Karon

Best wishes to you. You are doing great so far. You have a large band. They seem to come in lapband sizes 10 and 14 and in the realize band, size 11. So you have a larger band. They make that decision during surgery depending on the size of your stomach. Hope this helps. Keep up the good work. You can do it. The hard part is behind you, now you just do what you know, take your time and dont stress yourself out. It will come, it will happen and you will be even more happy. K

Have you tried the Syntrax Nectars? They have a slew of flavors and I have enjoyed them all. I'm drinking one now called "sweet tea" and it's just like sweet tea. You can order them from their site or at amazon.com.

I believe you should do the 1 scoop as the man said at the store. My NUT told me I could use certain protein shakes but the ones that were very high in protein, to only use one scoop as opposed to two. You don't want too much protein. I'm sure you could call the nutritionist and ask him/her this question before your appointment. However, in the interim, you should be quite safe using just one scoop 2=3 times per day. Good luck to you.

I believe you should do the 1 scoop as the man said at the store. My NUT told me I could use certain protein shakes but the ones that were very high in protein, to only use one scoop as opposed to two. You don't want too much protein. I'm sure you could call the nutritionist and ask him/her this question before your appointment. However, in the interim, you should be quite safe using just one scoop 2=3 times per day. Good luck to you.

Hello: I was wondering why you chose the band as opposed to gastric bypass, which is sometimes better for people who have a significant amount of weight to lose. I do know that many people have chosen the band and been successful with it, I was just curious. I also know that the weight loss is a lot faster with the gastric bypass as opposed to the band. Had you ever considered it as an option? Kay

I had a hysterectomy and that was "pain", this was just soreness. You will be just fine.

Welcome and best of luck to you guys on your new journey. I was banded on July 13th so this is fairly new to me. I will have my first fill on the 18th. Looking forward to start losing weight a little faster than it has been thus far. K

Congratulations. Keep up the good work. I know you feel better already. K

Donna, I get stuck like you do right in the center of my chest between the breasts. It feels like someone put their fist right there and won't move it. I only have a little fill in from when they did my surgery. I don't get a fill until the 18th. So i'm like you, what is the problem. It only happens with meat and in the beginning of my meal. For me I realize that I'm hungry and the first 2 bites I sometimes forget to chew, chew, chew. So I end up getting stuck and its the worst darn feeling in the world waiting for it to go down. I can't wait to ask about that question when I see him.

You can try stool softeners and if it is persistent constipation, try Miralax, which you can now buy over the counter.

I';ve had some problems with chicken getting stuck. I find that I really have to chew, chew, chew and then it goes down better. I also agree that the moister the better for getting it down. Hope this helps. K

I hear you and AMEN to that!!!!!!

Thanks Alex. I think I understand what it is now. Interesting concept.

Thank you all for the very nice and positive comments to my blog. I really appreciate it. If I have helped in any small way that makes it all the better for me. Giving back in life is very important to me, so even here if I can help let me know. Also wishing the best of health to the ones who have not had their surgeries yet. You are brave and you can do it. All will go well. My prayers are with you. Please keep in touch and let me know how you make out. K

Here is the information that someone was nice enough to post under samples, samples, samples. If you search for it just don't put in any quotation marks and it comes right up. About Time Protein Products - 2 servings Total cost $2.99 http://www.shopabouttime.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode= TrialPack unjury Starter Kit with Mixing bottle - 12 servings Cost $17.95+$6.00 shipping http://www.unjury.com/store/protein/unjury-protein/unjury-st arter-pack.html Click coffee Protein drinks - Email them first about a sample and they will email you a half price code for samples and the instructions on how to use it. You will then get 2 servings for about $3.00 total. http://www.drinkclick.com/shop.html Bariatric Advantage Sample kit - They aren't free anymore. it is $8.95. I dont remember shipping but is was some of everything they have for your surgery type. http://www.bariatricadvantage.com/catalog/itemHandler?id=192 0 Chike Nutrition - You pay $6.99 for shipping for 5 servings. http://www.chikenutr...ree-sample.html Celebrate Vitamins - Email form request and surgery type and they will send you a bunch for free.http://www.celebratevitamins.com/component/chronocontact/?ch ronoformname=sample Bell Plantation PB2 - Peanut Butter powder for shakes and cooking AWESOME! $3.99 shipping included.http://store.bellplantation.com/PB2-Chocolate-PB2-Sampler-p/ spb2-cpb2-1d.htm Building Blocks - Email them about samples, I think mine were free. http://www.bbvitamins.com/Contact.aspx Syntrax nectar - 13 ct sample pack direct from the company is now $13.00 no shipping. Just call them at 866-333-7403 . There is an option on the phone tree for bariatric. http://www.si03.com/ BJ Bariatrics - Nectar sample pack $12.92+$5.00 shipping http://www.bjsbariatrics.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&St ore_Code=bjb&Product_Code=synSamplePack&Category_Code=syn Kaffree Roma - For those needing to get off coffee for a while or forever. Caffeine free and taste awesome. There product locater helps a lot most Martins carry it in the organic section.http://www.morningstarfarms.com/product_detail.aspx?family=3 698&id=302 Designer Whey - Email them why you want samples and they send them. http://www.designerwhey.com/ Set Point Health - Email them why you want samples and they will send you a list of what is available and send them.https://setpointheal...h/main/main.asp# 4Ever Fit - Email them that you would like to try the Fruit Blast Natural (truvia), the Fruit Blast the Isolate, and 4ever Whey Protein and why and they will send samples. http://4everfit.com/ Champion Nutrition - Email them that you would like to try the Champion Pure Whey and why and they will sendsamples.http://www.championnutrition.com/ Ultimate Nutrition - Email or call that you would like to try the Prostar Whey and they will sendsamples.http://ultimatenutrition.com/ Permalean - Email that you would like to try the shakes and bars and they will send you some. I like these.http://www.permalean.com/ Quest Protein - Fill out the form but they will take awhile to mail them to you. http://www.questprot.../free/index.asp Premier Nutrition - My FAVORITE Protein Bar. Email them and tell them you want to try the Titan, Twisted and Premier Bar. They will also send shake samples. http://www.premiernutrition.com/ Focus 28 - Email that you would like to try their products and they will send you many. https://store.focus28diet.com