lml32937

I too have been struggling with getting enough calories and especially protein- I a m just not hungry! I just bought a sample pack of the Nectar Protein from www.smartbodynutrition.com They had a sample pack of I think 14 flavors for like $15 bucks It came to 22 with shipping. I have heard great things about this being mixed with juice or milk or even water and by far it is the best tasting so I am eager to try it- Should be delivered this weekend.

I don't "count" calories per say.. but I am cautious about what goes in. I too try and often fall short on the protein. If I had to count the calories it would probably be between 800 and 1000 per day. I exercise daily and eat a lot of fruits and veggies to "feel fuller" as snacks etc. This was very hard not to "diet" so to speak but rather make wiser choices with smaller portions- but so far so good- it works!

What do you do when you have the flu bug or any type of GI problem that prohibits you from eating the things you normally do especially the protein? I am speaking specifically of a lower GI problem not vomiting??

I work in the medical field as a practice manager and just got a "spring mailer" the other day and yes Tricare is covering them with authorization. You must have certain co-morbidities. Also I am unsure if you are aware of this or not but Humana will only have the contract as of now until 4/2011 and then UHC will take over unless the OIG steps in and changes it. If this happens I doubt seriously that UHC will allow it to continue. Before they have taken over the contracts they presented were cut by 10% just in physician services.

Congratulations! and good luck! I am a stomach sleeper too and for the first 2 days I had to lay on my side not because of pain but I was so afraid I would move the port or something stupid like that... After a few days when the soreness wore off I went right back to tummy sleeping and had no problems. I still sleep this way and have no problems still...:wink2:

There is a very high turn over- a lot of the $$ you see advertised is for sign on bonus's which are nice to get you in the door. They have to put up with a lot of BS for very little $$ in the long run.. I speak from experience.. doctors are cheap- they dont pay well

I am curious... I have some lower back pain/butt pain and my hubby thinks it is becuase I have lost so much weight that the way I used to have to sit has been "revised" and the cushion is now gone so I am feeling things differently when sitting.. I am now having a hard time to sit for long periods of time and have to "adjust" my bum every so often.. Is this normal?? it makes sense but still sounds weird...

I have Lymphedema in my lower legs and had Thyroid cancer. The 2 are very much related as well as being overweight for so long. You can take Lasix till the cows come home and it wont help if it is Lymphedema- You need to see your PCP and ask for a referral to a vascular sugeon- Although there is no cure- it can be controlled. GOod luck- it isnt fun

I think that the fact that you paid for your surgery and made the commitment should make you happy... We all have different metabolisms that process things differently. You need to remember the band is a tool to help you make appropriate lifestyle changes- I am almost 1 year banded and have just finally reached a good restriction point. I am thank ful my doctor is conservative and really teaches us to follow his program of healthy eating and exercise sort of forgetting about the band. Don't give up and don't be so hard on yourslef- remember there is this place called bandster hell and it isnt fun... it generally lasts till you find restriction and that is part of the process....

After years of mis-diagnosing and under medicating I was diagnosed with Thyroid Cancer in 2008. I had both glands removed wtih 5 parathyroids as well- I was banded in 4/09 and feel great! I personally have done well but all of my doctors have assured me it would be harder because of the thyroid problems. Because I never didnt have a thyroid problem I dont personally know if it is "harder". I am currently on 425mcg of Levothyroxine a day and agree with the others that if I dont exercise every day and follow my dietary restrictions I feel worse. I am thankful to have found an awesome Endo @ the U of Miami who was very pro-lapband for me.....

a) my desire to eat fast food went away with the surgery :thumbup: I could not eat any bread let alone a whole burger c) like a previous poster.. the closest I have come is a turkey burger patty with melted cheese and taking 20 min to eat it all... my suggestion- stay away from fast food and if you dont cook it dont eat it- you never know what is actually in it and there are tons of hidden callories, sugars, etc.. for me personally it is just not worth it...

I started curves 1 month after my banding on 4/2/09- Until 1 month ago I went to curves 3-4 times a week (30 min). I started a new job and my schedule now only allows me to go 1-2 times a week. About 1 month ago I also started a Zumba class and attend 2 45 minute classes on Thursday pm and 2 45 min classes on Saturday am. THIS KICKS MY BUTT!!!!!! and made me realize that Curves isnt doing enough for me- I have lost about 12 lbs just from Zumba... I have friends that dont do didly squat for exercise and have not had as good results with their weight loss as I have and therefore I firmly beleive that exercise is the key... Part of my new years resolution is to join a regular gym now that I am able to "keep up" and dont feel so self conscious about what I am doing...

