Jacqui1

Hi there, I just got back from a week in Indiana with my family. My cousin has lost 68 pounds doing HCG shots and looks great!! She wears a charm bracelet that she started at the beginning of her weight loss journey and puts a new charm on it everytime she looses 10 pounds. She now has a bracelet with six beautiful charms and everytime she is tempted to cheat she looks at her bracelet and it reminds her how far she has come, and reminds her of the new charm she will get when she reaches her next mini goal. I loved the idea. Before I left she bought me a bracelet and put my first charm on it. At the airport I was sooo hungry, but when I looked at my beautiful bracelet it gave the encouragement to continue on my wieght loss journey without cheating. I ate so bad in Indy, I can't even face the scale. Tomorrow I am goint to do three days of liquids to get back on track, and I can't wait to add my second charm!

I'm so glad to hear your report. I am going to St. Pete on 6/18 and can't wait to get some restriction1

Hi, I had surgery 5/07 and have no problem keeping any food down. I have not had any PB, sliming or anything. Sometimes I wonder if I even have a band!

Hello, I am having pain directly below my breast in the middle. I believe this is where my band is located. It is a burning sensation, but not heartburn or gas. I can't really describe it. it is extremely uncomfortable. Has anyone else felt this? And, if so, what is it? Thanks for your help

Hi there!! This is Jacqui and I am doing great. I've lost 11 pounds, and I have been wondering about everyone in our group. I'm so glad your doing good. Definitely keep in contact.

Awesome job!! i had a consult at Cosmed while I was there for my surgery and was really impressed. Please keep us posted on what you decide to do about the tummy tuck

Congratulations!! Keep up the good work - you're an inspiration to all of us newbies!

Congratulations!!! keep up the good work!

45 min. on treadmill today. also, i wasn't added for monday - 1 hour treadmill and 30 min weights thanks

Congrats on your new life!! I know you'll do great.

Hi there!! Congrats on your surgery date. I had my surgery 5/07/08 and am finally starting to feel completely back to normal. I did not tell anyone i was having surgery either, and I went to TJ by myself, and it was great. I met a lot of great people the day before and of my surgery. You'll do great!! i don't really want TV, so can't really comment on the shows.

Hi there!! Today I did 30 min. of weight training with my trainer and 30 min. of the treadmill at 2.5. I am 11 days post-op now and have lost 11 pounds!!!

Hi just tried the chat room, nobody's home!

Does anyone know if you can stretch your pouch out on the post-op liquid diet? Sometimes I drink or eat and then feel really full about five minutes afterwards. I hope I am not drinking too much. I seem to have very little restriction on liquid.

Hi there!! I am in your same position. We eat out constantly, and no one knows I had the surgery. What I have been doing is ordering a french onion soup without the bread and crouton and just eating the broth. It is really good, also, I order a glass of wine. If anyone ask why your not eating I tell them that I am on a 21 day liquid diet and I have already gone 12 days without solids, it usually results in a lot of "that's great" wow, wish I could do that", etc.... Make sure you take a liquid protein drink or something to drink before you get there so you aren't starving smelling all the food, and have fun!!

Hi there!! I have only been banded 10 days now, but I just wanted to share what Dr. Ortiz told me. He said to only eat solids, not soft food or soups, because they go thru the band too fast and you will not loose weight. He stressed over and over to only eat three solid meals a day, starting with protein, then veg, then carb, then fruit, in that order. I hope this helps, and good luck, also, don't get discouraged, any weight loss is a huge accomplishment!!

Tanya, I'm so sorry to hear you have to have another surgery, but thank goodness you are from the OCC and they will take care of you!! Do you know what the surgery entails? I can't imagine it will be like the first. I would think they only have to go into the port site again. Is this correct. Best of luck

Hi there!1 I went for a forty minute walk with my three year old while he was on his bike today - not bad 6 days post-op!!

Hi there!! I am 7 days post-op and am having a lot of pain on my left side today. I have had horrible gas pains, that nothing seems to relieve, but today is the first day I have actually had a lot of pain. Do you think I could have done something to the port? I have been really careful, and have only had liquids, added a protein shake today. Please let me know if anyone else has experienced this, and what to do. Thanks!!

Definitely call the OCC. I am 7 days post-op, and can do not feel that way. I have a little pain, but no nausea. Feel better!!

Hi there!! I only lost 3 pounds pre-op and Dr. Miranda never even mentioned it. So don't worry!!

Hi there!1 Does anyone have any suggestions for constipation? I am three days pre-op and really starting to get uncomfortable.

My suitcase is on wheels, but getting it on and off the floor was a problem. Go light

Hi there!! I am officailly a bandster now. I had my surgery Wednesday, and everything went really well. The trip home to Florida from TJ was looong!! I was so uncomfortable on the plane, but that is a small price to pay for the results I will be getting. I loved the OCC, everyone there made you feel very welcome. Also, I want to thank all the other girls who were there with me, I was so nervous about being alone, but I never once felt lonely or left out. THANK YOU!! I got on the scale when I got home, and guess what? I am UP 2 1/2 pounds! I was so shocked since I have not had any food since Tuesday. How long was it before the rest of you saw a weight change? I have only had clear liquid at this point.

I think counseling is a great tool When I get back from my surgery I am seriously going to look into it