GayleTX

I waited a couple of months.....I understood it was just wait til after we'd healed. However, after a few months, it started making my heartburn worse so I limit it to a couple of cups in the morning (always with cappacino protein in it, of course, lol!!).

I've had a hard time with heartburn and reflux....even with liquids sometimes. PCP finally put me on Protonix....it helps some. I've also given up dark SF chocolate and cut back on my arthritis meds. That helped, too. If you had been dealing with a too-tight band, you may have some irritation....try the liquids for a couple of days. Hope you're all better!!

Sugar products make gastric bypass patients often react in a way they call 'dumping'.....nauseous, sweating, shaking, stomach cramps - some or all of these. Keeps you from doing it again very often!!That's why some sugar addicts choose bypass for their surgery. That's why I did NOT!!! lol!

Most people have to have 2-5 fills to get to the right amount. Sometimes the first fill doesn't do much for you at all, but I'd rather a doctor take it slow and gentle rather than be too aggressive and get you too tight. It is not uncommon for the first fill not to give you much restriction at all for a week or so, so don't panic if you don't feel any different for a while if at all. My doctor does the first ones about 3 weeks apart. Protein drinks are fine....do you have any that are clear? The nectar brand powder drinks are clear, as are Isopure. I've always just used the regular powdered Proteins for liquid afterward (made with Water, not milk) and have had no problems. Did the surgeon not give you any written guidelines before surgery? If so, look back thru the literature....maybe you'll find some more info. It's important to educate yourself on this process....there are rules about eating and drinking that will make the journey go much smoother for you....it's important to be compliant with the rules.

Most people have to have 2-5 fills to get to the right amount. Sometimes the first fill doesn't do much for you at all, but I'd rather a doctor take it slow and gentle rather than be too aggressive and get you too tight. It is not uncommon for the first fill not to give you much restriction at all for a week or so, so don't panic if you don't feel any different for a while if at all. My doctor does the first ones about 3 weeks apart. Protein drinks are fine....do you have any that are clear? The nectar brand powder drinks are clear, as are Isopure. I've always just used the regular powdered Proteins for liquid afterward (made with Water, not milk) and have had no problems. Did the surgeon not give you any written guidelines before surgery? If so, look back thru the literature....maybe you'll find some more info. It's important to educate yourself on this process....there are rules about eating and drinking that will make the journey go much smoother for you....it's important to be compliant with the rules.

The guidelines for eating as a bandster are to eat your dense protein first, then vegetables. Fish is a dense protein, so that fits in with grandma's theory. I would think any other protein prepared in a low-cal method (i.e.not fried) would work as well. Fish is a good choice, though....lots of variety in the ways you can fix it.

A fill should never hurt or bruise. So sorry you've been a 'learning experience' for your doctor. I have a 10CC also....I had 3.6 the first and second fills, then only .3 recently. Remember that sometimes the band gets a lot tighter a week or so after a fill, so be very aware of how you are feeling and don't hesitate to go for help if you need it ASAP.

I'm a little surprised you are even trying to eat the things you mentioned.....it's a little early for that. Most people are instructed to eat liquids for 2-3 wks, mushies 2-3 wks, soft foods for a while, then ease gently into meat and veggies. I'm wondering what else they didn't tell you - They did tell you to eliminated all carbonated drinks, didn't they? As for bread.....do yourself a favor and let that pain burn itself into your brain. You'll be better off forgetting bread both for the pain it causes (you don't want to ever PB or throw up if you can help it at all....it can cause the band to slip, then you've got a problem) and for the calories/carbs it contains. Sorry....someone should have told you beforehand, but if you are serious about losing weight....it's a GOOD thing!! I am almost a year out, I've had one bite of bread and suffered for it. I've also had one bite of pizza (it was dry crust so thought it might work...ha!!...it felt like I'd swallowed a pair of scissors). However, on the positive side.....I've lost almost 120 pounds in 11 months. IT'S ALL WORTH IT, SWEETIE!!! You can do it!!!

My doctor (and most others I've heard of from fellow bandsters) say quit drinking shortly before you begin eating; dont drink for an hour afterward.

Was the only reason given because it tends to increase your appetite? Hmmm. I didn't drink any during the 'healing' time and since them I've switched to the low acid kind (Foger's Smooth) because of ulcer tendencies (and I limit myself to 1-2 cups). I don't find it stimulates my appetite at all.....in fact, I get most of my protein supplements in my coffee (Nectar Cappacino and Matrix chocolate are wonderful in coffee) and really satisfy me and keep me from wanting a snack of some sort.

Juicing?.....nope. Too much sugar/carbs in juice. liquids needs to be non-carbonated, sugar-free liquids....liquid Protein supplements (the bariatric kind, not the jock kind) are your best choice along with broth, Jello, etc. As for muscle mass.....again, the protein is important for the rest of your life.....80-100 grams/day help keep your muscles and your hair where they belong - along with good Vitamins.

Don't fault your doctor for doing pre-op tests. It's important to know you are healthy before you let someone cut on you by choice! I was talking with a young woman just a few days ago who discovered she was diabetic and had a liver ailment when she went for her pre-tests.....and she thought was healthy. If they had done the surgery before finding that out, she would have been in serious trouble. Also, it's protection for the doctor....their liability insurance is high enough as it is!!

I bought a bottle of that stuff....burned me all the way down! Tasted horrible!! Being a cheapskate, I used most of it. Then I accidently ordered the same @#$$# stuff again!! I couldn't do it this time....gave it to my son....he took one dose and flushed it down the toilet!! Flintstones are simply not adequate for bariatric patients.....we need a good grown-up multi-Vitamin to keep us going if you are eating the way you should to lose weight and stay healthy. Good Vitamins and good Proteins keep the hair and muscles strong.

Talapia (frozen in individual filets) is a good choice for beginners - or anybody. It cooks quickly, is very mild, can be pan cooked in a sauce, and one filet is just the right size for those of us with little bitty pouchies. They sell them by the box at WalMart and Sam's. 4 ounce WLS portion: Calories 235, fat 12 gr, carbs 1 gr, Protein 28 gr Serves 4 4 small tilapia filets, about 4-5 ounces each Flour for dusting 1 tablespoon olive oil One jar of your favorite salsa (my favorite brands are Frontera, Zapata, Goya, and Newman’s Own) Lime wedges as a garnish, optional Rinse fish filets and dry using paper towels. Dust each filet on both sides with a small amount of flour and pat to remove excess. Heat olive oil in a nonstick skillet over medium high heat and sauté filets until golden on one side, about 3 minutes; carefully turn and continue cooking until done, about 3 additional minutes. Transfer to serving plates. Add about one cup salsa to the hot skillet, swirl pan while mixture sizzles, and spoon a little over each filet. Copyright © 2005 by Susan Maria Leach www.BariatricEating.com, HarperCollins Publishers Inc. all rights reserved. There are more good fish recipes on her website.

It's helpful when you are first getting started to measure your food....just put what you know you should eat on your plate, then quit. That's was a new concept to me....that's why I got in the mess I got in.

Since you are a lightweight, your weight loss is going to be slower than some of us....that's just the way it is. You've done extremely well for someone in your weight range. Plateau's are a part of any weight loss program. The scale should not be your only guage of success!! Are you using a tape measure? Are you checking to see how a pair of pants fits today as compared to a month ago....I'll bet they are loser than they were! And...speaking of pants - your husband needs a kick in his!!! His negative attitude is not helping anything, is it. Make sure you are getting enough calories....going into starvation mode is a sure way to get stuck - you scare your body into holding on to every ounce of fat for future use in case you don't feed it again! Also, from what I have read, our bodies tend to get stuck at a weight that we used to weigh for a long time in the past....our 'set point.' Is that a possibility at this time? You've done a great job so far and you will continue to lose....just be proud of what you've accomplished and enjoy each step of this journey.

FOUR WEEKS??? Surely he meant four DAYS!! I've seen this discussed a lot on another board and most people with an LB say less than a week....they just try not to swing from the chandeliers the first time or two.

Merle Norman (the make-up people) have lovely wigs and the consultant will work with you for sizing, etc. They do lots of cancer patients. Taylordiva........ I don't know about this poster - she may have some health problems of some sort that affected her hair, but ....the reason people usually lose their hair to some extent after weight loss surgery is because they do not take quality Vitamins every day and they do not get adequate Protein in their diet. A wls patient needs 80-100 gr/protein every day the rest of their life. It's not easy to get that much with a tiny little pouch so we need protein supplements....again, quality ones made for bariatric patients, not the kind made for jocks. These two things....vitamins and protein....prevent many problems that will otherwise plague a wls patient.

Thank you for updating us.....so glad all went well. Ah, a cottage on the beach on the Gulf in the winter....must be heaven for someone from the snowy northcountry! Take care of yourself!!

What you are feeling is still just the swelling from the surgery. As for the band, until you begin getting fills, you might as well not have a band. You had one inserted, but it has not yet been 'turned on'....the fills are what give you restriction and what make the band work. However, I think sometimes just knowing the band is there works on our mind, and helps us with the psychological part of managing our appetite and eating habits. And 'brain surgery' is what most of us needed after all, isn't it.....help in dealing with the part food plays in our emotional life. Note to people who are considering being banded.....if you can't afford the fills (and it usually takes 4-7 over the course of a year or two), then you can't afford a band. It's like buying a Lexus then parking it in the garage and walking to work because you can't afford the insurance and gas.

Sissy....I hope you can find someone who understands bariatric surgery and patients and what our specific needs are. A "nutritionist" is not necessrily a degreed expert....that title doesn't mean anything without some training behind it. A Registered Dietician is a degreed person who should know the science behind nutrition. You might call a dialysis center and ask for a referral .....they know kidneys. Or a bariatric surgeon's office, altho many of them are clueless about the aftercare - may be great at the surgery but not very aware of the nutritional needs afterward. Let me know what you find out....you're welcome to PM me anytime.

There was a lengthy thread on this topic just yesterday.....you might do 'search' for it and read thru it - there were some good replies.

Sissy, NINE grams/day of Protein??? If that is accurate, I don't know what to say. The successful losers I know (the ones who lose at a healthy rate, who don't lose their hair, who maintain good muscle mass and strength, who heal well) average 70-80 gr of protein/day. About half of mine comes from supplements. (There are some wonderful ones out there but you have to search for them.) You can easily track your protein intake (or intake of anything else like fat, calories, carbohydrates, etc) on fitday.com....it's a free website that keeps you on track day by day. If it goes in my mouth, it goes on my fitday. . Surgeons do put carbonated drinks on a no-no list. Carbonation is (I hear) very painful because it swells.....scared to try it myself....some people let it go flat then drink a little. Bread....it just wads up on you, won't go thru, seems to swell, very painful.Some people are able to eat dry toast, I hear. pizza crust makes me feel like I've swallowed a pair of scissors. I hope you are able to do whatever is necessary, sweetie. Sounds like you've got a lot of health problems to deal with. Best wishes to you.

As far as chocolate goes....there are some very good sugar free chcolates on the market, as well as some very good chocolate Protein drinks and bars. As for hearburn....I never had heartburn in my life til I had a LapBand....at about 5 mo. out I started suffering. I am on Protonix, which helps, but I have to be very careful about taking arthritis meds on an empty stomach, limiting my caffeine, eating dark chocolate, citrus, tomatoe sauces, etc. Then I still have trouble sometimes. When I told my fill doctor I was having heartburn, he just said, "Yeah, that's the Lapband...it's just part of it." As for eating everything your family eats....that's the theory but I don't know many people who do/can and lose weight. Bread is a disaster for bandsters usually. You need to eliminate white carbs, carbonated drinks, fried foods. You'll need to incorporate lots of protein every day and limit the carbs. As a lightweight (which you are even tho you may not feel like it) your weight loss may not be as easy as some people's. Wish I had your height!! Best wishes!

What do you mean you are not allowed powdered drinks??? That makes no sense to me...protein is Protein whether it's powdered, an RTD or a dead cow. You just need to make sure you get the kind of powdered protein that is for bariatric patients, not bodybuilders/jocks. The powdered is much less expensive and you can flavor it and have lots more variety by using fruits and SF syrups to make lattes and shakes. Matrix is a great brand....Orange Cream is my fave for a cold drink, chocolate is good cold or hot or in coffee. nectar drinks are clear, fruity flavors similar to Tang....my fave is Fuzzy Navel (peach)....these are both powders. Nectar also makes a cappacino flavor that is wonderful in coffee. As far RTD's...Micellar Milk is great...Creamy Vanilla comes in a carton (it's not real milk), 17 oz has 40 gr protein and it tastes wonderful, like rice pudding....you can drink it straight, put it in coffee, make ice cream with it, make pudding with it....the possibiities are endless. You can get it at Vitamin Shoppe in a 4-pack for about $13 (it has lots of Vitamins besides the protein). You never have to put up with bad protein....there are too many good ones out there.