JazzyJude

Ah so glad you enjoy them! I often wonder if I had over done posting too many...which is why I had stopped posting...didn't want you all to think I was hoarding that section. Thanks for trying them and glad the family enjoys them too!

Idon't schedule my fills with Rene but to Gloria, the frost receptionist. She does the calendar. Call her at 1-619-819-8566 or email her at gloria@obsecitycontrolcenter.com. Hope this helps...and the earliest is 6 weeks from your surgery date. Gloria is cool...

I agree. My 14 yr old grandson was banded in July last year and he is MUCH happier and healthier and has lost over 60 lbs! You need to do this for YOU. If your so-call friends don't want to support and cheer for you, they are NOT your friends. These people don't understand what you are feeling as they are not in your position. Whereas you are trying to better yourself and should want to do this for you...and no one else sweetheart. Go into this decision because you need to do this for yourself. You have more than enough supporters here to help you out and there's a lot of teenagers getting banded nowadays. You can connect with them for support as well. Good luck with your decision...

YEAH! Doing the happy dance for you! AWESOME ~ :lb24: Clary! You sound like you are at the middle and now it's all down hill! Woo hoo! That is fantastic. Would you care to share any tips or suggestions? Inquiring minds like to know! Congrats and job well done. BE PROUD!!!! :lb13:

Hi Eclispe! That is an interesting question because everyone is different. As I've said in my previous fill posts, Dr Ortiz says you should be eating 1/3 of what you had use to eat before being banded and before and after you've had your fill. But it doesn't apply to me since my 2nd fill. When I got my first fill (the "primer fill" I'm dubbing it), I felt restricted for the first week and a half or so and then I noticed that I was wanting more and was using more willpower than bandpower, which I scheduled for my 2nd fill as soon as I could, which the earliest was 4 weeks from the first fill. After the full liquid I was put on for 3 days, I started on solids and I was ok. I continue with the food guideline I was mentored on (2-3oz protein, 1/4 cup of veggie/fruit and 1/4 cup grain/carb, 3 meals a day and up to 1200 calories a day. It wasn't the fact that I was hungry but that I could eat more ~ there's a difference. When getting my 2nd fill, I was asked what I was eating and I was told I was not eating enough! Yeah, can you imagine that? Well, I upped my proteins to 4 oz and that did the trick! Also, EVERY DAY, I still continue to switch between the Metamucil capsules or the chewable Fiber Choice for the hunger pangs and I NEVER got hungry as I consistenly take them everyday. BUT, I CANNOT eat 1/3 of what I use to eat right now. In fact, my whole total day's worth of food doesn't even add up to 1/3 of what I use to eat, which wasn't that large either! On a good day now, I can EAT close to 2 oz proteins, about 2 oz of veggie or fruit and maybe a teaspoon worth of grain/carbs, such as potatos, rice, etc. In order for me to 'make up' the difference in my protein intake, I will do protein shakes and/or drink the 'whey liquid protein bullets' I get from GNC. What a godsend these are for me! REMEMBER, this is MY body and what my band is allowing me to have. Hope this helps...all the best to you!

Good Morning ckiki! Glad to see you are doing great! Yeah, I didn't have to take any pain meds either and my gas pains were very minimal too. Don't forget, today you can have those wonderful drinkable yogurts! Yeah!

AWESOME Christy! Oh, you are going to be just fine honey! Just be positive and be patience. This is a start and you are on your way to a better you. Like you said, continue to take those mini little walks and sip, sip, sip. Also, don't sit for too long of a period, this causes the gas bubbles to 'settle'. So the more you move the more the gas bubbles will find no place to settle down and cause your frustrations. Another thing I find that had helped me while I was sitting watching TV or whatever, is to do some light arms movements such as one arm reaching towards the ceiling and sort of stretching ever so slightly and then the other arm. Rolling your shoulders and neck forward and backwards and around do their tricks too. Keep a daily journal, so you know what works and what doesn't. Focus on your goal and write down your feelsing. Mark off your water intake and what your daily exercises were. This is a good thing and it helps you to move forward in a positive way. Good luck babe! Now you are on your way for an amazing adventure!

