PattyGirl66

I am with the majority here, I want to live a very long healthy life. Many people don't know I am going to have this done except a few 'selected' friends and family members. I have over heard several people in passing about overweight people saying how we are taking the 'easy' route in having weight loss surgery, some comments such as "why don't they just get off their fat lazy asses and exercise and put the cake down". I know these people are simple minded individuals that really have no clue what struggles we endure on a daily basis. I have one hip replaced (total) and my other one is going. Simple things like walking without excruciating pain would make my life so much easier. The weight currently on my new hip scares me the most because I am still young, well for a hip replacement patient I am, and this new hip needs to last me a lifetime. I want a 'do over' I feel as if I cheated myself out of so much I could have done with my life. This I pray will give me that second chance I always wanted.

Okay, just wanted to share that I have been mixing Blue Diamond Almond vanilla Milk (unsweetened) with my Protein shakes and I have to admit that it is very good. It is certaintly more healthier, and you are getting healthy fat with no sugar! Check out the calorie contents http://www.fatsecret.com/calories-nutrition/blue-diamond/almond-breeze-original-unsweetened-non-dairy-beverage Enjoy!

I got lucky at shoprite yesterday and found it on sale for $1.99 for 32 ounces. I purchased 6 boxes for now. I am so glad i found this because it is healthier than skim milk, as you know skim milk as 12 grams of sugar per 8 ounces, and this had none! I rather have the good fat than the sugar. Sugar is very bad and turns into the worst fat. Like triyglicirides which is just or worse than having high cholesterol.

I am very over weight as well and was told I need to lose 30 pounds before surgery. I only have lost 15 so far. Last week my surgeon was pretty stern that I lose another 10 more pounds, I am feeling the stress more so now as this needs to be done by May 24th my next and last weigh in. But, from reading on this site I see many many individuals who are very over weight with high bmi and are doing tremendously well. This gives me very high hopes

I am not sure or even heard of this. However, like any thing you should always consult a doctor to make sure it doesn't conflict with any other medications you might be taking. Also, to make sure to check the side effects. Sometimes if we already have a disease of any kind, taking a supplement can do more harm then good. Always check with your doctor, that would be my first approach.

Good luck to you Sabrina! Keep us posted on your progress

Hi Alana, I am not banded yet but I have been reading several posts about what you are describing and everyones advice who has been banded states you should always go back to the basics of how you eat when you first got banded. Are you tracking your daily calories? I have downloaded an app onto my android phone called "lose it", I got it from another individual on this site, see you can learn so much just by coming here. Best of luck and keep us all posted

Best of luck! Keep us posted on your progress

Hi All, I am not banded yet (on my 6th month). I have been an avid reader here on this site and learned sooooo much about preparations before and after with all of your help. Since I am in my 'pre' preparation process, I am trying new and different protien powders/shakes/drinks/soups. I realized we will be drinking a lot of Protein Soups post-op and have been experimenting on this, thus let me tell you as a person who has 'controlled' high blood pressure, the sodium content is very HIGH! and the taste is super salty. I am not a person who loves to devour salt anyway and asked myself what can I do to perfect this so I can actually drink this and not have my blood pressure jump or my taste buds freak out! Here we go... I purchased a canister of the unjury "Unflavored" Protein powder and bought containers of chicken stock/broth "low sodium" at my supermarket. I then add a scoop of the UNJURY powder to a very small bowl and added 2 oz of WARM Water (if you boil it or have it to hot its going to clump). I mixed thoroughly with a fork. Heated up 6 ounces of my low sodium chicken broth and poured it into a cup. Now, you can experiment with this and add some seasoning like parsley, cilantro, etc. or buy Italian flavored low sodium chicken broth. Let me tell you it taste really good and I am not worried about all that salt and I really enjoyed this so much more. I hope this helps anyone out there

I am not banded yet but I am in preparation mode, LOL. I am trying every protein shake under the sun to see what I like and what is going to work for me. That includes the soups, clear powders, and shakes. I learned the hard way and spend $60 on a bag of banana flavored protein powder that I reallllllly hate. I found a protein shake on the walmart.com site called "Pure Protein" got the chocolate brand and absolutely love it! Only paid $17.88 for it. I purcahsed a few boxes of cream of brocoli protein soups from Biwise. I just keep testing to see what I like. Everyones taste is different, so you really need to keep sampling till you find something. Um, everyone says to stock up on sugar free jello, sugar free pudding, and sugar free popcicles. Oh, I purchased a 8 cup food processor from walmart.com, spent about $39 it works perfect, can't complain so far.... Best of luck!

I love this site, I am very greatful for the people I talk to and all of the information/insight I get from coming here. It truly helps.

Your an inspiration.... this gives everyone including me hope

I am in NJ and have UHC, I am in my 5th month in a 6 month process. Believe me its the longest 6 months ever and I know deep down it will be worth it. I just keep reminding myself to be patient it didn't get me this heavy overnight. Keep reading, this is the best site you will ever find over the internet for support ( you are going to need it). I have pretty much everything ready, including my shakes, Soups, etc. Looking into buying 'clear' Protein drinks because I really don't care for the chalky Protein Shakes, someone mentioned on here Protein blitz I will order a few to see if I like that. This is what you will be doing with your time. Searching, reading, and preparing for your big day. If everything goes okay my doctor told me yesterday I am looking at getting this done in May. (wheeew).. Best of luck to you all, keep us posted

I haven't been banded yet and can still hear how people talk about weight loss as if it is some sort of copout. They truly are uneducated about the procedure and are quick to say how people who choose weight loss surgery are lazy and don't want to 'work' hard at losing weight. I refuse to bunt heads with these types of people and if anyone ever addresses my weight loss in the future I will just smile and say.. why thank you, I have just cut back...heeeheeeeeee

LOLOLOL, that is funny! Yes, you need to buy some smaller panties girlfriend Thanks for sharing

That has to be a good feeling. I can't wait for the day I can walk without being in pain. Congratulations to you!

Dear Readytogoforit: I love reading your posts, you are such a pro and always there for all of us. I just want to personally thank you for being one of the best supportive people on the threads! -Patty

I am not banded yet but I am going through the process. I have to say for myself I am so happy to have found this site. I have read all about the good, bad, and the ugly. We should thank goodness we have this site here for all us who have been banded or maybe considering it. This site is just full of knowledge about the Lapband, the people here are extremely helpful in answering all of your questions, not to mention the friends we have met along the way.

You can do it!!! I can't wait to get the hell out of the 3's.....LOLOL One pound out a time, thats all we can do... Congrats on your success and to almost getting out of the 2's

I plan on swimming..Low impact and you move your entire body. You can check your local schools or your YWCA/YMCA. Works great with people who especially have arthritis (like me). they also offer swim areobics as well.

<---- waiting Patiently I might add, I know I shouldn't rush it because there is still many things I need to do before hand, but the waiting really bites! I have 3 more months and have done everything. Just purchasing and preparing myself, I guess that is all we can do for now. Thank goodness I found this site to read and write. I have learned so much here from all you nice people

Congratulations!!! You are amazing, you had your surgery done today and you took time to post! wayyyy to go, keep us updated on your progress and best of luck to you....

Just wondering..... are there any do's or don'ts to what you say to your Psychologist during evaluation before surgery? Has anyone 'failed'? What types of questions do they ask? All feedbacks are welcomed

woohooooooooooo gives us hope, I mean real hope!!!!

We should all write to him on the Lapband...