trisha7110

Hello Everyone,

I haven't posted lately. But I did want to get some feedback from the people who have gone before me down this path. I was feeling some restriction after the liquid diet, not a lot but I wasn't able to eat bread and my portion sizes were greatly adjusted. When it became time for my first fill in August I was really looking forward to a more agressive weight loss.

I had the fill done 8/17/10. It was relatively painless. I received 4 cc in my 11 cc band. I stayed in San Diego for a few days to make sure I wasn't going to have problems. Because i was on liquids for three days I didn't know how the fill was going to work. I find now, 2 weeks later, I don't feel real restriction. I continue to follow, what I call, my three simple rules....1)no bread or bread products 2)nothing deep fried 3)nothing with a sauce. I know these things seem almost elementary but you'd be surprised how often I can't order from a menu without changes to adhere to these rules. As far as changes after the fill I don't feel any. I'm wondering if the changes to diet and portion control were enough to be restrictive and the lapband is not be utilized at this time. What is it I should be looking for to know if the fill was successful?

My weight has come down 5 lbs but I was also very swollen from extensive traveling before and during the fill. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

I have been diabetic for nearly 10 years. I began a journey of self awareness and weight loss when I was diagnosed. I was in my early 30's and so afraid of following my Grandmother and other family members to the grave with this disease. But even that fear didn't help me get enough of the weight off to change my future. I eventually lost 100lbs but then my own wants and bad choices stopped the steady weight loss and I began to gain once again.

As I loss weight, on my own at first, my medication was reduced. I was on 2000mg of Metformin at my peak. Eventually being lowered to 500mg, which I've been on for the last 2 years. My Dr. became very frustrated at my inability to drop the rest of this weight. He began to prescribe the new Lavaza shots to help me lose the weight. I'm not a big fan of shots and found the additional meds in my system only made me sick. Later I realized since my diabetes was controlled the extra meds was causing my blood sugar to drop, thus making me sick. But the fact remained the only way to be free of this disease is to lose the rest of the weight.

After the surgery taking the Metformin wasn't possible. it's a very large pill, think prenatal vitamin. I tried cutting it in half, smashing it and just suffering with the discomfort. But I eventually just stopped taking it. I know, I know...not good. I did monitor my blood sugar and it stayed within an acceptable range without the meds.

Last week I went to see my Dr and admitted to what i had done. If course, he wasn't happy and ordered an A1C immediately. The A1C will tell him if I had really been controlling my sugar without meds. he warned me very sternly that if the numbers came back high I would be back on the meds immediately. His nursed called me later on in the day, obviously surprised. She informed me my A1C without any meds was 5.8, with meds it had been 6.1. To everyone who hasn't had to go down this road let me tell you I'm drug free for the first time in nearly a decade!

I'm no where near my goal weight but this goal was just as important to me. I know without this lapband I would still be a slave to this disease and the meds that I've had to take for so many years. I have to think about my food choices. I have to go get my fill. I have to continue on this path to stay drug free and to eventually become cured of this disease. But I think for the first time...I can do this! I don't have to accept the diagnosis of Diabetes as my death sentence. I have a new outlook on life, thanks to this amazing weight loss tool.

I wanted to share my story in hopes that anyone out there struggling with this disease can see the light at the end of the tunnel. I still struggle too but now I know my life is written by me, not by my family genes or bad early choices. But by what I do and how I behave right now!

Honestly the last week has been horrible. First 7 or 8 days wasnt hungry. Then started on Yogurt and full liquids and had 3 days of very upset tummy and a few days of moderate hunger. last week has been horrible. i hear ya when it comes to protein shakes and creamy soup not cutting it. I work an oilfield joba nd have been out of town the last week to boot and have had a hard time. Ive been trying fruit smoothies and milkshakes and they havent helped either. Tomorrow is day 21 post op for me and i am looking forward to smaller portions of real food

Dwayne,

I haven't really kept up on here. Life gets in the way, as usual. I did schedule my first fill for Aug. 17th. I'm not feeling any restriction now but there are definately no-no foods. Bread is a thing of the past, as is flour tortillas and even though I can eat corn tortillas I have to be so careful. But I've noticed if the consistancy is fine I don't feel any restriction. That makes me really nervous. I have lost 30 lbs pre and post op and am freaking out about gaining anything back. I do notice I go over my food choices very carefully. I think going to all this trouble and expense has finally made an impact on my thinking and, more importantly, on my eating. I found a great app for my droid with calorie counts for most food including restaurants! It's my new favorite thing. I do feel a lot of restriction in the morning. A cup of hot tea seems to help. Keep me up on all your success.

PS What oilfield do you work out of, I'm originally from OKlahoma (lots of family still in that industry)

Please let me know if this reply isn't correct. It's my first time to be a part of this forum. I scheduled my surgery a week ago for August 2nd. I need to lose about 14 pounds before surgery and wanted to give myself ample time. After one week I've lost 2.5 pounds, so it's a start. I am totally excited about my journey, but now that it's sunk it that I'm going to do this, I'm second guessing myself. I'm going through with it because I want for the first time in my life to feel good about myself and the way I look. I live in Tulsa, Oklahoma. If there is anyone in my area, let me know. I'd also like to read about others who are scheduled the first of August also to compare how we're progressing and hand-hold each other as the time gets closer.

I'm excited to hear how your surgery went. I had a great experience and hope you did too. The 21 days on liquids can be challenging but not impossible. Good luck on your new journey. I look forward to hearing about your great success!

Your post absolutely scares me to death. My heart is racing, my stomach is in knots. I am getting banded on the 28th of this month. My fear is that I won't wake up for hours after the surgery and the nurses will be rude and that I will be miserable. Everything you said is my fear.........oh great!

I'm sure some people have bad experiences but I've read tons of stories on here and bad experiences are definately the exception not the rule. Everyone was kind and nurturing to me. I had my husband and best girlfriend with me. They had a good experience at the clinic too. Following instructions is important! I did what they said. Hot tea first thing in the morning really helps to not feel sick. I walked until I could swim and swam until I could go back on the eliptical. The important thing is to move. I was really nervous to get this done. I had lost 100 lbs on my own and didn't want to face the fact that I couldn't get the rest off on my own. But after putting 25 lbs back on it was clear...I needed help! I haven't regretted it for a minute. Even if someone had been snippy to me or I was sick to my stomach, neither of which happened to me, I would still be happy to be on my way to a healthy weight. Good luck and try to remember all the people who have gone before you and had great experiences!

I'm at day 20 of my liquid post-op diet. I don't think I'll ever eat soup again, lol. No need to tell me not to stay on liquids! I can't imagine who needs that instruction. So my husband has planned a nice meal at our favorite tapas restaurant after I've been on solids for a few days. I was wondering if anyone had an advise about going back to eating. I know breads and the like are a no-no but what about spicy food, mixing food, salad? I'm a little nervous about just having a regular meal. I haven't had any problems so far, no pbs or bm problems or really any difficulties. I'm hoping to continue doing well. My hubby got my an amazing juicer and I would like to continue having these amazing fresh juices. I don't know where they'll fit into my eating schedule yet. I have to admit the no drinking with food seems like it may be hard to get used to. I've been shocked to find out I don't need all the water I've been drinking for years! I use to down a bottle of water several times a day. Just the thought of trying to get down a bottle of water makes me feel ill. I kept thinking won't I dehydrate without my 8 - 8oz servings? Apparently not! Of course I haven't gotten back up to working out for the hour and half I was prior to the surgery so we'll see. Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

I am scheduled for my first fill on August 30th.

I'm about to schedule my first fill around the same time. I don't mean to stalk you but you had your surgery a couple of days before me and I'm trying to figure out what's "normal". I'm on day 16 of the liquid diet and boy is this the most difficult thing! At first there was no hunger or side effects from not eating just drinking something a few times a day. I figured it out one day, I had eaten a total of 400 cal for the day! But the last week has been harder. I feel hungry (or is it I just want something to eat), I am getting headaches and feeling tired. Cream soups and protein shakes are not getting it! Sorry to be a big complainer today.

We have a pretty busy social life and it's been hard to be active in my life. I never realized how much our lives revolve around food and wine! I miss wine, lol. Last night was a monthly potluck we have at our Country Club. Just imagine 40 women all cooking their most successful recipes, ugh! I'm doing pretty well just pushing food around my plate and sipping unsweet tea. How are you doing it?

Maybe I'll see you in Mexico

Sweet Pepper Soup

1 med onion- chopped fine

2 TBSP canola oil

3 Sweet Peppers (1 red, 1 yel, 1 orange)- chopped fine

4 cups Vegetable broth

1 sprig Thyme

1 tsp marscapone

1 tsp minced black olives

Saute onion in oil in large saucepan, until onion is soft. Add Peppers, broth, thyme.

Bring to a boil slowly, reduce heat and simmer until peppers are soft. Blend with handheld blender

or transfer to food processor and blend well. Return to simmer before serving. Add marscapone and

olives to bowl before serving. Bon appetit

This list is a work in progress but I thought I would share some items that I could not live without as they have become priceless replacements in my life:

1. I can’t Believe It Is Not Butter Spray

2. Walden Farms Zero Calorie Dressings & Spreads www.waldenfarms.com

3. Hebrew National 98% Fat Free Hot Dogs

4. Oscar Meyer 98% Fat Free Bologna

5. Digital Food Scale

6. Low Calorie Sliced Bread (Sara Lee, Orowheat, different brands in different parts of the country but 2 slices usually equall about 90 calories with about 4 grams of fiber)

7. Low Calorie hot dog & hamburger buns (if you are lucky enough to find – no longer available in southern California) Wonder bread had some available.

