2band2008

Anyone used Dr. John Gonzalez in San Antonio, AIGB? Thanks,

I've had 3 so far with a total of 6.2cc in band now. I have only lost like 6 pounds since actual day of surgery, I am thinking that maybe I need to add snacks in between meals because I can go like 5 hours without eating but maybe my metabolism is just slowing down I did lose 4 pounds between my 2nd and 3rd fill so I am hopeful that we are on the right track.

Do you eat snacks between your meals? I have done WW and it always seemed like I was always eating too, maybe. So far I think I will use the menus for the recipe ideas, and I think I am going to like the fitness plan since I don't like going public with my exercise, it is like having a personal trainer at home. I'm not sure who to vote for either, I just want one of the girls to win I don't think it was fair of the show to leave it up to the publice, those girls earned the right to choose their competition, and I am tired of seeing all of the crying, jeez!

Ok I'm watching this too and thinking wow, they are incredible, I mean I know they are living this 24/7 so I think to myself I'm going to check out the website and so I joined the online club and am looking at their meal plans and all and wondering would this work for a bandster? Any one with thoughts on this I would appreciate, it seems real high in carbs. Another question, is it best to have a small (<100 calorie) snack between meals to keep your metabolism up?

I was banded 01/25 and had first fill on 02/27 and I haven't felt that yet, have you had a fill? I will feel a little something and then I feel it pass through my stoma, I could keep eating and eating, but I stop. Good for you though, I'm looking forward to it too!

I'm not in your area, but I am a newbie here also. I was banded on 01/25 and had first fill 02/27. Good Luck!

Shortgal, I had first fill on 2/27, and though wow, this is tight for the first day and then now it feels like there is no more restriction than I had before. When they did the first fill they said that when the did the surgery I had 3.2 ccs in and so the total amount that they put in for the first fill was 4.4 ccs. I am thinking I need to call and go in again, how many total ccs do you have in, and tell me if this is normal, while eating, I can feel the food going through the stoma? I though we were supposed to eat, fill up the little pouch and then it would go down slowly as you started digesting? I actually even think I was going longer between meals before the fill? Also, how often did you go in for fills?

He is with True Results

Yes, I had mine done on 01/25, have you had your first fill? Renee

I was banded 1/25 and nutritionist has me on a clear liquid diet for 1 week and then on to mushies the next week. I can have Clear liquids including juice, broth, sf Jello, sf popsickles, and Water. My incisions don't feel bad, but I feel so weak and I think I really have hunger pangs instead of surgery pain. I can't see how I'll heal on this kind of diet, I mean that is maybe 100 calories a day. I haven't had much juice it goes right through me. Yesterday I added skim milk and have been tolerating it well. Did anyone drink Protein shakes after or what. I'll be calling this morning when they open to ask what to do. Advice appreciate. Renee

That's what I'm blaming how I feel on, not enough calories. I was banded 01/25, but so far today I have added 2 oz of pudding and am about to try some really thin mashed potatoes, and am drinking isosorb for protein. I felt a little better after pudding, I think we just need to listen to our bodies, not everyone is the same.

Thanks for all the information and support. I called the nutritionist, who I'm really upset with and explained to her about needing more sustenance. She never recommended Protein stupplements in clear form, and had advised me a week before surgery that if I had an issue with juices to stay away from them as they may cause the runs, which they did. So, when I called her and asked her how I am supposed to heal with maybe 100 calories and no protein, she said what about juice and I told her what happened (ok and juice has no protein), and her answer was well that is why you have to rotate between juice and Water every hour. Then she throws in you can have clear Protein drinks (none of which is in her documents list of things to do), and so I tell her I am getting Isopure and she says I can't have that, then I decide she doesn't know what she is talking about because Isopure is clear protein. She just kept telling me that they didn't want me to have more than 500 calories a day. I really feel like they should be more concerned with the nutritional content of the diet versus the caloric content. Obviously, I want to lose weight, but that is not my priority right now, I want to heal and move on with the next stage, but I don't want to harm anything. I just finally told her don't worry about me, I'll be fine, but I'm not dealing with her anymore. I haven't had any trouble with skim milk or with the 2 oz of thin pudding I just ate. It seems that many others only had clear liquids anywhere from 1 to 3 days, some a week, but I just can't imagine making it a full week. So, I'm going to add a little thicker broths and see if that helps and drink the Isopure. Thanks for all of your input. Renee

Hello, I too was banded on 1/25 and have had a very positive experience. Mine was a day surgery, so I went in at 7 am and was on my way home by 12:00. I really have not had any difficulty or at least anything unexpected becasue of this great site. I don't really think I would have done as well without all of the others on the forum or maybe even had it done. The night before I was checking out the before and after threads and it was very encouraging. I'm not sharing the facts about my banding with anyone other than my husband, perhaps that will change, kind of feel like I didn't like telling people when I was on a diet. Congrats, and I feel like I have a whole new group friends to rely on and support, it should be a great adventure. I didn't make chuch this morning, but I feel good. Renee

I am so excited. I was banded yesterday, and I'm thankful that I feel good enough to even think about looking at a computer. The center was great, I was there from start to finish about 5 hours, and have had some discomfort, and of course after waking up from anesthesia thinking, oh my gosh what have I done to myself, but not near as bad as I thought. I was also so worried about being sick at my stomach since I have always had that happen with every surgery, but the doctor's were prepared and I have had no trouble. Anyway, I just wanted to say hi, I'm truly a bander now!!! This may not be completely coherent as I am on the pain meds. I'm thankful for this group, it has been a wealth of information and I'm sure it will be the best source for future info. Renee

I am scheduled for surgery tomorrow and I have a head cold, surgeon says it is okay to have so long as my lungs are clear, which they are, but I have just a general question. What happens when you do get sick and need to take antibiotics, what do they give you liquid, do you crush it up or what? Thanks,

So can you pretty much crush or dissolve any antibiotics or are there certain ones you can't?

Ok meeting with Surgeon on 17th, but when I met with nutritional counselor she said some can never tolerate carbonation? Is that true? I've always liked sodas, never diet really until I tried Diet Rock Star or Diet Jones Sodas. I have about 1/2 of one a day - I think I like the effect maybe more than the taste but either way I like it, and I was so proud that I finally found a diet drink I liked drinking :eek: Renee

Thanks for the input. That seems to be the way this whole band things is supposed to works, it would be better for me not to drink sodas anyway, so I'm sure it will all work the way it is supposed to.

I have been researching this procedure for at least two years, and in August 2007 began the process to see if my insurance would pay for the procedure, after complying with all of the insurance requirements along with an appeal, they finally approved me the week before Christmas - Yea, I think? I have not actually met with the surgeon yet, Dr. John J. Gonzales in San Antonio, but I meet with him next week. I was just curious if anyone has used him and would appreciate their opinion; he is with aigb. I am apprehensive, as it appears that many are, and I have been lurking on this site for a couple of months reticent to post, now I'm thinking I need all of the allies and wisdom I can get from picking all of your brains. This is the first forum I have ever joined, and I'm looking forward to this adventure. Renee