Lori Ann

I too love the Atkins Advantage shakes as well as the Slim Fast carb control. The Atkins have 15 grams of Protein and only 160 calories and are low in carbs......maybe not the highest in protein but I love the taste. I am not a strawberry person, but I love their Strawberry Shakes. Now, Slim Fast puts out a lot of different shakes but they have a relatively new one call Slim Fast Carb Control. Each drink has 20 grams of protein and 180 calories. I have tried the Creamy vanilla and they are great. I work and it is very hard to prepare in the morning so I grab a can of Atkins or Slim Fast. Also, GNC makes a chocolate Caramel Protein powder with 21 carbs per scoop that is out of this world mixed with ice and soy milk.....there are 120 calories per scoop. Thanks, Lori Ann:p

For me, I had surgery on May 24th at which time my surgeon placed the band on my stomach. He told me there would be some restriction until the swelling went down....which is exactly what has happened to me. I felt restriction and "full" the first week after surgery and now I am hungry as hell. He told me 6 weeks after surgery he would do the first fill. He did tell me people are different and what is good for one person is different for another. Some people have restriction for quite some time after surgery. I went for my check-up last Friday and he told me this was the healing phase for the band on my stomach......not the losing phase. I did lose 15 lbs but because I was on liquids....not because of restriction. Lord knows I am ready for a fill now because I am hungry even after I drink my Protein shakes. My doctor said it was normal to have 4-6 fills a year....sometimes more sometimes less......you have to find was is your "sweet spot" I have been reading this site for a year now and it seems "fills" are definitely a necessity to make the band work properly. Lori Ann

I think you know you are doing the right thing for your life right now. I have a 27 and 24 year old daughter and at first they were pissed off too. I couldn't figure it out because I know they love me dearly......but they think "mama you are fine just the way you are" and that is so far from the truth. They don't think I need to do anything except diet and exercise. When people first hear about "surgical weight loss" the red flags go up for people that don't understand this. Of course my daughters were right by my side when I had the surgery.......they now understand. I was just banded on May 24th and I was on 2 high blood pressure medications, diabetic medicine (Metformin). I had my follow up appointment with the surgeon yesterday and I have yet to take any diabetic medicine. My blood pressure is 120/78 and my blood sugar has not gone above 130.....before, even with the medicine it stayed between 200-300. My kids have witnessed this and are starting to see why I did this.....along with a better quality of life for me. Sometimes family love us to "death".......they love us unconditionally (healh wise)......but we see it differently when it comes to our health and the way we feel inside. I have never felt better emotionally and physically then I do right now. I agree with another post that sometimes they will just have to watch the transformation. Our families love us and it just comes across that they don't want us to have the surgery.....this has been my experience. Lori Ann:clap2:

My doctor or my nutritionist suggests that I don't eat anymore than 1/4-1/2 cup at a meal (mushie stage) That would be 2oz - 4oz of food. Of course, there should be no liquids introduced until 30-60 minutes after my meal. In my head it tells me that is not enough, but when I eat slowly ( which is difficult ) at the end of the meal I am really not physically hungry. My doctor said by the time I reach the solids. the entire meal should not exceed 1 cup. Lori Ann

The first part of your message is an exact of what happened to me....the losing of my packet, etc. My doctor's office had to refax and then said it could be another 30 days......but believe it or not....within 2 days I got a call from Horizon, Blue Cross Blue Shield it has been approved. Hang in there Lori Ann

Hi, When I came home from the hospital, I was so depressed and thought I would be so excited. We have to remember we are on narcotics. I was on a pain pump until I left the hospital. I woke up the next day and called everyone in my family telling them I was depressed.....never been depressed before. I know for a fact, the medication (narcotics) were depressing me. Also, after being under the anesthetic, it wears your body down. I am only 10 days post-op and the feeling has totally gone and I feel absolutely thrilled I did this and am on my way to a healthy me. What I can tell you.....THIS WILL PASS....JUST HANG IN THERE. The more rest you get, the better you will feel......just remember, the feeling you have right now is defintely going to pass. Narcotics in most people can bring on a depressed feeling. I know you will feel better in a day or so. Lori Ann:) Lori Ann

Hi to All: I am getting banded on Thursday......44 hours away. I have done tons of research and am very excited. I gained most of my knowledge through this forum.....it has been absolutely wonderful.....don't know what I would do without all of the 1-4 year bandsters advice. Just curious, what is the longest anyone has heard of the band being on and continuing to serve the purpose it was intended for? I see some people that have had it since 2003 and that is about the longest..... Thanks, Lori Ann Will be Banded: 5-24-07 @ 10:00am

hottytoddy, yeah.....I couldn't agree more......where did expressing ones opinion with love vanish?.......No matter what the circumstances....WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER.....NOBODY IS BETTER THAN ANYONE ELSE HERE......JUST DIFFERENT EXPERIENCES. WITH LOVE, LORI ANN

I know for me when I'm down around my goal weight, I feel so much better about having sex. Now that I am 235 lbs, I am so self conscious about my weight and body and don't enjoy having sex at all.....the performance level doesn't even compare. I am really looking forward to dropping this weight.....it makes all the difference in the world in ALL areas of my life. I have been with the same partner for 20 years and I am still very self conscious about my body......some people are really comfortable about their bodies whether skinny or heavy. In my experience with dieting.....the sex was always better when I was thinner....so I am really looking forward to some of the benefits that the band will bring me.......stabilization in a lot of areas......hope I didn't offend anyone....this is just my experience. Lori Ann

I too will be banded tomorrow morning (Thursday). Here it is 5am in the morning and I usually don't get up until 7am to go to work. I have been up several times in the night and just can't sleep. I am really nervous and excited at the same time. I was only required to be on liquids for two days (clear). The only thing I am not excited about is taking 3 tablespoons of Milk of Magnesia at 8am this morning as required by my doctor.........Good luck to the other lady getting banded tomorrow morning also.......This site has been a life saver as far as any questions I might have had about what happens to you before, after and during. Thank you million to all that have gone before me. Lori Ann

Mark, I knew someone would respond like that......gotta have a sense of humor......thanks!! Lori Ann

I knew someone would respond like that......gotta have a sense of humor......thanks!! Lori Ann

Thanks Alexandra......I was wondering why. Lori Ann

Lori Ann Band Date: 05-24-2007 Thanks, Lori Ann

<p>I am scared to death too. My surgery is Thursday, May 24th at 10:00am. I have been fine getting ready for the surgery and all of the sudden it set in tonight....this really going to happen. I am very nervous. I will be on liquid (clear) for three days and have also bought most everything I need for after the surger. It has been fun going to the food thread and collecting all of the liquid stage recipes. This website has been an absolute life saver.</p> <p> </p> <p>Lori Ann</p>

You need to call your doctor.....especially with the hernia repair. This probably is normal, but is nothing to guess about. You call your doctor right now....that is what you paid him for. Most of the time on this board experience is fine to draw from but when you are dealing with something the doctor needs to be aware of.....he needs to know. Let us know how you are doing. Lori Ann

I hear you......I will say a prayer for you about your insurance....I just got my lapband approved and went through a bunch of _ _ _ _ before I got approved. I definitely could not afford to self pay. I get my band on May 24th.....and I can hardly wait. Good luck and let us know how you are coming along. There are alot of people on this forum with tons of experience to share.....stay close and continue to read....it is the best way to become informed. Lori Ann Lori Ann

Congratulations, What pain medicine did they give you and was it liquid? I will be banded on Thursday, May 24th. My surgeon is Dr. Scott Steinberg at Dekalb Medical Center in Decatur, Georgia (20 miles outside of Atlanta). Let me know how you are doing. I hear the first few days are the roughest. Lori Ann

Thanks to all of you:clap2: for sharing your experience, strength and hope. I have been a silent participant until I found out my insurance would cover the lapband surgery. My surgery date is May 24th....next Thursday. I am 5'4" and weigh 235lbs.....45 years old. I have Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey. My surgeon in Dr. Scott Steinberg in Atlanta at Dekalb Medical Center. At first, the insurance company said I was missing information in my packet, then they lost all of my information....had to resubmit, and they approved on the second day after resubmitting. This has taken 5 months for the process to pay off......sweeeeeeet!!!! But thanks to all of you for sharing your experiences, good and bad that kept me pushing for the surgery and not giving up on the insurance company and saying _ _ _ _ it! How do you guys post that little ticker tape that shows your goal weight etc?

Thanks Katie......I appreciate the response. I am a little nervous, but also really excited at the same time.

Betty, I will let you guys know how surgery is on Thursday. I am finally getting nervous.....which I am sure is normal. Thanks for the response. Wow, I can't wait to be 8lbs from my goal weight. Lori Ann

Karla, Thanks so much for responding....we do have just about the same stats.....it makes it much easier to trudge this happy road. Wow from 234 to 160......that's fantastic!! What a miracle. It's nice to hear you have not regretted a thing......I too was a junkie reading this board day in and day out and now it feels good to participate.

Alexandra, Thanks for responding. It really makes it alot more easier when people are going through the same thing. I will continue to post and let you all know how I am doing. I go for my pre-op Monday the 21st at 9:30am.

Hi, My name is Lori Ann and I am from Tucker Georgia. My surgeon is Dr. Scott Steinberg from Dekalb Medical Center. My surgery is also May 24th. I am so excited to meet some people from Georgia.

That is the most exciting news! I remember when my surgeons office called me....I could hardly contain myself. The best is yet to come.