December Surgeries Unite!

["Just Jess"]

Hey, I was just thinking - the people I talk to privately most often are those who have been banded around the same time I was... Let's check in on one another here, since we are going through about the same things at the same time... Late November's, and Early January's surgeries welcome as well!!!

I was banded on Dec. 21st - so that puts me 7 days out from surgery. Today, I am hungry! But I still have another week of full liquids before I graduate to mushies... Then 2 weeks there before going onto solids slowly... Thus far, since beginning my pre-op diet, I've lost 16 lbs. Which is VERY cool!!!! :)

How is everyone else hanging in?

Jess

[dollface]

For me I am sucking at this. I totally want to eat something and I did. So now I am going to have to watch what I eat from now on. I am really nervous for my surgery and hope my dr. dosen't tell me that she can't do it in the middle of it cause my liver is tooo enlarged! I will be soooo mad at myself for that. I'm still trying to get use to this website. I'm having a hard time with it cause it's a little confusing. How do you know which threads you've read and how do you know who has responded to you? I keep thinking that I could go to my own page and see all of that but you can't. Can anyone help me with learning how to use this site a little eaiser! Thanks,
MK

[Neal R.]

Not a December Bandster, but wanted to drop by and wish you all luck. Remember this is the hardest time (after surgery and prior to the proper fill). It gets better from here :)

[lil'bitty]

It seems like everyones diets are different. I did Atkins for 2 weeks prior then was on clear liquids for 1 week, full liquids for 1 week and then at third week on to solids with lettuce, fiburous veggies, and stringy meat (steak and pork) off limits until week 4 which is where I am now, except I just had my first fill so now I will wait a few more days until I try some meat.

Dollface, get right back on it and be sure to mention that to doc. I drank on pre-op (low carb ritas) but wondered if it would affect liver. Only drank once, but I am with band, so I guess not!

[dollface]

Thanks for the support Neal and Itty bitty!

[503-250]

I'm a December baby too! (2005)

Don't kill yourself over making small errors. The whole idea of having the band is learning to eat like a normal person. Normal people don't beat themselves up for having a cookie, they just don't eat them all, nor do they eat them every day. For now right after your surgery, stick to your plan, liquids, then mushies then solids...go slow...you do not want to PB...the pain and nuisance will remind you how bad of an idea it was.

["Just Jess"]

I'm a December baby too! (2005)

Don't kill yourself over making small errors. The whole idea of having the band is learning to eat like a normal person. Normal people don't beat themselves up for having a cookie, they just don't eat them all, nor do they eat them every day. For now right after your surgery, stick to your plan, liquids, then mushies then solids...go slow...you do not want to PB...the pain and nuisance will remind you how bad of an idea it was.


Thanks for your support and tips! I am all ears for more if you have them!
THANKS,
Jess

[dollface]

Hey Peeps,
Only 4 more days till my surgery! I'm getting really hungry with this liquid diet. I do have to say though I have cheated and regreted it later cause boy does food go through your body faster than I ever thought when you have been only on liquids for the past 7 days. I know a little too much info but shit....... It's all about being honest in here huh? You guys will get me through this and I hope to help out just the same.
Jess, how you doing baby girl? Wednesday was 1 week for you huh? How are your liquids going down? What about temptation and things like that? Do I dare even ask if you have felt sick or anything? I just wanna know what I'm in for? I wish I could have gotten my surgery on the 21st to help you out with detatils and all.
Let me know....
Itty - how you doing too? I know you are around our band times too?

["Just Jess"]

Jess, how you doing baby girl? Wednesday was 1 week for you huh? How are your liquids going down? What about temptation and things like that? Do I dare even ask if you have felt sick or anything? I just wanna know what I'm in for? I wish I could have gotten my surgery on the 21st to help you out with detatils and all.
Let me know....



hey, i'm doing well - super psyched that i got on the scale this morning and lost a couple more pounds!!! down almost 18 already! WOOOOOO! :woot:
liquids going down well. getting bored with them though - i want to CHEW!
no, i have not felt sick at all. which surprises me. i hope that continues as i start solids!!!!
speaking of bathroom issues... the first day i did pureed soups (started off with bean and bacon - need i say more???) i was VERY surprised when i hit the potty!!!!!!!!!!! WHEW! and hey, not to be gross, but i've only had 2 "solid" bm's since surgery... so i am used to that now.
GOOD LUCK! stay on the wagon - it will be worth it in the long run!!!!!! :)

:hug:
Hugs, Jess

[503-250]

Since we're being gross, from the week I started the pre-surg liquid diet, til I was on solid food again...nothing solid in, nothing solid out.

The waiting game is the hardest part of all of this, we are typical humans, we want immediate results. That's why fast food is so popular, you say hamburger and they hand you one. But the quick lesson to be learned here is that the best things in life take time.

Jameza, you're about to enter the mushy stage soon, check for my chicken dip recipe in the protein link, or PM me and I will send you a link for a lapband cookbook. The chicken dip is excellent protein source, tastes great and is a huge change from all the liquids.

[Alemmon]

Hey Dollface! We are getting our surgeries 3 days apart! WHOA! My doc didn't have me on a liquid diet so I am a little worried, should I start now? Bad thing is that I have been having several "last meals" (a day) EEK! I better really start watching. Boy I am glad I am talking to you folks.

My pre-op is on Thursday, and the surgery Friday, I will fly back Sunday.

If you work, how much time are you taking off?

I will look back and see if I can find more info that you have written, the only thing I have seen is that our surgery dates are only a couple days out, and both of us are having troubles using this site! I feel like a dork!

I hope I didn't post this in the wrong spot!

[dollface]

Alemmon,
That's sooo cool that were 3 days apart. We will so go through this together. We are also close to Jess, which her name is Jamenz i think so us three should keep in close contact for help. The majority of people that I have talked to did not have to go on a liquid diet, just a low carb... SO I don't think you have anything to worry about. My hospital must be different than all the rest. Trust me I have cheated since the liquid is just liquid. I think they want me to get use to it since I will be on a liquid diet till my 7th day after surgery. I've got it down pat! So that is great to hear again that are dates are so close. This forum will be the place to talk back and forth about all our questions!
For me I am actually in school right now and work for a hospital now and then. I am on winter break for school until January 17th. I planned it that way and told my work I couldn't work until then. My aunt actually had the band put it on a Friday and was back to work on Monday. So hopefully you can go back then with no troubles. I just started the website too on the 27th so I'm brand new too! Getting use to how all of this works is a little hard. So yah were in the same boat all around. Well I'll let you know how it goes. I have my own little countdown of my days too... 3 days left. I'm nervous as heck! I just got the time too... it's at 6:00am really early. So I should be golden by night and able to let you all know how it went to the T. I learned that from my girl Jess! Thanks again jess for that. Hey make sure you bring your camera to make some memorie photos. I am going to maybe make a scrapbook of it all. Ok, gotta go eat some tomato soup..... I think I am going to turn orange soon from how much I've had, I could have bought it in bulk.LOL.
-MK-

[lil'bitty]

Alemmon and Dollface, you both will do fine. I feel like it was just yesterday that I was in a count down til my surgery, and here I am 4 weeks in. So far so good. I had my first fill on Thursday and am sooo glad cuz I was eating! These peeps hear are WONDERFUL. I look forward everyday to getting on the computer to see what's up with everyone!! I too had never been a part of online chatting/blogging before, so I fumbled around a little and I feel comfortable now, but even more comfortable asking for help if I don't know what I'm doing on here.........NO ONE IS HERE TO JUDGE, so sit back, relax and let's all enjoy the ride - here we come skinny!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!

[Jachut]

Um, mince tarts are very hard to eat. Which is probably a good thing. Ugh.

["Just Jess"]

I just got the time too... it's at 6:00am really early. So I should be golden by night and able to let you all know how it went to the T. I learned that from my girl Jess! Thanks again jess for that. Hey make sure you bring your camera to make some memorie photos. I am going to maybe make a scrapbook of it all.

Hey, no problem!!! :) My BF had the camera - I was cursing him for taking it, but thankful he did now... so he really deserves the thanks, not me!!! Although, it was my idea to take pics everyother week and document my bandages/scars along the way...

Speaking of, I'm going to post that now that they are beginning to fade.. check it out...

Jess

["Just Jess"]

First one is surgery day. Second is day 4 out. (mind you, i was told not to shower until 48 hours had passed... that is why you see that crap all over my tummy!!!! and ICK - in my bellybutton!!!!!)

["Just Jess"]

First one is day 7. (post shower... ahhhhhhhhhhh!!!!)

Second one is day 9. (i was told to remove the bandages, but let the suture strips remain until they fall off themselves. they stuck around until yesterday!!)

Third one is YESTERDAY (look!!! they're fading already!!!) :eek:

["Just Jess"]

Just a note... I know Terri and I have talked about this... but for those of you yet to go - ASK which incision your port is before you leave! I wish I asked the radiologist for a picture of it when I had to pass the swallow test! But you're so groggy that you don't think about it at the time! I was so worried that I had so much pain in that one place... and it also felt kind of like a burning sensation above it. All normal, I'm told.

I was also concerned about the bruising around all the incisions, but with the blood thinner they gave me (heprin - sp?) I suppose that is not abnormal either.

:) Thought you'd like to see --- can't believe I'm showing off my cellulite belly like it's nothing! hahahaha

Jess

[lil'bitty]

Wanted to be sure to post that you should all take your measurements if you haven't already. I did the morning I started pre-op and the docs office took few days before surgery. The scale can be so addicting but don't measure your success by it solely. The scale is at a snails pace for me now, but my clothes are really getting baggy on me.

Jess, I was lucky to be glued back together so I was able to shower that night. My top scar is almost gone!! Get some of that scar cream. My port scar is a thin line now. Also..............I was so sick and feeling like crud that I couldn't even look at my swalllow after surgery, but I got a picture of my swallow after my fill. Its a picture of a picture. You can see the barrium flowing through. Here it is:

[Gentlehealer]

Hey 503-250. I would like the link for the lapband cookbook. I haven't had the surgery yet. I'm still in the process for approval, but I'm gathering all the info I can get. I'm sure that many others would like this link, too. This would help alot! Thanks. Chris

["Just Jess"]

Terri, very cool!!! THanks for sharing!!!!!! :)

Chris, I am not sure what cookbook you're refering to that 503 must have mentioned, but I got one that someone recommended to me - it is called "Eating Well After Weight Loss Surgery" and it is written by "Patt Levine and Michele Bontempo-Saray" (reviewed by and forward written by a doctor and a nutritionist)
ISBN: 1-56924-453-7 and it's listed at $16.95 - but I got it cheaper through Amazon.com!!

GOOD LUCK!

["Just Jess"]

Since we're being gross, from the week I started the pre-surg liquid diet, til I was on solid food again...nothing solid in, nothing solid out.

Jameza, you're about to enter the mushy stage soon, check for my chicken dip recipe in the protein link, or PM me and I will send you a link for a lapband cookbook. The chicken dip is excellent protein source, tastes great and is a huge change from all the liquids.

Hey 503 - Sorry I just saw this now, but thanks for the tips!!!! So how did I get so lucky to have had 2 solid BM's on the full liquid stage?? Interesting........ "things that make you go 'hmmmmmmm'!" hehehe :laugh:

[JDru]

Try 503's dip...it is SO, SO good! I just made it last night in fact. And the Patt Levine cookbook has some really easy and yummy recipes.

[dollface]

Hey guys,
Jess, thanks for the photos, it really makes me feel like I know what is going to happen with my body. When I was pregnant with my son 7 years ago and from all the weight gain I got serious strech marks. I will take pics of mine and post them too so you can see. So don't worry, we all are lookin the same.
Itty, thanks for the support again on everything. I've got 2 days left and I'm freakin out! Still eating my tomato soup--- It's seriously getting old at this point. I think I might change it up to chicken broth tonight for dinner. woooo hoooooO!!!!!!! Im excited to join you girls and be banded already. Say a prayer for me at 6:00am (that is if your awake central time) heheheh! I will need it.
-MK-

["Just Jess"]

Jess, thanks for the photos, it really makes me feel like I know what is going to happen with my body. When I was pregnant with my son 7 years ago and from all the weight gain I got serious strech marks. I will take pics of mine and post them too so you can see. So don't worry, we all are lookin the same.
you're very welcome! aren't stretch marks pretty? UGH! :wacko: but as you said - this is the place, if ever there was one!


I've got 2 days left and I'm freakin out! Still eating my tomato soup--- It's seriously getting old at this point. I think I might change it up to chicken broth tonight for dinner. woooo hoooooO!!!!!!! Im excited to join you girls and be banded already. Say a prayer for me at 6:00am (that is if your awake central time) heheheh! I will need it.
-MK
you will be in my prayers, sweetie! I wish your day to be as uneventful as mine was! :) and hey, change it up and get yourself something more interesting to eat!!! Puree a different kind of soup and strain it at least!!!
You've been doing fantastic! Keep it up!
HAPPY NEW YEAR - this is OUR year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
:hug:
Hugs,
Jess

[503-250]

I sent links to those who asked, I don't post it publicly to avoid connecting the lapband to me. Feel free to share the link with anyone you want, just please do not post it publicly.

Dollface: You go girl...it's almost bandtime. What an excellent way to start the new year. Here's all you need to remember for your surgery:
1. Bring a comfy pair of non slip slippers, you're gonna be walking.
2. If it hurts, walk and it will go away. Most people have some minor gas pains in the shoulder area, it feels like you slept on it wrong. If you walk it will go away.
3. Bring your iPod for your personal entertainment. If you don't have one, bring magazines, books or games. You will be bored.
4. I brought sweat pants, they weren't able to go on with the catheter, I brought a robe...that worked. This way your ass aint out while you walk.
5. Remember the lapband law....walk walk walk sip sip sip.
6. Put a pillow in your car, when you are being driven home, put the pillow on your belly and hug it, this will keep your belly from moving around. I didn't do this, and I was fairly sore during the ride.

The worst pain and discomfort of this entire experience for me was the catheter. You have kids, this will be a breeze, you might not even notice you had surgery.

Most importantly, like everything else in life the lapband is personal, it's based on you and how you handle it. Just because I had some gas pains, doesn't mean you will. Some people are restricted after, some people aren't. Don't worry, fills will cure this.
Patience is a virtue, and now it is a fact of your life. Be patient...do not rush. They tell you to wait to shower for good reason, they tell you not to eat certain foods for good reason. They tell you to stay home for a week, they say it for a good reason.

After your surgery, most docs keep you in for one day, you are released the next morning. Get online if you can even if it is to just say, "I DID IT!".

Best of luck and don't sweat it, i'd rather have this surgery 50 more times then even think about having a kid. I've passed kidney stones, I'd rather have this surgery weekly then have even a miniscule kidney stone again.

["Just Jess"]

Great tips, 503!!! ;) Can I add getting yourself some gas-x to the walking it off? That helped me!!! And I did end up doing an enema the night before and although it is just skeptism, I think it DID help eleviate the gas pain, bc mine was minimal compared to some of the stories I read!!! :wacko:

Is it the norm that you are catheterized??? I did not have this (THANKFULLY!) and heard nothing about it until afterwards... hmmm..

The gowns in the hospital I was in were AWESOME! They were styled similar to a wrap dress... no chance of anything peeking out!! :) hehe

Good luck!!! You'll be great.... Dollface just received an EPIC NOVEL from me via private message!!!! I got a message that it was too long - so actually split it into part I and part II... hahahaha - so I think this girl is PREPARED!!!!!!!!!!! :) SHe has been passed the torch! To quote 503: "You go girl!"

:hug: Hugs,
Jess

[lil'bitty]

Dollface, Everything everyone has said is right on the money and can I add just to make sure you don't forget - WALK WALK WALK. It is the only thing that helped my gas which was all in my side. ALSO I think it is on Stitchy list under new memebers section, SPORTS BRAS - After 4.5 weeks, I still like wearing them at least around the house and the spot where they injected me for my fill is now very sore and being in a sports bra is more comfy. I'll be up on tuesday morning 6am CT so I will be thinking of you!!!!

["Just Jess"]

For other's information, MK and I have decided to post publically the conversation we just had privately! :) Lots of good info in here... and like i said above - EPIC NOVEL from Jess!!! hahahaha (I NEVER claimed to not be long-winded!!!) MK's questions are in blue, my response in red... here we go:

__________________

Jess,
Thanks for the kind words. You are awesome! I love all your posts too! You are so smart about all of this, I always look forward to what you have to say! I can't wait to start the new year, this is a great new years resolution, proubaly the best I've ever made. At least now I can say theres no turning back. I've paid all my payments since I'm self pay and that helps out cause I'm known to turn back.
Sould I bring magazines and stuff or will I be sleeping most of the time after my surgery?
My sister is going with me too so I don't want her to get bored?
Did Vinny get to sit with you the whole time after?
What about getting up to go pee? did that hurt?
How about the pain medication? What kind did they give you? They are giving me Tylenol with codine? I know that's not that strong and I wanted to see what I am in for!
Sorry about all the questions, there coming to me know that I only have 2 days left.
__________________

Hey MK, No thanks necessary!!! :)

Congrats on getting all your payments made! I suppose that would be quite the feat in itself! And I hope I do not speak out of turn, but I want to suggest that you not consider this JUST a "new year's resolution" - this is something you're (we're) resolving to do for the REST OF OUR LIVES!!!! Don't forget that. I think so many overweight people go into diets, etc. with the mind-set that it is temporary... we CANNOT have that mindset anymore. This is it. This is forever!

I packed a little bag extra undies, a sweatshirt, and with a couple magazines -- My aunt really enjoyed that! haha I was in recovery a lot longer than they expected me to be. I was just so sleepy that they let me sleep and never came to move me to extended recovery until I asked!!!! (so keep that in mind, you may need to ASK to see your family - and that is when they know you're ready) My aunt thanked me for bring the magazines, they kept her busy. My dad and Vinny said they just chatted the whole time.. having each other kept them busy. But no, I had NO interest in reading anything. Even in extended recovery - they turned on the TV and handed me a remote. I turned it off as soon as the nurse left the room - I just didn't want any noise. I was tired and achy, and just groggy!!

No, Vinny was not with me the whole time. In the first recovery I was alone (that was most of the morning) Then, when I got to extended recovery - that is when they were called in. I was SO happy to see Vinny, my aunt, and dad... and they said they were SHOCKED at how alert and awake I was! (Oh, I skipped a step - once I asked when I could see my family, they told me only after I passed a test! <haha.. the recovery nurse I had was a piece of work - very funny guy!> He told me I had to be able to stand without falling over and take at least 10 steps without resting. Then he said there was one more test - They wheeled me down to radiology and made me stand and drink this SHIT (ugh, it's gross!) to make sure there were no leaks in your stomach. All you want at that time is water... and they cannot give it to you until the surgeon signs off on something. WARNING: for this swallow test, you have to stand for about 5 minutes - that was tough. Do not say you are ready to do it until you REALLY feel ready to do it.) Anyway... back to recovery: I did not want to read or watch TV.. I just wanted to recount every detail to my family. I wanted to talk and feel comforted with the people I love. So, bring stuff just in case you're different than me - but don't worry if you don't feel like it!

GOing to the bathroom was a slow go. I felt like I was a 99 year old woman when I walked! haha - and standing completely upright was not easy. But the act of peeing itself did not hurt. But lowering yourself down and getting yourself back to standing was kind of painful. That goes for all sitting and standing. My stomach felt best with pressure on it - so I was gimping around like a pregnant woman anytime I needed to move - oh, and of course overly-protective Vinny and my aunt were on each arm! Oh, and don't forget you're going to be pulling along your IV cart as you go. You're not allowed to drink anything all afternoon, so that keeps you hydrated. (again, I wanted so bad SOMETHING in my mouth - but they cannot till the doc says so - and he was in another surgery when I was ready, so that didn't work out so well for me!)

As far as drugs go, I was given liquid roxicet... WOW! That knocked me out - made me very sleepy, but was very affective. It is a narcotic, so I was careful not to overdo it. I took it almost each morning for 5 days and some nights before bed for the first 4 days and anytime I was about to get in the car - bc those potholes... O-U-C-H! But I've long since stopped taking it now. I have tylenol, adult strenth that I got OTC at CVS... I take that if I have a headache or any pain that is uncomforable in that right port side. I am sure whatever they are giving you will be fine - they know what they're doing!!! ;) Relax!

And don't apologize for your questions... I was the same way - no worries!! My only other advice would be: Be prepared to have someone help you get dressed!!!! I could not bend at all for the first couple days. Have someone you love put on your socks, panties, and pants and then you can just stand and yank them up! ;) Don't reach, bend, or pull on anything that could jeopardise your sutures.

Also, you will not want anything rubbing against your incisions.. so I wore sweatpants to the hospital and rolled the waist down (I think I lived in those pants until the first shower too... woooooo - I must have been RIPE! hehe) :laugh:

And last, but not least, BRING A BIG FLUFFY PILLOW for the car! Put it in front of you between you and the seatbelt. And hug it - it is very comforting!!! :) I kept that pillow in the car for the first 3-4 days. Then I felt I didn't need it anymore...

Good luck, hun! You will be FINE! ;) I will say a prayer for you... but I just know everything will be great. Can't wait to hear how it goes!

:hug: Hugs,
Jess

PS: we should have posted this conversation (however long) in a thread to help others just starting off!!!! Maybe repost your question?? And I'll copy and paste my comments? Just a thought!!

[dollface]

Ok, it's 4:45am and I'm getting ready to leave for my surgery! My stomach is in knots (not because I'm hungry this time!) and I can't believe I'm about to make a huge change in my life. I'm sooo scared and think I'm gonna hurl! Talk to all my new friends tonight if I'm feeling up to writing. Thanks for everyones support. I couldn't have gotten this far without all your kind words.
Love
-MK-

["Just Jess"]

THINKING OF YOU, MK!!! :) Let us know as soon as you're feeling up to it, how it all went!!
:hug:
Hugs,
Jess

[lil'bitty]

Yeah for MK!!!!! Can't wait to hear how it went!

[JoyceGA]

MK, congrats on a New You in the New Year!!

[Kathy]

Wishing you the best, doll! Happy Banding! :)

[503-250]

C'mon MK...get in here and tell us how great it was.

["Just Jess"]

Waiting So Patiently...........................

[503-250]

I dont think we will see MK today, it says she went into the hospital at 4:45am...so if they band her today she goes home tomorrow. So right now she is in the land of sip sip sip walk walk walk (with her butt out).

Cos for me about this time I was bargaining to have them remove the catheter,making all sorts of promises about not losing a drop. I even offered to take it out myself, wel...more threatened to take it out myself.

Go MK,
It's your band day.
we gonna party
like it's your band day.
we gonna drink clear liquids
like its your band day.
We're all impatient
cos it's your band day.


I'm gonna need a new song to change the lyrics to, even 50cent doesn't sing that live anymore.

How about that annoying london bridge song...my lundy lundy bridge is going down.

[lil'bitty]

Go MK,
It's your band day.
we gonna party
like it's your band day.
we gonna drink clear liquids
like its your band day.
We're all impatient
cos it's your band day.



I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Execpt the clear liquids part - been there done that!!! MK's turn! I was just replacing last years calendar with this years and going through marking b-days and anniversaries, etc, and I marked my "Bandday" anniversary!

["Just Jess"]

Go MK,
It's your band day.
we gonna party
like it's your band day.
we gonna drink clear liquids
like its your band day.
We're all impatient
cos it's your band day.

You crack me up, 503!!! I was totally singing along!!!!! :)

I left the hospital approx. 12 hours after entering it! Although, I will say I did not get on the computer till the next day! ;) I was wiped out sitting in my comfy chair reading, etc. through the evening.

Talk soon! Still thinking about MK and how GREAT I know she did!!!! :nod:

["Just Jess"]

I was just replacing last years calendar with this years and going through marking b-days and anniversaries, etc, and I marked my "Bandday" anniversary!

I DID THAT YESTERDAY!!!!!!!!!!! Isn't it great???? Can't wait to see what this year has in store for me!! :)

[dollface]

Ok friends,
I made it! I'm not feeling too great so this one will be short. I will write my full details on how the day went for all of you tomorrow. I just looked at all my well wishes from all of you and you guys made me cry cause it was sooo sweet! Plus I'm all emotional today too so it made me cry extra hard. I read all of them to my mom and she tells me how happy she is for me that I have found such good buddies/friends to talk to and I agree with her to the fullest! I'm feeling alot of pain in my port site so I'm gonna go. Love you guys, I'll talk to ya tomorrow!
-MK-

[503-250]

Wooohoooooo Happy Bandday Dollface!

["Just Jess"]

Ok friends,
I made it! I'm not feeling too great so this one will be short. I will write my full details on how the day went for all of you tomorrow. I just looked at all my well wishes from all of you and you guys made me cry cause it was sooo sweet! Plus I'm all emotional today too so it made me cry extra hard. I read all of them to my mom and she tells me how happy she is for me that I have found such good buddies/friends to talk to and I agree with her to the fullest! I'm feeling alot of pain in my port site so I'm gonna go. Love you guys, I'll talk to ya tomorrow!
-MK-

Congrats, MK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am so happy for you, sweetie!!! Sorry to hear that you have pain - but I suppose we all have to expect at least a *little* of that, right? (no pain, no gain?) hehe - can't wait to hear more....

Love ya!!!

Jess

[Neal R.]

Glad your home and doing well. Look forward to reading about your experience. Rest for now and take care :)

[JDru]

Congrats on joining bandland MK! The first 3 days were the worst for me...after that it kept getting a little better each day. You are in our thoughts!

[dollface]

I first want to say 503- you are soooo funny! Your little song you wrote me yesterday made me laugh and smile which was very much needed. And again to all of you, Thanks so much for your prayers and kind thoughts. So here goes what happend on my journey. It was a doozer!

I was soooo nervous! I got to the hospital with my sister and they took me back right away. I got undressed and with the gown and shitty socks (with the non slip resistant on the bottom) and the whole nine yards. No bootie was peeking out of my smock~ haha. The nurse put me in the preop room and sat me on a bed while I waited for another nurse to come and start my IV. It actually didn't hurt cause they numbed my hand first with something. Next the nurse gave me a shot of blood thinner in my stomach. OUCH--- that one hurt! She was making fun of me cause it was a small needle but I still hate them! Then they let my sister come back to sit with me until they were ready for me in surgery. It was all really quick, I was called back at 6:30 to get changed and by 7:15am they wheeled me back into the operating room. So while they were wheeling me back there I started to cry because I was all emotional. When I got in the surgery room it was cold as ice! It didn't bother me cause I love the cold. All of a sudden there were like 15 people running around in there. IT felt like I was on ER. I switched from my bed to the operating table. I had to lay on this pad that was filled with sand. (I have no clue why, if anyone knows why let me know!) They next strapped me down like I was on a cross and started to give me oxygen. Like 10 minutes went by while they were all running around like they were chickens with there heads cut off and then the guy with the medicine said "Ok, I'm giving you some medicine to make you feel good" Then the guy that had the oxygen mask on my kept telling me to breath big breaths and I was and then BLAMO!!!!!!! This was the worst part of it all.... I must of not of takin a big enought breath becasue I smelled the icky taste of what ever they put in the oxygen to knock me out and my body felt like it was on fire!!!! I'm not even kidding cause I know what I felt and the guy said "breath a BIG breath" I did that time and I was out for the count! So then when it was all over they woke me up and for some reason my ears hurt and everything else. They wheeled me to the recovery room and all I remember was being really groggry and looking at the clock and it was 9:30am. Once I came to, I was givin alot of medication cause I was hurtin and then they transferd me to the wheel chair. I sat in that for awhile and then I was taken to the other recovery room where I only got to sit not lay. My sister got to sit with me and I was really happy to see her. I also went for a couple walks and did ok. I had the icky test where I had to drink the brownish color liquid and they took a picture. Everything looked great and I was sent home! The car ride was long which the two pillows that I brought with me was a great idea! Thanks Jess! I got home and that's when I started to feel like hell! I am still hurting all over. The gas pains are not only in my stomach but in my chest, shoulders, neck, back and for some reason my calfs. Thoes hurt really really bad ( I think I had Charley Horses during the surgery). So l've been trying to drink as much as I can, and I'm eating jello too. Thats it though cause I am feeling sick to my stomach all day. I am using my pain meds every 4 hours cause I'm hurting so bad. I finally got some sleep this moring from 9-12. Didn't sleep at all last night. Couldn't find a good spot where I didn't hurt. I had no clue how much pain I was going to be in. So that's my story! I've been trying to burp and fart to get the gas out but I can't. Anyone have any ways to get this gas out? It's literally killing me! So I'm so happy to be alive and kicking - I just can't wait till I start to feel better. So I am going to lay down again. I will check back with you guys later. Yeah!!! I'm a bander now!!!!
-MK-

["Just Jess"]

YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEH! WAY TO GO, MK!!!!!!! :)

walk walk walk that gas away!!!

from what i've heard, it's not the kind of gas that can be released through mouth or otherwise! ;) i did the whole enema thing the night before, going with the theory that helps the whole gas thing - and i had no big time gas pain, so apparently i'm another point in the direction that that is correct.
try putting a heating pad wherever it hurts while you're sitting and get up and walk about whenever you can!!!

you'll get through girl! keep positive!!! thinking about you!!

xo, jess

ps: did you get that liquid Isopure? Keep sipping that to stay hydrated!

["Just Jess"]

So, I had my first post-op appt. with doc VR today. And everything is fine. He likes the way my scars are looking and is happy with my 17 lb. loss... I have my first appt. for a fill on Feb. 2 (EEK!) Nervous but excited to get this thing started! "Get er done, right?!"

He did not seem to care much that I told him I am starving as of the last few days. He just said something to the effect of "keep drinking your protein shakes"... and moved on to the next thing. HMMMMMMM... I wanted him to say - EAT MORE! haha - but no luck! :heh: DAMN! haha

I took my first "progress" pics - and I think I may be being a bit optomistic, but I think I see tiny bit of difference in the side shot... I cannot wait to add "one month" and beyond shots!!! :) Check it out, let me know what you think!

Thanks,
Jess

PS: I got a hair cut and highlights since my first pic... can't really tell bc I'm in "lounge-at-home" mode here - but it's super cute!! :p

[503-250]

Not to get you over excited, but I took your two pictures and laid them over each other to show you there are some major differences already. Don't get hugely excited, there is also a pretty large change in camera angles, but as you can see there is a noticeable difference.

http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/3492/jameza40ar0.th.gif (http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/3492/jameza40ar0.gif)

[JDru]

I can totally tell a difference in your back and your cheeks. Way to go!!

[lil'bitty]

with something. Next the nurse gave me a shot of blood thinner in my stomach. OUCH--- that one hurt!

They next strapped me down like I was on a cross.....-MK-

FIRST - Happy Bandday to you, Happy Bandday to you!!! Welcome to bandland darling!!

I had one hell of a bruise on my hip when I got home that was "enexplained" and 5 weeks later, I can still see it (slightly)!!!!! Asked doc and he said it was from Blood thinner, also asked my if they touched me anywhere that I didn't bruise?? I was covered in bruises!!

Ok - Jess forgot to ask you about the "cruxification" table - when I had my last child i was on this table and for my band surgery.

Also Jess - GIRL YOU LOOK MARVELOUS!!!! I can so see a difference. Trust me I was staring at my pic for about 2 days before I convinced myself there was enough change to share!!!! you look great!

["Just Jess"]

503 - I LOVE YOU!
wow!!! (not hugely excited, see???) hehehehehe

THanks for that!!!!!

Jess --- THANKS TO YOU TOO!!!!!!!! :)

:kiss:
Hugs,
Jess

Not to get you over excited, but I took your two pictures and laid them over each other to show you there are some major differences already. Don't get hugely excited, there is also a pretty large change in camera angles, but as you can see there is a noticeable difference.

http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/3492/jameza40ar0.th.gif (http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/3492/jameza40ar0.gif)

["Just" Paul]

Jess...

Be prepared, these changes are gonna start coming fast and furious as long as you work your band!

Work it work it work it!!!!!

[Shellster]

I can tell a difference in your pics already! You're doing great. I can hardly wait to join the ranks....

Keep it up girlie....I can't wait to see your next update photos!
:cheer2:

["Just Jess"]

Not to get you over excited, but I took your two pictures and laid them over each other to show you there are some major differences already. Don't get hugely excited, there is also a pretty large change in camera angles, but as you can see there is a noticeable difference.

http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/3492/jameza40ar0.th.gif (http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/3492/jameza40ar0.gif)


HOW did you do this??? (and if I am unable, would you be willing to do this for me along the way????) :)

[503-250]

I'm always willing to help anyway I can...

to do it, I took both images in photoshop, copied and pasted each one as a new layer in an image and then screwed with the opacity of the top layer so both pics can be seen.

If you really want this to work well, take the pic in the same clothes every time, and...use a platform for the camera so you get the same angle every time, and mark where you stand....so you get the same angle every time.

["Just Jess"]

Ok - Jess forgot to ask you about the "cruxification" table - when I had my last child i was on this table and for my band surgery. Also Jess - GIRL YOU LOOK MARVELOUS!!!! I can so see a difference. Trust me I was staring at my pic for about 2 days before I convinced myself there was enough change to share!!!! you look great!

*** omg, terri! i can't believe i forgot to talk to you about that... i was wheeled into the OR and BAM! i saw it and LAUGHED OUT LOUD hysterically!!! (they must have thought i was nuts!) i was chatting with the OR nurse about it and she was laughing that she had never heard it referred to as that, and when i told her i heard it from someone in a support group, she was like "oh, they were nice!" hahahaha ;) but thanks for the chukel! between that, compression stalkings, and it being ice cold... i do not remember anything else of that room!!!!!!!!!



Jess...Be prepared, these changes are gonna start coming fast and furious as long as you work your band!Work it work it work it!!!!!
*** oh, i'm working it, boy!!!!!!!! ;) i can't wait!!!!!



I can tell a difference in your pics already! You're doing great. I can hardly wait to join the ranks....Keep it up girlie....I can't wait to see your next update photos!:cheer2:
*** hey, thanks! i am a photo FREAK, so be prepared for PLENTY of them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (i already posted scars, befores and afters, etc.. etc.. and i'm only 2 weeks out! imagine me in a year! WOAH!)



I'm always willing to help anyway I can...
to do it, I took both images in photoshop, copied and pasted each one as a new layer in an image and then screwed with the opacity of the top layer so both pics can be seen.
If you really want this to work well, take the pic in the same clothes every time, and...use a platform for the camera so you get the same angle every time, and mark where you stand....so you get the same angle every time.

*** ok - i don't have photoshop, so you're going to have to be my man on this!!!! :) (ya willing?) hehe - maybe i can tool around with my photo program, but i don't think it does crazy things like that!!!!!!!!! ;) thanks for the tip, none-the-less... vinny took the pic for me, so we'll have to mark where he stands and make sure he does no zooming or anything like that.

--------------------------------

FEELING GOOD TODAY, GUYS!!!!! (i had some laughing cow cheese on my way home - the swiss kicks ass - I LOVE IT!) felt good to chew something, regardless of how ridiculously soft it may have been! hehe

as always, thanks for E V E R Y T H I N G!!!!!!!!! :kiss: :hug:

Hugs, Jess

[reblynd]

Jess...I just saw your pics...I can totally see the difference!! You are kicking butt!!

["Just Jess"]

First, thanks reblynd!

Second, I just posted a confession on another site and thought it more appropriate here - since we are all among the recent banded!!!! Here it goes:

<deep breath>

I started mushies. Not because my doc told me to, but because I JUST HAD TO! I have been talking to TOO many others who had surgery around the same time I did that did full liquids for 2 weeks, then mushies for 2 weeks. To hell with another week of liquids, I say!!!!!!!! But, let me say this -- because this was not medically "prescribed" I've been very very VERY careful. Doing protein shake for breakfast still ('cept I snuck a few strawberries in before blending yesterday and today... mmmmm!) and still do my atkins shake for lunch - but for dinner, last night I made Paul's mock mashed potato recipe (from the Protein Tracker thread under nutrition) with califlower and it was SOOOOOOOOOOO good and I also did a turkey dinner "chop- puree" that was in my nutrition binder from GBMC (basically 3 oz. turkey breast and a couple TBSP. reduced fat gravy) YUMMO!!!! :)

And do I regret it today? HELL NO! I lost weight this morning! Finally broke through that slump I was in for the last 4-5 days and lost again!! So, my body was ready for mushies and I could tell!

Oh, I also bought those laughing cow wedges --- super soft cheese --- SOOOOOOOOOOOOO good! They are a bit pricy - but so is most good cheese... I got them at Whole Foods for $4.99 for a circle of 8 wedges. I got 3 circles.... So far, I've tried the swiss (my fav. by far), the garlic and herb (yum!), and the french onion (didn't open yet). But I've been using those as little mid-afternoon snacks yesterday and today ---- feel's good to chew something! They will be GREAT on crackers when I can try those!!! And hey, I'm down another pound! YIPPEE!!!!! ;) I updated my ticker this morning... almost out of another decade! WHOOPIE!!!!

Can I get a woop woop????

:woot:

XO, Jess

[lil'bitty]

Hey Jess, I am by no way condoning your behavior :tsk: :nod: , but I was 1 week liquids, 1 week full liquids and on week 3 solids. At the start of week 2 I ate a french fry :eek: chewed really really good and I drank 1/2 of a small shake :rolleyes: - delicious. I was most worried about hurting something, but doc said no, just that it could have made me sick, which so far, I haven't had any problems with any food! your doing fabulous girl keep up the good work!! How is your hunger?

[JDru]

Jess FYI I buy my Laughing Cow at Costco and you can get 3 circles for either 5.99 or 6.99. I love it too!!

["Just" Paul]

Jess,

Glad you like the mock potatoes.

I like to use them to make mock "twice-baked" potatoes.

Mix them up like in the recipe, but add a dollup of cream cheese.

Spoon it into some muffin tins, add shredded cheddar on top, maybe a little crumbled bacon, and chopped scallion, and pop under the broiler until the cheese is golden.

Yummy.

[lil'bitty]

OMG Paul, this sounds wonderful. I just started a low carb thread, I'm going to throw this on there!! anything with Cream cheese is good!!

["Just Jess"]

so much better today and yesteday - since i moved myself to mushies!!!!!!!!!! :) i was STARVING! truly! now, i feel great!!! thanks for asking! ;)

how are YOU feeling on solids? any issues yet?

["Just Jess"]

Jess FYI I buy my Laughing Cow at Costco and you can get 3 circles for either 5.99 or 6.99. I love it too!!


THREE CIRCLES?!?! wow!!!! I belong to BJ's Wholesale club, I never thought to check there! Thanks for the tip! ;)

["Just Jess"]

I like to use them to make mock "twice-baked" potatoes. Mix them up like in the recipe, but add a dollup of cream cheese. Spoon it into some muffin tins, add shredded cheddar on top, maybe a little crumbled bacon, and chopped scallion, and pop under the broiler until the cheese is golden. Yummy.

MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!!! SALIVATING!!!!!

[dollface]

Ok, kiddos... I feel like I'm lost with how all of you are doing since I haven't really been on here for days! Sounds like everyone is doing great. I can't wait to hear more and get back into the swing of things.

Jess - thanks for all your support.... I love ya like a sister! YOu look Fabulous in your before and after pics! I can totally tell a difference in your tummy! Keep it up sista!

So I started my full liquids today. I had some creamed chicken soup strained for lunch and then a Blueberry smoothie for dinner which I made myself. Sooooo goood!!!! I already can't wait till day 7 for the mushie stuff. I'm already wanting the lowfat tuna and chicken salad to eat. I know I'm getting ahead of myself but a girl needs to dream! TOmorrow I'm going to have a No sugar added Carnation Instant Breakfast, hopefully that tastes good too! Has anyone ever had one of thoes? Let me know what I'm in for!

Oh, I wanted to ask everyone this? When did your swelling go totally down in your tummies? Mine still seems the same, I'm very bloated in the stomach and have alot of gas there still. Should I take a laxitave to get some of it out? I know this is gross but I haven't had a BM since before the surgery! Maybe that's why huh?

-MK-

[Shellster]

I've tried the sugar free carnation....yummy. The nutritionist told me - NO SKIPPING MEALS! :nono: Soooo....I bought that and it was really good. I bet it'd be better blended with a few ice cubes. I use it with Skim milk....

Jess....you know I'll always give you a whoop whoop!

:whoo:

["Just Jess"]

Jess FYI I buy my Laughing Cow at Costco and you can get 3 circles for either 5.99 or 6.99. I love it too!!
*** I FOUND THEM TONIGHT AT BJ'S!!!!! Excited to know that they are there (3 for $6.99) but pissed that I already have 3 in the fridge that I bought at $4.99 each! :mad: oh well.....


Ok, kiddos... I feel like I'm lost with how all of you are doing since I haven't really been on here for days! Sounds like everyone is doing great. I can't wait to hear more and get back into the swing of things.
Jess - thanks for all your support.... I love ya like a sister! YOu look Fabulous in your before and after pics! I can totally tell a difference in your tummy! Keep it up sista!

*** so glad to have you back!!!!!!!!! we've missed you!!!! and THANKS!


TOmorrow I'm going to have a No sugar added Carnation Instant Breakfast, hopefully that tastes good too! Has anyone ever had one of thoes? Let me know what I'm in for! Oh, I wanted to ask everyone this? When did your swelling go totally down in your tummies? Mine still seems the same, I'm very bloated in the stomach and have alot of gas there still. Should I take a laxitave to get some of it out? I know this is gross but I haven't had a BM since before the surgery! Maybe that's why huh? -MK-

*** i have a big box of the carnation - very good!!!! :) now, regarding the BM's... I was chewing fiber tablets and that kept me regular (however, remember this gross fact: liquids in - liquids out! hehehe) and now i'm in mushies, so I don't even want to talk about the MUDD that is going on down there!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ick ick ick! still taking fiber tabs, but I'm thinking now is the time to move to a laxitive! Anyone else experience what I will deem "mudd butt" in this phase? And Lord help me, I had apple sauce 2 days ago... first and last time for a while... I almost didn't make it!!!!!!!
OK, enough of that talk........... Next question, please??? ;)


I've tried the sugar free carnation....yummy. The nutritionist told me - NO SKIPPING MEALS! :nono: Soooo....I bought that and it was really good. I bet it'd be better blended with a few ice cubes. I use it with Skim milk....Jess....you know I'll always give you a whoop whoop! :whoo:
*** Love ya, Shellster!!!!!!!!!! Thanks!!! :woot: :whoo: :woot:

[Foofer]

Hi! I'm new to this site! I have really appreciated all the resources available. Thank you! I started researching the lap band surgery in January 2005. After two appeals and jumping through the many insurance obstacles it was finally approved December 11th and I was banded on December 26th. YEAH! I lost 11 pounds prior to surgery and have lost another 13 pounds since my surgery date. My starting weight when approved was 329 and I'm 5'3" short! Ha ha! I'm just over a week out of surgery and I feel great! I've had very little pain, although I did have a breakdown on day three. I didn't realize how much food was my friend and comfort. :( Although I had two years to mentally prepare for the surgery, It still really has effected me mentally. I'm doing much better now and taking it day by day!

[JDru]

Welcome Foofer!!

[503-250]

Wooooooooooohooooooooooooo welcome foofer, a December bandster and a virgo like me...we're meant for each other.

Excellent work so far, don't focus on weight just yet, focus more on getting well working your stages and getting to regular foods. Weightloss will come soon enough, right now sanity and health are first priority.

Dollface, glad to see you up and around, I will PM you a link for a recipe book with lots of fun mushy recipes and smoothies and stuff.

Foofer, ima send you the link too.

