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Our group just did a protein powder swap. That was fun so maybe I'll suggest this next time. Thanks. And I'm a frequent Goodwill shopper, I just don't have much of a selection at my store. I'll keep trying though. It'd be nice if I could sell some of my old clothes so I could Afford to replace them. Even if it is with used clothes. What's the least time consuming way to sell??

Well I started going to the gym and I mean within 24 hours I seen a big decrease in blood sugar levels normally I am around 95 now Im in the 70's. basically I do at least thirty minutes aerobic including swimming. Im just starting out with the gym I hope to eventually go 5 days a week. mainly bicycle machine for 20 minutes then the elliptical machine for only 3 minutes my legs still need a lot of work. Then 4 laps in the pool which is roughly 15 minutes. I am in no rush with exercising because this is part of my lifetime lifestyle change. Basically Ill have some carbs and Protein before I workout then a Protein shake with some carbs for recovery. then almost 1 1/2 hours later I eat protein and veggies. I am still getting this routine down. Are there others just starting out at the gym with any good feedback is very appreciated. Thanks.

I am thinking about adding protein shakes to my diet. I am stuck on a major plateau and I need to do something. Some people say extra protein is the key....What do you guys think? I am several months post-op and would be adding the shake in at breakfast time as a meal replacement. Do you think this will help break my plateau? All opinions welcome......:help:

I am not sure what to do. My last fill was a little less than a year ago. My weight has remained stable for about 8 months but i am still about 40 pounds from my goal. This is my problem - i am having trouble eating healthy food since my last fill. I can't eat salads, most chicken (except most, processed chicken),yogurt, eggs, hardly anything for breakfast. I am thinking that i might be better off having a little un-fill which will enable me to eat the salads, veggies, healthy meats. I do worry that maybe I won't eat so healthy if the band is loosened but i don't think that is a big concern. Sometimes I go almost all day without any protein. This has been going on for awhile but i am starting to feel sluggish. Anyone have a situation similar to mine? What do you suggest? Thanks in advance.

Have you tried different temperatures to? Some people react to cold and room temp differently. Some people prefer super cold and some people prefer room temp. Also, have you tried adding crystal light to your water? Maybe try vitamin water zero? I'm in my 3rd week post op and my doctor has me on a liquid diet the first month. I mentioned at my one week appointment that I felt like I wasn't getting enough protein and he said don't worry about the protein for right now, just focus on staying HYDRATED. The last thing you want to do is end up going to the hospital because of dehydration. Every couple of minutes, take a small sip. I've been drinking water with strawberry lemonade crystal light drops in it, vitamin water zero and diet snapple. I put it in a small 8 oz water bottle because it's easier to drink out of and I don't feel overwhelmed or psych myself out that I won't be able to finish the bottle it initially comes in. Hope this helps you!

I always felt like food was stuck in my throat after the lap band. It was very difficult to shallow pills. I no longer have problems swallowing pills at all which is great! it has been a month since my surgery and I have had no problems. I went back to work one week after the surgery and actually attended my son's football game the day after my surgery. Most of the pain I had was gas pains after the surgery. The more I walked the less pain I felt. I was walking several laps every hour around the hospital halls. My weight loss has seemed to stall but I have to confess I have not done a lot of cardio like I should be doing. I plan to start back with a personal trainer next week so maybe I will get more dedicated with that. The first 2 weeks I was never hungry and would rather have just not eat as to drink another shakes but I managed to get through them. I was never hungry, the protein probably helped me with that. Now I do get hungry and want to eat. I don't really feel the full sensation I thought I would feel but if I eat one bite to many I will get a sudden pain in my chest. So I have to really measure what I eat. I would rather have it this way then the constant feeling of something stuck in my throat. I would get sick a lot with the lap band but with bypass I have only had a couple instances where I felt sick. I mostly eat fish and chicken right now. Trying to get as much protein in as I can without having to drink a shake. So far my experience with bypass has been great! No reflux, no constant feeling of something stuck in my throat, and no constant vomiting. I am glad I decided to do the revision from lap band to bypass!

I am a GNC Gold Card Member and the Lean Shakes ready-to-drink come out at a good price, and they are the best tasting I've found. I tried Lean Shake, Isopure (barf!) and GNC's Amplify. Sometimes they have a good sale on buy one, get one half off for the Lean Shake 4 packs. If the sale is online AND they have free shipping, I order like 8 four packs and stock up. The RTD Lean Shake is better in low carb, high protein than the Lean Shake powder shakes.

At your weight most insurance companies will not cover the surgery. FDA has approved lap band down to 35 BMI. So you need to be prepared that you would have to pay for this surgery out of pocket. Question about your food habits. When I had my consult I told the therapist I was the healthiest eating fat person I knew. I tried not to eat fried foods or hamburgers. I also was doing an hour of cardio daily. What I was not recognizing was the fact that I had at least 3 open boxes of crackers/chips/rice cakes in my house at any time. Are you weighing your Protein? Traditionaly doctors say to have 4 oz of protein per meal (with lap band it's 3 oz). If you are not measuring you are guarenteed to be over eating. Are you eating just 3 meals a day? Many people read that they should have small Snacks through out the day. Problem is they eat enough for a meal instead of a 100 cal. snack. So in reality they are eating 5 meals a day. Who would'nt gain weight eating like that. Not sure if you are eating WW foods? They usually are really high in carbs with really low levels of protein. I used to diet (and was very successful) eating realllly low fat. My problem was I ate lots off carbs (you can find lots of low fat carbs), and not enough protein. You mention exercising 6 days a week. For how long and how intense? I am at restriction, do 1.5-2.5 hrs of moderate cardio daily and loose less than 1 lb a week. Can you switch up your exercise? Do you belong to a gym? If you could do a different cardio machine every other day that migh help jump start your weight loss. Not trying to be negative just want to give you some ideas.

I love Jamba Juice and that was my gift to myself for my birthday I got my favorite small smoothie "Orange Peel" and had them mix my protein powder in. It was delishous and a good rare treat

I am seeing my Banding Dr on Sept 6th and will be having my surgery 3-4 weeks after that. I am starting to get myself prepared for post op period by trying different Soup brothes and protien drinks. My personal trainer that works with Dr. Mckee my banding Dr, said I should try to get as close to 25G Protein per a shake. So I found a whey powder that is choc and it has 23G protein. The weight watcher high protein had 19 so if I dont find one I can stomach I plan on doing that one. so I just thought I would ask all of you what you did for Protein Drinks during your post op or even now. What liquid diet suggestions do you have? Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Thanks... Dr. Mckee Augusta Maine (Maine Bariatrics) Surgery Oct 2006 Highest weight 272 Current weight 269 5"8' tall

I really liked Body Fortress Premium Whey Protein Powder in vanilla. They have chocolate too but I'm a vanilla kind of girl. You can buy it at Wal-mart and it is WAY cheaper than anything you'll find at GNC, Vitamin Shoppe, etc. I mix it with 1% milk and it's actually pretty good.

Ask not what you're lap-band can do for you rather, what you can do for your lap-band. I try to do an hour plus in the gym every day, and I haven't had sugar (candy), potatoes, bread, rice, or Pasta since surgery. Don't look at my signature for miracle numbers, because weighing myself now only happens at the doctor's office. I'm also learning how to listen to my hunger. Sometimes I just give it a taste of Peanut Butter and it shuts up. So, no obsesseing over a daily scale. No carbs. Do the daily gym. Deal with the voice of hunger, rationally. Voila, the new me. Something has to give, and it will probably be pounds. These are all probably things that 'normal' people do, instinctively. But I'm a hundred pounds over weight because I am not 'normal'. So I'm 60 and fat, but learning. Whats interesting is that I know now that I can live without bread, etc. If I go to McDonalds, for example, I love a double quarter pounder with cheese, I just throw the bun in the trash. The remaining meat, cheese, pickle, and garnishing, tastes wonderful. Finally, I haven't had a fill yet, either. I've put as much as a quart of salad and chilie through me, for example, and haven't felt any restriction. But just the idea that the band is there, and that there is a limit, helps. As long as my clothes are getting looser, I'm going to stick with what I'm doing, because I'm losing, and I feel good. Finally, my stupid body sometimes communicates that it needs more Protein, which I answer with Protein shakes. Just some thoughts. God Bless Us All, greg

cerrin, can you not get at least a Protein shake in beforehand? btw - i HATE having to drink them - always have. i had a "bad" morning yesterday (TOM) & when i was to meet w/my trainer he said i didn't look good - i told him i could not get anything down but a slice of cheese (he knows the band dynamic). he suggested i do some cardio & we'll reschedule - he prefers i get at least 14g of protein in before a workout. your clipping in some serious time working out - some nutrients beforehand might elliviate any dizziness & enhance your workout more. just a suggestion,

The only Protein shakes I can handle are made with milk...I was drinking them before...but then I started belching during my work out where I was not sure if I was accidently going to PB. Maybe I can eat a boiled egg or something I just dont want it to be too much on my stomach when I work out. OH and thanks lilmissbandaid I started off small and now I am up to doing average of 14 min mile. I saw so many people my size working out more then I was and just kicked myself in the butt. If they can do it I can do it. Little bit of trial and error and I am still improving. I want to do the minnie marathon like loosingjustme did. maybe next year I can go do that. lol

Cerrin, you don't have to eat - maybe you can have one of those Protein slammers (Check GNC). They are only about 3 oz. and they pack about 42g protein. They aren't cheap though... My nutritionist suggested a good dose of protein either (no more than) 30 mins before or 30 mins after a workout. ...by the way, you are to be commended! You are doing excellent, keep up the good work!!

Good luck! Let me know how it went. I started my pre-op liquids/high Protein diet on Monday after my EGD. I have lost 8 lbs since then! The diet sucks, but the results are great. Hopefully my liver will be nice and small!

In the part I, I had discussed briefly about how most of the small businesses go about selecting a product, whereas a successful small businessmen would be careful and would evaluate the product based on various aspects listed below before making a choice. I will relist all the important factors, which one should consider before buying an ecommerce product (www.ritecart.co.uk) or software for their company. 1.Ease of configuration 2.Ability to Scale 3.Useful latest features 4.Available marketing tools with the product 5.Ability to analyze data (analytics, not only google analytics!!) 6.Reports 7.Integration (with other modules, Like epos with near realtime online/offline synchronization of data and other packaged application ) 8.Customer Service 9.Technical Support 10.Technical Implementation Aspects 11.Build vs Buy Ease of Configuration- It is very important that the product is configurable and suited for one’s current needs and future needs, Like some of the things one may want to determine that how easy it is to ·Add products, categories and catalogs. Can this be dynamically created using administrative tool and dynamically displayed on the user side? Can it support multiple images with different resolution to be displayed on the user side? ·Look and manage all the orders placed by the administrator? Before placing the order, does it check for inventories? Does it notify the administrators, if the inventories go below a threshold value? Can the administrator mix and match the shipment to the customer? ·Create new sales store and new warehouses for inventories? Can the store’s inventory be picked up from different warehouses? ·Define several types of prices for the same product like list price, default price, component price, sale price etc? Can the price be dynamically setup using a rules engine? ·Associate a product with host of features like size, color, height, width, UOM, density, length etc? Can the product be setup and shown on the user side on any of the feature mentioned above or any of your new custom features? ·Return an order, look at shopping list/wish list, browse through the items last visited, go to most popular products in store, discounted product or special product in store, look at promotional products, place a review on the product, recommend a product or provide a valuable feedback and look at the products which are most sought by the people who had brought the same product as the customer in past? ·Can I select or add a new payment processor easily? I may want to use PayPAL today but I may need GoogleCheck out tomorrow. How many Payment engines does the product support? ·Customize my shipment company or add a new shipping company? Can I integrate directly with ups, RoyalMail, USPS, Fedex etc? Technical Support In the same vein, one shouldn’t have to jump through hoops to get someone to aid you if there is a problem with your online store—so make sure the service providers have experienced, reliable technical support and are committed to fixing a coding error or bug quickly. Quality counts; be assured that your ecommerce service provider (www.palindromesoftware.com) has people behind and are equally committed to quality and the customer experience as you are. Technical Implementation Aspects This is one of the most neglected factors by the ecommerce customer community. Remember, Ignorance is not always bliss. it is important to understand that the product development technology plays a vital role in defining product features, customization, support and ease of product usage. It is fairly common these days to use a scripting language to build products because that is the easiest way to build a product for the product supplier!! I encourage customers to ask some specific questions, to name a few ·How can I customize the product behavior? Does it use XML or Property files? ·How can I change my query? Can I change without looking into the code? ·How can I change the content? ·Can my Home page flash dynamically pick up product images, price and other details from my database ·What language is used for development for product? Scripting language like PHP and others are a huge no, no. Make sure that your product is built using a software language like Java or .NET (most preferred ones) ·Can I add more modules to my product? How simple is it? Is the development Object Oriented Our product RiteCart (www.ritecart.co.uk) is built using robust MVC/Struts framework, which is modular, extensible and configurable. Technologies used in this product are Java, XML, BSH. Build vs. Buy Over the period of time, this has become one of my favorite customer questions. Build or Buy? I usually answer this by asking a question- how much ROI do you expect out of your ecommerce investment and product? Building is an expensive option (not from cost point of view but from ROI Point of view). You can build your solution using one of these options 1.Build with a good reliable vendor onsite (with or without an open source solution) 2.Build with a good vendor offshore 3.Build with a small vendor onsite/offshore 4.Go for your own development with some open source tools Point 1, 2 &3 are feasible but one should ask himself the following questions, is the cost feasible? Will the vendor understand all the functional needs of the ecommerce solution? How long has the vendor been in the ecommerce solution market? Will the solution be ever built? Will it work as per expectations? Can the software vendor be relied upon? How much time will it take? What impact does it have on my business if it is not delivered to my satisfaction? Finally for option 4, if you decide to pursue an open-source application to manage your store, make sure to thoroughly research and examine your options. Is the project continuously updated, or has it been stagnant for a long time, with very few updates on the project and very little news as to where it is headed? Several open-source solutions are released every year. However, very few have the longevity that you will need to be used as a foundation for your online store. Examine the programmers behind it, and others who use the program. Buying option is a much easier option. One can feel and see the solution. One can make sure that he has got everything in the product he needs. Also, he can be rest assured that the company has the required functional, technical and support expertise to support all of his needs. Finally, look at the company that’s behind your eCommerce solution (www.ritecart.co.uk). What have they done in the past? Are they a growing enterprise, likely to continually make improvements to their firm, and pass on those benefits to you? When considering a package, make sure that the company you are dealing with is credible, with a solid reputation to back up any claims. See where your customer and technical support will come from. Is it in-house or out-sourced? Do they have a solid, supportive community in the form of a forum, blog, or network of satisfied eCommerce businesses (www.ritecart.co.uk)? Examine the philosophy behind the company. Ask for references or email others, who’ve used their services in the past, and see what they have to say about the different aspects of the company you may be working with. These are the people who are going to help you build your business and make it a success; so choose wisely. Ritecart product (www.ritecart.co.uk) is sold in two flavors (Lite & enterprise). If you are looking for ecommerce software, Please request for a quotation from our Sales team. We have got the right product for you tagged with the right price!!! Author is working as a Senior Retail Analyst with Palindrome Software Labs (www.palindromesoftware.com).

weight gain during year 3 is very common - with or without PCOS. Some people have had luck with Weight Watchers, intermittent fasting, or Keto. Some just go back to what they were doing in year 1 - not all the way back to protein shakes and purees, but the whole protein first, then non-starchy vegetables, and maybe an occasional serving of fruit or whole-grain carb. If you do the latter, start tracking (if you're not doing it anymore) to see where you're averaging calorie-wise, and then start cutting back from that. I find that easier to do if I cut 100 calories at a time rather some drastic cut. different methods work for different people - so just find one that works for you. You CAN lose regain - although it's much slower and harder than it was when you were in weight loss mode.

I had my surgery 2/26 and was 305 I had lost 38 pounds on my Pre op diet and as of today I am 252. I have gone from 26/28 to size 18 and they are getting loose. I am eating 600-700 calories a day, getting 70-80 gr protein and about 64 oz fluids. I need to exercise more.. But my hubby and I have started a long walk every evening. My concern is that every time I meet with the surgeon he seems disappointed, he says I am ok but I just feel like I am not doing as well as I should be. I have to meet with the NUT and physical therapy again next week. I am really nervous about it as it gets closer, I have never had a good feeling with the NUT but going to her is a requirement of my program. I am striving to reach my goal of 180 I know I still have a long way to go. Does it sound like I am on track? Looking for feedback so I can mentally prepare for next weeks appt. Thanks in advance!

well, it seems like the other poster is correct, you do not seem to be eating much. but you are wrong. (you are not an idiot). you are a very smart lady and gorgeous to boot. you have to eat to lose weight, the same as you gained it. you just need to eat lean proteins/fruits and veggies. sure protein shakes are okay but you cant live on them. protein has to be 65+ or more a day. you need to get this in order to (lose weight) from what i am understanding. have you seen your nutritionist at all? please do not get rattled at all of this. you are still early on in this process. i think you are doing well. you are you and that is what is important. i dont have any fills so i cannot speak to if you are too tight or not, but you def need to find out if you are (can you drink, can you eat etc). i wish you all the best and sorry you are having this issue.

Thank you Berry78 for your encouraging words. I know I shouldn't be ashamed, after all I'm taking steps to improve my life and my health and my kids are a major motivator for the surgery. Obviously everyone can see I'm fat, but I've kept the battle internal all these years. I didn't let on that my weight bothered me or how much it is holding me back. So, coming out and telling my kids... and thus, everyone! Family, friends, other parents at the kids school, coworkers... makes me feel really vulnerable. I'm thinking an after the fact announcement might be the way to go. Then I don't have to hear the nay sayers and let them rattle my nerves pre-op, but the truth is out there! Our surgery dates are really close. I'm March 16. I've been taking my vitamins and am doing shooting for a big Protein, low carb prep until the pre-op officially starts two week prior to surgery. It's been going well! Down 10 lbs in just under 3 weeks How are you doing??

Does your surgeon know the budget you have to work with?? My bariatric center stressed the cost of what I would need to make sure I was prepared for the expense this journey would be. It is not possible to get your Protein and Vitamin needs met on a Ramen noodle budget. Even though my food intake has went down tremendously my grocery bill has still went up significantly! Unfortunately it is expensive to eat healthy. And quality shakes and Vitamins are costly. I hope you are prepared for this! Sent from my SM-G930R4 using the BariatricPal App

My small work group was my second family and I knew there was NO way I could deny what I was doing, and didn't want to. We didn't all work the same days and only worked together on Fridays, so to save myself a LOT of talking and them a LOT of questions, I wrote them a letter! I highlighted my years-long struggle which they'd all been aware of, my reasons for doing it, what I was having done exactly, and what the first few weeks after would be like, then left a copy on everyone's desk. They were all SUPER-supportive and excited for me. I did tell them that I didn't want to advertise it to all our patients, and asked them not to mention it openly in the gym area, and they were great about that. I had the VSG and scheduled two weeks off with the option for a third, but ended up going back for two half-days 10 days in because I felt great and was SO BORED. With the RNY being a much more extensive surgery, you'd probably want a little more than that, depending on what your job isl

1. I took off 3 weeks. I had planned on 5 but I went back early because I was ready to be back in my routine. I have a very flexible desk job so my first week back I did work shorter days and I worked from home a few days here and there for several weeks. I felt totally fine physically but mentally I was exhausted for about 5-6 weeks. My job is also one where I'm in meetings for most of my day and so figuring out how to get in water, vitamins, and protein did take some work. 2. I told my boss I was having surgery. I told my HR department that I was having major abdominal surgery - and that's how my surgeon fills out the medical leave/FMLA paperwork. 3. I told my co-workers that I was having major surgery. If anyone tried to pry further I told them crazy stories like a lobotomy, boob job, or having my parasitic twin removed. I only had one person really pushing to know and I finally just said it was private and walked away. I will say that after surgery when I started to have noticeable weight loss I did end up telling more people. I just play it by ear and if it's a situation and person I feel comfortable telling then I do. But, I frequently just say I've lost weight through 'diet and exercise' which is true - I just have an extra tool to help me on the diet side of things.

I am almost three months and I still cannot get either goal. My nut says thats ok for now and to focus on the Water. But it does help to get one shake (4-6 oz) in a day, and to get some Protein that mixes with water, like the Syntax nectar. It will get better and I am noticing I am able to take in more liquid than before. Just keep at it the best you can.