Tulip

Tracy, you are doing so good! The smooshie yam sounds good! Share more of your creations. Terry

I can't imagine doing an hour on elyptical - whew! Congratulations. I like your list of choices for exercise, I'll think up a list for me too. Great idea! Terry

Deb, they told me the same thing. But they also said that if I had any questions or concerns that I wanted him to address, I should make my first fill appointment on a Thursday. Thursday is the one day he is at the Surgery Center. The rest of the days he is at his office. I made my appointment for exactly 5 weeks, which falls on a Monday (February 12) and I didn't want to postpone any later than that. I'm beginning to feel like I could eat more, and get hungry again a couple hours after eating. Then again, maybe I will call to move ahead to the earlier Thursday. Terry

Thanks for the PM. I did weigh yesterday and was Thrilled to see 199.6 on my scale! Yippeee! I haven't changed my ticker yet, because I usually do that on Mondays. I'm not sure what everyone is measuring consistantly. I did not go to the gym yesterday or today. I did walk in the neighborhood for 30 minutes yesterday, but none today. Today I have had: Breakfast: Lite n fit yogurt with unflavored Unjury protein Lunch: 4 oz lentil soup Snack: 2 oz cottage cheese Dinner: 4 oz grilled tilapia fish, 1 oz grilled yellow squash snack: 2 oz cottage cheese I'm still afraid to cheat off my soft food diet. Only 10 more days of soft foods and then on to real solids! I get really hungry at night between 7-10 and was told I shouldn't be eating at night. I hope a little cottage cheese would be okay. I drank all my water (64 oz) and 2 glasses of crystal lite peach tea. I'm so very encouraged by all of your successes! Thanks for being this newbie's inspiration. Sorry I went AWOL, I'll try to do better. Terry

Hi Lynn, I am in the same boat with you - losing restriction. I have scheduled my first fill for next Monday. I lost most of my weight in the first 2 weeks, and lately don't feel full after 1/2 cup food. Then about an hour or 2 after eating, as I drink more Water I began to feel hungry again. I want to keep restriction and not worry about eating too much or stretching my pouch. Do you think we should start a new thread on this messageboard for Dr. Spivak patients banded in 2007? Terry

The lady taking appointments said if I felt like I wanted to see him, make the appointment for a Thursday. I chose to make the appointment for a Monday because I am not having any problems. If I have a problem with a fill, I will make my next appointment on a Thursday so I can see him. The lady said that would be fine.

I called the office and they said I could schedule a fill after 5 weeks with the Surgery Center. I was given the number to call, so I did and made an appointment for my first fill on Feb. 12. Do you have an appointment yet? Terry

I know how you feel about your scale versus the doctor scale. I go in on Feb 12 to weigh and post op, and hope my weigh loss is the same there. I wish I was losing in the butt and thighs, but so far my boobs are the only thing shrinking. I wish we could choose where to lose each week, like picking from a menu. This is what I would pick waist - yes, yes, yes face - yes, yes butt - yes, yes thighs - yes hands - no boobs - no Oh well, wishful thinking! Terry

Hello, I guess I'll get started here and give my entries for yesterday, which was my 3 week post op. Breakfast: Profect Protein drink Lunch: 1/2 cup of yogurt Snack: 2 oz cottage cheese Dinner: 2 oz crock pot chicken and 2 oz canned mixed vegetables and sugar-free pudding Took all my meds and Vitamins and drank all my Water exercise: walked for 30 minutes on treadmill (slow, still building up) weigh-in: 200 (I want to get to onederland), excited to still see a loss Terry

Oohh, not for me. My eye surgery was a breeze compared to my first 3 days of lap band surgery. I was totally knocked out for 24 hours, and the next day I went in to get my patch removed and could see perfectly. Hope you are still doing better. I'm sorry you had such a rough time. I guess different types of surgeries affect different people in entirely different ways. Thanks for the advice about the tax savings by having all this done in the same year. I'll have to think about what "health related" things I have been putting off. Terry

Audree, wow, you had a real hard work out for your first time back. I'm impressed! I wish I could find an exercise that I thought was fun, but I never have gotten that adrenaline rush from exerting myself. I forced myself to walk 30 minutes a day this past week. I do have an Ipod, and that probably the only thing that keeps me distracted enough to keep going. I just keep looking at my watch. Terry

I really like this thread, can I join? I'm still just a newbie bandster, but definitely want to make changes for a healthier me by spring. You folks are inspiring! Terry

My sister in law got one too and she has just about talked me into getting one. I have been looking at them, and trying to find a good price.

