SoCalCass

Hello everyone! Okay below are some of my new favs for Protein drinks. Hope you like them. Some are from the book, "Weight Loss Surgery with the AGB," by Robert W. Sewell, M.D. and others are from, "Before and After," by Susan Maria Leach. * When I talk about Protein powder I use the Isopure mix. It has 50 grams of protein for two scoops! Plus low carb and low in calories! Basic Recipe: In a Blender: Mix 8oz. of Water, or more 6-8 ice cubes or more 2 scoops of Protein shake powder Vanilla/Cinnamon Shake: 2 scoops of vanilla protein powder 1/2 scoop fat-free/sugar-free (ff/sf) vanilla instant pudding mix 1/2 to 1 tsp. vanilla extract cinnamon to taste Blend with water then, Blend all with crushed ice 300 calories-50 grams of protein Pistachio Shake 2 scoops vanilla protein powder 1/2 to 1 scoop FF/SF Pistachio instant pudding 1/2 to 1 tsp. almond extract Blend with water then, Blend all with crushed ice 300 calories-50 grams of protein banana Shake 2 scoops of vanilla protein powder 1/2 to 1 scoop FF/SF Banana instant pudding 1/2 to 1 tsp. vanilla extract Blend with water then, Blend all with crushed ice 300 calories-50 grams of protein Oreo-Like Blizzard Shake 2 scoops Vanilla protein powder 2 sugar-free Oreos 1 tablespoon Cool Whip 1/2 vanilla Blend with water then, Blend all with crushed ice 350 calories-50 grams of protein More to come after I start testing out new recipes!

Hey Linda! I have some great recipes that I have been experimenting with. The recipes are at home and I can get them to you when I get home... Stay tuned! Come to think of it... I will post a who subject about the recipes if you would all like.

Slim-in-Tn! I have decided to start a fatty liver diet next week. I too feel the same way - but I guess we better get used to it! LOL! Although - I know we will feel much more full once the band is on. I actually ended up buying the Isopure Protein powder. The flavor is chocolate and to be honest - it was really delicious! I was very happy with it!

YEAH! Another 9ther like me! Can you believe that tomorrow will be one month until the day! I can't wait. These next four weeks are going to fly! SOOOOO EXCITED!

Congrats! I am happy that all is settled and you can finally have the surgery! I am on the 9th so I will let you know how it goes!:redface:

I know you are stressed - but remember this is just the beginning of something great! Kind of like brides before they get married! LOL! I know that you can do this. I was like the way you are feeling now about two weeks ago. Just think four weeks from now and it will all be over. The anticipation, the nerves, the jitters. You CAN do this! Just think about how great your life will be after the band. You are the only one that can make this work and we all have faith in each other. When you are down let us know so we can kick you ack into shape! YOU CAN DO THIS!!!!

Hey all! I am getting banded in almost a month. I am a little nervous about wha tmy body will look like once the weight is gone. Primarily - I am worried about my arms! LOL! I know it seems trival with losing weight - but I would hate to lose this weight - FINALLY - and still have my arm jiggle. Has anyone noticed that their arms get smaller without needing plastic surgery? And if you have had plastic surgery - wpuld you recommend it?

:tt2: Hey all October Bandsters! Just wanted to check in and see how you are all doing? I can't believe that in less than a month some of you will already be banded! I know that it has seemed like a lon road - BUT WE ARE ALMOST THERE! I can't believe that it has come so fast. I remember thinking to myself - I can't believe I have to wait 10 weeks! LOL! So have any of you started your specialized diets? I have not started hardcore yet - but have been playing around with some Protein recipes and drinks. This way, when the time comes I am all prepared to start the rest of my life. If you have all tried any new recipes I would love to see them! Let me know if you would like some recipes for yourself! Talk to you all soon! :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::eek::thumbup::thumbup::tt2:

Hey girl! Keep it up! I have not had my band surgery yet - only one more month to go - but I did have surgery with my ovaries this last April. The pain was so bad that I had to have my dad come and get me off the couch. I had a burn feeling from up to down and was in serious pain. I must admit though - the more I got up and walked around the better I got. Later I asked the doctor what the deal was. He looked at me and said - although on the outside it doesn't look like we did much - you still had major surgery on the inside. HE later went on to say that a lot of the pain were the muscle and nerve endings fusing together. This might be the source of some of your pain. Just count to ten - breathe in and out and get moving honey! Just think - the faster you get up the faster you can lose the weight! Good luck on your journey!

That's awesome! I knew that some people out there would know what I am talking about!

Wish you all the best Dixie! Please keep us all posted on your progress!

Did you get a chance to go over to either of the websites that I posted above? There is a whole world of raw that I never could have imagined. When I read about Hollywood celebrities going raw, I though - ewww gross! They eat raw meat? LOL! I couldn't have been more wrong. Eating living food is so helpful for us. And I think that it would add so much more to Bariatric Eating. There is actually no meat at all in the diet. They take average foods and make them even better. They have this mock tuna salad that I have had! To die for! Plus, it is so pureed that it should be easier for all of us to process.:thumbdown:

Hey everyone! Hope you are all doing well. I am having the surgery in a little over a month and have been researching a lot. But, I have toa sk a question to see if anyone has tried this... are there any AGB patients out there that have taken on eating Raw? Working in an alternative wellness center I have really started learning more and more about the Raw food diets out there. We have this amazing clients that uses us as her guinea pigs to try out new recipes. The food is delicious. All it really is, is vegetables pureed and it is heavenly. I couldn't help but think that when I have the surgery that this can be an added addition to my new food options. The food is filled with amazing enzymes since the veges aren't being cooked. Please let me know if any of you have incorporated this into your everyday lives. For those that aren't familiar with the Raw Food Life there is a great video on the importance of eating live foods. If you would like, please check out: Food Matters | Home | Food Matters The Film Official Web Site or www.rawvolution.com.:thumbdown:

:thumbup:Mark welcome to the forum! I am so happy that you have joined our little forum here. Make sure to keep us posted on your progress. If I could send you all this information, I just finished reading a book that just came out last week. So far in my hunt for research, it is the only book on the market souly for Lap Band weight loss patients. It is called Weight Loss Surgery with the Adjustable Gastric Band by Robert W. Swell. It really gave me all the extra information I was looking for. I especially like the last chapter. I gave it to my parents to read. It focuses on Living with those that have the AGB. My parents both found it quite informative.

Hey girl! You can do it! Just think that your body will already be adjusted to your new diet lifestyle. This is a great way to prepare. Just think about how great you will already feel going into the surgery! Just make sure that you are getting the neessary Vitamins. Good luck! And keep it up!

I am a little concerned with your 600 calorie intake? When I was 9 I was put on a 1,000 calorie diet and even then it was not enough. I think that you should call your doctor. 600 calories just seems like it would not be enough to get all of the nutrients that you need to stay healthy. I would hate for you to be too sick from malnutirtion to have the surgery. Let us know what he says...

YEAH! Congrats and welcome to the October Bandsters! Can't wait for you to begin your weight loss journey! Keep me posted.

Thanks everyone for all of your stories! I appreciate it an you have all eased my fears. I feel much much much better now. Cassie

Hey everyone! First, I hope that all of you are all doing well! Now, down to business... I have been reading several books over the last week in regards to AGB surgies. Currently, I am reading Weight Loss Surgery with the Adjustable Band by Robert W. Sewell and Linda Rohrbough. Now, they started talking about Hiatal Hernias, and frankly I don't think I can go another month until my surgery without knowing if I have one or not. In the book they talk about how if the hernia is oolarge, they may not be able to perform the surgery. I have put a call out to my doctor, but wanted to see if any of you have had that complication? I would just hate to get on the table, to only wake up and realize they were not able to put the band in. HELP!!!! I am really kind of being a worry wart about this - but I need answers!:smile2::cursing::crying::sad:

I would try to see what the insurance company says. You never know. If they do approve congrats to you. I myself am and out of pocketer paying for the whole procedure myself! Yikes! But thankfully my parents are helping out, but I am just worrying about how I will pay later. I just know that this is the right thing to do. If your insurance company doesn't pay for it I would try and see if you could get a loan from the bank. That is always and option. Or you could see if there are any finance options from your surgeon. With all the money you are saving on not over eatting you could always put that money towards the payments. Good luck and keep up posted!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!! Keep us all posted!:thumbup::thumbup:

My pleasure! I know what you are saying about the myspace thing! LOL! I feel the same way. I have been doing lots of research on this and have found the the inner strength is waht keeps you going. I have also read like two books this week about weight loss surgery and am working on my third now. They have really helped me with everything both mentally and physically. The first was Before and After by Susan Maria Leach. She had Gastric, but she is very uplifting and I really got some good inforation from her. The second was, The patient's Guide to Weight Loss Surgery. I really didn't like that book too much and there were some horror stories in it. But I guess better to know than not. And now I am on Weightloss Surgery with the Adjustable Band. This is the only book on the market about adjustable band I so far so good. It just came out two days ago.

Congrats girl! I wish you all the luck in the world and I hope you have a great journey!

YEAH! Another Oct. 9ther! I can't wait! Doesn't it seem like light years away!? You are lucky though... I am an out of pocketer... so this has been really interesting trying to figure out where this money is going to be coming from - but where there is a will there is a way! Take care!

That sounds like a lot to take in! No worries though! You are on your way. I can't wait to hear how everything goes. You are the day before me! I am for sure going to be asking you a ton of questions! Take care girl and stay focusd!