Hebber

Thta is wonderful to know. The cardiologist is telling me I can do this myself without the band. He is not obese nor has he ever been. No clue. 120 to drop is a little different than 30 on South Beach Diet. If I have been struggling for 7 years with this battle and have not yet won, it's time for round 2. My EF is in the 30s so I need to get that back up first before the surgery. The weight loss will be the best thing for this condition. Gotta get it off. Thanks for your feed back!

Does anyone know if a person that has had a heart attack can have this procedure done?

Both are your responses make perfect sense to me. Faster into the bloodstream as well as no food to absorb since we are not suppose to eat with fluids. Thanks Guys, I just enjoy a toddie here and there and do not want to be blind sided when I decide to try a toddy after the band.

Hey Guys, Can anyone give me some insight on how alcohol reacts when the band is in place? As we all know, the heavier you are, the more you can consume without getting very intoxicated. A martini for me is nothing compared to a thin person drinking the same amount. Does the band make the alcohol more potent....something to be aware of? No serious drinking problem here. I just do not want to be surprised if I decide to have a glass of vino.... Please share your thoughts...... Thanks, Heather

Hey Tam, What I was told is that no more than 20 Grams of Protein a day and VERY low carbs and low fat. Supposedly too much protein as well as high sugar , fat in take will prevent the liver from shrinking. It is working too hard to process the fats, carbs and proteins.They are trying to get more room around your stomach to place the band. The smaller the size of your liver, smoother the surgery goes. Hope that helps...... Thanks, Heather

I'm Heather from Chesapeake. I chose NSG as well. Dr. Fontana, I have heard nothing but wonderful things from pre-op to post. I am in the waiting stage for the surgery. Have covered all of my test and evals. Just waiting on a date :cursing: Very excited. I have been looking into this surgery or over a year now. Had an emotional set back with the unexpected death of my younger sister. Put things on hold a while until I was ready to go again. Very excited. Been following this forum for over a year now. Great info.....good bad ugly. You are able to make the best possible .... un-bias decision from this site. I wish you the best. I will be more than happy to give you a play by play on how things are going. Take Care! Heather

Sue, You are kicking ___! That is an awesome weight loss. What type of foods are you eating? Any breads or pasta's? Just cuious. Thanks, Heather

Hey Harmony, I'm Heather. 43 years old in 2 weeks. 5'7" and 274lbs. I have been looking an listening since last year. My insurance plan just changed in 08 so I will be covered. Just finishing up my 6mth Dr. supervised visits so I can get the ball rolling for surgery. My Insurance requires this 6 mth doc record so I have been playing the waiting game. I am ready.... Tired of the unrecognizable reflection. This is an awesome Group here. I have learned a WHOLE lot. Taking good notes from these Bandsters. Good Luck and lets keep in touch on our progress. Thanks , Heb

I have. had it before the wedding. Took down 22" off my body with 5 sessions. It stayed off. I do not currently have a band. In the process of getting one. They wrap that band EXTREMELY tight around the mid section. I would ask a Doctor about the pressure on the port. It is pretty intense. You are wrapped up tight and look like a mummy.....Talk to a doc if you are banded...

I guess Champayne is out of the picture That's fine. Plenty of other no carbonated things to choose from. The good news is I normally drink water for my beverage. Wine with a nice dinner. Bourbon and ginger over the Holiday's. I can let the Ginger go flat I never knew it can damage the band. That is great to know.... I thought it was just discomfort. Thank you for the insight. Pretty important Sounds like the large pieces of fruit or veggie skin is the problem. Hard to chew down. How tough is pasta to deal with? Any type better than another. I eat all whole wheat pasta now when I cook. Problem you think?

Gina, It's Heather. Waiting on my 6 mth doc suppervised requirment for Insurance. Bummed about teh delay but happy it's just around the corner. I had a few more questions for you :eek: Can you sip on any sodas? If not, what causing the issue? I was eating a marinara sauce yesterday and it had tomatoe skins and egg plant skins in the sauce. Will that be a problem? I am just trying to understand and prepare for the no's and yes' on this journey. Is Garlic an issue with digestion? Let me know what you have found to be the most difficult to consume. I know it is different with everyone but good to know what may be possible Thanks Gina! Heather

It's pretty sad when you feel you have to eat in private because you know how disgusting it is. Taco Bell just yesterday...Nachos and Bean Burrito. Ate so fast I could not even tell you what is taste like. I cannot wait until I get my band and know I can no longer do that to myself. It really is a disease. Thank God I decided to get this going before it was too far off the mark to deal with. I just know how important food is to me now. Does that go away after you get banded? Do you not look forward to special meals for fear of not being able to enjoy?

wow, 11 ilbs in a month. That sounds right on track. As far as Protein...they have a wonderful Hot Chocolate Protein drink on-line. Very low cal as well. Yummy. I can supp that for breakfast it's so good. WonderSlim Protein Diet Foods & Supplements For Quick Weight Loss . Great high protein soups as well..

