altopower

I can see from your stats that you'd lost quite a lot before you had your surgery; I had, too. You didn't have Water weight to lose after, it's all real weight. So yeah, we lose slower. You're doing all the right things - don't give up on the band after only a month! I do understand the frustration, though. I've seen some people try and vary their calorie intake from day to day, down to 800 cals one day up to 1200 another. It keeps the body guessing a bit. And maybe try making your own meals from real food instead of eating the Lean Cuisines - I ate tons of them while on WW but haven't touched one since for the reasons you described. Hang in there!

I'm keeping a dress, pants & one pair of panties (just for grins coz they are so ugly and big) as my "fat clothes". They remind me of how far I've come, and I do try them on now and then and watch them fall off and it makes me happy. Other than that, I'm keeping whatever is my current size and a few things that are still wearable and comfortable in one size up (say, for having a procedure and need to wear something loose and non-binding). Everything else gets packed up and taken to the Salvation Army. I was thrilled to be able to donate 3 big-girl coats this year, knowing that large sizes can be hard to find and are in demand. Since my idea of actually fitting is looser than Stacy & Clinton would like, I know that if *I* think it's too big, it really is

My doc said 30 min. and the nurse added that if I'm eating something soft like yogurt, I could actually drink after 20 since the sliding foods don't stay in the pouch as long as solids. I'm also concerned about getting in all my liquids - and drank 8-10 glasses a day before banding while on WW, so it's not as though I never drank much before.

I had my first sleep study 5 years ago and also had them wake me up 1/2 way through coz they knew already I had severe sleep apnea. I knew by morning, after only a few hours with the CPAP, that I would feel better. Getting used to the mask was rough, but my doctor said it was better to wear it SOME of the time than not at all. I finally got used to it by wearing it sitting in the chair watching TV - it was like learning to breathe again. I brought my CPAP to the hospital the day I was banded, knowing I was staying overnight. But no one seemed to know or care much about it -- I ended up getting out of bed myself to fetch it and try and get it set up, and I did sleep better because of it. Am curious to see if it will go away completely or still leave me with a need for a CPAP but set at a lower level.

I don't know about that particular diet, or if it's just their way to mandate a 6-month monitored diet prior to approval. Lots of plans do that. My insurance didn't require it but my surgeon did. We've all been on diets for years and years, so I understand what you mean. But they didn't know you going through those diets, and you will be eating very differently for the rest of your life. It's worth taking the time to do everything that the insurance and/or surgeon requires. There are reasons for them, to be sure patients have clear, realistic expectations of what living banded is all about. Depending on the insurance, you may be able to do some of the other required steps, such as nutritional consults and psych evaluations, while you are the monitored diet. I'd definitely ask about that. I used my time to also do other stuff such as weaning myself off of both caffeine and my beloved Diet Coke, since that's a definite no-no post-op. I tried some different Proteins, made sure I had all my regular medical exams and tests done, etc. I also read Weight Loss Surgery for Dummies, which should be required reading. You probably can attend a WLS support group run by your surgeon before you are approved; my surgeon encouraged people just considering it to attend and ask questions of patients and doctors. It all helps. Do check with Tufts for clarity on what they mean by the I Can Change Diet, which is a new one for me. I did WW which apparently is the most common for pre-op patients in my area. I actually lost 47 lbs during my 7 months on it pre-op and went into surgery feeling strong and knowing I could succeed. Good luck - keep us posted!

I know that they go in cycles of pushing flavors. Three local stores carry different variations with some overlap. If it's something you just adore and know you'll drink regularly, it's worth getting from Amazon and having on hand when you want one. I've done that with other things and have been happy just to be able to find them!

The recipe looks yummy - thanks for sharing. I haven't seen the magazine but will have to check it out. Thanks for the recommendation!

I do a combination of cutting small, using small spoons and forks with small plates/bowls, and swallowing a little bit at a time from what's in my mouth. Swallowing too big a piece scares me since I don't want to repeat 'stuckness' if at all possible. I'm getting another fill tomorrow and will need to pay more attention than ever to the size of my bites and how long it takes to eat them.

Question for those of you doing Banded WW: are you use the WW-approved points target or do you pick something smaller? I did WW (again) for 7 months before being banded and know that my 30-pt daily target is way more food than I can eat at this point. I'm tracking nutrition at SparkPeople instead of WW now so am not quite sure how many points I'm eating, but at 900 cals/low carb/low fat per day, it can't be many. How do you do it? And if you eat the WW points, is it too much food?

My doctor told me to make sure I get at least 60g of protein/day but didn't put me on any range/goal of calories, fat, or carbs per day. I'm tracking my food on SparkPeople after years of tracking WW points, and it's interesting and eye-opening to see how the different nutritional values stack up. I entered a calorie range of 1000-1200 (because they wouldn't let me go as low as 900!) and that gave me a range of carbs and fats that I haven't come close to eating. The Protein is close to or over the 60g target but I have no idea if I should be sticking to very low carbs and/or fats. Can a banded tummy handle more, and do we NEED more for a balanced system? I'm confused!

The taste of the Fage Greek yogurt varies (at least for me) between the 0%, 2% and full fat versions. I just can't eat the 0% Fage, but love the 2% and given that I only eat 1/3 C. at a time, I have no qualms about eating that. Plus my doctor said it was fine. The Chobani w/fruit is okay for "taking with me" snacks but at home I only eat the Fage from the tub.

B: 1/3C. greek yogurt with 1/2 banana and 1 TB craisins L: 3 oz roasted chicken with 1 TB Miracle Whip Light, 5 craisins & 5 pieces of chopped pecans 6 roasted onion crackers S: Lemon protein pudding with 1/2 banana D: 3 oz chicken, 2 TB refried black beans, 1/4 C low fat cheese, 2 TB guacamole S: 1 sugar-free peppermint patty Total: 920 calories, 55g protein

Before I went, I had to fill out a 14 page questionnaire (T/F,multiple choice, and detailed info) about the usual stuff that others have mentioned. In the session itself, she flat out told me that being or having been anxious or depressed wasn't a reason to deny approval. I think that's pretty normal - because so many of us have that in our past and it's often weight-related. The whole point of banding is to address that core issue.

Most days I'm around 900, though I've gone up to 1100 a few times in the last 3 weeks. My doctor told me I don't have a calorie, carb or fat range, just the protein range of 60-85g of protein/day.

And my insurance only required ONE visit to a nutritionist. I work for a university and the hospital - and surgeon - are affiliated with it, so they get lots of patients with my insurance coverage. Frankly, it would have been better to have had more than one but I was happy to only have to pay for one. Check with your doctor's office and have them check on what YOUR insurance requires, and book visits accordingly. Good luck!

I think I lost 2-3 lbs over the holidays, or at least since my my last doctor's visit on 12/21. It was scheduled to be a fill but I'd been having slime & stuck food issues on only a .5cc fill, so the doc said we wouldn't fill then, especially just before the holidays. Worked for me - the stuck food thing was raw in my mind. I have a friend who had bypass in early July and has lost almost 100lbs in 6 months. I envy the level of loss but am really happy I made the choice to be banded instead - I'm having time to adjust to a shrinking me at a reasonable pace. I guess I feel more normal.

There are lots of ways and time periods to use for tracking. The doctor is keeping track of post-surgery changes. I'm keeping track since I committed myself to this 7 months before my surgery. For me, the op was just part of the process and yes, things changed, but I lost almost 50 lbs before my surgery date and don't want to disregard that. Just do whatever makes sense for you.

I was also annoyed that my doctor didn't give me everything I thought I needed - but then I realized that he actually DID, I just wanted more. 1. Was put on no pre-op diet of any kind, other than to "eat lighter the few days before the surgery." 2. Post-op I was on clear liquids only - no Protein shakes, even, just 1 bottle/day of Ensure or Boost. At Walmart I found CranGrape powder from Ocean Spray in the Crystal light section - it tasted just like the juice and was very refreshing. When I went for my first post-op appointment, they gave me the specifics of what to eat for the next 6 weeks, and what my final foodplan would be. 3. Meds - the rule was no pills for 2 months post-op, though I was allowed two very tiny ones taken at separate times. Everything else had to be either crushable, splittable, or liquid. I called the pharmacy to find out what was what with my regular things, and they called prescribing doctors to get scripts for better options if I needed them. I'm back to taking pills, but one at a time. Nothing is too big which makes it okay. Calcium and Vitamins are still chewable. 4. Making your own chicken stock is a great idea. Start with raw chicken from the meat section and follow ParrotheadCathy's recipe for something yummy. Good luck, it will all turn out fine :biggrin:

Bottom line is just to talk to your doctor. I've been on NSAID's for years and my knee is down to bone-on-bone, with a replacement coming up in a year or so. Cutting them out completely pre- and post-op for the lapband was excruciating and I was lurching all over the place and in major pain - and this was AFTER having lost 50 lbs pre-op. My WLS surgeon said I could take an NSAID but it had to be liquid, so I was put on Meloxicam, which is the only one I can tolerate that comes in that form. Now I'm back to my regular Voltaren in pill form and walking like a champ. I wouldn't have taken either thing without the surgeon's knowledge and approval. I'm watched carefully by my primary care doctor for any complications. At this point, given the state of the knee, everyone agrees this is an appropriate medication. If that changes, I'll adapt but hopefully will be ready for, or have had, the knee replacement.

I'm so frustrated with myself. As many of you have said, we know to cut up into wee bitty pieces, eat slowly, wait between bites, to stop before we're really full. I went a long time w/o PB'ing so got kind of blase about it. But I've now had three PB episodes after one tiny fill (1 cc in a 10cc band). Today I was fine until I had beets at the end of my lunch. I felt fine, no real tightness or pressure. But w/in 30 min, the pain hit and I knew that getting it OUT would help the most. Except it wouldn't come. I've been carrying around a bowl all afternoon, spitting slime into it and I did have two BP's - but there is more that's not moving. Right now I'm sipping hot tea and hoping things relax enough. Ironically, I have an appt tomorrow with my Dr. for my second fill! At the rate I'm going, I'll be on liquids for Christmas dinner, which I'm cooking for company.

I'm glad you called your doctor. I don't have any experience with this but have worried about falling on the ice and causing damage. You're still very new post-op and it takes time for everything to heal inside, so the wisest thing is to check with the doctor (and nurses, who often know more or are kinder in talking with me, anyway). Good luck and keep us posted!

Being able to shop in the "normal sizes" stores is a huge NSV - congrats! Even though buying new clothes in each size as we go down isn't practical, it costs nothing to go into stores and try things on just to see what actually DOES fit. It can be amazing to see our bodies that way. Hmmm, think this is good advice for myself, too!

I started weaning myself off of Diet Coke in August. At the time I didn't know when I'd be banded but I wanted to be prepared. I started by cutting out one soda a day for a week. Then I started swapping out one full-caffeine soda for a caffeine free one - and since I don't like the way they taste, I eventually stopped drinking the substitute. I paced out cutting back from bottles of soda to cans, and then reducing cans down to 1 per day. I went cold turkey on October 3, after 2 months of weaning. Headaches weren't too bad by then but my mouth really missed the flavor until I came home from the hospital. I was really glad I'd taken the time to get rid of one potential problem before I had the surgery.

Jillian scares me on TBL - how is she in this workout? And what level of fitness is required (really) for Level 1?

Wonderful news about improved insurance coverage! As for the 6-month diet, I just did Weight Watchers, and started well before I even had a consult. Probably because I thought I had to have it behind me before I could take the consult step. My PCP told me that WW would work fine, at least with my insurance, and it was productive. I lost 48 lbs before I was banded and it made a huge difference.