barbara465

Amazing. How fast was that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You will succeed. And no fill. WOW

My doctor wants all pills crushed. I crush them everyday and take with a couple spoonfuls of yogurt.

I went on soft foods the 3rd week - now. The first week was Clear liquids followed by a 1 week of thicker liquids. Every doctor is different as to what they want you to do. The best advice is to follow your doctor's orders so that you are in sync with his/her plan. I have been hungry from the beginning. I seem to get satisfied when I eat my meal, but no signs of fullness. I don't expect that until my first fill. I do seem to get that left shoulder pain after I eat. Hope this helps.

Don't forget all the food you are NOT eating has a cost associated to it. I thought I would put away all the money I save at restaurants for what I don't order. I think a nice trip with DH will be reward for me. p.s. you could get a massage at one place, a facial at another, etc. to get better deals on cost. check it out.

Refund? You think we could get a refund? I think it was probably a combination of Spiegel and UHC not coming to terms. After evaluating the number of patients with UHC it was reevaluated. If we paid too much then we should get something. I guess I'll wait until the bills come in and see what UHC does in the way of adjustments.

Cutiern, I get my first fill on July12th. I can't wait either, but a little scared. I will only be on solid food for 1 week before the fill. I am hungry most of the time. :eek:

I had to have 1 day Clear Liquids before surgery. Surgery was on Tuesday and last supper was on Sunday. I went to bar-b-que place and had ribs, onion rings, cole slaw. It was yummy. I had no gas for several days and then slight left shoulder pain. After I would apply heat to it for a while I would expend some gas. Never in front of anyone, not even DH. I don't do that either. :eek: (Isn't it funny that men don't understand why. They think that is a natural thing to do.) I think it has to do with how much gas they pump into you during surgery rather than the foods you eat before. After surgery you are eating pretty bland so foods wouldn't cause the gas.

Janelle, So glad to hear from you. Glad the experience was a positive one and you are home from that hot road trip. You will be surprised one day when you get on the scale and 10 lbs are gone. It takes a while for everything to get out of your system. We won't have any restriction until the first fill. If you are swollen from surgery that is whats keeping you from being hungry. I had little swelling so was hungry right away. Keep on those clear liquids and give everything a chance to settle. I bought won ton soup from the restaurant and eliminated the won tons, tortilla soup and strained it, and made potato leek soup and strained it. They were wonderful for a change. Glad everyone is doing so well. And yes, scared to take the first bite, the first sip. I am getting over being scared some, but I have a kind regard for this band and the evil it can display if I'm not good!

I bought some tilapia for the mushie stage. it is flaky and with a little applesauce it will go down nicely. My DH cooked up some chicken breasts and shreaded them into tiny, tiny bits and added to my runny mashed potatoes and gravy for protein. I am only drinking liquid protein drink in the morning. During mushies my doctor takes you off of all fruit jucies, etc that add calories. I bought some low fat cheese, low carb yogurt for lunches. I also bought some low fat ricotta cheese to make the filling, without the pasta shells, for manicotti. Bake it in the oven with low fat spaghetti sauce and low fat moz and parmessian cheese. Yum Yum. One week of this and then on to solid food. I will only have a week of that before my first fill on July 12th. That should keep me out of trouble since we have to go on liquids for a few days after the fill. Eating food still scares me so I haven't strayed too much. I made some tapicoa yesterday with skim milk and sugar substitute. That was good. Sounds like everyone is doing well.

Once you start mushies I don't think we can expect huge weight loss. Remember, we aren't restricted yet. Also we are still eating some high carb, high calorie type foods. I don't expect to lose until the first fill or two. I've lost 12 lbs in two weeks. I didn't have a pre surgery diet so this is all from surgery. Now that I've started mushies I think it will only be a 1lb or 2 at best. Hang in there. Hope everyone is doing OK. I feel great. I get a hard spot below my bra line above the main scar. Not sure if it is the port since it doesn't seem to be there all the time. I notice it more after eating.

Look on the Texas thread. I think you will find some fill doctors. I also think there is a fill usa in San Antoinio. It might be another large operation, but I know I've read something about it.

Glad to hear all of you are doing well. How exciting for those packing getting ready to go. It will be just fine. This was fairly easy for me. Two weeks out and I feel great. I even have more energy, which is a very good thing. I met some others yesterday for lunch, one at 2 months, 1 at one year, and one looking. It was good to get other perspectives on this journey. I move to mushies today. YEAH!!!

Got to be a weekend for me, or at least a Friday/Saturday. I don't like taking time off of work since I don't get paid.

I have short high lighted hair, will be wearing shorts, and carrying a multi striped coach bag. Husband has grey hair. I'm 5'7 and hubby about 5'10. See you soon.

Remember everyone is different. I don't think I had much swelling. I had no real pain and little discomfort from gas, at least for the first 8 days. As a result I was not restricted and could eat more. At first I could get down 2-3 protein drinks, some water, and juice. Now I think I feel a little more restricted. The doctor's office is the one who told me to make my fill appointment. I was for waiting until I evaluated how I was doing on real food. My doctor wants you to have a fill at 4 weeks. Hang in there. You will heal at your rate and you will make the necessary adjustments for your body. Today is a great day for me. I feel wonderful. I had a very soft boiled egg this morning with a little of queso mixed in. It was just wonderful. It filled me up and was quite satisfying.

Sorry you are suffering so Poodles. Hang in there. This too shall pass. Keep taking the drugs!!!!!

Hi all. Still doing pretty good. Last 24hours had a bout of constipation that caused some serious pain. Never had this before as I have IBS and always suffered the other way. Pain went from my bottom to my left shoulder and like all was connected with a tight rope. I thought I had been body slamed by a group of wrestlers. All is quieter tonight. I am extremely hungry. I don't really like the protein drinks and have been living on the soup. I start mushies in a couple of days and I think that will help. Made my first fill appointment for Wednesday July 14th or close to that. I won't have much time to enjoy real food before the fill. That's probably better. Glad everyone is doing well. I hope you gals connect that are in Mexico so you can meet.

Remember that water can be in the form of iced tea, coffee, hot tea. At least, some believe this to be true. I think the V8 was just too much and you might not be able to handle that at all. I could never handle it pre band. I also tried warm broths and that seems to be what my tummy likes.

Me too. I am looking forward to putting faces to all the names. I guess for now we look for the "fat" people? Just think, we won't be able to say that soon. :eek:

These posts have brought to light something I didn't realize about myself. For years I loved potato chips. I mean really, really liked them. I wanted fresh bags and never ate the remaining chips in a bag if they were not fresh. I would buy bags at a time so I always had a fresh supply. I also lived alone. Two years ago I got married. We dated for about a year before that. Somehow I stopped eating potato chips. We bought tortilla chips for dips, but I seldom just bought potato chips for snacking. THese posts make me realize that it was my "alone" food of choice. I went to that bag for comfort, for company. Somehow when they are brought out in the light of day for others to see, they have lost their appeal. Before banding and after marriage, I could eat a snack pack of chips for lunch. Not a whole bag and didn't go down to get chips for an afternoon snack. I find this all interesting now. Maybe ice cream to some is the same. Its that food that brings "alone" comfort. Maybe when our demons come calling we should face them with others. Maybe they would lose their appeal on us. Just a thought.

Live in NE section, Humble, but try to join up with NW folks for support. Dr. Spiegel is back in network with UHC so I can only imagine that Spivak can't be far behind. Good luck with getting a support group up. There is also one at Twelve Oaks hospital on 59 just inside 610. Still a little distance for you, but maybe closer than others. There is a group of us meeting at Panera's on Saturday (24th) at 12:30 located between 290 and Jones road. I know its far from Sugarland, but if you want to join us you are certainly welcomed.

Janelle, Glad to hear from you. I was getting worried. Sounds like for the most part its going as expected. Try to move around as that's the secret to getting rid of that gas. Hope you continue to do well.

Congrats Randi. Hope you are doing well. I am 11 days out and feeling great. Liquids is really getting boring, but get to go on mushies on Monday. I didn't have but 24 hours on liquid diet prior to surgery so I can't complain too much. Hang in there everyone. We are well on our way to health. Hope all the new bandsters are doing good and those getting ready stay calm. It really isn't a scary ordeal.

It doesn't get easier. Its pretty boring. After surgery I was hungry within hours. I don't think I swelled much as a result of the band being placed. I don't think I really could eat, but I felt hungry. I'm on thicker liquids now so the soups with a little texture are helping. Its worth it I keep saying to myself so hang in there.

I'm not sure what you are asking. Is your insurance asking that your PCP approve? Mine didn't or if they did, I don't know it. I just went to the band doctor and had them submit the paperwork. I was morbid obsese so there wasn't many questions. Why not try that route first and see how far you get?