rachaele1

I went in for my 1 month check-up 6 weeks after my surgery. I feel like I have had nothing done. The only difference to my eating habits are self-imposed. I am very frustrated - everything I see on-line (American) says to eat a high Protein, low carb diet and to eat 5 small meals a day. The Italian doctor was upset I had only lost 10 lbs and put me on "his" diet (Italian) which is extremely hard to follow and includes Pasta, bread, etc... it's all in grams, which I am having a hard time converting into US measurements, so I am totally "off the wagon" at this point. I was banded on March 26th. As of the 6 weeks post-op appt, I had only lost 10 lbs instead of the required 12 (2 lbs a weekx52 weeks=100 lbs lost in a year). The diet I "must" follow, I can't follow and though I am scheduled for my first fill on 5 June, I was told by other (American) patients of this doctor that if I am not losing weight and following this strict diet, then he won't give me the fill. Doesn't this seem backwards? I got the lapband to help me lose weight, because diets in the past hadn't worked for me, now, even though I have the lap band, I it's not helping...:eek::smile: In Italy there are no Protein drinks - no supplements, nothing (though I can order some stuff on-line). Can someone please send me their AMERICAN diet plan so that I can follow something reasonable? I am very upset I did not go with the traditional RNY procedure at this point. I am not hopeful that the lap-band was the right decision for me. Please help? Thanks- signed "Frustrated in Italy"

It is nice to hear that I am not the only one going thruogh this. I am frustrated that I am hungry. I want to eat less, but I am honestly eating just fine... no restrictions at all. I hope to get to see my doctor soon (he's been in the states for a few weeks) so I can get my first fill. Thanks for the input from the rest of you - I think 4cc is too much for a first fill, and although I want to be aggresive, I don't want to hurt. I will ask for 3 or 3.5cc fill and hope he is open minded. I have found out that if I eat too fast (like I ate the last two bits of my son's hot dog, old habits die hard) I get that "Iron fist" feeling and throw it up. I read that a good rule of thumb is to chew 25 times. Anything that is worthy of chewing, needs to be chewed 25 times. I read Before and After and I think I maybe should have gone the RNY route... I don't think I am strong enough to do this with just the lap-band. There is a lady on this post that had RNY 6 months ago and I watch her melting away... she told me she can get full with just eating a piece of pizza - I can still eat the whole thing (it's an Italian personal pizza, not an American "big" pizza). I am on a very high Protein, low carb diet. No Pasta, no bread, no rice, no potatoes, no Cereal. The only carbs I get are in the high protien things I eat. I have to watch the carbs in hidden things though... K20 is a 5grams of Protein Drink that actually tastes good. What I didn't realize (note to self - read labels) is that those 5 grams of protein come with 13 grams of carbs... not worth it!!! All they had to do was make it with Splenda and it would have been 0 carbs...frustrating. Back to unsweetened ice tea. How are the rest of you?

Has anyone else tried being on a high-protein, low-carb diet? Are stateside doctor's recommending it? If so, what do they reccomend for the daily count of protein and carbs? I was trying to stay at 25 grams or less of carbs a day - and it's just not possible for me. I made this up - no input from my doctor (he's not in town) - just wondered what other March bandsters are doing for their diet/sanity.

I haven't been on this web site in almost a month... honestly... because I am ashamed of myself. I researched bariatric surgery for nearly 10 years before I finally had all my kids (5 beautiful red-heads) and the military insurance (Tricare) would cover the lapband instead of only the RNY, which I thought was too invasive for me.....but now... ugh...I had my lap-band on 26 March. It is an 11cc band (that's larger than most). I was 252 and I am honestly scared to death to step on a scale to see if I have lost anything. I know I am eating less than I was before, but I read books about people eating 1/4cup yogurt for breakfast, 1 soft egg for lunch, a protein shake for a snack and a light dinner, maybe 3 oz of shrimp and 2 BITES of sweet potatoe... and I am JEALOUS of these people... I want to feel full after eating almost nothing... but I honestly eat almost anything. I am scared. I bought a couple books with low carb/high protein recipes in it and so far - they are pretty good. It ain't Gramma's Chicken casserole, but it's good food. One book, Before and After, has been very helpful. The author had RNY 6 years ago, so some of the info (the no sugar and dumping info) doesn't apply, but the rest has been at least helpful enough that I don't feel completely alone. I eat too much. My surgeon is in the states (I live in Italy) teaching US doctors how to do the surgery - so I can't have my follow-up with him till at least 1 May. I will beg him to fill the band as much as possible... I didn't go into this surgery lightly and I desperately want it to work. I try to stick to 85 (at least)grams of protein a day and no more than 25 grams of carbs. I drink constantly (except around meals) and track what I eat most days... but the fat jeans still fit well... :rolleyes2:

You are amazing to have such self-confidence! I admire that in people! I just got banded on 3-26 and go back for my first follow-up on Friday. I can only hope I am doing as well as you are! Congrats on taking control of your weight and remember that when you do decide to have kids - you will be healthier for it! What are you eating now?

Well, I made it through the weekend. No throwing up, no dizziness. I did get dehydrated yesterday (nasty headache), but otherwise everything is good. What I would like to know is what you are all eating? My Italian doctor, Dr. Favretti, has not given me anywhere near the restrictive diet the rest of you have. There was no pre-op diet, the post-op diet says NOTHING about protein, and does include mushy oatmeal, soft eggs, even very soft (and well chewed) pasta! I don't want to mess up - but I don't want to kill myself either. The Italians do not have protein shakes - but the American military commissary did, so I bought some 20g protein Slim Fast shakes... how do I know what I really SHOULD be eating with the very different information the different doctors give out?

Here's a funny one: I got banded at 0700 on 3/26, but I am stationed in Italy, so that means it was midnight Central US time - so that puts me on 3.25.2009 too... depending how you count. Anyway - my kids (five of them) are all scared because I am not eating. Neighbors made dinner and breakfast so I don't have to, which was nice - but honestly, I am just scared. Am I eating the right stuff? Liquid and mushy? Are Ramen noodles mushy enough (no, I didn't eat them, just curious). Yesteray (the day after my surgery) I went home. All I ate for the entire day was 1 cup of tea and 1 small yogurt (both from the hospital before I was discharged), 1 small orange slushy, 1 baby yogurt, 1 oz. fresh buffala mozzerella with basamic vinegar and olive oil (I did say I live in Italy), and a couple glasses of ice tea. Is this similar (in volume, not in actual diet) that the rest of you are eating this close to having your surgery done? My stomach seems fine, though still having what feels like heartburn coming in waves - doctor said that is normal and will go away in 2 weeks or so. I go in on Sunday to have the dressing changed (one 1 small incision), then next Friday for a follow-up. How are the rest of you doing?

Count me in - I just joined this site... I go in the hospital on Wednesday and my surgery to get the lap-band is at 0700 3/26... scary.... but in a good way...

I can let you know how my experience goes... my 5th child, a daughter, was born on July 22 last year. She was 5 weeks premature and spent a week in the NICU. I live in Italy, which is generally not a very supportive country when it comes to breastfeeding - so I wasn't allowed to hold my daughter, feed her or even give her the milk that I was pumping. But she and I prevailed and although she never breastfed "from the tap" (partially because my breasts were larger than her head!), I have been pumping and giving her milk in a bottle all along. The doctor here said he recommended I stop breastfeeding completely before my Gastric-lapband surgery.... well, my surgery is THIS THURSDAY 3/26 and although I have introduced formula and cut back on pumping considerably, I have not stopped 100%. I have spoken to the lactation consultant and she will be giving me a prescription for RAGLAN after my surgery to jump start the milk production again. I will also be taking FENUGREEK to increase my chances of regaining my milk production. Erin will turn one this July - and I hope to be able to give her milk until her first Birthday... I will let you know how it goes.

I am new to this web site - a friend recommended it when she heard I was getting the gastric lapband. Well, that time has come and I will be admitted to the hospital here in Italy (we are military stationed over here) on Wednesday. I am at 5'6" and 252lbs and I have a goal to lose 100 lbs in a year. If you have gone through the process allready, please tell me what to expect. I have the added complication of being a Mom with 5 kids from ages 12 to 7 months, and the 7 month old I am still breastfeeding. Should be a fun adventure!