thughes113

It is difficult to get in all the protein your doctor suggests, stay low on the carbs and still get enough of the right food to make you poop! I am not nearly as regular as I used to be, but one thing that works whenever I drink it is an herbal tea called "Get Regular". I found it at Whole Foods, but I know there are plenty of grocery stores that carry some form of it. I am faithful on the 64 oz of water per day and that doesn't even help! But, the tea, does the trick! I'm sure our bodies have to just get used to what we are putting them through. Changes. Good changes.

If it were me, I would not travel...you'll still be sore and too tired. I would not postpone the surgery either...we postpone what is good for ourselves way too much!

I only told people who I was sure would not be negative about it. That was not many people! I told my immediate family (not my parents), I told my best friend and 2 co-workers who I knew I could trust not to blab it all over. I think when someone finds out you have had lapband or any weight loss surgery they think it is an easy fix and that you took the easy way out. I just wanted to concentrate on ME, not the ignorance of those who don't know the real facts. Good luck!

UPDATE...well, it seems to be getting worse instead of better. It's a real effort to get the Protein in. I've thrown up two out of three dinners recently. The first one, not too bad, but last-night...all. I'm worried about not being able to eat normally (even with excessive chewing). I did have a protein shake last night and did fine. I have another fill appointment on September 2nd and I am pretty sure I'm going to cancel that. But, on the positive side...I really don't feel hungry and I'm getting great compliments on my weight loss!! QUESTION: I always use light soy milk (vanilla flavored) to make (mix with) my Protein shakes (from the powder)...does anyone use just Water and are they (still) good?

Not only is Dr. Enochs wonderful, so is his staff....Lisa, Jan...everyone there makes you feel so welcome. They are friendly, funny, thorough. It's been a fantastic experience for me!

Personally, the minimum amount of time I would take off would be 4 days. I had the surgery on a Friday, and went back on Monday...couldn't stay longer than 2 hours. Good luck and thank you for being a teacher.

My advice...put the scale in the attic! Judging by your clothes is going to make you happy! Let your doctor weigh you and you celebrate your Non Scale Victories (NSV's) by those clothes being very loose and falling off. I've gone from a 22 to an 18 and even the 18's require frequent "pulling up". Seriously, destroy the scale!

I didn't actually vomit, but boy, I sure could have! I had to have two doses of anti-nausea medicine before I could actually leave. Standing up made me want to hurl...and the little sips of water worked after the 2nd dose of anti nausea medicine. Then, when I got home, I slept like a baby!!

I had a fill yesterday and I've had gas, but in the form of flatulence! Like a trumpet!! Plus, I sure can feel the restriction. I hardly could eat anything for dinner. It feels like a huge bubble in between my breast bone. But, this is the tool I've wanted and it will work!

Yea, so I went on vacation and for the first 3 days, I did very well. Brought my own food, made good choices at family outings, etc. Then, I "tried" some different foods, discovered I could eat them with no problem, and ate them; lots of them! I discovered wine, and even vodka was not an issue! I've lost 20 pounds since the end of June, and have gone from a size 22 to an 18. I'm still very pleased, but today (in 2 hours) is my first fill. As all of you know, this process is tough and expensive and I just don't want to continue to mess up. Should I get back on mushies after today's fill? I also realize I need to get back on mydailyplate.com as that was SO helpful to me. I need to get back to making better choices. I need your encouragement! Help. Thank you!:Banane37:

for me it would have been 4 weeks, but I was leaving for an out of town trip, so it was just over 5 weeks...today as a matter of fact. I agree that you can use the time to change your habits, but you paid for the extra tool, you should be able to use it the way you want.

I had a fill today and it really was a breeze. I have a worse time giving a tube of blood! It was very painless and easy. My fill was 2cc's.

