JazzyJude

If you are sticking with the liquid diet and stay within the measured guideline amount ~ no problem. The soup would adhere to the stomach wall lining a little longer as they are thicker in consistency, where as pure liquids would go through faster. You may risk stretching your pouch if you overdo the amount you drink all at once, but not too worry too much on this. I am sure you are not guzzling a lot of soups and water all the time...just 'practice' now with the soups, your portion control and measure accordingly. When you get to the solid food stage, you don't want to panic and then overeat, which could put you at risk to stretch your pouch. Basically, eat smaller portions, chew real good, and eat slowly...

Hi Christy! To me, they taste like a creamy milkshake (not thick at all) and they really hold me off until the next meal! I use cold water to get that 'ice creamish' feeling...LOL Yes, that is all you need, just 6 oz of water and it has 17 grams of proteins. I mix (2) flavors too. I like the taste of chocolate strawberry. And what is nice if you get (2) different flavors, you can do more or less with any flavor to your desire taste. Like one time I wanted more strawberry...but still wanted a little chocolate...and it turned aout great. ALSO, another tips is I love peanut butter too. I purchased the peanut butter powder at bellplantation.com and VERY reasonable priced. So, I mix in peanut butter powder with the chocolate flavor and oh so yummy! TIP ~ if you do order these, I pre-made my 'packet to go' bags ahead of time to help cut down the time. I buy those SNACK ziplock bags, and premeasure the protein powders of my choice and then add benefiber powder for one serving/meal. Then I use an empty yogurt bottle I've drank and use that as my 'shaker' bottle to add my 6 oz water and powder in and 'shake your booty'! Another tip: When I get my fill at OCC, I keep the small water bottle they give you and measure on the bottle where 6 oz AND 3 oz water would be, with a Sharpie pen. I would use the 3 oz water level, if and when, I would have a fill and I could only have a small dose at a time. Then I would premade my packets to go for 3 oz. Hope this helps you...and if you do get them, let me know how you like them? I've suggested this to a few people and they couldn't believe the taste either!

Sabrina, just remember you just had major surgery and you and your body are trying to adjust to your band, so why pushed the capacity of your new pouch and risk the chance to stretching out your band? During the first 21 days post op, I drink no more than 1/2 cup (4 oz) at a time, instead of 3/4 cup (6 oz), throughout the day, as many times as I want between the soups and water. This doesn't mean to constantly be eating and drinking either. Give some 'air time' between eating and drinking too. Also, there is NO calorie counting during this time, until you start eating solid food. Starting on day 22, you will be on solid foods and that is when you would do the 3 meals a day with the portion control of 2-3 oz of meat/poultry/fish, 1/4 cup veggie/fruit, and 1/4 cup of grain/starches and no more than 1200 calories a day. If you do regular exercises daily, then increase your calories to 1500. TIP: TREAT YOURSELF! I have a real nice small, COMFY, coffee cup and THAT is what I use for my hot liquids such as broth, cocoa, tea, coffee, etc. At WalMart, I purchased a few Corelle's SMALL deep berry dish/bowls (8 oz) and I use this for my soups, chili, and stews. In addition to the berry dish, I got a few of the sandwich plates and this is what I serve my food on. All this to help me MEASURE my food portions. Yes, I use the measuring cups EVERY day, for EVERY meal. This helps me stay of tract and focus on choosing wisely what I eat. In my opinion, the Slim Fast can is 11oz, which equals to 2-1/2 servings. When you have your 'big bowl of soup, how big is your bowl? If it is more than 4 oz worth of soup, it's too much. The same with the Yoplait drinkable yogurt, which is nicely thick, drink half now and the other half later on. )If you are hungry, then you need to take either the Metamucil capsules or the chewable Fiber Choice ~ Weight Management (Dr. Miranda suggested either for the preop diet), and take (1) at 10 am and (1) at 3pm for curbing your hunger pangs. Hope this helps...

Hmm...this sounds good Kristy...going to try it. What size cans ffor each and when you can, do a separate post under the Recipe section, so all can see this and not be buried in this thread.

Kristy...also make sure you are taking in no more than a 1/2 cups of soup at a time. That milk shake equals to 3 and 1/2 meals worth. Again, measure out your portions and drink/eat that first and then wait and do another 1/2 cup. You might have felt miserable because you probably continued drinking that milk shake until it was gone?

EXCELLENT post Kristy and I see you've been reading and trained right, as well as your own experience! WELCOME Judi to Bandland! So glad all is ok...now comes the fun part! Post here if you have any questions or concerns...we are all here to support one another! WTG! It is important to sip, sip, sip your water and walk, walk, walk, several mini walks throughout the day. With these two along with the breathing exercises, you will have minimal gas bubbles in you. Also, when drinking, DO NOT inhale air while drinking. Always, breathe in through your nose and out your mouth...this too, will eliminate extra gas issues and well, curb down your hiccups.

