BabyGotBack

Did they explain why we don't get a mushy stage? It doesn't really make sense. I agree completely with what you are saying. I will do mushies instead of straight solids for a few to transition. I am going to be really afraid of chicken. What about ground chicken and turkey? I bought some chicken meatballs stuffed with cheese at Sams Club. It is ground chicken. They have no preservatives and are supposed to be natural. I was thinking of eating them with spaghetti sauce when the time came. I also heard that crab or salmon patties are a good source of Protein. When are you up for a fill? If I lose restriction, I was going the weekend of Feb. 16.

Where do you live?? I live in Rancho Cucamonga, CA. I want to get a few of us together so we can meet up for fills and stuff!!!

Thanks MiniPearl!! I will make sure I post pics when I show some weight loss. I have also taken my measurements and post what I eat daily on my journal. I even started cleaning my closet, only keeping the really nice thinner clothes, since I am sure I am going to go shopping once none of my clothes fit me!!! Dr. Ortiz told me to get ready to burn ALL of my clothes!!! I would rather donate them though. I love this group and spend a lot of time here. I tell my husband it is my therapy. Audree

Where do you get your unjury protien shakes??? I emailed my nutrionist and she said, no mushy stage, not even oatmeal because it has chuncks in it. I think that sucks! I am going to call Dr. Ortiz and ask him. He told me to call anytime for anyting, so I am. I am having trouble getting enough calories. I just have a lot of restriction still and it is really cold these days and it makes me feel even tighter.

I am glad to hear you are doing well! When were you banded? I was banded Jan. 5th, 2007 Audree

I will be praying for you and your son. Audree

Obesity Control Center is Dr. Ortiz's center. Dr. Ortiz is one of the top in this field, with over 4000 under his belt. If your surgery is at OCC, you are in good hands. Dr. ORtiz would not be affiliated with anyone who was not good! Audree

I am off to church guys and then we are having a family day!!! I will see you all tonight!!!!! Much Love, Audree

Congrats on the weight loss!!! At least you know though, that if you wanted to you could lose the weight faster, sticking to the bandster rules. It would be scary to be doing all right and not lose, that was my fear. In the dieting world, I always felt like no matter what I did, what diet I did,how much I worked out(actually had a personal trainer for 1 year and didn't really lose), I couldn't lose. The problem is, I didn't realize how MUCH I was actually eating or didn't want to. I was a volume eater. It took a lot of food for my stomach to signal full. Not anymore!!! Thank God!!!!! We all have to take things in stages to what we can take on mentally. I heard somewhere you can only take one major life change at a time. Just see your surgery as one major life change. Then, when you feel ready, follow a certain eating plan you feel comfortable with and exercise. The great thing about the band is, you know you will lose no matter what you eat!!!!! My doctor told me that I could lose 28 or 58 pounds in 6 months. It just depended on if I listened to him and the bandster rules or not. I for one, have a major goal, to lose 50 pounds in 6 months, by summer. That will be all my weight, more than I ever thougth I could lose on my own. I don't want to hide this summer with wraps. I want to walk proud along the beach!!! I have a visual in my head. I also heard visuaizing yourself at your goal, seeing your self in that dream outfit, is supposed to help you too. My dream outfit, one I have seen myself in for many years, I don't know why, is a snug fit pair of light brown/tan suede pants and a matching halter top. I have never even seen one, but I had a dream of me in in once. Most importantly, congrats on the weight loss. Even if it is slow, it is going in the right direction, down!!!!!:clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: Audree

Thanks Boo!!! Man, I feel like calling Dr. Ortiz himself and asking him to explain to me why I don't get a MUSHY STAGE!!!!!!!!!!! I am supposed to stay on liquids for three weeks and day 22 go to solids. WHY!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The nutrionist says I can't even have oatmeal because it has chuncks in it. At least I am not hungry, but the thought of the ricotta spaghetti thing, major head hunger!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Audree

Yes, you sure are a lower bmi!!! Welcome and any question is a good question. I refinanced my house to do this and am glad I did. Also a small portion was on a credit card, anyway I could do it. I think flying in, you need a passport by jan. 28, 2007. I would ask wherever you get passport about the name change. You may not need a new one. I had to take my birth certificate and it had my maiden name on it. I also wasn't asked to show it. I actually drove in Thursday night, had my pre op and surgery Friday and was going to go home on Saturday. But, heck, they paid for three nights at a VERY nice hotel, so my mom and I decided to have a little more vacation time. You can also coordinate with Dr. Ortiz patients on Lapbandforum.com and meet up with some nice ladies. I met a really nice lady on there and she held my hand and comforted me while there when I needed it. :welcome: We are glad you are here!!! Audree

You have clothes with price tags too waiting to be worn?? I thought I was the only one who did that! I also felt like a bottomless stomach,like a black hole. I figured out the carbs did that too me. I am really sensitive to carbs. More Protein in my daily eating helps tremendously. Let us know how you are doing!!!

THAT IS FUNNY!!! I was imagining myself doing that and seeing myself in a I Love Lucy re run!!! My kids are finally asking me, mom why have you been sick for a week? I told them I had the stomach flu. The cool thing is, my husband is having sympathy pains for me or is really sick! What kind of protien shake did you use??? I am sick of cream Soups and am ready for a good protein shake.

Thanks Supergenius! Very well said!!!:clap2: I was just thinking the same thing last night. I was remembering all the times my family would tell me "What diet are you on now???" They would tell me why didn't I just give up and give in that I was fat and always would be??? I would say "because,I am not ever giving up or giving in and I will fight until I find something that works for me." I always thought something would click in my head, the "new" diet would work, the new pills would work. They just never did. I AM SO HAPPY TO BE WITH BAND!!!!! I finally found what I was looking for!!!!

Congrats Kathyinca!!! I wonder why some food just doens't agree anymore even if it is pureed or chewed to liquid? I had cream of corn, totally liquid and it made me sick. It didn't come up but made me feel horribley bloated!!!! Hey, don't worry about the ice cream. That is the beauty of the band. We can have a little reward now and then because we are not in the diet bondage anymore. It is better not to deny yourself or else you might binge, at least that is how I am. As long as ice cream is not a daily thing, I have heard of people using chips and ice cream to eat "around the band" and start to gain. But sometimes is good. How much were you able to eat? I bet the portion was a lot different than pre band. I am freezing in CA too and don't remember it being so cold, almost like being in the snow cold. I have a little Koi pond and it actually had ice in it. I am post op day 9 and feeling really good. Audree

I am going to church in a little bit and have to get ready. I am going to have a fun family day today and feel up to it and ready. For the first time I am not thinking what restaurant will we go to after church??? I will be back on later on tonight!!! Audree

Dr. Ortiz may be comfortable doing higher bmi's because he has done over 4000 bands. But, dont feel discouraged most all of us are put on a pre op diet to lose a little weight before surgery. Mine was a protein shake for breakfast and a Lean Cuisine/SouthBeach diet meal for lunch and dinner. I also took an appetite suppresant at this time when I felt I needed it. I actually looked forward to my pre op because it made me feel like I was in control of something and was doing something toward my freedom from this slavery to food/diets.

The Fuzzy Navel tasted like Tang.

Oh, also something I bought from bariatriceating.com called Nectar Protein drinks. The Fuzzy Navel tastes like Tang!!! 90 calories a serving and 23 grms of protein. They have a bunch and I ordered a sample of all of them. They can be water down to be clear and taste good. The other think was the Kellogg's Protien water, 5 grms of protein. Audree

You know what helped me, some advice my nana used to give me to get rid of gas "petho position"!!!:faint: It worked for me!!! Audree

I called my nutrionist and told her I was starving and weak. She approved me to have liquid yogurt, protein shakes and cream soups. I don't get a mushy stage for some reason. I also had sugar free jello, sugar free fruit pops, Better Than Boullion, Wolfgang Pucks gourmet chicken broth. I bought a bag of soup seasoning where you are supposed to add chicken and stuff, but I just added the water and had the broth.It was sooooo GOOOODDDD. I bought the Tortills soup. The thing that has helped me the MOST and I can not stress it more, I was on the verge of taking my appetite suppresants, I was soooo hungry, was constantly sipping on some water, crystal light or tea. That is what has kept me with a constantly full feeling!!!! And I love it. I have not needed to take my appetite suppresant yet. Audree

The best news is, the 1st three days are the roughest and then it usually is smooth sailing from there! You are almost there!!! Drink a lot of fluids and try to walk around some. Audree

Yeah, the worst for me was the 1st three days. It is definitely true about the walking. I also took a heating pad and gas x strips worked well for me.

Hi!!! How are you doing??? Mine was done on Jan. 5 and I am feeling really good today, post op day 9!Audree

I hope you are taking some canned protein drinks!!!!:faint: Audree