caladonia41

I really think it depends on how much weight you have to loose, how many patients the doctor is filling, but most of all, we are individuals and go with "your" feelings about yourself and your lap-band journey. I was banded 10-15, my first fill is 12-1 which is ok. The longer I live with my band, the more I understand the feeling of knowing if I do my best and treat my band with care by not overeating, I will be fine. I don't know why I wrote that but I hope it helps you today. Caladonia41

HI, I am to get my first fill in Dr. Rehnke's office on Dec 1st too. How much have you lost, I've lost 22 lbs. since my surgery 10-15-08. Mary (Caladonia41)

I was banded Oct 15th, I seem not to have a lot of restrictions eith but I call the nurse, she said he only put a half cc in the band until my first fill it won't be activated. I go 12-01 for my first fill. I still try to eat chicken, some cheese, no bread but I do eat saltines (5) for the crunchiness. I also drink 3 protein drinks a day. Have lost 2 lbs a wk. since banded but slowing down now. We'll do better after our fill, I'm sure! Mary

Hi Elizabethdb; I have found when you are craving sweets and the dietician confirmed this too, you are not eating enough protein to fight the sweet cravings. I drink 3 protein drinks a day and I notice I'm not hungry for sweets either. Try it! It works or eat at least 60-80 grm. of protein a day. Mary

I'm sorry you didn't make the surgery time but that happened to me because my TSH was really low, I had to wait another 6 weeks until it got under control. I was all pumped up and got let down. I keep good thoughts that you will have surgery Dec. 9. Take care Mary

My brother lives in St. Pete not the beach but Dr. Rehnke's office is on the way to St. Pete beach. I always drive to the beach and walk if I have the time. I'm so glad that you and your husband are doing so good. Thanks for writing me! Mary

Hi, I think it is what ever the schedule the doctor has for that week or month. Also, it has to do with the doctor and what he thinks you can handle. My doctor said I could have a fill in 3 weeks but I live out of town and choose to go back in 6 wks. This is food for thought, ha ha

Hi, If you are still on liquids, have a protein drink it will help your hunger and make you feel full. I do the Unjury with skim milk on my first 14 days. I was banded 10-15, on reg. food now but not a lot of it. I had some chicken tonight, um um good. Like I said just a small amount. Mary

Hi, I'm sorry to hear about you having to sell the home in WV. because I know what you mean about Fl. I lived in St. Pete 31 yrs, I have only one brother, he lives there so I visit him and will get my first fill 12-01. I'm not weighing myself very ofter because I feel like I'm not loosing, maybe I should eat more but I eat 3 meals a day, but I'm suppose to snack on sugar free foods between meals. It's so good to hear another view of this journey, thanks for sharing with me. I'm glad your husband is doing good, how much has he lost? He probably had his surgery before you, right? Later. Mary

HI, I was born in Charleston too! 67 yrs ago but I lived in WV. until my graduation in Point Pleasant is where we lived. I moved from Charleston when I was 4. Did you always live in Charleston? Well, my doctor told me that the stoma was only a half cup or 4 oz. so to make sure not to go over that amount. So, I have been satisfied very well but I don't have my first fill until 12-1, 6 wks after banding. As you said, all doctors have a different view of this. Good to hear from you! Mary

How did you getyour picture and the ticker.com on your site?

You are so right about the mashed potatoes, that's what made us fat to begin with, I would love to have some but knowing that they are one of the reasons I am in this stage in my live of being overweight. As we have said before, the lap-band is a tool, don't think it's a cure or a miracle, it's not, it is a wonderful helper indeed. I love to read this lapbandtalk.com I learn so many good things and it also helps me to be true to myself. Mary

