Bandette08

I do well drinking "EAS Edge" protein shakes twice a day and a meal in evening or lunch. That's the best for me. But, I have been eating 'anything' past almost 2 months. Time to stop eating sweets and junk food. I NEVER went back on sodas & anything carbonated, which is great. Whenever I don't feel like drinking protein shakes, I be sure I eat protein food like hamburger pieces, chickenn, bacon, etc. I was told not to worry about calories..It's the protien I have to be sure I consumer daily. I have not excercised yet, but I do walk a lot at work back & forth fast and lift...I need to start working out, which I hope to do over the late summer. The more weight you have to lose, the faster you will lose weight firstlady Taylor. Hang in there.

After my 4th fill 3 weeks ago, I am having trouble with bread on & off. It would get stuck. I kept telling myself I won't do it again, but this is my 4th time. It hurts and I"m in fact going through it right now waiting for it to pass or come up. I had to induce it a few times 2 weeks ago. I need to make better food choices..

I can eat 2 cups before a fill....I have eaten 2 sandwiches before a fill after 3 fills...On my way for a 4th fill this Friday I hope...

High Protein shakes are good, icy and cold. Try them in a freezer until slushy on hot days...I never touched the Protein Bars. Anyways, I eat anything. LOL Just as long as I have my EAS Edge protein every morning and/or night, I"m okay!!

I have no problem eating salad. I would include hard boiled egg and/or red beans. Whatever I find on salad bar. I usually try to eat solid food first, before mushy/bland food to feel fuller.

Va Beach is a good place. But Baltimore, MD Convention may be better and cheaper as well. Plenty of places to stay in Baltimore, MD And plenty of things to see. Also there is a HUGE Arundel Mills Malls to hang out in for meals, shopping, games and a movie theater with awesome comfortable seats like a lazy boy.. D

MySpace.com - Sweet Gothic - 46 - Female - GLEN BURNIE & TANEYTOWN,MD, Maryland - www.myspace.com/dustbuddies

Congrats Bridgette!! Take your time getting to solid food. When I started to eat real food, my mind started to crave for more food. One reason why I am still drinking Protein drinks for Breakfast and lunch. I can eat anything, but I won't allow myself to touch sweets at all..I know I will be sorry..Look at food does not bother me at all.. I try to drink more Water...It's hard..

Congrats on October bandsters for getting their first fill.. I hope I will get my first fill Tues during my second follow up appt with surgeon. I have been craving more lately. I do eat honey roasted peanuts when I feel hungry and surprisingly it helped me to lose weight! Protein is the reason I'll eat some of it..Just chew until it's soft and moist..hehehe Well, I hope the October bandsters are doing well and getting the support they need. And hopefully not giving it up. I take Vitamin b-12 and b-6, multi-vita, and calcium 600-D Plus.

I would love for you to try & find a venue in the Baltimmore, MD area. I sure will go closer to home. I would choose NJ over NYC. :thumbup: Doo

I LOVE to watch the "Biggest Losers" on Sunday nights!!! Bandette

Thinkingslim70; Hi, Don't worry, you should be able to go back to work after 2 weeks. After 2 weeks, your port site will still be sore, but it won't hurt to bend over by that time..Just remember not to lift over 20lbs for 6 weeks, unless your doctor tellls you differently. Just do what your doc tells ya after each follow up appts.. Everyone of them are different. I am a custodian at a middle school, so I lift heavy cafeteria tables daily. That's why I can't go in after 2 weeks. SO, just don't lift the kids out of thier chairs..LOL hahaha Feel free to ask any more questions, I'll be glad to help. I love working in the school, kids are fun, but there are days they drive us nuts. I am so glad I don't have to worry about school lunch anymore. LOL I'd rather pack my own lunch & supper now. Whenever you bend over at work, move slowly, okay. I know it hurts a little once you straighten up, so I move slowly. Al long as there is no pain, but just feeling the sorenss, you will be okay.. Healing time takes 6 weeks.. Bandette08 ( Ex-sweet gothic; I changed my s/n)

I drink EAS EDGE or Atkins Advantage shakes for Breakfast and either lunch or dinner, sometimes both. I get my main protein this way. I also will fix one scrambled egg when I get hungry, at least it's protein. I try to consume 50 Grams of Protein which is my minimum. I was told not to worry about calories, just be sure you eat the recommended amount of protein your surgeon tells you to. It's very important along with vitamins for lifetime. I feel better on shakes then pureed food, because I tend to have less cravings, unless I keep myself busy. Congrats to banders of October!!! Love the name October Odyssey, better than smaching pumpkins, because it reminds me of a band in USA... I'm doing great and have not had a fill yet. I go back for another follow up in 2 weeks. Today, for the first time I felt dizzy..Never felt that way.. Anyone have any idea what this may mean? I had my shake at breakfast and lunch yesterday, then I felt dizzy later on. Strange.. My port site is healing slowly, but looking good. It's normal for it to be sore for a while longer than other incisions. I am down 4" at waist already!!

I love this thread, keep up the good postings. I am a born again christian as well. I'm soo blessed to have found this thread. Thank you soo much for starting this. I got banded for better health and to control my portions as well.

I have 2 more weeks until I see my surgeon again. That means I am off from work for 6 weeks so far. I'm sure I"ll go back day after my 2nd follow up. The reason I'm off this long is because I can't lift over 20lbs for 6 weeks..I lift heavy at work..

Hello Fabulous Forties!!! I am 46 and will be 47 in Feb. "09.....I lost 17 lbs Pre-Op. Total, I have lost around 31 lbs. I gained 5 lbs last few days. Could be from being on liquids for 4 weeks, then switching to pureeds. I am more comfortable on Liquids...Just might go back to it soon.. Right now, I am dealing with pmsing soreness around tummy, possibly from surgery 3 weeks ago.. I"m so happy to be banded.. Nice meeting you all..Please feel free to add me to your friends list.. Sweet Gothic..From MD

:thumbup: Congrats Suziecat!!! That's amazing. I am looking fwd to my 2nd bandiversary!! I am 3 weeks out this Sunday!! I'm doing good, just trying to walk more.. Sweet Gothic

Pat, it is normal for the port access area to be sore for a while. I'm out 3 weeks just about and it is still sore & red..It's normal, My 2 weeks follow up was a good one!! I started pureed food and finding myself wanting to eat more. soo, I'm trying to have liquids on and off..I don't mind liquids and shakes...Helps me from wanting to eat foods..LOL As for going back to a very physical work soon, I hope you don't have to lift heavy..I am out of work for 6 weeks, b/c I can't lift over 20 lbs according to my surgeon..I lift heavy cafeteria tables and it is going to scare me when I go back...Take it easy, don't rush.. Walk a lot and rest while you can. The only time I felt weak and tired twice was during the pre op liquids on Day 3 and 4, then since that time I feel energetic!!!! I would like to try some kind of protein powder, but don't know what to buy yet..I saw whey powder in choc. flavor. SG

Sherryred, You are on your way to the right place!! Congrats and good luck every step of the way to getting a surgery date!!!!!!! I'm soo happy for you..I got band on Oct. 6th at St. Agnes Hospital by Dr. Andrew Averbach. He's the coolest surgeon around..Also, I hear Dr. Singh's just as cool as him as well..Both are great surgeons!!!!!!!!! :thumbup: I would love to stay in touch with you if you're interested.. Are you on myspace or have yahoo ID? You can write me at justdoo62 at yahoo........ Doo:thumbup:

You will be fine, just follow your surgeon's orders. The first cple of weeks will be a challange. Use your mind, not your heart. My advice would be to keep your hands busy. Do a craft, talk on phone, hang out on lapbandtalk which really helped me first two days after I got home. The worst & most sorest day is Day 2 after surgery, at least it was for me. By end of week 1, you will be able to sleep on your side..Everyone is different. Anyways, you would not feel like eating first few days anyways Congrats on your surgery date and good luck rest of the way!!!!!! SG

Hello October Bandsters!! I"m sorry for not coming back in here for a while. I have been taking it easy and walking since I got banded on the 6th. I am doing great and getting used to it. Just wanted to congrats to all those who are banded and good luck to those that will get banded this week. If I can do it, you ALL can do it!!! I'll keep you in my thoughts & prayers... Ruby124: Don't worry about anything, you will be okay. I was nervous when I got out of surgery, I don't know why..Anyways, My mother & aunt had a blood clot in thier leg and I have varicose veins which has been treated by injections, looks great. I just wanted to help you not to worry. I had those leg wrappers during surgery and recovery until I was discharged the next day. You willl be fine!!!!!!! I received 4 blood thinner shots during my stay..It didn't hurt. And while I was there, got a flu shot which the doctor/nurses recommends for banders. When I first walked out of my room, I had to walk back in and lean over trash can, because I thought I was going to puke, but instead it was a loud gas coming up twice from my mouth and then followed by dry heaving twice which really hurt. Never happened again since..Just remember one thing, don't over eat..Eat slow and stop if you think you may be full..I had 2 protein shakes a day, Sugar free jello, chicken broth, non-carbonated flavored water, hot tea once and soup broth for 2 weeks post op. I was happy with it.. Today, I go in for my 2 weeks post op follow up this afternoon with my surgeon..I'm excited... Friday night late, I noticed a blood spot on my shirt from port site. Soo, I put on a bandaid..Will have to report that today. My steri strips are still on..Didn't come off!! Have a great day... Doo :biggrin:

Wow, I was surprised at someone taking a chance on chewing the chips down. You're lucky it didn't come back up. LOL I pay close attention to my "Full" feeling. I'm on Day 4 post op on Clear Liquids. I can not eat much, I get way too full..A 1/2 cup of chicken broth, I'm stuffed..I feel more miserable afterwards. Maybe you had your mind set on something while chewing down the chips.. TRY using your mind while you sit down and have your mushies. It should help when eating alone..I guess I am lucky the sweets and junk food laying around doesn't bother me. I try to keep my mind set on positive things like work, friends, family and future smaller clothes...I have a lot of patience to listen to my body....I agree that we all will crave sometime or another forever..It's okay to have a little extra once in a great while. My surgeon tells me to stay away from SWEETS forever..It can wreck you diet. I am still sore and starting to itch around my incisions. Hope everybody is doing okay post op...And to those whe will get banded Friday, good luck...Congrats to those who got banded today!!! SG

GO for the LapBand whether surgeon likes it or not!! Gastric Bypass is mainly for those with health problems like Diabetes,etc. Lap band is better, because you can adjust the band tighter and tighter as you get close to your goal to support your appetite all the way. Think about it. WIth GB, once its done, it's done...I, too am scared of GB...My husband wants a GB, becasue he will be able to eat meat there better than band. But it affect everyone differently. Just have to choose wisely..If you are not happy with surgeon, try another one!! My opinion...Good luck!! SG

((( Hugs to everyone and back to the one who started the Hug! ))) Congrats again on the surgery dates to all of you. You can do it,too!! It's well worth it! AND welcome new friends!! Bradley18, I am on Atkins Advantage EDGE and EAS protein drinks. I like them, I have no problem with the taste..SInce I can't have slim fast, I am happy with these. You can find them in Walmart pharmacy area. The only thing I hate the taste of is the Centrum's Mulit-vitamin orange flavored chewables..YUK..I wash then down with water after chewing and swallowin' them. ONCE A day is not bad. I LOVE Caltrate 600-D Plus chewable vitamins. They are fruity tasty..Darn, wish I could eat entire bottle. LOL I also got my first B-12 shot a cpl of weeks ago..Guess I will have to visit my doctor monthly for these.. Well, it's time to sip on my chick broth!! LOL BE back later...I could start a Yahoo grp for banders if anyone is interested in keeping touch there.. Sweet Gothic ( My nickname is Doo )