Jenn1214

I am interested in trying Unjury protein powder, but can it be mixed with water instead of milk?

Every surgeon is different. Mine doesn't want me to have anything carbonated ever (including beer), but my fiance's surgeon says once in a while is OK. The carbonation has the potential to stretch your pouch and make you feel uncomfortable, so you would have to see how you feel. Everyone reacts to the band differently.

I know it's far too early to even be thinking about this, but I know I will need a breast lift and possibly implants after I reach my goal weight. Has anyone in my area had this procedure? Can you recommend your surgeon? How were the results? Thanks in advance!

I average between 60-70g per day

I felt the same way right after surgery. After drinking my umpteenth protein shake while watching everyone around me eat, I wondered if I would ever enjoy food again. I worried that I wouldn't be able to eat my favorite foods again. I definitely felt a loss in my life, because food was such a big part of it for so long. It was there for me in good times and in bad, to comfort me. And to make me feel guilty afterwards. Four weeks later, I've begun to come to terms with my new lifestyle. I can still enjoy food, just not in the massive quantities that I used to. Once I get my first fill I know there will probably be things I can't eat or that don't agree with me. I think this will be a lifelong learning process and I'll just have to take it one day at a time. The biggest thing for me is learning that I need to eat to live, not the other way around. Slowly but surely I'm getting there. You will too!

Where on LI are you? If you aren't too far from Syosset try setting a consultation with Dr. Geiss. He was my surgeon and I'm pretty happy so far. They have a great team and lots of support groups every month. They even have ones for people who haven't been banded yet that you can go to and learn about the process. You may be able to get the surgery even if your BMI is under 40 because you have some comorbid conditions. Good luck!

I've lost a two year old! Still have to lose the fats and oils the average American eats in a year and then I'll be up to newborn calf!

13 pounds in a month is pretty awesome in my opinion! Sounds like you're doing all the right things and your body is adjusting to your new healthy lifestyle. Don't get discouraged. I know it's disappointing when the number on the scale stays the same, but the weight will eventually come off. Keep up the good work!

Another good thing about the liquid diet besides making sure your liver is a workable size is it helps you start losing weight. Not a bad perk in my opinion!

I felt the same way after I was banded. I am definitely a food addict and an emotional eater, and the psychiatrist I met with before hand confirmed this. Today something interesting happened though...I was fixing my plate for my first solid food dinner and I found myself thinking "This is so much food!" I didn't finish everything because it felt like too much and I was satisfied anyway. I feel like having the lap band has almost "reprogrammed" my perception of what normal portions are and what hunger is. I used to live to eat, but now I eat to live.

I'm a little confused about when I have to take medicine with food. Should I take the pills first and then eat, or the other way around?

I'm having scale issues. I weigh myself in one spot and then if I move the scale a couple of inches and weigh myself again, it's a 4 lb difference! How do I know which weight is correct?

It's been a long time coming...I start solid foods tomorrow! As happy as I am to start eating like a normal (banded) person, I must admit I'm also pretty nervous. Eating regular food is what got my in trouble in the first place with my weight. I also worry that some of my favorite foods may not agree with my band, but if they don't it's something I'll just have to learn to live with. This is where the real journey starts!

I had the same feelings after I was banded. I was majorly depressed and wondering what the heck I did to myself. The worst was watching other people eat in front of me. I was constantly on the verge of tears. Now that I'm getting to solids and I watch how fast everybody eats, I am frankly amazed that I used to be able to eat like that! It takes me about three times as long to eat a quarter of what they are eating. A month post op, I am starting to care about food less and less. I usually only think about it when my stomach starts to growl or I know it's time for me to eat. Before the surgery I thought about food 24/7. Often I was thinking about my next meal while eating the current one! The band has definitely changed my relationship with food for the better, and I can honestly say I'm starting not to miss food. I never thought I would ever be able to say that!

The two week post op period was extremely difficult for me. I had to fight almost every second not to go insane from lack of food, but I stuck religiously to my diet and I feel that I'm a stronger person for it. Anyone who says that WLS is the "easy way out" is full of crap! There is nothing easy about this process, but nothing easy is worth doing right?

I know someone like that. He lost a lot at first but eventually stopped. Now he does nothing but complain how he throws up all the time and doesn't lose weight. It's because he takes huge bites, doesn't chew enough, eats all the wrong foods, and his fill is way too tight. He never goes back to the doctor for fills and his band has probably slipped by now because he throws up constantly. The worst of it is that he tried to discourage me from having the surgery, telling me "Oh you'll throw up every night" and "You'll never be able to eat (insert food here) again!". Needless to say I didn't listen. I didn't go through all this to fail now!

1. My engagement ring is much looser whereas it almost cut off my circulation before. 2. I can buckle my watch one notch tighter. 3. Jeans that used to be tight now button with ease. 4. I've kicked my coffee habit and don't even miss it! 5. GYN says my PCOS is clearing up with no meds! 6. No more heartburn! NSVs are the best!

I would ask your surgeon how they feel about carbonation after surgery. My surgeon says no way no how, my fiance's surgeon says once in a while is ok. You probably will get drunk faster since you can't have liquids after meals and there won't be anything in your stomach to absorb the alcohol. You probably won't be able to drink the way you used to, but see how you feel. Take it slow at first. My doc says no booze til 6 weeks post op, but every surgeon is different.

My doctor said I can swallow pills as long as I don't take a whole handful at once. Some docs say not to swallow anything larger than a regular size aspirin tablet. I'm still too chicken to try, but I have no choice now because I have a sinus infection and I have to get antibiotics...yay. As for vitamins, I take a chewable brand called Vitaband that isn't too bad.

Rock on! Great job!

I had the same feeling recently (I'm only a month postop though). I lost 20 pounds and was feeling pretty good about myself, but then I saw some pictures of myself at my sister in law's bridal shower and I was like "ew, I'm still gross". I just reminded myself that I didn't put this weight on overnight, and it's not going to come off overnight. I'm doing the right thing for myself now and that's what I'm going to focus on. Maybe I'll never be happy with the way I look, but my health is more important. Congratulations on your 35 pound weight loss...that is definitely something to celebrate! You are doing awesome, so give yourself a break!

I can understand that people are very terrified of anesthesia because they aren't in control of what happens to them. It's an odd feeling waking up and not remembering anything! Here was my experience: I received some Versed in my IV in the pre op area (it has sedative and amnesic properties) to relax me. I was wheeled into the OR and asked to slide over on the table. By that time I was feeling pretty loopy and not completely aware of my surroundings. A mask was placed over my face and I was asked to breathe deeply (it was just oxygen) and a white medications called Propofol was put into my IV. This is commonly used to induce anesthesia so you won't be aware of being intubated. This does tend to burn especially if you have small veins like me but once you feel it, you will be asleep in seconds. The last thing I remember is telling the anesthesiologist about a cruise I just took in February (instead of asking you to count backwards they usually ask you to "pick a vacation spot" so you will have happy thoughts while you're going under) and bam! I was out and remembered nothing until I woke up in the PACU an hour later. Your vision might be blurry because they usually put some ointment in your eyes to keep them moist and protect them while you're asleep. This will go away in an hour or so. You really should try your hardest to quit smoking. Not only does it prevent possible complications during and after surgery, it's better for your health overall. You don't want to get the Lap Band and lose all the weight but keep smoking right? Be the healthiest you can be! Good luck, and don't be scared!

On Monday it will be three weeks since my surgery. It hasn't been easy but I've made it this far, which feels like a great accomplishment. The first two weeks were hell on Earth and I seriously considered at one point going back to the surgeon and tell him I made a huge mistake. I cried a few times when I had to drink protein shakes while everyone around me was enjoying their meal. Every day felt like an eternity of misery that would never end. When you're as addict to food as I am, it's pretty rough without it.<div> But I made it. Somehow, by sheer force of will, I made it. Now I'm in the soft food phase at last and I'm starting to get my rhythm. Staying hydrated, making good food choices, trying to move my butt a few times a week (working up to every day) and realizing that food is starting to relax its grip on me. I'm starting to learn that I need to eat to live, not the other way around. The only way to go now is forward. I can't guarantee I won't screw up once in a while, but I have to forgive myself and move on. I'm only human after all. Well, more of a bionic human now I guess. Me and Bandy against the world!</div>

I've just started to work out somewhat consistently, but I'm not sure if I should eat breakfast before I exercise or wait until after. I always drink water beforehand but I'm not sure about food.

I know I have a food scale somewhere but I can't dig through my garage at the moment to look for it. What's the average number of slices of deli meat (in this case chicken) in 1 oz? I know it depends on a lot of factors but I just want to estimate for now.