raedelicious

I was told that lack of protein or not enough is what causes the hair to fall out, but like you I slacked off on the vitamins and calcium and now my hair is coming out....so, upping the protein and back on the vitamins and minerals.

Yes and no...It helps if you have restriction. I used to be hungry (pre-band) 2 hours after meals. Now I am hungry 4-5 hours after I eat. I also don't eat much, so yes for me. I am needing another fill because I am getting hungrier sooner and my portions are a bit bigger.

Thanks RJ:) Well, as of today I am 3 months post-op...44 lbs down:)))), but this weekend my hair started to fall out...so concentrate on your protein!!!

I used to love to cook...because I loved to eat (still do, but can't eat much and the food spoils). I am single and so, not much cooking going on in this house. My list includes the following: beef jerky nuts fat free cottage cheese parmesian cheese (flavor boost) low fat string cheese tuna (plain) tuna (flavored, lunch kits...spicy thai, sundried tomato, lemon pepper w/crackers) shaved deli meat EAS protein shakes...not the Myoplex eggs chicken thighs (breasts are too dry) shrimp canned beans canned soup (Progresso lentil soup rocks) edamame (soybeans...protein, carbs, and fat...all in one package) grits canned chili peanut butter (natural and the peanut powder PB2) carnation instant breakfast (add PB2 to it...chocolate peanut butter shake...mmmmmm) dry milk powder butter mayo (not the healthy kind either) Paul Newman's honey mustard dressing Kashi frozen meals (one meal equals 2 portions for me...they are quite tasty and pretty healthy) Crystal light gin:) Right now, I am trying to concentrate on protein...my hair started to fall out this weekend (3 months post-op)

Hey there merry San Antonian Bandsters:), I wish your success with your upcoming surgeries and luck with the band. This is a great site. I use it when I need encouragement...which right now happens to be everyday. I was banded by Dr. Stegemann through New Dimensions Weight Loss.

My endocrinolgist said that since the androgens have been released (or some such jargon) it will be hard to get rid of that hair. I was reading the warranty on the laser hair removal...it says that if you have a metobolic disorder, like PCOS, then they won't guarantee it.

Yes, the fills help. I have been banded since March 31st and have had 3 fills...be patient and don't try to outsmart your band...listen to your doctor/nutritionist. You have got to trade your bad habits for something else that is positive and productive.

I have followed the doctor's/nutritionist's advice and have ended up with gout....too much damn protein...albeit low fat protein and terrible constipation. All I ate was protein, until yesterday when I realized I miss grains whole grains and salads. Some of you said that you won't eat anything that comes from a box or lives in a freezer...I have to...1) because I am lazy...2) very convenient for a single gal. But I think I have found the solution...the brand Kashi...I love all of their products and I had a frozen dinner..1/2 for lunch and 1/2 for dinner. It was perfect...7 grain mixed pilaf with chicken, spinach, mushrooms, and red peppers. I am switching my diet up a bit. It will relieve the both of my symptoms. I had my first fruit since before surgery...cherries!!! OMG, they are delightful:) :grouphug:

I am going to Italy next summer, so I am going to find an Italian studmuffin and......

OK, this is just a bit of advice...I wish I would have thought of this prior to getting banded. I thought about measuring my body...waist, bust, hips, thighs, etc. with a tape measure, but decided against it for some unknown reason. Instead, I opted for the scale. I have been exercising and eating properly, but that damn scale hasn't budged. I was getting discouraged and almost gave in to evil (I have not touched or eaten any evil since pre-band...BTW, evil=McD's) The thing that bought me back to good thinking and behavior was as simple as putting on a pair of pants that I couldn't wear 2 weeks ago. The scale is a useful tool, but it can deceive...lol I think I am going to measure my progress with the tape measure...the scale will be useful, too.

This has been the bestest postest everest!!!! TY soooo much.....

Amen, sister!!! Teaching is one of the most stressful and I would venture to say, the toughest job I have ever had...of course we bitch, whine, moan, complain, and vent...we are only human...lol. But, teaching is also the most rewarding job I have ever had.

:lol:OMG...I just laughed so hard that I couldn't breathe....Thank you soooooo much for the shart reference!!!

I co-teach biology in a high school. I am the sp. ed. teacher and I teach with the science teacher. The last few weeks of the school year we dissected frogs and pigs. I told the students that if they did not follow the lab directions they would receive lower grades. I had one of my best classes receive poor grades. Four students were assigned to a pig. Two groups received faling grades. One group decided to cut off the limbs. The other group decided that piercing the the ear and nose, and cutting the tongue like a snakes was a cool idea. Although only one student in the group did the deed, the rest of the group suffered. I was not ticked I was super-pissed...I don't think they have every seen me like that...I called parents....the wrath of a mad teacher ...lol

Since being banded, I too, have been dreaming about food. What is strange is that they are always about food mishaps...I took a nap today and I dreamt that my mother's friend brought over a key lime pie and put it in my freezer. And in the dream I went to get it out of the freezer and someone (in the dream, I think it was my dad) had flipped the pie and it was all broken and crumbled in the freezer with chunks of frozen pie all over the inside of the freezer.

She was talking mostly about the positioning and angle, I think. No comparison was done since we had no previous pictures. She said it was working because I had to sip barium before she filled and after she filled...fluid went through before and after and I was restricted since after the fill the flow rate was slower. I think I am now being paranoid...because I am super sensitive to my abdomen and stomach area now that she mentioned it....psychsomatic, I think is the word....lol.

I went for my third fill this Friday 6/6/08, and the fill dr. was looking on the flouroscope and was looking at my port...she said that it was in the perfect position. But, then she shifted the machine. She looked at my band and asked has my band always been there. I looked at the image...I have no clue. She said it had shifted up...not slipped down. She filled me the first time, then another woman filled me the second...no one said anything previously. She asked if I had any problems swallowing, nausea, or throwing up...I don't have any problems...she checked the band to see if it was working and it was. So, she filled me. Has anyone else had this experience, if so can you share?

I was in pain, but I am a serious wimp...I used the pain medication for 3 days afterwards...the pain ball did absolutely nothing for me, but I think it was leaking. Ask for the medication as a precaution...use it if needed.

Mary, Congrats!!!! I had one of those cool moments yesterday. Right before I had the surgery I had an endocrinology appointment. The follow up was yesterday. The nurse called me back and took my vitals...weight, blood pressure, pulse....the usual. I was sitting there and he started to enter the information in the computer...he stopped and said, "I need you to step back on the scale." I said ok...even though I knew he was concerned about the weight difference from the first appointment. I said to him, it was correct then, and the weight is correct now...because of Lap-band. "OOOhhhhhhh..." was his reply...37 pounds and counting.

My doctor recommends that we take it twice a day...so, take it...keeps you regular!

I had no pre-op diet...they just said not to gain any weight...I was fine. I ate a lot of "last suppers" though.

Cool chart!

I was banded 3/31/08 and the doctor/dietician gave me 3 packets (each contradicting eachother slightly) about what to eat the first 6 weeks (and beyond). They all say liquids the first 6 weeks...no mushies, no soft foods. IF I am hungry (I haven't been...mostly nauseated), then a cream Soup or a low sugar Protein shake. Everything else is sugar free...popsicles, Water, flavored water, decaf tea, etc. I have had the following "food" items 4-5-08 Saturday 2/3 of a no sugar added Carnation Instant Breakfast with 1% milk 4-6-08 Sunday about a cup of Campbell's Tomato Soup 4-8-08 Tuesday about 5 oz. of a regular store brand yogurt smoothie (probably too much sugar) All three have given me diarrhea (is this normal?). My other question is...how many calories do I need? I really don't feel the need to eat, right now.

TY Lise:) Monday will be 3 weeks since surgery and I think I am doing about 600-700. So, I am on target. I didn't lose anything for about 6 days and was think I was consuming too much or not enough, but I hopped on the scale this morning and another 2 pounds lost:)