mommyrkr

I will be back on solid food in a week. I am planning it already. I have don't well on the post-op diet, but I will be glad for the texture and crunch of solid food. So I am curious, what did you eat as your first solid food after the post-op diet? And how did you feel, how did it go. I also am wondering, I know that some people say they could eat as much, or almost as much as they could before surgery, before they had their first fill. I'm assuming they were still eating it the bandster way, small bites, chewing thoroughly. So does it take an hour to get through a meal the size of what they ate beore??? Thanks, Becki

I'm curious marys, why does it depend on when you go it for your fill?? Thanks, Becki

Good for you for losing 4 pounds already, that is great. We have very similar starting weights. I was 265. I had surgery on 8/28, so I am almost 2 weeks post-op. It is going well, and I had a much easier time after the surgery with the diet. Good luck and let us know how surgery goes. Becki

Thanks, I actually knew that stuff, I was just wondering how much of a fill people have gotten on the first fill, and if they had restriction with the first fill. Thanks, Becki

Band freeze is a great way to put it. I have had this happen. I drank some ice water, and too much of it, as I forgot for a second. It hurt in my chest for about an hour. Not severe pain or anything, but pressure. Becki

Could you maybe tell me how much your first fill was, and what type of band you have? And did you feel restriction after the first fill? Becki

I think we said 5pm somewhere back there. Does that still work for everyone? Sunday, Oct 8th at 5? I will be there, and might bring my aunt, who is very seriously considering surgery in the next month, maybe even by then... Maybe we should get a head count, just to let the restaurant know. I'm in, so I'll be one and two... Becki

I felt exactly like you do. I had lots of information, until I signed up. Then I did not get a reciept or confirmation or anything. It worried me a little. I expected for them to confirm that I would be arriving at a certain time and that kind of thing, but that is just not how it works. I was a little concerned about that, but figured I had to do what I had to do, and I know the doctors office around here can be just as bad. Just before my flight landed was the worst. I was a little panicky even, hoping that they had got my flight info right and someone would be there to pick me up. Sure enough, right off the plane, there was the driver. From there, I did have to ask a few questions, just to clarifly, but the medical professionalism and expertise was obvious as soon as I arrived. I don't care what kind of service I had to deal with beforehand, I would do it again in a heartbeat. After surgery, I have everyone's cell phone numbers, so that makes me feel a little better too, though I have not had to use them. However, Dr. Ortiz told me about some of the strange calls he gets because he gives out his cell phone. Poor man. Anyway, I can relate to what you are feeling, but don't worry, it is just part of the process, it will be better once you go. Becki

I have heard a few other places that in a 4cc band, the first fill is 0.5cc. Is this pretty standard? Does Dr. Ortiz just give a set amount for the first fill or is it individual based on the fluoroscopy? If the first fill is 0.5, are the other fills the same amounts until you get what you need? I understand that the VG Band would have different fills levels, but is the process the same? Just wondering what to expect. Becki

Just know that it might not be easy, but you can make it a little easier, and you will get through, even if at times you don't think you can. And it will be worth it!! Good luck!! Becki

Hello, I was banded the 28th of last month. I did not need a passport, or a birth certificate. All it took for both my friend and I was our drivers license. Becki

Yes, you are famous. I have heard of you too. I had surgery on Aug. 28th, and I have not cheated. You mistake encouraged me. Thanks, but sorry for your hardship. Becki

I looked into every loan option that was suggested by Dr. Ortiz's website. They were all much too high of an interest rate. I have decent credit, but for a four year loan, they wanted 22%. The rest were very similar. Since my husband is in school, we ended up getting a student loan to pay for it, at 8%. We also looked into opening a new credit card with a lower interest rate. But if we had not had another option to pay for this, I would have gone with the medical loan, despite it's interest rate. The payment was about $400 a month, and that would have been well worth it for me. Becki

Thanks Hayley, Since this is place for support, it seems there are not a lot of true success stories on here, just success in progress. It is nice to hear how well it works. Becki

So cottage cheese and yogurt are ok? I wasn't sure about cereal either, as it is mixed with a liquid. Thanks for the help. Becki

Do most people have problems with eggs? That surprises me, and worries me a little. I had planned on lots of egg white omelets for breakfast. So what do people eat for breakfast that is solid food? What aboat cereal? Yogurt? Cottage cheese? It seems to me that most breakfast food is either bad for you, or kind of liquidy. Can someone give me some breakfast ideas? And an idea if I might be able to handle eggs? Thanks, Becki

I had surgery 10 days ago. The pre-op diet was hard for me. I too am a wife and mom of three, I have to feed them. It never got easy. But the 5th -7th day was easier. I guess because it was so close, I was busy, I got used to it a little, I don't know. It was hard though, and still is. But before surgery, I kept thinking, I want my liver out of the way. I will not eat and cause any complications. I couldn't afford a complication. It helped me to live with it. And I weighed myself a lot. I don't care if it was water weight or what, it helped me to know that it was working. I also warned my family, since I am the one cooking, once I start eating solid foods again, I am keeping different foods around, and they might have to try some new things. We marked Day 22 after surgery on the calendar, and they know they have a few more weeks. Most of the things I am making for dinner are from boxes now. We have a lot of tater tots, or fries, frozen pizza, that kind of thing. I know it is not healthy for them, but i have to let this band heal and for the next few weeks, that is my main concern. But by doing things that I don't have to do much work for, or that my husband doesn't mind doing, it sure helps me. I also spend my dinner time sitting at the table with the family, but with my laptop, and I look for new recipes I can try, and tell my family about them. Or I have transferred everything I need to, school dates, church dates, dr appts, and things to a new calendar during dinner. It really helps me to sit with them, but not be thinking about food so much. On the pre-op diet, you can have green veggies. Now would be a good time to try lots of them. I hated the salad with vinegar, only had it once. Broccoli was my favorite, along with I can't believe it's not butter spray. It has zero calories, but makes any veggie more palatable for those who don't like veggies. I could have 4 pounds of green veggies a day, so that helped, though I never probably even had a pound. Try lots of different veggies cooked different ways, or with different seasoning salts on them. It might help for after the surgery also, if you are at all like me. One more thing. I practiced sipping very small sips. I used to down a slimfast in 1 minute and be ready for more. Now it lasts half and hour. I always had a big bottle of crystal light around also, especially at dinner, so it was sip of slimfast, then some water. If you get in a pattern, it helps, and by the end, I was not done with my slimfast when my kids were. I finished it while I cleaned up. It is not easy, but after surgery, it will be easier, though not easy. Just today, I am back on Slimfast, and I can't tell you how excited I am. Tomorrow I get soup! Yippee! Never thought I could be so excited to only drink slimfasts during the day, but I am. Whatever it takes. I will be able to eat again, this is temporary, and if I have to go a month with out solid food, I will do whatever it takes. Just as long as I don't have to ever do it again.!!! By the way, I am on day 10, and the 20 pounds I have lost really help lift my spirits. By pants are BAGGY!!! That never happens to me. It makes me feel a lot better, like it is worth it. Hang in there, if I can manage, anyone can! Becki

Thanks for all the great soup ideas. I can't wait. Tomorrow is day 10 yippee!!!! I will be going to the grocery store to get all the soups that were suggested. Thanks for checking them out for me ahead of time. Becki

I wondered about that too. I never worrried about the loose skin before, I just wanted to lose the weight. But know that I know the weight will come off, I'd like to do what I can to help the skin shrink back. Thanks for the question. Becki

I've been to Bahama Breeze once, and loved it!!!! Came home and made my own version of everything for Mother's Day for my mom. I can't wait to go back. Sounds like a ton of fun. Becki

Bethy, I hope everyone in Washington will be able to come...including Roger - just band talk, we can save the girlie talk for another time. It would be great to meet with as many people as possible. Becki

Thanks Littleroo, I have his book also. It is also not very specific as it discusses generalities in Lapband surgery, not his specific plan. But thank you. Becki

I've been reading a lot about hair loss on other boards, and on other websites, and talking to my doctor about it. I am only a week post-op, but I want to do whatever I can to prevent it down the road. It seems that hair loss is very, very common when losing a large amount of weight. But it will grow back. It usually begins 3-4 months after surgery, or the beginning of a significant lose, then slows down quickly and new hair grows in. From what I can figure out, and my doctor told me, a couple of things might help, making sure you get the correct amount of protein, botin, and vitamin B-12, which helps the biotin work better, and is generally good for you. I am planning on trying those things. Please let us know what Dr. Ortiz tell you, if you discuss hair loss. It might help some of us not have to go through what you are. Becki

Actually, I was talking about October 8th, sunday. I am still a week post-op, and it would be nice if I could eat something. Plus, I think there were a few people who were being banded the beginning of September. If we planned it a month away, everyone would have a chance to hear about it, and we could figure out where we were going to meet specifically. Becki

How about Southcenter on Sunday evening, like 5pm, or something. It will take me an hour to get here, at least, so that would be a very good time for me. Becki