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WOW, I did not get on line for one day and 4 pages later!! The buzz an chatter is overwhelming and GREAT. Toni Great to hear about your fill. You had 4 cc already in there? I thought that there was no saline until your first fill? Who knows what the rest of us will find out. Keep us updated on how it feels. Did they say when your next one was or how often? Like the post opt and the preopt, the doctors are all so differnt. Pippz - I have not vomited yet, but did have 2 or 3 situations where I ate to fast or I did not chew good and felt pressure in my chest. Only one time did I get up and pace, saliva plenty, but then it passed after about 5 min. But it scared me enough to be careful! Heather Great news on your vacation. I have my son's wedding July 7, my first fill won't be until after that, so I should be ok. I had one pre opt doc visit one week after surgery and another one on July 3. They meet with you I beleive at every stage. I am assuming I will go from Mushies to other foods. When you mentioned CRAB CAKES, I got excited!! My favorite, and you are right they are soft. Danielle, welcome to bandland!! Angel and Marga good luck this week, you will do great!!! N ina I am really jealous regarding your exercise commitment. I really need to get to that. I just need to jump in and stay motivated! I do walk, but not long or fast enough. Keep up that inspiration for us!!

Heather, You did such a great job with the calendar we were wondering if you could add everyone's fill dates, maybe a new calendar after this weekend, what do you think? I read a few pages ago that this would be a great new chapter in our bandland. if its to much we understand!!

Gina Thanks for outlining your meals. I think it helps to do that. You are not having problems with Pasta, bread or peanuts?? I know eveyone is different, or maybe after your next fill. What Protein shake powder do you have that gives you that many grams? Mine is only 24, but with a shake powder and skim milk, it comes out to be 35. I wonder what I will tolerate eating and how that will impact my mental state! I do miss mexican food, pasta, etc. I will say I did have a few chips with fresh tomatoe salsa on Friday, i just could not resist. I felt no problems. Do you think I did any damage?? I grinded the chips up in small bites, but it was a snack which I am not to be doing. Have you been getting in your Water? Maybe that will help with your weight loss. I know this is harder for me, not sure why, I am famiiar with drinking lots of water! The weekend is almost over and hopefully the week is more structured for both of us!! When is your next fill? I read so many differences from one week after surgery to 8 weeks? I go back to the doctor July 3 at which time they will schedule it.

cj WOW what a great weight loss!! FANTASTIC!!! I was given the same diet as you, regarding time frames, mushies, etc. Serena There are many nurses on this thread and folks that work at a hospital, so hopefully they can help you. I agree about the intern. When you are researching to have it done, they say the doctor should have done 150 or more to consider them. But you are now banded and doing well, try not to worry about something you can't change! Faith I had the blood thinning shot prior to surgery and that left a large bruise on my arm that didnt' go away until now, 2 plus weeks. Rhonda you made me laugh with the doggie chew toy! I have plenty around but not sure how my puppies would take it! Thin I was banded on June 7 and I can say this weekend has been the hardest with hunger. Last night I found myself eating french fries( baked) which I am allowed to do, but I was eating them as I was feeding my grandaughter, prior to my dh and I sitting down. Then I had a 1/3 of a hamburger, tiny bites with ketchup, and some cooked carrots. It all went down good with plenty of chews, but I was hungry! I did feel full after that, but.....boy it is changing!! Capt Dan Your Mom is probably worried, once you are banded, I bet her comments will change to support. My dh was not as supportive prior to banding, he went with me to meetings and was supporting me, but I heard comments of " I love you the way you are, I don't know why you need this???" Now he is totally different, however when we are having a meal he watches what I eat and says chew, chew, chew!!! Not sure which is better...LOL Hang in she will be ok. Toni and other Fillers coming up Wow, can't wait to hear. I guess Toni you are on FIRST!! It is weird we are winding down the end of the banders this week and starting our new journey to eating and fills together.... Woooohoooo!!

cb You are doing great, the bloating will go away soon, promise. I agree about the protien it is hard, especially if you don't feel like drinking. This is what I did. I bought the magic bullet, small blender seen on tv. I got it at Bed, bath, beyond. I bought soy no flavor Protein poweder at GNC. I blend a scoop( 24g) with 1 c of skim milk and a shake( carnation or weight watchers vanilla) and some strawberries, ice. It is a total of 35g and it makes two of their mugs. I put one in the freezer for later and drink the other then. In addition I have the high protein slimfast shake in the can. Hope that helps. Getting the Protein powder with high content gives you a bang for you buck. I haven't tried it yet, but Syvester Stalone has a high protein pudding that has a high number, a coworker told me about it. I don't want to order a case until I taste it. They may sell that at GNC too.