Congratulations and welcome to January bandsters. How are you doing? Terry

Tracy, I went home the same day as surgery and slept in my own bed. I had to have some help getting in and out of bed for about 24 hours. Will keep you in my prayers. Terry

Great news that you had no problems with solid foods today. What was your favorite thing you ate today? How did the mushrooms go down? I LOVE them but haven't tried them yet. I went out to eat at Chili's and ordered the firecracker tilapia. Oh, that was so good (very spicy fish). One order is enough for about 4 meals for me. I didn't eat any of the side dishes though. My post op diet doesn't call for rice or steamed brocolli yet. My nutritionist did not give me a set amount of calories. Basically just 4-6 oz of food. Start with protein, then vegetables and fruit after that. I haven't gotten to the fruit yet. I'm still on soft solids. Thanks for the update Audree. Terry

I read this on another message board and wondered if any of Dr. Spivak's patients know about this support group. I plan to attend, anyone else? ATTN:ALL PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE PATIENTS OF DR. HADAR SPIVAK!!! This is a flyer that is given to all the patients at his seminars. Dr. Spivak's bandMD -Wellness Program START DATE IS MARCH 13TH AT 7PM, AND WILL BE EVERY TUESDAY THERE AFTER!! The program is designed to assist in the emotional and physical aspects of post-gastric banding surgery and to maximize weight loss. Director- Wanda Chase My name is Wanda Chase. I am 41 years young and I had the LAP-BAND Surgery one and a half years ago. Before my "Life Changing" surgery I weight 330 pounds and my health was rapidly declining. I already had severe lower back problems requiring the input of metal screws and rods and I experienced major knee problems. I was not healthy before surgery. My blood pressure was high and I was on medication for it. My cholesterol was elevated, and I had symptoms of diabetes. After losing my mother 10 months prior to my surgery from an aortic dissection (resulting from morbid obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease), I felt I had to do something for "ME" or I was going to die. I made the biggest choice of my life and had the surgery done with Dr. Spivak. Today I have lost 130 pounds and I take no medication. I am very conscious of everything that goes into my body. I feel very healthy, strong and I exercise everyday. I am very excited to be involved with Dr. Spivak's bandMD- Wellness Program. Over many years, I have tried many diets and programs and failed. I finally found something that works and I want to share my story and give people help and prospect. Because I have experienced a lot of what you are going through. Just a brief over view, ant the wellness program we will have many topics of discussion on exercising properly, portion control, nutrition, the mental aspect of weight loss and much more. We will have guest speakers on a variety of issues. We will have a fashion trade to help in the clothing aspects. We will also have "Self Challenges" through out the year as well as an incredible event, "The NEW YOU" Holiday Celebration Ball. We have a Yahoo Communication group set up for discussions as well. This is just to mention a few great events and benefits we have in store for you. I can definately tell you.. that Dr Spivak intends to reward the best performing and participating patients with great prizes!! The Wellness Classes will be held every Tuesday Night from 7pm to 8 pm at Dr Spivak's office 1200 Binz suit 1470 over looking down town Houston. The parking is free, right across the street from our building, very accessible. Our "Fashion Trade" will be held the last Tuesday night of the month from 8pm to 8:30pm after the class is over.We have designed the classes small, so you do not feel like a number, we are small emogh to were everyone will be able to know each other its more personal. Dr. Spivak bandMD-Wellness Program is free and is one of the many benefits you will receive when you choose Dr. Spivak to perform your "Life Changing" surgery . You will become part of the bandMD family and will help you any way we can. You must register to our program by calling the office at 713-520 8900 during normal work hours to RSVP. If for some reason you cannot make it, please call to cancel your reservation to allow someone else to join, and then we will see you next week!! We all love our children, but this is "YOU" time. Please make arrangements for a friend or family member to care for your children for the time you are at the program. This will assist in the program being more productive in the time we have. I greatly appreciate your cooperation with this. I look forward to meeting and visiting with each and every one of you! Sincerely, Wanda Chase Director- bandMD-Wellness Program Email: Spivakbandmd@yahoo.com More Info: www.lap-surgery.net

I'm sorry you are having to deal with this in addition to preparing for the surgery. I remember researching this for a year, taking pre-surgery classes for 3 months and then, when I told my husband I was ready to schedule the surgery he commented that he thought I was being impulsive! What??? He is really supportive about the lap band, but he was caught off guard when I scheduled the surgery one week in advance. My sister was very negative about lap band when I discussed this 6 months ago, so I never told her before or after my surgery. Try not to let others attitudes about your decision bother you. You are making a decision to do something that will bring positive changes for the rest of your life. Terry

