Dave01

Way to go everyone. I am getting ready for the last day of the year walk and will try for 6-8 miles this morning. I missed the weight goal by a few, but thats not stopping me at all. Just another hurdle to jump...LOL I did drop another lb, so I need to update my ticker ( I love that thing) once I get back later. Congrats again to all who made thier exercise goal and also to all that did thier best. Its not easy getting all of there days in, is it?

Welcome, and way to go on the pre-op diet. Its the hardest part for some . You will find enough support on here to make up for any you are not getting at home. Ask as many questions as you have and all of us will try to be of help. I have found many new friends on here and it has been a real source of encouragment for me so far.

I do the occasional South Beach meal when I am out of time to cook for myself. Steamed veggies in the pouches are a great quick food too, just avoid the ones covered in cheese and sauces. Gortons grilled fillets are quick and easy and have 100 calories, 17g of protein and 1g of carbs

You are having what all of us did. Its gas pain and it will go away. Walking did a lot to get rid of mine. Some have used Gas-x and had good results. Usually you have pain up in your shoulder area too. If it doesnt go away within 2 weeks, see your doctor again and get checked out.

Practice not drinking with meals, usually 1/2 hr before until 45 minutes after. Some times are different. Get plenty of Protein once banded, chart your food intake and your exercise and you will see good results

Also - do any of you know what are the foods that they want you to stay away from the most? I know sugar and fat, but what about the carbs like tarheel was saying, or anything else? I have been told to avoid things like breads, rice, pastas, potatoes corn, anything fried and mostly any empty calories, such as those found in drinks. I do around 128 ozs of liquids per day, Water or crystal light. Veggies will be great for you once banded and off the liquid part. They puree up nice and as you know, have great flavor. I substitute mashed cauliflower for potatoes. Dont worry so much about not starting the pre-diet on time. A lot of people on here didnt and have done well.

Working my way to Twoterville. Still a ways to go but I have upped the exercise and lowered the calorie intake over the past 2 weeks. I'll miss my goal of 100 lost by Xmas, but its been fun trying. Hope everyone is surviving the holiday season....Dave

Its easy to slip up now and then. I did it once or twice. Do the best you can pre-op and it will only help you once you are banded. Remember, the band is just a tool and post-op, you will need to have the same willpower to control your cravings. Some people say avoid the cooking shows, but for me, its just the opposite. I now love to watch them and make notes on how to adjust the meals they make to be sure they are band-friendly. My liquid diet was protein shakes 2 times daily and a light meal, fish or chicken and a veggie. Be sure you have stopped soda's, do not drink with meals now and it will be easier later, start avoiding the snack type foods and it should be ok for your surgery. I had a specific weight to lose and if not succesful, the surgery would be postponed

One more day of walking and exercise is over. Today I got in a 4 mile walk ( quick paced) and 45 min in the home gym. Got a new Sansa mp3 player and loaded it up with my fav walking/workout music. What a motivational help.....

Another workout done. I have made my exercise goal but am still lacking on my year-end mini goal by a little. I still have a few days though and I am not giving up this easy

Mine was liquids for 2 weeks, mushies for 2, soft for 1 and then regular food as tolerated. Protein shakes, one for bfast and 1 for dinner, with soup broth for lunch worked for me. I had to take up walking/working out to forget about food. It really works

Another day of success. 3.5 miles this morning. Nice weather for walking too.

Another day of exercise done and much to my surprise, another pound gone. I hope the scale still reads this in the morning. Keep it up everyone and we can survive the holiday season together...Dave

Donna, way to go. I love the NSV's. I went to dinner at the parents today and my aunt looked right at me and didnt know who I was. I havent seen her since before the journey began. Keep it up, you are doing great...Dave

of my lapband buddies...aka my life support system. You all have been a great source of information and inspiration over the last 4 months since my surgery. Although this post can never really let you know how much I have been helped by all of you, I hope it conveys some of it. Have a Merry Christmas and once again, THANK YOU for everything....Dave:banana:banana:banana:thumbs_up:

Like steph said, make sure you are getting in your required liquids. My scale stopped for a while and I had to change my meal plan (variety) and it started moving again. I average near 900-1100 calories at the most per day. Some days, only 700, but I feel the loss of energy on those. Keep up your protein intake too. If this doesnt work, wave a large hammer at your scale and threaten it with destruction. Mine got so scared it is still moving...LOL

You may not get restriction from your first fill. Maybe not even your second. As hard as it can be, willpower is what will help now. I put a limit on my food intake and am still doing that. I am not sure what a good average loss would be. I have been religious at exercise and working out, watching my food intake and drinking a ton of crystal light/water, so mine probably isnt average.

Chaca, Thanks and yes, I feel great. I am very happy with my results. Its been a lot of miles of walking and days/nights spent in my gym. But the change has made it all worth it. Congrats on your upcoming band date. The pain from surgery was minimal, maybe a 3. Mine took a long time due to scar tissue in the way from previous abdominal surgery. 4 hrs in the operating room instead of 45 minutes. I was up and walking the stores ( slowly) the day after surgery.

Tracey, mine was pretty much protein shakes 2 times a day and a small meal for lunch. No sodas, pasta, rice or stuff like that. It really got me ready for the liquid stage I had after surgery. Mine was a month long though ( self planned), not a real requirement from my doctor. I just wanted to be sure I could do it. Good luck on the upcoming band date....Dave

Yes, I had that too. It was explained to me that the feeling/pain was from where they attached the port and it will go away. Mine took around a full week. During that time i made sure not to sleep on mu stomach and now have got used to sleeping on my back. Give it a little time and the pains/discomfort will disappear......Dave

I must be nuts. Its 3:20 in the morning and I just got a small 2 mile walk in, around the neighborhood. I kept looking for the cops to get me for something. But, this gets me closer to the goal of 24 days. Hope everyone is ready for tomorrow. As for me, just a SMALL meal with the parents...LOL And 2 more lbs gone...Gonna go down to the wire on this one:whoo::whoo::whoo:

Good news on the luggage. Glad it made it back to ya. Got another day of walking in, all the way from the tire store back home. Now I'm waiting to hear from them so I can walk back and get my truck. Kinda like a forced exercise program today. Either that or sit in the waiting room for hours...LOL And remember, only 4 shopping days till XMAS....WOOHOO:whoo::whoo::whoo:

I would def. give your dr a call then. Maybe they filled your band during surgery and its just too tight. That would cause the pain when eating/drinking and possibly reflux causing you the heartburn pain. Let us know what you find out....Dave

Ann, does the pain come when you drink liquids too. I was on liquids for 2 weeks before I could have any pureed foods. You may have to eat real slow and that should help. If not, maybe call your dr before they close for the holidays. I was told to avoid pasta since its high in carbs. I have found that all of our dr's have different approaches on post-op eating.

Congrats on the approval. I also used Aetna PPO and after a year of jumping thru hoops, got mine done. Anything you can do pre-op to get used to the new way of living ( I hate the word diet) will really help . No more sodas, try not drinking with meals, slow chew chew chew, and other stuff lessens the shock later. Keep us posted on your band date and any questions you may have, just ask.....Dave