IM_LORI

pureed food, what a joy! I'm going to give you a TON of great Smoothie recipes! I'm the queen of them. Actually someone gave me this list but it's incredible! Sorry for the long post. chocolate Monkey 8 oz. Water or 4 oz. soy milk/4 oz. water 1 scoop chocolate Protein 1/2 a banana Place water in the blender first, then powder, then additions. Blend on low then high till well blended. strawberry Banana Smoothie 8 oz. water or 4 oz. soy milk/4 oz. water 1 scoop vanilla protein 1/2 banana 3 whole frozen strawberries Place water in the blender first, then powder, then additions. Blend on low then high till well blended. Banana Split 8 oz. water or 4 oz. soy milk/4 oz. water 1 scoop of vanilla Protein Powder 1/2 banana 1/4 cup chopped pineapple 2 frozen strawberries Place water in the blender first, then powder, then additions. Blend on low then high till well blended. Blueberry Bonanza Smoothie 8 oz. water or 4 oz. soy milk/4 oz. water 1 scoop of vanilla protein powder 1/2 cup frozen or fresh blueberries Place water in the blender first, then powder, then additions. Blend on low then high till well blended. Chocolate Covered Cherry 8 oz. water or 4 oz. soy milk/4 oz. water 1 scoop chocolate protein 10-12 frozen or fresh cherries optional: 1 tsp. of SF Cherry Torani Syrup or a drop of cherry extract Place water in the blender first, then powder, then additions. Blend on low then high till well blended. Silky Latte 4 oz. Silk brand Mocha soy milk 4 oz. water 1 scoop vanilla protein powder 2-3 ice cubes Place liquid in the blender first, then powder, then additions. Blend on low then high till well blended. Silky Mocha 4 oz. Silk brand Mocha soy milk 4 oz. water 1 scoop chocolate protein powder 2-3 ice cubes Place liquid in the blender first, then powder, then additions. Blend on low then high till well blended. Mint Chocolate Chip Protein Smoothie 4 oz. Vitasoy Peppermint Chocolate soy milk 4 oz. water 1 scoop chocolate protein powder 2-3 ice cubes Place liquid in the blender first, then powder, then additions. Blend on low then high till well blended. pumpkin Spice Smoothie 8 oz. water or 4 oz. soy milk/4 oz. water 1 scoop of vanilla protein powder 1/4 cup canned pumpkin (chilled) Dash of pumpkin pie spice Place water in the blender first, then powder, then additions. Blend on low then high till well blended. berry Berry Good Smoothie 8 oz. water or 4 oz. soy milk/4 oz. water 1 scoop of vanilla protein powder 1/2 cup frozen or fresh berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries) Place water in the blender first, then powder, then additions. Blend on low then high till well blended. Mochachinno 8 oz. cold coffee 1 scoop chocolate protein 2-3 ice cubes Place liquid in the blender first, then powder, then additions. Blend on low then high till well blended. Egg Nog Protein shake 4 oz. Silk Nog soy milk 4 oz. water 1 scoop vanilla protein Dash of nutmeg Place liquid in the blender first, then powder. Blend on low then high till well blended. Dash of nutmeg on top. Pina Colada 8 oz. water or 4 oz. soy milk/4 oz. water 1 scoop of vanilla protein powder 1/4 cup pineapple 1 Tbs. SF Coconut Torani Syrup (I've also used 2 T. of unsweetened coconut from the health food store or Baker's catalog) Place water in the blender first, then powder, then additions. Blend on low then high till well blended. Peanut Butter Cup 8 oz. water or 4 oz. soy milk/4 oz. water 1 scoop chocolate protein powder 1 Tbs. peanut butter (smooth or chunky) 2-3 ice cubes Place water in the blender first, then powder, then additions. Blend on low then high till well blended. Cherry Vanilla Smoothie 8 oz. water or 4 oz. soy milk/4 oz. water 1 scoop vanilla protein 5-6 maraschino cherries 1 Tbs. SF French Vanilla Torani Syrup Place water in the blender first, then powder, then additions. Blend on low then high till well blended. Chocolate Caramel Protein Shake 8 oz. water or 4 oz. soy milk/4 oz. water 1 scoop chocolate protein powder 1 Tbs. SF Caramel Torani Syrup 3 Ice Cubes Place water in the blender first, then powder, then additions. Blend on low then high till well blended. Blueberry Banana Protein Smoothie 8 oz. water or 4 oz. soy milk/4 oz. water 1 scoop vanilla protein 1/2 cup frozen blueberries 1/2 banana Place water in the blender first, then powder, then additions. Blend on low then high till well blended. Strawberry Smoothie 8 oz. water or 4 oz. soy milk/4 oz. water 1 scoop vanilla protein 3-4 Frozen Whole Strawberries Place liquid in the blender first, then powder, then additions. Blend on low then high till well blended. Lemon Meringue Smoothie 8 oz. water or 4 oz. soy milk/4 oz. water 1 scoop of vanilla protein powder 1 T. SF Jello Lemon pudding Powder 2 Ice Cubes Place water in the blender first, then powder, then additions. Blend on low then high till well blended. Green Giant 8 oz. water or 4 oz. soy milk/4 oz. water 1 scoop of vanilla protein powder 1 T. SF Jello Pistachio Pudding Powder 2 Ice Cubes Place water in the blender first, then powder, then additions. Blend on low then high till well blended. Butterscotch Shake 8 oz. water or 4 oz. soy milk/4 oz. water 1 scoop of vanilla protein powder 1 T. SF Jello Butterscotch Pudding Powder 2 Ice Cubes Place water in the blender first, then powder, then additions. Blend on low then high till well blended. Strawberry Cheesecake Shake 8 oz. water or 4 oz. soy milk/4 oz. water 1 scoop of vanilla protein powder 1 T. SF Jello Cheesecake Pudding Powder 3-4 Frozen or Fresh Strawberries Place water in the blender first, then powder, then additions. Blend on low then high till well blended. Vanilla Spice Protein Shake 4 oz. Silk Spice soy milk 4 oz. water 1 scoop vanilla protein powder Dash Cinnamon Dash Nutmeg 2-3 ice cubes Place liquid in the blender first, then powder, then additions. Blend on low then high till well blended. Chocolate Almond Protein Smoothie 4 oz. vanilla soy milk 4 oz. water 1 scoop chocolate protein powder 1 T. Almond Butter 2-3 ice cubes Place liquid in the blender first, then powder, then additions. Blend on low then high till well blended. Mango Madness Protein Smoothie 4 oz. water 4 oz. vanilla soy milk 1 scoop vanilla protein powder 1/2 cup fresh or frozen mango chunks 2-3 ice cubes Place liquid in the blender first, then powder, then additions. Blend on low then high till well blended. Banana Joe Protein Shake 4 oz. water 4 oz. vanilla soy milk 1 scoop vanilla protein powder 1/2 banana 1/2 shot of espresso or 1/4 cup fresh coffee or 1 tsp instant coffee 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon 2-3 ice cubes Place liquid in the blender first, then powder, then additions. Blend on low then high till well blended. Carrot Cake Protein Shake 4 oz. water 4 oz. Silk Spice soy milk (if you use Vanilla or Plain Milk add more cinnamon and nutmeg) 1 scoop vanilla protein powder 1/2 cup frozen sliced carrots 1 Tablespoon Cream cheese Dash Cinnamon Dash Nutmeg Place liquids in the blender first, then powder, then additions. Blend on low then high till well blended. Mango Banana Protein Lassi 4 oz. vanilla soy milk 4 oz. water 1/4 cup Greek yogurt 1 Tbs. SF Vanilla Torani Syrup 1 scoop vanilla protein powder 1/2 Banana (fresh or frozen) 1/2 cup fresh or frozen mango chunks 2-3 ice cubes Place liquid in the blender first, then powder, then additions. Blend on low then high till well blended. Banana Protein Smoothie 4 oz. water 4 oz. vanilla soy milk 1 scoop vanilla protein powder 1/2 Banana (fresh or frozen) Dash Cinnamon Dash Nutmeg 2-3 Ice Cubes 2-3 ice cubes Place liquid in the blender first, then powder, then additions. Blend on low then high till well blended. Mocha Banana Joe Protein Shake 4 oz. water 4 oz. vanilla soy milk 1 scoop Chocolate protein powder 1/2 banana 1 tsp instant espresso powder 2-3 ice cubes Place liquid in the blender first, then powder, then additions. Blend on low then high till well blended. Mocha Joe Protein Shake 4 oz. water 4 oz. vanilla soy milk 1 scoop Chocolate protein powder 1 tsp instant espresso powder 2-3 ice cubes Place liquid in the blender first, then powder, then additions. Blend on low then high till well blended. Peach Cobbler Protein Shake 8 oz. water or 4 oz. soy milk/4 oz. water 1 scoop of vanilla protein powder 1/4 cup frozen sliced peaches dash cinnamon dash nutmeg 2-3 ice cubes Place liquid in the blender first, then powder, then additions. Blend on low then high till well blended Mango Banana Protein Smoothie 8 oz. water or 4 oz. soy milk/4 oz. water 1 scoop of vanilla protein powder 1/4 cup frozen mango chunks 1/2 a banana 2-3 ice cubes Place liquid in the blender first, then powder, then additions. Blend on low then high till well blended. Gingersnap Protein Smoothie 8 oz. water or 4 oz. soy milk/4 oz. water 1 scoop of vanilla protein powder 1/2-3/4 teaspoon ground ginger 1 Tablespoon Starbuck's SF Cinnamon Dolce Syrup dash of cinnamon 2-3 ice cubes Place liquid in the blender first, then powder, then additions. Blend on low then high till well blended. Strawberry Mango Protein Smoothie 8 oz. water or 4 oz. soy milk/4 oz. water 1 scoop vanilla protein 1/4 cup frozen mango chunks 3 whole strawberries Place water in the blender first, then powder, then additions. Blend on low then high till well blended. Banana Bread Protein Smoothie 8 oz. water or 4 oz. soy milk/4 oz. water 1 scoop Vanilla Protein Powder 1 T. SF Jello Banana Pudding Mix, dry 1/2 teaspoon Cinnamon dash Nutmeg dash Ground Cloves 1/2 Banana, frozen 2-3 Ice Cubes Place liquid in the blender first, then powder, then additions. Blend on low then high till well blended. Top with another dash of nutmeg.

Your doing great! I never got hungry either. I'd hear my stomach growl, but yet I didn't feel hungry. I still feel that way now. I know I need to eat cuz I'll feel weak & tired, and honestly I just enjoy food! (imagine that) But I can still say, 11 months out, that I really don't have an appetite. I just had a fill Saturday and my doctor likes me on liquids for 5 days. Not a problem for me. I get a little crazy cuz I miss the flavors dancing on my taste buds, but I can't say I get hungry. Let's consider ourselves fortunate!

All doctors are different. You'll find some say do liquids the day of the fill, and then eat as before. Mine wants me on liquids for 5 days, then 3 days creamy liquids with mushies. I made it 3 days. At that point I was starving. They all have their reasons. Main point, eat as tolerated! If you can't do anything but liquids for a few days, so then do liquids. If you having troubles with more solid food, resort back to mushies. If you can't get water down, get an unfill. We need to listen to our body and respond to what it is tolerating and NOT force down what it isn't ready to handle.

Go to amazon's website and enter the words Lap Band. It will bring up a number of books from information, handbooks, cook books, etc..... I've heard the cook book is great as it avoids the foods that we Bandsters typically can't eat, like breads, rice, heavy meats, etc.....

It doesn't sound like your depression is related to your band, nor losing your weight. It sounds like eating may have been a comfort for you in dealing with depression in the past. Currently with your band, your probably not able to "eat through your misery" which is a good thing. Time to deal with it in a different way. If seasonal depression is an ongoing problem (I've had that) antidepressants work wonders! along with some other things like being out in the sun more, daylight, moderate exercise outside. (not eating) When I lived in the midwest, the days were very very short and I found myself quite depressed in October. The 3rd year, my Dr. caught the pattern and said next year we'll start you on an antidepressent in late August and probably avoid it all together. It worked! You'll get through this, but loosening your band isn't your answer. Look a little harder and you'll find what is right for you.

Bacitracin is a good topical antibiotic, or triple antibiotic ointment. Putting some of that with a gauze over it works wonders. It looks more than a little pink though. I got an infection in one of my incisions too, although not the port site. One of the internal stitches came to the surface of the skin, and kept rubbing on my clothes and eventually got infected. A couple days of oral antibiotics and topical antibiotic cream and it was gone. Good luck

You've managed your life this long without the machine. We never had them years ago and people lived. And I"m sure in a few months, you are going to be at a healthier weight where the sleep apnea isn't going to be a problem. Chalk this one up as a small blessing to push the approval through your insurance a little easier!

Most likely you pulled your side abdominal muscle a little, and there are stitches there that attach your port to the muscle. One of the stitches probably pulled on the muscle and caused some irritation or swelling. Give it a couples days and it will subside probably. Be sure and have your Dr. check it out today when you are there.

Stomach virus, not going to hurt your band. But if you start vomiting a LOT, that can cause stomach irritation and swelling which can make your band real tight. Excessive volatile vomiting can also cause a band to slip. If you are throwing up a lot, it may be worth a call to your Dr. to ask for some Compazine or something similar to take away the nausea and prevent vomiting.

You are getting caught up in the scale trap! DON"T weigh yourself every day. It will fluctuate within several pounds over the course of the day just from fluids. Weigh yourself 1 day a week! Preferable right when you get up in the morning, use the bathroom, and naked! Focus on a weekly loss. Plateau's are common. You'll see that you'll hit a spot, and maybe the scale won't budge for a week, but you'll notice "non-scale" victories, such as your clothes fitting differently, having more energy, etc............. then the next week, that scale will drop down. So don't get hung up on that scale! Some nutritionists actually tell you to get rid of it, but I don't support that philosophy. I think the scale is a good item for weekly feedback to reflect on your eating pattern & exercise. If it moves, you did something right. If it's stuck for a while, we need to re-evaluate what we need to do differently. :party:

First of all, don't give up, there are options. I got rather complacent for a while, and kind of fell back into some old eating patterns. You need to do something to "shake yourself up". Get all the paperwork, or books, information, etc,,,,,,,,,, from your initial banding. Find a website with all the basics, and read them all. Go get a fill, get in touch with others who are beginning, and start over. Remember the basics. Eat Breakfast, lunch, dinner. Avoid refined carbs, focus on Protein. Don't drink immediately after you eat of you flush your upper stomach area out & are hungry again. Go back to your Dr. for support and have him give you a "pep talk". Meet with his nutritionist if he has one. I joined a weight loss competition with some other freinds, got a fill, and that seemed to have motivated me to get back on track. Buy what you need to eat, keep it on hand, don't get junk. Protein shakes for breakfast is great. Fruit or nuts for morning snack. LARGE tossed salad with lots of fresh veggies for lunch. Fruit or nuts again for snack in the pm. Dinner, lean meat or fish, grilled veggies, salad. I can't live without chocolate. Everyday I do 1 chocolate Protein Drink, or 1 Protein Bar for a snack. I'd DIE without chocolate. You CAN do this. Get some positive feedback in the chat room here, there are great people. Read people's profiles who SUCCEEDED! There are many people online giving out advice, but only follow the ones who lost all their weight, or are consistantly losing. They have a solid program they follow that is working. Chocolate will always be my issue. And regardless of how tight your band is, chocolate & cheesecake always go in. I found a cheesecake sugar free coffee syrup! Modify your diet to accomodate some of your weaknesses, or you will feel to deprived. Exercise? I HATE it too. It's boring, I hate to sweat, I don't like breathing hard, I don't like sore muscles, I hear you. I hired a personal trainer for 4 months. It works. I get bored quiclkly which is probably the same with you. Change activities frequently. Go for a quick walk, swing your arms, tomorrow rollerblade, then go bike riding, then hike in the hills, go fly a kite, (you have to run a little to get it up) do simple weight lifting during commercials. ALWAYS take stairs, never elevators, park in the last spot in the back of the parking lot. You can modify a lot of things during your day. You can and you WILL do it! FOCUS FOCUS FOCUS! Lori

Don't guess around with your insurance or ask others. CALL them and ask EXACTLY what is covered. Some plans have exclusions on weight loss surgeries. (mine) If it is covered, ask EXACTLY what information is needed for approval. Get it in writing, email, fax, etc....... Take that to your bariatric surgeon, and most offices are great at manipulating the data to meet insurance requirements. Your BMI is high enough where you should qualify if the surgery is an allowable benefit. Some people who are around 35-40 can get caught in the trap of not being fat enough.

nothing to this! YOu wake up, a little dizzy & tired, (much like a mild hangover) You may have some abdominal pressure inside or up in your shoulder from the carbon dioxide gas they use to inflate your belly. That can be nothing, or it can be very uncomfortable. Either way, it's tolerable. Everyone is different. Most patients stay over night, but some docs are now doing this outpatient. So that alone tells you how minor this is. You'll drink liquids for a while afterwards. Typically you won't be hungry. The shock of having a band slapped on your stomach typically elimiantes any hunger for a while. You'll do great, just relax, eat your last supper tonight! and ENJOY the process!

That does go away in a few days. You were just banded. After general anesthesia, the colon does sort of dormant, or dead. Then you are on liquids. On top of that, you have this new band squeezing your stomach like a pair of shoes that are a size too small. I had the same thing, and many others. I would sit on the couch, watching TV, and for about 2 days, my stomach made the most monsterous roaring gurgling noises as things adjusted. In a couple days it will go away. But in the meantime, I know it is very annoying. The entire room can hear your stomach making noises that you've never heard before! hahah Don't go to church today! hehehe

If you feel you are losing weight, and not hungry, then there really isn't a need for a fill. Most people are ready around 4-6 weeks, but personally, I had my band UNFILLED for 10 months, & lost 83 pounds. The band itself felt tight enough for me to feel full after eating a little food. This past weekend I finally had my first fill. It's not real common, but for some people, the band is tight enough on the stomach to create enough restriction. Some people have actually lost all their weight completely unfilled. Listen to your body and you decide.

If you don't have easy access to a qualified skilled lap band surgeon, you are not a good candidate for surgery. As you've seen in the prior responses, some people are tight after surgery with no fill, some people need 4,5,6 + fills. You can not just jump ahead and "tighten it up" per say. One persons sweet spot is not the same as the next. Each persons stomach size, band, is unique, as well as their body's response to the band. Some people get stomach swelling, and the band gets TOO tight. Also, you may get a great ideal fill, and 6 weeks later, you've lost weight, and that includes internal fat around your stomach and your band becomes looser, thus time for another. Also, complications are COMMON! belching, getting stuck, sliming, puking, heartburn, acid reflux, swallowing difficulties, and to not have a good surgeon to supervise you and give you close follow up, you are setting yourself up for failure. The band is not something you slap on your stomach, go home, and wait for the weight to fall off. It a long, complex process that requires frequent, close monitoring. It's a great too, but I would highly encourage you to reconsider the timing of this. Perhaps when you are done touring, you can dedicate the time it requires and focus on your weight loss! :smile: Good luck

I wouldn't guess. I would call them and ASK! If they want 24 months up to today, give them it. Manipulate the data to give them exactly whatever they request. :smile:

The port was defective? or the doctor damaged the port during a fill? If the port was truly damaged, the manufacturer should replace it. If he damaged it (more likely) during a fill, he won't be as inclined to go to the manufacturer for reimbursement.

easy for some, not for everyone. Give yourself time. One thing I've noticed, is ANYTIME I have chest pain, it's from stomach swelling, and I had LOTS Of it after my surgery, LOTS! My stomach did NOT react well to having a band around it, and it swelled so much I felt like I had something choking me some days. Liquids, stay with warm liquids as long as you can, and anytime you have pain. It soothes the tummy, and gives your stomach time to heal, and adjust to having something around it. Once that goes away, and it could take 10-14 days, SLOWLY advance to creamy foods. If your stomach in any way reacts, and swells again, always resort back to a day or two of liquids. Its frustrating, I know, but you'll get to where you need to be, just sometimes slower than you'd like.

