 2000. When I got my first ultrasound they didn't see anything. I had to have a second one that actually saw some stones. Make sure you really chew and eat slowly. I have found I can still eat anything, pasta, bread as long as I chew, chew, chew. Good luck. Keep us posted. Maytee

Michelle, You are so inspiring, I need to do the photo thing too!!!!! Maytee =D>

Ok, so I just got my fill May 5th. I started eating solids yesterday and I do feel a little more restricted than with the band empty. I can still eat bread and pasta. I know a lot of you out there have difficulty eating these things and I know that we are all different. I called to day OCC and made another appt for June 2 for my second fill. Before I decided to go to TJ to get my surgery with Dr. Ortiz I was trying to get approved by my insurance here in Mesa AZ. Long story short I decided OCC. When I got back from TJ I called that Doctor in Mesa and ask if I could get my fills with him. His office told me that they don't take any patients that have had the surgery outside of the United States. I was very shocked by this news. I called my Internist who is one of my very good girlfriends and she said she would talk to him. So his office called me and told me they would see me and his fills cost $200. I thought great, I will get my first fill at OCC and then I would get me next one here in AZ. I called today and they told me the Dr here doesn't use the fluro process. Again I was shocked. I asked the nurse how he knows how much to put in and how is he going to know exactly where my port is. I asked if he did the fluro at all and she said yes, but that would be more. With all this I have more confidence with OCC than with this good Doctor. I will be getting all my care with OCC they really know what they are doing more so than some think. Maytee

We have to wait 4 weeks before we can get another fill. I am making my next appt here in Mesa AZ. I just got my first fill May 5th and I just started solids again. I do feel more restricted but not as much as I think I should. I am trying to follow that little magnetic chart Dr gave me right before I got my fill. Did you get one too? Maytee

Great Poem, it's funny how we all do that and then sometimes end up on that same old street for a while. I know that I am trying to stay on another street. Maytee >

Wagirl, She didn't give anymore details about it. She looked very discouraged. I really felt for her. I do think your on to something about the stress thing. When she was sharing about not have a good support system at home maybe they sabatoged her. I would think that would be overwhelmingly stressful. She was very quiet about her self until I asked her if she was excited to getting the band and that is when she shared she was getting it taken off. I don't think she was the other lady you met. I asked her if she was concidering getting another surgery and she said no. She never tried to dicouage anyone while I was there. Mama Michelle, I wasn't dicouraged at all by what she shared with us. It made me realize I still have to work for my weightloss and that is good for me. I don't want to fail at this and I won't! Haveing everyone in this forum be so encouraging really makes it better for all of us to keep going. Thanks for the Encouragement!!!!!!! > Maytee

Today I went to OCC to get my first fill. I was so excited and looking at the ladies sitting waiting to what I thought was their band, one of them was getting hers taken off! I have to admit she had a lot of guts telling us that she was getting it taken out. I asked her why and she said it didn't work for her. She commented about not having a good support at home and not having a support community. Then she brought up that she just didn't eat right. It really made me think how the band is a tool not a magic band that is going to make us thin. I thanked her for sharing her experience and wished her the best. We really need to change our way of thinking about food. That is so hard for me. I have a love affair with it and I need to get it under control or it will always control me. I want to be healthy and I know I need to think that way so I can them achieve it! Does anyone now of others that have had it taken off? Maytee

Mama Michelle You look great!!!! Keep kicking butt!!! Maytee =D>

Ok, I can see so many of us starting to get fills. Is there a standard amount or an average amount of saline they inject? How do they determine that? Maytee

Mama Michelle, I am so glad to hear that the fill kicked in for you. My husband read your last post and we both got discouraged. I was almost jumping up and down when you said you could hardly eat. I am getting my first fill on Monday the 5th at OCC and I can't wait. Isn't it crazy? Maytee =D>

I am right with you! Not drinking and eating has been the hardest thing for me. I drink as much a possible before I eat and then after I am finished eating I eat a couple pieces of ice and my be a swallow or two of water. Then I start counting down the minutes before I start drinking water. Most of the time I can make it at least 30 min. I am really working on waiting a hour. I do stay fuller if I wait a hour. Good luck! It will get better just hang in there! Maytee

Kris! I would love for you to post your story again. For all of us that recently got banded it would be a great testimony to the band and you. Maytee =D>

I will be truthful and confess I at Easter dinner. I had 3 pieces of Rib-eye steak and green bean casserole. I chewed the heck out of the steak and the green beans were great. I did get back on the soup thing after that. I had no problems that day. I have had no problem with any food. I went to a wedding and had the cake and that felt like glue going down my throat and real soft bread isn't that good either. I can't wait to get my first fill on May 5th. Are you having a hard time with the post-op diet. I hated it! Maytee

Reading a post from a previous post. We shouldn't be worried about losing a lot of weight before our fist fill. It is a healing time for the band. When we get our first fill then we should see more weight come off. I have only lost 6 pounds since the surgery and I too have lost more inches. I feel like this is a good way for me to relearn how to eat with less restriction. When I do get my first fill I will know the kinds of foods I can eat and the ones that I have a hard time eating now I will stay away from. My goal is to loss 15 pounds a month so my skin has time to shrink. I don't want to be to flabby. Everyone is different, you will lose the weight at your own speed. Maytee Good luck!!! >