LosingItAll

I am not sure if you are already on the diet or are just mentally preparing, but everyone is different. You dont need too many calories before or after surgery and many people dont want to eat after the surgery. If you want more, then have more Jello or popsicles. Post op is to recover from surgery and then in a few weeks you will be "practicing" eating like a bandster. This is called "bandster hell" because you are going to get hungry - but must diet on your own for a while, until you get a fill to help you eat less and be satisfied. Also my doctor said to watch out for intaking too much Protein as it can make you hang on to pounds (especialy when you are not working out for the first 8 weeks after surgery). I only say this because I used to have 2 Protein shakes a day, but when you start eating "real" food, you will likely be getting too much protein if you drink 2 shake. I am 2 months post op. and down 40 pounds... it works if you watch your calories, eat your 40-60 grams of protein a day AND you MUST drink your 60 (or more) ounces of Water a day - when I dont get enough water, i dont lose weight...not sure why but it is true (for me at least). Good Luck to you!

i can not even stomach muscle milk (i dont like the malt taste). The only drink I can handle is the Premier Protein shakes in Chocolate (premade and sold at Costco). I drink one on ice mixed with about 3-4 ounces of coffee (one sweet n low if you like it sweet or if you add more coffee) every morning. It tastes just like a mocha coffee drink from starbucks and a good breakfast

Can you tell me what you normally eat? I would really love to drop low on my carbs - I know what not to eat, but what do I eat instead? I normally have a protein shake for breakfast, and maybe a salad or small meal (250-300 calories) for lunch.. but by dinner I am hungry. If I manage to avoid the carbs day one, by day two or three I give in and feel deprived. I love protein, but I am scared of the fat content of so many proteins... can you give me an idea of what your day looks like with so few carbs? Thanks!!

My surgeon does both bands... he decides when he is in the operating room and views the contour of the patients stomach (some bands are fatter than others, so some people do better with one type and others with the other type). I have the 11cc Realize band... so far so good. I dont think you have the tools (ie. you dont know what your stomach looks like) to determine - I would leave it to your doctor.

YOU can do it. Take a moment for yourself. We are all busy. You have to make time for yourself. I work full time, I have a 1 year old, and a 3 year old; I am in law school and have to balance it all..l completely understand your stress. YOU can do it. Just count your calories, get at least 45 grams of Protein, and 60 ounces or Water a day - dont let your mind trick you into needing more. Be good to yourself, treat yourself to a manicure or a massage. We all have hard times with LB...you can do it. We are here to help you.

Every day is a new day. Don't beat yourself up. It is tough. I too am an emotional eater, and have had some slip ups. You can do it. YOU can do it. Believe in yourself. It is tough - many of us struggle daily. Try to do something instead of eating (like walking or riding a bike etc. it is a diversion technique that will help some). You still need to talk to your therapist about your emotional issues but try watching NewToy4KT or banded wendy on youtube...they are so motivational to me (both have lost a ton of weight with LapBand and both look and feel great -- they help me when I have lost my direction). Talk to your doctor and join a support group if there is one in your area. Also, I have found that avoiding carbs dramatically improves my weight loss - so avoiding carbs for a few days can give you a boost on the scale... Good luck to you!

Just be careful...until you get your fill you will be hungry - AND wyou WILL be able to eat (just as you did before) - which is why it is called "bandsters hell." In a few days you will continue to get hungry. Stick on your diet. Watch your calories and follow your doctors orders. I am pre-fill and have lost about 35 pounds - PURE will power (I eat no more than 1200 calories a day, 60 grams of Protein and Vitamins included).. I get a fill on March 10, I am hoping to eat the same number of calories or less but not be "hungry". Congrats on your band! You can do it...you will have hard moments but it is worth it. I am already down 3 pants sizes!! It feels great to fit in the pants that I shoved in the back of my closet...cant wait to shop for new, smaller, clothes!

i was banded on 1/17/11 and I have a 15 month old and another who will be 3 next month... I know that you are not suppose to pick them up for a while - I didnt make it. Within days I was picking them up (I had to get them into carseats etc.), but I made my husband do most of the lifting whenever possible. I usually sat down and made them climb on my lap (or have your baby handed to you). I would say you can't pick them up at all for 1 week and really should try not to for 2 weeks. So far I have been fine, no slips or problems - maybe I was just lucky. Dont worry, you will be fine.

I agree that I dont think protein will help for hair loss, but, you still need to get your protein in. The ONLY stuff I can handle is the pre-made (NOT POWDER) Premier Protein Shakes in Chocolate. I often drink them as my breakfast - so I add about 3-4 ounces of coffee and ice (you can add one packet of sweet and low if you like your coffee sweeter), it taste just like a mocha drink and only has 1 gram of sugar and 30 grams of protein. It really helps me get my protein in every day. I have tried powders and other shakes and havent been able to stomach anything else.

Congrats! Those things can really mean a lot - and motivate you to keep losing. Good Job!

I was banded January 17, 2011 - one day before you and I am in the same boat. I have to wait until March 10 before my firs fill...so I know exactly how you feel. I am calorie counting (I try to stay under 1000 calories a day, with an upper limit of 1200). It is totally by will power at this point. I try to eat slowly and I always get 40-60 grams of protein every day and I drink 60+ ounces of water per day. I normally do the premier brand protein shakes (in chocolate - available at Costco) in the morning, mixed with about 3 ounces of coffee and some ice - DELICIOUS (like a mocha frap at Starbucks); for lunch a can of healthy choice soup or salad (under 300 calories). Then a small dinner. This combined with a sugar free popsicle for desert - delicious, filling and under 1000 calories. I have lost 30 pounds since I was banded so far - I walk daily and go for bike rides with my kids a few times a week. I can't wait until Ihave restriction and don't feel as hungry, but I am pushing through. This website helps a lot - it motivates me. Also I watch Banded Wendy on YouTube - she has lot over 100 pounds and she is very straight forward, honest and motivational. Good luck to you - You can do it!

I have seen several posts lately about calories, carbs, fats etc. and I just want to put this out there. There are 3500 calories in a pound. You must take in fewer calories (if you used to eat 2500 calories a day and now you eat 1000 then you are losing 1/2 pound a day!) and exercise. Walking you only burn about 150 calories per mile (unless you are power walking) - so get moving and start sweating!! If your combination of fewer calories and exercise equals a net of -3500 then you lose a pound (yes there is Water weight etc. but more or less this is true over time). I am a bit of a number cruncher but I like seeing it in black and white - so hopefully this perspective helps someone. This is also why it is important to track everything that goes into your mouth and your exercise.

I was banded 2 and a half weeks ago and i am going through the same thing - I havent been filled yet and I am staying under 1000 calories a day and eating 60+ grams of protein and I am doing it by pure will power - i am getting increasingly more hungry every day. I see my doctor on Friday (not suppose to get a "fill" yet, but I am hoping he may take pity on my and give me a fill now). You are not alone - hopefully banster hell will end soon.

I have never heard of it. I was banded at the Center for Obesity at Orange Coast Memorial hospital in Fountain Valley on Jan. 17. Nice to see there are locals on this site too.

My surgery center recommended a Multivitamin (any over the counter vitimin; the ones at Walgreens are as small as an asprin) and a B complex Vitamin (but I have to cut that one in half).

I was banded on January 17th and I wake up with painful hiccups and get them on and off all day, even with a tiny sip of water. I feel a painful bubble feeling in my chest, like a pressure on my sternum - not sure what is normal. Sometimes it feels like really bad indegestion and the hiccups sometimes feel like I am being stabbed.. I am only eating liquids (soup, jello, yogurt) so I am not sure how anything could get stuck. I am scared to eat or drink anything, I feel like it will hurt. Did anyone else have this problem right after surgery? Will it go away? I am struggling to know if it is hunger pain or pain from being "full" or what. I know I am not drinking as much water as I should because of this...Any ideas or insight?

Well this is it...tomorrow is the big day. I am a bit nervous but hanging in there. Good luck to all of the others being banded tomorrow (or this week/month/year)!

I have heard many people talk about a single incision lap band, my doctor doesnt seem to offer it... why would anyone choose 5 incisions over one? Any benefits to 5 incisions? What are others having done/had done?

I am getting nervous about the surgery Monday... I wonder if it is going to be worth it, if I am going to be able to maintain this new diet lifestyle and if it is going to be the tool I need to be successful. Anyone else having the same thoughts? I have been on the diet for 5 days... doing alright, although I a few too many calories today. Also, have you told people (friends? family? coworkers?) I have told a few close family members but I havent really told anyone else - not really sure how to tell them...

I am being banded on 1/17...