ctaylor

Hey! I was wondering if anybody has been banded in Jacksonville, Florida by either Javier Herrera or Paul Chappano. If so I would really like to talk to them and ask a few questions. Thanks, Christi

My question is how long did your surgeon say you had to wait before you could have a drink after surgery? How did you feel when you did drink? (I know a lot of people have less of a tolerance and get tipsy quicker.) I love a nice glass of wine occasionally and I am aware its empty calories, however I am a firm believer enjoying things in moderation. I don't think you should deprive yourself as long as you don't make a habit of it. Id love you guys feedback. Have a good day everyone!

I can't find a thread for this so I am sorry if there is already one posted. I was wondering if it was normal to have diahreaah post op? I saw something on tv that said it was bad if you do have it post op but it seems to me that just having liquid it would be normal. Anybody else have this problem post op? Is it something I need to be concerned about? I feel fine otherwise. I actually went shopping the day after surgery and doing normal things. I haven't really been hungry and having to force myself to eat. Please let me know if any of you have experienced this also. I was banded on the 4th. Have a good day everyone. Christi

Best mushie I have tried so far. Alot of people say Taco Bells refried beans which are good but full of fat and calories so I decided to make something similar at home. I bought Amys Organic Refried Black Beans. Only 3 grams of fat in a serving and like 120 calories but of course a serving is way too much. I took those beans and heated them up on the stove with some tomatilla salsa. A little bit of low moisture skim mozzarella (its the only cheese I had on hand but any would be good I would think). I put a tiny bit of sour cream on top when they were heated. It was like heaven in a spoon. A couple of bites and I was done. My surgeon doesn't think you need to puree everything as long as you get it that consistency in your mouth so I didn't bother to puree and it went down great. I will eat this even when I am on solids. It was great and a good source of protein. I am sure it was healthier than the Taco bell kind too and so much better!

Sorry I haven't been online in a few days. Got to go back to work which is good because it gives me something to do and I love my job (I work at Michaels arts and crafts). Its so much fun. Anyways, Jaxbandster I got banded by Dr. Chappano and I had one week of liquid only and that included low fat soups like tomato and vegetable drained of the chunks. Now I am on week 2 and its pureed but he said not everything has to be pureed as long as I chew well and everything has went down fine. I eat things like tuna salad, beans mushed up, egg beaters (the southwest kind is the best with some taco bell sauce in it). Thats basically my diet. Next week I will be on soft food and then regular food. My doctor doesn't really believe in the protein drinks and I haven't been drinking them at all but I do take vitamins. He just wants me to get my nutrients with healthy food which is good with me because I really don't like all the protein drinks/bars and stuff. I did Physicians weight loss before being banded and lost alot of weight but had to drink all thats stuff so I am glad to be through with it. I hope everyone has a good Valentines day! Love, Christi

Thats awesome. I can't wait to try. I love sushi!

Does chewing alot make the sushi nasty though? I love sushi too but I would think after surgery that chewing that much would take away from it. Especially sashimi. I still will try it when I am able too though because I love it.

Oh yeah and if anybody wants to talk to me on myspace my thingy is MySpace.com - www.myspace.com/71504562. Have a good day people.

Hey everyone! My name is Christi and I am from Orange Park. I got banded on 2/4/08 by Dr. Chappano at St. Vincents. Its cool that someone started this thread for Jacksonville! I go to see my surgeon tomorrow so he can look at my incisions and go back to work on Wednesday. I am so excited to get out of the house. I have been feeling stir crazy since the surgery sitting around the house.

Are you still able to take alli with the band? My surgeon didn't make me do a pre op diet because I had lost weight before the surgery for my sisters wedding and I was taking Phentermine but he doesn't want me taking them or any other diet pills post op because he says it defeats the purpose of the band and thats totally fine with me because I don't really like the way they make me feel anyways. Are you able to swallow the pills whole? I am asking because I was told to crush my birth control up into powder or chew it but they are so small I want to ask him if it would be ok to swallow them instead. I hate the way they taste crushed up. Yuck. Thanks for all the replies guys. Have a good day. Christi

Thanks for the quick reply. I looked on another lap band site and it seems to be a normal thing for many so I guess unless it keeps on I won't call my surgeon.

My surgeon told me the reason they say not to chew gum for a month or so post op is the same reason you can't drink out of a straw. You swallow too much air opening and closing your mouth. Thats why they want you to wait.

Hey! I was also banded on Monday and I feel pretty good today. I felt good yesterday too and went shopping with my mom all day...boy was that a mistake. When I got home I felt nauseated and was in a lot of pain so now I know not to overdo it. They gave me liquid lortab for the pain but I am trying not to take it unless I really can't stand it. I would definitely call your surgeon and ask if maybe they can give you something stronger for the pain. I hope you feel better soon.

I also take Phentermine but I am not yet banded. I don't know if you can take them if you have hypertension but I know they make something thats exactly like Phentermine but for people with high blood pressure so I am guessing you could take that. I am not sure though. You would have to talk to your doctor.

I had to see a Cardiologist because my EKG was abnormal. So the doctor said he would not give me approval until I got checked out by a Cardiologist. What happened was I have PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) which is very common in women who are overweight. It basically means I have too much testosterone and my periods are very irregular. I was bleeding all the time. They found out it was because I was severely anemic when I went to the Caridologist. I had to go to my OB/GYN to get put on birth control and now have to take them twice a day for a while. I am not sure what they will do. They probably will do another EKG and bloodwork. If you have not had the bloodwork through your doctor then you can just get it through your Cardiologist and not have to do it twice. If not you can have your doctor fax over the results to your Cardiologist and that will save you time and money. From there they will run different tests to make sure your heart is ok for surgery like perhaps a sonogram of the heart, stress test, etc. There are many different things they may want to do. Good luck!

I absolutely love sushi but I know some people have a hard time with rice and seaweed. I have never tried sashimi but I bet that would go down easier. What are some of your favorite types of sashimi or sushi that is easy to eat with the band?

Can anybody recommend a good blender for after I have my surgery? Good for soups and pureed food? Thanks, Christi

Before I met Jason I did not do any recreational drugs besides smoke a joint once in awhile. I was skeptical of other drugs and said I would never try them. I know this is not a drug forum but this has alot to do with my story so bear with me. We started doing cocaine once in awhile and it turned into more of a habit for him. I liked it once in awhile when I was drunk but always felt guilty afterwards. I told him I did not want to do it anymore and if he still wanted to thats fine but we need to break up then. I just did not want to be around it. He said he loved me more and would never touch it again. He went a long time without it and was doing really good. He quit drinking too which was one of the reasons he would start to want it (being drunk and feigning for it). So two nights ago he decided he wanted to drink. I was fine with that but he was being kind of annoying so I laid down to go to bed. He said I am going to get 2 grams. I said you promised...no. He said I am getting it and since he was drunk I decided to drive him. Not my smartest move I know but I could not let him drive in that state. Plus it was my car because he does not have one ( yeah I know how to pick em right). So we get back with it and he says please do it with me. I said no way but me being weak, even though I did not really want to do it. I did it with him. I told him that was the last time. I already know what your thinking. Thats my problem right there. So the next morning hes sober and wants to go get some coffee. This is after we have a long talk about how we are never going to do it again and I don't want to be around it yadda yadda. He said he was sorry and it seemed very sincere. So 7 hours later and hes not back with my car. I realized he took 200 dollars...his money not mine because I do not work now and he supports me. However, the money is both of ours and there was a time I worked and he didn't. So I call a friend and he drives me to the dealers house and i see my car. I take my car with the extra set of keys. I called the dealer and asked to speak to him but I guess hes knows I am really pissed and hes stoned so he does not want to talk. The thing is I know I should dump his ass. But I am so angry I want to scream at him. Maybe that won't do any good. When he calls and HE WILL trust me. This is not the first time hes screwed up. I don't know what approach to take. Things have to change. I love him and we have been together 6 years. Living together for 5 of those. Overall hes a good guy. He only does this (crave coke not take my car) about once every 3 to 4 months so its not like hes a junkie. I want him to stop doing it but I don't want to lose him. I am just confused. I don't have a lot of friends because hes the jealous type. I don't know what to do. Please help. Christi

Thank you Darragha and Jack for your replies. Jack, I think your right about the face to face help. Not only has he hurt me with this but in the past when he has screwed up he always turns it around like its me. I feel like this really messes up my self esteem. When I met him I was at my ideal weight of 170 lbs. I could have lost a few more but I was comfortable and had a very athletic body. Now I have put on more than 100 lbs in the 4 years I have been with him. I am not saying its his fault but in my past I have never hated myself so much. I have never not cared about my appearance. I think its the way he makes me feel about myself. I would turn to food or drugs for comfort. I just want to live a normal life and be happy with myself...the way I was when I met him. 4 years ago I never would have believed I would be what I am now. I was having the time of my life. Sometimes I wish I would have never met him. I cant do anything about that now so why dwell though right?

I have read that alot of people have trouble with the skin on fruit and remove it. My question is how do you remove the skin on grapes? Grapes are my favorite and I have read that people remove the skins on them.

I am gonna start by saying that I am scheduled for surgery in November. I have been in the process of getting the lap band for about six months. The surgery had to be put off till November because when I got my EKG it came back abnormal and they sent me to a Cardiologist. They found out it was because I was severely anemic so I have to take care of that before surgery. So my surgeon decided instead of the liquid diet for two weeks I could join Physicians weight loss for about 2 and half to three months because it would shrink my liver to do their diet till my surgery. I have meal replacement shakes, bars, and soups 3 to 6 times a day. I take minerals and vitamins and also appetite suppressants every day and I have one meal a day which consists of one piece of either chicken or fish plain and vegetables. I wont lie..the food isn't great but after 6 days I went back up there to weigh in and i lost 23 pounds. IN 6 DAYS!! The reason I am writing this thread is to suggest it for anybody who has hit a plateau or who has to lose a certain amount of weight in a short period of time. I feel so great. Plus I am taking care of my anemia. I found out it was caused by my PCOS (Polycystic ovarian syndrome) which I already knew I had. I have started on birth control and iron. After 6 days I feel like a new woman. I am still going forward with the surgery because I believe in it and I know it will help me keep the weight off. Its not just a temporary solution. I am not saying Physicians weight loss is just temporary, however its not something I think you would want to do forever. Mostly because of the price. Well I hope this helped someone.

They have six different programs designed to fit your needs. They do have some frozen entrees I believe, but the diet I am on...which is called Physicians Fast...you just use their supplements, shakes, bars, soups 3 to 6 times a day as needed. Then for dinner you eat up to 2 cups of plain veggies and up to 6 oz lean meat. No salt, but you can use herbs or I use Mrs. Dash to season. I am pretty sure they do have frozen and non frozen dinner entrees though.

Hey I was just wondering if anybody has trouble eating mac and cheese post band. I have the most wonderful recipe for homemade mac and cheese and I bring it to all parties and holidays. It is a big hit. I am wondering if I will still be able to eat it after banding. Who can eat it and who has trouble? :hungry:

No I actually have not heard of him. Which hospital does he work at? I am going with Dr. Chappano if he approves me. All is going well though. I am pretty sure I will get approved. I have an appointment with him on the 12th.

Hey! I know Jacksonville is not Central Florida, but I was hoping that I could find someone in Jacksonville banded by Dr. Chappano and ask them a few questions. Thanks, Christi