YngGram

If you find things to sweet, this is something I go with. 1/2c of the 50/50 OJ or orange flavored crystal light, 1/4c skim milk, couple of drops lemon juice, 2 scoops of vanilla Body Fortress whey Protein and lots of ice. This makes a Orange Julius type drink. The Body Fortress gives you 52g of Protein.

I really can't eat in the am, so shakes get my day going. chicken, shrimp and fish or Salmon on my George Foreman grill are the answer for most of my cooking needs. chicken salad, tuna salad with a few crackers or 3 oz of deli turkey and a slice of cheese. There a lots of options, salsa, shrimp &onions stir fried with a little Tomato sauce over some wheat Pasta and I got dinner.

Wal-Mart carries the Payapa Enzyme, I always have a small amount with me. If I chew about 4, it works really well. My doctor said no to the meat tenerizer.

I had a problem similar last year. I kept trying to eat and it kept coming back. I gave into to my husband and had some taken out. Based on things I have read here the last couple of days what I should have done:

STOP trying to eat. My throat was irritated and swollen. liquids for a few days would have let the swelling go down. Then I should have done mushes and eased back into solids. Warm drinks in the mornings even now seem to open me up for lunch. A few sips of hot tea relax things so food passes a little easier. I know we are not to drink with meals, so only a couple of sips are needed.

:mellow:Simply put, liquid in liquid out? Pain meds, if you are taking any, will upset the tummy without food. You aren't eating yet and that might be the cause. Keep sipping your Water and whatever other fluids your doc told you and it should settle down. Most of the Protein Drinks have milk in them and milk is like a whole food.

I am Standard North and they told me overnight., and I was happy for it.

I used to cut mine in half; but I read here today somewhere that some meds don't work correctly when altered. But if you can't get them in they don't work at all.

That would be a yes. Trust me, you will be happy to have a bed that elevates that first night. Congrats!

First welcome! I will be very honest with you and I hope that it helps you in the decision making. I am a little over 2 years out. I started at 240 on day of surgery and I am at 180 now. I have gone from 22 and up in jeans to a 12-14. I was 51 at the time and a cancer survivor (my motivation for the band). My surgery was at 7 in the morning and I was discharged at 1 the next day. There were no problems, I was able to sip the Water first try and had broth for dinner that night. My doc put in a system to deliver meds that stayed in for 3 days, so I never had the RX filled for other pain meds. The day of discharge I had to be driven about an 1 1/2 to get home. I rested for a couple of hours and then drove to pool with my husband an hour away. I also went out the next two nights. The gas for me was bad, I didn't have the arm pain many talk about; but it woke me from a dead sleep the second night I was home. It was like this for maybe 2 days. I tried to move off the sofa at least twice an hour and move through the house. Support can change. I don't know where you are in weight, but loosing it changes you some. So you can be a different person in how you approach life. I have been married over 30 years and my husband spends more time checking to see who's checking me out now than he did 20 years ago. I don't really have restriction in the manner I think most people speak of it. I do know when I have gone to far with food, or eaten to fast. Two weeks out I was eating a hard boiled egg and not paying attention to how quickly I was eating. I found myself on my knees real fast. It was stuck in my throat and a big burp popped it out. No slime or anything, just that chuck of egg. LESSON LEARNED!!! I can eat bread, Pasta, salads and chicken without a problem; many people have trouble with all of these.

I would do this over and over and over! I love my band and wish I could have done it in my 30's. That would have given me 20 more years of happiness. I hated to shop, everything that fit looked so old and tired. I couldn't even have "cute" shoes because the extra weight made it to hard for me to walk in heels.

Recently my husband was looking at a pic of the family from about 10 years ago and said, "OMG, I didn't realize that you were that big!" Well I thought I knew, but I really looked a lot larger than I thought.

To the negative Nancy above-

Really? How rude?!?

You also made a rude comment on one of my posts today as well...

If you don't have anything nice to say.... Then don't say anything at all...

So this is when i stop talking! : )

I reported her.; I had seen the post to you and the one here as well. I went to her profile and read a post about someone's ticker needing to be changed because it had movement. We come here for answers and had I done that last year I might not have gone backward.. I think most of us are here to support, get support and commune with others who face the same issues we do. If we were able to do everything right we wouldn't need the band. Yes, we need the band. It works differently for each of us. Many lose without ever having a fill, some need their bands almost full to get to the right place. And there are many like me who get so dang happy about having lost the 20-30 or 40 lbs. we never thought we'd loose, we fall off the wagon in happiness. I went over a year without a problem. I almost felt bad about some of my posts because I didn't have problems like some others here. Maybe I just had an outstanding surgeon, or I am just really strong and bounce back well. Whatever your need, progress or ability you should be able to share it here without a negative reply!

Congrats and good luck to each of you! I was 51 when I had it done, and I had no problems. Well, I did have a heck of a brusie from a shot the nurse gave me just as I was discharged! That thing was a good 4" long and about 3" wide, real ugly purple. Keep moving, sipping that Water and follow whatever instructions your doc gave you.

