AshleyRose

I asked this question about a month ago and didn't receive many replies... I was preband then -- but now that I am banded, I can shed some light. I chose to do Medifast with my band... at least for the first 2 months. I chose this route becacuse I would get free coaching on the body image issues that I have struggled with and it would eliminate most of the stress about chosing proper foods to maintain nutrition. I started when I hit the full liquids stage... with shakes, the hot cocoa, and the Soups that had been slightly thinned and then blended. I'm having a hard time getting in a lean and green meal -- so I add a little lowfat cheese or a small piece of chicken to my soups before blending (and blending and blending). When I move to mushies, I'll add pudding, scrambled eggs, and oatmeal... and then start trying to get in a lean and green every day. I chose Medifast because I knew that if I was left on my own, I wouldnt be getting full and complete nutrition when I was on the full liquids or mushie stages. I know my body needs complete nutrition to heal. I don't plan on losing all my weight with Medifast ... I started it for a specific time frame. I figure that there is enough variety that when I can start eating food again, I can still learn bandster rules and not get stuck in "soft food" syndrome. Example: First thing in the morning: I hear a lot of people say their band is tight and needs something warm to losen up. I'll have a Medifast hot drink (hot cocoa, chai, cappicuno). Next Meal: I'll prepare my Breakfast... probably a Medifast Oatmeal and part of my lean and green meal (maybe some egg whites and a little salsa). Next Meal: I'll have a midmorning snack of a Medifast bar. Next Meal: I'll do my lunch -- my surgeon says to eat the biggest meal during mid-day -- so I'll do my lean and green here (or at least most of it -- the lean and green portion is huge). Next Meal: I'll have an afternoon snack -- likely a Medifast shake or a pudding. Next Meal: I'll do a Medifast Soup or stew and any remaining portion of my lean and green. So that's what I've worked through in my head so far. Like I said, I'm on full liquids right now, so it makes sense that if I am going to be doing liquids that I should get the best nutrition possible. Good luck.

Hey Everyone, I know there are quite a few folks that get put on Medifast for thier pre-op portion of the journey -- but has anyone attempted Medifast post op? The reason this is coming up for me is because I sought the advice of a personal life coach to help get me through the mental side of weight loss. Without going in to my whole history in this post, I felt the coach would be an appropriate place to go because I have some ingrained habits that ultimately have lead to me gaining weight, getting abused, ect... and since it is all the same issue I decided to go the coaching route instead of the counseling route. One of the recomendations the coach made was to consider Medifast for a month or two post-op to help take the mental anguish off of me surrounding making food choices... long enough that will allow me to heal, and get a good chunk of weight off, and make significant changes to my behavior. I had looked at Medifast before considering the lap band and decided it wasn't for me... but now that it has been brought up as an option post surgery I am starting to look at it in another light. She is not just a coach, but a doctor (albiet, not a baratric surgeon) -- so I am not completely ruling out this option -- though I'm guessing there are few people who would be supportive or have gone this route. Before I get the standard "you shouldnt be drinking your meals with the lap band" I wanted to say that I understand that... And... I also understand that I need to learn to eat with my band (this is for life)-- and that is super important to me. I want to know how to choose appropriate food and I want to know how to cook food and plan meals... ect. I also know I have 200 pounds to lose, and if doing Medifast with the band for a month or two could give me enough time to make significant progress in reprograming some behavior patterns I chose as a kid, I think it might be worth it. The medifast meals aren't just shakes... they've got pudding and scrambled eggs and Soup... so it looks like the portion size would be small and similar to the stuff I would be consuming on my own (eggs/omlets for Breakfast, a soup/stew for lunch, and lean protien/veggies for dinner... ). Has anyone done this?

Tony Horton is amazing. I wouldn't recomend jumping right in to P90X though... have you thought about just doing his regular P90 program? It gives you a great foundation and will prep you for the X so you can be most successful.

I've been a slight lurker for a few weeks and I must say - you've all been so helpful as I went through the decision making process to get banded. I am likely getting banded at the end of August (still waiting on final confirmation to schedule the surgery) and I'm really excited to walk through the next season of my life with you all! In my spare time, I am planning my destination wedding in Cancun (Feb 2010) and learning to do advanced ballroom dancing. One thing is for sure -- I certainly wont miss being in pain while dancing. Just wanted to say hello!