AppleBlossom

Hi Tenille, When I was banded I was given 2 cards. One is the patiend ID card from Inamed/Biocentrics with the serial number and size of my band. The other is made of credit card plastic, has my MD's name and phone number on it along with my name, my picture, date of surgery and for some IDIOTIC reason my starting weight. On the back is a picture of the lap band system, my MD's info again and a message stating, "Restauranteer: Please note this patient should be authorized to order from the kids menu, sampler or only appetizers." It also states medical precautions. I have not had to even show the front with my picture. I don't want people to see my starting weight. I've just shown the back and been fine. I'd call your Doctor if you didn't get something similar, or after the ease that I've experienced with restaurants, I'd bet pretty much any restaurant would take your id card since that says you can only eat "small portions of food at a time, 3-4 ounces or 1/2 cup".

How neat is that!! That's motivating. Thanks for sharing.

Oh well- they turned out great. DH said not to change a thing and ate 3. I thought they were "just crab cakes" and was happy I also made prawns. The kids were not impressed at all which is why I made the prawns. Ugly faces as I expected hee hee! I'm with you. Love the King best, boiled and butter dipped- YUM. Your slaughter picture grossed me out- but, that doesn't suprise me with you lol. I love your humor. Those clothes are getting big! I had a happy weight check today. I'm 178- was 180.5 at last check. Down from 202. I'm getting the hang of slower eating and smaller bites. I had 1/2 a chicken ceasar wrap for lunch and didn't get it stuck. It was homemade, so half the size of a sandwich shop and I'm totally full and content. Gotta love that. We booked a cruise for the end of April. I hope I'm at or near goal by then. I can't wait. It so HOT and miserable here today. It is supposed to continue until after the weekend. Some clouds came in a dropped a couple rain drops so we're at 102-104 and muggy. I did not walk this morning. My Mom and I went shopping for my youngest son's birthday though. I will swim with the kids when they get out of school and call it good. Anybody have weekend plans? We are going to the lake on Saturday and to a destruction derby on Sun night.

Yep, Mary, sex is good for Monday exercise....lol. At least it's on the calendar!! I'm making crab cakes tonight- for the first time. Any tips?? We have dunguness crab we caught on a recent visit to the Oregon Coast and I bought some King and the grocery store....I just love the sweetness of King so I am mixing about 80% dunguness and 20% King. I'm browsing recipes at Allrecipes.com now. Yep again, we feel the same thing when we wonder if something is stuck or we're full. I guess the solution is the same- stop eating- but it's hard to stop on these new portion sizes. I also get anxious to drink and if I have to stop for 5 minutes, then eat more I have to start the wait over again I don't like that! I feel so petty typing that....I know I define addiction and I don't like that either...hmpf. Cherea- you're doing great my friend :clap2:. The fill is going to help you when you eat too fast. I don't wish you the pain, but then again, it's what helps us admire our band. I am guilty, of speed eating. The sliming is slowing me down. Laurend- Congatulations on the loss! KUTGW! Has anybody eaten out much since banding? We went to a local buffet a couple weeks ago and the Restauranteer card we got when banded was great for a discount. I was thinking it might be a problem since in my mind it was uncommon. I've found that restaurants are familiar with the card and I've had no problem getting childrens meals or discounts. It's money back on the investment . As far as food problems, my major problem is bread. Man that stuff is slow to move if it gets stuck. I haven't given up on it, but I don't eat much of it. Toasted helps and yesterday while at my Mom's house I tried her diabetic sprouted something or another bread that had 5 grams of protein in it and 80 calories. It was good tasting, but it got stuck worse. I have a weird feeling with watermelon. It gets kind of stringy and feels like it won't pass, but seems to okay. I haven't given up on it yet. All other food has been okay so long as I chew well and eat small bites slowly. I still have lots to try. Crab will be new tonight. Back to recipe looking.... Have a great day.

Kathy, congratulations on the upcoming adoption. What a wonderful gift for each of you.

