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I was banded Sept. 2010. I know it hasn't been that long, but I can tell you that getting banded was the best thing I could have done for myself. Bypass was never an option for me. I have seen too many people with complications/death and I have 2 young children. It didn't even cross my mind. The band has been a great tool for weight loss. I am down 53 lbs and so proud of what I have been able to do so far! Do your research and figure out what is best for you.

Thanks to some research, I have found a great Android app for tracking! It is called Diet and food Tracker by SparkPeople. I went online and set up my account with my individualized nutritional requirements and then downloaded the free app. It is easy to use and helps me track what I am eating! Just wanted to pass on some GREAT info!

Since several of you are updating, here are my stats! Banded by Dr. Bagnato on Sept 23rd...as of yesterday I am down 48 lbs! Best thing I have ever done!!!

I find it funny that you guys are telling SingleDAD167 to talk to his OB/GYN...maybe you should read the posts a little more clearly! LOL! My suggestion, find a new GP and maybe even look for a different LB doctor. My LB dr. didn't even contact my GP, although my GB was completely on board.

I really watch my sugar intake, not necessarily my carb intake. I eat good carbs like veggies and fruit. Nothing with corn syrup, honey, sugar, etc... My general rule of thumb is nothing I eat has over 3 grams of sugar in it (per item, not per plate). You even have to watch whole grains, because most of them have corn syrup or some type of sugar. Nothing you put on your plate should have over 3 grams. Do that and I guarantee weight loss.

I hate putting powdered protein in the blender because it gets so FROTHY!!! I HATE IT!!! I typically use premixed shakes in my blender when I am adding fruit or other things, but they are so expensive. Any suggestions?

I have never really measured myself before, only weighed, but now I am really curious to see the inch loss. So, how do you do it? :confused:Do you hold your arms out, or hang them down? :confused:Where do you measure your waist? Above my belly button is bigger than below but my pants sit right at my belly button...so which is the right place? :confused:Measuring hips, I, like most obese people, have a large stomach that hangs down. Where I would measure my hips, my stomach is there...do you measure around your stomach or underneath? :confused:Thighs, sitting or standing? :confused:How tight do you pull the tape? I am so confused!!!

WHOA! The calories are enough to make me stay away! Calories~ 530 Carbs~ 26 grams Fat~ 28 grams Protein~ 50 grams(!) Doesn't look good for you at all!

I use the Ninja blender that they carry at Walmart. It comes with two different size pitchers. I think I paid around $40.

I love the Early Rise Orange Walmart brand Crystal Light drink. I got the bright idea one day to mix it with a scoop of vanilla protein powder. LOVE IT! Just a suggestion.

Every weekday morning I have the same thing. An EAS Advantage Carb chocolate Protein shake thrown into my Ninja blender with a half a frozen banana and a tablespoon of PB2 and some ice. On the weekends, I like an egg with cheese and maybe some turkey. I have really used to drinking the Protein shakes...they are just so much easier.

Hey guys, just in case you did not know, we have a September 2010 bandster post on the post-op section, too. Some good advice over there!

Definitely take this pre-op opportunity to find a protein shake you like...you will be living off of them post-op! I use EAS Advantage Carb pre-mixed that I get from Walmart and Publix. I have also used the Pure Protein powder in Vanilla and Chocolate. Try using sugar-free pudding or flavored extracts for extra flavor.

I am hitting the mushies stage today :thumbup: and am curious about what everyone is/has been eating. I had a chili "shake" last night and it was like HEAVEN! Real food. Would love any good recipes!

To help with any nausea/vomiting right after your surgery, ask you dr., if he doesn't already prescribe one, for a relief band. It is a band you wear on your wrist that sends little pulses to your pressure point on your wrist. It helps ALOT!!! I used mine for several days after my surgery. It is just a little extra help on top of everything else they give you. :biggrin:

I am going to play around this weekend and see what I can come up with. I am definitely going to try the cauliflower!!! That sounds good. As a child, I was never a fan of cottage cheese, but I think I will give it a try now that I am "all growed up". Thanks for the great ideas...keep them coming! :biggrin:

I notice that many people eat mashed potatoes. I am just scared to! I have really tried to avoid sugars and eat low carb and I just feel that eating potatoes will mess that up. Am I right to be thinking this way? I also feel the same way about all the cream soups. :thumbup:

Banded 9/23 UP: :smile: have lost 16 lbs since surgery :mad2: my face is thinning :smile: my feet are shrinking :smile: people commenting on how good I am looking :smile: great family/friends support DOWN: :thumbup: GAS!!!! :thumbup: my boobs are suddenly missing :crying: Protein shakes, pudding, yogurt...so sick of sweet stuff Port is kinda sore :smile2: So ready to sleep in my bed instead of on the couch :crying: Oh, did I mention GAS!!!!!!

Alycopp, a little suggestion the nurse at the Dr. office gave me. I too am so sick of the broth, but also the sweet tasting drinks (SF popsicles, Crystal Light, G2). She said to get a cracker, I used a rosemary triskit, she used Cheez-Its, and break it into a small square (broke my triskit into 4 pieces). Then put it in your mouth and suck on it. Get all the salty taste out of it and then spit it out. She also said you can take a very small bit of peanut butter and swirl it around until it is VERY liquid and then swallow. This kinda helps with the cravings of something different.

I was just banded on the 23rd, so I know how you feel. I am back at work today and aside from some gas pain in my neck and shoulders, I am almost back to normal. Give it a few days...it will get better, I PROMISE! Good luck on your journey!!!

Welcome, Grammy271! I am also from Georgia!!! What doctor will you be using? Let me know if there is anything I can do to help!:smile2:

Paigey, sending prayers and good wishes to you from the big city of Perry!!!! Good luck! :smile2:

My advice: throw the straws away, go back to clear liquids and then hit the heating pad. Many have said that walking helps with the gas, but the gas in the shoulders has been different for me. The heating pad really helped that! I hope you get to feeling better!

Hey everyone! I was banded on the 23rd also. Today is my first day back at work after HORRIBLE :smile: gas pains in my shoulders and neck. I still have a little pain, but it is definitely not as bad. I hit the scale for the first time this morning and have lost 13 lbs. since Thursday. This makes for a total of 31 lbs since I started my pre-op diet. I was so worried, since I have PCOS, that I wouldn't lose weight. This loss is really reassuring me. Hope everyone is recouperating well!!! Good luck soon-to-be bandsters!!!:thumbup: