MSan914

The liquids only meant PROTEIN drinks for me...........No CALORIES for 3 days ........ wow!!

Keep the faith -- the first 3 days were the hardest for me. Keep a bottle within reach -- whether it is water, crystal light, anything that is NO sugar and NO calories. The fluids did NOT take away my hunger - but it gave me something to do (instead of going to the kitchen!!:thumbup:) This is hard - but you can do it!

I just got back from my 4-week post op appt. I lost 1.6lbs since my 2-week appt........and boy my doc was upset :thumbup: She had expected more weight loss. She said that I HAVE GOT TO use my will power when it comes to eating -- :sad: and that I MUST exercise harder. The 3-4 times per week isn't enough - she wants me to increase to 5-6 times per week with a significant amount of sweat equity. I appreciated her straightforwardness --- I really hope it gets me to stay on the correct food intake. One thing she said for me to try is to SHUT DOWN the kitchen after 7:30pm. NO ONE is allowed to get any food -- beverages are ok - as long as NO sugar and NO calories. :wub: And I am going to set smaller goals -- some daily - and others will be for these next two weeks. June 10th is my FIRST fill date!!!! Can not wait! :cry_smile:

Here is the post on the BANNER instructions

I LOVE fruit - but since the band I have not yet eaten an apple or an orange. I have kept to bananas, melons, grapes and all kinds of berries.

I was banded on April 28th and am also in BANDSTER HELL.............will power can only last so long (which is the reason I am overweight ... no will power). I am trying my best to eat small amounts - I am able to stick to around 1000 cals a day. Minimal carbs - 70g of Protein. I had an appt with my PCP today - she indicated that she may want me to include B12 in my Vitamin supplements.....geeze ANOTHER PILL.

Well I had my pre-op consult with the surgeon this morning. DH went with me. The surgeon did a great job explaining how the band will HELP me to lose weight - and all that ...she went through meds, Vitamins, foods, exercise, family, etc. It was very good. And I have my surgery date -- which was pushed back a few weeks due to work related things that I HAVE to get done.......... :thumbup: April 28, 2009!!!!!! I am so excited -- but I have 6 weeks to wait......ugh! But I know they will/should fly by........I have a 7 day cruise just before I start the 14 days of shakes.....yea!! Those should be some good before pics!:thumbup:

One week to go!!! Yahoooo!! Good Luck and keep us posted -- and also in case you have not found/noticed. There is now a section for each known surgeon in Michigan -- I found mine (Drs. Lane and Richardson) - So that may be a good source for support and info too!!

Congrats to those with surgery dates!!!

Come on others that have or are patients of Drs Richardson and Lane in Lansing. Let's start sharing our stories!!!

dgrimes -- those classes will be what you rely on once you have the surgery. And could you share this website with the class? I think this website has been very informative and helpful. Good luck with things - keep us informed.

Wow - SUPER - congrats!! What was your exercise program??

I can not WAIT for my first fill!!! Congrats -- I am sooo jealous!

Hey Michigan people - I KNOW there are LOTS and LOTS of Michigan people that have recently been banded -- let's get this thread going again. I am feeling a little lonely without other people from Michigan on here!!! Thanks - hope to hear from someone soon!!

mine are covered with insurance . have you tried the Fill USA centers? I think there is one in Troy.

I CAN NOT wait until my 1st fill!!!! i too can eat pretty much anything -- as long as it is chewed very well. The will power is still working, for now -- knowing that when I do get some fills the tool will finally help me!!

I had surgery on Tuesday and returned to work on the following Monday - have primarily a desk job with 1-3 hours driving a day. Had no problems.

I keep a case of bottled water in my car, one at my office and one at home ........... and I bought a case of the Special K protein water packs from DrugStore.com I don't like plain water much - so the Special K packs gives me flavor and protein.

the requirements are different -- and depends on the surgeon and also depends on the insurance.

Do you do any Protein shakes or anything? it doesn't seem like enough protein - I am required to get 60-70grams of protein a day. And if you are only eating a few fork fulls - you probably not getting even close to 1000 cals a day. I am 2-weeks post op and had my surgeon appt today - I am onto stage III and she said basically if I can blend it and chew it thoroughly there isn't much that I can not eat. I have eaten lot's of different things - but no breads, pastas or rice.

no upper GI for me --- the surgeons said it was not needed. I THINK it is needed for those people with GERD, hernia, heartburn, etc.

I have 8 hours to go before surgery - and I can't sleep and I am thinking that I need to pack to many things "just in case". Geeze - my husband says pack your CPAP, magazines, IPOD, hygiene stuff and that is it! Is he right?

I still have swelling at the larger incision - actually felt like a rock last week. I called my Dr office and the nurse said it sounded normal (from how I explained it to her). I too was not having "bm's" - and they said that I needed to drink at least 64 oz of water/fluids daily - and that I should add some benefiber to my mushies. That has helped. I can drink the 64+ ounces of fluids with no problem - I have always been a HUGE Water drinker. So no problem there for me.

my strips are ALL off - I had 5.

HELP - OK - so for the last week I have been on the mushy stage and I haven't felt any restriction at all. But I have been keeping to very small portions. Well, last night - I ate TOO MUCH of a good thing and I had the WORST pain in my abdomen area. WOW - I think it was heartburn/gas..........took some TUMS and after about an hour or so, I had some massive burps and the pain subsided. I guess I DO have some restriction.......or something. I have an appointment already with my Surgeon tomorrow ------- so I will tell her the story -