SaucyBandster

I like Splenda and Truvia the best. I am not a major soda drinker but I love Club Soda with lime. With that said, there are plenty of teas on the market and if you like them sweet, add splenda or truvia. Crystal Lite has an Iced tea version as well. I personally can't stand mios and threw all of mine away. I know a lot of people swear by them here but they left me with a horrible aftertaste. Where as Crystal Lite doesn't for me. But I also bought a super cool pitcher at BBB which has an infusion insert. So you add your Water and you can infuse the water with anything. I have added limes and lemons, also added rasberries and lime, etc... but it doesn't make it sweet like fruity sweet waters. You can get creative and add different items in the infuser. But as far as your initial question, I definitely think truvia is the closest to a sugar because it's a granuale and dissolves nicely. Splenda is a good one as well. No after tastes to me.

Are you doing major exercise? If so, are you stretching before and cooling down after? I notice when in weight loss mode, I go full throttle with exercise and barely walk for days at a time. I over do it after years of not exercising.

Are you pre or post op??

Yah!!! Happy to hear all went well!! I hope today wasn't too bad with the tightness and gas. When you have time and feel well, check in. I am rooting for you and am right behind you! Happy New year neighbor

What about greek yogurt or low fat frozen yogurt if you are having snack attacks?? I hate the late night snacking monster which I get often and is frankly my worst part of the day. I am hoping the band eliminates some of it but I am worried it won't as I hear a lot of people still have the issue. Then I hear some people say they can't eat at night before bed.

I would think it be VERY VERY helpful to have anti vomitting medicine at the house AT ALL TIMES as a precaution. I know there are Rx's that are anti vomiting and I wonder if a PCP will auto prescribe one just in case. Things to add to my band list before I get banded. Hope he feels better soon!

I just found this post. I am in the St. Pete area and going thru the process with Dr. Rehnke. I was curious if there were any recent Rehnke patients out here OR any new St. Pete bandsters. I will be a Jan 2012 Bandster!!

TexasDianne - my last supervised Dr visit is Jan 6th. I am SO crossing my fingers for a late Jan surgery date. I am ready... OH so ready!!!

What happened that things didn't go as planned if you don't mind me asking?? Was it insurance or Dr related??

Have you been to a Lapband seminar yet? Typically there is a bariatric coordinator and it's their daily routine of working with insurance companies and knowing the in's and out's and pitfalls, etc... I would recommend attending one of if you already have a surgeon in mind, they usually have mandatory consults or seminars they hold which are very helpful. They definitely got the ball rolling for me. I am going on my 3rd (3 out of 3) supervised monthly weigh in's with my PCP and had my psyche eval last week. One more Dr's appt and I am then submitted to insurance. From there, once approved, the surgeons office will schedule my surgery date and guide me on my EKG, Chest X-Ray and Labwork appts. Good Luck!

I posted awhile back and wanted to update. I have now completed 2 out of 3 monthly weigh in's with my PCP and then she will submit a recommendation. I sent my surgeons office 2 yrs of previous Dr's visits where my weight was documented. I just had my psyche eval and he gave me the green light. My last Dr's weigh in 3 of 3 is Jan 6th ( I can't wait!) and then they will submit everything to insurance. I have Independence BCBS. I was told this is what is standard... they didn't send it initially or anything. I hope I wasn't jumping thru hoops for nothing and could have been approved back in October or something? Anyways, I am really crossing my fingers that once I am submitted in early Jan that insurance will approve and approve quickly. It amazes me to read how others on BCBS get instant approvals. Any idea why there are so many variables??

Hi Everyone, I need to schedule my psych eval next and was curious if people could tell me what to expect? If I say something wrong, can they not recommend me for surgery? I am so apprehensive about this next appt so any words of wisdom are appreciated.

I am nervous about the hair loss potential as well and am glad to read all of these responses. Quick question regarding Lupus. I didn't think you could have the lapband if you had Lupus? My mom really wanted to get the lapband and has it and her Dr said no. I would love to hear how you are doing and if you had any issues with getting approved if you don't mind? Thanks!!

