RestlessMonkey

Hi and welcome! I can give you some statistics pertinent to Australia! My surgeon, during the seminar, told us this: Most gastric by pass patients, at 3 years out, have lost 80% of their excess weight. Most AUSTRALIAN lap band patients, at 3 years out, have lost 80% of THEIR excess weight. Most AMERICAN lap band patients, at 3 years out, only lose 55% of their excess weight. I told him I'm going to be an Aussie for lap band purposes! :crying: So already the odds are in your favor!

Preop for me there wasn't much to plan; I was very restricted and knew exactly what I could have. Post op...we're supposed to get a base of 60 mg a day protein and I aim for that but don't preplan my meals. Post op you can buy various protein supplements (I haven't but many do) like unjury or those bullet things from GNC that have a LOT of protein in them. I know from nutrition class it's best to get stuff from the food if you can so I just eat proteins first, then veggies. You'll get the hang of it. Personally one of the big draws of the band for me is that I don't have to weigh, count, journal and overplan my meals to lose. I get so bored with that! But many people prefer to have a plan and keep track of calories, protein, etc. It's up to you, on other words, and you'll find what works best for you!

If you look in the "post op" forum there is a thread at the top called "surgery day stories" and there's more there than you ever wanted! LOL If you read through those and still have questions, just post, or PM me. I'll be happy to try to help you! AND welcome and good luck. I'm 53 and got my band 8/29 and I LOVE that little sucker! :crying:

I ROFLMAO at waaaahmbulance. I have taken that ride more than once. It gets better and you start dropping weight really fast and that is very encouraging. I had to do preop 5 1/2 weeks (fatty liver) but I lost 32 pounds over that time (and most of it WAS fat, not water). It was worth every crabby minute. And in a couple days you adapt and it really isn't bad. Hang in there! :crying:

I don't know about you but I'm 53 (post menopause) and I can lose without exercising. I have lost weight fine in the past; I just can't keep it off. If you are supposed to lose on your 6-month plan, or at least maintain, then you can do that if you want to. I didn't have to do that for the band but you may bet I've done diets in the past (including WW's last year from Feb to July where I lost 25 pounds, no exercise) I understand your frustration but I think you're just not looking at the big picture. If you want the band, and you have to diet for 6 months to get it, then do that. OR pay for it and get it. Just realize that even with the band you need to diet and eventually exercise, or the band won't work. I got banded 8/29, have no restriction yet, and am having to watch my intake or I'd gain everything back. If you really truly can't do that (lose on a diet....and some truly can't I know) then maybe the band isn't for you. Maybe bypass or a duodenal switch would be better. Only you can decide for sure; only you know how hard you've been trying to lose preop. But your age and the arthritis aren't reasons to stop you from losing.

I agree that whomever you are, you should do what YOUR doctor directs. S/he is the one with the experience and knows how his/her patient base reacts post op. They are the ones truly up on the science, not anecdotal stories. So do what your doc says, if you trust him/her. If you don't, why on earth would you let that person cut into you? Get another doc! LOL

Fhlippr, you will be able to eat most, if not all, of the "foods that you love". You may want to pass on many of them until you've lost, but odds are you won't have any limitations. My Doc says stringy red beef and white bread that isn't toasted are the 2 big problem areas. I know of bandsters who even eat popcorn and drink the occasional soda! AND odds are, if you follow guidelines, that the love affair with food will fade anyway. You'll find other things that interest you more. Isn't that just wonderful? Good luck to you all! I love my band and hope you all love yours too.

Emilie I sent you a link in a PM to Patti's post earlier.... Good luck to all Dr. Cavazos's patients and especially you Emilie you've been with me from the first! :crying: Hugs! I'm so excited for you all. This is just so groovy.

I agree with MistyD65, what are you eating? Are you exercising? Are you snacking? Fills do part of the work, of course, but we have to do the rest. I've had one fill and no restriction and had gained 11 pounds back. After a nice chat with my surgeon I'm reinspired and have lost 6 of those pounds already since thursday. I'm doing what he said...proteins, then veggies, then fruits, finally grains, 64 oz of water, no liquids 15 min before, during or 15 min after a meal, exercise, and NO SNACKING. I guess I was using "no restriction yet" as an excuse, but those days are OVER. I'm so happy to be losing again and I know by the time I am bored and tired of the diet, I will have restriction to help keep me going. Maybe that outlook will help you a little! :crying:

Maybe it's just irritated the band? Try liquids for the rest of the day. See if it doesn't calm down. Try mushies tomorrow morning and you can call your doc if you're still having issues (as you said)

That is a GREAT idea! I hope I remember it when we move! :eek:

If you meant you were scared about having to chew etc? LOL Don't worry about that. One year out many people have lost successfully and eat normally, only less. One poster here says she even has popcorn now at movies; she just doesn't need the huge bucket any more. You'll be shocked and happy, I think! :crying: Dr Cavazos doesn't want us so restricted that we are PB'ing and sliming everytime we put something in our mouths. He'll guide us through this.

You will both breeze through, I know it. Dr. Cavazos is an excellent surgeon. He may not come across as arrogant but many of the best surgeons are and I've seen people jump when he gives the look. He's a wonderful doctor. And Patti...it is scary. It is awesome (in the true sense) in that it can fill one with awe to think that maybe life can be truly wonderfully different. I understand. I'll be thinking of both of you all day. Email when you can, ok? You'll be in my prayers. I'm so excited for both of you!

My 1st fill was at 6 weeks, but only 1 1/2 cc in a 14 cc band. I was, post op, on clear liquids one week (broth, water, and sf jello ONLY) then 1 week full liquids (add in protein shakes) That was awful but I did it; I can't imagine going 6 weeks! WOWIE! but the odds of you ever having slipping or erosion will be about 0 I'd think once you've healed that well!

Sounds familiar but I don't think I've read it. Let me know if it helps you. I'm trying to NOT have to "journal" every bit. That's a big thing for weight watchers and after a while I get so tired of counting and weighing and writing (whine whine whine LOL)... But you are right it is a great way to stay aware of what you're consuming. OK You record your daily intake, no fast food, etc...and I'll do my atkins-esque thing. Let's check back in a week and see how we've done. You may post or email or PM me if you want to, for more movie paraphrasing etc LOL This will give me the impetus to quit working my way back to Atkins and just DO IT. I was off to a great start; like you I need to keep the train rolling until I finally get some restriction. I'm going to add you to my "friends" list because I'm afraid I'll forget your exact screen name and "lose" you. Good luck. Let the restrained eating begin!

Ok you committed a SERIOUS breach of etiquette by moving directly to the triple dog dare LOL LOL Rules? We don't need no stinking rules! Just don't knock down your sweet little grandma. I too am struggling; I've been hungry since I came to in recovery (and no it isn't emotional. It's hungry!) but I've found if I eat a lot of lean Protein, a little green veggie, and nothing else (but some low carb shakes) my hunger is better controlled. I'm working to that. I did have crackers and Peanut Butter for dinner tonight (see I told you I love crackers!) but no Snacks at all today. A major step forward for me. (I"m an evening snacker) So tomorrow, more "atkins" type food, no crackers. Are you trying to follow any rules/guidelines/whatever? My doc says protein 1st, then veggies, then fruit, then grains etc. Were you given guidelines, something you're "supposed" to be doing but aren't? I don't think fast food is on the menu, at least during the weight loss phase... I did test my boundaries in the 2 weeks that I could have food before my first fill. Apparently, I HAVE no boundaries food wise. Thus the return to the atkins type meal plan until I get more restriction going on. What works for you?

Good! I didn't mean to be obnoxious! And I hear you; even when I was living the "wild" life food wise, a shake would be an occasional treat...not a meal LOL I whined a LOT about them and finally just got tired of hearing myself be petulant LOL but I did (and still do when I need the protein) choke those suckers down. It's worth it! :thumbup:

Let's be real here. I'm a 5'5" female who weighed 405 when I started. If I can hang tough, a person who started out at a lower weight can hang tough! You don't get to be 405 pounds without eating inappropriately, you know? What if I double-dog dare you? I can do almost anything for a month...and I have 1 1/2 cc in a 14 cc band. Another fill in 5 weeks. I'll make it, so I challenge you to hang in there too.

I hope I don't sound prissy or mean. I am glad you found your way here and don't mean to fuss! I think I just feel that if you realized how very important it is that you get adequate protein, you would be GETTING enough whether it tasted good or just ok. So forgive me if I'm preachy; I am just trying to stress it so you'll be healthy and lose the right way. :thumbup:

Honestly my doc said our hair will fall out because of the trauma of surgery. And I'm not kidding you about your body digesting it's muscle (and heart is a muscle) to provide the Protein it needs for basic cell function etc. Fat provides energy but not protein. SO you won't just burn fat! You will lose muscle mass and that is no way to stay healthy and keep weight off. I don't "like" the shakes at all. I want food to be food, not sweet chocolate (or vanilla or strawberry) gick! BUT you do it because you have to! Some people say they pick a vanilla and then buy davinci sugar free syrups, or various extracts, to flavor them up. You might try that. But you are hurting yourself badly by not getting protein in; please don't do that! The surgery and new band lifestyle are big steps; don't just hurt yourself because you don't like the shakes any more! In fact we're taught, even once we can eat again, to eat protein FIRST and then veggies, then fruit, and finally grains. We have to get at least 60 gms of protein a day. So please take care of yourself. You're not alone, but you will regret it in the long run if you lose muscle instead of fat. :thumbup:

Oh and FYI in my family we don't say "I ate the whole sleeve"...that's too clothes-ish. LOL we say "I did a whole line of crackers". No we've never done crack or any illegal drug, but that "do a line of cracker" just seems to fit with the whole mindset. :thumbup:

You know what? I understand. I love saltine crackers. What you need to do, actually, is just go toss them and throw water or something icky on them. I've found that it is so much easier to resist temptation when there IS no temptation! LOL Funny but true, you know? You don't need an analyst. You're just human, no need to pay the big bucks to have that confirmed. But be strong and toss 'em. You'll feel better.

You definitely need adequate protein or your body will pull it from your muscles and that includes your HEART. Do you want your body literally eating your own muscles and heart? I'm sure you don't! Not to scare you more, just so you know why it's important! So find some protein source you can tolerate, ok? There are different brands, and soy and whey (different types) so search until you find one you can tolerate, ok?

sleep well! Hope it turns out to just be a nasty 24-hour bug! :thumbup:

I wouldn't take ambien...for one thing, no Water for a while. For another, you may just vomit it up and the point is to let your stomach chill a little! AND if you "sleep" through it you might aspirate, actually. That, my girl, could kill you! You were probably just kidding anyway! Once you've gone a few hours without vomiting, try a little water. Your sister had the right idea but while you are so nauseated that you vomit it back up, it's best to just stop and let things settle down a little. Once you can keep it down, Gatorade really will help you feel better. Don't have to drink oodles either, just a pint or so. :thumbup: Glad you're doing better!