toniteach

Jenny, Did you get the answers to your questions about your pre-op diet? You should've gotten some written instructions from the nurse. What flavor AmazeRX did you choose? I love the vanilla and the Mocha Zap. I'm on my 4th container already! Cha-Ching!!!!! I still love to drink my Protein shakes post-banding. This is what I have about the pre-op diet: Breakfast: I serving of 2 of the following: yogurt, fruit, Cereal, toast, bagels, waffles, muffins, eggs or oatmeal. (I stuck to oatmeat, coffee, and yogurt---but I was only on the diet for a week....long story!) lunch: AmazeRX shake dinner: 1 serving lean meat, one serving veggie (have some skinless chicken and a veg of your choice, or a pork steak, or a fish filet, etc....) Go to Pappasitos and have a fajita without the tortilla and cheese/sour cream. You get the gist.... Night-time Snack: AmazeRX shake ....and because you are STARVING on this diet, you can supplement between meals with salad all you want....just choose fat-free/low calorie dressing. My Girlfriend has that book you mentioned and loved it. I couldn't find it at Barnes and Noble or Borders, but heard it was better to read pre-op anyway!!! I just saw Dr. Collier yesterday....he was wooooonderful and really gave me a kick in the pants for not exercising like I should be! I think he's such a fantastic surgeon and doctor---so kind, competent and caring. His office staff is great too, just give them a chance and get to know them!!!! Let me know if you have any more questions. Cheers, Toni

Marga, Did you hijack my laptop and start writing my posts? I can't WAIT for Monday to get my 2nd fill.....don't get me wrong, the first one was GREAT for the first few days, now I am back to what you are describing. Having to practice self-control at every meal! Uggggggggh! We'll get through this part of our journey together. My doctor called this "a tough time". Hugs, Toni

Hi Stef! It's a carribean/Jamaican spice that's in every grocery store if you look for it.....made from mostly allspice and peppers plus other ingredients, it's a little sweet with a good kick! I've only used it as a rub for meat....anxious to try it as a sauce!

Suzzzie! You cutie! I am going to walk today You and Nina, and BB inspire me! I guess I have to walk at least 9 more times in July, but I was thinking it was too late to join the July challenge, so I'll def. join the August one!

And boy, did I get in troooooouble.....:flame: .....no, not for not losing enough weight, but for not exercising consistenly or enough! I guess I'm (we're?) supposed to exercise at least every 24 to 48 hours. Yikes! Which means if there's an August exercise challenge, I'll be joining. I just cannot get motivated to do it/don't like it/don't enjoy it while I'm doing it. And I have a really nice, new treadmill, because walking is my exercise of choice IF I'm made to choose and a gym membership! Other than that, I'm getting my 2nd Fill this Monday. Probably just a baby one, but glad to be getting some more restriction nonetheless. He said the first fill is a "cheater fill" and cheats us into feeling restriction for a short while, then we're back to feeling hungry again. Yes, that's me! I don't mourn my diet coke like I thought I would, but found something in a bottle that's heavenly. Has anyone tried Lipton's Diet Raspberry White Tea? I really like it! It's not cheap, but something else other than bottled water with Crystal Light to go's to shake-it-up a bit. I love all this talk about Chinese food! I tried to eat pizza the other day.....NO GO! Looks like I'm destined to eating toppings-only for certain kinds/crusts. Uggggggh. :phanvan Hope your Friday the 13th is going GREAT! ---Toni

I'd have one in a heartbeat....sans the bun! Toni

Welcome Mlang...I'm sure you'll love your 1st fill! Glad you're doing so well!!!! ----Toni

Oh yes, I feel the same! I was banded a month before you and have lost a few pounds LESS than you! I guess for now we're turtles until we get the proper restriction in our bands. That's the hope I'm holding on to.... & believe me, I'm discouraged, too, but trying to keep my chin up. You do the same, too, OK? Hopefully this fall the weight will start falling off! Cheers, Toni

