JazzyJude

Thanks and appreciate you sharing this info desertgal! I currently use chewable Centrium but this might be a good substitute for when I get sick and can't chew or if my fill is too restricted.

Thanks Denise! Yes well I've lost a lot in such a short time and I want to slow down a bit and enjoy the holiday season more. I am going to pick up seriously, really seriously, after the new year. On Jan 8, marks my 3 months post op and I can do hard core exercises instead of the low impact and walking I am now doing. I've got the itch soooo bad to do the harder exercises....but I KNOW I need time for the band to heal and adjust to my stomach for another month. I CAN DO THIS! Today marks my 2 month anniversary and I lost another 2 lbs. Tonight I am going to measure myself and take pictures...ugh!! But, I need to do this so I can look back at my old self and compare to the preveious month to inspire myself more!!!

Sweetheart, you will do just fine. Don't sweat on this, in fact, the surgery is the EASIEST part of being banded! Yep, it took me 19 minutes for the band and 10 minutes for fixing my hiatal hernia. I started walking the gas out just 20 minutes from me waking up from recovery...it's all good and you will be taken well good care of! The staff there are phenomenal!!! (Oh, enjoy those wonderful Otter Pops - yummy for the tummy!!!) Any questions or concerns you may have, come on here and people will respond...just you are hitting the holiday season and people are most likely getting ready for traveling and shopping for gifts, etc. Be patient...will are here! Good Luck!

I made this soup yesterday and added one can of cream of potato soup and deleted one can of cream of chicken for a thicker texture. Used 1/3 cup of Frank's hot sauce ~ Buffalo Wings flavored, instead of the original, and threw in some diced green onions as well. It turned out real good.

Well what counts is that you recognize your 'error' and you will just go forward...don't sweat too much on this and no, that 'one' incident didn't cause you no harm. You may still have some gas bubbles in you so doing the gas x will help and make sure you are doing your walks and don't sit in one position for a long time. Movements helps get the gas bubbles out of you. Your tummy is growling because YOU NEED PROTEINS. Either have a protein shake for one of your meals, taking in all your protein water? or start doing the whey liquid protein bullets. You need the protein to stabilize your body and gives you energy. Lack of protein can cause dizzyness, nauseous and the blahs. Continue to take the chewable Fiber Choice for the hunger pangs, one at 10am and one at 3pm. Hope this helps!

Good tip! Think I will start going during the weekday instead...

Hi SheRee...first off, if you posted over the weekend, it gets real slow here as most people are not on. CONGRATS on your decision! You will NOT regret it. Which preop are you on? I was on the diet option 2, protein shakes for breakfast and lunch and you can do a lean cuisine for dinner. I don't like frozen dinner entres, so I did salads and deli meats and hard boiled eggs and cheese to get in my proteins. Are you going to OCC in TJ for your surgery? Keep us posted on your progress and will thinking positive thoughts for you. What a GREAT new year present for yourself! WTG!!

Denise ~ you are doing an awesome job sweetheart! WTG!

That is just fantastic!! You are inspiring me to keep focusing forward. I love you attitude girl! Hope you continue to come here and keep us posted on your progress...

Are you taking those Metamucil capsules or the chewable Fiber Choice for hunger pangs? If not, take either one take one at 10am and at 3pm. I've haven't been hungry since my preop diet, since Dr Miranda suggested to take them... Starting day 22 is when you can start eating food and I did the same as Dana. I gradually eat my solids food by eating softer foods and progress up. My first day was this: Breakfast was an egg omelet with bacon and cheese and some salsa...YUMMY! LOL...food never tasted sooooo good! Lunch was pintos beans and cheese from Taco Bell (can you tell we all talked about the beans! LOL) and for dinner I had finished off the cream of potatoe and cheddar cheese soup I made, which was Cathy's receips (OH, so good!!!). When on solids, you can eat anything you want ~ just make sure you are eating SMALL bites and chew, chew, chew the dickens on your food before you swallow! Cut your food to a dime size and practice your chewing, eating slowly. NO DRINKS while you are eating...don't forget this, very important as to not to stretch out your food or swell the food up before going through the smaller opening to your old stomach.

Chris - on what day are you talking about? The two times I went to TJ on Saturdays were huge, long lines.

Hi Susanna...this is a tough subject and like I say to all issues, every person's body is different. There are no two people alike regarding being banded. My own first fill I had 2 weeks ago was a good one but it was only a temporarily one for me. I scheduled my 2nd fill in 2 weeks, on Sat, Dec 20, at OCC. I have the choice for a blind fill at no cost or pay 100 to have it done with fluoro ~ it's your choice as well. This is one of the benefits to have the fills done at OCC! Cool, eh? I chose to do the fluoro on my first one so I can see my band and see how it is, etc. Being the first time, I was relieved and there were no issues at all. Dr. So at OCC says normally, the first fill rarily holds restriction for too long. This gives you and your body use to the fact the band is tightening and to get ready for the real restriction yet to come. It's a progressive restriction because our body can reject this restraint. Dr. So also said they usually give aggressive 2nd fills so this is what I am hoping for. Stay tune for my next fill post!

All in your head? Not likely...but welcome to Bandster Hell! Don't forget you are still bloated, swelled up, and just darn cranky to say the least! LOL I, too, as well as the others, got real tired of broth! The same thing happened to me on day 5. I changed over to beef broth instead of the bland chicken and veggie one, and added spices and even tobasco sauce to get me through for 2 more days. Don't forget...you can have those wonderful drinkable yogurts to help you get through the day too. Also, with the nauseous feelings...you are healing and your body is every changing and not use to this new eating habit so suddenly. Make sure you are taking your chewable vitamins, Fiber Choice (for the hunger pangs) and benefiber for the rotor rooter problem! Hang in there kiddo...only 2 more days and you graduate to creamy soups! YAY!!

Great Lisa...I would be interested to see how the shots works! Thanks for your input!

Well, I am 2 months post op and only the large incision (where the port is) is very noticeable. I use both Vitamin E oil and Maderma to help it heal and smoothe.

Ahh...ok, get back on the bandwagon and kick start as soon as you can babe... You are so welcome! Glad you came by here and no, I don't see any pictures on your signature page or your personal avitar either. OR, are the pics elsewhere?

Lisa! I was wondering about you two yesterday! I had a 1cc in my band too. And I am going for my 2nd fill on Sat, Dec 20! How were your experiences getting your fills? Love to hear it.Congrats! Wishing you the best in losing more weight through the holidays! ((HUGS!))

This is just the perfect time to have this soup! I mixed chicken and turkey, added carrots and broccoli and it's very yummy! Has anyone else tried a different variation on this soup? I would love to hear it. Also, what kind of hot sauces are you using? I am using the Frank's Red Hot Orginial sauce.

You know, what I am planning to do when I hit a plateau or if nothing is going right for me, I am going to 'pretend' I just got the surgery and past the clear liquid stage and 'kick start' my weight loss from the beginning. Maybe this might be something you might want to do? Also, are you still using the same food guideline, which is 2-3 oz of meat, 1/4 cup of veggie/fruit, 1/4 cup of grain, per meals, 3 times a day and no more than 1200 calories a day? Try keeping a daily journal to help you keep tract of yourself. Write down all the foods you eat and tally up the calories; write down your feelings; review your small reachable goals and rewrite them as you achieve them; mark off your water as you drink them; and finally what exercises are you doing. By your signature page, you only need to lose 30 pounds to reach your goal, and these suggestions just may be the things to get you there! Hope this helps and good luck! Keep us posted!

HAHAHA...I sit here and listen to you newbies and say, "I was just like them!" TRUST ME...you WILL lose the weight in due time. It IS expected for you to be water retained, swelling, bloating, constipated, and full of gas (C2O) from surgery. Even though you only drink clear liquids for 7 days, you may or may not lose pounds. BUT DON'T LET THIS DISCOURAGE YOU! It is perfectly normal and remember, every person's body is different and reacts differently. I lost 10 pounds, 10 days post op. Some had lost more than me, and some have lost less. The one thing you need to remember also is to NOT COMPARE! You can't do this and it would only cause negativity. YOU need to do what YOU need to do to make this weight loss YOUR success. It may take you 3 months to lose 30 pounds or it may take you 4 months...who cares? Are you in a hurry? NO...this is the time to revamp your life and know you are going to do a lifestyle change for the rest of your life and THIS should make you motivate you to be positive, in a way to a new healthier you. Sorry to be long...and this is such a wonderful thing you are doing for yourself and after all this time being overweight, you are going into the 'unknown' territory and it's new. Take the time babes!!! You are going for an amazing ride for your life!! Woo Hoo!!!

Colleen! Glad to see you on here. I really think people thought I was nuts and invented you! LOL OK...when was your last fill? What are you eating now? What exercises are you doing? We love to share with you but we don't know what exactly you are asking...help us out.

Isn't it funny, the stuff you shouldn't eat so much of are right in front of you often???? Dang...talk about constraint! grrrrrrrrrr...I feel as though I am being tested! HA!

...and that is how it should be ~ a slow gradual healing progress. You are on the right tract babe! Hang in there...soon enough the gas will be gone before you know it!

OOPS...I am sure she meant "banded". I copied and pasted from the shoutbox. Thanks for catching this error!

Kristy! WELCOME to Bandland again and glad you are safe in your warm home! Goodness me! You sure had an adventure bewteen leaving TJ a different route out of the border and your airport excursion! OK...you know the drill...SIP, SIP, SIP and WALK, WALK, WALK ~ do several mini walks, not long ones. Don't sit for long period of time and while sitting, occasionally lift your arm up towards the ceiling and stretch a bit and then the other arm, to help with any discomfort aches, etc. Keep on the program for the 21 days post op and come on here anytime you for questions or concern. Congrats and keep us posted! ((HUGS!))