Michael185

Bux - in response to your question. I think the difference for me was my Protein Drink consumption. I had surgery on March 1st at 10:00 a.m. That night I was walking around the mall. I was back at work on the follow Tuesday. I have felt great ever since. Energy level and recovery from surgery will vary on the individual. All I can say is I have lost 45 lbs since March 1st, I have never felt better and had more energy. I often opt to walk to local businesses vs driving just so I can get exercise. Good luck to you. Find a good Protein drink and enjoy the start of your new life! Michael :thumbup:

Hey Big T - I had the realize band on March 1st. There is no gender differences between the bands. The technology is the same. The biggest difference currently is the on-line support available from Johnson and Johnson pre and post surgery. I have held both products in my hands. They are basically the same except the realize band port is attached to the body with hooks vs being stitched. Also, the realize band has a larger port surface making it easier to find for future fills. I am shocked that a doc would imply the difference in bands is based on gender. I have lost 45 lbs since March 1st... so if that makes me a woman - so be it!!! Let me know if you want to talk more about it. I am loving it!!!

Tracy, in my opinion unjury (Welcome to the UNJURY Homepage) provides the best tasting Protein drinks. They have a variety of flavors including unflavored you can add to anything as well as chicken broth (powder). Also Matrix is good, I think it is by Syntax. I have tried a couple from GNC and other body building places that I haven't liked as much. Also here is a tip on something I have done. I add sugar free syrups into my protein mixes sometimes. I use a orange protein mix and add vanilla syrup - makes a great dreamsicle flavored drink. Final tip - by a small container first if possible. Some are really bad and you don't want $40 worth on your shelf. Also don't buy a lot before surgery, your taste may change post surgery. Good luck, Michael

My doctor and nutritionist encourage us to follow the "30 Rule" - no drinking 30 minutes before, chew each bite 30 times before swallowing, no drinking for 30 minutes after. I have only been banded since March 1 but I am following this rule 100%. I attribute some of my success to this. Also the few times I have had a problem were times that I didn't follow this rule. It is working fo rme. Good luck all. Michael

Hey there proud-dad. I had my first fill yesterday and I am having no problems. My port area is not sore at all. I am on a liquid diet for 2 days and then pureed for 2 days but after that it is back to normal - whatever that may be post fill. I had 2cc fill yesterday. How about you? Did you do the flourscope? It was amazing to watch.

Greetings all. I was banded on March 1st with the J&J Realize Band. Today I saw my surgeon for the 2nd post surgery consult. I have lost 30 lbs - awesome!!! I feel great. I am learning what to eat, how to eat and most importantly how long to take when I am eating it (30/30/30). I will be scheduling my first fill on Monday for sometime within the next 2 weeks. I came to a realization today - you can only measure your success by your own journey and goals. Not by the success or failures of others. Keep up the great work and spirits everyone! Best regards!!!

Great idea for a thread - this really helps us see the diversity of our new community. I am a SVP, Human Resources. I am also a dad of an autistic son. Other than that I volunteer on the neighborhood board and the local autism board.

Hello gentlemen, quick question. I was banded on March 1st with the new Realize Band from Johnson and Johnson. I was on the liquid diet for a few weeks and then went to pureed. My question is over the past few weeks, I have gotten the hiccups really bad after eating a couple of times. I think it is related to over eating and needing to learn portion control. I have not gotten sick yet but uncomfortable. Any thoughts? Also if you have any types on what I can eat on the soft food diet would be greatly appreciated. I have the list from the surgeon but tips from others who have been there is beneficial too. Thanks guys. I appreciate your input.

Hello everyone. Congrats to all the people who have been banded in March. I was banded on March 1st with the new Realize band from Johnson and Johnson. Things are going great since surgery. I had surgery in the morning on March 1st and was walking around the mall Saturday night trying to help the Co2 gas disapate. I am on a pureed diet now. Not bad. I am living on black bean Soup with baked chicken ground up using the Magic Bullet - they are awesome. I have also been using Protein drinks from unjury. It is awesome! I am looking forward to returning to soft foods as of April 1st. I am really looking forward to the first fill. So far I have lost ~30 lbs since the pre-surgery diet. I love this new life style. Good luck to everyone.

On the topic of coming out about being a bandster, I have decided to. My friends are mostly bears (big, hairy, gay men). I decided early on to tell my friends so I could either gather their support early on or their disapproval and get that out of the way. So far, it has been fairly positive. I was informed recently that several of them had spoken and decided I didn't need it. I told them I appreciated their support and that with a BMI of 40+ and being 130 lbs over weight and assured them that I did in fact qualify for and need the surgery. Overall the acceptance has been positive. I had to have my friends support because so much of my life with them was social eating. I also had to have them understand that my desire to lose weight wasn't a rejection of them or a judgement in any way. It is working for me. If I lose friends along the way, then I have to question the foundation of our friendship. Michael

Chris, Congrats on your band. I was just banded on March 1st. I have been on a liquid diet for 2 weeks prior to the surgery and of course since. I am finding the Protein drinks are really helping me manage my hunger. I am drinking unjury Protein Drinks. They are working great for me. I am also drinking Water and G2. Also just today I started brothe and bullion. The other thing I have done a couple of times when I felt like eating was to go for a 15 minute walk. I must admit, I also went shopping the on Sunday and bought a shirt to help motivate me. I hope this helps a little. Just know you are not alone. Others are in the same spot and on the same path in the journey. Good luck!!! Michael

Hey Nicole, I am doing okay on the liquid diet. Today is day 5. I haven't had solid food at all and am sticking to the guidelines the doctor gave me. I am drinking 1000 calories a day and 60 grams of protein. I am using Ensure and Adkins drinks as my main meals and then a lot of water and G2 gatoraide to fill in the gaps. What are you doing during your diet? When is your surgery?

Hello all - I am new to this site and just found the GLBT group. Yeah!!! I am being banded on Saturday, March 1st. I have been out to my doctor and his team since going. Like Mick in Atlanta, I live in conservative Charlotte, NC. My thought on coming out was that if there was any complication in surgery I didn't want any question that my partner was my partner and had medical power or attorney and could speak on my behalf. I have been to my attorney and have all the documentation in place and on file with my doctors office. In addition to wanting to be comfortable in this very important time of my life, I figure the doctor is making enough money off of this surgery. He needed to embrace me and my partner as much as he is going to embrace my dollars! I can't wait to get to know you guys better. Wish me luck - I am on the pre-sugergy liquid diet right now. OMG - I could eat a house!

Good morning Capina. I am scheduled to be banded on March 1st. My doctor puts his patients on a liquid diet 2 weeks prior to surgery. I was just notified this past Wednesday so this is my 4th day on liquids. I am consuming less that 1000 calories a day and 60g of protein. The surgeon says that a liquid diet helps start the weight loss as well as makes the liver softer and the surgery easier to perform. Good luck with your journey!