Nette Fosters

He sounds fantastic! I'll find out how far a drive it is to Modesto.

I found a handful, actually! :-) Here's what I learned: 1) A *very* experienced and respected bariatric surgeon, Dr.Cirangle of San Francisco, does give fills in a few different locations including Templeton (northern San Luis Obispo county) to other surgeon's patients but his office charges $2,000 cash per year for that situation. If someone is newly banded and getting fills each month, it would be cost effective. 2) There are (at least) three band surgeons in Santa Barbara, each of whom said they'd be happy to give fills. Dr. Michael Thoman sounded great, has seminars and support groups. I haven't yet met him, Dr. Farida Bounoua (she's French and her name is pronounced Boon' wah.) I met and adored her. She seems both warm and very smart- a great combination. Her office staff was really nice. Her office is designated a "Center if Excellence." Dr. Helmuth Billy- I don't know much about him but he was recommended by someone on LBT. His office staff was nice but he didn't take my insurance. His office is designated a "Center of Excellence." I heard that there is someone in Santa Maria but don't (yet) have a name.

There's a packet of powder you mix with a glass of water that just has Vitamin C (which often can prevent colds) in it but the same company now also offers multi vitamin or other supplements in the same packet of powder form. Plus...in the same form (packet of powder, mix with water and drink), there's a packet designed by a school teacher for this exact purpose! It's called AirBorne. Google it! You can get lemonade flavored packets measured to mix with a small bottled water for convenience. 1 Airborne Packet equals: 1,000 mg of Vitamin C High in Antioxidants (Vitamins A,C, and E) Excellent Source of Zinc and Selenium 350 mg of Herbal Blend including Echinacea and Ginger Good luck!

I completely agree! Thanks for the info. I hadn't heard about "SlimPasta." Fascinating. Overall, I'm eating mostly Proteins and veges but I do let myself taste foods I enjoy. Thanks to the band (the best health decision I ever made) I'm eating wayyyy less than I used to and that's made all the difference. It's now possible for me to have a spoon of something and consciously savor it rather than bingeing on three cups of it but not really enjoying it and regretting it afterwards.

Ooh I met Dr. Bounoua and I really like her! Her office was easy to find, there was free parking, but best of all I felt very comfy with her. She has a beautiful French accent but easily understood everything I said and we communicated well. She asked great questions and was understanding, supportive and encouraging as I gave her honest answers. Her staff, two bilingual (Spanish/English) young women were kind and efficient. The only down side was two hours drive to get there and then two hours home. I made a adventure out of it and had good music to listen to but...I'll keep my eyes and ears open for someone closer to home.

MY STORY ISN'T OVER YET, IS YOURS? I read what you shared and I understood what you were saying- I've thought similar thoughts over the years. I won't tell you to "snap out of it" because that never worked when people said it to me. But when I was ready, when I felt sufficient motivation to make my own health my priority, I did snap out of my "hmm...the band didn't work" bad attitude and I followed the rules even though I thought some of them were stupid. And I've started losing weight again after years of not losing and even gaining. If someone had judged my success when I'd already been banded for years and yet I weighed 200 pounds, they might say it was a failure. But once I ramped up my movement the scale started moving again. (In the past two weeks I've lost six pounds.) decided to try slow jogging (thanks to "Couch to 5K") and an hour of Wii aerobics instead of my usual slow stroll through the neighborhood that counted as my exercise before. And I started logging my food on "Lost It!" and learning about nutrition. And I stopped making restaurant lunches and dinners my main form of socializing with friends. You're so right! Eating in a restaurant isn't the same anymore, it can turn into a gurgling, slime-flowing puke-fest at its worst. (Whenever I fly on a plane, I bring home a few "air-sickness" bags to tuck in my purse for emergency band situations. And strong zip lock baggies tucked in a purse work in emergencies too.) I felt embarrassed asking for my husband to pull the car over because I ate a few bites too many and was about to throw it all up. It's gross, isn't it? But I'd rather excuse myself and go PB in the bathroom than stay morbidly obese and eventually die from a heart attack, stroke, asthma, diabetes, you name it. I don't want to have to test my blood and give myself insulin shots. Drops of blood here and there, insulin vials in the fridge, a "sharps" disposal box on the bathroom counter... That's kinda yucky. And out of control diabetes leads to blindness and amputations. Also kinda...yucky. Having an oxygen tube under my nose all the time and carting around a little personal oxygen tank due to heart failure....there are all sorts of indignities and humiliations that come from long term morbid obesity. If I have a choice I'll choose an occasional PB that reminds me to listen to my body and not always try to take just "one more bite." Being healthy is my priority now so if I'm meeting a friend nowadays I'm focusing on talking with my friend and not making the visit about the restaurant food we eat. I'm more likely to invite a friend to sit and talk while sipping a coffee or iced tea at a cafe than a restaurant. Or I invite a friend to walk or shop with me. Now that I'm trying healthier coping skills when life is hard (talking about what made me upset instead soothing me feelings with food) I'm losing weight. I know I sound like I'm lecturing. I'm sorry, that's not my intent. But I relate to you and I went years feeling the same way you did. And after a while, enough of life's little "lessons" finally snapped me out of my bad attitude (going back on blood pressure medicine after being able to go off, hearing about friends and family's preventable health issues and the impact they had, struggling to communicate with a person I love who was paralyzed from a stroke, etc.) A few years ago, my band story looked like it ended poorly. But it hadn't yet ended. Every day I get to choose the thoughts and actions that are resulting in me now authoring the future I'd prefer. I'm not perfect. And on some days my attitude sucks. But I'm not giving up on myself. I'm going to follow the rules, work harder, change old behaviors and learn new skills. None of that is my natural style but I know where following my natural style has led me and where it will eventually lead. I'm choosing to work towards health instead. Wherever you started, wherever you're at now, wherever you're heading, I wish you blessings and health and happiness. I hope you find what works well for you.

Hi Tigerlily1988, Good question! I often actually first sense it as a sensation more in my throat or upper chest than in my belly, where I used to feel fullness. Annette

Thank you! :-)

So...today was my Week 1, Run 2 and I thought I'd report back how it went. To be 100% honest, after my first run, I felt all glowing and energized and I couldn't wait to run again. (And I'm NOT a runner; I'm was the heavy girl who sat on the bench reading during recess!) Then yesterday, I felt surprisingly physically tired and was glad it was a day off from the Couch 2 5k program. This morning I ran some errands and made some phone calls, some of which were frustrating and unfruitful. (grrr....I don't like beurocracy) Anyway, so when it was time to run, I was a pouty girl and didn't wanna. But I did anyway :-) This time it even went faster and felt easier than the first one. Wow- so glad I pushed myself and did it. We'll see how Run 3 goes.

Thanks, you're so kind! I asked them on the phone about support groups and they told me to look on the website. I will definitely try at least one of them if they're within driving distance.

I can totally understand being afraid of throwing up, too. And with good reason- you don't want your newly-installed band all jostled around. It's wise to baby your band for as long as you can and not push your limits while your body is healing and your stomach is getting used to having something around it. In the future, there may be times when you're tired and stressed and revert to old habits. That's human. And your band will be there for you, like a faithful friend, reminding you to make healthy choices. You're doing well and you're going to do well. :-) And the fact that you're here sharing your thoughts and concerns, that's a good thing.

Hi Louisiana Lady :-) I may be misinterpreting what you said but I think you sound scared to try eating soft foods for fear you will gain back the weight you've lost so far. You can decide what you're ready for or not but may I offer some perspective, as someone who was banded in 2003? If your experience turns out like mine, you now have an opportunity to begin a *new* relationship with food. My band has totally taken away my ability to abuse food the way I once did. I can no longer binge or eat large portions. I now feel "Thanksgiving" full after a very modest amount of food. I used to see food as my friend but also as my enemy. I couldn't trust myself with it. It controlled me and my abuse of it was a humiliation in my life and made my life smaller and unhealthy. But after living life with the band, food is neither my friend or enemy; it's delicious and nutritious fuel. But it's not more than that to me. When you are ready (and you get to decide when that is) I hope you enjoy discovering the simple pleasures of the stage your doctor said to start next- eating soft foods. My hope for you is to be able to see that small amounts of healthy foods won't make you gain weight. You're going to be able to lose weight on soft foods and later solid foods and I hope you're delighted with all the delicious and wonderful and weight-loss inducing options you will have now that you're banded. :::smile::: :::hands you a bouquet of roses and hugs you::: Welcome to a new chapter in your life! :-)

Hmmm...maybe try it and let us know how it goes? It could work, but not sure. I think if I wanted a thickener, I'd probably add one peeled and chopped potato and cook it in the Soup until it disintegrates (and thus thickens the soup.) (The smaller you chop the pieces the sooner it disintegrates.)

:::blushes:::: :::looks ashamed and fidgets::

Ooh thank you Rojasanoll! I'm thinking about attending Dr. Thoman's seminar in Santa Maria this Wednesday the 3rd, to get a "feel" for him. I'm excited to have options again :-)

Good for you, trying something new. I LOVE that this simple grain cooks fast (15 minutes), has Protein instead of empty carb calories, is filling but band friendly, and has a kind of mildly nutty flavor that takes on the flavored of what you add to it and a chewy texture, hard to describe but it keeps my mouth busy when I eat it- satisfying :-) I usually use Quinoia kind of like a rice or cous cous type side dish. I add chicken broth instead of Water, add a few drops of oil or 1/2 tsp butter, a dash of salt and simmer till soft (about 15 minutes. You can tell when Quinoia is cooked when the little "tails" unfurl from around the grain.) BUT recently at a catered Breakfast, I was offered Quinoia that had been cooked in fruit juice and topped with chopped fruit and nuts. It was so nummy and I loved it so much I recreated it at home and ate it for breakfast every morning for a week. For the liquid, I used 1/2 pear juice (bottled, from the fruit juice aisle) and 1/2 water. Sweet but not too sweet. While the Quinoia simmers, I chop half an apple and drop it in the pot to soften a little. Could add raisins, pear, chopped dried apricot, whatever fruits you want. My DH and I both love this protein based hot Cereal that's both yummy and nourishing. As a Bandster, I can only eat about half a cup in the morning so cooking a few cups at a time sets me up with leftovers to use later in the week.

Hey ElGrande, Thanks again! I've been trying to learn more about Dr. Billy and it looks like Inamedheated his office as a "Center of Excellence." Impressive!

ENCHILADA SOUP :-) I don't know if this sounds good to you or not but this soup got me through many post op days until I could eat solid food. I liked that it was thick and creamy, full of flavor, and super fast and easy to make. I can make as thick or liquid as I want by varying the ratio of Beans to sauce. I can make it as spicy or mild as I want, depending on what type of enchilada sauce I use. The basic "recipe:" Pour a can of your favorite red enchilada sauce into your blender. Then spoon out a similar (or smaller) sized can of (fat free) refried beans into the blender also. Put the top on and blend till mixed well. It should be liquid enough to pour into a mug. (If not, add either more enchilada sauce or chicken broth or even milk or in a pinch, Water, and blend to incorporate.) Then nuke the mug for a minute in your microwave and if you want to, garnish with a dallop of plain yogurt or sour cream. (Later on when you can eat more foods you could garnish with sliced green onions, a sprinkle of shredded cheese, a few pieces of chopped jalapeño, one tortilla chip finely crumbled into bits, you get the idea - whatever Mexican food garnish you choose.) I know right now it feels like you're stuck in this mushy limbo forEVER but I promise you it will pass and you'll be enjoying real food again, but feeling satisfied with less.

Oh my goodness, thanks! :-) Can you tell me more about him?

Oooh, that was a surprise! I ran! This morning I started on Week 1, Day 1 of "Get Running" and it really worked! Yesterday while I was waiting for someone, I quickly went through my music library (on my iPhone) and made a playlist of all my upbeat, fasted songs and called the playlist "Learning to Run." This morning I put on a sports bra and some footless tights (so I can focus on the running and not focus on jiggling), then a t-shirt, sweat pants and running shoes. I put a leash on my dog and started up the "Get Running" app. With my favorite songs in the background, a warm voice of encouragement coached me all along the way. Five minutes of warmup walk, a minute of running, a minute and a half walk, a minute of running, a minute and a half walk... And so on until I'd run eight 1-minute runs and walked a total of about 20 minutes. When I got back home, I was kind of glowing with energy and my dog was beaming with joy. Wow! I've never been a runner and this was only Day 1 but... Day 1 went well! I'll rest tomorrow and then on Wednesday follow the Day 2 instructions. :-D

Good for you for experimenting! :-) that does sound yum!

Going from regular soda to diet is good for weight loss and getting that ball rolling in a healthier direction. I don't know if others share this experience but since my own banding years ago, I almost never drank soda, sparkling Water, beer or champagne again. I might have a sip to make a toast or if someone says "youve GOT to taste this new drink!" But I wouldn't choose a bubbly drink on my own any more. Carbonation just feels ... weird...since the banding, not sure how to describe it. I'd feel unpleasantly full (bloated, I guess) if I drank a whole soda nowadays and if I'm going to feel full, I'd rather actually have solid, nutritious food in there making me feel full than a fizzy drink. Once was I at a poorly planned corporate picnic and sodas (Coke and Diet Coke) were the ONLY drinks available. I just poured a soda in a cup and let it sit a while till it lost some of its carbonation. I was able to drink it down but mostly I resolved to remember to always have a water bottle with me, just in case.

I'm starting a C 2 5K program myself! I'm using "Get Running"- an iPhone app. I've never been a runner but ... I wanna try it. I never could before and now it's possible. Good luck to you :-)