Rhea

Hey, guys. I started off really strong with my band, then I think I got lost at sea...and it took me a while to figure out I was depressed and struggling. I started feeling hungry all the time and not having much trouble eating... Well, I just switched meds and am doing better now (hopefully). I also got my second fill, and I think that has helped tremendously. I suddenly feel like going back to the gym again and watching those calories better. Has anyone else been battling depression? It's amazing how I fell off track, like with my energy and working out and being really careful about what I ate...and just didn't realize it really. What tools REALLY work for you guys? (besides the fills, of course) My tried and true useful foods are yogurt and Protein smoothies. Hot tea really helps also. Walking on the treadmill or with my dog through our neighborhood are the easiest exercises for me. When I'm really feeling energetic and doing well, then I go work out with weight machines and eat different stuff...but the other things get me through the rough days. I missed my support group twice and forgot about these helpful boards. I plan on checking in more often now...being held accountable helps. The Swirl of Words Tangled with Human Emotions.

I just had my second fill, and I am really having to eat slower and chew much better now. HUGE difference. And, I ended up having a PB. It wasn't pleasnt, and it woke me up to being more careful. It's sort of a shameful event, but at the same time it just reminds us to pay attention to what we're doing.

I'm so sorry you're sick!! I came down with one of those horrible throw-up/diarrhea bugs, and I ended up throwing up a fair amount. I was freaked out what it might do to my band, but when I asked my doctor, he informed me that it wasn't a problem. It's throwing up with a FULL stomach that causes problems with the band, or something along those lines. Hope you feel better soon!! The Swirl of Words Tangled with Human Emotions.

By the way, my doctor also suggested getting protein from different sources. You get different amino acids from different protein sources. I drink the New Whey Protein Bullet most of the time, but I also get protein from yogurt and soup. I also ate a well chewed Gerber meat stick the other day that was mushy and good. Anything different in my diet is welcomed at this point. I am three weeks post op and tired of mushies!!

It was my understanding that getting enough protein will keep you from losing hair. My doctor told me to get 60 grams of protein a day to keep from losing muscle and hair. It's all in the protein!!!!

I am allowed 2 ounces (which is 1/4 cup) every hour. I'm mainly taking in soup, yogurt, protein drinks and applesauce for those 2oz. Now, in between those, I can drink as much water or diet decaff iced tea as I want, as long as I slowly sip.

Hey, Longhorn! You're the one who teaches at ACC, right? I've taken classes there before. I know some of the English faculty as well. I also have bought some Protein drinks and chewable Vitamins. I also had someone recommend liquid tylenol and Motrin, since pills can be hard at first. I have read two books in the last few weeks about weight loss surgery BEFORE AND AFTER and FIGHTING WEIGHT, both very helpful and supportive. I'm trying to get in the right mindset to make the most of this surgery and weight loss! Have you tried the New whey Protein Bullets? They are three ounces and like 42 grams of protein. Amazing!! They taste ok, too, I think. It helps get that protein in such a small amount. I was warned not getting enough protein can cause muscle loss and hair LOSS!!! Sad that hair loss scares me more than muscle loss right now, but there you have it!! I'm so happy I found this board. I needed others to "chat" with about this. -Rhea (pronounced ray-ah)

I have been so nervous and excited about this surgery, but I think more nervous than anything. It's so nice to read that others are feeling the same way. It makes me feel not quite so alone. I know no one who has gone through this surgery, and no one in my family is overweight like I am. My whole family is super supportive, but I'm so sensitive about my weight and inability to lose it. I had a dream the other night that I was one week post-op. I still felt overweight, but I had lost 7 lbs and felt great (in the dream). The feeling of empowerment and excitement was overwhelming huge in this dream and when I remembered it the next morning, the feeling was still strong. So, I'm going to hold onto that feeling and try not to feel too nervous. lol Easier said than done though, I know. I've been reading books by others who have gone through weight loss surgery, like BEFORE AND AFTER and FIGHTING WEIGHT. Both very good books, definitely recommended reads. One is for gastric bypass and the other lapband, but both chronicle overweight women going through WLS. -Rhea (pronounced ray-ah)

Longhorn and MomofChuy, I live in Texas also!! I just moved away from Austin to the Dallas area for my husband's work, but I lived in Austin for 19 years. I have family in Houston, Spring and The Woodlands. It's nice to see some fellow bandsters in the "neighborhood." I'm starting my pre-op liquid diet today. I'm having surgery November 1st. My doctor didn't require a pre-op diet, so I'm doing this voluntarily. I asked my doctor why other doctors required it, and he said it helps reduce the size of your liver (which is usually enlarged) and it is harder to perform the surgery because they have to lift up your liver to get under it to your stomach. He says, in his opinion, that three days of liquid diet is enough to redeuce it, but some doctors require longer to make sure their patients are committed to the new lifestyle changes. So, I've decided to put myself on a four day liquid diet before surgery. It feels good to be doing something to prepare for this surgery. What else are you guys doing to prepare? Rhea (pronounced ray-ah)

Hi, everyone! I just discovered this website. I am so eager to find others going through the same process because I know no one else who has done it. I also just moved to a new town and am feeling a bit lonely, which I think intensifies all my nervous/excited feelings about this surgery. I am having surgery November 1st! I realized that is going to put me on the liquid diet through the holidays after the surgery, but I'm just so ready to get started and lose weight. I asked my surgeon about pre-op liquid diets. He doesn't require one, but I asked him why other doctors did. He said it helps reduce the size of your liver (which is usually enlarged in everyone) and it is harder to perform the surgery because they have to lift up your liver to get under it to your stomach. He says, in his opinion, that three days of liquid diet is enough to redeuce it, but some doctors require longer to make sure their patients are committed to the new lifestyle changes. And, some insurance companies require it as well, but I'm self pay. So, I've decided to put myself on a four day liquid diet before surgery. It feels good to be doing something to prepare for this surgery. What else are you guys doing to prepare? Rhea (pronounced ray-ah)

Hi, all! I am also a self-pay, and I am having surgery November 1st. Like everyone else, I'm super nervous but also super excited. I asked my surgeon about pre-op liquid diets. He doesn't require one, but I asked him why other doctors did. He said it helps reduce the size of your liver (which is usually enlarged) and it is harder to perform the surgery because they have to lift up your liver to get under it to your stomach. He says, in his opinion, that three days of liquid diet is enough to redeuce it, but some doctors require longer to make sure their patients are committed to the new lifestyle changes. So, I've decided to put myself on a four day liquid diet before surgery. It feels good to be doing something to prepare for this surgery. What else are you guys doing to prepare? Rhea (pronounced ray-ah)