TQUAD64

Prior to surgery make family meals ahead of time or have some one else cook for you. Pick up all your liquid diet phase supplies ahead of time. Liquid Tylenol Isopure clear fruit flavored Protein drinks (40 grams of protein) Chapstick Have the doctor call in your RX meds the day before surgery. Clean house before surgery.

Yesterday: 50 minutes treadmill, 4% incline 2.1 miles.

I am so sorry about your dad's passing. The stress you must be under will affect your weigh loss. But it sounds like you have it under control and are starting to lose weight again. You really have not been banded long enough to hit a sweet spot. And 1.6 cc is not going to get you much restriction in a 10cc band. I think your weight loss thus far is great. You are doing an amazing job inlight of the holidays and your dad's passing. Hang in there and keep moving forward. You will find lots of support here, so don't give up!

I have not been stuck yet and have had two fills. One at surgery and one in December. I have 4cc in a 10cc band. When I had my second fill in December, I immediately felt the restriction. For about two weeks I could go for 6-7 hours without food. Now, I am going 4-hours without food. It is hard to not drink during a meal. I don't keep any fluids near me when I am eating, so I can avoid the issue. The great thing is, my doctor allows me to drink all the fluid I want right before the meal. The bad thing is, I have to wait at least 60-minutes after a meal before I can have fluids. Every doctor has their own requirements.

You will find that there is a mix of LapBand and Realize Band clients on this forum.

Today: 30 minutes treadmill 4% incline for a very slow 1-mile walk. I am so sore from yesterday. Plus, 30 minutes lower body work out.

I have heard of people wearing weights or placing heavy items in their pockets. My doctor's office required that we weigh with shoes and socks off. I heave heard other people have gained weight to meet the bmi requirement. I am not recommending the above, but I have read on several threads on this forum that people have done some of the above, so they can get the surgery.

The pre-op diet is so hard. I drank broth and lots of it to help with my hunger. Ask your doctor if you can have broth. I would be drinking liquid shakes or liquid fruit Protein drinks like Isopure, which have 40 grams of protein and zero carbs. Protein will help you fill fuller longer. Ask your doctor if you can have a Protein Drink such as Isopure.

Sorry, I don't drink it. On a rare occassion, pre-band, I would crave a sugar free rootbeer, but really it was maybe once or twice a year. Post band, I am just to afraid to even go there.

Are you guys utilizing an elliptical machine at home? I am considering purchasing one, but I have questions: Does an elliptical machine give a better work out than a treadmill or do they provide the same type of cardio workout? Does the ellipitcal machine give an all over body workout? What home elliptical models are a good purchase?

If I let myself, I could eat junk food all day long. However, I just don't want to go there, since I had the gastric banding surgery. But I do understand where you are coming from. It is really hard. I utilized Alli pre-band and it really hurt my stomach. Lot's of pain, so I stopped taking it. I have no doubt Alli will help you retrain your brain for it's desire for fatty junk food. You already know what this product does when you eat fatty foods, so it could help you rethink consuming your trigger foods.

You should not be so tight that you can only have soup. No wonder your ready for a complete unfill. I have heard good things about Dr. Garth Davis. You might want to try him. Congrats on your weight loss.

I had buttered theatre popcorn at the movies this past weekend. It went down very easily, no problem. I have not had that snack in a year, so let me tell you I enjoyed all the empty wasted calories of it. However, I also increased my workout that day and cut back on calories else where. This is a once a year snack for me, because I just cannot afford all those empty calories. A small bag of theatre popcorn with butter on it can easily have 950 calories. Yep, 950 calories. You can do a GOOGLE search to verify it. :tongue2:

Call your doctor. That is what they are there for. As far a calf pain, I had that for about 1-week off and on. My doctor told me to increase my Water intake, which I did and the muscle spasms in my longer legs went away. As far as gas pain. I still have gas, but it is not from the gas that they punped into me at the time of surgery. That gas is gone. I do have gas pain from food intake. I walk alot to get it out.

In general, most insurances require a bmi of at least 40. A lower bmi is approved if the patient has co-morbidity issues. The seminar is informational only. You will be there with many other people. They do not do a weigh in at the seminar.

I was in a lot of pain. I have a difficult time tolerating pain meds, so it was a challenging for my doctor to find just the right type of pain medication. Once the right dose and type was identified, my pain was managed and all was good. I received liquid loritab for my pain while I was at home. I was off all pain meds on post op day 7. (No more pain)Actually, I was feeling amazing on post op day 7 and started driving, shopping, and cleaning house.

My surgeon never asked me about this, but I am current. I had the shot in 2003.

Taken out in 1996 at the age of 32.

First of all congrat on your weight loss. That is awesome! I know we are all different, but it does sound that if you cannot eat any type of meat cut up small and chewd very well, that you might be to tight on your fill. I recognize that we are all different, but I can eat any type of meat, steak, chicken, fish, turkey, lamb, you name it I can eat it. (I have 4cc in a 10cc band.) I just take very small bites and chew the heck out of it before I swallow. How is your aftecare going? Is your doctor aware of the issues you are having? What is your doctor's recommendation?

Yes, you will be able to have dinners with your family. But you will have appropriate food portions. The band is a tool you can utilize to help manage food intake. I have holiday treats, but rather than eat two dozen of this or that...or a whole box of something else, I have measured portions, smaller plates, and servings that fit my band. I am not grazing and I do not fill deprived. I have lost 32 pounds so far and have so much more energy. Good luck!

Hello indiandiva: A lot of us question if this is the right procedure for us. It took 11-months for me to complete the whole process to getting my band. So many steps and hurdles to jump through and over. But once you are approved, you will npt regret your decision. Hang on to your advantage and disadvantage list. Continue to review it as it will help remind you why it is so important for you to have this procedure; that your health is of most importance and that you deserve a healthy life heading into the New Year. Best wishes!

Congrats on your weight loss. I lost 10 pounds on the pre-op diet and have lost 22 pounds post op for a total of 32 pounds; needless to say I am thrilled. I am losing weight at about two pounds a week. I exercise every day and I measure my food. It is hard work, but I am worth it! Good luck.

Try liquid Isopure. It has 40 grams of protein and zero carbs. They come in various fruity flavors. I like the frosted grape and apple-melon. They keep you full, while giving you protein.

I love the fruity Isopure drinks. Apple melon, grape frost, and orange are great drinks. Zero carbs, clear, and have 40 grams of protein. Yummy!:tongue2:

I am the same as the other posters. My day starts at 5:00 am and I cannot eat anything that early, because I have great restrictions. I have a cup of tea or coffee then I am out the door for my commute to work. By the time I get to work, I feel okay. I usually have something to eat around 8:30 am or 9:00 am and do fine with it.