Angela the Breeder

Thanks Ready!

That 27g of sugar alcohols was staring out at me like a red sore! So I've decided I'll do a half of one per day until they're gone. I've gotten so many good suggestions I'll just plan better the night prior.

I appreciate your two cents. NEVER bossy! It's helpful!

Here is the nutritional breakdown on them: (Also, I don't have more than two of these a day. The other times I have lean protein.)

Ingredient Amount % Daily Value** Calories 310 Calories From Fat 80 Total Fat 9g 14 Saturated Fat 7g 35 Cholesterol 5mg 2 Sodium 290mg 12 Total Carbohydrate 32g 11 Dietary Fiber 2g 8 Sugars 2g Sugar Alcohol 27g Protein 32g 36 Potassium 210mg 6

You all have some great info here. Thank you.

To answer the questions, these bars are filling and yes, buy me four to five hours of satisfaction. Definitely NOT a snack.< /p>

As for my work hours, I own the company. There's just SO much to do Mon - Fri that I literally can't get away from my desk. When I get home, I raise rare cats that require a lot of work, hours and attention. I still allot for 60 hours of cardio each afternoon.

The nuts I bought were oven roasted plain almonds. No added salts or sugars or seasonings. Now I'd worry about the fats in them.

I've tried the Protein shots but 1) found they tasted like plastic and 2) they didn't satisfy my appetite. I found that they're great if it's late in the night and I missed dinner.

The Protein bars I chose are Met-RX Protein Plus, loaded with Vitamins and minerals, so I believe they're very good for me. What just scares me is the 320 number. I try not to make any of my three daily meals add up to such a high number. So if I'm eating such a low calorie diet, and working out aggressively, am I throwing myself into starvation mode? I lost 20 pounds in 30 days, but feel I've stalled.

Thanks for the advice Elcee. Unfortunately, I don't even have fifteen minutes to heat something up while working. (I work two full-time jobs.) I am wondering if 320 calories is too much to eat at a sitting. Or do the numbers just look "off".

FYI, my doctor said absolutely NO nuts. (I found this out after I bought a five pound bag of roasted almonds.)

Okay, I'm a busy, busy woman. I find making time to eat almost impossible once I get to work. So I've gravitated towards Protein bars. Met-Rx has a high Protein sugar free 320 calorie bar that has 32 grams of protein in it. (And only 2g of sugar) They taste delicious, thus I keep thinking they must be really bad for me. (Like everything else I love.)

Anyone have experience with them? Or do the numbers looks really bad and make you want to run away?

(Banded 11/29/11 - down 20 pounds)

Who was your doctor? It's a huge fear of mine that something will go wrong and I'll go upside tens of thousands of dollars trying to repair an unforeseen problem.

Congrats! Hang in there. When you feel like you are starving...task yourself with reorganizing your closet, go on a small walk, call up an old friend, do SOMETHING. You'll get through it!

I too am at a stall. I had surgery one month ago. Down 20 pounds. I eat about 1000-1200 calories daily, and ride my bike at 21MPH for one hour six days a week. My clothes are feeling wonderful with muscles tightening up everywhere. But I feel the scale should be showing a bigger loss.

A fear for me is could I be eating too little calories? I'm afraid that my body is thinking that it's in starvation mode and holding onto what I eat.

FYI - my calories are 80% Protein. Less than 10g of sugar per day (broken up with no more than 5g at a time.) Other calories are from veggies only. No sugar, no starches, no sauces, no butters, less than 25% fat.

Advice?

Angela

Et tu, Brute'? Yep, you're elbows deep in the hardest part. I was banded on 11/29 and have found myself in the same boat. I even felt a little depressed and obsessed over the whole issue. I had a dream that I gorged myself and ruptured my stomach.

Then I came to the rationalization that I CAN DO THIS. My biggest trick...when I'm THINKING I'm hungry, distract myself. I can distract myself with a phone call, an email, a hobby, a task, a walk...ANYTHING. And it works. If not, I calculate my total Protein, make sure I've taken what I'm supposed to up to that day, and request the back up troops move in. (Sugar-free Jell-O, sugar-free popsicles, V-8, sugar-free pudding, or broth spruced up with garlic and onion powder, or "diet" fruit juice.)

It will get easier, especially when the pounds are melting off, clothes start feeling looser, and there's signs of your success.

Hang in there. So far, I've lost 15 pounds. Not bad for 16 days.

Hi November Bansters. I'm five days out since my banding.

The surgery itself was MUCH less scary and painful than I had anticipated. What I did find was the gas/shoulder pain was quite uncomfortable. (I have back issues so it was more intense.)

Over the next couple of days, I found intense pain in the sternum area, and found that it was due to simply over-filling my stomach. Yep - taking big gulps of fluids gave me tummy pain. I found that sipping small amounts avoided the pain completely. So now I have NO pain. I'm just a little tired. I'm not hungry at all. Even preparing small meals for my family doesn't get my appetite going.

I'm really enthused that this was such a good decision. I only wish I hadn't waited so long. Due to my crappy insurance, I had to do a self-pay...and $9995 is A LOT of money for me. But I think it is the best money spent.

Good luck to our December bansters!

Sunshine,

I share your feelings. How did I get here and why can't I correct this problem on my own? A feeling of failure, weakness, and eventually disgust.

We can lean on our circumstances as to our gain, or realize we've been doing it wrong. So what? Now we have a chance to do it right. We're simply getting a tool to help. The rest is up to us. I don't think anyone that had surgery cheated. If anything, they took the tough road. Difference is, you have a HUGE support team here. I know I have gathered a lot of insight from folks on the board.

Best of luck and keep in touch!

Thank you for your insight

Hi 34Mom,

I too am scheduled to have my surgery with Dr. Terry Simpson. I looked at his "PLAN", or basically insurance. I didn't pay the $600 for extras. However, he did offer me an insurance plan spanning from $2250 - $10,500 that would "cover me" should I have issues after 90 days.

I am doing self-pay ($9995), had to prepay everything before I could schedule surgery, and this only covers 90 days of follow-up. (And two fills within that time.) This does not include the initial consultation ($100), the nutritionist ($100) and the psych eval ($100), all needed to be paid upfront, in cash.

If the doctor didn't have such a great reputation, there is no way I'd consider going to him as his financial promotions are ridiculous. I feel like I'm going to the 99Cent store, and God forbid I need his help after 90 days, should I have complications, or not heal as expected.

Did everyone pay the 600 for program fee. And the books

I am three weeks away from my banding surgery. It's funny how right now, although my diet is not restricted yet, I have no desire to eat things I shouldn't. My mind and body are SO ready for the surgery. I've even spent months learning to chew correctly...realizing that I've spent my life INHALING my food.< /p>

My weight gain started after I had two babies within 17 months, and shortly after that broke my back. I found out I had Disc Degenerative Disease and that my back issues would continue to worsen. Since breaking my back in 2004, I've been sedate and have literally given up on my body, as I felt betrayed by this disease. At the age of 34 I had the back of an 85 year old. But now I'm 40, and I want to reclaim my health. I am TIRED of carrying around 180 extra pounds. It's making my back problems much worse, let alone killing my self-esteem.

One thing I worry about...is sex. How long after surgery did you wait before you "split the sheets"? My husband is awesome. He loved me when we got married and I was 118 pounds, and loves me now that I'm a marble with a head. One thing that is important is being intimate. I know not being intimate makes my husband perceive that I'm upset with him. (Stop laughing.)

I know that penetration does not equal intimacy, but it's clear that my husband finds it the best source of intimacy. (Sorry if this is TMI.) Any advice on what to expect? (Provided there aren't surgical complications.)

I appreciate sharing of experiences...because it gives me hope and strength.

Angela

Wow Cheri,

These are awesome words that couldn't come at a better time. I am scheduled to get banded on the 29th of November. Everyone in my life is fit and trim. It's like I have built my own private country within some other one. I'll be sure to utilize my optimum losing months wisely.

Angela

November is the month of my birthday. I have been banded for over 2 years down 84 lbs. I love my LapBand and will always be happy I to decided to do this. I thought I might give you all some advice even though you did not ask for it and I am not a November Bandster but its something I wish I had known when when I got banded.

