MrsParris

Congratulations! It is an awesome feeling!!!!

Kimberly

I don't recall being told how long I had to wait. I had my first fill at the OCC on 1/10/09 then I had my second fill with my chosen local fill Dr. on 1/22/09. My 3rd fill was 1 month after that. I really don't see the need to wait 10 weeks, but contact the OCC and see what they say.

Good luck.

Kimberly

I took the chicken broth powder with me for my surgery. And it tasted just as good as the chicken broth in the hotel restaurant and it was much cheaper.

Don't worry. You will be fine. They take great care of you.

Good luck with your surgery.

Kimberly

Feels great doesn't it?

Yay!!!!!!

Kimberly

I agree, they are very nice looking. Dr. Ortiz totally knows he's hot. He has such a confidence about him.

Kimberly

Well,

As unpleasant as it is, after my 1st fill I starting the burping and farting and lots of hiccuping. I think it may be the fiber. I make sure I get plenty of it in daily, either with Fiber One Bars, Benefiber, or the All Bran Fiber drink mixes. I don't have constipation problems at all.

I teach Middle School Math. And just like Shelby stated, it is not so uncontrollable that I can't wait until I am alone. My students would totally lose it if the teacher farted, so some times I walk around with my butt cheeks clamped tightly together.

Don't let a little gas stand in the way of having your surgery. Every one is different, you may be one of the lucky ones with very little gas.

Oh, please hurry, I love Before and After photos.

Congratulations,

I am losing about 1 lb. per week. Not really plateauing, but not dropping it fast either. I have been exercising consistently ( like almost every day) for a couple of weeks now I would love to see a 4 lb. weight loss overnight.

Keep it up!!!!

Kimberly

Sweetie,

You are doing what you can! Keep it up! When your scale moves it will probably be big. I am only losing about 1 lb. per week. It is slow and frustrating, but my scales are not going in the wrong direction. Think about the tortoise and the hare. Slow and steady will eventually win the race. I have always heard, lose it slowly and it stays off. Also, it gives your skin more time to adjust. I also tell myself, that even if I haven't lost as fast as I would like, I am still helping my body out because of healthy eating and exercise. Find your happy thought and focus on it! Stay strong and keep going.

Kimberly

Same thing here,

Day after surgery. I even asked Dr. Miranda about it beforehand. She said as soon as you feel like it.

Root canals totally SUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!

Had one, never again. I have a tiny mouth and my jaws hurt for days from having to be held so wide for so long. My dentist said I was not the norm, that most people don't have any problems with them. I don't believe him, though, I know he's just out for the $$$$$$$$. When I have time I have got to get a new dentist.

I don't know how accurate this information is, but I was told at a Bariatric Surgery Support meeting by the nutritionist to compare protein to carbohydrates.

She said, for instance, if you have two lean cuisines, compare the proteins and carbohydrates. Say if it has 18 g of protein and 56 g of carbohydrates it is not as good as one that has 18 g of protein and 24g of carbohydrates. She said always try to keep your protein and carbohydrates as close to equal as possible.

Does that make sense? Has anyone else been told something similar to this? I have been doing this when buying yogurt, etc.

I have cut way back on pre-packaged meals and I miss them tremendously. I bought several lean cuisines last night, because I am getting bored with chicken and salad.

How do you guys feel about the South Beach meals?

First of all, 21 lbs. is awesome!!!!!

So far you have received great advice. I have only been banded 3 months. I am still adjusting to not being able to eat very much at a time. I am still learning to push it away. Every now and then I have a really bad "head hunger" day. Bad habits are hard to break. I still have issues with small bites and chewing enough. I too have a job where it is difficult to snack. If you are really worried about not getting enough calories you could try eating a yogurt before you eat your solids. Losing weight with the band is not easy. I actually think it was easier to lose weight dieting the old fashioned way, but it was too easy for my bad habits to slip up on me. The band will always be there to help "keep me in check." I really love my band when I go out to eat. I order from the kid's menu, knowing that I won't be able to eat it all. I don't love my band when I have a healthy grilled chicken salad and I can't eat but 6 or 7 bites of it. I get frustrated, I'm like, OK this is good for me, why can't I have it all! Like you, I am still early on in this, but I can tell you that is seems to be getting better.

Keep up the great work! Can't wait to see before and after pictures!

Kimberly

Mrs. Parris,

As you know I too have been thinking about a third fill. I emailed Dr. Miranda and thought I would share her response. I have a 3rd fill scheduled for the 13th of March, HOWEVER I am going take the advice of Dr. Miranda and see how this goes.....

Dear Carrie:

Plautus are part of losing weight also. Tighter bands do not guarantee weight loss but only complications.

If you are at a pleatu it will pass (patience). But if you are eating only 1/3 of your typical meal you do not need a fill.

You may however eat a bigger breakfast and only a very very light dinner. nothing after 7:00pm. Drink green tea and have a tablet of chromium picolinate for 3 weeks.

Please keep me informed, I will email you a diet tomorrow morning.

Dr. Miranda

Carrie,

That is good advice. I need to get some chromium picolinate and green tea.

Last night was my daughter's B'day. A dinner last night I ate a diet hotdog (lowfat frank & lite wheat bun) a large handfull of baked Doritos, a 2.5 x 2.5 inch piece of cake, and sugar free ice cream. I was really careful all day long with everything because I really wanted a piece of that cake. I don't normally do so many carbs either, but that's what she wanted for supper and I got the healthier versions. That is way more than 1/3 of what I would normally eat at one meal, so I think I am going ahead with the fill. I started my 3:45 a.m. workouts this morning and I am feeling very positive today. Good luck on what you decide about your fill.

Kimberly

Mine are shrinking slowly and I LOVE it!!!! I loved when I was a B cup. Hubby, not so much.

I felt better, wore a smaller size, and my back didn't ache anymore.

Congrats on the 20 lbs. Keep up the awesome work!!!!

Nicole,

Hey! Great to hear from you. Going on Thurs. I will let you know how it goes.

Kimberly

That is incredible. You are doing terrific. My husband is being banded April 6th. I hope he can do as well as you have.

Kimberly

Mrs. Parris,

Just wanted to say Job well done! You are doing great. I too am debating a third fill. I have put my self on Portion and Calorie control this past week and this week, just to make sure I am doing what I am suppose to do on my part. I have protien shake for Breakfast and a Lien Cusine for Lunch and Dinner with a 100 calorie snack pack each day. I am on day eight of this. I get up every morning at 6 and ride my bike for 25 miles, which is about 6 miles and then I do my weights. Sunday my hubby and I have made a decision to start walking the track for 2 miles everyother day. It does get frustrating when you DO pass on the Donuts and the sweet that you are around and fast foods that you pass EVERY day, when you ARE doing what you are suppose to do and the scales dont seem to move. The only thing that I need to do better is my liquid intake. I have never done well with this. I weight on Wednesdays and Mondays and it seems like since my first fill, I bounce up on Monday and down three on Wednesday, up on Monday down on Wednesday. This morning was the first Monday in over a month that I was actually down on Monday, so I am crossing my fingers I will be down on Wednsday.

Please let me know how your third fill goes if you decide to get it!

Good Luck to you and keep up the good work....

Carrie!

You are doing a great job with the exercise. Drinking the water is tough for me too because I don't have the luxury of going to the restroom whenever I need to. I can't leave my students, so I have to hold it until I take them for their break. I still manage to get in at least 64oz. per day, but it is a chore. I have stepped up the exercise some this week, and I plan on getting up with my husband every day at 3:45 a.m. starting tomorrow to walk my treadmill and do Pilates. Tomorrow is my 3 month bandiversary, so it is time to turn up the heat! Wish me luck, 3:45 is really going to suck, but right now that's about the only time I can fit in 30-45 mins. of solid exercise time per day.

I keep flip flopping on the fill issue. It is nice to be able to eat certain foods that another fill will probably prevent, but I really want to get the rest of this weight off, so I guess I will go for the 3rd fill and only get a small amount. I am only just now really beginning to understand my band better.

Let me know how your 3rd fill goes.

Kimberly

Great willpower on not taking the donuts! I"m not a big sweets person but donuts are my weakness for sure! I was on a plane coming home today and I fell asleep and when I woke up the flight attendant had left candy for me on the arm rest! Ahh! But I brought them home and gave them to my niece.

I'm not gonna lie - cheeseburgers are my weakness and I still eat them, but about 1/10 as much and of course I do no bun. This is a definite lifestyle change, but you can also have what you like within reason and within a certain quantity. I used to eat 2 cheeseburgers and 2 large fries and a large coke (God, can't believe I just typed that!) and now when I do get it is a double cheese (no bun) and a small fry and usually can't finish it. My guess is next fill on Monday I won't be able to do fries at all which will be a good thing.

You are doing a fantastic job - keep it up!

I love cheeseburgers, fries, choccolate, etc. All the really bad things. My control has gotten so much better. I was a compulsive eater. I would eat because it was there and if I didn't eat it someone else would.

On Friday, not only did I have to face the donut temptation, choccolate candy was everywhere. The student council sponsored Valentine's Day Messages that came with treats. I had several students send me one. I would get the heart shaped message, then get to choose from the box which treat I wanted, like TWIX, M&M's, Reese's, etc. I would choose the candy, then send for the student that sent me the Candygram. After thanking them profusely and explaining that I couldn't do candy I would give the treat to them. I was happy because they thought enough about me to spend their $1.00 to send one to me, and they were happy to get the candy.

Then on Valentine's Day I got my wish. My scales moved down another pound! I am losing slowly like 1 pound per week, but the scales are going down not up. I have discovered through journaling, that I lose better if I stay around 1,000 calories. I really have to journal and make sure I get in my protein, fiber, etc. and stay around 1,000 calories. Never more than 1,200. But, it is so worth it. I have gone from a 22/24 to a 16.

Me and my family are leaving for Disney World on April 10th. My new goal is to be 185 lbs. for the trip.

Thanks for the words of encouragement!

You are doing an awesome job also!

I'm right there with ya woman! I've great will power during the day but night, LOOK OUT! I'd get the fill. I'm actually going the the OCC this week to have mine checked out. Seems that every time I get a fill, it works for a few weeks and then it's done.

Good luck on the fill. I am hoping to get a bit more restriction at night, even if it means being too tight in the day time. Mine is just so fickle. The one time it is predictable is at night when it is definitely too loose. I really think 0.2 cc will put me where I want to be.

Let me know how the fill goes!

Kimberly

Hey Kim--

I was reading this thread and I really feel for you, girl. You were puttin' yourself out there and on a couple of posts basically got the "be told". I applaud you for taking a pass on the Valentine's day donuts--good girl! And regarding your now infamous double cheeseberger, we all slip and make a food choice that in the light of day, after a good night's sleep and a sanity break, would probably see differently. One double cheeseberger in six months is something that I would view as a freakin' victory. If we could all be perfect with food 24/7 we wouldn't need the lap-band or this forum. Keep pressin' on!!

Diana

Thanks for the support! This "cheeseburger" happened shortly after my 2nd fill. You know how most of us test our band to see if it will tolerate certain things. I am a middle school teacher, so grabbing a snack is sometimes imposssible, depending on my students. I am also hesitant to eat in front of them. That particular day, my husband had called me to tell me about the death, work was insane, my mind was simply on getting home, so we could get to Don's house. They had lots of great foods there and I was offered chicken strips, cocconut cake, etc. I declined, but on the way home, I had to have something to eat. I decided to try the cheeseburger to see if my band could still tolerate bread. I found out it most definitely could. Did I give that cheeseburger another thought, NO. The old me would have eaten 2 of them, an order of fries, and an apple pie. I am not making any excuses or apologies. I saw nothing wrong with eating the cheeseburger especially since it had been 4-5 months since I had eaten one.

I ate it slowly, chewed well, and it tasted amazing. I had been spot on with the rest of my diet earlier in the day. That one burger did not sabotage my diet endeavers. To be told that I was risking my health because I went so long without eating is ludicrous. Maybe my view points on this whole diet thing are off. I strive to be healthy, buy healthy foods, drink my water, watch calories, protein, fat, sodium, and fiber intake, and exercise when I feel I can. But, occassionally I intend to indulge in something not so healthy.

My daughter has a birthday tomorrow, my son's 16th birthday is next week. I fully intend to have a piece of their birthday cake (a small one.)

That's why I chose the lapband over gastric bypass.

I want the option of eating something "naughty" every now and then. Every pound lost is a small victory and to date I have had 55 of them, "slipping up occasionally."

Thanks again for your support.

Kimberly

I completely agree. I would be over the top with a 2.2 lb. weight loss. Tomorrow's my weigh -in day. All I want for Valentine's Day is a lower number on my scale.

I think it sounds like you could benefit from a small fill as well. Primarily because you said you are not staying satisfied (full) for very long and that it is taking more food to get to the full feeling in the first place.

Like Julie, I am rarely hungry. Even in the evenings.

But, I agree with whoever said you will have to give up some foods if you decide in favor of tighter restriction and then there is always the "chance" you will end up too tight and have to have fluid removed.

I do not like my band tight. Some people do and that works for them. I also do not want it too loose. If I was any good at using my "willpower" consistently, then I would not have needed a lap band in the first place. Really, it is your decision to make. You are doing great so far so you must be doing something right.

Good luck.

Dawn

I am completely ok with giving up some foods. When I signed on for this I knew there was a really good possibility that I wouldn't be able to eat bread (my favorite food) and other foods too. That's what lead me to make my original post. I just wanted others input as to whether or not my restriction was as good as it gets or could it be better. I have good willpower during the day. I always have. My willpower falters in the evening and that's when my band currently takes its break.

Thanks for the compliment. I need to post some new pictures, you would be amazed what a difference 12lbs. has made. I am beginning to get my waist back. I have made a lot of healthy changes and my entire family has benefited from them. My children have even lost a little weight. My husband is getting his band in April and he has already lost 40 lbs.

This band is confusing, but I am so happy I was able to get it. I will figure it out one day.

Kimberly ~ that is awesome to pass up the doughnuts! I am not a total craze for doughnuts, but I sure like to have a couple from time to time. Now I guess I should post my new recipe for weight loss friendly mini doughnuts!

WTG Kimberly...!

I went to a Bariatric Surgery/Nutrition meeting the other night and they passed out recipes for diet Red Velvet Cake, Apple Dumplings, and other treats. I actually do better if I try to not eat any kind of sweets at all. My main treat lately when I really want something sweet is to eat a Kellog's Double Choc. protein bar. I almost feel guilty because they taste sssssoooooo good! But, I know I could be eating something a lot worse.

Congratulations!

You have just embarked on an incredible, although sometimes frustrating journey.

Take care of yourself, follow Doctor's orders, and you will do awesome!

Kimberly