Ha! I AM changing my diet up a bit every day. Good ole variety is the spice of life...... ......but MY scale isn't moving a bit and DANBO's is! Way to go Dan! ----Toni

lo2us...incredible....you're doing GREAT! Keep it up! Toni

Hi There! I got 2 cc's in my 10cc AP band on June 25th. I already had 4 in there, so now I have 6 cc's in there. No problems.....easy going! Cheers, Toni

Suzzzzie!!!!! I want to meet with you and your friend when you're here!!!! I live right in the city, so it's easy for me to get around and meet up with you wherever. BTW...I'm soooooo proud of you for procrastinating on the exercise and then ACTUALLY doing it! I procrastinate and then DON'T do it. Ugggggh! See you in Sept! Toni

Welcome to the loser's bench, Vance!

Good Morning Bandsters! April....I have lived in Houston for 15 years, but before here, I lived in Traverse City, and I'm from Saugatuck, Michigan! Good to meet you!!!!! Hotty, I KNEW I loved you! I'm a HUGE Rob Zombie fan! It always surprises people that I'm a closet metal head!!!!! Your post had me in stitches. Way to rock on the treadmill! Maybe that's my motivation problem: I watch TV on the tread, and I should switch to tunes?!? {{{{{{{{{{{{{ Insub, Java, BB, Nina, Serena, Pippz, Danielle and the rest! }}}}}}}}}}}}}}}} I want to hug you all, but my arms aren't long enough! Where's our men???? TMC, etc?????? WTG on the HUGE weight loss Quad Mom.....you'll be running circles around those babies for sure!!!!

BB...I had Spaghetti for dinner last night. High protein/whole grain Pasta. It was good! Hugs, Toni <-----loves the Godfather, too!

Rhonda...everyone is different and tolerates foods differently. I can't do bread, but I CAN do rice! So there is hope! Maybe you'll be able to, too! Plus, the good thing about Chinese is the chicken is moist. I cannot tolerate chicken any other way.....uggggggh! Cheers, Toni

Hi Suzzzie, Though it looks tender and painful, keep in mind it's temporary. I bet your Dr. just had to "jiggle" the instruments and really secure that port! No worries....looks like it's on it's way to healing, too. Your other incisions look GREAT! Hugs, Toni

Hi there! I don't know how long you've been banded, but it sounds like you don't have proper restriction yet. Can you make an appointment to talk to your Dr. about your frustrations? Sometimes it takes 5 or more fills to find that sweet spot. That includes unfills, etc..... Sorry to hear you're so frustrated, but try to hang in there. I know how you're feeling.....I'm sitting at my first fill and not losing, so I can comisserate! Cheers, Toni

I'm using Mederma...not sure how great it is, but giving it the ole College try! MEDERMA ® Skin Care for SCARS ™ ---Toni

Hi Rhonda, I get the SAME thing if I wait too many hours 'tween brekky and lunch. And then I just can't shake it. I can totally relate! Yes, it's happened to me! Just today I had to eat lunch at 11 a.m. because I had only a protein shake so early in the morning. Can you bring your own beef jerky/protein bar or some other protein source that doesn't have to be refrigerated to snack on?!? I totally feel for you!!!!! Sorry that happened!:cry Cheers, Toni

I'm a turtle, too....but I have to admit I don't exercise like I should. I'm very inconsistent about it, and lately haven't been doing it at all! Uggggggh! Toni

Hi There Jenny, Congrats on your insurance approval! I am a patient of Dr. Collier's and I haven't had any problems with getting my questions answered. Sometimes the nurse is busy, but she will call me back if I leave a message with the receptionist or leave her a voicemail with my phone number. The supplemental Protein powder Dr. Collier uses is called AmazeRX and it's really good! It is $48 and comes in many flavors. You can read about it here: http://www.amazerx.com/index.html. I was banded on 5/31 at Journey Lite in Houston. I live in Houston and it takes me awhile to get up to Conroe to pick up (more) Protein Powder, but it's not too much trouble. I hope that you'll have a better experience soon. The staff and Dr. Collier are top notch, and I'm so sorry to hear you've had some troubles. Cheers! Toni

Lucy...you CRACK me up! Miami Beach? How cool is that?!?