GLove

Want to clarify my statement above... The 8 oz Muscle Milk cartons I get is a ready to drink protein drink....not powder. I pour it in a glass, add the banana and ice and whip it up...

I Use Muscle Milk also. The ones in 8oz cartons. Using a hand blender, I mix it with half a banana and crushed ice. tastes just like a shake! I love them. According to my group support dietician, your body can't assimilate more than 40 grams of protein at a time ( not per day, just not in one meal).

In 5 words or less describe the hardest things you've had to deal with post-surgery.

Thank you everyone for your responses. They have helped immensely.

Here's a possibility as to why coffee isnt the best thing for LP patient| Caffiene and the Appetite When you drink too much coffee, it stimulates your body's desire for higher calories and sugar. The body gets this need met through eating rice, potatoes, fruit, breads and sweets. These food are high in carbs. Not only that, excessive caffeine can make you jittery and trigger emotional stress. This stress sometimes leads to overeating for comfort. The stress also creates a fight-or-flight response that triggers the body's need for food, hence the increased appetite. Coffee is also acidic and can leach Calcium out of the bones. Ideally, we wat our bodies in an alkaline state.

Cazzy, thank you very much....especially that very last sentence.

Check out Dr Suh in Corona. His performs surgery at Inland Valley Regional Hospital in Murrieta which is a COE. Dr Suh has an excellent reputation and is all about educating his patients.

I have not been banded yet. Looking at a Feb 2012 date. I started this journey last March and it has been delayed only because of my own procrastination. I am over being afraid of something stuck down my throat during surgery- I finally convinced myself that I will be asleep and wont even know. Im also done with worrying about hair loss. Apparently it happens no matter how diligent you are about your protein intake BUT it does grow back. What I cant get over is the thought of getting stuck. This terrifies me. I have had problems with choking and have had many a hiemlich administered on me. Although I know getting stuck is different than choking, I see it as the same. My question to all post band patients: Is avoiding getting stuck really in the hands of the patient? In other words, if you follow your Doctor's orders, eat small amounts and chew, chew, chew, can you avoid getting stuck? Also, will getting stuck be a life-long issue to be dealt with, even after reaching goal? This is a point that Im really having a hard time with. Thank you.

*barium

Do you do the varium with every fill?

@Dave - excellent post. You raise a question that has been on my mind and haven't asked anyone yet. I see that you are 58. I am 57 and have not yet had the lp surgery; looks like it will be in late February. Anyway, so what is the plan after the goal is met? Do you unfill a bit so you can eat on a maintenance plan? Can you now eat bigger portions ?? Obviously you need to continue eating smart and excercising but do your options open a bit after goal is met? Im thinking long term here...what will life be like at 75? If Im at goal and eat a slice of bread will I be get stuck? Will I still need to get fills adjusted? Im unclear on long term protocol. Thnk you.

What a coincidence. I just returned from a seminar tonight also and had the exact same thought. I have researched the heck out of the lapband procedure not giving a thought to the sleeve or gastric bypass and the doc said some things about the sleeve that made me wonder if that would be a better choice. The band is reversible and 3/4 of my stomach will not be removed, so those are the 2 biggest reasons I will stick withthe band.

To Accox4: where in So Cal? Im in Riverside. Expecting a Feb surgery date. Surgeon is Dr. Suh.

Im at 9 months and waiting but 3 of those months is due to my own delays. I started the 3 month nutrition classes in March and just got the surgeon pre op consult scheduled in Jan. Im expecting surgery date in Feb. Know what all the requirements are in advance and stay on top of them.

I decided last week that I would go through with the surgery. I've been thinking about it for 8 years. I'm now 56 yrs old. My first appointment is next week. I'm ready to make the lifestyle adjustments necessary. It's a huge decision. But I'm convinced now that I cannot do it on my own. I have lost significant weight before, but menopause has put all that to a skeeching hault! I haven't touched junk food, salt, white flour, soda, processed food for years; I eat clean and workout daily but the weight doesn't budge. I'm 5'10 @ 285 with BMI of 40. I need this tool to help me control and limit portions. I wasn't convinced 8 yrs ago. I am now.