kennethsch

Said in a deeper Sean Connery voice... My name is Band, James Band.... :redface:

I will dispute your claim, I think I was the Water drinking champion. Based on lots of reading, and personal trial and still feeling thirsty, I came to accept the formula, take your weight and divide by two. That is how many oz of water you should be drinking. The whole idea that eight 8 oz glasses, or 64 oz was the accepted norm for all people of all gender, size, etc, I just did not buy. Anyway, before surgery, I would average 7 liters, or about 210 oz of water a day. Sure, it took a bit to get used to that volume, and it took some time to schedule your bathroom visits. But that worked for me. Post band, the first two weeks I could barely get the 64 oz down, sipping all day long. Now at 5 weeks out, and waiting for my first fill, I am averaging 4 liters, about 132 oz a day comfortably. I don't feel thirsty at this amount, (slightly yellow urine still, not clear) I am a firm believer that water helps flush out toxins, fats, and keep your system functioning better. I feel more energy with increased water. I believe it helps with digestion, intestines and waste removal. I think it hydrates your skin, helps you look younger, less sagging skin. I think it reduces hunger feelings. Many times, your feelings of fatigue, tired, headaches, back pain are caused by dehydration. All that being said.... YOU MUST DO WHAT IS RIGHT FOR YOU, and FOLLOW YOUR DOCTORS advice. Stop drinking before your meal, no drinking with the meal. Wait 1 hour (or Dr. advice) after eating, before starting to drink again. This is the part that I am struggling with, but then again, I am waiting for my first fill. But I know that I should be getting in the correct habits now. Anyway, that is my personal opinions :tongue2:

I guess I don't understand the point of showing the card at the restaurant? I know that the average portion they bring you is like 3-4 times (or more) what we should be eating. But ask for a take out box. Ask for 3 boxes, and divide it up into 4 portions, eat one and take 3 home. If you get the to-go boxes before you start eating, it makes it alot easier to know "when to stop" My wife and I often split a meal before the lap-band. Now, we can split a meal, and I can take half of my half home for lunch the next day (depending on the restaurant) I have never found a restaurant that argues with me, or won't accommodate my requests. If I did, I would let my shoes do the explaining, as I walked out the door to find a better restaurant. :thumbup:

I choose to take the shots, since I had unexpected and unexplained blood clots in both lungs about 2 years ago. That was an experience I did not want to repeat. So shots for me. It was not that bad, one morning and one evening. I gave them to myself, although I offered my diabetic son (15) the chance to give them to me, as payback for all the shots I have given him over the years. (he declined) I agree with the other posters here, follow your doc/NUT protocol on post surgery diet, fluids, when to advance. I am still a newbie at this (first fill next week) so I am reading everything I can and then asking my doc/nut when I see various plans, why he/they recommend a certain way. Tell me the reason WHY you want me to wait, or do, or whatever, and I will have a much better understanding what the plan is.

I am in week 5, and am enjoying getting back to "regular" food. One of my favorites was cooked vegetables, like 1/2 cup Broccoli or peas, 1-2 oz of Tuna (or other canned fish/chicken/meat/tofu), and about 1 tbls light mayo (salt and pepper to taste). Quick and easy microwave dish at work. You can Google Tuna and Broccoli recipes and make a decent baked dish as well. Although I normally like "crisp" vegi's, during the mushy stage I cooked them down, diced them very small, and the resulting mixture after the microwave, was very soft indeed.

I had mine put in on Oct 5. My port is in the middle, below the Sternum as well.

Hi jessress87, First of all, congratulations on starting this process. WTG!!! Second, IMHO, there is a difference between the 3 month pre-op diet, as required by the insurance company, and the other, pre-op diet that so many people describe here the the Doctor needs you to follow, to shrink the liver, and other health benefits before surgery. You will get all the love and support out here on the forums, but the straight answer is, it is up to you to talk with your nut and doc about how you feel about the south beach diet. If you are looking for us to say, "its OK, you don't have to do it".... you are looking to the wrong group, for the wrong answer. Every doc has a different approach and program. If you are doing this for insurance requirements.... then just buckle down and get through it, because the prize at the end... (the band) is worth the effort. Again, my opinion is that the insurance is just looking to see, have you made any effort to loose weight without the cost of them paying for the lap band surgery. It is a business thing for them. If you loose weight, or not, is is just a hoop to jump through, to get the insurance approval. But, you have to talk with the doc and nut about how you are feeling, and if they have other options for you to meet this 3 month goal. Take care, and keep up the positive attitude about the big picture. Ken

I am two weeks post banding (Oct 5, yea), and I started this journey in April, a smidge under 400. So I am reading these threads, looking for the encouragement, looking for the success, but also reading what to watch out for, and to help me set expectations. Momster0, I don't have the voice of experience yet, but I am overall a positive person. I know that this was a big step for you, and I encourage you to keep at it. I like what some of the others have said, keep on your doctor, you know what you are feeling, keep going back and asking for the next fill. You are your own expert on YOU, and how YOU feel. That being said, I have some questions about your "get out and move it, MOVE it" (set to a funky beat). Early on, you were asking questions about getting started slowly. How has that progressed for you? Are you able to add more activity in? Have you been able to walk more? Everyone has their own story. I think I will go start a post with mine, so as to not hijack your thread. But I do want to "friend" you, and several others here that are the voice of experience, just to have people to talk to, and bounce ideas off of, and ask questions. Momster0, you are worth it, keep at it. :scared2:

Sorry to bump an old thread, but Momster, how are things going for you? Are you making that slow and steady progress that all your friends here in this thread have talked about?

One of our staples, we call a haystack. A few corn chips Beans, black, pinto, refried, kidney, with taco seasoning lettuce, lots or as little as you like Tomato toppings of your choice, salsa, sour cream, cottage cheese, shredded cheddar cheese. There are lots of variations, depending on what you have on hand.