olliensys

Hello, since protein shakes are a large part of pre op and post op diet, I would suggest getting a book called "Bariatric Foodie Guide to Perfect Protein Shakes" on Amazon for $11.66. This book is so amazing and I use it almost everyday.

LOL...I have not started my pre-op diet yet...but I am already panicking about food. You can do this and overcome any mental struggles! When is your surgery? Mine is potentially on August 27th if they have room for me, which means I will start my pre-op diet on the 13th. Anyway, I plan to go to bed as soon as I get home from work LOL so that I won't think of food....maybe you should try it.

Wow, that's rude. He actually used the word "failure". He must not have kids. I would change doctors after reminding him that you pay his salary. I personally think you are a success story. I hope and pray that I lose the amount of weight you have lost and with the determination you exhibit. Thanks for inspring me and you deserve better from a service that you pay for.

Has anyone here had to drive themselves to the hospital and back home?

Ok so today I was told that my surgery would either be August 27th or September 3rd. August 27th if there's cancellation which I hope there is because that is my preferred date. I am starting to get a little scared though. I have so many questions too.

Hello, I am looking for someone to mentor me on this journey to successful weight loss. Currently I am in the Pre-Pre op phase in which I am on a diet of protein shakes in the morning and lunch and then a lean protein and dark green veggie for dinner. 2 weeks before the surgery I will only be able to have 3 protein shakes a day and no snacking. I do not have a surgery date yet as I am waiting for the surgeon to review all of my completed pre-op stuff. I suspect, my surgery will be sometime in August. I am struggling a bit with my diet but some aspects of it I'm ok. Anyway, I am always encouraged by what I read about others and I would like to have someone walk with me through the process. Thanks

Hi Evelyn thanks for responding. My email is chesscott245@gmail.com and I am happy to have someone to go through this with. How are you doing with sticking to your diet? I have not been doing so good but I keep trying. I am guessing that my surgery will be at the end of August because it is in the final stages of review by the surgeon now. My insurance will take about 3 days to approve it and I will be on my way. I went through all of this 2 years ago when I was going to have the gastric bypass. I was already pre-admitted into the hospital and 2 days away from surgery when I backed out. I have the same insurance and the same bariatric surgeon so I am sure everything will be the same. I feel so much more comfortable with choosing the lap band although I know this journey will be tough in the beginning. On another note, I have been able to accomplish getting 60+ grams of protein in everyday and 64 ounces of fluid. Ok, so I got some protein shake mix from Walmart...(not the red/black ones) but another brand...I will email you later with the name. Anyway, I went on Amazon and ordered this amazing protein shake cookbook from Bariatric Foodie and it is great. I usually make the creamsickle shake in the morning or a raspberry mocha frappachino. I make the raspberry mocha frappachino by mixing 8oz plain lowfat soy milk, 1 Tbs. sugar free raspberry syrup, 2oz Decaf coffee and 1 scoop of Chocolate flavored protein mix....OMG its soooo good. Anyway, sorry for talking you ear off :-)

I am so angry with myself and if I could kick myself, I would. I have been trying to stay on the Pre-op diet of 2 protein shakes (breakfast/lunch) and a lean protien with a dark green veggie for dinner. so far I have been able to do the protein shake for breakfast no problem but when lunch comes, I am back to the same old fast food tricks and then I go home and pig out on whatever I cooked. I keep saying "tomorrow will be better". Well today was the worst! I started out with a protein shake followed by some black beans as a snack and then a couple glasses of tea and 1 cup off Hot and Sour soup. I was somewhere between 400-500 calories. Then when lunch came I was starving so much that I had a spicy ittalian sub from subway and then ran to walmart to get a couple things for the house. While I was at Walmart I passed donuts...did a u turn and just grabbed the box. When I got back to work, I scarfed down 4 of them like a mental patient and then read the back of the box to see the Carbs....because I am a diabetic. I consumed over 1100 calories just in those 4 donuts...I want to cry and I am wondering if the Lap Band is really going to work for me. Can anyone help....I have been watching Dr. Oz and doing the Chia seeds and Red Tea....but it does not work for me. How do you find the will power to control the cravings? Grrrrrr

Thanks for your encouragement..i am not on the 2 week pre op diet yet. I am on the pre pre diet the doctor put me on that is essentially to help me loose weight and learn self control..that is where i have been failing. The other day my blood sugar level dipped to 63 and i was sweating and shaking and could not recall my husbands phone number to call him. You would think that would have scared me enough. Anyway tomorrow is a new day and i am not giving up.

I am also intrigued with bento...mainly for my 10 year olds lunch because i want to make sure she is getting a well balanced meal....but i never considered it for myself..hmmm although there are so many to choose from and how many compartments do i need anyway. Thanks for the tip...i am going to get a bento ( or something similar).

I am so excited today because I am at the salon for the first time in 8 years. I am finally paying attention to me for once! I am looking forward to working hard at my new transformation. I am taking care of me inside and out. Who knew there could be a balance to taking care of my family while taking care of my own needs. Anyway...I would encourage all of you to do sonething nice for yourself. Treat yourself!

Congratulations! This is very useful information for me as pre-ops.

Ok, so things are moving right along....I have my consultation on July 11th and my xray and EKG on July 12th. My pysh on July 15th and I am having my upper GI xray tomorrow the 19th. I plan to visit my PCP on July 23 to make sure everything is received and ready to be faxed over to the surgeon's office! I hope to hear from the surgeon's office by July 31st thus meeting my goal to be approved for surgery by the end of the month. I suspect that my surgery will be in August which would be great. I am just trying to stay focus on preparing myself for surgery and beyond. Thanks for all the support and responses....you guys rock!

I am happy for you! I am on this journey with you.

I took a mirror and looked at my vajayjay after i had my baby......ohhh..lets just say i dont ever want to look at it again. My advise is just turn the lights out.

I made a raspberry mocha protein shake be adding 2oz brewed decaf coffee with 10oz low fat soy milk and 1 tbs. sugar free raspberry syrup. It was sooooo good! If you want it sweeter just add some splenda...

I have been on the depo for a year and a half now. The mood swings are frightening...moreso for my husband LOL. I gained 15 lbs and i noticed that it was counter productive to loosing weight. My advise is STAY AWAY from depo.

Maybe will be getting the band around the same time. Have you started pre op diet?

WOW!!! you look amazing.

Ok so I completed my EKG and Xray today. I have pysh evail on Tuesday and hopefully UGI before end of week. On my way

Why am I fat, well that requires some thought because in my mind I don’t feel I eat that much. I never really considered this question before because I have been in denial for many years. I grew up thin and eating out was a once in a while treat. We were very poor at times and had to eat at food banks. I can remember going to live with my grandmother who only cooked soul food and had not one, but two refrigerators full of food. As far as I can tell, my weight issue started when my ex-husband began calling me fat and making me feel bad for eating. I was 5’5 135 pounds at the time and did not see that it was actually him that had the problem not me. Anyway, I use to get 3-4 McDonald’s cheeseburgers and hide and eat them in the closet. I used to hide food I did not even particularly want in places all over the house and eat them when he could not see. That marriage only lasted barely 2 years but the damage was done. Once I left him, I noticed that I was back to my average weight after having ballooned to about 170. After having a normal weight of 145, my weight crept up slowly from emotional eating. I was about 180 until I got pregnant and had a severe case of morning sickness that had me hospitalized for the first few months and then on an IV and strong medicine for the rest of the pregnancy. I lost 25 pounds during the pregnancy and I remember watching pizza commercials in the hospital dreaming about eating. I would even write down a list of foods I would have after the pregnancy. Eventually with the help of Zofran dispensed in my hip 24hours a day, I was able to eat a little bit everyday. In the end, I believe that not being able to eat and being so hungry has been my downfall. After I had my perfect little girl I ate like tomorrow was not coming LOL. I have to say, that I had this same situation 10 years previously and I was struggling to keep my weight of 96 pounds but the baby could not and passed away when I was 4 ½ months pregnant. I know how it feels to be hungry but unable to eat or even swallow for many months at a time. That fear has caused me to gain almost 100 more pounds and develop diabetes. I also notice that I take after my grandmother and only feel good when my fridge is jammed packed full of food. I am taking this banding opportunity to focus on ME and my health.

There is a book on Amazon called Bariatric Foodie protein shakes. Its a small cookbook of only protein shakes..this morning i made a Peanut Brittle shake with 1 scoop vanilla protein, soy milk, powdered peanuts , sugar free caramel syrup..um um good!

Dawalsh, its like you were reading my mind. I have been craving sweedish meatballs from Ikea and I was going to just pig out on them out of fear and panic. Your right, although I don't know my surgery date, I am going to start slowly preparing by drinking protein shakes and sticking to lean meats.....and stop the late night candy eating......and the fast food, ugh (I can't believe I eat that stuff). Anyway, thanks for the reminder and reality check :-)

Ok, so if your like me, you get bored quickly with eating the same food everyday. In my quest to find interesting post op foods I came across endless possibilites. Ok, first let me tell you, I have been to whole foods, sprouts, walmart and many others looking for interesting broth and pureed or pureedable soups for my 2 weeks post op. I keep coming across the same stuff and I am already bored with it and I haven't even had any. Anyway, to keep this short, you should try places like asian markets, international markets, Cost plus world market...etc. you get the picture. At Cost Plus World Market I found: Thai coconut soup " Tom Kha" and a thai sour and spicy soup "Tom yam". Also there I found instant Miso soup packages, cream of leek, cream of asparagus. Anyway, check out these and others that may be local to you!