Just Jess

Hey girls... It's funny (not funny "haha") that all these recent threads are surrounding the issues I am having the most difficultly with lately. It's been SO hard. I am sooooooooooooooooooooooooooo hungry!!!!!!!! I just can't seem to quench that "thirst" for mushies. I was banded on Dec. 21st. Anyone in and around that time move to solids yet? I am VERY tempted to try something, as I think when I moved from full liquids to mushies, I was much more satisfied. I do not have a fill scheduled until Feb.2nd, which is the earliest my doc. will allow. HELP???

:clap2: thanks for responding, dana!!!! i appreciate your support!!! I actually have my first fill scheduled for feb. 2nd. we'll see how it goes - I can't wait (then again, I can't wait for chewing SOLID foods too!!!!!!!) hehehe waiting for your "POOF" - can't wait to look in the mirror and say that!!!!! Talk soon, Jess

Thanks, Office Rocker!!!! I am excited to try something new!!!!!!!!!!!!!

wow!!! good for you Lapdoll!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I teach not too far from Pasadena. And live in the other direction (Annapolis). Any secrets to share? :hug: Hugs, Jess

For full liquids and mushies, I was told to aim for between 40-60 and then when you get to solids - you MUST reach 60. I haven't been having too much of a problem, as I put unflavored protein power (Unjury) in everything!!!!! Office Rocker: I would love to hear your Protein shake recipes!!!! Thanks! :hug: Hugs, Jess

First let me start by getting this out of the way: NGADAMS - Aren't you being a bit hypocrital? YOu state that "we haven't made another December Bandsters thread, we haven't started a member's only club, we haven't padlocked the door and we don't speak in code." YET, in that other thread it is mentioned that the people there got some kind of PM invite and someone even said "how do we keep the others out" and someone else replied "we can just ignore them" - isn't that a bit catty?? This IS a support group, after all. That's not very supportive. Beaversman, Although you do post in both places - and we've PMed before too and I find you very supportive and encouragin - YOu cannot claim that the other board was not way around the folks in this one that were late comers to your group. I cannot claim that I did not feel a bit left-out when I accidently stumbled across your other thread, but as I've stated here before - it has been easier to keep up with the posts with fewer people here. So maybe those left can bond just like you all have? I have no hard feelings now. What's done is done. Thanks for all your great tips and support!! Bandiva - I COMPLETELY AGREE WIT HYOU with not feeling restricted!!!! I am on mushies and feel I can eat much more than I should. The first time I felt "REALLY" full was last night for dinner. I had a half of baked potato and a bowl of chili. I cann't wait for my first fill which occurs on Feb. 2nd (the earliest my doc will allow it - 6 weeks post-op). I think if I wanted to (I don't............ really) I could eat a pizza!!!!!!!!!!! hehehe Kristin - ditto!!!!!! And I love that site too, thanks!!! Okiefamily - PAT ON THE BACK FOR YOU!!!!! :) Good for you! I have been walking as well, but certainly not as far as you! I get a mile in, if that. I also agree that you could be eating too little. I say that because I went 4 days with no loss and a bit of a gain, then I began mushies, and I started losing again!!!! So try putting a few MORE calories into your diet and see if the scale moves! GOOD LUCK!!! Denise - that yogert/OJ/Protein shake sounds yummy!!! I will def. give it a try! :girl_hug: thanks for the tip! BKWalling - Thank you for your posts!!!!! This site is about getting through the tough times! I appreciate you and all the guys and gals who give great support here!!!!! Thank you!!! Kay - Aren't parties the worst???????? Bring a nice Jello mold with you, then you have something you can snack on! hehe --- We all picked one of the toughest times to start with the holidays and such. But now is a better time as any, right? A great new year/holiday gift to ourselves!!! Also, I've ALWAYS been a tummy-sleeper. It was SOOOOOOOOOO hard the first 2 weeks. But now I sleep on either side or my tummy easily! YEH! So, it will come!!! :hug: Hugs, Jess

I am about 2.5 weeks out and feeling great. I started mushies a bit before I was suppose to, but that stopped the hunger, so I do not regret it. Thanks for asking, Sweethot.

