pwoods5015

it is if you do it right - but it is only a tool, not a miracle. unfortunately, all that is bad is the easiest to slip through the band - so you still have to watch what you eat - and temptation will always be there. On the plus side, even when you do slip (and I have done so) it is not as bad as it was before the band, there are still limits to how much you can eat.

I had the same experience last week, but could not even sip water without severe discomfort - went back the next day, had .5 cc removed and instant relief! It is still tight enough to restrict most foods, but I can drink liquids without a problem :>)

Kind of an ambitious time table - I had it done on a Thursday, it was Sunday before I felt like I was fully out of the anesthesia. Pain was not really an issue. I was back at work the following Thursday. I probably could have gone back a day or so earlier, but waited until after the first post-op Dr appt (wasn't supposed to be driving until then :>)

My nutritionist warned against SlimFast. Most other protein shakes were ok, such as HMR, Optifast, and those you can get at nutrition stores. Check carefully for the protein content.

I have had the band now for almost 3 months and have lost about 10 pounds :<( It is frustrating, but I think the body it making up for what I put it through getting ready for the surgery. Now that I am recovered from the surgery, I have stepped up the training and time in the gym, so it should speed up again.

Hopefully he did not actually mean for you to lose 24 lb in 30 days - that sounds unreasonable, as well as dangerous. The first time I saw my doctor and was accepted for surgery, he said to lose 5 pounds before it could be scheduled. He should have a pre-op plan for you to follow when you next see him - I have seen several versions here, ranging from a couple of days to 2 weeks (which I had to do) of a liquid diet. Just follow what your doctor says to do.

I'm impressed - my surgery was at 7am, I was home by 12. I arrived at the hospital with a tote bag containing a book and my debit card (for the presumed co-pay). that was all I needed as I never really woke from the anesthesia until the next day. My daughter picked up the pain medication at the pharmacy when she came to give me a ride home. One suggestion - make sure the clothes you bring to go home in are REALLY loose. The pants I were were loose when I arrived and tight when I left - the gas inflates the belly more than you think.

My doctor at UCSD ordered a 2-week liquid diet before surgery. I was lucky enough to be part of a study so had a liver MRI just before I started and one the day before surgery. I have to admit to 2 or 3 bites of "real food" but otherwise it was liquids the whole 2 weeks - popsicles, protein shakes, etc. My liver fat went from close to 5% to less than 2% during that time (or so I was told).

I tried Curves a few years ago - the idea is good, but there are issues to look at. The one I used had 2 very small changing rooms and no pool, spa, sauna, etc. The whole program is a circuit, which works well in theory, but when the 3 in front of you are having social hour and forget to move, or move at their leisure, it kind of throws off the rythmn. I would definitely try it free for the 2 weeks before getting into a contract/payment plan. I don't know about then, but in the past, they were all franchises, so the quantity of equipment and training could vary widely from one to another. If one doesn't suit, try another.

Check in at 6am, surgery at 7am, in recovery around 9:30am, barium at 10:30 am (they were ready early and I was ready to give it a try - I thought), checked out at 11:30 am. Quite honestly, I could have stayed longer as I suspect I was still under anesthesia, but it was nice to get home to my own bed - where I stayed off and on for the next 36 hours. One of the women I work with had it done also and her doctor requires a 12 hour or overnight stay before doing the barium.

I was told I could have strained low-fat cream soup. I did try it one day and apparently can't tolerate cream soup. I could however tolerate tomato soup and it was filling -and soothing. I used the "healthy" version as I try to watch the sodium, used the can of soup and about 1/3-3/4 can of water.

oh yes, be sure to add some hot water to the fish and potato mix - makes it smoother :>)

I am 1 week into mushies - for lunch I blend 1/4 cup instant mashed potato mix with 1/2 can (1 serving) of tuna, shrimp, or salmon, and a spoonful of salsa for flavor - it sounds bad but can be quite good. Also, I like the "eating right" brand of frozen "diet" dinner - one package is high in protein and low in most else - and very tasty. I blend the whole thing in my little blender and it is the tastiest mush ever :>)

my doctor said a week (until the post-op appointment) but out of necessity, I was banded on a Thursday and driving on Saturday - not far or for long, but driving.

I didn't/don't feel a lot of restriction, but I am still on full liquids (hooray, I can start blending this week). My doctor does not fill at the time of surgery. So far, the protein shakes seem to do ok for me - at least, after finishing one I feel more full than I used to and it seems to last longer (not saying I haven't had a couple episodes of extreme hunger, but I got the ok for a protein water :>)