Hi Sabrina ~ sorry I didn't catch your message sooner! Each person is going to their own experience with each fill. It just so happen with me, this 2nd fill is a GOOD one for me right now. As for the "whey liquid protein bullets", I got them at GNC when they were on sale for $2.09 per tube. They are about 6"long, in a tube-like vial and comes in (4) flavors, fruit punch, orange, blue raspberry and grape. WONDERFUL stuff! I sure get my enery up with those, for sure! LOL

Anne ~ so sorry I didn't see your post, somehow missed yours and Sabrina's. On my 1st fill, I only had restriction for a short time and had to wait for a couple of weeks later to get my 2nd fill. Since then, Dec 20 (23 days later) I am still feeling my 'sweet spor;. I didn't feel the 2nd restriction right off until a week later when it 'kicked in'. I am tight with this 2nd fill so I am hoping this will last for a while...

Kristy! You overspent on that water bottle! LOL

Yay Amanda! Ok, just remember when I mentioned about your first fill is like a 'primer'. At first you may or may not feel anything, but stay on the required full liquids and then slowly progress to softer foods and then full solids. For me, my restriction didn't 'kick in' until a week later, when I was in full solids. Yes, the whole is smaller so you need to do the 'practicing' of taking those small bites, chewing the dickens out of it before you swallow and eat slowly. Also, remember the 1/3 of what you use to eat ruling. These are major keys for losing weight right now. Remember, too, your protein and calorie intakes and make sure you get then in daily to maximize weight loss as well. ALL OF YOU ARE DOING GREAT! Keep up the good work!.

Yep, Judi is right. For the fill and transportation it's $199 For the fill, trasportation, and one nite hotel stay it's $279. Call Gloria at 1-619-819-8566 or email her at gloria@obesitycontrolcenter.com. Gloria is GREAT!

AWESOME Butterfly! And thanks for your tips...you inspire me and I totally agree with your suggestions! Wow...you did amazing! Keep up the good work!!

Good luck Stormy! Hope this restriction kicks in your sweet spot like mine is right now! Woo Hoo!! What really helped me was to be on full liquids for 5 days. I continue taking my chewable Fiber Choice 2x a day for hunger pangs and I never been hungry. Good luck!

Amanda ~ I hear ya! You can still have the foods you've previously been eating, just watch your protein and calorie intake and make sure you are within the portion control guideline to succeed in losing weight. Be prepare to write on your "no-no" list of foods that don't agree with you and your band. To make it easier for me, what I've done is plan my menu for the week so I can see what kind of variety of foods I am going to eat. I normally don't do more than 3 different kinds in a single week, as I eat smaller portions and would make a good size portion, enough for freezing for later on. I can eat the same foods within the week, so this doesn't bother me. So choose your food wisely and plan ahead. Also, so to the recipe section and browse thru the recipes. All the recipes can be made smaller for your benefit. INVEST in a crockpot for it's a great way to keep your food moist, especially the meat. Target has those small 2 quarts and I love mine as I use it when I got RVing with my camping group. Crockpot Chilis and stews are great source of proteins too. Also, I make sure I have a nice size selection of protein 'food to go' so if I am lacking, I can pick up one of those items to help get my intake in for the day. And what I don't EAT, I would drink a protein shake. Best to you babe...

Jenn! Welcome to bandland! LOL...Anne is so right on this, for I was the same way too! LOLGet some much needed rest and remember to sip, sip, sip and WALK, WALK, WALK several mini walks, not the long adventurous ones. Good luck and keep us posted on your journey and enjoy the new life forthcoming!

YEAH! Congrats ckiki ~ see we told you it was easy! LOL...now just remember to sip, sip, sip and WALK, WALK, WALK. Do lots of mini walks, not just long ones. The object is to keep moving to get those gas bubbles out of you.So glad your experience was a good one and your Mum was comfy with the arrangements. Keep posting to let us know how you are doing and come on back if you have any questions or concerns. ((HUGS!))...WELCOME to Bandland...you are now on your path to your weight loss journey ~ enjoy it, for you are going to love the results!

Hi Labella ~ Dana and I were banded just 3 days apart and I can help with the answer. After your fill, you are directed to go on full liquids (the creamy soup stage) because your band just gotten tighter and to help adjust to this tightness, you want to progress slowly back to solid food by starting off with liquids, then softer food, and then complete solid. Depending on your fill dr, they will have instructions for you to follow. Not all drs are the same as to how many days you do certain things. For me, I went for my 2nd fill on Dec 20 and I received a good restriction and I still do (YAY!). I was to go on full liquids for 3 days, but on the fourth day, I couldn't really eat, so I went for another 2 days and then started eating smaller solid food portions. Hope this helps you...