Thanks Check Yes!, that needed to be said. Please kieras stop eating, let your tummy rest. I made this mistake last summer and had to get an unfill. I was chewing enzyme tablets daily. It was my first time being stuck and I didn't know not to try to eat the next day, so I made a bad moment into about 6 weeks of pain. Didn't do any real damage but I could have. Hang in there with liquids for a few days and move up slowly.

Pre-op I had a liver shrink diet, he wasn't concerned about the amount of weight, but the fat around my liver. If nothing more stay away from the bread and potato salad. Doc should give instructions, but there will be Clear Liquids, then smooth/creamy liquids and Soups. Mushies are next in line.

how do you figure out the 200% rule?

My guess is

Small framed--being able to get your hand around your wrist (I think)

100 lbs. is your ideal weight and you weigh 300

I had the comorbs so I fell into the 100 lbs. over group..

Couple of factors, which TriCare? Prime is different than Standard and location makes a difference. Also I think it matters if your spouse is active or retired.

Obesity Treatment

TRICARE only covers morbid obesity surgery such as gastric bypass, gastric stapling and gastroplasty when the beneficiary meets one of the following conditions:

• Is 100 pounds over ideal weight for height and bone structure and has one of these associated conditions: diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cholecystitis, narcolepsy, Pickwickian syndrome, hypothalamic disorders or severe arthritis of the weight-bearing joints
• Is 200 percent or more over ideal weight for height and bone structure
• Has had intestinal bypass or other surgery for obesity and because of complications, requires another surgery

I was 240 lbs. , ideal is 135 . Hypertension & breast cancer in my history. We have standard and I was approved frist try. Good luck with the appeal

1. My doc says no Protein shakes/drinks AT all. Do you agree? ( because i don't at all, nor does anyone i talked with )

2. Two weeks of broth & juice ( no milk,..ect )

3.Do you have the stitches removed or do they dissolve?

4. Should i be taking any Vitamins or something? I'm getting at most 500 cals a day.

5. What did you eat the first week, second week & then finally at a month?

6. Can you take Gas EX?

The first week, 1.5 to 2 quarts of clear fluids each day. Caffeine free, non-alcoholic, non-carbonated. Second goal is Protein intake of 50 to 60 grams per day of liquid portein from sugar free low fat yogurt, Boot Glucose Control or Boost Diabetic, Carnation Instant Breafast 0 Sugar Added or Slim Fast High Protein

chewable Multi Vitamins were recommended, later added calcimun, B6 & B12, Biotin for my hair...it will break off after about 3 months.

Once they made sure I could keep Water down in the hospital I was allowed popcisles, then some broth that night. The next morning started the protein shakes. Surgery was Mon. and I strated mushies on Sun. for another week. I could have one meal of solids for 3 days to make sure I could tolorate it.

Gas was a BIG deal for me, Gax X instant disolve was my best friend. It woke me in the middle of night. I walked through the house every 30 min. or so to keep in moving. I was able to go out the day I was discharged and the next two nights.

My doc was really good about answering my questions, he is with a Center of Excellence and had done many of these. His PA is great and I was very happy with the care. Good Luck

Sorry the first couple of days have be bad, but I hope you are feeling better. Make sure you keep trying to get your fluids in.

I have my 1st appointment the 11 July, 2011- and not doing anything constructive, about my weight, I am just 43BMI and several people told me if I go down too low, I wont qualify for the surgery, so I am actually fattening up before the banding., and feel aful, but do not want to lose this great opportunity over a few lbs. I would be due late Nov/Dec and insurance makes changes ever year, so praying to be done by Dec 31, 2011.

You might not want to go that way, a big change up might cause problems with the insurance company. The guidelines for each insurance is different, so you might want to look at that. I had 2 co morbids and more than 100 lbs over recommended weight. Some even require you to be under weight management for 6 months to a year,

OK ladies stiffen up. The things ahead will be sooooo wonderful!. I was 50 when I did it. My feet hurt, my knees, my back and I HATED the clothes that I could wear. I was really lucky, overnight in the hospital, an hour and half ride home. I rested couple of hours and went out to watch my husband play pool. I also went out the next two nights. I was sore, but not in pain. I had a pain med devilry system in for two days. When it ran out I didn't need anything else. I sat in the bar sipping Crystal Light, told the waitresses my issue and they let me even have a Protein drink. I walked and walked inside my house to ease the gas which was and still is my only real issue. I was so happy about the weight I had lost on the pre-op diet I didn't even think of being sad. Hang in there, we will all be OK. I wish each of you luck, but remember there are many of us here for you. Vent, brag or ask questions, whatever it takes to get you to your goal! :Banane14:

Good choice, while I am not at my best point right now; I would not change my decision. It has done so much for me, I did it for my health but got so much more from it. Make as many changes as you can now. Little things like giving up soda or sweet tea, I used to guzzle it. Dropped 4 lbs by giving that up in one week. Try to start eating less, maybe no seconds and start to love Water. You will need to get in lots of fluids after surgery and it was a hard lesson for me to learn. Good luck to both of you.

