JazzyJude

Way to go Stormy! Congrats to you...you are doing amazing! Keep up the good work. Continue with what you are doing and if you have any concerns...call OCC for reassurance. I don't think you are doing anything wrong at all...just keep the focus and keep rewriting new goals as your achieve the ones you've listed. Keep rewarding yourself too! AWESOME job! Jazzy!!

Hi Sweetie ~ I just turned 54 and I've loss 66 lbs so far. Yes, like everyone says...it can be slower but you've got to have the mindset and goals to achieve in YOUR pace. Every person's body is difference, so concentrate on you. I am over the hump, the downslope of the mountain and I FEEL GREAT! I've more energy than I've ever had in years! Truth be told, I'd do the band surgery again...knowing what I know now. You really work at your own pace and be realistic with your food and fitness tracking. Try to balance out your calorie intake and calories burned. I started up with the breathing exercise Lisa had mentioned from Dr. Weil and it helps get my day started in a positive way. Good luck and don't worry about how you are doing comparing to the others...just focus on you, keep the faith, be determine and motivate yourself to achieve those goals of yours. Have a dream to keep you positive too... Best to you! Jazzy!!

DANG! I ALMOST got through the whole post without a tear! Love you right back darlin'! Just remember, to look back as a lesson to learn that you've accomplished in succeeding a new life with new awareness to live a healthier lifestyle. Also remember that this is NOT a race and you are NOT competing with anyone, except yourself. This is the time to enjoy yourself with a newfound yearning of new interests or getting back to what you've had before but with a better insight and results. Like you, I've some good days and then not so good days...but I always have a "Plan B" to fall back on. Keep the focus and BELIEVE in yourself. You are doing FANTASTIC and I am SO PROUD of you! What a testimonial you are ~ YOU GO GIRL! ((HUGS!!))...Jazzy!!

OH my gosh Anne ~ is that you? YOU LOOK FANTASTIC girl!!!! I LOVE your new picture! OK...got side tracked! Clynn may be right on this. But do call OCC for reassurance and to get this taken care of. I am concern of the fact that it is only when you lay down? Are you eating late at night? Are you stressed? What was the last thing you were eating/drinking? Guess what I am asking is what really trigger this on to you? Try any new food/drinks that may not agree with you? Did this recently happended, for the first time, and not before this issue? I've noticed the past couple of weeks, that I am tight and it's a 'day to day' case with me as to what I can and can't have. Even drinking water had me clogged up in my throat region. I was guessing I was stressed out. I lay low for a bit and started over again and was able to drink water. So, I' basically started the 5-day pouch test and it's helping me. I figured, if it didn't, then OCC was going to get a call from me. BUT, I've haven't thrown up or anything...just the tight/clogged feeling only. Let us know how you are doing! Best to you...Jazzy!!

Hi Angie! I agree with Shelby. It's ok to splurge at times...you gotta live too! Just know your portion control and include it with your calorie intake. No big deal. We all can't be perfect on this band...but we all try to live the good bandsters rules. If we "oops"...then just learn from it and move forward. Still 20 pounds is GREAT! It's (4) 5-lb sacks of sugar! Try carrying them around for 15 minutes and you will be amaze how motivating that can be for you! YOU GO GIRL!! May this restriction be as good as melting 20 more pounds!! YEAH!! Jazzy!!

Yes, you can still take the Metamucil capsules if you wish, which also helped with the hunger pangs, as well, the chewable Fiber Choice for Weight Management does too. If in doubt, check with your dr for advice. I did either the Benefiber natural powder (no flavored) and mix in my soups and drinks or took the chewable Benefiber (Orange Creme flavored). Starting day 22, solid stage, I started eating instant oatmeal and that helped me alot with the rotor rooter plumbing... Good luck...Jazzy!!

Hmm...why would you want to guzzle your drinks? Don't you want to enjoy them? There should be no reason to 'hurry' and/or 'gulp' down a drink, whether you are banded or not. If you are, or know you are, going to be in this situation, don't drink or just leave what's left in your glass. If you guzzle your drinks, you are risking yourself the chance of: ~ back firing your drink; sliming and/or PBing, due to food still in your newly pouch and it's filling up into your throat area; ~ stretching your pouch. if you have food still in your pouch and liquids are 'filling' in the air space around the food particles; ~ pushing your food through the band; causing some discomfort and/or irritation You should drink in small doses, like a 1/4 cup, or at best, take small, not tiny, sips. Best...Jazzy!!

Clynn is SO right on this! EVERYONE is going to be different in how much you are going to lose during the first 21 days - up to 3 months post op. Like Clynn mentioned, your body has gone through surgery and you and your band need some time to adjust to it. PLEASE don't rush this. It took you awhile to gain all this weight and you can't expect to lose much in a week's span. Give it time. Trust me, you will see the difference in no time. I am one of the lucky ones who listen to the other bandsters when I was banded in Oct last year. I took my time and just went with the flow. Sure it would be cool to lose right up front, but if your body is not ready, it's not going to happen just yet. Right now, just focus on the new you. Read, read, read...Sip, sip, sip and Walk, walk, walk. Don't take long walks, but short mini ones to help get rid of any gas bubbles you may have lurking around your upper torso area. The more you walk and drink your water, the more your body will start to heal. Take the time to write down some small, reachable goals to achieve. Remember during your clear liquid stage, you can have as many 1/2 cups of liquids at a time, as many as you want, throughout the day. Don't forget to include your water and if you can, drink the Special K protein water. It will help with the protein intake and if you need more, do the whey liquid protein bullets you can get at GNC store. You do not count calories at this time nor during the creamy soup stage either. It also helps if you continue with the Metamucil capsules Dr. Miranda had you on during pre-op OR take the chewable Fiber Choice for Weight Managment (strawberry). Either one of these will assist with any hunger pangs - take one at 10am and one at 3pm. I also include Benefiber to help with the 'rotor rooter' plumbing (smile). Be patience and you will see result in no time...baby steps equals to leaps of successes! Jazzy!!

That is just great Pammie! Good luck to you! I really would love to hear all about you and yor experience as I will have to do the same thing too. Let me know how you are. Wow...just 20 days from today! I am happy for you! ((HUGS!!))...Jazzy!!

Hi Elissa ~ I, too, was a self-pay for my surgery. Also, my son, his wife, her sister, and my grandson. After a lot of research, we come to find out that Dr. O trained the US drs...so why would I go anywhere else but to the source? He is amazing! He made the surgery seem like a breeze and truly, it was. If I had to do it all over again, I would go back to him in a sec. My hubby went with me to 'tour' the clinic and was totally surprised at the cleaniness of it. To be honest, I've never seen a US hospital looked half as cleaned, well informed, knowledgable, pleasant staff, and the aura of being safe than at OCC. I chose well for my experience. I was literally waited on hands and foot and I didn't have to worry a bit. I recommend Dr O and his staff to everyone who is considering the lapband surgery, as he can make your experience a memorable one! But you won't satisfy yourself until you've done all your research yourself...and you will see why we chose Dr. O. Good luck with your research...Jazzy!!

Excellent post Lisa....I LOVE Dr. Weil. He is just amazing and the topics he comes up with, seems perfect timing for me. These breathing exercises really have helped lower my stress level. ((HUGS!!))...Jazzy!!

I was going to get the P90X but you need to be at goal or maintenance to do such endured fitness. Like Carrie says, it's all about muscles and the different set of exercises to do each muscle group. I am not there yet and don't really know if I want to have such a 'muscled-b0ound' boby at my age - LOL! But I do have the others that are just as good with the strength training and you do firm and tone up nicely. I have the usual Turbo Jam (kickboxing), Tony Horton's 10-Minute trainer video set (really a good one for those quick anytime fitness), Tae Bo, Slim in Six, and a few others. It's all about your level of stamina on doing the exercises. Harder doesn't make it better, but doing the exercises right, whether easy or hard, is not the key. It's about how you are doing them - with or without weights, resistance and repititions. Good luck - Jazzy!

This is what I call a motivational pep talk...great post...thanks for sharing!

Hi sweetheart...so glad you posted. Wow, 20 bls off!?! That is awesome and can't wait to see pictures! I, we, have been thinking of you and just knew you were going to be in good care. Rest and when you can, give me a call and we'll chat up as to when we can meet up. Let me know if you need anything beforehand. Love ya bunches too my sister!! Jazzy!!

Very interesting subject as I have a 1.8cc in my 4cc band. My last fill was in March and I have good restriction...but I am plateauing and maybe this is my sign to get an unfill? I've lost 87 pounds and I am wavering between 200 to 202 lbs, up and down. It is frustrating. I was going to wait it out until after August 1, which my health insurance kicks in the next year's benefits. I can eat most days, but then some days, I get the 'stuck' feeling. So, I am going back to basic and doing liquids, then creamed soups, then softer foods and then progress to solid foods...almost like doint the 5-day pouch test. I'll do all these steps in one week and see how it goes. These bands of ours are truly amazing...and how it reacts to different people. Like Lisa, I too give myself positive pep talks, so I wouldn't stress out, and do the breathing regimen...but some days, my stress level really soars. Karen, keep us posted please so we know how you are. Keep your chin up hun...glad to see you are really taken care of yourself and doing what needs to be done now. Jazzy!!

UGH! It's also one of my pet peeves I hate to do...wasting food! Knowing that I can't eat it, is even worst. I would do exactly what Angela said. But most of everyone I am around with knows I was banded and they understand what I am going through. It's funny though...when they know I am coming to the potluck or BBQ, they ALWAYS find foods for me to 'nibble' on! LOL...good hearted people. As I can't eat soft breads (only toasts, bagels, wheat thins, or certain crackers) I do a lot of foil cooking at BBQs. I simply put my cut up meat (in bite size) in the center of my foil (sprayed with Pam), add veggies of my choice, and then season with whatever spices I want (I never use salt) and depending on my taste buds at the time, I would maybe add a 1/2 teaspoon of marinade, BBQ sauce, juice, terriyaki sauce, or water, to make the meat tender and moist. This would help aid me eating softer foods and not get my meat stuck! After all the ingredients are in with the meat, then just 'french seam' the foil down to the meat/veggie mixture and fold in the sides and throw it in the fire and cook! Since the meat is already cut up, it won't take long before you have it on your plate! As you can guess, I LOVE foil cooking!! I also do the same with zip lock baggie - omelet in a bag! Simple...easy peasy! Enjoy! Jazzy!!

Hi Lea. Congrats on your band surgery again. I was banded at OCC and the post op diet may be different than the one you are on. The first 7 days, you were on 'clear liquids' and on Day 4 you could have drinkable yogurt. Start the 8th day, you are on the 'creamy soup' stage which is exactly that. You do not blend food either. A rule of thumb on this stage is, if you can't drink the soup through a straw, you can not have it. No lumps, bumps, or chuncks is allowed at this stage. Check out the Recipe section for the Healthy Creamy Soups to try. Here's another recipe with lots of proteins that is good from a real good friend of mine suggested: ~ 1 can Campbell's Cream of Potato soup ~ 1/2 can of Campbell's Cheddar Cheese ~ 1 full can of milk of your choice ~ season to taste, which I use garlic and onion powder Put all in one pot; stir and heat until ready to eat. (NOTE: When you start your solid foods, I add real bacon bits for extra proteins) I've also like tomato soup and add either tobasco sauce or Frank's Hot Sauce for a kick. Another way, to add other spices such as rosemary, fine herbs, garlic, onion, etc. Basically you are 'doctoring' up a bland soup to your liking. Enjoy! Jazzy!!

Why are you guzzling in the first place? Anyone can guzzle but why would you want to? It's a bad, unhealthy habit for us bandsters. You should not be eating drinking in a hurry. Try to plan your meals so you can eat/drink in enjoyment and not feel as though you have to rush through the meal and wonder what you ate. This is what I've done and what a difference in planning it made for me. We are learning of what we can or should do and what's best for us. Take the time to learn a better 'eating style' and you may surprise yourself you would have better portion control and a balance in drinking your liquids. It's all part of the band world and everyone is going to be different too. By reading what you've said, you just answered your inquiry...cut your foods into smaller bite, such as a dime-size, chew into much smaller particles and swallow slower than you normally have done - all in a relax frame of mind. Try to revamp your way of eating healthier and if you are still stuck, contact OCC for assistance. They can suggest some options for you personally. Keep the focus...Jazzy!!

I agree with Lisa, to eat when you are hungry BUT, I had a hard time doing this at first. So, I just stuck with the same routine of eating breakfast, lunch, and dinner BY MEASURING MY FOODS! I totally believe in the portion control and it helped me, still does. When you are new to the band, and learning to eat healthier, it gets all 'mumble jumble' like. I needed to learn everything before I had myself into a regular routine of eating, fitness, sleeping, and just plain living the life I wanted. Now, like Lisa, I eat when I am hungry, and when I do eat, it's healthy and loaded with proteins and nutrients my own body needs for the day. So, as everyone's hunger is different, so will your eating habits. Get to know you and write down when is your hardest time. Then you portion your proteins and nutrients properly, for YOU, throughout the day. With this plan of action, you won't go hungry and you are evened out all the time. There are times right now, after being banded 7 months later, I don't want to physically eat breakfast, lunch or a dinner meal...but I would substitute with a protein shake or do soups with losts of proteins and veggies. I always eat something, as that is how you get your vitamins and minerals, etc. I agree with Lisa when she says not to worry tpp ,uch over this issue, as you will know as you progress into the band world and you will go with the flow...we are all one, with individual uniqueness... Good luck...Jazzy!!

Broth is it baby! It's hard at this time because we went from eating food then drastically to liquids, practically overnight! But it's necessarily to help heal after surgery, etc. But like jhawkchick mentioned...I spiced by broth up! Be creative! There is no counting calories and you can drink as much as you want, throughout the day. I've used a variety of hot sauce, tobasco sauce, garlic and onion flakes, and other spices. Do whatever it takes to get through your first 7 days. For me, the beef broth tasted better with the spices and herbs than the chicken...and the veggie broth was way too bland for me. I also have occasionally gone to the Chinese restaurant on had the broth of Tortilla soup, won ton, egg flower drop, etc. Not a lot, but to have something different other than the canned or homemade broth. I've gone to Soup Plantation and have their variety of soups, just the juice/broth, of course...and it was worth the $5.09 for the "all you can drink" meal ~ LOL!! Make sure you use your lapband card to get the child's cost. Good luck! Jazzy!!

Holly - everyone reacts differently from the band surgery. Some takes forever to get rid of the surgery gas bubbles and some, like me, only had it a few days. The MAIN key is to WALK, WALK, WALK...not one long walks, but severeal, mini walks. It helps juggle those hidden gas bubbles you may have. But then walking is GREAT exercises during this time too and it's a great jump start for you when you can really start the exercising after the 3 months fitness stage. Keep the focus. You need to have the right mindset and follow through with determination and self discipline. You have to work with the band, as it can't do it on its own. The band is not a miracle pill. So plan a daily routine for yourself that works for you. Set yourself some small, reachable, realistic goals for you to achieve within a short period of time. When you've reached your goals, rewrite your goals for more future successes. One day at a time...and don't rush into this. You've gained the weight for some time and you are not going to lose it overnight. Take this time to know you and live your day. Stressing out may only cause failure and discomfort and that is not what the band is all about. Chin up...relax, enjoy this weight loss journey and watch the new you come forth! Jazzy!!

As liquids goes through so quickly, there isn't a chance for you to stretch your pouch. BUT, I needed to learn to eat/drink right, so I made it a rule of mine to drink a 1/2 cup of liquids at one time. If I am still thirsty/hungry, then I would pour another 1/2 cup. During the clear liquids and creamy soup stage, you can have as much as you want throughout the day, but portion control it to 1/2 cup at a time. Take the time to 'enjoy' what you are eating/drinking. Don't be in a rush and really taste what you are eating/drinking. This helps us to slow down and have healthier eating habits. As far as the hunger pangs goes...continue with the Metamucil capsules or the chewable Fiber Choice (for Weight Management). Take one at 10am and one at 3;m. Be consistent in taking them regularly every day and you will notice you are not as hungry. Also, try protein powder in your coffee, hot cocoa, tea. I like these instead of creamers. Hope this helps you...Good Luck! Jazzy!!

WELCOME to Bandland! Ahh...that is why I had decided to stay at the clinic over night to be pampered and watched over by the nurses/docs for any discomfort or the food temptation and to encourage me to walk often to get rid of any gas bubbles I may have, which I had very little of. Everyone reacts differently on their gas issue...some lasts between a few days to a few weeks. But thing to do is not to drink anything that can cause gas; sip, sip, sip your liquids; WALK, WALK, WALK every chance you can. Don't do long walks, but several mini walks; and do not sit for long periods of time as gas bubbles likes to 'lurk and hang' around the shoulder/chest areas. Keep moving as much as you can to get the bubbles moving and eventually they will be gone. Keep the focus, stay on course with Dr. Miranda's 21 day calendar. If you have any concerns, make sure you contact OCC to assist. Keep a daily journal of your weight loss and set some small, reachable goals. Once you've met your goals, reward/treat yourself with a manicure or something small. Re-write your goals as you've acheive them. Good luck and keep us posted on your weight loss...you are in for an amazing ride!! Jazzy!!

I am a firm believer in doing daily journals! It helps me be accountable for my actions and to see what works or not. I track my water intake, fitness, calories, small - reachable goals, and how I feel today. In addition, I write once a week my weight and also do a monthly measurements - as sometimes I may not lose the pounds, but the measurements tells me differently! Yeah!! Jazzy!!