robbynnoel

(((((((((((((((((((((((Hugs Everyone)))))))))))))))))))))))) I'm not even going to say I'm sorry for being quiet this time. Hopefully I'll become more of a regular. Today has been strange. I have pb'd multiple times. I haven't pb'd in a long long time. In fact, the third fill was the charm. I basically stopped pb'ing after the third fill. How crazy is that? I guess I finally found my sweet spot. So back to today. I'm down about 35 lbs from that 3rd fill last August. If I have a good scale day, I'm down just over 100 lbs total. I just drank a latte for breakfast. It's not uncommon for me to do that. I can have solid foods, at least a little, usually, but more often than not I choose to have a latte in the morning because I have a busy job where once I start, I have little time to stop. A latte at least gets me a little protein surge until lunch. I came home for lunch and made myself a few table spoons of pinto beans. I felt out of sorts, immediately and pb'd. Then again about 15 minutes later. I took a nap (lucky me) and after I woke up, I decided to have some mole I made last night. (Last night was Mexican...yumm). I had a few bites and pb'd again. Then about 15 minutes later again. So I'm thinking I should probably just do shakes and isopure for the next 24 to 30 hours. Ugg.

((((((((((((((((((Hugs Debbie))))))))))))))))))) Congrats on taking the first step, scheduling your surgery and asking some questions about the band to fellow bandsters. I have a blog that went over my personal journey from my decision to get the band, to chosing a surgeon, to surgery to fill and beyond. I can only speak for myself, but for me, the band is pretty transparant. I have no feeling of it and with exception of the scars, I have no visual exterior cues that shows the band. I'll be thinking of you next week when you get banded! xo

(((((((((((((((((((((((Hugs Lindsay)))))))))))))))))))) It's one of my favorites too. I'm glad to see you're doing well. I remember following your posts closely prior to my surgery because your was just before mine. xo

http://whatsfordinner-acrossstatelines.blogspot.com/2010/05/greek-lemon-soup-crock-pot.html Photo URL I made this in the crock pot but it can be made on the stove top if you temper the eggs. Greek Lemon Soup - Crock pot 2 cups low sodium chicken broth 2 cups water 2 eggs 1/4 cup uncooked rice (optional) 1/4 cup lemon juice The mixture can be in your crockpot simmer on low heat for about 6 hours. The rice makes the disk traditional, but it's completely optional if you're on liquids. Ciao

http://ssimonssays.blogspot.com/2010/08/third-fill-day-9-back-in-kitchen.html (Photo Link) Today is my first day back in my kitchen. What's on the menu? Tomato Vegetable Soup. I like tomato soups for several reasons. Firstly, to be honest, it's difficult for bandsters to get in their veggies, with a recipe like this, you can make it when you're on liquids and strain it and serve the bulk to your family or you can finish this off in the blender, as you would in a traditional tomato soup. I recommend using pinto beans for my fellow bandsters, because we need to focus on protein. Step 1 - Get out your crock pot Tomato Vegetable Soup Ingredients: 1 28 oz. can diced tomatoes 1 15 oz. can tomato sauce 4 cups low sodium chicken broth 2 diced onions 2 chopped carrots 1 pkg drained frozen spinach 1 can drained pinto beans (optional) 1 can drained green beans 2 tbsp garlic 2 tbsp Italian Seasoning 1 tbsp Parsley 2 bay leaves Salt and Pepper to Taste Heat on high for a few hours, the longer, the more flavor. I like to try to wait about 4 hours. If you simmer on low, let it go 6 hours. You should be able to keep the left overs in your fridge about a week and reheat as needed. Ciao!

(((((((((((((((((((((((((Dana)))))))))))))))))))))))))) Hugs to you! I'm so excited to here that you'll be joining us banditos. Welcome to the forum. I can't wait to hear about your progress. xo

(((((((((((((((((((((Hugs Everyone))))))))))))))))))))) I'm 80% into day 5. It's a miracle. Seriously. Now I just wish I would have had my head on straight 14 months ago. On a side note, I've just started to get a little stir crazy, not much. I still have an ISOPURE to have tonight. I think I'll feel better after I drink it. My old tapes are probably playing because I am thinking about food. I almost typed hungry, but...to be honest, I took a moment to think about it, and it's not tummy hunger. Not at all. (Ahhhh, why is my daughter behind me making Kraft Macaroni and Cheese...but more importantly why do I even care? I could barely eat pasta before, and it's not even worth the effort at this point.) Maybe I'll pour the ISOPURE, leave the kitchen so I won't be tempted to do something stupid and take a bath.

((((((((((((((((((((((((((((Hugs Fellow Bandito))))))))))))))))))))))))))) I just had my 3rd fill too. I haven't tried solids yet...but it's because my fill Dr. asks that his patients wait 7 days before solids after each fill. I ended up with an unfill, I was immediately too tight and I was pb'ing before I left the office. I'm cautiously optimistic things will be okay. My doctor did say to keep pineapple juice handy to assist if the food does get stuck. I had never heard of that before. xo

((((((((((((((((((((Hugs Everyone))))))))))))))))))))))) Well...here I am. Liquids day 5. My fill Dr. (Dr. Jay in Dallas) asks his patients to do 7 days of liquids following each fill. Last Tuesday I had my 3rd fill. Probably my final fill, but who knows. I've nevered, EVER, followed my doctor's request and followed through with 7 days of liquids following a fill...until now. I can't believe 14 months out from my surgery, I finally have the mental focus to follow the way it's designed, rather than following my own rules....rules I created myself because of my "know it all" personality. On Tuesday I was 225 at my fill apt. Today in the Jenny Craig Centre (I work for Jenny Craig) I was 221 (219.8 at home). Staying focused on the liquids has absolutely helped secure that loss (plus it's TOM). Once the liquid phase is over, I go back to my Jenny Craig program. I find the food really easy to digest so it's a good fit for me. I have a personal goal of being in Onderland and my husband hopes to be in Twotersville by Labor Day! I honestly believe we're going to do it. xo

(((((((((((((((((((Hugs Angela))))))))))))))))) Welcome to the world of us Banditos. I'm so pleased to hear you're feeling well and that you are feeling good. Tomorrow you'll get low sodium chicken broth for breakfast. I remember my favorite nurse. Maybe she was 4'10...she was tiny. She came into my room at 9 pm after the surgery and smile. "I sleep. You sleep." She said as she put a sleeping pill under my tounge. I can't wait to hear more about your progress.

(((((((((((((((Hugs DrCif)))))))))))))))) I hear you. I was very dissy and disoriented after the surgery. I should have called the OCC straight away, but instead I suffered in silence. Finally I contacted them and they told me to see my primary care Dr because based on my symptoms, it sounded as if my blood pressure was low. In my case, literally I couldn't even stand in the shower without feeling as if I was going to faint. Sure enough, within just a few weeks of the surgery, my need for the blood pressure meds changed. My only regret is that I didn't call the OCC and ask for assistance sooner. I think I didn't call until 4 weeks post op...yep, I suffered in silence, convinced something would magically change. Because I was so dizzy and I refused to ask for help, I did start solids a few days early. I think I made it to day 18 or 19. When eating solid food didn't take away the dizzyness, I knew I was in trouble...so that's what finally got me to call. xo

(((((((((((((((((Hugs Canuk))))))))))))))) I am so proud of you. I can completely relate to what you wrote and congrats to you for getting "real" with yourself. I believe to achieve to Weight Loss we need a food, body & mind approach. The band is the tool that assists us to keep the food at an appropriate portion, this forum helps us keep our weight loss mindset fueled and body of course is increased physical activity. A friend told me recently that when he husband asked why weight loss wasn't a journey she couldn't take alone, she replied, how many coaches does Tiger Woods have? If you think about it, what professional athlete, what professional actor/actress, CEO made their journey to success without a support team behind them? xo

((((((((((((((((((((Hugs JhawkChick))))))))))))))))))))) Thank you so much for posting. I really think it is the kick I've been waiting for! You look fab btw. xo

