JazzyJude

FANTASTIC! You did it!! WTG Tanya! My goodness...just saying the number "80" just gripes you! NOW, we need before and after pictures! I would love to see them! You have any special tips to share with your success? I would LOVE to hear them!

Hi Cheryl! Here is a list the Julie had done back in June 08 but couldn't find the link. BUT, I had copy and pasted this on Word for me to take home to go over with. From julieburns... I thought it would be nice to start a new thread for soon to be bandsters. In the short time I've been her I see alot of posts asking what to take, is Mexico safe, how about traveling alone etc. There may already be a list like this but to have just one place to look would be nice. So hope on board here fellow bandsters and let's come up with an all inclusive list of what people want to know before surgery. Remember these should just be non-medical type info just the practical stuff. So here goes 1. Take 1 or 2 types of gas relief OTC meds because you can't get them in TJ. Suggestions include gas-x strips, phazyme, beano- and/or tums. I think the 1st 2 are the best. 2. Take bouillon cubes, powder for convenience and to save a few bucks if you care about this. Also take the protein water packets. Having them for the trip home is nice because you can't get them on any plane I've flown on. 3. Pack LIGHTLY!!! Yes I am screaming this but I too was guilty of overpacking. I only took a rolling backpack but it was so stuffed I though the zipper would break any minute. Take half of what fits in a backpack and you'll be happy. Also leave room for any little shopping finds you just have to have. 4. Have any liquids in 3 oz. or smaller containers and in a 1 quart ziplock bag if you are not checking your luggage, you should not need to check luggage as you should not take so much stuff. I suppose though if you are extending the days of stay for a mini vacation then it's ok to check or if you just find it easier. Have this bag easy to take out to go through security. Also wear slip off shoes for the security check if you can. 5. I traveled alone and had no problems or any sort of scary times. You will meet other people as soon as at the airport that are also getting banded or having a fill and you'll have an instant group of people to hang with. Just don't go out at night alone, be in before dark if you do. 6. Sports bras are much nicer to the freshly banded body. 1 tiny incision sometimes is close to your bra line and it can be irritating. Take/wear loose comfortable clothing. I saw alot of people in mumu type dresses for comfort. Loose sweat type pants or shorts and a Tshirt works too. 7. You'll do lots of walking both at the clinic after surgery and outside. Bring/wear comfortable shoes. You really don't need slippers at the clinic but something you can just slip on and don't have to bend over to tie and untie. They have you cover your shoes with little blue booties to keep the area clean. 8. They have a great cable TV with lots of channels and nice music in your room at the clinic. The hotel Lucerna's channels are more limited. Bring a small book or crosswords puzzles or whatever helps you pass time easily if you need it. I found the time to go by quickly and only watched TV so don't waste the space in your suitcase if you really don't need to. 9. If you can all avoid it do not go out and have a huge, spicy meal the night before. Eating light the day before surgery helps there be less in your stomach and intestines thus causing fewer complications. I know people who've had a last meal if you will and done just fine but if you can stay strong and go lightly with the food the day before. 10. No nail polish the day of surgery. The same goes for a ton of makeup. The say actually NO makeup. So use your best judgement. 11. Pre-stock your fridge at home with some of the following: clear juices you like...apple cranberry, grape. You'll drink alot of this so get enough. Some people mix half water and half juice to cut the sugar calories or for those diabetics. Popsicles, jello, (can/should be sugar free), broths of all type, Special K protein H2O, drinkable yogurt for day 4-7, anything else fellow bandsters? Here's a start. Please add on to this everyone. 12. This is more for after you get home but buy some BENEFIBER. It dissolves completely in practically anything liquid as well as foods. It will really help you get in your fiber during liquids phase which is essential for so many reasons we all know. DO THIS!! Yes there are other types of fiber available some in tablet form you can chew up but I like this one the best. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Other tips: - If you are flying, grab some of those little white 'barf' bags in the airplane seats for your purse, for just in case. - Bring some of those "TO GO" Crystal Light drink packets. Since you can't have soda pop, this is an alternative and between OCC and the hotel, you will have water bottles available. - Empty your purse out! Take only what you need for the trip and that's it. Don't weigh yourself down with stuff you will not use. - I used a small roller suitcase and still had room...thanks to Julie's suggestion NOT to overpack! As it was, I didn't use all of the little things I brought. - Cell phone ~ check with your service provider on international calls from TJ. I had texted only... I am sure there are other little tidbits to add...but this should get you going! Congrats on you and your sister being banded!!!

AWWW...Nuts! My plans to have my first fill on Sat, Dec 6 has been changed and upped to Sat, Nov 22 ~ the weekend before Thanksgiving. So, I will not be able to see you all as planned. Please keep us posted on the forum! We will see you all on the 'other' side soon enough!

I am soooo jealous and envious of you all! This time next week, I will be at the Rodeo in El Centro with our camping group for 4 days. No, not tenting, but RVing! You all have to take pictures and most definitely post them in the gallery of your "Portland Get Together"...so can feel as though we were there too! HAVE FUN and be safe!! ((HUGS!!))

Someone else took the pics so I need to wait for them to send it to me. I am NOT picture-computer savvy at all...so we shall see. if I can get it reduced and go from there.

Cathy - GREAT pictures! hehehehe...you really would make a wicked cop, eh? Good choice of costume on you!

Michelle - we ALWAYS love to see progressive pictures...no matter what! GREAT pics of you all....especially you to see your recent pictures of your weight loss. AWESOME Michelle! You are gorgeous and that glow on your face!! You can really 'tell' you love you...

Shelby - you WINO thing you1 LOL...I believe it's when you go on solids...but I will let the experts confirn on this. And why aren't you doing any shakes or whatever?

EXCELENT post Trav. You are doing so great. Keep it going! So you are staying on the clear liquid stage and not started on the soups yet? Interesting...

WTG Trav!! So, what exactly are you doing? What kind of liquids are you having? By now, you are on the soup stage? Keep up the good work Trav - you are doing AWESOME!! (men, THEY GET ALL THE LUCK! lol)

EXCELLENT post FLAN!! Thanks for sharing this with us. I love the part where the 'kids' are part of your success too and the interaction you have with them. You are influencing good snacking with them too. And you have a good rapport with your fill dr. I had my surgery 3 weeks ago and this is valuable info for me. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK...you are doing FANTASTIC. Continue to keep us posted on your progress...

Hi CindyLou, Congrats on your decision to get banded you won't regret it. Call your nutritionist (if you are having it at OCC, contact Dr. Miranda). Maybe you need to change to a different diet option? I have heard of some people not losing well on the Atkins preop, for the reason you just said. Most of the people I know had done choice #2 - which is the protein shakes for breakfast and lunch and a Lean Cuisine for dinner. I've opted to have salads and lunch meat for my dinners instead of the Lean Cuisine. I lost 12 lbs within 2 weeks. Remember, when you have the band, you still need to do the work - it is not going to magically make you thin overnight. You will need to choose your foods wisely and be accountable for what you eat, which includes the quality of what you eat. You need to add exercises to your daily routine. Be health concious and find new avenues to reach your weight goals. Keep a daily journal so you knw what works and what doesn't. Keep the focus and believe in yourself. Work at this to lose as much as you can. The more you lose, the less fatty tissues around your liver, the better your surgery recovery will be. You will do just fine...

[Hi Everyone! I am going for my first fill on Sat, Nov 22! This is exciting for me and quite an adventure I must say! All you newbies who are getting banded soon ~ you will NOT regret this decision! Having the band is great and what a tool it is!! My outlook on foods and drinks have change all for the better. My hair and skin glows! My inner side is happy, which makes me smile more often, and love the way people are asking me why...for me to know now, them later! hehehehe I LOVE MY BAND!

THAT is AWESOME!!! What an accomplishment for you! This really inspires me. So, what is your secret to your success thus far? Do share! CONGRATS!

Good Luck Denise! You know what they say, "Third time the charm!" I hope this will be your sweet one. Keep us posted on your progress!

I agree...every person's body is so differnet than the others. You just need to LISTEN to your body and go from there, real simple. I am going for my first fill on Nov 22 and hope this will be a good start for me. I plan on scheduling every month until I get a good fill. I can always change my date so that won't be a problem. Good luck Cara!! I hope you will feel the restriction soon enough!

Hi Angela, You need to LISTEN to your body ~ very simple. Every person's body reacts differently with foods and drinks. If the food you are eating hurts you, you need to evaluate. Try it again and if you still hurt, know that you can't eat that particular food right now. Try a different source, like Kim says, try a different kind of lettuce and see if that works for you. Also, remember your portion control too. If you are adding other proteins in your 'salad' making, watch the volume and make sure your cheees, eggs, chicken, etc are cut up small. Also, lettuce will give you gas to some degree. Like anything else, you need to walk or exercise to this the gas bubble moving. It's all trial in error of the food and drinks you eat. Hope this helps. Good Luck!

HAHAHAHA...you guys are cracking me up...I need this laughter today. OK, OK...since you've got me started... When my daughter was younger, around 3 or 4 yrs old, she farted as she bent down to sit and just said, "Oops, my body burped!" Hubby and I just llaughed and thought that was cute. Then when she was about 8 yrs old, she farted while at the computer and said, "Iggy Wiggy!". Well, that got hubby and I laughing so hard the first time hearing this, I had to go to the loo before peeing my pants! Thank goodness we were home! To this day, we are still saying 'Iggy Wiggy', even while we are sleeping!!! Amy, sweet revenge to hubby, eh? Too funny! Anyway, to add to this post some more laughter!

Hi Red, Well, from what other have said, it would take time for your first fill to work. Meaning, give it some time for it to work it's magic. Also, to have liquids for the first few days and then progress up with solids. So, sorry about your uneventfull time to get your first fill...and of all times to have other things happening too! If it rains, it pours! As I live in San Diego, I am going to TJ for my fills. But, there is someone on this forum saying something about fill dr up North...just don't know exactly where. Have you checked with the past posts to see? I hope someone will come to your rescue soon. Also, OCC, I believe have a 4 week minimum wait for your next fill. Call and confirm. Hope this helps...

OH...I hurt! My newly port area is hurting and I can't stop the tears from LAUGHING too hard!!! So far, I have been able to keep my tooting to myself...but lose these darling stories!! LOL Thanks for sharing and putting a smile on my face! Now I can go back to work and everyone will ask why I am smiling...ah, for me to know and you to wonder! HA!

jSandra! I love hearing these kind of posts!! You should be PROUD of yourself! That is a great accomplishment. I, too, was a soda pop drinker and surprisingly enough, I don't miss it, as of yet. HA! I was banded just 3 weeks ago and still going strong. It's even a bigger accomplishment for you to lose that much in 9 weeks. You are inspiring me. Keep up the good work and yes, keek us posted on your progress.

Hi Sweetheart ~ sorry to hear of your loss. Know that you are in our prayers. May God Bless you and your family at this time and may you all have peace and strength to go forward. I've gone to 3 funerals the past 3 weeks and every one of them gave me the peace I needed to go through it at the time. I pray this will happen to you and yours as well. See you real soon sweetie! ((HUGS!)) and love ya lots!

WELCOME BACK Doliitle! I am most anxious to see your update blog. Hope all is well with you and yes, it's great to be back home again!

Jaime - WELCOME TO BANDLAND! You've made a good decision... I was banded 3 weeks ago and can tell you that going thru the first 21 days is a rascal. BUT, during thie time, I was letting my body heal PROGRESSIVELY. It's a good thing to remember this. Start off slowly and then get into the routine of eating healthier foods that counts. Accoutability is the key here. The band is a tool for us to choose wisely. To answer your question about jello, yes you can have it. I acutally added more water to make it more liquidfied and easy to 'drink' it. I also use, and still do, Benefiber in my drinks to help the 'rotor rooter' going. The soup stage is good to and a good rule of thumb to remember is if you can't drink it NATURALLY through a straw, then you cannot have it. NO blending of foods either. On the soup stage, I also use the chewable Fiber Choice to help too. Listen to your body. Take this time, while you are healing and progressing each stage foods, to focus on your weight goal. Set mini, reachable, goals for you. I've a binder for myself to print out "inportant" issue for ME. I also have a daily journal to write what I have eaten/drink, my feelings, and my goals to reach. You will do just fine and anytime you get stuck, come on this forum and read the posts or ask questions. We are all here for each other! Sorry to babble on but I BELIEVE in this band and the support of THIS forum. I've so many new friends who is helping me reach my goal!

Shelby, were you banded at OCC? You've listed the right items for the creamy soup stage. A rule of thumb is if you can drink the soups thru the straw AS IS, they you can have it. There is NO blending of foods - whatsover. I've lived on protein shakes, drinkable yogurts, and creamed soups for the 2 weeks. With the soups that have a tiny bits of bulk is ok...just chew on them first...this is good practice also before you start eating solid foods and then when we get our first fill...you've gotten good eating habits. NO applesauce, mashed potatoes. Yes on pudding. FYI ~ Today is my first day on solid foods! YIPPEE!