julieburns

Hey Cara, I want you to do the best for you, I just give my opinions from my own experience. I just see no benefit, from my experience in going to the OCC. Yes you need to get that first fill to get you on the way to restriction so again do what is best for you. I/we would love to have you come to our PARTY!!

Just ordered mine through Amazon.com. Thanks Jann for the scoop on this. I had no idea about it but I love her and I love my WII FIT so I can't wait to use it.

Yes Cathy spelled it out nicely. Certainly if you don't feel full after 1/2 to 3/4 cup food you need a fill. I feel a for sure full as I approach the 1/2 cup mark of food so I quit then. I then stay full for several hours after that. This is how it should work. Book that fill today!!

Hi calicoast, so glad I could help inform you to know what to ask. :lb11: on the fill. Now remember you may not get restriction with the first fill. If you do that' wonderful. You may get some immediately or it may take a few days to get it. It may not last very long though so just remember this is a process. I hope you are lucky and do get some restriction to see how this helps with your eating. Keep us posted

:lb10: :lb10: :lb10: You look marvelous!! Keep up the good work it sure shows.

I strongly recommend you stay close to home for fills. When you go to the OCC you only see the fill Dr. and it's usually only about a 10 minute appointment time. It is NOT worth the time and expense if you have someone local, especially if Dr. O says he's great, to go back to the OCC. Staying close to home will establish you with this Dr. and that's so important in case of an emergency. Again I would tell anyone to stay as close to home as they can for all fills. Unless you have time and money to waste, then go for it. :lb11:

Thanks Jann. I thought it was something like what it is described to be. Very helpful

Never heard of it. What is a 5 day pouch test and what is it for?

Slow Cooker Power!!! Another one I know my husband will love!!

:lb24: :lb21: :lb21: :lb21: :lb24: So happy for you Cath

My mouth is watering thinking about it. Slow cookers ROCK!!!

1 pkg. lean fresh ground turkey 1 T. olive oil 2 cans (14.5 oz.) chicken broth 1 jar (16 oz.) thick and chunky salsa 1 cup corn 2 T. lime juice (fresh is best) 2-3 T. fresh cilantro, chopped ( I use more as I love cilantro) Salt and pepper to taste Tortilla Chips, optional sour cream, optional Heat olive oil in saucepan. Ad turkey and cook over med. heat 10 mins. Add other ingredients. Bring to simmer, stirring. Cover and cook minimum 10 mins. Garnish with tortilla chips and sour cream if desired. Easy and Delicious

YUMMY, YUMMY!!

YUMMY!! I can't wait to make this.

Renee You MUST get an evaluation for an unfill asap. Your are describing an unsafe situation. Why have you waited this long? Pbing so many times and so frequently will surely cause you trouble in the long run, possibly your band. Each time you PB your stomach increases it's acid production. The acid will corrode away your pouch area/esophagus and you will be in big trouble. I had to get an unfill after 4 days of not being able to keep liquids down. The doc said I should have had it sooner. She put me on prescription acid reducer Prevacid that dissolved under my tongue for 1 month. You really need to get to the doctor and I just can't stress that enough. Please get in and be seen ASAP

Remember except for the drinkable yogurt of your choice during day 1 through 7 it is only CLEAR liquids. If you can't see through it you can't have it, except the yogurt. Easy as that. Now for the rest of the days through 21 you can have what's called FULL liquids. As others have said no chunks, bumps or lumps in it and no blenders to make it creamy. No calorie counting at this time. Enjoy some special creamy soups if you like. You can also add in fudgesicles, the skinny cow ones are great. Also during this phase if you feel like it have a small milkshake. It won't kill you and it can be a real treat. Just use common sense and make it a "treat". It is considered a full liquid as is ice cream. I loved the Haagen Daz vanilla and raspberry sorbet 100 calorie frozen bars, also weight watchers has a mocha frozen pop that is to die for at 100 calories also. Try for variety to help get you through this time. I'm excited for you. Preparation is everything.

