bignik

I started a journal and what was apparent was my Protein intake was way too low , only 20 - 30 grams per day , I have since upped that by taking protein shakes and its now up at 70 - 80 grams a day , I have noticed this last week I have lost a few pounds so it has seemed to start weight loss I think. I too lost virtually nothing since surgery .. this surprised me as lost quite a lot prior ... Im looking orward to going back to the Gym when doc says ok , meeting on 23rd so hope he gives me the thumbs up ..

congrats , I have doc meeting on 23rd .. not sure if going to get a fill or not as I had some complications initially with the band , but the weight is dropping so maybe I shouldnt want to much. Anyway all the best and glad all went well for you

Hi , try walking as much as you can , I too left side was most painful but it will subside , keep taking the meds as instructed and hang in there . try also when sitting a bit of support with a pillow if you can , just try and find best position, my best position was waist to legs flat , waist to neck at angle , 3/4 pillows behind my back , and slightly leaning to my right. try to relax best you can you will find daily things improving greatly .. oh and do try get some sleep , when tired it will get you aggravated .... not easy I know and do sympathise but will be worth it and congrats on your band being fitted :wub:

2 weeks liquid before and 2 weeks liquid after here was my pre and post op instructions

banded 25th , lost 13lbs but now seems to be slowing down and stablising as only lost 3lb this last week , other than initial problems getting medication stuck and having to have surgery again to fix band on 1st , things have been ok since . I am now however begininng to feel hungry more often and within an hour or so having had something prior, trying to up on my Protein intake as was too low at 30-40 grams a day, and now managing to get 60-70 grams in a day with the help of Protein shakes. Had a nibble here and there of mushies but looking forward to wednesday when I can start on solids again. Meet with the doc on 23rd to discuss things and where to go from there onwards. Last we spoke he said he was going to put off first fill at end of this month as lost in his opinion just a little too much. Perhaps he will change his mind when we meet now my weight loss seems to be slowing down , but not to concerned if he doesnt , as long as when I step on scales and even lost a pound each week Im still happy ..

ooh and as for KFC , I took kids thro drive thro yesterday .............. oooohhhh man that chicken smelled soooooooooo goooooooddddd .... But I managed to keep control :drool: , we dont get mashed potatos in KFC in United Kingdom .. so cant comment .... but if instant I can of course imagine. Does anyone notice how heightened ones smell senses get on liquid diet ... I can smell things from 5 miles away now LOL .. anyway best of luck

my post op diet although liquid does include chicken, vegetable and tomato Soup , also includes creamed rice and custard , been told 2 weeks only post op then I can eat whatever , was advised of course to go for softer food and in general pay about and see what works .. as said all surgeons advise is different, It would be fair of me to admit I have had a little cheat now Im at day 10 post op , like a little nibble of cold ham , , I had one potato frie which I chewed to bits also ... all very small little bites and a good chew. its very hard for me at moment as Ive already been on liquid diet for over 4 weeks , reason I had issues with my stomach following lapband and they had to open me up again after a week it been fitted .. and when 2nd time again 2 weeks liquids ....... very hard .. if I dont have a cup of soup again I will never complain .... lol ........ but saying that it certainly has made a good start for my weight loss .. 30 lbs in just over a month who would have thought even possible :drool:

well now as the day has passed on , and as well as normal fluids I had a rehydration drink and a couple of Protein shakes , I do feel a little better , Im going to give it another day and just pay that little special attention I think , jot down on notepad what I am drinking incase Im getting wrong and see what tomorrow brings, I think perhaps Im maybe getting a little calorific also ... so had a gatorade also ... and some nice homemade veg Soup ... it can be hard work trying to keep an eye on what yur taking , not too much and of course I think perhaps my problem not enough. Many thanks for your advice .. if persists tomorrow I will of course give the doctor a call for advise ..

thanks for posting TheB , I will give the Protein shakes a try over next day or two , and maybe take a rehydration drink once a day hoping that will keep my electrolytes level reasonable and just hang in there I guess , I have an appointment with doc in 2 weeks , I just dont want to pester him if its something Ive failed to recognise or something which can be easily resolved. I dont think I will have any issues with protein once Im back on solids as in general I do like my foods and not much I dont like ... fish eggs chicken and other high protein foods I love anyway .. just will have to be in smaller quantities ..... just all new experience isnt it , like riding a bicycle .....

Was advised no excersise post op here for 4 weeks other than general moving around and walking. Lifting a definate no no and care to be taken bending And welcome to Lapband Land , hope all is well with you :sad:

Hi Guys , post op 1 week ( 2 weeks from first band which had complications and fixed a week later ) . I seem to be having problems I think with dehydration , skin on face dry , my eyes sore , headaches last couple of days , Ive stuck to my liquid diet to the letter and in my opinion I am constantly drinking plenty Water , I walk around with a bottle of mineral water all day constantly sipping throughout the day. Anyway last couple of days Ive been run down , and all the symptoms of dehydration , yesterday I drank a rehydration drink mix I got from Pharmacy and it helped last night , today though as the day progresses I feel headache and a little nauseau setting in again. Where am I going wrong , any advice ? Should I just get more of these rehydration mix packs and take them daily for now ? Do you think its perhaps lack of food .. I know my Protein levels have been very low since op , but today to try combat that I when to store and purchased a load of Low Carb, High Protein shake Mix .. 96 calories per glass which yields 18g protein . Ive only been averaging 28g protein per day last two weeks, so think 2 Protein shakes a day will supplement this up to about 60 -70g daily , I believe I should be trying to achieve 80 grams , but as Im sure you will be aware , on liquids only , getting protein levels up is very difficult. Some help and advice would be very much appreciated. Regards Nick

Hang in there guys , I had to do 2 weeks pre op , had the op and then when doing the 2 week post op liquid diet I had complications with my band which had to be redone, so I then and still am on another 2 week liquid only .. so all in 4 weeks to date nothing but liquids and 1 week to go .......... If I see another cup a soup I will go mad though LOL ... Keep strong Oh an after thought , Guys keep the Water flowing and plenty of it , I have also had 2 instances of dehydrayion which has had to be treated , not ery nice , sick , headaches etc etc .. all done to not enough fluids , water being the obvious choice . I seem to find my selfs because diet is so restricted not keeping an eye on my water intake and failing to take enough .

very similar to my predicament biggbossman , maybe a mouthful or two of fluids , 10 mins later straight back up again ..... a bit long for me to retype how came about but maybe of interest to you , also a recent bandee heres link where i mention it Nick http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f84/uk-surgery-abroad-because-its-cheaper-my-experience-91374/

Hi Debbie, Just outside Glasgow , Scotland . NHS no one intrerested , despite constantly being reminded everytime you meet with any of them , diabates , heart attack , blood pressure ... blah blah blah ......GP was against it , my Dietician at Hospital was against it , always saying you dont need it , yet Ive been fighting my weight most my adult life , depsite being at heaviest in excess of 20 stone , Im kinda chunky all over LOL , even when in Hospital getting the band fitted the nurses chatting , ooh you dont look like you need this .. but at my weight a couple of months ago , my BMI was in excess of 40 , ie morbidly obese , like you say they chop and change like the wind the medical profession at times. Anyway what did bring it on and my decison to finally go with it privately , I have also been having problems with back , to extent last year I was flat on back for three months , I have compression and protruding discs , the specialists will not operate and fix due to my weight, they even feel if I lose 5/6 stone the problem will become manageable , the pain will ease and I will regain full use of my leg again if I get weight down. Im relatively young only 43 , still 2 very young kids and well it wasnt a really hard decision , it was get the weight down at whatever cost .. the back problem is degenrative and will get worse but neuro specialist says , the lighter I am and get my body down to , the less wear and basically the longer I put off the situation worsening to the extent I have very serious problems. Even getting the weight down and still have problems later , they will if I wish operate to try and fix ... its not a easy fix answer so my last resort .. the weight loss best option I felt to attack and conquer first. oops forgot , yeah the tablets , no I was aware re size , I had even read it in my research , just simply on the packet it saying do not break up, I coonvinced myself ah well must be ok , in hindsight what I should have done was not take any , and called the consultant next day and queried, but at times one just doesnt think right do they LOL .. ( LOL laughing now wasnt last week :scared2: ) and Hi JayTee , You left our great Nation ???? ........... Lucky You :thumbup: , just seems to be going downhill these days , get the weight down , retire and find meself somewhere sunny I think .. so I can bask in the sun with my new manly body ...

