RN2be2008

I am really glad to hear this. I really hope I can eat salads. Have any of you heard of Pockets, it is a healthy food joint that makes great salads that are put through a processor I think because the pieces are very small and cut up fine. I wonder if that type of salad would be better? Let me know plz.

So far it has to be one egg scrambled with lil butter and 1/2 slice of reduced fat american cheese until melted, then I mash it together until it is all an egg cheese mushy mix. SO GOOOD!

<p>Hello everybody! Well I hope your weekend went well. My questions are I just bought the Isopure vanilla Flavor that has 50 g of Protein per serving (two scoops=1serving). Well I know FaithMD mentioned it is better to have 25 g at a time, so should I half my serving to one scoop which will equal 25 g twice a day? Maybe one for Breakfast and the second after dinner? That way I get the full 50g of protein. Because I asked the cashier and he said since Ispure is so pure I can take the whole serving for breakfast and then half it later. But I think he just wants me to waste it sooner. What would you do? I tried the Isopure Vanilla with Water (yuck) it is better with skim but I am scared of the calorie count. HELP!!!</p> p.s I forgot to mention that the full serving of Isopure is 210 cals (for two scoops) another reason why I thought to halve the serving.

Thank you all for responding. I guess I will just halve the serving that way I get in most of the 50g of protein. I don't know what the guy was saying but he was a body builder type (uses Isopure himself) and he was suggesting I take in one gram of protein for every pound I weigh..WHAT?!!! Wow, that means I would have to drink Isopure all day everyday and probably wouldn't even reach that amount! I am a nursing student so I understand the over working the kidneys and such with so much protein, I didn't think it was a good idea, but I am not the expert. Thanks again, if you have any other suggestions I am all ears!

I am 10 days post-op now and I have been taking Flinstones complete. I am wondering if there is a better vitamin I can take, because they are way too tart for me. Also, the citracal caramel sounds good is that ok for me to take since I am on pureed foods now? One last question, what other supplements do you take on the side? I heard alot of people mentioning Biotin, but do you take it seperate or in a combo vitamin? Thanks and have a great weekend!!!

Ok so I am 1 day post-op and really uncomfortable but everything that happens (grumbling in stomach, pinching feelings, tightness in chest) makes me think there is something wrong. I have been eating Sugar free popsicles, broth, so forth but will those liquids make me feel full, because I am afraid to keep drinking thinking the liquid is gonna fill up my pouch..have any one ya'll worried about these things or am I just nuts?

I was told by my nut to take bites as small as a nickle.

IndioGirl55- I had my surgery 07/17/07 and I can only have maybe a couple ounces every hour at a sitting then I feel very bloated and uncomfortable. That includes eating only clears and/or full liquids. No way am I getting even 100 cals a day, I don't think. I know I am not eating enough but I physically can't. I can't even drink a whole 4oz gerber apple prune juice in one sitting I can only get down maybe half. I am 5 days post-op I wonder if this is normal.

I have been gagging a little almost every day luckily it is only once or twice every couple days. I have also been coughing which scares me also, so I understand where you are coming from. I think I have also been swallowing air because I have constant gas..burp feeling and even my lower stomach feels bloated..Hope we feel better soon!

Hello and Welcome!!! I am a newbie as well, congratulations on getting banded. This forum has soo many knowledgable people you will be very pleased you found this site.

FaithMD- GOodness you are sooo right.. I have been drinking the gerber apple prune since you suggested it and I have had my first BM yesterday and today. They were not much but I guess that is to be expected with the lack of food. I also have been passing lots of gas, I am doing so much better now. I even walked around the block...Please take FaithMD's advice and try the juice.

Hello! My name is Mary and I was banded yesterday 07/17/07 so far so good. Of course my mind is going every which way but reading all of your posts has really helped me get a grip. I have been married 5 years and he is a very supportive man. I am a really lucky girl! I want to lose about 120 pounds, maybe more or less depending on how I feel when I get there. I have always been heavy even in elementary school, I was always the biggest kid in the class photo. The last couple years I have been struggling with losing weight for various reasons and I decided I needed to do this for myself. I am 27 years old and I swear I sure do feel old sometimes. The last couple years I went to six flags and I know ya'll no where I am going with this. Of course I couldn't fit in many of the rides and boy was that a bummer especially since I couldn't ride them with my hubby. Then he acted like he didn't want to ride anymore rides because he felt sick (yeah right) but coincidently he still wanted to ride the ones I did fit in... I know he didn't want me to feel bad. I told you I am a lucky girl. Hope to make some new friends! Thanks for reading my little intro!

Melissa300- I am planning a trip to Cedar Point next year with the goal of fitting in the rides. I understand where you are coming from and I can't wait until that day comes. I especially look forward to all the perks that comes with losing weight. I would love to cross my legs comfortably. Not being afraid of the seatbelts in tight cars. All the things many people take for granted. Can't Wait!!!

Thanks for all the welcomings! I am feeling much better except that the gas makes it difficult to drink consistently. I have been moving around alot since the surgery and I am positive it has helped. I still feel worn out but I could probably go out for a short time, I am still taking the tylenol 3 every 6-8 hours but I think I can handle changing it to maximum strengh liquid tylenol, for the pain. However I still have pain particularly in the port area for the most part.

Thank you for all of your encouraging words. I went and bought the apple prune juice from Gerber and it really tastes great! mindymayg- hey so then does that make you my lapband twin, huh? LOL, its nice to hear I am not alone. Leedorr- your right, I need to relax. I think I am acting this way partially because this was my first ever surgery. THanks again! FaithMD- yesterday I was taking off my bandages and I felt really naseated and dizzy so I sat down. Then I began to dry heave and boy was that uncomfortable. I began to think "what have I done to myself?!?" but reading your advice has made me realize that it will get better eventually and I just have to go with the flow. Thanks again!

I am 2 days post-op and I am feeling nauseated from the gas buildup. I feel like I have to burp but nothing comes out. Do any of you have any suggestions like maybe Gas x or something that can help...I am really annoyed and I cannot drink that much at all because of it. HELP!!

I have been walking around alot..but it gets really worse after I drink something. It feels stuck in my throat and I can't drink much because I feel like my pouch is distended.. I will try the gas x ..thanks

Great I will get some of the Gerber today..I am so glad I found this site. Ya'll have been so kind for the suggestions, thank you.

Hey everyone...well I am now on the banded side! I have a question, right now I am in the clear liquid for a few more days. Can I have the protein powder in water, I have EAS vanilla flavored whey protein with 23g protein. I was not sure if it is allowed on clear liquid but I want to get in my protein for healing of course. After the clear liquids when I can have milk, can I drink protein shakes or do they want us to opt for actual meat. I am not much of a meat eater so I am afraid I wont get in enough protein. thanks a bunch!

OMG, thank you for such a gracious welcoming! I will try the 8oz in a hour. I know that I have been drinking much less. Off topic, the doc prescribed me a colace substitute and wOw is it the worst thing I have ever tasted (kinda like Dial soap with water) and I cannot deal with this nasty stuff, any other suggestions for constipation would really be appreciated! THANKS.

Thank you, I will try the Isopure while I am on clears and then move on to using the protein mix I have when I can have full liquids. THANKS AGAIN! Also, I think I will try those other types but I am hesitant because I don't want to spend $40-$50 on a great protein shake then find out that my nutritionalist doesn't want me to continue drinking shakes to make up for the protein...I hope that is not the case.

Hello! My name is Mary and I hope to have the lap Band in the next month or so. I have had a really positive experience thus far with HMO-IL and am looking forward to becoming a healthy and active person soon. I am 26 y/o and the process from surgical consult to approval for surgery by HMO-IL took less than a month. My comorbides are asthma, some joint pain, and hypertension. I, like I am sure many of you, have been overweight all my life. All through highschool I weighed approximately 210lbs but I was active in sports and the weight wasn't an issue that much, I even had a few boyfriends. When I got married (of course) I gained alot of weight on my already large frame and it has really been a burden. I know no other way of living other than being uncomfortable most of the time and missing out on all the fun stuff like riding rollercoasters or being comfortable in a bathing suit. My goal for next summer is to stand in line at the amusement park without worrying about fitting inside the ride. When I have children I don't want my weight to affect my ability to play with them or be active in their lives. So I chose Lap Band because I believe it will work as long as I put in my full effort. I have lost weight in the past (70lbs) so I know it can be done.

Thank you all for your warm welcomings! I am excited and I will try to post consistently throughout this journey. Kat817- it "sounds" like you are truly enjoying your weight loss, I am really happy for you. It is so funny how the smallest things that many people take for granted like crossing your legs or wearing a certain type of jean/pant can mean the world to someone else.

Hi, I am also new to this site. I have Blue Cross Blue Shield of IL, but the HMO version (HMO-IL) and this process has been surprisingly simple for me as of yet. I went to an informational session about 2 years ago so I didn't have to attend another. I went to the surgical consult on 4/13 and seen the dietition the same day, both approved me on the spot. Then three days later my Dr's office calls me to tell me the referrel for my psych consult was ready. I have been taking finals these past two weeks so I have been slacking off on scheduling my psych consult. Then a week ago my Dr's office calls me to let me know they are putting in the request for the approval for sugery and just today I got notice that I was approved by HMO-IL for the Lap Band tentative scheduled surgery date May 15, 07. They also told me that once I have all the preop tests completed I can schedule my surgery anytime on/after May 15th. I have to have an EKG, chest x-ray, pre-op labs, marshmellow barium swallow, and my psych consult then I am ready to go. SO far everything has been extremely fast and I can't believe I am so close to actually getting the Lap Band! Now I hope things go as swiftly for you as well but that is just my experience, yours could take much longer. If I get everything done asap then I should be able to have it done around the beginning of June, which means that it will have taken alittle over a month and a half from start to actual surgical date. Good Luck! -Mary