Kittycat

That's too bad, I haven't had a fill yet either, Wednesday is the big day! I cut the meat really small and chewed like crazy, so it went down fine...I love steak and I hope I can still manage it when I get my fill. I still have some restriction from surgery, so I am going to request a small one to start and see how it goes. I only live one hour from my clinic, so I can book fills anytime. My fee pays for unlimited fills and f/up visits for 5 years, so I am more flexible than most. When's your fill? Cathy

Thanks for the info...my first fill is on Wednesday, I asked the nurse at my clinic if I need to change my diet to liquid, and they said no, eat as normal. I think I will eat light the night before and mushy in the morning, just to make it easier on me. My surgeon schedules all of his fills in the afternoon, which is great!! Good luck with your fills everyone!! Cathy

Absolutely, crystal lite is great in water! Drink up...it's summer time and your body needs more fluids. Cathy

This weekend I graduated to solids and had a steak on Saturday for dinner. It was medium rare and melted in my mouth. I ate about a third of it, a taste of potato and veggies and was full from 8 p.m. to 9 a.m. this morning. Steak is the way to go to feel full for a long period of time...for me!!! I hope I can still manage it after my fill on Wednesday. Enjoy! Cathy

I am with Denisem...I just took in broth, jello, popcicles and water all day long. Take in as much as you can, there is very little calories in clear liquids and keep hydrated. Cathy

That is the cutest little dress and it looks so adorable on you!!! You will get into it completely in no time! I look forward to seeing more pics! Take care, Cathy

Hi there, So far I can tolerate multi-grain and toasted breads. I am trying to avoid bread as much as I can. I just love bread, especially white doughy bread with peanut butter, but that would be a death sentence right now. I have my first fill this coming Wednesday, so we'll see how the bread goes down then???? Take care, Cathy

Hi Sharonb, I lost 16 lbs in my first month. My diet is a bit different than OCC, liquids for 3 weeks then mushy. Finally graduated to solids on Friday!! You are doing great! Keep up the good work! Cathy

I have Lapband for Life, but haven't had a chance to read it yet, it is supposed to be a great book! Mental readiness is making the committment to follow the surgeons guidelines from start to finish. You prepare yourself for the lifestyle change. If you are ready to get healthy and get thin and to go through with the surgery knowing that your life will change forever, then you can do this. I decided very quickly that this was the only way to get healthy and lose weight, all other methods failed. I spent alot of money and went under the knife for this, I will not let food rule me any longer. It won't be easy, infact the pre-op and post-op diet is brutal, but also prepare you for the lifestyle change. I am so happy with my decision and look forward to a healthier, thinner me! If you have any questions at all, do not hesitate to ask. We are all here for you! Cathy >

Hi Julie, She lives in Trenton, Ontario, where I grew up. It's a three hour drive from me in Kitchener. I live one hour west of Toronto and she lives two hours east of Toronto. Do you know where Toronto is? Cathy

Hi there, if you are still experiencing this pain, I would see your doctor. It could be something totally unrelated to the band. It could be appendix, gallstones, kidney stones, ovarian cyst...you name it. An ultrasound will give you a clue. Take care and feel better soon! Cathy

I am going down to visit my Mom for her birthday. I will catch up when I return! Have a good one everyone. Cathy

I learned from the best!!! Lisa you are my hero...and my biggest inspiration!!! Cathy XO

Hi there, congrats on your decision!! My one tip would be: Be prepared to change your lifestyle. Be committed to the decision to use the band as a tool, follow the diet guidelines and you will be successful!! Good Luck Cathy

Hi Bobbi, Thanks for you reply, but the original post was May 27th...I am so beyond pre-op shakes now thank goodness...I have been banded a month now...and will avoid the shakes like the plague. They were so disgusting...unfortunately I did not have a choice of shakes either...Optifast 900 X 4 per day. Take care, Cathy

Wow lucky you! I was on a clear liquid diet for a week, two weeks of creamy soups, two weeks of mushy food and today I start solids...I was banded June 10th. My surgeon here in Canada, put me on this special diet plan to allow time to heal and for the band to make a permanent imprint into my stomach. I would double check with your doctor to ensure eating so soon is okay. Good luck! Cathy

I was like that too...so bloated I thought my port was going to come through my tummy...it would get really hard. Luckily, it was just gas and would come out eventually....it will pass and get easier! You are doing great! Cathy

Wow, you look amazing!! Good job, keep up the great work!!! Whoot hooo, hot babe! Cathy

Hi Julie, I so know how hard it is not too...some foods like bread and chicken get stuck and I take a sip. The idea is not to wash the food from the smaller pouch into the larger pouch by drinking during meals, the more solid the food is in your small pouch the longer it takes to digest and you will feel full longer. I am doing my best not to drink through the meal, but tend to need a small sip of water right afterwards. I also get that darn lump in my throat which it very annoying and I told the nurse at my clinic, I need to sip water to help with the sensation and she said small sips are fine. Try not to...but if you absolutely have to, take very small sips. Drinking water while eating may make you feel full faster, but it will flush through faster as well and you will find yourself hungry sooner. Good Luck! Cathy

You are already one hot grand-mama!!! Congratulations...that's so exciting!!! You certainly do not look old enough to have a married son or a grandbaby on the way!!!! Cathy XO

Thanks everyone, you are too kind!! Of course no make-up in the first shot and looking not my best after a long day at work yesterday, does not make for flattering pictures. Cathy XO

That's what I do, here in Canada/Ontario we have Value Village, it's a thrift store of the Canadian Cerebal Palsy Assoc...I donate my clothes, they clean them and put them up for sale for a minimal fee...I also buy clothes there, they have some great stuff!!! Cathy

OMG!! That's awesome.....it's too bad they don't know you know...or you could swindle some more money out of them!!LOL!!! You go girl...mama needs a new wardrobe!!! Cathy

I'm with Mona and Amberlam, I have no idea where mine is...I guess when my surgeon finds it next week, I will know! Cathy

Great Idea!!! Cathy