Queen of Hearts

Have you checked out the Carnation Instant Breakfast drinks that are sugar free and low carbs?? You mix this with skim milk. They are really good and one of the things my nutritionist suggested. Also you can try the whey Protein supplement (any walmart or nutrition center) but on this one only use half the amount of Protein powder with skim milk to get your protein. Another protein source but a little higher is the Isopure drinks you can get at the General Nutrition Centers. They have 40-60 gms of protein per bottle and I will usually drink 1/2 of the bottle between meals. But again those a quite a bit higher. I shopped for the pre op and post op and one month after surgery diet according to my nutritionist and it cost me 300 for everything I knew I would need. So that figures to about 150 per month. :tt1: Not everyone follows the same diet from what I can see because I only had 3 days of liquid but the prior 7 days I had to restrict and measure protein, free veggies, and needed carbs, which actually didn't amount to much but a lot better than total liquid diet!! Hope this is helpful!:tt2:

:tt1: LilMissBand-Aid! WoW!! You want to know what I noticed right off the bat with your pictures?? That beautiful smile you have now!:tt2: Isn't it wonderful to know that you have accomplished one of your goals! You are beautiful and thank you for sharing your before and after pics! You have it going now!!

My nutritionist allowed 7 days of measured foods, hi protein low carb, and the last 3 days were liquid. I have a fatty liver too, so much so that I was going to be put on a donor list if I didn't loose the weight! The protein I had was egg scrambler (whites only) for breakfast. Then after an hour I drank a carnation instant breakfast low carb no sugar drink. For lunch 2 oz of protein (usually tuna), skim milk, and 1 cup of free veggies, or 1/2 sandwich with 2 oz of meat and 1 tsp of fat free mayo on whole grain or wheat bread only. The veggies were not corn, peas, or any hi carb or sugar veggie. Then I would drink a carnation instant breakfast drink or a slim fast protein drink or make my own with whey protein powder you can get at walmart or GNC. Dinner was 1 cup of salad, 3 oz of protein meat, and 1/2 cooked veggies. Then at night before I went to bed I drank another protein drink. It seemed like I felt full all the time, probably because I had everything spaced out evenly to where I didn't let the hunger pangs get me before I was drinking or eating something. The 3 days I was on liquids I bought chicken broth, beef broth, jello (no red), my CIBs, and anything else that looked like I might be able to stomach it! :biggrin: I only lost 7 pounds during this diet but my surgery was fine and my liver is doing great. Just went to my liver doc last Thursday and he was pleased with what the lab work was showing and it has only been 2 months!! I hope this helps!:biggrin2:

Yes, it works well as a substitute. I like both but I need a change once in a while and go with the chicken salad make from canned chicken. Just remember, that one can will make quite a bit! Try it and let me know how you like it!

You all sound so good and I was just telling my husband how much more I eat than all of you :thumbs_down:! I better tell the doc to tighten me up a bit more! :biggrin2: B - 1 boiled egg/cheerios (1/2c) with skim milk L - 2 oz chicken salad with cheddar cheese crackers and non fat pudding D - Tilapia filet with 1/2c salad w/ff italian dressing and 6 baked fries S - 4 gingerbread snaps 1 8 oz glass of Braums skim milk I am always looking to try new foods so I'm making notes on all of what you all are eating and I'll send my hubby out to find these! :huh2:

:biggrin2: I hope these answers will help. A lot of the questions you have can be based just on each individual and how they respond to surgery and fills. Good luck and happy banding!!:thumbs_down:

Hi! Don't be afraid to check your scale! I was banded in Feb and have lost only 20 pounds, which doesn't seem fair since I'm eating like a bird :thumbs_down: but my clothes are so loose on me it looks like I'm borrowing someone else's that is bigger than me :huh2:!! I have had one fill of 5 cc's and I go back this Thursday for my second fill. :thumbdown: I expect my doc will tighten me up again since the scale is moving so slowly but I know I have lost more inches than weight! Good luck and keep smiling!:biggrin2:

