Lisa99

Mark, I had surgery yesterday and I went through all of the things you're feeling right up until I showed up at the surgery center. Like you, I have only about 70 pounds to lose, but I've lost the same 70# too many times to count and each time I gained it back. I'm 45 now and have done some permanent damage to my spine from carrying around the extra weight. The reason I decided it was the right thing to do wasn't because I couldn't lose the weight (I can no problem), it's that I can't keep it off. I've also watched my husband lose 80 pounds since being banded last March. If it weren't for my husband, I too would have been very concerned about the "problems" associated with the band from reading the postings here. From knowing how problem-free my husband's jouney has been, I believe that many people have no problems, but the ones who do look for support. This site is a wonderful site for that support and it is also incredible for learning many things related to the band that I would have never known (like hold your breath to get a piece of stuck food to go down!), but I think the postings here are a small minority of the people who are banded.....hope I didn't offend anyone here, since it is just my opinion. One day out, I feel great...there is some soreness around the port and when I first get up froma chair I kind of walk like a hunched over granny, but nothing that some liquid tylenol doesn't help. Good luck with your decision, Lisa

Some GNCs carry it, but I buy mine online.

Hi there everyone, I'm not banded yet (scheduled for 9/28), but I've read so many posts about bad tasting Protein drinks I thought I'd pass on what I discovered a couple of weeks ago. Buy unflavored whey protein (I use "Any Whey"). Make up a batch of any flavor of sugar free koolaid. Put 8 - 10 ounces of the koolaid in a blender, add one scoop of the unflavored Protein powder and a couple of ice cubes. Blend it till the ice is crushed. It tastes just like a fruit smoothie, is very high protein, and tastes good!! I also do the same thing with vanilla whey protein and sugar free koolaid and it makes it tastes even more like a Smoothie King Smoothie. Good luck! Lisa

Hi everyone, Thank you for this wonderful site! The detail here about the good, bad and frankly ugly aspects of the band has helped give me the information I couldn't find anywhere else (Web pages shouting how great and glorious banding is just didn't do it for me) My family has a long history of heart disease...my aunt died at 45 of a heart attack and my mom almost died last year. So while I know I don't have as long of a road as many of you do, I'm hoping to break this awful history. Luckily my heart is fine so far, but I'm 45 soon and weigh almost the same as my aunt did when she died.....veryvery scary. I am committed to this path....and in fact my husband thinks I'm just a little bit nuts...he had band surgery last March and has lost 65 lbs so far...but I've chosen to have the surgery three days after we get back from spending almost three weeks in Europe on vacation...he has bet me that I won't be able to stick to the pre-op diet...I'll show him :scared: Anyway thanks again for this great community. I'm hoping I've learned a few things already from you guys, but I guarantee I'll be asking some dumb questions here and there....in fact I know one right now! What in the heck is a PB? I know it stands for productive burp, but beyond that I don't have a clue!

Ariel, I have the same problem with Crystal Light regardless of how diluted it is. It also triggers cravings for sugar so I avoid it.