TerriDoodle

Today I went to Luby's (a cafeteria) and had a slice of roast beef, cole slaw with very little dressing and cauliflower with a little cheese sauce. I tried not drinking with my meal (not very successful), eating very slowly and cutting my meat up into tiny pieces. I paid very close attention to how full I was getting. The roast was very tough so I only ate about 2-3 oz. of that, most of the cauliflower and by the time I got to the cole slaw I was feeling 'satisfied'....I ate a few bites of it and then I was done. A far cry from how I normally waddle out of there! My surgeon explained that with a 'normal' stomach you can stretch it "this big"...and he held his hands up to about the size of a basketball. Maybe he was exaggerating, but the point is that we are not going to have anywhere NEAR that kind of capacity again and if we try to stuff too much food down our gullet we'll only stretch out the pouch and mess up the band. Jennifur, I think you're right to watch portion sizes. And I'm all for going a little crazy on the weekends because it's my belief that loading up on calories 1x a week helps to prevent starvation mode. Not 6000 calories in a day, but at least 1.5-2x what you normally eat while dieting.

Thanks Kat, yes I'm active in that group already and it's a great source of support!! These are great suggestions...PLEASE KEEP 'EM COMING!

:welcomeB: Bandedme!!! My doctor hasn't been very strict about a pre-op diet either but, like Jennifur, I am trying to get used to a new way of eating and to drop a few pounds. I don't want to go from 60 to zero in 24 hours, y'know? I have been scaring myself the last few days with the "Last Supper Syndrome"...eating stuff I normally don't eat....and that's gotta stop. We gotta get our heads in the right place because, if not, in the end we'll end up messing up our bands and wasting our money. I know we all have such high hopes but it's not going to happen by magic. It's great that we all have each other to go thru this with.

:welcomeB: We're all getting pretty excited!! I'll keep my fingers crossed for you two! Thanks God I'm able to self-pay.....I'd NEVER have the patience to go thru all those various appts. that insurance requires. NEVER! My luck it would have taken 9 months to evaluate and then they'd turn me down. I would not have been able to handle that!!

I tend to do best when I "automate" my meals. What I mean by that is I find a combination of bkfst/lunch/dinner/snacks that I do well on to lose weight, are nutritious, and that fit in with my lifestyle (I hate to cook). As a result, I tend to eat those same foods over and over. For those already banded: What are your favorite meals that you tend to eat quite often? Breakfast: Lunch: Dinner: Snack: :hungry: Thanks!!

I also extend my 'sympathies' for the trouble you have been experiencing...I'm sorry :cry I just wanted to suggest that you post this question over to the complications forum ....maybe there would be some answers for you there as well. Perhaps with advances in surgical techniques there are new ways of preventing slippage. I wish you the very best of luck. Please let us know how you're doing.

G'Morning April Bandsters- My ticker reads '30 days until my surgery'. 30 days. That is way cool. I'm facing the fact that I'm really having that "Last Meal Syndrome" and I can't believe the crap I ate yesterday. Generally I eat pretty healthy because of blood sugar problems but I got a taste of Panera french bread yesterday and it was all over. I had a bunch of it...with lots of butter. And then on the way out of the store I bought a pecan sticky bun--thinking my 3 companions would want to share it when we got home. Well, nobody did and I scarffed down that bun all by myself. I mean it was gone before I even realized what I was doing!! This is pretty strange behavior for me and it has to be that last meal demon whispering in my ear and telling me lies!!! Anyway, my goal for today is to get back into my routine and NO sugary treats!! And tomorrow I'll add another goal...like getting off my hiney and doing some walking. Baby steps. Anyone have any good books or other resources for how to define, face and change these behaviors? Maybe Dr Phil's Life Strategies, or what? Hope everyone had a nice weekend!

Rosi -- I haven't been banded yet but I've been experimenting with the allowed foods so I'll be ready after surgery. This morning I made a yummy "protein shake" with the following: Blue Bunny strawberry yogurt smoothies (it's sugar free) 1.5 tbsp of vanilla whey protein 1/4 c cottage cheese 8 ice cubes blend all together well till ice is chopped fine -- YUMMY Hope that helps.

just wanted to bump this up in hopes of getting a few more votes....not that the answer isn't already obvious!!!

Yes, ask your doctor what he prescribes. My doctor's protocol seems to be entirely different than most here....and yet he is one of the most experienced in the country! So there are many differences among the various surgeons. I'm sure you'll get complete instructions before surgery (so that you can stock up)...if not, call the office and get them. You're paying a lot for this surgery and you should get good service from your doctor and their staff. Make sure ALL your questions are answered to your satisfaction!

Hi DonDon!! :welcomeB: Pull up a chair and get comfy!! There's so much info here and you'll make some great friends along the way! When are you hoping to hear from your insurance co?

Oh, Amy! I'm so excited for you!!! I wish I was there with you but I can't leave work right now. Wow...I can't wait for April 4th. You nervous..?...or OK? I don't think I'll be nervous...just anxious and ready!

DITTO!! I think the world of him and have 1000% confidence. To me, that is the most important aspect of this whole thing. Frankly, i can't imagine going to Mexico for surgery, but I can certainly understand needing to save a few $$!!! I told my daughter this morning about my upcoming surgery. She's 13. She was most concerned about the safety and she seemed very afraid. I think I calmed her nerves by explaiining that I wouldn't do this at all if I didn't think it was 100% safe and that I have the best surgeon in the country. She felt a lot better after that. Now.....if she can just keep her mouth shut about this!!! Anyone else have issues with telling their kids? PS - I'm the third one scheduled for the 4th!! It's so cool to 'meet' you guys here! :eek:

Well, I was at the exact same seminar as that couple (last Saturday)! The girls that were giving their experiences were wonderful, but I was kinda freaked out about the foods she wasn't able to eat as well....no chicken breast , no eggs , no lettuce:eek:, no bread:eek: ???? That was her experience...and everyone is different. She also talked about trial and error and spending the whole first two months carrying around a barf bag! I can see how if you hadn't done more research, or had the advantage of a place like this forum, or wasn't prepared to make real changes to your eatiing habits that you could spin on your heels and walk right out of there! That guy was probably looking for a magic bullet. Shine On -- Dr. Spivak told me that the average is probably about a week before you feel like going back to work. So that's what I told my boss...that I was having some minor surgery and I expected that I would be out about one week. Maybe more, maybe less.

My doctor said that it is becoming increasingly difficult to find doctors that are willing to "touch" bands that were done in Mexico. (He won't.) I don't know if that's true or not....there seem to be plenty of people here who have the procedure done in Mexico and I haven't heard anyone complaining of not being able to get follow-up treatment. $3,000 seems outrageous, but that's probably how he a) makes more $$$, discourages Mexican patients and/or c) covers his a**. He's entitled, I guess.

Good Morning everyone! MDRAI - Yes, you'll definitely want to look up 'fatty liver' especially with regard to this surgery. From what I understand that is the main reason we are put on strict diets before surgery (to rid the liver of extra fat). They have to lift the liver out of the way in order to get the band around the stomach and if it's heavy with extra fat then it increases the risk of injury to the liver -- they're pretty fragile and almost impossible to repair. I tell ya girlz, the more I read on this board, the more excited I get. Last night I read every bit of the thread titled (something like) "Have you reached your goal weight?" and let me tell you, that is inspiring to see the rate of success. And to know that, for most of us, the weight will be gone forever and our lifelong struggle with weight will leave us. It's hard for me to even imagine not obsessing constantly about "How am I going to get this weight off???" when I have already tried everything out there. These thoughts have plagued me night and day, day and night, since I was 12 years old. I have beat myself up 'til I'm black and blue and am so ready to think about something ELSE for a change. I am relieved. I am ready. .....AND....I am very, very grateful to have this opportunity and I will NOT waste it. Best wishes to all of you...have a glorious day!!

My husband has the same thing and it's really not that bad. He sleeps with a CPAP machine and he loves that he feels like a human being again. He used to actually fall asleep in big business meetings and struggle to stay awake all day. He sleeps thru the night now and wakes up 8 hrs later feeling great. He even takes it when he travels and just won't do without it. I think I have it too, although not as bad as him... but I'm hoping that losing this weight will take care of it. If not, I'll happily get on a CPAP machine. It'll be okay....you'll love the way you feel!

OMG! :paranoid This time next month!!!!....... :omg: .... :bananapowerslide:

OK, so what you girlz are tellin' me is that I should forget about buying that treadmill I've been considering on Ebay....especially since the only place I can put it is my master bedroom!!?

I think I am borderline hypoglycemic. Sugar or carbs in any form is the last thing I want when I get shaky like that. I want MEAT....like I am STARVING!! I remember after my GTT I stopped at a steakhouse and ordered the biggest steak they had.

My major health concern is my hypoglycemia. I am quite learned in how to control it with a high-Protein diet, eating every 2-3 hours, etc. (I've had it for 30 years!) And having to eat protein (with the usual associated fat) so often has contributed to my consistent weight gain over the years. I'm not an emotional eater, except that I am very emotional about avoiding low blood sugar!! I am quite sure that the band will allow me to regulate my blood sugar without so much food intake and will keep the frequent hunger pangs at bay. Am I on the right track here? How has the band affected your hypoglycemia and your ability to control it? How do you normally control it, with protein or with sugar (carbs)? Your input is really appreciated.

enterprise - is it possible that you are not eating enough calories? I feel like I'm preaching to the choir on this board, but just in case.... maybe your body is in starvation mode. It may be worth experimenting with loading up on calories at least once per week (like to 2000-2400). shine on - hey! thanks for posting. That is so cool that we're scheduled for the same day....surely we'll run into each other. If not, we need to make a point of it! What part of town do you live in? Im on the NW side near Barker Cypress & 290. That poll was interesting, don't you think? I have not really heard anything too discouraging about the band and I am SO ready to go. If it weren't for my work schedule I'd be in there tomorrow getting this ball rolling! I just want to lose this weight. I'm SO sick of BEING FAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :scared: :scared:

Hi Thimble, I am self-pay so I can't really help you with your insurance issues, but I can tell you that I found my surgeon to be very dedicated to helping people with the DISEASE of obesity. You clearly meet the criteria for the gaining/losing/gaining/losing syndrome along with co-morbidities. I can't imagine why you wouldn't be referred for surgery...unless your insurance company has some very stringent requirements. Seems to me like they'd rather pay for surgery than for a lifetime of other health issues that are surely coming down the pike. Best of luck to you!!....and welcome!

Hi Jim - Well, you've definitely come to the right place. Just take your time and explore the forum thoroughly -- there is so much information here and you'll find overwhelming support for the band and for each other. It really helped me become much more comfortable with my decision. I'm sure it can help you decide as well.

Good Job, Ladyvase!! Best of luck to you tomorrow and please check in when you can to let us know how you're doing. Sounds like you're in very good hands!