On my body the upper most incision between my breasts is where my lapband was installed. Below that is my larger incision apprx 2 1/2 inches is where they slipped the port in but the port is actually to the left of my belly button. Again on the left side I can feel my tube that runs from the port to the band and it is also stitched in place. I thought my port would be right under my incision but my doc told me he likes to put them lower so he can feel it better when he has his patients do like a crunch sit up to feel that sweet spot for fills. Sure makes it easy on me! Hopefully your pain isn't anything to worry about but when I first started walking I had pain in my left side just below my breast and when I discussed this with my doc :thumbs_down: that's when he told me that it was the tube running from the port to the band that was irritating me while I walked..it went away after about 10 days.:huh2: Best bet is to ask your doc about it!:biggrin2:

I noticed several of you had pain in your arms or shoulders. I too had a pain in my shoulder and the nurse told me that it was caused from the anesthesia..I could have sworn the 90 lb nurse that was in surgery with me dropped me on my shoulder after surgery when they moved me back on the bed. :huh2: It hurt pretty bad..but it went away after a few days!:biggrin2:

:thumbup:Hey Jason! I just had my band put on 2/8/08. My surgeon was the assistant to the surgeon that removed my gall bladder in 2004. I have great doctors and a lot of co-morbidity problems and my choice was pretty well made after I was told the next step for my liver was being put on a donor list. My Digestive Disease doctor highly recommended the lapband for me versus gastric bypass. He said there are too many complications that COULD happen. Not saying everyone would have problems if they opted for that surgery but he felt I would be better off with the lapband. I am very happy with my band. I don't see the numbers go down on the scale like I want but I know it works because I look like an orphan that's using someone elses clothes! I know I have already gone down one size and they are loosening up as I write! :biggrin: The first thing I remember that had me worried was the 3rd day after surgery I started walking a couple of miles and my side was hurting. I went in for my post op check and discussed this with my doctor and he said it was because they stitched my port and after a couple of weeks that would go away. It did but in only a few days. I have had one adjustment of 5cc's and I'm due to go back this week for another adjustment. Simply painless and it's worth every minute it is giving me for a new life! If your doctor checks you out and doesn't see any potential problems then I think you'll do great! Just picture yourself back down to an ideal weight with so many fewer health problems and many more added years to your life! You'll do GREAT!! Good luck and keep us posted on your progress!:w00t:

I am just speaking for myself, but my Digestive Disease doctor stated to me that he would not support my decision to have the gastric bypass. He highly recommended the lapband since it is the least invasive and if you have complications it can be reversed. I have only had my band for 2 months, I am walking every day and I still have loose skin, just not as bad as a friend I have that had the bypass surgery, also needs to have plastic surgery. And as Wheetsin says..genetics have a lot to do with that as well..I have stretch marks from having my children and a c-section to boot..so anyone that has had one of those know what I'm talking about! I really think after 2 years of checking into this surgery that the lapband is the way to go! Good luck!

I don't think the Lapband is the same either. I remember seeing what looked like a zip tie years ago but this lapband that I have is totally different! Good luck!

Hi! Welcome aboard to the new life change about to happen! I was banded 2/8/08 and luckily I had gone to a nutritionist before my surgery and was prepared for this new life change and this week I go in and will probably be adjusted again. You will see marvelous results that regular dieting and exercise never did for me before either! Enjoy your new beginning! I am!

I had my surgery on a Friday and went back to work on Monday. If you have a sendentary job I don't think you will have any problems but if you are up and moving around a lot you may consider taking an extra day or two.

How long has it been since you had your adjustment?? I don't even know my band size but I'm going to ask my doc on the next visit. I felt immediate change and unfortunately 2 days after I had my adjustment I didn't chew my food enough and what didn't get chewed up real good came back up~~NOT RECOMMENDED..it can cause the stoma to stretch and the band to slip..so I'm back to grinding my meats and veggies in my bullet so it is chewed enough without me actually having to do the chewing myself!! I would say that is my worse weakness..not chewing enough!! I think since Mar 5 when I was adjusted I've only lost 2 pounds. It's not much..but my hubby took a picture of me today and I looked at one I posted on the introduction thread of this site and I can now say..yes I see the changes in my face but the scale is still trying to lead me to believe I'm not getting anywhere..so don't give up. I keep hearing it's better to lose inches vs. weight..but it sure would be nice to see the scale go down with the amount of food I'm NOT eating! LOL!! You may call your doc and see if he can make another adjustment if after a couple of weeks you still don't feel anything..I felt my 5cc immediately..I even felt the saline blow it up!! Let me know how it goes!

