54Shirley

For now, if you don't want to tell them, then don't. When it comes to eating, pick something that you know will go down( for safety) so you don't get stuck. Ask the waitress for a box or take out bag when you order. If they ask it's your reasons as to why... Eat sensibly, and take the remainder home. Or if your husband or sister or mom is going with you too! Ask them if they would like to split something on the menu. I do that quite often. Have a HAPPY BIRTHDAY ! ! !

Trust me,, It can, and will get better. The one thing you should be drinking is Protein shakes. Why? Because protein kills the hunger. There's a lady on ebay where I buy my supplies from. She has MUSCLE MILK LIGHT for $5.99 a jug. (that's cheap) also in 2 flavors chocolate Peanut Butter,strawberry milkshake. Now this is a Protein shake it's not a milkshake, but it;s good. You can add a couple of strawberries, and some Ice cubes, and put it in a blender, and have a great smoothie (once you heal) In the meantime I would order some,. You got to have something anyway. Go to a store and purchase a shaker bottle. The rest is flavored protein, and Water. Good Luck to you. I hope you took some good advice. Just type in Muscle Milk, and look for $5.99 price. She's there. Tell her I sent you if you want. I always buy from her. Shirley.

I have scaring over my port. There is no pain at all. They go in with a needle to fill it, and push slow, then Waite, then push again, there in the port, and they can do whatever they want, or whatever I want..... Mind you this is pain free. There is so much fat on the stomach, that you don't even feel the needle go in, Just a little pinch, if that.

I totally agree with the other lady who had prior surgery, and it was worse. I had DENTAL surgery that was far worst. Believe me,,, this is only Banding, and the surgery is not that painful. Your women ! That's why you birth children right? So believe me when I say "It's not that bad..." Nothing against the guys here ! But the women want to know.

O me firist Grandson's Birthday ! Twas a Lucky Day. As you can see you have the luck of the Irish on your side, so,,, that's already a foot in the right direction. Trust me you will do fine.

He can be found on the Forum page. Just scroll down until you see the states. Looks like Salt Lake city. Click on him,and info. should come up.

That's up to your surgeon. Usually it's around 1200 calories (WHICH IS A LOT OF food TRUST ME) Around 60G Protein. But first while healing you will live off liquids. Protein shakes I think are the best, because you get your protein, and calories in at the same time, and protein helps kill the hunger ! Your Dr. or Dietitian will give you a list of stuff to have. Then comes the Mushie stage. So like sugar free puddings, cottage cheese, oatmeal,hearty Soups,etc. Just don't go over your calorie amount, and you will lose weight. It's a slow process,,,,,,, so give it time. That's why my ticker has a TURTLE on it. But it does come off Also this is a fill by fill routine. It's step by step. Every time you get filled you get a little more resistant to hunger. Again,,, next time will be the same thing. Until you find a area where you know how much is in you, and your not hungry for about 5 hrs, and you will eat only 3 or 4 ounces, when you do eat your meals. and you will learn to be very happy with that. I know now, that if you don't have any fills, or are just thinking about surgery, that seems like you are gonna starve to death or just die ! Not at all. With shakes for protein, proper eating (Protein First), and Vitamins are important, (WE USE FLINTSTONES COMPLETE WITH CHOLINE) ORANGE BOX. You will have energy to burn, and you won't starve to death. Pre op , post op liquids can get hard Thats why I say the shakes help kill the hunger. That helped me a lot... Anything else let me know, I'll answer if I can. Shirley.

Has your Dr. told you that when you get a fill, you should be on liquids for 2 1/2 - 3 days. If you try to eat, you could swell up, and make eating very hard to do. If you were in the (RED ZONE) you wouldn't swallow saliva. You don't want to even go there.... I really don't eat the bread because it gets caught, so does dry chicken breast. So,, I eat dark meat, and chew it slowly, and take your time so it doesn't get stuck. It's up to you,, call your Doc, and let them know. Or see if your swelling goes down. YOU KNOW HOW YOU FEEL !

That's true to a certain extent ! When you get low from a Vitamin deficiency, and get get back up, then in time you can die. That depends on your body's system. If you can't get your Vitamins in, then you sure can't eat properly. That's why this one is a little more than a 50/50 chance. As far as the nails done,,, Had both feet done this winter. It's a breeze.

I remember those feelings well,,,,, You will be amazed when you are Banded, and say 1 year goes by, and you are doing the 1200 calorie a day diet. Then when you look into the mirror ! I thought it was someone else, this was not me... But O YES IT WAS ! I could buy cloths off the rack, I actually had to learn how to shop for myself. Believe it ! You will feel so much better, it's a different life then what we know. And now I am starting all over again (DR'S GLITCH) ... But I am more then willing to do it because I know what the outcome is. Hang in there, and you will too.

This is a step by step process. Every time you get a fill,,,, you get closer to being content without not eating often. It's called a sweet spot, But you have to get there first. You don't want to be overfilled, and be in the (RED ZONE) Cant swallow saliva.. So it is a slow step by step progress. It's also slow to take the weight of, so don't get to disappointed to fast. You are just starting, and your starving. I know how you feel. When you can eat thicker foods like puddings, cream Soups, stuff that will fill you up even flavored oatmeal. Just try not to go to crazy and go over your calories. Protein Shakes are good for that, they help kill the hunger. There are people on this site that have answers to your questions. Just remember,,, everyone is different. You have to take charge, and responsibility for you though. Try the thicker Protein Shake, and see if it helps kill the appetite some. Keep in touch,

Are you ready for your New Life ! That's all you have to think about, and let the surgeon make it possible.

I have known people who have died from bypass. Last year I took my neighbor to the Funeral Parlor, so he could see the results of by pass, with problems. He was devastated. They went through school together. Mother, Daughter team. Mother did fine,,, Daughter withered away, and died at a Lap Band meeting. They thought she was sleeping. I sure felt sorry for the Mother. Friend of our Family died of Organ Failure do to by pass. So I would not give it a thought.

Nice to see you back, Shirley.

My surgeon wanted me to lose weight, He didn't tell me how much.... I lost 40lbs., he said he wanted 50lbs.,,, Looked at me and said, "at least you tried!" He did the surgery, and no complaints at all. I guess as long as he is getting paid,, he'll perform surgery.

That's what a slight hiccup tells me. Your full....

I agree ! I had my first fluoroscope about 3 weeks ago, They can see everything, and so can you. I saw my 4cc band, and for being a old band, it's in good shape. I was glad to find this out. Were all different. You might take longer, but !!! It will come of with effort and time. Just hang in there. I mean I'm starting from scratch. After losing over 120lbs.. That's in one year at a 1200 calorie a day diet. So you can make this tool work for you.

If you Journal your food intake in a 5 subject notebook, Then go to calorieKing. Just type in the food that you ate, Ounces can be easily figured, and you will get a total in Calories, and Protein. Keep them separate so your numbers don,t get sloppy. Around 1200 calories a day, and 50 - 60G of protein for a woman. Men are higher. Date ------ Time-------Food------- Amount-------- Calories--------- Protein------- How Do You Feel? 3/24 ------- 8:00 -----Shake------ 8 oz---------. 195-------------- 25 -------------- Good. That's how I do mine every day. I just wright underneath the title, and keep adding up. That's how The Surgeon, and Dietitian taught us.

some of my stuff he ordered it switched to liquid form, and crush them and put them in a spoon of pudding. They go down easier that way.

I really don't know of anyone that this has not hap pend too.. So don't get to down... It takes time for the body to catch up to the weight loss with the lower calories. Once that happens,, it will start back up. But remember: If your not losing weight, your losing inches. So that's how the body catches up! Either way,, even if it's small,,,,, it's a loss for you. One day at a time ! One of your goals should be lets see what I have lost in a year.... That's realistic, because this is a slow go. Good Health, Shirley.

That's Great ! ! ! Welcome to Band Land !

Yep you bet, Good Luck with what you do.

1200 calories is on the money. You don't want to go to low and join the Starvation Nation: Reason is easy if you get use to 600 calories a day after about 2 weeks that might where thin, so,,, you'll say I can go to 800 that's not going to hurt anything. Well your body is now use to 600 cal... You eat 800 cal.. You will gain weight because you will screw up your Metabolism. Eat Proteins first. Carbs. give Protein a kick (really Works to.) Invest in some good Protein shakes (get a variety) meats. poultry, fish is your main protein. String cheese is good, cottage cheese, Beans these are all natural. Shakes, power bars, power drinks. Those are substitutes. good if your low on protein. I use 1 a day in a shake. Veggies are good, but you have to see what you can eat., and carbs like corn, Pasta, or what ever you can have, will give the protein a kick in the but, and make it work. I buy a lot of turkey products sausage, bacon, ground,and poultry. Corn Beef is excellent in protein, and now you can get a deal on it. Remember your only going to eat 3 or 4 ounces of this. So,,, when shopping,,, you don't have to buy much for you. Good Health To You, Shirley.

Congratulations ! You gotta be thrilled ! ! ! Keep us all posted O.K.. Shirley.

That's good ! Where are you at anyway? Calories 195, Protein25G, Total Carb. 11G. I took that of the strawberry. I bought 2strawberry. / 2peanut butter choc... Then I emailed her, and bought 2 more strawberry. I couldn't pass it at that price. This way I have about 5 different flavors to go threw, and I been buying this since I was banded, and that's what they told us to drink. Banded 10/31/2006 That's a long time... But these flavors are good, some are lousy like their chocolate, creme brulee yuk! Now there chocolate Milk is very good. It's hit n miss with everything. But if it wasn't any good?? I wouldn't post it. Hope you can enjoy it. Shirley.