lcoates

Dawn, I have the same issue with fries. I can only eat about two. It is so odd. I don't know why this is, so I don't really even order them anymore. I do fairly well on 1/2 to 3/4 of a little cheesburger from McDonalds. The bread is so flat that I tolerate their burger well. At least I can eat a little unhealthy every now and again even if I can't have my fries.

Same thing happened to me on my second fill. I did soups and soft foods for about 2 weeks and would try bits of stuff here and there until I could tolerate it. I never ate more than a few bites. I am so glad I did not get an unfill. You do get swollen and it takes some time to go down. I found out what foods worked and what foods did not. Breads-never. pasta's -just a few bites. vegitables- are pretty easy as are fruits. Meats-some good others not so good. No steak or dry chicken. My meat has to be moist. I eat my veg's first than my meat because my meat fills me up to fast. I do a shake or yougurt for breakfast. It has helped me to stay more intuned with my body. I listen to everything it says. Yesterday I went to Mcdonalds with the kids and I got them the chicken nuggut meal. My daughter was not to hungry so I endded up eatting 3 nuggets and I started on some fries. I found out real quick I still can not do more than 5 or 6 french fries. I do not know why fries are such an issue. I can eat a hugh salas and than some protien, but eat just a few fries and I am going to pb. I do miss my fries and I try them every now and than to see if they will work ,but they never do. I guess that is a good thing.

You know yourself if your eatting to much. My doc said every time you get a fill you have to learn to eat all over again. You might just need to change what your eatting and how much of it your eatting. It might be that you need an unfill. I would just hate for you to get one and then wish you had not because you have no restriction. Just be careful.

Hey Lisa!

I'm finding that I'm not very hungry. However, my therapist has me monitoring my hunger level so I'm very much aware of how hungry I am. It just doesn't creep up on me and bam! I'm hungry. I think it's because when I'm at a level 3, (from 1-5) I eat something or prepare something to eat so that I don't get to a level 4 or 5 which is ravenous.

Maybe your blood sugar is dropping? Try eating a little protein when you get hungry between meals.

Hope you and your husband are doing great!

Jena

Good to hear from you Jena!!! Sounds like you are really getting in touch with your inner hunger self and I think it is healthy to go to a therapist.

I just was not sure if I should be getting hungry between meals. Dr. Ortiz had always told me, three meals only. That is it!

I hope all is well with you. How is Gloria??? Tell her hi and Rob and I would love to see the pics she took while you both were in TJ.

Take Care, Lisa

I am almost 4 weeks post band and I want to know much have you guys (other bandsters) been able to eat prior to a fill. I am eating less than I would of normally eaten prior to the band. That makes me happy, however; I am getting hungry between meals at this point. Would a fill help with the hunger (allowing the food to stay in the pouch longer)? I am looking for hunger control and I am getting it, but should I be expecting more? Also, I am eating very well. A little bit of protein, a little bit of veg and a little bit of fruit. On another note, does hunger and the ability to eat a certain amount fluctuate with regards to "that time of the month"? Your thoughts would be appreciated and I thank you in advance for your words of wisdom.

I know Diarrea is not spelled correctly (hee hee) and sorry so gross of a topic. I was banded on May 26th and so far I feel really well. I have lost 10 pounds and have MADE myself stay hydrated. I do have diarreah though. Not always but at least once a day. Is this normal??/

It is not out of the ordinary to have diarrhea I had loose stools 100% of the time during the post op recovery stage. I know it can be a gross topic, but it is a fact of life for some. I was instructed to take an over the counter "NON CLUMPING" fiber supplement. I happened to buy Fiber Sure and put it in a little water and it worked wonders for me. The back of the product has directions for introducing the fiber to your system. You basically start with a half of a normal dose to begin with and then move to a regular dose. Good luck to you and I hope this helps.

~Lisa

:girl_dance: Hip hip hooray....I am finally with the band..... I was banded May 26th and as of this morning I have lost 10 pounds.... What a great experience thanks to all, hospital, hotel and forum..... for making my experience go smooth I havent heard from lea love but thanks for the support and conversations.... it made it that much easier to actually "know" someone there....I hope to hear from you soon .... also hello to everyone else there cedartown and a couple of others not on the forum... Yeah ..... for us....... :girl_haha:

CONGRATS CRISSI!! OREGON LOOKS FORWARD TO A THINNER YOU. YEAH FOR YOU!!! =D>

Thanks guys!! I didn't even think it would be the tomato soup.. that is basically what I am living on!! BLAH!! Thanks again..

