stratcat

[ I wanted to comment that we are both from GA. I had my surgery in Valdosta (2/15), so maybe it is something that the Georgia doctors are doing.

Hi, I am planning on using Nutrisystem for my weight loss program. And when i called them, they said that LOTS of lap banders use their program. So, are any of you all out there using Nutrisystem? How is it working for you? I like it for the following reasons: 1. Right size portions, 2. Ready in a minute 3. Easy to grab and go to work., Eat in the car, or pack in my purse for emergencies. 4. Gycemic balance. 5. Variety of choices. 6. No calorie counting. 7 Desserts and snacks: Nutrisystem does not ignore between meal Snacks and desserts. 8. It is good every day food that I will eventually need to transistion to using in my every day life. 9. No cooking - It is hard to control portions and calories when you cook from scratch. 10. it is hard to cook low cal for one - and keep it tasty. Hubby wants no part of low calorie meals that taste low calorie. 11. Very time consuming to cook low calorie. I am busy. 12. No leftovers, so no guilt for wasting food. It seems like it will work, but I would like to hear from you if you are using/considering Nutrisystem.

I am due for my first fill exactly 4 weeks after surgery. This seems fast compared to some of other comments I have read. How soon and how fast were your fills? Thanks in advance.

Hi, I am planning on using Nutrisystem for my weight loss program. And when i called them, they said that LOTS of lap banders use their program. So, are any of you all out there using Nutrisystem? How is it working for you? I like it for the following reasons: 1. Right size portions 2. Gycemic balance. 3. Variety of choices. 4. No calorie counting. 5. Desserts and snacks: Nutrisystem does not ignore between meal snacks and desserts. 6. It is good every day food that I will eventually need to transistion to using in my every day life.

No, cannot see.the port, now. I do not know, but I doubt if it will be seen later. I am not too worried, it seems deep enough. But I will ask the PA., I do like the upper chest location over the other options. It will be covered by bathing suit top when on the beach.

Hi, I just wanted to see who else has their port in places other than under their rib cage. Mine is about six inches down from the top of my shoulder. The PA said that he can access it easier and use a much smaller needle for fills. Also, he said that it seems to be a less used, more comfortable spot. So far it seems just fine. But I am going to ask next visit what will happen when I have my upcoming boob job. (hey -- if I loose the weight ==> i am getting myself a new, higher tighter set). BTW: My husband is thrilled with the weight loss so far.

You are getting close. Time to get mentally ready. And do some fun stuff too!!!! Go shopping! I went shopping early for baby food, juices, gas x, and Flinstone's chewables with Iron (fun and easy to take). Oh Mango apple sauce (my fave), pudding, Jello. GOOD! Slim fast, and Muscle milk - not so good. Powdered protien from GNC. Vitiamin E oil for my skin. I have bad stretch marks. liquid tylenol. Liquid benedryl. Your nut(ritionalist) will have many recommendations. Vitiamin Water, etc. Pack early and pack fun. I packed a beany baby teddy bear (0r two). Had a book, and all my lap band pamplets and notes. I bought good looking jammies and had my old comfy slippers for walking the halls (or going home) after surgery. I wanted to be styling down those halls. And, make sure you have an ELASTIC waist band. (seriously) I got a notebook to tract progress. I did NOT take measurements or final pictures. I just didn't want to focus on where I was. I want to focus on where I am going. But, some do, some don't. Don;t wait too long, as time gets away. The pre-surgery diet helps to shrink your liver so that surgery goes better. So what kind of diet are you on? I have read of many variations. Full liquids to high protien to Sugar Busters to "just don't gain any weight". I do not know what or how the doctors figure out what is best so I would NEVER second quess. I am just curious how strict your doctor is with you. Will you stay over night or go home. I live 2 hours from Valdosta where I had my surgery done, so they kept me over night. Very nice not to ride up I-75 at 80 miles an hour or through the construction after surgery. Plus the nurse was very generous with the pain meds. Hubby slept in a cot, bedside. It was good. BTW: The Marching band thingie is super cute.

