JazzyJude

Cindy...welcome and congrats to going to step 2 (step 1 was the preop). Stick with the "CLEAR liquids" for 7 days. If you can't see through it you can't have it, except the yogurt. Your surgery day IS day 1. Starting day 4 you can have those wonderful drinkable yogurt. I like the strawberry bananna because of the little extra potassium. The first 7 days are liquids the consistency of water only. Vegetable broth, beef broth, chicken broth, popsicles are fine and they don't need to be sugar or fat free, as you aren't pushing over the calorie counting at this stage at all. Apple juice is 1/2 juice and 1/2 water, not full concentrate to avoid diarrhea. I keep an eye on the sodium level in the broths too. Towards the end of the week, you will get tired of the broth and I ended up adding spices and even tobasco sauce to give it a 'kick'. You can use boullion cubes if you wish. Protein water is a MUST. I use the Special K2O. G2 - low calorie, low sugar Gatorade in little bottles are fine too. Jell-O gelatin, not pudding is great, in which I add more water so it wouldn't completely set but easy to 'drink' it per se. NO protein shakes until day 8, the start of your full liquid days, the "creamy soups" stage. During this clear liquid stage you can have as much liquid as you want. No limit so if you are hungry, then drink more ~ it will help the hunger pangs. This stage is not the easiest, but keep the focus and keep a journal to keep you on track. For the rest of the days 8 through 21, you are on 'creamy soups' stage. NO chunks, lumps, or bumps in your food and NO blenders to make it creamy. There is no calorie counting at this time either. Go to the fourms Recipe section and look at the Healthy Creamy Soups post and get some ideas. Or you can simply get those quick Campbell's canned soups. You can have fudgesicles and puddings too. Also protein shakes are good at this creamy stage too as well as the drinkable yogurts. Don't forget your vitamins...either the liquid kind or the chewable Centrium kind. It's important to get your vitamins and minerals in daily. As well, don't forget the chewable or unflavored powder Benefiber, which helps the rotor rooter problem! Hope this helps and good luck!

H Fabi and Welcome to this forum! You won't regret your decision at all. I was banded on Oct 8 at OCC and Dr O did my surgery. The whole staff there are totally awesome. I am going this coming Saturday there at OCC for my 2nd fill. I live just 20 minutes from them...so I am one of the lucky ones who gets to see the drs and the staff often. Although I had my hubby with me, I had to do the band program myself and like Lisa says, I own this wonderful tool, the band. It is amazing the wonderful changes I thus far have learned; eating healthier, no cravings for soda pop, no bingeing between salty and sugary foods, exercising more, etc. I am so focused towards this band life that everything is becoming second nature to me. Everything takes a different approach as I look into things and my success is just around the bend. Browse through this post in the differnt forum sections to help answer some of your questions and concerns. Read your booklet when you receive them from OCC. If you need more info, come back and post your questions and we will be glady to assist you. Keep a journal. This would help you keep tract of your success. On a single page, I write down what I ate for the day, mark of my water intake, write down small reachable goals and rewrite as you achieve them, and what exercises I've done. If it was a good day, mark a star on the upper right corner for future use in case I needed a change or something that we really worked for me on that day. Also, soon there will be a new post for March surgeries and fills appts and you can post your surgery on there. Soon other prospects will post their messages and hopefully you will meet up with some. Good luck! Fabi, I wish you success in this weight loss journey of yours and keep us posted on your progress ~ you are going to have an amazing ride!

Hi Judi...try soymilk by Silk. It's real good and you can have it in ceral, drinks or by itself. Try different flavors. I also use this in my soups too.

For some, this is a real sore subject! BUT, it is one of the biggest contributors to losing weight. You asked what motivates me? I spent a lot of hard earning money for this surgery and I was going to focus on whatever it takes to get this band journey going smoothly, and exercising is part of it. I use a daily journal. My one page (8" x 11") includes what I eat, how much water I drank, what my feelings are, my small reachable goals, and what exercises I've done for the day. This is what keeps me going and helps tract my record as how I am doing. If I had a good day, then I put a star on the top right hand corner of the page, for future reference. I HATED walking...just plain hated it because it was oh so B-O-R-I-N-G! BUT, that has changed! I got me a iPod and listened to music (like Bigali) while I am walking at my own pace. I started with just 20 minutes and that was it...then i went to 1 miles, then build up to a minumum of 5 miles a day! I did this all within 2 weeks. I knew if I was going to have any success, I couldn't just sit and 'let it happen'...I had to do the work ~ plain and simple. BUT, I didn't want to spend oodles of money either! I did have a few light aerobics and dancing videos and just recently bought a couple of "in house" waling videos. As a full time working bandster, I get up between 3 and 330 am and start my 'walking' in front of my tv with the video for about an hour. Take a shower and get ready for work by 630am. After work , I walk around the neighborhood/park for about 1 to 2 hours and then I walk again in my bedroom in front of the tv for an hour more. At work, since I have my own office, I do the Shapely Secrets exercises, which I saw on TV informercial. During my morning break or lunch, I do my pilate "Magic Cirle" exercises for the arms and chest. And in the afternoon break, I do the "wall or counter" push ups as well. These all takes less than 10 minautes to do...so to me, it was doable and it's effective since I've dropped from size 24 to 18 since Sept, when I signed up for the surgery. The weekends, in addition to my walking, I do one of those videos on light aerobics and dancing (Richard Simmons has some good ones! LOL). It's fun and I can take my time doing it. Eventually, I may get a personal trainer, but not just yet, but this is me. Also, I do belong to Bally's Health Fitness Club but right now, I don't feel comfy going there just yet. I am only a little over 2 months out from surgery and I can't do a full swing, hard core exercise program until after my 3 months post op. So, I will have to be patience and wait on that. Then I will get back to doing exercises on FitTV with Gilad in Bodies in Motions and Body Scupting, starting at 3am. Both these are 30 minute segments are really good and really get me the energy to start my day. Turbo Jam and some kick boxing, which are invigorating and really gets your heart going, are a couple of other ones I will do too. So, really, everyone has their own way to exercies. I prefer videos and walking and that is within anyone's budget right now. Hope this helps you!

BeBe - GREAT pictures...you look awesome really!!! Thanks for sharing your pictures...great inspirations for me to keep on going forward!!! WTG!!

Omigosh! (gigling like a school kid now...!)...I haven't been called adorable since I was a teen! YOU just made my day darlin'...!

Just a few blocks from the clinic and the hotel is close by too...so either way. This is a good thing to walk off any gas bubbles you may have! And don't be nervous, just be aware of your surroundings; don't put all your money in one place, etc. Just like going to a new place you've never been before. Always be prepared for the unknow is my motto for traveling. The surgery is a piece of cake and the OCC staff are WONDERFUL! Enjoy being pampered while there!

GREAT ~ that's next week Friday ~ whoo hoo! Congrats on your decision Wendy...I am sure you are really excited! Please keep us posted on how you are doing! Good luck! And keep coming on to this forum if you have an questions or concerns. We support all of us here!

Thanks SheRee for the complements and I try to guide and help out. Just know that I am NOT the 'doctor of the house' and give only my opinions and such. I've always been this way really. Yes, I've been a speaker for many different conferences and meetings. I am a trainer 'of sorts' and always the leader. I love to find out what makes things tick and do a lot of research and really understand the fundamentals of how things work. My Mum always KNEW I was going to be someone of importance to others when 'I grow up'. Especially when my favorite toy, when I was about 1-1/2 yrs old, was a screwdriver! Yep, locking my Mum out in the snow, in her nightgown wasn't the best idea. She was NOT a happy camper, after calling Grampa to help her get in the house. I never knew hair could look so red as she was then! Yes, I got my cute butt spanked but from then on, she knew how stubborn, persistent and consistent I was going to be from then on! So, I am somewhat of a "Jackie of all trades". I just about tried and done everything. Oh some stories to tell of me...! No seriously, when you believe in something, you would do anything to learn about it and turn it into a positive success for yourself, if you want it bad enough. I believe I can turn any negative into a positive issue, no matter what. I have always been like this. Being assertive is one of my other good qualities too. Put forth what needs to be done now, not later. OK...enough of my 'speech'...again, thanks for the compliments, and enjoy your day!

Wow Tanya! You look FANTASTIC! Look at you go! You will be hitting your final goal before you know it! That is just awesome!

Good post Kristy and yes, always go half of what they offer. And if they barter, then I walk away and LISTEN for if they say 'ok'...then turn around and pay what I suggested. It really works. Yes, Revolucion Ave is one of the best places, since it is near the clinic. They have other malls around, but if you don't know the area, don't even try to adventure because they are ALWAYS road constructions going on and you never know what streets are being blocked off, etc. But they never do it around Revolucion Ave! LOL...business is business and that is where the most is at. Bring LOTS of single and five dollars, don't bring large bills because they will try to weedle more from you or say they don't have the change, etc. Be conservative and it is best to look around before starting bartering in case another shop may have the same items for less. Kristy ~ don't you just love the Mexican vanilla! Try making adding it to your cocoa or coffee with that...oh so good! Depending on the recipe, you may want to use just a tad less, as it is a stronger. I love it myself and CHEAP!!! I'd paid as low as a $1.00! Enjoy it!

Denise~ GORGEOUS!!! You really rock sister!!! ((HUGS!)) I am so PROUD of you!!!!

Sure! Go to this link from the Recipe section...just remember to use the protein powder too, as they have the nutrient boosters you need! http://www.lapbandforum.com/index.php?showtopic=7029 Enjoy and some of them are good.

CindyLou ~ you are a sweetheart. You are an avid Atkins eater and I so appreciate you in posting your positive thoughts on them. I, too, use to do Atkins and believe it or not, I've lost 24 lbs in 2 months on it while my hubby lost 28. AND, believe it or not, our dr told us to stop because we were losing too fast and having way too much proteins, which can cause gout and other ailments too soon if we didn't watch out. So, we stopped, and haven't been back on it since. So, really, it is VERY important when doing a high protein regiment, to balance your meals with all nutrients. What I plan on doing is to go back on their website and pick out some recipes to have from time to time. They have WONDERFUL ones!!

MY kind of gal! I LOVE spinach and as soon as I started to read this, I thought "good source of iron!", then you wrote it! EXCELLENT post Jan!!! PLEASE post this delish recipe of yours under the Recipe section for others, and me!, to see this by itself. ((HUGS!))...WTG!

OK...guess I am going to put a damper on this and be the first person posting that I didn't cheat...not once. Sad, huh? I was the opposite. I saved good, hard earning money for this surgery and I was NOT going to do anything to jeopardize my success. BUT (there is always a but, eh? LOL)...you CAN have your favorite foods, AFTER your first 21 days post op AND in moderation. IF you feel you don't have the willpower to eat the food, then turn away and move on. You WILL eat your favorite foods because this is a lifestyle change with healthier eating habits. Now, personally, I am going to go to my favorite restaurants with those high caloric menus and pick a dish to enjoy, in moderation, of course. when I hit a plateau. This particular high calorie dish I would choose would help 'kick start' my weigh loss and go forward from there. SO...do you feel better now? NOW ~ DON'T pig out before your surgery, that you worked so hard on your preop for. Remember the REASON for why you are on this preop...to minimize the fatty tissues around your liver and this is what the doctor base on which band to use on you. It's ok, if you slipped - OOPS!. You already feel bad about it and you know it wasn't a good idea to do it, so be positive and motivate yourself to do better and move forward with this weight loss journey you pay good money on. It's ok to have the 'good' stuff, just not often. KEEP A JOURNAL FOLKS! Trust me...this will help you keep on tract! Write down what you eat, write your feelings for the day, mark off your water as you drink, write down some small reachable goals and what exercises you've done. You will be AMAZE how well you do things when you write things down. YOU CAN DO THIS...

Welcome Wendy! Make sure you browse through the forum for other posts as well. Come here for any questions or concerns, we all support one another! When and where are you having your surgery?