I would call the local fill center and tell them you can't keep anything down and they will work you in. It's very important to be evaluated for an unfill before you damage things. I recommend nothing by mouth for until you have stopped spitting up for at least 4 hours. Not even a sip of water. That is what I had to do after 4 days of no food and little to no liquids. It's better to get an unfill and then get another refill rather than risk any damage to the band. When you PB you also secrete alot of stomach acid which is bad for the band. My unfil nurse gave me a prescription for prevacid acid reducers that melt under your tongue. You can't risk trying to take pills now, even crushed with liquid and the acid need to be reduced. She had me take them for at least 2 weeks but gave me a 1 month supply. Good luck and I hope you feel better and are able to be seen today and get this taken care of.

Stormy, welcome to bandster Hell. We all have gone through this exact same thing. Yes you can eat whatever you want. This is a will power phase for sure. for me after the liquids stage I would get full fast. Great I though it's working. But as the days went on it took more and more to get "full". I slowly realized I had to cut myself off before I had the "full" feeling or I would overeat. Now is when you hae to measure all your food in 1/4 cup portions so you don't overeat. As Jann said if you do eat volumes of food on a daily basis then you wil stretch your pouch. A time of two of a little overeating will do no harm. It's muscle based and muscles don't just stretch out over night. It takes days of continuously over stretching them to change the size or tenacity. :lb4: Schedule your first fill at the 6 week point and be sure to keep that appointment. It's important to start getting the band filled so it will work for you. And remember the first fill may give you no restriction either. It may for a few days or weeks but it is not the norm for 1 fill to give you your "sweet spot". I have learned this is much more a test of patience as well as a new way of eating and living than I ever imagined.

:lb10: :lb10: :lb10: :lb10: :lb10: That's so huge. Great for you, I am sure you deserve it more than most people in their!!! Praise God for His work in you.

Thanks Donna that is a great price. How've ya been. Havn't seen you post in a while or maybe I missed it. Now Dana I have tried a few of these, all flavors. They have a texture like partially thickened jello, sort of. They are OK , especially if you put them over ice and let the ice melt a little in them.. The great thing is they are only 3 oz. so the small amount is easy to get down. It's not something I would just buy as a beverage to enjoy though, they have a kinda weird after taste. I survived using them when my fill was too tight. Also in the Am sometimes they are helpful if you have tightness problems. I drink half a one at a time so it's only 1 and 1/2 ounces for 20 grams of protein, high power packed stuff!! They are worth a try if you ever struggle getting protein in. Certainly not a daily thing though. I just keep some on hand now for those "tight" times.

Great post Jude..

Jann you said everything so well. I second most of the stuff you said but you said it so much better. BRAVO Darlene. I am so glad you are not giving up. Yes the band forces us all to face the issues that helped to make us fat, whether we want to admit them or not. :lb4:

:lb10: :lb21: :lb10: :lb21: :lb10: :lb21: :lb10: :lb21: :lb10: :lb21: Misty Happy day to you, you are stunning. Yes you were beautiful before you had the band and know you are one HOT (sizzle) mama. Thanks for the inspiration.

I have made a commitment to myself and our dog family that by having the privilege of having 2 dogs I now MUST be responsible and do the walking necessary for their best interest, and mine too!! I love Cesaer Milan, the dog whisperer, and he insists on daily walks for the health of all dogs. My time has come to step up to the plate. I would rarely walk Abby as we have have 1/3 acre fenced. I have needed a little zapp to get me out there walking and this is it.

Dear Judy: I am glad you are through with your surgery. It is very common to have what's called "referred" pain. the chest and shoulder areas are very common to have pain in after any type of surgery. To make it simple the nerve pathways all override and you end up getting the pain in that area because of it but I can't really explain it all that well. I do know it is fairly common especially with surgeries like the one you had. I hope you have spoked to your doctor by know for some reassurance. It can be miserable but as painful as you are walking (whatever you can do just inside your house even, pace around) will help. Movement of the whole body in this fashion works miracles. Feel better soon and :lb4: