mrsto

I think having something like won ton soup broth is a great idea, to have variety during the liquid phase. And I agree that all broths, unless you make them yourself, have a lot of sodium. When I was on full liquids, I got so sick of everything that came in a can, I picked up some ready made soup at the market; strained out the solids and had myself a ball!

Biotin DOES work, and it certainly won't hurt you if you try it. I took it regularly for a period of time (before surgery), and it really helps my hair and nails. Another product I like is BioSil. It was recommended by the nutritionist at my surgeon's office. Here is a link to it at GNC. http://www.gnc.com/p...oductId=4022428

LOL!!

Those "standards"......or, the infamous "chart", is so totally off and unrealistic. Those charts & standards say that I should be between 118-132. When I was 135, I was very thin. Not TOO thin, but thinner than what would look good on me at my age. My face would be totally drawn, and I would not look healthy.

It's so true about the protein. I find that when I eat JUST protein at a meal, I'm satisfied for much longer than if I have some protein and a carb. Even if it's a complex carb, I'm much better with protein alone. Or, protein with a little bit of veggies.

Have you tried the ready made Premier Protein shakes in chocolate? Some people just don't do well with whey. The bariatric medical community seems to like it, because that's all they prescribe. However, there are other protein powders out there, with the same specs as some of the whey ones. Here are a couple of links; one for pea protein, and another for egg white protein. Maybe try one of them & see if there is any difference in the way you feel? http://www.jayrobb.com/protein/egg-white-protein-vanilla.asp http://www.vitaminshoppe.com/store/en/browse/sku_detail.jsp?id=OL-1039#.UZaczOtAtzQ PS: In the beginning of my lap band venture, I was okay with the protein powders. After a week of it being ALL I could have, they began to make me gag. Even still, I avoid them at all costs. If I need to grab one, I'll have the chocolate Premier. I buy them at costco.

My lowest weight (aside from birth) was 113. That was underweight for me. My highest was 225, and I've lived everywhere in between. My goal is one that I can live with; not starve myself & not be a slave to it. That number (for me) is 150. I'll see how I feel when I get there, but I'm pretty darn sure it's going to be GREAT!!! For my age and frame, it's a realistic goal.

I highly recommend that you don't rush this along. If you follow you doctor's recommended diet progression, and eat band size portions of REAL food, you will lose weight. I would also stay away from wine for awhile; at least this early on. It has zero nutritional value, and not great for weight loss. Use those calories for something to fortify your body, not take away from it. You took a big step with this surgery. Now, try & relax a bit and take one step at a time. Your lack of hunger and appetite is temporary from surgery. It will come back, and I would hate to see you set yourself up for failure, by continuing (what I consider) old "diet mentality" thinking. This is a WHOLE different thing.... Try & focus on your health, and not the scale. If you follow your doctor's instructions, you WILL lose weight

I take Nature's Plus chewable multi-Vitamin and mineral supplement. I get them at the Vitamin Shoppe, but here is a link to them at another place (just so you can see what they are). I like these better than the gummies, because they have minerals as well. All of the gummies I've looked at, seem to be missing things. http://www.thenaturalonline.com/natures-plus-adult-multi-vitamin-pineapple-90-chewable-tablets.html?gclid=COLf3ujbnbcCFS9eQgodyEMASg

I had gas pain; especially in the left shoulder, for a good 2 1/2 weeks post-op. Everyone is different in how long it takes to subside. Just walk a lot, and do everything you're already doing. I WILL get better.

You can do it!! I have to say, I'm only 7.5 weeks out from surgery, and I love love LOVE my band!!!

YES - you can reel this in quickly, before 19 pounds turns into 90 pounds Before my surgery, I told my doctor that maybe I'd have the band removed. once I'd lost all my weight. He told me that most start to gain under those circumstances. JUST like you said, we get used to banded life, and don't really realize how much a part of us it becomes. Out comes the band, and out comes the food beast within - AACK!!! All I can say is, catch this while you can. We all know how quickly we can gain all of our weight back, once we let go of the reins

Thanks, Lee. I would love to do yoga, but I can't sit on the floor in many of the poses. I have a pretty bad herniated disc, and the bone doesn't move normally (it shears). I have a follow up appt. with my spine doc this afternoon. Disc repair surgery is in my future, but for now I'll probably opt for the PT and some more epidurals. I hate this sh-t!! I can walk, but after awhile my hip will tighten up (from the disc). Leg pain, blah blah. Sometimes I'll get a really good walk; up and down the hills where I live, etc. But I pay for it later in the day, as everything tightens up horribly. This is all very frustrating, because I've had long periods in life where I was pretty fit.

Love it! I went through that journey with you, as I was reading your post.

Yeah, THC stays in the system for a long time after you stop; it's stored in the fat cells. Back in the 80s, after I'd stopped smoking for a good 6 weeks, I was given a drug test & it STILL showed up. Unbelievable.....

OMG - I was a total pot head for more years than I'll admit. My first toke was in 1967 when I was 12, and kept going on a daily basis for many years. And the munchies - OMG. I'd plan evenings and weekends on what kind of crap I would pick up; making sure that I had ALL of my medications - LOL. I've known people that smoke a lot of pot, and don't have the munchie thing. Hard to believe, I know! Anyway, food people would NOT fall into that group. My suggestion is, if you are a "wake & bake" smoker, try your best to stop it all together. When I finally walked away from the habit years ago, it was one of the best things I did. Looking back, I can't even believe that I did it as long as I did; lived life in a state of "numb". Not the best habit for someone who also has a food issue! But even with all the "stuff" I did in years past, food was, and still is, my #1 drug of choice

CONGRATS! I know you feel great!! I should be there in the next couple of weeks

I agree with tmf; Water weight. Are you getting all of your water in? That will help to flush out the water retention.

LOL!

Rosie - good to see you! I haven't seen any posts from you in awhile

ROFL!!

Okay - in keeping with the thread, I'm working on getting my exercise program together. I've been walking regularly; about 20-30 minutes, 5 times a week. Sometimes I jam it on the treadmill, but it causes further pain issues with my back. I saw the spine doc last week, and I'm starting physical therapy next week; 2 times per week. My ultimate goal with the PT is to have them set me up on a program, that is "friendly" to my physical issues; bad knee, herniated disc with leg and hip pain. I have a way to go, but at least I'll be working with people who KNOW what's best for me. I tried Curves about 18 months ago, and they have NO clue how to deal with people with physical issues. I almost blew out my knee completely, and was able to get out of the membership. Now.....I'm moving in another direction.

WOW, Lee......I just looked at your profile. QUITE the transformation!! You don't even look like the same person in the beginning photo (I bet you hear that all the time). You're a model bandster

I had an MRI on my spine last week; no problem. And I asked the doctor and the technician beforehand.

Yes, on the fridge, the pantry, the dashboard of my car, the bulletin board in my office (adjacent to the kitchen)........ETC.!