mfw1941

Somewhere is reading practially everything on this web site prior to my surgery, I ran across a thread that ahd several recipes for indian food. I think the first one for Easy Indian Lentils. Can anyone tell where this thread is located. Can't seem to find it again.

Hi all, I have not posted in several weeks. Been very busy with travel, but usually take the time to read and catch up a couple of times a week. I had my second fill today. There was zip, zero, none! of my first fill left. I have been able to eat anything and everything since about 3 days post fill. So I got 2 cc's of Omnipaque and am on liquids for the rest of the day. Hope this provides some restriction. I am not looking for really tight restriction, but at least something that will let me know I am full. I have done pretty well controlling my eating, with no restrictions and track nearly everthing that goes in my mouth. Have averaged about 1000 cal a day, but the scale doesn't seem to show it. But, I will take 13 lbs and be happy. I expect to lose slowly anyway due to my age. Hopefully by this time next month we will all have good fills and begin to move forward. Keep up the good work.

Can anyone direct me to a web site that has a free recipe calculator? I don't use one very often and hate to buy one if it is not necessary.

Thanks, both of these sites are a help.

I had my surgery and returned to work on Monday, but I work out of my house so was able to plan on staying home for the first 3 days of the week. I think it depends on several things, one your age, and two what type of work you do. If it is sedentary you should be OK, just plan on being very very tired. If it requires much activity I would plan on being out a couple of more days. Unfortunately, it is hard to predict, I have read of those that have surgery and are out shopping that evening and feel fine. And there are some that are still having problems the second week. It is very individual, so I would advise go with the averages. I agree that I was a little taken aback by all of the foods that "Ferdita?" said that she could not eat. But she was so positive abour her results it was hard to be put off. But after reading on this site I knew that it was also very individual. Enterprise, sorry that your friend was scared off, but maybe he just wasn't ready. It would be a shame if Dr. Spivak had negative people at his seminar. Guess it is hard to tell if you weren't there.

OK, I had my first fill yesterday and was starving all day long. The worst hunger I have experienced since my surgery. Has anyone had that reaction? It was like the fill stimulated my stomach and it growled and rolled all afternoon. Didn't eat much because I was afraid it would get stuck or I would get overfull. It seems to be better this morning, I am getting ready to go get a protein drink. Will see how today goes, just wondered if anyone else had the same reaction.

I hear you about the tuna. I also tried the Bumble Bee tuna, Thai flavor and it was nasty. I also have a can of the Sundried tomato and basil that I have not opened. I might give it to the cat, but she probably wouldn't eat it either. How can they sell that stuff? I love dark choc. but so far have managed to stay away. I am afraid I just won't be able to stop if I start eating it.

Have resigned myself to having to exercise in order to get this weight loss moving. I have to drag myself kicking and screaming to exercise. Just not my thing. And like most people once I start I enjoy it. I just have such a terrible time getting myself started. But, I am making a commitment to do some type of exercise for 30 min 5 X a week. I am, I am, I am!!! What day will we post for the week? Monday?? I am here almost everyday, checking around for new info, so any day will work for me. I probably won't post meals, although I do track everything I eat. Maybe just calories for the day and exercise for the day. Ok I have made the commitment!!! Now get moving Mary@!!

Had my first fill today. Can't tell a lot of difference yet. The water that I had to drink before I left pretty much filled me up, but by the time I got home my stomach was growling. I ate some yogurt, so will see if that holds me for any length of time. Am supposed to have soft foods for 48 hours. That should not be hard as that is pretty much what I have had for the last four weeks. Lost 10 lbs since my first consultation, had lost one lb by surgery date. I have been stuck, stuck, stuck at the same weight for about three weeks. So frustrating when I am only eating an average of 1000 cal day. And I am tracking it and being very honest, so I know it is accurate. Guess I am going to have to resign myself that exercise is the only thing that is going to push things along. Will be jumping over to join the exercise challenge. I really don't like exercise and I know that is a terrible attitude. Got to work on changing that. I will tell myself 10 times every night before I go to sleep "I love exercise, I love exercise, I love exercise.............zzzz"

Hi Dreamer, The first question I would ask in why does the doctor not have admitting privileges at the hospital. From what I have heard the surgery centers are a great alternative, but I would be sure that I knew that there were no problems with him not being able to get admitting priviledges at the hospital. There may be a very legitimate reason, and you may know it, but thought I should mention that it could be a concern.

I went to Mardi Gras in New Orleans 2 and half weeks out and did fine. They have so many fish dishes that it was not a problem. I don't know if I would do it within the first two weeks as I felt tired and didn't have much energy for about two weeks. After that it should be fine. Good luck and have fun if you decide to go. Congrats on your decision to have the surgery.

Talk about a stretch goal, that would be one for me! Although if they have one that will take an out of shape overweight woman, that will be wheezing in the back of the room. :faint: :faint: (I would have to be in the back of the room) it might actually be fun. Do you know anyone that is going? There is one at 529 and 6. Oh! do I really want to do this?????????? :)

Go to this website. Most of the support groups post their meetings on it. Also good local info. http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/HoustonAreaBandsters/database

Lisalee you have done great. I hope I am as successful in 6 months. I am sure you will keep losing, just as a slower rate and that is always tough the tough part. But you sound really positive about your progess and I think that is so importent. That we not give up when the going gets slow. I think that knowing that I will not gain back the weight is the biggest thing for me. I know I can lose the weight, I have done it numerous times, but had just given up because I was so discouraged after gaining back the weight after my last big loss. I just decided what was the point if I couldn't keep it off why suffer to take it off. Now I really feel that my band will help to make this more permanent. Now if I could just get the exercise going, I would be much better off. That has always been my special challenge.

And if you don't mind driving to Houston. We have a really great one here with tons of experience. Dr. Spivak.

I think that so many of us are struggling with this same issue right now. I go for my first fill on Thursday, but am not getting my hopes up for much restriction as from what I can tell most don't on the first fill. I have been trying to limit the carbs and concentrate on the protein. If I can get a good amount of protein in and stay away from the carbs for a couple of days, I seem to lose that terrible craving to eat all of the time. I am also frustrated right now, as I guess I was not prepared to have to deal with my hunger and appetite for another couple of months after surgery. I had read it on the posts, but somehow it just didn't really sink in. Just trying to be patient right now AND IT IS HARD!!!

I never really talked goals with him. My personal goal is to get to a little under 25 as that is the cutoff to be considered a normal weight. I think that he deals more in percentage of excess weight. Apparently the statistics are that the average bandsters only lose about 50% of their excess weight in the first 18 months. I thought that was a little discouraging, but take into consideration that includes everyone banded and some lose little or nothing. I think that is why his goal is that you lose at least 50% of your excess weight in the first year. In reading many of the posts here, I have come to realize that many of the people that have been banded do not really understand the process and expect it to magically make the weight go away. I remember how adamant Dr. S. was about this point, in the information session that I attended. That this was not a calorie burning device and there was no magic to it. It requires that we use it as a tool, but we still have to make smart choices or we can "beat the band". I for one intend on being on the right side of the averages and losing all my excess weight.

Go to Dr. Spivak's website. There is a BMI calculator on there.

Hi TerriDoodle, I was also banded by Dr. Spivak, on 1/31/06 and am due for my first fill on Thursday. My experience with Dr. Spivak was nothing but positive and I would recommend him to anyone. As far as meetings in the Houston area, check this Yahoo group. There are a number of meeting in and around Houston and I think there is one in the NW area that meets at a restaurant at 290 and Fry Road. I am also NW (Hwy 6 and 529), but have not been able to make any of the meetings. Am hoping I can attend some in March. Good luck you will do great with your surgery. Where are you having it done? http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/HoustonAreaBandsters/database

Hi Anne, A little delayed in responding to your post, but just saw it today. I had my surgery the day after my 66th birthday. I did great. It took me about 10 days to really feel close to normal again, but from reading a lot of the posts on here, many people much younger take that long and longer. I really think it is very individual and that had I done this at a younger age I might have bounced back a little sooner. But I really believe it was worth it. I believe that I will probably lose the weight a little more slowly than those that are younger, but that will probably be better for my skin. I am mostly excited about what the weight loss will do for my health and my ability to be active and not have to "slow down" due to my age. At least it will no longer be my weight that is holding me back.

My shoulder pain lasted about 7-8 days. It was the worst from day 3-6. After that it would come back if I ate more than my stomach wanted me to. I would get this, "OK that is enough" feeling and if I did not listen to it, I would pay with about an hour of left shoulder pain. I am in my 4th week and with the swelling gone am in "bandster hell" waiting for my first fill. Most of the time, using sheer will power to control my eating. Just like being back on a diet except that this time I don't mind it so much because I know that what I lose will stay gone once I get my fill to the right level. Even though right now is a struggle, I am still optimistic and excited.

Hi All. I have been off line for a few days, traveling and then my internet connection went on the blink yesterday. We had a power outage on Monday and I think that is what did it. Anyway, I am in the same boat as everyone else. No restriction right now and just getting by on will power. At least I know that there is a light at the end of the tunnel and I won't be gaining back this weight that I am having to work so hard to lose. I had just given up on dieting after the last time I gained back everything that I had lost. It just wasn't worth the guilt and frustration of slowly growing out of all the new clothes I had bought. My first fill is next Thursday and although it appears that most people have not gotten much restriction with the first fill, I can hope. Anyway as I said at least I know I won't gain the weight back this time. Still have not weighed, but clothes are getting looser. I know I have not had a big loss like many, but am OK with that. As long as things are going in the right direction, I will try to be patient.

Hi Sorry for the delay in responding, I was out of town for the weekend. I did have my surgery at PP. There were several of the nurses in the holding area that had had the surgery done by D. Spivak and it was reassuring to have them there. One of them told me that she chose Dr. Spivak because the anesthesiologist told her he was the best he had ever seen at working laproscopically. Everyone was very nice, it should be a good experience for you. Right now, I am using the Viactive calcium and multivitamins. Bought them because I thought they would help with a bit of "chocolate fix", but really have not craved chocolate at all. Am thinking about changing to a liquid Calcium as I think that would be absorbed better. I will have to go shopping for one, as I don't know anything about the liquid supplements.

Congratulations on your decision. It's normal to be second guessing yourself for the next week. Most of us went through the same thing. As for drinking after surgery, I used the crystal light peach tea, (until I discovered that splenda gives me gas), now I just drink water. I was very nauseated for the first 48 hrs and I understand that is pretty normal. No one mentioned that to me, so I wasn't expecting it. Just remember to sip, sip sip, so you don't get dehydrated. Almost anything clear that you like to drink should be fine. I was told to stay away from caffeine, so if you drink coffee or tea, get some decaf. Popsicles are also good. They served me one in the hospital and I was able to eat a couple of bites. Expect to sleep alot the first couple of days. That seems to be pretty individual, but most people that I talk with did. In fact if you read the posts you will see that everyone reacts a little differently to the surgery. Where are you having your surgery. Exciting times ahead.

Hi Kimmie, I was also recently banded in Houston and have not attended any support meeting as of yet. I believe the one you are asking about meets upstairs at Central Market on the third Sat of each month. I have not seen anything mentioned about it recently and will be out of town, so have not really paid a lot of attention. Also, Dr. Spivak is sponsoring a new support group that starts on March 13th that is open to anyone, not just his patients. Try this link for the Houston area bandsters and ask your question there. You will probably get a faster response. http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/HoustonAreaBandsters/messages