The surgery is not bad, and the recovery time for most is very short. I think you need to go into this already knowing you will be hungry for about a month afterwards. You will not die if you feel some hunger pains. But if you go into it with the mindset that it is only one month out of your life. You can spend this time getting ready to really lose weight.

The first 6 months to a year is when most people lose the most weight. You are getting banded right before the holidays it is a hard time since people make everything about food during the holidays. I tell you it is a must that you do not give in to temptation, be strong and see food as what it is just food. It does not mean you can not enjoy the holidays just because you can not have "All you can Eat" on all the food. I do not know about all of you but I can not just have a little of a food that I should not be eating so stay away from it one bite and it can start you on a roll.

Be as strict as you can during that first year eat only what your are suppose to and work your butt off once you get an okay, but remember you do not need an okay to walk. You will see the weight drops pretty steady the first year and then it slows and for some people it really stops. I wish I would have worked out more during that time period. I did workout but and extra 30 minutes could have pushed me along faster. But if you are not careful the holidays can really hamper your losing from Thanksgiving to New Years Eve. that is 2½ months of peak losing you time could miss out. There will be plenty of years of holidays to come, by next year you will be ready to face the holidays and know how the whole band thing works.

Also something seemed to happen to me and a couple of my banded friends about the 6 month post op, we had drop a lot of weight and we kinda dropped the ball on our diet. It was like we rewarded ourselves with food for being so good the first 6 months (What were we thinking.) Some of us gained some weight and that really upset the ones who gained. Also it is not always easy to get back on track when you give in to the bad eating habits. I need to lose another 15 lbs and I have been playing with that for a good six months. I know that if I would just step up my exercise it would take just a couple of months. I have made a promise to myself that this holiday season is not gonna be about food. Yeah, we have to eat, but not pie, cake, rolls, Cookies, etc. figure out another way to not make food be the center of the Holidays you will be so happy when it is New Years Day and everyone is wanting to lose you will be so far ahead. Since most who post here will be getting banded in November (unless some other crazy like me invades your thread) you should make at least one contact and exchange e-mails or phone numbers and get that add touch of support. I met a lady on these boards and she was banded 2 days after me and we met for coffee alot and we talked on the phone everyday or text each other. Then you are with someone in the same stage you are. Do not compare yourself with each other on pounds lost or fill amount as everyone is different, just support each other because nobody will understand you like someone who is going through the same thing.

Also stay on these boards for support too and find a support group you can attend in person. I always hated when the support group meeting is over. Also I would find you a couple of books that deal with the LapBand as when you really need some support or understanding you can read them. (amazon has some great ones I have about 5 )One last point always listen to your surgeon over what you read or someone says on these boards. Sometime you have to decide what is best for you, but always follow your Doctors rules. You trusted he/her to cut you open and mess with your inside listen to them. If you think at some point you surgeon is wacko find a new one. We all have to remember food is food it is NOT our friend, or a shoulder to cry on and getting something you know you should not when you are sad, upset. That is when you should workout. Oh and how can I not tell you all what you have heard or been told "The band is just a tool" it does not control what you stick in your mouth, drink all your Water and just my opinion never touch Ice cream in your peak losing time as it takes only one bite to get you hooked as it goes down smooth and taste so good and will become a habit just because of those reasons Also chew, chew and chew some more.

This time next year you will be wearing your pretty, smaller clothes looking good and feeling great. I believe in prayer and before I sign my name to this I am going to pray for all of the Novermber Bandsters to have and great surgery, short recovery time, courage during the holdays and a great band experience. YOU CAN DO IT. starting picking your buddy now, buy your books and go for it!

Cheri

Hi N -

I have surgery in three weeks and my surgeon didn't change my diet at all. Hmmm...I have to wonder if it's necessary to change it or is that just recommended.

Ang

Hi All,

My surgery is scheduled for this Monday and I have failed at the pre-op diet. I have consumed all of the Protein in the world but instead of eating the one a day Smart one meals I have been eating things I wasn't supposed to, such as Asian style chicken and Broccoli with Rice, pizza and creamy Soups . I know it sounds horrible but I honestly haven't been overeating I just haven't been eating right. Should I cancel my surgery or is there a chance I can still shrink my liver? If so, I will have 3 days to do it. Please help!

-N