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Hello all. Nina Thank you for your encouragement. I really need to exercise! My son is getting married this Saturday, so after that is behind me I shall beef up my exercise plan! I went to my doctor today, and saw that nurse practitioner. I did not lose anymore weight, which sucked! sorry... I am on all food! It is up to me to make the right choices. On the do not eat list is all fat and fatning foods we all know not to eat. Also she advised me to stay away from bread because I most likely won't be albe to eat a sandwhich later. I can eat frozen diet meals, those are the correct protein, she said to try and get ones with high protein count. She said to use a bread plate size, eat until I feel full, and to learn that feeling, not to worry about measuring. My FILL:( is not going to be until 3 weeks. I have no date, she said they will call me and send me a letter. She is on vacation so it goes! Not until the week of July 23, which is the week she comes back so she said it is iffy, or the week of July 30! She said I have the old VG ( I think that is the acronym) and the doc may have left some saline in there. I am already having some restriction on chicken, dry food, so that is her explanation for that. I am not happy about the wait turning into 7 weeks or more, but nothing I can do! She said not to to be patient about the weight loss:rolleyes:

KT Where do you live? I am off to the doctor today, hopefully I will get my fill appointment date. At least having the date will make me feel a bit better.

Angel Welcome to bandland! Hope your week home is going well, remember to walk if you can! Danielle/Lucy I had glass of wine when I went to mushies. I only had 2 in one night, drinking slowly over 2-3 hours. It was fine, and yes you feel tipsy sooner. Just don't drink and drive! Danielle/itsjustme I really never pbinged but I think I did have some slime in my throat/mouth but that is as far as it went. I decided yesterday that I don't think I can eat chicken,and I love grilled chicken. Everytime it won't go down, and the pain in my chest is bad, along with the saliva. So, I guess for now I have to wait. And I don't have a fill yet? joeygirl/stef did they do your fills flouro or under sonogram? My doc said the first one will be done this way to find the port easier. after this they won't have to. Not sure how they remember each patient. I am jealous! I have a doc appointment today, but it is just a post opt, no fill for two weeks. Nina wow, what a great weight loss!! what is your secret. I ahve not lost a lb in two weeks? I am frustrated. Toni how are you?

You guys are great... I try to keep up with reading all your posts to learn, I am a June bandster! What is a NSV! Wenjea What a great feeling when you go shopping and go down in sizes. I went shopping at store at the mall this weekend and they had a big sale. I had to get a dress for my son's wedding this Saturday( not like waiting...right!) but was able to get a 16! And two other dresses for work too. Like you, I don't want to spend a lot on clothes I hopefully don't fit into for long. I try to buy everything on clearance! QUESTION I have not had a fill yet, just reaching my 4 weeks being banded. I have had a hard time staying good on my eating. I am to be on Mushies until my doc appointment tomorrow, however I have eaten tortilla chips and dip with out restriction or problems, besides feeling VERY guilty, I am concerned that I may be harming my band and stomach?? what do you think? I am back on my plan and trying to remain focused, but it is hard when the hunger is coming back and no restriction... I have 3 weeks until my first fill...

Hope you are all doing ok!!! Haven't heard from you in a while... Happy 4th of July!!!

Heather Remember that on the main post site we are all in different stages, now everyone is post banded, so we can help those banded after us! It was night right after banded that you could not eat and did not want to....I guess real life has to hit! How exciting about the treadmill! I live in Virginia, and it is hot and humid too. However the last two days cool at night no humidity, so walking outside is good. But the humid air is coming back which is tough... I am off to go shopping today and hopefully keep my mind off of food!

Suzzie,itsjustme,kland,joeygirl.... and all those ready for the big FILL!! joey let us know how it went today. I still have three more weeks until I will get one. We are all dealing with the "what we can eat/or should I say shouldn't eat!" One thing I remember my nurse saying,I wish she never told me, is that junk food goes right down! It has no substance and crumbles and desolves. That is why those tortilla chips go down so easy! I did well yesterday, back on schedule...but I am not having much restriction, it has to be in our minds. joegirl Yes, less than 1000 is not good for weight loss. My nurse told me to reach for the 1000 mark. it is hard though when you are drinking more meals than eating. Angel/Stella welcome to bandland,, sounds like you are doing great. everyday you will feel better! I was up early today to walk the dogs with my dh, and I am on leave for a week,( my son's big wedding day is Saturday). So I feel good about that. I jumped on the scale after a week, with all the dumb stuff I ate, I did not lose or gain,so I will now get my self in gear.

WOW, who has the time to do the bs on here! I did not think the person was a doctor, just their sign on, dr?

WELCOME carebear and itsjustme! itsjustme the restriction you feel early after surgery is the swelling from the surgery not the band. I don't really feel restriction, at times I feel I can eat anything, however then I have problems with grilled chicken, fish and tuna. I really need to slow down and chew! Lucy, I reallyhope that I don't have problems with the soy slowing down my thyroid. I do take thyroid medication now, and that is one thing I don't want to slow down!! Ladyhr, great about the popcorn! that is a big weakness of mine at the movies. How was the movie??? I really wanted to go and see it, I love die hard movies, and Bruce Willis. Holly, Toni, Suzzzie, how are you all doing this weekend? Rhonda the cravings and food is difficult for sure. I am jealous your fill is around the corner!! I should have mine a couple weeks later. This weekend was hard for me, I really need to stay focused. I had shakes and one meal today. I will try the scale tomorrow.

Heather!!! I am so sorry to hear your pain in your post! I was reading it on my blackberry and wanted to reply because I felt you really needed a boost! I understand your situation and KT, mushies and eating with out restriction has been more of a challenge. I to wanted to go back to the two Protein drinks and a small meal, because I feel that it is hard to control what I eat since it will go down. I have been beating myself up because last night I ate way to much of this chicken wing dip I brought to a party per request. It went down with the tortilla chips without a problem. I kept saying to myself," what am I doing!!". However, I have a problem with eating grilled chicken, it gets stuck going down and hurts. tonight I was worried it would not go down but come up it hurt so bad. But it went down. I think I need to chew more. I hope my sharing will help you because it is why we are all here! I want the band to be my last stop to this roller coaster of weight. I want to be in control for life. Hang in there for the 1st Fill! I have a doctor appointment on Tuesday, I will share my struggles and share what advice I receive. I should get my band date for two weeks, which will be 6 weeks. YOU CAN DO IT, WE ALL CAN!!!!!

Thanks DR, but I can't get a fill until mid July!! I wish I could get one today! The doctor's approach is to allow to work on Habits! I thought I would be doing better, but it is a challenge. but I am banded and I am keeping my goals in front of me. there will be ups and downs!

Danielle Great weight loss!! I am jealous! Keep up the good work. I had glue incisions and internal stitches. I did not have the problem getting off the iodine. sorry. Did the other suggestions help? Toni I love my bullet. But that Protein powder is stubborn, I have to stir it up sometimes to get it going, so it may be the same. I will look up the Syntrax matrix too. You could eat a burrito bowl after the fill? when do you go for your next one? Marga I drink coffee but I did cut back. After surgery I did not drink for four days or so. And now I drink about 2 cups prior to work, but no longer buy one to bring in to the office. I am 3 weeks out and have a glass or two of wine too. Danbo Welcome home!! where is home? How long before you go back on the boat? Bcrazy I was put on the same diet. Liquids after surgery to include creamy Soups. then at my post opt one week doc visit, I was on mushies. I truly wish I was not, because now with out restriction I am trying other foods I probably shouldn't like thin crusty pizza( very thin frozen type, with little cheese) and tortilla chips, grinding them! That went down fine, but I have problems with tuna and chicken, go figure! I am suppose to get 50-60g of protein in a day, and if I can get in the other foods, she said to try. And keep it at 1000cal a day. Hope that helps. NiNA HAPPY 4 TO YOU!!!!!!

I am glad I found this thread. It is interesting to read everyones in put, and advice. I was banded June 7, this year and have not had a fill. I emailed my nurse regarding portions and feeling hungry more after 3 weeks from surgery. She did say it is like not being banded right now, and all about portion control and learning. But that is easier said than done, with limited to no restriction and being hungry. Any hints to curve my hunger? I will add some of this info to my list of questions. I don't have my first fill date, most likely in mid July, 6wks out. For those reading and not banded yet, remember, the band is a tool, and most of us are happy we are in BANDLAND!!

FARMERE Do you live in Virginia? I live in Stafford, VA. I read on your post about the Jimmy Buffet concert and I know he was at Nissan, Manassas, VA, last night. I wonder if any storms hit Mansassas during the concert. Have a great day!

WOW, Tomorrow is June 30!! The last Band days for June. I did not look at the calendar to see if anyone is being banded on Saturday? Laura, Marga, Danbo and Snoopy...your journey has begun You are all doing great. One day at a time! Snoopy Your Mom is in my prayers.. I wish her strength in her recovery. quadmom It is gas in your shoulder, it will go away. What kind of scale did you buy? I am thinking of updating mine! Toni How are you doing since your fill? Would you remind us of your shake recipe! I bought the EAS at Walmart and I did not like it, chalky. I am glad I only bought a 4 pack. Suzzzzzie I agree with the advice above, you should call your doctor and make an appointment. It really does not sound right. I don't want to scare you either. (I am not a doc)You should be able to sleep in your bed after a few days and roll over without a problem after a week or so. Please call! Telling family I told my sister on the phone last week for she is coming next weekend for my son's wedding ( she lives in PA). she gave me an earful, all the reason I did not tell her. I am closest to her compared to my other 3 siblings, but she is also the skinny one, and does not get the weight issues. I will have to block her out when she gets here! FILLS there is a fill thread under June bandsters support groups.. did you all know we had those other subthreads? It is good and bad. good for topic area breakdown, bad for seperating the TEAM! Maybe when we get filled we can begin to post there too, just a thought? Have a good TGIF!!

Good morning everyone! I am just getting into the sub threads, I guess I was a bit slow knowing they existed. you are all doing great. KT I agree about the slow down with Mushies. I feel I can eat most stuff, but stay away from hard things, pizza, bread, etc( I am not to have that in this stage anyway, but would not even cheat on that!!). I have had some chest pressure with tuna, and poultry. so I chew more. No pbing, yahooo! Exercise is still lacking. I walk every am with my dogs and dh but it is not enough. I know this is where I need to bump it up! Simply your story was great, and probalby like most of us, yoyoers or those who have lost weight and it krept back. I am hoping the band is our last tool for a thinner life! I belonged to a gym and loved it, I just need to take the first step. I don't know when my fill is, most likely mid July, I should find out Tuesday when I go for my next doc appt. They do by xray the first time, but after that in the doc's office, also for insurance to cover it too. Which is a good thing!

Serena I understand your frustration. Really try hard not to go on the scale! I realize how hard that is. I am not losing at this time either. I feel so bloated too, I don't think I am going the bathroom enough(bm sorry for being so personal) and I should exercise more. My doc said to get in 1000 cal a day, however that is hard when you are drinking protein drinks and eating small meals, but I try. I have reached that goal a couple of days. If your cal intake is so small, you are right, your motabolism is slowing down to burn the fat. I have a doctor appointment on July 3, but that is my second prost opt, not for a fill, my fill will be around yours! As you may have read, my son is getting married on July 7 so in many ways I am glad my fill is not until after that. Hang in there we are on the band journey for life! danbo.....you are having a band put on as I type....Hoooooooooray for you!!!! Toni, Heather and all you Junesters....can you believe we are at the end of our month...it is so crazy.

Thinner1/Mary I know what you mean about the Mushies. Is it because our bodies were on liquids for 3 weeks and the shock of real food? I don't know?? I emailed my nurse practioner asking her if she thought I ate to much last night, a cup of spagetti and meat sauce. I felt no pain and it went right down! I just ate a 1/2 c of tuna salad for dinner. I had a few pain moments, that is because of the texture and eating to fast! It is a challenge for sure. I also told her that this is the first week, week 3 after surgery, that my stomach is saying I am hungry! I have not heard back from her yet. Welcome all you other Richmond banders, or soon to be!! I went to Dr. Batista at St. Marys too. My hospital experience from the first pre test to discharge was great. Mary did you get your bill Yet?? I got mine, $38,000!!!!!!!!!!! I think i was given a golden band...LOL talk to you soon.

Kim GREAT to hear all is well. FarmerE what a nice guy! What kind of challenge, wieght loss or execise? I am game. Faithmd Yes, I batch it in two. I could never drink it all at once. Have a great night ya all!!

I did not follow up on the possibility of the June ne forum. I understand why it was created, but I also think it will break up the "team" a bit. Hopefully we can keep touch for the most part on this. Toni I did not look, but did you start a Fill thread. that would be a good new chapter in our journey! Farmer E and bkat GREAT to hear from you!! You both sound like you are doing great. cmp walk as much as you can, the more the better. Just a few steps each time. the gas pains hurt a bit more, but that is because you are MOVING them OUT!! A good thing. Lynette I bought GNC Pro Performance Soy Protein 95,from the GNC store. I also bought Weight watchers French Vanilla powder smoothie, they are creamy. I mix one of those a scoop of my protein powder, skim milk, ice and fruit if I have it. that is about 35 - 40 grams and makes alot! two bullet( a mini blender) mugs..

Heather, Thanks for all your hard work on this!

Gina, Thanks for all the kind words and sharing. My dh is at walmart now, and he picked me up a package for the EAS shakes, but they are 17g? Is the 42g another type? that is all our walmart had, so I told him to get it. I will try. I have been drinking slim fast, and my soy which is 35g in my bullet with a weight watchers vanilla mix ( very good) but I need to up my Protein consistantly. I just had my dinner over an hour, a cup of spaghetti and meat sauce, cut up. It was good, I feel full. No problems with it going down. I have been feeling hungry before meals over the past week, and I am eating real meals. Is that stirring up my hunger?? I liked it when I was not hungry... I need to get my butt out and exercise...big time. This is a big problem of mine, I need to try harder. Maybe I will have my first fill when you have your second!! :clap2:

Vixie you made me laugh outloud!! I was banded on June 7 in the US, however I have read so many banders who were banded in Mexico by Dr. Ortiz. It sounds like he is an excellent doctor, and the facility is very nice to. Now, Crystal, I don't want this to come out badly, but you are 21 with a bmi of 28, I am not sure that will qualify, only if you self pay. Maybe you plan to do that anyway, and that is fine. I am trying to asses if the band was available in the early 80's when I was 21, maybe if I had it then I would not be 80lbs over weight and would not have lost it so many times throughout my life. But I also know that at your age, losing weight and changing life style is less difficult. If you have tried it all, then you know what you want. I know someone who gained 20lbs to be eligilble for gastric bypass and now she is thin, and says she feels great. This is a big decision, and I think if it is what you think is best for you , go for it. Good luck,

Lucy I agree about the quiche. One of my favorites. Upon my return to work, we had a breakfast, go figure my luck. Well, someone made a kale and cheese quiche, I ate the filling, it was outstanding. I just made 4 quiches for a brunch, they are in my freezer. Stef good idea about small containers. On a cheaper version, I buy the small ziplock ones, they work great too. bigsexy and Marga Good luck tomorrow. you will do GREAT. My advise is to stay calm, realize this is a healthy choice and God will have you in his hands!! We will be anxious to hear back from you at the end of the week! Simon Welcome to June Bandland!! I am sitting here eating a cup of spaghetti with meat sauce, all allowed, but I am eating it really slow! So far almost an hour, the good thing is it is good cold. I had a rough day with hunger today. I felt hungry for the first time before the next meal. I am about 3 weeks out. Is this the time you all who were banded before me, June 7, felt? I can't wait to talk to the doc next Tuesday! Have a good night!! Check back later.

Bill scare...beware before reading!! My dh told me to call the hospital because they were sending my bills to his insurance( which is the one that is covering, bcbs fed) but we weren't sure if they were sending the bills first to mine, primary, which has to deny the bill first before the secondary will pay for it, even though they approved the surgery, what a dumb process...... Hospital bill for surgery and next day.... $38,000!! :speechles I told my dh, if you self pay it ranges from $13,000-18,000, he said I got the DELUX BAND!! I could not believe it, my insurance better be on target.. or I will be running to another country...