It might be the soup. I lived on that too as I love tomato soup. What I really wanted and could not have was my soup with crackers and a toasted cheese sandwich. Frustrating!!! :lb20:

K, so am I the only one who has canker sores on this post op diet?? OUCH!! :lb12:

I had one and it hurt like a "beep"!!! I think it occured because of the amount of tomato soup I was eating. Sometimes tomatoes are an issue with me, but I never thought about the soup being a problem. I got it during the second week after banding and it took a week for it to go away. If you do have a lot of them, a dentist can use a laser to heat the surface of them to promote quicker healing. That is what I did once or you can just tough it out.

Best wishes for a speedy recovery from the all mighty canker sore,

Lisa

At this three week mark we can do all exercise except Ab work outs. Ab work outs have to wait until 3 months out. I have been taking a bath for a week now but my incisions are 100% healed and barely noticable at this point.

I actually counted my day of surgery as day one and ate today. I had 1 egg, 1/4 pc. toast and 1/4 protein bar for breakfast.

2 Slices of Turkey, 1/4 avacado, & a small amount of salad at lunch. 1/4 bratwurst, 2oz. steak and 1/2 potato for dinner. I had not problem with any of it and felt completely satisfied in between meals. IN fact tonight I still almost feel over full and it has been 3 hours since I ate. I am doing great so far with not drinking during meals. I don't physically miss it but I find myself wanting to reach for a drink when I put my fork down between bites(I think it is just out of habit)

Thanks for the info and your meals sound delightful. YUMMY. How do you know when you are full? I think I am full when I get this small pressure in my throat/collar bone area. It does not take much food at all for that to occur. I am hoping I have enough restriction that can allow me to lose weight without a fill, but we will see how things go.

Yes, habits are hard to break and I find myself wanting to drink when I am not supposed to as well.

~Lisa

Hey guys. We are on the countdown to food. I am looking forward to it. I have found it impossible to get above 1000 cals a day and I am not losing like I would like. How are all of you doing?

Howdy all!!! Thanks for asking how we all are. That is sweet and considerate of you. I am so glad that you (mom 12/Valerie) are doing well and I am also glad to hear that Jena is on track as well. I am down about 12 pounds at this point and am grateful for looser fitting pants. My port area is still a little tender at times, but I take it easy for a day and it feels better. I am looking forward to regular meals tomorrow. I did sneak in a few bites of macaroni salad tonight and I did great. I had just a little because I did not want to over do it. I think I will stick with softer, mushier foods to start with then move to more of a solid meal. I suppose I am a little scared. I just want to make sure all goes well in the eating depatment, so I am taking baby steps. This is my way of transitioning to solid foods. Although we have been on liquids, I feel fairly healthy. I am taking a liquid vitamin and I think that helps.

What are everyone elses plan for food tomorrow? How have the last three weeks been? Are you guys still a little sore at times?

PS, when can we take a bath??? I would love to soak in our tub and relax. Also, when can we do heavy exercise. Like running, golfing ect.. I can't remember.

So glad to hear from you,

Lisa

My high was 196. My decison weight was 189 and by surgery weight was 178. I have been banded for 2 weeks now and am still on liquid but I am really happy with my weight loss. I have lost 8lbs in the two weeks

CONGRATS MOM12 "VALERIE". I AM SO PROUD OF MY FELLOW BANDER!!! =D>

Did anyone incorporate fudgesicles into their post op diet? If so, when?? Thanks

Hi Kimra!! I would double check with Dr. Miranda, but this is what I did: I had regular popsicles until the creamy soup stage. Then, when the creamy soup stage arrived, as a treat and some variety, I added fudgesicles and creamsicles. I just let the sicle dissolve in my mouth prior to swallowing. Too many are probably not too good for you, but my husband got into my stash, so I did not even get a chance to over indulge.

Enjoy,

Lisa

Hi my name is Jessica and I was just wondering if anyones start weight out there was under 190 bc i'm 178 now and i'm scheduled for op in like 3 weeks. the reason i was wondering is because i was wondering about the pace of the weight loss when you're down to that weight

Thank you and CONGRATS to all of you people with success

Hello Jessica. I started at 175 pounds and I had my band placed May 8th, 2008. I think the weight loss might be slower for low Bmi persons, but I am not sure. I lost 3-5 pounds on the pre op diet and 5 pounds after so far. It will be two weeks tomorrow.

I hope this helps,

Lisa

I have a belly ring and a nose ring, does anyone know if they make you take them out for the surgery? I am pretty sure I would have to take the belly ring out but I am not sure about the nose ring...

Thanks for your support!

Hello Lillygirl!! I was asked to remove all piercings. I knew this before hand so I gave my earings and belly piercing to my husband to hold on to. Eventhough the doctors suggested that I leave the belly ring out for a week, I put it back in three days after surgery. I just washed my hands really good and used a fresh paper towel to dry them. I then put the belly ring in. I also soaked the belly ring in rubbing alcohol and then soaked it in hydrogen peroxide prior to insertion. This was so I did not infect any of the area around my tummy. Note: This worked for me because I did not want my hole to close up, but I am not a doctor and everyone is different, so proceede with caution.

Good luck,

Lisa

I hope everyone is good (Jena, Mom12 and McCracken). It sounds like we are all doing our best to heal nicely and feel the best we can.

May we continue down the road of health, beauty and happiness.

Take care all,

Lisa >

Lisa,

I have the opposite problem and think I need to have more fruit juice undiluted to see if I can get regular but I don't want to go your direction either.

I am still having alot of problems with painful (burps or hicups) I can't tell which. I don't think it has anything to do with what I am or am not drinking because I get them when I drink and I get them when I wake up before I have had anything. Does anyone else have this and if so how long after surgery did it hurt?

Congrats on your 23 lb weight loss Valerie!!! =D>

I would try a little juice to get you regular. I would much rather go less than deal with what I am dealing with. I just think everyones body is different. Now I have not had any painful burps or hicups. When I do burp I sound like a man burping. It is a big burp from the depths of my soul. Maybe something warm to drink upon waking would help to comfort your band area so your burps and hicups won't hurt as much. Also, you are still healing, so maybe it is just part of your bodies healing process.

I hope everything else is going well for you and I wish you continued weight loss. I have loss about 8 lbs so far and am glad some of my pants are getting lose.

~Lisa

I'm having soreness around the port area.

Speaking of donuts...a vendor came to the office bringing 2 boxes of Dunkin Donuts. Now, I'm a Krispy Kreme girl, but I just had to peek in the box. Darn it if I didn't end up eating the gooey filling out of THREE donuts! 2 lemon curd and one pastry cream. Forgive me Father, for I have sinned.

The worse part is, I didn't even get sick, burped, have gas pains or feel restricted. :lb12: Where has my determination gone???

"I forgive you for sinning my child".

Jena, you are resourceful. I never thought about eating the filling. I am not a huge donut filling person, but for a craving, the filling might not be too bad. Is it too thick for us to eat? I am glad that you did not have a problem with it and I am glad you got to feel restriction so you knew when to stop. I treated myself to two fudsicles for lunch today. I just made sure they melted in my mouth before swallowing. It was a nice change of pace.

I don't know about anyone else, but I am still having loose bowel trouble. It may be because I am adding in more milk products. Dr. Miranda had mentioned that we will be lactose intolerant for a while because of the antibiotics. I thought the liquid yougurt would of solved that. I have been drinking the non clumping fiber from the store too and that has helped. I hope I get regular soon! I probably will have trouble until I get to solid food.

I am glad to hear you and the other May 8th patients are well. That makes me happy.

PS, I bet your not the only one with a sore port. Mine is getting better, but it comes and goes.

~Lisa :beach:

Hey Girls

Happy Friday! I thought Iwould share that I am sick of the gas pains I have stocked up on Phzyme. Jenn said all her gas pains were gone soooo lucky me and the extra HOT AIR. As far as fills go I called around too yesterday and I am not sure where I am gonna go either. Jenn and I both own our own companies so this will be tricky... I will keep you guys posted. Jenn said she watched America's best steak why I dont know, but we both admitt the MIND hunger and really get the best of us.

Have a Great Weekend!! >

HOWDY MCCRACKEN!!! I KNOW WHAT YOU MEAN ABOUT HEAD HUNGER. I SAW A DONUT COMMERCIAL THE OTHER DAY AND GUESS WHAT I STARTED TO CRAVE? THAT IS RIGHT, A DARN DONUT. DAMN COMMERCIALS!!!

WHAT KIND OF COMPANIES DO YOU AND JENN OWN. I THINK IF YOU CAN WORK FOR YOU SELF, THAT IS TERRIFIC. IT IS HARD WORK, BUT I THINK IT IS WORTH IT IN THE END.

TAKE CARE, LISA

The gent in Auburn is Dr. Fox. This is who I see now as it is alot closer for me than Arlington or Olympia. The initial appointment charge was $349 (I went in January) and if you have a fill I think (dont quote me!) it's $125. Just a office visit is $85. He will only do fills on FC USA peeps on Thursdays.

Just to warn everyone... He's a crazy old Kook! Ok, so he's not that bad.. but he likes to joke around ALOT. I didnt know this going in and was like WTF!?!?!?

I've had 2 fills from him and it does take him a long time to find my port. At least 3 pokes each time. I guess my port is a bit caddywompuss cause it doesnt take him 3 pokes with my mom.

Lisa- I dont know why... My swollen stomach never when back to "normal" after I was banded until I got the fill. I wonder what if I wouldnt have had the fill... maybe I would have never needed one??? Oh well, too late now!!!

Amber

Thanks for your thoughts Amber. Also, I am new to some of these computer terms like: LOL, BFN, BFF, so when I saw you type WTF, I got a chuckle out of that because I say that a lot and found your reaction to your doctor comical. Thanks for "the funny".

Enjoy the weekend, Lisa

I have nothing better to do tonight, so I was working out the costs of me going to the OCC for my first fill or going to the Fill Centers USA in Roswell Ga. (20 minutes from my house or office)

The cost of Fill Center $549

The costs of going to OCC -

Airfare $279 but I would have to go on Tuesday July 8 and return Wednesday July 9

Floro at OCC $100

Hotel - something like $80

Transportation ??

Honest opinions wanted. Which one should I do??

Jena

Howdy Jena!!! Glad to hear you are doing well. I had a protien drink for dinner and my husband and I went for a great walk, so I feel good. Oh, it has been about 90 degrees today, so a break from the rain has also been a treat. Maybe spring/summer has "finally" arrived for Oregon.

Ok, to your question. Money aside, I prefer anything that is close to my home. That is just me. Price wise, it may be a toss up. You could go to the OCC for your first check up for piece of mind. Then, you could have follow up's in Georgia. In order for me to get Fluoro, I have to drive a little over 2 hours. The fill center here in Oregon does not use Fluoro. That makes me sad, but oh well. Nothing againts Tijuana, but I really would prefer to stay as close to my home town as possible for follow ups.

Have a nice evening, good luck on your decision and say hi to Gloria for Rob and I,

Lisa

I have used Dr. Neal in the past. I had my first there 10/4/07. They gave me 1.0cc's and I knew right away that it wasnt enough. I had better restriction pre-fill!!! So, I called the office within a few days and they got me in on 10/31/07 for an adjustment. I got an additional 1.0cc's and it was at the reduced price!!! You dont actually see Dr.Neal, just the techs doing your fill but everyone is very nice and professional

I dont know the current prices as it was last year since I was there. I've since started using another doctor that is closer to me.

Hope this helps!

Amber

Thanks for the post Amber. I am glad you liked thier office. Why would you have more restriction pre-fill? How does that happen?

~Lisa

I just read on band2gether.net about a girl who went 7 1/2 months and 80 pounds lost before she went in for her first fill!!! That's definitely not common - but it can happen!! EveryBODY is different!!

Good to know Calicat. You are a wealth of info!!! I love it, thank you.

~Lisa

What is Flouro?

Using Fluoro (Fluoroscopy) during a lap band fill is a technique for obtaining a live X-ray image of a living patient used for band adjustments, viewing the band and port location.

Caution:I am not a medical health care professional, so my definition may not be perfect.

I was interested in knowing how many people on the forum have never had a fill or just had one fill and reached thier goal weight.

I thank you in advance for your time,

Lisa :sun_bespectacled:

I live here in Lacey, and have heard great things about the nurses who give the fills there, from lapband patients. However, I got my fill in Mexico, and as soon as I said that, I was lectured by the office staff about how they won't treat me if there is anything wrong, etc. I told her I knew that, but she kept going on and on.

I decided to go back to OCC for my first fill, and I'll think about going there for my second, if not, I'm looking at Arlington - it would be another 2 hours north for you past Lacey.

I heard there's a good Portland fill doctor though too - I'm not sure they use fluoro, but I've heard good things from Portland patients, and even a Lacey patient who is thinking of driving down there.

Oddly enough, the few lapband patients I know here in town, don't use Dr. Neal. They want the cheaper, no fluoro fills.

Thanks for the reply Calicat! The doctor down here you may be thinking of is Dr. Kelly Fitzpatrick. She is supposed to be terrific. However, when I got banded at the OCC (one week ago today :lb21: ), one of the doctors emphasized the importance of Fluoro. What is weird is that so many offices that I called around town don't even use Fluoro.

~Lisa

Hello!!! I was wondering if anyone has gone to the Pacific Surgical Center in Olympia Washington (Dr. William Neal) for fills. I know they will see patients who have been banded out of the country and they use "Fluoro". I only know of one person who has gone there and am looking for other peoples experiences. It will take me 2.5 hours to drive there, but their office is the only one close to me that uses Fluoroscopy when performing fills.

I thank all of you in advance for your thoughts, advice and experiences,

Lisa