bandedme

Thanks Jenn! What's my secret? What's yours? You've lost more than me - at 58 pounds lost! GOOD FOR YOU!!! So if the hair loss is from surgery through the post-op diet phase of 6 weeks - I get that - but I'm 3 1/2 months out from surgery ----- when is this going to stop? Do you have the same problem? Thanks - Bandedme

Hi everyone! It's been a long time since I've been on the website - just been very busy - but I'm back! (wink) Hope everyone is doing well and continuing success with your bands! I can't complain - I'm down 51 pounds since banding 4/5/07 (yay!) I was at 262 - now 211! But, I have a question- is anyone having hair loss issues? My dr says it's due to protein deficiency, but I just cannot get 3 shakes in a day. I'm doing really good to have 2 but sometimes it's only 1. I am trying Nioxin (a special scalp treatment from Mitchell's) it does help only with the appearance of thinning hair, not with the prevention of losing it. I also started taking 2500mg of Biotin from GNC, but how long does this stuff take to take effect? I know my hair is thinning and it's really freaking me out! Help!? Anyone - advice please! Thanks! Bandedme 4/5/07 262/211/155

Does anyone have the same problem/issue as me? First, sorry for TMI, but please read and answer if you can help......Since starting all the protein intake, extremely low carbs, low fat, etc etc, I have noticed that BMs are not the normal easy-going thing. It's more like pebbles or clumps, and not every day. I know not every day BMs is normal with our "new" diet, but what about the fact that it's kinda hard, need to strain, and small amount? I thought about maybe trying to get in a lot more fiber but I don't know how to do that or if it would just bind me up more? Or maybe I should just start taking stool softeners? But can you take those forever? Not sure what to do, so I thought I'd turn to my shrinking violet banded friends. Can anyone help? Thanks! Bandedme 4/5/07 262/227/155

Hi all! Hope all is going very well for everyone! And Happy Mother's Day to all the moms!!!! It's been a couple of weeks since I've been on shrinking violets. I had over 10 pages to catch up on so I thought I'd skip forward and post and update, then go back and read! I have my first fill appointment this Friday! Very excited to weigh in at the dr's office - can't believe I'm actually EXCITED about a weigh in! NEVER been excited about getting on a scale before! LOL! I've lost 33 pounds so far! Started out at 262, was 252 at the pre-op weigh in, was 243 at 1 week post-op and today, I weighed myself at 229! It's so weird - I have to do a double-take with seeing the numbers go down. At first I was mad to see 229, because I thought I GAINED - but then it registered = 2 - 2- 9......WOW! Can't remember the last the time the scale was in the 220s for me! I've hung around 250+ for more than 10 years! Anyway - hope all is going well with everyone! Going very well here - I have tons of energy and am adapting the the new way of eating very well but don't get me wrong - I am SO glad the first 3+ weeks of the post-op diet are a distant memory! Now my favorite staple is homemade chicken salad! Yum! Anyone else not like the taste of breads anymore? So strange to me but bread is so tasteless to me. DH has an appt with my band doc on Wednesday - he's going for the initial consult. Have a GREAT week everyone! Take care- BTW = can someone please tell me how to make the weight loss ticker work on my posts? Thanks! Bandedme 262/229/150

Hi all! I am scheduled to be banded on 4/5/07. It was discovered during my upper GI series (for surgery clearance) that I have a stomach hernia. I didn't even know! I don't know what it is. Does it have to be repaired? How did I get it? My pre-op appt with my band dr isn't until 3/28/07 and I'm really curious about this. Does anyone know if this is likely to need to be repaired during the band surgery? Any longer or more difficult recovery with hernia repair? Thanks for listening! Any advice would be awesome! Bandedme (almost = 4/5/07)

GOOD LUCK TO ALL BEING BANDED TODAY!!!! I am 3 weeks out as of today! I'm down 28 pounds and I'm on the pureed stage now. Remember to walk, walk, walk!!!! It feels GREAT to get out and walk! And the more you lose the easier it is to actually DO IT!!!!! WE CAN DO THIS!!!! ....and together makes it a lot easier to do!!!!.... Bandedme 4/5/07 262/234/155

