amnutz

It's simple fact that Michael Jackson's music, music videos, performances influenced not only American but the world. And I'm not just talking the industry but he influenced everyday normal people and their lives. "We Are The World" is just one song that crossed the globe and touched people of all walks of life, of all religions, creeds and races. "Thriller" is another music video that to this day is imitated and revered by many. Regardless of how you feel about his personal life, you have to give credit to his entertainment ability. He was a great entertainer and he entertained the entire world.

Protein supplements are your answer. During the clear liquid stage I used Unjury Chicken Soup - which looks and tastes like chicken broth and I sipped it constantly. I also used the Unjury unflavored and added it to reduced sugar juice and sugar free jello I made. I work with a surgeon and a group of Pharm D's and they as well as my band team stressed how important getting in 60-80 mg. of protein was to curb hunger, regain strength and heal. After 3 days they moved me to full liquids because I was up walking alot, drinking alot and not feeling nauseated. With full liquids I drank Unjury chocolate mixed with skim milk and American Sports American Whey Creamy vanilla mixed also with skim milk. Never getting less than 58 mg. of protein a day. Now I'm on he pureed/mushy foods I am adding a fresh peeled peach, banana or fresh strawberries to the vanilla protein and I'm getting about 70 grams of protein a day. I never feel hunger and my band was implanted without a fill. I do feel thirst and I'm drinking about 50 ounces of water a day - sometimes more. I do not drink 30 minutes before a meal or within 60 minutes after a meal. I used to feel hunger ALL the time and NEVER felt full. It has been wonderful to no feel hunger and to once again feel full. I had forgotten what full felt like. I hope this helps and works for you.

I feel your pain, truly I do but don't lose hope for there is hope and YOU CAN DO IT! I suggest you purchase some Unjury protein and substitute it for 2 of your meals and eat one low fat balanced meal a day. Even though you can't walk far, walk what you can and walk it multiple times a day. Set a daily goal for yourself to walk a step or two further each time and o walk 1-2 more imes and keep adding distance and amount of times. Keep at it and before you know it you will be walking more, losing weight and able to have the lapband. Be sure to drink a least 65 ounces of cold water a day. If you drink diet soda, stop. I belive soda is much worse for you than we think and I think it sets off the hunger pains.

Ok, I've read about people going back to work as soon as the next day. My doctor even said most people go back in a week. Well, I returned to work after 2 weeks in part at the insistance of my bosses one who is a urologic surgeon the other a Pharm D. I had alot of trouble the first weeking getting out of bed or a chair but I have a back problem and with the adomen cut I needed someone or something to pull up on. Plus I was very weak. Apparently even a little pain med holds on to me for a while and makes my mind very cloudy. I spoke like a drunk. Anyway, I went back on July 14, and left about 30 minutes early. I was so tired I couldn't sleep. I did much better today and I made sure I started my day with a protein drink to help with my energy. I had an abnormal liver biopsy with my band and I saw the liver specialist on Monday. He ran some additional blood tests so I will know more later. Overall I feel good. I still need a nap about 2 pm everyday but I'm thinking it may be due to low sugar so today I drank some juice and I didn't get sleepy. Before the band I was always hungry and was embarrased to eat until I was full. It is absolutely liberating not to be a slave to hunger anymore. I love not ever feeling hunger! I do feel thirst but hunger is gone, and without the hunger, I can lose the weight. I wish I had done this years ago!

Ok, I've read about people going back to work as soon as the next day. My doctor even said most people go back in a week. Well, I returned to work after 2 weeks in part at the insistance of my bosses one who is a urologic surgeon the other a Pharm D. I had alot of trouble the first weeking getting out of bed or a chair but I have a back problem and with the adomen cut I needed someone or something to pull up on. Plus I was very weak. Apparently even a little pain med holds on to me for a while and makes my mind very cloudy. I spoke like a drunk. Anyway, I went back on July 14, and left about 30 minutes early. I was so tired I couldn't sleep. I did much better today and I made sure I started my day with a protein drink to help with my energy. I had an abnormal liver biopsy with my band and I saw the liver specialist on Monday. He ran some additional blood tests so I will know more later. Overall I feel good. I still need a nap about 2 pm everyday but I'm thinking it may be due to low sugar so today I drank some juice and I didn't get sleepy. Before the band I was always hungry and was embarrased to eat until I was full. It is absolutely liberating not to be a slave to hunger anymore. I love not ever feeling hunger! I do feel thirst but hunger is gone, and without the hunger, I can lose the weight. I wish I had done this years ago!

I was banded 6/30/09. I was banded without a fill. I do not experience hunger so I assume I am restricted. I am getting 60 grams of protein a day with protein supplements. I am on the pureed/mushy foods. I can be your buddy. My email is amnutz@bellsouth.net. I use the Unjury products plus American Sports American Whey Creamy vanilla, made with skim milk, 3 ice cubes and 1 peeled fresh peach. It's delicious and I would rather have than the mushy food. I'm not sure how much I've lost but I've lost enough people have started noticing and asking. I've been terrified of the scales for years and will weigh when I go back at 6 weeks. My scales say I've lost 17 lbs but I don't think that is correct but I've lost enough my watch and rings are too loose. My menu choices are limited but I am not bored with it mainly I think because of the protein I drink. I think I'm doing well but I'm anxious to see what the doc says - he's a real harsh person.

I am new to this site and have my banding scheduled for June 30, 2009. I am very excited although somewhat nervious about the procedure. I've tried to be proactive and have purchased the foods I will need the first week - fat free chicken broth, sugar free jello and popsicles and various flavors of powdered protein. I am 53 years old and currently weigh 260 lbs. My highest weight has been 278 lbs. I hope to share my journey to help encourage others.

I had my lapband this morning around 9 am. I was discharged shortly after 2 pm. Doc had me drink 12 oz. of water, walk and go to the restroom before I could leave. The port site/side is very sore and depending on movement can be very painful. The other places aren't even sore. I'm not suppose to lay flat or on my side which presents a challenge for me. Getting out of bed or a chair is painful and difficult. I am in general weak, but as far as post op situations go, I'm doing really great. I drank about 4 oz. of the Unjury chicken broth, and a couple of bites of jello that I had made and added the unflavored Unjury to so I could get in some protein. I've been sipping on light grape juice all afternoon and have now switched to water. The drugs make you thirsty for the first 24 or so hours. I've had a fair bit of gas which is uncomfortable but it hasn't been painful like others have reported. My left shoulder hurts but I have a bad shoulder. I think all in all I'm doing great. We'll see how tomorrow does.

I had my lapband this morning around 9 am. I was discharged shortly after 2 pm. Doc had me drink 12 oz. of water, walk and go to the restroom before I could leave. The port site/side is very sore and depending on movement can be very painful. The other places aren't even sore. I'm not suppose to lay flat or on my side which presents a challenge for me. Getting out of bed or a chair is painful and difficult. I am in general weak, but as far as post op situations go, I'm doing really great. I drank about 4 oz. of the Unjury chicken broth, and a couple of bites of jello that I had made and added the unflavored Unjury to so I could get in some protein. I've been sipping on light grape juice all afternoon and have now switched to water. The drugs make you thirsty for the first 24 or so hours. I've had a fair bit of gas which is uncomfortable but it hasn't been painful like others have reported. My left shoulder hurts but I have a bad shoulder. I think all in all I'm doing great. We'll see how tomorrow does.

I've been keeping a journal but a friend at work, Martha has encouraged me to blog so I thought I would go back and share some of my journal entries to help encourage others. I've wanted the lapband surgery since before it was approved in the US. I read everything I could find about the procedure. My husband was adamantly against it and i knew all too well that it was something I could not attempt without his support. My husband, Mike has seen me through many difficult health issues some of which were life threatening. He is my rock and I knew I needed him onboard to be successful with this life changing event. In the last last two years I changed endocrinologists and was diagnosed with diabetes. After years of my thyroid levels being out of kilter, my new endocrinologist, Dr. Q, has managed to get my thyroid levels stablized and I have felt better than I ever have my entire adult life. Dr. Q has encouraged me to have the lapband surgery, has as my internist. New Year's Eve my husband agreed to at least go to the seminar and explore the possibility. It has been a long journey filled with various doctor's appointments, tests, psychological evaluations, and paperwork, etc. I am scheduled to have my surgery on Tuesday, June 30th at Methodist Germantown. My surgeon is Dr. George Woodman. Dr. Woodman has an excellent surgical record, but he is lacking in bedside manner. He abrupt and gruff and for many people the journey stops right there. His drill sargeant demeanor is easy for me to overlook because he has the surgical skill and medical knowledge and because I am determined to make this last ditch effort to lose weight and become healthier work. The statistics of comorbidities of the obese are shocking and frankly I enjoy living much to much to let my weight shorten my ability to live. So June 30, 2009 is the beginning of my new life. I've always said there is a skinny me inside trying to get out - well, now maybe she can surface. :rolleyes2:

I've been keeping a journal but a friend at work, Martha has encouraged me to blog so I thought I would go back and share some of my journal entries to help encourage others. I've wanted the lapband surgery since before it was approved in the US. I read everything I could find about the procedure. My husband was adamantly against it and i knew all too well that it was something I could not attempt without his support. My husband, Mike has seen me through many difficult health issues some of which were life threatening. He is my rock and I knew I needed him onboard to be successful with this life changing event. In the last last two years I changed endocrinologists and was diagnosed with diabetes. After years of my thyroid levels being out of kilter, my new endocrinologist, Dr. Q, has managed to get my thyroid levels stablized and I have felt better than I ever have my entire adult life. Dr. Q has encouraged me to have the lapband surgery, has as my internist. New Year's Eve my husband agreed to at least go to the seminar and explore the possibility. It has been a long journey filled with various doctor's appointments, tests, psychological evaluations, and paperwork, etc. I am scheduled to have my surgery on Tuesday, June 30th at Methodist Germantown. My surgeon is Dr. George Woodman. Dr. Woodman has an excellent surgical record, but he is lacking in bedside manner. He abrupt and gruff and for many people the journey stops right there. His drill sargeant demeanor is easy for me to overlook because he has the surgical skill and medical knowledge and because I am determined to make this last ditch effort to lose weight and become healthier work. The statistics of comorbidities of the obese are shocking and frankly I enjoy living much to much to let my weight shorten my ability to live. So June 30, 2009 is the beginning of my new life. I've always said there is a skinny me inside trying to get out - well, now maybe she can surface. :thumbup: