Julia_N

I had shingles the week before my 50th birthday. My case was milder than most. I only got the rash running in a line from the crown of my head to halfway down my forehead. And since I had to renew my driver's license, I have the evidence on my picture for a couple more years. Doctor gave me Valtrex and it cleared up eventually. If you've had chicken pox, the virus for shingles lies dormant in your body for years. It's waiting for stress or weakness in your immune system to attack. If you haven't had chicken pox, you can't get shingles. Now they have a vaccine against shingles, but they're only giving it to people over 65. It came out right after I had shingles. Hope yours clears up soon!

The pain wasn't too bad. It was like I over-extended myself with sit-ups the day before. I went into the hospital on the early morning of a Friday. Because of a mix-up, I didn't get into surgery until about 4:30 in the afternoon. I didn't have much pain when I woke up in recovery, but I was probably still feeling the effects of the anesthesia. My doctor has the patients stay overnight so they can have an upper GI the next day to make sure everything is in place. I took pain meds a few times in the hospital. I was given liquid tylenol with codeine for home. I took it the first 2 nights because of discomfort. I was up walking the hospital halls the night of surgery and was able to drive the day after I got home. Not sure if I'd be energetic enough to chase around a 3-year-old, but I felt pretty good, and was back to work 5 days after surgery.

I had to do a 6-month preop diet, with no set amount to lose. The doctor wanted 2 Protein Shakes of 30-40g of Protein plus a small, high-protein dinner. I ended up being on it for 8 months because of being hospitalized for pneumonia for a couple of weeks and went off it for about a month. Anyway, I didn't follow it real close the last few weeks, except I wasn't doing exceptional pigging out. I ended up losing 49 pounds. I had to do totally liquid for 2 days before surgery. I drank the Isopure Zero Carb drinks that have 40g of protein in 20 ounces. I lost about 7 of those 49 pounds just on those. Good luck. You can do it.

Don't worry. What's happening to you is not unusual. The surgeon likely didn't fill your band, so you don't have much restriction. At first, you were swollen inside and that gave the effect of a fill. Now that you're healing and losing weight, you loosened up. I don't have periods anymore, but I'm guessing that suddenly getting one has given you lots of bloat. I wouldn't be surprised if you lost the weight when your period is over. I had surgery 7/31 and I won't get a fill until 9/10. I don't have a lot of restriction right now and I'm hoping to get it. You're in early stages and it'll get better. Good luck! (And great job losing!)

I'm waiting for someone to tell me I took the easy way out. I'd look at them and say, "I'm doing this through diet and exercise. Is there an easy way they didn't tell me about?!" Luckily, everyone in my life is very supportive. I guess when they saw me lumbering and breathing hard, and now I'm not so much, they see it's a good thing. To hell with the haters. It's your life, not theirs. Live it thinner.

Ah, keep posting! Everyone's just looking at the long weekend and checking out early. Wish I was! Cheers! :sneaky:

I got some unflavored protein powder (I think it's New Whey, but there are many brands) and occasionally mix it with something strong flavored, like tuna, to increase the protein content.

You can do it. You just have to work it. Go back to the beginning and act like you just got your band. Do liquids for a short time, followed by mushies, then solids. Plan out what you'll eat for the day. I track my foods on thedailyplate.com and I can see exactly what I'm eating. Get lots of Protein and Water. I eat a lot of low-fat cottage cheese, non-fat Greek yogurt, tuna, and Beans. For example, the Campbell's Chunky Bean & Ham Soup I had for lunch has 11g of protein and lots of Fiber, so it fills me up until dinner. Sometimes dinner is 1/2 cup of non-fat refried beans with a couple of scrambled eggs, salsa, and low-fat cheese. Feels like cheating. Get full on nutritious meals and you might be less likely to snack. And remember, you can eat everything in moderation (unless it gets stuck!), so you'll occasionally be able to have a Reese's cup. Good luck!

Have you tried one of the sites for tracking your meals? I use thedailyplate.com. It was clunky to me at first -- well, sometimes it's still a bit clunky -- but it also lists all the nutritional info. I find I lose better when I have more Protein and this helps me keep track of it. I haven't had a fill yet and don't have much restriction, so I suppose it will be more difficult for me when I can't eat as much volume as I am now. Good luck!

I have Aetna and there was an initial screw-up when they didn't think they had all the paperwork. My doctor's office straightened them out and the approval process began. I think it took about 2 weeks to get approval. Good luck to you!

I thought I was immune to throwing up, but over the weekend I had some rice with my chicken. The chicken went down OK, but the rice backed up like it was a square peg trying for a round hole. Had a horrible stomach ache, then had to run to the bathroom. Once the rice came up, I was immediately OK to finish the chicken. No problems since.

Your body is recovering from the surgery and sometimes post-op people don't lose weight for a while. Are you drinking all the water you're supposed to? It helps "wash out" all the waste products. Also, do your shakes have enough protein? I seem to lose better when I have more protein. Good luck!

My doctor has you do a 2-day liquid diet before surgery. One of the reasons is to clear out the system of solids, and you don't have to do an enema or drink some horrid stuff to clear you out. I drank the Isopure Zero Carb. It's a clear, colored liquid that has 40g of protein per 20 ounces.

I was banded July 31 and can eat 1-2 cups of food at a meal. I lost 50 pounds before surgery, stalled for a week or so, then started losing better when I got to mushies and solids. I've now dropped almost 62 pounds. I haven't had a fill yet, and it doesn't feel like I have much restriction. I have found I can't eat rice because it gets stuck, and I have to chew meat thoroughly to get it down. I've made sure I have a lot of Protein. I averaged 60g while on liquids and now I get close to 100g, but my calories are under 1,000. Seems the more I eat, the faster I lose. Maybe you need to increase your protein. Good luck!

It's made of silicone and titanium. I don't think anyone's allergic to those.

Chamomile tea is good. It's mild and has no caffeine. It's available anywhere tea is sold. Hope you feel better!

Next time someone says something uncomplimentary about your weight, just give them a blank stare and say, "Why would you say that?"

The bread and crackers could be messing you up. A lot of people can't tolerate them until much later. I've found I can't eat rice. Make sure your meat is moist, small, and well chewed. I make sure to count at least 20 chews before I try to swallow. Good luck!

I didn't find much trouble with caffeinated drinks, but coffee, especially as strong as I like it, seemed to irritate my stomach if I had more than a cup or two. I've been drinking hot tea (non-caffeinated) in the afternoon. Sure, it's the heat of the summer, but my office seems to be colder in proportion to how hot is is outside, so I need hot drinks to keep me warm.

One of my favorites is what I call eggs Rancheros. I use 1/2 cup of fat-free refried Beans as a base and add a bit of low-fat cheddar or Mexican-blend cheese. I top it with two eggs softly scrambled (or you can poach them), some taco sauce or smooth salsa, more cheese, and a dollop of low-fat sour cream. I haven't had a fill yet, so I don't have a lot of restriction and can easily eat this much. It's quite filling and feels like "cheating" when you can have Mexican food. I also like a cup of non-fat Greek yogurt with a couple of tablespoons or 1/4 cup of unsweetened apple sauce. I add a Splenda or two and sprinkle cinnamon on it. If I can find some premixed apple pie spice, I'll try that.

I've been on solids for a few days and my stomach has been almost cast iron. Until I had some rice. It was moist with the creamy sauce I cooked the chicken in. But it stuck, and a short time later it made a return trip. I don't think I'll be doing rice for a long time, if at all.

You folks posted some yummy-sounding recipes. I'll definitely try some out. I just got a crock pot ($3.99 at the thrift store!) and I've been looking for some recipes. I found some great ones on allrecipes.com. (I swear this is not a commercial! :wub:) It's free and you can just search for recipes without being a member. I found some great dishes that I made before surgery. I'll still make them for the family.

If you're making the pizza yourself, how about putting the pizza toppings over your chicken? Or at least some sauce and mozzarella.

I got banded by Dr. Krahn on July 31. I went to my first seminar September 08 and started the process. I was able to get all my pre-op testing done during October. I have Aetna and my plan required a 6-month diet. I got stalled in February when I was hospitalized with pneumonia (not related to the band quest) and lost a couple of months. I got back on track. Was approved in June, attended pre-op seminar in July and got surgery scheduled for that month. The staff at St. Bernardine was nice and I had a private room -- and a cool Goth nurse. If you're already approved, you're well on your way. If you follow his directions, you could get a surgery date within a month, depending on his schedule. Good luck!

I'm a type 2 and before surgery I took metformin, avandia, and lantus insulin. The doctor had me stop the first two for 2 days before surgery, when I was on a pure liquid diet. I was supposed to use half my usual insulin dose, but my readings were so low that I skipped it so I wouldn't have a low-sugar episode. Since surgery, my glucose readings have crept up. I've resumed my metformin and avandia and I'm hoping that's enough to not have to resume the lantus. I only have to take insulin when I get extra heavy. Previously when I've lost weight, I've been able to stop insulin but have been taking it again for about 5 years. I'm hoping that once I get a fill and lose more, I'll be able to stop them. Good luck!