gowalking

What a great NSV. I'm able to wear rings again that I haven't worn in years. So satisfying!

my preop diet consisted of 3 protein shakes, a small salad with 2 tbs. FF dressing and clear broth with veggies allowed in the broth...like green beans, cauliflower, broccoli, etc. Was on the diet for two weeks prior to surgery and lost an astonishing 17 lbs. I'm now down 71 lbs. since the preop diet started on January 1st of this year.

Condolences on the loss of your mother. My understanding of the weight loss part of the process is not so much to lose weight as it is to document trying to lose weight. I think it's the one weight loss attempt where actual weight loss is not necessarily the goal. Having said that, I'd still check with your doctor. I just know that in my case, the insurance company just needed documentation from my PCP that I attempted weight loss under a doctor's care....and not that I had to be successful at it. And I wasn't. I stayed the same weight for the three months I was documented. Just as an FYI, the success came after banding. 71 lbs. down in 6 1/2 months...45 to go.

If you don't have any information regarding the pre-op diet, call the office first thing tomorrow and get detailed instructions as to what you can or cannot eat. And while you have them on the phone, get all the information you need for post-op as well. This is very important...as important as the surgery itself and shame on your doctor's office for not providing the specifics you need to be successful. Wishing you success on your weight loss journey.

I went to a wedding last night and was very aware after nibbling on a plate of food during the cocktail hour, that I had likely had enough. There was no soft stop, my band didn't object to anything I was eating...I just sorta figured it was time to stop so I could also partake of the dinner meal as well. At dinner, I treated myself to the filet mignon but had to cut a portion of it away so I'd know when I had enough. Same for the potatoes. I also made the choice to have one small taste of each of the dessert offerings....about four items in all. I did fine, and weighed in this morning as I do every Sunday and lost a pound this week. Now up to 71 lbs. lost..so I know I'm doing well. The question is....I have to be super diligent so as not to overindulge. Does it ever become second nature where I can be eating food, and just know when I'm done? I suspect not....because if I could do that, I wouldn't have gained so much weight to begin with. I just wonder if I'll always have to be so aware of what I'm eating...and more importantly...how much I'm eating. Opinions and feedback from veteran bandsters welcome.

you should probably double check to make sure, but if it is OK for you, enjoy it. I ate it about a week post op and it was the best egg drop soup ever!

As long as the scale goes down, how long it takes is secondary. Great job!,

I never thought about what to do with a a bill that low....not living in NYC...anyway...LOL!

Same here. The only time you take something into consideration is if your meal is discounted. You should tip off the regular price and not the discounted price. But otherwise, 20% of the meal regardless of how many people are eating said meal. I live in New York City and eat out alot. I often eat an appetizer or share a meal..or a few small plates and the tip is figured off the bill only.

All I can do is add my congratulations. The other posters said everything I feel. You are a true inspiration and your posts are on the money. Your advice is sound and you are both compassionate and have the wherewithall to kick ass if needed. And you are beautiful inside and out.

I think it's partly society's perception. Young people are supposed to be slim....if you're older, it's OK to have some extra meat. Obviously I don't agree, this is just an observation. Also...size is relative so to speak. I was at a wedding last night and saw folks that I haven't seen in six months or more. I got compliments galore which is understandable with 71 lbs. gone. I heard people say things that you hear when you reach goal. I have 45 lbs. more to go. So I know that I look great compared to what I looked like six months ago....but I still wore a size 18 dress...and that's not acceptable as a final size for me.

Well done. You are an inspiration. Congrats on your success!

This kind of post is just so frustrating. again...this is not a slam at George...it's a slam at the doctors who perform these surgeries and do not clearly explain to their patients just what to expect. I read posts all the time from people who have no clue what to expect. It's only when they read responses from other bandsters that they get an idea of what this surgery actually means. What is wrong with the doctors?? Even my bariatric group which is supposed to be one of the best...they were the ones who did Gov. Christie....did not give me a blow by blow of what being banded really means. Fortunately, I understood the concept....smaller portions and eating till satiated, not full but there are plenty of people out there who think they'll never be hungry again and will not have to deal with the head hunger...which never goes away. Ugh....OK, done with my rant. Thanks for letting me vent.

how about oatmeal and cream of wheat? You should be able to get those down easy enough. I keep the packets in my desk at work and it's an easy breakfast.

Congrats on your success.

Unfortunately it's very common...and can be a problem long after the surgery is a distant memory. Since you are newly banded, I would check with your doctor as to how to resolve this problem, but know that many of us use stool softeners, laxatives, Fiber related aids, and for myself, I take a prescription med to help with this issue. It seems to be a problem even if you are eating foods that normally keep you regular. Again, speak with your doctor for advice on how to take care of this before it becomes truly uncomfortable.

Thanks pink. I appreciate your professional input. I'm in terrible pain all the time and am OK with going through this surgery if I can come out the other side being able to walk without the cane. If it works, my sister and I head to Paris for a vacation. I've wanted to go for some years now but was always stopped because I have such limited mobility.

Thanks so much Missy. I'm glad you told me about your mom. I'm hoping to be as successful as she is.

Well...as many of you know, I have severe arthritis in my right knee. It was a co-morbidity and made it that much easier to get approved by the insurance company. I have alot of pain still even after losing more than 70 lbs. so I had an MRI done and was told that the damage is too severe for any additional shots or medicinal interventions. The doctor is recommending a knee replacement. That's the bad news. The good news is that I've lost enough weight to have the surgery...which was the reason I did this to begin with. I was told nearly a year ago that at the weight I was, surgery would not be successful. I was banded in January with the hope that I could go ahead with the surgery in a year but I've done so well with the weight loss that I'm looking at surgery at the end of the summer or early fall. Not happy about having surgery but am so hopeful that the surgery will be successful and I'll be able to walk without pain again. .

Sorta depends on how much you need to lose in total as well. My goal was to lose about 120 lbs. and I've dropped 70 of it rather quickly but now it's coming off much much slower so just be aware and don't let this derail you if you don't meet that goal in the timeframe you anticipate. Remember...this is for life so while it's nice to lose it fast, it's more important to just work the program and let the weight come off as it will..

yeah, no one can remember everything. write stuff down..and find out if they have handouts. most offices do so you can keep referencing the instructions. good luck!

Huberman, right? He was easy... My experience was that Ren-Fielding is a good surgeon but I got more information on this site than anything they told me in the office...especially the nutritionist. She was of no help other than telling me to eat 3 oz. protein, 1/2 cup veggies, 1/4 cup carbs. It's working but I'm also wide open...no fills. I'm just one of those lucky few who doesn't need them. I was banded six months ago and lost 70 lbs. so far.

I noticed your surgeon is Dr. Schwack. I had Dr. Ren-Fielding.

myfitnesspal is a great app. I use it to track calories, Protein, carbs, sugars, sodium.

cheese is Protein and most of us eat it with meals, or as Snacks. I would never presume to know better than your doctor, but I would really speak with a nutritionist or talk to another doctor. cheese is not a slider food...like ice cream is. Bread can be a problem for some but if you can tolerate it, you should be able to eat it. Lot's of people toast the bread so it is dryer and crumbles. Oh...and lots of us eat more than a half cup of food...including me. Really....speak to another doctor or a nutritionist. Those rules you were given will set you up for failure.