OMG!...Those are the pants I had and my hubby shredded them up with his pair of scissors! LOL...I HAD to look for more pants! Sheesh! You'd think he was trying to tell me something???

NO BLENDING during the first 21 days post op! That is the rule. You are progression into solid foods. No, I just mashed it down and if I got a big piece, just chewed it down before swallowing...simple. Here's the recipe I use: 1 can Campbell's Cream of Potato 1/2 can Campbell's Cheddar Cheese 1-1/2 can of milk (I used 1%) Spices is of your choice or none. I use garlic, rosemary and sometimes celery salt. Just put everything in a pot and heat up. If you use spices, it will taste better the next day! I get my garlic from Garlic Festival, which you can get on their website ~ they have oodles of selections! REMEMBER, portion control is the key. I didn't take more than 1/2 cup at a time, it's very filling. Enjoy!

1. Name: Jude 2. Location: San Diego, CA 3. Age: 53, and proud of it! 4. Band Date: 10-8-08 5. Married: Yes (lived together for 10 years, and married for 10 yrs)...hmm, an omen with the #10? 6. Children of the human or furry kind: Humans...daughter, Patti, 20 and hubby, who can be such a kid at times! hehehe 7. Hobby(ies): Is there another page to this list? Um, I've so many...but I'll start with '10' items: camping, RVing, hunting, scrapbooking, photography, computer, cooking, quilting, crafts of ALL sorts, being a wise leader/motivator...and, oh that's '10' 8. Work: Government ~ that says it all, eh? 9. What was the deciding factor(s) on getting banded: I don't SEE the thin person I am when I look in the mirror - where did she go? After seeing my grandson, Joey, and son, Mike, who've been banded in July/Aug and lost 50 and 40 lbs, respecticely, it was then I decided to sign up a week later knowing the band would work WITH me. 10. Interesting factoid: Oh the pressure to just pick ONE! How about tying a cherry stem in a knot with my tongue! Oh yeah...!

After care is sooooo important. I can't stress enough to find the right fill doctor for YOU. We all want what's best for our band and it takes a good doctor to understand how the band works, how you are doing with the band, how your health is, etc. So, if this doctor is 15 miles away from your home and is a good doctor and there's another doctor more locally who is just so-so, you bet I would drive further for the quality care for me and my band! It pays to research and consult and keep going til you find a doctor that fits your needs...

Ah yes, well this is definitely going to be a successful challenge for you. STAY FOCUS and set some small reachable goals for you to reach within a week or so. This is what I've been doing and so far, I've reached them all. You would be surprise on how well you can follow 'the rules' when you need to.

Oh yes! Here I am just 2 months post op and I look back at what I've done so far and just laughed! I seems as though I've done SO MUCH, yet really, I haven't. Each day is a challenge and I am really learning so much from everyone. It takes great dicipline to do this. You can't rely on the band only. You need to work WITH it...so far, it's cool!

First fill is between 6 and 8 weeks post op at OCC.

I agree with louisem...the Wii and Wii Fit are real good and it would be something to start with and then later on, if you really want a bigger machine, then go for it. There is NO rush on it right now with that price tag. If it was me, I'd wait a bit...

OMG Kim! LOL...did he have a heart attack or what???

HAHAHAHAHA!...too funny!! But nonetheless, she noticed a change!!

That is great Kim! Glad to see this is so happening for you! You are going to look like a knock out...can't wait to see the results!

YEAH!! WOOT! Don't you just LOVE these NSV!!!! That is great! Keep up the good work, you are doing FANTASTIC!!!

1. In the pictures (before and after) I havn't seen many with the droopy arms, I have big arms and my goal is to lose about 60 lbs, is the weight loss slow enough (as opposed to gastric bypass) that your skin has more time to "shrink" or do most people still have to have cosmetic surgery? This is an individual thing as every person's body is different including how old you are. The older you are the less elasticity your muscles have. I do lots of wall and bench push ups and I've noticed a difference in looks already. Many people, down the line, are planning to have TT (tummy tucks) and LBL (Lower Body LIft) and others. 2. Also, I realize people lose in different area's at different times but I love my boobs and just was wondering if I should expect them to look "deflated"...have many needed to get a boob job? Again, everyone is different. I am losing the sides of my breasts but still have the same deep cup size so far. As I am doing daily exercises, I am noticing I am firming up. 3. What are some good solid foods to start with once you are at the 6 week mark, I read mashed potatoes and peas somewhere but wanted some more idea's. At OCC in Tijuane, we start our solid foods on day 22 post op. It wasn't so much of being scare to eat, but WHAT. I started off with softer foods and then progressed up. My first day was an egg omelet with real bacon bits and cheese with salsa for breakfast. For lunch, I had pinto beans and cheese from Taco Bell (great source of proteins!), and for dinner I think I had chicken and veggie (or did I finish off my Creamy Potato and Cheddar Cheese soup?). LOL...too long ago to remember now! But I did have a fudgesicle for dessert later on that evening! So, basically, just remember to get in your proper food guidelines and MEASURE 2-3 oz of meat/poultry/fish, 1/4 cup veggie/fruit and 1/4 cup grain/starches per meal, 3 times a day and no more than 1200 calories a day. When you start doing regular exercises daily, then increase your calories to 1500. Make sure you eat in that order too...proteins is ALWAYS first, then veggie/fruit and then grain/starches 4. I read someone pays $100 when they go do their fills because it is done with flouroscopy, what is the alternative that is included in surgery costs? At OCC, you pay $100 for the fill with fluoro, or FREE with NO fluoro ~ your choice. My first fill was with fluoro so I can see my band and be relieve all is ok. Dr. So did my fill and he had no problem getting to my port. In fact, I may just get a blind fill (fill with no fluoro) and see how it goes. 5. Can you recomend protein or meal replacements that taste good. They are pretty pricey and dont want to stock up on a nasty one. This is a huge subject and everyone has different taste for their shakes - some like it, some don't for the same brand. Like Kim says, you will need to try a few and see how you like them yourself. I personally use the AmazeRX I saw on TV informercial and it's thick and creamy and tastes like a milk shake to me. You can go on their website for more info. The important factors you need to consider is high protein and low sugar content. Once you figure out which one you like, then stock up for future use for during your 'creamy soup' stage, or after you get your future fills, or just to have a shake because you are way too busy and don't have time for a breakfast or lunch. BUT, do not use this aa a meal replacement all the time. Once you hit your solid food days, you are encouraged to eat food all the time.

HAHAHA - LOVE your attitude girl! THAT is the way to take this challenge for the rest of your life! YOU CAN DO THIS! I think the hardest part for me was to select what kind of soups I wanted ~ yeah! There were so many I could make and mix ane blend, etc. Keep it going girl ~ I can tell you are going places with this ride of yours!!

That is awesome Shana-Lee! So glad your surgery went so well and yes, OCC's staff are WONDERFUL! I couldn't agree with you more for their patient care...impeccable and the attitudes are unflappable!! I am blessed, really, that I live in San Diego, for me to go there for my fills! Keep us posted on your weight loss for you are going for an amazing ride of your life!! ((HUGS!))

SheRee - are you copying and pasting OVER what you have existing on your page already? Make sure you have nothing there...to start with. Keep coming back here and we WILL get your tickler going!!! If you want, I can show you what it looks like and you can compare...? Let me know..

Desise ~ ((BEAR HUGS!)) I am so happy for you and so very proud of your positivie motivation to stay focus and going forward! You are inspiring me girl and look at YOU! Soon you will be in Onderland and you WILL succeed in your goal to be there by the end of this year. AWESOME and you are doing a FANTASTIC job in your weight loss journey. Never let it be said that you are not taking your adventure seriously and this is what it is all about, learning your new life with you and your band! LOVE you sister!!...and HAPPY BANDIVERSARY to you!!!

Barb ~ don't be depressed babe! It is natural to be on a plateau sometimes. Did you try to change your menu around to give it a 'kick start'? Another good one is too trick your body by having a high caloric meal once a week ~ to jar your system and then go back to your own diet plan. I am choosing a Saturday night dinner so that I can be with my family and we can go out to eat and not worry too much of what I eat as long as I don't go over my 3/4 cup of food for the meal. Are you measuring your foods EVERY meal? It is easy to creep up extra forkfull of food and then next thing you know you are adding more to your meals. Stay within the food guideline we are taught to: 2-3 oz of meat/poultry/fish, 1/4 cup veggie/fruit and 1/4 cup of grain/starches, per meal, 3 times a day and no more than 1200 calories a day. If you are doing a regular exercise routine daily, then increase your calories to 1500. Also, another way to 'kick start' your day is on the first of the month, 'pretend' to be a new bandster and skip the clear liquid stage and start with the 'creamy soup' stage for a few days and then graduatlly go in soft foods. Just some suggestions to help you out. Hang in there Barb ~ YOU CAN DO IT!

OK...click on my tickler and it should take you to the website. Pick and choose your chart and symbol. After all said and done, scroll down to the codes and select the BBC code and copy from the very beginning to the very end and paste it on your signature page. Hope this helps!