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That is great! Keep up the good work! Kristy

What type of vitamins, protein pills, etc. are people using post-op? Brand names, how much, etc.? Thanks, Kristy

JazzyJude, Thanks for such an informative post! I head to the OCC for my first fill on Friday, January 16. I'm so excited! I bought a treadmill and it's sitting in my garage... I've been begging my nephews and brother-in-law to get in in my house and set up. Like you, I'm kinda waiting until after the holidays to mentally go full force. Plus, I get to eat food on Wednesday. Time flew by! Kristy

...of my 21-day post-op diet. Two more days to go! Mentally, I'm always thinking about food. But physically, I haven't been very hungry... especially this past week. Other than 2-3 days of feeling like I was starving, the 19 days thus far have been pretty uneventful. Even during goodie baking and bread baking for Christmas gifts! I'm nervous about knowing when I am full and stopping when I start back on solids. I eat my soup (slowly), I finish and I think that I could still eat more... but, in about five minutes I can tell that I'm full. Kind of that miserable full that I felt in the past from overeating. Does anyone else experience this? Is it normal? I worry that I've done something wrong because I can't "feel" my port. I think I'll be relieved after my first fill after "seeing" that things are okay. Kristy

I have gone back-and-forth on whether to go to the OCC for my first fill or go to a more local doctor (still a 400 mile drive for me), but I've decided to go to the OCC. I booked my flight today. I will be getting my first fill on Friday, January 16. Is anyone else going to be there during that time? Kristy

I would love to offer my assistance on anything that is needed. I'm pretty good at negotiating prices for groups of people! I do it quite often with my work. Kristy

Cindy, I didn't have the gas pains either... except in the form of painful hiccups once in awhile. And boy did I ever stock up on Gas-X strips! I have gone back-and-forth on whether to get my first fill in Salt Lake City, UT or at the OCC. I remember Dr. Ortiz telling me the same thing. Although tickets out of my town's itty-bitty-teensy-tiny airport are nearly $500... I just purchased and booked my first fill at the OCC for January 16. Thank you for the reminder of Dr. Ortiz's thoughts on first fills. Kristy

Anne, You're banded! Yay! Congratulations! It sounds like you're doing great! Kristy

One good thing... I bet your cupboards are stocked with broth! But, what a bummer. I hope you get to feeling better soon! Kristy

Chris, Congrats to you and your wife. I'm so glad that everything went well... and, welcome to bandland! Kristy

Rhonda, Are you taking Metamucile capcules? They really helped me when it came to hunger pangs. You can take one at 10 o'clock am and 3 o'clock pm. When you have hunger pangs, drink something and see if that will settle your hunger. Just keep your eye on the prize! I'm on the 21 day post-op liquid phase during this holiday season. It's difficult when you're surrounded by good food and good treats. The key for me was to stay super busy! Good luck, Kristy

Christy, I was the same way. I lived for my diet Pepsi! I don't drink tea or coffee, so it makes my choices very limited. However, I can tell you this... it hasn't been an issue for me. I'm two weeks out from surgery and I haven't craved it. Socially has been the hardest. You know... when my family goes on a "coke run." Those are the times it feels weird not to have a 32oz diet Pepsi in my hand. I haven't had headaches or anything. Tell yourself that you can give it up, because you can! PS... great name BTW! Kristy

Thanks for the information Lisa! It makes complete sense! I haven't missed diet Pepsi like I thought I would. Kristy

Yeah... it is a lot of money! But, I know that it'll be worth it. I'm sure what I've saved on what I used to spend on fast food is huge! You're doing amazing... and, it's great to have others on the journey and to be basically at the same bend in the road. We can do this! Kristy

Lisa, A question about soda/pop. I know the six month rule, but what happens at six months? Is the stomach no longer at risk of stretching? Thanks, Kristy

It sounds like you're doing great! You'll have to let us know what you end up eating. I'm thinking scrambled eggs on day 22... beyond that, I don't know. Like you, a burger sounds yummy! Kristy

I paid my deposit and a big chunck of the payment via PayPal. I took a cashier's check with me for the balance. If you take a cashier's check... be sure to fax a copy one week before your surgery date. Once they have payment in full they will secure your surgery date and email you a surgery confirmation. Kristy

"One person" did not equal WillT... so no need to internalize what I posted. I was just banded on December 3 at the same clinic by same doctor as Cindy, so she has the exact same paperwork that I have. Dr. Ortiz even stated that you could eat now and that the damage done to the band will not manifest until months down the road. You posted your beliefs and I posted mine. The paperwork that I received at the OCC even stated that the diet is different from any pre-op paperwork that I received. Things change over time. I was simply stating to follow what the doctor and nutritionist say... because getting such advice on the opposite ends of the spectrum can be confusing to those just starting their journey.

Thanks for the information... I need to keep this in mind with those crazy days at work! Kristy

Shelby, I totally understand. I'm losing in my tummy area and my pants are now longer... and, I keep stepping on them. Kristy

Dawn, Everyone is different, but this is my understanding: PB stands for Productive Burp. It happens when something is eaten that can't go down due to restriction, and it has to come back up. Slime is what your body produces when it is trying to pass something through the band. It's very thick saliva and basically it the comes up and you have to spit it out. Gumming up is what happens when you eat something that expands, such as bread. Dr. Miranda said that those types of foods are what you need to avoid. When something gets stuck, well I have heard that it hurts like hell. It will eventually come up via PB or make its way through the band. Either way, stop eating and allow the band to work. Kristy

Cindy, My advice is to follow what YOUR doctor and nutritionist said. They are the experts! Bottom line... we're on a 21 day post-op diet of liquids. No chuncks or anything is to be in or added to food. Just because one person chose not to follow the guidelines and had no problems does not mean the same would happen for any of us, and internal issues may not manifest. It is an expensive investment, don't jepordize your health or risk a slipped band. Kristy

I weigh every morning... blah. Remember to weight yourself at the same time of day, because your weight can vary so much during the day. Kristy

Cindy, Dr. Miranda says clears liquids days 1-7. However, she said if you needed to that you could start drinkable yogurt on day 4... but, to try and hold out until day 7. Kristy

I just looked at my paperwork. I had asked Dr. Miranda specifically about jello and pudding. She wrote on my paperwork, "No jello or pudding!" Hope this helps.