8. Fat Free, Sugar Free Jello Pudding Cups with Fat Free Cool Whip

9. Skinny Cow Ice Cream Sandwiches

10. George Forman Grill (my best friend) (You can literally cook an entire meal with it in minutes!)

11. www.calorieking.com (look up the nutritional value for hundreds of items)

12. Pirate Booty

13. Hungry-Girl Cook book & Recipe Cards

14. Dill Pickles - eat as many as you want for zero points!

15. WW Taco Soup Recipe care of Mom - This should have been #1 on thie list as it is a staple in my household since it goes on and with everything from omelettes, potatos, and taco salad. Major comfort food!

16. Laughing Cow Light Cheese Wedges (good bye forever mayo & cream cheese!)

17. Oroweat Muti-grain Sandwich Thins (a slice of bread and a bun got married & had a baby and this is it!) - Only 100 calories for 2 slices.

18. Thomas' Bagel Thins (same concept as sandwich thins but a bagel - also works great for sandwiches toasted).

Liquids Anyone?

1. Active Lifestyle Gellatin Cups - loaded with 4 grams of fiber per serving! Flavors are better than Jell-O!

2. Mishima Miso Soup poweder mix - comes in individual packets that you just mix with hot water! Only 35 calories a pop.

3. Cool Whip Lite or Cool Whip Free (great with the Jell-O. Feels like you are cheating when you are not)

4. Nestle Rich Hot Cocoa Powder with Caramel - A liquid Candy Bar!

5. Bigelow Vanilla Chai Tea Bags - A box of 20 (Try with a dash of skim milk and you would think you paid $3.5 for a cup at Starbucks!

6. Campbell's Soup At Hand "Blended Vegetable Medley"

7. Imagine Organic Creamy Tomato Soup (comes in a rectangle carton)

8. Yonique Low Fat Yogurt Drinks (Pina Colada is awesome)

9. Lifeway Lowfat flavored Kefir (found this at Whole Foods)

9. Slim Fast Optima Shakes (The only protein shake I like)

10. Benefiber individual Drink Powder (like Cystal Light except 3 grams of fiber per pouch - sold in the Metamucil Aisle. Flavors are awesome. Mix with bottled water.)

11. Original V8 - I love this at room temp or heated on the stove as a soup.

12. Naked Fruit Smoothies (variety pack of 10, 10 ounce bottles found at Costco for $5.99. I use these for breakfast!)

13. Glaceau Vitaminwater10 - Was sick w/ cold this weekend and had to add this since it literally brought me through the storm single handedly

Wonderful list! Thank you!

I had my surgery July 1st. It went really well, everyone at Dr. Ortiz office was wonderful. It was so fast I didn't think it had happened. We stayed at the Marriott for a couple days after and are now in San Diego for a few days. I was worried something would go wrong and I wanted to be by the Dr. Of course everything has gone beautifully. I was on the protein shakes for 2 weeks before the surgery so having only liquids hasn't been bad. The amazing Tylenol helped with that and today I feel great.

My husband and best girlfriend came with me. They have been wonderful. Trader Joe's was the best place to find things to drink. The coconut water is yummy, between it and chicken broth I'm doing fine. We'll be here for a few more days then back home.

We had thought to use the Fill Center in North Carolina but after speaking to the staff we've reconsidered. I'll be back in August for my fill. I can't imagine not dropping weight on this liquid diet for 21 days!

Thanks to everyone for being so supportive. I know I'll be on here again and again to learn from you all. I'm really looking forward to this stage of my life.

That was very helpful

The year is just flying by. July has all those picnics, food and beer everywhere. For some of you,, you've decided to change your life and choose to have WLS and skip the food frenzy. This topic is where you can meet those who have scheduled their surgery or fills. Let's hear from the patients that have scheduled during the month of July.

I just scheduled my surgery for July 1st. I'm excited but really nervous too. It has helped to have this forum to come to and read about the experiences of other people. I'm encouraged to see so many people having such positive results. I'm planning on doing the protein shakes with one lean meal 2 weeks prior to the surgery. I've tried the shakes and they seem fine. Are these shakes allowed after the surgery during the post-op diet? Just trying to figure out what I'll be eating.

I've been taking metformin for the last three years, for diabetes. I agree with the last post. Your body will need a few weeks to get used to the dose and stepping it up a little at a time is a good idea.

Good luck and congrats on the weight loss.