DITTO, Transformer!!!! Gas-X is a savior!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dream - I worry about skin issues too, bc I have SO much to lose!!! I am only 28, so I hope being young helps a little --- and I know they say strength training also helps a bunch! So, start lifting - even if small weights! I am joining curves on Monday, now that my doc gave me the go-ahead to lift again! WOO!!! Maurdan - :omg: Yes, I actually ACCIDENTLY ran into their thread (they weren't even that secrative about it - I caught it in the "recent posts" section!!!) It is titled "Steady Losers" and apparently they don't want any newcomers and actually discussed how to keep us out (something also mentioned to just ignore us if we found them)!!!!! :rolleyes Like I said before, I was offended at first, being this is a place for support. BUT, that being said - it is a lot easier to manage this site now that it is PAGES AND PAGES of posts to catch up on each visit! Oh well........ what can we do? We can't force people to like talking to us. We have each other, right??? Siyah, I have to brag just for a second. My program though GBMC in Baltimore actually INCLUDES the lifetime use of their nutritionist, as well as a therepist, support groups, educational sessions, nurse practitioner, etc.. etc.. Isn't that great? All in their $300 one-time office fee. BUT, I commend you on getting your own since you did not have one offered to you! Mine has helped IMMENSLY! She gave us a binder full of info - it is priceless. If you need assistance in what you can or can't have in any of the stages PM me and I'll scan you a few pages to keep you on track!!!! Also, I'm real interested in what kind of tips your wholistic doc will give you! The shower thing sounds interesting!!!! I will tell you, those damn steri-strips drove me CRAZY! Once they started curling really good, I helped them along! :speechles ANNNNNNNNNNNNND, my WONDERFUL boyfriend presented me with a GC for a mani/pedi and haircut/highlight for a "post-op gift"!! That was a wonderful treat! So, go and TREAT YOURSELF!!!!! TAKE CARE!!! Jess

Dream - it certainly helps me to stay busy!!!! Mon-Fri is SOOOOOOOOOOOOO much easier than the weekend!!!!! hahaha Lucky - congrats to you that you see a difference already! I had a friend of mine who has photoshop take my pic before I started my pre-op diet and my pic at 2 weeks post-op and put them on top of one another... SO AWESOME that you can see a difference already! Mostly in my ass, belly, and chin! WOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

Slow and steady wins the race, right?? My doc said no fills until the 6 week healing time has passed, so if it is still tender to the touch, I bet that means it is still healing!! Just a thought. It was so much easier to check in today, so fewer posts!!! I think since a large group within this group took off to another place (yeh, being I just got here, I was a little offended by that, but whatever, there are other GREAT people left behind with me... so I'm happy about that!) And it has made it easier to stay caught up!!! YEH! I also have been able to eat more lately. This has me concerned, although my weight has not gone up much... I can't wait for my first fill! Talk soon folks! Jess

Congrats!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :):):):):mad::):)

I'M HUNGRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Here I am on day 12 (2 weeks) from surgery. My first post-op check in is tomorrow afternoon... But I am SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO HUNGRY! I want to start gnawing on my arm! I am still on full liquids (suppose to be for another week yet) but I am going to BEG BEG BEG the nutritionist tomorrow to advance me to mushies, bc I am starving! I can take in a lot more than I should at this point too. I started off being full after 4. oz. but now I can easily do 12-16 and probably more if I tried. I am pureeing chili and Soups and all sorts of stuff I probably should not be yet. HEEEEEEEEEELP!? Is anyone else in limbo between surgery and a fill and not quite on mushies and just famished???? Also, the last 3 days I've gained weight... which is depressing! I was down almost 18 lbs. Now I've gained 3 of those back. ICK! Any words of wisdom would be GREATLY appreciated!!! THANKS!!!!!!! :hug: Hugs, Jess

Try liquid ISOPURE from GNC - it's pricey ($3.75 a bottle) but that is ALL I drank for the first 48 hours... in 1 oz. dose cups (2 g. of protein per oz.) You can get it in that way!!! And they are transparent, so no issues with icky powder not mixing well or anything like that!!!! (and hey, they taste pretty good too! my fav. was the pinnapple/banana/orange). Good luck! AWESOME!!!!!!! Congrats to you! What tricks of the trade do you have to share for that INCREDIBLE accomplisment??! :mad: Keep it up! -Jess

Howdy, neighbor!!!!

Did you join him at the educ. session with Sloan? (sit at the end of the table opposite her, by chance?) I'm trying to remember if I met you! GOod luck! I have my first post-op appointment tomorrow with the doc, so we'll see how it goes!! I can't wait to chew soemthing...... anything!!!!! To everyone else - thanks for your welcomes!!!!! I look forward to getting to know you all better!!! - Jess

Hello all!!!! I am a late-comer to this conversation, but better late than never, right? I wanted to say HI and introduce myself! I've been desperately looking for this thread to happen! I actually started one like this on another site!!! My name is Jessica and I was banded on Dec. 21st (Merry Christmas to me!) My surgeon was Dr. David vonRueden of GBMC in Baltimore, MD. I am still on full liquids and like many of you are saying on this thread - I AM HUNGRY AS HELL!!!!!!! I actually made turkey chili this week and threw that in the magic bullet to puree it (TECHNICALLY, I think this is a mushie, but I cannot tell you how GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD it was!!!!!! So I do not regret it!) As far as my surgery day... Let me catch you up: I arrived at the hospital around 5 am and was nervous as hell. I even got my address wrong in talking with the hospital admittance people... geesh! After changing into my lovely gown, shower cap, and booties, the nurse came in to ask me a battery of questions and poke me two times unsuccessfully with the IV needle... He then sent another woman in to give the tough skinned/deep veined/twisting veined girl a shot at getting some IV. She was successful on her second try (4 holes in me before any incisions were made, how's that?!) The surgeon came in and spoke to me and introduced himself to my family. Then the anesthsiologist came in and asked me a million questions. The the OR nurse and some other nurse. And before you know it, it was 7:30 and time for surgery. They gave me a moment to say my good-byes to my boyfriend, father, and aunt... who all graciously came with me. The they wisked me away to the OR - which was FREEEEEEEEEEEZING. As soon as we got in there, I cracked up and said (aloud) "THAT is why they call it a "crucifix"table!" and the nurse and I joked back and forth a while. They put the compression socks on me and someone came in and told me they were giving me something to help me relax......... and BAM! I do not remember anything else until recovery. Very weird!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! When I awoke "Jim" the recovery nurse was with me and I was covered with 100 blankets. I felt so warm. I asked "Am I done?" and he said "yup, you're banded!" and then I asked to take the blankets off. He took them off me and gave me a cold cloth on my head. I had a mask over my face and wanted that off also. He gave me the kind with the tubes up my nose instead. I asked for my glasses and he went and found Vinny and got them for me! I was then in and out of sleep for a couple hours, apparently. At the time, I had no concept of time though. Then they asked me if I wanted to try standing. And I did. I was a little lightheaded at first, then OK. They wheeled me down to radiology and made me stand for 5 or so minutes and drink this NASTY stuff to see if everything was moving through my stomach the way it should and that there were no leaks. I passed, thankfully!! Next thing I knew, I was being moved to "phase 2 recovery" where they put me in a comfy chair and called for my family. We sat there for a few more hours. I asked for some pain medicine. They gave it to me. Around 5, the surgeon came to see me and do his final analysis. All was well and I was good to go home. I got dressed with the assistance of my aunt - thankfully, that was a much harder prospect than they make it out to be. I went bra-less, as my SIX incisions are so close to the top of my abdomen and all in a line - nothing like any of the diagrams, btw. I got home around 6 and had a pretty relaxing evening. I drank my Isopure out of a 1 oz. medicine cup they gave me and did pretty good. No nausia, thankfully. Around 3 am, I woke Vinny up asking for some pain meds (they prescribed me liquid roxicet - very good) and then this morning when I woke up around 7am, I REALLY felt the pain. MORE PAIN MEDS, PLEASE, HONEY!!!!!!!! I've been documenting my liquid schedule all day. Starting with 3. oz of decafe hot tea to my most recent 4 oz. of chicken broth. I feel dydrated fine enough. I cannot wait to have a smoothy or Protein shake tomorrow!!!!!!!!! 48 hours of clears (plus the 24 hours previous to surgery) is enough! As far as pain goes, I am feeling OK. Most pain was on the right side of my stomach. The weird thing is this burning sensation between two of the incisions, could that be my port?? Kind of between my belly button and right side? But here today, 11 days post-op, I feel great! There is still a tender spot on the right side (HAS to be my port) and other than that, I am getting around beautifully and aside from the hunger, feeling great!!!!! Thanks for letting me share my story! I am SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO excited to have fellow Dec. bandsters to talk to!!!!! Anyone else get banded on Dec. 21st? How about weight loss? How are we doing? Is anyone scheduled for their first fill yet? What did you lose prior to that fill? I feel like I lost most of mine during my pre-op diet. Then about a pound each day post-op (until recently, that is - it has WAAAAAAAAY slowed down and I even gained 2 over the last 2 days!) Anyway, TALK SOON!!!!!! Hugs, Jess<!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

Where would we find info. on joining one of these MD groups that meets in the area? Thanks, Jess

Starting in January there will Lap-Band support group meetings at the COMP (comprehensive obesity management program) office at GBMC in Towson - the first one is Jan. 10th from 6:30-7:30.

Jessica checking in from Annapolis --- Surgery set for Dec. 21st!!!!!!!

Just wondering if I have any local bandsters around???? Jess

Hey all, my name is Jess and I am scheduled to have surgery on Dec. 21st. I am SO very excited. My doc is David vonRueden through GBMC in Baltimore, MD. I want to lose about 145 lbs. I found your site through another site, band2gether.net - love it there! Hope to love it here as much!!!