Ive posted this topic as it was a very valid point I had to consider prior to my get my band fitted , Get fitted in UK or abroad in Belgium as was the cheaper option. UK Price £7000 , Belgium £4,100 ( 4,500 Euros ) , obviously for belgium trip travel expenses and hotel expenses post op for a few days extra costs. Now I struggled with this for a while , what if this what if that , the clinic and consultant both been very highly rated , but finally I decided with the UK option and pay the extra , it included 1 year after care , as many consults , monthly dietician and free fills throughout the year to get me started. Still a little much but I finally decided nope Local is best. Now .. ok Im sure your thinking to yourself , we all think this , so I will leave my experience with you. 25th March , first band fitted , everything fine for two days , everyone great at hospital etc, surgeon consultant great , I was exstatic thats me on the way .... 26th March , get home ...... 27th March ... My wife picks up my meds I left hospital with , and says ( because I know tablets an issue , so had been breaking them down ) , these decoflanac tablets Nick it says you have not to break up , they must be taken whole, oh I said so thought well the pharmacy would not have gave me them if I m not supposed to take them I thought , pops one in .... oh no ... dear I choked ... choked again ... the damn pill had gotten stuck ... I wretched , and wretched and was violently sick all night .. oh a terrible state I was in , called my consultant next day , come straight in he says , Saturday straight in , and he checked me immediately. He felt perhaps the little fill to prime the band was problem , drained that , and that possible my stomach where pill had gotten stuck perhaps inflammed, but I tried to drink some water as he refused to leave it was until it was cleared fluid was staying down , and I wasnt being sick .. previously being sick immediately after drinking anything prior , it staying down 30 mins all appeared ok and we were both convinced it had sorted. So went home in car with wife , 30 mins later , up it all comes , I try to drink , up it comes again , I reassure my self its still possible inflamation thats causing the blockage and decide stay with it a couple of days .. by Monday I was readmitted by the Consultant as he was concerned my dehydrating in addition to the problems ... Mon 30th , readmitted , a series of x rays carried out , this horrible aniseed tasting stuff , Bariaum Meal whatever so he could track where fluid going , X ray showed above the band the pouch as if it had expanded 4/5 times its size , but the fluid I was drinking some was getting into lower part of my stomach. So still on the its inflamation of the stomach at the band , he then decided back to theatre to carry out an endoscope ( camera down the throat and into the stomach ) Tues 31st - Endoscope , goes down , he could see a little inflamation but the camera had passed thro the band , and he still couldnt understand as to why I couldnt drink anything or what I did drink immediately came back up , so he decided sorry NicK we have got to open you back up again , and look back in side and get to the bottom of this, yes I agreed as for me to be honest I am seriously thinking oh Ive had enough of this , rip the damn thing out of me, but consultant reassuring me to hang in there we would get to the bottom of it .. Weds 1st - Back to Theatre , opens me up , turns out part of my lower stomach , had managed to get back up through the band , twisted itself , he believes this had possibly happened due to my wretching so bad and being so violently sick all night initially when the tablet got stuck , so he straightened everything back up , done some extra stitch work to the band to stomach to ensure no further problems , apparently he said I had an extremely mobile stomach .. ie moves a lot ... but anyway by 5pm Im awake , Im sipping fluids .. and finally Im happy ..... Thursday 2nd - Im back home and everything fine. Now the moral of my story , my lasting thoughts ... Had I gone to Belgium and flew back 2 days later and this happend .. what would have I done ???? Would I have managed in agony to get back onto a plane , to go to Belgium ? Would I have had to wait ? Would I have had to go to A & E local hospital ? On the cheaper option ie Belgium at 4500 euros , would I have to pay for all the remedial surgery that was required in my instance , nearly another week in Hotel , well if Belgium it would have had to be in hospital still so definate charges there ... Think about it long and hard as to where you have it carried out , yes Im sure not everyones experience was not like mine , but I didnt think it would be mine either a few weeks ago . I had to share this , I didnt mean to go on either or make dramatic , of which the experience was for me , remember it is your health and make sure you cover all aspects of having it done good or bad. Finally , I do want to say and appreciate I was just unlucky, one of the statistics, The staff and care I recieved in UK was excellent. The consultant superb ... and finally well Im here and finally a bandster , so managed to get there in the end. apologies if gone on a little too long type as I talk LOL kind of .... Nick:thumbup:

Hi Skip , Im UK also but north of the border Im afraid , I get banded Ross Hall in Glastow tommorrow at 8.00am. Im intrigued at the cost of yours at just under £5000, may I ask does that include after care and fills ? Cost of mine was £7000 but includes 1 year after Care , inc as many after care consults as I want , as many fills and anything else required first year. Like you although cheaper abroad , for me is all too much trouble , more so if any problems , I feel more comforatable having it done and monitored locally. Advice ? well only I can give is , and I take it your on liquid Only Pre Op Diet is keep them fluids flowing. Im just looking forward now to having it done and getting on with the program to what I hope will be succesful weight loss. If when done and you want to get in touch dont hesitate to drop me a message and I will try keep you posted. All the best .. not long to go eh , last few weeks for me anyway have flown in Nik

