JazzyJude

Good points! Thanks for sharing...!

I can have a 3 to 4 oz glass of wine and it doesn't bother me. I normally have apple slices and cheese afterwards. When I 'socialize' at a party or going to friend's house, I would add ice cubes to make it less strong and last longer. I agree with CindyLou, maybe you had an off day or maybe you should have had something to eat afterwards. If interested, try again and see what happens. Maybe you can't drink wine, but can go back to vodka cranberry...and I like it with a splash of grapefruit juice too!). Again, all in moderation and be responsible of how much you drink...

Ah yes...the waiting game! It's hard to continue with your daily lives when you have something 'new' in your life. Right now, we are soooo focus on our band that we don't leave any room for any growth with our band. We need to be patience about this band journey of ours. There are ALWAYS reasons as to why some things works for others and not for you or vice versa. Worst thing for you to do is compare with others, for you will NOT meet another you. This is your journey and no one else's ~ make the most of it. Why not trying something different? Trick your body or pretend you were banded and you were just off the clear liquids and starting the creamy soup stage. Maybe take one day a week to have a high calorie day and then switch around your exercises. Doing and going the same rut will produce, impatience, mental hunger, frustrations, and negative to name a few things. STAY FOCUS and BELIEVE in this band! IT WILL WORK! You can't expect this 'band surgery' to make you lose weight all within your time frame, but what your own body can do. Ask yourself ~ Am I really working WITH my band? Am I really listening to my body? Am I really eating the right portion control of food? Do I measure my food? Am I exercising right? Am I eating my daily protein intake? Am I eating enough? There is a balance within ourselves we can control and what we can't, the band can assist us. YOU CAN DO THIS! Take the time to learn your body and relearn the simple, basic eating habits we should all along be on. Discipline yourself to stay on track. If you have to, keep a daily journal to see what you are doing. A lot of people don't realize what they do and when you look back at what you ate and did for the day, you may realize you either didn't eat enough or had too much; maybe you didn't drink all your water or liquids for the day; didn't exercise enough, etc. This is not a miracle pill, the band, it's a tool to work WITH you. You've paid good, hard earning money for this surgery...use it to it's advantage and benefit from it. Re-look at your lifestyle and think how you can better yourself with the band...it's awesome the way the band is working for me! I LOVE MY BAND!

You nailed it Karleigh. Everyone is different and reacts differently to foods. What would agree with you, would not agree with me. It's a trial in error and like CindyLous said, "a small price to pay!" And Amanda said it true too, using either phazyme, Beano or Gas X strips to assist. BEAN TIPs: If you are a cook, when cooking beans, soak your beans overnight to "burp" them and do not add salt until the beans are fully cooked because salt will prevent them from becoming tender...

I am glad you dong this challenge for yourself. Whatever it takes to get you going, it's a good thing! So, you will see him once a week and then on your own at the club for 12 weeks. Where and if I may ask, how much does this PT session cost you? I like to plan something like this myself.

OOH! When I hear someone mention taking the "easy way out"...it burns my arse! (a flame 3 feet high! LOL) Click on this link to what Clynn (our Moderator) had said back in Oct regarding this issue...good response. http://www.lapbandforum.com/index.php?showtopic=8668 My husband supports me 100%, in fact, he paid for the surgery as a gift, and believes I can do this. With this, it motivates me to challenge myself to meet his expectations of me. It's working and when it really comes down to it, it's ME who I am challenging. It's amazing how this new life with my band is adapting. I feel as though a whole new me is starting to emerge into the new modern era. Seriously, working with my band is even bettering myself in other aspects of my life, my family, my work ~ well, everything! It puts things in perspective as I am losing weight. You just wait until you get to this point of "I CAN DO ANYTHING!". I thank the band for this motivation! Now more than 3 months post op, my husband is commenting how I am losing. He tells me instead of (3) lines of fat rolls between my legs, he barely sees one and that my chest is sticking out further than my tummy. As I am losing, he is benefiting in seeing less of me. Just recently, he casually said he's afraid of losing me to another man. NOT IN THIS LIFE TIME BUDDY! I love my husband very much and I only had to say this once to assure him that I am his and no one else's. After staring each other in the eyes for a moment, he believed me and that was that. He smiled wide at this and now he just says, "They (meaning men) can see and talk with you all they want, but I get you when you come home at night!" Sigh, but then we have a good relationship with one another ~ I support him and he supports me. For me, what could be better?

Welcome to Bandster Hell! Hang in there kiddos! YOU CAN DO THIS! Right now, you need to get in those proteins and take either the Metamucil capsules or the chewable Fiber Choice for your hunger pangs. I swear by these and taken them religiously EVERY day, twice a day. I take mine at 10am and 3pm (I work from 6:30am to 3pm). I take Benefiber for my roto rooter plumbling too. During your clear liquid and creamy soup stage, if you are lacking proteins, put a scoop of unflavored protein powder in whatever. This can help you energize and prevent getting headaches and even dizzyness. ckiki ~ the good news! You CAN have popcorn, starting on your solid days. I've no problems eating them! Hope this helps...

Hi Babe ~ we can't tell you what to do but if you are really serious in losing weight, you would follow the guidelines Dr. Miranda has set up for you. Trust me, you won't regret this. You need to put faith in yourself and believe the band will work with you. You are paying good, hard earning money for this surgery. If you are like me and most of the others, I've tried soooo many diet fads and clubs to lose weight and then to gain it all back plus more. It's frustrating and we feel a failure and we feel as though there is nothing out there to help you...but yet, you keep hoping 'something' will. Well, we are here to tell you that "lapband surgery" is it for us. This decision is the BEST thing I have ever done for me and I am doing it the healthier way WITH my band. So, with this said, FOCUS Babe! YOU CAN DO THIS! Put your mind at rest that you will find yourself eating healthier and changing your lifestyle for life. Be positive and motivate yourself for this amazing adventure you are about to go on! Dr. Miranda had me on the preop diet #2, which was a protein shake for breakfast and lunch and then do a lean cuisine for dinner with a green salad. I am not a frozen dinner gal, so she said do a big green salad and I added hard boiled eggs, cheese, brocolli, mushrooms, etc, and ate rolled up deli chicken or turkey slices ~ all great source of proteins and fiber. I was to lose 12 lbs in 2 weeks, and I lost 12.5 lbs. It's easy if you want it bad enough...don't think negative, go forward and do the best you can sweetie! Good Luck!

Dr Miranda told me nothing 4 hours prior to having a fill. After your fill, on full liquids for 3 days and then progress to solid foods. Hope this helps...

Nice post crazycoolbutterfly and informative for me too.

Yep, I am currently having a difficult time in eating right now too. So, I put a scoop of unflavored protein powder in my warm cocoa or tea and that helps with the protein intake, and then later on, I would have a protein shake. For taking meds in capsules, make sure you drink something first before taking it. The capsules are just great in 'sticking' up to dry walls! I have to take an antibiotic right now and it's a capsule and I so don't want it. I find having a warm cup of water or tea would help it down. Don't drink too much at once, so you can follow up with another sip with no problems.

Hi Janet! See, I told you it was good and it's filling too. You can add whatever spices you personally like, but the garlic powder gave that extra flavor and the hot sauce gave it a kick! I use this recipe after each fill...so yummy!

You just got your fill on Friday, give it a week for you to test your band. Remember, your first fill is like a 'primer' and you really don't get too aggressive of a fill, as you and your band need time to adjust to this 'tightness'. Fills are done progressively. Your next fill, however, may be a good one. My first fill was only 1cc in my 4cc band and I had restriction for about a week and a half. My 2nd fill (4 weeks from my first one), I was given a .6cc fill and this is a good restriction fo me. I don't have that "full feeling" per se, as I measure my food every meal, every day. I know Dr O says to eat 1/3 of what you use to eat, but I really think, IMHO, this really pertains between postop and up to your 2nd, or for some, 3rd fill. I CANNOT eat 1/3 of what I use to eat anymore ~ impossible. So, I just use the portion control my mentor had guided me: 4 oz protein, 2 oz veggie/fruit, and 2 oz grain/carbs, 3 meals a day and up to 1200 calories daily. What protein I can't eat, I drink it (protein shake, protein water, drinkable yogurt, liquid protein bullet, or a scoop of unflavored protein powder). With this guideline, I am able to eat most of the proteins and veggies/fruit..but hardly do I get to either start or half way finish my grains/carbs. My band can be fickle at times! Hope this helps...

Hi Musiclover ~ wow, you go girl, you will reach your goal in no time. As far as you picking up exercising, I am not experienced enough to tell you nor am I a medical advisor. IMHO, a couple of items came across my mind: ~ How soon do you eat after you exercise? Sometimes I cannot eat after exercising, especially hard core exercises, as my muscles expand and I need to relax about 30 minutes before I eat. Right after exercising, I drink a protein shake. Since I've been doing this, I noticed I am not drained out and I have a more balance meal. During and after exercising I am also drinking water, gatorade, or juice. ~ If you pb'd on food, the same goes for liquids? If you can't get liquid down smoothly, then call the doctor immediately. If you can, try a protein shake. Also, sometimes I've noticed I, personally, can't have a salad after I eat ~ just my fickle band's reaction to me. So, now I turn to more solid foods or have a chili or thickened soup. It doesn't happen all the time, as my restriction is good right now, so I need to adjust my meal intake accordingly. All the best to you...

Yep! You are officially initated to the "Club PB!" I had the same issue, including the burp, when I tried to eat a McDonald's chicken nugget, with the breading off...no can do and it was stuck! This is a huge realization that we need to take smaller bites and chew it up good before swallowing...

DITTO! BUT, I can get away with eating a few bites of cake with no problem IF I have a smidgen of ice cream to go with each bite, for the moisture. Otherwise, it's too dry to swallow and you know how we cannot have anything to drink while eating...

Cornbread is close to a muffin texture instead of bread, bread, where it gets too gummy and doughy after being chewed and swallow. You will need to try it and see how it works for YOU. Good luck!

I didn't mind the creamy soup stage as it kept me full and I had a variety of soups made ahead of time. Mostly I like the Campbell's Cream of Potatoes and Cheddar Cheese soup. I would go on this soup after each fill too, for it's very filling and lots of proteins. If I needed more protein, just add a scoop of unflavored protein powder! With the potatoes, I just mashed them down to thicken the soup and if I did see any large chuncks, just take them out. To make this soup: 2 cans Campbell's Cream of Potatoe 1 can Campbell's Cheddar Cheese 2 cans worth of milk (I used 2%) Optional ~ add spices to your taste (I used garlic powder, rosemary ~ crushed, and when I am in the mood, a dash of hot sauce for a kick) Add all the indredients in a pot and stir. It freezes good, when I do a double batch of this, otherwise it's gone with in a few days. I also did tomatoe soup and dock it up with whatever spices/hot sauce I wanted at the time. Soup serving: During the creamy soup stage, I did 1/2 cups at a time, as many as I wanted during the day.

:lb24: TRS! Awesome job and congrats on your bandiversary! Keep up the good work doll! You are doing amazing and you are inspiring others!

EXCELLENT post Julie! I TOTALLY, TOTALLY agree with your post! If you hadn't said this, I would have. Yes, each person is different and the same goes for their fills. Remember, I mentioned your first fill is a "primer" to get use to being tighter. If you follow the fill diet afterwards for a bit, you would have some restriction and lose some weight. I did the first week and then the restriction was going downhill and I was using a lot more willpower. My 2nd fill is a totally different story. I had my 2nd fill on Dec 20, and it didn't kick in until 5 days later and I am still having the same restriction 30 days since my fill. It is AWESOME! Again, PLAN your protein intake thought the day. Spread it out. I, personally, have more proteins in the early evenings for the reason you just said, being hungry. I drink up to 5 to 15 minutes before I eat my meal, and I make sure I drink something about 45 min to an hour afterwards, to continue hydrating and quenching my thirst. Lastly, I still take my Fiber Choice or Metamucil for the hunger pangs. Although the Metamucil capsules as starting to get difficult in taking due to my tighter restriction, I would do the Fiber Choice then. Hope this helps!

EXCELLENT Post!!! Thanks for sharing this "Cool"!

You will do fine Kristy! Just treat it as another jump kick to your weight loss. Each time I had my fill (only 2), I've lost weight and took my time in progressing to solid foods. It's a good thing. Don't be too disappointed...it's all part of our band life babe! Happy restriction!

I agree with Kristy on this...I LOVE my showers! I, too, bought Target's bandages as they were waterproof and I didn't have to worry about the incisions being opened, etc. Also, at WalMart, I purchased Maderma, a gel tube with a hard plastic topper to ease out the gel. THIS is a WONDERFUL products for both old and new scars. It softens and smoothe the scar/incisions. AWESOME stuff. WARNING!! This stuff is concentrated and a LITTLE goes a long ways! I put a light, even layer on and let it dry and go about your business putting on your clothes, etc. My largest incision, where the port is, is healed and nicely smoothe with no raised skin at all. Also, during the early days, I also put Vitamin E oil (just break a capsule) on rubbed it on for extra protection and healing. So, I use Maderma morning and nite and then Vit E during the day...easy and simple!

Hey BigDaddy! I will find some recipes and post then for you and you try them. I've done what Julie had done with the foil. The lemon and dill was a great compliment to this fish. I haven't tried the brown sugar as I never really thought to have it sweetened, but would try it to see how it tastes...thanks Julie for the suggestion.

I LOVE salmon! How have you had it prepared? Foil cooking? Grilled? Broil? Do you have a preference? I will check out my family cookbooks and see what I can come up with...bear with me. In the meantime, let me know what you don't like about what you have eaten so far. Some have sauces, some don't. I don't want to post a recipe you wouldn't like. Hang in there!