54Shirley

Chicken soup, and if all else fails my husbands HOT TODDY will knock it out. Make a pot of tea, in a quart glass pour in some HONEY, WHISKEY, and the TEA (AS HOT AS YOU CAN STAND IT) Drink the whole thing, then get into bed, and cover up with a blanket so you sweat this thing out. Then see how you are the next day. This should help. If it doesn't,,, call your Family Dr. But this recipe does help or work depends on the cold. It can't hurt.

Good Girl ! As long as you shook that cough,, you can live with a stuffy head. But like I said a Hernia, you don't even want to go there. I know they fixed mine while I was on the table. But regardless take it easy ! You don't want to hurt anything. Because, there's no going back to 10 seconds before you even hurt yourself. Ya know what I mean? So hope you feel better. HAPPY NEW BIRTHDAY TO YOU !

That's normal...

The Miracle answer is Muscle Milk. It gives between 25-35 G of protein per 8oz shake. Buy it on ebay, these dealers have a wide variety of flavors. I have a 2.48 jug of PINA COLADA that I got buy mistake, it's unopend, and $20.00 includes the shipping. Thats a good price. Don't need milk, only water. 5 yrs. banded, and still using this stuff.

Then tell me why flies won't even go to it if it's edible?

It's normal to be scared, and nervous. You wouldn't be normal if you weren't. Once you start getting fills, you will see how your hunger decreases, and you still eat, just not as much. If you have medication that you are on do to weight, you might see that change also. I stayed heavy to long, they didn't really have the band when I first got Married. Just by-pass. The weight shot both knees for me. So don't let yourself get into a problem that's not reversible, when it's available to you. You can come on this site for anything, and someone will answer your questions all the time. Good Health to you, I'm sure you will do what's write. Shirley.

You say you have not had a fill yet ! Maybe it's time for one, to help the craving, and how much you can eat. You got banded for a reason,,, stick to your plan. I buy sugar free pudding in cups and instant. Cups are only 60 calories, and they fill up the need from hunger. Good Luck ! Shirley.

We all know that the Band is wrapped around the upper part of the stomach, and a small pouch is then formed for us to use. Now the understandings, and misunderstandings are like this. When you are banded, you are on liquids, and shakes, etc.. "REASON" so you heel well. Then comes the mushy stage, now your pouch only holds so much, measure it if you have to, and don't over do it. When it comes to solids Protein is the best thing you can eat. It's good for you, and if you add just a little bit of Carb to your meal. The carb is a kicker for the protein. Know comes the hunger that I know, and I had to deal with. "THAT'S WHY EVERYONE SAY'S IT DOESN'T CURE YOUR HUNGER..." This is a step after step with fills. "adjustments." Depending on the size of your band, and how much is added at a time, every time after the first or second fill, you start to feel more restriction. One day you will go in for a fill. When this happens you lose your appetite, and could really care less if you eat or not. But make sure you keep up on your protein, and chewable vitamins. "WE ALL ARE ON FLINSTONESS COMPLETE, THEY CONTAINE CHOLINE" That's a plus. It took me 5 years to figure this out. On my last fill,,,, that is exactly what happened to me... So yes there is a difference in the band, but it is further down the line. You will get to it, it's just time, and money for the Dr.. So be patient you will get there.

YAY ! ! ! You have all your Ducks in a Row, that's for sure. Your Meds, or Lack off are proof of it ! ! So give yourself a big pat on the back, because you earned it. Knowledge is a wonderful thing. So just remember what did work for you, and go with it. I try to do between 50-60G of Protein. Even for a older lady "ya like the way I put that,,, LOL" my hair shines, with a gorgeous shine to it I was also taught by our Dietitian to don't do all protein, it can be hard on the Kidneys. Instead once you ate your protein, have a carb "DOESN'T HAVE TO BE MUCH !" It will give that Protein a kick in the butt, and you will have even more energy. Well It's True ! That's how I try to eat my dinner, and what a charge I get. Glad to hear your doing well, I hope this info helps some people change their mind about eating Margarine

NO your not... I was talking about the realize band being different.. as in Triangular.

That's really different then the Lap Band. Shirley.

As far as the band sizes, you can look them up on Lap Bands site or even on YOU TUBE they have quite a bit of info. there. Also the Realise Band is suppose have a unique fit that the balloon can not stretch !!! That would be interesting The 4cc Band is the original Band. The other is the newer one. I can't comment on that one, because I don't even know anyone that has one. But this 4cc,,,,, when she tightens up, it stays tightened up. The Fluid is in there so tight that it doesn't even evaporate. It's there to stay. I learned that on this last fill. 3yrs. since I have been able to be seen, and it still had fluid in it. Just not enough for restriction I also seen a comment about eating some of this, and a little of that, and then instantly full. That's not because we paid for it or want it to work that way. That's the way the Band works, I had some homemade turkey broth before dinner, and for dinner I had a chicken thigh. I ate 4 or 5 small pieces, and my head went click! your full, and that's when you know to stop eating. Also if for some reason you hiccup, like one time, that's telling you, that you are full. Mine kicked in after I stopped my Dinner.

As far as I know,,, You usually don't hit the size of your band in cc's Like mine is 4cc, I'm at 2.5 now, Next time maybe 2.7, and the same results. From what I was told. We get to a certain spot and stay comfortable with it, otherwise we go into the RED ZONE ! Can't swallow spit.. So I'll take this one day at a time, get a fill when I need it, and look forward to getting to the point that I am either not starving "I HATE THAT !" and stay comfortable. That would work for me.. And yes, my calorie intake is really low, and I am not hungry. If I get Hungry I can always have a S.F pudding, or about 4 ounces of Water, "Like I need water..." and hunger pain would be gone. Also I get hungry about every 5 hours. THAT IS GREAT. I can watch my grocery bill shrink.. But yeagh,,,, that's how the band works step by step process. If you get it,, Please keep that in mind, because in the beginning it's not a miracle cure.

You will have a lot more then getting weighed for 3 months to do. Mine was a year., and these specialists know exactly how to break it up so you see someone all the time, and get weighed while going through the process. Let me give you a idea: Psych, cardiologist, dietitian, Physical therapist, internal medicine, your surgical visit to set up surgery, he might have another appointment where you are weighed, and then he will make a decision on how much weight he wants you to loose before surgery. This way he knows if you are serious about weight loss, and visits to your Dr. monthly to monitor your weight. That's what I went through, and most people do the same also. Point though wherever you go "GET WEIGHED, AND ASK FOR A PRINTOUT". That way you can keep a file, and turn it over to your surgeons Insurance people,, so the one who is in charge of Insurance, she has something to work with. I hope that makes things a little more clear. You will have to see a lot of people to make your Ins. Company, and Dr. happy. How they break up all these appointments is up to them. They will schedule them. My Ins was a year waitet, so they had me see someone once a month. You could be every week, or every other week. Anyway it's a process. By then you should be coming down the Methadone I hope.. I would think. Also check this with your Family Doctor, and your surgeon. He needs to know how to treat you. As far as pain... It's not to bad. I have had worse. I hope this helps answer your questions, and understand, it is a process. Shirley..

One thing I can say that is true, and I found this out from my last fill, is that this is a step by step process, Every Time you get a fill, you get a little closer to the point where you are less, and less hungry. I now am really not even hungry. I find myself journaling about 700 calories a day, and with the Protein shake for lunch,,, well so far this is a snap, When I feel like I'm starving to death !!! I will go in for a fill, and that terrible feeling will be gone again. So in this way it helps me out a lot. I hope you understand that it makes it possible without to much suffering or anxiety to try and do this, It's like pain Medication, it only takes the edge of.

Glad it works for you, and tanks for the tip.

Any of you just pick up a shaker bottle, and shake, your Protein shake. I mean I do... If I was going to add fruits, nuts I would use a Blender. But a Regular shake, I do by hand.. Besides if it settles to the bottom, I can just give it a short shake. Have fun, hope you enjoy it. Shirley

I didn't even read the article, but I know from past experience that it's the Protein that really matters So about 1000 calories with the protein. I would eat, and 200 in carbs. to give a kick to the protein. "It works" 1200 of carbs,, carbs turn to sugar, so not a good thing, and fat free products are loaded with sugar. So I'll stick to the protein. I took a glance at it. I know a little something about the fat, taught to me by a specialist. Butter vs Margarine we all know that they still basically carry the same calorie count "not to much difference" He told me to take a open container of margarine out side, and leave it there for the flies to go to. I was like what???? He said just do what I'm telling you and keep your eyes on the flies. When I went back to him in a week, he said well ! ! Nothing the flies didn't go to it. EXACTLEY ! It's not fit for human consumption. It is strictly made of chemicals, and if they would add this other chemical to it "I DON'T REMEMBER THE NAME" It would become PLASTIC... I about threw up. Because on occasion, I used Margarine. He said it's been proven Butter is Better. When your Dietitian says NO WAY! Tell her to conduct this project. that was 22 years ago. I still don't use it, and my husbands Arteries are clean, mine too. He said that is a major cause of Blocked Arteries. So take it all serious. You truly are what you eat. Hope this Matters Shirley 10/31/2006

Yuk!

Fish is protein! Good for you to, and the vegetable is no big deal. Don't worry about it.

If your not comfortable with the band, there are other methods. Even Weight Watchers on line. Give yourself a year, and if it doesn't work. Then you will have answered your own question. You can't do it without assistance. Then if you don't like the band for your reasons, there are other WLS. Hope you find what you seek. Shirley.

I have a unopened jug of MUSCLE MILK 2.48 LB. Flavor is PINA COLADA. $20.00 covers the whole thing, that includes shipping. It is past it's expiration date, but all my stock is, it has no effect on the potency of the Protein. "AT LEAST I SURE CAN'T TELL" I'm giving a shot here first. If not ,I'll put it on ebay. This is a very good price, so if interested,, let me know. Shirley.

Does a different surgeon mean his partner? If so,, they both know each others work. With that in mind, I would go to his partner. Who knows what shape he'll be in when he gets back. I have had a dislocated shoulder, and it still doesn't function at 100%. That's been almost 3 yrs. ago.. I would give it a thought if I were you.

Well it took a year for surgery. "insurance Now remember, the majority of my weight comes from Water... He put me on a 1200 calorie diet for 1 year. I lost over 100lbs. On my way to surgery, the nurses said 'WHY R U DOING THIS?" I explained that I had to have my knee replacement surgery, so the Orthopedic Surgeon said don't come back until you lost 100lbs., and have had Bariatric surgery. "I WANT YOU TO KEEP IT OF !" So now were talking about 2 Dr.'s that won't touch me, until I meet their goals. I did ! I ended up getting both knees replaced, And through calorie counting, and the band helping me control my HUNGER ! ! ! I will be successful again, and I now have a place to go to in Northern, Michigan, where I am welcome with open arms. It's a 120 mile drive each way, but I will still go, if it means I will keep on walking, and help keep this Fluid off. The bottom line is,,, the less I way,,, the better of for my health in my case. So I'll do whatever it takes to stay alive. I'm only 56, that's to early to be taking that express elevator to the top for me. I have been full of water since the age of 4 months ! I never really had a normal life, being like a balloon all my life. So if this will make me healthy, and get a chance to enjoy my life before I die...... I'm all for it. I hope this helps answer your question, because it answered mine a long time ago. Also, I just started up with a Endocrinologist "THYROID" for me it's practically non functional," So we will see in Months if this helps too or not.. Shirley.

If not for now,,,, for later. Try Muscle Milk Lite. I buy mine on ebay, and it comes in Jugs of powder, "I LIKE" ready to go cans of shakes, power bars, even oatmeal. I drank these clean threw the pre op, and post op. That was 5 yrs. ago... I still buy them from dealers, and enjoy them. The other day when I got filled I had a Cookies N CREAM for lunch, and chocolate PEANUTBUTTER for dinner. They are both very good. You can look on ebay, and you will find dealers that have a lot of flavors "Check Out The Variety !" Also you will find people who bought the wrong flavor "NOT OPENED" and its up for bid. Some have expiration dates, So they must be sold ! It's your saving. Also check out the buy it now tab, and see what they have. A lot of info here to choose from, so good luck in your finds. Shirley.