btrieger

It's not as bad as it sounds. I am on day 4 of a 3 week, protein shake only pre-op diet and I have not been suffering yet. On top of that, I have dropped 5 pounds in the past 3 days. So, there are definite advantages. Good luck!!

It's a 9 week program to get us couch potatoes off of our butts and exercising. Mostly running. I've been on week 3 for 17 months and making progress slowly. Couch to 5k - C25K Running Program

I quit smoking during the last time I lost over a hundred pounds. Both can be done simultaneously. Weston, some surgeons are nicotine nazis and will not conduct surgery on you if you have nicotine in your system a week prior to surgery. I made damn sure that mine wasn't when I first met him.

I wish you could tape the conversation. I'd love to hear his response verbatim. Good luck and make sure to let us know how it goes.

Congrats to all of you!! Looks like you have a tight support network set up to support each other.

There is absolutely no reason for this show to run for more than an hour. They are making it boring by stretching it out. I was happy to see the red chick go and am a little frustrated with this "to be continued" crap. Two hours wasn't enough? I want to give Daris a haircut with a blow torch. I hate his hair!

That's just a hint of how things will work if the government takes over health care. :rolleyes2: I have no clue but if it were me, I'd have to start all over. Murphy's law ain't got nothin' on me.

If you manage to quit for a month or more, do NOT start again after surgery!!!! The craving never goes away but it is easier to fight it once you've got 3 weeks clean under your belt.

Do NOT do it until/unless you are sure it is for you. You are young and the band is not going anywhere. Take your time and keep researching. Read about the pros and the cons, the successes and the failures. I "think" the insurance approval is good for a year. So, you can do everything needed all the way up to surgery and then postpone if you need more time to soul search.

Good luck!!

Ask your doctor for a prescription for Nicotrol Inhalers. They are little plastic things you put a nicotine cartridge in and inhale through. I used them last time for 3 weeks and quit for 5 years. I am doing them again and almost done. Pros: You have something in your hand and mouth that contains nicotine. Cons: You need a prescription and they are expensive if your insurance won't cover. About $200. google it and see if it is right for you.

You are not a failure and you cannot compare yourself to others. Some of us are great at losing weight fast and even better at packing it back on. We just aren't as loud about it while we are gaining. Others don't lose fast and that makes them even more determined not to put it back on. Working where they do lapband; I'm sure you see many that have gained weight since banding. If you have to compare yourself to someone, compare yourself to them. You know what you are doing wrong, you don't have to change everything over night. Start parking a little further away from work. The extra walking is a start. Document everything you eat. That way you will know if you are eating too much or not and where you can trim a little out.

In my research I have come across articles that said that the port is left in place when the lapband is removed. If this was not accidental the surgeon should have explained it to you. I'd give him a call and ask him before proceeding with any kind of legal advice.

Are you drinking plenty of clear water as well? It will flush the waste from your system.

Also, if you have around $200 to spare; I recommend getting a device to tell you how many calories you are burning. Either a Bodybugg or a GoWear Fit. That way you can gauge how many calories you can eat and still lose weight consistently.

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f17/ticker-tutorial-pictures-41782/ Check out that link

Congrats!! Got a date yet?

Good luck tomorrow!!! And good luck getting to sleep tonight. I wouldn't be able to without help.

Yep. March 2nd! :thumbup: Thanks!!

Heavy fence?

Well, the day is finally here. I started my 3 week pre-op diet this morning with a strawberry Opti-fast shake. This may come as a shock to some but I thought the consistency was great and is was delicious. If the chocolate and vanilla are just as good; I am going to have no problem drinking 5 of these a day. We'll know by the end of the day how well they suppress my appetite. * Gained a pound since yesterday and I am not going to kill myself over it. I will probably lose 3 tomorrow. So, I am officially starting pre-op at 289. My goal is 275 after 3 weeks.

I just had my first Opti-fast shake ever and this may scare some but I thought it was delicious. I don't know how well these shakes will suppress my appetite but I am going to have no problem drinking 5 a day.

What both of the previous posters said plus: Drink loads and loads of clear Water. At least 64 ounces a day. If you going to eat out, eat at a "REAL" restaurant. Those ones you mentioned are not restaurants. They are fast food joints.