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I think ensure has a high suger content and not enough protein. My doctor told me to find shakes that have at least 20 grams of protein with fewer than 200 calories. Walmart, target, Costco, GNC all have good quality powder shakes available.

My surgeon required me to lose 20lbs because I had laproscopic surgery and he had a BMI limit of 45-50 for it. He also explained that if you do not keep your weight down, your liver will be inflated which is very close to your stomach and it is harder to operate. The more you eat the more your liver becomes imflamed. I had my surgery rescheduled three times for various reasons and so after I lost my 20 lbs I tried to keep it off and then my surgeon asked me to go on a liquid diet again for one week before surgery so my liver would be nice and small. It worked out really well in the end. I know how hard it can be to keep on a low cal diet but maybe you can limit your intake a little bit and then really go full force in losing weight closer to your surgery date. Helen

I feel what you are going through. I got my first fill two weeks ago and it was too tight so I have been on liquids and mushies for the last two weeks. I have lost only 4lbs and I feel frustrated that I am suffering through the liquids and not able to enjoy solid food and I still can't lose much weight. Helen

I really feel for you. Make sure you keep hydrated. I had an allergic reaction to my pain med and so I was really in pain. sleep is always a good thing when you are trying to heal. I also had some chicken broth on the third day. It helps to sip something warm. H

I get a brand called "Max" from GNC. They have discount pricing during the first week of each month. The one I especially like is "Cookies and Cream". One scoop has 28 Protein and it is under 120 calories. I usually do one scoop with a little Water, 1/2 a banana and ice and blend it all together. You really don't need milk with this one. It really tastes like a icecream shake. They also have other flavors. Helen

I know exactly what you mean. I am jealous though since I had to be on liquids for two weeks before my surgery. The cookies and cream is my favorite. I find putting in 1/2 a banana and chipped ice and then blending it all together makes it taste like a high calorie shake.

I had the same problem. I spoke with my father who is a retired phsycian about it and he thought that my body went into survival mode from the loss of all the calories and was holding onto any calorie that was going into my body. I only lost 5 lbs the first month after my surgery so I decided after week 5, when I could eat, to raise my caloric intake to 1500 for one week. I gained 2lbs but when I went back to eating 900 calories after that week, I found myself losing weight steadily. I hope this helps. Helen

Hi Debbie, I don't understand how you can fill 14ccs into a 10cc band. It sounds like something might be wrong. I would go back to the doctor right away and ask them to really investigate your situation. Helen

Hi Rondagerk, I hope your surgery went really well. I have only been banded a little under two months but I am hear to listen and to support you. Helen

My name is Helen and I was banded on 10/5/2008. I have lost about 45lbs. pre and post surgery. I am having some challenges and would love to find someone local or national that I can either talk with or email. I am a divorced 43 year old interior designer with no children. I have my own business and I am addicted to reality shows, fashion ( shopping, not so much anymore since the economy is so down) books, politics and traveling. I have tried losing weight on my own for most of my life and finally made the decision to get banded. I am gratefull that the procedure has gone so well overall even with the few glitches I have had. I have about 100 lbs to go for my goal weight and I am hoping that by this time next year, I will be close. I strongly believe that having the support or a fellow bandster to go through the process of the banding and the weight loss is one of the key ingredients to success and have not found anyone yet. I would love to hear from anyone interested in finding a buddy or another person to mentor. Helen:rolleyes2:

Thanks for the advice. I will call my doctor right away for an appointment. Helen

Congrats on so much weight loss. With all changes with your job situation, I really want to commend you for doing so well. I personally think that the lapband is a just tool for you to lose weight and maintain the weight lost and it sounds like you doing great and I personally would not change anything. You will know if you stop losing weight that you need a fill. In the meantime, keep doing what you are doing! Helen

I had my first fill about 1 1/2 weeks ago. My surgeon gave me my first fill during surgery, 1cc, and I got 1.5 cc at my first fill. Right away, I knew that it was a little too tight but I thought I could handle it. I have been on liquids since the fill. Does anyone have an idea on how much weight they lost to loosen their band enough to eat mushy or soft foods? Any replies appreciated.:thumbup: Helen

I am in San Diego and I was offered free fills for one year but I can probably get them to give me more fills if I need it. The original price for my surgery was 15300 and I was able to talk them down to 14000. Maybe you should negotiate a little more to see what you can get.

You may want to have a talk with your doctor. My doctor gave me a shot to numb the area so I would not feel anything once he started probing. After the shot, it was pretty painless. Helen

I had my surgery on 10/5 and after the first four weeks, I did not feel a restriction at all. I decided to go back to a low carb low fat diet and was able to lose about 16lbs before my first fill. My doctor was very pleased. I think going on weight watchers is a great idea. Even after getting filled, you are going to have to come up with really healthy balanced meals for yourself. I hope this info helps. Helen

A lot of people do not lose much weight before their first fill so I am figuring you are losing about 10 lbs per month? I think this is a really good steady weight loss. You are more likely to not gain any weight back if you go at such a steady pace. Everyone loses weight at a different pace so I would not worry too much about other people's results. It sounds like you are doing great! Keep up the good work. Helen

I was banded on 10/5/2008 and I know exactly what you are talking about. My surgeon says that this is normal because my body is adjusting to the port. I no longer have any constant pains but I do feel a twinge every once in a while. As long as your port area is not hot to the touch or blistery, you should be fine. Helen

I live in Southern California so I can't give you any leads but I can offer some important points. I have been reading a lot of blogs about other people who had surgery and many of the people are having problems with the stitches. My doctor used a special surgical glue that totally closed up all my stitches so I could shower the following day. This also prevented my having to deal with changing any dressings and infections. The type of band used is also a key issue. The "LapBand" is a patented band and costs more but has a better record of performance but some doctors are using other brands to cut costs. I would also say that you may want to interview a few different surgeons before making your final decision. After I narrowed down my selections to two doctors, I had consultations with each of them to see who I liked better since I was going to have to deal with them for at least 2 years. I hope this helps.

I had the same thing happen to me. The egg shape will go down in about a week or so but don't be alarmed if you find the whole area bruising. I have been told that everyone goes through this and all the swelling and bruising goes away in about 6 weeks total.

I feel for you! I am three weeks post op and finally have stopped coughing. I thought this only happened to me because I have had problems with bronchitis in the past. I have found that having the tube down my throat during surgery caused lots of irritation and dryness in my throat. The only thing that helped me is cough drops and lots of liquids. I am sorry I don't have a better answer for you.

I am a little over three weeks post op and I am finding that exercise is the key component to keeping my metabolism up. My first week after surgery, I was only taking in about 300 calories and when I went up to 700 in the 2nd week I stopped losing weight until I got on my eliptical and started exercising. My doctor told me that I should either walk 1 hour a day or do the eliptical 30 minutes a day. After three weeks, he wants me to start toning exercises especially crunches so it will be easy for him to do my fill. I am doing about 200 crunches a day with some general toning with 8lb weights. I hope this helps.

It sounds like scar tissue in both areas which will eventually become smaller. I am three weeks out of surgery and I found out the hard way that the larger "egg" size bump will first bruise really badly and eventually go down in size. Mine is now the size of a golf ball and I am hoping it will go down further. I wish my doctor had given me this info before I panicked. Hope this info helps.

I am three weeks out of surgery and have lost about 35lbs including prepop time. I have found that if I go over 900 calories, I stop losing weight. I am eating low fat, low carb soups, about 6 ounces 4 times a day and it has been working pretty well. I can't wait to start on soft foods next week. Your progress is astounding so keep up the good work!