Ive been giving this some thought as Im on medication and how I am going to manage when I get the band on 25th , what about a mortar and pestle, like cooks use to grind spices etc ( you know the little stone bowl and stone grinding thingie - dont know if you know what Im getting at or what called across the pond being UK ) and just simply grind them down into powder, I was thinking along the lines along with my vitaman suppliements, grind em up , mix them with some water or milk , or probaly better fruit juice , tomato juice I think would hide the bitter taste quite well or something sweet .. and just give it a good swallow. Even mix the powder in a mik shake and blend or similar ... just thinking aloud lol Im not talking from experience but best I can seem to come up with at the moment. So Im interested and will keep checking the thread.

Best of Luck , Im day after , so understand how you must be feeling , Im sure all will be well :rolleyes2:

Hi Guys , Well 25th fast closing in now , my op on the 25th at Ross Hall in Glasgow .. I was wondering and looking for comments .. 6th March weigh in 282lbs , today after being on low cal diet 1 week and 2 week pre op liquid diet ( which I have stuck to with the exception of a bite of chicken and a baked potato with cottage chees last week which I was forced to buy at the Shopping Mall , only way I could get a seat so the kids could sit and eat their food as was very busy , only place that had seats was the potato shack , but they would let us sit unless we bought something , so fell into the trap , of buying , with intention of not eating .... but then my usual Im not wasting that kicked in ) anyway .. enough ranting ........... weighed myself today 265.7 lbs , 16 lbs lost since 6th March .. I ask my self ? is this a good indication that the lap band will be successful for me , am I an ideal canditate do you think. In all fairness I think Ive managed the shortage of food quite well , although felt hungry , not that I would say ravenous .. severe to the extent that Im constantly thinking about it. What do you reckon , Im still twiddling around should I still go ahead , I know I will and more so pre op jitters , in reality I have to loose it , its not a vanity issue , more so health issue , but Im more so concerned with reading some negative posts and lap band failures and keep thinking to myself , what if I have problems , what if I dont loose weight .. perhaps Im just being silly like a child worrying about nothing and way any words of genuine reassurance and any feedback with what I could expect following the op on the 25th based on my weight loss so far would be appreciated. If similar loss pre op , would be interested as to what you post op weight loss has been so far Nick

Just outside Glasgow, Scotland . UK Chris ... so a beer out on friday before the Op is out for sure LOL. Yes Chris health is priorty .. Im sure your gonna get there , more just pre op jitters which I think everyone can understand ... my bottle crashing a little too ... this time next week Im sure I be screaming on the board wooo hoooo .. what was all the fuss and so on .. I will keep you posted . Nick

Hi thanks , yes I think the laptop and wireless the way to go , een if not in bed even comfortable in the Parker Knoll recliner , I really only need around 1/2 hours a day for what would need my intervention. I have decided I am going to shut things down for 2 days for sure and go with the plane I can do some work on the evening on the second day or the third day if push comes to shove. I do in general have a good pain threshold , if general aches more than sharp pain and at least I can get comfortbale I think I should cope. - in reply - inri09 Yes I know only too well this would be sensible thing to do , sadly the input needed is considerably complex , and would take quite a bit of time to train someone , being family business , kids , work rushing about crazy , and of course looking after elderly parent , time just never been on our side , company is a new one still in its days of infancy .. we just manage as it is and do what has to be done .. still 12/14 hours a day usually .. but take on board your advise and of course agree.

Im sorry I cant stop laughing , I just shouted through to my wife , and asked the question. She shouted back deny him sex and he will soon come around. ( in full jest of course , I just had to share as thought was so funny , please dont be offended )