I TOO WAS BORN IN WEST vIRGINIA BUT DON'T LIVE THERE, I LIVE IN GA. I AM IN THE SAME SPOT YOU WERE IN BY NOT BEING HUNGRY, BANDED 10-15, BUT I ONLY EAT A HALF A CUP OF ANYTHING, I'M NOT LOOSING MUCH SINCE BEING BANDED. I DO GET HUNGRY ABOUT EVERY 3 HRS BUT NOT STARVING HUNGRY. THANKS FOR YOU COMMENT! MARY- BANDED IN ST. PETE BY DR. REHNKE MSTONE41@BELLSOUTH.NET

:thumbup:Thanks so much for the encouragement, I was banded 10-15, I seem to have some restriction but I have come to a stand still on my weight but I do see inches coming off. As you said, after I get my band working properly by having my first fill, I will start loosing better. My fill date is 12-01-08. Thanks Again

Hi, My doctor said it was more important to get the protein of 80gm. a day than the calories. If you concentrate on the protein that fights fat, the calories will be there. Are you drinking protein drinks (www.unjury.com) is where I guy mine, the chocolate is really good, but so is the strawberry, I put the vanilla in my morning coffee, that makes it tast so sweet and good. Please give me a feed back on this, I could be wrong in this case but you are not building calories but protein for weight loss. This is still an uphill battle but we have help with our band.

Rondapoo1; You are doing really good, don't even think of getting discouraged because you have some time before your first fill, like myself, my first fill is 12-1, I was banded 10-15, I'm already into foods, such as, I had a ground chuck patty for lunch, could only eat about the size of the palm of you hand, put part of it back for later, that's without my first fill, Thank the good Lord! I drink too fast and am still having gas. I have to work on that but don't drink after or during your meal, remember, this is so important I was told. Mary

Wow, I didn't realize that a hernia was so common but yes, my doctor fixed mine while he was there with no charge. He said he had to place the port right near the hernia so he stitched it. A stitch in time saves 9, the old saying goes. I'm dating myself now but that ok! Go October bansters!!!!! Mary mstone41@bellsouth.net

Hi Rondapoo, I like what you wrote, we have all been there but so far I have lost good but maybe I'm not eating enough protein because I still drink my Unjury 3 times a day and it's full of protein so I just got hungry for chicken yesterday, so I had some. I was banded 10-15 so I'm 2 wks out. Again, enjoyed your writings, stand strong, know that you can write your feelings anytime. Where is Temple, Ga.? I'm from Bainbridge, Ga. Mary mstone41@bellsouth.net

I was banded 10-15-08, you told my story too. I'm just 5ft too. what a wonderful story to remember. Mary Stone caladonia41:biggrin:

Hi, You are allowed to have Sugar free Jello, I even ate some sugar free pudding, chocolate especially, also I put Unjury (unflavored) in my coffee for protein, you can have peach tea, apple juice all sugar free. Get it at Wal-mart, Great value is just as good as the more expensive one, I also put Unjury in my tea too. Tastes good and gives you protein which makes your hungry go away. Mary

I think soft foods are like sugar free pudding, jello, clear soups. This is my second week tomorrow and I am eating cottage cheese, crackers chewed 20 times each bite and I seem to be doing fine. Haven't upchucked yet..........fingers crossed but I don't drink after I eat for at least a half hour, only drink before I eat. This is so the food doesn't rinse right through your stoma.

Clear liquids only for 2 wks, clear soups, sugar free popsicles,water, sugar free jello, sugar free tea, anything you can see through, I buy the peach tea at wal-mart, there brand in lemon, peach, all sugar free. Remember you will vomit if you can't get it down and do not drink through a straw, causes more gas doctor said. Where did you have your surgery in Ga. I'm from Ga. but went to Fl. to have mine. What hospital? Doctor? please let me know

You can only take pills if you go to CVS or a drug store of your choice and get a pill crusher, it's near the pharmacy register at CVS, I forgot and took a pain capsule and nearly chooked because it wouldn't pass through the (dime size) opening. Think of it that way and you will ask for tylenyl rapid release liquid, cherry flavored, did the trick for me, try it!!! I bought the gas-x strips, they melt in your mouth but they help.

www.obesitynomore.com a good one for Fl.