Mamacj

Great question, I have one of those nursing jobs where I never know how long I will be at work or when I will get called in on my day off. I just make sure I have things available that are ok to eat & that I like so I am not tempted to eat all those things that are so easy & so bad for us! There are quite a few banders at the hospital where I work so it helps to support one another. Best wishes for your band!

Hope it's not too late to join the challenge!!! Name.............. Start ..........Current.......... Goal ........ToGo 3ShotRoc..............345..............263................220......... ..43 alabubba..............464..............464................400......... ....64 barb12590............173..............170................155.......... .15 Betelnut…………......95….……...…273 …....……..245………….28 Bklyn1984.............317..............256................230......... ..26 blaze21................200.8...........200.8..............170......... ..30.8 Chicky Abby..........314..............314................270...........44 countrygirlNY........253..............217................182.......... ..35 crzytchr2004.........237..............233................210.......... .23 Fab by 50.............215..............215................175...........40 Fordgal88.............199..............175................199......... ..24 Htaylor1021.....210............210............185.........25 Jennyt71...............245..............210................170........ ...40 LessJess...............228..............228................199........ ...29 Letsgetitstarted.....229..............229................199.......... .30 libbyjane1976.......283...............283................250.......... 33 LilMissDiva...........251.6............251.6..............227......... .24.6 liz_hager..............158..............158.................145....... ....13 Mair.....................222..............220................199...... .....21 mamacj................316..............269................233............36 mrsezova..............200.............200.................170......... ..30 pbpuniser.............212..............212................182......... ..30 picklesix...........197..........197.............170.........27 sexylips................238..............238................199....... ....39 SillyGoose............258...............251................228........ ...23 simone................182...............182................160........ ...22 ukcatsfan.............340...............340................300........ ...40

Don't worry too much about the bm, as long as you are passing gas and not feeling constipated or bloated. For protein, I really like the whey protein 'Body Fortress' from Wal-Mart add skim milk and its like 30 grams per serving. You can also get benefiber (odorless, tasteless) it adds 6gms to anything, soup, yogurt, protein drinks, etc.

Beneprotein is odorless and tasteless. I have used it in soups, juice, whatever to supplement my protein intake. I purchased mine at beneprotein.com but I think you can get it at Walgreens stores. Another great way to add protein is powdered peanut butter. I like to add it to chocolate or cookies and cream protein shakes. Check out bellplantation.com. I am not trying to sell anything, just hoping to give you some options! Hope you find the info helpful. :wink:

I can sympathize, I lost like 12 pounds on the liquid diet I was restricted to for the first 2 weeks after surgery, then NOTHING for weeks. So, I looked at what I was eating, sure it wasn't alot but I was having things like shakes when I was in a hurry because if I tried to eat food without liquids it got stuck! So I started counting calories, writing down everything I eat and I started exercising more (I had been going to the gym maybe 2 times a week). I exercise 4 to 6 days a week and keeping my daily calories at 1200/day and carbs below 100gm/day. I have lost 20 more pounds and have so much energy that I am going stir crazy due to a snow/ice storm here in Oklahoma! Don't give up, it is a great tool. Maybe you need to talk to your doctor or the nutritionist from his office. I am not judging you, I know this is hard. I still have days when I just want to eat whatever but the band does help me to remember that is not what I really want anymore. I wish you the best and hope you start seeing results soon!

I had a similar experience after my first fill, the side of my abdomen where the port is hurt worse than I did after surgery. I followed the advice of a friend who has had the band, she said to do stretches and it would help decrease the pain. So every time I hurt I stretched. The pain eased and eventually stopped altogether. Hope this helps! :tongue_smilie:

Well, I haven't been riding! Just a week out from my surgery and know I can't get on the bike for a few weeks and by then it's too cold to ride here. Pretty cold already today, brisk fall day and I LOVE IT!! Have to go back to work Monday so I'd better enjoy this weekend. In the mean time I live vicariously through those who live to ride and ride to live! So post your latest adventures and give me some joy!

Absolutely Vidahlia! I hope your surgery went well, I am 2 days post op and feeling good, just a bit sore. I can't wait to see the numbers drop!! This halloween will probably be a floor length gown from an earlier century, but next year, LOOK OUT, biker leather and my Harley boots!! :thumbup:

Totally agree with the last post, easy shoes (I took my croc flip flops) and lip balm. You will also want a robe so you can walk in the hall, but don't worry if you don't have one, they can give you a 2nd gown to put on backwards so you don't moon anyone! LOL. Seriously though, walk, walk, walk it helps with the gas and helps prevent blood clots. Do the incentive spirometer or whatever they tell you for deep breathing. Use the pain meds if you need them and drink what you can without getting nauseous. Shampoo and soap if they are letting you shower and you can't wait til you get home. I had my surgery Thursday and I went home Friday. I feel great, just a bit sore, but haven't taken any pain med since yesterday. Best wishes!! :thumbup:

Oh, those are great ideas! I love dressing up anytime, theme parties are too much fun! I think I want to be a biker chick, I already have the motorcycle, but I hope to look better riding it next year. I won't be too risque`, I AM old enough to be a grandma, but I will have more fun and dance more at the party! :thumbup:

Has your friends sister lost 116 lbs? If not, maybe she should look at the big picture. I know it can be done with diet and exercise, but sometimes we need a little help, a tool to use to get to our goal. I will get my band on Oct 9th, and I know what a relief it is to know I will have some help with this struggle. I have to say, I have tried it all and it works for a while, then I gain the weight back. The band will help me to stop this vicious cycle of weight loss and regain. So, I hope your friend is supportive of you even if her sister isn't. Best wishes!! :confused:

Yes, me too, I need to get healthier and I have tried everything else, I need a new tool to help me. I will be thinking of you on your surgery day! :thumbup:

Why not? We are all going to be SMASHING someday, so I think it's perfect!!:thumbup:

Yipee!!! I will follow 7 days later and pre-op starts 9/29, yeah liquids!! :thumbup:

Yeah for you!! I get mine October 9th and can't wait. Welcome to the 'Smashing Pumkins'

I will have my surgery October 9th!! So nice to finally say that!! :thumbup:

October 9th for me!!! I love being a 'smashing pumpkin', besides I look great in fall colors :thumbup:

I can't tell you for sure but they will probably want you to have pulmonary function tests along with everything else to determine lung function. In reference to other surgeries, if you have had an abdominal surgery and have scar tissue or adhesions sometimes this can hinder the laproscopic procedures. It just all depends. I haven't had my band placed yet, but I have had all the tests!! Best wishes on your journey to better health.

Leighann, don't apologize, this is going to be the most understanding, supportive group of people you will ever communicate with, we are all going through the same struggle. I wish I had some words of wisdom to tell you that would make your loved ones more supportive, but I don't. Just like yourself and most on this forum, I tried it all, WW, TOPS, OA, medication, Nutrisystem, Lean for Life, and other programs I can't even remember. The result is I have 'dieted' my way to 312 lbs. It took me 3 long years to sway my husband to see I need this surgery, he is also obese but like your husband can eat right and exercise and drop weight like nobody's business! I think the turning point, unfortunately, is that my health started to suffer. I have always been a 'healthy' fat girl (irritating to him, he has developed diabetes and high blood pressure and is not as overweight as I am), now I am prediabetic, have sleep apnea, reflux and bad knees. He is even considering the surgery for himself (I think he is waiting to see how it works for me). Do you have any other relatives or friends who might help you out? I know that part of my screening by the physicians office involved confirming I have a good support system. Whatever happens, please let me know and I wish you the best. CJ

I have had similar testing pre op, all these things can help determine your suitability for surgery. I know it seems like just another way to spend your insurance money, but I can't imagine any surgeon taking the risk, to you or to his practice, by not doing preop testing. I'm not saying they were right, it should have been better explained to you why the tests were being done and it really shouldn't take more than 2 months to get all these things done. I will say that the insurance company may say they work for you, but their goal is to keep collecting premiums and to not spend money. I don't know the whole situation, but I would be suspicious of any doctor who didn't at least want some blood work, a chest x-ray and an EKG. Do what is best for you and your loved ones. Best wishes in your journey, CJ

Great tip, I have to make a trip to the big city (as I live in a small one!) this week, I will stop in and see if they have any. Thanks!!

Granny, I am so very happy for you! I have to say, I don't have that kind of patience. I just found out Friday that I was approved and am anxious to talk to the doctor's office on Tuesday (Monday being a holiday, darn it!) and see if we can set a date. Partly, I am ready to go forward and partly I don't want to start all over in January with my insurance deductible! Best wishes! CJ

Hi Laura, I am also from Oklahoma, (northeast) I will be having surgery in OKC due to how my insurance pays. I have to agree, the horror stories are the exception. I only know this from friends who have the band, as I have just received insurance approval and don't have a date yet. Best wishes and enjoy the journey! CJ :thumbdown:

Yes, it will be great on the way down. I am looking forward to onederland after 2 decades of being over 250! It looks like you were well on the way down before surgery, good for you!