UPDATE - I've had a 2cc fill. It went fine...piece of cake actually. Even though I thought I did terribly, I had still lost more weight...down 21 pounds in total. And, like someone said, today is a new beginning. I'm psyched again. Loving the lapband!

yeah, with two teenage boys, the wine is a staple! LOL

I've been watching what I eat really well. I am supposed to be on mushies until Friday, but today I ate shrimp cocktail (I'm traveling for work and healthy [mushie] food choices are difficult to find). Anyway, the shrimp was fine, I chewed it very carefully and took small bites. Also, I have not had my first fill yet (scheduled for 8/13). What I really really want is a salad...I want some vegetables. Has anyone had a salad between 3-4 weeks? I realize I'll have to cut it up to be very small and have the dressing on the side. It's pretty amazing to me that I am craving a salad and not ice cream, fries or chicken wings!! LOL. I exercised today too, while at the fancy hotel and did 45 minutes on the tread-mill...burning up 260 calories. Sa-weet. I did learn today that drinking out of a straw is a bad idea (for me). Woo. Thanks for the salad advice!

God BLESS you for taking care of your mom. I'm sure you've heard this 100 times, but you can't take care of her if you don't take care of yourself. Buy protein shakes (Trader Joes has a wonderful one), buy some Lean Cuisine frozen meals, cook chicken breast (lots of it), just to have it around for a quick meal...for those times you are too busy to cook and prepare. Just get outside and walk, even if you only have 20 minutes...push yourself and go. You'll be SO recharged if you do! I wish you all the best and please keep us posted!

Yea, the "tooting" is ridiculous. Do you think we can count it as a calorie burner? LOL

My doctor gives me one after the first fill, but I agree with "Just Banded" that the kids menu isn't really the best choices. Appetizers work best and it is so surprising how much food an appetizer is! Sharing is fantastic too. Now, a buffet might be good to have a "child size" card. Good luck!

I am almost one month banded and I tried my first glass of wine on Friday...I am not sure why, but it just didn't taste right. Then I bought my own bottle and have had a glass each night since Saturday, just one 4 oz glass and I've tolerated it just fine. I've enjoyed it more than I ever did before. I get my first fill on August 13 and I'm not sure if that will change things..but I've taken the "risk" and it's been just fine. Just be sure to record it as part of your calories!! Good luck

Campbells Soup at Hand. Protein shakes made with EAS Advantage (Soy) and 1 tlbs of peanut butter (use water and ice cubes). Motts makes a pomegranite (sp?) flavored applesauce that is sugar free and SO SO good. Chocolate sugar free popsicles, luigis sugar free italian ice (life saver, this stuff is). Have you tried Silk Lite Soy Milk (Vanilla flavored)...delicious enough to drink straight and great to mix with protein powder. If you have an Aldi, they sell a Fit and Active Non-Fat yogurt smoothie. Very good and low in calories! I hope this has helped...good luck to you.

I'm on "mushies" and really am careful about what I eat. I am SO afraid of vomiting that I am following my doctors orders (nutritionist) to a "T". I use mydailyplate.com and enter in every thing I eat. I think the most calories I've had in one day was 700...but I'm not feeling hungry. I am struggling with being 'regular'. I get my first fill on August 13 and we'll see how that goes. Good luck to you.

I'm not too happy about it today. The severe pains caused from gas (so I hear), constipation and I'm taking in less than 700 calories a day and have only lost 14 pounds since 6/27. I really want a glass of wine today! I'm frustrated. Very frustrated. I don't understand why I'm so irregular, I'm trying very hard to make a lot of vegetable/fiber choices. The gas pains when I go to sleep wake me up and make me feel absolutely awful. No matter what position I put myself in, they remain. Getting the water in and not drinking before or after meals is a big challenge too. But, on the postive side, I walked two miles today. But still, I'm very frustrated. Sorry.

You've got to walk. Walk, walk and walk some more. For me, this lasted about 4 days, though it felt like a month! GasX will not work, don't waste your money. The noise in your abdomen is the gas. It's louder than any noise your belly ever made, I know! Good luck.

drink (sip) lots of water. You'll start to pee a normal amount probably tomorrow. And, the gas pains may hit you soon and they will hurt! Walk, walk and walk to shorten their duration. Don't bother buying gasX, it won't work. Good job! ~All the best.

I was on a liquid diet the day before surgery and that's it. What they don't want for you to do is treat the week before the surgery as "The Last Supper" because if your liver is enlarged from excessive over-eating, they cannot do the surgery. All the best!