JustDoIt130

Oh, good question! I started pre-surgery at 284, now 2 weeks today post op I am at 268.5 (I can't tell you how long it's been since I've seen this decade!). I want to lose 50 lbs by my birthday in July. Of course, that may be unrealistic, but I only have 34 more lbs to meet that goal and 4.5 months to do it, so maybe! Then I would want to be below 200. Hm, I should probably set some interim goals, I do want some small rewards along the way!!

You also might try a chocolate Protein shake in the morning- the one from unjury- chocolate splendor- tastes like chocolate milk. I just mix it with skim milk and then Breakfast is 186 calories with 28 g protein right off the bat. Good luck!

Also be careful, I think our bodies can only process 20-25 g of Protein at a time, so if you ingest more in one sitting it really is wasted. I love the unjury shakes. I ordered their sample pack- chocolate splendor, vanilla, strawberry, unflavored, and chicken broth. I then ordered more of the chocolate, vanilla and unflavored- and I will probably get the chicken broth (it was good, a lot like lipton cup of soup). It does come down to personal taste. And try to buy from Wal_mart or GNC- somewhere with a liberal return policy. I tried something from walmart that was so gross- but even opened and 2 scoops out of it they took it back without a receipt! (I got a walmart card for it, not cash, but I spend a lot there so it was great!) Hope this helps.

maybe some splenda for sweetness, or the sugar free jams would be good mixed in, kind of like the fruit on the bottom.

Wow, Jachut, that is exactly how I felt!! Now, I have done this somewhat drastic thing and I'm not going to fail at it! I can lose slowly, I can have plateaus, but I am not in this to be average. Before, I would gorge and think, "I'll start my diet tomorrow." Now, it's tomorrow and I will make it happen! And that's why, even though it was hard, I was glad for the 6 months it took to do the approval, because I was able to deal with some things and really commit. I know I'm not done with dealing with my issues, but I went into this with my eyes open, knowing it was not a magic bullet (but I have nicknamed my band magic, LOL). Like my 17 year old says, make your haters your motivators.

And the slower you lose- 1-2 lbs a week as stated- the better your skin will look- it will have time to catch up to your weight loss. You're doing great, keep up the good work!!!!!

make sure you take calcium citrate, it's easier to absorb- I do the citrical gummies ( you can take them post-band because they're chewable). Good luck!!!!!

I did, the night before my surgery I had a small steak and some steamed cauliflower. It's not like it will undo all the other work you've done to shrink your liver, and you're right, just the chewing is so nice . I say go for it, keep it small, and enjoy!

down 1 lb this week.

I use the unjury- it is low in carbs. SHirley is right, some Protein is more for bulking up by body builders. I absolutely cannot stand the chocolate muscle milk, I threw it out- but maybe I should give other flavors a try. My Dr said to go with ones that had less than 5 g sugar. The unjury is medical quality whey protein isolate (I think this is it, don't have the canister wtih me), very low sugar. You can order a sample pack with unflavored, chicken broth, chocolate, vanilla and strawberry. So far it's my favorite. I know GNC has a pretty good return policy. I use an immersion blender in the morning, it's quick and easy to rinse! And good for so many other things- but i'm going to look into that blender ball for on the go and at work.

Hi Armymom, I'll be 2 weeks on Thursday- and I feel great! I'm down about 16 lbs so far- and I still consider it doing it on my own- I know just how difficult this is, not for the faint of heart, so don't discount your own hard work!!! It is a new start to a better life, and 20 lbs lost is fabulous!!

Yah, why so long? That really sux! I wanted to throw up just at the thought of more chicken broth, LOL

I am sorry for what you've been going through! Don't be bummed, you're down 18 lbs even with 0 activity for that long! Just get back on track (follow your doc's orders, of course), and you will start losing again. You're doing great, you're going to keep doing great!!!

My surgeon used super glue too. I have 4- one big one by my belly button and 3 others- one to hold up my liver, one for the camera and one for the instruments. I think they'll fade, and like someone else said, my stretch marks are worse

Armymom, I'm with u, about 10 days out and feeling pretty dang good. Re fatigue, its probably because you're not getting enough Protein, which is hard with liquids. When u add in more protein you'll feel more energy.

I really like the Unjury chocolate splendor shake stuff, it tastes like chocolate milk. I haven't tried doctoring it up or whipping it up with ice into a shake, but that would probably be good too.

Happy birthday, and congratulations on a great day even without all the food! It can be done!!

I think this is what bandster hell is- if you have restriction, you can eat a couple bites and be done, but while you're healing, before the green zone, it is hard. Can you have just one? If you can, tell yourself this is the only one you can have, savor it and eat slowly, and then be done. If not, then just don't start- tell yourself you can always have it later if you really want it. Write in your journal, go for a walk, drink (sometimes that helps), and just be strong- you've lost 24 lbs already! It's not worth undoing all that work. Just one won't undo it, just a dozen will . Good luck! I know how you feel, I've been hungry!!!

I wouldn't worry too much about it presenting as chest pains - often it settles in the chest cavity or left shoulder- it is painful, but walking, trying to release gas (ie, fart, LOL) and the heating pad should help- and DO take the pain pills. Don't be a hero! Good luck.

This is good advice. Someone said- I wish I remember who- said something to this effect- you don't have to follow all the rules all the time, just most of the rules most of the time. This is a lifestyle change- and a physical change. I know that even if I choose to eat cake, I won't eat nearly the amount I once did, because (eventually) I'll be in the green zone and I'll be full. And I think that's great! I'm not looking to deprive. I'm looking to be healthy, to lose weight and to keep it off- with portion control, and being aware of what I eat. I know it's not magic, I know I have work to do, but I also know that once I do the work, it will stay done! LOL

Ok girls, on this drinking/liquids thing- I have read a few bandsters who say they can only have 4-6 oz at a time, but I'm having no problems at all with 16 oz- I had that for lunch (cream of chicken soup). In fact, I had my 8 oz shake for breakfast, then my mid morning yogurt- almost 6 oz (didn't finish), then my 16 oz soup about an hour later. I'm kind of hungry now, even. Now, I know there's not much restriction now, but does this seem normal to you girls???

I think it's whatever works for you and that you see as something sustainable. I do think that lower carbs is the way to ose weight, but it's not feasible to avoid all carbs.

Oh, you both should also post on the January band thread that is also in the introductions section! We're all banded in the same month! (hence the name of January...you get the idea )

Hi Charity- I just asked my doctor at my post op visit yesterday, and he said it was totally normal. I guess with all the rummaging around they do, it's going to ache a bit for awhile. Totally normal! I'm 6 days post-op. Yay for us

I say do it. You're self pay so you don't have to have insurance approval (but you might try insurance, then save some of the bonus for clothes later, LOL- with a lower BMI your insurance may requrie co-morbidities such as sleep apnea, diabetes, etc) It isn't easy- I'm just newly banded, and it has not been hard yet, but I can't eat real food yet! Just dont' go in thinking it is a magic bullet- you still watch what you eat, need to exercise, etc- it's not like you wake up thin. There can be complications (that's why I liked lap band, with complications it can be removed if necessary). Just go into it with your eyes opened and willing to do the work. It sounds like you'd be a great candidate- and wouldn't it be nice to diet, have the weight come off- and have it STAY off. As to the lifting, I was told nothing over 15 lbs for 2 weeks. I guess it varies, LOL.