NWgirl

depends on what you do. I run a restaurant and was fine with two full days off, one partial day, then two day weekend, and then one more partial before I went back. If you are expected to do a lot of heavier lifting, I'd say take more time. If you have a desk job, a few days may be fine. People heal really differently, so there's no telling how you will physically feel.

I have a medical alert necklace. Better safe than sorry.

I use those too

Find sugar free syrups (Torini has a lot) and you can change up the flavor without the guilt of calorie/sugar laden mixers.

Dr's fill the band slowly so you don't suddenly experience delayed, too-tight restriciton. If you go to another country for fills, keep in mind your original US dr may refuse to touch you after, and it's not like you can hide how much fluid is in the band.

I hear the protein drinks and sugar free stuff can also cause excess gas in your system, which can cause bloating.

Tell you Dr and go back to the diet you are supposed to be on. The post-op diet is for healing of your stomach, and you can increase the risks of problems occurring by eating normally because your stomach is not supposed to be churning to digest right now. This churning can cause sutures to pop and pre-disposes the band to easier slips.

Fitbit.com, in combination with their wifi scale and the calorie expenditure/activity tracker.

When people start from liquids to solids or mushies, they usually regain some weight. It's normal, don't get discouraged.

one month.

Also, Lipton Cup-a-Soup cream of chicken are very good. I also could not stomach the regular broths. I have also heard that people take a sieve and strain chicken noodle soup and throw the noodles/veggies out. For me, this was too wasteful but would definitely work in a pinch.

Did the Dr put fluid in your band? I also would get feeling nauseous a couple times in the first couple weeks. I think it had something to do with the gas and eating. It does get better, just hang in there!

That's awesome! I would loved to have had a friend to take the journey with me

I am 23 and had a BMI of 42 to start. After receiving approval, I was free to lose weight. I lost about 20-25 pre-surgery and about 10 since.

I am 23 and had a BMI of 42 to start. After receiving approval, I was free to lose weight. I lost about 20-25 pre-surgery and about 10 since.

call your insurance company and ask. Some allow weight loss and some will not approve if you go below a 40 BMI.

I am no medical professional, but have to imagine you would need to eat A LOT to stretch your pouch at this time. In the future when your pouch is tight and the food can't be easily pushed through, then yes... Now, no.

I have Anthem BCBS under the Kroger national plan. From orientation to surgery, the wait was about two months. Approval took two weeks. I was not required to do any supervised diet. I had to submit a list of what diets (ie Weight Watchers) I had done, the year done, and approx weight loss (the last two were more estimates). I did have to be above 40 bmi without comorbidities or above 35 bmi with 2+ comorbidities.

There are too many carbs in the Ensure. I can't seem to find the carb info for the other shake. The Premier Nutrition chocolate shakes from costco have high protein and low calories/carbs/sugar/fat.

possibly acid reflux. I would make an appointment with your Dr to confirm.

I was not required to do the liquid diet either (just low fat) but I did decide to do it for a week prior to surgery. I had two protein shakes, two Greek yogurts, and one Quest protein bar a day. It was good practice for after and helped get some more weight off.

I was told to find how much Protein you need per day, do body weight x 0.3=grams of protein. To the original poster, what are you eating now on a daily basis? Breakfast, lunch, and dinner? Do you exercise? I try to have some weight control oatmeal with some milk for breakfast, 1/2 salad wrap and cottage cheese for lunch, and the remaining 1/2 wrap for dinner. I do switch it up now and then, but try and keep my calories between 1200-1400 per day. I like to try and find unprocessed foods and veggies for meals. I also don't drink sodas or other calorie laden drinks.

if there is not a leak, some advise to pull all fluid out, let it rest for a month or two, and then start the fill process again. This should give you that gradual restriction you found in the beginning. Don't give up- you obviously know how to use your band. As for the size, I think the 4cc was what was available at the time of your banding.

I find if I eat less than four hours before bedtime or if I don't drink 80oz+ water daily, the loss may not show, even if I'm exactly on plan.

If you are dedicated to 100% following the lifestyle changes, then all of it. There are those very, VERY rare cases where the band does not work at all through no fault of the patient. Most who "fail" do not follow the general rules recommended by their Dr's.