CrimsonDawn

I don't know if fluro is a must. But I see Cyndi Rice at Health and Wellness in Pocatello. She works closely with Ortiz; she had her surgery with Ortiz and so did I. She charges $175 but doesn't use flouro.

I just was banded on 10/14. Walking helped, using the heating pad, a pillow, and make sure you keep hydrated sometimes it helps the gas get out! I hear GasX strips help, but I didn't use them because they never helped me before. The things that helped me the most was to relax, watch some movies, take naps, and not try to do too much. This is still abdominal surgery and it takes a while to recover- my stepmom felt the same way and she survived a double masectomy (no stranger to pain).

My doctor allows you to take crushed up phentermine if you are starving.

I am getting surgery in Mexico and they recommend Optifast, but my doctor here wanted something with less sugar. I am using the Atkins premade shakes and they are pretty good. I have tried some horrible things! Atkins cost $5 for a box of 4 at Walmart. I really like the milk chocolate.

I am telling work that I am getting my hiatal hernia fixed. It makes sense to change your diet since it can be caused by obesity. I didn't want to be under a microscope regarding my weight loss. Good luck with your decision.

It really sounds like you are doing the right things. Patience was never a virtue for me either. Just hang in there~ Our bodies are so fickle sometimes; I sure wish mine would listen to me! Sometimes I have to measure the little success with weight loss, like being able to walk further than I could a month ago or my swimming suit almost falling off in the pool :tongue2: Did you measure yourself before surgery wit h a tape measure? Maybe tracking inches lost instead of just pounds would be another reinforcer.

It was explained to me that the stomach of an obese person is much thicker because it has fat around it and depending on the size of the band they used it could have been pretty tight at surgery. The tighter the band the more restriction. As you lose the fat around your organs it will become loser and they you may need a fill. I totally wouldn't fix something that wasn't broken!

Congratulations. Regardless if you tell people the exact number, you deserve praise!

It sounds like you might being going through ketosis. Are you losing weight?

Lisa, I'm not banded yet so I may be speaking out of turn. You mentioned you lost a lot low carbing. Have you adopted that since you got your band? I used a lot of the 100 calorie packs when I was on Weight Watchers and they completely stalled my weight loss; they are highly processed and just not good for you. They taste yummy, but if you remember from low carb sometimes just a little sweet taste can blow it and you can't get enough. My aftercare doctor really pushes the low GI diet which is more like South Beach than Atkins; it emphasis good carbs and tries to have you focus on whole foods rather than processed. I know I didn't really answer you question about how to handle the disappointment other than to say maybe try eating a little different and see if it makes a change in your weightloss. Stay strong!

FIRE YOUR DOCTOR. You are in charge of your healthcare; you have the right to discuss other options and have your doctor be open minded. Just know you have support from us and you are not alone. I think those of us who have struggling with obesity have had many similar interactions with doctors. Many doctors have biases about obese people and subconsciously discriminate; maybe they assume you just need to exercise more or eat less, but never really listen to you and hear about the 25 diets you have already tried. Doctors are not immune from being jerks. I shop for doctors now. I look for someone who really listens and stays open minded.

I have tried a couple of different kinds. My doctor requires a low carb shake. Make sure you find out what your doctor wants you to drink; I got conflicting reports from the nutritionist and screwed up last week (too many carbs). Good thing I started a week early! ThE LOSERS: EAS Carb solutions Choc Fudge: takes like choc Water, very sweet Muscle Milk carb conscious banana, Choc Mint: horrible after taste, enough to make me nauseous THE WINNERS: Atkins Advantage Milk chocolate and Strawberry- even better blended Isopure zero carb glass- looks like juice, apple melon was very good

My surgery date is October 14 in Mexico with Dr. Ortiz. I am also self-pay. The waiting is painful; I am so excited. Someone mentioned concern about gaining weight. This weekend I ate a couple of things that I really loved like pasta that may be a no-go after surgery. I want to make the transition to the pre-op diet easier so today I went back on Phase 1 of South Beach/low GI/low carb. Plus I don't want to risk gaining and having the surgery canceled. I can seriously think of nothing else but the lapband surgery.