Just wanted to share this tidbit of really good info. I went in to sign my consents the other day and my Dr. told me that the lap band doesn't work for 10% of the people who get it. I was really shocked at that high of a percentage and I asked him why. His response to me was "ice cream". He told me that he has patients come in and tell him are drinking wine and eating ice cream, drinking lattes, etc. every day and they can't understand why they aren't loosing weight.

Don't go through all of this for nothing! Protien first, veggies second. Lets stay full and make this work for us! Its not a free pass to thin!

I agree that alot of the problems that people have stem from the fact that they are "eating around their band." The most common thing I've seen on the boards is people thinking it's ok to drink clear juices. You can get away with that when you are first banded because you simply cannot get alot of calories in and can't actually eat. Once you get to mushies, the juice needs to cut way back. It's FULL of sugars! Sure, they are "natural", but they are still calories.

Save your calories for those grams of Protein and non-starchy veggies.

I don't know about others but I didn't fall victim to ice cream until long after I got the band and began experiencing weight loss. When I look back to evaluate what I could have done differently.......when you need a fill....get a fill! My weight loss plataued, I wasn't going to the gym anymore, just lost all my Umph, etc...

I didnt gain anything back but they were bad habits I dont need! After my fill on the 16th, I haven't even thought about ice cream. :wink2:

Now lattes are another story! I will go an extra 30 minutes on the eliptical to keep those in my life, and I must have b/c I cont to loose weight and still enjoyed them while doing so! :thumbup:

Good Luck...you've got the right attitude! :thumbup:

Just because you can eat it does not mean you should!

Good advice! I have been surprised at some of the foods people are eating so soon after surgery.

Make sure you are tracking your daily calories and Protein, very important!

I was given a book by my surgeon which was written by Dr Paul O'brien, the pioneering surgeon of the lapband in Australia and who has been doing the surgery for 15 years.

The book is excellent about letting the reader know what foods they should eat. He said quite clearly that after the first two weeks post op (though I know other surgeons ask you to stay on liquids longer) you cannot go back to calorie containing liquids, even Optifast. As a result of the advice from the book, the only liquids I now drink are tea (no sugar or milk) and Water.

He also said that a lot of banders drink calorie-laden drinks to make themselves full (as it slips through the band easily) whereas the more 'hard' Proteins you eat, the fuller you stay, and for much longer. he defines 'hard' proteins as slow cooked meats, chicken thighs, fish.

So yeah, after your band has healed, don't drink anything that can slip through the band, because you're being counter-productive. I've heard of a bander who used to blend Mars bars in milk to drink so she could have her chocolate 'fix' , and after finally deciding to put the band in, I don't want to ever sabotage myself in that way!

Very interesting lellow. What is the name of the book? Do you know if I can I find it at Borders?

Great thread! I'm still on a liquid diet - I don't graduate to solid food until 1 month post-op (Sept. 6th). My doc gave me a suggested list of foods to eat at each stage - this has been extremely helpful.

I'm with you on the fruit juice issue - I never drink the stuff - even during the clear liquid stage. It's pure sugar.

I too read a great book pre-surgery that helped me quite a bit. It's written by a U.S. gastric band surgeon and one of his patients - what's interesting about the book is it also includes stories from band patients about various aspects of being banded. I got it through amazon.com:

Title: Weight-loss surgery with the adjustable gastric band: Everything you need to know before and after surgery to lose weight successfully.

Authors: RW Sewell and L Rohrbough

ISBN: 978-1-60094-002-6

Just because you can eat it does not mean you should!

Good advice! I have been surprised at some of the foods people are eating so soon after surgery.

Oh, gosh me too! I just want to shake them by the shoulders and say "WHY?" I think a lot of it is that so many people really don't understand what it is the Band does and how the restriction works. I don't see how you can have something so major done and not find out everything you can about it and have a clear understanding of how it works before hand.

When I was looking for a surgeon, I knew that I was going to need someone who would work with me after the surgery, who had a team approach with a Nutritionist and Counselor/Life Coach. The surgery is just a small part of being a bandster. It's the aftercare - and not just talking about fills here - that I think can make the difference between success and failure.

(lol Listen to me talking like an old-timer, and I'm not even at 3 weeks Banded yet :thumbup:)