FailureIsntAnOption

Matrix 5.0 or 2.0 is pretty good. I bought vanilla and make smoothies with it using 1 banana and a hand full of either blueberries, strawberries or my favorite, rasberries. Mix in a little lowfat yogurt and ice and blend. Also, muscle milk tastes pretty good, I like the 100 calorie ones.

Hello, I actually have Kaiser. If you struggle with your weight then I'm sure you understand that once you have made the decision for surgery you are ready. I attended orientation through Kaiser and was told that they are not currently doing the lap band procedure that they refer out to clinics for that procedure and the clinic they use is booked solid and not taking a waiting list. Therefore, I decided to go to Mexicali for my surgery. My surgeon was Alberto Aceves and he has done over 3000 lap band procedures. I knew of two other people who had gone this route so after figuring out how I could swing paying for the procedure myself I went for it. The hospital was new, clean and state of the art (Almater Hosp.) I received top notch care, a 1-night stay in a beautiful hotel, included my pre-op, 2-night hosp. stay and lifetime adjustments for $7,000. I would do it again in a heartbeat. I feel great and have lost 37 pounds since my surgery of 4/17/09. I feel so fortunate that I was able to skip all the "red tape" I would have had to undergo through Kaiser. I had my 1 month post op follow-up done through Kaiser 2 days ago and they have set me up with a nutritionist and scanned all my records from Mexicali into their system. Let me know if you have anymore questions, I would be happy to answer them for you.

I'm afraid I wasn't very clear when I answered your question. Clear liquids are anything you can see through. My plan had me wait until week 3 to start on protein shakes & cream soups.

I was able to have broth, tea, water, sugar free jello, Special K protein water (available at walmart), & Isopure (available at GNC) for the first 2 weeks after surgery then was allowed to have protein shakes and cream soups. Try to focus on the protein, very important. Best of luck to you.

Like anything, I'm sure there are different schools of thought on this subject but my anesthesiologist also recommended I take my blood pressure with diuretic the morning of surgery as well as my surgeon and asst. surgeon. I assumed so my blood pressure wouldn't be too high since that is very dangerous during surgery. You can suffer a stroke during surgery if blood pressure is too high and being obese, this was one of my concerns.

Congratulations Jimbo!

About the twinkies, throw them away so your not tempted. I have totally changed the way I grocery shop. I only buy healthy food and my family thanks me for it. My husband and 3 grown kids that still live at home are also trying to be healthier. They are all exercising more too. You really need the support of your family. It will make your success much easier on you.

Even if you do fail one day, the next day is a new day! Start over!

I think you should not worry and whatever happens happens for a reason. Remember, you want better health first and foremost. I'm sure six pounds will not matter.

I had my surgery on Friday and returned to work on Monday. I too sit at a desk in front of a computer all day. The only problem I had is my stomach where my port is located hit directly on my desk. No big deal though. You'll be fine. Good luck! You'll be so glad you did it!

I take Lisinopril with diuretic and even took it the morning before surgery. It didn't interfere at all with resting for me.

You will have ups and downs even after banding. Exercising can cause this. If you gain muscle and loose fat, muscle weights more than fat. Don't get discouraged. Stick with it. The real results will show in how your clothes fit.

It's not impossible! I did the liver shrinking diet for 10-days prior to surgery and lost 11 pounds. Start now, have a Muscle Milk for Breakfast, lowfat cheese for snack, Muscle Milk or chicken breast for lunch, more lowfat cheese or lowfat yogurt snack, for dinner eat lien. Avoid Pasta & potatoes. There are other good Protein drinks on the market besides Muscle Milk. Just make sure you drink one with 15g of protein. Good luck to you! I am so glad I had the band done. I had mine 1 month ago and feel fabulous. Have lost 24 pounds since.

I went to Mexicali for my surgery. Self pay $7,000. The care was better then here in the US. I say my surgeon, asst. surgeon and internist 4 times/day they came to check on me. Surgery is inpatient (2 night stay) at Almater Hospital (state of the art facility) The price even includes all fills and hotel stay and transportation. I will admit I was nervous about going to Mexico for surgery but I knew three other people who did and raved about it. I feel great! Here is the link if you want to check it out: Untitled Document My insurance would have covered this 95% but there was too much red tape and would have taken 1 1/2-2 years to have it done and I was ready.

I had my surgery 1 month ago and feel great. The first few days were really uncomfortable but don't worry about it. It is soooo worth it. I have lost 24 pounds since surgery and 11 on the liver shrinking diet beforehand. Not everybody has to follow a special diet before depends upon your BMI. Mine was 54 so I had to do it. Just eat high protein foods and protein shakes for 10-days before surgery. Congratulations on your decision. Your new life begins after banding.

Once I made up my mind to have the surgery I was ready. This is why I decided to go to Mexicali to have the surgery. The hospital was clean and state of the art. I saw my surgeon, asst. surgeon and internist at least 4 times/day in the hospital. I arrived on Thursday, did my pre-op tests had surgery the next morning. Went home on Sunday. Of coarse I had to pay for the surgery but if I waited for my HMO it would have taken at least a year and a half. I wanted to do it before I had health issues such as bad knees or hips. I had a complete physical from my primary care doctor and he gave me the green flag. The cost was $7,000 which I charged on my credit card. The surgeon's name Alberto Aceves. I understand most people don't have the money to do this but I was ready and wanted to begin my new life immediately. Good luck to you, hope the time goes by quickly.

I found that on the liver shrinking diet I was really hungry for the first week until my stomach adjusted to the new diet. I drank Muscle Milk for breakfast & lunch with lowfat cheese snacks in between. For dinner I ate healthy such as a chicken breast and broccoli. I lost 11 pounds the 10-days prior to surgery. No doubt if I had stuck to it longer I would have no problem loosing more. My BMI was also very high at 54. I was totally inactive for years before surgery and now exercise daily. I feel so much better just 1 month post-op. No regrets would do it again in a heartbeat. I have lost 24 pounds since being banded. Good luck to you! Hope this helps.

I'm 10 days post op. Port area very sore and numb.