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JazzyJude

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Everything posted by JazzyJude

  1. Thanks Ckiki! Yeah, wait til you get there...it will make you feel like a $$million$$ bucks! HA!
  2. Thanks Amanda! Yes, the 'bath' towel was a big thing for me. It made me feel THIN, if you know what I mean. Now, I tuck the towel ends under and let my 'girls' hold it in place! LOL!! One day soon, I will be able to actually tie a knot and not worry about it being untangle...sigh!
  3. It's funny that you mention this. I was thinking about this too recently. Now that I have the band as my tool, I want to incorporate a structured diet, since basically we just need to eat healthier with more added proteins in our diet. I am in the process of checking around. I've never heard of the Fat Sash and will browse their website if they have one to see if this is an option to go on. I was also thinking of trying the Atkins way too. I browsed through their website and holey moley, the recipes they have ~ amazing! They stress high in proteins and they, too, have 4 structured phases. I'll let you know about this one.
  4. Hi Papaya ~ I live in San Diego and I had both of my fills done at OCC. Have you been there before? If not, they do a wonderful job. Good luck with your 3rd fill and hope you have great restriction! Good luck!
  5. Hi Brenda ~ Normally you wouldn't go into surgery if you have a fever of a 100 or more, I was told. My personal opinion is to contact your doctor and let them know how you are feeling. S/he may adivse you with alternative meds or suggest to wait on the surgery a little longer until you are much better and can cope more clearly. You don't want to deal with a cold after surgery. You are going to want your wits around you while dealing with the new heathier lifestyle changes. This is, of course, IMHO. Good luck and feel better!
  6. Oh yes ~ I forgot this option too. I've haven't the need, but good to know...good point Niciole!
  7. Hi ckiki! Glad to see that you are doing good. Now a tip for your water issue. I, too, am a water drinker and lots of this is mental as well as physical. You need to convince your mind and body that you WILL be able to drink more water later. You know for a fact that you will drink again, so make the best of this situation as you can. Drink up to 10 to 15 minutes before you eat. Then wait 45 min to an hour before you take your next drink. You are focusing way too much for that 'next' drink. You'd start getting frustrated, annoyed and stressed out and this is not a good thing. Also, don't forget the 'other' liquids to quench your thirst. Don't rely solely on water. Your body may be lacking of other nutrients it's craving for, such as V8, fruit juices, Crystal Light, tea, Gatorade, hot cocoa, etc. Hope this helps...good luck and hang in there!
  8. Hi Ladies and Welcome to Bandland! Yes, they will go away in time. You just had surgery and the gas C20 will fade away in time. Remember, they bloated your chest cavity with the gas to do the surgery. Like any other major surgery, it will take some healing time to get rid of them. Be patience. Here's a few tips that may work for you: ~ WALK, WALK, WALK! Take lots of mini walks, not a few long ones, several times a day ~ take 2 Gas X strips at a time and just lay it on your tongue ~ don't 'sit' for a long period of time ~ while sitting, do a few arms exercises. Lift one arm at a time and reach for the ceiling, then the other arm. ~ massage your shoulders and joint areas, as the gas bubbles has a tendency to settle in these areas ~ using a heating pad helps, but move/massage afterwards to move the gas bubbles around ~ drink/sip your liquids without inhaling excess air. Don't drink from a straw. Be well...Jude
  9. Hi Jenelle ~ what everyone is saying true and you shouldn't worry if you are following the instructions from your doc. I trained myself, during the clear liquids and creamy soups stages, to eat 1/2 cup worth and drank as much as I wanted throughout the day and didn't count calories at all. I wasn't worried about stretching your pouch as Nicole says, it just goes through. Just remember that you just had major surgery, and this is the time to heal, learn to eat healthier with portion control. If you can stick with this and be motivated enough to believe this will work, you've got it made. You are working with the best tool ~ your band! Hang in there kiddo! It's more of the unknown you are going through and DON'T RUSH...take the time to let your body balance out from the surgery and go forward knowing good things will come to you! Listen to your body and band...
  10. Dana, if I was in your shoe, I would switch around my food during the day. Also, I been doing a high calorie day, one day a week, and then I pretend I got banded and went on creamy soup stage. Even upped my proteins real high one day and exercised the dickens out of my body. There are a couple of weeks, that I would eat the same foods for days at a time, and then switch to something different. What I am doing for me, is tricking my body. Sometimes your body knows you are going to be 'predictable' and your mind knows what your next meal is going to be. So, I would spontaneously change my meal and do a different exercise for a few days and viola! I start to notice subtle differences in how my clothes fit, my attitude, etc. See if these ideas might help you...GOOD LUCK Babe!
  11. :lb24: :lb21: crazycoolbutterfly!!! YEAH! Love, love these NSVs! That is awesome! I love the fact you didn't have sodas for 10 months! I WAS a soda drinker from the time I wake up to bedtime. AWESOME job in the job/walk too...that is my next goal to meet!
