Painter

The happiest of days to you Dr. Ortiz! As you can see from all the posts you have a big fan club. Keep up the good work and take a day off for goodness sake! I'm sending all my friends and family down to see you. Cheryl

So sorry to hear of your loss. My furry children are the center of my world next to the human ones. We too had to put down one of our kids a couple of years ago. I went in when the vet gave her the shots and I am so glad. I don't know if you were able to do that but the total relief I saw in her made me understand that we did the right thing and I am sure you did too. There is little point in making them suffer. I'm sure one day you three will be reunited. Thinking and praying for you. Cheryl

My heart aches for you. This is hugely frustrating I am sure but I see from your post that you have really worked hard to improve your health including quitting smoking. That is amazing! I have never been a smoker but I can tell you that my husband had a weight gain when he quit smoking which after a few months came back off. I think what may have happened is your metabolism is adjusting. Our bodies become so used to the metabolic increase from nicotine that it takes a while to realize that the body has to do the work itself now. Now don't use this as an excuse to smoke! It will balance out. Just keep doing what you are doing because you haven't gained and that is really unusual. How many people do you know who quit smoking and didn't gain any weight. Give yourself a pat on the back and just remember this surgery is successful but it is a slow process. You are miles ahead of where you were, keep the faith. I truly believe it will start coming off. Cheryl

I came up originally with about 160 cal per serving. Bear in mind we are eating small amounts and it is so good I often want to eat more. Even my incredibly fussy husband gave it thumbs up! Enjoy, Cheryl

Hello CatFriend, I had the same problem in the beginning and you will probably hear this over and over but you are probably not taking in enough calories. I was around 700 or 800 a day and nothing was coming off. Finally I added more calories and voila 2 pounds fell off immediately! I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't done it myself as it seems ridiculous but it does make a difference. For some reason our bodies go into starvation mode and hang on to absolutely everything. Don't get discouraged. Try to add in more calories and see if you don't get some results. I added cheese to my soup and it uppped my calories to around 1200 a day. If you melt it totally (velveeta works well) you should be able to tolerate it. Small bowls of soup work best. I have eaten too much at a time on occasion and lived to regret it. Here is my recipe for Cauliflower cheese soup. 1 large head of cauliflower 1 med vidalia onion 2 T Butter 2 T sugar 1 quart (or more) chicken stock, should be enough to cover vegetables 1/4 cup flour 1/2 cup water 1/4 cup sherry 1/2 cup half and half 1 cup Velveeta 1 cup swiss cheese or Cheddar or mix grated Salt and Pepper Cayenne pepper (start with about 1/4 teaspoon and work up to taste) This is the most important ingredient as it really adds flavor. Cut the cauliflower into small florets and set aside. Slice onion into strips and saute in butter in the bottom of a large soup pot. As they are cooking add sugar and carmelize. Once the onions are brown add the stock and cauliflower. Boil until cauliflower is well cooked. Puree in blender until smooth in batches then return to soup pot. (I get a big bowl out and put the puree in there until it is all done then add back to the pot. Shake flour and water together until well mixed and add to soup mixture. Let it boil and thicken slightly. Add half and half, sherry, cheeses and seasonings. Simmer together until cheese is completely melted and serve. This is not low calorie but you should only be eating a half cup or so at a time. It is yummy and will up your calories so that you can start losing weight. This soup would not be for after solids as it is too calorie dense. Cheryl

I agree it isn't a good idea to gulp anything. What I have started doing is drinking as much as I want (slowly) before eating. I have to plan ahead since we aren't supposed to drink too soon before eating but have found as soon as I eat I am DYING of thirst if I haven't had anything earlier. If I plan ahead and drink first it isn't so bad. This is the hardest part for me of the changes that I have to make with my band (now known as "The Enforcer", lol). I think often we don't drink enough throughout the day and when we finally realize we are thirsty our body is screaming at us which is why we want to gulp down some water. Hope that helps. Cheryl

Hello Sherri, I had my surgery 2 weeks ago and would be happy to answer any questions I can. Meals at the hotel are your responsibility. The restaurant in the hotel is very good and not overly expensive. I took a can of granulated chicken broth but never actually needed it. The hotel has a broth on the menu which is very good and more than you can eat in a sitting. They will pack it up for you to take to your room. I heated mine in the coffee pot the next day, lol. They will tell you to drink gatorade and we found a little store right across the street from the hotel that sells it. Pretty much everyone takes US cash and we had no problems speaking english. The clinic is spotless and everyone there is wonderful. I was so incredibly nervous but everyone was wonderful and the other patients were a source of comfort as we were all in the same boat. There are a couple of posts here where people have given a blow by blow of their experience and I found them very helpful. Let me know if there are any other questions I can answer for you. Cheryl

Just a thought but the days I feel less strength are the ones in which I don't get my 30 grams of protein. I don't always get all 30 but if I don't have at least one slim fast Optima or Boost or something with extra protein I don't do as well. Could be a lack of protein. If you don't feel well soon I would call the clinic though. The pain doesn't sound like a good thing. Cheryl

I haven't been banded as long as you have but I am 12 days post op and was frustrated that everyone was losing way more than I was (I was only down 1.5 lbs. from pre-op weight). I finally added more calories to my diet and magically 2 lbs. came off almost immediately. That day I was at 1470 calories. Prior to that I was eating around 700 - 1000. Not having enough really does make you stop losing. If I hadn't experienced it myself I wouldn't have believed it. Cheryl

Hello Amber, I was the lady in the waiting room going for surgery on the 16th. You came and showed me your incisions. Thanks for being so nice and being willing to share as I was so nervous that day. I too am healing and feeling much better now that it's over. I am really glad that I had it done and although my weight loss is much slower (3.5 lbs since surgery) I am certain that this was the right decision for me. Hang in there and keep in touch. Cheryl

Hang in there and find another protein. I had some protibars and I used one a day with two protein shakes. I hear the EAS shakes are much better. I also had some Wonderslim and it wasn't too bad. I tried Optifast and it sucked. I also understand that Slim Fast Optima is allowed. Try one of those. Don`t count on using the bars after surgery though. Cheryl

He's a scream! I was so nervous and he came in and just chatted. So different from my experiences in the past with any sort of surgery. You will love him. The clinic is spotless and eveyone was very kind. Good luck

This is one of my favorite homemade soups: Pureed Carrot Soup Ingredients: 1 small vidalia onion(s) 3 Tbsp butter 12 medium carrot(s) 4 cups fat-free chicken broth 2 tsp table salt 1 tsp Ground black pepper Instructions In a large soup pot saute onion in butter until transparent. Peal and slice carrots. Add broth, salt, pepper and carrots to pot. Simmer until soft. puree in batches in a blender. It is really simple and very yummy. I estimate calories at around 150 for 1/4 of the recipe.

Hey Paula, I am a scrapbook addict! I'm thinking of trying to scrap this whole adventure. Not sure how to do it yet (I hate having my picture taken) but I think it would be a good thing to do.

You guys are all so funny. All I can say is I have stayed on the pre-op diet and I made a list for myself of why I am doing this. I know that sounds strange so close to banding but I want to remember if I don't feel well exactly all the things that made me want this. I must say though that now I read all your posts I'm hungry! Kimra I can't wait to meet you. I think your picture is appropriate because you sound like you are too funny. Here's to being "normal" girls (and guys).

Thanks everyone, I emailed Rene since the toll free number won't work in Canada and I'm at work so can't call direct. I have my fingers crossed that we will be in the Lucerna. I can't wait to meet you all. It is so wonderful to have an opportunity to meet other people who have had the procedure. You all sound like such a great bunch.

Dear MamaMichelle, I have to laugh because I noticed that in each successive picture your smile gets bigger and your body gets smaller. You are truly an inspiration! Keep up the good work. And thanks so much for sharing your pictures.

Hey Sphynxmama, I am doing the protein shakes and greens and the shakes are gross but what I have done is add a little bullion (10 cal per cup) and that helps a bit. I managed to buy some shakes on line that are way better than the Optifast (just luck that I had them from a previous diet). That other stuff is vile. The ones that I am using are only 100 cals so I don't worry about the extra 10 for bullion. Also I have been using protein bars that are made for low carb dieting - they are 180 cals 15 gms of protein and 5 gms of carb. I know my calories are too low but I couldn't get that other stuff down more than once a day. I have lost 9 pounds in 6 days so it is still working. Hope that helps.

You can add me to the list for the 16th I am getting banded too!

Hey! Kimra and I are both getting banded this weekend too. I am on the 16th so you guys can share all the gory details with me! Looking forward to meeting everyone. I don't think I am at the Lucerna though so I will have to see you at OCC.

Go to www.tickerfactory.com Once you get a URL (just follow the online directions) load it into your profile and it will come up. I hope that makes sense. message me back if you still have trouble.

I am on day 5 of the liquid and greens diet. I had no options because I booked my surgery on short notice. Day three was absolutely the worst and then it started getting better. Today was not bad at all and ironically the liquid protein shakes are starting to taste better, how sad is that, lol. Anyway just wanted to let you know it will get better so hang in there. One sideline, my system is really clean now, no detox needed

Awsome! I arrive in San Diego at 2:42 assuming the plane is on time. Great to have a name and face to say hello to. So now the journey begins.....

Found it. http://mamamichellelv.files.wordpress.com/...patientbook.pdf