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Hi Jaygerlo5- My Surgeon is Dr. Hamn. I had surg on 6-2-05. I had lost 33# by 7/10 (actually only 25# because I lost 8# before surg) I was at a plateau, and was told Dr. Hamn doesn't do the 1st fill until 10 wks post op. He was on vacation my 10th week, so I have my first fill 8/19. Before my fill, I could eat whatever I wanted. Just not as much as before the band. Now that I've has my first fill (1.5cc), I'm definately tighter. I was on liquids 3 days and then soft diet for about 1 wks. I just tried a cheese stick wrapped w/ turkey and although I chewed real good, it still feels tight, but the 1 cheese stick w/ turkey has filled me up for now. Before the Fill, I could even do a handfull of popcorn. (my favorite food.) and just about anything else. Now I hesitate because I know it's tighter. I did try popcorn yesterday and got maybe 15 pieces down and was satisfied. (they're empty calories- so I didn't fill up.) I won't lie to you. After surg- the first thing I thought was, "oh GOD, what have I done." I've never had any type of abdominal surgery before... so the abdominal pain was intense. But by the next morning, with the help of a pillow across my abdomin whenever I walked, I was doing okay. I had surg on Thursday and by Sat I was walking 1/4 mile. Daily the pain got better. I went back to work on Wednesday. (could have gone back monday- but glad I took the extra time.) The worst part was the pain at the port site incision. It felt like everytime I sat down, the port was poking under my rib. I didn't notice that after about 3-4 wks. I originally bought 2 bottles of liquid Adult strength tylenol. I still have 1/4th of the 1st bottle left. Yes- I was apprehensive. We've all been there. I kept thinking- I've lost wgt in the past I can do it again. But I knew that I needed that help of the lap-band to control my portons. I can now eat approx 1/4th of a chicken breast or about 2 oz Protein w/ veggies and possible salad or some rice and I'm full. Would I do it again...... IN A HEART BEAT!! Keep your chin up and good luck. We may run into each other in Dr. Hamn's Ofc.

My doctor told me that you have to take Vitamins with a Protein because the vitamins need to bind to a protein in order to offer benefits. If you take them with liquids like milk, they will just pass through your system. So I went to my pharmacist and asked if this was true, and my pharmacist agreed with my doctor. Any thoughts? I have an awful time taking vitamins. The only time I'm able to consistently take them is with a glass of milk in the morning, and then I don't eat any food till noon. So, I'm I wasting my time and money, or am I getting any benefit?

There is protein in milk, Lisa. If you take them maybe with WATER I guess you might not get the protein-bonding effect, but I'd think milk would be fine.

Hi to everyone who has been or will be banded in September! It's been 4 days since I was banded (Sept 21) and apart from some tightness immediately surrounding my belly button, I feel okay. I can move very easily, I'm easily drinking the Fluid amounts & only occasionally getting any discomfort from drinking too much too fast. I lost 6 kgs pre surgery and I have put 2 of those kgs back on. It must be the sustagen Protein drinks and the orange juice. Weight is a funny thing though espec for females. I could weigh myself in 2 days time to find I've lost a kilo. I'm trying not to worry too much about the weight loss at this stage. The best advice I could give anyone about to be banded is to be very mindful of how much fluid you drink or sip over a 30 min or 1 hour period. There was a lot of confusion at my hospital about how much I could have and how often.....I ended up in a lot of pain the 2nd day simply because I had drunk too much fluid. For those who are interested, I found somewhere on the net that 500mg of Vitamin C helps with wound healing. If I can find that amount in a liquid supplement or dissolve it in Water it might help me I'm thinking. Anyway, again, good luck to you all and I'll look forward to reading about your successes. :mad:

I posted this originally in response to a question about ice cream, then decided it really should be here. It's an ice cream substitute that's good for those who can have whole fruits. All it takes is a food processor, but an ice cream maker would be great to give it a better consistency. 2-3 large, very ripe/black bananas Good-quality cocoa to-taste 1 teaspoon vanilla Sweetener to-taste (optional) Leave the bananas until they're very black but not rotten, to ensure that they're as sweet as possible. Peel them, cut them into 3-4 pieces each, place on a cookie sheet and freeze solid. Add the frozen bananas to the food processor 1/2 at a time, blending until they're completely creamed. Add the vanilla and 1-1/2 tablespoons cocoa, blending until thoroughly mixed. Taste, then add more cocoa and/or sweetener as needed. It should have a consistency similar to soft-serve ice cream. If you add it to an ice cream maker and process per the machine's instructions, it should become airier and creamier as it's processed. Either way, it's an excellent dessert that's full of Vitamins and you don't have to tell anyone how good for you it is! Here's the rough nutrition information. It's based on 1/2 cup of mashed banana and a tablespoon of cocoa. Calories: 112 Fat: 1.1 grams Saturated fat: .6 grams Carbs: 28.6 grams Fiber: 4.7 grams Sugar: 13.9 grams Protein: 2.3 grams

Squee, my first post on these forums and I get to be helpful! I suggest checking out the menus at WDWIG/AllEars - you can see a menu for each of the counter service restaurants - and you can get things like grapes at the pushcarts all around the Parks - they have Dole froze-fruit bars, too. In EPCOT, I definitely recommend visiting The Land - they have a wide range of healthy and fantastic foods there. You also might want to bring some portable Protein that you can mix into Water along the way, and you're allowed to bring your own water bottles into the park, but don't overdo it because you don't want to lug multiple heavy bottles around.

What's up everybody Apple's back again!! I called Amerihealth again today. I know that they cover the surgery so that is a good thing!! Iam very happy with that and like I said I am putting away 1,500 in a flexible spending acct just in case I have to pay anything maybe fills if needed right away!! I am so excited but I am still looking for a good Dr. in NJ. I called a couple of Dr's and they both said that I should wait til January when my new insurance is in effect. But I have a whole month and a half to spare so I wanted to start this pre diet now if possibile. Do you guyss think it is right to schedule a primary care visit with my Dr ?? I went to a mini consultation which I had a 30 dollar co-pay (kinda a waste) all he said in a nut shell was "yeah your'e pretty fat .... the surgery is a great option for you! Handed me some papers to go and get sleep apnea and bloodwork test done. And now the "new beginnings" meeting on 11/15/07 which is just the little seminar. But now I have already scheduled again with one of the Dr's that will be at the seminar. And it's not until January 15th!!!! I want my band nowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!!!! JUST GIVE IT TO ME ALREADY!! I want it now!!! But I am hoping for maybe a surgery date in March early April... But I have all this free time now to do this diet stuff!!! Amerihealth said something about medifast or Optifast... Did any of you Amerihealth peeps out there have to do this prior to surgery??? Please get back to me let me know anybody who has any info!! On doctors or Amerihealth!!! ALSO XTRAAAAA good news!! MY EMPLOYER DOES NOT EXCLUDE THIS FROM OUR PLAN!!! I WORK FOR MCKESSON CORPORATION. ONE OF THE FORTUNE 500 COMPANIES!! So hopefully everything will run smoothly!!!:help:

Here is what I eat everyday.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p> Breakfast:<?xml:namespace prefix = v ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" /><v:shapetype id=_x0000_t75 stroked="f" filled="f" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" o:preferrelative="t" o:spt="75" coordsize="21600,21600"> <v:stroke joinstyle="miter"></v:stroke><v:formulas><v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"></v:f><v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0"></v:f><v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"></v:f><v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2"></v:f><v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"></v:f><v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"></v:f><v:f eqn="sum @0 0 1"></v:f><v:f eqn="prod @6 1 2"></v:f><v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"></v:f><v:f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"></v:f><v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"></v:f><v:f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"></v:f></v:formulas><v:path o:connecttype="rect" gradientshapeok="t" o:extrusionok="f"></v:path><o:lock aspectratio="t" v:ext="edit"></o:lock></v:shapetype><v:shape id=_x0000_i1025 style="WIDTH: 0.75pt; HEIGHT: 0.75pt" alt="" type="#_x0000_t75"><v:imagedata o:href="http://assets.sparkpeople.com/myspark/spacer.gif" src="file:///C:DOCUME~1OwnerLOCALS~1Tempmsohtml101clip_image001.gif"></v:imagedata></v:shape>Slim Fast Low Carb Creamy chocolate, 1 serving190 calories Lunch:<v:shape id=_x0000_i1026 style="WIDTH: 0.75pt; HEIGHT: 0.75pt" alt="" type="#_x0000_t75"> <v:imagedata o:href="http://assets.sparkpeople.com/myspark/spacer.gif" src="file:///C:DOCUME~1OwnerLOCALS~1Tempmsohtml101clip_image001.gif"></v:imagedata></v:shape>GNC Protein Drink, 1 serving140 calories (I blend it in my Magic Bullet with 4 ice cubes, 1 heaping scoop of Protein powder, 1 tsp instant decaf coffe & 4 oz of Water. It tastes just like a frapucino!!!) Jello - Jolly Rancher sugar free Gel Snacks, 1 serving10 calories Dinner:GNC Protein Drink, 1 serving140 calories (blended same as above) V8, 5.5 oz30 calories<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> 8 glasses of water daily. I have 16 oz glasses, so I do 2 before lunch & 2 after lunch if not more. Some days I have a cup or two of clear Egg Drop Soup or chicken broth or broth strained from Veggie Beef soup. They only add 50 calories max. <v:shape id=_x0000_i1027 style="WIDTH: 0.75pt; HEIGHT: 0.75pt" alt="" type="#_x0000_t75"><v:imagedata o:href="http://assets.sparkpeople.com/myspark/spacer.gif" src="file:///C:DOCUME~1OwnerLOCALS~1Tempmsohtml101clip_image001.gif"></v:imagedata></v:shape><v:shape id=_x0000_i1028 style="WIDTH: 0.75pt; HEIGHT: 0.75pt" alt="" type="#_x0000_t75"><v:imagedata o:href="http://assets.sparkpeople.com/myspark/spacer.gif" src="file:///C:DOCUME~1OwnerLOCALS~1Tempmsohtml101clip_image001.gif"></v:imagedata></v:shape>CALORIE Total: 510<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p>

I experienced the same thing and I agree with the idea that sometimes I wasn't eating enough. After I added more calories in a day I started losing again. It could have just been a coincidence, but who knows. I also can tell the differnce when I have too many carbs in a day. I lose more when I stick to mainly proteins.... I had a piece of wheat bread in a sandwich for supper last night and had a glass of juice earlier... This morning I had gained .2 of a pound.... So today I'll make sure to get mostly protein and that should be better tomorrow.... I also think everyone is different and you will stumble onto what is going to work for you... good luck.. Julie

I have read the book. Some interesting points brought up. I tried going vegetarian, but I like my meat based protein (poultry and seafood). I am only 3 weeks post op, so when my diet is freed up a bit, I will do plant based protein as well....believe it or not, I am craving edemame (sp?). I believe "everything in moderation." I enjoy poultry or seafood over beef, which can get you burned at the "steak", living here in the midwest! Extremes can get us all in trouble.

Thanks, I sent my DH to the store for the Gas-X just in case. I appreciate the info. You got a fill in four weeks, that is pretty quick. How many lbs have you lost so far? Did you lose when the band was empty? I have been trying to get in the liquids so far I think I'm doing great on that. I did buy this stuff called Whey 42 which is 42 gms of protein. It tastes pretty good, it comes in like a plastic bullet (grape, orange, etc.) you take the top off and drink it. It's clear and not very much (thanks for that). But it gets me 42 gms of protein in easily.

Granny, This is common so soon after surgery. You still have a lot of swelling. Most people should have their appetite back by about two weeks post-op. Be sure to keep sipping water so you don't get dehydrated and take in as much liquid protein as you can handle.

http://www.calorieking.com/ I love this one because they have a version for your PALM handheld (handheld diet diary), so its practical and easier, and it keeps up with your Protein and caloric intake.

