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Getting ready to be banded in September



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hi all,

I am in the process of of getting the Lap Band - should be able to get it in September.

i have gone through all the pros and cons of the surgery from countless people and the net. All the naysayers are people who were always thin and never struggles with weight loss.

I am looking for any tips or advice you can give about the process. I would like to start purchasing the liquids/protein/ soups/ soft food... that I will need pre & post surgery. Does anyone have a list of things to get to stock a pantry in preparation of the surgery.... and any kitchen products that might be needed.

Any advice on the liquid phase- both pre and post surgery. I've found some websites that have Protein Powder recipes.... would anyone be willing to share their favorite recipes?

How about the mushy/ soft food phase any tips/ recipes?

THANK YOU all for any responses

I am not sure if I can post my email in a posting.... but my username at Gmail dot com is my e-mail

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Hi there! I was banded in December 2016, and so far so good! (84 lbs down to date)

I did not go the route of Protein powders, and instead relied on Premier Protein shakes (from Costco). They are 30 gm of protein in each shake and taste pretty good compared to some of the others I tried.

During the soft food phase, I ate lots of Beans (refried, etc...) as the taste of "pureed meat" was less than satisfying. They were soft, filling and provided a decent amount of protein. (Note: I understand that some banders do/did not tolerate beans well, but I was just fine.)

I can't stress enough how important a good Vitamin regimen is. I didn't do well with that piece when I started out and started to have some significant Hair loss. Everything's good now that I'm taking the right Vitamins (a bariatric supplement regimen recommended by my doctor and dietician), but the first time I showered and had a fist full of hair fall out I was horrified!

The biggest tip I can give you is to make sure that you remember that the band is a tool and not a miracle worker. Use this first year with the band to reevaluate your relationship with food and what you want to put in your body going forward. Eventually, you'll get to the point where you can eat just about anything again - prepare yourself for that! I consistently remind myself that I eat for nutrition, and to make sure that I'm putting the best things into my body that I can.

Good luck!!!

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I was banded in 2009. I've lost 120 pounds and have kept about 110 off. When I was banded it took 8 month before my doctor got me to a fill that actually restricted anything and a few more fills after that to get me to my sweet spot. That first 8 months was difficult because unlike gastric bypass, I wasn't losing weight quickly.

if I had advice I'd say "eat slowly." Every time I ate too fast I'd fill my stomach too quickly and end up getting sick. It takes time to find out what foods will work for you post op. I avoid beef products because they don't break down enough to go through my hole, but chicken and fish are fine. Also be very careful about following that "don't drink while eating" rule. Fluids with food can either push food painfully through or make you puke.

I'll admit I eat more junk food than I should. like the other poster said- this is a tool, it will limit how much you can eat, if you follow the rules properly, but it's not going to stop your emotional eating cravings.

Good luck to you! Stay positive and remember the non-scale reasons you want to do this too, whether it's to fit better in chairs or not die going up stairs, it's not all about scale weight.

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    • Prdgrdma

      So I guess after gastric bypass surgery, I cant eat flock chips because they are fried???  They sell them on here so I thought I could have them. So high in protein and no carbs.  They don't bother me at all.  Help. 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        It's possible for a very high fat meal to cause dumping in some (30% or so) gastric bypass patients, although it's more likely to be triggered by high sugar, or by the high fat/high sugar combo (think ice cream, donuts). Dietitians will tell you to never do anything that isn't 100% healthy ever again. Realistically, you should aim for a good balance of protein, carbs, and fat each day. Should you eat fried foods every day? No. Is it possible they will make you sick? Maybe. Is it okay to eat some to see what happens and have them for a treat every now and again? Yes.

    • NovelTee

      I'm not at all hungry on this liquid pre-op diet, but I miss the sensation of chewing. It's been about two weeks––surgery is in two days––and I can't imagine how I'll feel a couple of weeks post-op. Tonight, I randomly stumbled upon a mukbang channel on YouTube, and it was strangely soothing... is it just me, or is this a thing? 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        I actually watched cooking shows during my pre-op, like Great British Baking Show. It was a little bizarre, but didn't make me hungry. I think it was also soothing in a way.

    • Clueless_girl

      How do you figure out what your ideal weight should be? I've had a figure in my head for years, but after 3 mths of recovery I'm already almost there. So maybe my goal should be lower?
      · 3 replies
      1. NickelChip

        Well, there is actually a formula for "Ideal Body Weight" and you can use a calculator to figure it out for you. This one also does an adjusted weight for a person who starts out overweight or obese. https://www.mdcalc.com/calc/68/ideal-body-weight-adjusted-body-weight

        I would use that as a starting point, and then just see how you feel as you lose. How you look and feel is more important than a number.

      2. Clueless_girl

        I did find different calculators but I couldn't find any that accounted for body frame. But you're right, it is just a number. It was just disheartening to see that although I lost 60% of my excess weight, it's still not in the "normal/healthy" range..

      3. NickelChip

        I think it's important to remember that the weight charts and BMI ranges were developed a very long time ago and only intended to be applied to people who have never been overweight or obese. Those numbers aren't for us. When you are larger, especially for a long time, your body develops extra bone to support the weight. Your organs get a little bigger to handle the extra mass. Your entire infrastructure increases so you can support and function with the extra weight. That doesn't all go away just because you burn off the excess fat. If you still had a pair of jeans from your skinniest point in life and then lost weight to get to the exact number on the scale you were when those jeans fit you, chances are they would be a little baggy now because you would actually be thinner than you were, even though the scale and the BMI chart disagree. When in doubt, listen to the jeans, not the scale!

    • Aunty Mamo

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      I'm in day three of the "puree" stage of eating and despite the strange textures, all of the savory flavors seem decadent. 
      I timed this surgery so that I'd be recovering during my spring break. That was a good plan. Today is a state holiday and the final day of break. I feel really strong to return to school tomorrow. 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Now that I'm in maintenance mode, I'm getting a into a routine for my meals. Every day, I start out with 8-16 ounces of water, and then a proffee, which I have come to look forward to even the night before. My proffees are simply a black coffee with a protein powder added. There are three products that I cycle through: Premier Vanilla, Orgain Vanilla, and Dymatize Vanilla.
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      Breakfast and snacks have been the easiest to nail down. Lunch and dinner have more variables, and I prepare enough for leftovers. I concentrate on protein first, and then add vegetables. Typically tempeh, tofu, or Field Roast products with roasted or sautéed vegetables. Today, I will be eating leftovers from last night. Two ounces of tempeh with four ounces of roasted vegetables that consist of red and yellow sweet peppers, sweet potatoes, small purple potatoes, zucchini, and carrots. I will add a tablespoon of olive oil-based spread, break up 3 walnuts to sprinkle of top, and garnish with two tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese. This particular meal will be 19 grams of protein, 377 calories, and 28 grams of carbs. Bear in mind that I do eat more carbs when I am not working, and I focus on ingesting healthy carbs instead of breads/crackers/chips/crisps.
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      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
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