mini.mee

I had a revision six weeks ago and am finally content. Life with a band for me was hell Constant pain, for the first four months I survived on lolipops, Gatorade and black coffee. Nothing else would go down. I regretted my decision maybe a year after I had it fitted when I went for a fill and ended up in emergency unable to breathe I think, mentally that topped the cake for me, I never saw my surgeon until six years later (big time gap due to circumstances) to have all the fluid removed, this even took two goes, from a surgeon who had supposedly trained in Belgium and Switzerland, who told me that worldwide, over 90% of surgeons are removing the bands they have placed in the past. I lost thirty kilo in that first six months and then slowly put it all and more back on. It is so easy to cheat yourself with a band, not good enough for me. I have to say that I didn't experience slippage or erosion, just a huge mental block and constant pain for years Had I been informed at the time that complications like mine were common I probably would have had a bypass, but we can all say things like that in hindsight can't we Now I don't have pain, I am a fairly slow loser compared to a lot of others, but am a whole different person, having the sleeve has changed my thought pattern permanently. As others are saying, see your Dr and ask questions and do research, well I did back then and nothing prepared me for it So, you've asked our opinions, mine is, forget the band, they are bad news, go the sleeve.

Thanks Puppyphat, I have tried the Aldi ones as well, I used to like them pre-op too, I found I liked them so much I used to drink them for fun, just because LOL Also absolutely love the Optifast berry crunch bars, but can't eat them yet, I will though in another couple weeks no doubt! Pre-op I also tried a couple of Iso Whey bars - vanilla yoghurt and apricot and the pomegranate green tea, I loved both of these as well Just asking what must seem like the age old question of do we have any decent tasting powders in Aus :-)

The only reason I say for Aussies is that I want to be able to buy locally and not have to hear about something ReALLy yummy and I can't buy it. Sorry rest of the world xx

I've poked my head in the door so to speak, I think I posted once somewhere in there the other day, I'll go for another look

Hi, I'm an Aussie in Brisbane and I'm 6 weeks post op yesterday. (27 November) Pre optifast: 137.5kg 303.13lbs Day of Op: 130.1kg 286.82lbs Today: 123.1kg 271.38lbs I think this is REALLY slow considering its a 7kg loss in 6 weeks and I haven't been cheating, but thanks to the forums here, am accepting that not everyone can lose fast, still it doesn't make one feel that much better. What do you all think?

Well I tried it and have mixed feelings so far, but it could be down to the choice if foods. I tried yesterday, eating a scrambled egg and a slice of bacon, it actually kept me feeling full for most of the day and I had difficulty getting my water in, but did so after the bloat subsided in the evening. I was happy it kept me feeling full all day but I found after dinner I was very hungry and I did have chicken for lunch, I forced that in even though wasn't hungry. Tried again this morning and its the same full feeling again but without the bloat, just had a yoghurt for lunch so will see how things go tonight. I think I may not sit well with eggs at this stage, I tried one a few weeks ago and had a horrible feeling too, think ill just have to keep experimenting with this new stomach and work out what's best for me.

Well said!!!

When you think about it, it actually makes sense, sort of like another thread I was reading that said to eat solid food first thing in morning instead of liquids or shakes. It's like our stomach is just crying out and maybe it's because it wants the solid. I'm going to try the theory out, just so used to waking up and drinking a couple cups Water and think to myself I might as well have my Protein shake seeing as I'm already doing liquid.

I too had this feeling post op for almost 4 weeks, haven't had in in last 7 days. Am so glad it's not just me, I was getting concerned. It's just so hard for someone to understand the feeling if they haven't felt it.

I'm just 4 and a half week weeks out and have started walking briskly 30 minutes each day. This is all I can handle at the moment, hope to be able to increase time gradually working up to an hour within 6 months. I had NEVER exercised pre-op, not even in my childhood so am pretty dam proud of myself at the moment. I also want to add some sort of water aerobic shortly, still trying to find a pool close to home.

I forgot say that I use my supplement as a supplement only and not a meal replacement, but it very well could be used as such I guess going by the ingredients, just not practical.

I am in Australia and use a product called Vital Greens. I checked out the manufacturer for the Orac and it seems to be very similar in makeup. I can tell you that what I take is fabulous, I wouldn't miss taking it for the world, it not only helps me feel better physically but mentally as well. My niece who was sleeved July 2011 put me on to it and wouldn't be without it either. I really couldn't believe it until I tried it myself, it totally makes a huge difference, I am sure the Orac would do you good.

I have a lot of same problems but am currently eating puréed chicken an veg that has been boiled/steamed. I always put a stock cube in the cooking water for more flavour and a clove of fresh garlic is yum too. When serving add a tablespoon of grated cheese and mix in, it's pretty yum. I also eat sweet and savoury yoghurt as well as mushed up baked beans, refried beans with grated cheese and sour cream as well as thick soups. I still have a lot of that left frozen in the freezer so I add some farex baby rice cereal to thicken it up, sometimes some puréed poached chicken as well. I don't seem to be able to manage eggs too well, but would love to get down really soft scrambled. I keep trying to get my protein shakes down, i didnt think it would be so hard, i really notice if i dont have my vitamins and my water, feel very very down and off if i miss them, there just doesnt seem to be enough hours in the day to eat/drink everything i need. I have noticed a few foods I used to adore pre surgery, I really don't like anymore, taste wise and also they just don't sit well at all. I keep experimenting from time to time but try to keep it very very simple at this stage as have had quite a few problems since my op 24 November, sleeve conversion from Lapland, a lot of scarring from band site that causes pain, obviously it's still very raw down there.

I am new to this site but found a suggestion yesterday for fitness pal, started using it immediately and think its great!

For the Aussies Woolworths Select Macro Greek Yoghurt is very creamy and yummy. Can eat on its own quite happily. Going to try the Jalna pot set tomorrow

Old thread singing the praises of Dr Justin Greenslade He was my surgeon too at Greenslopes, no complaints here, he is fantastic, nurses, other Drs etc all say fabulous things about him. He is not only very approachable but has a heart and a beautiful caring nature. I am so glad I found him. Had a different surgeon years ago when I had a band put in who I would not only, not recommend, but strongly advise people to stay away from. Am I allowed to name that surgeon on here?

Hi, I had the revision in November 2012. While I can say that I definitely don't have the pain I had associated with the band, it hasn't been smooth sailing. The area in our oesophagus where the band was thethered, is still not healed for me and quite often mine becomes very very sore and I have to revert back to liquids only for a day or so and dried/old blood will often come up in my spit in the mornings. I've lost about 31 lbs so far. I am really happy I had the operation, I see my weight problem as a terrible addiction/illness. I was so positive and happy up til about 2 weeks ago and now the doubts keep creeping back to me, I try to push them away and most of the time I succeed. I guess it's the same for all of us. I am a very impatient person and realise this is not realistic at all either. I absolutely hated my lap band and am so glad it's gone now, I have only good things to look forward to now as long as I follow the basic rules, must adhere. I know if I don't drink my Water and get my Protein and Vitamins, I feel very very ill and sad, it is a real chore to do but can be managed. I hope all goes well for you and anyone else embarking on this journey, stay positive and exercise as soon as you can walk, even if its only a little, so important. I had no pain post op other than the horrendous left shoulder spikes for four days after, I guess the PCA helped, was in Fentanyl heaven for days and couldn't complain. Like i said stay positive, don't let the little stuff get to you and all will be great. XXX