pearlygirl

My doc suggests 3 meals and 2 snacks. I eat string cheese, a tablespoon of peanut butter(reduced fat), cottage cheese(for a change mix it with SF jello...it tastes like fruit/CC combo without the extra cals), yogurt, SF/FF pudding, half of a protein bar, 8 oz skim milk...

Oh, I asked my doc about this at my fill yesterday and he said that was fine and that there is no standard that works for everyone. He also said that the extra calories should be mostly protein.

I'm living proof that too few calories is NOT useful. I have begun a fairly intense workout with a trainer 5 days a week. I was eating about 800 cals a day and in 10 days lost NOTHING. Talk about losing motivation fast! My trainer asked me what I was eating(he probably thought McDonalds twice a day, lol) and said it was not enough. I bumped it up to 1000-1200 and have lost 6-7 pounds in a week. My body wanted to shed the weight but apparently couldn't because it didn't think I was getting enough.

The beauty of pro-choice is quite simple...if you don't believe in abortion - don't have one. AND...for those who do decide to have an abortion - it is no one else's business. So if you are strongly pro-life just don't burden yourself with putting your nose into everyone else's very private matters.

If you're working out, you may need MORE calories. I have been working out very hard, 5 days a week, with a trainer. I was eating 600-800 calories a day and lost nothing in 10 days. My trainer asked me what I was eating(probably thought I was eating at McDonald's everyday) and when I told him he said it wasn't enough. I bumped my calories up to 1000-1200 and the weight is falling off. I was so nervous adding more calories but it worked. I've lost 6-7lbs in the last week. It's so strange how our bodies work!!

I haven't checked the April threads in quite awhile...oops!! Anyway, on the 23rd(my one month mark) I was down 17lbs. My first fill ws yesterday, 4cc in a 9cc Realize band. I am feeling great and was surprised and amazed at how easy and painless the fill was. I am working with a personal trainer at the gym and feeling very motivated. Good job everyone!!

I was banded on the 23rd of April with the realize band. Not May, but close...within a week! I got my frst fill yesterday, he put in 4cc.

If they're having problems accessing your port I'd demand the fluoroscopy!!! I am a big wimp but still, that's crazy. It's like washing your clothes in the river or driving a horse and buggy, time to move on to better technology!

I was so nervous. It seems from reading here that it's either a simple quick thing or a terrible drawn out fiasco. For me it was simple, quick and totally painless, thank God!! The lidocaine was barely a sting and I felt nothing after that. I stood up the whole time in front of the fluoroscopy machine. He showed me my port and band said 'you'll feel me shaking you a little' My belly jiggled for a second as he worked the needle into the port..easy as pie. I couldn't feel it AT ALL!! It mostly just felt like he was jiggling my fat a little, LOL!! I took a sip of barium, the band was wide open. He put 4cc in, I sipped again. It still went through fairly quickly, just a much more narrow stream. Yay!!! I go back in a month.

I'm a little OCD, I get on everyday. I know I shouldn't - one a week would be much more accurate.

I personally feel like so few people are educated on WLS that getting any information out there is a start. Of course they're going to glamourize it but thye fact of the matter is that when someone REALLY looks into it, their surgeon's office will de-glamourize it for them. It IS hard, we know that because we've done it. I do understand some of your frustration...I hate that those adds can make it appear that *poof* you have surgery and three weeks later you're laying on a beach in a bikini and weighing 120lbs!!

It sounds as if you are making great strides already. As hard as it is, you are doing it. That is something to be proud of. As far as changing your daughter's lifestyle...KUDOS TO YOU!! Her eating and exercise habits are being set for life and you are creating healthy ones for her. How much better to start at age five, rather than 30-40-50 or higher. The band will make the things your doing seem a bit easier although head hunger can be frustrating. You're doing a fantastic job!:rolleyes2:

Good Lord! Don't these docs understand they work for you?? Of course their number one concern should be your physical/mental health and well being however, it is not the 1960's. We have been empowered and do have control(within reason of course) when it comes to our medical needs. I don't think there is anything more disturbing than some pompous, self righteous physician who thinks that their degree entitles them to have complete control over people's lives. Time to move on to a new doc for sure!! Good luck with getting approved without him/her and good luck on your journey.

I think most people tend to have a bit more faith in their doctor(whom they've presumably had good experiences with)than any random plumber that shows up at their front door...that said, my husband is a physician and I know first hand why you shouldn't take every word out of their mouths as golden. My husband is an incredible doctor. He's smart, caring, compassionate and would walk to the end of the earth for his patients. He isn't afraid to look something up or talk to an associate when he is stumped or wants another opinion. the point is, they are human too. Sure trust your doc, build a relationship with them but please don't have blind faith either.

Some places are a bit more strict than others but I will tell you that have your own nail bare with no polish is your best bet. For one thing they'll be looking at the color of your nail bed and also the machine that measures your oxygen levels(very important) neds to be able to read through your nail. However if worst came to worst, they could use your ear lobe or toe to attach their probe to.

Miralax is safe to take everyday. I give it to my 18 month old every other day otherwise she gets too runny. I will say, she was born 2 1/2 months early and had a terrible inyesyinal infection that requird surgery. If it is okay for her sensitive little colon it should be okay for everyone's colon! Warning...if you over do it it will REALLY make you go!!

Also it is possible that they may have been told by their doc or whomever that they would be getting injections of saline to create restriction. Maybe they just didn't know the term "fill". I'm really not trying to be argumentative and I realize I am in the rants section...I would just hate for anyone to not use this site because they felt dumb.

I agree with Terri. Some of what I learned about the band was here, at this site. Having said that, people ask dumb questions everywhere about everything. Some people don't think before they ask, some people are just plain ignorant, some people have very low education/IQ levels and although things may have been explained once or twice, it may need another explaining. I am not meaning to put people down at all. As a nurse though, I know firsthand how some people just don't "get it" when you try and explain anything medical/illness/injury related.

Hmmm. I hate to sound negative but I expected my band surgery to be a walk in the park compared to my section but it wasn't. However, with my section I never took anything other than ibupofen and thought it was pretty easy. My surgeon said upper abdominal surgeries tend to cause more pain than lower abdominal surgeries because you use and move those upper muscles so much more. I don't think the two can really be compared, they're just so different. Having said all of that, I didn't think surgery was bad either. My port area was very tender for a couple of days and somewhat tender for a couple of weeks. I did take my pain medication regularly for two days and then just at bedtime for two more days.

Have you tried Miralax? It is a powder that is now over the counter, tasteless and can be added into any drink or food. My daughter takes it every other day and it makes all of the difference in the world for her.

Holy cow CB! A little harsh maybe? It seems to be that she's looking for a fresh start and some SUPPORT. I understand the tough love thing but you weren't even helpful... TS - Welcome back!! A fresh start is exactly what you need. Good luck with your appointment and let us know how it goes and how you like your new surgeon.

This is just a shot in the dark but have you tried sipping on something very hot coffee/tea/broth even water. It may help melt it a little so that it can get past the band?!

Beans, cheese(ricotta w/ tomato sauce is fabulous, laughing cow light cheese spread in celery, string cheese), cottage cheese, sf/ff yogurt, eggs or egg beaters, reduced fat peanut butter, almonds, protein shakes if you need them, milk...the list goes on and on. You can get a great list from your nutritionist.

Yikes! Glad to hear it turned out okay, and thanks for sharing your lesson with us all. BTW, I've never seen a carpeted bathroom either :thumbup:

Have you tried puff corn? It has a very similar taste as it is "puffed corn". My 18 month old daughter LOVES it. You have to be careful though, 2 1/2 cups(which is a lot) has 160 cals and 10g fat. If you loved popcorn though and couldn't eat it, it would be a good alternative on occassion.