Melissannde

I use the MM Light in vanilla creme in the 100 cal RTD cartons. Get them as cold as you can.. that helps. I think the chocolate tastes weird. If you want to add something to it, try DaVinci or Torani sugar-free syrups. They come in many amazing flavors and you'll find tons of use for them. I put the s/f chocolate syrup in my coffee every morning. You can find them in the coffee aisle at Walmart, and some grocery stores carry them. If you have a Drug Emporium near you, they also carry the DaVinci. Also amazon.com (discounts on 3 packs of Torani) and netrition.com (only sells DaVinci, but has flat rate shipping...yippee!!) A very good Protein drink in fruit flavors is Syntrax Nectars. They do not come in the RTD (ready to drink) but in 2lb cannisters. But, Syntrax will sell small samples for 1.00/flavor to new customers. Go to www.si03.com and find their email or their 800 number and call and ask about samples of the nectar. Be sure to specify because they have lots of protein and not all are for weight loss. The nectar is 90 to 100 calories per scoop ( about 1/2 cup of powder), 23 grams protein and 0 carbs. You can find protein mixes with more protein per serving, but I was taught that our bodies can't handle more than 20 to 25 grams of protein per serving. If you consume more on a routine basis, you will be putting strain on your kidneys. If your surgeon advises you otherwise though.. listen to them and not to me. Another acceptable (but not great) tasting RTD is EAS carbvantage. Again, I'd recommend the vanilla over the chocolate. I find that most chocolates in protein just taste funky. Maybe I'm just too picky.

Balance Gold chocolate Mint Cookie Crunch Zone Perfect .. any of the Dark chocolate. And the Cookie Dough is good too. Supreme Protein Carb Conscious Snack Size bars. I order most of mine through Netrition.com.. they have the best prices I've found.

Try very hard not to advance your diet without approval from your bariatric support team (doctor, nurses, etc.). The reason for the extended time back to regular food is to allow the band to "seat" well in place. Returning to regular food sooner than suggested causes more peristalsis (wave like movements) of the stomach and can possibly lead to loosening or breaking of stitches and increasing the possibility of band slippage further down the line. If you can't tolerate the idea of any more Protein shakes, why not use some canned Soups? That's what I lived on instead of shakes. Just dilute them to what tastes good (I only use about 1/2 can of Water or broth) and then put in the blender and run till very smooth. During the liquid phase I was allowed anything that would go through a straw.. but not to use a straw. But please check with your doctor before advancing on your own. I know it's rough.. but you can do it!!!

You're welcome. I noticed that you posted on the other thread that your nurse had never seen a patient have the response you did.. and how that was possible. I don't know how much experience your nurse has, but it's possible that he/she's not worked in bariatrics long or perhaps just in the excitement of the event it didn't click that a Vasovagal response was what was going on. It's possible that they've not had their nursing license all that long too. You never know. I've known people in their 50's go to nursing school for the first time. If the nurse doesn't believe you on your next visit.. print out the thread I pointed you to.. that might help. Hope you don't have any more events. One is exciting enough. ::grin::

All of the above is good advice. I started at 383 and lost 100lbs in 7 months. And during that time, the MAIN exercise I did was walking. Started with walking up and down the driveway, every day I took a few more steps until I was walking 1 mile. Then 2 miles. If you're already at the gym, GREAT!! A trainer is definitely a worthwhile investment. Just don't let a trainer who isn't familiar with bandster eating advise you on your food intake. You can listen and say "uh huh" and "ok" and then follow what your doctor/nurse/nutritionist/dietician advises. What I did, besides walking, was to measure my protein (3 or 4oz) and my veggies (1/2 cup). I ate (and still eat) lowfat protein and low carb veggies. Very little to no bread, rice, pasta, bread or corn. I used livestrong.com/thedailyplate to track all my intake. I allow myself 100 calories of some kind of treat daily... usually the 100 calorie packs of chocolate roasted almonds. If you have the funds available, I would also highly recommend some kind of Heart Rate Monitor. Polar is a good choice, you can get a good model for around 100.00. Fitbit might be a good choice. Bodybugg or Bodyfit Media are also options. I have a Polar HRM and it really helps to see exactly how many calories I'm burning during a workout. You can do this!

Actually, it sounds more like a Vasovagal syncope episode. Check this post: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/topic/51729-vasovagal-response-ie-fainting-after-fill/

Keep drinking. Either your kidneys will start working or they'll put another IV back in. Glad you're still in the hospital so this can be taken care of easily.