["Just Jess"]

I'm just over a week out of surgery and I feel great! I've had very little pain, although I did have a breakdown on day three. I didn't realize how much food was my friend and comfort. :( Although I had two years to mentally prepare for the surgery, It still really has effected me mentally. I'm doing much better now and taking it day by day!

Foofer, again - welcome!!!! :welcome: so glad to have you here!!!
Are you seeing a therepist? I am and I feel that is really helping me through my "divorse" with food. ;) If you're not, think about it! It's a great help mentally and emotionally for us food-addicts!



Dollface, glad to see you up and around, I will PM you a link for a recipe book with lots of fun mushy recipes and smoothies and stuff.

503, I just LOVE that link! thanks again... I wanted to let you know I already PM'ed it to MK (Dollface). It came with a stern warning and talking to though, so no worries!!! hehehe ;)

Foofer, DO ask 503 for that link - it's FANTASTIC!!!!



---------------------

PS: Just a small gripe:
I know a lot of you also beling to the LBT site... well, I was participating in their December 2006 thread as of the last 2 weeks. Just because I was a spaz who would not get her paws on enough information! Well I revisit them probably once a day (compared to the 10 x's I stop by here - I am waiting for that website to come with the big red stopsign and tell me I can not access at work). Well, first of all - there are SOOOOOOOOOO many people on that site that it is IMPOSSIBLE to keep up with the conversation. And secondly, I just accidently stubbled upon another thread yesterday (bc I sometimes click on the "recent activity" of the newest posts - like we do here as well) and a group of people from that particular thread have started --- for lack of a better way to put it --- a "secret society" of Dec. bandsters. Because apparently they do not like the invasion of us "new folk". CAN YOU IMAGINE?????????? We here on B2G would never do that to a new member! In fact, I've personally invited 2 new people I saw on the welcome page to come join us!!!!!!!! Just another reason I love it here so much.

Anyway, like I said - just wanted to gripe!

---------------------

One other thing: Someone posted a video on another thread of a fill... Well, I watched it (ouch!) and then I started tooling around - and they have a really need look INSIDE someone while they're being banded AND a couple other cool Lap-Band links... check it out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwBrOoqRVhg&mode=related&search=



:hug:
Hugs,
Jess

[Foofer]

Hi

I'm new to B2G also and like dollface would like any help that anyone can give on how to navigate this website? I'm struggling. Thanks

[lil'bitty]

---------------------

PS: Just a small gripe:
I know a lot of you also beling to the LBT site... well, I was participating in their December 2006 thread as of the last 2 weeks. Just because I was a spaz who would not get her paws on enough information! Well I revisit them probably once a day (compared to the 10 x's I stop by here - I am waiting for that website to come with the big red stopsign and tell me I can not access at work). Well, first of all - there are SOOOOOOOOOO many people on that site that it is IMPOSSIBLE to keep up with the conversation. And secondly, I just accidently stubbled upon another thread yesterday (bc I sometimes click on the "recent activity" of the newest posts - like we do here as well) and a group of people from that particular thread have started --- for lack of a better way to put it --- a "secret society" of Dec. bandsters. Because apparently they do not like the invasion of us "new folk". CAN YOU IMAGINE?????????? We here on B2G would never do that to a new member! In fact, I've personally invited 2 new people I saw on the welcome page to come join us!!!!!!!! Just another reason I love it here so much.

Anyway, like I said - just wanted to gripe!

---------------------

One other thing: Someone posted a video on another thread of a fill... Well, I watched it (ouch!) and then I started tooling around - and they have a really need look INSIDE someone while they're being banded AND a couple other cool Lap-Band links... check it out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwBrOoqRVhg&mode=related&search=




Jess - #1 I went to another site looked around and high-tailed it back over here and have not been back since!!!!!! My family is here and that's what I need, not a secret order of whatevers!! Right Sista??

#2 - that video was sooooooooo cool!!! been wondering how the inside really looked!!! Thanks for sharing

Also 503 - I still can't open that link to the cookbook..........:confused: ............is it me, says error on page!!!

["Just Jess"]

Jess - #1 I went to another site looked around and high-tailed it back over here and have not been back since!!!!!! My family is here and that's what I need, not a secret order of whatevers!! Right Sista??

#2 - that video was sooooooooo cool!!! been wondering how the inside really looked!!! Thanks for sharing

#1 - RIGHT ON SISTA!!!! ;)
#2 - wasn't it neat????? i wish i could see my own insides taped!

[JDru]

I know a lot of you also beling to the LBT site... well, I was participating in their December 2006 thread as of the last 2 weeks. Just because I was a spaz who would not get her paws on enough information! Well I revisit them probably once a day (compared to the 10 x's I stop by here - I am waiting for that website to come with the big red stopsign and tell me I can not access at work). Well, first of all - there are SOOOOOOOOOO many people on that site that it is IMPOSSIBLE to keep up with the conversation. And secondly, I just accidently stubbled upon another thread yesterday (bc I sometimes click on the "recent activity" of the newest posts - like we do here as well) and a group of people from that particular thread have started --- for lack of a better way to put it --- a "secret society" of Dec. bandsters. Because apparently they do not like the invasion of us "new folk". CAN YOU IMAGINE?????????? We here on B2G would never do that to a new member! In fact, I've personally invited 2 new people I saw on the welcome page to come join us!!!!!!!! Just another reason I love it here so much.

Jess I saw this on LBT too and thought it was LAME!!!! What is wrong with people...and they didn't even make it secret that they didn't want certain people there. I mainly stick to the October Bandsters thread there, they are good people. But I think B2G is a much better "family" atmosphere that is safe for all.

[dollface]

Ok first things first! WELCOME FOOFER!!!! Yeah another new bander. I'm soo happy for you THe more people I come in contact with the better I feel about everything I go through. I'm glad were all so close togheter, it does help out alot.

503- Thanks darling for the cookbook. I read all the recipies and not only am I totally hungry now but it looks like you are a great cook! All that time and effort you put into the book must have taken a long time and I'll use it all the time. Plus I won't pass it around at all or share with others. Your SECRET is safe with me!

I read about jess and Jdru stuff that is happening on that other site! Boy am I glad this was the first support group site I went to cause I would be trying to go back and forth between the two if I went to the other one! All I have to say about that is it's horrible to let someone feel left out of something.

THIS SITE HAS GIVEN ME SO MUCH INFO. Also I feel comfortable here with all my new friends! I'm soo glad to be apart of this with you guys! I wouldn't want it any other way! I promise I will never cheat on you guys! LOL!!!! So with that said Love ya guys tons!!!

-MK-

[503-250]

Also 503 - I still can't open that link to the cookbook..........:confused: ............is it me, says error on page!!!

I haven't forgotten about you Bitty, i'm converting it to a word document and cleaning it out since it crosses over with lots of crap and no formatting.


503- Thanks darling for the cookbook. I read all the recipies and not only am I totally hungry now but it looks like you are a great cook! All that time and effort you put into the book must have taken a long time and I'll use it all the time. Plus I won't pass it around at all or share with others. Your SECRET is safe with me!
I am so glad you guys love this cookbook as much as I do, but it is not mine, only the link is...LOL. The cookbook was passed to me by NOLAgirl...She also found it essentially the same way you did. The real writer includes her address in the beginning of the book and i'm sure would love to get some praise for her hard work (especially since she asks for it and includes her address in the cookbook).

As for LBT, this wonderful warm place was created after a massive eruption in LBT which would not die. Petty bickering and nasty comments made LBT impossible to read, learn, or enjoy. I really can't thank Dawg and P'Nut (not to mention FunnyD and TriciaK and Sara and on and on) who worked to put this together for us. It is impossible to find a public forum that does not have advertising and crap on every page. Instead they are open to our bitching and complaining for new features and personal choices here.

For navigating, I start from the bottom of all the forums, I work through each section one at a time and follow all the threads that I enjoy, comment on some and then when I get to the top, I hit that mark all read at the bottom of the main forum so I have a clean start next time.

["Just Jess"]

Jess I saw this on LBT too and thought it was LAME!!!! What is wrong with people...and they didn't even make it secret that they didn't want certain people there. I mainly stick to the October Bandsters thread there, they are good people. But I think B2G is a much better "family" atmosphere that is safe for all.

*** What a bunch of crap! Seriously, I cannot believe how different this place is compared to that place. I went there to learn more - not to feel bad about not being in the "in" crowd. ugh! Oh well... I know better now.


I read about jess and Jdru stuff that is happening on that other site! Boy am I glad this was the first support group site I went to cause I would be trying to go back and forth between the two if I went to the other one! All I have to say about that is it's horrible to let someone feel left out of something. THIS SITE HAS GIVEN ME SO MUCH INFO. Also I feel comfortable here with all my new friends! I'm soo glad to be apart of this with you guys! I wouldn't want it any other way! I promise I will never cheat on you guys! LOL!!!! So with that said Love ya guys tons!!!-MK-

*** Well, when I first made the decision to get the lap-band, I started lurking in several places. Here, LBT, and OH... Since getting my surgery date in the beginning of November, I stopped lurking and joined. This is the ONLY place I am an "active" user. I hope you don't consider me a "cheater" that I still go back and check out what's going on from time to time in those other places... You all will always have my whole heart! 503, put it best - this is a WARM place - and I love you all, as if we've been friends for years!!!!!! :) Thanks for all your support always!


As for LBT, this wonderful warm place was created after a massive eruption in LBT which would not die. Petty bickering and nasty comments made LBT impossible to read, learn, or enjoy. I really can't thank Dawg and P'Nut (not to mention FunnyD and TriciaK and Sara and on and on) who worked to put this together for us. It is impossible to find a public forum that does not have advertising and crap on every page. Instead they are open to our bitching and complaining for new features and personal choices here.

*** I am glad I missed whatever eruption that was!!!!!!! SHeesh, I believe it though! Just the style in which they talk to one another over there... very condescending and NOT supportive at all! I am thankful as well to those who started this off! T H A N K Y O U!!!

:) :) :) :) :) :)

*** btw, the way I navagate around the site is to subscribe to the threads that interest me, so when I have a minute, I hope on and hit "user CP" and see if there was any activity there!!! when I have more time, I go to the main forums and just look at who's posting what and comment where I see fit! I tend to be a "talker"... and here I've become quite the "typer" in the same sense!!!! ;)

[lil'bitty]

I haven't forgotten about you Bitty, i'm converting it to a word document and cleaning it out since it crosses over with lots of crap and no formatting.



503, you'd do that for lil ole bitty me??;) GOSH your swell!!! Thanks darling your the bomb!! Who do I send props to? The author of the cookbook?

I have my second fill on 1/18, can't wait!!!!!! Still losing, but I am looking for food and am not getting that full feeling anymore.

["Just Jess"]

I have my second fill on 1/18, can't wait!!!!!! Still losing, but I am looking for food and am not getting that full feeling anymore.

Hey Terri, How much did they put in your first fill? (and what size band do you have?)

To everyone, Has anyone tried any of these sprays? http://www.flavourspraydiet.com/flavors.html If so, how are they?

Hugs,
Jess

[503-250]

haven't tried the spray, but I use Walden's Farm dressings all the time...zero calories.

[lil'bitty]

I have not tried the sprays, but am most interested......inquiring minds want to know!!!

My band is 9.75 and I only got .6 on my first fill. Not much at all. I saw the barrium stop and go back when there was more in the band, so she removed some. I just think my stomach is fighting back and not letting me get a good fill!!:p

[TinaQ.]

Hi All,
I was banded 1/3 and had pretty much the same experience as most of you. I went to the OR at 7:30, knocked out about 8:00, back in my room at 10:45. My hospital usually has people stay overnight but I was just about pain free, peeing, and drank my 50oz of water, walking and wanted to go home so I did (wanted to sleep in my own bed). I was home at 9:30pm. No cath for me, thankfully! Only nausea I have had was when I had to do the barium swallow. That stuff was soooo nasty!! :p

Since then, I had some gas pain (sounded like my belly was going to take off on it's own) although it's better now. I also still have port pain (this has really been the only place that I hurt) but only really notice it when I stand up. I occasionally get a tightness under my diaphram (where my band is) but I expect this is from swelling and will go away with a little bit more time.

Biggest challenge now is getting the 80oz of fluid in daily. Because I'm not hungry, it's really hard!

503-I would love the link for the cookbook. Although I don't get mushy stuff for awhile longer, I am greatly looking forward to them!!

Keep up the great work everyone! You're all doing incredible!!

[503-250]

Link sent.

Meantime..be patient heal and focus on being a good lapbander. One of the women here mentioned an excellent scar cream which I wish I would have used since I look like I was in a knife fight.

["Just Jess"]

One of the women here mentioned an excellent scar cream which I wish I would have used since I look like I was in a knife fight.

503 - do you remember what the name of that cream was???
And btw, YEH FOR YOU!!!! You are almost down another century!! How exciting!!!!!!!!!!!! ;) :) ;) :) ;) :)


My hospital usually has people stay overnight but I was just about pain free, peeing, and drank my 50oz of water, walking and wanted to go home so I did (wanted to sleep in my own bed). I was home at 9:30pm. ... Biggest challenge now is getting the 80oz of fluid in daily. Because I'm not hungry, it's really hard!

Hey Tenabobina!!!! :welcome: Welcome to our fun little December family, we're happy to have you! :) I went home the night of surgery as well. I was happy to sleep in my own bed, isn't that nice??? But they only gave me a TINY cup of water at the hospital!!!! Just to check my nausia, which I had none of - NICE! Then I got to go home (about 12 hours later)! My rules for liquids were - first 48 hours, 4-5 ounces every 30 minutes while awake. That's all! I kept those little medicine cups and sipped on a shot of Isopure every 30 minutes - with the occasional jello, broth, or SF popsicle breaks!!! ;) I am on mushies right now... and just got my hands on some YUMMY protein shake variations if anyone is interested, let me know! I will tell you what, I am SO glad to not be hungry anymore! Soon as I had my first mushie meal I instantly felt better! More energy and more happy, less grumpy (Vinny was happy about that!!!!) and my tummy stopped making that airplane jet engine grumble! ha! Anyway........ welcome, again!!!! And don't be afriad to ask questions! Good luck!
:hug: Hugs!!


I have not tried the sprays, but am most interested......inquiring minds want to know!!! My band is 9.75 and I only got .6 on my first fill. Not much at all. I saw the barrium stop and go back when there was more in the band, so she removed some. I just think my stomach is fighting back and not letting me get a good fill!!:p

Terri - I think I'll order some and let you know what I think! They are an ingenious idea..... I just hope they taste as good as they SOUND! I like spray butter just fine... "Chemical Yellow" we deemed it in this house! haha ---- Can you believe I forgot to ask the doc what size band I had at my appt. last week??? I will write it down to ask at my fill appt. on Feb. 2nd... (if I don't write it down, I forget! Lord, help me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) But .6 isn't bad, right? Slow and steady is the way you want to go. From what I read, you do NOT want too much restriction!!!!! Good luck, let me know how you're feeling!!!!!!!!! ;)
Jess

[lil'bitty]

503 - do you remember what the name of that cream was???
And btw, YEH FOR YOU!!!! You are almost down another century!! How exciting!!!!!!!!!!!! ;) :) ;) :) ;) :)




Mederma!!!!!!!!!!!! It's expensive, but so worth it!! I will be 6 weeks on 1/10, and my incisions are almost invisible. Even my port scar!!!!! You have to put it on 3-4 x day for 8 weeks. I leave it on the bathroom vanity and everytime I go in to us the bathroom, I put some on. You can't use it until you are healed. I was glued back together and the glue didn't come off until about the second, so I will still be using for about another month.

["Just Jess"]

Mederma!!!!!!!!!!!! It's expensive, but so worth it!! I will be 6 weeks on 1/10, and my incisions are almost invisible. Even my port scar!!!!! You have to put it on 3-4 x day for 8 weeks. I leave it on the bathroom vanity and everytime I go in to us the bathroom, I put some on. You can't use it until you are healed. I was glued back together and the glue didn't come off until about the second, so I will still be using for about another month.

I'll look into that, thanks!!! I've just been using Cocoa Butter...

[JoAnn]

Hi Foofer,
I was banded the same day you were by Dr. Anderson in Boise. I was first on the schedule, and I think he did 7 or 8 of us that day. So I am new to this whole thing, too. How are you doing? I went back to work a week and a day post op, and am tired by the end of each day, but no pain to speak of. No pain meds since the Friday after surgery. I am tired of liquids and am really looking forward to thicker stuff like yogurt and cream of wheat cereal!!!
I am going to try to make the meetings on the 18th and 22nd. Will you be there? It will be interesting to see if others who were banded the same day as we were come to the meeting.
JoAnn

[JDru]

Welcome JoAnn!! Congrats on your recent surgery.

["Just Jess"]

Welcome, JoAnn! :)
:wave:

[dollface]

Hey girls!! It's been a couple days for me since I've been on.

First,,,,,,, Welcome Tina and Joann!!!

I was banded on January 2nd, so just a day ahead of you both! I still feel pain in my port site but I guess that takes awhile to heal. I'm going to have to get that Merdema cause my scars aren't pretty. There small like normal but should get to work on them with the cream.

Girls, I just got to start Mushies today! I've been reading though and it looks like alot of you didn't start mushies till weeks later! I wonder if every surgeron does things different. I mean I know they do all sorts of things different but the diet I would think they would do the same like worldwide. When did everyone start there mushies? Anywho, I got to eat Tuna Salad for lunch, 2 oz, with a half of mushed up banana. It took me like 1 1/2 hours to finish cause I was so scared of it coming back up. Jess, your right about the feeling full feeling!!! I was so happy that my stomach didn't growl the whole day today! I'm finishing my tuna salad that I made for lunch for dinner and had the other half of the banana. I'm really afraid to make stuff and puree it in the blender. Have anyone you done this yet that are on mushies? I was having a hard time figureing out what the difference between puree and blended meant. Still having a hard time with it but I guess tuna salad would look like puree......RIght? So other than that, I was out and about yesterday and I think I walked tooo much cause I was hurting by the end of the day. I don't know how anyone has this surgery and is back to work by day 3. My body must not heal as well as others cause yesterday was the first day I felt I could really do any type of excersice walking. So I shopped and that was fun. I have to redo my ticker but I've lost 15 lbs! I'm sooo excited. My stomach is still swollen alot and looks like someone beat the heck out of me! I have my post op appointment on Friday, I think it's then when I will make my first fill appointment? Oh I have a question on that. How does it exactly work? Do they numb your port site first? Could someone explain to me the steps? Sould I should ask at my next appt what size my band is and how much of a fill they will do for my first one? Anything else I should ask her? I'm just like you Jess, If I don't write the questions down I will forget. Ok, I think Im done rattling. Hope all is well with everyone. Talk to yas soon!!!
XOXOXOXOX

["Just Jess"]

Hey everyone!!!! This thread has been TOO quiet!!!!! So, I'm here to hopefully pump some energy back into us! I loved this forum - Talking with those who just experienced the same as I, is irreplaceable! ;) So, c'mon, talkie... talkie!!!!!!!!

So, I went to get the Maderma today... and decided on the CVS generic counterpart... ($29.99 vs. $19.99) And the ingrediants were essentially the same! Anyone else try anything like that?

Also, I joined Curves yesterday!!!!!!! Yey me! I am the tiniest bit sore... but it's more like a "tight" feeling in my calves and ass, more than "sore sore" - you know? It feels good to be moving again. I went again tonight. My first support group meeting is tomorrow evening, so I will check back in with Curves again Thursday.

Speaking of support group, has anyone gone to any with their surgeon's office? What are they like? Who runs them? The nutritionist? Anyway, I am excited to see everyone post-op!!!! Wish some of you lived closer!!!! We should plan a B2G reunion at some point. That would be so great! :)

WELCOME BACK MK, I'VE MISSED YOU!!!!!!!!!!!! ;) Glad to hear you're doing so well!!!! 15 pounds??????????????????? WOAH MAMA!!!!!!!!!! Keep it up! :) (is that since pre-op diet or since surgery?)

I was TOLD to start mushies on week 2 - but I accelerated that and began mushies at week 3 (the day after my 2 week post-op appointment, actually). I will be on mushies for another week and then Jan. 17th bringith SOLIDS!!!!! woo hoo!!! :woot:
MK, you're eating banana? I was told that was a no-no by my nutritionist. She said many find that bananas block. So be careful with that!!!!
And hey, don't be afriad of that blender!!!!! Thus far, I've made a turkey dinner (skinless turkey breast with 98% fat free gravy). Looks like crap, but tastes SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO good! I've also made turkey chili with the yummy black soy beans Paul put me on to, and pureed that up - again, YUMMO!!!

Yes, I made my first fill appt. at my post-op check in. My doc is making me wait until 6 weeks (So, my first fill will be Feb. 2nd - the day before my boyfriends bday - no cake for me!)

And I do not know what size my band is either, but I want to know. I wrote that down in my food journal - so I remember to ask when I go tomorrow for the support group meeting or for my fill next time!

:) NIGHT, NIGHT folks!! Have a good one!

:hug:

Hugs,
Jess

[lil'bitty]

I ate muchies at week 2 and solids at week 3. I ate pureed soups and mashed tators and pudding, yum!! Just wanted you to know also dollface that my port site at almost 6 weeks, is still sore when I sleep on that side!! which happens to be the side I favor.

Jess, I worked out yesterday and GIRL, I am sooooo sore :twitch: today. I am going to go at it every other day, so today rather than sit on my butt, I went out and cleaned all my flower beds and purned the hedges (a little late in the season :p ), but was crawling all around, bending, lifting, etc, and now I feel worse!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! No pain no gain I guess!

I am going for my second fill next week. Can't wait. I have been following all the rules the last week and I gained 1.5 lbs. UGH!!! And again, I started working out! that @$%# scale!

Hang in there gals!!

["Just Jess"]

Wow, that's not much time between fills!!! What does your doc require?

BTW, LOVE that face (:twitch:)... hahahaha - so perfect for describing how we feel after exercise! ha!

;) We'll get through... keeping plugging along (or pruning in your case)!

[lil'bitty]

4 weeks until first fill and, and 2 weeks in between each. This will actually be 3 weeks between mine. My b-day is this week so I may (or may not) enjoy my b-day so I didn't want to have been just filled. After the first few days, I felt the restriction suside a little. they told me that I would have some swelling and once it was gone, I would know if I needed another, and I do!

BTW Dollface, they numb your port with lydocaine and then stick you for the fill which didn't hurt, and I could feel the band tightening. I can also feel food passing through my stoma too, not always, but sometime, can anyone else?? If I am drinking COLD water, I can feel it pass and hit the bottom. I think it's kinda cool!

["Just Jess"]

4 weeks until first fill and, and 2 weeks in between each. This will actually be 3 weeks between mine. My b-day is this week so I may (or may not) enjoy my b-day so I didn't want to have been just filled.


HAPPY EARLY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!

:)

AND HAPPY ALMOST ANOTHER FILL DAY!

[christyrn]

Hey guys.. I had my surgery 12/19/06. I have gained so much knowledge from this site and jess. (thanks jess). I advanced myself to mushies at week 2 also. I havent had any problems either. Jess...good for you joining curves. I have starting walking outside with baby. So Jess, you said your starting solids next week? Do you mean solids or chopped/pureed solids? I have lost about 18 lbs so far and get my first fill on jan 24....yeah! I feel like I could eat my weight in just about anything right now. I know I dont have restriction w/o a fill but I read you guys are full and not hungry. I'm starving. I have been doing really good though and staying away from carbs. Anyways, good to join you guys.

["Just Jess"]

Hey guys.. I had my surgery 12/19/06. I have gained so much knowledge from this site and jess. (thanks jess).
You're Welcome!!! :) I am learning as I go and MORE than willing to share the info I learn along the way!


I advanced myself to mushies at week 2 also. I havent had any problems either. Jess...good for you joining curves. I have starting walking outside with baby. So Jess, you said your starting solids next week? Do you mean solids or chopped/pureed solids? I have lost about 18 lbs so far and get my first fill on jan 24....yeah! I feel like I could eat my weight in just about anything right now. I know I dont have restriction w/o a fill but I read you guys are full and not hungry. I'm starving. I have been doing really good though and staying away from carbs. Anyways, good to join you guys.
Yes, I start solids on Jan. 17th!!! (slow progression of introducing new foods) I've been doing pureed solids (aka: mushies?) this week and last. What is the difference? Did you doc tell you something else? If so, please explain!!!!!! I don't want to do something wrong!!!!

GOOD FOR YOU losing so much so far!!!! :) I'm jelous!!!!!!! Your first fill is a week before mine, so you'll have to tell me how it goes! I've heard both good and not-so-good stories...

I am doing REALLY well during the week (M-F) I drink my breakfast and lunch (usually a light yogert smoothie for breakfast and atkins meal shake for lunch) and I have a couple snacks. I'm LOVING those laughing cow wedges and I have to admit, I've been eating a few wheat thins (chewing till mush) with that from time to time. I've also had string cheese as an afternoon snack. It's the weekends that hurt me! Home all day and wanting to eat all day!!!!!!!!!!!! I try to stick to the every 2 hours rule. Shake, popsicle, pudding, jello, shake, etc.. etc.. seems to work. But for some reason I'm more hungry on the weekends! COmpletely satisfied on the weekdays (those 4th graders keep me too busy to think about food!!!!!!!!!!!)

:) Good hearing from you, Christy!!!!

:hug:
Hugs,
Jess

[christyrn]

Well, no my doc didnt say different. I was just confused and confirming. I have eaten a piece of juicy baked fish for the last two days....I just chew to mush....and, eat mashed up egg for breakfast...think thats ok? Would I know if I did something wrong....like feel bad??? oh, I want tuna w/ light mayo, can we have that on mushies? I just dont know cause my doctor doesnt get too specific. thanks.

[lil'bitty]

Hey guys.. I had my surgery 12/19/06. I have gained so much knowledge from this site and jess. (thanks jess). I advanced myself to mushies at week 2 also. I havent had any problems either. Jess...good for you joining curves. I have starting walking outside with baby. So Jess, you said your starting solids next week? Do you mean solids or chopped/pureed solids? I have lost about 18 lbs so far and get my first fill on jan 24....yeah! I feel like I could eat my weight in just about anything right now. I know I dont have restriction w/o a fill but I read you guys are full and not hungry. I'm starving. I have been doing really good though and staying away from carbs. Anyways, good to join you guys.

Girls, don't forget that you are still healing. I ate solids and chewed til mush during this phase, and was told to back off. You don't want to harm your precious pouch. Remember your band is stitched to your pouch and is still healing. I felt your pain gals, but once someone here reminded me of this, I freaked out and worried until I saw my nutritionist who gave me an ear beating, but was glad I didn't get sick. My doc prescribed mushies at 2 weeks so I am sure your ok, but don't get daring!!!! I was worried that I wouldn't be able to control my eating impulses, so what good would having the surgery do............but so far so good.

This ain't easy, is it???? :wacko:

[dollface]

christy - I was told by my nutritionist that I can have tuna. 2 oz at a time. I could have 1 tblspoon of light mayo with that too. So yeah that is good to have for mushies. I go back to school next week so it will be good for me to bring for lunch. Also jess, about the banana, my nut. also told me to eat that, I didn't know though that some docs think it backs you up. So far so good. I did good mushing it up in a small bowl. IT's funny too about you saying we should have a lap band reuinon. It would be like a convention for all of us. That's a great idea!

[lil'bitty]

HAPPY EARLY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!

:)

AND HAPPY ALMOST ANOTHER FILL DAY!


Thanks Darling, my B-day is today, and DH got me Eating Well After weightloss Surgery a cookbook written by Patt Levine (lap-band patient) and Michele Bontemp-Saray. It looks very cool. Each recipe as a little guide after it for each kind of weightloss surgery to tell at what phase of your recovery you can eat the food. Kind a cool even though I am able to eat most anything now. Each recipe is low carb and low fat!! Cool!

He also got me a diamond circle necklace that I have been wanting!!!!!! Roses and a beautiful card. He's a keeper!

["Just Jess"]

Thanks Darling, my B-day is today, and DH got me Eating Well After weightloss Surgery a cookbook written by Patt Levine (lap-band patient) and Michele Bontemp-Saray. It looks very cool. Each recipe as a little guide after it for each kind of weightloss surgery to tell at what phase of your recovery you can eat the food. Kind a cool even though I am able to eat most anything now. Each recipe is low carb and low fat!! Cool!

He also got me a diamond circle necklace that I have been wanting!!!!!! Roses and a beautiful card. He's a keeper!


HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU,
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU,
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR TERRI!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!!!

:)

I have that same cookbook!!! Isn't it great?! I loved that it had mushie recipes that I could have NOW! WOO HOO!!! ;) Mine did NOT come with the diamond circle necklace or roses however...... damn, I got jipped!! hehehe - Nice to hear that he's a keeper! Sounds very giving! Yeh!!! I cannot complain about my Vinny either... we've been together for a bit over 3 years now and we've begun discussing wedding plans, etc. -- I think an engagement is ANYWHERE around the corner now... I CAN'T WAIT!!! I've been ready for a good 2 years now, but he was a bit delayed! (aren't they all in one aspect or another!? haha)

Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.. finally feels like winter here in Maryland! WOAH, BABY, it's a cold one! Anyway, Have a TERRIFIC day! :hug:

Stay warm,

Jess

[lil'bitty]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU,
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU,
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR TERRI!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!!!

:)

I have that same cookbook!!! Isn't it great?! I loved that it had mushie recipes that I could have NOW! WOO HOO!!! ;) Mine did NOT come with the diamond circle necklace or roses however...... damn, I got jipped!! hehehe - Nice to hear that he's a keeper! Sounds very giving! Yeh!!! I cannot complain about my Vinny either... we've been together for a bit over 3 years now and we've begun discussing wedding plans, etc. -- I think an engagement is ANYWHERE around the corner now... I CAN'T WAIT!!! I've been ready for a good 2 years now, but he was a bit delayed! (aren't they all in one aspect or another!? haha)

Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.. finally feels like winter here in Maryland! WOAH, BABY, it's a cold one! Anyway, Have a TERRIFIC day! :hug:

Stay warm,

Jess

You are just so darn sweet! Thanks darling! It's gorgous here in Central TX, but expecting snow and freezing rain this weekend. I'll believe it when I see it!

I just wish the darn scale would have moved for my b-day!! ok, it move .5, but I have really been working this band, what gives?? I am going to e-mail my nutritionist to see what she thinks.

["Just Jess"]

You are just so darn sweet! Thanks darling! It's gorgous here in Central TX, but expecting snow and freezing rain this weekend. I'll believe it when I see it!

I just wish the darn scale would have moved for my b-day!! ok, it move .5, but I have really been working this band, what gives?? I am going to e-mail my nutritionist to see what she thinks.

The weather here in MD is starting to feel a bit more like winter now too!!! Brrrrrrrrrrr.. I feel guilty complaining, being it was near 60 on Christmas, but hey - I HATE SCRAPING MY DARN CAR OFF EACH MORNING!!!! ugh!! ((you'd never know I spent my first 23 years of life in Northeast PA - where blizzards in winter are as frequent as rain in the spring! haha))

I had my first support group meeting last night at my doc's office. It was just "OK". :rolleyes: I was hoping for something more than it was, I guess. I feel like I get much more support here. I was the youngest person there by about 25 years - and although there were some November surgeries there, none of my December buddies made it - so it was disapointing not to have someone to talk to about mushies or full liquids for that matter. Instead, they were all talking about solids and how you have to have gravy with everything, blah, blah, blah - nothing I did not already know due to these wonderful forums here. I was surprised none of them heard of this site as well. A lot of them utilize LBT, which I've come to not enjoy so much. I can't believe how unsupportive some of the people are over there and I was embarrised to see myself get pulled into almost arguing once or twice already bc of something someone said and me feeling the need to defend them - or myself. What I did enjoy were the 2 women that were pre-op there. They wanted to ask me a lot of questions, bc I was the "freshest" out of surgery. And I like feeling needed!!!! So, that made it worth it to help a couple others into the best decision they'll ever make!!!!!!!! And I did tell them how great you all are over here - so I wonder if anyone will pop in.

That's all for now.. I have recess duty in a few minutes..... gotta wrap myself up in my scarf and mittens! hehe

;) Have a great day!

:hug: Hugs,
Jess

[reblynd]

Jess...do you like curves? I am going check out my gym options this week. I really want to lose 25 more pounds by my 30th b-day...which is in april. I hate working out (hence the reason I am fat in the first place) so I hate to join a gym. I have been walking, but I want a little more than that. You an Terri are kicking butt!!! Skinny minnies

[JDru]

I don't get much out of the support groups at my doctor's office either. I am definitely the youngest one there and I don't think some of them relate to me. But I keep going because it's nice to meet with people who have been through the same thing as you. I get so much more support and information here!

[lil'bitty]

((you'd never know I spent my first 23 years of life in Northeast PA - where blizzards in winter are as frequent as rain in the spring! haha))



UUUMMMMM.....spent the first 23 years of my life in Western PA - how about that!!! GIIRRRLLLLL!! I can't wait to meet you!! I love feeling needed too!! Except when it's by my kiddos!! just kidding!!

I wish I was kiking butt!! I feel like I should have lost more weight by now!! this is harder than I thought it would be. I hope that after my next fill, things start to get easier. I love my band, but I feel like I am on a diet and that's a bad feeling!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! UGH!!! I guess I am having a bad food day cuz I want to cheat!!!!!!!!!!!!

["Just Jess"]

Jess...do you like curves? I am going check out my gym options this week. I really want to lose 25 more pounds by my 30th b-day...which is in april. I hate working out (hence the reason I am fat in the first place) so I hate to join a gym. I have been walking, but I want a little more than that. You an Terri are kicking butt!!! Skinny minnies

i love curves!!! i actually was a member for a couple years back in college.. i loved it then as well - but as most things do with me, it got old and i quit. this time, i'm sticking with it!!!!!!!!!! it's fun and with the whole circle circuit thing -it's social. and hold off on the "skinny minny" comments! hahahaha - i have a looooooooooooooooooooong way to go! but i sure do like your optomism! hahaha - thanks, reblynd!


I don't get much out of the support groups at my doctor's office either. I am definitely the youngest one there and I don't think some of them relate to me. But I keep going because it's nice to meet with people who have been through the same thing as you. I get so much more support and information here!

ditto, jess! i definetely agree - i wasn't relating to them AT ALL! at one point (i'm so embarrised to admit this) i wanted to LAUGH OUT LOUD at this silly woman going on and on about her problems..... i don't want to go into detail, in case she shows up someday - but i definetely want to keep going as well. i just hope more people pick up on it, bc i want to meet the people going through this journey with me! ;)


UUUMMMMM.....spent the first 23 years of my life in Western PA - how about that!!! GIIRRRLLLLL!! I can't wait to meet you!! I love feeling needed too!! Except when it's by my kiddos!! just kidding!!

GET OUT OF HERE!?! it is so crazy!! we have SO much in common....... meant to be friends, huh? hehe - where about's in PA were you? I lived about 20 miles north of scranton for most of my life. loved it - but the economy leaves little to be desired in a small country town! i am a teacher, and there - the teachers are in the schools till they die - so there were no jobs. hence, why i moved to MD --- lots of jobs!!!! :) but i'm happy i did, bc i wasn't here a month when i met my vinny - and we've been together ever since. another example of "meant to be".

talk later....... off to curves!!! ;) go me!

[lil'bitty]

GET OUT OF HERE!?! it is so crazy!! we have SO much in common....... meant to be friends, huh? hehe - where about's in PA were you? I lived about 20 miles north of scranton for most of my life. loved it - but the economy leaves little to be desired in a small country town! i am a teacher, and there - the teachers are in the schools till they die - so there were no jobs. hence, why i moved to MD --- lots of jobs!!!! :) but i'm happy i did, bc i wasn't here a month when i met my vinny - and we've been together ever since. another example of "meant to be".

talk later....... off to curves!!! ;) go me!

I grew up in Blairsville, PA which is 20 minutes from Indiana, PA. I went to IUP. I moved to Annandale, VA in 1994, lived there 12 years and then moved here to TX. I don't know if I mentioned but Abram is interviewing with a law firm in Richmond on 1/19 and he has now told his firm here that he is interested in transfering and they are supporting him 100% and he has an interview with the DC firm 1/19 as well!! YEAH. Talked to our real estate agent today too. She thinks she will be able to unload our house here within 45 days (I am praying so:pray2:) ANYWAY....................

["Just Jess"]

I grew up in Blairsville, PA which is 20 minutes from Indiana, PA. I went to IUP. I moved to Annandale, VA in 1994, lived there 12 years and then moved here to TX. I don't know if I mentioned but Abram is interviewing with a law firm in Richmond on 1/19 and he has now told his firm here that he is interested in transfering and they are supporting him 100% and he has an interview with the DC firm 1/19 as well!! YEAH. Talked to our real estate agent today too. She thinks she will be able to unload our house here within 45 days (I am praying so:pray2:) ANYWAY....................

I had a few friends that went to IUP --- not TOO far away.......
Yes, you mentioned you and Abram were looking into coming back this way! HOW EXCITING!!!! You won't be too far from us at all!!! We should do a monthly lunch in DC (about half way) or something!!! What do you think? I have a good friend that lives in Manasas and she and I meet in DC from time to time - it's not a bad drive for either of us.

I'm very excited for you......... I'll keep you in my prayers that everything works out! YEH!!! :pray2: :pray2: :pray2:

[lil'bitty]

Of course I love the city, can we talk about all the wonderful restaurants?????? I was in the hotel business and used to entertain clients downtown all the time. Course I can't afford to eat where I used to entertain, Citronelle in Gtown, Smith and Wollenski, Olives, 15 Ria, DC Coast.........the list goes on..............OK, I'm back, sorta drifted away on memory lane.

Of course we can hook up in DC girl! Can't wait. Told Abram last night that I am starting to get my hopes up and I need to stop!!!! Just in case. I'll let you know!

[dollface]

Hi everyone! I wish I lived close to you guys! I'm jealous. Like I said before maybe we can met at the annual Lap Band Conference when someone puts one togheter. ahahahah. So besides missin you guys, I went for my postop appointment today. Doc says I'm doin good! I have my first fill on 2/13/07. Seems so far away. I'm soooo hungry right now. I feel that's all I say all day. I just went out and bought the famous Laughing cow cheese at Costco... same as like the bulk food stores. I bought 3 wheels for like 8.50 I think. Plus I got some string cheese that really helps when I'm hungry. I had my first chicken dinner last night, pureed of course and it was good. I was scared but it was well worth it. My tummie feels so much better than it did last week. Itty- The side my port is on is the side I sleep on too! I am sooo uncomfortable trying to fall asleep casue that's the side I fall asleep on! Soon baby soon, I keep telling myself. So other than that, I also started working out. I've had my membership for awhile just haven't used it in forever.

Jess- Curves is awesome... Im not sure if I already told you or not but I went there for 1 year and LOVED IT! I lost 23 lbs there and loved all the people too! I quit going there cause it was by a place that I use to work at and I would go durning lunch. Now that I don't work there anymore, I quit and signed up at a gym closer to my house. I was nervous to go yesterday. I did 30 min on the treadmil at 1.5 mph. I will build it up once my tummy heals better. Let me know how the work outs go. I'd love to hear your successs. Ok, hope all is well with everyone.
MK

["Just Jess"]

Of course I love the city, can we talk about all the wonderful restaurants?????? I was in the hotel business and used to entertain clients downtown all the time. Course I can't afford to eat where I used to entertain, Citronelle in Gtown, Smith and Wollenski, Olives, 15 Ria, DC Coast.........the list goes on..............OK, I'm back, sorta drifted away on memory lane. Of course we can hook up in DC girl! Can't wait. Told Abram last night that I am starting to get my hopes up and I need to stop!!!! Just in case. I'll let you know!

YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEH!!!! :) My hopes are up now too!!! hehehe - I will keep my fingers crossed for you! It'll happen! I just know it! :thumb:


Hi everyone! I wish I lived close to you guys! I'm jealous. Like I said before maybe we can met at the annual Lap Band Conference when someone puts one togheter. ahahahah.
i wish you lived closer too!!!! it would be so fun - the three of us!!!! (that, or trouble! hehe)


I'm soooo hungry right now. I feel that's all I say all day. oh, i hear ya!!!! mushies will make you feel better! i PM'ed you what i'm eating each day (pretty much the same - boring - but works!) check it out.


I just went out and bought the famous Laughing cow cheese at Costco... same as like the bulk food stores. I bought 3 wheels for like 8.50 I think. Plus I got some string cheese that really helps when I'm hungry. I had my first chicken dinner last night, pureed of course and it was good. I was scared but it was well worth it. My tummie feels so much better than it did last week. OHHH!! They are so good, aren't they???? They have a 3 pack at BJ's for $6.99!!!!!! I love the creamy swiss and the herb and garlic....... oh, and the french onion! Hell, they are all good so far! (((SECRET CONFESSION: i also like them on a few thin wheats - chewed VERY well... mmmmmmmmmmmm!!!!!)))


Jess- Curves is awesome... Im not sure if I already told you or not but I went there for 1 year and LOVED IT! I lost 23 lbs there and loved all the people too! I quit going there cause it was by a place that I use to work at and I would go durning lunch. Now that I don't work there anymore, I quit and signed up at a gym closer to my house. I was nervous to go yesterday. I did 30 min on the treadmil at 1.5 mph. I will build it up once my tummy heals better. Let me know how the work outs go. I'd love to hear your successs. Ok, hope all is well with everyone. MK
good for you to start working out already!!!!!!!!! :) i feel great after 3 trips to curves this week! I plan on doing the eliptical tomorrow morning with vinny.. the weekend is the only time our schedules cooralate to work out together.

HAVE A GREAT NIGHT EVERYONE!!!!!!!!!! ;)

XO, Jess

["Just Jess"]

off topic - but just wanted to share my happiness with my new friends:

tomorrow vinny and i are going to NYC for the day.....................

TO THE DIAMOND DISTRICT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

woo hoo! :woot:

Just to look at some stones, get some ideas, etc... but I just KNOW an engagement is around the corner for us - and I AM SO DAMN EXCITED!

:)

Have a wonderful MLK day, my fellow December bandsters!!!!

LOVE YA!
xoxox

[christyrn]

Congrats Jess! You deserve all the great things happening in your life now! Christy
p.s. pick a big one!

[lil'bitty]

Congrats!!!!! Let us know ASAP!!

[dollface]

Ummm yeah! That would be so cool, maybe he's going to wait till valentines day! Wouldn't that be sweet! I mean I know you don't want to get your hopes up or anything but maybe! That's cool! I'm sooo excited for you!

["Just Jess"]

hey girls, thanks!!!!!!!!!! :) :) :) :) :) :)

first the good news, shopping went TERRIFIC today. we looked at so many diamonds, my eyes are still seeing spots from all that sparkle (oh, to have such problems! hehe) anyway, i think we found one. i, of course only get to give my input, that's all... but they were all BEAUTIFUL and my vinny has WONDERFUL taste in jewerly and has NEVER EVER disapointed me with other gifts in the past - he narrowed it down to 2 different stones - so i can't wait to see what it turns out to be!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ;) anyway.... i doubt it will be valentine's day - he is the type that will make it our own holiday. he's made mention of that before - not liking the propose on the holiday thing. ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.. i've been waiting for this for over 2 years now (we've been together for over 3 years now). can't wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

now, the bad news (not the same topic):

I AM HUNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNGRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!! the last 2 days nothing is satifying me. i could totally keep eating when i'm done with what used to be perfect. HOW CAN I KEEP THIS GOING TILL MY FILL ON FEB. 2nd?????????????????

help?

xo, jess

[lil'bitty]

Congrats on the upcoming diamond holiday!!!! Sadly, I have a beautiful 1.5 carat princess in a gorgous catherdal set, that I rarely wear!!!!!!!!!!!!!! the whole year of our engagement, I wore it everyday and then the first year of our marriage, but now, I usually just wear the band!! And now I want a new band. Our wedding rings are gold and I usually only wear silver, so now I want a silver band. After I lose some more weight, we have picked out bands from James Avery that we will get.

