Corrigan

I was told by my nutritionist that we weren't to eat popcorn, but my binder says that air popped is OK. I have a big, almost professional machine and my grandkids made a big batch which I ate about half of with no ill effects. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone else, but it worked for me, just watch the calories.

Way to go girl! Give him my best. Let me know how it turns out.

One problem that some people on liquid diets seem to be having is low blood sugar. The symptoms that might indicate hypoglycemia are shaking,sweating, light headedness and hunger. To cure these, any glucose source such as fruit juice, table sugar or even a piece of bread. To find more information check Google or any search engine.

There have been a number of people here who have reported that they are shaky sweating, and lightheaded. Any diabetic can tell you that these are the classic symptoms of low blood sugar. It seems to be fairly common with the pre and postop liquid diets. Most diabetics know that glucose will end those symptoms fruit juice, table sugar or even a piece of bread will help. There's nothing wrong with these diets and we'll all get used to lower blood sugar levels in a short while, we just need to be aware of what's going on. Mine was 150 to 200, now with 50 lbs lost, it's 80 to 100 and I feel fine. Low blood sugar can be dangerous if it's allowed to get too low.

The surgery you're so concerned about is the very easiest part of the whole trip. You show up and they do the rest. I can't tell you how your recovery will be, mine was uneventful, no pain, very easy. If you can get things on line, you can get everything you need. Amazon has every thing you'll want. costco also sells Protein powder on line. You're making this much more difficult than it has to be. Probably the most important part of the whole thing is a good surgeon and good pre and post op education and support. As far as medical support, the band is the simplest and safest form of WLS, I can't imagine you are anywhere that any unlikely problems you might encounter can't be taken care of. With that I wish you a successful journey.

I'm actually a pretty good cook and I was certainly a good eater. I made beer for 25 years, made what I thought was excellent bread, we made most of our ham and sausage, etc. I gave it all up to get rid of a serious case of diabetes and to do that I needed to lose 100 lbs. I'm half-way there and will have lost it all by summer. All this is on the band and I still have all of my stomach, just in case. Things are beginning to change for me, I'm not as interested in eating, don't care to go out as much, I can look a pizza straight in the eye and not waver. I haven't had a beer in a month although I have 20 gal. in my tapper. Now if I can do all that, you can too. I won't tell you what WLS to have (although the band is safer and just as effective), You make up your own mind. Whatever you do, good luck

I'm not quite sure of the object of this post. There are people on this site that have lost over 200 lbs on the band and still have their stomachs.

As I understand it, when your band slips you have severe pain and are unable to eat or drink anything. If you have any of these symptoms, you should contact your doctor immediately. You didn't mention just what problems you are having so we're unable to give any nonprofessional advice, other than good luck.

This comes up quite often. Make sure you're drinking at least 64 oz of water and try some warm prune juice in the morning. It's probably best to stay away from chemical laxatives for a few weeks. Hydrocodone causes constipation

Hi yourself.

My only suggestion at this point would be to call a Bariatric Center of Excellence and see what you think of their program. I don't know of anyone who wasn't happy with their treatment and care at one. There are six in the city, find the one closest to you, you'll have to make six or eight visits, but I guarantee it'll be worth it. I had my surgery at Cedars-Sinai in LA and had absolutely no problems, even walked two miles the day after. Best of luck to you, and welcome to the group.

Same here, I was on 3 shots and 4 pills a day, now I'm down to 1 small shot and could probably do without it (security blanket). Aint it great?

Dawn, I've been banded for 3 months and haven't had a fill yet, and no hunger. Some folks go for years without a fill. I've asked and none seems to know why the difference, but I'll take it. In your case as has been stated already, you're healing and will be for six weeks. You're really lucky you don't have any hunger. Most postop people complain mightily about starving. Hope your hunger stays away.

The best thing you can do is walk walk walk, some folks say windmilling your arms helps (you probably should do that in the privacy of your home). It will go away in a few days.

It sounds like just where you want to be. Your weight loss is good, and you're not supposed to drink while you eat, or am I coming in the middle of another post?

I don't know if this is a legitimate post or not, but as with plastic surgeons, weight loss surgeons are not all created equal. Some are a great deal better than others. In my opinion, anyone contemplating WLS in other than a Center of Excellence is taking a great chance with their future. Of course there are excellent surgeons that are not CoEs, but which ones? Anyone who undergoes WLS without doing adequate research is just jumping in the pool without checking if there's any water. How in the world would anyone allow a surgeon, advertising on a billboard, to operate on them without a thorough investigation? Is there any wonder why these surgeries fail? No pre or post op care? Come on.

It's kind of old fashioned, but bicarbonate of soda before your drink may help, if you can get past the taste.

Good luck, Amanda!

How about settimg your weight goal at 150?

Welcome, you'll find this a friendly, helpful group. As far as the liquid diet, it's only as bad as you make it. This surgery is to lose weight and to do that you have to reduce your calories. There are a few weeks that the liquid diet is necessary, but with a little ingenuity it really isn't that bad. Most of the folks that are in the program don't have too much of a problem with it, I hope you don't.

I'll be brutely honest, If you can't lose 11 lbs in one year, I wonder if the band is going to do you any good. There is a lot of sacrifice and deprivation involved. Will power is probably the most valuable asset in a successful bander. The band, by itself, won't cause you to lose one pound. This is like a diet with a little help. I'm not trying to be cruel, just honest. Talk to a respectable weight loss doctor and get some guidelines to see if there isn't something you can do. At this time the band probably isn't it.

Pizza, pigs feet an cheap beer sausages.

All I could suggest is to check their reputation as carefully as you can. Life has been made quite miserable for some people by WLS clinics that were less than fully qualified. The fluoroscope is a good sign. Take a look at the "5 day pouch test". A number of people have used it with excellent results. Look in the search section of this site or on Google. I hope it works for you.

Welcome, one of the last words in your intro is the key to successful weight loss......... Commitment. It takes some work and a bit of deprivation, but if you're committed, you'll lose. Best of luck.

If you can wait 3 more days, in the foods section there is a recipe for potato soup that uses instant mashed potatos, dried garlic and onion and some other stuff, that's really good. It is posted as instant, but I cook it for 5-8 minutes. Costco has chicken bullion that works well with protein isolate (look on line or in a health food store), and helped me through the liquid stage. There's nothing easy about this, but I don't know any other way. Popsicles and fudgecicles are a help, but I'm afraid the only way is to keep busy and grit your teeth a lot. Best of luck.