determination

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!!!!

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

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.

Good Morning to You Cindy, I have been seriously considering going back to OCC for my fills also. Let me know when you are booking since we are only a few days apart with our surgeries. Can't wait to start losing. Anne

Hello Cindy, What a coincidence that you posted your message on day 4. Today is day 4 for me. Luckily I have been so busy that I haven't had time to feel hunger. I was so blessed in the fact that I never did feel any gas pain. On my flight home I started wondering if I really did have this foreign object in me. If it wasn't for the incision marks, I would seriously wonder, (hope that that there was a distraction that made them forget where they were in the process) Ha, Ha, Seriously though, I am glad that this step is over and now I can start on the process of learning. By the way, for anyone out there considering this procedure, please listen to everyone else here on the forum. There were telling the truth when they said there wasn't anything to be afraid of. My airplane journey was even a breeze. Other than my airplane having to be de-iced wherever my connection was. PS. Hi Louise, I hope you are doing great! Oh yeah, I can't remember how to update my tracker. I will have to work on it tomorrow. Good night bandsters

Hi, when are you having your surgery? I have a four hour flight home. I had asked the same questions as you and hopefully some of those that answered mine will reply to yours. I am being banded Monday, Yay. From what I have been told it will be uncomfortable but doable. I guess we are given some pain meds when we go back to the motel. One person said that we can get more across the street at a pharmacy for the ride home. We are able to get the water at the airport from one of the vendors after we go through check in. My layover is only 29 min. so I won't have much time to walk and stretch out. It may help you having the layover to be able to do a little walking. Knowing the wonderful ladies on this sight, I am sure that you will get some experienced advice soon. Good Luck! Let us know what is going on. Anne

Hi, I started my pre-op on November 29th. My surgery isn't until Dec. 15th. Dr. Miranda suggested that I do #2. She told me to do 2 shakes and a Lean Cuisine at night. I wasn't crazy about it but after the 3rd or 4th day, the shakes got easier and easier to drink. I drink the Atkins, and have actually started to enjoy them. I just think you have to tough it thru. I find it easier to just do what I am told. Anyway, by doing it the way I was told I have been very successful. Like Jazzy has said it is a mindset, we have to relearn and take it from the experts on how to do it. I wish you luck, the hard part for me is I feel like I don't know enough. I like things in black and white, written down so that I can keep going back to refresh my memory. That is one of the reasons I like this forum. There is a lot of input and advice here. I just have to keep reading and rereading everyone's comments. Anne

Okay, this must be the column for "true confessions". Today at work (I am on my lunch break) Clients come bearing gifts of kindness, you know. SUGAR. My addiction - chocolate in the form of fudge. I have been super good with this pre-op diet. Haven't gone off of it once. BUT...........I just had a piece of fudge, not little either. I told myself I better eat it now, because I won't be seeing it for awhile. I also plan to go to Red Lobster the night before I fly out. I am flying out of Idaho, that is the nearest airport. They also have wonderful restaurants. So here is to a fond (ugh) farewell. Cheers to losing! Anne

How exciting to be leaving tonight. That would be extra special to be doing at the same time as your mother. Have a sage trip and thanks for telling about the GNC special. Meeting over a cup of broth in Portland sounds like a good idea. Let me know how it goes for you. Take Care, Anne

Get this. I live in a place where it is very difficult to buy a milkshake! Let alone fast food. We have a Subway and that is it. So avoiding the "Milkshake guilt" won't be problem, it will be the chocolate in the grocery store. The selection here for any protein powder or drinks is very slim here. That is why I really appreciate it when some of you name brand names. I go hunting for specific items knowing that they have work for others. Just for example: I am leaving Saturday to go 2 1/2 hours to the nearest Costco. I am hoping to pick up some items there. Sunday morning I fly out to TJ. Yeah!!!! Anne

Kristy, I love your enthusiasm! I appreciate you posting what you ate. It does give me a good idea for a daily menu. By the way thank you for starting the "Roll Call". How fun, to see who we are and what we are all about. Thanks Kristy PS Keep up the good work. (you know I am following you to glean more ideas.) Keep the good ideas going. Sometimes it is like everyone runs out of things to say. Lisa, Denise, Jazzy Jude, Kim, and many more, it would be great if you could post an exact menu for one day just to give us newbies a good example of what it is all about. Anne

1. Name: Anne 2. Location: Enterprise, Oregon 3. Age: 55 4. Band Date: December 15, 2008 5. Married: Yes, 37yrs 6. Children of the human or furry kind: Human - 1 30yr son, 1 35yr daughter = 7 beautiful grandchildren! Furry - cat Gusse, dog Mimi (I didn't name her!) 7. Hobby(ies): Quilting, reading, & many more 8. Work: Deputy Clerk 9. What was the deciding factor(s) on getting banded: gain, lose, gain, lose, gain, I want to end up on the lose. HEALTH BENEFITS!!! 10. Interesting factoid: ?

Hello All, I emailed OCC about follow-up care. They replied right away with a list of recommended doctors for what they thought was in my area. Dr. Kelly Fitzpatrick was at the top of the list, and in capital letters they wrote highly recommend. Dr. Fitzpatrick also works out of Eugene, she must travel back forth to Portland. For me to go to Portland is a 5 1/2 hour drive. But just so most of you know, and obviously her work speaks for itself. She was the most recommended from OCC. Cindy, even though it is quite a distance. I seriously am thinking of going to her. The other closest one that they sent me is in Richland, WA., which is 3 1/2 hours away. So what is a couple more to have the best. Anne P.S. 4 days till my surgery

When I here you and others talk about vitamin water, what exactly is that? Do you have any brand names that could help me?

Good Morning, I too have been using the atkins shakes. And like you have not really heard of anyone else using them. I agree with you when you say that they are good. I tried an "EAS" drink and could barely get it down. Maybe it was just the wrong flavor. Anne

I'm soon to be a bandster. I was figuring out your weight loss and it is fantastic! May I ask you, what you ate or eat to have such a great weight loss? So you actually stay around the 1200 calorie mark or do you eat a lot less when it comes to calories? When I was just dieting non-pre-op. I always went for 900 - 1000. I am really curious. Thanks Anne

Hi Christy, I am also new to this lap band thing. Just ask any of those that blog on this forum. It put a smile on my face to read what you wrote! I think we need to help, encourage, or whatever, to get Jazzy Jude to write a beginner's pamphlet on all of this lingo She is great in answering so many of our questions. As are many of the others. This is like a new language to me. We should call it "bandsters lingo". When are you getting banded? I am so happy to read your questions. Anne