BeBe...congrats to you! That is just awesome and glad you are happy about it. Yes, doing it slowly for you made the journey good for you still. Can't wait to see your pictures too! WTG!

Whew...let's see if I can help all of you in one post... I, myself, went on the diet 2 option, which is a protein shake for breakfast and lunch and then a green salad, with hard boiled egg, deli meat, tomatoe, mushroom, and tomatoes and one of the Wishbone's spray salad dressing...every day for 2 weeks. Trust me when I say this...this is HEAVEN to compare when you get to your clear liquid and creamy soups stages. So, really enjoy the preop days and start learning what is important for your weight loss, including getting those wonderful nutrients in your body the veggies provides for you. Protein shakes ~ sucha a huge subject and it's to everyone's liking...either you like it or hate it, but like Denise says, in a crunch for something quick, Slim Fast Optima is ok. but not too much because of the sugar calories, which you are trying to keep down to a minimum. If all possible, try as many as you can to get the right powder for you, as you WILL need them after your surgery at some point, especially after you getting your fills and you can't quite eat, the shakes will give you the proteins you need for the day. Salt ~ and, for anyone to be a saltaholic...I am the expert here! I use to use salt on EVERYTHING, without tasting it my food first. It was an automatic thing for me to do! Trust me when I say that you probably won't miss the salt at all. You are so focus on wanting to lose weight and do well with the preop diet, you won't use it. Yesterday was the first day I had salt and it's been over 3 months since I've last used it! YAY me! START using spices and herbs instead. I love the flavored garlic. Also, use condiments such as vinegar, honey, lemon, etc in MODERATION, as they do have calories when used excessively. Veggies ~ Pickes are cucumbers and it's a veggie! BUT, a 1/4 cup worth only. Veggies...incorporate these wonderful foods that are FULL of vitamins and minerals your body craves for! I PROMISE you, your body, hair, skin, eyes, will be more healthier and will LOVE you! Butter? Sure, again, use in moderation. I also love to have those flavored vinegars with peppers in the jars...oh yeah! Another way to flavor the veggies is cheese ~ 1 oz should do the trick. Kristy said it good with going to the store and build yourself a salad...excellent idea and if you have a Soup Plantation restaurant - there you go! I go there about twice a month as a treat, between their salads and their wonderful soups! AND, pay the child's price! YES!!! Fruits ~ . I wouldn't do the fruits until you start your solid food, day 22, due to the sugary calories and that is the last thing you want, as you are trying to lose as much as you can before your surgery. Also, certain fruits have too much acid and may counteract what you are eating in prepping for your surgery. Hope this helps...

HERE, HERE!!!!!

Nice post Jan...in other words, don't be too obsessive with the darn scale but it helps you to keep on tract. At first, but being banded was so new to me, I was weight morning and night for the first couple of days! Yeah! Then I just weighed every morning, then every 3 days, and then once a week. I will go up and down, down and slightly up, then down, etc. I got so tired of doing this and now I choose to do it once a month on my banded date and make note of it and go forward from there. But I am still new and only a little over 2 months out from surgery, so my body is just starting to get back to normal from the surgery itself. I am waiting for my "3 months" post op, where I can do hard core exercises and then, I may weigh my selfself weekly to see how I am doing. This is my next small goal to reach...I've only 28 days to go, but then whose counting?

at OCC, your first fill is between 6 to 8 weeks post op. I did mine at 6 1/2 weeks and glad I did.

GRRRR...can't view the picture until I get home...bet you look awesome!

Well, actually you can have it...in moderation and also, let the drink sit a bit to settle the 'air' they use in "fluffing" the drinks up, like CindyLou mentioned. Remember, to drink only a 1/2 cup at a time, NOT the whole drink at one sitting! Don't want to risk stretching your band, with continuous drinking all at once, which would bring too much stress with the band and pouch. So, drink a 1/2 cup (4 oz) worth and wait a bit and then again, and wait, etc. I personally didn't start this until I started on solid food stage.

At OCC, they just put the band on with no fill at all. This is just so that you and the band can adjust and you start learing to eat properly with the proper portion control measurements/