Donna, The 6 month delay was a bit of a downer. I hope it goes as fast. Did your doc document everything...exercise and such? My doc is not big on details. He know my mind has been made up and he agrees. Just hoping the insurance company does not have a problem if the doc does not have the detail. He wrote me a prescrip for that fat blocker med. I heard it can be pretty ugly if you eat any saturated fats. Not sure if anyone else has tried the stuff... Good luck Donnajade!!!! Keep us all posted....the good bad and ugly ..........

That is awesome! any stay away froms as far as foods? Do you think the energy is from the excitemnet of knowing you are finely dropping or actually your mind telling you that you are not tired anymore?

Hey Harley Nana, I am looking in the Outer Banks for a permanent home. I now live right off the Bypass before the toll in Chesapeake. My parents are considering retiring and I decided if they do it, so will I...Live down there that is Do you know if the schools are pretty good? I have a 4 year old and will be ready for school by the time we make our move. Lots of reasonable water front properties. Raised on the water. Miss the sea doo's and boating. This weight has really taken life away from me from all areas. Not going to be able to get my band until Feb or March. Have to do the 6 mth Doc Supervised thingy before my insurance will cover it :confused: Gotta do what I gotta do Taking lots of great notes from you all. In and outs... great to know!

How is it going? I am doing my 6 month Doc Supervised stuff now. Lola told me my Insurance would definitely require it That puts a possible surgery out to Feb March. Oh Well.... it all happens for a reason. I am just going through the motions now.... Looking at clothes I may be able to fit in one day....airplane seats I can fly comfortable in :confused: Just looking to the future.... Any new insight? do's and don'ts

Too FGunny! Just got back from OBX last night. Stayed at Owens. Family and R&R as well. Anniversary of my younger sister that passed away unexpectedly last year. WE all wanted to just get away and listen to the Ocean....which was quite beautiful. 5 Lbs of salt spray on my car. Loved it! That weight loss is perfect Gina? Does your skin seem to be shrinking with this weight loss so far? I am meeting my surgeon on Oct 8th. Very excited to get it formally started. I will have plenty of questions after that appointment I am sure :eek: Thanks for all of your support Gina!

2 a week works for me ! Did you do liquid diet for 2 weeks prior or just one? Went to Dr. F seminar Wednesday. There was a woman there who had surgery in January. lost 53 so far. I guess it just depends. I see fast weight loss and I see steady. I would choose the steady. Ups and downs would make me nervous. The insurance lady said I can start now since my insurance does cover the test. Barium swallow, heart doc, she said depression can be covered for my pysch eval. Calling to get it started..... Happy about that..

I hav a pretty good acid reflux issue. I was not sure if they do a test before handas well. I have some erosion in the throat. Hoping that is not going to be an issue. Have you updated your Ticker? Any additional weight loss? Have a beautiful day! Heather

Great to hear... How long do you have to crush your meds? Just during the liquid time period? As far as the liquid....is it CLEAR liquids only? Did they require a Barium Swallow test during your process? Sorry about all of the questions.... Just trying to make sure am covering all of the bases? I am also ordering some Protein soups and hot choc's for the fall.

The WW or Weight Watchers Scale is Aweome! That is the only one I have found that is right on teh money. Down to the ounces. Best one I have owned. I believe Target carries them. I thought Walmart did at one time. Hope that helps!

Have not heard how things are going? Are you doing well? I was wondering, when on theliquids after surgery, can you swallow pills? Vitamins or the pain meds? Did not know how that is working? Look forward to hearing how things are going....

I am excited and going to my first seminar tonight as well. My mind has already been made that the band is the way to go for me. Been looking into it for over a year now. Had a slight set back last year now I am back on track. AS far as the attention issue: I was an pretty nice size 10 about 8 years ago. I think I have had more attention on me since I have been morbidly obese. Can she fit in the booth? Can she fit on the elevator? Does she need help getting up the stairs...? All of that mess. I hate it. I felt SO much more normal being a "normal" size. I am 120lbs over now and ready to get rid of it. Trust me..if it is a cat whistle or a compliment from a stranger, it's a WHOLE lot better than the attention we get for being very large people.

Diane, That picture is pretty convincing that it works! wow! Have you started working on your "pannis"...or the personal fanny pack? I have some wooden foot rollers that may work without the sore arm issue. I may have to give it a try. One arm only....just to see if it works. Awesome idea!