I just have to let everyone know after 2 years of wanting the band soooo bad, and exactly 1 year of fighting with my insurance company I have decided its time to pay on my own and get this done!! My date is April 23rd with Dr. Kirshenbaum. I am flying from Wisconsin and I would love to here anybody's recommendations about this, as to what to take, or any info you can give me!! I am so nervous right now, but I am quitting smoking next Friday (I just started Chantix) I have never been on a plane before so this is a little jump for me but I am so happy Its finally going to happen!!

Dee gives great advice! I don't measure everything, but I do whip out the measuring cups if I'm unsure. Looks can be deceiving.

I must confess, I don't follow Pam's advice to the "t" either -- I only use the Protein shakes if I absolutely can't get anything else or don't have time (which on average works out to once or twice a week), and snacking is a rare event. I've found it's not that difficult to get in at least 60 g of protein a day eating solids, so why drink the shakes if I don't need them?

It is definitely a process and it takes awhile to change a lifetime of habits. But with perseverance, we'll all get there.

Thanks Green Sister!

I hesitated to post what I did. I don't want people to think it is okay to not follow Dr. K's NUT's instructions, BUT with that being said, I truly believe that Paula meant that we should drink the protein drinks between meals so that we got our protein in and we were still able to eat a variety of foods. In fact, that is exactly what she said when I spoke with her. I feel if I can eat my protein - in form of my solid food meals, it's best. I tried the drinks and it just didn't work for me. AND if I drink protein in place of meals, I end up really hungry in about 2 hours and then I'm searching for food. I've had to do that at work when I'm just crazy busy and not able to eat a sit down meal.

It's a tough call, but I believe you have to experiment with several different things and find the one that works for you. Our goals are all the same, to get our protein in, to lose weight and to feel satiated longer.

dee~