Well strange as it may seem , we are more alike than you think, I have heard so many times the comments you speak of , even my Doctor said a few years ago , some people are just big Nick why dont we call your limit 17 stone ( 240lbs ) , like you Im very big around the shoulders ( was very active in my late teens early 20's ) and had a reasonable good physique then , even then I was 220lbs of which they consider obese , my wife refers to those as my skinny years LOL ... strangely enough she says still to this day Nick I still see you thro my eyes as that person and at that size , I dont see you as overweight .. but the fact does remain the weight I am at is affecting my health .. so it must be addressed for sure. These people also dont consider your own personal feelings about your body or the mental aspect of it all , I think at 25 years of age , your picking the right time in life to address your issues. Your young , at what I would say at a peak time of your life and you should be enjoying life to the full , and if weight is preventing you from doing so , then of course you should attempt to correct it ... Anyway I thought I would post a pic for you , Im 5ft 10.5" , 10 years ago I was 6 foot , Im actually shrinking in height would you believe due to fact of my back problems .. who would have thought 1.5" in 10 years .. anyway heres the pic ... its recent only a year old , I was 280lbs when this was taken ... and for comparison my wife is only 132lbs , and its a side on picture , you will see not a huge stomach , Im kind well just everywhere , when weight gains , it hits my face arms , legs everywhere , kinda in proportion ... anyway I hope the pic helps and shows well at least your not mad in your line of thought , or comments being said , and the further additon to the post you find helpful ... So look at the pic , would you consider it a frame of a man that has so many health issues going on , mostlky in relation to weight ?. I also believe , as I am quite a black or white , yes or no type of person , and they are a lot of nice people out there of course , but their comments sometimes just dont help the situation , they dont help because they are not in your shoes. You do what is right for you , makes you happy and helps you achieve your goals with you in mind ... of course in a healthy and positive way. Where are you in the world out of curiousity ? ps , the pic is as attached file click and should open

Hi Chris , new to the forum also and your post caught my eye as Im in a similar situation as you and can identify with your thoughts. Ive lost 15lbs in 2 weeks , and well as said already it has blew my mind , it has got me thinking , could I just do this for 3/4 months and forget the operation. In reality I know mentaly deep down the answer is No , I wouldnt , I even discussed it with my wife of 20 years and her knowing my battle with weight throughtout this period , knows my metality and line of thought probaly better than I do , or at least I will admit .. LOL Primarily I have to lose weight , as I have had issues with spinal related problems which they wont treat due to my weight as the risks are too high , in fact they feel If I managed to lose 70/80 lbs the effect on my spine may well make the problem manageable without an operation. So I thought to myself ok if weight the issue ( in addition to my own vanity , self esteem reasons ) , think long term ... I dont even if they could want the operation in relation to my back problems. The weight issue will always be a problem in relation to that side of things. Like you dieted last 20 years , yep it comes off but Ive never been lighter than 220/230lbs , when it comes off , its fine then 3-6 months later its all back on again .. I just cant help myself .. I am quite an outgoing sort of person , I like to socialise , eat out etc ... , I may like it but my body doesnt .. and now my bopdy with the back , high blood pressure , aching joints , arthritis and also possible type 2 diabetes just around the corner. its time to kick myself up the butt and get back in line with my health.. To me the band will be that kick , I may be loose at times with my will power etc etc , but Im not silly or stupid , the band for me mentally tells me you cant eat this or that , you cant eat as much of it as I would like , and just to go with the programme ..... Or it will at least when done on the 25th ... thats my mindset at least , and I hope it helps a bit Your not alone .. and I wish you the very best and Im sure you will achieve your goals. Personally I think the fact your are worried , what if , they dont do it , shows how desperate you are to loose and it to work .. any doctor in my opinion would be nuts and not professional not to recognise that ... and your 100% right , you cant drink liquids forever ......... I shudder at the very thought LOL .......:tt2: , if I were ever to stick to liquids forever , one thing is for sure It would be 12 Yr Old McAllan Scotch Whisky Keep positive

Hi Guys , great to see so many positive comments , my date is fast approaching , all set for the 25th . Been on pre op 800 calorie a day liquids only , mainly consisting of slim fast drinks which I find in all fairness keeps the hunger at bay , in between the cup a soup , which Im getting sick off , some low cal custurd and creamed rice pots. Was in supermarket yesterday saw some pre made Jelly pots ooohhh only 10 cals , mmm I thought to myself and filled the trolley .......... oh my god , they were rotten LOL all into the bin. Ive tried some soya alternatives ie choc mouse , to try help with the Proteins , they pretty bland and tasteless but manageable. Was weighed at 282lbs on the 6th of this month , was on low cal 1200 cal diet for 5 days , and now on liquids up until the operation on 25th , today being 19th weigh in at 267 lbs so , lost 15lbs in 2 weeks , which in fairness has blew my mind .. a whole stone in such a short time. Anyway nice to post , best wishes to all , and I will post in furture as things progess .... woohooooo stroll on 25th :tt2: