Red

I had lost 11 pounds on my 21 day post surgery liquid diet. I was really excited about that and then boom, a week later I weighed myself and since going on solids, I have gained 4 of it back. I will have my first fill on Tuesday and I hope that gives me some restriction to help me out because I definitely don't get full very easily at the moment. I know I am being silly, but that little devil voice in the back of my head keeps telling me I'm not going to lose weight and that I am going to fail. I know I just have to perserve! Red

Nope, they never responded. Weird. The pain finally stopped. Wow, I'm afraid to swim again. I'm sure those muscles were spasming from lack of use. I am going to the OCC on Tuesday for my fill and will ask them why they never called me. I need to know that if a situation comes up, they will be available for advice, don't you think?

Carrie, Thank you for that post...that was sooooo inspirational and RIGHT ON!!!!!! This is a "journey", like we always refer to on this forum. But journeys can be easy, or they can be really difficult. The road can be smooth and then bam!, all of a sudden you hit a pot hole! or a stretch of dirt and gravel before you reach a section of freshly laid asphalt! Right? Right!! We all are on a different road! But that doesn't mean we all don't have "roadside assistance" at this forum, where you call your fellow bandsters here at this site and let us know what the problem is and we show up to support each other! Well, most of us anyway

In addition... Here is a Canadian equivialent: http://www.healthywaybread.com/about/can/flax_loaf.html

I dont eat bread much at all, cant get it down, same with my vegetarian chicken fillets. >> There is no nutritional value in bread, so don't bother with it. Time to start eating HIGH protein foods. __________________________________________________________________________ "There is no nutritional value in bread, so don't bother with it" What?? Sorry Lindsey, but that is really wrong information. With all the different types of bread out there, and the different ingredients, one has only to get educated on what to look for in a bread. I have heard on this forum that a lot of folks can't get the bread down, but that doesn't make bread non-nutritious. Not by a stretch. I found a very good article on bread at www.everydiet.org/articles/bread.htm. One of my favorite healthy breads is Ezekiel bread and is mentioned in this article: "The bible also gives one of the earliest recipes for sprouted grain bread. It reads, in Ezekiel 4:9-17: “Take thou also unto thee wheat, and barley, and beans, and lentils, and millet, and fitches, and put them in one vessel, and make thee bread thereof...". It is especially good toasted and is made of sprouted grains...not flour. Another site says "In the case of Ezekiel 4:9 Sprouted Grain Bread, the result is an organic, nutritionally-dense, high fiber bread that also is a complete protein — one of the few breads on the market that contain all 9 essential amino acids, is low in fat, has no Trans Fats or cholesterol and is generally low in sodium. " This isn't the only nutritional bread on the market, but it is a great example of a VERY healthy one. Red

Thanks Cheryl... I've only been banded for a month and haven't had a fill yet, but I can already tell that this is going to be something I figure out as I go along. I think the wise thing to do is to use all your resources, like the forum, the OCC, other sites, your instinct (because we are all the experts on our own bodies). If something doesn't seem right or feel right, then it probably isn't and you need to take action. Thanks again for your input! Red

Do the So Cal bandsters want to arrange for a get-together on Saturday, Sept. 26th? We can figure out where after we know how many people we have! Red

I have always found Pepto Bismol to be a great anti-nausea medicine. If you can't stomach a fluid like that, there are over-the-counter suppositories that work well. Best of luck!!

Hey So Cal newbies.... Why don't we all plan a "get together" once a month somewhere in the area and get to know and support each other! I don't mind a little drive, so let's figure out where most of the So Cal banders live and get together. I cannot do Sundays, but Saturdays are fine. What do you all think? Red

Thanks for the response, Smiley... Hubby thinks that it isn't a coincidence that on the day I start exercising, my abdomen muscles start spasiming. I had done a pretty good walk up hill and down the night before and then the swim the next day. We are thinking that those muscles hadn't been used in over a month and had atrophed. I think I'm having spasm's which is why it is intermittent. I emailed Dr. Martinez and didn't get a response, even though I said he could email or call the cell number I left. So today I asked Melissa, the receptionist at OCC to forward my email to Dr. O. She said she would forward my message to the doctor on duty today. I still haven't gotten a response. I am very dissappointed in that lack of concern on their part. I have been in severe pain. I didn't call, because I know how busy they are. I thought by emailing, they could respond after their daily duties were done. I'm not asking for anything but an email from them, or a call at their convenience. Not sure why they don't respond.

I am a water baby and swim everyday, pretty much. Obviously I didn't go back to swimming until a month after being banded which is when you can get back to exercising. Well, I did my swim yesterday afternoon, just sort of paddled up and down the pool for a few laps, nothing strenuous at all...no Australian crawl, or anything like that. OMG. Later that afternoon, I started having severe stabbing pain in my port area. Much worse than right after my surgery. Today I am still getting the stabbing pain intermittently. I've contacted the OCC and will hopefully hear back from them. I'm worried I've ripped something in that area. I am supposed to go there for my first fill next Tuesday, but if this pain persists, I won't be able to do it. Just venting.... Red

Welcome aboard, Alley :-h I live in So Cal and was banded last month. You will find this forum very helpful in your journey with the band. Everyone here is supportive and we all want to help in any way we can! Red

Inspirational Carrie!! Red

Congrats on your decision, Larry! I have yet to hear anything negative about Dr. Ortiz and the OCC! Let us know how things go! Red

Thanks for posting these daily Shelby! I find it very helpful seeing what other people's diet's look like! Red

Yeah Jen! Good Luck!

I used to drink red wine, but after awhile they got just too heavy for me and this is going to sound stupid, but they make me emotional and weepy!! ( Ha Ha! I've been drinking white wine for some time now and I love Pinot Grigio (also goes by Pinot Gris...same grape). There are very good Pinot Grigios in all price ranges. If you want to pay on the higher side, Santa Margherita has a nice Pinot. If you just want a lower price , Clos du Bois, Berringer, Turning Leaf, etc. all make a decent Pinot Grigio. I like this varietal because it isn't too sweet and not too dry. I usually have a glass or two before dinner, but I think it is going to sabotage my weight loss, so I am going to have to cut back!! :lb3:

That is so AWESOME!! I look to people like you on the forum to inspire me and keep me motivated. I have just begun, but I hope I will be as successful as you! Red

I have been using the Vitamin Shoppe Liquid Multi, high potency multivitamins. It comes in a 32 oz. bottle, in orange vanilla flavor (I think it was around $20). I mix a capful with a glass if diluted orange juice. It has EVERYTHING in there, including 300mcg of Biotin, which is 100% of your daily needs and 100% of your Chromium needs. It has 400iu of vitamin D, 150mcg of B12 plus tons of other stuff. I hate taking vitamin pills so this has been a God send! Red

I stayed at the Marriott. It was nice but I felt like it was too far from everything. I didn't have any desire to come back to the hotel on day of surgery because I would want to make sure that I was under the care of the OCC after surgery in case of complications. Plus it was a very comfortable room at the OCC and I was there alone. Everyone who stays at the Lucerna seems to like it very much and that will be my choice next time I have the need to go to the OCC. Red

I agree with you Shelby. I took mine and was so glad I did. I was by myself at the Marriott the day prior to surgery, so I didn't want to go out. I used it in the hotel room a lot, and you are right, there isn't anything on Mexican TV that I could watch. I also used it at the OCC. I had plenty of room in my suitcase for it so I put it in there for the trip home and didn't have to actually carry it. I drove down so didn't have to deal with the airport issues. Also, going across the border in the OCC van, we didn't have to get out and walk over. The van stopped and the guard dog sniffed all our luggage that was in the back of the van. Then we were on our way. Take it...you won't regret it! And good luck tomorrow! Red

Gosh Babe, I am not going to be able to advise you because I'm just 4-5 weeks banded. One thing I will say is that if I were you, I would call the OCC (that's where you had it done, right?) and tell Dr. Ortiz what is going on with you. I'm sure they would be very helpful and would be able to advise you best. I know that I plan on calling them whenever I have issues that this forum can't answer for me. You paid a lot of money and you also have a lot invested emotionally in your band. You shouldn't have to make excuses to your parents or sound optimistic when you don't feel that way. Just pick up the phone and see what Dr. O advises and perhaps he can get you on the right track. I would be prepared to tell him what and how much you are eating, what type of exercise you are doing and how often, etc. I'm sure he will ask you that and will be able to give you some help. Sorry you are having to go through this! Red

It must be normal because I am experiencing the same thing...you aren't alone. I have had my band since July 21. I am going to get a fill on Aug. 25th because I'm afraid if I continue much longer with no restriction, I will eat too my and stretch my stomach. I am eating healthy, just definitely NOT a cup at a time. I will let you know if I feel differently after my fill! Red

(((((((((((((((((((((((((robbynnoel)))))))))))))))))))))))) (thought for once you would like some hugs, too!! Isn't going down is clothes size the best thing ever! Talk about motivation! Congrats and keep on shrinking!! Red

CatiE, sweetie, I can understand where you are coming from. I was banded on July 21 and started on solids this week Tuesday. I know what you are going through. We have a band, but we don't have "restriction" so basically, nothing has changed for us, right? We are still living under the same situation we were prior to getting the band, because everything we eat goes down the same way it did before getting banded. Technically, we have no "tool" helping us with our hunger. So, the way I'm trying to deal with it is, that I will try to eat healthy. If I have to eat more than I'm supposed to, I will make sure it is something healthy, preferably protein or veggies. I keep telling myself, once I get one or two fills, I won't be able to eat so much cuz if I do, it will come right back up. At least that is what I think will happen. Let's give ourselves a couple of months before we get paniced, right? Keep reaching out on the forum and call the OCC when we need reassurance. Everyone is here for us and wants us to be successful. We can do this CatiE!! Red