susanfrompa

Each year Oprah does a show featuring her favorite things. It got me thinking of what my favorite things are pertaining to my lap-band, and weight loss. I'll list mine, and I would LOVE to hear what other's favorite things are! For example: When I'm craving sweets at night, I love to have sugar free popsicles, especially the orange crush/rootbeer/diet dr. pepper flavored! They are 15 calories a piece, taste great and are very satisfying! My favorite Protein powder is called Body Fortress and I buy it at Wal-mart. I love the chocolate flavor. Each morning, I mix it with a cup of skim milk and ice, and it tastes like a chocolate milk shake to me! YUM! During warm weather months, I walk every evening for 3-5 miles, but now that the weather is colder, I work out to my favorite work out video, Leslie Sansones Walk off the pounds! It's a 3 mile power walking video that you can do in a small space! It's low impatic, cardio plus strength training work out video, that's very easy to follow and works great! One of my favorite low-carb, low calorie and very healthy foods I eat, is homemade wedding Soup. We make it at our restaurant with escarole, chicken, celery, onion, chicken stock, and little meatballs! I put a slice of provolone cheese on top and.....MMMM! Soooo good! My favorite web-site is Lapbandtalk.com! I read it every day for information and inspiration! Just about anything you'd want to know about living with the lap-band, is right here! So those are some of my favorite things pertaining to my lap-band and weight loss... what are yours?

I feed people. I own a restaurant. :hungry:

I was banded on August 27th, 2007. I've lost 61 lbs. I weighed 275 before the surgery and am currently at 214 lbs. I am currently averaging about 3 lbs lost per week. I haven't had a fill yet. My experience with the band, is that it has caused me to feel satisied all through out the day. I am not hungry! (I never knew what that felt like..before the band, I was ALWAYS hungry!) Now..I can go 6 hours or more without eating and feel fine. Now, I eat to fuel my body, instead of eating because I'm hungry, because in all honesty, I'm rarely hungry. It's a very strange feeling to me. I LOVE IT!!!! I have a protein shake with a multi-vitamin every morning. For lunch and dinner I can eat anything, but just in smaller portions. I usually have a small snack at night, and also walk 3-5 miles, six evenings a week. So..I just wanted to let you know, that there are some people who haven't needed a fill. The band is working, because I rarely feel hunger. My doctor told me to call him when I stop losing weight and he will give me a fill, but so far my weight loss hasn't stopped or slowed down. When it does, I will not be afraid to have a fill! God Bless You, Susan

I was banded on August 27th, 2007! I've lost 50 lbs and feel incredible! It was the best choice I've ever made! If you have any questions feel free to email me! Susan

Hello everyone. My name is Susan. I was banded on August 28th. So far I have lost 26 lbs.(I lost 18 two weeks before surgery) I have followed my Surgeon's instructions exactly He put me on a liquid diet two weeks before surgery. Liquids only for the first two days after surgery Pureed and Soft foods the first week after surgery I had my followup appt. on Sept 7th, and He told me I could try to eat all foods. He said, If I begin to be able to eat a full size meal, call him and he will tighten the band. I have not had any problems at all so far. I feel great! I have a very little appetite though, so I make sure I drink protein shakes to get that protein in. Has anyone else out there been put on solid foods within 10 days of surgery? Do I listen to my surgeon or you guys? After reading so many posts about damaging their bands by eating solids too soons, I'm so confused! My surgeon is an excellent surgeon who has done over 600 gastric bypass operations..but only about 37 lap band surgeries. Opinions please : )

Thanks for the info friend : ) I appreciate your response! Good luck to you!! Susan

Thank you for that info! Everyone is so nice in this forum. I am truly thankful for being able to get so much help and advice here. Thx again. Susan

I called my surgeon's office to make sure I heard him right, and indeed he said, I could start on solid foods immediately. (ten days after surgery). So far I have lost 15 lbs. (three weeks since surgery) (18 more pounds while being on the two weeks pre-surgery liquid diet)(Total of 33 lbs). Dr. Kolenich said that my band has no fill in it, BUT I feel full most of the time. I have a very small appetite now, and can only eat about 1/2 cup serving of anything at one time. He said it was because, sometimes the the band jusy being on the stoma (top of the stomach) causes a full feeling in some people without having to have it filled. That is what I feel. I have had no problems whatsoever..so far. I hope that continues. I have followed his rules very strictly. I take my vitamins, and I began an exersize program..I don't drink with meals, and I make sure I get enough protein each day. I love the fact that I can eat anything and am not restricted. I am doing all I can to try to make it work, without having a fill. I'm very careful now of what I put into my body..no junk food!! I'm not sure how to make a ticker.. But I started out @ 275lbs, and am now at 242 lbs. My goal is 150! Just wanted to share my journey with others.. any questions feel free to email me. netgirly@yahoo.com "I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me." Phil 4:13 Susan