stepoffaith

I, too, still do protein shakes. I use Carnation Instant Breakfast and use Beneprotein which is flavorless, smell free and tasteless. It can be purchased online at Walgreens.com.

There are healthier choices most places you go, just eat small portions. Take protein supplements with you in your purse, especially if you are going to do alot of walking and lots of water. Stay hydrated and protein fed. I don't eat many meals a day normally but when I am out travelling I find I eat more frequently making sure I get my protein in and in small quantities which keeps my energy up. Ask your nutritionist for suggestions and write ahead to Disney World - they have reps that help with people with special needs who can offer suggestions.

Ditto. Every dr is different. My dr had me on Protein immediately. I was on Protein shakes before I left the hospital. No worries. Cindy

Farmington, NM. In the Northwest corner. About 45 miles from Durango. I was in Denver last week. I get there every few months as my boss lives there. I work from home. Cindy

where are you in Colorado?? I am your neighbor from NM Cindy

Here's the good news. We all will encounter a negative person in our journey. You started out right at the beginning. You will learn to overcome the negative comments right from the start. You are doing this for yourself, you know its not a quick fix, therefore you are well on your way. You will do fine even though you may have ups and downs during this process your step mother does not need to be one of them. When my mother begins to say something I do not care to hear the door bell rings or call waiting beeps.

Never had a problem taking my cpap on the plane or through security. I don't like checking it in case it doesn't make it so I use it as one of my carry ons. No problem. I have had one person ask me to open the bag and I unzipped it, said yeah its my cpap, gotta have it to breathe at nite, the security guard laughed and said, sounds good and zipped it through. You can always get your physician to write a note though, I work at a drs office and type them frequently. Cindy

Pam, You are doing great. You will feel much better after you get a fill. I am going for another fill on Wednesday. I travel to El Paso - about 9 hrs away from home - for my fills. It is well worth it. I am more than ready and hope this one will do me more good than the last one. But don't get discouraged because as you get the fills (and some people don't need but a couple of them, I just haven't been that lucky) you are learning and adjusting to this new lifestyle. So even when I don't feel the restriction I want, and I am not dropping the weight as fast as I want, I know I am learning. I am not gaining and I am still losing - slowly - but losing. So stay positive. Your exercise is going to pay off. Keep it up. Cindy

Nice to see that alot of people are sharing the same experiences as I go through them. Its reassuring. Nice to see where everyone is as we approach and reach our 6 month marks!

Fascinating job description. I am envious. Are you in the military or civilian? You two are great band buddies in the respect that you are in good contact. Those of us who are already banded sometimes don't check back quite as frequent. I check my e-mail more frequently and still pop in to the chat room although not as frequent as I did before surgery and right after. I had surgery on 3/18 and am just 5 months out but am doing well. I lost about 20 lbs before surgery and have lost 54 lbs since surgery. Need to update my ticker. Still have a long way to go but feel good and am feeling good about my progress most of the time. Would be glad to chat with you as you make your way along this journey. PM me for my email if you want a private chat. I will check back in from time to time. Cindy

Like crystal says, need more info. We'd be happy to give "advice", please take with a grain of salt, LOL, as all experiences and people are different. But we might be able to help if you can fill us in on details.

I have a very conservative physician. I have a 10cc band, no prefill at time at surgery. At 6 weeks you get 1st fill of 1cc, then 4 weeks later you get 1/2 cc. From then on you can have fills every 6 weeks of 1/2 cc as needed.

Am I enjoying the process? Not really. Weight loss is work. Do I enjoy the progress and mini-successes? You bet. I love fitting into the smaller sizes, crossing my legs, looking down and not seeing my belly hanging out further than my boobs-looking pregnant, those successes. Wouldn't trade those for the world.

Its interesting to see how much time everyone took off and why. Everyone and their needs are different so I think when having surgery you have to judge for yourself. I took three days, have a desk job but supervised several people and on my feet alot which was good for me. If I just sat there it would have been worse I think. But I was up and moving quickly and did not have any major problems. sore from the hernia surgery more than the band I think. They did some esophagus repair at the same time and that was more of the irritant.

As you can tell, every dr is different. I use crystal lite most of the time but some times I just want ice tea. I brew mine in an ice tea maker, yep I have one cuz I love my ice tea. I now brew it with one decaf tea bag and 1 regular. I am cutting back on caffeine but still have the taste. Don't feel guilty either, I just enjoy it.

so when did your dr think you would feel restriction? i have a 10cc also and i travel 9 hrs for a fill. my first one is may 1. i am really anxious to get started and to lose some weight and i am really struggling right now. thanks for any info.

Howdy all. I am 48 and banded on 3/18. I have lost 20 lbs pre and post band and doing well on liquids. I haven't minded them thus far knowing it won't last forever. And I like challenges so I finding new ways you can mix liquids to make new flavors! For the restaurant thing : call ahead and see if they have something on the menu or better yet take some boullion granules and ask for hot water. Some restaurants can accomodate you with clear soup options and chinese are my favorite, bring on the egg drop, especially if they are the nice ones who will strain it for you!

congrats Karen. Easter dinner: velvety potato soup, thinned and strained 4 oz total. Never had an Easter dinner that filling. Wonderful! Banded 3/18.

Ms.: Dizzyness is a sign of dehydration, or can be. Be sure you are sipping water, especially when you are walking around. Target was probably a bit much, I know I tried to much too soon. Try short distances. Yes, 30 minutes a day is suggested but my dr said not all at once. He said you have to work up to it. I just started taking a few walks a few feet, then increased them. If I wanted to go some where I made sure I could sit and rest as needed. My dr said after two weeks I should be up to about 20 minutes in the morning and 20 minutes in the pm. If I am doing great I can even add 20 min mid afternoon but don't overdo and don't get dehydrated. Now is the time to heal Ms. Take it easy and give the Praises to God. GBY. Cindy

Thought I would post a quick reply. Still doing good. Banded 3/18. Still on liquids so cheating on the mushies hasn't been a problem yet. I have just stayed on thinned, strained liquids, no more than 4 oz of soup, otherwise just water, crystal lite, propel or sf jello or sf popsicles all dr. approved. So far, so good. Happy Easter all.

Not urinating much at a time is common because of all the pressure from surgery but just keep going a little at a time. If you can't urinate its worrisome. But if you are urinating and increasing your liquids will help, you should be increasing the output each time too. It will get easier. Walking helps too. I try to urinate, walk, and then urinate again. Try urinating before you feel a lot of pressure and give it time just don't strain. When you strain you make things swell more and then it makes it more difficult to urinate. A viscious circle. Drink, walk and relax. Take care and good luck

Well, shrinking shamrocks, it is done. I am officially one of you. I was banded 3/18 and got out of the hospital today. Doing well, a little sore but on my way.

i am here everyone. i am in el paso. just finished my pre op. i am scheduled for surgery at 7:30 am in the morning 3/18. send your prayers my way please. i am at peace with my decision and now the Lord will be with me. I know the prayers of my sisters will lift me up and my surgery and recovery will be speedy. Thank you all for being there for me.

Well, I am here. I traveled to El Paso, about 9 hrs away from home to have surgery and went to pre op today. Surgery time is set for about 7:30 am tomorrow so I have to be at hospital at 5:30 am. It seems a little surreal. March 18. My day to be banded. Came quicker than I expected but I am not complaining. Wish me luck and Godspeed. :biggrin:

Hang in there. the 2 weeks really goes by pretty fast. My two weeks is up Monday. Its saturday now. I have already lost 11 lbs. not trying to just trying to shrink the old liver and waiting for the surgery date. Its all a preparation for a new life. I have really thought of it as a prep period and a cleansing so it feels ok, not really bothered me much. Hang in there it will be over be you know it.