Hello everyone, Happy day here. All of my kids are at school!!! My youngest started kingergarten today and I am alone. Wow. Feels wonderful, but there is a tinge of sadness. I don't have babies anymore and time only flies faster from here. I have to decide what to do with my time now. I'll probably work more later, but for now I'm going to ultra organize the house and get rid of a lot of stuff my kids have outgrown. I just got my first fill and I think I have great restriction. There was NOTHING to it. It was so easy, little pain and so quick, just like others report. Have no fear! I had lost about 26 lbs but regained about 6 in bandster hell. It's been my own fault, I haven't chose good quality foods. My habits are going to take time to tame. The scale is going down again-though I'm only on my 2nd day of solids again. I am having one heck of a time figuring out too full versus something stuck though. After a fill is definately a new ball game. I need to get this figured out. I started exercise just this morning after dropping the kids. I'm going to hit the gym 4 days a week to start- Tues through Friday, but I did Mon just this week. DH is off Mondays and I want that day for us. I did just 20 minutes on the elliptical for starters- much less than I used to do, but I'll get there. Lynette- wish I would have been online when you were worried for Hunter. Coordination is really the only way to assess a pre-K child- they can't read, write etc, so hopping, skipping and cutting give genereal ideas of their whereabouts -and you're exactly right- if they've never done it of course they don't know how . Sunny- I'm so sorry about your baby. I'm a little concerned about what happened though. Your description of symptoms is exactly like one of ours had, but from an accidental situation. I won't go into detail unless you ask. I send my condolances. Congratulations to the great losers- rah rah rah. For those of us struggling, we're not going to give up. We're going to have to practice patience and perseverance. Old habits die HARD. I can't wait for everyone to get that first fill and see how our band can be such a rude reminder to work harder on bad habits. I know I'm liking my band a little more now. We're all going to be skinny soon. No doubt about it.

Yum, yum, oh yum. I finally got out of my boredom food rut. I'm so sick of the same ole limited foods. I'm getting tired of soup. I spent time last night searching for new ideas and came across this one from Dr. Ortiz's book- Lap Band for Life. Slightly modified from original recipe. 1 scoop vanilla protein powder (we have Apex) 1 banana 1 TB creamy peanut butter 3/4 Cup nonfat milk Some ice and about 1/3 cup water I made it in my food processer b/c I don't like too much foam. It is SOOOOOO Good. I have found my life saving recipe for camping this weekend. I am so full now. I know this will hold me until dinner. What a relief. See how attached I am to my food! Also, thanks Lynette for reminding me that we can add fruit to our protein drinks. I bought a crate of peaches at Costco and plan on having cinnamon/peach/vanilla too.

Laurend- Have a great vacation. Lynette- Another 3 lbs gone forever. Rock on! Chim- I wish I had seen the cinnamon vita-band. Cinnamon is a favorite flavor of mine. I will look for them next bottle. Your day is coming so soon now. Yeah! Jeanie- What a beautiful new nephew. Congratulations. I just love new babies. Lindaa-I'm sorry about the flaws in your experience and poor DH. To all who are loving fit day. Also check out SparkPeople.com. It's a very supportive interactive site with a similar journal. exercise and weight loss graph. I think you'll like it. Back to packing the trailer and a trip to Costco. Food is going to be a bear for me this camping trip. My appetite is coming back very well day by day. Are toasted marshmallows a mushy....lol?!

Hello Again I've been wanting to post response so many times, but I've been so busy, had trouble logging in, blah blah, blah. I'm sorry about the troubles a few of you have had. I was a 7/9 bandee and all has gone quite well for me. The best news is I lost 11 lbs on the pre op diet and I lost 8 at the close of the first week, so I'm down 19 and I want to lose another 48 lbs. Goal is 135. I think the world of Dr. Ortiz and staff. I recommend him to anyone. Most importantly though, I wanted to share some things that have worked well for me. I had almost no gas pains after surgery and no nausea. I believe it was my Dr. choice. I had terrible gas pains in the past from C-sections and a prior laproscopic surgery. I feel really good and my skin looks really refreshed. I did have INCREDIBLE hunger pangs during the clear liquid stage. Thank God it was shortened due to a lower starting BMI. I had ordered some protein items that I found on a bariatric site prior to surgery and they have been a life saver for me. The items I got were by Nashura Nutrition and I highly recommend them. I ordered chicken soup, beef soup, a variety pack of flavored drink mixes, jello and a variey pack of hot cocoas. All these items have about 15 grams of protein in them about 60 calories each. They have little or no sugar. They are all fully liquid and the soups and variety drink pack were clear liquids. I found them all to be very palatable. Pleasing in fact. I couldn't even sleep well due to the growling of my stomach. These helped. I also ordered the vita-band watermelon chewable vitamins by bariatric advantage. They are decent. I don't care for chewables, but it's much better than a liquid I tried and they are formulated for lap-band patients which I know is a benefit. I'm also allowed all soups and I've been going to Safeway and getting a fresh cup daily. It's a nice outing and the soup is great. I've been mincing all bits in my teeth and I have not had any problems so far. I've steared away from rice soups just because I fear not being able to mince it enough. I am also doing well with yogurt, cottage and ricotta cheese. I sipped a small amount of water before swallowing both of these to help dilute them. This "may" go against drinking/eating orders, but I have reasoned in my mind that soups have water in them and this makes them soupy and "safe." I don't want band trouble-I want nutrition. I will not drink when I eat once I get to the 28th and I can have my first meal of "anything." I also got a Jamba Juice from the enlightened menu-a strawberry nirvana. It tasted heavenly and went down fine although I couldn't drink a whole lot before I felt full. I don't buy the idea of ever eating less than 800 calories a day so I've had to really think to add things that aren't totally out of the scope of acceptable foods to try. The soups from Safeway are higher in calories and they work for now, plus they have some carb content. I'm not an Atkins fan. I miss salad and fresh fruit terribly. My first "real" meal will probably be a salad bar. I finished painting a classroom at my kids school yesterday with my husband and I got my back pretty sore for today. I know I've been overcompensating for fear of hurting my stomach with my back. I've been wearing a waist band I got after a tummy tuck a few years ago. It has helped. I cannot wait to go swimming. I was told 2 weeks. We're going camping this weekend so that will make time go a little faster. Skinny Vibes to everyone!

Whew. I'm so happy to be back home. It was a wonderful stay but I'm happy to be home for healing. I got in about 4:30 this evening and I went out and watered some plants . I feel good, not great but I do feel it's accurate to call it minor surgery. I sure have loud stomach sounds!! It sounds and feels like intense hunger pangs, but I don't know how to be sure since I can't eat to see if it calms down lol. I do get yogurt tomorrow though and I bet it will help. I'm also having a hard time burping. I've got a lot of pressure in my upper stomach. I have not had the gas pain as badly as I feared. I also decided to get zoom whitening while I was there. It was a nice savings and my teeth are so pretty! When I finished with the zoom I met Nicole...Ronik26 in the lobby. She was there for pre-ops and I know she was on for today. I'm sure she's doing well! We rode back to the hotel together. It's neat to have chatted here and then meet IRL. She was so sweet and her hubby was with her. My weight dropped nicely. 11 lbs lost on the pre-op and 3 more since surgery.

What a wonderful wonderful experience I am having. I will type in greater detail when I get back home. I have been treated like a princess this entire trip. Every staff member is kind, compassionate and every so qualified. The best needle stick ever, the best IV poke, best wake up after anesthesia experience etc. Absolutely perfect this far. My room is like a day spa room....light beige, brown suede drapes and chair, complimenting sofa and carpet. Phone and internet access....flat screen tv all english channels, xm radio. Even a fountain in my lovely room. I am in a little pain and they are helping me manage very well. There is a nurse for each patient tonight and others here doing laundry, cleaning, stocking supplies ect. What a magnificent operation I chose. I am so thankful for the internet and my God given mind to do research. I already scheduled my fill back here. These people have my trust and confidence in full. I'm sure I sound like an Obesity Control Center ad, but I am grateful, I am pleased with how this experience has gone. I hope each of you has similar experiences. Take Care and more weight loss wishes to all.:kiss2:

