LollyMoe

How is Jason, Busdriver, Fordgal & Kaninag doing? Missed you at last group. Hope to see you at March meeting. I have some questions about the Protein shots. Do you drink them a room temp or chilled? How often do you use one? If they are considered a slider, do you really benefit from them very much? What is your favorite brand and where do you buy them?

I get stuck mostly when I'm with other people, not paying attention, talking too much. I excuse myself to the bathroom and slime like crazy for awhile. After I burp, I can go back, eat the rest of my food and I'm okay. When I eat alone at home, I have no problems. I just have to watch it closer. I hate that feeling of pain in the upper chest. I also wanted to say that Dr Gerald Dey is a excellant pulmonary doctor that did my sleep study. Dr Miles's office had no trouble accepting his clearance/test results. I had my sleep study done at the hospital. His office is in the building on the left that you pass when going up the hill to the hospital. My primary care doctor recommened him.

HappyHomeCC: Your body is trying to tell you something about coffee. I'm not a coffee drinker but I was a Dt Dr Pepper addict, so I do know about giving up a favorite drink. Try hot teas....there are so many different kinds out there now.

I tried the protein shots from Walmart. They are Super Whey Protein Shot, 26 gms of Protein, fruit flavored, 11.97 for a box of 12. No s/h charges. They don't taste bad but are a little sweeter tasting than I like. Of course, since giving up sweets, a lot of things taste too sweet to me now. I plan to use them once in awhile, especially to drop in my purse for when I'm out & about. Oh, they come in great re-usuable tube too. Re-cycle it.

WHY would you even consider this option when you haven't even had a fill yet? You don't even know how hard you will have to work to get to the weight you'll have by July. Food is just not worth having to back up and start again. I think you need to dwell on what you need to do to change your lifestyle and fit a cruise into the new guidelines. Don't fall back to old habits.

So far I have only had supportive comments made around me. Since we have 6 of us in my church that had it done, we are supporting each other. The older ladies are being very supportive also which surprised me. I thought they would be the ones that would complain the most. I do find it funny that people will tell me they are on a "healthy diet" now as if I'm not. Well, it doesn't matter what anyone says,,,,this is my journey.

Hang in there..it gets better each day. If you can, take a little more time off unless your nursing job isn't on your feet all shift. Lifting is out for at least six weeks. Thank goodness, I'm a retired psych nurse and there's no way I would have gone back in a week. I had the opposite problems with my bowels. I couldn't go...had to take colace. The first one was a doozie. I take Bariatric Advantge chewable Vitamins in the berry flavor. Not too bad as long as I can remember to take them. $20.00 for a bottle of 60 tablets. Drink your Water, drink your Protein, and walk from room to room as much as you can. Use the Gas-X strips too. It will get better.

Can't help you with this one but I do wish you the best.

It is swelling that occurs about 2 hrs after the fill. Some doctors recommend that you revert back to liquids for 24 hrs. I find that a cup of hot tea helps me. Some days I am too tight for more than liquids and other days, I can eat just fine. I have a fickle band.....

arthukd: The maker of the band state in their literature that carbonation can cause band erosion. Why would you want to risk it? Also, beer is full of sugar.

I don't know how you figure it's a slider? Please explain?

bandmeimready: Did you stay for the group meeting also? I was there and got up to speak. I was banded on Aug 11, 2009. The $205.00 that I paid up front was refunded to me about three weeks after surgery. I have VIVA insurance. The co-pay to my primary care doctor was $15.00 for each of the six visits. Since I had had some health problems in late 2008, I had already had a heart work-up and a sleep study. I only needed a clearance from Dr Dey and Dr Aurora for the heart & respiratory. Dr Miles & insurance accepted it all. I did have to pay the nutritionist $60.00 out of pocket and my hospital co-pay was $300.00. All my co-pays are higher now due to Viva going up in 2010. As for being put to sleep. Been there, done that, more than once. I told Dr Miles it was his job to see that I woke up and I would do my job of losing the weight. I have lost 70 pounds in 6 months. I would do it again in a NY min. Hang in there, the six months will be over before you know it.

I am so sorry for your friend. Please let us know how she is doing from time to time. I just hate it when I hear of a crooked doctor.

This band is a tool. How you use it is up to you. You can eat things you know are not right or you can tough it out to eat things that you are suppose too. You can't justify cheating. You just have to admit to yourself "okay, I blew it today" and then start over tomorrow. Your body needs time to heal and eating foods that make the stomach work/churn is NOT good for you. Are you keeping a food journal of everything you put in your mouth? Are you exercising at all...even a little bit. Drinking your Water. Getting in enough protein/carbs/fat. All of these factors will help determine your failure or success. Re-think the WHY of having surgery. It's not a weight loss program per se, it's a life changing lifestyle to better health. The weight loss is a side effect of getting healthier. I hope that you will get a new grip on things and stay away from the things that are harmful to you right now. You can have a burger later om...just not right now. Good luck.

bandmeimready: When I went to seminar, they gave me an appointment and within two weeks I met Dr Miles for the first time. They ask me which doctor I wanted and since I didn't really know either one, I told them that it didn't matter. Both doctors are highly qualified. Dr Schmitt is younger than Dr Miles. I haven't seen Dr Miles post-op but one time. I see Lisa for my fills/talks. Good luck. Make sure you attend group meetings each month. You learn so much from them.

Hello everyone. I haven't been here for awhile. Just too busy. I got another fill today but I completely forgot to ask how much. I have been stressing out over 5 pounds. Up & down like a yo-yo. Lisa said that it's water weight, stay off the scales and I'm doing fine. One day, I can say I lost 70 lbs and three days later I have to say that I only lost 65 lbs. Than it starts over again...up/down. It's so distressing to me. I am so paranoid about re-gaining even tho I am doing all the right things. I talked with Lisa about WW, Atkins, South Beach, etc diets since I noticed that a lot of the banders are also on one of these diets. She said that she wouldn't say NOT to go on one of them and she said she has even sent people to WW's before. However, she thinks I am doing good and just worrying too much. I am to see her in five weeks and to stay off the scales all the time. Ashley, the nutritionist said I didn't need one of these diets. The whole point of getting the band is to eat smaller amounts of the proper foods and I wouldn't need one of the other diets. Okay, what's your opinion on it????

VERY interesting article!

Did someone say RANCH CHICKEN????? Please, please post the recipe. I completely missed it.

Congrats! I don't "see" mine yet but everyone tells me it's there. Maybe I should stop looking in half mirrors and find a while one!!!!

I rarely eat out anymore but when I do, it's our local Chinese place. I usually eat Hot & Sour soup and grilled Salmon with steamed veggies. It's not what I want to eat but it's what I do eat.

I don't do any outside exercises as yet. I joined the YMCA but haven't had the chance to go but one time so far. This winter has been so cold this year, even in the South, and my old joints hurt so much that I don't get out much. I feel so lucky that I have lost enough weight to start climbing my stairs at home & church. This time last year, I was unable to climb any stairs and had to take the church elevator. I didn't go upstairs in my house for over a year. Now, I am breathing better and my legs are better & stronger. I can do armchair exercises also. I am looking forward to doing something more soon. I had almost given up completely when my health started failing me but I now have a new lease on life and I'm looking forward to a healthier year.

Shortly before my PCP suggested I get the band, I cleaned out my closet because I had convinced myself that I would just die a fat old lady. I gave them all away to a needier person than I. THEN I GOT THE BAND! I am changing sizes faster than I thought I would but lucky for me my SIL is on WW and she is losing also. She keeps bringing me her clothes as she comes out of them. The only things I have had to buy is underwear and shoes. I didn't realize that I had changed a whole size of shoes. I thought I had just stretched them out. So, I got two new pairs on Monday and they will have to do for awhile. Thank goodness I'm retired and don't require a lot of shoes or clothing.

Thanks for the recipe. I sure will try it soon.

In my butt, across my back, and some in the upper abdomen. I'll probably have to have a tummy tuck someday. At least I have begun to lose weight again. I went up 5 lbs and held it for over three weeks. Now the scale is going down again and I'm a happy camper for a change. I get really upset when I don't lose. I still don't have enough restriction (only some in the a.m.) but I will get there soon. I'm not giving up.

ErinR: I was busy reading the posts and scrolled down your post when the skull jump up in my face and scared the dickens out of me. I'm sure it helped me lost at least a ounce or two!