salsa1877

Did you have yours done in Olympia or Shelton. Karen wasn't my pre-op nurse. I don't remember the ladies name at the center, but they didn't have much of a sense of humor. My brother and I were cracking jokes and they didn't seem to appreciate it much. The one nurse asked if I was worried at all, like I should have been. I had less than 24 hours between approval and surgery, I didn't have time to be worried! Didn't post yesterday : 35 minutes 1.75 mi Today: 20 minutes :cry 1.1 mi 7/21 Days of Mindful Exercise

Actually I had it the night before I had my first fill. I was told that it was probably just a really bad case of gas. I had a lot of inservices during that week so I did nothing but sit on my butt all day and didn't have a whole lot of time to walk. It went away in a few days. I had a little issue with it this morning, but nothing like the first time it happened.

30 minutes of walking 1.65 miles 5/21 Days of Mindful Exercise

My doc doesn't want me on protein drinks because he doesn't want me drinking calories. Since the band doesn't restrict liquids, those calories are completely wasted. I called them because I was getting concerned and they told me to just keep trying and that it will come. My biggest problem is that I talk a lot for my job (I'm a teacher) and I forget to stop drinking before lunch, so I don't get to eat. But now I set a timer and that stops me. I am starting to get the hang of it. I have started including protein bars (1/2 of a south beach bar) everyday and adding protein powder to everything I eat so that has helped.

I am struggling daily to get any sort of calories in. Right now my biggest problem is choosing between water and protein. I think I have it figured out now but we will see. I am a teacher so I talk a lot and therefore get thirsty. The last two days I have forgotten to stop drinking a half hour before lunch so then I miss out on lunch. GRRR. I am not hungry and like you food does not have that much appeal but I know I need to eat. Who would have ever thought that I would be concerned about not actually getting enough to eat? So I am still working on the timing, but am positive that I will get it. I have noticed that if I don't get enough calories I don't lose weight as quickly so that is motivation in itself.

EVERYBODY CALLS ME: Karri MY PRIMARY RELATIONSHIPS INCLUDE: Boyfriend of 2 years, Lee. Brother of 21 years, Christopher (Chris or CJ) depends on his mood! MY NON-HUMAN FAMILY CONSISTS OF: No one. I don't do pets. I LIVE IN: Redmond, OR OCCUPATION(S): High School Chemistry Teacher AVOCATIONS: Watching sports (Go Seahawks!), cooking, reading, planning lessons (yes that can be fun), traveling, go to the theater and symphony, and playing world of warcraft (yep, I'm a nerd)

I would contact your doctor and let them know that you are so hungry. Don't be embarrassed about it. You are most likely not the only one that is starving! Are you on liquids still or mushies? I was still on liquids at day 11, but maybe if you can go see your doctor or talk to him/her they would be able to make some suggestions or perhaps move you on to the next stage. Hang in there. Karri

I live in Central Oregon. Since I am a self pay I spent a lot of time doing research and found that even though Dr. Neal was a bit more expensive, the aftercare included in the price and the friendliness of his staff over the phone made the choice a no brainer. I could have been banded less than 20 miles from my home but I just didn't feel comfortable with the staff their. They were kinda grumpy. It should say a lot that I would travel that far when there was someone in my back yard 4/21 Days of Mindful Exercise

In addition to the tuna, I added some taco seasoning to refried Beans and topped it with some lf sour cream for a sort of bean dip. If you can eat more than just mushies, you could make a full bean dip and eat that. I am a teacher so my first week back to work was filled with inservices and food frenzies. Seriously they fed us 7 times in 5 days and believe me there were no mushies. So I stuck to my tuna, bean dip, yogurt and cottage cheese! Good luck. I found going back to work made me even less hungry and I got a good dose of will power.

Kathy, Yes, Dr Neal is fantastic and so is his staff. I live almost 6 hours away from the office so when I called to schedule the consult, Michelle scheduled my surgery for the very next day so that I wouldn't have to travel back up there again. That's right less than 24 hours between consult and surgery, but it was nice cause I didn't have the time to get nervous! Thanks for the challenge it has motivated me! I didn't want to walk tonight, but I felt sheepish:guess not posting after only being here for 2 days. 30 minutes 1.65 miles:clap2: Crazy Ates Aug/Sept Exercise Challenge 3/21 Days of Mindful Exercise

So I had my fill on 9/4 and now have to separate my liquids and food which I don't have a problem with. However, I was wondering if anyone else who is at this stage is having difficulties getting the full amount of both of these in. My doc does not want me to drink any "nutritional" liquid so no protein drinks. I do and unjury powder to my food at dinner but it is difficult to do during breakfast and lunch because I am at work. I am a teacher, so I have to eat and drink when my schedule allows. Anyways my question is: has anyone come up with a good plan to figure this out and if not what is your advice, eat the protein or get the liquids?

35 minutes - 1.75 miles. Exercising is much easier now that I am on solid foods! When I was on mushies I thought I was dying! Crazy Ates Aug/Sept Exercise Challenge 2/21 Days of Mindful Exercise

Lessnless, I was in the same boat, I was never hungry. When I got my fill, It didn't seem to cause me any problems. I can still tolerate any of the foods I have tried, though I haven't tried bread or rice yet. Now I am really never hungry and have not ever come close to getting my cals wich my doc really enforces that I need at least 1000 to prevent me from going into starvation mode. I contacted the nurse and she told me to go to higher calorie foods if I start plateauing. Good luck with your fill.

I walked last night for 30 minutes. 1.5 miles Crazy Ates Aug/Sept Exercise Challenge 1/21 Days of Mindful Exercise

I had my first fill on Sept 4, just 2 days short of my 4 week mark. It didn't hurt at all and my doc always does them under fluoro. The nurse told me she put in 3.6cc and said that was about average. I am not sure what size band I have. I don't feel like I have restriction (I ate a little Pasta tonight) but I am very fortunate that I really don't get hungry. In fact, I have the opposite "problem". I can't seem to get in enough calories. Is anyone else experiencing this? I have been hesitant to ask because I know that there are so many people struggling the other way that I didn't want others to start growling:angry at me!!! Good luck!

I got my first fill on Sept 4. My doc does all of his fills under fluoro. Didn't hurt one bit. The worst part of it was when they completely filled (or almost completely filled) me and I thought I was going to heave the barium up. It just kind of sat in my throat for a few seconds and I felt what it would feel like to slime. Don't want to go there again! I don't really feel like I have restriction but I have only been eating solid foods for 2 days so I can't really tell. I feel bad writing this for all of you that are starving, but I am really never hungry. Yesterday I only ate 600 cals and my doc would like to see me around 1000. I have to force myself to eat, which is nice, but WEIRD!!!!!! Good luck to everyone!

So I am a bit late to the challenge, but I need something to keep me accountable. Commitment: 21 days Name: Karri Types of exercise I could choose from: walking Crazy Ates Aug/Sept Exercise Challenge 0/21 Days of Mindful Exercise Karri Banded Aug 9, 2007 Dr. Neal Olympia, WA

So I just joined this group this evening but am excited to write down some goals. Maybe that will get my behind in gear. I have been eating great but just don't seem to have enough energy to exercise. GRRRR. So here are my goals. 1. Walk 30-45 minutes a day 5x per week. 2. Be below 200 by Christmas 3. Be out of those ugly, look like they were rejected upholstery from the 1970's, plus size clothing by Valentines! I have no idea if they are realistic, but at least it is something to look forward to! Good luck to us all! Karri

Karri - Banded August 9 by Dr. Neal in Olympia, WA

My doctor does not require a pre-op diet unless he determines at the consultation that the liver is too fatty. My problem is that my consultation is scheduled the DAY BEFORE my surgery. I am a teacher so if I don't have this surgery on the Aug 9 schedule date I have to wait until Christmas (grrr). So my question is, has anyone successfully used this as a pre-op diet? I tried drinking just drinking slimfast shakes today and thought I was going to rip my boyfriends hands off when he was eating dinner! Any advice would be great!

So I just found out that I am going to have lap band today. I had to finance it myself because my insurance required 5 consecutive years of medical testing/procedures for weightloss. I could have waited 6 month or even a year, but 5 years was a bit extensive for me. I called the Bariatric Center and scheduled my consult and then we scheduled my surgery for THE NEXT DAY! I needed to get this done now or had to wait until December. My surgeon wasn't going to be there in December so that was going to push the date back until June. (I am a teacher and didn't want to take the time off). So now my consult date is August 8 and my surgery is August 9. Wish me luck.