That is wonderful!! I so wish I was you right now! I am still in my Dr's visits and have two months to go. Get some rest and feel well!!

I posted this on another thread and thought I would post here as well incase someone has interest... Frittata recipe for anyone interested... Ingredients: Buy one large container of Egg Whites One package of baby spinach (you can switch out any veggies but this is my fave) Pam Spray Goat cheese (you can also add low fat mozarella) Italian seasonings (or any spices you enjoy) I buy one package of Jimmy Dean low fat Turkey Sausage crumbles. (You can also switch this out with turkey bacon, vegetarian fake sausage crumbles, etc) Preheat oven to 350 degrees Take one large frying fan with a METAL handle (NOT PLASTIC as this will go in the oven) Spray with pam pretty heavily so that the fritatta pops right out at the end Pour the bag of turkey crumbles in the pan (or your meat of choice) and warm up Then I add the whole bag of spinach which cooks down and softens up very well and sneaks in a good amount of veggies - (this is where you can also sneak in other veggies if you want - Asparagus tips, red peppers, etc) Then on Medium to Medium-High heat (you don't want this to burn the bottle) add the carton of egg whites which will cover the large pan. You may not have to use the whole container. It all depends on how large you want your fritatta and how big your pan is. It doesn't rise so you can eye this. On Medium heat, let is cook for a few minutes. You will notice the whole thing cooking except the top. At this point is where I put in goat cheese crumbles which end up melting with the turkey sausage and spinach and then I sprinkle Italian seasons all over it Put it into the oven for about 8 mins which will cook the top up and melt the goat cheese Once you see it's finished, pull out of oven and flip onto plate. You can then use another plate to flip it back over to see the pretty side. Cut into pie slices. You can then rewarm each slice for about 45 seconds thru the week. It's a super easy, super quick Breakfast and it's such a great flavor and way to sneak in veggies and Protein and being very low fat. It also helps with less waste of throwing food away because you can sneak in different veggies. The one above just happens to be my fave flavors. You can alternate different meats and cheeses and veggies and have a million different variations. This ends cooking with Lisa LOL

Frittata recipe for anyone interested... Ingredients: Buy one large container of Egg Whites One package of baby spinach (you can switch out any veggies but this is my fave) Pam Spray Goat cheese (you can also add low fat mozarella) Italian seasonings (or any spices you enjoy) I buy one package of Jimmy Dean low fat Turkey Sausage crumbles. (You can also switch this out with turkey bacon, vegetarian fake sausage crumbles, etc) Preheat oven to 350 degrees Take one large frying fan with a METAL handle (NOT PLASTIC as this will go in the oven) Spray with pam pretty heavily so that the fritatta pops right out at the end Pour the bag of turkey crumbles in the pan (or your meat of choice) and warm up Then I add the whole bag of spinach which cooks down and softens up very well and sneaks in a good amount of veggies - (this is where you can also sneak in other veggies if you want - Asparagus tips, red peppers, etc) Then on Medium to Medium-High heat (you don't want this to burn the bottle) add the carton of egg whites which will cover the large pan. You may not have to use the whole container. It all depends on how large you want your fritatta and how big your pan is. It doesn't rise so you can eye this. On Medium heat, let is cook for a few minutes. You will notice the whole thing cooking except the top. At this point is where I put in goat cheese crumbles which end up melting with the turkey sausage and spinach and then I sprinkle Italian seasons all over it Put it into the oven for about 8 mins which will cook the top up and melt the goat cheese Once you see it's finished, pull out of oven and flip onto plate. You can then use another plate to flip it back over to see the pretty side. Cut into pie slices. You can then rewarm each slice for about 45 seconds thru the week. It's a super easy, super quick breakfast and it's such a great flavor and way to sneak in veggies and Protein and being very low fat. It also helps with less waste of throwing food away because you can sneak in different veggies. The one above just happens to be my fave flavors. You can alternate different meats and cheeses and veggies and have a million different variations. This ends cooking with Lisa LOL

My surgeon is putting me 2 weeks of Opti Fast. He explained it was necessary for a few reasons. He said it does shrink the liver and going in, he wants to in and out of surgery as quick as possible. He said the less a patient is on anesthesia, the better the healing and outcome and chance of anything negative occuring. As much as I am DREADING a 2 week liquid fast, I will use it to lose weight and get a headstart and go in with a clean slate. I am also a bit fortunate that the 2 week fast will come right after New Years. So I am sure by then, I will be ready to start the new year fresh and get rid of all the holiday food gluttony!!

Another easy thing to do is make your breakfast only once a week. I make an eggwhite frittatta and sneak in all sorts of veggies, some goat cheese, turkey crumbles and spices. Then I cut it up into pie slices for the week. I heat a slice up each day for like 45 seconds. You can make it on Sundays for the week. If you need exact directions on how to make a frittata, let me know and I will write it out step by step. One pan, easy cleanup and SOOOO Yum!! The taste is incredible and it's super low fat, extremely tasty and very filling.

I am in the beginning of my journey as well and it is frustrating to play the waiting game and wanting to get the ball rolling quickly. When I called my surgeon, they booked for me my orientation and the surgeons appt at the same time so my appts were already set up. I went in for my orientation on October 26th and then I met my surgeon and started all of it on Nov 3rd. Now for my insurance requirements, I need to see a primary care Dr who will put me on a "diet" and will notate and recommend for 3 months. So my first appt with that Dr is on Nov 14th and when I am there I will set up the next 2. Then I will set up appts for my psych eval and hopefully that will be in. If everything goes as plans, I will have everything submitted in Jan and have a surgery date in Jan or Feb. I wish it was NOW!!! Good luck to you!!

Read this and felt so bad for people who live there who are in the process of trying to change their lives for GOOD. Anyone read or hear about it? http://www.inquisitr.com/156812/weight-loss-surgery-no-longer-covered-in-georgia/

When I attended my orientation, the bariatric coordinator explained that we would have to choose between the two and we pick them. The Dr uses both and it's up to the patient. I have been running searches but to no avail. When they passed both around the room, the differences that stood out to me were the way the band inflates. The Lap Band has sectioned pieces on the ring and the Realize has one continuous band (non perforated) if that makes any sense. My question is - Did others have options between the two? Are there pros and cons to each? Are they the same in results? Any help is appreciated! Thanks!

I have asthma and it always gave me a roadblock when exercising. I would always use the inhaler once I had symptoms until my Dr told me to do the same thing. It is absolutely night and day. I used to have to stop midway thru Zumba and thought I had a truck on my chest. Now, I take 2 puffs before and can do the whole hour fine. It's such a difference. For those with it and those with the induced "like" symptoms. Great post!

So sorry to hear all of the issues you are having. I think the best thing you are doing is going to a rheumotologist. My mom has lupus and Fibromyalgia. Sounds like some, not all, of her symptoms. I am 37 and have dealt with some pain and she wants me to get checked. I think weight has a lot to do with my pain (back aches, etc) but I may still get checked. While she has pain, she has learned pain management and with her meds, she leads a very normal life. I know she has issues sometimes but you would never know it. She is a trooper. I wish you luck on finding out what is going on and by going so young so you can get a handle on whatever it is.

I went to my orientation today. I met with the bariatric head of the hospital. The hospital has performed over 7,000 lapbands and are a center of excellence. With that said, the lady was banded 7 yrs ago. Her husband and son are both banded as well. And on top of it, she runs hundreds of support groups so has a LOT of experience. Today she mentioned she orders a shot of vodka and then a glass of Water. Then she mixes her crystal light into the water and add's the shot. She also said she DOES have carbonated bevvies. Not often and she said it much slower because you have to let the bubbles go down. But she said every once in awhile she craves a diet orange soda or a beer. So with all of her experience, I trust her in not giving out bad info as she keeps pretty up to the minute. Anyways, champagne may be tough to drink and may not be your regular go to, but I am sure a few sips here and there will be ok just like having a martini every so often.