Jacqui1

Hi there!!

I just starte-od my pre-op yesterday, and tried the ZOIC protein drink. It taste really good, and especially for post-op I think it will be beneficial to help get in the protein. Also, it is low in calories. Does anyone else have another drink they like?

Here is the stats:

Calorie: 110

total fat: 1

total carbs: 5

Protein 21

Here are my 2 month post op pics, I have been kind of bummed that I only lost 7 lbs this month (and haven't lost anything in the past week) but the pics show my progress so that makes me feel so much better!!

Here's the first set:

Click on the smaller picture to see a bigger version

What a transformation!!

Keep up the good work

no, mine was 3 cc's and believe me, I CANNOT even fathom having another fill at this point. I am tight! i can only eat maybe about 1/2 a cup and the full feeling lasts all day. I am eating only because I know i have to. This likely will subside as the fat around my stomach goes but right now, it is a BEAUTY.... perfect! It also depends on which band you have... mine is the 10cc one. so I am less than half filled. if you have the 4 cc one and get almost 2cc, you will be almost half filled. This could also mean you would likely never need another fill. I spent alot of money to go back to TJ... almost $800 is what the plane cost was and it took 24 hours to get there. It is definately worth it!

Thanks for the advice - i think I'll end up going back to TJ also. How long after the first fill do you need to wait to get the second?

Hi! I am new the the forum and will post my introduction later this evening.

I just wanted to talk about the soda. I actually post-poned making my decision to have the surgery for over a year because I heard that the fizz from Diet Coke would be a problem. Dt. Coke was practically my best friend! I probably drank a 12 pack a day... but I never counted because I didn't want to know how bad it was!

On January 1st this year, I started thinking about my goals for the year, and decided that it is time to do something about this weight I've been fighting for 20 years. And I knew if I didn't conquer the Dt. Coke, I would be stuck. BUT, I didn't want to make a New Year's Resolution since so many of those are destined to fail. I started "lurking" on this forum, reading all the posts and getting inspired by all of you guys! You folks are so inspirational and supportive of each other!!!!

On Leap Day I decided it was time to give up my security blanket called Diet Coke! What better use of an extra day than to make a change! I bought cases of water and probably $50 worth of Crystal Lite flavor packs and $20 worth of spicy gum! The first couple of weeks was tough. I was drinking at least 12 bottles of flavored water a day and still had a feeling like something was missing -- the fizz! Slowly I started drinking one "clear" water in between each flavored water until now I drink mostly clear water with just 2 or 3 flavor packs a day. (They do have a Crystal Lite Focus with 40 mg of caffiene if you need one of those a day to ween off the caffiene from soda!)

I had the most surreal experience exactly one month after I gave up soda. It was an overcast, drizzly morning after a night of hard rains. The endless supply of Pop Tarts at my house finally ran out (and will never be replaced), but I was hungry and knew I had a marathon of meetings planned for the day. I pulled into the Publix on the way to work and was one of only 4 or 5 cars in the wet parking lot. I ran in and found a Bolthouse Perfectly Protein drink thinking it was time to try a protein replacement. I ran out to the car with my little bag. As I was sitting in the car, shaking up my shake, a man passed in front of the car and waved. He didn't smile -- in fact he looked pretty sad. I thought, "Maybe he thought he knew me and then realized he didn't so I got a wave and an "oops" frown." I waved back. He shuffled through the raindrops and jumped into a white car. As he pulled out of the parking lot and passed in front of me, I saw the big red COKE logo painted on his car. It was the Coca-Cola sales rep for my Publix. Frowning, waving, and driving away in the rain! I guess he missed me! I waved again, and I swear to goodness, I shed a tear as I said good-bye to my friend Dt. Coke for good!

So today -- 2 months of soda-free, I scheduled my Lap Band Surgery with Dr. Ortiz for May 30! Yeah!!!! One month of pre-op diet and now I know I have the will power to make life long changes!

So...very long story short, if I can give up soda, I know you can do it!!!! Start making changes today! You can do it!

~Tanya in Nashville

275/275/195 Highest/Current/Goal

Thanks for the encouragement. Today is my first day of cutting back. It is noon and I have only had one. I get one this afternoon, and then tomorrow only one until surgery day = May 7th. Congratulations on making the decision for your surgery!

Hon, I am sorry but you are going to have to cut that down. The only way Dr. Miranda "allows" drinking sodas is if you let them set out a while and let the fizz dissolve. In other words a flat soda. :lb20: But maybe you can find something just as satisfying!! Sorry.

Wow , this will be life altering! i better start now, or I will never survive

Hello Nicole,

Thank you soo much!

Since my surgery 10/6/2006 I've lost 115, I've gone from a size 22 to a size 6 pants and 8/10 top. I've stopped counting my fills, since I was bigger I had the VG band it it takes a lot to keep up with filling it. I just have about 10 more pounds to loose - however right now since I'm smaller and working out more I haven't been loosing much weight - but toning, gaining muscle and loosing inches. I just had a neigbor tell me that I don't even look like the same person - which is interesting to me. I also am really into belly dancing - great for the stomach muscles and pretty darn sexy. Back in early 2007 I bought a belly dancing costume from Turkey and had it shipped internationally. It was sooo tiny and I couldn't even try to put it on without ripping the thing apart and had a hard time imagining I'd ever fit it. I just got in on last night and I'm going to take some pictures - it will be the first time my belly has seen daylight since the 70's..... I'll post them as soon as I get them taken (I just had a breast lift last week so it might be a couple of weeks). Just as an FYI I've had an extended tummy tuck and lippo on my sides as well to give me curves. I love my new body! (Aslo that picture was taken in January and since then I've lost another 20 pounds)

Take care, it takes time and you have ups and downs - but its the best thing I've ever done for myself - if I was at 275 over a year and a half ago, and if I didn't do this I figured out by my average rate of gain that I would be over 300 pounds by now.

(At your own risk... I just took a quick picture of myself today in my bathing suit - I know people wonder what you can look like with weight loss and perhaps after cosmetic surgery, - I did - its in my album, however it has to be approved first...)

Lisa

Congratulations on your weight loss!! You look great! I belly dance, also. I have been off and on for about 2 years now. I can't wait to wear the little bitty tops like some of the others. One advantage to being bigger though, I can roll a quarter on my stomach!

Soda pop

Alcohol

These are the ones I know were told. Six month no pop our paperwork denotes but I've read that you can kiss pop goodbye as it will always not be a good choice for the bandster.

Hanna

No soda????????? I drink 6 - 8 diet coke's a day - I know a total addict. What happens if you drink one?

I think the proper fill is important, you wouldn't buy a inner tube for a beach trip and not inflate it properly right?? Choosing the right foods is also key- You wouldn't poke holes in your tube since you know that doing so will deflate it..

The band can't work it's magic if you don't get to the proper amount of fill to hit that "sweet spot" and if you are sabotaging your efforts by eating around the band then you won't ever attain the goals you have set for yourself!!

How do you know a good fill from a bad one? Is there a certain technique I should look for?

i live in sarasota and i go to the st.pete one- the fluro is free and the nurse is AWESOME!!!!! she does unfills for free too (and they numb you i didnt feel a thing)

Did you use fill centers USA?? I'm closer to Miami, so I may try them here.

Thanks!!

Name and location: Jacqueline from South Florida

Age: 41

Gender: F

Height: 5'3

Highest Weight: 215

Current Weight 215

Goal Weight: 135

Band date: May 7, 2008

Started pre-op diet toay. I am sooo excited!!

Hello,

I have a question regarding the success of lap banders. As I read this site and others I see that some people are tremendously successful and others only lose a few pounds and insist they are following the diet perfectly. Do you think having a fill done properly is the key to success? Or is there such thing as a bad fill? I am so worried I will once again fail at dieting and be fat for the rest of my life....

I will be getting fills in South Florida. Does anyone have a Dr. in this area they would recommend?

Hi there!!

I was just wondering if any of you have experienced a fill outside of TJ and then returned to TJ for a fill? Is there a difference in where and who does the fill? Or, are all fills created equal?

I have my banding May 7th, and am still contemplating where to go for fills. I live in South Florida so traveling back and forth to TJ could get expensive. Any suggestions?

Congratulations!!! I know you'll do great - look, you're already down 10, and this is the last time you will ever have to lose those unwanted pounds.

I start mine tomorrow and I'm trying not to freak out today, since it is my last "meal" in a while.

Where there's pain there's gain!!

Hi, everyone

Wanted to know If anyone is going to TJ on May 8 - May 11.

I'm going alone a need a friend or friends.

Charlotte

Hi there!!

I'll be there May 6 - 9 and I'll be alone also. I'm really nervous, but I'm sure we will be OK - I should be back at the hotel on the 8th, so look for me

My surgery is the 8th . I started my preop diet yesterday. I am using an isogenix shake. Dr. Miranda said any protein shake is good as long as it isn't to high calorie and it has enough protein (20 g or more) per shake.

Blessings!

Thanks, I haven't spoken to Dr. Miranda yet. I just scheduled with Lori on Saturday and said I wanted to have the surgery asap and she was able to get me into a cancellation they have. I feel a little lost. It is so sudden, but I've been thinking about this for so long. Are you going alone, or with someone?

Hi there,

I'm starting my pre-diet tomorrow and my surgery is May 7th. Do you have to use the opti-fast, or will any protein shake work?

I'm arriving on the 6th and having surgery on the 7th - I'm starting to get nervous!!!

Good luck!!

I am arriving late on the 6th and will be doing my pre-op and surgery on the 7th - so hopefully I'll get to meet you!! Lot's of luck!!

Jacqueline

I am scheduled for surgery on the 8th. I will arrive and be doing my preops on the 7th.

Blessings!

I have lap band surgery scheduled in TJ for May 7th. Is there anyone else for that date? Also, is there any suggestions for the pre-diet I will be starting on Monday?

Thanks!!