I know it's early, but wondering if there's any one else getting ready to get banded in September? I have one more Ins required weigh in Aug 19 then my paperwork gets submitted for approval!

I was already told I'm on the schedule for September 27! Fingers crossed!

I'm not as worried about weight as I am volume. I've been released to do as I please but I'm still doing my shakes. There's just no solid food in any amount that can provide me with everything my shakes do. When I do eat soft foods, its anywhere from 1/4 cup to 1/2 cup. Just depends on what I'm eating. I try and get just enough to fill my pouch and not worry about whether I'm full or not. My experience so far has been that I don't feel satisfied when I eat soft food until about 30 minutes after I'm finished with my pouch size portion.

Vida my personal opinion is take it slow but do not deprive your body. Test the waters some. Just cause you were given a general guideline that is handed out to hundreds of people does not mean that its right for you. Listen to your body. It will tell you what it needs. Biggest thing is dont ever over do it in one sitting. Eat. If you are not satisfied an hour or two later, choose a healthy snack like a protein bar or Greek yogurt. This is your journey and its up to you to find what works for you. Just be sure to your protein in. I would suggest to somewhat keep a log of the foods you take in. That way you can look back and determine what satisfies you the most for the longest period. Give it to your surgeon as well so they can help determine your fill ratios based on what you've been doing.

Well' date=' I used the baby food grinder for tonight's dinner. I couldn't wait til tomorrow. I had some green beans and about a 1/4th or less of a turkey burger patty. I grinded it up with the baby food grinder and it came out really mashed up, but dry. So I put in a little ketchup. OMG it was SO good. Today I was out and about with my daughter and I missed eating a good lunch (I did sip a lot of water and Isopure though) and now even though I ate I'm still really hungry. How big are your meals now? I've been trying to stick with 1/4 cup, but it's not nearly enough.[/quote']

I am eating a 1/2 cup. Like right now for breakfast I have a 1/4 cup Eggbeaters and a 1/4 cup cottage cheese. I think a 1/4 cup total would not be enough. My guidelines said a 1/4 to a 1/2 cup to a point of being satisfied. I am tracking my food and still having a hard time getting over 600 calories and that is with a 1/2 cup.

Thanks, guys. I am going to see both the surgeon and the nutritionist on Thursday and I'll ask a lot of questions then. I am sure I'm getting enough protein because I still have shakes and Isopure. Yesterday I got about 90g in.

I have my port in my belly button and it seems to be taking a while to heal. Anyone else having issues with the belly button incision getting gooey and not healing?

Debbie, I noticed a tiny stitch (about 1-2 mm) is visible at the end of my incision at my belly button. It's a little bit pink and ouchie, but it's healing properly. You might want to ask your doc about yours. And as my mother always used to say, "Put some Neosporin on it!" (LOL to myself)

Debbie, I noticed a tiny stitch (about 1-2 mm) is visible at the end of my incision at my belly button. It's a little bit pink and ouchie, but it's healing properly. You might want to ask your doc about yours. And as my mother always used to say, "Put some Neosporin on it!" (LOL to myself)

Hi Vida!

Congrats on the new pant size!! It sounds like you are doing the right things! I received my first fill today and when the nurse was looking at my incisions, she noticed that I had a few stitches that hadn't dissolved. She quickly removed them and the areas were a lot less tender. I also noticed, that if the incision site is not exposed to a lot of air (I am guessing inside the belly button isn't) then healing takes a bit longer since it is still so moist. I would recommend lounging flat for a bit each day just to expose that skin to as much air as possible.

Congrats again on all of your milestones! You make me smile with your stories, especially since I can relate to almost all of them!

Hi Vida!

Congrats on the new pant size!! It sounds like you are doing the right things! I received my first fill today and when the nurse was looking at my incisions, she noticed that I had a few stitches that hadn't dissolved. She quickly removed them and the areas were a lot less tender. I also noticed, that if the incision site is not exposed to a lot of air (I am guessing inside the belly button isn't) then healing takes a bit longer since it is still so moist. I would recommend lounging flat for a bit each day just to expose that skin to as much air as possible.

Congrats again on all of your milestones! You make me smile with your stories, especially since I can relate to almost all of them!

Oh my goodness, sorry Vida, I totally mixed up you and Debbie! So Ditto for Debbie too!

Hi Vida!

Congrats on the new pant size!! It sounds like you are doing the right things! I received my first fill today and when the nurse was looking at my incisions, she noticed that I had a few stitches that hadn't dissolved. She quickly removed them and the areas were a lot less tender. I also noticed, that if the incision site is not exposed to a lot of air (I am guessing inside the belly button isn't) then healing takes a bit longer since it is still so moist. I would recommend lounging flat for a bit each day just to expose that skin to as much air as possible.

Congrats again on all of your milestones! You make me smile with your stories, especially since I can relate to almost all of them!

Please tell me how the fill is? Do you have more restriction? does it feel different?

Ahhh!!! I sat thru a PTA meeting with a mom and her kids eating those soft white cookies with icing. A former favorite of mine. For a tiny split second I wondered what it would taste like but I convinced myself that I already knew and didn't touch any. Go me!

My ab muscles near my port (or at least I think that's where it is?) are sore today. Not sure why. Maybe I'm trying to get back to normal too fast?

I can't wait for support group tomorrow. I have soooo much to talk about! My group is great because the banders and the sleeve/bypassers go in separate rooms to talk after hearing a guest speaker.

I was banded on 9/17/13. Can't wait for my first fill! Happy about finding a September group!

I was banded on 9/17/13. Can't wait for my first fill! Happy about finding a September group! <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

I also was banded 9/17/13! When is your first fill? My first fill is scheduled on November 8th.

I was also banded 9/17. My first fill is scheduled for 10/29 and I can't wait! I've lost 25lbs since surgery day and can't wait to see what the fill will do for me! Good luck to all of you!

I have to say I can't wait to hear everyone's response to getting their first fill. I don't have any plans for one right now so I will be interested to see how it's effects you all. Keep up the good work ladies!

Hey TL, I figured I'd catch you here instead of on Dixie's thread. Saw your response to my post about the airplane. I'm glad you were able to take something from that story. It was a life changing experience for me.

I had my surgery 9/30, I've lost 19lbs and have my first fill on 10/25. Looking forward to the next step. Started back to the gym this week.