Dream4tc

Affordable protein shakes, meal replacement shakes, protein bars, Bariatric vitamin supplements that is required post op. Many of the brands are quite expensive and can hinder compliance. I would like to see Bariatric Advantage shakes and vitamins, Celebrate shakes and vitamins, Unjury Shakes, and unflavored protein, Syntrax shakes, Chike shakes, Procare Vitamins, Quest shakes and bars, Pure Protein shakes and bars, Premier Protein in bulk, Bariatric Fusion shakes and vitamins, Isopure drinks with discounts. I could name more but I think that can give you an idea. Discounts to save $$$ will help with more affordable options with great tasting shakes, protein bars, and vitamins.

Oh no!!! Hope they can get it all done in one surgery!! Wow your D level was super critical low! I just got back my Vit D levels. I have been supplementing 4000 units per day for 6 months and my levels went from 19 to 43. Not very high over that long of a period, but it is back in normal range. How many units were you taking?

Congratulations!!!! Excited to hear! Do you know how far out your surgeon is scheduling?

Wow that's great that you get to have your removal and revision all in one surgery! My insurance isn't that nice, they made me have my removal first and I am revising in November. They consider it to be a new surgery so I had to qualify over again. Congrats on your upcoming surgery!!!

Welcome!! Your story is very similar to mine. I was also banded and suffered the same problems. I too was going to do the sleeve but with the same problems of reflux, I was told bypass was better option. This WILL work better than the band for sure! come join us on Facebook! I'll send you PM. I do not have a Facebook. Thanks tho If you end up making an account, let me know and we would love for you to join us!

Welcome!! Your story is very similar to mine. I was also banded and suffered the same problems. I too was going to do the sleeve but with the same problems of reflux, I was told bypass was better option. This WILL work better than the band for sure! come join us on Facebook! I'll send you PM.

Absolutely! check your messages. I sent you a PM

Duct tape fixes everything! :-P Dermabond is the best actually

Hi! Life without the band has been good and bad. I am constantly struggling with trying to lose weight. I eat between 1200 to 1500 calories per day. I walk 30 to 45 minutes each day. I also do Zumba 3 times a week for 60 mins and strength training twice a week. I feel like I am not getting very far with weight loss. I haven't gained. As far as physically, I feel soooooo much better! I don't have reflux anymore and I can sleep on 1 pillow instead of 8 pillows. I still feel some restriction due to the smaller size of my stomach, I can eat more but i get full usually on half a sandwich. I still try to focus on healthier options. No more vomiting thankfully. Occasionally I have some heartburn but it is very mild and I have a history of it prior to band anyways, but definately has improved since band was removed. Today is October 4th and I can easily do ab workouts at Zumba class. I actually started working on abs about 4 weeks after removal, starting slowly and knowing my limitations and stopping when too uncomfortable. I do not regret the removal at all. It is such a relief for me. I am planning on revising to bypass hopefully next month. Best of luck to you on your band removal, you will feel better once removed. Hopefully I answered your question. If there is anything else specific that you would like to know, I would be happy to tell you anything that can help

I just spoke with my counselor about this similar thing yesterday. I had wondered if it is a struggle for thin women to maintain or even lose and how hard are their struggles in comparison to overweight women. I even mentioned that I have a coworker who looks great and eats everything and anything all the time and never gains a pound, apparently her metabolism is working. I asked her if all women have to diet most of their lives and if that is normal. She said most women are dieting all of their lives, but that genetics play a huge role too, in addition to disease processes, and medications. It does bother me to see someone who is 100 pounds or less saying that they are fat. If that is fat, then I must be Shamu. On the other side of the coin, losing weight is also very mental. Some people who hit goal still mentally think they are still fat, because the brain just hasn't caught up to the weight loss. It is difficult to love yourself when many people including myself spent years obese. It takes time to gain confidence, acceptance, and loving yourself. We are our own worst critics!!!

Whoot that's awesome!!! Congrats and that was fast approval!!!

That is exciting!!! How long is your insurance estimating an answer? My insurance is taking 4 to 6 weeks for approvals! I hope you hear something soon!

Hey all, I see many new additions to our group. We also have a private FB WLS support group. If interested in joining, message me and I can get you added Glad to have you all with us!

Awww well don't feel bad. I found out today, my date might be moved towards end of Nov. I am at the mercy of my insurance company. I also have to get my Vitamin D levels checked again. I am hoping it will be high enough. I have been taking my supplement and trying to get more fake sunshine lol That is a good idea to get repeat blood draw!

That is great news indeed!!! See it is working out perfectly for you! Yay

Welcome to you both. Happy to have you join us. @@cassie32104 - I am sorry to hear of your recent diagnosis, however the bypass will definately help you. I have a friend who was insulin dependent and had bypass and is doing so well!. She was able to get off insulin, but she does check her sugar every so often because she can get hypoglycemic at times. I am curious what the nutrionists have to tell you over 6 visits that they can't tell you in one visit? That is actually really good that you get so many visits! I hope your visit goes well!

My friend and his sister had bypass 15 yrs ago. My friend said he has been doing fine. His sister however has had difficulty with Iron levels, BUT she also had 3 babies AFTER bypass. She has had trouble with retaining iron and had had several blood transfusions and is now on 3 pills of iron per day. She had not been to the Dr for regular checkups. If you get your H&H or CBC checked often by your surgeon or primary care physician, these problems can be prevented because if levels drop, they can fix it early enough.

I was banded for 4 yrs, lost 80 pounds, but a slip occurred and had to have it removed a month ago. My heartburn and reflux worsened with the band. I initially wanted the sleeve, but due to my already existing reflux and heartburn, bypass was recommended. There is tons of long term data, and bypass gives me the added peace of mind that I will be less likely to develop diabetes which runs in my family. Bypass can be reversed, but sleeve can't. I feel very comfortable with my choice.

They sell the regular PB2 at Walmart down the baking aisle. The chocolate PB2 you can get online.

The hardest part is waiting for your date to roll around and for things to happen quicker. I think the anticipation is far worse than having the surgery!!! Would you all agree ? Lol

Congratulations! DS is a big surgery, where are you having it done? Welcome

Awww that's terrible!! I am glad they finally got things straightened out. Glad to have you with us I had my lap band placed on Nov 17th 2011, so I was able to avoid all of those typical Thanksgiving foods. It will be a breeze for all of us because....we won't have those hunger pains from those pesky hormones! We will fly right through the holidays with no problems except maybe head hunger. Our stomachs will be swollen for a while and that also will help because we won't have that typical hunger...yay! If we can survive through the holidays, we can survive through anything!

Ooooh where do you get those?

I agree! I have the same lol I love my heating pads and electric blankets

All labs have been good other than low Vitamin D level which I have been supplementing for past 6 months. I go see my PCP next week and will address it.