kiz

All this talk made me curious. I did a search for Sandy R, and although it's a registered screen name, there are no matching posts.

Good for you, froggi!!! It's hard to believe you're almost there. I was in P-burg a few weeks ago, and saw a billboard ad for lap band surgery at Camden Clark, and I thought about you and how far you've come. Keep up the good work!!!

I voted that I don't eat carbs after reading your clarification (carbs = bad carbs). I've been wanting to reduce bad carbs in my diet for along time, because I don't think they're particularly good for you. I didn't have to make a big sacrifice after banding, because I'd eliminated a lot of bad carb choices already. I won't say that I'll *never* have a bad carb. I ate half a homemade roll last weekend, for instance, and as time passes. I'm sure I'll include some in my diet, but for the most part, I want to make them a thing of my past. I eat veggies, fruits, whole grains, and greek yogurt now for my carb intake. At 1/2 cup meals 3x day, plus a healthy snack, there's not a lot of room for unhealthy choices anyway. I lost my sugar tooth during my pre-op diet, so I do believe there's something to be said for eliminating the bad carbs, at least for me.

I had the same concerns. I just couldn't imagine not drinking with meals. My doctor said some sips are okay though, as well as a small glass of wine, occasionally. At home, I don't drink anything, even a sip. When I'm out to eat, with the water they bring, I have taken a few baby sips, but not a whole lot. Do I miss it? Nope. I drink so much between meals, more than I've ever have in my life, I'm completely hydrated when it's time to eat. There's a family restaurant outside a small town in VA that has the best sweet tea on earth, and they bring you a carafe of it at a time. Now that was hard to pass on because of just how good it is. However, I've cut out bad carbs, so I took a small sip of my husband's for the flavor, and I got it out of my system. I do think the trick is to keep very well hydrated during the day. Also, I read a tip on here to have a mint after a meal, and that works well. I bought Altoids Wintergreen mini's, and they're really great, and so small that I don't worry about accidental swallowing one and getting stuck. It's so amazing to feel full after such a small amount of food, and that positive re-inforcement keeps me honest. I've also read that for some people, after they've have tight restriction, it actually hurts to drink during a meal, so there may be some negative re-inforcement down the road too.

I had a friend who was quite obese. Her mother was tall and willowy. It was such a contrast. A few years ago my friend said she was going to have GBS. As we were talking about it, she told me her mom had had the surgery years before. I would have never guessed it, and her mom looked healthy, fit, and trim. My friend moved out of state after the surgery, and we've lost contact. I hope she was as successful. It's heartbreaking to hear about the people who have gone through so much to get healthy and then to end up gaining it all back. My heart goes out to them. After failing at so many diets, I do worry about the longterm effectiveness of LBS. I'm very determined to make this my way of life, but it's hard not to let worry creep in occasionally.

:drool::cheers2: :cheers2::frown::cheers2: As September comes to an end, cheers, best wishes, and good luck to all the September banders!!! :thumbdown::Banane34::cursing::Banane34::thumbup::Banane34::crying::Banane34:

Every doctor has their reasons (I'd like to know what they are!) for such different pre and post op diets. I had full liquids for week one, mushies for weeks 2 and 3, and a regular diet starting week 4. With the small amount of slips you've had, I'm sure you'll be fine. You might want to call your doctor if you're worried.

I'm sorry you've all gone through those stuck episodes, but thanks for sharing how it happened and the results. I'm still so new and learning. I haven't had my first fill yet, so I'm still very loose. I did buy a bottle of Papaya/Pineapple supplements in case I get stuck. How much do they help, and do they work for something that's not a protein like bread?

I've been going to the same stylist for years, and I give a 20% tip (more $$ at Christmas and a gift). When my kids a cut at a quick cut salon, I tip more than 20% because the price is so cheap - $5 tip for a $12 cut.

During the post-op diet, my doctor says to wait before drinking additional liquids after protein shakes. Unless you're pretty restricted, I would think the shake would go straight through. I don't drink them that often now that I'm on regular foods, but I'd still wait. I want to hang on to any sense of fullness a shake might give me without watering it down, but that's just me. No scientific proof behind it, maybe it's just psychological.

At my two-week appt, the doctor said I could use Vitamin E or Aloe Vera on my incisions for itchiness and to help them heal. Mine weren't itchy, but I have a great Vit E and Aloe Lotion that I used because the incisions were feeling a little dry. I use it twice a day.

Beth, I'm sorry to hear that your mom can't just get the surgery she wants and needs without the hassle. After all she's gone through, it seems the doctor would understand and support her want and need to skip the reconstructive surgery. Geesh, at 66, you'd think the doctor would give her credit to fully make her own decision in whether she need reconstution or not. :thumbup: I wasn't the least bit interested in getting GBS for the exact same reasons you said. Lap band may require more work on my part, but being less invasive and far less body altering, it was the only type of WLS I was willing to consider. For 17 miles, I know I'd go to my first choice of doctors too.

Hi Beth and welcome... I'm from Richmond. What part of VA are you from? I went to two seminars, but both practices are from the same hospital. The first seminar left me very disheartened and thinking that the lap band would be ineffective. The doctor who presented the info is very pro-gastric bypass, and I was definitely not going that route. His info was very one-sided, and I left the seminar thinking the lap band was a gimmick and falling out of favor. Thankfully, I came here (LBT), and found another doctor and attended the seminar from his practice, and while not offering a get skinny quick card, he offered a very balanced and informative seminar with the pros and cons of LB and GB. Both surgeons required the patients to attend the free seminar prior to a consultation, so chances are, you'll need to go at some point anyway. I'm not sure how far you're traveling, but you have to keep in mind that you'll need to go back to that office for follow-up visits and fills. Good luck!

Many doctors give very detailed diet plans prior to surgery, but some don't. The diets vary from a total liquid diet to mixed liquids and low carb/high protein meals. Some don't give any sort of pre-op diet plan. If you're not sure about what your doctor wants, you should call to verify or check the information that you've gotten from his/her office. It's very important to follow your doctor's recommendations, so that you have a safe surgery. Also, welcome to LBT!

Cheryl, you look fabulous! I hope you've been taking measurements. You've lost in the middle, but your weight loss really shows up in your face. Your arms are more slender too, and I bet you've lost in your hiney. :-) Congratulations, and keep up the good work!!!

Speck, I attended a seminar pre-banding by a Realize Band rep (several people were in attendance that already had the Realize Band), and he asked for suggestions to improve their site. The need for a discussion forum was the number one comment. He said that he would definitely take that suggestion back to Realize. He said that initially they had thought that the message boards already out here would be sufficient, but that they have been getting requests for a forum on their site. I have to admit that I haven't been on their site yet, but if there's a place to make comments, I think the more people who ask about a forum, the more likely it is they'll add one.

Hi Mary, and welcome to LBT! I'm from the Richmond area, so not too far from you. I've found this board to be incredibly helpful and a wealth of information. Good luck on your upcoming surgery!

I'm sorry, but I have to agree with folks who've said it's a sub place, and you really can't expect them to lower the price because you can't eat the roll. Also, as a few have said, there are alternate choices there. I can't imagine someone on Adkin's going into McDonald's and wanting a hamburger for less because they can't eat the bun. When I was a teen, I worked at McDonald's and occasionally we had vegetarian customers who wanted a Big Mac w/o the meat. They never expected a reduced price either. What is inexcusable is the server's comments to you. ""He snaps back at me "we are not Lap Band friendly". My DH insisted on walking out. As we were leaving, the server said to his friend "that's disgusting"". I would report that to the manager and the district manager.

I haven't gone through that, but for the first few weeks, I could feel the band in my chest, and it was kind of creepy, in a way. That feeling definitely has gone away, and other than feeling full quickly, I can't even tell it's there. Give it some time, and maybe you'll stop thinking about the band so much. Of course, you have to be mindful of what you're eating, but other than that, I'm not thinking about the band at all now. Good luck to you, be sure and reach out for help from your doctor if you continue to feel like this. I'm sure you're not the first. {{{hugs}}}

What protein shakes have you tried? I really like Boost Diabetic and Carnation Instant Breakfast Sugar Free (blue container). I like others as well, but those are the two I've had most often.

Thanks for the information, Janine! I still wear a medium width shoe, but I went up half a shoe size last year, and I'm wondering if I'll go back down. I'm down about 20 lbs now, and I'm still wearing the same size, but I'll admit I was struggling not to go up another size this summer, so I was pushing the limits of my seams - haha. Now my clothes are feeling loose and much more comfortable. My rings are starting to turn a bit, and they've been resized twice on my way up to my highest weight, so I know they'll need to be resized down. I'll look at getting the adjustable brackets for them until I have to have them made smaller. My watch is completely too big. I'm going to have to get some links taken out soon. I'm lucky that I have a lot of hair, but I anticipate losing a lot of it several months from now. It happened when I had surgeries in the past so I'm not too concerned, because you're right, it does come back.

"Does the lack of hunger help?" In a word, YES! It's amazing how beating that demon, hunger, wards off cravings and over-eating. This is going to be a healthy way of life for me, not a quick fix diet. I finally see a light at the end of the tunnel, and I'm not going to set myself up for failure, by trying to be a super dieter. I'm eating healthy foods, but I will allow myself treats now and then. There are foods that I'll never have in the same way again, for instance, a large diet Coke, but I know, in the future, I can have a sip now and then. Right now, I don't want it or miss it. I stopped drinking diet sodas a month prior to surgery, and I think that helped a lot. I would put in my time on my elliptical prior to surgery, but it was a chore. I knew the weight wasn't coming off. Now, I can't wait to get on it. I'm also walking 3 miles in the evening, and because I've already lost around 20lbs, it's a breeze. I'm walking it ten minutes faster than I was previous to surgery, and I'm just getting started after taking time off to recover. As far as bread, I already ate whole wheat bread. Since banding, I'll have a slice of LF whole wheat toast with my tuna occasionally. I know I'll miss having a nice hamburger with a big bun or an Italian sub, but I'm confident that I'll find replacements that I'll enjoy just as much. Heck, right now, having my clothes loose, rather than "pop the button" tight, I'm not craving any of those foods. My husband and I were out for dinner, and rolls were served. I ate a small section of a roll in small teeny pieces w/ butter, and it was very filling. I wouldn't do that on a nightly basis, or even weekly, but as long as I'm able to eat it w/o getting stuck, I'm fully satisfied with it.

bloom, I was banded the same day as you. I'm still losing, but it has slowed down, to probably a normal level. I'm not drinking any of my meals, unless I'm in a big rush. I'm also getting on my elliptical, but not using the arms and taking it slower than I did pre-band for 40 mins in the morning, and taking a three mile walk in the evening. (hopefully after my doctor's appt next week, I'll be OKed to increase my exercise). I'm watching every carb, to make sure the ones I'm getting are from healthy foods. I also still have restriction from the surgery, so I'm not famished, which is very helpful in not going overboard at meal time. I am sticking to 1/2 c meals, heavy on protein, 3 times per day plus a snack. I'm keeping my snacks healthy. For instance, today, I'm having NF cottage cheese with tomato. Yesterday, I had a peach. I'm also drinking a ton of no-cal liquids (ice water, crystal lite, etc). I anticipate losing my restriction, and maybe having a stall in my weight loss, but after fills, I know I'll kick it back up. I know it's such an uphill battle, bloom, but we're going to make it. From everything I've read, it's not until we get fills, that we really get the advantage from our bands. Hang in there.

This was the exact advice I was going to give. I wasn't 100% sure of my choice until I got to personally compare the bands. My doctor offers both, but doesn't recommend one over the other.

I definitely would recommend them. Basically, the pre-op diet is two protein shakes, and a sandwich (2 slices of LF whole wheat bread, 4 0z of lean meat), one fruit, unlimited non-starchy vegetables, and a snack like a yogurt. The post-op diet is full liquids week one, mushies week two - three, and regular food week 4+.