LapBandit

I guess I'm confused. Why does the nutritionist think you have to add strawberries and milk to Protein shakes??? Protein shakes are usually made with Water. Obviously if someone is trying to consume more calories they can add stuff like fruit and milk but most brands are designed to be made with water. I'm not supposed to make mine with milk unless I'm low on calories or have another reason for it. Any way, it's true that liquids go through faster but there's so much protein in those shakes that I don't think it's really a factor. I'd say a large percentage of us are being told to drink at least one a day, some are asked to drink even more. I'm supposed to eat six times per day and one of those times is my shake so I cannot eat six times per day PLUS do a shake. I get that concept of don't use a shake like a snack or a drink...use it as a meal. So, if you incorporate shakes in this way too I can't personally see any harm in it. I really hate when someone tells us we should be full on 1/2 cup of food. I've had my band a year and a half and 1/2 cup of food has never been enough!! I've done just fine so my doctor doesn't worry about this. Don't feel bad if you are not full on 1/2 c. Just don't eat until you are full (bad for band). Eat until you are satisfied, if that's more than 1/2 c. and you are losing weight then who cares?!

I use a lot of splenda too and it doesn't bother me. BUT...I have experienced "gastro-intestinal" upsets of varying kinds from other sweeteners so I'd say it's possible you're consuming too much Splenda for your body. Either that or perhaps you're getting in artificial sweetner through a different food and you don't even realize it and that's what's upsetting you??? Either way...yes--those things can wreak havoc on you if you accidently ingest too much!

OK...this is my kinda thread! We all started with a fresh slate as of January 1st. So, let's just resolve that whatever is done is done and start focusing on the New Year! I eat carbs...complex carbs as part of my regular diet. But, over the holidays I had gotten myself hooked back on those yummy crap carbs that are found in all kinds of delicious holiday treats. Same with sugar...if I stay away from sugar then I stop craving it but if I start with Cookies and junk then I want MORE MORE MORE. So, I took two days and "detoxed" myself by drinking nothing but Water and Protein shakes. I drank at least 64 oz of water daily plus my how ever many Protein shakes I needed --6 per day usually. This got my body re-hydrated and let my cravings subside. The intent was for me to take a break from eating and re-learn how to appreciate food instead of just shovelling in whatever looked delicious as I've done for the past few weeks. My experiment worked...I appreciate my food again and have lost those cravings for the junk. I have regained my appreciation for good foods again and am happily back on track eating protein-rich and well-balanced meals like a good little bandster. So, I'm not suggesting this is right for everyone. I'm just saying it was right for me and really helped me gain perspective on how to get back on track.

Yes, the PRE-OP stuff ends but then you'll start your POST-OP life of periodic bloodwork, fills and follow-up appointments then trips to the gym etc., etc. But, what are you getting in return????? A chance for a NEW LIFE and a chance to finally get that weight off. It's OK to vent and I agree with you...LOTS OF MONEY AND LOTS OF TIME but just get into the mindset of I'm going to do whatever it takes because this is important. And, you'll start to see that this is all part of a life-changing process that I doubt you'll regret so it's worth the effort. GOOD LUCK and enjoy this stage in your life. It should be exciting!

My health-o-meter scale has been great too. And, very accurate. It has ALWAYS matched my surgeon's scale and that's impressive. My bariatric surgeon's scale is this massive thing with a hand rail but my little bath scale always matches his!

It depends on how much you're willing to work at it. The lap-band will give you the same success as a bypass (in more time) but will require a heck of a lot more effort. I've lost more weight with my band than my aunt did with her bypass. It works, if you work it.

Unless the pain is really bad then I'd say it's normal. Your port is sutured into your muscle wall. Muscle takes a long time to heal and adjust to having a port attached to it. Mine was sore for awhile too but now I don't even know it's there. Give it another week or two and I think you should start noticing it less.

I don't know how long the actual surgery took because I was sleeping comfortably! Ha Ha. But, I was in the car on my way home within about 4 hours. GOOD LUCK...very exciting!

Instead of binging...so get your hair done or something else fun. Who knows, you might get chatting with some ladies at the beauty shop and strike up a new friendship. It's OK to feel blue but it's better when you find something positive to do instead!

Good luck. That stinks that you have to stay overnight. I was told that there really isn't a reason for this most of the time except for those with insurance who require it. Luckily I was in and out within about 4 hours! You'll do great, just bring some good magazines or something to keep yourself entertained overnight!

My doc says reflux at night, especially after you've been banded for awhile, means you are either too tight or eating too soon before bed. I used to have GERD before surgery...post-band never got heartburn again, until I ended up too tight. Then I'd wake up choking to death just like the old days. Got some Fluid removed and voila! no more reflux!

Hey Lauren. Family is obviously very important and their support is important too but this is YOUR decision. If you feel this surgery is in YOUR best interest then don't let ANYONE take you off your path. As far as taking the easy way out. They just plain do not understand how much effort will be required of you following this surgery. It is not the easy way out. What you eat counts...this is not the bypass. You will have to make the correct food choices and eat appropriate serving sizes for the rest of your life plus you will have to exercise to make this work. Most people WILL NOT lose weight of any successful degree with a band if they do not change their lifestyle. I'm not trying to get blasted by any bypassers out there because all WLS requires effort, but next to the bypass there is no comparison between the two in terms of the amount of dedication and effort it will take you to be successful with a band. If you were looking for the easy way you would have chosen a different surgery option. You just need to do some soul searching and decide what's right for you. If obeying your family is what's right for you then that's fine. If going through with it is right for you then that's fine too. I'm just trying to remind you that you are NOT taking an easy route by having surgery and if you feel this is in your best interest then I say go for it. Let family and friends experience whatever emotions they may have as a result. Explain, if you like, that you need their support or acceptance but that you are dedicated to this process and just hope they will be there for you. They are probably scared for you, maybe a little jealous and perhaps even envious. I've experienced these reactions from others along my journey as well. But, that's their problem to deal with because you've got your own to handle!

Yeah...get rid of those darn M&M's!! They are delicious, horrible little balls of temptation!!!! But, you probably just need to give it a little more time. If you were feeling ill and not eating much your body might still be recovering from all that. Stay on track and don't get discouraged. As tough as it is, we all go through slumps where we think we're slowing down but if you hang tough things usually perk up again.

OK...this happened to me. I got some food REALLY stuck and it made my stomach sore or swollen. So, when I tried eating more the problem got worse just like you describe. I did liquids only for 2 days and gave my belly a chance to calm down and then I was fine again. You might have just gotten yourself all swollen and need to take a break. I know that's what happened to me because the stuck food incident was very violent and rough. If you don't remember a "big" incident then this might not be your problem.

Yeah, the breathing tube scratched my throat too. If it's really bothersome then call otherwise I'd guess that's all it is. It should heal in a few days.

It's OK. I doubt you'll gain any real weight from your meds although that does stink. I never bothered to check to see if any of my meds had calories!!!!!!!! I hope you're feeling better soon!

Congrats on surgery!!!!! You poor thing....I have not heard many stories of folks who were hungry at 2 days post-op. Most of us completely lose our appetites for at least a few days if not a week or two immediately post-op! You're getting ripped off on the "honeymoon" phase! But, you are right...you have to play the game and you can do it. You already have the right attitude to succeed. Keep sipping those liquids and happy healing!

I think it's important to get into the mindset of "I am going to do WHATEVER it takesl" especially right before surgery. So, I did my pre-op liquid diet and I did my Clear Liquids for two weeks post-op and followed instructions exactly as told to do so because I wanted to succeed. It didn't kill me. No, it wasn't fun either. But, I made it and so have tons of other people. It's a matter of mind over matter and buckling down and getting through it. You CAN do it!! Besides, my surgeon said the liquid stage was very important but that the calorie-side of things wasn't such a big deal during this stage. He said if you're hungry an hour after your last shake then have another one...just don't eat real food and don't drink junk stuff with a lot of fat, sugar etc. like full fruit juice etc. So, with that in mind I never let myself get starving on the liquids...if I started to feel hungry I went ahead and drank some more Protein Shake. YOU CAN MAKE IT THROUGH THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!

I don't know where your town is in NJ but if it's anywhere closer to the Delaware side then the Delmarva Bariatric Center is absolutely wonderful. They have a great program with awesome results. They have offices in Delaware and Maryland. Just tossing that out there in case you are close enough to consider it.

You can do it. High Protein...lots of veggies...complex carbs (whole grains--not refined like white bread) and tons of Water. I was well over a 50 BMI at surgery and it was no problem for my surgeon, but rules are rules and if that's what you're stuck with then unfortunately you'll have to get there before you can be banded. It stinks for you though. I exercise at night too (gotta work all day). I do think you are probably hungry at night because of that but keep exercising and then drink a Protein shake following your exercise. The protein is good post-workout anyway plus it will help your hunger at the same time. That's my advice!

If you believe your doctor won't know about the band or won't be very willing to encourage this then reassure him that you've done your research and you understand that the lap-band will require a lot of will power on your part but that you feel this is in your best interest and you are willing to put in the effort to make it work. If he gives you a hard time after explaining that then I'd see if your insurance will let you just go ahead and talk to a Bariatric Clinic directly. (I didn't go through my doctor...I called the Bariatric Center on my own and my insurance was OK with that. But, they're all different.)

Any sort of discharge from your breasts when you are not producing milk for real should definately warrant at least a call to your Gyno. You don't want to mess around with "the girls". Good luck and keep us posted!

What have you done today to make yourself proud? That's my newest motivational line I repeat to myself. Yes, it's from the Biggest Loser theme song! But, that song means something to me. It reminds me that I don't have to be perfect, it just reminds me to make weight loss/exercise/food/life choices for which I can be proud. I do the same as you though...I find a song or phrase to help me remember that I can do this and why it's important to me!

You gotta do both. Cardio will burn fat but doesn't really change your overall shape. Strength builds muscle which helps shape you. Cardio is more for fat loss, Strength is more for inch loss...that's what I've found.

I love my Reeboks! I know they're not the "coolest" brand any more but my Reebok cross-trainers are the most comfortable darn shoes in the world. Nice and bouncy but don't feel like I'm wearing bricks on my feet. I was walking 7 miles a day on my treadmill with them and they never once hurt my feet! (I'm a weirdo about sneakers...I hate when they feel like they weigh a ton on my feet!!)