54Shirley

Yep you bet, Good Luck with what you do.

1200 calories is on the money. You don't want to go to low and join the Starvation Nation: Reason is easy if you get use to 600 calories a day after about 2 weeks that might where thin, so,,, you'll say I can go to 800 that's not going to hurt anything. Well your body is now use to 600 cal... You eat 800 cal.. You will gain weight because you will screw up your Metabolism. Eat Proteins first. Carbs. give Protein a kick (really Works to.) Invest in some good Protein shakes (get a variety) meats. poultry, fish is your main protein. String cheese is good, cottage cheese, Beans these are all natural. Shakes, power bars, power drinks. Those are substitutes. good if your low on protein. I use 1 a day in a shake. Veggies are good, but you have to see what you can eat., and carbs like corn, Pasta, or what ever you can have, will give the protein a kick in the but, and make it work. I buy a lot of turkey products sausage, bacon, ground,and poultry. Corn Beef is excellent in protein, and now you can get a deal on it. Remember your only going to eat 3 or 4 ounces of this. So,,, when shopping,,, you don't have to buy much for you. Good Health To You, Shirley.

Congratulations ! You gotta be thrilled ! ! ! Keep us all posted O.K.. Shirley.

That's good ! Where are you at anyway? Calories 195, Protein25G, Total Carb. 11G. I took that of the strawberry. I bought 2strawberry. / 2peanut butter choc... Then I emailed her, and bought 2 more strawberry. I couldn't pass it at that price. This way I have about 5 different flavors to go threw, and I been buying this since I was banded, and that's what they told us to drink. Banded 10/31/2006 That's a long time... But these flavors are good, some are lousy like their chocolate, creme brulee yuk! Now there chocolate Milk is very good. It's hit n miss with everything. But if it wasn't any good?? I wouldn't post it. Hope you can enjoy it. Shirley.

You think your the only one that messed up? I don't think so. Your Dr. knows this is part of the Band, like being to tight. (THE RED ZONE) It's easier to be lose and mess up, then to be way to tight, and swollen, and find yourself being deflated and in a mess! You will come along, don't kick yourself to hard. Shirley.

I'm 56 if that helps. My Dr. emptied me, and told me my band BLEW do to overfill. In 3 years I regained all but about 20 lbs., so now I find out I was just deflated, and nothing wrong with the band (DIFFERENT DR>) I am starting all over again. Don't miss the Dr. visit, and end up like I ended up. Just keep plugging along. It's one day at a time, and that's it. You know what you should have, and not have. If I were you I would get started. I know what it's like to fail at stuff, but this is possible. even if it is only a certain amount of weight that you only lose. Do you keep a journal, count those calories, and Protein. If your hungry more then every 5 hrs. you need to be filled. I like mine a little tight, because I'm not hungry as often, and this is a step by step process. Every Time you get filled, you get a little closer to the spot that works for you. So don't throw in the towel yet. Shirley

I can't comment about the gum chewing (WERE NOT ALLOWED TO DO IT) (FEAR IT MIGHT SLIP DOWN!) But burping is a very good sign it means that nothing is hung up, and you can feel the air come up from the stomach all the way up. That means your clean, and good to go. Get stuck, and you will wish you were Burping.

Your Welcome, Shirley.

Go to your pharmacy and ask for a pill crusher. My husband has one that is round a little bigger then a quarter, and it has 3 tiers to it. Splitter, crusher, container. It is very handy. In height about a average spool of thread. So very convenient. If you can't find one,, look on ebay. They should have something.

Go to Kmart or Walmart. This is a dieters scale, it is round, and has a round bowel that fits into place. It weighs by ounces, and also goes up to 3 or 4 lbs. Cost about $5.99. Give or take a few bucks from where you are, to where I am. The name was on the box,, so I don't have it anymore,,, but,,,, you can't miss this. It is completely round. When you put the bowl on it goes up in weight o.k.... So you just turn the top of the scale to zero, and your ready to weigh anything.

Try the MUSCLE MILK LIGHT. It's 195 in calories, 25G of Protein. That's pretty good, and it's low in sugar. Their chocolate is terrable, but there Vanilla Creme is Fantastic. Also I posted a add from the person I buy from on ebay. They are both very good, and it's nice to have a variety. Chek it out, and see what you think. Shirley.

Good ! I hope you like it... I know I do. It is made with Water so no milk is needed. I was banded 10/31/2006. I drink it all the time. It gives you some pep, and like my surgeon said they recommend this stuff so that your hair doesn't fall out. Some are good, and some are lousy. I like these two, and a few more. But the plain chocolate is terrible I think. There chocolate Milk is good. Hope you like it. You can, if you want... put it in a blender, add some ice cubes, and a couple of strawberries to thicken it like a shake. Experiment too. They have a site on here for shake recipes. So if you ever get tired of the same old thing,,, check it out.... Shirley.

To anyone that wants a great deal ! ! ! Go on ebay, and look up this seller strawberry MILKSHAKE, and Peanut Butter & chocolate BLEND. Shirley.

Isn't it amazing that we are all so scared to death. Even though it's only a Band going on. I can see, and understand if it were bypass... (I WOULD GET UP AND LEAVE) But all in all, it really isn't that bad. What would you say to help out the anxiety, and nervous of those getting ready to be Banded.

Welcome Band sister.

I have been banded since 10/31/2006. We were put on Muscle Milk back then. Then,,,, I found Muscle Milk Light on ebay. Doc said to his dietitian "HOW COME I DON'T KNOW ABOUT THIS STUFF? Dietitian said I DON'T KNOW???? SHIRLEY FOUND IT. WELL ORDER ME SOME ! ! " FROM THAT POINT ON EVEN THERE BY PASS PATIENTS DRINK IT. It is made with Water, so no Milk is needed. 195 calories to a 8oz glass, 25G protein. My favorite flavors are: Cookies N CREME, strawberry MILKSHAKE, Peanut Butter & chocolate, CHOCOLATE MILK, VANILLA CREME. But they do have more like Mocha Joe if you like coffee. I don't drink coffee,, so,,, I can't comment on the taste. Find a supplier on ebay where you see numerous Jugs of Muscle Milk, and you can click on them to see the flavors Hope this helps, Shirley.

Muscle Milk Light.. Even the Bariatric Center "HENRY FORDS" wants us on this stuff. So I buy mine on ebay. Type in Muscle Milk and the Light will come on also. Look for a lady selling strawberry MILKSHAKE for $5.99 You can't beat that price ! Especially for the Light. It's good especially if you like Strawberry, and I do. You can blend it, and add a couple of fresh strawberries to it, some Kiwi too, or banana. It gives it a different taste Good Luck on your research. Shirley.

Glad you got a laugh out of it. Because I was scared !, and all for nothing. So don't worry, it will be over before you know it.

You make this work for you ! 1-2lbs. a week is the norm. You might lose more in the beginning, and then taper off. Don't get upset, it's all normal. The key thing is see what you look like in one year ! Remember this is a slow go. As far as getting spooked! Don't let them get into your head. If those are friends,,,, there not very nice.... Were all nervous. I can remember telling my husband "give me my cloths,,, I'm leaving." He said it's nerves. It was. They will give you something to take the edge off. Let us know how it went. Good Health to you, Shirley.

I'm not sure about getting your Protein threw shakes or not. ( IT ALL STILL ADDS UP !) I do know that to much protein is hard on the Kidneys. I was taking someone in my family to her Kidney Dr. , When he told her remember watch your protein,,, it's hard on the Kidney. So,,, I asked him What about someone like me who doesn't have any Kidney problems, and I try to get in my protein daily???? He said be careful !!!!! In the long run it can mess your Kidneys. Depends on you, and how much you take in daily. The Atkins diet will eventually kill you he said. Not long after, Richard Atkins died. So,,,, I try to be careful, and my blood work is good. Now my Surgeon never said squat about possible Kidney Problems, and yet we are suppose to keep getting this in daily. Well for me,, I backed of a little. If I get 60G one day, I might take in 40+ the next day, then 50 the day after. Then start again Just something to think about.

Believe it or not ! ! ! It will go by quick, and you all will be fine. They'll give you something to take the edge off, and then,,,, you will be fine with everything.

MUSCLE MILK LIGHT has a Peanut Butter, chocolate that is good, also there Strawberry Milkshake I think is very good. There chocolate is terrible ! They have a lot to choose from on ebay in flavors. So,,,, unless you have tried them all ! Don't condemn them for all there stuff. It's hit and miss, just like anything else.

Member id ivydeals That is the seller. Price is $5.99 a Jug. Flavor is strawberry Milkshake. I have seen some people say "I AM TIRED OF MUSCLE MILK !" So I only put it up for the people who contacted me, and wanted a Jug. If they didn't get it,, well I hope they did. But here is the info.. Just go to ebay, and type Muscle Milk the light will come up also, and look at the prices, when you hit $5.99 you found her. Have Fun Shopping, Shirley

Some of you have contacted me about a add I put up about a great price on Ebay for Muscle Milk Light. If you already bought, then you know you got a deal. For those that are still looking: just type Muscle Milk on ebay, and the light will come up. Look for a price of $5.99 for a Jug of strawberry Milkshake, and you have found it. I ordered 4 at that price, and another 2 yesterday. I can't pass up the price. Shirley.

The Muscle Milk is Lactose free, so,,, no problem on this end.