vegasgirl44

Cutie, a lovely belated happy birthday to you. I haven't been on in a couple of days and getting behind trying to get prepared for surgery and finish a school paper. I'm glad I saw it was your birthday and I wanted to pipe in really quick and offer my best wishes to you! Bonnie

George, I talked to Dr. Teng today and asked about the Realize. He said it's the French version of the band. Shaped more like a horseshoe than a complete innertube, he said that it doesn't have complete restriction like the American version because of that part in the back where there is no closure. He explains it like a Cadillac compared to a Mercedes. The Cadillac (Realize) is a good luxury car, but no comparison to the Mercedes for performance. I don't know if that is what you wanted to know, but that's what he said. He clearly prefers the American version. Bonnie

I totally agree! I hope I end up looking 30 years younger. Shoot! I'll take 10! Amazing!

OMG! Cutie! Have a super swell Band Day! I'll be thinking about you and don't feel like you have to reply back right away or anything. Take your time and feel better. The best of luck to you. Bonnie

Cutie, glad to have you back. Hope you had a swell time. I don't know if you've seen some of my other posts, but I'm ok to go to surgery. Yeah! My cardiologist had good news for me. I've got a clean bill of health from him and ready to go August 14th. You must be getting nervous. Lellow should be out of surgery. I wonder how she's doing. I haven't hear from her in a while. Lellow! I am sending good wishes your way!

Lanakila, I've only tried the fruit punch. Have you tried the blue one? I wondered if it tastes as good as the other one.

Just click on the ticker and it will take you to the site where you can design yours. Just make sure you bookmark it. You might have to play around a little to get it right. Good luck.

OMG! The bullets are AWESOME! I got the fruit punch and I put it in a water bottle (after drinking a little out of it first) with half a packet of crystal light fruit punch and it's so good. Not thick and yucky or nasty-tasting. It's got to be the best tasting highly concentrated protein on the market. I figure it will be great for after banding when I might not feel so great but needing to get that protein in...and it packs a whopping 42 grams in 3 oz!

It won't hurt, and once you set your mind on it, you might just get carried away in the excitement of beginning a new day and a new life, and then you will feel better because the pounds will start coming off. Maybe you can compromise and have a nice and SANE weekend, eating some of the things you really like, but start preparing yourself and begin on Monday. Get your protein powders together and go shopping and think of it as an adventure. You might be surprised how fun it is. Good luck!

Moe, that is fabulous! You are the hero of the August All-Stars! It's really good to hear about positive experiences in hospitals, too, because so many times, it's just the opposite. I would also encourage you to write to them like you said. Usually, those of us, like me, who work in hospitals only hear the bad things. You will make their day just like they made yours! Good job!

I agree with everything everybody else said. I am on my pre-op diet right now and eating Protein shakes and salad. I went a week and didn't lose a pound. But then one day, BAM!, the scale went down. I know it's hard, but try not to weigh yourself but once a week. Also, you know the older we get, the harder it is to lose. Just be happy with the slow loss...it's healthier that way anyway. Good job so far and Good luck!

This is a great day for me! I got the all-clear from my cardiologist. After going through more blood tests, ultrasound, and CT Angio and a week of stress, I have no obstructions, no heart disease or valve problems, and no lung cancer (they can see that on the angio). I feel like I was just born and I can only imagine how I will feel on August 14th when I wake up from having Band surgery!:scared2: So, onward and upward! Yeah! Good luck to all the August Bandsters. May we all be happy, healthy, and hot!:cursing: And I don't mean from the heat!

I think all the above answers are really good ones. It could depend on the type of clothes you have, too. I have a lot of stretchy pants and skirts. I've been able to wear those same size skirts through about 50 lbs lost and gained. For non-stretchy jeans, you might need to replace them sooner. Also, I think my fat is hard fat. People say there is no way that I weigh this much. My mom says it's like a down pillowcase. If you take a pillowcase, and keep adding feathers to it, eventually it will get full and soft, but if you keep adding feathers, it will start to get firm and compact. You can keep adding feathers until it's rock hard. But the pillowcase never gets bigger. I think that's me. It takes like 50 lbs before anybody even notices that I'm deflating.

Vanman....do you have a girlfriend?

Thanks, George! I'm going to see him on Tuesday and I'll add it to my list of things to discuss.

George, do you think the Realize band is a better option for men, or in general? And what do you like about it?

I'm right there with you. I will found out the damage on Friday. Good luck to you with your cardiac clearance as well....hopefully, we won't have to share any more stories together. LOL!

Thanks George, you are correct. Dr. Teng's group met this past Monday and I missed it. I was thinking it was Thurs or Friday for some reason. I really wanted to go since I'm meeting with Dr. Teng next Tuesday and signing all the papers and paying. I'm just flippin' out and starting to second-guess my decision. I did buy your book that you recommended and trying to read it between writing papers....I'm in my last class for school! I'm getting my Masters in Healthcare Admin and it's been a long haul. I want it to be over (5 more weeks) so that I can start the next chapter of my life. I'm very focused. Thanks for all your encouraging words. When I have time after surgery, I may take you up on some of those groups. Bonnie

Tara, you give me hope....

I'm asking all you bandsters from Las Vegas out there for your advice, please. I would like you to tell me who did your surgery of these two, if either, and tell me about your experience. I was happy with my decision and then decided to tell my hairdresser, who had one of these two do her bypass a couple of years ago, and now she has me re-thinking my decision. This is EXACTLY why I don't like telling anyone. I was perfectly happy with my surgeon and now I'm questioning my decision. I am more interested in aftercare, fills, and self-pay type experiences. Any information you can give would be appreciated. Thank you.

Tonni, I found out the carbs are hysterical, though. I think I'm going to have to try something else...maybe Jamba Juice?

Maybe that's why I was in the bathroom all morning? I'm guessing the carb amount is due to the banana mostly? Offhand, I don't know how many carbs a banana has in it...And I wonder if the cocoa they use is sugar free. I think this deserves further research. Maybe we can get some kind of substitutions going? SF banana syrup? Leave the banana out? There simply has to be a way! LOL!

kristen, I had the smoothie as a reward after this morning's yucky angiography I had to have, and you are right, it is quite nice. I want to find out the carb and calorie count because I think my BF would like it. He is on high protein diet also. Thanks!

Ok, just an update. I had to have CT Angiography this morning and it wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. Also, they told me that my heart rate was pretty normal, my ECG looked good, (if they were using that for surgery, I would get the green light), and my blood pressure was great. So, according to that guy, I'm good for surgery. Of course, on Friday, I see my cardio again, and get the results of the Angio and Ultrasound of my heart and veins. I'm thinking worse case scenario, he puts me on a low cholesterol type of plan because of carotid artery plaquing. But we shall see. I'm down over 14 lbs, feeling good, still waiting for "Flo" to show up and then I'll be on the road to being a bandster! Yeehaa!!! By the way, I had that new Starbucks Vivanno protein smoothie with skim milk...the chocolate banana one...and it was good! Someone gave the stats on it, and I think it was good protein, calorie, and carb-wise. Has anybody had one yet?:thumbup:

Now, THAT is a nightmare! Good luck on band day!