I think I am fine but my hubby may want to disagree... lol He says they put in the lap band and took out my nice calmness and libido (only he would say that). I have talked to my docs about it and the opinion varies... from hormonal (weight loss has been steady so hormones are now working) to the plain old emotional stuff that goes on with such life changing things...

Only 4 months post op- I have lost 39 lbs and am BELOW 400lbs!!!! yeah!!!! I lost 17lbs this past month to make my total 39 ... The first thing I thought was OMG! I only have 60 more lbs to go before I'll have lost 100 lbs..... I have a whole new sense of euphoria right now.....

I have lost a little close to 40lbs but I have lost about 23 inches. I have saggy tummy, arms that could slap you in the face and saggy inner thighs... I work out 3-4 times a week at curves and walk on the off nights. I was not prepared mentally for such sagginess so soon either- I knew I would need plastic surgery and would need to wait at least 1 year but I feel like I could easily get it now and loose about 60 lbs no prob with the extra skin--- Let me know what you figure out and what works for you! Good luck!

If you stick to your post-op meal plan that you, your doctor and dietician set for you and you continue to exercise (which is MOST important) you WILL lose weight and the appointment will be just a formality.... Keep your chin up and measure your foods, remember to drink or eat enough protein and you will be on the road to a better recovery- The people here are wonderful and are very open about their experiences etc.. Feel free to ask anyone anything! Good luck!

I too had a similar problem but I was so afraid to eat anything with Bread right after my band I avoided ANYTHING with any type of bread or starch. This forced me to eat more fruit, veggies, Protein and healthier things... Now even though I can eat it if I want to- I no longer "crave" it and have learned in the process to make better food choices- When I crave chocolate- I eat a Protein Bar or a SF pudding, When I crave potatoe chips- I will eat a rice cake or a popcorn cake or some nuts to cure the salt I want. There is always substitutes available if you are open to new ideas....

I am sure any specialist/dietician/nutritionist would agree with me in that if you dont personally prepare something you have NO CLUE what is actually in it. Fast food got us ALL where we are today and there is very little healthy fast food out there- Even if you go to Nature's Table or a Natural food place... There are TONS of hidden carbs, sugars preservatives etc.... Look up the nutritional content on one of the salads at wendy's, mcdonalds or even burger king- Loaded with hidden sodium and sugars not to mention god knows what else they dont list..... I have avoided fast food and don't miss it :biggrin:

I was banded 4/2/09 with a 14 cc band and currently have fills = 5 cc's total...

my bad... it is lapband.com and if you click on life after surgery then under support or partners it will come up with a link to curves- it states you get a 2 week free membership and other deals like 50% off membership fee and discounted monthly rates... when i first went they (at my curves) didnt know anything about this- i had to print it and show them and then they were glad to offer the deal.... hope this helps!

Today I was awarded the prize for the most inches lost for the month of July at my Curves club... I was stoked!!! 11.5 inches the first month YEAH!!!!!:biggrin: My new motto: Keep on keepin on.... :biggrin:

I go to curves 4x a week and yes they know about my band. They have a corporate sponsorship with lapband inc and you get a discount... They are very supportive and congratulate me daily on my success...

:wink: Tonight at dinner I slimed for the first time.... I was eating pizza which I have had before and dont know if i didnt chew enough or ate too fast but it was not fun nor pretty.... Finally after much "sliming" and burping and damn near almost vomiting I felt better.... stopped immediately and waited 30 min and finished my needing to feel full with a Protein shake... All is now good in the hood again....

oops... forgot to say that what i listed is individual stuff not all together... it is either/or... didnt want ya'll to think weird thoughts.... :wink:

I have my largest meal at breakfast, middle of day is medium and hardly anything at night- So my "breakfast" variates depending on my mood... Often I will make eggs with ham and cheese or Quaker oatmeal bar with a cup of decaf coffee Oatmeal Grits 2 peices of string cheese I also make a ham and cheese wrap and cut it into sushi like size bites and munch in the morning..... Good luck!