Jazzy4Health

Hello there. Love your user name! Well, let's see if I can help. The idea of the fill is just that, to cause you to feel full with less foods AND be at a comfortable amount so that you are not feeling sick. That is apparently why it sometimes takes a variety of fills. Since each person is different their satiety levels will vary. Yes, I do get you about wanting to be fuller more quickly and it will come. But, I would say as with anything, be patient. Give your body a chance to register. That is why with the program I attend they truly stress the behavior involved. A couple of doctors swear by the saying that it is "10% surgery and 90% behavior". I do believe that. The behavior encompasses our mental being. What our relationship in the past has been with food. Whether just based upon or our views or how others' have impacted us. It seems that many times, not ALWAYS of course, that the indigestion, etc. comes from not eating slowly enough so that you are not able to give your body and mind enough time to get in sync with one another, so that your brain tells you that you have had enough. Does that make sense to you? I hope so. If you need anything else leave me private message and it will notify me more quickly and I will be certain to response as soon as I get on line! Best of success to us all.

In addition to the CC and Gr Yogurt (yum), ricotta cheese is a whopper in the protein department. It is whey protein so people who normally have difficulty with lactose may have better success with it. I eat it paired with fruit slices, or just a touch of splenda, or even SF jello. If it is part of a meal rather than a sweet, I put veggies, particularly cukes and/or broccoli, but a couple of my friends - not even on diets - now love it too and say they put it with whatever they love. By the way, the Gr yogurt is good w/ a touch of splenda or a fruit as well. They are all awesome for calcium too, so it is a double bonus to me!

Reading of everyone's experiences is very informative. The only comment I would make is that each person is so different and one should really speak with their personal medical support system to figure out why they are having or not having success. I have not yet been banded, but look forward to receiving a surgery date. One of the biggest aids received from the facility I am using (UMASS Medical Weight Center) as well as research sites, is the fact that for many people there is no weight loss prior to the first fill. Not to say that nobody does, but it is not unusual not to have loss. The point of the interval between the surgery and the first fill is for the healing process (swelling reduction, as well as your body to recover from being "invaded" - which is what surgery is, an invasion of sorts). The first fill is to find that place (I believe some of you call it your "sweet spot") where there is sufficiency for nourishment to be taken in, but a limit as to how much. Again, this is what I gather from all the research, conversations with the medical staff as well as successful patients. This link is a great one to me because of all the variety, but as I am certain any successful WLS patient would say, it all has to be balanced with what your docs say. Thanks so much for all of the information. I will be thrilled when I too have my aid to weight loss success! Have a great day and remain on the road to Healthy4Life.:thumbup:

Hi there everyone! Just reading through your messages and was really boosted up this morning. Yesterday I went for a skills group meeting and weigh-in. Nothing lost (again) and was truly divided inside over that fact. I know I have stuck with my eating plan and exercise daily, but nada. My husband measured me and yes, I have lost several inches and even am in another size, but no movement in the numbers. Normally that does not even effect me much, but I have to have something off by the time I meet with the last doctor. The nutitionist etc. says to just keep doing it as I have been (1300-1400 cals) because she is certain that the scale will "POP" soon. I am not discouraged in that I want to give up by any means. It is just a bit disappointing. Especially hearing others who have been eating candy, cake, smoking, etc. and losing. I am still convinced that I am doing the best things for my body and soul, but just would like that scale to budge. I do not want to do anything drastic, but I think I will do a couple of Meal Replacements with the drinks suggested for after surgery and see if that "kicks" my metabolism a bit. Thanks for listening and continue on your wonderfully successful journeys. Your commonality of the restricted diet has helped me immensely. I will give that a try for the week and see if it helps too. Thanks again. We all are attempting to find the same thing - a more healthy lifestyle!

Hello again Amanda, I understand how you feel (REALLY). However, the nutritionist, etc. are all appointments which are scheduled through UMASS and the order in which it all takes place is concrete. You meet with Dr. Gitkind then all of the other appointments are set in place. There is no deviation with that. What I would suggest is that you simply begin your improved eating. You know the basics, they just enhance all of that and put the WHY our weight issues are there in clearer forcus. The more good habits you can get into (i.e. exercise and eating), the easier all of the rest will be. Now that I am at the stage I am it is unreal how quickly it is going by. I to in August thought - six months! But now I see how it goes by. If you can begin getting those habits in check, it will aid you greatly. I know that from the time you meet with Dr. Gitkind until the schduling of your surgery, they do require a pattern of some kind of weight loss. From the time that I first went to UMASS until I met with Dr. Gitkind I lost 13 pounds, BUT since that time, nothing. So, I am actually behind in what they like to see. Hopefully, when I go today for my first weigh-in in the skills group phase (last Wed. was my start), I will be down a few pounds. That would make me really happy since I have become a bit frustrated at the scale. I have also done what the nutritionist suggested and been cognizant of NSVs (non-scale victories). For instance, how my clothes fit, my added stamina, etc. I know I have lost inches and other people have noticed. My husband has made several comments about it. I had him measure me and will have him do so again on Friday. So, just hang in there. REMEMBER: NOTHING CAN OR SHOULD ECLIPSE YOUR WEDDING PREPARATIONS. While it can be stressful, it is the most wonderful time. Your surgery plans and goals are about you and your future life and health. Not just about your wedding day. Talk to you again soon. I will let you know how I make out at today's weigh-in.

Congratulations Amanda! Believe me the time will fly. I met with Dr. Gitkind and was told to be looking at a Feb surgical date. It sounded so far away, but the time has been good. It actually is going quite quickly. My suggestions would be to do your research, put your questions down, get to any of the discussion groups that are held once a month, and if you have not, begin to work toward your health goals. I am at the stage where I have my skills group appointments. I had the first on Wed and the other three are over the next three weeks. It was made perfectly clear that some weight loss is expected - and not a 3 or 5 lb loss over the couple of months prior to your "last" appt. when they schedule your surgery. Now is the time to work on any habits you need to break or begin. i.e., quiting smoking, giving up carbonated drinks, caffeine, etc. You do not want to find yourself staring like a deer in the headlights when they mention all of that to you with only a few weeks left in your preparation stage. I live in Rhode Island, so it is about a 30-40 min ride, but well worth it. Best of success to you. Maybe we shall meet in the future!

Hello there. My thoughts are just from what I have read and patients to whom I have spoken. The banding apparently is the first choice for sweet eaters. Is there a reason that you are not mentioning the gastric bypass? I will tell you a bit of my story, if you will. I realized that one of the main reasons for not considering surgery originally was that I thought it meant I had been a failure. No one else's opinions really came into my thought process. I had lost over 100lbs on my own in 2004. Healthy means - diet and exercise. It was not actually that difficult for me. I was just in that zone, I guess. Well, after having the weight off for about a year I ended up having a hysterectomy. I was laid up for several months and gained the majority of my weight back and the remaining portion of over the last couple of years. All but 25 lbs of it! Since 2006 it has seemed virtually impossible to lose anything substantial. The discussion groups, meetings with the various staff, etc. have been invaluable. So, sit down with yourself, keep a clear head and figure things out. Ask all the questions you need. The WLS is just a tool, a means to aid you to your goal. That is another important factor: what is your goal? why do you want to lose weight? and how important is it to you? Hope I helped a bit. Keep us up to date. I will be at the discussion group in November, I believe. Take care of your health!

Hi there Mich! I too am going through UMASS and truly loving the experience. I have just completed my orientations (nutritional, med, behav). My pre-surgical skills group begin Wed (the 29th) for four weeks (ending Nov 19th), then my last appointment and scheduling. I believe that is how the schedule reads. From what I was told at the original conversation with Dr. Gitkind, my surgery will most likely be in Feb. That is fine with me. I am looking forward to it. January would be great, but Feb will do. At my last appt. the nutritionist did tell me to consider bypass surgery as an option. Apparently because I already exercise fairly vigorously (I had been walking 4 miles a day for a few months, gym workouts 2-3x wkly) and eating about 1400 calories, she informed me that the restriction of banding may only remove another 15/20 pounds. She said experience has shown them that many people in my circumstance have that outcome and end up having the bypass done after going through all of that. So, I am considering my options. My husband and I have discussed it and he is very supportive. I do not have to make my decision at this time, so I figure I will see how much more I lose prior to January just to gauge myself. I am fairly certain I do not want repeat WLS, but I shall wait and see. I wish you the best. If you have any input or suggestions, feel free to share! Thanks. Be happy each day by staying healthy!

Hello there Ladies! Long time since coming out here. Anyway, things are going great. This week (Wed) I begin my pre-surgical skills group meetings. It will be four weeks in a row. So, the last one will be the 19th of November. After that I have another appointment (cannot remember if it is behavoiral or nutritional), and then they will schedule surgery. My last appointment on the 3rd of October, the nutritionist told me to consider the bypass as an option as well. Apparently, with the amount of exercise I do, the restricted caloric intake, etc., I may not actually see much results from the banding. She mentioned that there are some people in my circumstance of being very active, and already very healthy eaters, who only lose about 20 or so pounds after the banding and end up then having the bypass. It is after that that they lose 70-95 pounds more. She said it is not a must for me, but she definitely felt it was worth me taking into consideration. So, I am. My husband and I discuss it. It will depend upon how much I lose over the next couple of months. Either way, I am excited about everything to do with my venture. I hope you are all doing well:thumbup: Find a new way each day to stay happy in a healthy way!

