Sugarbear

Jaybee, I think you are right. Didn't realize you were that far away. I would want to be closer to my doc too. I am sure there is someone closer. Just do your homework and research on the doctor you choose. Good Luck.

Just letting everyone know that we are meeting at Bryces Cafeteria for lunch on Thurs. July 19th, 11:30 a.m. (Texarkana, TX). All are welcome, even if you are just researching the procedure and would like to join us, ask questions, or whatever. We certainly aren't doctors, and won't act like one, but we have had many experiences we can share as bandsters. Hope several can make it. I will try to be there early and catch you as you come in. Guess I could hold a sign or a balloon or something. I only know who two of you are. If some are late I will have to figure out how you will recognize our table. If I get a head count before Thurs. I will also try to get a table large enough to accomodate us. I'll post a reminder again next week.

Welcome Abatts! Looks like things are comming right along for you. You are in the stage some call "Bandster Hell." Things will get better when you get started on your fills. Right now you are still healing so don't worry too much about the weight. Easy said, huh? We all worry about it... No kidding, you need to get proper nutrition and exercise, everything will fall into place soon. You have the hardest part behind you. Thank Goodness! Welcome to Bandland, just ask if there is anything we can help with. The people on here are great support for you.

Jaybee, go to noscales.com and scroll down to the dates for free seminars. There is also dates for support meetings in Texarkana, which you are welcome to attend. Those are the second Monday of each month, 7:00 p.m. at the YWCA on Magnolia St. right off St. Line Ave. (behind Legends Gym). Just had one this week. What part of Arkansas are you from? Hope this helps. Let me know if I can help any other way.

Hello Jaybee. I am from SW Arkansas. I have been banded for four months now. A hiatal hernia will not be a problem. I had one too. It was repaired at the same time I was banded. If you will notice there is a post from Dr. Heiker, two or three post previous to this one. He and his wife, Dr. Rachel Keilin, work as a team in Texarkana, TX. Precision Surgery is the name of their practice. Lapband surgery isn't all they do. They have a great staff. I was well pleased with them. They have a free seminar in Texarkana, at Wadley hospital, once or twice a month. It is very informative. You can ask questions, talk to staff, or the doctors themselves. They give you an information packet, with prices, financing, and most everything you need to know. I don't know if that area is convienient for you or not. Other doctors may do the same in your area, I just know about these. I hope this info helped. I will be glad to help in any way possible.

Hi Sunlight. Lo2us is probably right about the bread. Although I can eat just about any of it. Grains are supposed to be better than soft gummy, doughy light bread and rolls. When I eat them I take caution to eat small bites, which we should be doing anyway. You may have been kinda full too. Was that a sandwhich or a slice topped with tuna? Nothing really bothers me but I think I am a little unusual. Each stage needs to be taken slow and easy. A lot of us are different in the foods that are tolerated. So some of it is trial and error. I can eat eggs and chicken, some can't. Onece upon a time I ate Broccli rice cassarole, but not it seems to get a little stuck, or slow to go through. I have had 3 fills also. Going back for a fourth the 23rd of this month. Maybe I'll ask for a "tweak" like Lisa, not a whole one. I hope you can join us for lunch. I don't like to drive at night too much either. (just don't see as well). You can bring someone with you also. You may even meet someone (if you are local) to ride with. I am not sure where you are from. My husband usually comes with me. He attended the meeting with me last Mon. Shannon, I'll be thinking about you tomorrow. What time do you go for your fill? Let us know how it goes. Ask how much you get in the fill in case you want to keep up with it. Some like to do that and also post it with your ticker or signature. Take a deep breath and reeeeelaaaaaax!

Hello Cmoomoos. Never ever feel like you will seem stupid. We are all in this together. There are no dumb questions. This is a new journey for most of us. I am glad we have some that aren't quite as new as others, that is how we help each other. Let me know when you go to a meeting, you are welcome to sit with me. The more the merrier. Wasn't too many there last night but I am sure summertime travel, and the wet weather had something to do with attendance. The fill was not painful for me. A stick (not bad either) and it was over. The first fill, depending on the size of your band, I suppose) was more saline. I got 1.5 cc's After that I got .5 cc. That only took seconds. I think that is par for most everone that their port is where it is supposed to be, ect. I am glad too, cause I AM A WEENIE ! Gotta go now but post anytime, we love posting back. Any doubts, just ask away. If we don't know, we'll steer you to Precision Surgery. Take care.

Good morning everyone. Made it to the meeting, it was okay, no guest speaker, but that was alright. There was one man that had lost 200 lbs. and one man that is nearly to his 150 mark, another lady that had lost and recieved a pin but I forgot the amount. Anyway that was wonderful! It is very encouraging. Shannon it was good to see you. I don't see you often so I can really tell the difference. You are doing terriffic! Try not to worry to much about the fill. I got pretty nervous too, but soon found out there wasn't anything to get stressed out about. You will find that out Thurs. I have had one by both doctors, and I can't complain about either. I had a good experience all three times. My friend that lives here said the same. I never look at any they bring in, I just lay back and get it. I feel like yours will be fine too. I guess you can sip around on a Myoplex that day after your fill. Does that come in different flavors? I am thinking about trying it when I get my next fill. I actually think I get enough of everything. That may not be the case when I get my consumption level lower. Especially since I am not a big meat eater. I have been trying to eat more meat. It was nice meeting your mom, seems like a nice person. Take care. Later.

Vlynn, It's been awhile but I think I updated my profile and left it off. Guess I got tired of being the Granny on here all the time, haha. Lo2us, I ate before I went. I usually go in the a.m. 9-10 a.m. I have breakfast before I go. She said that was fine. Takes me about 45 miutes to get there so I am not full to the brim anyway. They will give you a dixie cup of water and a peanutbutter cracker to eat before you leave, just to make sure everything goes down okay. I got my first fill at four weeks, before solids, that cracker was GRRReat! lol. But liquids for the rest of that day, and soft the next day, then back to normal. I didn't even realize that and had not eaten before I went. Won't do that again. Of course I didn't know I was getting a fill that day either. Surprise! Yes, there will be a support group meeting Mon. night. Hope to see you there. I have been meaning to mention that before now so all could be reminded. Even those of you not banded are incouraged to come. Hope everyone can come to lunch. Anyone banded or not are welcome to come eat with us. If you are pre-op on liquids, we will sympathize with you. Meeting Mon. night 7:00 p.m. YWCA Magnolia St. Texarkana, TX. Behind Legends Gym(which faces St. Line. Take care.

Kero. I am not familiar with where you are having your surgery. I live in Arkansas. I don't know exactly what your pre-op diet is either. I will share my experience with you. Many doctors have different pre and post op rules. Don't understand that. I have been banded for 4 months. I hace a 10cc Inamed Band. I had to do a liquid diet, basically. After the fourth day I could sub a garden salad (veggies only grown from the earth), for one of my protein drinks a day. Like Slim Fast Optima. 3 to 4 of those a day for two weeks. Point of that type of diet was to help shrink your liver. Makes for a safer surgery. I was so ready to do something about my weight, which I have battled for years. Also having terriffic knee problems, blood pressure, and back problems. of which all are better already. The post op was about the same diet, just different variety of liquids. Not so bad. The pre op was definitely hard for me. If you want this, and need this badly enough, you have to commit to something. I weighed the day I started and I looked at that scale and said I will never see this number again. It is a good feeling. It was the first day to a life that was going to be healthier and happier. I can already tell the difference. You will too, if you decide this is for you. After the first two weeks it gets easier by the day. Small price to pay for what you eventually get. I am glad so far that I did what I did. I had great doctors and a great support system through this web site. Visit your surgeons and their staff now, before surgery. It is important that you feel confident and secure with them, also for your after care. Hope this helps you.

Thanks Priss. Bryces would be fine by me. Meats, veggies, salads, sometimes cassaroles, and of course desserts if anyone wanted. Anyone else have any suggestions? How about Thursday, July 19th about 11:30? Would that fit with most everybody? Thats over a week to plan for those who need it. What does everyone say? Give me some feed back about time, when, where. I think it will be fun for us to get together and swap stories, haha, food ideas, ect. New banded, old banded, those lurking that aren't banded are welcome too. We have enjoyed a beautiful sunshiny day today. I think everyone needed that for a change. Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Tried to post earlier but had to leave it for a while and then it wouldn't let me post what I started. Idle too long. Priss, we haven't had lunch yet but I am ready. I would like some suggestions on where. Me? I can eat anything, but I would like to go where it would be considerate of all who want to come. A place of variety? Would late morning be okay? Like 11:30 or would later be better? Give me some feed back. Sunlight I am so glad you are better. Try to stick to the diet they gave you at the hospital. You are still healing. They want the port and the band to heal in the correct place. Some call it scarring in place. Stick to mushies, unless it is tuna or something pulverized in the blender, meat isn't considered a mushie. I know everything tast so good after liquids for four weeks. Take care of your band, you have a long ways to go. Vlynn, four miles a day! WOW! You and Billy are going to have healthy hearts, on top of being sooooo slim. Kudos for you guys!!! Have to go now.

Lo2us, sometimes something hot will help that hung up feeling. I have not pb'd but have done the hung up thing a couple of times. The first thing I do is walk around, get out of a sitting position. When it came to solids, I was pretty chicken at first. I stuck to veggies the first day or two. Which, if chewed well, is just a mushie. I tried ground meat for my first meat, then chicken. Then I found out anything worked for me, if chewed well. Each day I got braver. There isn't anything I can't eat....so far. I think steak may be a little difficult but I seldom eat it. I am more of a fish/chicken eater, if I eat meat. I do like a good hamburger once in a while. I think my first real food was Chinese, then Mexican. I have had some pasta, like speghetti, but haven't been out for pasta like Carino's or Olive Garden. I hear the bread at Olive Garden is a no-no. So far i can eat about anything. I guess there are some things I haven't tried yet. My worst problem is when I am really hungry, I tend to eat to fast, or too much. Too much is uncomfortable and gives me that bloaty feeling. Hope everyone is enjoying their 4th of July!

Good morning everone! Lisa, what do you mean you are going to have to stay in the house for three weeks? I must have missed something. I know what you mean about the munchies. I am starting to have some of those attacks. I can tell a difference with this fill, that is for sure. I don't eat so much at one sitting, but I am getting hungry before next meal time. I need to by healthy munchies, low calorie too. Got suggestions? Sunlight how are you? Infection gone? I sure hope so. Tomorrow is the big day isn't it? Cream potatoes? mmmmm. TX Hogwild, how's it going? Got the surgery scheduled? Vlynn, how's it comming on the personal goal? Hopeful church, where are you?

Hello Sunlight. So glad you are feeling better. That was too bad you had to get sick when you had surgery. No time is a good time, but certainly not as soon as you had surgery. Wed. will be a glorius day! haha. Creamy foods have never tasted so good until you have been on liquids for four weeks! Just take it easy, you are still healing. When do you get your fill? You will be on liquids the rest of that day, and mushies the next. Then back to solids. Guess you are still taking your meds regularly? Take care and enjoy your mushies!

OMYGOSH! Lynn. Only 31 pounds to your goal!! How in the world does that feel??! I just think that is sooooooooo wonderful. You are such an inspiration to us all. And Lisa, you are moving right along too. Shannon, I hardly know what to say, you are blowing off pounds like water off a ducks butt! Don't you feel great about yourself! Pats on the back!!! I too have been wondering about Blondylocks. I was so hoping she would come back and share her joy with us. Goodnight all. It has been a long day. Oh for any of you country music friends...John Michel Montgomery will be in Nashville, AR tomorrow night, Sat. At their park. They have a Stand UP America concert every year for the 4th of July. Different artist every year. He starts at 8:00 p.m. Pre-concert entertainment about 3 hours before showtime. Following the concert is a fireworks display.

Hi everyone! Lisa, how's the rash looking? Your ticker is comming right along! Lynn, You and Billy are doing great! Wished I could talk my husband into it. I know he has to make that decision for himself. I still worry about his health. Shannon, I hope your appointment went okay today. Hope he will reduce your BP meds even more. I have read where many have shed them altogether. Wouldn't that be great? I would love to get rid of mine. Did you ever find out if they did a hernia repair? That part should be filed on your insurance and then returned to you. I still haven't heard from Wadley. hmmmm. Don't be in denial about your weight loss! You deserve recognition for each and every pound lost! "You can do this." Remember us telling you that? YOU ARE DOING IT!! Yes, it will slow down, but slow and steady still works. YOU GO GIRL!! Sunlight?? How are you? We need to hear from you. HopefulChurch and a few others......let us hear from you. Your family is worried.

Hello all. Got an email from Lisa. She is having trouble logging on to our thread. She can read the post but can't post in return. Weird.... Anyway, Shannon, she says to hang in there... and Sunshine, get better soon. If anyone wants to email her her address is lisarandyguth@hotmail.com Hope this gets straightened out soon, I miss her posts! Also, poor thing has broken out in a miserable rash all over! Get better soon Lisa. Oh, and she has lost another 10 pounds!!!!! Go Lisa!!!!!

Lo2us, the festival is the second weekend of August. I will send you a schedule of events if you would like. You can email me your address if you don't want to put it on here. My email is jhenley@arkansas.net How are the mushies going? Let us know if you are trying things different than we suggest, everyone is always up for something different. When anyone gets a fill they have to go back to liquids the rest of that day, then mushies the next day. Did you and your mom get the kitchen project finished? Sounds like you guys are having fun. Lisa, where are you? Vlynn, glad you are back, I missed you, and I'm sure everyone else has too. Glad Billy is better. 61 pounds! WOW!! Only six months out! You have done marvelous. Hugs and pats on the back to you!! Oh, I know Billy has done well too, didn't mean to leave him out. How much has he lost now? Sunlight, how are you feeling? Hope it's better. Keep us posted. Helloooooooo to everyone else!!!!!! Keep posting...............

Sunlight, sorry you are having problems. I am assuming you have a kidney infection. Try to drink lots of water, and take your antibiotics at regular intervals. They work much better when they are taken about the same time around the clock. Stays in your system at a even rate. I would give your antibiotics time to work. At least 48 hours. It was rotten timing to have to get a kidney infection. Otherwise you would probably be doing well. Kidney infections can make you feel lousy. Don't forget about your protien. Lo2us said she felt much better when she got the proper amount of it. They have adult liquid Tylenol, that might be good for you about now. For fever and discomfort. This infection could just be a coinsidence. Like I said, lousy timing. Take care and drink lots of water. Make sure you are getting enough nutrition, that will make you feel better. If you aren't feeling better Mon. a.m. I would call your pcp. He may want to adjust your meds. Keep us posted. I didn't have all that gurgling noise but have read where plenty of folks have. Hang in there, you will feel much better when you get rid of the infection. Take all your antibiotics.

Sunlight, I have a friend that uses a c-pap machine. She got a humidifier for hers. It is heated. She doesn't use the heated part in the summer because it seems to get her face to damp, but she uses it in the winter. She does still use the water part though. The air blows over the water. She also told me that they have a chin strap for those things. Her husband has to use it to keep his mouth closed, otherwise it dries him out and he too is up getting sips of water to wet his dry throat. I don't use one so I am not very knowledgable about them, but she has used one for a couple of years and this is what she says. Hope you are feeling better. In a week or two you will be saying "What was all the fuss about?" haha. Take care and get plenty of protien so you won't feel tired. Keep us posted.

