all4gizmo

Thank you!!!

Thank you so much for your response!! I started writing my talk and one of the topics that I end with is that I'm glad I did the surgery, but I wish I had done it sooner!! and that's true. I had so many misconceived prejudices about having surgery to lose weight. It made me feel weak, that I had no control. I was very fortunate to find a wonderful surgeon here in Sysosset, NY. When I had gone into my preliminary appointment, it was set in my head that there was no way I was having surgery. I had gone to pacify my family and a close friend. But after my meeting with Dr. Geiss, I was like ok, when can I do this?? now a year and a half and 164lbs later, I'm so very happy that I did it.. I still have about 80 pounds to go, but I couldn't be happier!!

Hi Shirley, I know the bypass surgery is a little more evasive than the Lap Band surgery which is one of the reasons why I chose it. The Lap Band has a shorter downtime for recovery as well. As far as longevity, that I can't say. I guess it would depend on a several factors.. if you follow the plans and go for your follow-up appointments, etc. There are people who have had the band and the bypass done that have both gained weight.

thanks so much!!

Hi I was banded in Sept 2009 and I've currently lost 164 lbs. I was asked to speak at my surgeon's pre-surgical seminar for people that are having surgery or considering surgery. I spoke last year as well but I wanted to ask for some suggestions about what you would like to know if you were to be in that group of people trying to make the decision if the surgery is right for them. I was very fortunate to have a wonderful speaker at the seminar that I attended that helped me "seal the deal". Any suggestions are much appreciated. Thanks!!!

Hi.. I had my surgery in Sept 2009. I still weigh my meals. I honestly have no idea how much 4oz of a protein is by comparing it to my hand, a deck of cards or any other analogy they throw at me. if I go out to dinner I either under eat or I ask the server to give me a 4oz portion of my protein and I take the rest home. The people that are still overweight with the band, are they following Dr's orders?? I have a co-worker that got her band 2 months before me in July 2009. She had way less weight to lose than I did and should probably be at her goal already. I've lost 153 pounds, in the same time period she's lost 40. Why?? because she picks between meals, she occasionally drinks with her meals, she under eats or over eats.. etc.. Another co-workers wife gained 40 pounds after getting the band. she didn't go for her follow-up appointments, ate what she wanted but didn't measure portions.. etc.. the LapBand is a tool to help us on our journey, it's not a guarantee or a magic wand that will make me thin overnight (although I wish it were). You get out of it what you put into it.. I still have about 80-90 pounds to go and yes, I'm still as worried as you are right this minute that this weight won't come off.. But, I go for my follow-ups, I weigh my food and I exercise so I know that maybe by this time next year or a little after I'll be close to my goal.. If you ever need, please feel free to private message me!!

I recently got off a 10 NCL cruise and I had some issues with the food being to greasy.. I just found out that I need to have my gall bladder removed so that was most likely the issue. As as far as pigging out and portion sizes, they were very accommodating. I was with my husband and mom on the cruise and we after I was done with my portion of food I just hung out with them until they were done. I did have a few incidents on the cruise where I had gall bladder attacks and was vomiting, I was concerned that I would have an issue, but my neighbors didn't say anything and I had no issues. My next cruise is next April on Celebrity. a 12 day out of NJ. the difference is I won't have a gall bladder to hamper my fun!

Good luck!! I hope everything went well

I added more water and started using Benefiber 3x a day. It seems to be helping..

Thanks for the tip! I went to Target and picked up the Cherry Limeade and Margarita lime.. The cherry tastes like Jell-o.. So good!!

I shop at Diet Direct.com. they have protein bars that are 15-170 cals and 15 grams of protein and they're yummy. they have many other protein products. Pretzels, drinks, shakes, puddings...etc..

I felt the same way when I first came on this board when I was banded in Sept 2009. my goal is 263 lbs and as of today I'm down 153 lbs. the weight is still coming off although a little more slowly than when I first got banded, and the PA I met with today explained that it's because I don't have a much weight to lose. But, a pound lost is better than a pound gained!! Best of luck on your journey!!!

Congratulations!!!!!

When I was discharged from the hospital I was given info from the hospital Nutritionist with all sorts of bariatric vitamins. They were horrendous!! I spoke to my surgeon and he basically told me to take a very good multivitamin. I don't cut them up. I bought mine from Puritan's Pride and I have no problems with them getting stuck. I also take a Bioten 5000mg daily because I had started to lose hair. this fixed the problem. I would ask your doctor, but I don't see any reason that you would have to use chewable vitamins. I hope this helps!! Good luck!!

you can try the gas-x strips, but the only thing that really helped was walking. Good luck!!

I was banded on Sept 2, 2009. I've lost 153 pound and went from a 5x to a "woman's" L. I no longer have sleep apnea!!

There is a recipe builder on sparkpeople.com I use it all the time.. I also use it to log in my meals and exercise to keep me on track. Good luck!!

I was losing hair like crazy when I first got banded last Sept.. I started using 5000mg of Biotin a day and it drastically reduced the problem.. I hope this helps!!! Good luck!

I agreed with the last poster, it can get boring, but there are so many games to use it keeps it interesting.. My most recent purchase for Wii is Zumba.. It's loads of fun.. I also have Just Dance 2 which has a workout mode on it. Good luck!!!

When I made my appointment for my consult I had absolutely no plan to actually go thru with the surgery. I went to pacify my family and coworkers. but once I met Dr. Geiss I knew then and there that I was going to do it... You are going to LOVE him. he has a great staff and wonderful support groups.

I have fun with the Wii. It's not like you're working out and if you get bored you can just buy a different game..

My surgeon doesn't want us to drink from straws either.. Several months ago I started my quest for the perfect water bottle. One that fits in my car cup holder, keeps drinks cold, and easy to drink from while driving. I found a great one it held 25oz of water, it fit in the cup holder and i could twist it open with one hand..... but it had a straw.. I tried it anyway and I was drinking 4-5 bottles of water a day.... until one day when I had such bad gas pains in my back and chest that I thought I was having a heart attack.. at my next drs appt they told me it was because I was taking in too much air from drinking with a straw.. and I'm still on my quest for the perfect water bottle..:smile2:

The mocha is one of my favorites!! I made coffee ice cubes with my left over coffee and added a couple of them when I made the shakes.. I also froze strawberries and bananas and added them to the chocolate and strawberry shakes.. the only one I didnt care for was the vanilla.. Now I add the Wonderslim Cappuccino to my coffee to get some added protein in. it's 60 cals for 12 grms of protein..

Hi.. I'm from Valley Stream. I was banded by Dr. Geiss on Sept 2nd 2009. As of today, I've lost a total of 130 pounds. I bought myself the Wii and the Wii balance board.. it makes it fun to work out.. :smile2:

I used them... I used the pudding shakes.. they were delish!! and they were much cheaper than medifast and tasted better than muscle milk.