determination

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 Fircracker!

I think this post is GREAT!. I love to see what eveyone else is eating. I have used that post that I posted and still find it very hard to get the protein. I eat eggs for breakfast, very hard for me to to do, not very hungry in the morning so I try to drink something warm first. For Lunch and Dinner I try to have fish, tuna, or red meat. I have found that pinto beans are very high in protien so I at alot of Pinto Beans. I have read all the pinto bean cans and the best with the most protrein, less carbs and calories are Bushes pinto beans and they are VERY good! Alot of people also have suggested Chili from Wendys, it is VERY VERY good as well and vey high in protien. I also eat 21 cashews...lol for a snack if I am hungry, helps with the 1200 calories I am suppose to be eating!

They say that you are suppose to get your protien from food. I did email Dr. Miranda and ask her about this. I ask if I could replace my breakfast or lunch with a protien shake and she told me that was ok to do. I dont know if you have a smoothie king but I have found a shake that is SOOOOOOOOO good. It is a high protien Moca Almond Skinny. It has 42 grams of protien in it, so I will have this for breakfast alot of times. Hope this has helped some. I look forward to hearing what the other bandsters suggest as well. We all can help each other out! Good Luck!

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've got a question too... What brand of broth do some of you prefer?? Also, what

about draining the juice off of regular chicken noodle soup?? Would that be okay for

the first 7 days?? I'm just afraid that plain broth is going to make

me gag!! :lb12:

Thanks!!

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.

I'm thinking perhaps it was a typo. Dr. Martinez is calling me today... I'm having issues with my large incision and he wants to talk to me --- I'll ask him about second fills. I'm looking for airline tickets mid-February for my second fill. I'll just be sure to purchase insurance incase I need to move it back or move it forward.

Kristy

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.

Ok, so I am asking this for my mother who is going with me next week. In case we have to stay all night at the clinic (my mom won't go back to the hotel by herself) is there any food places there, are next door? Or if she has to bring something, is there at least a vending machine where she might be able to get something to drink?

Also, is there a refrigerator in side the rooms at Hotel Lucerna?

Once I am picked up at the border, do we go to the hotel first to check in or do we go right to the clinic (I am being picked up at 8:00 am)?

After being banded, is gum chewing allowed? What about ice (I know that's a stupid question, but I thought I would ask..lol) I love chewing on ice.

Does the hotel restaurant take cash (american money) and credit cards/debit cards?

Ok I think that's it for now, just trying to get the last minute questions out of the way. I appreciate all of you, you are all so informative

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 recently had a fill with Dr. Mayes in Boise, Idaho and was terrifically satisified! He did an amazing job - took his time and preformed several informational procedures such as body fat content, weight, muscle mass etc. He sat and visited for quite awhile, answering any questions or concerns I had. He was so thorough. Such a different experience than that of Fill Center USA the previous month. Fast, quick, get in get out! Won't go back to them - but will definitly go back to Dr. Mayes - HIGHLY RECOMMEND!

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

I have heard varying amounts of first fills and subsequent fills. They are so different depending on where you go. I am interested in all places, but specifically in the northwest (Oregon, Idaho and Washington). Thank you ahead of time for your response.

Merry Christmas Louise and Cindy,

Like you, I have lost 6lbs since surgery! Yeah. It really does help motivate me also. I was able to get through today just because I knew that that would mean more pounds lost.

Are either one of you drinking more than 1/2 cup of soup per meal? I have been having 1/2 cup of yogurt for breakfast, 1/2 cup of soup for lunch, and either 8oz. of protein drink or 1/2 cup of soup again. Besides drinking a lot of liquids. I am not sure if this is the correct amounts I should be having or if there is a standard. I am also taking the liquid vitamins and Biotin. Please let me know what is on your menu.

I did measure with my food scale today to see what exactly 3oz of meat amounted to. Boy was I excited! We can do this!!!!

Hello, my surgery date was 12/22/08, Im on my third day of liquids and its Christmas day! Im not hungry but I do have the urge to eat, but I know its mental...My mom bought a pecan pie and of course it looked delicious!!! Im hanging in there but I must say I think if I were to do it again, I just may have chosen a later date...like after the holidays! LOL!

Yes, I agree with you. The holidays have been hard to point. I fixed the dinner for everyone and that kept me busy. I was exhausted by then so I sat and had my protein drink while they ate. But guess what I did do. I got out my food scale and weighed what my portion of meat was. That made me feel excited.

I was like seeing the end of the rainbow. I have 11 days to go until I get to eat real food. Hang in there. I keep reminding myself that the end product is what counts! Good luck with your following days.

I started creamy soups today, protein drink, etc. I am day 11. I guess what everyone is saying is that I don't have to worry about how many times I have something to drink, meaning full liquids? Do I need to be conscious of the caloric intake and is it okay to still keep drinking the diluted juices? I find this all very confusing, I haven't read how much a day a person can have.

By the way, did you know that on the large containers of powdered (plain) creamer, there is a recipe for making it into a milk/cream. It does taste really good. My grandmother use to make it for having cereals such as cheerios, zoom, oatmeal, cream of wheat, etc. I actually like it. It has a sweeter taste than milk.

Thanks for the tip. I went to the store today to buy creamed soups. (actually I went to buy stuff for Christmas dinner). I didn't even think to look at the progresso soups.

Merry Christmas, Anne

Hi, You are so right! I started feeling my first hunger pains today, day 6. It is not too bad though. I probably brought it on myself. I went to the grocery store today to buy food for Christmas dinner, I changed my grocery list real quick! I went over to the drinkable yogurt and creamed soups. LOL Then I came home and made fudge. It was the first time I haven't licked the spoon or cleaned out the bowl. Wow, what a test. I never realized how much I taste while I am cooking.

I can't wait for 7 more weeks to come so that I can get a fill.

Thanks for the info on the package deal.

I actually got an aftercare letter from the clinic today.

Anne

Dana, Thank you for being so thoughtful of others. Your words speak for so many of us. We all are so lucky to be able to do what we have done, and to be able to go to such a qualified place. You're right when you said how welcoming all of the staff were. I felt very safe and reassured the whole time I was there.

Merry Christmas to All! And especially Dr. Ortiz and his wonderful staff, including those who drove us back and forth.

Feliz Navidad

Anne

I got my first fill on Dec. 15th at OCC and I got 2 cc's. Once I eat breakfast and drink my water , I always feel full throughout the day. I try to eat when I get hungry, but my stomach never feels empty or growls. I have been getting headaches so I take that to mean I'm hungry. So on yesterday I made a conscience effort to eat every 3hrs and I didn't get any headaches but I felt so full throughout the day. So is this what restriction feels like? Or is it I probably have some swelling from the fill? Is eating every 3hrs appropriate even if I don't feel hungry? I guess I don't know how I should be feeling since my fill. Please give me some insight.

Sharon

Hi, I was the one sitting to your right at the clinic. I think it is exciting that you got your first fill and are feeling so full. Did you have the floroscopy?

It sounds like we have so much to learn day to day whatever stage we are at. Please keep posting so that us that haven't had the first fill know what to expect. I hope things smooth out for you.

Also, did you have a driver pick you up at the airport or did you drive over yourself? I think I remember you saying something about a package deal. Was that you or someone else? I am always full of questions.

Anne

Glad you made it back okay. Sorry I missed seeing you in the morning. I know what you mean by not be able to wait till Monday. Creamed soups here I come. My flight out of San Diego ran late. I only had 29 minutes to spare as it was. So when my flight landed in Salt Lake, UT, I ended up with 15min. to connect with my other one. Talk about the 100yd dash. Then when I landed it was to snow. Driving home yesterday was through a blizzard. What a whirlwind of a trip.

The one thing I do have a hard time drinking is Gatorade. So I am sticking to juices, Chicken Noodle broth (my husband eats the noodles) mmmmmm. then coffee.

Well Louise, I don't think I 'll ever forget our taxi ride!!!!!!! talk about a near death experience. LOL

"It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas"

Anne

I am so proud of you girls! Wow. Making that huge of a decision at your age. It is so hard to fit in no matter what your age. But I really understand where you are coming from. I just had my surgery on Dec. 15, and now my grandaughter who is 15 wants to have it so much. It does cost a lot of money and a mental attitude that you can work with this. Hats off to TRS893. You have accomplished what a lot of bandsters want to achieve. Know that whatever your age, we have a tool that we can use to help us attain this goal.

Oops! I forgot to share with fellow bandsters that I got banded on Monday. What an adventure. I would recommend this procedure to everyone if it wouldn't appear rude. There is an excitement within me that is just unreal. I have spoiled myself by taking off this whole week from work. That in itself is a vacation.

I thought that everyone at OCC were extremely nice. After asking so........... many questions before having this procedure I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate everyone's answers and re-assurance.