What kind of shoes are you walking in? You might need to get some that are better fitted. And if you're not wearing socks, I recommend getting some good comfortable socks. And not super thin ones either. I had to get special insoles for my feet when I first started walking. I got intense pain at the place where all the toes join, at the bottom of my foot. I looked it up and it's called metatarsalgia. The inserts that work best for me are called Sofsoles and I buy them at Famous Footwear.

Doctor's vary on how long they want their patients to be satisfied on a meal. I've seen anywhere from 3 to 5 hours. It's very individualized.

Ports can be placed just about anywhere the physician decides to put them. Talk this over with your surgeon and unless there are really anatomical problems, it can be put where you desire. Mine was pretty sure he was going to have to put mine in my sternal area (between my breasts) because I was so obese, but he managed to place it on my left side approximately 2 inches above my navel. I"m pleased, I didn't want a sternal port.

2 years out and I've never crushed a tablet or pill. I did cut calcium tablets for a while, but finally moved to chewables. And never been told to wait 15 minutes between pills either. Talking to your pharmacist is a good idea.

Lisa, talk to your surgeon about your concerns about the port. They can be placed on the right, left, in the sternal area.. all different places. I'm a little more than 2 years out and just now, if I'm lying down, my port is a little bump under my left ribs. Hardly noticeable. Standing up, you don't see it.

My doctors (pcp, surgeon & gyn) want me on 1500 mg of calcium a day. I take 500mg of calcium 3X's a day. AM, lunch & Evening It's been explained to me that our bodies don't absorb calcium very well, so the dosage should be spread out to hopefully absorb as much as possible. And yes, if your multi contains Iron, be sure and take it AT LEAST 2 hours away from your calcium. You can consider taking a Vit. C with your multi to help the iron absorb. I take Chewable Adult Centrum for my multi, And Bariatric Advantage for my chewable Calcium. I'm told to get Calcium CIitrate, not Carbonate as Citrate is better absorbed in the absence of either food or stomach acid.. forget which. Celebrate also makes a chewable calcium, I just like BA's flavor better. I also take vit D3, it's a very tiny gel .. easy to swallow. And a few other supplements that are specific to my needs. I was taking two children's Vitamins for a while, but my doc's said they weren't good enough for adults. So on their advice I moved to Adult Centrums.

If you've lost a significant amount of weight since your last fill, you may have lost some of the fat pad around your stomach and therefore your band is looser. I've never had a fill under fluoroscopy in my 2+ years of banding. I know some swear by them, but I just get very small fills and they work well for me. You might just need a tiny .5 or .2cc top off to make the band dim your appetite again. JMO.

I do Zumba at least twice a week, sometimes more. Been doing it for about a year maybe? Still can't get some of the steps perfectly, but NO ONE CARES. You just go and move your body. Run in place if you can't do the more intricate ones. It's ok.. Zumba is all about doing your own thing, the instructor is just up there for guidance and inspiration. Ditch the workout.. join the party!

It's my understanding that the 4cc band is older technology and is no longer placed by surgeons in the US. I think it's mainly used by surgeons in Mexico. I'm sure someone who has the 4cc band would know more. I have a 10cc lapband and had 3cc installed during surgery. My first postop fill was 1cc and all the rest have been even less. Even though small, they work well for me. My doctors practice is to increase the Fluid slowly so that patients have time to adjust their eating habits. Your doctor may have a different philosophy. I think the realize band takes a bit more saline on average to get good appetite dimming, but I can't remember where I read that and googling isn't helping. Talk to your doctor or nurse about your concerns. They should be able to help you and give you enough fill that your appetite is dimmed, but not so much that you have difficulty adjusting.

That's exactly what I was trying to convey. That eating beyond what your surgeon has prescribed for you could possibly be detrimental to healing and lead to possible detrimental consequences in the future. However, everyone has to make their own choices and live with the consequences. I think I'm through with this thread. About to go unsubscribe to it. Best of luck to all concerned.

