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Hi Jenni! I am so glad to hear from you! You were in my thoughts on Wednesday and Thursday and then to get a note from you, how cool. I have already had my 2nd adjustment. I went at six weeks po and I am needing another one now. I will call on Monday to see if I can get in on Wednesday. I was going to ask Dr. Feiz how you were doing......How is life with your second adjustment? I felt more restriction with it for about 2 1/2 weeks then I was able to eat more again but I have kept it to a minimum of food intake. I am still not drinking enough water nor am I exercising enough but I am down 30 pounds. How is your weight loss going? How is work going?

How was you visit with Dr. Feiz? Did he find anything wrong with your tummy?

Thanks for getting in touch! I will be talking to you again soon! Cheryl

I'm actually getting the procedure done in Oxnard. My doctor is Dr. Billy and his practice is there and has an office in Thousand Oaks. I work in TO, so I may just go to a support group there. Just thought I'd try to find something near home.

So, what type of hurldes have you had to go through after getting banded? What types of foods do you eat now? I'm curious what type of diet people really keep after their stomachs have healed.

Yeah, I can't believe my surgery date is finally here. It really feels real now. Strange. I've been in the process since December and every month I felt discouraged since it seems like it was taking so damn long! Haha! Thank goodness it's next week!

I did when it got close to my surgery time because I didn't have to do a liquid diet before surgery. So I tried to eat the foods I knew I wouldn't be able to eat after surgery. But it's really not as bad as I thought it would be I don't even crave or miss most of the foods I use to eat. Your taste bud change things become to sweet or salty.

HI Jenn I just noticed that we shared the same surgery date, how ya doing, im just now starting mushy foods and I feel excelent. who was your Doc and what Hospital did you have rebirthday at? ttyl

I am down a total of 25 lbs from my pre-op until my 1 week post op check up... then in the last week I have gained 1 lbs back since adding soft foods which didn't impress me. My daughter is having a tough time not being able to be picked up and carried around all the time... but everyone is VERY excited for me. I am sorry to hear you have been in so much pain. I am glad to hear though that you are feeling better. When and where do you get your first fill? I am excited to hear your new job is going GREAT! It's great that you don't have to tell anyone about your surgery yet they can watch the weight fall off of you! How exciting!! I am glad all is well and look forward to seeing some of your progress pics and success along our journey! Have a wonderful and stress free week!!!

Hi Laura!

How are you doing? I know it's been a busy time for you. I hope that are doing well. I am doing pretty good. I had my 2nd fill on 5/11/09, .5cc fill (total of 3.5 cc). The first week I felt improved restriction, but now it feels the same as the first fill. I have noticed that I can eat slightly more food that when I first got the fill. I have been yo-yoing with the weight loss as well. 2 lbs. up, then 2 lbs. down, etc. It's frustrating. I am scheduled for a 3rd fill on 6/22/09, but I am thinking of going back sooner. I hope this is all normal and trying to keep my head up and keep on going! I am loving that I am dropping sizes and feeling better everyday! Have to count your blessings where you can!

Write me when you can!

Shelley : )~

Im super excited....im proud of you...the scope is no big. The liquids arent too bad i mean its not food lol...keep me posted.

Hi! How are things going? Did you get your 2nd fill yet? I am scheduled for may 19, but they said I could come in sooner. I think I will schedule something sooner. I am doing good and seeing progress, but it's slow and I can get more food that I did when I first got my fill! Cake is still hard for me to eat! But I am okay with that. Cookies are not a problem though! : ) But still, I only have 1 or 2 if I do indulge. My mammo went well, the spot they were concerned about turned out be nothing. All is good! Yeah!

Hi from Australia. I was rejected for back surgery last tuesday because my surgeon says it would be safer to operate on me if I can lose some weight first. I just read your story & now wonder if trying Optifast 1st may be easier to try being a liquid diet... rather than cutting back on normal food? I have so much back pain & sciatica now & need slow release 'Oxycontin' plus Panadeine Forte for pain as well. Would taking slow release meds be a problem after being banded?