Basic Cheesecake 1 8-ounce container fat-free cream cheese ½ pound soft tofu ½ cup egg substitute 6 packets artificial sweetener ½ teaspoon vanilla ¼ teaspoon almond extract 6 tablespoons egg white substitute ¼ teaspoon cream of tartar butter flavored cooking spray 1) Preheat oven to 350 F 2) In large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat together cream cheese, tofu, egg substitute, sweetener, vanilla, and almond extract until smooth and creamy 3) In a small bowl, using an electric mixer, whip egg white substitute with cream of tartar until it forms stiff peaks 4) Gently fold whipped egg whites into cream cheese mixture 5) Coat an 8-inch square cake pan with cooking spray and pour in batter. Place cake pan into a baking pan until it reaches halfway up the sides of the cake pan. Place in oven and bake for 30 minutes 6) Let cool for at least 4 hours. Calories: 59.13 Protein: 7.98 g Fat: 0.84 g Carbohydrates: 3.91 g Cholesterol: 5 mg Fiber: .34 g Sodium: 185.46 g I got this recipe out of a cook book for bariatric surgery patients (Eating Well After Weight Loss Surgery by Patt Levine and Michele Bontempo-Saray). This cookbook has some great recipes and breaks each one down into the amount of calories, fat, etc. You can buy it at any Barnes and Noble or online.

Vangirl. Please try to keep an open mind as to your weight loss. In all probability your body is trying to compensate for the weight loss by retaining water. I think some call it starvation mode. For what it is worth, I am a scale nut. I found that by weighing myself everyday and charting my weight of ups and downs, I learned what was happening. If I ate high calorie foods and showed some gain I know I have to settle down and eat hard protein as prescribed by my clinic and stay off the "goodies". If I showed a gain and I knew I was doing everything right, then it was a water gain. Eventually, I have come to know my cycle and don't panic or get discouraged. Others never want to step on a scale or diet. You will have to determine what is the best for you. All I am trying to say, is work on learning your body rather than give in to being upset at every gain. I wish you the best in your journey and if you keep posting there is always someone who has been through what you are experiencing and be able to help.

June 18 Lap Band, now 2 weeks post surgery. Today I finally went to GNC to look for alternative protein shakes. The ones I had bought before were from NorthStar Weightloss (online) and were 8 oz/ 18g protein, BUT they made me soo bloated and gassy that I dreaded having to drink them. Today I bought GNC shakes that are 12 oz/ 35g protein and so far no bloat - I might actually like these. First week and a half, I stayed with liquids (water, vitamin water, jello, broth) and now I've switched to some stage 3 babyfood meals (not as bad as I thought), big people applesauce (to crush pills into), and mashed potatoes last night that were FABULOUS! I have no hunger but I am still very sore at 3 of the 6 incisions, especially the port one, and don't have much energy yet. I haven't taken naps in decades and I often want one now (might be lack of caffeine). First week I was down 5 lbs, not sure how much more yet. My first fill is scheduled for July 15 (just short of 4 weeks post-surgery). I'm a tad anxious as to what that will change...

I feel tight in the morning and usually have hot tea and or a protein drink. Then later in the morning., real breakfast.Sounds like stree.

Hey there and Happy New Year!! I found this site for a friend who doens't care for me. It has all kinds of great recipes with Protein. Good Luck with your venture!! http://www.shape.com/healthy-eating/meal-ideas/6-high-protein-vegan-meal-ideas

I bought the protein bullets also. (fruit punch) I use half of one with my raspberry lemonade crystal light and it is pretty good. Someone had suggested using it with crystal light on another thread. Was that you Music Mom? It's a great idea!

No you dont take protein powder you will be on clear liquads for first week

Anyone here had surgery with Dr. Garcia and did you have to take protein powder with you. I'm leaving tomorrow and am confused as what to bring.

:mad:Don't feel bad. I do everything I am told. I exercise like crazy 6 days a week. I eat 1,000-1200 calories per day-protein first then veggies. I have only lost 5 lbs in the last 3 months. Frustrated? you can say that again!:tired

I've been investigating the various products out there to supplement my protein intake. Does anyone have knowledge of protein "isolate" being far superior to the "concentrate?" The ads certainly sound like it, but I'm wondering if the difference in cost is really justified. Thanks!!

I always have cheese and little ziplocs of nuts in my purse. Good protein and keeps you full along time.

I haven't tried it, but I found a pb called Better n' Peanut Butter, it has 100 cal per 2 tbsp, 2 g fat and I forget how much protein. To me it tastes like normal peanut butter. I originally found it at Trader Joes, but recently found they sell it at target too.