Gina and Suzanne... how are you??? Hope all is going well. Just wanted to check in and say HI!

Skinny/lipgloss Hello, I was banded June 7 and had all the thoughts you are having. I started the official process in February 07, however prior to that I thought about it, researched it and on and on. Once I went to the first orientation meeting in February, I was so excited. But as the band date got closer, I had thoughts; what if something happens, how can I give up the foods for ever or eat so little, can I have alcohol, why don't I just go back to weight watchers ( for 100th time), etc. but then I realized I really needed this and I could do it. I have had a couple glasses of wine at a time a week out from surgery, just sipped! Someone asked me yesterday if I was hungry or how could I give all that up? It is easier once you have made the committment!!! You will do GREAT!!!

Hello all , I am a June bandster, posted here a few times, I love reading your stories, because it will be my future, and present soon! I was banded June 7. I had that full feeling twice just with the band, I think I ate to fast or did not chew. I had to get up and move around and finally it went down. As I am healing that is gone, but it made me more aware of what I am doing! It is interesting about the different fills, times, etc. Just like the different stages of preopt and post opt diets. You are all doing GREAT. I hope you don't mind me checking in!

2bh,Rhonda,Lady hr,Faith ( hope I did not miss anyone) Welcome to band land!! I to did not tell many and I have shown off my incisions! It is almost like you want to shout out the news! welcome Kim and Adventure The full feeling and gas will subside after a week, everyone is so different. If you can, walk, even if it is just up an down in front of your home. It will help! Stef You are doing GREAT. I think Pippz may be the first fill of the group. Like the varied diets, so are the fills. Pippz yours is so soon, is that normal for your doctor? I most likely won't have mine until mid July, 6 wks out. Joey I hear you about the slow weight loss, but remember what they said, during this period before the first fill, you will not have a big weight loss, you are healing and learning. I know it is hard to accept when you feel you are not eating hardly anything. I think you need to up your calories, drink more protein drinks, or put the protein powder in some shakes boosting the # of grams.. it ma help. TMC great weight loss!! and great to welcome another guy to the group. Toni You crack me up. I am doing great. I had my first appointment with my doctor one week post opt, I go back again July 3, at which time they will schedule my fill, I only hope I am doing what I should do between now and then! bgbaby thanks for the website, I will look at it, I have been looking for something to track. Holly you have been given great advice, keep up the great work. just remember to move around if you can! Have a great weekend all, I lost another 1 pound!!! woohooo, a bit sarcastic, but practice what I preach and accept it will be slow until my fill!!!

Suzzie I agree, that if you stayed over night it is only a deductable and it is covered. Lets see what the bills say.. we better be right! Danielle/Oreo Hang in there one day at a time. I was able to have broth, popsicles and jello. See if you can have those? cmp I am sure the doctor told you to walk and get out to do that. I did not go anywhere except that until three days. Some folks on the thread ventured sooner and some later. Everyone is different. Go with how you feel! Vicky I was banded on June 7. I was able to eat mushies a week later. however the list of foods was overwhelming and I had difficulty getting all the food groups in. My nurst told me to focus on 60g protein and 64 oz of water, then if I can add some vegies and fruit. I am less worried now. I have had cottage cheese w/ pinapple and cantelope, soups, chicken salad, fish, tuna, yogurt. Does that help? Missy thanks for the clarification, she must be pretty too! Pippz WOW YOU ARE DOING GREAT!!! HOLLY Great to hear from you so soon, we are proud of you!!! Toni, how are you feeling?

Suzzie I agree, that if you stayed over night it is only a deductable and it is covered. Lets see what the bills say.. we better be right! Danielle/Oreo Hang in there one day at a time. I was able to have broth, popsicles and jello. See if you can have those? cmp I am sure the doctor told you to walk and get out to do that. I did not go anywhere except that until three days. Some folks on the thread ventured sooner and some later. Everyone is different. Go with how you feel! Vicky I was banded on June 7. I was able to eat mushies a week later. however the list of foods was overwhelming and I had difficulty getting all the food groups in. My nurst told me to focus on 60g protein and 64 oz of water, then if I can add some vegies and fruit. I am less worried now. I have had cottage cheese w/ pinapple and cantelope, soups, chicken salad, fish, tuna, yogurt. Does that help? Missy thanks for the clarification, she must be pretty too! Pippz WOW

Toni!! I am so sorry about your migrains!! how are you feeling today, Thursday? I to experience these, and when you get one it is painful experience. Just know that as you lose weight those should decrease!! Heather Wow what a resource to have the surgeon accessable. your story made me laugh!! The information was very helpful! Since I dove in the pool, I have been obsessing with little pains here and there wondering if I did something. The docs office said I should be fine and quit worrying! bb/Toni I don't belong to a support group yet, however I plan to go next month. there are a few of us on this thread from the Virginia area, and I am hoping to join up with them at a meeting!! Holli You are now in bandland!! Can't wait to hear from you, your weight loss is GREAT.. you are on your way to great things!! Suzzzzie How are you feeling today? I am sorry to hear about your pain, but it will go away!! Promise! Michele I only woke up with that full feeling after I think I ate to much of a soup the night before? I also think I need to get more liquids in. It is hard. I had the weight watches vanilla smoothie tooo. I blended it with skim milk, strawberries, and a protein powder of 25 g a scoop to give me 35g !! I used my bullet and made two mugs that I drank through out the day! Stef and Becks I had a glass of wine two nights this past weekend, one week after. I just felt like one and sipped it slow. It tasted good. Is Khaliah Ali the one on Dancing with the Stars??? I didn't know that. She did great, and looks great. beckt I am going to the store tonight and I will try to look for the soups!! how much can you drink at a time? I have had a hard time finding them. I am going to a different grocerie store tonight. Off to work, I better not let a day go by, it is hard catching up!! I hope all those being banded did well. Heather, could you post the calendar again to bring us up to date.

Suzzzie - Did you talk to BC before your surgery? Did they tell you that you would have such a huge bill? I thought we would only have to pay our deductable, and I am pretty darn sure that our deductable is not that high!!! I have been playing on fepblue.org and it is all foreign to me. I am going to call them in the morning and try and find out what the deal is. I am really hoping I don't have to come up with $5,000. Let me know when you get your bill if it is anything close that that! Quote: Originally Posted by Suzzzie. I have BCBS federal also. My surgery was just this past Friday, so no bills YET...but I'm expecting one. I know another woman from this site who has the same insurance and used the same place I did for surgery and she got a huge bill too, but she doesn't have to pay it for some reason? I dunno. THe Docs bill the insurance companies WAY higher than they know they will pay, in order to get a larger amount of money. Call the insurance people and ask them about it, then call your doc office. If you have to pay ANYTHING at all, they can set up payments for you. Suzzzie and MK, I too have bcbs Federal. I read on another site that there could be a bigger out of pocket cost then you expect so I called my insurance company prior to the surgery, I would have to pull my deductable, but it was much less if I was inpatient. Were you? The doctor's office told me that the doctor/ and hospital keep bcbs patients over night to cover the surgery. I am hoping I have no bills or small ones, not $5000!! Lets keep talking when we get those bills coming in, it will be interesting to see the differences and we can educate others too!

Thinner1( Mary) Great to hear about your doctor visit. It is funny because I had the same experience the day I left the doctors, I went to costco and one of the samples was cheescake! I figured, it was a tiny sample and a mushie/soft right:) I also bought one of their fatfree soft yogurts on the way out and said to myself, " wow, this is way to much what did I do!" I brought it home and stuck it in the fridge after I ate a less than a 1/3. I emailed my nurse too about the mushie diet, because I was struggling with the amounts of added food and Protein. Her suggestion was reach for 60g of protein and 64 of h2o or other liquid. And if I can fit in some fruit and veggies, fine. So, yesterday I had more Protein shakes and slimfast, some egg drop Soup ( sad I could only eat 1/2 but now I ahve the other 1/2 for lunch today). I exceeded my protein, however this was the first! How are you doing the few days since the doctor appointment? That is cool about the new band. I don't think my doctor had it, so I beleive I have the old one? I will have to ask. But I think they are all good, just different. Did he tell you when your fill will be? When do you go back to him? I go back July 3 and at that time they will schedule it for 2 wks after that, which will be 6 wks from surgery. My doctor, well the nurse practioner, will do it in xray for the first time. I hope mine did not flip or anything!! Have you felt the full feeling yet? Or had food kind of get stuck? I ate fish to fast last week, and the pain was difficult, but it passed in a few minutes, with me pacing and bending over. But I ahve heard of others lasting much longer. That was a wake up call to me!! Let me know how the meeting goes! The lapband only meeting is on a Tuesday, I think the second Tuesday at 7. Are you going to the joint one? I want to go, but my son's wedding is July 7 and I am so busy. Even though the band meeting is the tuesday after his wedding, I am hoping to go, maybe we can meet there!!!

lipgloss, thanks for asking. My dh has been supportive now that the surgery is over, however will ask if what I am eating is to much, etc? I am not sure I am eating correctly. I ate to much brocolli and cheese soup, pureed more, tonight, I can feel it from an hour ago. I age 8 - 10 oz but over a 60min period. Is that to much? My nurse sent me an email and mainly said to target 1000 calories a day and 60 grams of protien. this is hard to consume. I am on mushies and can have a lot of different foods, but 1/2 c of food at a time won't get me the above. Any help from you all who are more experienced, let me know! I drank wine this past weekend after one week out, it tasted good, but drank it slow!!

Suzzzie one day at a time, after a week goes by you will forget this time of feeling bad! I still have a tender spot in my tummy, however it is not near my port site, but a little down? Not sure why. ml and others not having bm, I think my doc said to call in two days if I didn't. But I haven't had that problem. bcrazy GREAT to hear from you, glad all went well. Take it easy on the trips to wally mart! quadmom great weight loss!!!!!!! I counted up my caleries today and I am not near where I should be either. My nurse emailed me today and said I should get in 1000 calories a day, but I only got in about 600. She said to eat three meals a day and fit in another mini meal if it is low fat and below 1000. Goal of 60 grams of protien and 64 oz of water/liquids. I think this is harder than all. I may have reached 50 grams of protein. I had a fat free broccoli and cheese soup with 2% milk for dinner. I ate the entire thing which was 8-10 oz, but over an hour time frame. I can feel full. I feel like drinking your protein drinks is the only way to get in the protein. Any other thoughts? It is not easy.... I wish I was more help. Good luck Holly!!!!

Heather that sounds awful, the burping and feeling in your throat. hopefully at the doctor's today you will get some answers! Eating slow is hard for me too, I don't think I am a gulper, but I do eat at a good pace. taking tiny bites and putting down the fork, that is a challenge!! Hang in there! eva some doctors are old fashion and do the ennema thing. I had one for the first time this year when I had a colonoscopy. I freaked! The nurses said my doc was the only one who still did it! Go figure my luck. It was just a weird feeling. Not as bad as the needles in my book! stef take it easy, I know how hard it is to give up the independence. Our 15 year old carried the cooler and other heavy stuff this weekend, because my dh has had a back problem recently, we are a sad couple! Down 2 lbs!!! I didn't weigh this weekend, which is my set weigh in, so I hopped on the scale today! With what we are eating, or NOT eating, you would think it would be 5! But slow and steady. Have a great day all!!

Hello Irish bandsters... I may have posted on here a while back, seeing Irish, I would want to chime in, although I am not living in Ireland! I am all Irish nationallity, my family migrated to US in 1920's. Hope to visit there in 2 years, THIN! I was banded June 7. coco thanks for the great advice of the stages. I am not near the same place as most of you, just on mushies, almost 2 wks out. It is hard to fit it in. Enjoy Italy, sounds great. allure jeans, I know so much of what you are feeling. working and finding nice professional clothes that don't look like a curtain, is a success!! lipgloss My dh is thin and can eat what ever he wants. He was a bit shy of support in the beginning, saying he loves me the way I am, but now that the surgery is over, he is very supportive, Hang in there!! Well, great to pop in, hope you don't mind me hearing more about your experiences...

Stef my insicions are internal stitches with some type of super glue. They are healing fast. It is really strange... I thought I could not go swimming either but when I went for my follow up visit, one week out she said I could? I just did not need to DIVE!! Beckie T great job with your progress and I agree about the drinking, it is hard to get it all in. Keep up the great work. Lucy thanks for the support, I was not offended at all. I agree, that I needed to watch what I ate. I did email my nurse because I am a little afraid of the portions and how to fit in the food I am told to eat!! How are you doing it? This is a new experience for all of us and it is nice that we can be open and understand our feelings, who else could, really... THANKS!

Lucy,insub,Heather I agree with what you said and not cheating. I am on mushies to include fish, chicken, fruit, so it is all chewing! I am not offended, and I agree we need to follow the doctor's orders! I think I have done well so far. I know to stay away from certain foods. Holli not sure I could go to a Mexican restaurant at this point. Your DH seems like a great guy! Parents too!! My DH mentioned yesterday how much he likes my surgery because we are saving eating out money! Stef I agree about the portions and fitting in all the food. I plan to email my nurse today for guidance. I know it is to be no more than a 1/2 of food at a time,if that helps? lo2 I picked up my granddaughter yesterday, about 24 lbs, now I am worried too! It is just so hard not to do it. I have a protien drink a friend gave me, pina colada, NECTAR, CARIBBEAN COOLER( SYN TRAX, www.S103.com. I blended it with strawberries and drank it at the pool yesterday, very good! I did something stupid yesterday! I dove into a pool?? I will include this in my email as well to my nurse. I was allowed to go in the pool. I am a NUT about it now. I don't feel pain, but I am worried, Have a great Monday!! Who is being banded today? Oh, GREAT Weight Loss, KT!!

Michele/Dawn/Hopefull - Welcome back..you all sound like your doing great and experiencing the norm, gas and more gas!! It is a nice feeling not to feel hungry yet either. It is hard at times when cooking for others not to slip something in your mouth! I was baking for my son's wedding coming up and did lick the batter, oh well it is a mushie, right? Toni-Portion control...boy do I hear you girlfriend!! As the swelling goes down and the hunger returns, it is difficult to figure all this out. I decided I needed to measure it and only put that in my bowl or dish. The protein is hard with out a scale? But I hate to buy another thing. Maybe when you go out to eat, ask for a bread plate, put what you can eat on that and ask for a to go box and put the rest away then? As I am writing, I think I will do this too when I hit a restaurant! Serena -that ticker is a tricky thing. I finally was able to fix mine yesterday and get the pointer to come up to change it! Don't ask me how I did it. Pacu I am not sure why each doctor has such a different process! Some of us seem to be on liquids for 1-4 week range? I am on mushies one week post opt. to last through 3 weeks, so this is for a 3-4 week time frame before introducing other foods. Hang in there!! quadmom It is hard not to cheat a bite of food. You will be ok, like said, chew and chew. I nibbled on a tortilla chip yesterday and grinded it down, but it tasted good. chips and salsa are one of my favorites! Belly color?? Mine is back to normal, actually some are almost all healed. My doc used super glue and inside stiching, so you can hardly tell. Where the port is, it is still tender and the large black and blue bruise is fading fast.. I am off to the pool today, to bad about how I look, I need some tan! I am a white ghost!!

Tammy and Kland, great to hear from both of you and your doing well. Yes, your tummy will be swollen from the air and the surgery, it eventually goes down, I have had no gas since my 5 -6 day out. It feels great when that goes away! Suzzzie- Glad you are doing well too, if you cried it is usually a side effect of the anestetia. Makes you feel weird! Hotty - Go back and read my post from yesterday, page 78/79 regarding my mushies questions, and the food. I think you should be careful with the large bites and the hard food. I beleive it is mainly so you don't pull out the stitches and move the band. ooops Lucy, I only had 1/4 cup and did not get it all down, maybe half of that? I think it was I ate to fast and the fish was to big and maybe dry? Today for lunch I got this huge plate of beans and rice at Baja Fresh along with a cup of tortilla soup. I ate half the soup and a few bites of the rice/beans. I just ate some more rice/ beans - total 1/2 cup. that will be my dinner. wow, it is hard thinking it all through!

Good Morning Junies!!! I am not sure what is happening to this site, it is taking long time to post ! I am off to go shopping for my son's wedding with his fiance. The reception is in my yard, lots of work, but I enjoy the party planning peice of it! I had two glasses of wine last night over 2 hours watching a movie, tasted good and no issues!! Down 1 more pound, I think I need to EXERCISE!! WELCOME LISA!!

Goodmorning Gina and Suzanne, I am on Mushies and I had food lodge last night. I could not beleive it. Taking tiny bites and chewing is harder than I thought! I walked around and paced, and it finally passed. In some ways I am glad that I did it, because it was a wake up call, for me to know it is really there! I weighed myself and I lost 1 lb, down 15, but that is since pre opt. You are right it will be interesting to watch the slow down!

SORRY FOR TAKING UP ALL OF PAGE 79 WITH MY TRIPLE POST, I HAD PROBLEMS WITH POSTING IT???? IT WAS STUCK. YOU CAN SEE I AM NOT A COMPUTER WIZ!