bassriley

Welcome and congrats! Every day gets better. And the walking does make a huge differrence with the gas.

Hey guys, So, today has been one week since my surgery and 3 weeks since I started my liquid Optifast diet to get ready for surgery. In the 3 weeks since I started the liquid diet, I'm down 29 pounds. I also had lost 10 pounds prior to starting Optifast by trying to make some of the changes recommended by the dietitian, which means I'm down 39 pounds from my all time high wait from July of 304 pounds. I'm no longer using my CPAP machine, and I'm no longer morbidly obese. I know that I still have a long road ahead of me, but right now I feel like I am envisioning a life that I truly never thought I would have again. I'm actually even thinking of trying to train to run a marathon-eventually. It only gets better from here! Thanks for letting me brag. Bryan:thumbup:

That's awesome! As someone who was morbidly obese 3 weeks ago and is now just obese, I understand what you're saying. Never thought I would be happy just to be obese, but it's a great feeling!

Thanks everybody. Everything is going down much better now, and gas pains are significantly better. Having no trouble getting the Protein I need and keeping at around 1000 calories, so everything is good. Bryan

Are any of you on-or were any of you on-Urso Forte to prevent gallstones? It's the foulest stuff I've ever tasted. It's way too big to pass through the band, so it has to be ground. I've tried it in Soup, applesauce, and V8, and it is horrible in any of them. Anybody ever find a good way to take this foul stuff? Bryan:confused:

Thanks everybody. Every day is getting better. Gas pains are gone-thank God. I'm actually feeling really good now, just still pretty tired easily. Going back to work on Thursday. Bryan

Congratulations! This is a great start. It's a long journey, and not easy, but I'm trusting in the long run will be worthwhile. Keep us posted. Bryan

Thanks Jack. Yesterday I did get all my fluid, but only 23 grams of protein and only about 300 calories. This morning I'm sitting down with a glass of Crystal Lite-we'll see how that goes down. It's good to hear that this is normal and not a sign of a problem.

Hi guys, So I'm on day three now. Today was my first day on full liquids. It was really tough for me to get 64 ounces of Fluid down, forget 70 grams of Protein. I find that nearly anytime I drink, I get really nasty gas pains. Maalox helps some, as does walking, but if this continues I'm not sure how I'm going to manage to get all of the nutrients I need through liquid. Anyone else have this problem right after banding? Bryan

Hi Guys, Well, I'm not one day post op. Getting ready to leave the hospital and thought I'd do a quick post. Yesterday was not bad at all-no pain. Didn't realize that was because the anesthesia hadn't quite worn off. This morning was a little rough-most just in terms of gas pain in my abdomen, which to some degree is still continuing. At this point, I just can't wait to get home. I think the first thing I said as I came out of anesthesia was, "Sh*t, I can't get out of this now." But I'm really excited about living a new life where food doesn't have to be my enemy anymore. Bryan

Hi everyone, I've posted a couple of times but haven't actually introduced myself. My name is Bryan Riley, and I live in New Jersey and am having my surgery in Newark, Delaware. My surgery is scheduled for tomorrow morning at 10 a.m. I'm really excited but also feeling a bit nervous and scared-and having a few second thoughts. But I know that this is right for me, and I'm determined and ready. Bryan

Congratulations. I'm getting banded on Wednesday,so it's god to here your story. Bryan

Hope everything went well today! When you're up to it, send a note to those of us still on this side of the band to let us know how it is.

Not a bad idea Jr. Wish I had a script for that.

Rockbandster, Sorry, I'm three days into my Optifast pre-surgery diet, and I'm feeling cranky. My response was way over the top. As far as Realize, my surgeon was confident that it would be a good band for me. However, he also said that I may wake up with a Lap Band because what they find inside me may make it a better fit. So tentatively the decision is for Realize, but I'm comfortable that my surgeon will make the right decision once he sees my anatomy inside. I actually really appreciate the fact that he is doing the wait and see approach. Again, sorry for over reacting. Bryan

Rockbandster, With all due respect, I'm a very educated man. I'm not a total idiot, and I'll thank you for not speaking to me like I am one. I didn't base my decision on a web site. I based my decision on the advise of my surgeon, who is the head of a bariatric center of excellence and who told me that for my needs, either band would work well and that the online tools would be an added benefit. I also based my decision on the fact that this product has been used with great success in Sweden for quite some time. I based my decision on the fact that this device is approved by the FDA and that it performs comparably with the Lap Band in clinical trials. I realize that I didn't say all of this in my statement-I didn't anticipate needing to defend my decision in this forum. Again, I'm not stupid. I don't expect my surgeon to spend all day e-mailing me. Frankly, I don't expect my surgeon to e-mail me at all. But I do like the idea of someone in the practice checking in on me in this way occasionally. Every bit of added support will be helpful. Bryan

I'm two days into the pre-op Optifast diet. Hate these &$#%ing shakes. But, all for the greater good. We ordered pizza and wings the last night before I started this. And beer. Sweet beer. At this point, I just would like to chew something. I have found, though, that I do like the Optifast tomato soup. Thank God for small favors. Any of you guys who had to do this two week liquid diet get really cranky? I'm feeling really cranky right now.

I'm having surgery on September 3. I chose the Realize band because I like the online tools that they use, and I like that my surgeon's office can review the material that I've posted in the online tools (or even contact me if they see that Im not posting to make sure I haven't fallen off the wagon, so to speak. Having said that, my doc said that the bands both perform very well in studies and that there is no good clinical reason to choose one over another.

Hey guys. I'm having surgery on September 3. BMI of 43.9. Have hypertension and sleep apnea. I'm really excited and a little nervous. Would welcome any advice that anyone has to offer. Thanks. Bryan