  12. Yes, very normal like Cottonwood says. Also, remember your first fill is like a 'primer' for you and your band to get use to be restricted a little before your next future fill(s). My first fill didn't last long either, like 2 weeks and that was it. I got a 2nd fill 4 weeks from my first fill date and I still have good restriction from my 2nd fill from Dec 20 (over a month ago ~ 42 days). FYI ~ in case you didn't know, your esophagus 'shape/frame' makes a whole difference too. For example, for me, I have a VERY narrow passage-way in my esophagus, so my fills will be tiny (my first was 1cc and my 2nd was .6cc). Every person's body is different and fills a totally to attune to YOUR restriction only. Don't compare to others...it's how YOUR band reacts to YOU and your body. Remember, too, you may eat less as you get your fills.
  13. I am not a medical adviser, but if you are concern, contact the doc or nutritionist for assistance. Fills reacts differently for each person. Also, it takes time for the fill to 'settle' too. For me, after my 2nd fill in Dec, I waited a week after receiving the fill to feel restriction and I am still on the same restriction. I just so happen to be on my 'sweet sport' and got my fill at OCC. There are a number of reason why you may feel tight: ~ band is too tight (may need a small unfill) ~ you are stressed out ~ it's the TOM ~ band slippage (which I don't think you have) ~ any food remaining around your band area and you are 'stacking' your food on top of it ...and so on For me, when I feel like that, I go on full liquids (creamy soup stage) for a few days and then go to softer foods and then progress to harder foods. If I felt I still couldn't eat solid foods, then I call Dr. M for assistance. Hope this helps and good luck!
  14. I totally agree with lock27 and Pammie. I don't have that 'full' feeling now because I do the portion control guideline and tell myself that is all I can have. I don't 'suffer' and I am not depriving myself of any more food. You have to focus on the now and not 'what it use to be'. You will never be the way you use to be and how you ate. This is the lifestyle we have chosen to live for the rest of our lives now. So, by being disciplined and motivating ourselves, we can overcome wanting the 'full' feeling. Like lock27 says, the band prevents me to get close to being full and that is GREAT! Besides my 3 meals a day, I either drink my water/other drinks and sometimes I have a snack. So by the time I eat my meal, I am not that hungry. I just make sure I eat my proteins first (which helps you get full first and builds energy) and then go for the veggie/fruit and most times, I can't get to my grains/carbs. So, this is a good thing for me.
  15. I was banded in Oct 2008 and had 2 fills and have no problem drinking my water and other liquids such as soups, tea, Crystal Light, Gatorade, etc. But like Mona says, not gulping, but reasonal amount at a time. Just have to remember not to drink in air at the same time, which at first it was hard to do...but now that I've been 'trained"...no issues at all. The more I exercise, the more water I want!
  16. Oh sweetheart! It's hard to put into words ~ you've done so well for yourself! You've done AMAZING! THIS is what we are all talking about...successes like yours are soooo inspiring! You SHOULD be proud of yourself. You worked diligently, aimlessly, and so determine to make this work for you. I am PROUD of you! Your last few pounds will be gone before you know it! Yes, would LOVE to see before/after pics of you so we can visually see your change! AWESOME ALI!
  17. Thank you feefee! I appreciate you coming on board again! Hope to see more of you as I can learn from you too!
  18. Rice is NOT a 'no-no' food. I eat rice about 3 times a week...just only 1/4 cup worth (2oz), any flavor. Rice is carbs and so we need to eat this stuff in moderation. Also, there are several rice out there...long grain, brown rice, instant, sticky rice, etc, that some can eat and some can't. It's a trial in error for YOU and your body ~ what works for you may not for another. It's hard when someone says NO you can't have a certain food! All the more I want it! So, my way of loving this staple/carb food, KNOWING I can still eat rice, I won't go over 3 servings a week. My mind accepts this 'compromise' and relieves my cravings. Since I've started this thought process on certain foods, I've noticed, that my 'wanting' is not so strong but tend to want more veggie or fruit instead. So, my mind is already thinking more healthier on it's own. WOW! Again...I LOVE my band!
  19. OMG ~ THANK YOU! It's just that I now know how the older bandsters feels when they noticed things and changes and shared and it's so cool! ...you newbies ~ keep up the faith and stay focus and you will get where I am at! ~ Julie, Ute and Pammie, you've given me a lot of suggestions and thanks for inspiring me so! ~ Fatith2009, sonogirl and FLGIRL~ you WON'T regret doing this new lifestyle change. You will be going on an amazing ride for your life! ~ Mona...hehehe, I just about died laughing about the HOO HAW...and one day soon, I will see it wink back at me! LOL ~ Karen, you WILL see your HOO HAW...LOL! Keep focusing forward and stay with the guideline. BELIEVE in the band! ~ Shelby, Kristy, Christy and Anne - you guys are right behind me...keep it going! Moderation is the key and be patience ~ Janet ~ WTG in losing 31 lbs so far! YAY! I am soooo glad you are a bandster! THIS is YOUR life sweetie! NO ONE can stop you! I TOTALLY LOVE MY BAND! I so look forward to the other 'surprises' of what I use to have...I'll keep you all posted! Yee Haw! ((BIG BEAR HUGS!))
