grownazzkid

I was banded 2/21 at 287lbs. My first fill was scheduled 3/21, 4 weeks later, and I was 274, so I lost 13lbs. I did not get a fill because I had no appetite or desire to eat. Had a check up this morning (4/3) and now 269lbs, so 5lbs in two weeks. Doc was impressed and said that is excellent. Sounded low to me (I want it all gone now lol), but 2.5lbs a week is good. I did get a fill, up to 6cc. Next check is in 2 weeks, my goal is to beat 5lbs!

I was the same way. Banded 2/21, only now is my appeitie coming back. One thing that helped me, oddly enough, was eating regularly. I could easily go with having one shake for breakfast and that would be it. I have recently made a concerted effort to have three meals a day. Always a shake for breakfast, something to chew for lunch, then dinner is one or the other, depending on my appetite. Still hovering around 7-900 calories a day. NUT wanted me at 1-1200... I cannot get there. Not yet anyway.

I do not weigh myself. My only weight-ins are when I go the clinic for a check up (every 2-3 weeks). If I am doing what I am suppose to then the weight will come off, and it is. Its a personal preference. Plus I am early in my journey. Maybe after I reach my goal I will buy a scale and weight myself weekly. My scale is my belt and my pants. I have a belt that I have to sinch in to the inside most hole... and I cannot wait to punch a new one!

I am currently working on the same thing. Three weeks post-op and I still have very little desire to eat. I was only getting 5-700 calories as well. There were days were I had a shake for Breakfast and dinner and that was it. My nutritionist wants me at 1000-1200!!! I cannot do that but I am making sure I have 3 meals a day which should get in closer to 1000. Hard to say specifically, everyone is different. But I can say if you are that active & eating that little it probably is not optimal. As far as rapid weight loss, my nutritionist wants 2lbs a week, which is about what I am losing right now. Doesn't sound like a lot but add it up and that is 9-10 lbs a month... 104 lbs in a year!!

I get mine on Wed. Not sure what to expect either. As it is now I do not have much of an appetite and eat about 6-800 calories a day. I really dont have much of a desire to even eat food and still have a shake for 1-2 meals a day. Let us know how it goes.

So two weeks in and all is going great. I had minimal pain & discomfort, was even being dragged around the mall 2 days later. One week of liquid only was NBD, same with mushies. They keep telling me my appetite will come back but it has not, in fact, I have very little desire to eat. I am still drinking two of my meals every day and what I do eat I do not finish. Probably only averaging 6-800 calories a day, with 80-90g of protein. Not sure about actual weight loss as I will not be a scale watcher. I had a doc visit one week post-op and I was down 7 pounds from pre-surgery weigh in. My next appointment is on the 20th, that will be the next time I get on a scale. I am suppose to get my first fill then but not sure if I need it. That being said I do know this, my clothes are definitely starting to fit differently. My pants are probably 2 sizes too big and shirts are fitting more comfortably. In other words, things are going great and wanted to share.

Mix protein in sugar free jello pudding. That is all i for first 2 or 3 days. I really didn't want anything but i choked it down once or twice a day.

I have BCBS Fed and was just banded 2/21. I went to True Results clinic in Austin. Three month of diet counseling and two years of medcial history (from regular doctor) indicating that you have been 40+ BMI (or under 40 & 2 co-morbids liek high bp, sleep apnia, diabetes...). I did not have a full two years so I had to write a letter of sorts talking about my weight history and struggles to lose weight. Started first week Oct, last session mid-January, got letter of approval in a week, surgery less than a month later. So far my out of pocket has been $25 per visit, $35 for psych co-pay, and $100 when I checked into hospital. Based on EOB's that have come in I am expecting another 1300-2000 from hospital, anesthesiologist, and whatever else they come up with.

Both. PB2 is protein shake magic! As for almond milk it is a nice alternative to water. I have completely given up cow milk.

My doc scheduled my first fill one month after surgery. Not sure what "normal" is, doctors seem to vary quite a bit.

Same here... Surgery Thursday monring, home by 3pm. At the mall on Saturday. back to work on Monday.

Told ya! And y'all bustin my chops... lol

Note on those - if you put them in the fridge they will thicken up a bit. Some people might be turned off by the texture. But they taste fine a room temp.

You can check out New whey Protein shots. They come in a a test tube looking bottle. 42g of protein, 180 calories, and they come in various fruit flavors. I have tried the watermelon and it was really good. Think watermelon Jolly Rancher. As for powders, you can look at Isopure, which is a powder that mixes clear and they have a bunch of flavors to choose from. Or there is Syntrax Nectars. Check your local Vitamin Shoppe. They are good about you exchanging if you do not like them.

Get lean ground turkey, chicken, or even pork. How about tuna? I think the bottom line, your diet is too heavy in carbs and way low in Protein. You need to get some good lean meat in your diet.! Good luck!!!

Calories in vs. calories out. What are your calorie totals per meal and per day? what percentage of calories are protein? The majority should be. And of course, activity - working out, walking, riding a bike. Something, every day.

Not Houston, I used the TR in Austin and have had a great experience. Everyone is very nice and very professional. If you are going the insurance route, they have the process down. They took care of everything and I got my approval letter 7 days after my last consultation visit... and was banded less than a month after that. If Houston is half as good as Austin you are in great hands.

I went with a liquid Vitamin from Vitamin Shoppe, Max Effect. Taste great and has a very good profile with other goodies thrown in. http://www.vitaminshoppe.com/store/en/browse/sku_detail.jsp?id=U9-1003#.US4OaVeS_ao

Different doctors seems to have different policies. My doctor just had me do an Adkins style diet pre-op. Less than 20g of carbs a day. Thats it, otherwise just eat smart. I ate scrambled eggs with turkey sausage for breakfast, Protein shake for lunch, and lean grilled meat (chicken or pork) with lettuce only salad, with low carb dressing, for dinner. Liquid only seems to be very harsh, but it may also be to prepare you for you first week post-op and just get you used to eating less, which is what you will be doing forever there after.

I cannot say that the band would matter, I guess you would drink it slower lol. If you really want to use it try a half dose and see how you feel. If it goes down ok and you do not have any adverse effects, then work you way up to a full dose over a week or so. Stats look like you are doing ok. Keep up the hard work and dedication. The results will come.

I am not sure what is going to happen. I went through True Results with approval from my BCBS Fed insurance. So far all I have paid is $25 co-pay for my four consultations at True Results & a $100 co-pay when I checked into the hospital. True Results had said I should be prepared to pay $1000 at check-in. There is a curios statement in my insurance approval letter - "Preferred provides have an agreement with us to accept our paid allowance as payment in full". I will update you with an follow up billing, which I am expecting... althought that would be great if I didn't.

I started with True Results Austin in Oct 2012. They guided me throught the hoop jumping to get insurance approval. My last consultation was on Jan 14, I got my approval letter Jan 22, and was banded on Feb 21. Dr. Esquivel was great. Seems to be a sharp guy. Everyone at St. David's South was awesome. I was expecting a lot of hurry up and wait, this was not the case. Checked in about 815a, Registration done by 845. I was in a gown by 915 and knocked out before 10am. Home by 3pm.

I was banded Thursday morning (2/21) and I am already feeling 100% better. Still really have no desire to eat at all. I have eaten twice, sugar-free pudding with a few spoons of Protein powder mixed in. Other than that it has been Water or apple juice. I am thinking today I will have some broth & maybe some protein pudding again. I could not sleep at all Thursday night from the pain & discomfort. Did take a nice walk yesterday & last night I slept great. I am ready to get out of the house today.

If you are talking about something like Jack3d or Assault (high stim) I would recommend caution. These are very strong stimulants. Our hearts are already working hard and to throw a bunch of caffeine of 1-3 Dimeth (geranium oil) could really have you feeling like crap. I personally like to work out first think in the morning on an empty stomach. I would recommend drinking so BCAA's before and during your workout. Xtend or Elite Recoup are great products for that. You have already taken the biggest step. You are banded. Just keep working out and eating right. It will keep coming.

I made it!!! Like NurseKelly I got banded yesterday. Felt pretty crummy the whole day, today is much better - not good but better. The worst thing is it is very uncomfortable to sleep & I am soooo thirsty. Luckily my wife is taking care of me. Too good, she wont let me do anything.