IAmJacksLapBand

Isopure filled my pouch easily and I was full. It was a great protein option for a light liquid. The texture to me was horrible. it was very slimey and then chalky even with vigorous shaking. The actual flavor was not bad. I had a mango flavor I believe. Once I could move to shakes on day 3 I went back to my EAS Myoplex AdvantEDGE.

My family really kept me away from WLS. One of our dear friends died from complications of bypass in 2003. It was a horrible loss not to mention her psychological issues. She had become convinced that she was not slim enough and continued to lose unhealthy amounts of weight after losing 100% of her excess. This really put a sour taste in the family's mouth and I put WLS options aside for 6 years. My boyfriend was against it at first thinking it was a hurried decision on my part. I had been preparing for this, trying to get my behaviors in order for life after the band long before I mentioned it to him. When I finally informed him of my decision he was hesitant and really did not know where he would fit in the process. I invited him to meet the surgeon, go to seminars and support groups, or work to adjust his eating habits for a healthier life for both of us. He still remains distant. Now that I am banded, he is very happy for me and my loss. He sees how happy I am and how the quality of my life has improved. He has admitted that he will not change his habits and that he is proud of me for committing to a new relationship with food in cooperation with the band. He said it is something he could never ever do. BUT, when we dine he is the one keeping me in check reminding me to slow down and moving dishes out of the way so I do not hurt myself. I do not mind his decision but hope as our lives continue that he will see the importance of better eating and exercising habits. There are some things he cannot do because of his weight, and he is 70 lbs lighter than I am, and I want him to be able to have those experiences. If you have made your decision, hopefully your gf will come around as my partner did. The two of you are key to your success. You will need her support in the long run. And should you and the band not be the right solution, you can always consider conversion at that time.

I thought my location was abnormal. It is near the center of my chest. I have never heard of anyone yet having their port near the shoulder area.

I had your feelings but in the oppsite direction. As I was preparing for the weeks before surgery those feelings came in intensely. I could not believe I handed over $10,700 in cash on myself. Then I had been trying to lose weight and kept trying to tell myself I could give it another try. When I came out the other side and woke up in the OR, I was beyond belief. I had officially started my new life. Everyday I wake up I am full of energy and so happy that I am actually headed towards the life I have imagined. When the sad feelings related to the money, selfishness, and prior failure come to the surface I focus on everything that is positive for the future. I wish you the best as you begin your journey.

I love the NutriSystem Egg Fritata. Its 120 calories with good Protein and a bandster sized serving. Just add Water and microwave for 90 seconds. It has mushrooms and peppers too. I think you actually have to be in the nutrisystem program to purchase it though. They may not permit a la carte orders.

Banded on 4/27/10. Doing well. Down 24 lbs since my last PCP visit on 4/12 at the start of the pre-op diet. Loss of only 1 lb in the past week but I did not exercise as much as I should have and had several meals out that put me over my 1k calorie goal. My incisions finally closed, tenderness near my port subsiding, and just overall feeling great. Looking forward to some more positive loss and good feelings in the upcoming month. First adjustment on 6/14/10, right after I return from vacation.

Hang in there everyone. Betsy really is so informative and encouraging. There is an allowance over the band volume you state. I have the 14cc band and know we can overfill it if I do not have restriction at that point. I am still new to the band but have learned more about what it feels like. I had some chicken salad and the chicken was a little dry and I certainly filled up quick on that. 4 bites and I was done. Had I opted for the cream of chicken Soup I could have had a huge bowl. To help you with this difficult time, maybe you could try eating more filling/thicker foods. My dietician reccomends calling her if we are having trouble with meal planning or with our food choices not working with the band.

I saw this post and cracked up at my desk. Great work... you will be to your goal by the end of this challenge.... I can feel it!

I feel the same with my scale. But I do an official weigh-in each Tuesday in the AM in the same outfit. I step on the scale 4 times and take the average of those four measurements as what I enter into my weight tracker. I have stepped on and off to get a measurement that was as much as 3 lbs in difference. Hang in there, the number on the scale is just a number. I have lost 11 lbs since surgery but it feels like so much more.

BetsyB has got it all down. I have been going out alot, even spontaneously. As soon as I know where I am going I head on the web and try and get as much info about the menu and nutrition as I can. Then I make my selections and stick to them. I have fun, enjoy the time out, and feel good that I was able to make a much better decision than what I would have pre-band even if it the meal includes a few french fries.

My surgeon wants me back in the gym two days after surgery... but 6 weeks for sexual activity. Everybody is different, just do not over due it... regardless of how you are getting your exercise.

I am between 900-1500 right now. I try and alternate high and low days. I have been having to remind my self to eat because I was only around 500-600. My surgeon said to eat more often during the day because I am such a big guy, to go down that much could cause damage in the long run. I am excited to get back into a regular diet and see how to manage my calories better.

Ask your dietician what they will permit. Mine permitted frozen yogurt during week two when I moved from liquids to thick liquids/creams. I choose to eat Weight Watchers frozen strawberry smoothie bars to get my ice cream fix.

I asked my surgeon before surgery about my port placement. It is in the same place. The bruising has faded and it is a little tender to the touch. I expect to be this way for quite a while. It is sitting right on the muscle. I like being able to pinpoint it so that I can keep an eye on it during my journey. It can be a little odd to feel it when I bend certain ways. But overall I have no worries about the placement.

When I feel a burp I ease it out just to make sure it doesn't hurt too bad. I am three weeks post-op. I pass alot of gas too regardless of what I eat. I find it hard to believe it is still me finding ways to let out the CO2 from the op. Either way, both remind me that I have my band and how happy I am that it is there.

I actually like the softball feeling. It made sure i would not eat the rest of the evening. It usually happens to me when I had too big of a bite or did not chew well enough. sometimes, I can feel the larger its going through the band... like a little pop.

I am three weeks out and my weight history is in my signature. The first week was about 9 lbs with the week 1 liquid diet and only a few walks. The second week out was 2 pounds with good diet and moderate exercise. I am stepping it up now while trying to keep my food intake down. I opted in the the Fourth of July Challenge to keep it at 2 lbs per week or more... shooting for 15 more by July 4th.

I have lost 24 lbs and don't really see it. I feel it though. I know it is gone. My belt is loose and so are my pants... but I really want the belly to start to go.

I am only a few weeks post-op and eat alot I feel... but still so much less than I used to. I too am worried about stretching but know as I get adjusted my portion sizes will continue to decrease to that of the ideal bandster. I suggest nutrisystem to help get portions under control. I try and eat 3/4 of the nutrisystem meal... between 4-6 oz. I know I can fit the whole 7-10 oz. but when I take my time the 4-6 can fill me up. My dietician reccommends the whole wheat options as well. Moderation is key. For example, if I have the whole wheat bread at SubWay, I can dig out some of the extra bread and supplement it with some more veggies. Shopping at the grocery store has been a nightmare to make sure it is WHOLE GRAIN... not multi-grain, or enriched wheat flour, or things that are there to trick you to into thinking its good.

My first adjustment is June 14th. I am so excited and it is right after I get back from vacation, the first real test of my ability to work with my band. Thank you for sharing your experience. I hope mine is as painless as yours. Every doctor has a different way of assisting patients. I'm sure you are fine.

My dietician really did not tell me quantities. She provided the plan by week and taught me how to eat slowly so that I would have time to listen to my body and what the band was telling it. That amount of mashed potatoes seems like a lot. If you are consuming too quickly you may not have time to learn you are full. I took 40 minutes the other night to work on a 7 oz portion. By ounce 5 I had heard I was full. I had thought I was fine and started eating regular foods just chewing like crazy to get in that habit but have headed back to the dietician's plan to make sure I heal well.

I has been incredibly easy for me. I was downing 4 20 oz bottles a day. Then the surgery came and went. I now drink McD's unsweet tea and use a little sugar substitute. When I get the craving for a soda I just think about the damage I could do and I move past it. I do have a Lo-Carb Monster Energy occasionally as a treat. I sip it VERY VERY VERY slowly. It takes me all day to finish it. I tried to gulp it the first time and had the loudest most painful burp in my life.

I decided on 265 because it was lighter than when I remember being happy. I was happy at 285. But that still made me in the obese category. My long term goal is 220 after speaking with my surgeon. He said I would be in the overweight category but it would still be a great benefit for me. If I get there or below that is great. I just want to be at whatever weight lets me sit in a coach airplane seat and ride as many roller coasters as I want.

I am new to banderland. I think 2 pounds per week should be good. I lost 8 the first week since surgery and then 2 the second week. When I get hungry because of the little restriction I have I think about what I have the band for and turn away. I should have my first fill and still have a few weeks to meet the challenge. 15 pounds by the fourth will put me at 370 lbs.

2 pounds a week is healthy. So really you seem to be on track. With all the additions and really carefully eating and exercising you may be able to boost it more. Congrats on the progress so far.