sufina

Re dental implants, I want to thank each of you for your thoughtfulness in responding to my questions about dental implants. I feel more informed after hearing from you all and I really appreciate the input. I will check out your husband's dentist in Vancouver, Stormy and from the Canadian dentist, thanks for the heads up on being cautious about who to go to and materials etc. I had no idea...thanks again, Sufina

Hi Snowbird: Can you tell me how to get in touch with your dentist who did implants? Thanks, Sufina My personal email is: bdy@spiritone.com

Hi, I just received an estimate of $8,500 for 2 dental implants (includes everything as well as bone grafting to supplement bone loss in one molar). I told my periodontist, "I'm looking for a 3rd world country to have this done for half the price"! I need info. for a very reliable dental specialist in this area. Any/ all help very much appreciated. Sufina

Hi everyone! I would love to meet you all for lunch. Count me in! Sufina

Julie, I will watch for your new thread as another one of us (Audrey) in Hillsboro and I have been in touch; she just got her 1st fill in TJ so any local "get-together" would be nice to look forward to. Good to know we have this forum as a connection of info and support. take care. ps, I finaally didn't PB tonite; just a little stuffed to the gills you might say but on not very much! Yeah, we'll loose this weight in spite of ourselves! Sufina

Well, it is day 6 after my 1st fill; today is the first day I didn't PB my way thru the day and it is cuz I fianally am getting that 1. I must chew more and 2. I must serve smaller portions, I do not experience a pleasant "full" feeling telling me I've had enuff; instead, I eat until I feel like another bite and I'm gonna puke! And that's after such a small amount of food, So, for me this is a a new "learning" experience that, once I've had enuff practice at eating small, it will become a habit and I'll know what I can eat that won't get stuck and how much. Like I tested myself tonite. I fixed some organic chilie with tofu, grated cheese, a dollop of sour cream, dollop of salsa. This was a sort to taco without the tortilla which I figured would get stuck. It was good. then I had a small chocolate bar (sorry, I'm still addicted to sugar but getting better). hmmm, it melted and was divine. Then I waited a bit, felt fine, but daydreaming of all the food and made a piece of whole grain toast with jam. not good. it wanted to be stuck awhile, leaving me feel slightly nauseaus. Well, that's part of my digestion system for tonite. stay tuned for more exciting reports of progress. Any feedback is welcome. thanks, sufina

For all you Oregonians/Portlanders: I found Dr Kelly Fitzpatrick to be awesome! No, she does not use fleuroscopy but my understanding is unless there is a problem, the fill is pretty simple and she is highly experienced at doing them. I'm pretty restricted but can still get food down and as much fluids as I want but I really am finding this experience is calling for a serious reorganization in how I perceive food, prepare it and especially, how I eat it. I have not yet trained myself to chew enuff, nor to make small portions. I thought of buying doll dishes! This is a challenge. My eyes are bigger than my stoma is an understatement! I suppose with practice this will become more routine but so far I'm evidently eating too much cuz I keep PB-ing and that is getting real old. I can't really say I am aware of feeling "full" cuz I never stopped eating when I was full; it's more like I must stop because it hurts! Julie, since you are as new to this as me, you probably can relate to what I'm talking about. Like my imagination wants to shovel it in but I can"t. weird experience. all new since after banding, I had very little restriction, Sufina

I feel like my port sticks out like a dresser drawer knob! It was sort of tender at first but now, 7 weeks post-surgery, it doesn't hurt; just feels hard. My fill doc said I had some keloid scar tissue around it but nothing to worry about., I will probably opt to surgically bury it more once I've lost all my weight and don't need regular fills but that's just cosmetic desires. Sufina

I went thru something similar; began to find I could eat anything and as much as I could consume after banding, before 1st fill- anxious to get my fill, while secretly enjoying the indulgences I was doing. Then when I got my fill last Fri, I am now experiencing what it is like to eat so much less. Oh, is that what restriction feels like? Gee, that's not as much fun as just piggin out like I had been doing. Then came the remorse, shame and all the rest. You ain't alone here girl! warmly, Sufina

