JazzyJude

Thanks Donna! I try to figure out 'what' makes things happen. Lots of time when I weed out the obvious, then I answer my own inquiry and go forward with a more positive outlook! LOL

Carrie, that is great news! Now you are progressing into the solid foods and all I can say is CHEW, CHEW, CHEW your food and take TINY bites, like a size of a dime. Eat slowly and wait until you swallow your food before putting more food in your mouth. I had an egg omelet with bacon and cheese and topped with chunky salsa. IT WAS SOOOOOO GOOD! I still have that as it gives me lots of proteins. For lunch, I like either chicken, steak, cottage cheese and/or beans. I have beans every day. As the days progressed, I eat cereal for breakfast or snack on dry cereal mid day. Keep up the good work!!!

Hi Angela ~ you need proteins and try the chewable Fiber Choice tablets to curb your hunger pangs. I got the Weight Management in Strawberry flavor...quite good and does the trick for me every day!

Arlene ~ Happy Holidays to you too and a Blessed New Year! Thanks for coming here...how are you doing on your weight loss?

I sit here thinking, "yep, that was ME!" It's the unknown that you are having these thoughts and it is soooo normal! TRUST US!...been there, done that! Just prepare yourself accordingly and do each stage one at a time and just before going in to the next stage, prepare for it. It is really simple and when I say I had a whirlwind experience when I had my surgery...I meant it! Mine took 19 min for the lapband and 10 min for the hiatal hernia repair. Also, I woke up 5 min later and was WALKING around the hallways 20 min later! I had NO pain at all and never did. I had very little gas inside me because I WALKED every chance I had. You will be fine...one thing at a time and come on the forum and ask questions for any concerns you have. That is what we are here for...support! Good luck and see you on the other side! WTG...Congrats and your decision and prepare for the ride of your life!! You are going to love it!! Woo Hoo!!

Mona ~ DON'T get frustrated yet. Everything Mindy and Julie is saying is correct. Remember when you agreed with me that every person's body is different? Well, guess what? WE ARE! BUT...you are doing everything right. There could be a number of reasons why you are not seeing the numbers going down on the silly scale, such as: > body weight fluctuates with water retention, TOM, the big STRESS! > if you are doing hard core exercises. This is a big one and need to remember that you are building, toning and firming muscles you haven't had in a long time and muscles = weight gain when you start up > when do you weigh? Always weigh at the same time of the day and try to wear (or not! LOL) the same clothes, each time, but not every day. Choose one day a week or two. I am sure I am missing a few other things but you get my meaning? Hang in there Mona! I know this new fill you just got is tight and we are in the middle of the holidays, etc. I feel for you and your heartache...but it is NOT the end! If I was in your position right now, this moment, I would 'pretend' to be a newbie again and see if I can 'kick start' this thing. Go on soups (forget the broth stage ~ HA!) and protein shakes for a few days, DON'T do heavy exercises but instead just do walking only. Do this for a few days and then progress up to the solid foods and progress your exercises too. ALSO, don't laugh, but keep a journal sweetie! I am telling you this because when you write things down you will see the results of your success! YES! I write down all the foods I eat and tally the calories up at night, write down my feelings, mark off my water intake, review my small reachable goals and rewrite them as I achieve them, and what exercises I did. If it was a good day, then put a star up on the right hand corner of the page for future reference. I hope I am helping in some small way and I AM SO PROUD OF YOU TO POST WHAT YOU DID! It just goes to show that you are being honest and true of what is going on with yourself and you are going to find a solution ~ THAT'S the BEST part! You are NOT going to let it beat you. THAT's the spirit! Hang in there kiddo...in due time, the numbers will show as much as your inches have done! ((HUGS!))

That's great news! I am not familiar with CPAP or what sleep apnea is...but if having the band helps get rid of it - WTG!

Hi Lisa!I am inquiring about your protein shakes you have in your car. Now are these ready-made in cans or something you've prepared and store in the car in a ice chest? Sorry...just think that this is a good idea, especially when working out...

EXCELLENT post Evette! I couldn't have said it better!

I am curious about something, as I am new about this. I had my first fill last week and I've scheduled my 2nd on Sat, Dec 20 at OCC. Although I do have restriction, it is just ok. My question is, will the weather really have anything to do with the band being tighter or loose? I mean, it is plastic. I am hearing some say because it's cold, it making the band or stomach restrict. BUT, your body is automatically controlled to be at a set temperature at all time. So...how can the band be tighter inside a warm body?

Sweetheart ~ I was the exact way! But you WILL feel relief soon. Don't forget, you just had major surgery and you still need some time to heal from the surgery itself and you are still bloating which pushing your tummy out, which hurts the back. HANG IN THERE...it will subside. Continue with the heating pad, is what I did, even when sitting on my lounge chair in the livingroom. If it REALLY get so bad, call the dr for assistance.

Hi Trina, Every person's body is different like Kim says, and it doesn't matter how much of a fill you have as long of you stay focus with the food guideline (3 oz of meat/ 1/4 cup of veggie/fruit, 1/4 cup of grain/carbs, per meal and not over 1200 calories per day). Eat in that order as well - proteins ALWAYS first. I DO NOT buy 'ready-made' food because it is not true measured - for our band. If you still want to eat the lean cusisine, measure each food group accordingly and go from there. Best to you...

EXCELLENT post Mindy! WTG! HOO RAH! That's the spirit!!!

Oh yeah baby! I am going to see if I can get a fill on Dec 20th...we shall see

If you are using more willpower than bandpower...it's time for a fill!

OH YEAH! I wrote the cottage cheese already and then I totally forgot to mention the beans, as I eat those DAILY!!!!! Bean soups, pintos and cheese, beans in my casseroles, crockpots, and salads! No wonder I don't LOOK like a bean as much as I do!!! AND, before you ask...yes, I do toot a tune...but better out than in and I don't have any rotor rooter problem whatsoever! LOL

Hi Mary Beth - my band buddy!...then try other food sources to compensate. I heard a few saying they can't eat lean meats and use the whey liquid protein bullets, protein shakes, other high protein staples such as nuts, beef jerky nuggets, peanut better, cottage cheese, and even increased veggies. If you exhausted all the resons why it wouldn't, such as: > check with your dr to ensure your band is not TOO TIGHT > making sure your food is MOIST (I usually keep my meat/fish/poultry in a air-tight container with some kind of juice) > cutting the food into tiny 'BITE size (to a size of a dime, as your hole opening is no bigger than a quarter) > CHEWING the devil out of it (at least 30 times) before swallowing ...call your fill dr or even Dr Miranda for assistance.

You can order the liquid protein on line is how I got mine when the GNC store were out of them at the time I needed them. In fact, I got a bigger discount at the time when I purchased them. AND, ValleyGirl (Sabrina), who lives in Canada, says she couldn't find the Special K2O water either but found a better one call, "Stacker 2"? It has more proteins too! Check it out!

Sabrina...this is very touching and so rewarding. It shows you also that your hubby loves you through and through. He will be your first cheerleader from here on in. Also, deep down, I feel he knew you were serious and maybe now he will know how deeply your are focusing on your health. He is a very proud man right now and yes, like Anne says, your marriage will be grow stronger with your strength. Good luck and keep us posted...you've a great ride ahead of you, with your band! WELCOME to Bandland!!! WTG Sabrina

YAY!!! That is awesome! So glad to see that this small little goal has come to you sooner than you expected. Isn't it great? I lost 10 lbs, in 10 days post op. Anything is possible for anyone and every person's body is so different. Some lose more and some lose less. You CANNOT compare with others because their body is totally different than yours! Remember this, so if you think you are not losing as fast as the others, consider the body frame, gender, how much the person weighed starting, etc. Just go with your own pace and cheer YOUR success as you go. Coming on to the forum and posting YOUR personal NSV is fabulous! It is inspiring and it makes me want to keep focusing on my weight loss better! AFTER the first 21 days, it gets easier and you will lose the bloating and the gas bubbles, etc. You will then start to control your own body with the help of the band and portion control! This is the fun part! YOU have the control and the say so...no one else but YOU! YOU CAN DO THIS! Awesome post and thanks for sharing your first little, reachable, goal!!! ((HUGS!)) WTG!

I am sure you can add any flavored/unflavored powder shakes to your SB coffees. It's like picklng the right kind of candy! There are soooo many protein powder available...

Congrats on your decision Samantha!! You will not regret it! This is a loaded question as every person have different taste to food and drinks. Some like it, some don't. You will need to try them out and figure out which is best for you. I personally like the AmazeRX protein shakes that I saw on TV informercial. They taste like ice cream milk shakes and come in 4 flavors - chocolate, vanilla, strawberry and mocha for the coffee drinkers - LOL! I love these as there are NO aftertaste and doesn't have that chalky, grainy taste at all. It has 21 grams of protein, which you need to keep up with energy. I also mixed flavors and the one I like best is choc and strawberry and I also do choc and bought peanut butter powder from a differnt company from bell plantation. AWESOME taste and it pleasures you pallate. You would need to google these two company to get their buying info. Both are good for banded people. Good Luck!!

Hi Rhonda, There is really no best time to have the surgery except YOUR time. True you are doing during the holiday season but so what. IF you are really serious with your weight loss, you will do everything in your power to get this done AND I congrats to your decision to get this done as soon are YOU can. Like Mona says, what a great Christmas gift you are giving yourself...a brang new body!!! You are your band are going for an adventure ride of your life! WTG Rhonda!! Keep a journal hun...this would help you stay on tract. I keep one and write in it EVERY day to stay focus. I write down everything I eat and at the end of the day, tally up my calories (there are no calorie counting the first 21 days post op), mark off my water intake, review my small reachable goals and rewrite them as I acheive them (like I just lost pants size from 24 to a comfy 20 or a tight 18!!! YAY!), write down my feelings for the day, and then the exercises I've one. All this is towards your road to success. STAY FOCUS and IF you can be hard and strict on yourslef, go ahead and have a SMALL 'sample' taste of the holiday foods...it won't hurt you but just know when to stop. If you can, then don't do it. I had my surgery on Oct 8 and with Halloween a few weeks away, I just focused on my menu of food and measured out my portion control and stayed with the guidelines of eating. I can dicipline myself because I put forth a lot of money for this band to work with me...so I act accordingly. Remember, the band is a tool to help you lose weight. You still have to do the work but that is the fun of it really! YOU have the control and YOU decide what is best for you and your band...no one can tell YOU what to do. Now that is cool, eh? You said you have a chance to regain your health and self-respect? THIS IS IT and YOU CAN DO IT! Come to this forum for any help if you need it...we can help support you... Good Luck Rhonda and Congrats on your decision!

Hi Sue, Yes, it is normal what you are going through like Lisa says. You body is going through a big change right now and you are lacking proteins. Try to get some protein water, such as Special K2O. Also, you can have the new whey protein liquid from GNC and mixed it with either Gatorade or Crystal Light and drink half in the morning and the other half in the early afternoon. This would help give you some energy and as well to prevent on dizziness you may get. You should also be drinking those yummy drinkable yogurts. I like the strawberry with bananna for the extra potassium. I had my surgery on Wed and went back to work on Monday. I didn't do any lifting whatsoever and did a lot of walking to prevent any gas bubbles in me or what's left in me. Take mini breaks throughout the day and go outside and breathe in the air! It's feels real good and refreshing! As Lisa says, soon enough you will be on creamy soups and then solid foods and you will be getting some good proteins going and have an abundance of energy! During the first 21 days, just relax and rest as much as you can for you and the band to heal properly. As well, if you are concern and not feeling right, call the Dr for assistance. Congrats on your decision and let the weight loss begin!! Woo Hoo!

GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR...the name Vicky just raise the hairs behind my head!!! She is something else, eh? NOT a teamplayer whatsoever!