suzcomptime

I went to the seminar prepared to do the band last November 2011. I liked the fact that if there was a problem, it could be taken out. It seemed less invasive, no overnight in hospital. Overall less of a procedure. I had my first consult with the lapband Dr. in December but someone at work was going for the sleeve and so I decided to consult with the sleeve Dr. too. I went to a couple of support meetings and were surprised that there were band people there who were switching over to either sleeve or bypass. I also read a lot of stories where people seemed to have a hard time finding that right spot between not enough restriction and too much. I also read about bands eroding and slipping and after giving it some thought and not wanting to do it twice, I decided to just go for the sleeve. I am so glad. I have been so successful, I feel so good and so normal. Including the 8 lbs that I lost from my first appt with the Dr until my surgery in May, I have lost 75 lbs and have 15 more to go. Each person has to weigh the pros and cons and make their own decision. Someone else I know from work has been very successful with the band and her husband is having it done this week. I also do not know if there will be complications in the future because of my sleeve. It was the chance I took. You weigh all the pros and cons and get input from people both that have had the sleeve and the band. It seems like there is more eating restriction with the band and maybe more nausea. I have not been nauseous but the girl I know with the band seemed to be but that may not statistically be the norm for these two surgeries, just happens to be our different experiences.

Where did you get this information? I have read other articles about the link of increasing ghrelin in lab mice, increasing memory. Yours was the first post I have seen that said the opposite. Can you provide a source? That being said, I haven't really noticed a loss or gain either way. I still forget things but before surgery I was putting it to "old age"....but I really don't think it is much different than any one else. I was glad that I didn't have some type of obvious memory loss or I probably wouldn't be able to do my job....I have to keep a lot in my head! Almost 3 months out and it is a non-issue.

Like someone else said, being able to eat more is normal at the beginning because you are very swollen after surgery. Also, just think of this as temporary. Where you are right now, is not where you will be in 3 or 4 months. It is a temporary price to pay for a life changing choice you made for your health. You will be able to eat regular food again, just in smaller quantities. Of course, making healthy choices is start part of the plan in order to reach your goal. Get 60 Protein a day and you are set. If you buy powdered you can mix it double strength to have less too drink but it may taste too sweet. That is the biggest problem I am having that things taste too sweet or too strong. The other option is mix it weaker and just sip for a few hours and do that a few times.....gives you your protein and your other liquid. Oh, and my birthday is in a few weeks and I will not be eating cake. I may make some protein icecream though: The World According to Egg Face

I would suggest getting Unjury unflavored protein to supplement. You can put it into soups, yogurt, etc because some of the mushy/puree food does not have enough protein without supplementing with 1 or more protein shakes. If you can't stand the shakes, than at least try and get some protein in with the food you can eat.

Thanks for the responses. I hope I can be patient as well.

I belong to another group that were sleeved in May. People talk a lot about stalls and slowing down. My theory from scanning through the profiles and signatures that provide enough detail from members a few months out, is that you lose fastest the first couple of months but then things slow to more of an average of around 10 lbs. Can you comment to your personal experience? I feel that many are getting discouraged and may be expecting to keep up their 14 lb per week weight loss. How did your weight loss go? Thanks

Unjury chicken broth has been my life saver as warm is what I tolerate best. You have to be careful not too overheat the water as I guess it can make the texture weird. I actually use my meat probe thermometer and make sure it is 130 degrees or less before I add the Unjury to the cup of hot water.

I was told to leave the surgistrips on the two small incisions until they fell off. When I shower, I don't srub them, just let Water wash over and than pat dry gently. For my big incision, which I can't even really see since it is inside my belly button, he said to take the large bandaid off, pull out the gauze stuffed in my belly button, take my shower and then gently pat inside my belly button dry, put fresh gauze in there and recover with another large bandaid. So far, so good. I am 8 days out. Sue

So sorry about this tragedy I am sure your surgeon will be understanding and may help get you in when the time is right.

I hit onerland today, it sure does feel good.

I already switched to decaf well before surgery because I didn't want to deal with too many things at once. I was told that caffeine is hard on your stomach and it would be best to do decaf from now out. Since I've switched, I think I'll try to stay there and not go back to caffeine. I am surprised Candyman that your Dr. said it had to be cold. Why would that make a difference? In fact, I am 1 week out and warm liquids work much better than cold for now but I am not drinking anything hot, hot because my stomach is still healing.

Ha, good try on using mind over matter I am going to try egg face's homemade Protein icecream: http://theworldaccor...-ice-cream.html

Haha, great mind control.....It reminded me of a book I read years ago that talked about mayo and how much oil was in it and other unhealthy foods. After reading the book that visualization kept me from eating mayo for quite some time.

Looks pretty much like warm is the way to head so that is the direction. I thought I'd ask first to avoid a spasm if I could. I am off to try some Unjury chicken broth. Thanks for all the replies/help.

I just sent a friend request. Hopefully I have the right group. Sue Ellis Lambert Thanks

I am trying to get my liquids in and wondering what other people had the best luck with. Did you find cold, hot, room temperature worked the best? I don't have a problem with what taste good or what I like but I get these little spasm after a few sips and I am hoping to find something that works the best. It kind of feels like when you get those big air bubbles that hurt going up through your chest. I will be on Protein drinks and Clear Liquids for two weeks but today I'm just working on getting in some liquids. (Surgery date 5/21). I haven't dared try more sold like sf popsicles and sf Jello.

Good luck to all you going soon. Mine was Monday and I'd have to say each day was an improvement. Today I came home and so look forward to a good night's sleep. At the hospital I was at they did not have private rooms and the elderly lady on the other side had many issues in the night which required the nurses to come in and so I was awakened so many times for that and for them to take my vitals as well, I was exhausted the next day. Plus my IV would run out or hers would and they would have to be fixing that. Twice I heard them come in and say Bobbie, you're naked. I was hot she said. Haha, gotta love being 80 or 90 and figuring modesty could take second place to comfort.

My tummy is having a hard time with room temperature water so I was afraid to try the popsicles but I think I will anyway. When people were discussing having a hard time getting their liquid in I didn't realize that it might mean feeling nauseous and so far water does not work. I'm assuming it gets easier each day and trying different things helps. I intend to try something warm too like broth or decaf tea to see. Not sure if I dare add unflavored protein to anything yet. One day at a time.

I was sleeved Monday and came home today. A little nervous about not getting dehydrated as water gives me dry heaves and I used to be a big water drinker. I am only taking two tiny sips at a time....like 1/3 of the teaspoon but water makes me nauseous. I am going to try some flavored water and maybe some decaf tea. I tried the water at room temp thinking that best but maybe some people tolerate hot or cold better. Nausea has been hard on me because I didn't even get morning sick with my three pregnancies and only thew up once in the last 40 years so not something I"m used to dealing with. It is no fun. I guess I just need to experiment. Thanks for any advice. I am home and off the IV now so I need to get some liquids in.

Just came upon your post and just reading your description of your food for the day makes my mouth Water after almost two weeks of Protein shakes and sugar free popsicles!! LOL

They (Centrum) are orange flavored. I don't have a hard time with taste so they taste fine to me, a little tart maybe. They don't taste like candy ..... I would expect the gummies do so more of a treat. I would call them large, the weight isn't on the package but I just weighed one and the scale said 2 grams. I take 1 a day which gives 100% of Vit C, D, E, Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, Vit B6, Folic Acid, Vit B12, Pantothenic Acid, Iron, Iodine, Zinc, Copper. It gives 70% Vit A, and smaller %'s of a few others. Calcium is only 108mg and I don't believe it is calcium citrate so I take CC later in two doses of 500 each. The bottle is a two month supply. I am pre-surgery so after surgery maybe we have to take more than a standard Multivitamin, like two a day. I would assume there are tests to evaluate you for all of that periodically. At least I hope so.

Mine was a bit longer because my first appt I saw the band surgeon. When I switched to the sleeve, I had to see the other surgeon and than repeat a nutritionist visit because it is different based on which surgery. That put me behind....my surgeon is also far out on dates. I had everything redone and through and insurance approval and I still had to wait 2 months for a free surgery date for the surgeon. So I started 11/30 with band Dr., did most other apts Dec-Mar. Had to see nutritionist 3 times plus 1 that was extra, psych examiner, trainer once and go to 3 support groups. I'm not sure how much time I added with the switch probably at least a month, plus if your surgeon isn't booking so far out, your experience may be much quicker. My surgery is Monday. I had hoped for April originally a quieter time at my work but it didn't work out.

I am not sure what you mean by the above.....? I have the Centrum chewables and 1 of those gives you 100% of almost everything. Do you mean superior because it gives you more calcium and B12? Centrum doesn't have much for calcium but then again you aren't supposed to take calcium and Iron together anyway so I expect to take a calcium supplement separately. Thank goodness calcium citrate doesn't have to be taken with food at least when I forget I can just take them.