mrsclooney918

There was a woman in my pre-op nutrition classes who had bypass and was getting ready for the band. I think we all were shocked when she shared with us because I don't think we realized you could do both. Maybe she'll join us on the boards? Maybe she already has?

This is my insurance company but I remember it was a few weeks before I got a letter. I probably had the approval but didn't think to call!

This is part of the process and you'll hear it often from this group. I would experience the same thing for at least 3 of my first fills. I would be "great! restriction!" only to be hungry again the next week. Just be sure to partner with your doctors. My NP has an open door policy and if she doesn't fill me does let me call at anytime if I think I need an adjustment before the next the appointment. You'll get there. It just takes a little time!

This is what I have been told by my doctor too. She said it a phenomenon of the band and not unusual that people can't intake much food in the AM. And none of my medical people have dissuaded me from using Protein shakes as part of my diet. I am not usually hungry and if I do go with solid food, can't get anything worthwhile down. So I am one of those protein shake for breakfast. I do get half of my protein in for the day this way!

Bread is my worst enemy. And I can chew it but still gets stuck. My dr says everyone is different. I have absolutely no craving for bread anymore! Which is not a bad thing. Hope you feel better!

I had my first surgery 3 months before my band and i was scared out of my mind. But I had a lot of faith in my wonderful, fabulous surgeon. But when the hottie anesthesiologist arrived (and I mean CUTE!) he gave me a little "cocktail" to take the edge off. That helped because it made me a little drunk. So my second surgery I was a pro. I do know that surgical staffs are very sensitive and if you tell them, they will walk you through it. My advice from one patient to another is to make sure you are confident to put yourself in the hands of your surgeon. Both my surgeons are top notch doctors and wonderful people too. Good luck and keep us posted!

Swimming has always been my favorite exercise. I don't even consider exercise. And it was swimming that got me really active post surgery. I belong to the Y so I can swim during the winter but my favorite is to swim at about 6 p.m. on a really hot summer day outdoors. (I keep my suit in the trunk of my car and go after work.) I spend 45 minutes doing laps. Treading Water is incredible at burning calories. I think I really like it because I am in my own thoughts with no interruption and get a lot sorted out.

Here's the thing for me about this. I thought I was soooooo smart because I was exercising that I was "banking" these calories that I could eat. And sometimes I would eat them before I banked them. My justification was that I didn't want to go into starvation mode. Bad bad bad idea. My nutritionist explained to me that the amount of exercising i was doing (about an hour per session on top of just trying to move more) would not put me into starvation mode so eating the extra calories was counter productive. If I had been doing 2 hours of hard exercising (you know, like plowing a field like they did in Laura Ingalls Wilder days) then I would be at risk and should eat more. So now I am back to sticking with the 1000-1300 per day with or without exercise. I am definitely in my slow down so I am losing about 1/2 to 1 lb per week. And I'm good with that now that I have a better understanding of how my body uses calories.

I have the Realize band. Right before my surgery, the company released an improved version so I got that. I didn't have a choice of which brand because it was my surgeon's preference.

My dr charges $573 to my insurance and then they pay about $350 of that. So that prices seems right. I know that the cost can vary widely.

OMG. It was like I wrote this. I had the same thing except it was around Christmas. I had become very cavalier about the whole process and was up 8 lbs. The first gain since surgery. I was mortified. Gotta fill. So...I made an appointment with the other nutritionist the surgeon has. (I had not really warmed up to the primary one we all get.) This was right before Christmas and we really just went over the basics, figured out my pitfalls and put a Christmas plan together. We even went over my favorite foods/meals and talked about how to shave off calories. It really helped and she is what I always had thought a good nutritionist should be...a cheerleader and mentor. I dropped 9 lbs over the holidays and have been doing pretty well since. (I also met with my psych doc for good measure.) I am of the opinion that your professional support team is so important and the nutritionist seems to be the least appreciated. I am very lucky that I have one that is so fabulous. She even lets me email her with questions! Good luck! From what I have been told what you are going through is not uncommon but that you have recognized will help you get there!

LMFAO "I'm Sexy and I Know It" is my new fav addition. When that comes on I always smile even though I am disgusting in sweat and stink! I have a mix just for the gym on my nano. From Aerosmith to the Beatles!

I am assuming you have a psych doc? I feel this is a such an important part of the process and it sounds like talking to a professional could really help you talk through any issues you are having. You are not failing! It's a marathon not a sprint. Take on day at a time, one meal at a time. We all have been there and you'll get over the hump too!

