Corrigan

Of course it's normal. We all went throught it. As far as the hunger, that's just something you'll have to work through. I bought some costco chicken boullion and mixed it with a little Protein isolate (you can buy it on the internet a lot cheaper) and that helped a lot. Next week you'll be on full liquids and that's a little better, then mushies which is tolerable. Just grit your teeth and hang in there, it does get a lot better, and it'll all be over soon.

Would you look up "Amy's Blog" in the search section? I think it's inspiring especially for someone who's depressed. I hope you can work yourself through this, it does get better.

I can't imagine God ever wanted you to weigh 250 lbs (or whatever). You have to do whatever is necessary to regain your health. I'm sure God wants you to be healthy. Best of luck.

Unless you had problems, I'm surprised you have a second post op exam before your first fill. Most folks only have one appt. before the first fill. How was your surgery?

Hi Ted, In the food section, there's a recipie for potato soup that uses potato flakes (dried mashed potatos), dried garlic and onions. I made a bunch and put a 1/2 cup full in a pot w/ two cups Water, let it cook 15 min., with or without ham or sausage. I think it's really good and easy. How are you doing?

If you've managed to lose 200 lbs, I don't think I'd change a thing! Way to go! I don't know if I'd worry about anyone else's rules.

There's no big mystery, Nicole, the calories we eat have to be less than the calories we burn. If you're losing about 2 lbs a week, that's 100 lbs a year. That would work.

Having this surgery isn't benefiting anyone but you and your health. You'll probably have to cut your eating drastically, and begin exercising if you don't already. This is a difficult thing to do and takes a big commitment from you.There are lots of reasons why you can't lose weight, but none of them will help you at all. If you look around at people of normal weight and think you want to be one of them, then you know what to do.

You can lose weight without going to a gym, it just makes it easier. I walk a couple miles in the morning, ride my bike 10-12 miles and do every day farm work and I'm losing quite well, but you have to do something. If you lose weight without any exercise, you'll lose muscle tone as well, and muscle looks much better than flab ;>).

After a 50-60 lb loss, things can only get better.

My surgeon was a WLS instructor and he said the healing phase of the band surgery is the most important part and failure to heal properly is the single,most common cause of failure after diet. If you follow your doctor and nutritionist's instructions, your weight will come off. Don't forget how long it took to put it on. You really need to have a little patience and it'll happen.

Check out the "5 day pouch test" on this site or Google. It's helped several people to "get back on track".

I just had a bowl of Cream of Wheat with cut up dried fruit and a little margarine in it. Toast with peanut butter isn't too bad. Some folks eat Greek yogurt. There are several breakfast threads in the foods section. I'm not much of a dry cereal eater, but a cheese danish would be good(joke).

It took me about four weeks to feel completely normal. Dr. said it was due to the trauma to my abdomen, duh. Give it another week or two.

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Some surgeons do both at once. I don't know if that's good or not. Q.9 If I need gallbladder surgery, can the band be applied at the same time? A. Yes. Both surgical procedures can be done at the same time, at no additional cost. (from the web site whose name must not be spoken)

Use any unflavored protein isolate, (You can buy it in bulk, much cheaper). Mix it in a little cool water first, then add hot water. It will mix as well as it's going to. I asked the same question after mine turned into little lumps of styrofoam.

Not really. You're usually given a small shot to deaden the port area, then the saline is injected with a larger needle, which you hardly feel (depends on how much of a woose you are).

Good for you, we're always glad to hear a Lap band installation go so well. I had a very similar experience. I had my six week appointment today and we decided I was losing enough so no fill! I hope you do just as well, or better.

You probably should beguin a bit slower, and work your way up. At six weeks you're a good way toward being healed, but still, I wouldn't go all out for another week or two. Just my opinion.

Take a look at the 5 day band test. Several people have found it useful. It's on this site or look for it on Google.

That's a lot of questions. You'll need an upper GI, blood panel, chest X-ray, cardologist's clearance, plus all that you mentioned. The hospital stay is usually overnight, depending on your insurance. Weight loss is entirely dependent on how enthusiasticly you accept the program. There really isn't anything difficult about this, a lot of it is new and there's a lot to get used to, new ways to eat and live your life, but just take it in steps and you'll be fine.

How long did it take to put on?

Good for you, two pounds a week is just about right. If you think about it, that's 100 lbs a year. What'll you look like minus 100 pounds?

Just stuff going down the drain.