TopTier

I can't think of a single thing to improve on what everyone else has said. I'm not banded yet, but my surgeon has made it clear that we are partners in this journey. He cautioned me not to have inflated expectations and to take it slow. He wants to prepare me for the fact that before the first fill, it's very possible I may actually gain a pound or two, but not to let that concern me. He also said that as time goes on, when I come into the office some times I will need an adjustment of the band (and he pointed to his stomach) and sometimes I might need an adjustment of the mind (and he pointed to his head), but he said not to worry about either adjustment, that we are in this together and whichever adjustment I need, he is there to help. If your surgeon believes otherwise, it might be a good idea to have an "exit interview" with him and let him know why he will no longer be your doctor. . . .

By the way, in the interest of contributing constructively to this thread, my dad, at age 73, was banded last month. Trust me when I say this man has TWO lifetimes of "Volume" eating! He is tickled to death with his band and would do it again in a heartbeat. He no longer sits down and eats 2 large pizzas by himself, or a gallon of ice cream in one sitting! And he LOVES that he doesn't do that anymore! Nor, he says, does he have the desire to do that anymore! I'm so proud of him! Needless to say, he is my inspiration.

Hi, guys! Of course I'm dying to ask an inappropriate question that originated from another thread regarding people's misconceptions of how the lap band is inserted! But I will refrain! (chuckle)

The weight will come back if you eat around your band instead of working with it. It's a tool. But it's different than just diet and exercise alone. It's because you can't keep from re-gaining after trying over and over again that means the band may be right for you. So sorry he doesn't support you. I can't imagine what that must feel like. But ultimately, you have to understand and BELIEVE that YOU are the most important person in your own life. You must make the decision that's right for you, and he can't make that for you. I know. Easier said than done!

Finally123, great job! So glad you are feeling "normal" again! Phenry, great! I have seen the EAS pre-mixed in the stores (and I think Costco carries them too?) But I was leery about getting them. Do they taste okay? Or are you at the "I don't care about taste, just want to swallow something" stage?

Dr. Olsofka. Started my pre-op liquid diet today! I'm really not supposed to start it until Weds., (surgery is next Weds., June 24) but I'm SO wanting to make sure that my liver shrinks enough!

My surgery is scheduled for June 24! Yay me!

jtejada, good girl! I know that was hard! But you chose wisely!

nuevavida, good job! Great news to everyone who has gone so far this month! 9 more days to go for me!

Hi, Jim, congratz! Try a search on July Bandsters. There should be quite a few with or around your date.

Consider this my finger wag! :bored: PrincesaJenE, the point of exercise with the lap band, believe it or not, is NOT strictly "weight loss," so it's not fair to position it that way. Something (huge) that you seem to be missing in those statements is the metabolic function and its affect on body tissue. The reason we exercise while losing weight is not "just" for weight loss, it's for the appropriate tissue weight loss. In other words, people should not only be doing aerobic exercise, but anaerobic exercise as well, in other words, weight-bearing and weight-lifting (strength) training as well, including and especially women. When your body starts "consuming" tissue as you cut calorie intake, it will first seek the easiest tissue to consume in order to protect itself in the long term. Unfortunately, our bodies aren't computers. Our bodies don't know we are "dieting" for a healthier us. It thinks we are denying needed calories, and it wants to help us survive. So it will first consume tissue that (1) takes more energy to maintain and (2) is easier to consume. Guess which tissue that is? Yup. Muscle tissue. It then "preserves" the fat tissue stores as a last resort. Bummer, that, but it's one reason we have (for the most part) "dieted ourselves into obesity." By not exercising you are encouraging your body to consumer the wrong tissue and will develop a more difficult time maintaining that tissue loss. In addition, exercise will also help preserve your bone density, as well. VERY important, especially if you diet and are female. For your body's sake, and your long-term success, please consider adding some exercise! Yes, technically the band will "work" without exercise, but it works more efficiently, consuming the right tissue and preserving and promoting needed tissue, if you work out on your weight-loss journey. **end of finger wag** :thumbup:

Right, the first thing you should reach for is the phone to check in with your doctor. It may be an 'over-fill.'

Stick in the fridge and use it in a smoothie later . . . . gratz on your "problem" !

Jerome! You are magic! My husband just pulled in from work and he brought in the door with him my order that the UPS guy just dropped off! Awesome! Now all I need is a microwave temperature probe. . . .

Thanks, Catherine, great blog. . . Here's the Post-Surgery Shopping list that my doctor's nutritionist gave us on Friday: Liquid Diet: Carnation Instant Breakfast or other fortified supplement drink (NOT sugar free, try Ensure, Boost, Glurcerna, etc.) Cream soups (no food chunks) Vegetable juice Fruit Juices (apple, grape, etc) Tomato Soup Diet Ice Cream broth (chicken and/or beef) either granules, cubes, canned, etc) Light yogurt (no fruit chunks) SF Jellos/puddings Popsicles/fudgesicles Blenderized Diet: Instant Mashed Potatoes Instant oatmeal or Cream of Wheat Refried Beans Baby Food (NO added corn syrup) eggs Soft Diet: Canned soft fruit/vegetables Canned tuna, chicken or shredded beaf Low-fat cheese Deli meats Ground beef Fish (NOT breaded) Whole wheat Pasta Brown rice Melba toast, 100% Whole Wheat Bread, Multigrain Crackers Bran Flakes, Total Cereal Other: Gas-X Chewable Vitamin Benefiber Tums Pepcid Anti-nausea medicine

. . . I'm still waiting for my unjury Protein sampler that I ordered last week. . . hint hint! LOL! I didn't expect my surgery to come this fast, so I'd really like to try these out while I'm on my liquid diet pre-op phase.

Too funny, RestlessMonkey! My doctor changed his timing on liquids after eating, too, but the OTHER direction! Now he says, 1 hour is great, but 2 hours is even better to wait! I still say that's going to be very hard for me to do!

Eric! Welcome! That's MY New Me Birth Date too! June 24!

Yes, but RestlessMonkey, keep in mind that they've also made some significant changes over time with this surgery. I know that my niece used the same surgeon I have. She was told the same as you, no protein. Her surgery was in late 2008. I think either late October or early November. They (the doctor's office) has significantly changed the pre- and post-op diets since then, based on a variety of things. So now we do get to have the protein in the second week. She didn't get it for almost 4 weeks! Yikes! Plus, on her pre-op, she was not allowed anything BUT liquids. We are allowed raw veggies, cottage cheese and tomato soup (which she wasn't). Same doctor; just different timing, I guess! BUT!! Having said that, you are absolutely correct! Whatever one's OWN doctor says to do and not do is what one should follow -- to the T.

Congrats, Melmarlem! So excited for you. Lauren, I'm in surgery next week, too. June 24. I've just started my pre-op liquid and hoping I can handle it! LOL!

Hmm. I think there are plenty of folks on here who have mentioned all that you have. There are all sorts of reasons that the various things you're going through could be occurring. But the thing is, you probably need to get into a local support group. At the very least, I think you need to re-open your line of communication with your doctor. Someone on here posted a list of Lap Band Rules -- maybe you could do a forum search and take a look? So sorry you're going through this. Hopefully some folks who have gone through it can help you out!

Welcome, too, and congrats on taking that first step! I'm a self-pay, too. The only pre-op tests I needed were blood work, and Upper GI, EKG and ... hmm. something else, but I can't think right now? I do know it wasn't a psych test! Fortunately, since I don't have all sorts of insurance hoops to jump through, my surgery was scheduled fairly quickly. For which I am incredibly thankful! I don't think I could have emotionally handled a long, drawn out process! When I make my mind up to do something, I want to do it and get it over with!

Wow! Congrats to BOTH of you!

How exciting! Best of luck and be sure to keep us posted!

Oh! DOH! How are you doing, by the way?