MaggieB

In the beginning the only people that knew was my immediate family. I mentioned to several people I was "thinking" about it and all I got was negative feedback - everyone "knew" someone that had it done and they all had problems with it. I just got tired of telling people and hearing all the bad stories. I now tell people only if they ask - I don't volunteer the information. Most of the time I just say "Im eating smaller portions & exercising more".

I love that feeling! Congrats!

I didn't like the Isopure - weird tasting, when you drink it it feels like it just sucks all the moisture out of your mouth.

For the most part I wing it, stay away from high fatty foods, try to get my protein in. I weigh/measure my food for a few days every couple of weeks just to make sure I am on track with the amounts. So far this has been working for me. I never was one to journal what I eat.

When I had my barium post op I didn't need to drink as much. They handed me a bottle that maybe had 2-3 teaspoons of barium in it. My preop I had to drink a cup full - so gross, I was nauseated most of the day.

Not a big fan of the strawberry but I drank it anyway to add variety while on the full liquid phase. I usually mixed it up & put in the fridge in the morning and drink for my afternoon "snack". As long as it was super cold it was great.

Clear liquids - tea, crystal light, cranberry juice, broth, popsicles, italian ice. For my protein I used & still use Unjury - chocolate & strawberry. I mix the chocolate with skim milk or coffee & mix the strawberry with crystal lite lemonade. The Unjury has 20g protein/scoop. I tried many different protein brands but found Unjury brand to be the best tasting.

You can mix it with anything you want. Be careful with hot liquids - if it is too hot it turns into a weird consistency. I mix the chocolate with skim milk & sometimes coffee. I use the strawberry in lemonade Crystal lite & water.

Played Just Dance with my kids for the first time over Thanksgiving - so much fun. Santa is now bringing Just Dance 2, the Michael Jackson Experience for the "kids" and zumba for me!

What did your doctor tell you regarding the foods? I started my full liquids on day 3 post op that continued for 5 weeks. I couldn't have the tuna, or chicken until Week 6 (unless it was purreed). Never could bring myself to eat baby food nor could I do pureed food. While on full liquids I had 3 protein shakes per day and maybe some applesauce, jello, soup (thinned - well blended) during the day if I felt hungry. My "full liquid" diet got old really fast.

Love the Biggest Loser - I am also rooting for Ada but just don't see how she is going to win against Patrick (i think thats his name???). I agree with the previous poster - these reactions are for TV. I can tell you reality TV is really not reality...I have a family member being filmed for a weigt loss show that will be aired sometime in the spring. I have been to a few of the scheduled "surprise" tapings and I was really shocked at how it is done. Dont let your family get to you. Just keep up the good work. It seems like when someone makes a big move to change something about them others get upset - almost like they are jealous or something.

Raw hard veggies like carrots "hurt" going down, I don't have any problems with them if they are cut up really small (like in a salad) or if they are cooked. My worst stuck & vomit episode was with 2 bites of pancakes - so they are off my list. Last night we ate at Pei Weis - couldn't handle the Teryiaki chicken, rice & veggies - weird because when I make something similiar at home I can tolerate it just fine.

One of my coworkers told me to go buy new scrubs - the ones I have been wearing are just hanging on me. Went and bought some yesterday - before lapband I was wearing 2xl's in tops & bottoms - now I'm Large on top and Medium on bottom

I didn't wear one for a few days after surgery - one of my incisions was right at the bra line and was uncomfortable with anything rubbing on it.

I really haven't given up everything I love - for the most part it is just the portions that have decreased. I eat around a cup of food for my meals and am satisfied. I can pretty much eat anything I want. I have only been "stuck" a few times and have actually only "vomited" once - I have learned real quick how to eat, both of these problems were caused by me eating too fast and taking to big of bites. I have lost steadily since June and am very happy with my progress. Now if I could only just make more time to get to the gym

I choose the band because I only had a little over 100lbs to lose and didn't feel I needed something as drastic as the sleeve or bypass. I also thought if there were complications I could have it removed if needed.

I also stayed 1 night - wouldn't go as far as "loving" it but I would rather have stayed than go home that first night & I would recommend it. I didn't have any other problems besides being obese. It was nice having someone care for me, it was easier getting in/out of the hospital bed, & my pain was well controlled. I think I would have been miserable if I were at home that first night.

I'm in Little Elm. Feel free to PM me.

I am a side sleeper but had to sleep proped up on pillows on my back for a little over a week.

I waited almost 2 months. We had gone on a cruise and I had a few drinks during that week. Since then I really haven't had any except for an occasional glass of wine. I don't want the extra calories and most of the time I find that I start feeling to "full" when I do have that glass of wine & end up not eating properly then am hungry later in the evening.

It took about a week to feel "good". For me that meant no pain meds & I was able to sleep ok thru the night.

I'm a school nurse so I too have a limited lunch break. Most of the time I take deli meat & cheese, a little bit of fruit & a couple of pretzels or crackers & lots of water.

My 1st appt with the surgeon was easy and fast. He reviewed my past weight loss & medical history, went over the procedure with me, answered my questions, briefly went over my insurance requirements and met the PA and the other doctor that would be supervising the "diet" part of the program.

I signed up for 3 training sessions at the gym just to teach me how to use the equipment and to correctly show me the exercises I should be doing to tone up. Started this week - OMG I am sore. These may be stupid questions, I probably should ask the trainer - but am I always going to be sore after I do these workouts? Am I gradually going to get used to this? Once I am working out and no longer feeling sore afterwards, do I start to increase the weights or reps? The trainer mentioned alternating my workouts between weights & cardio - today should be a weight day, my arms and abs are still sore, I just dont see myself doing the weights today..maybe I am just being a wimp and need to suck it up.

I don't bother with it either - honestly I hate the questions/comments that come with telling people I have been banded, more often it is negative comments from people. Most of the time I order a salad and just eat a bit from my families plates. If we are with friends or coworkers I just order a meal and take left overs home.