Anyway about the hunger. I was the same way. I was very aware of the fact there are 2 parts to my stomach and I felt hunger in the lower part, it was bad and scary. I thought that this wasn't going to work for me, but after my fill, I was better and now that I have nixed carbs, I am not craving anything and my scale is moving. I have been sick since Friday guzzling sugary cough medicine and since the weather here is very wintery, my butt has been parked on the couch!

Hang in there girl, it will get better. My nutritionist told me to eat when I was hungery during mushies. she expected me to gain weight during this time (I lost 3lbs becasue I worked at it), but they want to see what your limits are so hang in there!

[Neal R.]

Have fun, sounds like things are really going your way these days! :)

["Just Jess"]

I have a beautiful 1.5 carat princess in a gorgous catherdal set, that I rarely wear!!!!!!!!!!!!!! * WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU????????????????????? I cannot wait! I think I may sleep with it on! hahaha (well, maybe getting a bit a head of myself - let's get through the proposal before I plan on when and where I'll be wearing the ring! hehehe)


Anyway about the hunger. I was the same way. I was very aware of the fact there are 2 parts to my stomach and I felt hunger in the lower part, it was bad and scary. I thought that this wasn't going to work for me, but after my fill, I was better and now that I have nixed carbs, I am not craving anything and my scale is moving. I have been sick since Friday guzzling sugary cough medicine and since the weather here is very wintery, my butt has been parked on the couch!
* I just don't know how I'm going to make it over 2 more weeks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I told myself I am going to drink a full bottle of water everytime my stomach screams for food........ we'll see if that helps! :ohwell:


Have fun, sounds like things are really going your way these days! :) * thanks!!! lot more i need to go my way... but we're working on it! slow and steady, right? hehe :D

["Just Jess"]

Hey everyone... (reposting from another forum to hopefully get more feedback):

So, I am officially on day 26 since surgery. A couple days from my one month bandiversary. I've been doing really well. No complications after surgery, no issues with starting a work-out routine, no food stuck or anything like that... and up until a few days ago - I felt GRRRRREAT!

Now, starting on Friday, I am just ravenous!!! No matter what I eat, I am not satisfied. I am eating a cup or better of my mushies and it is JUST NOT cutting it. I've been careful with carbs, sugars, etc.. and still............................................? ??? I start solid food next week and I'm TERRIFIED bc that is when people say to expect to put a little weight back on. But I haven't lost any in the last week! NADA. In fact I've gone up a little. My weight was down to 291.2 (back on 1/5/07) now it is back up to 293 as of this morning - and it's been back and forth between 292 and 294 this last week (I KNOW, I KNOW - scale whore - :o - what can I say???).

And to make matters worse, Vinny (bf/roommate) is starting to question my choices (ie: "do you really want another wedge of cheese?".... "you're not really hungry", etc., etc.) which is REALLY frustrating, bc he has been SO supportive along this journey. He keeps telling me how proud he has been of me, and doesn't want to see me screw it up now................ omg, what if I do???

I guess the reason I wanted to start this thread was to ask for your advice. What was your week 4 period like - end of mushies, beginning of solids? What did you do? eat? feel? Were you satisifed? How did you feel prior to that first fill? Was it at 6 weeks for many of you? Or sooner? later? I just feel so discouraged today. So down................ I know I made the right decision in doing this for myself, I do not doubt that. BUT that being said, what if I screw it all up now bc I can't stop at 4-8 oz. of food a sitting???????????? I am following all the rules. Protein, protein, protein. It's just not enough anymore.

HELP!????

[lil'bitty]

Also girl, i think I mentioned this above, they expect you to gain now - you are still healing - it will come off I promise, just relax. I'm with ya sista, it's hard and you want the weight off NOW, but relax, k!! Once you start solids it may go up even more. My Nut. said some people gain back their presurgery weight during this time. you have been on starvation and now are adding in more food. They want to see how much you can handle. When I hit solids I was handed a food diary and told to record everything so they can see what I am eating and how much to see what needs to be adjusted. HANG IN THERE!!!!

[503-250]

BE CALM ALL IS WELL!

Of course you are hungry, no human can live on only mushies. But, hang in there, focus on getting some zero or low calorie snacks and avoid the fattier or carb snacks as those trigger more hunger.

By week 5 I was ready to knock people down and take their food. I know where you are, I know a cup seems like a ton of food compared to your previous 4 oz, but compare it to what you used to eat. Just try and only eat when you are hungry, but don't let yourself get to starving either. Sugar Free Jello and Puddings were my saviours...specifically the jello.

You mentioned that you will start drinking too...good, water will help reduce that hunger. It wouldn't hurt to call the nutritionist either.

My wife is also positive (but sometimes over questions what i'm eating too). Most of that is nerves, they are nervous about your health, and they have some nerve to ask.

[lil'bitty]

Ok, so after being soooo good and following rules, I decide this morning as I am getting into the frig to decide what to feed everyone, that since I am going for a fill tomorrow and may or may not be able to eat some of the foods that up until now I have been able to eat..............that I'll indulge a little today. I hate some crackers, and I ate a WHOLE chili dog with cheese and onions and a few fries, oh and after that I ate a piece of pecan pie.................not only am I SURE I need a fill, but physically, I feel like CRAP and I feel like continuing eating.............DAMN THOSE CARBS! I feel like napping and I NEVER nap! I am seriously avoiding carbs the rest of the day in hopes of pulling myself out of this funk.............YUK!!!!

["Just Jess"]

Also girl, i think I mentioned this above, they expect you to gain now - you are still healing - it will come off I promise, just relax... HANG IN THERE!!!!
I'm trying............................


BE CALM ALL IS WELL! Of course you are hungry, no human can live on only mushies. But, hang in there, focus on getting some zero or low calorie snacks and avoid the fattier or carb snacks as those trigger more hunger.
thanks for sharing! i feel better hearing from all of you that you went through this as well................. and i agree about the significant others just being nervous. i mean, vin and i have been together now for over 3 years and just in that time alone he has seen me do nothing but fail at all my attempts to lose weight, so what IS he to expect this time, you know? so i understand why he may be nervous. i just don't need any additional criticsm lately, i am so SOOOOOOOOOOOO stressed about not being able to get HUNGER off my mind.


not only am I SURE I need a fill, but physically, I feel like CRAP and I feel like continuing eating.............DAMN THOSE CARBS! I feel like napping and I NEVER nap! I am seriously avoiding carbs the rest of the day in hopes of pulling myself out of this funk.............YUK!!!!
good luck, terri! i guess "last meal syndrome" occurs both before surgery AND before fills, huh? sheesh! i thought i was through the tough part! :ohwell:

__________________________________________________ ____________

i have to say - it's so helpful knowing what has come before me... those of you who are WAY ahead and those that are just a few weeks ahead... and it's also nice to know those that are coming behind me may be learning something from me as well...... this is QUITE the journey.

[lil'bitty]

I mentioned you to my fill nurse today. She agreed, that you could very well gain over the next few weeks. Jess let me say that at one point few weeks back, I thought that I had done all of this for nothing!!! I wasn't losing, I was hungry, it sucked! Then, and I hate to beat a dead horse, but I focused on eating more protein, and followed the rules to a tee. I feel amazing, and I am going to wait until tomorrow to see if I have lost anything today since I was just filled, before updating my ticker, but I am down a few lbs just this week. Your time will come darling!

I am off tomorrow to buy a George Foreman Grill! We have an outside Grill that we are used to using and LOVE, but with Abram working late many nights (he does most of the grilling), and we trying to juggle getting the girls fed and working on something for us, I just haven't been grilling. I am hoping this will help. I am so into eating chicken (steak is my meat of choice, med. rare - YUM-O). I may have mentioned this somewhere else but these are my meals:

1/2 breast grilled and then topped with:
PESTO (OMG YUM)
Salsa and Shredded cheddar
Marinera with Mozerella
Slice of smoked ham (from deli) and slice of baby swiss
Olive Tapenade and Feta Cheese
Bleu Cheese and Gound bacon (I am afraid to swallow bacon cuz I can't chew it up enough so I grind it once cooked til crispy with my Braun Stick Mixer)
Can you think of anything else?????

[TinaQ.]

I'm 2 weeks out and the worst time for me to feel hungry is when my family is eating dinner. I still try to sit with them because it's the only time we're all together (everyone is so busy) without any distractions. THAT HAS BEEN SO HARD!

My dr. does full liquids for 4 weeks instead of 2-3 like so many. I'm trying to stick with it but you're right Jess, this is QUITE a journey (and not an easy one at times either). I'm going to stick with it though because we going to Disneyland on March 3rd and I want to be able fly and ride rides comfortably. I'm taking my 4yo daughter and she is so excited. I booked our trip tonight and when we told her, her eyes lit up so big. I loved it!

Vacation with the band...an entirely different post <smile>. I will have had my first fill for a couple of weeks by then so I'll hopefully have a little bit of a clue as to what I'm doing by then.

You all are so great and although I don't post a lot, I love reading your stuff!

["Just Jess"]

I mentioned you to my fill nurse today. She agreed, that you could very well gain over the next few weeks. Jess let me say that at one point few weeks back, I thought that I had done all of this for nothing!!! I wasn't losing, I was hungry, it sucked! Then, and I hate to beat a dead horse, but I focused on eating more protein, and followed the rules to a tee. I feel amazing, and I am going to wait until tomorrow to see if I have lost anything today since I was just filled, before updating my ticker, but I am down a few lbs just this week. Your time will come darling!
how sweet are YOU???????????? thank you for thinking of me. and thank you for knowing EXACTLY what is going on in my head ---- "did I do this ALL for nothing..." "it's not working for me"... etc, etc. i will try to get more protein in - but i have to admit, i DO NOT like the prognosis of GAINING over the next couple weeks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ugh!

F-R-U-S-T-R-A-T-I-N-G!!!!!!!!!!!!

how many lbs. did you lose initially? then gain, before your first fill? remind me. thanks!


I am so into eating chicken (steak is my meat of choice, med. rare - YUM-O). I may have mentioned this somewhere else but these are my meals:
well, i'm not eating solid foods until next wednesday... and haven't had any chicken yet (outside of the nuggets I confessed to -- bad, jessica) but your chicken recipes sound great!!! i mostly prepare chicken by marinating it lemon pepper, BBQ, tomato sauce, etc... but I do not know what any of those marinades are as far as carbs are concerned, so I may be moving away from them........ so thanks for the ideas!!! if i come up with any on my own, i will let you know! have you had any steak/beef dishes yet? if so, how did you do?

terri, you've been my very best friend on here and your support is just PRICELESS and i can't thank you enough for all you've done (both privately and publically) to help me through this journey, as I trail behind a few weeks behind you...... love ya, terri!

THANK YOU! :)

["Just Jess"]

I'm 2 weeks out and the worst time for me to feel hungry is when my family is eating dinner. I still try to sit with them because it's the only time we're all together (everyone is so busy) without any distractions. THAT HAS BEEN SO HARD! My dr. does full liquids for 4 weeks instead of 2-3 like so many. I'm trying to stick with it but you're right Jess, this is QUITE a journey (and not an easy one at times either). I'm going to stick with it though because we going to Disneyland on March 3rd and I want to be able fly and ride rides comfortably. I'm taking my 4yo daughter and she is so excited. I booked our trip tonight and when we told her, her eyes lit up so big. I loved it! Vacation with the band...an entirely different post <smile>. I will have had my first fill for a couple of weeks by then so I'll hopefully have a little bit of a clue as to what I'm doing by then. You all are so great and although I don't post a lot, I love reading your stuff!

good luck, tina - and :welcome:! this is the hard part, they tell me.... "bandster hell" they call it! so, welcome to hell!!!!!! my doc had me on full liquids a bit longer than most as well (3 weeks) but i cut that a bit short and snuck in some mushies for dinner that last week... now i'm officially ON mushies and sneaking some solids............. there is something wrong with me. i've always been a rule follow-er EXCEPT when it comes to food. so i hear ya!!!!!!!!!!!

fitting into rides comfortably... that is not even something i thought about!!! how great will that be!? vinny and i travel so much that for me, it's been airline seats that i've been focused on. (oh, and booths!!!!!!!!!!!! WITHOUT boobies on the table!!!) hehe ;)

well, hope you start to post more... it helps to talk it out! even though i feel completely miserable right now - i felt awesome after reading terri and your posts... and responding of course. i just can't wait for my first fill to get this party started, you know????

GOOD LUCK and keep us posted on your journey!

[lil'bitty]

Girl, you made me cry!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am telling you, I was close to saying to hell with it!! I was depressed!!! I didn't think it woul work. But again, I was going thru the holidays and struggling with all of that. I gained 6 lbs over the holidays, but I was chowing on all my fav foods, including sweets, but I knocked them right off once I got back on track and got my fill. Keep in d that I did Atkins (my pre-op diet)for 3 weeks before surgery and lost 14lbs.Since my band I (7 weeks) I have lost 19 in that time, which docs are very pleased with. I of course want more!!!!

get to solids, then your fill and you will be fine!!! Love ya to sista!!!

["Just Jess"]

Girl, you made me cry!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am telling you, I was close to saying to hell with it!! I was depressed!!! I didn't think it woul work. But again, I was going thru the holidays and struggling with all of that. I gained 6 lbs over the holidays, but I was chowing on all my fav foods, including sweets, but I knocked them right off once I got back on track and got my fill. Keep in d that I did Atkins (my pre-op diet)for 3 weeks before surgery and lost 14lbs.Since my band I (7 weeks) I have lost 19 in that time, which docs are very pleased with. I of course want more!!!! get to solids, then your fill and you will be fine!!! Love ya to sista!!!

hahaha -- we are SO alike.... I cried while I was writing it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! hahaha

solids on THURSDAY!!!!! WOO HOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Let the countdown begin!
4, 3, 2, 1.... CHICKEN! :) :) (chicken that I can CHEW!) :woot:

[lil'bitty]

Can't wait to give you a great big HUG!!!!!!! Oh, and maybe we will celebrate and share a dessert when we see each other!!! Waiting for Abram to get back from VA and see if he accepts the job offer from this inrviews yesterday before we book out flights to VA in March. He may very well be there already and the girls and I will be coming up to house hunt!! I am already packing the house up in my mind!

["Just Jess"]

Can't wait to give you a great big HUG!!!!!!! Oh, and maybe we will celebrate and share a dessert when we see each other!!! Waiting for Abram to get back from VA and see if he accepts the job offer from this inrviews yesterday before we book out flights to VA in March. He may very well be there already and the girls and I will be coming up to house hunt!! I am already packing the house up in my mind!

Oh, i hope everything goes well!!!!!!!!!!!! (for my own selfish reasons now too - i want to meet you and have you close! hehe) but seriously, i do hope everything turns out just as you hope! :) my fingers are crossed for you! :D

["Just Jess"]

Yo, MK - what's up????? Where'd ya go to? Keep us updated on your progress........ hehe

Just wanted to let you know I'm thinking of you! Hope all is going well!

[lil'bitty]

MK, come out, come out, wherever you are!!

Jess, job is his, we are just waiting on the $$$$$$. We won't put this house on the market until beginning of May and pray it sells in 60 days!!! I am however looking online at houses! we hope to know by the middle of the week!

["Just Jess"]

Jess, job is his, we are just waiting on the $$$$$$. We won't put this house on the market until beginning of May and pray it sells in 60 days!!! I am however looking online at houses! we hope to know by the middle of the week!

YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEH!!!!!!!!
:D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

I am so excited for you!!!! keep me abreast of how it's going - i'll keep you and your family in my prayers that everything goes smoothly (and quickly) for you!!! :) :woot: :woot: :woot:

[lil'bitty]

Thank you as always!!

[dollface]

HEllo My Lovlie Ladies!!!!!

I see you've missed me!!! I can't wait till the reunion, then I will get to meet you both!!!! I know that's a long time coming but seriously we should do it in the near future... It would be like the first ever annual lap banders meet!!! I'm a big dork when it comes to things like that. Anywhoo - I'm frezzing my bootie off over here in Chicago and I've got to warm my car up like 20min before I leave every morning, and I'm even parked in the garage. I can't wait till it gets a little warmer, hopefully by then I will feel good enough to wear a tank top. I've always been so self consious about my arms. So on that warm note, how's the weather by you gals? Hopefully warmer than here. Ok, just wanted to say hey and tell you I didn't fall off the face of the earth. I love how you guys were trying to call me out with the MK Come Out Come OUt where ever you are!!! That was funny!!!!!

Kisses girls,
MK

[lil'bitty]

FINALLY!!! MK, if your bootie is freezing off, then I'm coming to chicago to get mine frozen off!!! LOL!!!! glad to see you around!

["Just Jess"]

HEllo My Lovlie Ladies!!!!!

I see you've missed me!!! I can't wait till the reunion, then I will get to meet you both!!!! I know that's a long time coming but seriously we should do it in the near future... It would be like the first ever annual lap banders meet!!! I'm a big dork when it comes to things like that. Anywhoo - I'm frezzing my bootie off over here in Chicago and I've got to warm my car up like 20min before I leave every morning, and I'm even parked in the garage. I can't wait till it gets a little warmer, hopefully by then I will feel good enough to wear a tank top. I've always been so self consious about my arms. So on that warm note, how's the weather by you gals? Hopefully warmer than here. Ok, just wanted to say hey and tell you I didn't fall off the face of the earth. I love how you guys were trying to call me out with the MK Come Out Come OUt where ever you are!!! That was funny!!!!!
Kisses girls, MK

hey dork! i am the SAME way --- i get so exited so easily with stuff like that. for instance, we're planning our 10-year highschool reunion right now and i'm SOOOOOOO psyched to see the people i've lost contact with ((i went to a small school with only about 110 graduating seniors - many of whom i still keep tabs on via email, myspace, etc.)) anyway, WELCOME BACK!!!! hope you stick around this time!!!!!

yeh, chicago is known for his chill, huh? we have very close friends that live in oak park (know it?) we go out to visit them at least once a year... usually around october when the bears play the 49ers (the boys go to the game and the girls go to the spa - it's a GREAT weekend!) i love that bar you have down town - the red head piano bar - SO FUN! anyway, maybe i'll have to look you up next time we're in town!!!!! ;)

and speaking of getting together --- we really DO have to have a B2G convention! who could we talk to about the logistics of something like that. do you think the interest would be wide enough to pull it off? we could rotate locations each year, so that it is eventually conveient for everyone... I WOULD EAT SOMETHING LIKE THAT UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! then again, if it doesn't come together - MK, you can just fly on down to DC and meet up with me and terri once she gets her cute little butt moved up here to VA! woo hoo!!! :D




FINALLY!!! MK, if your bootie is freezing off, then I'm coming to chicago to get mine frozen off!!! LOL!!!! glad to see you around!
froze your butt off? oooooooooo.. i want some too!!! ((we finally got some snow here in MD - 2 hour delay on Monday - but it is mostly melted already and back in the 30's-40's)). NOTHING like the NEPA snow i dealt with most of my life!!!!! but i don't really miss that. vin and i plan on relocating to AZ within the next 5 years-ish. (after i get my masters and we're married, etc. hopefully)

kisses all!! nightie-night! :kiss:

[dollface]

Ok, so Jess, I live like 1 hour away from OaK Park!! What a conincedense (I'm the worst speller in the world if you haven't already noticed so please forgive me) So yeah in October we should toatlly make plans to get togheter. Plus by then we both should have lost alot of weight and it will be fun to take pics and then we will post them. How about my BEARS team making it to the Super Bowl? I'm so excited for them. First time in lots of years. I had my 10 year reunion this past November, I didn't go cause all the people that I still talk to from HS didn't go and I just said forget it. I think I will go to my 20th reunion. That should be fun! You know what... I've had a question for Itty bitty.... Is your name Jess too? My real name is Michelle but I've been called MK for a while now cause my last name starts with a K! So if you guys were wondering why I use my initials that's why! So girls I wonder how all the other banders around our band dates are doing? I don't see many other girls on here in the past couple posts. We need to get them back on here. I know, I know, I am the one that should practice what she preaches! LOL. I promise I won't ever go long again without keeping in touch with all of you!! Ok, Must go to my night class... Oh by the way, Jess, How did your class go last night? How's the soft foods Coming? Me - SPLENDID!!!!!!

["Just Jess"]

OK! i found our "reunion/convention"... it would be SO great to meet everyone and THIS sounds much more affordable and doable than the island retreat someone else posed earlier...
check it out if you haven't seen it yet:
http://band2gether.net/showthread.php?t=1691
anyone wanna share a cabin with vinny and i???????? c'mon guys - lets go to BAND CAMP!!!! hehehe

((how cool would it be to ACTUALLY use the phrase "this one time, at band camp ______________" hehehehehehe))

["Just Jess"]

Ok, so Jess, I live like 1 hour away from OaK Park!!
wow!!! close to the airport?
What a conincedense (I'm the worst speller in the world if you haven't already noticed so please forgive me) So yeah in October we should toatlly make plans to get togheter.
YES!!! that would be AWESOME!!!
Plus by then we both should have lost alot of weight and it will be fun to take pics and then we will post them.
YEH!!! we'll be SKINNY MINI'S!!!!!
How about my BEARS team making it to the Super Bowl? I'm so excited for them. First time in lots of years.
honestly, i could care less - but vinny is excited! hahaha (i like the commercials!)
You know what... I've had a question for Itty bitty.... Is your name Jess too?
no, her name is Terri --- but this is another Jess on here (JDru)
My real name is Michelle but I've been called MK for a while now cause my last name starts with a K! So if you guys were wondering why I use my initials that's why!
would you prefer to be called michelle?
So girls I wonder how all the other banders around our band dates are doing? I don't see many other girls on here in the past couple posts. We need to get them back on here. I know, I know, I am the one that should practice what she preaches!
..................ok - i don't have to say it, bc you DID! haha
LOL. I promise I won't ever go long again without keeping in touch with all of you!!
you better!!!
Ok, Must go to my night class... Oh by the way, Jess, How did your class go last night?
ummmmmmmm... it's totally gonna KICK MY ASS! how's that? it's a psych class - which i usually enjoy (development through the lifespan) and the professor talks a MILE A MINUTE! lord, help me!!!!!!!!!
How's the soft foods Coming?
tonight, i had chicken, mashed potatoes and my FIRST PIECE OF TOAST!!!!!!!! (i had rye/pumperknickle swirl bread) yummmmmmmm!!
Me - SPLENDID!!!!!!
good... glad to hear it!

["Just Jess"]

Feeling emotional this morning and I just wanted to take this opportunity to say to all my BEST BANDSTER BUDDIES:

:kiss: THANK YOU! :kiss:

You support here is INVALUEABLE to me!!!!!!!!!!!!! And I mean support with EVERYTHING! From weight, to band issues, to relationship stuff, just life in general!!

Isn't it funny to think this group of people, many of whom you probably will never meet, make SUCH a positive impact in your life???? I posted something similar to this on my "1st solid food" thread - but felt compelled to state something similar here, bc YOU ALL - ON THIS THREAD - are the BEST! We all started around the same time, and are going through the same stuff around the same time, and therefore just have bonded due to our similar circumstances. So, THANKS AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (and to those of you who come and help us out on this thread, even though you're veterans - we LOVE YOU TOO!!!!!!!!!!!!! Just as much! Thanks for all the INCREDIBLE advice, etc.!) :) :) :)

MY FIRST FILL IS THIS FRIDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LET THE COUNTDOWN BEGIN!!!

[reblynd]

Jess..you are too sweet. I always look forward to reading your post. They make me smile!

["Just Jess"]

Jess..you are too sweet. I always look forward to reading your post. They make me smile!

thank you! that is sweet of you to say! and i am glad to make someone - anyone - smile!!!! :) :) :) :) :) take care, reblynd!!!!

[503-250]

So, THANKS AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (and to those of you who come and help us out on this thread, even though you're veterans - we LOVE YOU TOO!!!!!!!!!!!!! Just as much! Thanks for all the INCREDIBLE advice, etc.!) :) :) :)


Errr um....I'm a veteran, but I am also a December Surgery....so where do I fit in in all of this?

Meantime...don't over focus on the fills, thats only part of the work.

You're doing great, don't give the band and fills all the credit you know what I'm sayin?

["Just Jess"]

Errr um....I'm a veteran, but I am also a December Surgery....so where do I fit in in all of this?
well, that makes you a december veteran! :)


You're doing great, don't give the band and fills all the credit you know what I'm sayin?
you're right....................... thanks for reminding me!!!!!! :D

["Just Jess"]

just wanted to share --- did my first measurement check in on 5 weeks since surgery... check out my results:function pop_help(){ window.open("inches_help.asp", "bmi", "width=320px, height=330px, location=no, resizable=yes, scrollbars=yes, status=no, top=200, left=200"); }function beg(){ var dltj = "N"; if(dltj == "Y"){ alert("The measurement set you selected has been deleted successfully.");}}
www.weighttracker.info (http://www.weighttracker.info/)
1/28/2007 8:36:43 PM
This is a printer friendly report of inches lost (or gained) for user jameza1978

Chest
Your Progress Start:57.5 Latest:55 Loss:-2.5 Date:12/17/06 Readings:2

Waist
Your Progress Start:52.5 Latest:51.25 Loss:-1.25 Date:1/28/07 Readings:2

Hips
Your Progress Start:56.5 Latest:56.25 Loss:-0.25 Date:12/17/06 Readings:2

Abdomen
Your Progress Start:55.5 Latest:54 Loss:-1.5 Date:12/17/06 Readings:2

Upperarm
Your Progress Start:17.25 Latest:17 Loss:-0.25 Date:12/17/06 Readings:2

Forearm
Your Progress Start:13 Latest:13 Loss:0 Date:12/17/06 Readings:2

Thigh
Your Progress Start:28.5 Latest:28 Loss:-0.5 Date:12/17/06 Readings:2

Calf
Your Progress Start:19 Latest:17.5 Loss:-1.5 Date:12/17/06 Readings:2

Neck
Your Progress Start:17.5 Latest:16 Loss:-1.5 Date:1/28/07 Readings:2
Total inches lost: -9.25 inches

[dollface]

Hey Jess,
I can't wait for this friday for you. I hope it helps out on not feeling as hungry. Great job on all the inches lost! YOu go GIrl on all that success so far~!!!!!

I am starting to feel the hungryness again so I've got to keep it under control for another 2 weeks. My laughing cow cheese is starting to get old only cause I eat it everyday as a snack. I'm afraid to have carbs (any kind) cause of the weight gain. I keep going up 2lbs, then down 2lbs... So I don't know why that does that. Not many people have noticed my 17-19 lb weight loss. Which kinda hurts in a way cause of all the work that I've been putting into this. My mom says that it will come with time and not get upset about it as long as I know it's working and feeling better that's all that matters. I'm not gonna lie, I like the attention when someone says they have noticed I've lost weight. It really picks up my spirtis and makes me work harder towards my goal. Does anyone else feel like that? Has anyone made any of thoes recipies that were from the Lapband Cookbook? I haven't made anything yet cause of time with school and work, so my meals are basic that include chicken salad and tuna salad all the time. I do eat a good meal when my mom makes dinner but that's not everyday. That's like once a week that I eat her dinners. I make smoothies for breakfast that have the 6oz of yougrut, frozen fruit and skim milk, but that only tides me over for an hour or two and then my stomach starts growling uncontrollably!!!!! I keep forgeting to eat my otmeal that will proubaly do the trick! Does anyone have any ideas of quick meals I could make on the go besides a Carnation instant breakfast? Like for dinner ideas? So as I munch on my laughing cow right now I think of all my friends on here. It's funny cause there is not a day that goes by that I don't think of you guys and how your doing.

Jess, Can't wait to hear how your fill goes! I am excited for you and greatful your a couple weeks ahead of me cause your the one that has fresh off the press answers for me!!!! LOL.

[Neal R.]

Doing great Jess, good luck with your fill :)

["Just Jess"]

I am starting to feel the hungryness again so I've got to keep it under control for another 2 weeks. I make smoothies for breakfast that have the 6oz of yougrut, frozen fruit and skim milk, but that only tides me over for an hour or two and then my stomach starts growling uncontrollably!!!!! I keep forgeting to eat my otmeal that will proubaly do the trick! Does anyone have any ideas of quick meals I could make on the go besides a Carnation instant breakfast? Like for dinner ideas?

I hear ya girlfriend!!!! I suggest doing protein shakes instead of smoothies for breakfast - they will keep you more satisified - they work for me, anyway. ;) oatmeal when i have more time --- they also make those oatmeal cups too, i sometimes eat that in the car on the way to work!! as far as dinner suggestions - i eat chicken, turkey, fish, last night we had ground turkey tacos (yum!), tonight i had a rye and pumperknickle reduced fat peanut butter and sugar free jelly sandwich!!! i was craaaaaaaaaaaaaving PB&J! It was soooo good!!!! :) terri had some great chicken recipes i've tried that were AWESOME - try the ham with a slice of swiss cheese (courdon bleu! mmmmmmmmm..) also, i found a pesto/sun-dried tomoto paste you can smear on it, also try tomato sauce with low fat mozzerella... lottsa fun stuff you can do! :) don't be afriad to try! let me know how you're doing - i was in your shoes not too long ago - and GOD i know it's hard... good luck to you!!! hang in there..... i'm starving right along side ya, babe! trust me - we can do this!!!!!!!!!!



Doing great Jess, good luck with your fill :)
THANKS, NEAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :) :kiss: :)

[dollface]

JESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

HOW WAS YOUR FILL TODAY? I"M DYING TO KNOW. Hope all went well, I thought about you all day long sweetie!

MK

[503-250]

OK jess...so how was it...there's a big story to be told and you are just the chica to do it.

["Just Jess"]

MK and 503 -- thanks so much for thinking of me!!!!!!!!!!! i posted a message on the fill thread:
http://band2gether.net/showthread.php?t=1764 but i will repost here (since there is such a demand! hehehe)

i will add this to other not-yet-filled peeps: it may be the LOOOOOOOOOOOOONGEST needle you've ever seen, but really NOT that bad! honestly! and i'm a big baby!

anyway - reposting:

Well... it's done ---- but what a morning it's been!!!!

I went from :D to :( to :yell: to :dizzy: to :ohwell: to :) all pretty quickly!!!!

First, :D: I had my appt. for my fill at 9 am this morning. He took me right away when I got there and we sat and chatted for a while - what's working... what's not.. etc.. etc.. (he seemed surprised that I've had NO issues with any food... I eat chicken almost every night, bread - no issues, etc.. etc..) Anyway, he has me lay down on the table and numbs me up (NOT NEARLY AS BAD AS IT IS HYPED UP TO BE!!!!!!! just a little prick and I felt nothing more) He then proceeds to stab me with the longest needle I've ever seen. Asks me to puff out my belly (yes, I MAY have been holding it in.. hehe) and keeps sliding it around. I thought he hit it when I felt something inside - but apparently not... it continued............ I started to get pain from puffy my tummy out as hard as I could, so I tell him this and he lets me relax a moment - then asks me to puff it out again.

Next, :(: Still no go...... So he cleans me up, puts a band-aid on it and tells me we'll have to try it with the flouro. I ask "where do we go for that?" and he says "oh, you'll have to schedule an appointment with them".

side note: (((Jessica feeling: :yell: inside... but keeps her cool!)))

Now, :dizzy: : I calmly explain that I took a half day to come in because the secretary told me that you only do fills in the morning, so that x-ray is available if you can't find the port and need to use the flouro. I then nicely ask if it was possible to get me in while I was there. (Oh, I forgot to mention that i live about 50 miles from the hospital - so it's not like it's around the corner to go and try again tomorrow)

Next, :ohwell:: He says he will have the secretary call over there and see if they can squeeze me in. She calls.... They can.... We go....


More :dizzy:: They take me in and sit me down next to a man in a wheel chair, dressed in an orange jump suit with cuffs on his wrists and ankles - with an correctional officer on each side. ((DEEP BREATH - STAY CALM)) I sit and wait for the person to check me in. They quickly check me in - send me off to get dressed in that lovely hospital gown - then I sit in another waiting room...........

Finally, :): They take me in and mark the spot - again numb and stab me. This time, IT ALL GOES IN! (all 2cc's of it in my 10 cc VG band, that is) and 2 minutes later, I was done!

Gee, I can't wait till next month!

[dollface]

Holy Snickes...... You did have one heck of a day! I'm glad after all that you had to go through you finally got it done! I would have been furious if I left there with out a fill! You are soooo funny with all your smiley faces! That is a wonderful way of telling me how your really felt. It was a cute idea.

I also can't believe that your hospital is 50 miles away. I think mines half that and it's in the city so traffic sucks.

It looks like your fill went great besides all the other mumbo jumbo crap. I'm glad you survived the LONG ASS NEEDLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I will make sure that I don't look at it.

How was your first eating experience? I'm going to look on your other thread and see what you put on there. Let me know how it all goes.

MK

[MRSAUJON]

Jess,

Your stories are always great. I was banded jan 15th so I would like to join in on these threads and keep up with all of your good ideas. I to am hungry and have been eating more. I was wondering should I be able to eat a whole can of soup at one time? I definetly can feel the difference from now and right after surgery. I have my first fill scheduled already, lol and its not until 03/13, I can't wait......... aggghhh how will I control the head hunger.

Nicole

["Just Jess"]

How was your first eating experience? I'm going to look on your other thread and see what you put on there. Let me know how it all goes. MK
i already wish he gave me more than 2 cc's --- friday i stuck to mushies and saturday was back to normal. nothing i tried gave me any issues! it was vinny's birthday so i took him out for lunch to a mongolian grille he loves (i had noodles, chicken, and veggies in mine) and to a sushi place for dinner (i had miso soup and vegetable tempora - he eats the sushi, not me!!!) later on that night, we ever shared his "birthday cookie" that i slammed a candle into!!! hehehe (white sugar frosted with red hearts - yum! although i shared my half of 7 grams of fat... eek!)
anyway, today i'm making my famous chili cheese dip and plan on eating some of that with some tostidos for the superbowl party we're attending.
thus far, NO complaints. No issues. I just wish I felt fuller faster. but I am not hungry all day like i was before... so that's good!!! right now i'm sucking down my isopure vanilla powder mixed with light cran-grape....... my fav new protein mix! ;)
talk soon!!! when is your first fill?

["Just Jess"]

Jess, Your stories are always great. I was banded jan 15th so I would like to join in on these threads and keep up with all of your good ideas. I to am hungry and have been eating more. I was wondering should I be able to eat a whole can of soup at one time? I definetly can feel the difference from now and right after surgery. I have my first fill scheduled already, lol and its not until 03/13, I can't wait......... aggghhh how will I control the head hunger. Nicole

hey nicole! :welcome: to our dear group of the december (and other winter-time) bandsters!!! :) we should change it to winter bandsters, huh?
anyway, i digress........ let me tell you sister - I HEAR YOU hear you hunger! that was the hardest part to conquor... but let me let you in on a little secret i've found out (now, mind you i am not medical professional - this is just my little 2 cents - feel free to take or leave it) i found when i was hungry that i should eat something and i almost immediately always felt better... ANNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNND best part: the scale approved!!!!!!!!!!! the higher calorie days i had - i lost more weight the following (now, i'm taking tenths of a pound - but that's a hell of a lot better than not seeing the scale move at all, right?)
and i don't know what your nutritionist told you, but my menu pre-solids was to eat every 2-3 hours as hungry. (if not, i skipped it, but that didn't happen too often) here is a sample day of me on mushies:
7:30 - protein shake
10:30 - couple wedges of laughing cow cheese (love that stuff!)
12:30 - atkins shake or baked sweet potato or yogert smoothie or soup
2:30 - string cheese and sometimes a couple wheat-thins chewed well!
4:30 - fat free/sugar free pudding or jello cup
6:30 - pureed turkey chili (MY FAV mushie food -check out the recipe thread for great recipes!!) sometimes over a half baked potato with reduced fat cheddar cheese
8:30 - sugar free fudgsicles, popsicles, or jello
*** IN between I'd have tea, water, etc... If I couldn't make it the 2 hours (which sometimes, believe it or not, I couldn't) I'd have more cheese, jello, or pudding.

no, i do not think it is odd at all that you can eat a whole can of soup. i did! i mean, soup goes right through... how could you not eat the whole can and not feel full???

head hunger is a beast! we all struggle with that. but when it is physical hunger - eat! good luck with your fill next month! hang in there, and any time you have a question - don't be afriad to ask! :) :) :)

[dollface]

My first fill is next tuesday the 13th! I can't wait cause I've been at a stand still on the weight for the past 3 weeks. I just can't get to 20lbs yet and it's killing me cause I'm working so hard at it. I know, I know. I've gotta give it some time. So is 2 cc's normally what they do the first fill? I'm going to have to talk to my doctor cause I am a self pay and I don't want to be going in for a fill every other month if she is going to just do it tiny bits at a time. It's $250 everytime I go. I mean that's not much compared to what alot of other people pay but it could get expensive ya know! What else is going on? I seen that you and vinny went to a sushi place! I love the habachi style food where they cook it in front of you. I have sushi as well. We'll have to do that when you come in October when you visit your friend. I know it's far away but I'm excited to meet you!

Ok, I have to go now. I have to do some work for my All About Pleasure business.

Talk to ya later.
Kisses,
MK

["Just Jess"]

first of all, your pic is adorable!!!!!!! :) how cute are you?!
secondly, good luck on your fill - let me know how it goes!!!!!!
now, to answer your question... 2 cc's is normal for my doc for the first fill in a VG band (my band holds 10 cc's when full). so there are a couple of factors that go into deciding how much is enough. if i was paying $250 a fill you better believe i would put up a fight for more than that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
how did you know we went out of sushi??? he loves it (i hate it) however, i do love the tempora! and i also love habachi food!!!! mmmmmmm!!!
and i hear ya with getting close to - but not surpassing 20 lbs. that didn't happen until DAY OFF my first fill!!!!!!!!!! ;) so, it'll happen!
talk soon!

[dollface]

Thanks,
I've always been self consious about how I look and finally I feel a bit better about being in pictures. So thanks! It took me awhile to get to putting my pic up. Plus only my family knows about me getting the band and one of my closest friends. That's it. I don't feel I need to shout it to the world yet that I have the lap band. I will when I'm ready.

I read one of your other threads that you and vin went to sushi for dinner. I tried it once (califorina roll) GROSS!!!!!!!!!!!!! I hope it didn't sound like I was stalking you. Sorry!

Is everything going down OK? I pray for you that you don't throw anything up. I'm so afraid of that! I haven't had any type of bread yet? Have you? I'm afraid if I do I will gain some weight back. Carbs are my total downfall. I want to put up more pics of me. Maybe I should start a journey. I'd like to put a full body pic so everyone can see what I look like. Thoes profile pics are so small that you can hardly see people in them. So maybe I'll do that. I just think that it might be too early to do a journey huh?

Ok, well I must be going.
Talk to ya later.
MK

[lil'bitty]

Mk, you look so great!! carbs are evil!! I limit my carbs very strictly, and amazingly, my cravings go away. Matter of fact, after my last fill, I am not interested in food much at all. I told Abram that I was afraid that I wasn't eating enough. I have been sick lately though and last week I had so much drainage, that I think my pouch was full if you know what I mean and I couldn't eat. I actually drank hot tea and some SF pudding that I laced with a scoop of protien powder and that was it. UGH! I just ate an Atkins breakfast bar and that filled my up!

["Just Jess"]

Is everything going down OK? I pray for you that you don't throw anything up. I'm so afraid of that! I haven't had any type of bread yet? Have you? I'm afraid if I do I will gain some weight back. Carbs are my total downfall.
everything is going down ALL TOO WELL! yes, i've tried bread - i eat that rye/pumpernickle swirl bread - no issues. i also had corn tortillas with fajieta's (sp?) out with some work people a week or so ago. i need to be more careful with my carbs, i love baked potatoes and that swirl bread i was talking about.

ps: Y-E-S MORE PICS! (i actually posted my belly scar stages in the gallery! EEK!) but there is something liberating about being so exposed when you feel so badly about how you look. does that make any sense? i mean, if we can't be vonerable here with each other - when we're all going through the same things, where can we be?


Mk, you look so great!! carbs are evil!! I limit my carbs very strictly, and amazingly, my cravings go away. Matter of fact, after my last fill, I am not interested in food much at all. I told Abram that I was afraid that I wasn't eating enough. I have been sick lately though and last week I had so much drainage, that I think my pouch was full if you know what I mean and I couldn't eat. I actually drank hot tea and some SF pudding that I laced with a scoop of protien powder and that was it. UGH! I just ate an Atkins breakfast bar and that filled my up!
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!! Terri, would you mind sharing a day or 2 of your diet journal? it appears i need to take a more carb-conscious look at life. maybe that would help??? i am SOOOOOO happy for you, but insanely envious as well! :) I LONG for the day where I look at vinny with all sincerity and say "I don't think I'm eating enough" hahaha!

love ya!

["Just Jess"]

hey all - i just sent some hate mail over to the nurse practitioner that works for my surgeon's office (kidding about the hate mail - but it was completely a frustrated rant) anyway, she called and they are bumping my 2nd fill up 2 weeks!!!!!!!! woooooo woooooooooo! and due to my difficult tummy thick skin last time - they are scheduling me right for flouro! :)
i am psyched!

terri - i still want your diet logs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i am convinced i need to be more carb-free to get the scale moving! please share! :) thanks! love ya!

[lil'bitty]

hey all - i just sent some hate mail over to the nurse practitioner that works for my surgeon's office (kidding about the hate mail - but it was completely a frustrated rant) anyway, she called and they are bumping my 2nd fill up 2 weeks!!!!!!!! woooooo woooooooooo! and due to my difficult tummy thick skin last time - they are scheduling me right for flouro! :)
i am psyched!

terri - i still want your diet logs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i am convinced i need to be more carb-free to get the scale moving! please share! :) thanks! love ya!

Great News Jess!!! I had fluro for both my fills cuz my port is tilted.

I don't log, I am so bad. I am scheduled to see nutritionist for follow-up next week and I am going to be in trouble!!! Maybe I will journal this week!!

Here was yesterday:
Atkins Advantage bar - 3 carbs

3 oz of sausage - cooked on the grill
2 laughing caow wedges

2 oz grilled chix breast with 1T of pesto

handful of pork rinds with ranch dip
1 c land-o-lakes SF whipped cream from can (0 carbs)

I am suffering from a bad sinus infection, which is part of why I am not eating much. I can't taste anything, my chest hurts from coughing and I have a lot of mucus draining into my pouch (don't mean to be gross). Last year I did my version of Atkins, which is similar to how I am eating now and lost 50lbs in 5 months. I also did this for my pre-op and lost 14lbs in 3 weeks. I am not losing like I normally do when eating like this. Not sure if it's because I am sick or what. I am going to stick with it a little while longer and hopefully when I am feeling better, it will make a difference. Off to journal!

["Just Jess"]

Terri -- how are you feeling? sinus infection gone yet? that just sucks! i hate being sick!!!!! thanks for sharing what you're eating. i NEED to do a more carb-careful approach to get these scales moving! i can't wait for my next fill. I HOPE I HOPE I HOPE i feel something different this next time!!!!! pray for me!!!! hope to hear from you soon!!!! :)

MK --- good luck with your fill Tuesday! nice Valentine's gift to yourself! let us know how it goes!!!!!!!!!

[dollface]

Thanks!!!! I can't wait. I'm going to tell her to fill it to the brim!! LOL!! J/K I've only had a couple experiences of feeling uncomfortable while eating. I can't do sausage. I tried it the first time and it hurt really bad and I tried it again thinking it might be better and it wasn't? Has anyone else had trouble with sausage? I've also known that if I eat WAY TOO FAST, it hurts like a SOB!!!!! Ouch. I know then it's time to stop. It's like a burning feeling that comes and goes every 15seconds until the food passes at the bottom of my esophagus!

Tonight were suppose to get a big snow storm. Has anyone had snow storms in there area? I'm getting really sick of the cold. I hope it starts to warm up soon. I thing that little guy that comes out of the ground seen his shadow so the warmth will sooon be coming.

MK

["Just Jess"]

yup yup - suppose to have a SNOW DAY tomorrow (3 inches over night and ice) although it is only 40 now! hmmmmmmmmm...

i have not had any problems with ANYTHING i've eaten. I've had chicken, sausage, BEEF, bread, etc.. etc.. NADA. no issues. not that i WANT issues - but i want to feel restriction!

hope you get to your appt. tomorrow through the snow! :)

["Just Jess"]

well -- no snow here this morning, you?

NIX THAT! (now it's 1 pm and we just got out 3 hours early!) hahaha ;)
let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

["Just Jess"]

I'm still missing my Terri --- oh where, oh where in the world is she?????

[lil'bitty]

Here I am, back in action!! MK, I haven't had any problems eating anything yet, and I have had my second fill. I still think that I eat too fast and sometimes take bigger bites than I should and on a few occasions, I can feel my food getting stuck and ALMOST could feel the slime coming on, but drank a little water, walke around and it passed. Working this week on focusing on eating slower and smaller bites.

[dollface]

Thanks for letting me know about the foods you guys are eating. I just had my first fill today and it wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be.

First of all, I went there this morning in the snow storm we are having!!! How dedicated am I???? I got there and was the first appointment. I paid my $250 and went straight to Fluro. I guess that's were they do it at my hospital. They go straight to fluro. I was the first appointment so once I got in the waiting room I was first to go in!! I was more nervous than when I was waiting to get my surgery!!!! How lame was I! So then I go into the room and lay down. I got to keep my clothes on and my shoes!!! So they all messed around with the machine a little and they numbed my stomach. It was the same as when they numbed my hand to put in my IV when I got banded. anyway I felt a little pressure and was able to see all of it on the screen! I had to drink the fruity barium (to me it's not as nasty as people say it is) and I seen it go through my esophagus and down my stomach. I seen it go slow when she put all of the 2ccs in it ( My dr says I have a band size of 10, one of the smallest ones) Does that sound right? I'm not sure what the sizes mean. If anyone can explain the sizes to me that would be greatly appreciated!! I'm so excited to have the band start working. I am extremely hungry though cause I can only have liquids today. I had some SF Jello though and it didnt' hurt. So it took a total of 5 minutes and then they slapped a bandaid on it and ok, see ya later!!!! That was easy as pie. I just hope that it works for a while and then I don't have to go back and dish out another $250. Im so scared to eat solids it's scary!!!! Oh and when I weighed myself this morning I am finally down 20lbs!!!!! Yipeeee what a day I had. I can't wait to step on the scale tomorrow. So other than that Everything went so fast. I'm so happy it's over!!

By the way....... I still haven't recieved my Vday gift and my girl that I've had hasn't said anything yet on receiving hers. The magazine subscription I got in the mail was from one of my girlfriends around here as a Vday gift so I know it wasn't from one of my B2G friends. Does it normally take over a week for someone to get something in the mail? My person had an apartment # I think and I'm all nervous that maybe the mail man put it in the corridor and someone stole it!! I hope not cause I really put alot of thought into that gift. I will be soooooooooo pissed!!!!!!!! What about you Jess???? Ok, girls, it's time for me to hit the books. Can't wait to tell you how my first solid goes down.

Kisses,
MK

[lil'bitty]

Good luck with your fill MK!! I hate getting filled (hope no newbie sees this) I hate needles and it HURT!! I had fluro with both fills. They gave me a picture of the first one which was cool. Anyway, I am so in a rut, need to exercise, but am so not motivated.

["Just Jess"]

i need to exercise more too. i love it once i get there --- why does it take fighting with myself to get me there!?

anyway, MK - glad to hear that your fill went so smoothly! i thought it was pretty painless too. i really hyped myself up for nothing! HOWEVER, although my doc did it under flouro bc he couldn't get it in the office, he did not have me do a swallow. perhaps if he did i would be feeling some sort of restriction!!!!!!!!!!!! (side note: my fills are covered - if i had to pay $250 for nothing that last time - i would be raising HELL!)

now, regarding the band sizes ---- to my understanding there are 2 bands (at least 2 that my doc uses by a company called inamed). a 4cc band and a 10cc band. the 4cc band is for people with a smaller BMI and the 10cc band for those of us with the higher BMI's (like me, who started at a BMI of 51) :) hope that helps!

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW **enter grumbling and growling here** regarding the valetine's day exchange. i also put a lot of thought into the gift of my secret val pal (although not so secret anymore, as joyce posted the names of everyone and their counter parts today -- grrrrr!) anyway, i sent mine out on the first of february!!!!!!!!!!!! how can it not be there yet?? it was going to texas (surprise!) but i am SO regreting buying insurance for it, so i could track it's every move!!!!!!!!!! GRRRRRRRRRRRR.... so, i empathize, MK! (((and apologize to you, Terri!)))

http://bestsmileys.com/valentine2/8.gif Happy Valentine's Day, everyone!!!! http://bestsmileys.com/valentine2/8.gif

["Just Jess"]

MK - this thread is for you - it has ALL the info you could ever dream of wanting to know about the different bands (and i was wrong, there are 4 different kinds apparently!) check it out:

http://band2gether.net/showthread.php?t=278

AAAAAAAAAAAAND here are the highlights (aka: "cliffnotes"):

Technical Lap-Band Reference
I was doing a little research on the band types and came up with a data sheet supplied by Inamed that is quite interesting.

It gives information on the four band types:

9.75 cm (4 cc capacity)
10 cm (4cc capacity)
11 cm (9cc capacity)
Vanguard (10cc)It also has a reference on the surgery technique and complications.

It's a fascinating read for the technically / clincally minded http://lapbandtalk.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

It is far to big to attach, so here's the link:
http://www.inamed.com/pdf/health/941...Data_Sheet.pdf (http://www.inamed.com/pdf/health/94163_04_LB_Product_Data_Sheet.pdf)
The VG and 10cm bands
I came across this picture and thought you all might be interested in seeing the differences between these two bands. Notice how thick the 10cm band is compared to the thinner VG band. The difference in size between these bands is the inner circumference. Anyway, here they are:




http://band2gether.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=127&d=1157711176

[dollface]

Jess--- Did I ever tell you that your the BOMB!!!! Thanks so much for giving me this information. I have looked at it and it's sinking in a little. I just want to know one thing. Would a size 10 band be the biggest casue of the size. For some reason my dr is saying it's the smallest band out there. Is that because we can put more cc's in there than others so it gets smaller. I'm still a little confused about that. Maybe I will have to call and talk to her about it! Again thanks.

I also wanted to share that I just put on my velour outfit that I haven't been able to wear for like 1 year. It has the hanger marks on it still cause it was hanging in my closet for the longest time. I actually like how it looks on me. Of course though I still feel "Large and in charge" in it but I think with us women we will always think that we are big. I mean when I was 140 pounds (before I had Ty) I thought I was a fat ass. Hopefully when I get there again, I won't be saying that.

So I must go and try to get rid of this awful hunger headache that I have!
TTFN
MK

[lil'bitty]

Jess--- Did I ever tell you that your the BOMB!!!! Thanks so much for giving me this information. I have looked at it and it's sinking in a little. I just want to know one thing. Would a size 10 band be the biggest casue of the size. For some reason my dr is saying it's the smallest band out there. Is that because we can put more cc's in there than others so it gets smaller. I'm still a little confused about that. Maybe I will have to call and talk to her about it! Again thanks.

I also wanted to share that I just put on my velour outfit that I haven't been able to wear for like 1 year. It has the hanger marks on it still cause it was hanging in my closet for the longest time. I actually like how it looks on me. Of course though I still feel "Large and in charge" in it but I think with us women we will always think that we are big. I mean when I was 140 pounds (before I had Ty) I thought I was a fat ass. Hopefully when I get there again, I won't be saying that.

So I must go and try to get rid of this awful hunger headache that I have!
TTFN
MK

Ok, we don't even want to talk to you who has slipped into ONERDERLAND!!!!! congrats on the NSV with the outfit.

["Just Jess"]

first of all, CONGRATS ms.onederland already!!! sheesh!!!!!!!!!! i'm with terri, i may not talk to you for a while.

secondly, from what you're telling me (and from how small you must be) i think you have the 10cm NOT 10cc band. as in it is 10 centimeters long NOT the one that holds 10 cc's of liquid. that's just my guess!!! it might still be good to ask to get clarification.

and btw, i can't take credit for that info - it was hijacked from p'nut's thread. ;)

and last but not least, CONGRATS on your first NSV!!!!!! velore! how daring! hehe.. good for you.. you skinny ass, you!!!!!!!!! ;)

(((pssssst... terri, let's take her out back and kick her tiny ass, whatdaya say?)))

[dollface]

You guys are halarious (SP?)!!!!! I do think I would like it though so it might not do any good!! (getting beat that is) HAhahahah lol.

Ok don't be mad I was trying to figure out what onederland meant! I guess that's the blonde talking... LOL but seriously it took me like 2 minutes to figure it out. It means in the 100's dosen't it!!!!! Well just so you guys know I stepped on the scale this morning and it said 200.4...... WTF???? Sorry for that but something is totally wrong with my scale (or atleast I like to think so) It was being so good to me there but then it went and ruined my high. I guess I've been a bad girl with eating. I've gotta get back on track and do good.

I'm thinking maybe I need another fill already. I mean I feel getting full faster but I don't feel the restricition as soon as I should. I know I'm totally eating different (becasue of portion size) but maybe I'm just not eating the right things. Too many carbs I think.

So how are you girls doing? Eating? Excersing? Temptation of all the bad stuff out there? Chocolate? Eating out? Let's see what else........ oh and have you guys had any alcoholic drinks yet? I love martinis and was wondering if you guys like them too!!!!!!

Let me know how your doing!!!

MK

[503-250]

Hi Dollface...stinky traitor dollface who got all skinny and is under 200 lbs....don't be all cocky now, if I drop a few more lbs, I will be within 200lbs of catching up.

Meantime...about the booze. One time when I was camping, a little drop of whiskey may have slipped into my diet coke...accidentally. That same horrible accident happened the next night too...appearently those 1.75 liter bottles aren't as big as they seem, the two empty ones at the end of that weekend looked teensy tiny. Funny thing is I lost a ton of weight that weekend.

I don't recommend drinking for the following reasons:
1. P'Nut and the other mod overlords will have me beaten, tarred and feathered and dismissed to crappy forum nightmare land.
2. Medical people say it's bad.
3. It's allegedly empty calories.
4. I have RA and gout, and alcohol has no effect on them, but it does make me forget I have them until I sober up. This means I move around a lot more drunk then I do sober...so that probably explains the weight loss.
5. Alcohol is a drug and we should never abuse drugs, we should gently caress them and make them our friends and invite them into our giant mugs and inhale their heady aroma and then warm our bodies with their delightful feeling.

That last one isn't a big helper is it?

Doesn't matter...it's just for MK or should I say Dollface who got all skinny and is cute...well LA DEE DAA!

p.s. congrats and welcome to onederland...that's one hell of a nice job you're doin.

["Just Jess"]

So how are you girls doing? Eating? Excersing? Temptation of all the bad stuff out there? Chocolate? Eating out? Let's see what else........ oh and have you guys had any alcoholic drinks yet? I love martinis and was wondering if you guys like them too!!!!!! MK
i know we're not suppose to --- my doc recommends waiting 6 months... but PHOOEY on that!!!! when out, i drink my vodka and cranberry's with the best of them! when in, i usually go through about a bottle of red wine a week (ish) - HEY! don't judge - i spend most of my week with 10 year olds!!!!!!!!!!! ;) (((ps: i also love martini's - but the fru fru kind.. and i know they are FULL of calories bc of the cosmo mix or appletini mix, etc. - so i stay away from those currently)))

as far as answering the "how am i doing" question..... COULD BE BETTER! i am eating OK. my choices could be better - like you said, i should watch my carbs more carefully. i love curves (et.. em.. once i get there!!) the funny thing is, you have to GET ME THERE! sheesh! i don't know why it's so difficult!!!!!!!!!!!! but i've been going 2-3 times a week... i need to up that.

tempation............... hmmmmm.. i may have succumbed to some chocolate eggs i saw on sale in the store over this past snowed in week. BUT i have only allowed myself one handful each day! ((in the past, i would have downed that bag before nightfall on it's first day in my home!))

ok - that's about all from me on my check in! thanks for asking!!! i miss you guys, we need to post here more often!!!!!!!!!!! shuold we have a daily, every couple days, or even weekly "question" or "topic of discussion"? that everyone in our dec. little possee would come and comment on? something as simple as MK's "are you avoiding tempation" or other issues dec. bandsters may face... what do you think???





I don't recommend drinking for the following reasons:
1. P'Nut and the other mod overlords will have me beaten, tarred and feathered and dismissed to crappy forum nightmare land.
2. Medical people say it's bad.
3. It's allegedly empty calories.
4. I have RA and gout, and alcohol has no effect on them, but it does make me forget I have them until I sober up. This means I move around a lot more drunk then I do sober...so that probably explains the weight loss.
5. Alcohol is a drug and we should never abuse drugs, we should gently caress them and make them our friends and invite them into our giant mugs and inhale their heady aroma and then warm our bodies with their delightful feeling. p.s. congrats and welcome to onederland...that's one hell of a nice job you're doin.
503 - i just love you! you crack me up around every corner!!!!!!!!!! you go on with your bad self "movin and shakin" and stuff around the campfire!!!

question - did you say you drink diet coke???

[503-250]

question - did you say you drink diet coke???


WHAT? ...no...definitely not...ok yes...but I didn't mean it.

OK...I will admit I can drink diet soda...but I only do it when im getting drunk

["Just Jess"]

NO FAIR!!!!!!!!!!!
**walks away stomping feet with bottom lip hanging low**

[503-250]

Diet soda aint all its cracked up to be...now Jack Daniels and Dickel Brothers whiskies are a totally different story.

What do ya drink, I bet I can find a nice substitute for ya.

["Just Jess"]

i'm a vodka girl as far as drinking is concerned... i will surely miss beer this st.patty's day though - as we are bigtime green partiers (nickle drafts at 6 am, etc.. etc..) i'm going to be an EXPENSIVE date this year!!!!!!!!!!!!

as far as soda goes --- i LOVE LOVE LOVE diet rootbeer or diet birch beer! also love diet orange and diet cherry coke. any substitutes from those??

[503-250]

I'm going to assume you can't do carbonation, or I would suggest the world's most famous LA drink.
The Skinny Bitch (Vodka and Diet Coke)

beyond that, Vodka isn't high in calories or carbs, it's negative side effect is that it gets digested and burned first...which leaves the valuable foods to be disposed of instead of used.

How about these:
Vodka and Pineapple Orange Crystal Light
Vodka and Cherry Pomegranate crystal light

A great new one without vodka is dasc's zero cal marguerita mix...it's really good and good for you.

["Just Jess"]

zero cal margaritas, huh??? i like the sounds of that!!! i will def. try that one out!

regarding carbonation, i have not tried it yet - i SO fear the gas will expand the pouch, making the lapband ineffective. i hard some people can have it - but how do you take that chance??? can you tell in one small sip if you will have a problem or not?

["Just Jess"]

hey guys......

i need to know how other people are feeling who had surgery about the same time i did - end of december 2006.

i just feel so icky. i feel like i don't even have a band.

i NEED NEED NEED to ge to get out of this rut. i hate feeling unsuccessful. i want to know what this restriction is SUPPOSE to feel like. that is the whole reason of getting the band right????????? ugh!

i look at other's month-to-month shots and they look SO different each time and have lost a good 10 or so lbs. each month......... not 2-5! or NOTHING. ugh.\

SO FRUSTRATED.... anyone have similar issues? or any advice?????

[lil'bitty]

I'm going to assume you can't do carbonation, or I would suggest the world's most famous LA drink.
The Skinny Bitch (Vodka and Diet Coke)

beyond that, Vodka isn't high in calories or carbs, it's negative side effect is that it gets digested and burned first...which leaves the valuable foods to be disposed of instead of used.

How about these:
Vodka and Pineapple Orange Crystal Light
Vodka and Cherry Pomegranate crystal light

A great new one without vodka is dasc's zero cal marguerita mix...it's really good and good for you.

Wal-mart brand "Great Value" of Crystal Light has a SF Cranberry juice that I have all of my neighbors and my kids addicted too. It's great with vodka and a lime wedge!!! 0 cal/carbs

[cvorhis]

:nod: 503-250 What's this about a lapband cookbook? Tell me more. I'm a Dec. 12 baby and I just had my second fill on Thurs. Doing well, but want a little variety in my foods. Lost 42# so far.

[dollface]

503.... thanks so much for the info on the drinks. I never thought about drinking with my crystal light. GREAT IDEA!!!!! "The skinny bitch" is far from skinny. I do have to say I still have a huge gut that will have to be removed surgically to get me to the "skinny world". I've got alot more situps to do!!!!!!

Jess, I'm totally feeling you! I had my fill almost 2 weeks ago and can eat everygthing in sight!!!!! I've had many full chicken breasts at dinner with the potatoes and veggies. I haven't gained anything but not losing either. I feel like I can eat just as much as I use to before the band. I mean, I watch my portions now but I'm sure I could eat just as much!

I'm going to call my dr on monday and make another fill appointment (that is if she lets me) I mean I seen on the screen in fluro when I drank the fluid that It was restricted but for some reason IT AINT WORKING.

Now please don't think that I am one of thoes who wants ALL my weight to drop NOW. I know that it takes time and work and that's fine with me cause I want to do it the healthy way but I need some RESTRICTION TOO!!!!! You are not alone. Maybe your next fill will help. When is it scheduled for? I am going to go hit some golf balls in the dome tomorrow to get some excerise in. Maybe I need to start working out harder. I hope maybe your next fill will do the trick.

Kisses to all
MK

["Just Jess"]

:nod: 503-250 What's this about a lapband cookbook? Tell me more. I'm a Dec. 12 baby and I just had my second fill on Thurs. Doing well, but want a little variety in my foods. Lost 42# so far.
i don't think i've seen you around the site, cvorhis?? :welcome:! you're a dec. bandster too!!! wonderful! tell us more about yourself!


Jess, I'm totally feeling you! I had my fill almost 2 weeks ago and can eat everygthing in sight!!!!! I've had many full chicken breasts at dinner with the potatoes and veggies. I haven't gained anything but not losing either. I feel like I can eat just as much as I use to before the band. I mean, I watch my portions now but I'm sure I could eat just as much!
hey mk - i had a long talk to today with 503 and he smacked me around a little... now i feel better. i need to stop comparing myself and my journey to others... that is what is getting to me. and yes, i could be doing MORE. i need to start focusing on what i CAN do - the whole thing with the fills and my damn doc is out of my control - i am at his mercy. i already paid my COMP fees and don't really want to go elsewhere and pay again, you know? i am just so sick and tired of looking at all of me, you know? how sad is that? ugh. oh well.
and listen, you skinny, ass, you! (hehe) it is going to go slower for you bc you have so much less to lose than so many of us. working out will help though, you're right! get that tiny ass moving! ;)
love you all! xo

[503-250]

:nod: 503-250 What's this about a lapband cookbook? Tell me more. I'm a Dec. 12 baby and I just had my second fill on Thurs. Doing well, but want a little variety in my foods. Lost 42# so far.

Lapband cookbook link sent via private message, let me know if you have any problems....and congrats on the 42 lbs...way to go!


503.... thanks so much for the info on the drinks. I never thought about drinking with my crystal light. GREAT IDEA!!!!! "The skinny bitch" is far from skinny. I do have to say I still have a huge gut that will have to be removed surgically to get me to the "skinny world". I've got alot more situps to do!!!!!!

LOL...I think many of us will be naked in a plastic surgeons office saying the words....my bellybutton will be where?

["Just Jess"]

LOL...I think many of us will be naked in a plastic surgeons office saying the words....my bellybutton will be where?
hahahaha! (can't wait for THAT day!!!!)

[dollface]

Have anyone of you farted non stop after eating Sugar free candy?

I know it's kinda a funny question but just wondering. The other night I had 4 sugar free twizlers and a chocolate dove candy (SF too!) I was in bed (by myself) and couldn't stop cutin them loose!!!!. I have never biffed that much in my life and the only thing I could think of the cause was the SF candy. I know they say that it can be a laxitave if consumed in excess but I didn't consume in excess. I had no pains or stomach ache but I just couldn't stop tooting!!!!! Please let me know what yall think. I think I'm gonna post a poll and see if anyone else has this problem!!!!

Your fellow tooter!!!
MK

["Just Jess"]

:hahalaff: hahahahahahaha :hahalaff: LAUGHING HYSTERICALLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

well, i have to be honest, i'm a pretty gasey girl by nature... but have seen no difference with the addition of sugar free candy. :)

but thanks for the laugh... my god, i needed that!!!!!!!!! :hahalaff:

love you, mk!!!!

[lil'bitty]

Have anyone of you farted non stop after eating Sugar free candy?

I know it's kinda a funny question but just wondering. The other night I had 4 sugar free twizlers and a chocolate dove candy (SF too!) I was in bed (by myself) and couldn't stop cutin them loose!!!!. I have never biffed that much in my life and the only thing I could think of the cause was the SF candy. I know they say that it can be a laxitave if consumed in excess but I didn't consume in excess. I had no pains or stomach ache but I just couldn't stop tooting!!!!! Please let me know what yall think. I think I'm gonna post a poll and see if anyone else has this problem!!!!

Your fellow tooter!!!
MK


every since being banded, I have been a gas bag!!!!!!!! I know that when I ate low carb (atkins), I never farted, but when I eat those evil carbs, toot toot!!!

[dollface]

What's up ladies!

Along with the tooting. I burp a lot! My classmates are wondering why I'm so gasy, cause I've been letin out my burps a little and they all laugh. Glad I can be the amusment for my classroom! LOL!

Still haven't lost any weight and starting to get frusterated. I only lost 2 lbs from my fill and I'm going on 4 weeks. Errrrr.

Jess when you getting your second fill?

["Just Jess"]

F R I D A Y!!!!!!!!!!!!!

omg, it can't come fast enough! don't ask me how i am until saturday, ok?

how did it go with you and your doc regarding the rude receptionist?

you have the 4cc band right?

[dollface]

I have no clue what size band I have. All I know that it is a 10. What ever that means. I am going to talk to my nurse tomorrow and ask her if she can look it up for me. Cause I asked at the time I got my first fill and the dr said she didn't know she would have to look it up in my chart. Now don't you think that she would know that before she went in there and put saline in it?????? Hellllooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo. Anywho..... I don't think that's me about the rude receptionist. You might be talking to the wrong girl about that. Let me know saturday how it goes. I won't ask again. I am going to set up another appt. tomorrow for my 2 fill, I think I could get it as early as next tuesday.

["Just Jess"]

Hellllooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo. Anywho..... I don't think that's me about the rude receptionist. You might be talking to the wrong girl about that. Let me know saturday how it goes. I won't ask again. I am going to set up another appt. tomorrow for my 2 fill, I think I could get it as early as next tuesday.

whoops! i think that was christie --- i'm sorry!!!!!!!!! she had a bad exchange with a recptionist.

anyway, your doc should ABSOLUTELY know the size of your band pre-fill, bc that is what is suppose to gadge the size of the fill you get!

what is going on with these docs out there?????????????????????

god complex much?

["Just Jess"]

hey! where is everyone in our dec. group???????????????????????

topic: to drink or to eat solid breakfast...

discuss!

[dollface]

FOr me most of the time I make my bannana yorgourt shake cause of school I have no time to make a solid breakfast. So I say DRINK!! So much eaiser and faster.

Jess, I see you lost some weight!!! CONGRATSSSS!!!! I bet you feel great. I am so proud of you!!!!!!!! Good job girl~

MK

["Just Jess"]

interesting... i go back and forth --- sometimes i'll eat a protein bar or atkin's breakfast bar --- othertimes i'll grab a slim-fast high protein shake or other canned protein suppliment. i remember my doc saying solid protein keeps you fuller longer - so if i'm hungry i make it solid!!! :)

nice to see some activity back on our thread! i miss our dec group!!!!!!!!!

yes, i lost a LITTLE weight. not getting too excited yet. haha

love ya!

["Just Jess"]

:eyerub:
I did not want to post this on the main forum, bc it is so small - but I wanted to share it with you all bc we all started around the same time and you can appreciate this maybe more than some others - but anyway, I had my first NSV this morning!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The computer tech at our school, whom I see every Monday (then sometimes other days of the week) says to me today: "Are you losing weight? You look really good!" I about died!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I said "WOW! Thanks for noticing!!! I have lost some weight... not much about 23.1 lbs."
We proceeded to talk about what I'm doing to lose (I shared that I'm trying my best to keep my diet high protein and low carb and that I'm seeing a nutritionist - left out the part about the lapband - not that it matters right now anyway, as it does not work yet - but that's another story for another day)

But I was so psyched that SOMEONE FINALLY NOTICED MY EFFORTS!!! WOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOO! :woot: :sun_smiley:

thanks for listening!

i want to try to breath some life back into this thread......... c'mon everyone! where are my december buddies???

:) talk soon!

[dollface]

You know I am around and about!!!!


CONGRATSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS. I can't express it enough how much you deserve to get some great compliments. That is proubaly one of the best feelings for you. Did I ever tell you how proud of you I am? You are rockin on girl and I'm glad someone noticed your weight loss. Dosen't that want you to do better at it and keep going? It's a must in the weight loss to hear that every once in awhile.

Kisses,
MK

["Just Jess"]

yeh, i feel icky lately and probably will continue to feel so until i get this losing starting.......................

but thanks!! :)

["Just Jess"]

just wanted to let everyone know i have my 3rd (well, being the "2nd" technically happened during the port re-stritch procedure, would that make this the 2nd?)

anyway, i have another fill scheduled for this wednesday! i'm very optomistic that this one will give me some restriction!! please send a happy thought my way around 3:30!!! :) thanks!

[lil'bitty]

Congrats on your NSV - they are the best especially when your scale isn't being all that good to you!!! Do I see a waist in that avatar? I remember you telling me that you didn't have one? I see one clear as day!! Great job jess!

["Just Jess"]

ooooooooooooooo... THAT, my friend is an illusion!!!!!!!! hahahaha - you get good at creating those, you know?

and that picture was taken 3 years ago (i was about 50 lbs. lighter)

but thanks! :)

how ya feeling? any better?

*** i want to breathe some life back into this thread!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[503-250]

found a local scale here and have weighed in...4lbs so far...I think there will be alot more based on the amount of walking and moving im doing this week...not to mention a lot of stress related PBs.

["Just Jess"]

ut oh... what are you stressed about, 503? dump it on us - so you can relax!!! :)

[503-250]

I'm just worried about my dad, he had a heart attack on Thursday and i've been in AZ since then. Family is being....a nuisance and we aren't getting a lot of good news about Dad.

["Just Jess"]

Oh my! I am so sorry to hear that, Ralph!!!!!!! I will keep your dad in my prayers. Hope he pulls through!!!

[lil'bitty]

Bear, sorry to hear about your dad. You and your family are in my prayers!

["Just Jess"]

hey just checking in on my dec. surgery buddies........ how is everyone doing? losing? i wonder how i compare to those who had surgery around the same time i did... i've only lost about 25 lbs. now. you?

i think of you all often! :) hope everything is going well!!! i miss my bandster bff's!!!!!!!!!!! MK!? CHRISTY?! TERRI?!

Where for art thou????

[503-250]

/me lays on the floor and cries....

WAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH you left me out...

["Just Jess"]

WAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH you left me out...


:Cry: oh bear, don't cry!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :sun_smiley: SMILE!!

i "left you out" bc you were not banded this past december!! i cannot compare my loss to yours - you've been at it a bit longer, no?

and for the record, you know that you are one of my fav guys on here (B2G hubby, remember?) haha --- no worries... you're right up there on the "BFF" list!!! :) how ARE you doing, anyway????

[503-250]

I'm a december bander...just a year earlier...there aren't any other december vets. I'm all alone...like the island of the misfit toys.

["Just Jess"]

well, i guess we'll have you then!!!!!!!!! "december bandsters unite" is our title after all! we never specified any particular year! ;)
so you're in!

oh, and pssssssssssst... remind me to teach you the secret hand shake! :)

[christyrn]

Hey Jess....I am here. So excited about our fill this week, arent you? I am really hoping this will be the sweet spot for us this week. I am doing good, enjoying Mothers Day. I have slept and ate all day....ummm french toast, grits, eggs, spagetti, blueberry pie....NOT KIDDING. OMG someone stop me and rush me to the fill place. :-) Oh well. Are you doing ok? I bet you are so glad school is almost over for the year huh? My mom teaches, dad is a principal. They cant wait. I am jealous, but then again, I only work 2 or 3 days a week, so I cant complain. Let me hear from you soon. hugs, christy.

["Just Jess"]

I am doing OK - thank you! school is out on june 15th for the kids... yes, that's 23 more school days... yes, i'm counting each and every one of them.

happy mother's day to you, btw!

i had to giggle when you said "our fill"... that's funny!!!

[christyrn]

Jess, you should move to the south. The kids get out this week here. But they go back really early, like first week of August.

[503-250]

Anyone else ever feel like certain months are out to get you?

I've been in a restaurant almost every night this month. Picking healthy food has become my worst nightmare...I am weighing in next tuesday, my prediction is a 15lb gain.

[Neal R.]

I'm a december bander...just a year earlier...there aren't any other december vets. I'm all alone...like the island of the misfit toys.


HERMIE??????



Anyone else ever feel like certain months are out to get you?

I've been in a restaurant almost every night this month. Picking healthy food has become my worst nightmare...I am weighing in next tuesday, my prediction is a 15lb gain.


I bet you will be surprised. I bet you come through this just fine! :)

["Just Jess"]

Anyone else ever feel like certain months are out to get you? I've been in a restaurant almost every night this month. Picking healthy food has become my worst nightmare...I am weighing in next tuesday, my prediction is a 15lb gain.

naaaaaaaaaahhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!! my prediction is MUCH MUCH less than that!!!! :) you might surprise yourself! :)

[dollface]

Helllooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!! I have not been around lately again I am so sorry for that but I've been focusing on finals and have been so consumed with that it was a nightmare! I'm finally done with this semester just 3 more to go. I start summer school in a week and a half so I'm going to try and enjoy my time off that I have.

I am actually losing slowly. I am up to 31 lbs now. I was at a stand still until this morning. I lost 2 lbs finally! So being more active cause it's warm out might have something to do with it. I have another 10 lbs to go for my mini goal. I want to try and lose it by the end of June. It's so hard though, I'm sure everyone agrees. I like what I'm doing though. I eat pretty much whatever I want (with exceptions of not hogging down on breads) and watching my portions. So I know my slow process is becasue of that. I'd rather be happy eating what I sorta want then eating like I'm on a diet or something. Don't get me wrong, I still make healthy choices, I just substitute the "bad" things a couple times a week.

So how's everyone else? It has been a long time since I've talked to you guys. I'm having trouble asking myself if I need another fill or not. I have some resestince like a 4 on a scale of 10 and I can feel it sometimes (it goes on and off all the time) so I'm just wondering if I should feel resistance all the time? I can tell that mornings are difficult for me to eat solids cause my band is the tightest then but some days it suprises me and lets me eat them. Weird this thing is!!!!! So I'm wondering if I should get another fill or just wait till I'm not losing anymore? Does anyone have any suggestions?

Ok, Must go get ready for work.

Love ya guys!
MK

[christyrn]

Hey MK...sounds like my band. I too am tightest in the morning. I have noticed when I drink really icy drinks, it tightens also. I also am not the best dieter in the band club. I eat what I want sometimes too. I cant eat bread either. I know I need more protein but it takes longer to eat and I often wait until I'm starving and try to scarf it down. Anyway, despite all the issues, like what you mentioned, I had a fill yesterday. Just .4 cc's. I am a total of 3.4 now in a 4 cc band. I think this is so funny. I had my surgery just 2 weeks before you. I weighed 220 before. I now weigh 188.6. Are you a shorty like me..I am just 5'2". You must be taller because I noticed your goal is 160. Mine is 125-130. Anyway, my fill has not made that much of a difference so far. Definately not too tight. How much are you able to eat at a time?

[dollface]

Hey christy!!

We sound like lap band twins!! How cool is that. I am actually a shorty like you 5' 3". I just didn't want to set my goal so small incase I couldn't get there. So I've started out with 160 then told myself that I would lower it once I get there. I would love to get to 125-130 though. That sounds like a really great number. I will have to get my boobs done and a tummy tuck. My belly looks horrible with all the stretch marks from my son 7 years ago when I was preg with him. So that is on my wish list thoes two surgeries.

About the eating... it all depends on the type of day. I think this thing has a mind of its own. Some days I feel like a chunker and can eat a lot of stuff. Then there are days where the food gets stuck then I throw it up or I get full super fast. So I have to test it out every morning to see what type of day I am having.

I haven't really been working out as much as I should. I do have to say I am active with working at a hospital 3 days a week and bartending 2 days a week. So I'm on my feel constantly. I wear a pedometer everyday to get to my 10,000 steps goal. (they say that is what you should have to stay healthy). Right now I am eating a salad. I know really late at night but I don't go to bed until late anyway. My schedual is totally wacked! It's great to hear of someone who is almost exactly the same as me with the band and all. You will have to let me know how this past fill is working for you. I might go in for another fill in a month or so. I'm really unsure.
Keep up the great work. Dosen't it feel great to finally lose some weight?

Kisses,
MK

[christyrn]

YES.....I was wondering if I would ever lose weight. I dont exercise enough either. I should probably set my goal lower too but last time I got to 160 doing weight watchers, I got pretty comfortable with that weight and quit trying. So, of course I gained it all back plus. That is so funny about your surgery wish list, because that is exactly what I need. I had a baby this past July and OMG, you should see this stomach. GROSS. My boobs are sitting in my lap right now. Definately from all the weight loss and gain. I will have those same surgeries, hopefully next summer???? I can only hope.
I think I could be at a good place with this past fill if it doesnt go away after the swelling goes down. Good luck and keep in touch.

[christyrn]

Jess.....today is your big day. Let me know how it goes. Tell that doc to fill it up!

["Just Jess"]

MK - WELCOME BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
CHRISTY - THANKS FOR THINKING OF ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

so glad to see some life back in this thread -- YEEEEEEEEEEEH!! :) :) :)

my fill went "OK" today. yes, just "OK". i really don't like my doctor. he has NO bedside manner whatsoever! he hardly said hello and then did not tell me what he was doing as he extracted the fluid from my band to check to see what was in it.

i don't even know how to describe how i feel. i am intimidated by him, which i've admitted before. i know that's wrong and bad and all that - and i've heard all the suggestions and opinions, which honestly - i won't listen to bc i'm a big chicken. sorry!!!!

anyway, he accessed my port pretty quickly for a change (god, i was praying so hard!) he got it within 5 -10 minutes. then proceeded to do what i now know was a fluid retraction, then refill. the weird part is................... when the radiologist came in to do the swallow study (after my fill, not before as discussed - but that's an entirely different story) the doctor told him i was at 7cc's in my 10cc band. i interupted him with the question, "wasn't i at 7cc's after my last fill?" he fumbled over his words a moment, then changed his answer to 8cc's.

then he explained that he put 2cc's in today, but when he retracted all the fluid, i was left with 8cc's ----- so 1cc went somewhere........ OR he is just (pardon me) full of shit and talking out his ass! UGH!!!!!!! how can you stand there in front of a patient, another doctor (radiologist), and 2 radiology techs and ALL BUT SAY "yes.... 7... um.. ok... no... it's 8"

JERK!

ok ------ enough being negative. hopefully this fill, regardless of the emotional strain it continues to take to get it, will work! i plan on being SUPER careful with my eating and continuing with my 3x's a week to curves. and we'll see how it goes.

thanks for all your support! :)

xoxox

[christyrn]

thats kinda what happened to me. I was suppose to be almost full and the nurse practioner said the doc told her to pull it out to see exactly where i am. Well, I was at 3 cc's, not 4. So where did the other 1 cc go? The nurse said, you lose some anyway, but they may not have been completely accurate w/ the amount put in. Anyway, I am glad you are 8 cc's, you should have some more restriction now. I think I may still need a little more, I cant be sure. I am hoping my fill just takes a couple of days to start working because I am ready for the sweet spot. I have a feeling I may still need more. Who knows. I do need to exercise more, I am just so lazy. Talk soon. Christy.

["Just Jess"]

i need to exercise more as well - i make too many excuses. we can do it, right? get off our lazy behinds and DO IT! woooooooooooooooo!!!!!!! :)

[christyrn]

Jess....well? Restriction yet? I swear I have less than before my fill. She unfilled to measure and I dont think she put it all back in, especially not any extra. Scale hasnt moved in 1 1/2 weeks. Gonna keep on trying though. I may call her to see what she says. I got a flyer on my door today from a personal trainer. May be a sign huh? Maybe I should call him. He does in home free eval's. Hope you had a good weekend.

["Just Jess"]

well, i am not going to admit to anyone but you guys that my weigh in this morning ----- UP TWO FREAKIN POUNDS!!!!!!!!!!! i have my period, but isn't that bizarre after 24 hours of liquids and 24 hours (plus today) of mushies?????

i dunno. i guess the real tell-tale will be tomorrow when i move to solids.

i was thinking of you christy as i was getting my fill on friday - wondering if you were in the same position at the same time! hahaha let me know how it goes!!!!!

[christyrn]

Well dont worry...I got my period as well and I am up 1 lb. SUX! Maybe I should stop getting on the scales everday. SO FRUSTRATING. Everyone seems to be doin so good....why cant it be smooth for us? Not to be a crybaby but I would just like to see more results. I just want to stop thinking about food all the time. You know? It has to get better (being positive, not angry newbie) ha. I was really really hoping this was the sweet spot for us and it looks like it isnt for me. That doctor's office has to be getting tired of me. Talk to you later, hugs, Christy

["Just Jess"]

Well dont worry...I got my period as well and I am up 1 lb. SUX! Maybe I should stop getting on the scales everday. SO FRUSTRATING. Everyone seems to be doin so good....why cant it be smooth for us? Not to be a crybaby but I would just like to see more results. I just want to stop thinking about food all the time. You know? It has to get better (being positive, not angry newbie) ha. I was really really hoping this was the sweet spot for us and it looks like it isnt for me. That doctor's office has to be getting tired of me. Talk to you later, hugs, Christy

not to be a crybaby???????????? forget THAT! me = :Cry:

i am so tired of thinking of food constantly. i thought this band would make me "normal" in that sense. like, level the playing field with me and all the skinny people of the world. ugh! not so much. i am fuller faster. but i was the week after my fill last time too. sorry to hear that your fill isn't doing any justice for you either.

why us? jess = :Cry: christy = :Cry:

oh well...................

[christyrn]

That is so funny Jess. The strangest thing happened to me. I called my nurse practioner and was so upset. She agreed to do yet another fill on this Thursday. I think that makes number 5. Well Tuesday and Wednesday, I have not been able to hardly eat at all. 1/2 a hamburger patty, and full. 1 scrambled egg and full. So I cant believe I'm saying this but I cancelled my fill. I was scared I would be too tight. I am sure it is because of period bloating so I thought I would wait on a fill. Maybe yours will do the same thing. It was 6 days after the fill I felt restriction. I am so confused by this darn band. I hope yours kicks in too. I know you want this to work just as bad as I do. I read your other thread and I feel the same way, like all I do is complain. We so get our hopes up and then quickly let down. I do feel like I am on a roller coaster with this darn thing. I can honestly say for the first time since I got my band that I do have faith in this thing now. I started South Beach Diet yesterday only because I know I was getting too many carbs. I will see how it goes. I think it will be ok since I cant eat bread, rice or pasta anyway. Just got to give up the sweets. I really am crying about that. Well Jess, it'll get better. I know it will. Call your doc and just say "sorry, not working. I want another fill." I think you get better results when you dont ask. ha. Big talker over here. Hugs, Christy

p.s where is MK? You doing good?

["Just Jess"]

THANKS CHRISTY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :) i am SO happy for you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

i do hope that i will join you as well in the "successful" ring! :) keep me updated and i will do the same!

oh, and as far as i go.... no change since yesterday! haha

["Just Jess"]

hey all - as many of you know, i am in puerto rico right now vacationing at the gran melia resort... i wanted to share that....


(((DRUM ROLL, PLEASE)))


I HAVE RESTRICTION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! although i wish it were not HERE that this happened, i am THRILLED that it finally did!!!!! i was eating a hamburger today at lunch - top part of the bun removed and just bottom bun, burger (about 4 oz.) lettuce (or la chugga as they say here) and some ketchup... well.... one bite and OMG - what the hell is happenging!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i knew instantly that that one small tiny bite was the biggest mistake. i politely excuse myself, although i will say this - it is SO hard to talk when you have a golf ball in your throat - anyway, i quickly walk to the bathroom, all the while feeling like i am choking back vomit. i get to the bathroom and JUST IN TIME TOO bc as if cued, the little tiny piece of bun came up with more saliva than i thought possible out of me!!!!!!!!!!!!

so that says it. i FINALLY have restriction! i can no longer eat bread with ease! as i said above - it is bitter sweet. but in the long run, much more sweet than bitter! :)

on top of this one small event, i also have been eating much less and feeling satisified much sooner when eating! I AM SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO STOKED!!!! :) :) :) :)

talk more soon! i will post pics on the other thread when we get back! :)

xoxox, jess

[christyrn]

YEEESSSSS! Finally! I am so glad Jess. This band is too funny. Never know whats going to happen next. I cant decide but I think I may have got to my sweet spot...or maybe even a little too tight, believe it or not. Well I am happy for you. Not about the PB but about the restriction. Now, let the pounds start melting off!

[503-250]

the restriction levels bring you back to normal, but keep in mind, normal also means mindful....you can't just eat chocolate and cupcakes and think all is well. I learned two valuable lessons this month. I ate with another bander, which was amazing, the two of us were able to take our time and eat and not feel rushed. The second one was that I watched a "normal" woman eat for a few days since we were at the same events. I was interested to notice that she picked healthier food then I would have, including passing chocolate cake for fresh fruit.

So, "normal" people still think about food.

["Just Jess"]

interesting observations, ralph! and it's even more interesting that you should say that, bc i just said practically the same thing to vinny - that now that i am REALLY getting good at eating super slow and chewing everything 5,000 times each --- it's getting increasingly difficult to eat SOCIALLY bc i am not half done with my meal when everyone else is ready for dessert. it's like i'm a big ole sore thumb sticking out!

anyway, i am not going to complain - lord knows i did enough of that before this point. i am happy to have restriction and hope it sticks around!!!

talk soon!!!

OH! and i posted pics from puerto rico on my vacation thread... check 'em out: http://www.band2gether.net/showthread.php?t=3443&page=2

[christyrn]

hey jess and all december budddies. How is it going these days? I have been really busy with work, baby, my family in town, and our house for sale. I am doing good with my last fill. I may be at sweet spot. I have lost 8 lbs in 3 weeks. yaaahhhhooooo! 1 more lb and I will have lost 40. let me hear from you. hugs, christy.