He is my hero too! Welcome to January bandsters! Terry

I use the Magic Bullet and love it! I have made pureed soup, pouring in a regular soup, and then I store the mixture into 4 oz storage containers (zip loc has some disposable ones). I also use my magic bullet to whip my Protein drinks. I mix chocolate unjury powder with skim milk - yummy! I've also added a 1/4 banana to the drink and that is delicous too. Can imagine doing this post op diet without it. It has all the attachements you need and clean up is to simple. Terry

Audree, you are so smart. I didn't even think of that.

Sherilynn, I used the chewables and the strips. I actually preferred the strips. They did help, but a heating pad helps even more.

Congratulations and welcome to January bandsters!

Oh wow, so much to read tonight…I’ve only had a chance to read the last page in this thread and will try to go back to catch up tomorrow. Bandida, I’ll be thinking of you tomorrow, and keeping you in my prayers. I’m so excited for you and will be looking for your post-op post when you feel up to it. I was given the same instructions about no make-up, no nail polish, no gum, breath mints, yada yada yada…. I definitely wish I had worn drawstring pants or elastic waist pants because my stomach was SO swollen after surgery, I couldn’t zip my pants on the way home. I did have a large shirt to cover so that was okay. <O:p</O:p Cindy, I appreciate your frank constructive advice, and take as such. I wonder if you think canned asparagus spears (just the tips) are okay in the soft food stage. I just love them, and have been having canned French style green beans, beans like pinto and lentils and of course soups after I pick out the meat chunks. Do you have some new suggestions for the soft foods stage. Thanks for being here with an experienced bandsters viewpoint. If I knew all the answers about banding, I wouldn’t have a need to be here reading other’s messages. I’m so thrilled to have the opportunity to learn from the rest of you, and supporting each other. <O:p</O:p lace, I really don’t know that much about Nutrasystem foods. I really was thinking you were eating creamy, yummy alfredo and chocolate chip cookies. This is still the healing time but I am hoping to start working on new behaviors now. I won’t be perfect, I’m sure. And I agree with you that I don’t want to view my lap band Bandele as another diet attempt. I want to feel full with reduced portions, but also develop new eating behaviors. <O:p</O:p RMS I appreciated your suggestion about avoiding the gulps when drinking. I think that is a habit that I need help with now, before my first fill. <O:p</O:p Sherilynn, I think your shirt is so neat. I wish I had thought about doing something like that myself. You people have such great creative ideas. <O:p</O:p Audree, WooHoo! Congrats on your weight loss. That is wonderful! How nice to be able to have the second tool to help you out – appetite suppressant. My doctor will NOT prescribe me any meds for that because of my high blood pressure and age. My cardiologist does not want me to use any of the over the counter aids for weight loss either, and that was a big reason for me to seriously consider banding. After I spent about a year researching lap band, I knew this was my chance. Right now, I feel less swollen, and using my new habits of eating slow, chewing well and even willpower to continue to follow dr orders of only 4-6 oz soft foods at a time. Thanks for keeping this thread going in a positive and supportive direction. <O:p</O:p MawMaw – congrats and welcome to the land of band. Glad your are improving. <O:p</O:p Kilopitre, Congrats on your surgery as well. I sometimes still have shoulder gas pains when I have been sitting for a long time. I don’t know when that will completely go away. I hope you improve each day. Keep letting us know how you are doing. <O:p</O:p Update on me – still on soft foods. Today I had some thinned oatmeal for breakfast, Profect protein drink (2.9 oz) for morning snack, Cottage cheese and leftover fish (I had to drizzle some lemon juice on it to keep it moist). My afternoon snack was applesauce, and for dinner I had some delicious split pea soup. I never knew how much pleasure I would get from cottage cheese and split pea soup. I schedule my follow-up visit and first fill for February 12. I get some bad shoulder gas pains when I sit (like at computer) for over a couple hours. When will this go away? I don’t have them any other time except after sitting for too long. Yikes, it is still painful. <O:p</O:p Take care, band buddies. For those having their big surgery day, come post as soon as you feel like it. Let’s keep up the progress… <O:p</O:p Terry

Kim, congrats on your upcoming surgery! I'll keep you in my prayers. I'm sure everything will be just fine, you are in good hands. It won't be long.. Terry