  20. Hi Kim and WELCOME to the forum! Congrats on your decision to be banded, you won't regret it! Please keep us posted on your journey. Browse through the posts and if you have any questions or concerns, holler ~ we are here for you! Good luck on your surgery ~ it's a breeze!
  21. It's amazing to say the least at what you had taken for granted for so long being overweight and then realize it is no more. Here are a few NSVs I have to share with you. ~ This morning, as I was getting into the shower, I stopped in the hallway and looked at myself naked in front of our huge full length mirror. I can see less of my tummy (and it's not that saggy anymore!) and I have NO MORE 'rows' of fat on my thighs anymore! I know, kind of gross but it's a huge thing for me. The walking and exercise videos is what's helping me!! ~ While showering, I can actually step the opposite side of the shower head and not get wet! Weird observations, but it's cool! I can shave my legs and bikini area without huffing and puffing or taking a breather. I now can wrap my BATH towel (not the beach towel) around me. I can get out of the tub without the aid of holding on to something first! When drying myself off, I can lift my foot on the toilet seat and can bend down to my foot to dry off without the excess of tummy fat in the way and not struggle and hurry before I can get in my next breath! ~ I no longer have that 'rubbing' of material between my legs ~ YEAH! I've been alterating my own clothes because I just can't see continuing to buy new clothes while losing...so I truthfully don't know what my pants size are right now until I go clothes shopping. I was wearing 24/26 pants and now wearing 18's. I also noticed the 'tight 18' jeans I was wearing are looser! Yes!! ~ I lost the excess fat on the sides of my breasts and is now officially flat and smoothe, not bulged out anymore! My bras fit much, much better and don't have a rash underneath. I am on the last, tightest hooks ~ after freshly washed, instead first to use the loosest. And because of this new change, I've extra 'material room' in my blouses to comfy wear without using a safety pin to help keep my buttons close properly! (The girls were constantly wanting to peek out! LOL) These are only a few small things at the moment...but to me, right now, it's a huge difference in my confidence! I really put it down to watching my portion control of foods and the variety of exercising videos I've been doing. Also, I've lost another 6 pounds ~ how cool is that? Thanks for listening!
  22. Kristy, you are right. Although for some, carrots are very hard to digest, especially raw carrots. Just remember to do your portion control (to prevent over eating and getting 'too' full) and eat small bites, chewing real good, and take the time to eat. Worst thing to do is be in a hurry to eat, taking a big bite and swallow and then BAM! ~ food is stuck, which could start sudden growth of tightness and pain to follow and lastly to PB/slime. One of the things that helped me is to make sure I drink up until 10 minutes before I eat and then it is not so hard for me to eat because the mental part of me is that I haven't put anything (food or liquid) IN my mouth for a long period of time and my body is craving a fast relief. After awhile, you will know what foods you can eat in toleration, how long it takes to eat it, the texture, etc. Also, take in stride that when you are sick, you may not really want to jump into solid foods right away and may want to progress from softer foods to harder foods to digest properly. You will eat carrots again, just not agreeing with you being sick. Hope this helps...
  23. Hi Christy ~ nothing is a weird question if you haven't experienced it yet. To me, it was a piece of cake! There were NO pain involved at all for me. I, too, saw "live" when I toured OCC the first time and signed up for surgery, and I was lucky to witness this first fill for someone else. It 'looks' painful but in reality it didn't. If you going to OCC, the fill process is quite easy. You lay down, then the doc sterilize the port area (no numbing needed at all). He uses the fluoro to locate your port and then he gently lays his hand on your tummy and slightly stretch out your skin over the port and insert the needle and it feels as if you were to touch your hand with your fingernail. You only feel the pressure of the insertion and that is it. Then you drink the barium and he starts to fill you and both of you can view on the fluoro and watch the liquid go down. You would continue to drink all the barium (you get about a total of 2oz in a small dixie cup) until the doc sees the 'flow' is continuous and smooth for YOUR restriction. It took all of 10 minutes from beginning to end from both of my fills. After he took out the needle, just held the gauze in place of the needle and got dress and left the table. Not even a bandaid was needed. To me, it was a painless process and didn't even phased me the second time going in, since I know how the process goes.
  24. Hi Bill ~ I am not an 'old timer' but glad to see things are moving DOWN for you! YAY! ((Hugs!))
  25. Hi Lisa ~ what I am wondering is why are you only eating just crackers to prevent getting sick? How long have you been sick? What other foods are you eating? I've not much to go on but to me, I would be concern and contact the dr. Like Lisa says, we need to focus on healthier eating habits, starting with proteins, then veggies, etc. Having a band that is too tight is not a good thing and not a safe way to lose weight, and if you are working around the band like that, eventually you will gain weight. I feel as though you are preventing your body to get all the natural nutrients from food, as food gives us fuel too. I only have a 1.6cc fill in my 4cc band and for me, I don't rely fully on the tightness of the band, but I want/need to learn to work WITH the band to help me learn to get all the benefits of what natural food can give me, for a healthier lifestyle. Like Lisa, this is my opinion too...
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