Soy Protein was recommended, but I hate that stuff. It never seems to completely dissolve. I use either whey protein, Breakfast Essential or Slim Fast High Protein. OK, to help me I "doctored" my Protein Shakes. As a chocolate fan I buy that flavor powder most often. So, I added instant coffee, giving me the Jamocoa (Arby) shake. I always blend with ice cubes, added extra protein with powdered skim milk. These would be nice and thick and I could eat with a spoon. My doc OKed me adding fruit, and I love the taste of strawberries and chocolate. vanilla powder, powdered milk, 1/4c skim milk , 3/4c OJ or orange flavored Crystal Light, drop of lemon juice, 3 or 4 ice cubes and Orange Slush! Fudgesicles (No Suger Added) also kept me very happy. Knorr makes a Tomato bouillon with chicken that is tasty.

Just don't eat, your tummy really needs time to heal, and to let the band settle the way it needs to.

You will be very surprised by how you feel about solids after surgery. I was on clear liquids in the hospital and full liquids for 2 weeks, my doc likes Carnation Instant Breakfast, now called Breakfast Essentials and Slim-Fast High Protein. It was work trying to get in the amount I needed daily because I was full so easily. Before surgery I had a 2 week Liver Shrink diet that was a lot like the Slim-Fast plan with 1 meal, 2 shakes and 2 or 3 Snacks. It won't be bad, many make it through that first stage.

Well, I;m not losing. Of course this has be due to bad choices, not only what I eat, because I stay away from the bad stuff. The problem may be that I am not eating often enough, and with only a little restriction and never feeling full or hungry. I need to not be able to eat some of the things I can. I might not get a fill, instructions are to call for a fill if I am not losing 1.5 lbs a week. There is an issue in here somewhere and I hope the appointment will help me find my way. If you check the original post I say that no hunger means no fill by the guidelines.

From the handbook

Breakfast

1 Slim-Fast Hight Protein Drink

lunch

1 Slim-Fast

1 smal piece of fresh fruit

snack

6-8 oz light yogurt or light yogurt smoothie or

1/2 cup non-fat cottage cheese

dinner

Sandwich:

4 oz lean turkey or chicken breast, ham or roast beef

2 slices of lite low cal whole grain bread

Mustard, fat free may, lettuce, Tomato as desired

1 C raw or cooked, non-strachy vegetables or 6-8 oz tomato or V* juice.

or

1 Slim-Fast

2 oz lean turkey or chicken breast, ham or roast bee

1 C vegetables

Snack

10 baby carrots, small cherry tomatoes, cucmber coins or broccoli florets

Be sure to drink at leat 64 ounces of sugar-free/calorie fre breverage!

Happy and safe 4th :Dancing_chief:

I went to Brengman because of someone on the site. I really like him and Erin, his nurse. I had the seminar in Nov. and my approval on the first try. Thanksgiving and Christmas caused the "delay" till March. I prepared myself by giving up sweet tea. I swear I used to drink a gallon of the stuff daily. I also started to eat on a smaller plate, no seconds and tried to learn to drink Water. Doc gave me a liver shrink diet for two weeks. I thought it was a ton of food, but by the time of surgery I had lost 18 lbs with the diet and the changes I had been making since Nov. Keep me posted on how you're doing. I was really lucky in that I never felt hungry. So many people seem to have that problem in the beginning.

I got my band on 3/9/09, things went well and I finally felt that I was in control. I'm not sure how much is in my band, but I had a few cc's in with the surgery. I have had 3 fills, there was an unfill last July because it just tightened from my stupidity. I got stuck real bad and didn't know I should have gone to liquids or soft foods for a few days. I just continued with solids and more and more frequently to get stuck. This caused irritation and swelling, thus I was tight. Then I was stupid again and didn't get a fill until Oct. For this I gained about 9 lbs and I have been fighting ever since. Currently I am at 181 and very angry with me. I am not hungry! So by the guidelines I don't need a fill. Today all I have had is a cup of coffee and some Water. When I get up, I feel that I am not going to be able to eat. Most days I try to get in a Protein Drink and the meal I do eat always has the Protein first. I wait and wait, but nothing to eat interests me. I used to look forward to my grilled chicken and wild rice, now it just doesn't matter. What is really strange is that I have always been able to eat bread, if it's sliced and toasted I'm good. dinner rolls not a problem, even a sub rolls go down. Yet, I can take a bite of a pickle and I am done! I can eat something for lunch, but can't eat the same thing at dinner. It has always been this way. I take B6, B12, Biotin and a multi Vitamin. My husband is angry that I am really only eating once a day, and that is to stop the dang headache. To add to my problems, I now have upper dentures and chewing should be easier and I thought it would help me with this, but I don't think so. I had hoped it would open me up to something other than chicken. My port is also tilted and while the fills don't hurt because they send me to radiology, I have an appointment next week with the nurse, hopefully I will be able to get a fill soon. I don't feel like a failure, but I am very disappointed in myself.