Redhatgal

On way home from hospital I was feeling good. We stoped at a red light and the most wonderful smell came over me. To my right was a Jack in the Box and to my left was a Carl’s Jr. There should be a law[emoji3]

Here is the link to them on Amazon, but I've also found them at a big Walmart by the Protein Bars. They have BBQ, Cheddar, Salt and Vinegar, and Sour Cream and Onion.
https://www.amazon.com/Quest-Nutrition-Protein-Cheddar-Gluten/dp/B00XQF3EG8/ref=sr_1_5_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1518059382&sr=8-5&keywords=quest%2Bchips%2Bprotein&dpID=51VMoLmK2vL&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch&th=1

As a nurse I am familiar with the old enabling trap. We are quick to worry about other people’s needs, loosing ourselves in the process. Sounds like he has issues but remember they are his issues not yours. If you feel like it is right for you, go get the surgery. It doesn’t sound like he is supportive of your needs anyway—-no loss.

Thank yo so much for your prompt reply. Will try tonight. I could use a good night sleep.

I started my prepping today. 5-6 Protein Shakes and a meal of 3oz. Protein, low card veggies. I totally cannot get out of the bathroom. Should have bought stock in toilet paper.

I would love to be your buddy. I am scheduled for bypass Feb 21st. I am 5' 6" and at 312 now. Have an appointment this Friday to see nutritionist. According to their notebook I will be on Protein Shakes for 4 weeks pre-op. I already have approval from my insurance but my surgeon is really booked out hence the Feb 21 date.

Your best bet it to call the surgeons office. Not only can they tell you what to do but they need to know thee things. It could be nothing but it could also be a symptom of a complication that no one on the board can address.

Hi folks! Yes it is super exciting!! I do feel quite nervous too!! That's great news RunningLibrarian! Not too long to wait! I was wondering, what's going on with my pre-op diet. There's a lot of people on here with liquid diets etc but mine's not like that at all..... maybe it's a UK thing? Also, how long have you booked off work Bboopshell? I've only booked one week's leave but starting to think I should take more....

I am a retired nurse and spent most of my professional life working in labor and delivery. I cannot tell you how many times women get on the phone and talk about the terrible, near death, experience they had. I would just snicker because I had been with them and they had short labors, easy deliveries and no complications. I am not minimizing the pain of L & D but there is some gratification they get out of the exaggeration. My point is there are those that love to tell horror stories. Just click off and move on.

I found out I am approved for bypass and am scheduled on Feb 21st. Add me to the February club

I found out I am approved for bypass and am scheduled on Feb 21st. Add me to the February club

Could be eating too much/too soon/the wrong things/too fast
Or GERD is a legit possibility (when I see burping and chest pain GERD is at the top of my list).

Though If you had a bypass I'd say it's the first thing, if you had a sleeve GERD is very realistic

Are you taking bariactric Vitamins, the kind that has everything in it? I was told to take that plus Calcium chewies.

I found out I am approved for bypass and am scheduled on Feb 21st. Add me to the February club

Weight loss surgery is not easy. You need a lot of courage to get started, and a lot of persistence to get the information you need to choose a surgery and surgeon, and figure out finances. It takes a lot of discipline to give up favorite foods, to cut portions, and to work out regularly. There can also be challenges from other people who question your every decision or undermine your hard work.
You need help meeting these challenges. You need someone to speak up for you. The best person for the job? It is you. While others can help, you are the one whom you can depend on to be there for yourself and who knows exactly what you need and want. Here are some ways to be your own best advocate.


