robinem

Hello All, Thanks to everyone who posted and helped me out. I called my Dr. office and cancelled the fill the day before Thanksgiving, and rescheduled to the 15th (Weds this week). I didn't want to be on liquids on Thanksgiving, but I didn't want to go thru the holiday without restriction. I also was leary of having my third fill and not being able to get ahold of the drs in the event I needed them. I appreciate all your input. I love this board. Thanks again, Robin

Hello All: I had my first PB and sliming incident today. Thank goodness for this board, I knew exactly what was happening. I wasn't freaked out as much as I was strangely interested in the process. I had grits for Breakfast, and evidently they were a little too thick. I had about 3 spoonfuls and suddenly nothing moved. I felt like I had a fist in my chest, and then I started foaming. It only lasted about 10 minutes or so. I brought up a bit of the grits and then I was better. And to think, I was about to call the dr. to schedule another fill, because I didn't think the 2nd one took. I did call the drs. and they said to stay on liquids today and soft food tomorrow, and call back next week if I still think I need a fill. Whew, I"m glad that's over. Thanks to all. Robin

My port is low (near and to the right of my belly button). I find if I have done intense exercise, or lots of strenous work I will get sore in my port area. Basically, anything that involves abdominal work can make me sore. I'm hoping to outgrow it.

Hello All, I just got my second fill yesterday, so I'm on liquids until Sunday. I'm not a huge fan of the protein shake mixes, so generally I'll take the standard vanilla and add some sugar free pudding mix (butter scotch is a favorite of mine) about a tablespoon or so to a cup of milk and some ice. Today, I took my protein mix, (vanilla) and a cup of milk, added a tablespoon of pumpkin pie filling and added some pumpkin pie spices and splenda and crushed ice. I mixed it up with the hand held blender... and voila... liquid pumpkin pie! Robin

Yikes, Hello all, I got my 2nd fill yesterday. I don't know what size band I have, but I got 1.5 cc(?s) in it. My first fill I got 1 cc, but the drs. said that .5 was 'lost to the tube'. I got filled on Thursday and am on liquids until tomorrow. I am starving... I have decided to stay home today and just be misterable. I was good Thursday and yesterday, but today all I want to do is eat. Ah well, only a few more hours until tomorrow and something soft to eat. I found a recipe for cheese Soup and might make that up in the hopes that I fell satisfied for a few hours. Thanks for letting me whine. Robin

Hello All, This is my confession. I've been pretty good up until now. Today, I had my first bad food day (what I consider a bad food day) since surgery in July. I had two chicken wings and a slice and a half of pizza for lunch. I then had a normal dinner. I am getting my second fill next week, and have managed to lose weight, so its not a total disaster, but I've heard confession is good for the soul, so I am purging my guilt and will go forward tomorrow with the intent of doing better from now on. Thanks for the support.

I haven't PB'd either. I had my first fill Sept. 7. I think I'm losing restriction now, but I'm scheduled for another fill around Oct. 26. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I escape unscathed and not experience the PB everyone talks about. Good luck.

It happens to me all the time lately. I got my band in July, and I've noticed a dramtic increase in burping. Especially after eating.

Best (so far anyway) buying clothes in a smaller size than I can remember in recent history (although, I'm convinced the store had mismarked the 22/24 because they were so HUGE on me, I had to go down to a 18/20) Worst- sleeping in a reclincer for 2 weeks because I couldn't lay in the bed. Oh, and the celluitis infection at port cite and the resulting thrush from using the oral antibiotics. Otherwise, so far all experiences have been positive.

Hey Monica: I'm from Buffalo. I think the only place around here is Buffalo General that does the band. You can PM me or email me and I can give you more info. Good luck with your decision.

Hello All, I've been banded since July and I know about the pill crushing etc. My question... I have acne. It comes and goes. My dermatologist prescribes antibiotics. I"m not keen on them, but I take them until I clear up. However, its a vicious cycle with me. It clears and comes back. We try all sorts of stuff. Anyway... I'm in the throes of an outbreak right now. I'm using a topical (the generic of Retin A I believe), but have an appt with the dermatologist in a couple weeks, and am curious as to what she might suggest. Does anyone here take antibiotics in a pill form? Do you crush them, or open them? My pills are usually BIG or the time release kind. I'm just wondering how you guys handle antibiotics. Thanks.

I took two weeks. I suppose I could have gone back after one, but I was still dragging.

Hello All, I've read much about the dreaded PB. My question is, how long from the time of food consumption until the PB occurs? I just had a slice of pizza Hut pizza, and was able to eat the whole thing, crust and all. My question is, if I'm going to experience a PB, how long will I have to wait? Right now, I feel fine. I'm a little full from the pizza, but don't feel anything horrible. Thanks for your all your help!

Hi, I got this Isopure stuff from GNC. Its vanilla flavored, and I started adding ice and 1 Tablespoon of SF Jello pudding powder to my shakes. Currently, I"m using the Protein powder and butterscotch pudding mix. Its cold, and creamy and very yummy, resemebles a milk shake. That might help.

Hello All: I'm looking for a little help here. I got my first fill on Thurs. afternoon. I was told 3 dyas of liquids then three days of soft foods then start regular food. My question is when does the three day ticker start? Is three days, Thurs, Fri, and Sat. Then soft food Sun, Mon and Tues. then regular food Weds. Or, does three days start Fri., Sat. and Sun and then soft foods Mon, Tues, and Weds? I'm feeling silly. This seems like it should be easy, but its throwing me for a loop. Thanks for the input.

Hi All, I love this board! Here's my question... my GYN just put me on birth control pills (loestrin 24 FE) to help combat a fairly significant ovarian cyst. Will this interfere or slow down my weight loss? I've been doing really well. Since surgery in July, I"ve lost about 18 lbs. and I don't want to suddenly freak out if I stop losing. I'm only on the BC for about three months, so if I run into a slow down, it won't be forever. Thanks.

Hi, I've only been banded since July, but ever since the band, I don't eat solids until about 10:00 am. I get up, have a cup of coffee and make a Protein shake. I'm up at five thirty am, and have to catch the bus to work at 6:30, and some days I don't even finish my shake. I put the remainder in a container and finish it at work when I get there.

Hi All Can some one please tell me how much protein we're supposed to be getting? My dr. wants me to get an additional 40-60 grms of protein a day, but how much protein in general should I be shooting for? I don't think I"m getting enough as a rule, I"m making an effort to get at least two additional proteins in a day, but for the life of me I can't remember how much is my total target. Thanks,

Hello All: My dr. has all but banned me from vegetables that I like. (no tomatoes, no lettuce, no cabbage, no Beans etc). I"m left with basically tubers. :hungry: I'm not a big fan of them, but I'm willing to give it a try. In case you're wondering, my dr. office wants us bandsters to wait at least six months before trying fibrous vegetables. So in the spirit if trying anything once, and the good things twice, I bought a very small orange acorn squash and two little yams (are yams and sweet potatoes the same thing?) yesterday. This is all well and good, but how does one cook them so they taste good but are not drowning in butter and brown sugar? Also, if anyone has any good carrot receipes, can you help me out with those also? Thanks in advance.

My dr. told me to wait at least ten days. If I was still taking the pain medication after ten days, then I had to wait until after I was off the pain meds. This was the longest 10 days of my life.

Hi All, I'm hoping someone has some words of wisdome for me here. I was banded on July 24, and go for my first fill tomorrow. It is 6:03 pm, and I am cooking dinner right now, and I am STARVING. I had lunch around 12:00 ( 1/2 cup refried Beans, 1/2 cup applesauce and some sour cream and cheese for the beans). Around 2:30, I had some Protein shake made with Water. How do you all handle being hungry in between the time you come home from work, and the time dinner is ready? I went to the gym and worked out for a little bit, but that did not take care of my hunger. Do you all find that the small meals you have will carry you through the five or six hours from lunch to dinner? How do you handle this hunger? As always, thanks .

Hi, I'm a massage therapist. If you're uncomfortable on your stomach, ask your therapist if she can do your back while you lie on your side. Are you comfortable laying on your side? Or if that won't work, perhaps she can do your back while you are in a sitting position. As a therapist, I would try to make an effort to perform an effective massage and be open to trying different positions which are comfortable for my client. Good luck. I firmly believe everyone needs a good massage...

Hi, I had a brutal back ache when I got out of surgery. I attribute it to being four hours on my back while they did the surgery. It was so bad that when I got to my room, I didn't even want to lay in the bed. I had them sit me up in a chair. I stayed in that chair for most of the hospital stay. But once I got home a day later, it seemed to go away as I was more active and walking around. And now a month later, my back aches have all but disappeared! Take care.

Hello to All, I love this board! I had my band installed on July 24, so am nearly exactly one month out. So far, I've lost about 15 pounds give or take. Here's my question, I'm getting hungry again. I've read that protein staves off hunger. I find that when I have solid protein (meats, cheese etc.) this is true. However, when I have liquid protein (such as in the shakes) I"m hungry in about three or three and half hours. Example... I get up at 5:30 am, before I leave for the bus, I have a cup of coffee and a protein shake. By 9:00 am, I'm starving and need to eat something. (Generally, I"ll have a 6 oz yogurt ). Is this normal? How far does a protein shake take everyone? My dr. does not want me 'snacking' between meals, but there is no way I can go from 5:30 until lunch time without putting something in my grumbly tummy. thanks in advance.

My dr. instructions indicate that we should take tiny sips of liquid when eating to help 'liquify' the food. So, I drink maybe 1/4 cup of liquid, usually less when I eat.