I lived through that too. I laid awake. I worried as I was a self-pay. Complications could bankrupt us. Here is what kept me going. I had the benefit of knowing someone who had a lap and now looks AMAZING. And, just had a successful pregnancy. GOOD FOR HER!!!!! Plus, I asked myself what was my next plan was if i let this option go--- and I had none. I had a talk with my mom and dad who were supportive. (I am nearly 50 years old- so this is kinda funny to me). And I talked to the hubby. He was not so sure..........but he was like me. The options were dwindling, however. l was looking at High Blood Pressure, High Cholesteral and the early signs of type 2 diabetis. I had to do SOMETHING, as I was beginning to be a health train wreck. AND, so far, (banded 2/15) I think I made a good decision. The anesthesiologist and i talked for a while before my surgery, and he said it best: You are choosing to take a risk now while you are healthy in order to change the future. Where, if you make no change, you will have to face even more health risks in a less healthy state..... Does that make sense? BTW- I had a rou-en-y sheduled 10 years ago and backed out: For me it was a mutilation that I could not do to myself. (I apologize if this offends anyone-but this is honestly how I felt). And laps were still too new. Now, the lap is fully developed and FULLY REVERSIBLE. For goodness sakes, its a 35 minute OUT PATIENT surgery. (I kept telling mysef this over and over again.) From my heart, I can say to you, that I am so proud of myself. I now have the power to change my life and impact my health. I already have seen results. BP meds were just cut in half!!!!!!! I pray that I can keep on track. Good luck ladies, I'm here if you want to ask me anything. But I am no expert.

Hi, I'm stratcat. I hail from PA, but live in GA. Love the South and am glad they did not return me. Banded on 2/15 and see food a whole new way. My raging, never full, never satisfied appetite is gone. . And I am praying it stays gone. Blood Pressure med was cut in half already. And hoping that cholesteral and other meds follow. I still want all the old stuff (especially sloppy hamburgers) , but once i have some mashed potatoes or some oatmeal or some Soup I am satisfied for 4-5 hours. AMAZING for a chow hound like me. I hope this does not change. I am even wondering why I need a fill. I seem to have the control I need now to diet on my own. My problem was the raging appetite that i could never control. But, I am schedule for a fill in two weeks for my Allergan, 10 CC lap band AP system. (does anyone know what AP stands for?) So I will see what happens. I have a long way to go as I am a big woman. Six foot tall, broad (OF course big-boned) and in the high twozies. I want to get to 175, and if the Good Lord is willing, 165. So that's just over 100 lbs to loose. I am planning to use Nutrisystem for my long-term program once I get the go-ahead from the PA. (I only met the Dr. briefly before surgery). The hospital I went to uses a PA, a nutritionist and an exercize therapist for follow-ups of a routine nature. I am also self-pay and had my band in with-in three weeks of my first call to the center.

Hi, I was banded 2/15. And I still have only the initial min. fill the surgeon did to tighten the band to make it snug so it would hold a little better after initial surgery. And I just went to pureed meat. I travel alot. I go through the KFC drive through for Mashed Potatoes if I am hungry and on the run. I always order water: the waitress/waiters are all to happy to bring it, and I really hate explaining that I do not drink fluids with my meals. Plus, my nutritionalist said that a small sip is ok. If I am careful. I had Soup at Goldberg's deli yesterday. She-crab soup (calories were off the chart - but it was rainly and i was walking the mall for excerize AND the soup had no big chunks of anything in it). Good to the last drop. At Cheddars, I ordered their soup, sandwich and salad combo and got them to serve me mashed potato instead of salad, and to bring a box for the sandwich. If forgot to ask for more mostly broth, but I will remember next time. I left the veggies in the soup bowl and ate my mashed potatoes. At O'Charlies I had (what else) mashed potatoes that my hubby got on the side for me and their soup. Soup was very full of things and I wished for more broth and less things I had to leave. Hubby took pity and gave me his soup to eat the broth our of and then ate the lumpy stuff in both soup bowls. The waiter never even asked............. Have not been to a Mexican rest yet. Their soup usually has so much rice............. but I am thinking cheese dip!. Breakfast here in the SOUTH ------ Grits with butter, Grits with jelly, Grits with .............( I am slightly allergic to eggs and eat them very sparingly) It is so funny. I almost get a smile of approval when I order "just a bowl of grits" for breakfast - Like I am a Good Southern Girl for eating my grits. Let me tell you (but not them) I am from Pittsburg and I have no love for grits. BUT they are VERY FILLING and every eating establishment has them (its a SOUTHERN THING). BTW - I am a Yankee that NEVER intends on going back. Its too cold up there. Asian restaurant buffet: Hot and soup soup, Egg dop soup, (still careful with the eggs) pudding (choco and vanilla) and Jello on the salad bar. Also, squeezed the cheese filling out of the fried cream cheese things. Family Rest: Cottage cheese (add some cheese or salad dressing for extra flavor) and chicken salad on the buffet. OR, baked potato or baked sweet potato Next week when I am allowed mushies I am dying for some BRUNSWICK STEW ( YES- I do love southern food ) I think we are going to squeeze in a trip to Carabbas before my first fill. I am planning one night of food sin - Pasta weezie or egg plant parm in a reasonable quatity,(hey - its mushy) So that's my tips and slips.........