GLove

Otters38: Good for you! Enjoy it. Im praying my will go as smoothly as yours on Apr 2.

I have a friend who has lost 80 lbs in 9 months without a fill....

So Regnu, were you able to eat chips with no problem? Didnt get stuck? Are you all saying that prior to first fill thins go down pretty easy? Thank you

chewing gum often contain sugar alcohols and it can increase the amount of air you take in, causing bloating, and if swallowed it can also block the opening between your stomach and small intestine.

Here's a link to the story you are referring to: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-03-05/inquest-begins-into-lapband-patient27s-death/3869046?section=tas

Im April 2 as well and my docs office said they would be emailing me mid March on everything I need to know for the preop and surgery. In the meantime they want me on a high protein/ no starch diet. Boy, has that been hard...no starches, but im doing OK. Like brokenwing says above, doc does not want to see a fatty liver when he gets in there.

A recent sad news story. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-03-05/inquest-begins-into-lapband-patient27s-death/3869046?section=tas

What a great attitude! You have a perfect mindset and will undoubtedly be a success!!! Good luck Tuesday. Be sure to post and let us know how it went!!!

Great question! I'm in the pre band stage of ever consuming thoughts and know that after banding I will be the same as you describe. Anxious to hear from the experienced....

I fear the feeling of defeat. Intellectually I know that isnt the case..but I'm a very competitive person and feel that I should be able to do this on my own....yet, I have not been able to. I did lose 90 lbs in 1992 but gained it all back and lost 60 lbs in 2005 and gained it back.. So i see lapband as a way to lose it and permanently keep it off. Losing and gaining is not healthy....and gaining and keeping it on is not healthy.. So this is how I have come to the conclusion that I must go thru with WLS.

I fear getting stuck. I already have choking episodes, so this just compounds it. I fear losing hair...,but it will grow back. I dont fear failing. I WILL NOT put my body through this surgery, drill 5 holes in my stomach, drastically change my eating habits for life and not be a success! failure is not an option the day I go into surgery. No way. No how.

I retired from the University of CA last July after 36 yrs! I'm "only" 57 and very fortunate to be able to retire so early. I also spend too much time on facebook and now lapbandtalk.com Just retired so I havent quite found my niche yet. 2 adult children, 2 parents that are facing assisted living... Im obessesed with my pending lapband surgery. Clearly dont want to do it, but intellectually known that I must. Love exercising. Love, love, love it... Love reading about health and wellness and practicing it, yet I'm overweight. Love Southern California. Thank you to all that are here. Oh, Have I mentioned how great it is to be retired?

AFB, hope you have a great recovery. Please post your thoughts along the way., everyone would love to hear how you are doing.

My fears too....how do we overcome these fears??

Summer, we are practically neighbors! yes, I went to one of the support group meetings and noticed the same thing. Everyone was gastric bypass patients. I was the only lapband patient. To be very honest, I felt out of place. This group has a whole different set of issues than lapband. The brand of Biotin I got that is 2 for 1 is Nature's Bounty.

Sherry, can I ask a few questions about your experience so far? 1. Did you have hair loss? 2. Did you take Biotin? 3. Have you had many stuck episodes? this scars me to death! 4. At 2 yrs out, do you feel food deprived? Can you eat a little bit of everything? Thank you!!

Two protein drinks I enjoy right niw are: 1. Isopure- i drink this after a weight training workout and plan to continue as a clear protein the week following surgery. It has 40 grams protein/ no carbs. Lots of flavors and I love it poured over ice. I get the liquid form but it also comes in powder. 2. Muscle Milk - cheaper to get on amazon.com. But you can find it pretty much anywhere. Again, I get the liquid 4 pak cartons but it also comes in powder. Right now I have one at 10 am to hold me over to lunch. I blend it with half banana and crushed ice and it tastes just like a malt!!! love it!

Yes, your protein is a BIG deal and you want to find something that tastes good and has the highest protein grams and low sugar. Im in the middle of researching this, so I will share this recent post that I saved from Sophia which should be helpful. I will post some more info in another post later. I am Sophia and I have just recently started my band journey. I was banded on Feb 24th 2012!! I am happy to say I am doing very well, and I am headed back to work after a week of being off. One thing I have noticed in a lot of the forums is that people are having a hard time getting the amount of protein required and recommended by their doctor. I have been very blessed, following in a couple different peoples foot steps, so I have a heads up on variety, this way we don't get board, get as much protein as you possibly can in one drink, and did I mention variety. I don't know about you but I can only stand so much chocolate, vanilla, and strawberrie mixes.... also the thickness of some of those protein drinks...can we say gag..lol I am going to start a list of the ones I have started using, along with a web sight so you can see what they look like, these should be able to be purchased at a local vitamin shop near you. 1. my number one favorite so far: New Whey Liquid Protein 0g fat, 0g sugar, 180 cal, 42g PROTEIN, 100mg sodium, 50mg potassium. and best part only 3-3.8oz The come in several different flavors ie grape, fruit punch, apple, acai berry, watermelon and so on. web page: www.newwhey.com 2.Protein Blitz 0g fat, 1g sugar, 120 cal, 30g PROTEIN, 45mg sodium, 140mg potassium, 1g carb These tast kina link fruit punch and look like a Gatorade bottle web page: http://www.proteinblitz.com/ 3. Cytomax Protein 0g fat, 0g sugar, 160 cal, 40g PROTEIN, 85mg sodium, 180mg potassium, 0 carb, This one also is sold in a Gatorade bottle to try or I just found out you can buy in a powder as well. web site: http://cytomax.com/ 4. Nectar made by syntrax, 0g fat, 0g sugar, 100 cal, 24g PROTEIN, 60 mg sodium, 160mg potassium, 0g carb These taste like different flavors of kool-aid. yum yum.... web site: Main site: http://www.si03.com/ Location of product: http://www.si03.com/reg_index.htmhttp://www.si03.com/reg_index.htm, if you call the number on this page they will send you samples of each flavor for 13.00 for 13 flavors....some are to die for...I havent done it yet but some of their flavors you can mix and come up with other flavors. My goal here is to give you some knowledge on what delicious protein drinks are out there and to help you decide where to go next on your protein journey. Please feel free to add different recipes below that you may love...ie, my nurse love to mix the protein blitz with a scoop of her protein powder (orange flavored) so she has a 50g or higher protein drink! mmmmm End of Sophias post

My surgeon says 6 months post op....

Just picked up my Biotin. I got 1000 mcgs. Buy one, get one free at Rite Aid.

Hi, I'm in Riverside, California and it's a gorgeous day here today!!!

Regarding hairloss: This was my first fear. In one of the many LB support group meetings I have attended I asked the group of about 30: If you can honestly say you met your daily protein requirements did you still experience hairloss? The crowd roared back "yes"! The comments I got back were: * it's not immediate, it begins several months after surgery * it's more of a thinning that occurs * it does grow back * CRITICAL to get 60-80 grams/ day. Remember your body cannot process more than 40 grams protein at a time. *. Many recommended biotin. NOTE: upon questioning, many admitted they did not take biotin (they didnt know about it) OR they started biotin once they started losing hair. Yet, on the other hand I have talked to several ladies who did not experience any hairloss. So, I have concluded that I will do the best I can. I will meet my daily protein requirement and begin Biotin now. I have long, thick hair. If I begin losing, I plan to cut my hair to shoulder length and trust that the thickness will return with healthy and nutritional eating.

Hi Summer, I'm pre-surgery, date is April 2. We are in Springsters Group together. I live in Riverside. I'd be happy to help you in any way. I've been on this board and researching for a year now. Like many, I'm wondering if I'm making the right decision and very nervous....the past couple of days I've been making my shopping list and schedule for pre and after surgery. Good luck. Feel free to email me: Glendalove54@gmail.com

Just to clarify, what stage would this be for? Clear liquids, mushy or everyday after healing?

Congratulations on making this choice! We are bandster twins as my date is April 2 also! Good luck to you. How do you prepare? Well, here's what I have been doing and will do. However, if your doctor hasnt already given you a preparation before and after list, you should ask him as all docs are different....but here's a few things I would suggest: 1. On this site, join the Springters Group. it's a place for anyone who has a March, April or May surgery date. 2. Read this forum daily, taking or leaving what you want. 3. Find out from doctor what medication you will be required to take before and after surgery and purchase them. 4. Start a shopping list for the things you will need post surgery (protein drinks, chicken broth, Gas-X, etc) 5. Buy the book Bandwagon (amazon.com). It will be a great resource throughout your journey. 6. My doc has me on a high protein/no starch diet the month of March. This will shrink the liver and make it easier (hopefully) in surgery. 7. Exercise daily! Get in the habit now if you don't already. 8. Practice chewing 20+ times before swallowing. Practice taking smaller bites and eating slower. This will be your life after WLS. 9. Attend support groups. I've been attending for 12 months now. Again, just things I'm doing. Be sure to join our Springsters Group! We'd love to have you.