Krystal, your making a great choice in life. I had my band in Mexico as well as many, if not most of the people online here. It is MUCH cheaper, they have 10 years more experience than the US doctors, as it wasn't approved by the FDA here until much later. If you look around the web blogs, you will hear some common surgeons names that have great reputations; Dr. Kuri being among the top. This surgery really is minor, 45 min at most, and most surgeons can learn to place a lap band very quickly. Not brain surgery. Unfortunately, some people, doctors as well, have a very negative view of Mexico surgeries. This does not go unwarranted. There are quacks, just as there are quacks here. But the more popular lap band places, are incredible! The care is superb, much better than here. They hear you, they listen to you, they cater to you. Their business is based on catering to us fat Americans! haha One of the things that is common, is that an American will go there, get their band cheap, and then comes back to the states, and doesn't have the proper support or follow up here. That is CRUCIAL to your success. You have to have good follow up with your doctor in Mexico, or a lap band doctor here in the states. Problems are common, such as reflux, vomiting, over-fill, frequent fills, sliming, etc,,,,,,,,,,,,more on that later. But if you just get your band, and abandon any kind of follow up, you will fail. So unfortunately yes, it often is patients from Mexico that "seem" to have more problems, but it because they haven't arranged or followed up with the required care that is neccessary for success. I LOVE my band. I've had more problems that I would have time to discuss, and I would do it over in a heart beat. I'm close to goal, and feel the best I've felt in years. You'll be there soon! Good luck and enjoy the journey, and don't drive yourself nuts waiting for the final result. Half the fun is just getting there!

a band is a band is a band. They are slightly different in shape, but they all function the same. The band is a tool. One will not cause you to lose more weight. The weight loss is up to you. You can fail even with the band, and that is up to you. Some people will continue to eat sweets, chocolates, soda, and can even gain. Your doctor will choose a band that he is comfortable placing, and the weight loss is up to you! You'll do it! Good luck

been there. Try upping your protein intake. I found that helped me a lot.

NOT normal. What you are experiencing is acid reflux, a common problem with the lap band. I suffered from this severely for months to the point where I had esophageal strictures from scarring and had to have my esophagus dilated back open. It had developed so much scar tissue from the acid, it was narrowed, and nearly nothing would pass through. Often times it happens from being overly full. A light unfill will help. Overeating before bedtime or drinking a lot before bedtime will also cause this. Try not eating 2 hours before bed, get a small de-fill if this just started after a recent fill, sleeping with your head elevated helps, (not a long term solution) the newer PPI Proton Pump Inhibitors like Nexium, Protonix, Aciphex, Prilosec help reduce stomach acid production so that if the acid does come up, it is lower acidic PH and it's not as irritating. Talk to your surgeon, a gastroenterologist, etc,,,,, it's a very common problem, but from experience, can also have significant long term consequences if not dealt with.

get your doctor so guarantee that you will qualify, if that means stuffing a couple extra weights in your pockets when they weigh you, so be it. High blood pressure, physical therapy for back, knee, spine problems, etc......GERD? make it GERD with severe reflux, esophageal strictures from acid scarring, etc,,,,,,,,, getting the messag? enhance the problems. Some doctors know how to ensure an approval better than others.

I had Mariano Alberto Covarrubias Hidalgo M.D at Bajanor. www.bajanor.com I can't recommend them highly enough. You will hear people tell you not to go to Mexico and that is ignorant. Yes you can get an infection, every bit as well as you can in the states. The only thing you need to be aware of is that you don't just get your band and be done. It requires close follow up so be sure you have a doctor CLOSE to you for that and to do you fills, or unfills is needed. I've ran into multiple problems, such as acid reflux, gall bladder, swallowing difficulties. And after MONTHS of frustration dealing with my doctors here in the states, and a gastroenterologist, I finally went back to my doctor in Mexico, ready to demand that it be taken out. We found my gall bladder not functioning. No stones, which is all they checked here in the states. Mexico, Canado & Europe were doing the band 10 years before the FDA approved it here in the states. So guess who trained out docs! You guessed it. The lap band itself its a no-brainer surgery. The skills required is not a lot in comparison to other surgeries. So when you hear that one particlar surgeon has done 23,000 of these, does not necessarily make him better than the Dr. who did 200. It's like doing dishes. You either get it or you don't. After doing dishes 30,000 times, are you any better than you were after the 200th time? Dr. Kuri, Dr. Asceve, are all good. You'll see their names here a lot online. Of course you will hear a couple people bad mouth them, and naturally the band isn't for anyone. Some poeple get complications, some don't follow up, some don't follow the proper eating guidelines. I"m sure you've found the major places in Mexico where people are going and you should be confident. This is their area of expertise. They cater to American weight loss patients, the health care is very personal, and you'll find you are treated like royalty. Good luck, I know whoever you go with, you will have great results!