Hello there! Last night's meeting was not too bad. It seems as if at least a couple of people had some interesting questions and, more importantly, got some helpful responses and suggestions. I really felt badly for a couple of people who are clearly encountering a lack of support - actually outright opposition from people in their struggle. But, I believe that they could see that is where the idea of self-prioritization comes into the picture. My husband said he could believe it because people are so selfish and sometimes too wrapped up in affects upon them, that they do not want to bend for someone else. Even the people they supposedly love. They are somehow unhappy and the other person's happiness reminds them of that fact even moreso. My appointment with the behaviorist went very well and my appointment with the nutritionist is in a week. My skills group appts. are scheduled beginning Oct 29 - Nov 23(?), so things are moving along nicely. I had not yet had myself measured to track inches lost, changes, etc., but that is something I will do within the week. I am feeling great and very positive. Hope that you are all doing well. Sorry I was unable to see you MaryP and KathrynRose...Be healthy...

The meeting is on the 25th. Maybe we shall meet, I did meet MaryPetunia and KathrynRose...that is how I got to this site. Things are going very well. I met with Jen Lauretti on Monday. She was so very nice and set me up for my 4 appointments which will begin Oct 29th. She knew they were booked pretty much for all of Oct., and wanted to get me in ASAP. I appreciate her support. Oct. 3 is my appointment with the nutritionist. That is right around the corner. I am psyched. We celebrated our 2 year anniversary on Tuesday, but went out last night. It was awesome. My husband is doing well also. He has lost about 8 pounds so he would like to lose about 15 more. Wouldn't that be great? Oh well, I am really happy for him, plus is so supportive of my endeavors which makes life easier. Well, gotta run. See you all next week...

Congrats on your success thusfar. I am a "beginner" I guess. I had my medical intake in mid-August, my behavioral therapy session is on Monday, and my appointment with the nutritionist is on Oct. 3rd. I am going to UMASS Weight Center in Worcester, Mass. The doctor told me that surgery was possibly 6 months out between the mandatory and suggested things to do. I was hoping for Dec., but February is not that much longer in actuality. My way of looking at it is that there is that much more time to get my healthy lifestyle in place before the surgery portion! By the way, how do you get to the tickerfactory? Would love to put my stats together. It will help to keep me motivated. Who knows, it may motivate someone else too!! Thanks.

Hello there Amanda... I too am going to UMASS in Worcester. Did you enjoy the orientation? I found it very informative, but the best is after you have had your medical intake with one of the docs (I had Dr. Gitkind who was just great). Then you can go to the discussion group which is unlike the others. It was very supportive, people have had surgery already. There were far more bypassers than banders, but once I asked about the band, several people offered suggestions and support. There is another thread for UMASS bandsters, I cannot quite tell you how to get to it other than to type in UMASS under search and then you will see MaryPetunia as one of the names. It is a bit more active than this particular link you seem to be using. If I can be of any assistance, please let me know! Where are you from? I live in RI right over the Mass line, so it takes me about 40 minutes or so to get to UMASS, but it is so worth it! CORRECTION: it is under UMASS MEDICAL CENTER BANDSTERS Best of success. Hope to hear from you anytime.:thumbup:

MaryPetunia, I just sent you a reply...left the site...came back, and it is not here. Must have done something weird in my logging. Anyway, I looked up what a panni is and got all the scoop!:redface: Cool, it showed up...

Hello MP, Thanks for the input. I have BCBC of Massachusetts which, according to all the paperwork they sent me, will be no problem for approval. Their requirement is a 40BMI and that is why I am a bit concerned, but I told myself that if I get under that and they do not feel it a necessity, I will simply continue toward my goal on my own. I will cross that bridge, etc. That is one reason why I was considering whether I should call for approval B4 that happens. According to the letter they sent me the approval is good for 3 months' time. If it expires, I would have to reapply with a doctor's referral. Well, since you said that UMASS does all the applying, I will just wait until I have my behavioral and nutritional consults. That is only Oct 3rd, then, if necessary, I will schedule another appt with Dr. Gitkind to get his opinion (or that of the appropriate staff member) as to how it should be handled. From what they said before, they are familiar with BCBS of Mass and should know the best way for me to proceed! Oh, I believe I know what an abdominoplasty is, but what is a "panni"? It is funny you mentioned the breasts, I figure at some point I will want to do something with them...not necessary reduce, but at least uplift a bit. Time will tell! But, you are obviously quite an expert at this point...and will be even moreso! Thanks for your willingness to be a support to those of us that appreciate it so much. Till next we meet...Love, Yvonne

Hello, My name is Yvonne. I do not yet have my surgery date as I am in the prelim stages. I had my medical intake and will my behavioral and nutrition intakes shortly (the 15th and 2nd, respectively). Very stoked over the whole process. So many different people have varying experiences, so any input would be welcome. Some people it seems have to be on liquid only diets for a month prior to surgery, or certain diets. What about you ladies and gentlemen? What has been your experience? If you have been on liquid only diets, what types of nutritional supplements did you take. Any responses or just plain chatting would be great. :tt2:

Thanks! I first attended a seminar in June. My appt with the doctor was August, Sept 15th w/ behavioral therapist, Oct. 3rd w/ nutritionist. I have been doing my own eating and exercise program. I have impemented some of the "techniques" I have noted. No drinking 1/2 b4 or after eating. Only 3 meals, no snacking. I have always journaled, so that is just a continuation. It has been enjoyable and enlightening. I have lost about 17 lbs, so that is another thing I feel positive about. Despite being excited and looking forward to the surgery, I also don't mind the wait...that is why I decided upon the lapband approach. It may be a smaller increment of weight loss, but I am not in a rush with myself anymore. That is truly an "ah ha" moment for me!!

Congratulations and I am so happy to hear you are doing well. It sounds as if you are doing just what has been suggested at UMASS from the staff and during the meetings: get off your butt ASAP. A couple of years ago I had a hysterectomy and I got up IMMEDIATELY - I had been back from recovery and that napping from the anesthesia...and BANG. I made myself walk around the bed, then a little further. I just wanted to heal better. Also, being active prior to the surgery is a great help to a speedier recovery. So happy for you. Cannot wait until I am that far along. Just having it scheduled will be awesome! Nightie-night. Love

Thanks all! That is pretty much what I gathered from the doc, etc. Hairloss really only occurs when not following the nutritionist's advice. Also, in the case of hair that does have some problems it begins to grow back fairly easily. My concern had been that in the past I did have problems with my hair/scalp, so I was just wondering. I too went natural for a few years, but the way my hairdresser tended to my hair it always looked slammin'. She was spanish - and not for nothing - but I have found due to the diversity in their ethnicity, in general spanish people are excellent with all forms of "ethnic" hair. As for me, after wearing braids for about 2.5 years, my hair was so healthy. It has always been super thick and soft, but NEVER had length. When I had it done is a soft hot comb style it was passed the middle of my back. Unfortunately due to some health issues...I had to cut it and have never grown it like that again. When I got married (2 years ago next Tuesday (biggrin) it was about 3 inches past my shoulders. Anyway, it has been nice having it in the breads. My hubby loves anything I do, so that is cool too. But, it was a great break during the humid weather. Glad for the info. Hope you are all doing well at whatever step of your weight loss you find yourselves. Things are going well for me. My husband gave me a really nice complement tonight and said that he could tell I was losing weight and really enjoying my exercising schedule. Even though the 4 miles a day is very tough sometimes, but it is worth it! Well, I hope to hear about your progress soon ladies and will keep you up-to-date on mine! Your sister in the Quest for

Hello there, I hope everyone had a pleasant weekend. We did! I notice that MaryPetunia had abdominoplasty. Did you manage to have your insurance cover any of it for you? I was just curious. Thanks for the info about submission to the insurance company. I was a bit confused as some people said they did it themselves, etc. So, wanted to know how UMASS handled it. I am a bit confused about the form where it says weight, etc. at the time of filling it out. I keep thinking about the gentlemen who mentioned that his pre-op weight loss cost him getting the surgery. When I first came to UMASS back in June they said that it would be your weight as of the day you filed out the applicaiton. I have lost 17 lbs since then and am hoping before the end of the year to lose another 20 at least. That will take me out of the over 40BMI range. Any thoughts or comments from your knowledge? Well, it is way past time for me to get going. I have been applying to employment ads, etc. since 6am and must get some things done around the house before I head out. Talk to and/or see you folks later!!:thumbup:

Hello there! First of all, congratulations! Keep up the good work. Next week I have my behavioral therapist appointment, so I am looking foward to another step. Then, on Oct 3, the nutritionist. My question/comment is actually about your hair. I notice from your message that you use castille soap for your hair. I have castille soap, but have not used it as a shampoo. It works well on african-american hair? Also, you mentioned that that is the only product you use...so, no oils and/or conditioners on a weekly (i.e., 2 or 3 times per week) basis? Please let me know. Presently I have my hair in braids anyway to give it rest for the summer, but I am due to have it done again and am curious. When did you have your surgery? Also where? Contact me when you can!

Great quote! I never heard that one before.

Hello Curvi! Wish you the best of success and look forward to speaking with you later. So happy for you. I am certain it will be worth the wait!