determination

I have almost finished my first week of solids. My dinner date is January 17th. And you are right, I haven't had my first fill yet. But I have been strictly following the food amounts that Dr. Miranda told me to eat. I guess it must be about the same amount that you would have after a fill. So, would it be wise to try and eat normally after I have shrunken my stomach so much? I am literally full after my 3-4oz protein, 1/4 cup veggies and or fruit, 1/4 cup of grains if possible. From what Dr. Miranda told me and wrote on paper work, I just assumed that this is what I was supposed to do. She wrote it all for when I started solids. Thank you for all of the input. My first fill is scheduled for February 11th. I guess I'll claim the flu bug, New Year's Resolution and all of the above.

Happy for you! You will realize after you reread your post just how much you were still on drugs. LOL Be good and don't over do it.

Congrats! I relate with the not being able to remember anything. I don't even remember being rolled into the OR. If you can just take it easy for a few days. I found out that if I didn't lean to the left I was fine and if I remembered to just do everything to the right I was fine. I am glad that you finally were able to get this part of the journey over. It is quite amazing isn't it? Good Luck!

Help! I honestly don't know what to do. My husband and I have been out to dinner by a business that we a lot of business with. They do this every year as a thank you. But up until this year it has not been a problem. I do not want to appear rude and order a prime rib, etc. eat a very small portion and then make them pay for it. My husband was joking with me today and said that maybe he would tell them that I was going to be sick on Jan. 17th. I seriously do not know how to handle this. Some of my husbands family will be there and I have not told them of what I have had done. They have not seen me since my surgery either. And I definitely can not tell them where I had it done. Long story short. Husbands sister lives in San Diego, mother in law is snow birding there. Trying to explain to them why I did not contact them while I was there is another story. Help! Help! Help. :-?

I have been searching for this because the first time I saw it, I thought it was great! Then I lost it. I am trying to repost this for all of the recent surgery people out there. I think this will help us realize how much protein some of the most common foods have.

I have been searching for this because the first time I saw it, I thought it was great! Then I lost it. I am trying to repost this for all of the recent surgery people out there. I think this will help us realize how much protein some of the most common foods have.

There are also 2 computers available in the lobby of the Lucerna. It was a nice break from being in the room. The day I got there a very nice young lady that had surgery on the same day, let me use her laptop in her room to contact the family that I had made it there. Then because I was so drugged she evidently dialed my home number for me after my surgery. She was up and around and walking. I was in and out of it. Was able to use the computers at the clinic also. You are going to find that you will have access to computers as much as you will want to. Good luck on your surgery! Anne

Okay, I know this sounds gross. But I am glad you brought up the mucus issue. Mine is a little different and it has only happened since I have had surgery, December 15. I wake up in the morning with mucus in my mouth. It is so gross. I won't go into details. The only way I help my issue is to suck on a sugar-free cough drop. Do any of you have this problem? Anne

There are days when it seems like everything goes against us. I had either heard or read somewhere, that blind fills were included with our initial surgery also. But I am not sure where I got that information. I'll have to research in all of my paperwork that I have been collecting. As for the customs...................well one of the many hats I wear is that I am a certified passport agent. Here is the not so funny thing, I still do not have my passport. We are lucky that they extended the deadline to have a passport until June of 2009. It was to be January of 2009. I do know that you have to have a birth certificate and a drivers license to cross the Mexican and Canadian Borders. Here is another odd fact, it is not for getting into their countries, it is for getting back into ours. And that is only for driving. You can not fly north or south of the border without a passport. If it comes to the point where you have to get one, there is a passport card that only costs $45. That after June 2009 will allow you to drive back and forth across borders. (but not fly) In comparison to the $100 that we have to pay for a passport book. Sorry that you had such a difficult time. It would be interesting to know what the policy is on blind fills.

Hi, I am getting my first fill February 11th. My appointment time is for 10:30am. I am getting a little nervous plus a little excited.

I like you am addicted to reading everything on this forum. If I could have it in front of me 24/7 it would make me happy. I hate missing out on what is being discussed. I started out at 272lb. and as of this morning I am 237lb. I would like for it to off immediately too of course. I start solids tomorrow and I am trying not to let it get to me mentally. Goodluck to you both. I guess it is better to go from a food addiction to a forum addiction?

Hi Jazzy Jude, I remember you saying right after you second fill that you didn't feel much restriction. Did it take a while for your body to respond to it? I think today would be 14 days since you had your second fill. I am so hoping that that will be the way it is for me, except what am I thinking I haven't even had my first fill yet. I am trying to schedule everything for Feb. 11. Do you feel any restriction at all after the first one?

Hi, Do you happen to remember where or when on this forum that you posted the list of foods with their protein amounts. I realize I could be out of luck, but I thought I would give it a shot. I don't always have much time to be at the computer at one sitting. Thanks Anne

Hi back, Someone on this forum suggested to me the EAS brand of powdered protein drink, it is good and has 27g of protein. Then between the drinkable yogurt and soup. I roughly get 30. Hope this helps. PS I get the EAS at Costco.

That has been a huge question of mine also. I have been doing fine losing on the creamy stage and I start solids on Monday. Just this morning I was wondering what is going to happen when I start on solids. I hope we find out if this is normal. Anne

I did drain the broth off of the chicken noodle soup. It is so yummy. Alot better than just plain chicken broth, of course I preferred Campbells, it just had a better flavor to it. I then gave the noodles to my husband or immediately through them in the garbage. You can do this, the days will go by faster than you think. Pretty soon you then will be able to do the creamed soups and drinkable yogurts. I find that my taste buds are very sensitive to flavor more so than ever. I am now looking forward to Monday. That is when I can start eating solids. Good Luck.

Kristy, I also had some issues with my large incision. I emailed Dr. O and he responded almost immediately. I did do what he said, plus I went to my local doctor like he suggested if I continued to have problems. They are so attentative at the OCC. When they give you that packet of phone numbers and email addresses, they truly do follow up. Good luck with your problem, I am sure that you will get the advice or help that you need. Southwest Airlines is having a great deal on their tickets right now. I am booking my flight for 2/11/09 and it will cost me round trip $184.00 plus taxes and fees. Check it out. I also live in the boon docks. I have to drive 4hrs to the airport.

Hi, I was banded 12/12 and I didn't see any vending machines in the clinic, nor did I see any close restaurants outside. In my room there was not a refrigerator, I am not sure if any of the other rooms do or not. I was taken immediately from the airport to the Hotel Lucerna. (By the by, when you stop at the border, the custom officers on the Mexico side will open the door and ask you where you are going. You just tell them that you are going to Dr. Ortiz) The hotel restaurant takes cash, I am not sure about credit/debit cards. I saw mainly Americans or Canadians in the restaurant. The staff are all very gracious. You will find that anyone working at the Hotel is so helpful. Feel free to ask any questions to the Hotel Personel. I can't remember who it was, but some on this sight suggested that I take cash. Especially in small bills.

Welcome. I was banded 12/15. I was told no to both. This is a great place to learn about do's and don'ts. There are times when there are different points of view, but like it was earlier stated, I think that that is because they are constantly updating or changing diet requirements. I do know from personal experience that the Dr.'s are quick to respond to emailed questions.

Lisa you are very good with words! So non-offensive. If it hadn't been for this sight and all of the advice and reminders, understanding this whole procedure would have been a lot harder. To all of you out there that are out there to encourage, welcome, give advice when we seem to be stumbling, thank you.

I am not a veteran at the band. In fact I haven't had my first fill yet. But what I read, really tugged at me. Like everyone says we wouldn't be here if we didn't all share some of the same issues. Sometimes we use food as a medication. The more we are down the more we eat and so on, until we are physically ill. Getting some sort of conseling would help you to recognize why you have over eaten in the past and why you are forcing the issue now. I am currently dealing with willpower right now, so for me this isn't easy either. But I know we can do this. I wish you the very best. Please take care of yourself.

As I am reading everyone's comments about their first fill I am feeling discouraged! I so thought that you would feel something with your first fill. I am getting real close to having to schedule one. I just have to figure out where I am going to have it done. Working full-time and where I work it is very difficult to get time off. I have 6 days left on my post-op diet and I am struggling with my will power! I give myself the pep talk constantly. Then when I started reading about the lack of restriction I felt like I was facing a wall. HELP

Kristy, Thank you, I am really puzzled why we don't have to worry about the caloric intake. Shouldn't we be wanting to lose at this time also? I must say I don't really find myself getting hungry, it usually gets to me at night when I am tired. Like yesterday when I cooked this great dinner for everyone and had no temptations until later in the evening when I was so tired. The pumpkin pie kept calling me. When my 7yr old grandson wanted me to help him with getting a piece of pie, I asked my hubby to get it for him. He questioned why he had to do it. I told him rather snappy, that did he want me to eat a piece of pie. You seem to be so bubbly all of the time. I so commend you on your attitude! Around others I put on a face of doing just fine. But let me tell you, I have 9 days to go and counting (and I mean counting). Did you feel this way toward the end of your 21 days? Anne

I live in Eastern Oregon, rural area. Is there anyway you could tell me what the cost was for a first fill? It is a four hour drive for me, but I travel to Boise quite often. It is one of the closest, largest shopping areas for me