Tane ~ Congrats on your decision, you won't regret this. Starting on the preop diet is generally hard on everyone but if you focus on your goal, it becomes a lot easier. Remember to take those Metamucil capsules to aid in hunger pangs. Take one at 10am and 3pm. Taking these regularly, I was never hungry...just be consistent in taking them. After surgery, I took the chewable Fiber Choice for Weight Management and it has chrominum picolinate too, which really helps your weight loss. Everyone is going to have their 'fav' in protein shakes but you don't want to have too many Slim Fast as they are high in sugar/carbs. Invest in a good protein shake. I, myself, ordered on line, the AmazeRX I saw on informercial, and they taste like a milk shake. It has 17 grams protein for an 6oz drink and you use just water, as their milk product already in it. I went on the preop diet 2 like you and had my protein shakes for breakfast and lunch and I don't care for frozen dinners, so I opt with the green salads and the spray Wishbone salad dressings Dr. Miranda suggested, only 1 or 2 calories per spray ~ depending which kind of dressing you choose. In addition to the salad, I had a hard boiled egg, 1oz of cheddar cheese, and about 10 slices of deli meats from Hillshire or Buddig. For dessert, I had mostly Jell-o and a few times pudding. I was watching both my calorie (no more than 1200) and protein (60 to 90 grams) intake. Hope this helps...and good luck! You are in for an amazing bandster ride and a new you!

EXCELLENT post Michelle and very good points! I had 2 fills done at OCC and they only do fills under fluoro. Very assuring as 'visuals' relaxes me to know my band is ok and I can see my newly pouch. Like Michelle, both times at my fill appts, there were individuals waiting to have their fills 'fix' because they went somewhere else. Their biggest gripe was even though 'closer to home', they had to pay extra to go back to OCC to fix their issues. One had a total unfill and had to be on full liquids for 2 weeks and then come back to be filled. Michelle nailed it by saying in the end, you may end up spending more to correct the issue by going back to OCC, when it may have been better in the long run to go back there in the first place. Everyone is really going to have a different opinion on this. The band is fickle, IMHO, it is how you and your band are adjusting and the knowledge of the fill dr, etc. I am one of the lucky ones who lives in San Diego and can go to OCC anytime. BUT, if I lived elsewhere, I would still go back to OCC, as I trust their expertise and going back to the 'source' in the first place, eases my mind that they can assist me in any situations I may have. And, I would still plan an 'emergency' place nearby if I couldn't get to OCC quickly. I've been hearing there are a lot of fills drs around that are really good and they are succeeding in their weight loss journey. I am hoping others will post as well. Good luck with your decision.

Congrats LaWanda and Welcome to Bandland! Thank you for posting your message to help ease the worriness for the new people. Gppd luck and keep us posted on your journey!

Christy ~ congrats and WELCOME to Bandland! Remember to sip, sip, sip and WALK, WALK, WALK!! Like d\Sarah says, your discomfort will go away soon enough. Take LOTS of mini walks, not just long adventurous ones. Also, the 4th day, which is Sun the 11th you can have a drinkable yogurt. Now for step 3 (step 1 was preop, 2 was surgery) ~ "Bandster Hell during 21 days post op". Be patience with yourself and go with the flow babe. Keep a daily journal so you know how you are doing and what does and what doesn't work for you. To help prevent getting dizzy and headaches, drink protein water and for the 'roto rooter' problem, use the Benefiber unflavored powder or the chewable Orange-Creme tablets. For the hunger pangs, I switch off between the Metamucil capsules or the chewable Fiber Choice for Weight Managment at 10am and 3pm ~ works for me! Good luck and keep us posted!! WTG! HOO RAH!

Congrats LaWanda and WELCOME to Bandland! You will do great with that positive attitude. Keep us posted on your journey and if you have any questions or concerns, shout it out!

GREAT ~ the sooner the better! When you get to your Mum'd, call me and we can meet up! YAY!

AWESOME Michelle ~ she has a GREAT supporter...YOU!...to help her along! Also congtats in losing 90 lbs ~ you look FANTASTIC!! You are truly an inspiration for all of us! Wishing the best for your Mum and bring her on this for us to encourage her ~ we all can help guide her along! ((HUGS!)) Jude ^,,^