mtnman428

I have tried many, many different protein shakes, and the one I like the best is Muscle Milk Lite Chocolate. I buy them at Costco in a 24 pack of 8 oz. ready to drink shakes. I use these as meal replacements for breakfast and lunch (with a midmorning snack of 2 oz of raw almonds). They keep me full and are satisfying. I have found that by not eating much solid food during the day gives me much better control at night. I have lost 115 lbs, and I am 5 lbs below my goal weight.

I went back to TJ for my first fill. $279 plus cost of the flight. There is a local Dr that does fills that I will be seeing for my next one. (around 180/fill) (He has since stopped accepting patients) There is a local group that meets and the clinic internet forum for fellowship and support. Otherwise we're pretty much on our own.

I overnighted at the clinic, then one more night at the hotel. I was up and walking around without much pain. Actually went shopping the next day. Remember to pack light and have some loose fitting clothes for the trip back and you should be okay. You are not supposed to lift anything, so pack really light - a toothbrush and a change of socks. Actually, maybe skip the toothbrush. lol Good luck

Hi! I live in RI. I was banded on July 24, 2008. After doing RI Dr. research, I was going to go with Dr. Pohl. I went to his seminar, and also learned that he was 1 of the best. He also has the F.A.C.S. after his name-meaning Fellow American College of Surgeons. Before I could schedule my surgery date, I lost my job (of 10 years), and health benefits. I couldn't afford the $14,000-30,000 US price, and I didn't want to give up. So I started researching Lap Band in Mexico; which is what I ended up doing. I went to Dr. Ortiz. I have since had 1 fill back in Mexico, but I cannot afford to keep flying back there for fills, so I will be staying in RI for my next fill. I will most likely go to Dr. Pohl for my next fill. I just have to call and see if they have any openings for next week. Good luck with your journey, and let me know if you have any questions.

Mine is real similar. A protein shake for breakfast, one for lunch, and a Lean Cuisine for dinner. I am also allowed any green vegatable with zero calorie dressing or seasoning to stave off hunger. Sugar free jello is also allowed. I have been on this for 1 week, and have 1 more to go. I get banded on November 14th. Thus far, I have lost 1.5 to 2 lbs per day on this diet, but I had lost 14 lbs prior to starting the pre-op doing high protein/low carb diet. The pre-op diet in pretty tough the 1st couple of days, but it gets easier if you hang with it. Good luck, I hope it all goes well for you :tt2:.

I am a Service Manager for a new car dealership. Lot's of stress, and stuck at a desk most of the day. I am getting banded in 10 days. Started at 312 lbs in August, I have lost 31 lbs as of today in preparation for banding. I can't wait to join the club!!:w00t:

Have you tried Pro-cal 100 shakes? The strawberry is my favorite, they are very filling and stick with you for quite a while. The price isn't too bad either. You might want to give them a try. Good luck!:girl_hug:

I quit caffeine 4 months ago, and I feel great! To get my energy level up, a few minutes of brisk excersise does the trick, plus burns some calories. Isn't the reason we are doing lapbands is to change our lives and become healthier? Keep up the good work and hang there. You'll do great! :rolleyes2:

Sorry to jump in. I was searching something when I found this. I think you may of been mistaken about the theme of that nights baseball game. At a "Private School Night" function, I would expect the naughty school girl look to be everywhere. Thats what you where to a 'Private School Night" party. The ladies are naughty school girl and guys as the headmaster or the guys dressed as nerds and the lady as the stern headmistress. I personally would not take a child to such an event, but I guess I'm more convervative than you.:biggrin:

Hey! Sorry I haven't posted. I went away for my fill, and a little vacation at the same time. It was weird because I did not have any emails from LBT when I got back on my computer, and I asked, "how can nobody have made a new post in a week?" I logged into LBT, then got an email that there was a new post here, and came to read, but it was about 5 pages of new posts!!! I skimmed through most of them. JANET, this is soooo cool, but I couldn't find the info on exactly what you're doing!!! Is it for a TV commercial (that was what I assumed from the posts)? I loved your fashion pics! Keep em' coming. I'm a Libra so decisions are not my strong suit, but I like the pant outfits best, and the black and white. White pants look fabulous on you...I hope I can say that about myself 1 day! Just remember with white pants panty-lines will show more (if you didn't already consider that). So is it this Wednesday (today) or next Wednesday? Please fill me in about it! Good Luck! So, below I just copy and pasted my post to the July Butterflies thread. I had my first fill on 9/11-Thursday, then I could only have liquids until Monday (Dr.'s orders). So I have been back on normal food for 2 days. So far it seems practically the same as before. Meaning not too much restriction, and I'm still counting my calories, as to not go overboard. They put 1.8ccs in my 4cc band. I hope that I will feel a bit more restriction with my next fill, and enough before I reach the max of 4cc! After I eat it's not really a full feeling, but more of a "I swallowed a horse-pill feeling and it got a bit stuck", so I do stop eating, but this is weird to me. That is normal, right? It is still after quite a bit of food though. My Dr. said that it is fine for me to begin weights now, but to still NOT do abdominal work until 3 full months after my surgery (7/24-10/24). Doing them too soon could cause problems with the port; which, is sutured to the abdominal wall. I'm slowly losing. I thought it would be a bit faster, but at least the scale is going down. It's been 13 pre-op and 19 post-op. Continued success to everyone. _________________

I will be 2 weeks behind you. Mine is scheduled for October 14th. We are both in for a big change in life. Best of luck.

I am getting a lapband on October 14th. It has been really interesting reading everyones experiences in preparation for the surgery. I am excited to take this step toward a healthier future!!

lap band is the generic term. I think all lap bands are called ...lap bands. Just like this forum is lapbandtalk. Realize is a brand name of a lap-band. Inamed is another brand. Both are considered lap-bands. At least, I thats my understanding. There are discussions on this board about the merits of the various brands of bands that you can search. I would suggest you gain confidence in the surgeon and use what he suggests.

How did it go, Madison? Hope to see you at the Calgary meetings.

I'd suggest Lap-band for Life by Dr. Ortiz. I think you can get it on Amazon. Very simple and straight forward with lots of good information.