desperateinDE

just wanted to congratulate you on your weight loss!5 pounds is 5 pounds and a great start in the right direction!Keep up the good work

I researched it online and it says Splenda is completely safe...even for kids. I don't know how true it is. Personally, I use Splenda for most things but I am trying to change over to Stevia. It is all natural...made from a plant and is like 300 times sweeter than sugar, so you only have to use a tiny bit. Check it out online Stevia.com HTH

burning is really the only pain I have ever felt...I just got banded though on Aug 14th

I had surgery on 14 Aug. I am looking for the best/best tasting chewable Vitamins and Calcium. What do you like? and where do you get it? TIA Amber

I was told before hand that there would be pictures taken...not that they would be in my bra and panties though. But in their defense, I do live in Germany (DE=Deutschland)(my DH is in the ARMY here) and they don't think about nudity the way we do in the US. Their is nudity all over their TVs ads etc and not all of them are the perfect body types that you would expect in the US. They have a different culture and it just doesn't mean to them what it means to us. Would I have rather not done it or done it with clothes on?...absolutely! I didn't even think about it though at the time because I wanted it over...FAST! My surgeon really is a nice guy and although it was horrifying, I don't think he meant for it to be. I would have much rathered a big, fat, ugly dude instead of the hottest German guy I have ever laid eyes on though! LOL Good luck to you all!

which Protein powder is the best? I live am an American living in Germany and my choices are limited. I am willing to purchase online but don't want to spend a bunch of money on something I can't tolerate eating. Do you like Isopure or unjury better? which flavor? I am leaning towards the unflavored but is it REEALLLY unflavored? does it have an aftertaste or does it change the texture at all? I HATE the isopure drinks. It would be great if I could find some sample packs to purchase and try. TIA

I was NOT sedated! I was completely and totally awake! They sprayed my throat with some awful tasting numbing stuff and away they went. I had to swallow swallow swallow and then just breathe. It was really hard and I was gagging throughout but it took less than 2 minutes. Once they get it down, the worst is over. I worked in a hospital for a long time and I have seen it done both ways...with and without sedation and with really good sedation and with just a little something to help relax. If you get the really good stuff...plan on being there about 2 or 3 hours afterwards and either way having someone to drive you home. If you get no sedation, you can leave right away and drive yourself. LOL Either way, don' t be scared. Even without the sedation, I made it through...HTH

i just really need something and I have a very sensitive palate and can taste everything. If its not decent tasting, I don't want to waste my money. I did buy some samples of the nectar and hope it is pretty good when it comes. At this point though, I really can't even stand the thought of having a whole shake or whatever to get the protein in. Any good tasting shots out there? Thanks for all the help!

UH...my surgeon required it. I had to go to the "photoshop" in the hospital and there was this reaallly cute guy taking pics. I had to take my clothes off and have pics taken from front, back and both side views in my bra and undies! COMPLETELY humiliating!

all surgeons do things differently. My pre-op was 3 shakes and 1 sensible meal L/F S/F L/C. Total about 1000-1200 calories a day. My surgeon allowed me to eat unlimited raw veggies too. He said that he is much more strict on people with higher BMI's as they usually have the highest chance of having the fatty liver. My BMI is 40. He said in the grand scheme...that is pretty low for a bariatric patient. I had my surgey on Aug 14th and it only took about 35 minutes and he said everyting went perfectly. Just know that all surgeons do things differently and have their own ideas. I am sure everything is fine! Good luck and count your blessings..even my diet was torture. And the post-op isn't any better!

I had 5 incisions...3 of them tiny and were glued. The one by my belly button is about an inch and has stiches, the port incision is about an inch and a half and also has stiches. I have to go to the doctor to have them removed next week. I had my surgery Aug 14th (a week ago today!)

i was thinking infection too but its not even pink! It is some better today. I guess I have it a little better because I was allowed to have cream soups/yogurts, pudding, cream of wheat two days after surgery...I am full with just about 1/2 to 3/4 cup of soup but get hungry fairly quick after. Any ideas for protein that don't taste too bad? the isopure is awful...TIA

I got banded on Friday Aug 14th. I feel good except that there is a burning sensation at the port site incision. It is worse when I am up...almost non-existant when I am sitting but even the skin around the incision burns and gets worse with touch. Anyone else experience this? Also, any suggestions for foods to eat on liquids?...I am dying!:biggrin:

i just got banded on Friday the 14th. I feel pretty good other than being a litte sore...mostly when I get up and walk around I have a burning sensation around my port incision...

I did upper endoscopy (oh joy) outpatient...then the day before surgery (inpatient) I had blood work, EKG, dietician and Pictures (yup pictures in my bra and panties, how humiliating!)

I am an American living in Germany (my husband is Army) I had my lapband done on Friday 14th...I was required to enter the hospital on Thursday for bloodwork, EKG, then surgery on Friday. Stayed over Friday and Saturday, went home Sunday around noon. He said he likes to be extra cautious because most problems occur shortly after surgery. I felt safer but was READY to get out of there and go home!

I had surgery on August 14th (friday) Got to come home from the hospital today. I live in Germany and they do things a little differently here...Anyway, just a little sore mostly and feeling hungry. In the hospital I didn't have ANYTHING...what they were giving me was HORRIBLE and I couldn't even stand to smell it! I have a feeling this post op liquid diet is going to be VERY hard! Any suggestions on things to eat?

pre op diet for 2 weeks prior...3 shakes (he gave me a list to choose from...pretty much low sugar, low carb, high protein) and one meal of about 400-600 calories. Keeping your intake around 1000-1200 calories a day. No specific amt of weight to lose, just shrink the liver. I chose slim fast high protein it tastes pretty good. Oh, and NO caffeine or carbonated drinks! The no caffeine is hard, I have a headache...and I am starving! Gonna make it through though...Good luck everyone. Surgery is August 14th

My surgery is August 14th...I am in Germany. My husband is in the Army so we live here. I am having the surgery in Mannheim with Dr. Shang. I started the pre-op diet on the 1st and it is killing me...3 protein shakes daily and one small meal. I will be admitted to the hospital the day prior and get bloodwork, etc. The only thing I had to have so far is the upper endoscopy. That was a real treat with no sedation! No psyh eval or anything else...am very excited but nervous!

Hi, I got the referral from my dr and have to take it to tricare so I can do the initial appt with the surgeon. Wondering if anyone one here has gone to Frankfurt or Mannheim for their lapband. tell me your experience with Tricare. What documentation do you need for approval. do you need proof of weight loss attempts? etc...my BMI is 43, I have high BP, prediabetes and slightly elevated cholesterol plus a HUGE family history of heart disease. thanks in advance