Hugs Valerie x0x

HI TRISH,

I will be banded on the 14th as well, just started on the optifast yestruday. i see you are on your 4th day.

i feel my body will be going thru some detox of carbs as my hubbie says. but this is for the best , i need to get healty.

i am also kinda nervous but i dont let my self think about it. in fact i try and not think about it at all. just go with it. i am keeping my self busy very busy. i have a list, cleaning out closets , bedrooms, toy boxes , going thru my kids clothes and getting rid of stuff they dont use anymore. i have decided to keep my brain thinking of other stuff rather than the stuff i can not eat.

hopefully it will work. Yesturday during the time i usually cook dinner , i fed the kids some quick meal and put in a movie and sat and watched it. it truley took my brain away from food.

funny as it may sound. i guess every little bit helps.

WE can do it!

How was your 1st fill???? hope it went well. are you back on soft foods?

Hi, Gretchen. Just read one of your messages to Shelley about your 2nd fill and filling restriction with the other little stuff going on too. Did you have any restriction after your 1st fill? I didn't think I had, but the past couple of weeks (since my first fill) I have had problem with food getting stuck and throwing up. I know I need to eat slower and take my time, but is that what restriction is supposed to feel like? Just wondering...let me know your thoughts. Thanks, Laura

Hey Doodlebug,

I am so glad you are doing OK and are now back to work. I am sorry getting back in the groove of work was tough on you. I have an office job as Nurse Manager so it was not bad for me other than being backed-up for 2 1/2 weeks. It took me a full week to get caught up. I am fine now. I go tomorrow for my first fill and full set of labs, then off to work to host a Corporate meeting for 12 at my clinic. It will be another busy day. I like it busy, I never have time to even think about food.

Yes, I do know where Gila Bend is and I live in out in the desert like that too. I live way east of Phoenix near the mountains.

It was super hearing that you are doing so well. Keep in touch and I will look forward to hearing from you on the weekends. I know its tough for me to get on line during the week too, with work.

Take care and will chat soon, Lighterload

Hey there!! Was so glad to hear from you! I know what you mean about being out in the middle of the desert! I lived in Gila Bend for about 2 years when I was a kid. Do you know where that is? It's pretty close to Yuma. I am doing good, went back to work this wk. and that was rough. So if you don't hear from me now, I probably won't have much time to get on-line until the wkend. I go on reg. foods tomorrow, so the weight is coming off more slower now but that's o.k. I knew it would happen. That is just awesome that you are doing so good!! And congrats on your gift to yourself!! You deserve it!! Well I gotta go for now, you have a good wk.

I'm doing wonderful now back at work. Still eating mushie food losing weight slow but I feel wonderful. I have my first fill on May 6 so I will see the difference. Happy to hear you're doing great.

I have gone from excited, depressed, scared, back to excited again. Excited because I am ready, depressed and scared because I am afraid I am really going to miss food, scared because I might fail ect. But I know we can do this, and i am so excited!!! How are things going for you? Are you doing a preop diet?

Hi Shelley, How are you doing today? I went for my "2nd fill" last Thursday and the doctor didn't give me the fill. I feel like I have some (a little tiny bit) restriction. You know I had a couple of bouts with food getting stuck and talked to my doctor about it, so we are waiting until next month or sooner, if I choose to have a fill before appointment. I have done better this past weekend/week. I HAVE to learn to eat slowly and chew thoroughly! I have been consistently losing pounds in small amounts the past couple weeks, so I'm not complaining. I was a little disappointed when he said he wanted me to wait, but then a little bit relieved. How have you been this past week? Talk with you later! Laura

Hello Mona40

How are you doing? Just going through my note and seen that you had your surgery on the 6th. How are things going for you? Are you doing good on the food changes? My surgery is on wendesday, it is almost over. Keep my posted on how you are doing.

How are you doing?? I missed this message just getting used to the site. I have been doing really well. the hardest thing to deal with is the gas pains. Still on the protein drinks, just progressed to thickened liquids. The cream of soup taste like heaven. Looking forward to week 3 when I can add soft foods. Good Luck! Take an easy : )

Hi Teal,

I have had several fills and unfills since I had the lapband procedure almost one year ago (5/20/08). As you lose weight, you need fills (fluid placed into your band) and sometimes when your band gets too tight, you have to have an unfill (fluid taken out of your band). Its difficult to explain in words. I had the stomach flu a few months ago and the stress from the stomach flu made my band tighter. I could not drink fluid without it coming up. Taking some of the fluid out of the band made it easier. I think I'm in the right spot right now with having just enough fluid in my band to restrict my eating too much food but getting in enough food to have enough nutrition. I saw my doctor last Friday and she decidd not to put any more fluid into my band because I am having a slow but sure weight loss. I don't know if that answered your question.

Ellen

Hey, Good on ya, going out thats great......

I went to work today, I work in a office so there isnt too much heavy lifting or anything like that

How long do you have to stay on the optifast for? Im on fluid diet, as long as it can be suck up a straw Im allowed to eat it. Though I still cant eat too much.

Im almost pain free now Yipeeeeeeeee still a little ender where the port is but Im doing good........

I am so proud of us how good are!!!!

How is your family around you when your not eating much? I have been cooking up a storm, and its all the food I love, dont know whats wrong with me hehehehe

I tell you what since before the op when I was on the pre op diet I have been craving a cheese sandwich. I dont normally like cheese sandwichs but I really want one. Not that I could fit it but I really want one hehehe Have you got any weird cravings or are you missing anything that you used to love?

Hope you start to feel alot more energy

Keep SMiling

Thank you so much for stopping by it was a little hard work and I had to learn how to eat all over again, just as if I was a baby mashed food and etc... I watch my breads and sodas intake the key is plenty of Water that keep my skin clear and glowing (smile). I am now a exercise freek I wake up to exercise now that I have the engery to do so and I love yoga. But yes my friend I love the new me. I love my new life, I love the way guys look at me that use to would not give me the time of day because I was not the small type but now Guess what I don't give them the time of day. Smile keep up the work it will pay off trust me.

Hi Anya. I totally understand. I have a little restriction. It is getting very hard to eat solid food too early in the morning. I can't eat until I am up for atleast 2 hours and at work already. I was supposed to go in today to get my second fill, but like you said, he is out of the office for a few weeks. So.. I see the nurse pract. this Thursday. I have not lost any weight from the first fill, but I have not gained either. I am pretty sick right now though. My allergies have turned into a full blown upper respiratory infection. I am bound to lose a few pounds from this just because food is NOT appetizing at all. I can't taste anything!!! I am sorry you are having a hard time. Just do your best but don't be too hard on yourself. The weight loss and restriction will all come in due time. Good luck. Take Care.

Rachel

What are you doing as far as food? I've been eating a lot of yogurt and applesauce. I tried Malt O Meal yesterday morning and all that seems to be fine. When I have any cream soup or like the spaghetti sauce last night I get HORRIBLE heartburn.

My husband bought me one of those arm bands like they use on the biggest loser so I can count my steps. I've been doubling my activity everyday since surgery.

I have to go back to work in two days and I'm really worried about the gas and bowel issues. My bowels are so LOUD it is embarrassing!!! Like just sitting there everything moving around inside, you can hear it accross the room.

I haven't been able to do three shakes a day either. My shake has 26grams per serving so, I really only need to do 2 if I get protein from food. HEY SF fudsicles have 2 grams EACH!!

I've also already lost 10 lbs. Keep me updated on your progress.

Rosie

I drank 1-2 protein shakes daily initally. then after 6mons or so I started implimenting more protein filled foods. I found a bean and rice protein burger at Costco that I like very much. It is about 17grms of protien in 1 burger. I recoomend starting an exercise ritual with cardio. I do a mile or 2 on the treadmill and I personally usually do about 10mins on the stair master. Thank you for your nice comments. You all have the tool now to loss the weight you just need the motivation.