I had a parathyroid issue that had to be fixed before insurance would approve the other surgery. It's amazing how that gland controls so much.

I'm a Jay Robb disciple too! You can get it at Whole Foods and online. The cost is the same and if you spend $25 no shipping from the website. So I just order it for convenience. I prefer the egg Protein to the whey. Protein drinks are really a personal preference, IMO. I have tried a lot and some that people rave about I find awful. Keep searching. You'll find one that is pleasing to you.

First six months, I did swimming only. Because I love swimming. But then I was reading that exercising where you have to lift your body weight is very beneficial. (Walking is part of this.) So now I am doing treadmill and weights (at least 2x a week.) When I don't do weights, I go for 60 minutes on the treadmill. The other thing I do is walk during my lunch hour. I put on my nano and go! It gets me away from my desk, phone and staff. I put on about 4000 steps on my pedometer.

This is interesting. I'm flying in April and all my docs have said there won't be any change. But it's a good thought about a protein shake for the flight. I could bring a packet of powder. I don't know if they serve skim milk but they must, right? I'm also excited because now I'll fit comfortable in one seat. (I have bought two in the past for comfort and not to annoy the person sitting next to me. But not this time!) And no seat belt extension! So I have seats in bulk head. Ahhhh. Leg room!

I am 1 year out. I really try to change it up but my staples are Protein shakes, Greek yogurt, Protein Bars, cottage cheese with fruit, Peanut Butter, hard boiled eggs. For meat, I really like fish (always order it when I am out) and chicken. But I like to make things too. Turkey chili, Soup during winter. I do eat Breakfast, AM snack, lunch, PM snack, dinner. Typically, I shoot for: Breakfast: 250 cals AM snack: 150 cals Lunch: 300 cals PM snack: 150 cals Dinner: 300 cals Not a perfect science but it's my rule of thumb in meal planning. And I remind myself to be flexible so I might eat a little more at lunch but then adjust at snack time.

Adorable...and sexy...all at the same time! (Who's the hottie?) Great accomplishment!

I always research new restaurants online so I know going in what I am getting. And then just follow the basic portion control rules. There are some places that I just really don't go to anymore because there is nothing on the menu that fits my lifestyle. These are the chain restaurants. Luckily, I live in a big city with wonderful restaurants and chefs are very willing to make your meal as nutritious and tasty as possible! Just ask!

Yep. Yep. Jay Robb fan here too! What I like is that you can buy individual packets and give 'em a whirl (pun intended) to see if you like. Whole Foods and online. No difference in price but I do online now because I save with no sales tax and free shipping! $2.50 per serving. For me, there are better priced but the if the flavor is yuck, the extra $1 per serving is totally worth it! And I think Jay Robb is the best powder that blends easily so no lumps. Oh...and I also think that protein choice is very personal. I may LOVE it but you may find it putrid. Gotta take the time to find the one you like!

My target is 1000-1300. But not to fall below 1000. Then you are in the danger zone. I find 1000 hard because to get the Protein in you have to eat more calories. Truly? I usually end up about 1350 or so and am still doing OK. One analogy that I also have been told is that your metabolism is like a furnace and to keep it running at full capacity, you gotta put more logs on the fire!

Well, I'm not at the finish line yet but I can tell you what your nutritionist is telling you is what has been explained to me by mine. Also, my friend became an avid runner/marathoner and was losing weight and then just stopped. For months. It was because she was eating only 1000 calories a day! She also was really mentally blocked about eating more in her effort to slim down. Weightloss=very low calories + lotsa exercise. It wasn't working. Once she started eating more calories, her metabolism revved up again. Oh...and she added B12 to her regimen. I am not a professional but I would go Protein shakes because you can bulk those up nicely and nutritiously. And I think they slide down nicely. The other advice I got was not to get into a rut with foods and shake it up so your body doesn't get used to the same foods to breakdown. It's actually kinda fun to look for new ways to change it up. Good luck and hang in there!

I agree! Which is why I have been looking for them! Just ordered online. **squeal!** I've become snooty about my Protein Bars. They gotta have close to 20g of protein or, frankly, they aren't worth my time.

Quest bars were just voted No. 1 in taste, Protein and calories by Everyday Health. I've been looking for them everywhere but I guess online only? I like the Cliff Builder bars. 260 calories for 20g of protein. Cut them in half for a snack. Eat a whole one for a meal. Very filling. The mint chocolate is particularly good!