Yes, processed foods (premade foods) are not as satisfying because they are basically pre-digested. OK to use in a pinch, but overall, whole foods made from scratch are much better for us. As to the question about Protein drinks. My doctor would much prefer us to get our protein from real food, but there are times (after a fill, or perhaps a very busy morning) that a drink is appropriate. We were told if we were to use a Protein Drink to make sure it's whey Protein Isolate and not concentrate (don't remember the reason why now) and that it's not more than 25 grams of protein per serving because our bodies can only process about 20 to 25 grams of protein at one time. The rest is just excreted in our urine and that is hard on the kidneys. That being said, the drink that I use after my workouts (to help rebuild the muscles I just tore down) is Syntrax nectar. Comes in various fruit flavors (also a few "sweets" such as chocolate & cappucino), 23 grams of protein, 0 carbs, 100 calories per scoop. A scoop is roughly 1/2 cup. I mix it with 16 oz of either crystal light or Powerade zero and 4 ice cubes. Drink 1/2 one day and save the rest for the next day. If you're curious about the syntrax but don't want to spend a bunch of $$ on something you're not sure you'll like, go to the website (www.si03.com) and find their email or phone number and inquire about samples. They'll usually sell samples for 1.00 each to new customers and usually shipping is free. I believe I got 14 different flavors for $14.00 . Make sure you specify the NECTARS as Syntrax makes many different protein mixes and not all are weight loss friendly. If you want something in the RTD (ready to drink) line.. I've found Muscle Milk LIGHT in vanilla creme to be acceptable. EAS carbadvantage (or was it carbcontrol?) is a second runner up. The trick to making these taste better is to get them very very cold. Hope this helps. P.S. You might want to consider starting a new thread with the Protein shake question if you don't get enough varied responses. I'm just thinking the question might get lost since this one has gone on for a while.

Personally I would never take Alli.

I don't think it's so much the "cheat foods" that has everyone concerned, but that you might be tempting fate by eating things that are too solid during the healing phase. I understand the hunger. It used to wake me up at night and I couldn't sleep because of it. What I chose to do was to take a container of yogurt to bed with me and when I'd wake up with hunger pains, I'd eat a spoonful or two and that would calm my stomach enough so I could go back to sleep. Yogurt was on my soft foods list.. saltines weren't. There are no "cheat foods" in my book. There are good choices, not-so-good choices and poor choices. And I don't believe there are many, if ANY, "perfect" bandsters.

Mimi, I asked about liquid motrin (ibuprofen), but my doctor said it's not the "hanging out in the pouch" that's the problem, it's the systemic affect. If your doc ok's the 600mg.. go for it. But if you haven't checked with them, you might wanna.

Not counting my 2 c/sections, I've had 4 surgeries, including lapband, and have never woken up during them. I do know the feeling you are talking about as I had a spinal for one of my c/sections and had the sensation that it was difficult to breathe. I talked to the anesthetist about it at the time it was happening and he helped me. You should discuss your experience with your surgeon AND with the anesthesiologist so that they will be aware of your reaction to anesthesia. This will help both them and you.

Jess, for now, just stick with Tylenol and either Ice or heat, whichever makes it feel better. My surgeon will allow small doses of anti-inflammatories on a short-term basis (2 weeks), but we are also supposed to take a PPI (proton pump inhibitor) while taking the NSAID (non steroidal anti-inflammatory drug). Maybe yours will allow the same. Best of luck to you. I understand being reluctant to stop working out. I strained my elbow about 9 or 10 months ago and tried for 3 months to tough it out with just reducing my weights and using a support. I finally got better after using 200 mg ibuprofen twice a day and the PPI at night.

Denise is right. The reason to progress very slowly to solids is to allow for healing. Contact your doctor and talk to them about your issues. They may allow you to progress a little faster, or may have suggestions to help you through this time. Medication for nausea would be better than changing what you're supposed to eat on your own. Hang in there, it will get easier. The saltines didn't get stuck cause they are a processed food.. basically pre-digested. Yuck.

Usual time between banding and the first fill is about 6 weeks. That is what is advised by Allergan, the people who make the lapband. Not sure if it's the same amount of time for the Realize band. I received 1cc for my first fill. My doctor installed 3cc's at the time of surgery, so I had a tiny bit of appetite dimming from the get-go. I was taken up very slowly in the amount of fill, which could be frustrating for some, but it worked very well for me. I had time to adjust and learn to eat slowly, chew well and be mindful. When patients are taken up fast, sometimes they do well, and sometimes they have great trouble adjusting. Everyone is different on how they react. Be aware that sometimes fills can take up to 2 weeks to make their presence known. Last fill I had 10 days later I was suddenly tighter.