Charelle

Hello everyone, Since I am on the final stretch of the 21 day liquid madness, I've been constantly thinking about what my first breakfast, lunch & dinner will be...not to mention the menu I've already planned for the next 3 weeks!! (Healthy food!) What was your first meal(s) once day 22 came around??

Debbie! Have a safe trip home! You story is so hilarious!! It probably wasn't at the time, but I can totally imagine you running around in your nightgown with hottie over there. Keep us all updated!

Hi Leah, I guess it wasn't a pain I expected to feel. I felt like I did 100 sit-ups. Not 1000, mind you, but 100. So, my muscles were sore, especially near the port area, but not a real PAIN. I think the band rests closer to your chest/sternum area because every once in a while, I'd feel tightening in my chest or maybe what felt a little like heartburn? Those came & went in the first week, but haven't experienced anything since. Now that I'm on full liquids (MY LAST WEEK!!!) when I have about a cup or so, I feel REALLY full....but in my chest area!! Weird. Like all the soup is resting in my chest! These past couple of days, I've gone down to half a cup and that has helped a lot. Mentally, I want to finish a cup because it seems so small!!! BUT, I think that's where I have to start changing, and realizing when I'm satisfied. Nothing I've experienced so far has been even remotely unbearable. I feel great and I'm starting to notice my figure changing!! Woo-hoo!!! Having that motivation keeps me on track, for sure.

Last week: 216.6 Last week's goal for this week: 205 Okay...that was wishful thinking, as I started the "full liquids" and of course...weight loss drastically slowed down! I'm happy to say I'm at peace with it. My obsession is gone! Well....maybe not ALL the way gone, but I do realize that I should think of weight loss in terms of the long haul, and not a daily need! With that said, I weighed in today at 211.6. Down 5 lbs. from last week. So: Last week: 216.6 Last week's goal for this week: 205 This week: 211.6 This week's goal for next week: 209

CONGRATULATIONS & WELCOME to the start of your new life!!! =D>

Hi Leah, I'm 12 days post-op. First, let me tell you that you are on a liquid diet for 21 days after surgery. Afterward, you are allowed to eat "regular" food. Your fill won't be for 6-8 weeks after surgery, so there are a few weeks in between your post-op diet and fill time. Do I want to cheat? Absolutely! BUT, I remind myself that this is short term. I'm almost through the 21 day liquids, and I don't want to do anything to stretch my pouch or harm my healing process in any way. You will lose weight in your first couple of weeks, and a lot of people have said (me included) that you're not hungry in the first week after surgery. Hang in there! We're all here to support you! You've found a great board and a great support system here. GOOD LUCK!! all the best,

Thanks, Angie! It really means the world to me!!

Hello everyone, You may have heard about the devistation in the Philippines recently, when Typhoon Ketsana dropped down 16.7 inches of rain in 12 hours near the Manila & the surrounding cities. Please pray for my family (cousins, aunts, uncles) who happen to be in that area. All are okay for now. Many are stranded on their second stories or roofs. Those who's homes are one-story are staying with our other relatives where they can. They had very little to begin with, and now... Flood waters are beginning to lower. Now the water is knee-high, so we pray that the worst is over. My parents also live in that general area, but about 45 minutes from the hardest hit region. Luckily, they live at a higher elevation, so they are okay. Please keep my family and all those affected by this typhoon in your prayers. I would appreciate it greatly. THANK YOU, Charelle

Hang in there! A couple of weeks ago they were having server issues and I couldn't access anything, even though I saw that other people were posting.

I went home on Saturday. Did you mean Saturday? If so, then yes, I was there with my sister! When we went home, there was this woman sitting in the front who offered us candy. Was that you? If so, I didn't say anything, but I thought, how nice & happy this woman is! How refreshing! I wish I was able to go right at 6 weeks! I just took a month off of work to visit the Philippines in June, so I can't take any more time off of work. I'm planning to go on a Saturday, but at 6 weeks, the Saturday is Halloween! I'm probably going to be there on the 7th of November instead. I'm crossing my fingers that I'll have at least enough restriction to carry me through the holidays!!

Hi Mobs! Oh my goodness, I'm SOOO addicted to the food network lately!! I've been collecting recipe after recipe! My family is happy because I do cook more! I hate to say it, but on most nights, I opted to make a quick hamburger helper meal or frozen family dinner. Lately, I've actually been slaving over the stove & adding actual ingredients besides ground beef! I also have a stash of recipes that I'm saving especially for when I get to start eating "real" food again! Since we're now on day 11, I've been jealous that I can't eat any of what I make for my family, but I did realize how satisfying it is to make it for them. This is horrible, but I have October 8th circled on the family calendar with a big "Yolanda's" written across it! That's our favorite Mexican restaurant in town, and that's where we'll be headed for dinner that night!!! I've decided I'm going to bring 2 Gladware containers (save the environment!) and when I get whatever meal I get, I'm going to immediately portion it into 3rds and put 2/3 of it in the containers & put them to the side. That way, I know not to eat more than the "1/3 of what I usually eat", and I already have lunch for the next couple of days packed up! I've lost 14lbs. post-op so far, but I know that with the heartier/creamier soups, I'll probably slow down in weight loss or even gain! (ugg!) I can't believe I missed everyone while I was at OCC! I swear I felt like I was the only person there! I may have groggily saw someone while I was shuffling around the hallway with the nurse, but it's all a blur now! What day did you go home?

You know you are a *NEW* bandster when you are on the MSN homepage & notice the ad for "Flattering dresses for sexy, full-figured women" and think, "Maybe I should wait a few months because those may be too big by then...."

Oh Dave....you HAD to mention pizza!!!! Is that my stomach grumbling again?!?!?! Off to drink more soup....

:lb13: YAY, Sabrina!!! Congratulations!!!!! How exciting for you!!

Thanks, everyone. I think what really got me was that Dr. Ortiz said, "You should lose 40 lbs. in 8 weeks." So here, I'm thinking, "WOW...I've got a ways to go! How on earth am I going to do that?!?!" Another reason why "30 in 30" is so appealing is that I could be at 200 lbs. on the 30th. Which means I may start October in ONEderland!! WOW. I haven't been there since I got married 8 years ago! I think that's why...as Lindsay said it best...it's such a major mind-f*ck. I feel like the only thing keeping me on track with the post-op madness is the weight-loss. YES....I'm feeling the bandster hell. I can't even phathom occupying myself with other things to pass the time! Ugg...2 more weeks. I'm scared to eat. Although it's a reality, I don't want to use it as an excuse! I totally see myself saying, "Ooohhh...up 2 lbs. Well, everyone said I was likely to gain weight back anyway!" and go about my bad eating ways. I know, I know....I need to mentally change. I hope that change comes sooner than later. I want to stay motivated...

Hi everyone, I had my surgery exactly a week ago today. :lb21: In my 7 days of clear liquids, I've lost 12 lbs. If I keep going at this rate (2-3 lbs. down a day) I'm on track to lose 30 lbs. since the beginning of September. (Pre-op & Post-op diets). 30 lbs in 30 days sounds SOOOO amazing to say!! What a crazy accomplishment! :cheerleader: In any case, now I'm on to drinkable yogurt starting today. I'm terrified that now that I'm adding the yogurt, and soon, "full" liquids, that my weight loss will dramatically decrease! I'm actually scared to go drink the yogurt because I've been so obsessed with the weight loss! :negative: Has anyone gone through this? How to I stop obsessing about the scale and the magic number? I actually think it's better for me to step on the scale every morning, because it helps me dictate how I will eat that day, and measure how I ate the day before. For example, one day, I may have lost 2.4 lbs. The next day, I eliminated the after dinner popsicle & lost 3 lbs. Keeps me on track. Is that bad? I know I can't keep this weight loss up...and that I'm probably only losing this much now because I'm pretty much starving myself, but WOW....30 lbs in 30 days! I LOVE saying that!!! HELP! I'm going crazy!

Dave! We had surgery on the same day, right? Last Thursday? If so, then HAPPY DRINKABLE YOGURT DAY!!!! Cheers!

Lea, You look GREAT!!! Congratulations on your accomplishments this far!

Thanks, Lea! I hear what you're saying about the scale at OCC! I was 221 when I left home. When I got to the OCC 4 hours later (& fasting), I got on Dr. Miranda's scale and I was 217! So, I was SOOOO stoked! Then, sometime before I left (it's all a blur now!) I got my little card that said I was 226 on surgery date! SOOO weird. BUT, I got home a couple of days later and MY scale said 226. Go figure!

I'm 6 days post-op today. It was weird because when I got home right after surgery, I think I actually GAINED weight?? Maybe being bloated or retaining water?? In any case, my little OCC card said I was 226 at surgery date. Today, 6 days later, I am 216.6. Since I'm still on the liquid diet, my goal for next week's weigh-in: 205. Wish me luck!!

Hi Erica, I thought it would be hard to tell my parents, but it actually went better than I thought. At first, of course, my dad gave me the lecture about just eating less, stop eating fattening foods, etc. I told him that I don't really eat bad foods, I just eat A LOT! He was concerned that I was taking a drastic measure because I didn't "try" hard enough. I just let him know that I've spent a lifetime overweight, and it wasn't just something that has come to mind recently. When I was first researching, before I found the OCC, I had my dad come with me to a consultation with another doctor. That helped a lot. He was able to get some of his own questions answered, and the doctor really helped to explain how this surgery could help me. Maybe have your parents contact Dr. Ortiz, or watch some of Dr. Ortiz' videos on YouTube. My mom was all for it!! After everything was said and done, they actually gave me some money to help pay for it! Once they realized that I wasn't just going in to this lightly, they were glad to help! As far as my husband, he was pretty much on board with whatever would make me happiest. He's having a hard time watching me sip on clear liquids for a week (I'm less than one week post-op) but other than that, he's been SOOO supportive! In my opinion, you'll need that support system when going through all this. Just remember that they love you!! Best of luck to you on your journey, and congratulations on taking a step to improve your life!! =D>

Hi Margaret, In all honesty, I FULLY intended to! I arrived in Mexico on Thursday last week, and truly planned on weighing in, getting my bloodwork done, then strolling over to a mexican restaurant before my surgery the next day! I ended up having my surgery that very day, so (I guess luckily) I missed out! Just remember that you'll still be able to eat regular food after the 21 day liquid diet. That's what the nutritionist said to me. I shouldn't feel like I need to indulge, because I'm not losing the chance to ever eat again! That really helped in my decision to move my surgery a day early. Hope this helps! Hang in there!! ~Charelle

Hi Dave! I totally forgot that we had surgery on the same day! What time did you have yours done? I was there starting around 10am, but didn't really see anyone. The clear liquid diet has been getting harder as the days pass. I'm getting a little bit hungrier as time passes, and yesterday had a terrible headache! I can't wait until Thursday!! Drinkable yogurt sounds like heaven right now!!!!! All the best, Charelle

Hi! Hmmm....it's going okay. Like many have said, you're not really hungry the first couple of days to a week. Today, 5 days out, I finally am feeling hungry. I wish I knew how to spice up my can/box of broth so it tastes as good as they made it at the Marriott!! OH!! Also, if you mention "THE OCC SPECIAL" at the Marriott, the meal is free! I forgot to say that when I checked out, none of those meals were billed to me. I'm excited for Thursday when I can have the drinkable yogurt...then Saturday when I start "full" liquids!! Mentally, it's been hard, but other than that, it's been great!! Still a slight discomfort in the port area. Occassionally I feel a tightness in my chest. I imagine that's where my band is. Good luck on the last 4 lbs!! I know you'll do great!! I can't wait to hear about your adventure. Mine was AWESOME!! Not one thing I could complain about!!!

HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY CARRIE!!!!!!!!!!