PattyGirl66

@Missy281, I think you got the best two advices on here and I couldn't agree more with both. Stay on here and read read read, ask ask ask, thats what I do, LOL. Best of luck to you with whatever decision you decide (hugs) -Patty

Mizpk83, looks like you are doing really really great! Congrats on all your hard work

Hi Sabrina, I am not banded yet and hope I can continue to drink the Water. Its really the only thing I drink and I drink lots of it about a gallon and half a day. I don't drink teas or coffees or even juices, just water. You think with all that water I drink I wouldn't be this heavy, LOL. Hopefully someone who has been banded can answer this for you but so far it sounds like you are doing really great with the band!

@Skyvic, that is wonderful to hear!

I am praying that I can swallow a small multivitamin pill because I just spent $10 on a bottle of Centrum chewables and it made me sick ( I am not even banded yet) I just am making sure I have everything prepared beforehand.

@Show1980: The protein shakes are a hit and miss when it comes to personal pereference. My suggestion is to try several brands and mix the powder with Almond Milk (unsweetened). I have found for myself that I really like "Pure Protien" chocolate from Walgreens. 2 LBs. for $17.99 (can't beat that) was by far my favorite. Oh, I found what works best when mixing it is the blender. Milk first, powder, and if you want it frothy 3 icecubes. I have tried mixing this in my blender ball container and found it comes out lumpy. Now, through trial and error I have found if I warm up about 4 ounces of the almond milk in the microwave (30 seconds) add the powder mix throughly with fork and then add the other 4 ounces of milk in, its great without having to use the blender. Over ice is great!

@Tamg, the link is above in my initial post

@eyewonder, I am going to look into this! Thank you!

Strips, Chewables, or liquid?? I dont know which one to buy? Thank you, -Patty

Please keep us posted on her progress...

You are all an inspiration to me. I hope I will be one of those success stories one day. Congratulations to you all and thanks so much for sharing your journey with us

I think the hair growth varies from person to person. It cant hurt to try them and don't stress about it, the stressing will only make things worse. I cut off all my long hair that I love so much (8 inches) but honestly, it feels great on my head more manageble, less knots. Lots of layers can help for the time being (just a thought).

OHH thank you Tamg, I am going to order these tonight and let you all know how it taste. Donna12, I will deff let you know hon. Pollyanna12, that is a wonderful idea and I am going to buy some sugar free cranberry juice and make those. You all have been so helpful

Hi TJWrangler, First I want as a woman to say thank you very much for caring as much as you do for your girlfriend. It is very important that you get involved as much as you can. You are going to probably be her 'main' support system/backup. I am not banded yet, but I already have a great support system in order (my daughter and Husband). You will learn a lot from this site and it will be very useful to you and her while she is recovering during and after as well. I can relate very well to her mishaps or clumsiness. I have to be very careful what I do because I have fallen so many times in the most akwards way possible. Last year I fell coming out of the shower while vacationing in florida. I was lucky enough I didn't make it to the floor however my left leg as hard as can be banged towards the porceline tub and till this day I still have the markings (it takes up my entire lower leg. 6 weeks ago I went to Atlantic City and stood at Bally's they have a beautiful indoor swimming pool with many hot tubs. My friend and I decided to go into the pool first and my first 2 steps down I went. That didn't hurt so much because the Water broke the impact, I just fell on my rump and made a very loud 'splash' sound. However, as soon as I was finished in the pool I walked as gently as I could and made it without falling, well until I hit the tile floor to the chair. I went down pretty hard and hit my new hip I had replaced years ago on the last step. Two falls in one day was all I could take, I went back to my room and stood their all night.

She is taking 5000mcg

I came across this website on FOCUS 28 fruit Protein drinks and saw they had a variety pack of 7 fruit Protein Drinks and was wondering has anyone on here purchased these? How did this taste? They look so yummy and I am really getting tired of the chalky Protein shakes. Any suggestions? http://www.focus28diet.com/store/products/Variety-Pack-Fruit-Drinks-pv.html

You know I have never heard of anyone overdosing on Biotin supplements. I take a dosage of 2500mg once a day. I have informed my doctor first because I also take blood pressure medications and meds for my thyroid. My hair started to thin. I cut it short and got lots of layers. My hair does feel a little fuller. My friend takes 5000 mg once a day and she takes many medications and she says she feels as if she has more energy. She is in remission from having thyroid cancer. I would always check with your doctor first before taking any supplements, just to be on the safe side as you really don't want any interactions if you are taking other medications or if you have an ailment that the supplement could do more harm than good. BTW, I am not banded yet but I was told that losing hair in some patients is 'temporary' once you have had weight loss surgery. Maybe some others on here can be more helpful

I am with the majority here, I want to live a very long healthy life. Many people don't know I am going to have this done except a few 'selected' friends and family members. I have over heard several people in passing about overweight people saying how we are taking the 'easy' route in having weight loss surgery, some comments such as "why don't they just get off their fat lazy asses and exercise and put the cake down". I know these people are simple minded individuals that really have no clue what struggles we endure on a daily basis. I have one hip replaced (total) and my other one is going. Simple things like walking without excruciating pain would make my life so much easier. The weight currently on my new hip scares me the most because I am still young, well for a hip replacement patient I am, and this new hip needs to last me a lifetime. I want a 'do over' I feel as if I cheated myself out of so much I could have done with my life. This I pray will give me that second chance I always wanted.

I got lucky at shoprite yesterday and found it on sale for $1.99 for 32 ounces. I purchased 6 boxes for now. I am so glad i found this because it is healthier than skim milk, as you know skim milk as 12 grams of sugar per 8 ounces, and this had none! I rather have the good fat than the sugar. Sugar is very bad and turns into the worst fat. Like triyglicirides which is just or worse than having high cholesterol.

Okay, just wanted to share that I have been mixing Blue Diamond Almond vanilla Milk (unsweetened) with my Protein shakes and I have to admit that it is very good. It is certaintly more healthier, and you are getting healthy fat with no sugar! Check out the calorie contents http://www.fatsecret.com/calories-nutrition/blue-diamond/almond-breeze-original-unsweetened-non-dairy-beverage Enjoy!

I am very over weight as well and was told I need to lose 30 pounds before surgery. I only have lost 15 so far. Last week my surgeon was pretty stern that I lose another 10 more pounds, I am feeling the stress more so now as this needs to be done by May 24th my next and last weigh in. But, from reading on this site I see many many individuals who are very over weight with high bmi and are doing tremendously well. This gives me very high hopes

I am not sure or even heard of this. However, like any thing you should always consult a doctor to make sure it doesn't conflict with any other medications you might be taking. Also, to make sure to check the side effects. Sometimes if we already have a disease of any kind, taking a supplement can do more harm then good. Always check with your doctor, that would be my first approach.

Good luck to you Sabrina! Keep us posted on your progress

Hi Alana, I am not banded yet but I have been reading several posts about what you are describing and everyones advice who has been banded states you should always go back to the basics of how you eat when you first got banded. Are you tracking your daily calories? I have downloaded an app onto my android phone called "lose it", I got it from another individual on this site, see you can learn so much just by coming here. Best of luck and keep us all posted

Best of luck! Keep us posted on your progress