JaxBandster

Try reducing carbs to about 30 gms a day. Eating protein first, veggies second, carbs if you can fit them in but don't try to stuff yourself. Eat until comfortable then stop.

My understanding is that there is a lot of swelling during this period as well as a lot of water weight from the IV solution that has to work it's way through the body. I read a post today that you will learn to have patience as a bandster. Don't worry, it will come off.

The goal is NOT to PB!!! PBing means you are either eating to much or too fast or both. How much are you eating and is your diet heavy on carbs? Are you eating your Protein first, then veggies, then carbs if you have room? If your diet is heavy in carbs then you probably won't lose weight. I also agree about tracking your intake on sites such as FitDay or other food journaling sites. It really helps to be able to see what you are eating. Keep your protein around 100 gms a day and your carbs around 30 gms.

Low carb. Sugar is stored in your liver. The first place your body goes for energy (sugar) is your liver. Once that is depleted (and your liver shrinks), it will go to your fat stores for energy. Try to keep your carb level around 30 gms a day. I have been doing that for two weeks and have lost 14 lbs. One more thing. If you are going to do this and be successful at it, you need to be mentally prepared to follow doctor's instructions to the letter. There is no more putting it off. It is imperative that your liver be in good shape for the surgery. You are a partner in your weight loss team. Your doctor and the band can only do so much. You have to do most of the work. So starting today, resolve that you are going to do what it takes to be a successful loser! Good luck!

LOL, my doctor told me that 100 years from now if archeologist's find my remains that all they will find is the band!!! Nice huh? :wink2:

Have you tried Gas-X strips? They might help. I've seen them recommended alot.

Jaylow, once you have been on the low carb diet for about a week you will suddenly not feel so hungry anymore. Carbs increase your appetite and your body will miss them at first. I had all sorts of side effects while my body was getting used to living without carbs. Also, you can have all the meat you want. Ham, chicken, steak, pork, fish, etc. Just make sure they are lean cuts. You can also have all the green leafy veggies you want. Read labels on salad dressings. You can find some really good ones that are very low carb. Stay away from fruit for now especially bananas which are loaded with carbs. Believe me, I was a carb addict (and still am). It is still hard to live without all those things that I loved to overeat. But I am really amazed at the difference I feel now that I have gotten through withdrawal.

This could be carb withdrawal. I've been on a low carb diet for two weeks now and I am finally starting to feel normal again. I had headaches, nausea, fatique, light headedness, etc. It is finally starting to level out.

I would first suggest maybe not doing NO carbs but just low carb. At least reduce your processed sugars and stay with natural ones like in fruit. Are you exercising at all? I've heard that at some point you plateau and you need to exercise to kick your metabolism into gear. Also as far as fills are concerned, some people don't feel restriction until after 4 or 5 fills or maybe more. Just keep going to get your fills. You will feel restriction eventually. I know it is discouraging, but you will get there. We are behind you.

Good luck Danny! When is your band date?

Hi apples First of all, you aren't going to die. Hundreds if not thousands of people have this surgery every day. My understanding is that there have been no deaths from this surgery and that the post-op mortality rate is extremely low. You will be fine! Piece of cake! I don't know what your pre-op diet consists of. Mine is high protein/low carb up until two days before surgery and then it's Clear Liquids. Just follow your doctor's instructions to the letter and you will be good to go! One more thing, do not go out and have "a last meal". That can result in your liver swelling and making the surgery more difficult. Work on reducing your carb intake so that the sugar in your liver is burned off and the liver shrinks. That will help make your surgery go much easier and you will lose some weight pre-op to boot! Good luck!

I don't know why he said what he did. He may have been speaking in general. I guess he has seen a lot of bad banding jobs and that is what he based his judgement on. I don't know how he feels about Dr. Ortiz specifically. I know from being on the boards and researching reference materials that Dr. Ortiz is a leader in the field and has trained many American doctors. Like I said, I don't know if he was speaking in general terms or what. I was just repeating what he said. I didn't interrogate him as to the reasons for his opinion.

Congratulations Karen!!!!! It sounds like you are doing great!!!!!!! I hope mine goes as smoothly!! Keep us posted!

This is my crew! First my baby. Her name is Annia (pronounced Ahn-ya) and she is 8 months old This is Annia on the night we got her. She was so tired from her long trip home. This is Annia with her new buddy Gracie who showed up on our driveway right before Christmas, flea infested and with hook worms. We believe she is about 2-3 years old and is a Corgi mix Of course we can't forget the kitties. The black one is Stormy. He is about 12-13 years old now. The other one is Willow. He is about 8.

Hey Lori! How are things progressing????????? Inquiring minds and all that

Hi I'm Karen, I live in Ponte Vedra, FL which is about halfway between Jacksonville and St. Augustine on the east coast of the state. I am 48, married to my third (and last!) husband who absolutely loves ample women and hence doesn't think there is a thing in the world wrong with me! He is very supportive though and is even on my pre-op diet with me which can't hurt as he is a Type II diabetic. My soon to be 16 year old daughter lives with us along with two dogs, an eight month old Rottweiler and 2-3 year old Corgi mix who showed up in our drive way right before Christmas, and also two fuzz ball cats who still insist that they are the top beasts in the house. I also have a 21 year old son who lives down in Tampa. My husband and I both have Harleys and we ride a lot! My band date is February 7th and Dr. Cywes is doing my surgery. My start weight was 270 (277 was my highest several years back) and my doctor's goal is 170. I wouldn't mind getting to 160 though. My current weight is 256 and I've been on the pre-op high protein/low carb diet for less than two weeks now. I think that's about it for me! Looking forward to tracking everyone's journey!

Hi Cindy Congratulations on your date! From what I have read the people who regret getting banded are VERY few and far between. Most people, even those who have had a difficult time, say they would do it again in a heartbeat. My date is February 7th. I am still at the nervous and excited stage and probably will be even past surgery! LOL All I know is that I want to be thin again and I'm determined to get there! Good luck!

I was absolutely shocked by the amount of high carb food we had in our house. We literally got rid of 3/4 of the food we had on hand and gave it to my best friend and her two kids. I am having to maintain a high protein/low carb diet and I knew that having the stuff around the house would be way too tempting and difficult to handle mentally so I got it out of the house. My husband is a Type II diabetic so it can only help him and my 15 year old daughter is 5'9 and 205 lbs so she could use to drop some lbs as well. The only advice I would have is be VERY careful with the fruit. Berries are the best as far as carbs go. Bananas are terrible!!!! Apples and pears aren't good either. Use a site like fitday.com or some other food journaling site (there are tons) and keep track of your daily food intake on there. It really helps. Good luck!

Wow Mark! Absolutely outstanding!!!!! Are you at goal or do you have more to go? Whatever you are doing, keep it up!!!

I tell you what. Low carb can really kick you into gear. My pre-op diet is high protein/low carb (30 mg a day) and I have lost 12.5 lbs in just under two weeks. Congrats on your weight loss so far and good luck in your journey!

Food/carb addiction is as devious as any other addiction. You are off the wagon and need to get back on. I think Jane had good advice. Find an OA or other support group to help you get back on track. Trust me, I have lost a large amount of weight only to put it back on and felt the lack of self esteem and dissappointment that comes along with it. Don't waste all the time, energy and money you have spent to lose such a large amount of weight. Time to get re-determined and re-motivated. You don't want to feel the way you used to when you had that 100 lbs on your body. If you have kept a journal, go back and read it. Remember the pain and sadness of being obese. Sometimes you have to go back to go forward. I really wish you the very best. Good luck.

How are you feeling? There is another woman on the boards here who just had an ultrasound today and it looks like she has gall stones. She is waiting to hear from the surgeon. If you have a severe attack, please go to the ER as soon as possible.

Hopefully the surgeon will contact you soon! I know how miserable you are. I was never so anxious to have a surgery in my life! I was like "get this thing out of me"! (Pretty much the same way I felt when I was in labor! LOLOL) Let us know what the surgeon says. I'm glad you got your question answered.

100 carbs a day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh man I wish!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL My pre-op AND post-op diet require me to eat no more than 30!! I'll tell you what though. I am losing weight like crazy. So may try reducing the carbs and see if it helps?