dina anderson

Thanks for the response! It took me about 30 minutes to eat that meal I think. I didn't feel stuffed at all and I chewed very well, maybe you're right, it may have started going through while I was still finishing. About the Water, I feel the same way, it doesn't make me hungrier or fuller or anything. I try to wait at least 30 minutes but not a whole hour usually.

Ok, so why do they say not to drink Water after you eat? Is it because it washes the food out of the pouch or because it stretches the pouch (or neither)?? Can you tell if you've stretched your pouch? I ate a rather large meal (about 2 1/2 - 3 cups of food) last weekend and it didn't feel bad or anything, but could I have stretched my pouch? How would I know if I stetched it and what happens if you do?? I should mention, I haven't had a fill yet, I'm scheduled for my first fill this coming Friday. I'm still fairly new to this so I'm not sure about everything. Thanks for any help you can give me!! :help:

Well I'm not losing a whole lot, I've lost 24 lbs, but that includes my pre-op diet before surgery. Since surgery it's been very slow. I think I've lost 9 lbs the past 4-5 weeks. But thanks! You made me feel a lot better!!

Wow, most of you guys are not eating much!! Here's my typical day: Breakfast - 2 to 3 ounces of chicken breast, 2/3 cup cooked veggies, 1/4 cup stuffing or mashed potatoes lunch - Lean Cuisine (the low carb kind) Snack - sugar free pudding dinner - 3/4 cup soup OR cottage cheese OR oatmeal I work nights so by the time I get home it's time for bed, so that's why I just have something small for dinner, since I'll be laying down shortly after eating (which I know I'm not supposed to do). I think I'm eating too much...? I haven't had a fill yet and I feel like I could eat a lot more. I'm scheduled for April 6th, I can't wait!!

My doctor said liquids for 2 weeks, then mushies, which could include finely minced chicken, any fish, very well cooked veggies mashed up, mashed potatoes, oatmeal, etc. But I'm able to eat almost anything with no problems. Last night I had chinese food, sweet and sour pork, sesame chicken, and garlic green beans, it all went down with no problems. Could this be damaging my band, or if I'm feeling no pain at all is it ok? I don't want to be doing any damage to it, but I'm having a very hard time sticking to mushy stuff. I'm trying to chew it all really well. Also, I'm eating Lean Cuisines a lot too, do you think that's ok?

So I had surgery on Feb 22nd, about 3 and a half weeks ago, and I'm already eating hamburger, chicken, pork, not ground up, but actual chunks. It's going down pretty easy and I feel like I could eat a lot more than I am eating. I'm trying to keep it under 1 cup of food per meal, but I feel like I could eat a lot more. I've had chinese food, enchiladas, chili, crab and shrimp, etc., all not blended. Should I not be eating these things? I haven't had any pain, and it all seems to go down really easy. Please let me know if this is really bad!! Thanks!!

Thanks so much for all the info. I hope I am successful, but it is pretty discouraging when I'm eating WAY less than before and I haven't dropped a pound in a while. I feel like I could be eating McDonalds every day and still staying the same too. It's frustrating. I will get my first fill in the middle of April so I guess I'll see what happens after that. Thanks again for all the info!! I really appreciate it.

Hi mary, I noticed that you've had your band for quite some time but your weight loss is 11 lbs..? Is that correct? I'm curious because I was banded on Feb 22nd and I'm not losing any weight hardly at all. I'm wondering if it doesn't work for some people? Also, why did you have to have the "unfills" a couple times? I haven't had a fill yet and am very curious about this whole process. I want to be successful but I'm very worried that I won't be. Can you tell me about your experience? Thanks so much, I appreciate any help you can give me!!

Well I'm finally back, went to Mexico and got banded by Dr. Rumbaut, it wasn't quite as easy as I thought it would be, but I'm glad I did it. I'm still on a liquid diet, getting ready to start soft (mushy) foods tomorrow! I can't wait!! I haven't heard anything about the Oregon doctors, I didn't even check any here since I had to self pay. I just went to Mexico since it was half the price of here. Wow, I can't believe there aren't more people in Oregon that come to this website. I really would love to go to a support group nearby. I'm going to call Dr. Hongs office and check that out, thanks!!

Ok, so I'm 5'4 and weigh 275 and when I flew to Mexico to get banded a couple weeks ago I needed an extension, definitely. The tray table would NOT come down and the seats were very tight and uncomfortable. My friend (who was also getting banded) and I realized on the flight home that we could put up the arm rests and be WAY more comfortable!! So if you're sitting with your hubby remember to put up the armrests and that will help the comfort level a lot. We asked for the extensions as we boarded also, like several other people were saying. It wasn't embarassing, but if my boyfriend would have been there I would have died!! Good luck!!

Has anyone found any support groups in the Portland area? I am having a hard time. I'm getting banded in 11 days! I'm scared, nervous, apprehensive, and would love to get together with some people that have had this done. Any suggestions??

I'm going to be banded on the 22nd of Feb, 11 days from now!!! It was great reading about your experience, I am so scared and apprehensive. I was wondering what most people eat during the first few weeks, that really helped. I live in Oregon and am going to Mexico for surgery. If I would have known about Dr. Tersigi I would have went there instead, it's about the same price that I'm paying. I would have avoided airline tickets. Do you know of any support groups in the Portland area?

Dr. Kelley Fitzpatrick www.gastricbands.com 503-235-6589 for Portland 541-344-9658 for Eugene $180.00 for the first fill, $165.00 for subsequent fills. No fluoro She has been doing fills since 2001. Please visit the website for more instructions.