labwalker

HI! I use FitDay.com, but only because I have been using it to track calories for the past 11 years. I am comfortable with it, but I am sure there are better program that have come out since. My diet is basically the same; I try for under 1000 calories and at least 70 grams of Protein. A typical day will be 1 cup of blueberries mixed with yogurt for Breakfast, and maybe 3 to 4 fish fillets spread over lunch and dinner. I'll add an asian pear every other day, and either yellow or green Beans (low cal veggies) for fillers after the protein if I still have room. I love fish and have lost interest in red meats since the surgery.

Your doctor will give you the list of restrictions... lifting is one thing you cannot do for several weeks. I felt pretty good after surgery--I was very sore, but the pain was very manageable. Remember you are healing from the inside out, and healing takes time. You also have to follow the post surgery diet plan very carefully, to avoid damaging the band sutures. I'd guess what your work entails will determine how long your doctor suggests you stay home. Good luck!

Retired here, so I can when I can go feel like it. I usually try for the mid afternoon, when I know the health club will be fairly dead. I try to go at least five times a week, for at least 40 to 60 minutes. I'm new to health clubs and I am still learning my way around.

I decided on the band, based on the "reversibility" of the surgery. At my initial consultation my surgeon suggested that the band was a good option. After I went through the battery of tests, my next visit with his APRN went a bit different. He felt I was a better candidate for more invasive WLS procedures based on the good results of my tests. I started researching the sleeve, and because a neighbor (a nurse) had opted for and recommended it, I changed my mind and was going to go for the sleeve. By this time my insurance had approved the band, and since that took over 8 months I decided to go ahead and try the band. My surgeon wasn't too keen on the sleeve because of my age. But, he did admit that I would probably show much better results with the sleeve. My wife wasn't too keen about the sleeve, and she was pushing me towards the band as well. To make this into an O'Henry short story moment--my wife just had the sleeve done a month back I think the main thing is you have to WORK at making any WLS procedure work for you. I know folks who have failed the band and also had problems with the sleeve.

I notice that I can eat more weeks after a fill. I think the stomach might swell a bit as a reaction to the fill. When the swelling goes down, the restriction is reduced. Perhaps you have bit more to go before getting into your green zone.

Keeping the junk foods out of the house, and out of reach, helps here. If the temptation isn't there it is easier to fight the urges.

If you were banded Monday, FORGET eating anything other than what was advised by your doctor!!!! You need several weeks for your body to heal properly. Stick to the liquid diet or soft foods, whatever your doctor advised you to do... craving crap food is NOT a good start to living with a band!! Forgive my being so harsh, but if you are craving junk foods, you should step back and consider how eating those foods might damage your band and health. I am five months out, and on my third fill. I can eat what what I want... BUT, I keep my calories to under 1000 and my Protein intake to at least 80. If I cheat, I have to account for the calories, while balancing the protein intake. Life with a band takes a lot of will power. It will get easier when you get nearer to your green zone. Fight those urges to cheat....

Congrats! I don't wanna be a jerk, but 35 pounds in three weeks is not a realistic weight loss. Please don't set yourself up for disappointment if the weight loss doesn't continue, or if weight comes back on short term. If you do the math, even if you didn't eat for three weeks wouldn't account for 35 pounds!!

The presurgery diet weight loss is mostly water... I lost about 13 pounds in under two weeks, which is almost impossible to do if you figure the number of calories involved. In the weeks after surgery the weight came back on. It wasn't until the third fill when I started losing the weight. I did have to join a gym to help burn off some of the calories. Everyone is different... you may need more fills to find your green zone.

NO snack foods in the house. Track calories and Protein intake for the entire day. Got off my butt and joined a gym to get some exercise to help burn excess calories.

I can tell you what my surgeon did. The doctor will go over your test results with you, and discuss the surgery and hopefully set a date. He will also probably give you a post surgical diet that you will have to follow prior to the surgery--usually 10 day liquid diet that helps make the liver more manageable during the procedure. This is a good time to ask any questions that you might have. As Hely advised, make a list and bring it with you.

Is a vodka and orange gonna work for the high carb days?? This sounds like a plan!

Suggestions: Are you having enough Protein at each meal? Are you near the green point with fills? Protein and being at the right fill point should help with cravings. Some foods will trigger them, so follow the diet recommendations. Exercise is said to release stored glucose from the liver, and that should also reduce hunger cravings.

I've had severe sleep apnea for years. Being diagnosed, and being able to get the BiPAP machine was the best thing that ever happened to me. I can remember being sleepy when driving, even back when I wasn't that overweight. I know people who have sleep apnea that aren't heavy. My doctors also tell me that losing weight may not get me off the machine, BUT they also emphasize that losing weight WILL lessen the number of sleep apnea episodes per hour. I've used the CPAP every night without fail. I guess I'm one of the lucky ones who can tolerate the mask, etc. Sleep apnea is a co-morbidity for WLS, and having it may ease the way to get insurance coverage approved for a WL surgery.