Hi All, My turn has arrived. I leave later morning tomorrow and I get banded Monday. I'd describe my emotions as calm. I'm not excited, I'm not worried. I'm ready. I am ready to go and even more ready to return. I'm going to Mexico and I feel very confident that my decision is a good one. I still want it over-with though. My BMI does not qualify me for lap-band in the states. It was 32.8 prior to the pre-op diet and now it is 30.7. I have been quite a yo-yo'er for the last 20 years....30-70 lb flucuations of weight. I will report on how it all goes/went when I return. I understand that we have use of computers at the hospital...I just don't know if I'll use them. I went to the library yesterday and got a good book and 2 magazines. I look forward to a tv that I get to control the remote for! I picked up a soft drawstring cotton outfit today. I'm packed. The house is clean, lawns mowed and bills paid, ect.. I didn't get to the car, oh well- car wash for it. I'm planning a nice swim at the hotel tomorrow night and a small meal of authentic mexican food...the patient coordinator told me of a great mexican restaurant nearby. I've been on 2 shakes, 1 lean cuisine for the past 12 days. She told me I could eat the day before, but I don't want to get gassy, so food will be very light and low fat for sure. I hope to do some market shopping for my kids the day after surgery and maybe a trip to the history museum. Others have described this trip to be more like an oasis than a hospital. I have high expectations. If the gas pain remains tolerable, I look a bit forward to the R&R. Good night and peaceful banding to all of my fellow Lucky 7 banders, extra special well wishes to the 7/9 banders...there's a lot of us. Positive vibes and weight loss wishes to everyone!

Hi Renee, I'm going to Dr. Ortiz also. My date is Monday, the 9th. I "think" that screen name ronik... has the 24th w/Dr. Ortiz. I hope I'm not wrong, but that comes to mind w/o scrolling back.

Great analogies. Super great analogies! The answer to the why people call it the "easy way out".....JEALOUSY. The score keepers in life always worry that someone might surpass them. I bet the people who say it's the easy way out also can't stand to see someone with a nicer car, home, cuter outfit...etc. Very comparitive and competitive type people.

Lynette- I'm sorry about your pain. I look forward to this the LEAST. I know exactly what it is after 4 C-Sections. I had it so severly with child #3 that a young nurse just stared at me unsure of what to do as I kind of flipped around in my bed in so much pain that I was short winded for a couple minutes and unable to speak to tell her what was the matter one evening. I'm not looking forward to it and I very much have empathy for you. You took a "Pill" for it? How big was it? I was thinking we'd have to take liquid once banded. Please elaborate when you feel better.

Another benefit of the band. Won't it be nice to have PCO's much more under control! Be careful....hee hee. I have PCO's and learned that some weight loss was all it took for us to quickly go from thinking I'd never get pregnant to a full house!

I saw that ...we should pass each other somewhere!

Gracious! That's a lot of us. How Lucky!

Renee, I was going to be banded w/Dr. Ortiz in June, but postponed last minute.(7/9 now) I chose the 7 day liquid last month and it was tortorous. This time I'm doing the 12 day 2 shake, 1 lean cuisine. I think it is MUCH more do-able. No solid food is very difficult.

Hello everyone, I am new to this busy board. I will be getting banded July 9th by Dr. Ortiz in TJ. I feel Lucky to have found you...nice pun hee hee. I was originally going to get this done is June, alone and in secret, but I wasn't as strong and I thought I was. I postponed to July 9 and my Mom is going with me. My Mom was diagnosed with diabetes during the postponement and it brought me out of some denial. I have yo-yo'd majorly....30-70 pounds with many different diets and I have to learn to maintain a healthy weight. This is my hope with the band. I have been married 15 years and we have 3 kids. Congratulations to those of you who are already banded and best wishes to those waiting.