I have been using Stevia as a sweetner for my tea and plain yogurt. It is a very healthy natural herb; I like the concentrated version; others have maltodextrin added to bulk it. I still also eat sweets tho with straight sugar which is a very addictive substance. Read "Sugar Blues", the number one addiction. It is so hard to get away from. My naturopath who did my first fill describes the imbalance people have with sugar imbalances as being susceptable to alcohol and or sugar addictions. One person I met told me the difference between nutrasweet and sweet n low is one causes cancer and the other, alzeimers. So, we have a tough battle girls, anyway we look at it in trying to get slim and stay healthy. I've always believed that the less processed food is and eaten in it's most natural state, the healthier it is. The additives and preservatives are not good, adding free radicals etc. That being said, Hey, I love a Big Mac too! lol thanks for listening, Sufina

Michelle, thanks for the tip on microwaving taking out the moisture. I had no idea so that is good to know. Since I just got my first fill, I'm PBing on about everything I eat- most likely cuz I have not yet got into the practice of small size and chewing behavior. any particular foods you reccomend to rely on or a resource for food ideas? I tend to find a few basic things I like and repeat them but the ones I'm repeating are from my "old life" eating style and I need to update...thanks, sufina

Hi Julie and all, I just got my first fill Fri also, only here in Portland by Dr. Kelly Fitzpatrick who was referred to me by Dr. Ortiz. She was great! Gave me a 1.7 fill with instructions to call her on her cell phone any time I felt too much restriction like you are describing Julie and pointed out it is dangerous and not to tell myself to just work thru it. She was really emphatic about that! Soooo, I did the liquid 1st day, soft next day then 3rd day, 3 regular meals followed by ice cream cones, cookies etc and I thought, oh this is just not working for me! But the next day was a whole different story! I have not been able to eat like I used to ever since. I get the small portion that we are told we are supposed to eat and then I push it and start PB-ing. I have had to PB after every meal but it is because I'm trying to get more in than I'm supposed to and not used to limiting myself. Between meals, I am able to get liquids down. Not in gulps like I use to but reasonable sips. If I PB, I dare not try and follow it with liquid; it just all backs up. In the morning and eves, I sip on hot mint green tea and it is very soothing. I used to be a die hard coffee person and hardly drink it much at all; I've fallen in love with mint green tea totally and chill the leftover, spritz it with lemon or lime, sweeten with stevia and either add 1/2 juice or plain with ice and sip it thru the day instead of plain water as it is much more delicious. Well, I'm trying to learn what foods, how much I can eat that feel satisfying and don't get stuck or cause me to PB. Any suggestions are welcome; Oh, Dr. Kelly did say "and no ice cream diets" (I did think of that lol) your lap band buddy, Sufina

Hi Julie! I'm from Portland also and was banded June 5. We must have crossed paths. Did you stay at the Lucerna? Hmmm. Where are you going for your fills? Sufina (Bev)

Hi to Julie from Portland, I'm in Portland too and got banded June 5. When are you getting your first fill and from whom? Liquids suck huh? Sufina

I have lived in both San Diego and Las Vegas so both have special meaning to me; I like some of the topics suggested by MMichelle (esp. role of med. mgt post wls); I think Vegas would be a good place to meet (as long as it's not in the dead heat of summer) with a combo of structure and social get togethers and down time. Could this be a tax write off? Maybe invite authors of books on wls; other "alumni" folks etc. that's my input. thanks, Sufina in Portland

Am I full or is it post-op pain? I can't tell yet since just banded June 5 but after I've had my various broths and other liquids, I begin to have a tight, expanded feeling in my chest and midriff and gut like I'm swollen or bloated or something. Is that a sensation of being full or just how it feels after surgery from gas? I had been curious about what it was going to feel like with the band but didn't think I'd be feeling much of a restriction yet? Any of you guys relate to this? Thank you, Sufina

Hi Carrie, I have the same problem; el bloato. I feel like my stomach sticks out like I'm preg. I was banded June 5 and also retaining fluids. I think it's all the swelling as I'm quite bruised also. I tried heat and then cold; both helped a little; also some pain meds to get thru it. I think it is just typical with abdominal surgery; afterall they did have to do a bit of poking around. My port is also sore. I'm sure this will all pass in a few weeks tho. take care, sufina

Hi Sufina here from Portland; banded June 5. Today, I spent lots of time imagining all my favorite foods; things I've learned about myself is that I have developed a love affair with food; once I was addicted to drugs and alcohol, ciggarettes, work and dysfunctional relationships; I've recovered from those addictions; this one has the last big hold on me. According to "The Craving Brain" and others, certain chemical reactions provide a great "feel good" fix from certain foods; ie carbs, fat, sugar, flour etc. Like cocaine, it's never enuff. I remember the feeling of eating cotton candy and never being able to shove enuff in at one time. I daydreamed of certain foods today that allow me to have a feeling of "owning" it, taking it into my body, transforming it into something else, enjoying the wonderful contented feeling it provided; I don't have to think, feel, be creative or do anything about my life. Food just settles in for me and I'm in a sort of trance - for a while, until I start the whole thing again, planning what I'm going to get, what combo of things I'll have, which desserts to top it off with and so on and so on. Sound familiar? This is not the part that has to do with purchasing a surgery called Lapbands! This is frigging food addiction- regardless of childhoods. But, most of the time, there have been lots of "cutoffs" from ourselves. Today, I realized Lonliness and Fear were 2 big ones for me that food has helped insulate me from. I don't know that anyone has THE answer for all of us but I do feel many of us are in this together and certainly can relate to how hard it is for us. I know I need to read the literature, talk to the counselor and journal and post/read messages and have hope and pray. That's what I know today, fondly, Sufina

Hi all! I was banded June 5 and have been daydreaming of all my fave foods. Big fantasy today was what it would feel like to have at least 1/2 cup of peanut butter just sitting there in my mouth...lol, followed by chocolate, preceded by lasagnia; well, you get the picture. This is tough stuff; not for wimps yeah? I'm surprised about the salad causing the PB altho by now, nothing I learn should come as a surprise. There seems to be so many possibilities. If we can just get thru these 3 weeks, we will be in a great position for this whole thing to be a success I think. see ya later, Sufina

Just banded June 5 (on Dr. ORtiz's birthday!) Everything went well, the hotel is quite nice and comfortable; the people in Mexico very nice. Got home and weighed myself and "oh no!" I weighed in 4 lbs heavier than pre-op!! What's that about? Am I just retaining fluids? My gut looks bruised and feels swollen but otherwise I'm good. Hungry tho yet a strange "full" feeling that goes up to my neck sort of. I wondered what this would feel like. Best I can describe is like when you just ate too much and are stuffed and not really hungry but the way we are, we could always taste something else, right? So, now it's liquids for 3 weeks. Guess I'll make up some soups tomorrow...Still feel gassy too. Sufina

Attention June 5th Bandsters: It looks like so far I count 7 of us getting our bands: me (Sufina), Newbie, Bandgroupie, Cortaylu, Jamie, Pink and Emeliedee. Hmm. Looks like the Doc is going to be pretty busy. Shall we celebrate with a pain pill? (LOL)

Hi June bandsters! I arrive june 4th, banded on 5th, rest on 6th and home on 7th, My real name is Beverley so look for me!! see ya, Sufina from Portland, OR

I start my pre-op diet tomorrow... I am scheduled for surgery June 5 and have decided to do the one week of protein shakes and the one salad. I don't like the taste of them either - bought something called "50 grand slam" at GNC so will try adding some other protein powder I have on hand to lessen the awful sweetness taste it has. Other than that, food's going to look and feel pretty boring for the next few weeks, right? But, in the long run, I remind myself it will be worth it. I (lol) opened a bag of cashews tonite so they will just get stale or be given away cuz I won't be eating them in the near future. Any helpful hints for getting thru the evenings in front of the tv and not fantasizing about ice cream?? any help welcome. thanks, Sufina

Hi ckelly37...I found lapbandtalk.com to also be helpful in case you want to connect with others from all over, not just us Tijuana folks. good luck, sufina