res883

sjcharly, Where do you get the Achiev?

Don't forget, you can get extra protein and calcium in powdered milk. I add a serving to my skim milk/banana shake in the morning and it is really filling. Sugar free Carnation Instant Breakfast is a great base for a breakfast shake also.

Actually, I welcome the hiccups!!! It usually means the food is going down and I will be more comfortable. My Dr told me belching and hiccuping will just be a part of life now!!

Ebeth0013, I have been banded for a year now but I remember how much pain I had in my back and neck. It's from the surgery. Get up and moving. Drink plenty of Water. You're going to do great. The pain that lasted the longest was the port incision. That will pass too!!

I agree about not having enough Protein. In the morning, I like to have half a banana, skim milk, 1/3 cup powdered milk, and Carnation Instant Bresakfast. Mix in the blender. Powdered milk along with the skim milk will give you even more protein. If you don't have Carnation Breakfast, just add 1 packet of Equal or some sweetner. I put mine in the freezer until I'm ready for work and it is melted when I get there. You can log into the Carnation web site and get lots of ideas and get on their E-mail list for coupons etc. Also, try the Special K Protein Drink ( pricey ) or the new powdered sticks to add to Water. South Beach also has powdered protein for water. It will hold you over, get your water in, and you'll get more protein!!!

Good for you RonKat!! Don't let being uncomfortable get you down! You will be up and feeling great in a few days! Usually, the port incision is the worst. I had Dr Guske. The Kane center is a busy place. Let us know how you're doing. :whoo:

Yea!!! Carol!!! Congratulations! Hang in there. The hardest part is over. Remember, maybe put a pillow under your belly to sleep and ROLL out of bed. Food might taste a little funny afte surgery, hang in there!! ALL of this will pass. WE are all so proud of you!! Res883:clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2:

I'm with you Ozzy Greene! I love my band. I was banded 5-29-07 and just recently had the "sliming" for the first time. That occured after my 2nd fill and lasted for about a week. Fills are REALITY checks for us!! I found that food changed for me. chicken and beef were not a problem, until the 2nd fill, then everything was difficult, but only for a short time. I love my band. I rethink what I buy for groceries and I rethink what I am going to eat and how I eat. Slow down. That will help you to not take that one more mouth full that you don't need. This device is a great tool for weight loss. Res883 :ranger:

Hi! I'm from the Chicagoland area and went to Suburban Surgical Team in Arlington Hts Il.

Hi Mbanhja! When I was going through my pre-op, the nutritionist told me to get "instant dry milk" and add a serving of dry powder to any drink or pudding or smoothie. It has about 8 grams of Protein and no bad taste to milk and Carnation Instant Breakfast. If you like the WalMart shakes, just add a serving ( 2 1/2 tblsp ) to the drink and whip it up in the blender. I was also turned on to BeneProtein. Same people that make BeneFiber. I have used that too, but I had to order it on line because no one carries it. It has about the same gram weight as the dry milk. Sometimes I make my drink up and put it in the freezer until I'm ready to go to work and it's icy cold when I get here. Hopes this helps. Keep upi the good work!!! I love to read everyones suggestions! Res883 :ranger:

Ladies, I love hearing about all of your experiences with the bands. I love my band and occasionally do forget I have it!! I try VERY hard to eat right so as not to be reminded. I give each of you kudoos for your effort and fight to be thin and most of all, healthy. For everyone that has not been banded yet, go forward! Just look at the trackers at the end of most of our replys. How great is all of that? The botton line is this for me. I have had more BETTER days than BAD days!! This band of mine is the friend that says "don't have that" and when I get on the scale, it says "WOW". I love reading about everyones journey. Stay the course! Res883 :ranger:

Hi Ladies! Maxine, yesterday??? How wonderful. I was banded 5-29-07 and you are right, it is more of a discomfort than pain. sleep with a pillow under your belly, it helps. And roll out of bed. To all of you, keep talking. You will not regret this surgery. Good luck on the gallbladder surgery tomorrow. Yak with you all later! Res883 :ranger:

Sweetpea, I never had the rumbling at night, but my girlfriend did. She was banded a month before me. Shewould get the smallest dap of peanutbutter and just take the tinyest little bites. That satisfied her.

Check out Dr Guske with Suburban Surgical Spec in Elk Grove Village or Arlington Hts Il. He did my surgery.

I was banded at Alexian Bros by the Suburban Surgical Team. I had Dr Guske. He is a great guy, good sense of humor and very supportive. All of those things are of importance to me. I wanted a Dr I could talk to. He also operates out of St Alexius in Hoffman Estates Il. Godd luck everyone! If you can get through the pre-testing, you can do ANYTHING!!!

artzygirl! Believe me when I tell you, you will know when you are full. The trick is to eat S-L-O-W. That way, the fullness will not be abrupt, which is a reality check immediately! You will really have to over eat to throw up. I had my surgery 5-29-07 and have never thrown up. I've come close! But that just reminds me to slow down and CHEW CHEW CHEW!! I just had a fill last night and I feel like I have eaten a Thanksgiving dinner after some Carnation Instant breakfast! It is wonderful NOT to feel hungry. Also, if you are going to try Carnation Instant Breakfast, go to their website and get a coupon for $1.00 or $2.00 off. And, don't forget, when you make your drinks, for extra Protein, put a serving of instant milk in. Make sure you get as much protein as possible. Hope this all helps! Res:whoo:

To ALL the ladies ( and gentlemen ) who are waiting for their surgery date and are nervous and concerned and wondering if this is what they really should do... YOU'LL BE FINE!!! I think most everyone goes through this. Picture yourself thinner and healthier! AND... do not let anyone rain on your parade! This is not the cowards way out. That's what I thought for so long, or that I was a failure at dieting or not as strong as those who have lost weight and kept it off. Deal with those thoughts and then push them aside. You will be amazed at how wonderful you're going to feel. How eating healthier is going to make you feel so energized. All that you will go through will be rewarded with a healthier you, with more confidence, and those with children, how wonderful that you will be thin enough to join them in all of there activities! Be nervous, it's okay. You are all going to start looking in the mirror and loving the person you see. After all, you're doing this for YOU!!:bounce:

Karen!!! I eat steak, just not as much as I used to! Actually, I have not had trouble with anything. You just have to REMEMBER, eat SLOW and CHEW!! 3 cherries and I was full! Watermelon, couple of pieces and FULL! I think the more fiberous, the faster it will fill you up. Steak was no problem. You might find that food tastes a little "off" after surgery. Don't be too put off. That lasted about 2 weeks off and on. And oddly enough, my sense of smell was really heightened! It was very unusual, but it passed. Hang in there ladies! Everyone is different. Put the steaks on ice until your able to try them. Then just go slow... Res:hungry:

Hi Janet! HI Karen! Ladies you are going to be the happiest ever after surgery! I had mine June 1st and although I have been a slow loser, I wouldn't trade this for anything! I was just at the Dr's yesterday and had a fill. He thinks I needed a little more because I lost 1 pound this month. It was a struggle. So NEVER be disappointed about your loss. That's why the appointments are so important. The fills are "reality checks" for you mentally too. It brings you back to the begining afterward with liquid only for a couple of days. That alone gives you energy and sets you on the right path again. Hang in there. I love going in the closet and picking out ANYTHING and it fits! I found this website yesterday and I know I'm going to love it. Keep positive! Res:clap2:

Hi Judy! I had LapBand surgery 5-29-07 and am also 54 year old. I have lost 22 lbs. Is your Dr happy with your loss? There seem to be a lot of people with bigger weight losses than us in the same amount of time. I have a Dr appt today and expect him to do a fill. Hopefully that will speed up my loss! Welcome. I love this web sight. I just found it today. Res883

<p>Karen, have the surgery and feel better!! I was so scared of making the commitment of something that would be FOREVER! I kept thinking,if I don't like this, what then. For me, eating slower and smaller portions is the key to the success of the LapBand. When the time comes to be able to eat everything, you will be so comfortable having the same thing everyone else is, only a smaller portion. And I find that because I eat slower, I'm done the same time my family is done with dinner. Don't be scared! You will love the results. You're doing the right thing for your health!</p>

I've had my band since 5-29-07 and I burp AFTER I eat!! It's very embarrassing! I don't burp when I'm hungry.