Lo2us, glad your check up went well. Keep a close check on the BP. Many times when you are dropping weight that comes down. A couple of doctors have told me to moniter mine also. If yours gets low you may not even need the meds, check with your primary care doctor. It makes you feel very tired. I haven't gotton mine that low. it is better than it was but can't reduce the meds yet. Mine fluctuates a lot. A lot due to hypertension, I stay to stressed out most of the time. Oh well. You have also lost quite a bit of weight in a short period of time. The rate you are going, you will be shooting past the rest of us in no time. YEAH!!!!!!!!! I am so glad you are doing so well. I think I may have listed some foods for you but in may have been a page or two back. Also, did you get a list from Amy at the hospital? Almost anything creamy, or soft that can be chewed to a creamy state will work. Tuna, eggs, peas, refried beans. cottage cheese, applesauce, hot cereals, and anything you can put in a blender. Some things are hard to chew to a creamy consistency unless you take small bites. Soft breads,( hot rolls) even though you chew well, don't come apart in your mouth well. Some just make a soft doughy clump to swallow, and for some people, that doesn't go down well. So far I am not one of those people. The only thing that bothers me is getting over full and it is just uncomfortable. I shouldn't do it. As for me I (so far) can eat anything, (unfortuneately for me). Probably why my weight loss is soooooooo slooooow. Are you taking your chewable vitamins? It is a good thing, especially while your food intake is limited. I believe this is your "week 3," so you still need to stay with soft stuff. It sounds like you are doing great. Oh, do you like potato soup? It is filling and seems to stay with you. You don't have to strain anything now either. Take care.

Welcome to "the other side," You are an official Texarkana Bandster! You should do fine. Keep walking and moving, that will help diddapate that air you feel. Think of a huge bubble inside, the more you move the bubble breaks down into smaller bubbles, ect.......gotta keep them breaking down until they are gone. You can probably back off on the meds unless you feel as though you really need them. I took mine at night for a couple of nights to help me rest. (the pain med). Not the nausea. Take care. Will check on you later. Lo2us, let me know how the dr. appt goes. Curious to know what size your band is.

Lo2us, I am sure they will check the port site when you go in, if not tell him you want it checked. It has been two weeks today! That is most people's milestone as far as feeling better after surgery. Other than being sore and some gas up around my shoulders, I never felt bad. You are about to pass me on the pounds, and you are just two weeks out! Good for you! Now you can go to mushies. I was so glad when I got there! It sounds like you are getting plenty of protien from your new protien drinks. What did you say they were? I never drank any more Slimfast. I burnt out on those. I eat plenty of food now anyway, I believe I get plent of protien. You can eat beans, yogurts, and things like that to help get protien. I ate a lot of refried beans w/ a little melted cheese when we ate mexican. ( Good mushies, if you care for them). I read where a lot of people put stuff that weren't mushy into one of those Magic Bullet (blender), and ate most anything. Just got it to a soft consistency. I didn't have one, just tried to chew well. Didn't have any problems. I bet your mom is having a ball with your little one. My husband and my grandson are out playing golf right now. He is three.

Hello Sunlight. Today is the big day! You will cross over into bandland today! I was first on the surgery list, I believe about 7:30, I was home by 10:30 or 11:00 and I have about a 40 minute drive. Didn't have a c-pap machine. Dr. K did numb me for a fill, Dr. H did my last one and did not numb me. It wasn't bad either way. The little stick is about the same to me. It was not painful. I had myself pretty nervous about it, and all for nothing. I have heard a couple say the sting from the numbing was worse than the stick for the fill. I got my first fill at 4 weeks, and the port sight may have still been tender. Anyway, it is not bad at all. Good luck today and I hope you post as soon as possible to let us know how things went. Remember you need to move around as much as possible, morning, noon, and night. A heating pad is nice too. I didn't have any trouble on the way home. They gave me plenty of anti-nausea meds. Take care.