Hi, I really would like to be able to keep in touch with all of you waiting for

December surgery and as we progress on our way to success. Maybe start with Date of surgery, Where banded, Present weight and goal weight. Of course, add anything else that is helpful to others or if you need some words of encouragement hopefully someone here will step up and help us.

I will be banded 12/12/06

Banded in Wisconsin

Starting Weight 266

Goal 140

I see you guys talking about Burping...I seem to be burping a LOT more than usual. I have also found that (I think) when I eat too much or too fast, I get the hiccups...its kind of like my signal to stop. I'm going to confirm this w/the Dr. when I go in today for my first fill, but I'm pretty sure that's why I'm getting them.

As for getting on the scale every day.....I'm SOOO GUILTY! I get on it at night before bed, and then again in the AM....I really do need to just get rid of it, but I can't seem to! Its like the # on the scale determines my mood for the day. I'm sure you can all relate!

Anyways, I'm off for my first fill! Be back w/a report later! :wave:

PS-Thanks to Steph for the tips on how to get the smileys!!! :lost1.5lbs:

Interesting articl on Yahoo today about how eating Eggs for breakfast can help you lose weight!

Here is the link: http://health.yahoo.com/better-in-2007/get-healthy-now/ghn4/32/make-breakfast-more-filling

In case you're intrested! :hungry: Go EGGS!

Denise, I drink "meal replacement" shake for breakfast that has 28 grams of Protein, and I drink an herbalife beverage mix that has 15 and tastes really good compared to the Matrix Nectars I have tried. And then I try to eat the rest. I need to do better so I am considering looking into other supplements.

Guess what...My girlfried won front row tickets to the Red Hot Chili Peppers concert, so guess where I am going on the worst winter nite of the year.... Gonna Rock out!!!!!!!!!!!! Even if I have to ice skate to get there

Hi everyone , I was just banded on Dec 26 and I was wondering if it is normal to be more hungry than normal,(may be in my head,lol) and able to eat anything? I am trying to stick to everything I should but could eat a horse if I had a little ketchup,lol I am being good but just wondering if it is normal . Thanks for any help. Jaqui

Hi Jaqui-- It doesn't seem that you would be more hungry than normal, but who knows what normal is. Keep up the hard work, make sure you are getting all your water and protein...and hold strong until you get a fill. Water and protein are the most important!

Good luck on your Journey.

Going out to eat tonite with a girlfriend... I am having trouble deciding what to eat and keep within my limit of 700 calories (I am saving up for this meal). I have the usual mexican, italian, steak, bbq and sandwich options. Any advice?

Jaqui, at 2 1/2 weeks post op my surgeon would have killed me if I ate a taco salad! What did your doc say for your post-op diet? Most people are on liquids for a time (I was 2 weeks), mushie/soft foods for a time (I was another 2 weeks) then solid foods. But, all docs are different!

Hi Jaqui.....I think that hunger must be normal...I get very hungry also...so hungry it hurts, then when I start eating, it takes forever to feel full, or feel better, I still feel empty after eating. I was banded on 12/20 and feel ready for a fill. I just e-mailed my Doc asking for a date for a fill.

I was banded on 12/15 and just got my first fill today. Doc put the needle in my port and had me sit up and drink water so he could figure out how much saline I needed to feel restricted. Right now I only have 1.65 in my VG band that holds 10ccs! I hope that the restriction stays for a while!

Guess what...My girlfried won front row tickets to the Red Hot Chili Peppers concert, so guess where I am going on the worst winter nite of the year.... Gonna Rock out!!!!!!!!!!!! Even if I have to ice skate to get there

I llloooovvvveee the Red Hot Chili Peppers! :r&r: I am so jealous. Have a blast!

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :lost1.5lbs: :huggie:

Jaqui, don't stop giving input! I was just asking since we've had a few folks "pushing their luck" on following their doc's instructions - if you're following yours and doing well - that's marvelous! Keep up the good work and know that once we get a fill or two in us, we won't be starving any more...

Ibrahem - glad to hear the dryness is normal - i look like a flaky fish...

Va-glad to hear your fill went well. I wish my doc had looked to see how much restriction i had. i think mine wants to do it gradually to let my stomach get used to the tightness but after one fill I don't feel much restriction. I had a small popcorn at the movies today - no problem and a few californial rolls when i got home - no problem. I'm ready for another fill!

luckygirl - I've read that it can take a few days to feel restriction - let us know it that happens.

Ok December bandster buddies, I need help.

What is a good, high Protein snack I can eat in the afternoon so I'm not starving when I get home? I can't do cheese because I've learned I can't control myself when I have it.

Any other suggestions? I'm on mushies for a few more days but then I move to solids. Yay.

<TABLE id=HB_Mail_Container height="100%" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0 UNSELECTABLE="on"><TBODY><TR height="100%" UNSELECTABLE="on" width="100%"><TD id=HB_Focus_Element vAlign=top width="100%" background="" height=250 UNSELECTABLE="off">My dr. had me on liquids for 2 weeks, mushies two weeks, then introduce food. I came out of surgery thinking that my new stoma was just 4 oz and thought I had already screwed my band up, stretched it out or something because I could eat more than a jar of baby food. :hungry:

This is the thing that I get from everyone at the support meetings:

After you heal your band is only around your stomach.

Only after you begin having fills, sometimes 2 or 3, is when you can really tell that the band has made your stomach smaller hence finally the fullness. The doctor told me that he wasn't worried about so much about losing weight until after I have had 2 maybe the third fill.

When I called the nurse, because I was concerned because I could eat more than the baby jar and still hold some because of lack of food, she just got on to me saying "stop at a 1/4 cup at each sitting. The band is a TOOL" not a miracle worker. My thinking is this, for the money I dished out this banding better work because otherwise, I could have done it with old fashioned willpower. I've done it before. The nurse ticked me off needless to say.:eek: I hope this info helps you understand that the fills are the secret to the fullness;)

WCchunkygal

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Hi Jaqui-- It doesn't seem that you would be more hungry than normal, but who knows what normal is. Keep up the hard work, make sure you are getting all your Water and Protein...and hold strong until you get a fill. Water and protein are the most important!

Good luck on your Journey.