brannewmee

Thanks to everyone's responses n feedback. This thread is literally bringing tears to my eyes. I can't wait to get banded on January 2nd. Down 13 lbs since I started my pre-op liquid diet n looking forward to many many more.

I agree this is a great thread. Congrats on deciding to be banded. I also agree the preop part was the hardest. I had to do one months worth and by the end I would be gagging just preparing my liquid meal but I stuck to it as I was determined to make the change and follow my surgeons instructions and prepare for the journey ahead. Since being banded I have not had one Protein replacement meal and told my surgeon if I have to have any post op I just couldn't as they would make me ill. I didn't worry so much about protein requirements on my liquid/mushie stages' date=' I just made sure I stayed hydrated as I wasn't hungry for the first three to four weeks, once I started on solids then I was strict on getting the required amount if protein every day.

Until you get to the greenzone you'll have to muster up all your will power and determination to stay within the amount of one cup per meal or spread that meal out over a few hours. Some days were hard but I kept myself really busy doing other things.

You need to stop eating at the twenty minute mark because that's when you reach satiety and that's what we aim for now not the full feeling like in the past. Satiety is when the hunger feeling has gone away, it gets much easier as you get closer and hit the greenzone. Up until you hit the greenzone is the time to put all the new rules into practice, it doesn't happen overnight but with persistence it will eventually become second nature.

With the band since I started the whole process including pre op and a few extra pounds before my liquid diet I've dropped 80 pounds. Yesterday I took my daughter and a friend to a clothing warehouse, normal size clothing. I found one top in large, it was a looser type style and in my head I was like there is no way I will fit into it but I'm going to buy a large and keep it till I can wear it, it was too good of a bargain to pass up. I tried it on when I got home and I nearly fell over backwards, it was huge on me, lol. Ill be able to take it in but I am so used to buying from large women's stores that I haven't realised I can go to normal stores now and fit into some of those clothes.

There are ups and downs with the band, there are weeks if total frustration at times but if you keep chugging along its so so much easier than not having the band. Best decision I've made regarding weightloss and keeping it off. I can easily walk an hour and not feel like Im dying at the end of it too these days. Love the feeling of feeling lighter and being able to move around quickly without my body creaking constantly.[/quote']

Love that about your cloths size. I can't wait till that happens to me. I will be banded on Jan 2nd n I'm so exited to finally b able to keep the weight off. Doing the pre-op diet right now has helped me understand what hunger is n eating for fuel n not as a hobby. You reminded me of a time I went to an amusement park with friends n did not fit on one of the rides. I was so embarrassed n said that was it I was gonna lose the weight. I lost about 26 lbs n went again n I remember being so scared that I wouldn't fit again but I did. That was a couple of years ago n since then have put all the weight back plus another 25. Can't wait till I'm a size large n b swimming in it.

I have not been banded yet but I am anticipating getting it done soon hopefully. I'd love your open and honest opinions about whether you find that following the new lifestyle is easier or harder than expected. Do you still have cravings? How often are you hungry. Do you feel that you have more control with the band than you did without it? Anything and everything you would like to offer to future bandsters would be great!

Thanks- Jennifer

Hi I just started reading this thread yesterday n still am not done reading it, but I wanna thank you for asking the questions you have on here. I won't get banded till January 2nd n am just curious, it's now almost January, did you ever start the process of surgery? Did you have surgery yet?

I've been drinking pure Protein chocolate frothy with non fat milk. It is really good

I will b banded on January 2nd and am doing a two week liquid pre op diet. From what I hear or read all doctors are different just follow those instructions. My diet consists of 800-1000 calories and 80-100 grams of Protein, low sugar, and low carbs. All liquid. Consider yourself lucky if you can eat cause it's been tuff but duable. I haven't cheated and on day 6 had already lost 9lbs. Just stick to it n good luck.

I was gonna have the bypass a couple of years ago but decided to try on my own. I have tried several times since n have failed. Now I realized that the band is a tool tool to help loose weight so I'm very exited n can't wait till January 2nd to get banded. I had to see 6 different doctors to get approved (n had to see each a couple times n then some others to get approved) I also had to have a 6 month supervised diet in which I had already done weight watchers several times. I started my process in October n was approved by December. Good luck to you n hope this helped.

I was banded in September and today I had my first "stuck " episode. How do you soothe yourself after that? I felt like I had the worst heartburn ever. That has passed but now I think I irritated my stomach.

Hi I haven't been banded yet so I have lots of questions. From some comments it sounds like you were eating too fast. Do you know if that was actually the case? I don't want that feeling although I'm sure sooner or later I'll know what the feeling is. I would like hear from the banded themselves what not to do

I'm at day 5 of 7 and have very few restrictions. In fact' date=' the only one seems to be calories (no more than 870/day). They just want to see that 10 lbs have gone away by Monday.

I'm wondering if it's okay to eat an unlimited number of zero-calories foods during this time. I haven't but sure could, stuff like dill pickles and Top Ramen broth. Lots of sodium, though.[/quote']

I was told I could have sugar free Jello and sugar free popsicles but as for broth I have to have low sodium. I was also told to eat between 800-1000 calories and 80-100 grams of Protein. My experience has been these last couple days, that the high Protein shakes keep me satisfied.

I'm starting my Pre-op diet today. I was told NO caffine- so I'm drinking Decaf coffee and tea. Good luck to you' date=' When is your surgery date. Mine is January 4th. Had my "last meal" and Martini last night. mmm so good.[/quote']

Hi Cassieb sucks we can't have caffeine. I wonder why. I'm on day four now n had caffeine on my 1st n second day. None yesterday since I saw your post n I was fine. My surgery date is January second. I can't wait!! How have you been doing on your liquid diet?

How did you know? Symptoms???

My doc recommended the sleeve for me twice but I felt more comfortable with the lap band. I will b get banded on Jan. Second... can't wait

Hi all. I'm so excited to have started my pre-op diet. I know I will loose wait even before surgery so can't wait to see the new me. As I'm doing my diet some questions have come up. Is regular coffee okay? Can I have soy vanilla instead of skim milk? Soy has more calories, which I need and less Protein which I need? My doctor is Richard Nguyen in San Jose California. Thank you all for the support.