Hello - I would forget the Profect - it is nasty! I found an EXCELLENT Protein powder from Whole Foods. They have sample sizes so you can try it before spending the $$$ for the larger containers. It is made by BioChem and it is 100% Whey Protein Powder. It comes in a silver and blue container. It comes in chocolate fudge (my favorite) and vanilla- and other flavors are available online. The BEST thing about this one is that it mixes with just 6 ounces of skim milk (don't mix with Water - it's gross) but mixing with skim milk makes it taste a lot like chocolate milk. And it is only 6 ounces - VERY easy to drink and get in the 60g protein needed each day. It has 100 calories, 0g fat, 4g carbs and 20g protein per serving. I have tried many many many different Proteins and this is by FAR the best one. I recommend it to everyone. Bandedme 4/5/07 262/234/155

Hi everyone! WOW - lots of posts to get through since I was on last! So nice to have a very active blog! I was banded on April 5th and have lost 26 pounds so far! started at 262, was at 253 pre-op, and today 236 yay! I wanted to share something with everyone- I FINALLY FOUND AN AWESOME PROTEIN POWDER!!!! I was having a lot of trouble with getting 60g protein each day - in fact I wasn't even close!!! ...because I just could not drink as much as those shakes made up. Anyway - DH found a protein powder at Whole Foods. It is made by BioChem and it is Chocolate Fudge 100% pure whey. It is GREAT! And it mixes with only 6 ounces of skim milk or water with 2 scoops of the powder. I mix with skim milk. It is VERY EASY to get in the 60g protein each day with just 3 shakes that are 6 ounces each. Whole Foods has individual packets to try and 2 bigger sizes for more servings. I HIGHLY recommend this one. Also comes in Vanilla and several other flavors if you "google" it. Here's the nutritional info: per serving: 100 calories 0 fat 4g carbs 20g protein • 100% All Natural. • 100% Pure Ultra-Filtered/Micro-Filtered Whey Protein Isolate. • For Carb Conscious Dieters. • Low Sugar. • Lactose-Free. • Fat-Free. • No Saturated Fat. • No Cholesterol. • Mixes Instantly. Ingredients: Ultra-Filtered/Micro-Filtered (UF/MF) whey protein isolate, fructose, natural cream flavor, natural peach flavor, natural flavors, xanthan gum. (No yeast, wheat, gluten, preservatives, artificial color, artificial flavor or artificial sweeteners.) Before I found this protein, I was doing good to get maybe 20g protein in all day. Now it's very easy to get in all 60g protein that's needed. GOOD LUCK to all and take care! Bandedme 262/236/155

Thanks Kat! You are always a wonderful wealth of information!!!! Can the profect be mixed with juice or water? Would that help the taste? It's hard to get stuff down when you know you can only get a little bit down....and then to know it's nasty - ick! ...just makes it really hard to do, but I know it's necessary. Is there a protein you would recommend better? Thanks!!! Bandedme

Hi there! I was just banded last week on April 5th. I have a sample tube of the profect - blue raspberry to try. What is the best way to drink it? Straight, mixed with juice? Water? frozen? Can you freeze it to make it like a popsicle?? I want to try it but would like your "tried and true" suggestions first. I already tried a couple samples of chocolate Protein powders like Matrix 5.0 and another one I can't remember - they're "ok" nothing great - having just about 2 ounces of it was all I could handle and the thought of having to drink like 16+ oz of it a day just gags me. suggestions please? thanks!!!! Bandedme 4/5/07

Hi all! Does anyone know about Profect? The 2.9 ounce test tube looking protein drink - it has 25g protein, 0 carbs, 0 fat, and 100 calories? I ordered one to try - blue raspberry. It came today. I think this is the same stuff a woman at my support group meeting said she uses - but she freezes it to turn it into a popsicle. Does anyone know if you can do that? Does it effect the protein at all? Also - when does everyone do their protein? Does it give you tons of energy so better to not have it at night? Bandedme - day 6 YAY!!!

Phil and Schexy - I did not have a pre-op diet. My dr said the day before surgery I had an "optional" liquid diet -but get real - WHO is going to do that?! not me! ha! He said just no bindging. I think I luckily escaped the pre-op liquid diet because I was able to lose 9 pounds on my own before the surgery. That to my dr showed commitment and I didn't need th pre-op diet. BMI at surgery was 40.7, weight 253. At my first appt in January, BMI was 41.2 and weight 262. I think I was one of the lucky ones to not have the liquid diet BEFORE surgery. It is hard enough doing it now AFTER surgery! Today is day 6 and I'm still on clear liquids. It's getting really hard because my energy is totally zapped. I went for a long walk yesterday and that really kicked my butt - not during the walk - that felt GREAT! but afterwards I have not been able to keep my energy level up at all. It's like I'm tired but I don't want to sleep - just wiped out. Anyone know if the vitamin B 12 would be good to start now or should I wait for the dr? Good luck to all being banded today and this week and month!!!!! Bandedme

Schexymomma - hi there! I was FREAKED out too as it got to be a couple of days away from my surgery date. I went to the hospital for pre-op bloodwork, and EKG, and paperwork and when they gave me the consent forms for the neck catheter is when I REALLY started to freak out. I called my dr immediately and he said they do NOT do it for lapband but for bypass it's routine. I still wasn't completely settled and even on my surgery date from the moment I got there until I was out I was asking everyone who came to do something to me about the neck cath - all said "no" - so I was freaking out for nothing. Honestly - it will truly go smoother than you are thinking it will now. I was calm until the pre-op appt. I didn't go crazy with "the last foods" the day before surgery. But I did treat myself - not crazily but definitely treated myself = breakfast I had a Bruegger's bagel with a diet coke, lunch I had Wendy's chicken salad sandwich with water, dinner my husband, kids and close friends all went out to Carrabus for dinner. I had a filet mignon steak and mashed potatoes. Then after the kids went to bed, my husband went to get ice cream sundaes. yum! It was delicious! My surgery time was 3pm - UGH! No food or water after midnight then wait until 1pm to get to the hospital = agony! But I made it! Surgery was 58 minutes long! (my dr's newest record time!) lol!!! Pain - VERY manageable. I was on Toridol and Demirol in the hospital. Toridol just took the edge off and Demirol really helped. They also gave me 2 rounds of antibiotic for preventative infection. You DEFINITELY know something happened to you. Seriously though - I have 5 incisions. 4 are 1/2 inch long and do not bother me at all. The 1 1/2 inch incision for the port has continued to be the one that hurts, burns if you move wrong, etc. Getting in and out of your bed is the hardest and sitting/standing for the potty is hard too - but only for a couple of days. DH helped me all the way! He has been fantastic! I got out of recovery around 6:30pm and DH and I took a walk up the hospital hall at 11:30pm and 4am. It was ME who wanted to walk. It felt better to be standing for a little while. I was home by 3pm the next day. Made it upstairs, one at a time, by myself. DH helped me in the shower the next day (and shaved my legs too!). Today is day 5 after surgery and I went for a long (slow) walk around my neighborhood while my kids (6 and 4 1/2) rode their bikes. Fresh air was nice! I stopped all pain meds on Monday (4th day after surgery). I have plenty liquid lortab left. I stopped that at 7am on Monday morning. Then at 12:30pm I had liquid Tylenol - WOW THAT STUFF IS NASTY!!!! Cherry - yeah right! ICK! And today I haven't had any pain meds even after my long walk. YOU CAN DO THIS!!!! Trust me, you are freaking out WAY more than you need to be, but understandably you are freaking. It IS surgery. You will be GREAT! I hope this helps! Take care and GOOD LUCK!!! Bandedme

Hi everyone! I'm in band-land! Banded April 5th and this is my first post since banding. All went every well. Doc's record time (before me) was 1 hour and 5 min and my surgery was only 58 minutes! YAY! Stayed overnight in the hospital - routine, but I would REALLY recommend staying if you have the option. It's great to have the extra rest and fluids, because you really do not have an appreciation for how easy it is to down liquids until you are restricted. I have 5 incisions - 4 are about 1/2 in long and 1 that is about 1 1/2 inches - only that one is consistently sore. It is right next to my belly button and goes to the left. My pants also sit right there so it's been really difficult to wear clothes! I have my pants hanging low....looks great I"m sure! lol! I've managed to get in about 49 ounces of clear liquids each day starting 2 days after surgery. Clear liquids = water, broth, sugar free popsicle, no sugar added juice, and I've had 2 ounces of protein shakes a few times (Matrix 5.0). I gained about 3 pounds after the surgery from all the fluids they pump in, but weighing this morning, I'm down 3 pounds since day of surgery weigh in, so I've lost 6 pounds in 4 days. I thought the weight would kind of come off a lot faster, but I know this is just the very beginning. My first post-op appt in this Friday. I hope to graduate to full liquids on Friday!!! First fill is at 6 weeks. How is everyone else doing? Are all the April bandsters, even those who were banded this month still posting to this thread? Take care all! Good luck with those being banded....and speedy recoveries to those already banded! Bandedme (FINALLY!!!! 4/5/07) :confused:

ShineOn - AWESOME!!!! Thank you for posting! I am going in today. I really appreciate your step by step. It's really nerve-wrecking because you don't know what's on the other side! How you'll feel, etc. But it is awesome you are significantly feeling better today, less than 24 hours later! YOU ROCK! Speedy recovery to you! Bandedme

Hello! Today is my band day! BUT - my surgery isn't until 3pm EST! no food since midnight last night! I drank a TON of water yesterday, had a filet migon dinner - yum! I hope it holds me! Surgery was originally scheduled for 1pm but the hospital called yesterday and they bumped me to 3pm! UGH! I check in at 1pm. GOOD LUCK to all being banded today and this month and GRATZ to all those already banded!!!! WOW am I distracted - can't seem to concentrate on anything!!!! I will stay overnight at the hospital - DH will be with me and Granny is staying at our house with the kids. Take care all - I'll post when I can after surgery! Bandedme (TODAY!!!)

Gr8ful gal - GOOD LUCK to you and stay strong!!!!! I'm sure your band doc will review everything and the extra EKG's and cardio appt are just super double checking everything - they want you healthy and it seems to me that they have to go overboard with all the tests for insurance or something. You are in my thoughts and prayers! You will be in band-land very soon!!!!! 4/4/07 Bandsters - GOOD LUCK to all of you being banded today!!!! I hope to hear from you when you are home and settled!!!! You are also in my thoughts and prayers today!!!!! My day is tomorrow 4/5/07! Not exactly sure what time thought - the dr said be there by 11am and surgery time is 1pm, but at the hosp pre-op yesterday they said they would call me today with the time because they were finalizing their schedule..............I just hope it's not later than 1pm! I can't EAT ALL DAY!!!!!! I know I will need to get used to it, but with not being banded yet, it will be harder - especially when surgery time is around lunch time! UGH! DH is awesome though - he said he would sneak breakfast for himself and our youngest 2 kids (ages 4 1/2 and 2) while I take our 6 yr old daughter to school. Then he'll wait until I'm in surgery to have lunch. He said he would starve himself just because I couldn't eat either - although that's sweet and supportive, having him not eat isn't a good thing - I will need him to help me after surgery and I don't want him to be grumpy and have a headache with not eating! LOL! So what's everyone having for their dinner before surgery? I'm thinking Carrabus then dessert if I can manage it!! Who wants to COOK the night before?! GACK! Tonight is my dinner before surgery. Any suggestions would be awesome! GOOD LUCK TO ALL - all in surgery, all recovering, all doing pre-op diets, and to all of your support people - they are our strength right now. Have a happy day! Bandedme (4/5/07) 262/251/150

Kat - Thank you for your words of encouragement and "bright spot" today! Many of us (me included!!!) are getting really nervous about surgery as our dates approach, I know you can relate!!!! I've been completely fine and at peace with it all.........until today - I had the hospital pre-op appt. My arm is still quite sore from where the lab lady and to "fish" my vein and side stick it to get the 5 vials of blood from me! ouch! (although I know this pain is going to be unbelievably minimal in 2 days!) But nonetheless, thank you for looking forward a year to the 2007 April bandsters and being a bright spot of encouragement! I know at least for me, it makes me feel better and that I definitely have chosen to do the right thing when I hear success stories from those who have already been banded! Bandedme 04/05/07

I don't care about the throat thing - it's a breathing tube while you are intebated - the machine helps regulate breathing during surgery - that doesn't bother me - they put it in after you are knocked out and they take it out before you wake up......the neck cath is put in at the same time as the hand IV - FULLY AWAKE and able to feel the pain of the sticks! OUCH! Anyone had the neck cath for their surgery? Haven't heard back from the dr's office about it yet - I am going to email the nurse about it now. I'll let you know what she says, but I'd appreciate hearing from anyone who knows about it too. Thanks! Bandedme

Hi there everyone! I had a pre-op appt at the hospital this morning. All I can say is GOOD GRIEF!!!! I had to be there by 8:15am, so of course, I was a little early thinking that would help, 8:10am - well- by NOON I was done!!!! Not because the actually DID much - but the WAITING!!!! OMW!!!! I had boodwork done - 5 vials - ouch! And EKG, weight, met with the anesthesiologists team person, and they measured my neck. weird - I asked what the neck measurement was for - they said it is to know what size scope thing they need when they intibate during surgery. Interesting. So, signed all the consent forms, etc. GET THIS - they will do an IV line and an arterial catheter in my hand (2 lines total) AND they had me sign a consent for a neck catheter line - WHOA!!! Did anyone know about this possibility? I didn't!!!! I asked about it - they said they always do one for gastric bypass patients, but that with lapband it's a backup. I asked that they NOT do one as a "routine" thing and only if it's actually necessary. I HOPE and PRAY I don't get one!!!! I have a call into my band dr's nurse to ask about it more. Anyone know more details about this? I was COMPLETELY fine with all that will happen EXCEPT for this part - NOW I AM FREAKED OUT AND NERVOUS AS ALL GET OUT!!!! HELP!!!! Bandedme (4/5/07)

Panda - you go girl(s)!!!!! CONGRATS!!! And GOOD for your DH for posting tonight for you!!! I appreciate you thinking of us and his dedication too! I pray for you and your mom's speedy recovery and that the weight just slips right off! Sleep well and I will look forward to reading your posts in the days to come with your recovery! I will be banded on Thursday, April 5. Take care and good luck and comfy resting to you and your mom! Bandedme (almost! in 3 days! WOW! Can't believe it!!!!!)

Hi there! I don't know if this will help you or not, but a band-sister posted a diet suggestion a few weeks ago and it actually REALLY has worked for me - chicken, no breading or sauces veggies 3 oranges/day - although I only eat 1 - 2/day (this BTW - is EXCELLENT for curbing those ravenous hunger moments in the mid-afternoon) stay away from carbs as much as possible grab a slim fast shake for breakfast have a slice of cracker barrel cheese for the mid-morning snack small container of 2% cottage cheese at lunch no desserts (although I haven't wanted any) and water, water, water, occasional crystal lite, and more water I've been doing this for just shy of 3 weeks and I've dropped 12 pounds....yay! I did NOT want to have to do a liquid pre-surgery diet and now that I've lost - I don't have to do it!!! I have a hospital pre-op appt tomorrow morning and then band date is Thursday, April 5th! YAY! GOOD LUCK TO ALL!!!!! Many many many positive vibes to all being banded this week and this month! Can't wait! Hope everyone's recovery is smooth and the weight just peels off! Take care and happy band-birthday to all! Bandedme (4/5/07) 262/250/150

Panda - THANK YOU!!!! I had no idea they came in dissolvable strips! I just told my DH and we'll be sure to get some! TY!!!!! Bandedme

Hi all! My date is this Thursday, April 5th - WOW!!! Can't believe it's April!!! Time seemed to stand still and now it's just flying! I have a hospital pre-op appt on Tuesday - meet the anesthesiologist, nurses, etc. Then the BIG day is Thursday! WOW!!!! I have a TON of laundry to do between now and Wednesday so DH and find clothes for the kids! lol! I know we're supposed to get gas-x or phasyme but does it come in liquid? I know it usually comes in small gelcaps. Can we swallow the gelcaps? GOOD LUCK to all!!!!! Take care and have a great week! Bandedme (THIS WEEK!!!! 4/5/07!!!!) 262/250/150

Hi all! Re: protein shakes - I checked with my band dr this morning at my pre-op appt - I asked what kind of "protein shakes" is he talking about - like slimfast opti, atkins, etc - he said NO NONE OF THEM!!!! B/c they are WAY too high in carbs. He have me a list of websites that have the protein shakes, drinks, powders. Some are at GNC. As a "rule of thumb" you want at least 20g protein with LESS THAN 5g carbs per serving. Just a little FYI to all my bandster friends! Bandedme 4/5/07