Ask Questions
Your advocate should get the information you need. Ask your surgeon how you can best prepare for surgery, what you can do to recover faster, and which mistakes he or she sees most often so you can avoid them. Find out how to contact your surgeon for post-op questions, and learn where you can go for support group meetings.
You will need to ask plenty of other questions, too! As your own advocate, don’t be shy about asking anyone about anything. Read everything you can online and on BariatricPal, then use the forums to ask about anything you’re not sure about. You are sure to get all kinds of helpful hints that you never expected!
Provide for Your Needs
Life does throw curve balls, but your basic needs stay predictable. You know which foods and fluids you will need in any given day, so make sure you have them. Plan your menu for each day and go grocery shopping for the week so you are sure to always have the food you need around.
Always keep a stash of “extras” in case of unplanned circumstances. Have instant Protein meals and other staples in your pantry for last-minute meals. Keep Protein Bars and nuts in your car, your gym bag, and at work. Have different flavors of Protein Powder for whenever you find yourself hungry and without other options.
You can also help yourself out by planning ahead. For example, if you’re going to a party, make sure you will have the foods that you will need for that time without needing to wait until after the party to eat or depending on the host to provide healthy Proteins. Stick a Protein Bar or some nuts in your pocket or purse, or bring a healthy dish to share and nibble on yourself.
Be Your Own Planner
If you were taking care of a child with certain needs, you would schedule them in, make sure your child had the materials needed, and get your child to where he needed to go. If you have children, you may keep track of their homework, take them to after-school activities, and make sure they get the nutritious meals and proper sleep that they need. You would keep healthy foods around and provide them with the pencils and sports equipment that they need for school and extracurricular activities.
Why wouldn’t you be just as good to yourself? Provide the same level of self-care for yourself as you do for your family. Keep healthy foods on hand, and schedule your own exercise and meal planning in and keep your commitment just like it was school.
Prioritize your commitments, just like you would do for your children. Your meal prep and workout time is important, but so is relaxation time with your family or friends, or by yourself. Over the long term, balancing work and play can keep you on track but satisfied.
Speak up When Necessary
Keeping quiet can sometimes seem easier or more considerate to others, but keeping a low profile can work against you sometimes. Learn when it makes sense to speak up for yourself. For example, at restaurants, the server may be willing to bring you what you ask for (like a slab of plain chicken breast or the kids’ meal), but will not even know that is what you want (and need) if you do not say something out loud. You may find that you need to explain your weight loss surgery as a medical condition to get your server to honor your request.
These are some other times when you should not keep your mouth shut:
When someone pressures you to eat something that's not on your diet. When you do not understand your surgeon’s or nutritionist’s instructions. When you need help around the house or preparing your food. Learning to be your own best advocate can pay off in a big way, as you will always have someone looking out for your best interests. It is one more thing you can do to help yourself succeed in your WLS journey.

I went to myfitnesspal and it was so easy I didn't go any further. What a great free site!

This may help you in understanding the restrictive mechanism of a Lap-Band.
The ALLERGAN protocol for Lap-Band fills calls for a six-week delay after surgery, prior to any fills. The purpose for the six-week delay is for the patient’s stomach to heal from the surgery, as well as allowing time for the Lap-Band to “Seat” or “Nestle” into the fat pad between the stomach wall and the interior wall of the Lap-Band.
Prior to receiving an EFFECTIVE fill, it is VERY uncommon to have any restriction from a Lap-Band. Some patients will NOT lose weight, or may even GAIN weight until they have received an effective fill in their Lap-Band.
Normal weight loss with a properly restricted Lap-Band is between 1 and 2 pounds per week.
The normal cycle of fills, restriction and weight loss is as follows:
1. The patient's Lap-Band constricts when the patient receives a fill. Swelling for a few days after receiving a fill is very common. Many doctors require a patient to go on a liquid diet for a day or two after receiving a fill. A fill may have a “Delayed Action” of up to 4 weeks. A “Delayed-Action” means that the fill may not become effective for up to 4 weeks after the fill. That is why the ALLERGAN protocol states that fills should not be performed on patients who will not have access to medical care for at least two weeks after a fill.
2. The patient's stomach capacity is lessened as a result of the restriction caused by the Lap-Band.
3. The patient loses weight because they cannot eat as much food.
4. The residual fat-pad between the inside of the Lap-Band and the outside of the patient's stomach reduces in size because of the overall weight loss in the patient.
5. The reduction of the residual fat-pad causes the Lap-Band to become loose again.
6. At that point, the patient needs another fill, because the Lap-Band is loose, and the patient has a loss of restriction, which allows the patient to eat larger amounts of food.< /span>
7. The patient receives another fill and the process starts all over again.
Most Lap-Band patients receive several fills to adjust the Lap-Band as their weight loss progresses, and there is less and less residual fat-pad between the inside of the Lap-Band and the exterior of the stomach wall. Once a patient has lost all of their residual fat-pad, fills become less common. As the Lap-Band patient progresses in their weight loss, the effect of very tiny fills (Less than .2ccs) becomes greater and greater.
It is not uncommon for a late-stage Lap-Band patient to experience a significant difference in restriction with as little as .05cc of fill.