Florida girl

I was the same way initially. I had my surgery on 07/01 and I cried the first week. I was hungry, shaky, weak and generally did not feel like myself. I can say this I feel great now and wouldn't give it back for anything! Hang in there, it gets better once you start encorporating more substantial food. The clear liquid phase is rough. I know you will feel better in a week or so though. It took me a good 2.5 weeks before I felt even remotely good.

I am so glad to read these responses from our friends from countries other than the U.S. As a health services administrator, I am very concerned with national healthcare here in the U.S. As many are aware it is something many in the government are pushing. It isn't all it is cracked up to be. Waiting times are going to be horrible and nothing in life is free. That means nothing. To think that healthcare will be universal and comprehensive is naive at best. It is great to see this discussion because I have spoken to so many people about healthcare throughout my career and it is really interesting to see how little people understand with regards to what will happen if we have national healthcare.

Don't stress out about it. Your body is still healing. Losing anything during the healing period is fabulous, let alone 10 lbs! :cursing: Just follow your dietary instructions, don't cheat, drink lots of water, walk and exercise as much as possible and it will come.

I had sushi for dinner tonight. I ordered 1 roll and was able to eat a grande total of 2 pieces. It was the kind with the rice on the outside. It wasn't because it was hard to eat, I took several bite for each piece (used to just pop them whole into my mouth) and I chewed till everthing was liquid. I was FULL when I was done though. I had the 2 pieces and the cup of broth they give you at the japanese restaurant. Pretty funny, huh? Anyway, I too didn't enjoy it the way I used to. It was almost too much work and everything seemed SO SALTY to me. I guess it is because I have only been eating 'real' food for a day or so now and wasn't really eating a lot of salt post -op, but wow - they put a lot of salt in the food that is for sure!

Too funny! I made the same proclomation when I was banded on 07/01/08. I ended up breaking down and weighing myself at the gym last week and had lost 10 pounds. I was thrilled of course, but a little disappointed that I couldn't show more restraint either. I have read too many stories of people who get so caught up in the numbers during the first month. I just didn't want to fall into that trap. So now, I am not weighing again till 07/30 which will be my 1 month follow up. Congrats on your weight loss! :thumbup:

How much later are you going to be awake? I just ate a 100 calorie yogurt because I was hungry too. However, I will be up for another couple of hours. If you think you will be up, have a healthy snack (small), if not - go to bed! :thumbup:

Oh hon, don't you worry about what those people say. You know why you chose the lap band and to be brutally honest it really isn't any of their business what type of choices you make in your life. The lap band is effective in weight loss, that is proven. Yes, it is a tool and you have to "work" your band, but in reality that is what you end up having to do with the RNY. Sure, they lose weight really fast and dramatically, but a lot of them gain their weight back at the same frightening pace. Have you seen Carnie Wilson lately? My suggestion to you is to ignore them and to remain confident that you made the best choice for you possible. If it were me and someone said something like that to me, I would tell them that it is none of their business and that you did not ask or want any of their biased opinions. You just keep doing what you doing, lose the weight, safely and in the end it won't matter anyway. Good luck in your weight loss! I have faith that we can do it; I studied both RNY and Lapband for a long time prior to having my surgery and I can say I am 100% comfortable with my choice and no one would be able to tell me otherwise.

Yep - GNC carries them as well. They are 3.99, I think at GNC. I think they are one of the better tasting liquid proteins, that is for sure.

:confused2:I have not had my first fill yet, I am only 2 weeks out from surgery. The good thing is I still have restriction and can only eat 1/4 to 1/2 cup of food at a time. However, I was wondering, why most people say it is better to have a fill with fluoro? What is the reason? I am seriously uneducated with regards to the fills and was wondering because I see it on the forum a lot. Any feedback is appreciated! :cool2:

I have used these too. Boy, the price you mention at Walmart is so much cheaper than GNC... I may have to look their as well. I mix them with fruit punch crystal light to keep the calories at a minimum. I usually buy the 42 gram ones and drink 1/2 in the morning and 1/2 at night. I read someplace that anything more than 20 grams of protein in one sitting is a waste, your body can't metabolize it. I don't know if it is true or not, but I figured I would break it up anyway...

I was banded n 07/01 and I can honestly tell you I felt the same way in the beginning. The first week or so was the worst. I cried all the time and felt depressed and I never feel depressed... I am feeling much better now, more like my old self. I am on the mushy stage and it is still hard and I find myself mourning food, but it isn't like the clear stage at all. I think those feelngs came from a combination of getting the anesthesia out of my body, pain medication and the fact that I just had major surgery. This too will pass... Of course, if you continue to still feel that way, give your doc a call they may have ideas to help. I called mine and they had me up my Protein and calories and voila I felt better..

First off, CONGRATULATIONS on your weight loss!!!!! That is phenomenal and something to be proud of. You can get back on track - gaining a couple pounds during vacatin is not uncommon. Just remember why you did the band in the first place. Maybe focus on some extra exercise and make mini goals so you don't get overwhelmed with the 30 pounds left. You have done well and you can achieve your goals! It is up to you. :biggrin:

I understand your confusion, I was there at one point too. For me it all came down to what I was comfortable with. Sure, Gasric Bypass patients lose a lot of weight, fast, but do they keep it off? Not necessarily. The lap band has pretty much the same success rate as GB if you look at it 5 years out. For me, that was the important factor. I don't care if I lose 100 pounds in 6 months, rather, I want to lose it safely without feeling sick all the time and more importantly looking sick. WLS is a personal choice. Arm yourself with the facts and make a decision based on what you know you can live with long term. For me, the lap band was the only way to go - the thoughts of dumping syndrome, losing my hair, saggy skin, rerouting my parts to lose weight was just not appealing. This weight didn't come on fast and I am ok if it takes time to come off. It is a journey.... :biggrin: Good luck with your decision. Remember you are the only one who determines whether or not you succeed. Do not take the "wisdome" of your doctor as gospel. Go with your gut!

I have had the same thoughts. They don't call it major surgery for nothin'. :biggrin: Anyway, I think some of it is normal, we are mourning our loss of food and the changes in our bodies is dramatic at this point. My strength hasn't come back completely yet either so that has been a huge factor. I think after a while those feelings will disapate and the worrying about the 'what if's' will end.

Jcano, I think you should go back to your prescribed diet. The diet is not setup based on how you feel when you eat, rather it is in place to help you heal properly so you won't have problems down the road. I am almost a week out myself (surgery 07/01) and am struggling a bit as well. There were a couple days early on when I had complete crying breakdowns and didn't think I would be able to make it through. I don't feel restriction and am hungry a lot of the time too. The last 2 days has been better because I really upped my Protein in my food. I am in the mushy stage (doctors orders) and one thing that has helped a lot with the hunger is to grill or broil a piece of white chicken and then I put it in the food processor with chicken broth until it is mushy. I have about 2-3 ounces for lunch or dinner and I tell you what the difference in how I feel has been phenomenal. I feel more strength and am able to go the 2 hours between meals now. Plus, I tell myself it is "chicken salad" so it is pallatable Remember no drinking 30 minutes prior or 30 minutes after you eat and when you eat take at least 30 minutes to eat. That is the hardest but it really does make a difference. I hope you start feeling better soon and get back on your diet. You can do it! :biggrin:

My understanding is that it is up to your doctor. The way it was explained to me was that they do not know what size they will put in you until they do the surgery. It is based on the size of your stomach (internally) and the surrounding fat. My surgeon said he has some patients that come in with a lot of belly fat from the outside, but when he gets in there is relatively little on the organs, or vice versa. I hope this helps!

My doc's orders: 1-2 days clear liquids 1-2 days full liquids 2-3 weeks mushies 1-2 weeks soft food slowly encorporate regular food from that point on. I have struggled with hunger a little bit. The 2nd day was the worst for me. I had a complete emotional breakdown and cried. I think I didn't get enough calories for the day though because I only got like 350 calories that whole day. Ideas for protein are those protein 'bullets' you get from he health food store. They have helped me a lot. I drink 1/2 of one of them in the morning and the other 1/2 at night for a total of 42 grams of protein. That is on top of what I am getting from my diet. Every day is a little better, but it is tough. Anyone who thinks this is the 'easy' way out is nuts, that is for sure! Banded: 07/01/08

I was banded on 07/01 as well. I am still having difficulty with the gas. I think I need to up the amount Iam walking every day. Is your stomach rumbling a lot too? Mine is making all kinds of rumbling sounds. All in all, I am feeling pretty good though. Really not too much pain at all which is nice! I am on my way now! Woohoo! :thumbup:

I am struggling as well. I had my surgery yesterday 07/01 and am on clear liquids through tomorrow. I start full liquids after that (milk, protein shakes, etc.). The clear has been hard because it isn't really satisfying. My dietician has me drinking 2 - 3 ounces every hour not including my water intake. I find that 2 - 3 ounces of chicken broth doesn't do it. How much and how often are you drinking? The other thing I am not sure if I am hungry, or it if just the gas pains that are making my stomach rumble. Is that normal? All in all, I am doing ok though...

Remember Protein first. You are not getting enough protein and that is why you feel weak. Focus on the protein and then you should feel better. Some ideas of full liquid: Creamy soup Milk (skim of course) Cottage cheese strained Yogurt Protein shakes Cream of Wheat You need to focus on the healing process and make sure you are getting enough calories from protein or you won't heal properly. You need those amino acids especially after surgery. Good luck!

I am having a lot of mixed feelings too. Tomorrow is my surgery date. I am excited, but nervous. I think it is normal though. I keep reminding myself <why> I made this decision to begin with. I will keep you all in my prayers tonight. See you on the other side with a band! :wink_smile:

Name Current Goal Lost Florida Girl...................235.............215...........0............

IMHO you need to not look at it as the "dreaded 6 month diet thing" rather an opportunity to jump start your new healthy lifestyle. If you are truly serious about losing weight and keeping it off with the lapband you are going to have to get control of why you overeat and are overweight. I did the 6 month diet that my insurance company required and I have to say it is one of the smarter things insurance companies require (my opinion). I learned more about myself, and the reasons why I overeat, and self medicate with food than I have ever done with just a 'diet' in the past. It was an opportunity that I am glad I was forced into because I can truly say I am ready for my surgery (July 1st) and am confident I will be successful. My weight loss to date is 34 pounds but more importantly I have gained myself. I have never been successful with dieting and now I am confident I can do it. That in and of itself is powerful business and way worth the 6 months they required. Did I cheat on the diet? Yep - I had some cheats, but I was pretty consistent with what they asked. I work out every day now and I eat a healthy 1200 - 1400 calories a day for the most part. If nothing else, it proved that I can do it. Try and embrace the program and I know you will be successful! Good luck with your upcoming appointments. I remember how excited I was in the beginning too. My thoughts are with you. Florida Girl:cool2:

Wendy, I don't want to scare you more than you already are but I am going to. Smoking is the absolute worst thing you can do up to and after surgery. The healing process is compromised, your sutures will not heal at the same rate as a non-smoker, your lungs will not recover as quickly. There are just so many bad things. Now, here is the kicker... They can tell you have been smoking when you go in. I am not sure about Mexico, but any surgeon in the United States would check blood gases prior to a surgery. They will be able to tell you have been smoking and very well may cancel the surgery. Stop now. Don't pick another one up. Do it for yourself as this is an important step that absolutely must not be skipped. I hope I wasn't too harsh but I wanted you to get the seriousness of what the outcome could be if you continue to smoke. My thoughts and prayers will be with you! I sincerely hope you quit smoking and are able to have your surgery because I know how much we all want to succeed. You hang in there!

My surgery is on July 1st and is being covered by Cigna insurance. I just realized I forgot to ask if fills are covered by insurance as well? Does anyone know the answer? Are they covered, or do you pay out of pocket for fills? Thanks!:ohmy: