JazzyJude

Julie ~ that is exactly what I do to see if I can eat in the mornings as well. I always have room temp water to 'test' my band first thing and if all goes well, I will do an egg omelet with real bacon bits and cheese and top with homemade salsa or I can have a bowl of cereal. It's all depends on my stress level my job gives me. If it's a no go, same thing, protein shakes and drinkable yogurts for me. I keep a stack of protein shake readily available at work for the same issue. As for fluoro, I am comfy having my fills done with fluoro only. It's for peace of my mind to assure all is "ok" and I get to see how the flow is going and the band is settled nicely, etc. It's really a personal choice. I just happen to be one of those lucky ones who lives in San Diego and can go to the border in 20 minutes! Good luck with your fills girls!

WTG! You will enjoy it. Just remember to put a few in your mouth and not a whole mouth full worth...I still want to do so bad...but nah, not going to happen...ENJOY!!

My motto is "if you are using more willpower than bandpower, it's time for a fill"...plain and simple. Getting fills tweaks you to 'fine tune' your choice of good food and eating habits. For me, I don't want a 'ok restriction'...but a good one to really stay on top of the weight loss, progressively. Good luck on your decision babe!

AHH ~ thanks for sharing! Going to Ralph's after work today! Also at Von's they have premade Fruit Chillers, like sorbets - EXCELLENT treat! I've found peach, mangoe and strawberry so far!

Hi Karen ~ like TRS says, you can do it, only one more week and you're in heaven! Just curious, have you tried those Fiber Choice for Weight Management or the Metamucil capsules for the hunger pang? They work for me wonderfully and I have one in the morning and one in the afternoon...just a suggestion. Good luck, you are doing amazing with such willpower thus far!

WOW! I am in San Diego ckiki...WHERE did you buy those frozen lemonades! I need some to cool off! LOL

Hi ckiki ~ I too love popcorn and can still eat them, even after my 2nd fill on 12/20/08. I just make sure I chew the dickens out of them...LOL! I've not had a problem with any kernel being stuck or anything. Now bread and flour tortillas are a different story and I am sure it's going to be on my "no-no" list soon, due to the doughy and gummy texture ~ DARN! But I was able to eat them with no problem up to my 2nd fill. Like Carrie, I am a huge bread eater but what it can cause, it's not worth it to me and I sure don't want to PB or slime!

At OCC, you first lay down flat on the table bed. Then the doc will use the fluoro to locate your port and insert the needle. He then raises your table bed to a high sitting position with the fluoro right at your chest. You would be advised as to when to drink the barium and proceed to get your fill. After the needle is pulled out, hold a gauze at your needle hole, apply pressure for a few minutes, pulled down your shirt/blouse and off the table to go. Very clean and simple.

Christy ~ the water drinking is what was explained to me too. Basically DON'T gulp down your liquids so quickly and give it a chance to go to your tummy. "Sipping" merely means, drink at comfort level at a leisure/reasonable time frame. After my 2nd fill, I can still drink my K20 water within 10 minutes in one sitting, not doing anything. There is no restriction on pure liquids unless you have a very tight band, in which you may need to keep an eye on this and report to your doc right away, if you are having adifficult time in swallowing liquids. As for the food. This is easy for me. I've never had that "full, full" feeling since being banded. Why? Because I've been mentored to eat a certain amount of food and I am very disciplined and strict with myself. I've paid good, hard earning money for this surgery and I was going to succeed at this! I am at that "comfort" level, knowing I had enough food to sustain me until the next meal. Also, at the beginning of being banded, Dr Ortiz says you should eat only 1/3 of what you use to eat. This is a guideline, mind you, and a safe way to get all your nutrients in, eating in moderations. As you get your fills it may be difficult for you to eat the 1/3 portion of what you use to eat. After my 2nd fill, I can no longer eat 1/3 of what I use to eat. So, I upped my protein intake and this helped me to 'kick start' my weight lost again. Currently, I now use the following portion control guideline: ~ 4 oz (1/2 cup) protein (red meat, poultry, fish, eggs, cheese, nuts, etc) ~ 2 oz (1/4 cup) veggie/fruit ~ 2 oz (1/4 cup) grain/starches (beans, rice, potatoes, pasta, etc) This totals to (1) cup of food, per meal, 3 times a day and up to 1200 calories daily. If you are doing hard core exercises, then I would plan to up my proteins and calories up a bit. There are some days I cannot EAT my proteins, so I have to substitute with drinking a protein shake to keep the balance. I hope I was able to help...

OK, my weekly menu planner is at home and will share with you when I come on from home. It's nothing 'spectacular'...just what I, myself, like to eat. I will see if I can somehow take a picture of it and post it. If not, then I will just write it all down and go from there, so bear with me on this, it may take me a bit! HA! I am NOT that computer savvy as you all are!

LOL! Too funny! There are NO dry chicken at her place! Oh yeah...bring it on! Woo hoo!! The weather here is awesome you guys! Enjoy and when you fly out, wave and I'll toast to you all for good restriction! LOL

OMG ~ you got me good on this one! I am laughing my heart out! WTG OICU812!!! Too funny! The same with me Kristy...it took all but 10 minutes to do. I weighed myself at home and weighed myself at OCC (there's a scale in the fill room if you wish to use it). Dr So or Dr Acosta does their thing while talking with you. It is really very interesting to view on the fluoro screen ~ cool really! One other thing I did was write down any questions you may want to ask. This helped me and the fill doc was really patience while you write down the solutions/answers.

Normally there are 'warning/alert signs' before something happens and I believe, IMHO, that was a warning before you do either PBing or sliming. If you stopped eating and wait for it to subside, does the pain go away? Does it happens everytime you eat? Did you do a breathing exercise? Don't beat yourself to hard ~ just learn from this experience. That is why it is very important to learn portion control, cut food into small pieces (like a dime-size), chew the dickens out of it and eat slowly before your swallow your food. DON'T eat if you are in a rush, it's not worth it! You would be risking too much. Take your time and breathe normally and take pleasure of your meal. I am not a medical adviser, but if you are concern and your situation continues, call OCC for assistance.

crazycoolbutterfly ~ you are AWESOME! Thank you so much for your inspiring story ~ I LOVE it! What a truly inspring adventure you went through. I often thought of doing a walk marathon, just never pursue it and I definitely didn't want to do it alone. Like you, failure is not an option when I set my mind to any issues. With your testimonial of your expereince, I just may act on it. I will have to start off slowly and progress. I was in awe, all the way through your experience and you experience deep my girl! I felt your pressure to keep going, Carolyn cheering you on, etc. You did it babe...you REALLY did it! I AM SOOOO PROUD OF YOU! This is the excitement and encouragment I need. WTG Babe and congrats on your accomplishment! This is a HUGE, major NSV! ((BEAR HUGS TO YOU!))

Hi All~ People have been asking about how I get all of my calories and proteins in and thought this little tidbit might help you. Currently, what I am doing is using 1200 as my base calorie and between 60 to 90 grams of proteins a day. Then I break it down to 300 per meal and 100 per snacks. I have 3 meals and 3 snacks a day. NOTE: I don't eat all 3 snacks a day but it helps to have a 'leave way' if one of my meals is over 300 calories total, then I 'take away' one of the snack time. As long as I have my calorie intake between 1000 and 1200, I am ok. Read labels ~ You really have to read the labels of all the foods you like to eat and figure out the calories and proteins intake/count. I had a heck of a time getting started and then now it's easy because I do this every week. Menu planning ~ I plan out my menu on my weekend, for the whole week, so I don't have to say "Um, what should I have today?" or "Oh, I had this yesterday! Ugh!", etc. Make sure your pantry caters to your food needs. Nothing is worse than to have an empty "bandster" pantry and you may be at a frantic trying to figure out what to eat and then end up eating the wrong thing. This is not good planning at all. Hope this helps you...

I am the same with BandDiva and Nicole and depends on my restriction as well. I also switch off to have apple slices (or other kinds of fruit) and cheese, one fig newton bar (the large long ones), nuts, dry Cherrio cereal, etc. I don't make a "meal" out of my snack time. But having a bowl of cereal can be fine, in moderation, and I would try to make it a total of 100 calories between the milk and cereal.

When I first started on solids, I had a hard time adjusting to this ruling of no drinking while eating. It's hard to take this 'negative' activity out of my daily routine I have had all my life. My body and mind rebels such an idea. It's because we think we will be deprive of a drink. So, knowing full well we will be able to drink again, we need to plan accordingly. So, it is suggested to NOT pour a drink when getting ready to eat, so you won't be tempted to 'reach' for it. I make sure I drink throughout the whole day, to stay hydrated at all times. Example ~ knowing dinner is to be served at 5pm, I would stop drinking between 4:45p and 4:55p. Eat my meal and then wait between 45 min to (1) hour before I start reaching for a drink again, if I needed it. As well as being hydrated from the inside drinking liquids, I take daily mini, quick showers to help keep my exterior (skin and hair) hydrated. All the best...

Yup...I am a chocoholic and I couldn't WAIT to have my 'fix'! During the clear liquid stage I would have suck on a tootsie roll pop and that had saved me! I didn't start on the fudgesicles until after 2 weeks into my solid food days...I was focusing on my calorie/protein intake daily and then incorporate it as my snack at nite and alternate that with apple, cheese and a glass of wine.

Like Shelby, I had started drinking wine after my 21 post op diet. Drinking wine is much better for you healthwise than pain killers. I would have a 6 oz glass of wine for relaxation. When I go to parties, I plan accordingly and add ice to make my drink last longer.

Hi Amanda! Ooh, watch it babe. Eat slower and take even smaller bites. You were on your way to PBing and this is not fun! Like Dana says, take your tiny bite and lay the fork down and literally chew for 30 times. ENJOY your food. Really take the time to appreciate your food. To get me started and I know this may sound juvenile, but I needed to train myself right...so I cut all my food up ahead of time and after each bite, lay the fork down. Get into this habit and you will find it easier to appreciate your meal. I, myself, have a 1.6cc fill in my 4cc band and yes, it can be very fickle! I have good restriction as well and I have to change my daily menu to make sure I get in all my proteins because there are times I can EAT the proteins and then I need to substitute with a protein shake, etc. My band tends to be tighter in the morning and starts to loosen up in the afternoon. If you are stressed, then your band may feel tight as well.

WTG Shy!!! Woo hoo! I can't wait to hit that too! GOOD job!You too SheRee! Congrats!!! AWESOME NSVs!!

Samantha sweetheart! Yes, it is amazing how family and friends comes out of the woodwork. The ones you have share with know that you will need time to adjust and relax and with their help and support, this will help you get started to heal both mentally and physically, to your new adventure! Thanks for sharing this Samantha...<sigh>...yes, for those of us who have the support, it's a truly blessing thing! Embrace this...

I followed the plan exactly as they told me: Day 1 thru 7 (which includes the day of surgery) ~ clear liquids NOTE: Starting day 4, started on the drinkable yogurt Day 8 thru 21 ~ creamy soups Day 22 ~ start on solid foods OCC devised this guideline because it works if you follow it to the "T". This is a progressive issue. You start off with liquids (clear liquid stage), then thicker liquids (creamy soup stage) then start on the solid foods and you even progress from that point to soft foods (like eggs, pinto beans with cheese, soups with chuncks, etc) to harder foods (steak, chicken, etc). It's like going up the hill slightly verses to going up the stairs. It's a gradual type of thing. By doing it the OCC way, you gradually introduce \food into your stomach without injury or any complications. You and the band will get use to the idea of what makes you full as you go from liquids to food. This is your learning time and as well, your healing time for your stomach and band. Take advantage of this slower pace for you are going to have this band for life...why rush? At the same time, don't fall behind or lag back...follow through to benefit weight loss as you go. Hope this helps...

Lucy ~ you've no idea how your post means to us newbies. Like Anne mentioned, so sorry for your losses. I, too, was banded in Oct, just 3 days sooner than BandDiva and we've been neck to neck in what is happening with ourselves and our bands. I've had my 2nd fill on Dec 20 and I am amaze at how I am still restrictive...some days tighter due to stress with my job. Wetotally appreciate you posting the good AND the bad. These are the true statements I like to hear because it's the reality of it all. Thanks for sharing Lucy!!! I sure hope we hear from you more often! ((Hugs!))...keep us posted on your progress and good luck sweetie!

((DANA!!))...thanks Babe! Well, I think I will hit the family cookbooks again (smile)!! LOL!! You just made my day!