Elsie, My doctor actually told me that the band I have may cause me to cough infrequently. You may want to ask your doc about it, but I noticed right after surgery. He said the only thing he would worry about is if I started vomiting because that could cause my stoma to stretch or even my band to come loose and then I'd have to go in again..hopefully you're well and it's just part of the band adjustment??:confused2:

You go girl!! HA! My husband said the same..the scales aren't working too well but my clothes are getting looser!! You are gorgeous!! Hang in there..one of these days we'll both not shy away from the cameras right??!!

This is exactly what I suffer from now! I don't chew as much as I should!!:frown: But I had my first fill 4 weeks after banding..2/8/08..I don't know what size my band is..probably a big one since I'm a big girl..but the usual time frame according to what my doc told me I'd be going through is 4-6 weeks. He put 5cc in me..I think that was because he couldn't find the perfect spot on my port and when he finally hit it..he let 'er loose!:biggrin2: My biggest problem with the fill is NOT CHEWING ENOUGH..I still blend my salads and meats as much as I can to make it easier..I hate that pressure build up in my chest when I know I've messed up again!:frown: Brian..you do what you feel most comfortable with..your doctor I'm sure will understand..most of us want to lose our weight quickly and myself..I've done the 50 pounds off in 3 months routine then gained it back on reg diets..so with the lapband..I've decided to go slower..I'm due for another check on 17 Apr..I don't think I want another fill either but we'll see what the doc has to say..good luck and only you know what your body feels! :wub:

Lindsey..I like you have not seen my scale move much since my surgery (2/2/08) I have had only one fill so far and my next office visit is 17 Apr. After the first month I lost only 1 pound..I just about dropped my jaw to the floor..here I am eating like a bird and not more than a pound came off?? My lapband doctor told me a good rule of thumb is to only eat 1/2 cup of food per meal and only 3 meals per day..ok so I do that and yes the scale is staying steady but I am losing inches. Also, something else..my nutritionist suggested that I drink a Protein drink in between meals if I start feeling hungry..which unfortunately is almost all the time..but they do take the edge off. I use Carnation Instant Breakfast with skim milk. Just kinda keeps my metobolism up a bit! I won't be deterred..I know the lapband sometimes takes a while to really start doing it's magic..but you can hang in there..you're not alone!! I vent on my poor husband and bless his heart..he doesn't understand why the scales don't move because he is very precise and measures out my foods! LOL! :frown: So I think just keep your spirits up and know eventually something has GOT to give!! Just don't let this get you down and vent, vent, vent!! That's part of the reason why I joined this site..to have someone else that knows what I'm going through that understands and to make it tolerable so I don't feel like a loser! HA!:wub: Take it slow and easy and it will start to drop off! Never give up..you went through too much to stop!! :frown:

If you haven't checked out the introduction thread you need to. Several women, young and younger..have made a decision. My decision was made for me by my many health issues. I have only had mine since 2/8/08 but I don't feel restricted at all. I eat what my nutritionist recommended and what my doctor suggests..and like the rest of us..I've even cheated a bit :frown:! So thereby the choice I made may not have been the right one as far as cheating and eating that gingersnap when I wasn't suppose to..but that's where you have the flexiblity to make your choices. You don't lose that.just don't get carried away and do it everyday!:wub: I am happy with my lapband! I wish you good luck and hopefully you can make the decision you feel is right for you! I didn't get that option but I am just glad that they had this available for me at this time in my life!:frown:

The other thread I mentioned is on the Feb 2008 bandsters. It has pictures of a lot of the ladies who have had the lapband done in Feb of this year. It's really neat and I commend the young lady that came up with the idea! :frown::wub:

I have been working towards my lapband surgery for 2 years now. I was banded on Feb 8, 2008. My doctor is Dr. Timothy Eldridge. He is one really cool doctor! I am a research participant for Allergan and have received my first fill on 5 March 08 with 5cc. I am married with 2 grown children. I am now 51 years young. My decision to have the lapband was not just because of my obesity but because of my health going downhill faster than I could keep up with it. I have hypertension, high cholestrol, sleep apnea, what they call a metabolic syndrome (or the X syndrome), borderline diabetes and non-alcoholic sclerosis of the liver. My liver doctor said I was headed for the organ waiting list and my endocrinologist said with my X syndrome I might live another 10 years..so my decision was made. I consulted my family doctor, my digestive disease doctor, and my heart doctor. All were in agreement to help me obtain whatever I needed to get the lap band. My disgestive disease specialist said he would not help me if I wanted the gastric bypass since it was so invasive, whereas he lauded the lap band! I had no problems with my surgery and the only real shock for me was the incision for the port is a bit larger than I expected. All in all I came through and continue to have nothing but thanks for the people who have the intelligence to develop, create, and initiate this type of weight loss procedure. I am looking forward to the day when all my doctors can say I am doing great and I have my health back!:thumbdown:

Hello Hippiechick! Well like I said earlier..I've been doing studies myself and checking out options on financial aid since at the beginning my insurance didn't cover lapbands. They covered the gastric bypass but my digestive disease doctor said he cannot recommend that and he already has one patient he is trying to help. I have many friends that had the gastric bypass and some do real well, while others are in and out of the hospital for help. When I visited my family doctor, she recommended Dr. Eldridge. I had been a patient of one of his partners for gall bladder surgery and he assisted in that surgery so knowing him before hand really made me feel at ease. I have BCBS FED insurance. Once I was referred to Dr. Eldridge I had to attend a seminar that lasted about 2 1/2 hours, where they went over the procedure, the history of their own practice, the risks involved and a whole lot of other information. His office then set me up with a nutritionist. I went to see her for 6 months. I highly recommend this due to the fact you're not really put on a diet, but you are indoctrinated into a new lifestyle change. This is exactly what everyone should do. It made it easier for me to understand and also to follow the pre-op and post-op diets. The hardest thing for me to give up..believe it or not was diet pepsi..I admit..I was addicted. I really didn't think I could give it up but I did in August of 07..isn't that terrible to remember the month and year you gave up a diet drink?? LOL!! That's how much I loved diet pepsi! After I had the surgery it was real easy following the meal plan my nutritionist outlined. She gave me up to the first 5 months of what I can and cannot have and how much. When I went in for my 2 week post op check up, my doctor told me the rule to remember is don't eat more than 1/2 cup per meal, eat 3 meals per day, exercise 30 minutes 3 times a week and make sure my meal plan has more protein than anything else. The pre-op diet gives you an idea of how much your eating habits will change, but once you have the surgery the first couple of weeks you don't have much in the way of banding per say..it's an adjustment period for the band to settle in place. My first adjustment was 4 weeks after surgery. Before I went into surgery my doctors coordinator called me and asked me if I would like to participate in a research study that allergan was doing on lapband patients. There are suppose to be 500 of us out there (nation wide) and 10 of them with my doctor. I said I'd be happy to..I was just so excited to finally be getting my lapband! So my first visit at 2 weeks had me filling out a lot of information on myself as far as how I felt about myself being obese and how I perceived others felt about me with this disease and also I went into great detail on my co-morbidity problems since that was the deciding factor for me to have this surgery. If it's research I figured they would need to know everything. My doctor was actually pleased that I had gone into so much detail and I told him..well when you are told you won't live another ten years or you are going to have to go on a donor list, then I think this study should know everything I have to face and have to overcome. It was really long..kinda like this reply! LOL! Have you gone to the lapband.com site? That is the allergan site. I have an allergan lapband and my first adjustment was 5 cc. He had a bit of a time finding just the right spot to inject the saline but it didn't hurt at all..they numbed the area and it was really weird because I could feel the coolness of the saline go through the port into the tube which filled up the band. When the band was filled, I could feel pressure in my chest almost dead center between my breasts. I told the doctor this and he said that was the band being filled..I never realized my stomach started so high up! HA! Anyway..back to the research..I have to fill out paperwork (3 pages) on what I have done, if I have had to make any changes, what the changes are and more or less the same type information I filled out the first time. I also had read about the study group in Australia that was done on patients with diabetes. 93% of those in the study group had reached a level to where they did NOT have to have insulin treatments at all!! I knew this was a good thing after reading that! I will say this..in 2 weeks after surgery..even though the band was not filled my blood pressure with medication normally runs about 130-140 over 80-90. My first visit after the lapband installation..my blood pressure was 116/67!! I asked the nurse to recheck it because it has never been that low before..I just knew she messed up somehow! Well she didn't. My 3rd week after surgery I made an appointment with my regular doctor and she took my blood pressure and it was 112/70..I told her about my 2nd week check and she decided to start making changes on my medications but specifically told me to watch it carefully and when it stayed at 110 on the top side to take the samples she gave me. I take 3 different blood pressure medications. 2 weeks after seeing her I was due my regular heart doctor check up. He was thrilled and I told him I was glad I lost the weight too so he couldn't chew me out for gaining anymore! HA! But he noticed my blood pressure was 110/64..do you see where I'm headed with this? It keeps going down. I told him about the sample meds my family doctor gave and he decided instead of that we would cut my current pill that contains two blood pressure meds in it..in half and try that first. Friday (22 Mar 09) my blood pressure was 96/65..I decided that it was time to definitely cut back on the meds..so my husband cut my pills in half and I will continue to watch to see if that is enough or will I end up getting off at least one of the meds completely! This change will be noted on my next visit with my lapband doctor on the 17th of April. The study will be for 5 years. That's how long they will be doing this study so I am sure they are serious about proving just how great the lapband system is! It is not a paid study, I get no monies, I just get more visits in the long run and a lot of papers to fill out but if they can learn anything from my journey that will help someone else then that time for me was well spent! I am not so worried about my appearance as much as I am to at least live long enough to see grandchildren. There is another thread out there about putting faces to names. I just submitted my picture there earlier today..I can see in my mirror the changes I am making not so much on the scale as in my bodies appearance. My face is starting to thin out..my double chin is only 1 1/2 chins and my clothes are very loose on me. I get disappointed when I get on the scales and not see much loss since I eat like a bird but it seems that I will go for days with no change then poof..there's 3 pounds off then wait a little longer and 4 pounds..it's just not what I have seen when dieting in the past..course I didn't eat as well then as I do now. I may not get much but in between my meals I am still drinking 2 protein drinks. I use Carnation Instant Breakfast (fat free/sugar free) and skim milk. It keeps the hunger edge off a bit. That tip also came from my nutritionist. So when you finish checking out all your info let me know what you decide to do. It is a big change..no more steak and soft breads but I feel more alive now than I have in years. I am also looking at recipes for chicken and fish more readily since that's about my main protein source in the evening. You can still go to restraunts and either have soup or you can order an appetizer and have them serve that when they bring everyone elses meals. I have already gone out 4 times just to prove to myself that it can be done and it doesn't bother me..if I don't eat it all..I have a carryout box brought to me and take it home for a meal or part of a meal the next day. Please keep in touch and if you have any questions that I can answer, I'll be happy to! Good luck on your info gathering! Be sure to also check the my emmi video on the lapband.com site. The more you know the less you will worry. I worked and studied this for 2 years so I know what you are going through right now..best of luck!! Keep in touch!

I have no idea how to get these pictures from one place to another..so if this doesn't come through I'd gladly take any help from any of you that know computers better than myself (which is probably all of you)! LOL... This was taken December 2007..I got banded on 2/08/08! Can't wait for some new pics!! All of you look great and I am so happy for all of us that we have the technology to help us!! My doctor is Dr. Timothy Eldridge in OKC. He is great!:thumbdown: