Progressive1

I agree about using the EAS brand. I use the powder so I can mix it with whatever I want. Doesn't mix well with vodka LOL. The worst I ever tried was "Body Fortress" whey powder from WalMart. Cheap, and you get what you pay for.

I used to use the "Body Fortress" powder from WalMart. I found it wouldn't dissolve properly, just like you did. I switched to EAS. Yep, it's twice the price, but I think it's worth the money. I'm not saying that you should switch also. I'm just saying that I think "Body Fortress" is an inferior brand of whey protein.

Lovy, Welcome to LBT. This is a really good place for information and support. I know the process can seem long and tedious, but I guess they have a good reason for making us jump through all their hoops. I think EricaLyn was right on the money with what she said. My emphasis would be on exercise. Joining a gym worked best for me. Working out did two things for me. First, it made the surgery so much easier. I didn't need pain meds afterwards, and I had so much energy that I could have walked home from the hospital. I'm not exaggerating. Second, in addition to the weight loss and appetite loss, my bloodwork became normal. I had been struggling with high blood sugar, high triglycerides, low HDL (good) cholesterol, high LDL (bad) cholesterol, and other things. I started out with 20 minutes on a treadmill 3 times a week in January. By my surgery date in April, I was doing an hour on the treadmill plus weight training 4 days a week. It was like a miracle. Now I'm hooked. I've gone from being a couch potato to being a gym junkie. Anyways, good for you for what you're doing. I hope the wait is tolerable for you. Good luck, and let us know what's happening, ok?

Hi froggi, Sounds like you're really, really ready for a band. I bet the five months goes pretty fast for you, at least I hope it does. Good to meet you. Let me know how it all goes, ok?

Hi Karen, Good to hear from you. I'm especially glad to hear from someone who's had the banding around the same time as my wife and I. She is losing slowly, also. She doesn't want to lose quickly because of the excess skin issue. Your husband -- wow! 110 lbs. since August is awesome! Do you sometimes feel like you're living with a stranger? Re: ordering from the child's menu. My wife always threatens to make me order from it if I don't act more mature. Now, I guess I can -- regardless of how I act. I hope you'll keep me updated on how y'all are doing. TTYL

Hi Snowbird, Cheap dates! Way to go. Do y'all share one meal when you go out to eat? We don't, but we should. We enjoy having leftovers for days afterward. Good to hear that another couple got banded together. There was another couple who got banded the same day as we did. I hope we're starting a trend here.

Thanks, Deb. I'm glad to see people coming here before getting banded. I wish I had. There is so much to know. You're giving yourself a big head start. My wife and I found it really convenient to do this together. We went to all the appointments and prescreenings together. We didn't get to share a hospital room, though, because all they had were private rooms. So, I just hung out in her room until bedtime. We had a lot of fun walking around the ward together and joking with the hospital people. This has been a really positive experience, in spite of the minor inconveniences. I'm glad we did it, and I look forward to being skinny! TTYL

Thanks for the welcome, heartfire. I'll bet you're anxious to join the club! I was too, but I'm glad they make you jump through all the hoops first. It made me kinda come down to earth and start to grasp the reality of being banded, versus only seeing the weight loss. Anyway, the doc told me to suck it up and wait a day. I did, and things are much better now. I can hold down liquids and limited mushies, so the swelling must be subsiding. Thanks for your concern and advice, though. I appreciate you. TTYL

So, I noticed that most people are posting their pre and post op weights. Here are mine. Jan 28, 2008 I weighed 251 lbs. Day of surgery was April 4 and I weighed 242. Today, partially because of "purge" for colonoscopy, I weigh 216. Three days ago, however, I weighed 226. The Water weight will probably return, at least partially. Posted in LBT format: 242/216/160

Hi Y'all, I'm new to this forum, so I wanted to say HI! to all of you fellow bandies. My wife and I got banded on April 4, 2008. Surgery was a piece of cake. I didn't even need pain meds. Got my first fill on May 14 and second fill May 28. I'm having difficulties right now. Can't keep anything down, not even Water. Vomiting 2 or 3 times an hour. No sleep. But I called the doc, so I'm sure he will fix it for me. Anyways, we were the first and second LB surgeries at Baylor in Grapevine, TX. Our doc is Dr. Randall Wright. We have a lot of confidence in him, despite my present difficulties. I think this forum is a good thing. I've learned a lot in a short time. Thanks for sharing, everybody. It helps a lot. Good luck to all!

Hi Carrie, Yes, I guess it is a small world. I live very close to Lewisville & Flower Mound. We're in Trophy Club. It's on HWY 114 about three miles from Texas Motor Speedway. I understand you're getting banded on June 9? Wow, that's not far away. I wish you all the luck in the world, although I don't think you'll need it. Other than a little soreness afterwards, the surgery is not too bad. The worst part for me, afterwards, was having to take crushed up medicine. Yuck! Try prescription fish oil and three big horsepills mixed with warm water. If I had to take that mixture everyday, I wouldn't need a lap band. That's enough to kill your appetite all day. Anyway, I hope you'll keep us informed about how it went. TTYL

Hi Y'all, I'm new to this forum, so I wanted to say HI! to all of you fellow bandies. My wife and I got banded on April 4, 2008. Surgery was a piece of cake. I didn't even need pain meds. Got my first fill on May 14 and second fill May 28. I'm having difficulties right now. Can't keep anything down, not even Water. Vomiting 2 or 3 times an hour. No sleep. But I called the doc, so I'm sure he will fix it for me. Anyways, we were the first and second LB surgeries at Baylor in Grapevine, TX. Our doc is Dr. Randall Wright. We have a lot of confidence in him, despite my present difficulties. I think this forum is a good thing. I've learned a lot in a short time. Thanks for sharing, everybody. It helps a lot. Good luck to all!