sunshinegirl

I love steak. Even when I was doing Atkins steak was the only food that kept me satisfied for a long period of time. I'm hoping that I can keep eating it. Today I'm on soft foods but by the weekend I will be trying it.

So I get my 1cc fill and my hubby says "it doesn't even look like enough to get through the tube to the band" and I started to think about this. What do you guys think?

After a fill does any of the fluid stay in the tube? It would make sense that it would. If that's the case then we are not really getting the full amount.

The nurse also said that she has a couple of people that have 4.2cc in a 4cc band so it can hold a little more.

Well I had my first fill on Saturday and I couldn't believe how easy it was. I did not go back to the OCC but instead chose to have it done by a nurse here close to home. This person also has the band and even does her own fills, it was nice to have someone who can relate to all the struggles. She is 1.5hrs away from my house so its better than the 15hr travel time to go back to the clinic.

I went to her house, met her children, played with her guinny pigs and chatted for a bit. She read my surgical report got the needle and I just laid on her couch she felt for the port inserted the needle (no pain) searched a little and voila fill done. This process only took less than a minute and it cost $150 (a little steep I think). She only starts with 1cc. I had a glass of water while there and could feel the restriction, but now I don't seem to feel it very much. She recommends 1 day of liquids, 1 day of mushy food and then back to normal food. This seems to be what other doctors recommends. I will be trying a meal tonight.

I am hoping that she will be coming into the city next month so I can just get it done at home.

I just blended every soup until it became creamy. sometimes I would have to add water because it was too thick. If it was a creamy texture I ate it. I also used chipotle sauce to spice things up and I would put some cheese in the soup it melted beautifully. Get creative with the flavor and the 21 days just fly by.

LOL THE NEXT DAY AFTER SURGERY WE WERE AT THE BAR IN THE HOTEL, VINO IN HAND

I didn't want to say it before....but I too had a few margaritas at the cantina the day after surgery (2 for one special ) I couldn't go to mexico and not try the margaritas. They hit you hard and its hard to stop, especially when the alcohol hits and you start to have fun. The next day I was feeling queasy so I am not recommending this to anyone...upon reflection I should not of drank that many.

My only option here in Nova Scotia is a nurse. She does people from New Brunswick and PEI. Maybe there's someone in your area that can do that. To book my surgery I went through Medicaledge in Calgary and he has a list of people that do fills so maybe you can ask him if there's anyone in BC. his email is andrew@medicaledge.ca. Website is www.medicaledge.ca

Good luck

I would say that you are still swollen. I had back pain the first two weeks after surgery, everytime I drank it felt like it was scraping down my back. Of course I don't get that anymore so i guess I don't have restriction.

Enjoy it while it lasts I was hungry by day 6. But if you are still swollen maybe that's not very good and I would take those tylenol's

I had no trouble eating my first meal. I had moist chicken a salad and a tiny piece of potato, all on a salad plate. I chewed well and took me about 15 min to finish. I was not full but wasn't hungry either, it kept me going all evening. So far everything I have been eating is going down well. I added some crunchy cracker like bread to my meal last night for a carb, no problems with that either. The key to remember is to stick with the small plates and don't eat too much. If hungry later have a lean protein snack. As Dr. O told me...test your band not by eating as much as you can but instead sticking with the small servings at meal time.

P.S chocolate goes down fine not that I'm recommending that

6 DAYS UNTIL SOLIDS FOR ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am also quite sick of creamy soup and cream of wheat soup. I almost would rather not eat than eat it. I am having some bouts of almost daily BAD, BAD what I am fairly sure is gas pain. OMG it doubles me over. I walk, take tums, beano and walk some more. It's so bad when it happens at work because it does almost incapacitate me. Does that sound normal at this point, I'm at day 15. I didn't think I'd have so much PAIN even if it is gas. Anyway thanks for all the input.

some gas pains are very intense and its hard to walk straight up. I did have that problem for the 3 weeks. I would just go sit in the bathroom and hoped it passed. I still get gassy after eating and in the morning but its not as bad anymore.

Hang in there

I sleep on my left side so it was hard to get use to sleeping on my right. It took me about 2 weeks before feeling comfortable enough to sleep on the left. I used a pillow to hug and that helped. A pillow between your knees might also help. I was lucky and did not have any shoulder pain due to gas but did have regular gas especially after eating, walking did help a bit but mostly I would go to the bathroom. I still have some gas but its not as uncomfortable.

I really enjoyed the Walmart Equate Oatmeal Raisin bars. Good Price too.

I would think that the port is still under warranty and there shouldn't be any cost for the part. I would go on the assumption that they will not charge you because they don't charge other people. If you are not happy with what Rene tells you call the doctor yourself.

Good luck

I enjoyed my soups spicy. I added a few drops of chipotle sauce and a slice of cheese which melts very nicely. I mostly had vegetable beef barley blended well and added flavour. The clam chowder is good as well. Add your spices for flavour.

Just remember that most people feel really tight in the morning. I would suggest eating really slow so that you can detect your limit.

I don't think you have to call Dr. Miranda unless you ate a large amount of chicken but even then there's not much she can do for you except tell you not to do it again.

I know the 21 days are hard because you are hungry and craving and just so sick and tired of creamy soup. Just don't do it again and protect that expensive pouch. I had weak moments especially when hubby was having steak but I would satisfy my craving by sticking my finger in the steak juice and tasting it, (very good) and sometimes pour the juice into my soup. I did that with a few other meals as long as its not solids I was ok with it. I also had a fudgesicle a day, creamy and yummy. I also got creative with my soups and made them spicy and add cheese slices and a bit of sour cream. anything to satisfy the taste buds.

Hang in there, you only have a bit over a week to go.

Good luck! It sounds like your "tool" might finally be working.

You are so cool! Congrats on your success! I'm glad it went well - I found it fun to organize my food when I first started eating! (The pains are normal and I still get them today)

I'll be out in Halifax for the Dragon boat races and hope to see you!

Best,

Lisa

Keep me posted, it will be fun to get together!

Well I had my first meal tonight and it all went well. I had 2.5oz chicken, baby spinach salad with bacon bits, tomatoes, red pepper & cucumber, dressing was watered down bacon ceaser dressing. For a starch I had a very small quarter of a potatoe with a bit of margerine and sour cream. I used a salad plate and ate according to instructions, protein, salad and starch. Well it took about 15 minutes but I had no problems and did not feel full but did feel satisfied. It was delish!! I also did not drink for 1 hour. It's been 4 hours since I ate and I'm feeling comfortable.

I must also say that I had slight gas pangs after eating but this is common for me after eating. It did go away after 45min.

Now I must go and plan my food for tomorrow

Actually surgery only takes about 10minutes, Dr. Ortiz looked at me funny when I asked and said actually only 5 minutes, because he does so many, he did laugh so I'm thinking the 10 minutes ( I think he tries to break his record). I was also shopping the next day. I couldn't walk very fast but had no trouble doing it. I was lucky that I did not have extreme gas pain in the chest or shoulder, however I'm going on to my three weeks post op and I still get gassy especially after I eat. Nothing a bathroom won't solve.

I've been taking a few of the childrens chewables a day. I also take folic acid, and vitamin D those I don't have to cut up as I don't have any trouble swallowing it. I can also take ibuprofen and my lipitor without any trouble. I do need to buy a multi vit. I will just cut it in half if its too large.

I would increase the lean protein to 80-90gm, keep the fat as is and decrease the starchy carbs. Less carbs=less cravings. 1200 calories should be pretty good to lose. I believe weight watchers recommends around 1200 cal.

I also started getting hungry 5 days after surgery I was hoping for a whole week, but no such luck. I guess I healed well.

WOW, 10lbs thats great. Congrats. I'm a week away from solids and I can't wait, right now I'm craving like crazy.

Now, for the newbie description...that will change as you post more posts.

If you want to have your stats added to each post (like mine) you have to go to My Controls (top of page) and then go to Edit Signature. Once in there just type your information in the box and when done click Update signature. Now your stats will show each time you post.

I'm not that great with this kind of stuff either but you do get a little better with time. MamaMichelle is very good at explaining how to do things. There's also a tech area where you can get instructions on how to do some things.

Good Luck

I bought soups and blended them. Mostly the vegetable type. As long as I had a creamy texture I was ok with. I did have some watered down mash potatoes and it was creamy soup texture. This last week of liquids is madening, I am craving like crazy and feel hungry. I'm trying to stay away from the liquid calories but its been difficult. Ice cream is very much like creamy soup