I've found, even before the band, the only way I can lose weight is to account for what I put in mouth, every day. I use FitDay, which is kind of dated these days, to keep a daily food log to track calories and protein intake, and also exercise. Being accountable to yourself in a daily food diary shows you what you have done, where you are, and where you are heading. Whenever I've gotten lazy and stopped the food log, the pounds always crept back on. Right now I am using the will power that the band has enabled, and following a sensible diet and tracking everything I eat. So far it is working, just need the willpower and motivation to stay on course. By the way, that little rescue rascal in my photo has kept herself at a svelte 38 pounds since we adopted her, she has a Lab Band... sorry.. couldn't resist.

I was one of those patients with a fatty liver. My PCP told me years ago that my liver was enlarged. I followed the pre-op diet to the letter before surgery. My surgeon had a very hard time placing the band, but he kept at it and the surgery went as planned. That was scary to hear afterwards... all that time waiting to be approved, and then to find out that he almost wasn't able to do the procedure! The real fun was when the insurance company denied the extra charges for the extended time in the OR. They finally relented and paid.

I measure some portions, and weigh the others. Kind of hard to fit a fish fillet into a measuring cup But I do count calories and grams of protein.

I watch what eat too... but do you count the Protein and calories? Are you measuring portions? How many fills so far? Are you satisfied and not hungry between meals? I gained a few pounds after surgery in December, but after my third fill in March the pounds started falling off. Everyone is different.

If I was self pay I wouldn't be afraid to negotiate the fee in advance. It doesn't hurt to ask!!!! My dentist gives me a discount for cash, now that I am retired and don't have dental insurance. I had to ask him for discount, and he offered it. But, if I may ask, I have a question? Why two pysch visits? Most doctors and insurance companies only require visit. Is this a requirement that your surgeon has in place? Would he considering waving it and accepting one pysch evaluation? I have Optum Health for bariatric, and they are hard to deal with. They required one visit. Good luck to you,.

So far I am losing at least two pounds a week, mostly due to going to the health club every day for cardio, and by following a 1000 calorie diet with good Protein intake (over 60 grams.) I've had three fills, but except for the first few days after the last fill I don't feel any restriction. I can eat a whole banana, etc. without getting stuck. But... I do feel feel after a eating a meal, and so far I've haven't had serious late night carb munchies. Should I go for a fourth, small fill to control portions, and go to four meals a day from three, or should I wait and see how far I can go with my current status? I kind of like being able eat what I want, even though I avoid the bad stuff.

I only felt restriction, for about one week after my third fill... I eat until I am satisfied. The band slows the foods passage to the stomach, which signals the brain that you have eaten enough. I know I could eat more without being sick, but I have no urges to do so. Also, I've found when my Protein intake is sufficient, I don't have the urge to eat between meals. Right now I am doing around 950 calories a day, and avoiding starches such as breads or Pasta.

Great!! 10 pounds in two weeks is awesome! I also gained a bit after surgery... it wasn't until the third fill, and also really getting on track watching calories and Protein, until I was feeling satiated between meals. I also noticed the "restriction" feeling fell off soon after each fill. I think I am nearing the green zone... going to see the APRN on May 8th for a followup.

I had to argue and fight for the third, I wasn't losing an ounce almost three months out from surgery and getting discouraged. The APRN said I was doing about .25 lbs a week, and he was happy with that loss... I wasn't! I know I can lose the weight with diet and exercise, done it before. It's those long winter months when you don't want to go and be active that do me in. Right now I don't feel any restriction, regardless of what I eat, except for a few very dry foods that go down slow. But, I am curious for those who measure a cup of food per meal--how many meals do you eat, how calories per day, and how much Protein? I'm on the low side for protein--about 60 to grams, and that's eating yogurt for Breakfast and fish fillets for lunch and supper. I try to keep the calorie count at 1000 for the day. Despite not having noticeable restriction, I still feel satiated after my meals, which I guess is the start of the Green Zone? I do feel some restriction for a few days after a fill--is that caused by the stomach swelling and reacting to the increased band pressure? But, that feeling subsides in a few weeks. LW (walking buddy above in the inset)

Well, I certainly can eat more than a cup of food, but it is "good" food. Proteins mostly. For folks eating one cup at a meal, are you doing more than three meals a day?

A health club, if it is something you would do? I joined Planet Fitness, and started losing close to 3 pounds a week. I see a lot of ladies at Planet Fitness, it isn't just a guy thing these days. Exercise is usually the next step in breaking a plateau. at least it was for me.