((((((((((((((Hugs Dama Love))))))))))))))) Thank you so much for recommending I re-read some posts. I did and it helped tremendously. Would you believe I had even forgotten the "real" reason I chose to get the lapband. I can't believe I forgot something that was so significant. I appreciate the advise regarding the fill too...you are right. My instructions say to do liquids for 24 hours after any incident and I have completely ignored that in the past. My fill Dr. asked that I stay on liquids for a week after this fill. That's just his policy. I've gotten through day 3! It's a miracle. xo

((((((((((((((((((((Hugs Sabrina))))))))))))))))) Thank you! I feel it is around the corner. I am a woman on a mission. xo

((((((((((((((Hugs Erica)))))))))))))) I'm on day 3 of liquids after the fill. I'm doing better than I have in the past, normally I make my own rules. So needless to say, I'm so happy that I have the motivation to follow right now. Good luck with your fill. I am excited to hear how it goes. xo

((((((((((((((((((Hugs Tootsie))))))))))))))) Thank you! It's always good to hear from you. xo

((((((((((((((((((Hugs Kristi)))))))))))))) It has been so good for me to see your continued success. Your support and posts have really helped me. I really feel different this time. In fact, I felt a little dizzy tonight and I was tempted to "eat" but only for a moment. Instead I opened a protein drink and of course I am feeling better. Tomorrow is my first day back at work after the fill. My work schedule is Friday - Monday basically. I think being away from the house will help with food cravings.

(((((((((((((((((Hugs Canuk)))))))))))))))))) Thank you so much for letting me know you like the blog. I'm so excited for you and to hear about your surgery. Please keep us updated.

((((((((((((DrCif))))))))))))))) Congrats fellow bandito! Thank you so much for posting the update on how you're doing. I'm so excited to hear your progress. xo

((((((((((((((((((((((Hugs Breeze))))))))))))))))))))) You and me both! It feels so good when the motivation kicks in. How many days were you on liquids? I had my fill 7/27.

((((((((((((((((((((Hugs Momof4))))))))))))))))))))))))) Congratulations to you for being motivated to make a change. I just started a blog called "The Diary of a Lapband Patient" and to create the blog I used text I wrote that describes my decision date, why I chose the OCC, the service by the OCC staff, surgery day, and my first fill. There aren't many posts to sift through because I only created it a day or two ago. The url is: http://ssimonssays.blogspot.com/

(((((((((((((((Hugs Kim))))))))))))))))))) I got confused as well. 10cm = 4cc. It was explained to me that there is a difference between 10"cc" instead of 10"cm". Does that help?

((((((((((((((((((((((Hugs Everyone)))))))))))))))))))))))))) I had a fill the other day, and my doctor (Dr. Jay in Dallas) requires 7 days of liquids after the fill. I am feeling really good. I can't believe I've made it 3 days. I know I've never been this good or followed rules after a fill before. Something in me is really different. I'm absolutely motivated. I also had an unfill...the same day, I posted details of that on another post. Anyway, I'm feeling great. Day 3 of liquids and aside of a deep desire to chew last night, which I was able to sit on, I feel good. So far today I've had: Coffee with Coffee Creamer ISOPURE - 40 gms protein (I've drank half so far) Jenny Craig Minestrone Souptizer (A 50 calorie broth based soup) with a sprinkle of parm cheese. I am really amazed that I feel so good. I know motivation has a lot to do with it. Yikes, my son walked into the room with tortilla chips. I have been tempted to get a spoonfull of salsa (it's not chunky). Aside from that, I'm great. I've even been walking. 15 minutes yesterday and 15 minutes today. For me, that is a big deal. I actually walked to the pool and showed myself in a swim suit. That is a huge NSV for me. I can't believe it's taken me 14 months to be motivated to take this seriously, but now that I finally am..."it's on"! I will get to my goal.

((((((((((((((((((((((((Hugs))))))))))))))))))))))))))) I love your little black dress photo. You look amazing. I'm so happy to hear you broke through the plateau. You've made some excellent points. xo