JoJo1

My daughter was the brave one. When she told me she was getting a band, I was shocked, then when she said she was going to Mexico, I was even more shocked. While she was in Tijuana she called and told me how beautiful the St Angeles hospital was. She was highly impressed by it and by Dr. Kuri. I went two years later on her recommendation. I was also very impressed by everyone on his staff. I researched for months before I went, and was unable to find a single complaint about him. I am so glad I did it. I wouln't have done it all though if I had to pay State side prices. Dr. Kuri is very proud of the fact that he can help so many people for a reasonable price.

I believe the chewing part is important but it is only part of the reason we are encouraged to eat real food. Whole food stays in the pouch longer and staves off hunger. I think of course that it varies with different people, so I think whatever works is what we should do. :thumbup:

I was also a Diet Coke addict and felt the same as you. I was pleasantly surprised after surgery though, I did not crave it. A few weeks after surgery I did have a craving so I got a diet coke, poured it over ice and let it sit for a few minutes to get all the bubbles out. I drank it but have not craved it again. I did not like it very much flat. My new drink of choice is Diet Green Tea. (Lipton) You might want to try that after surgery to see if you like it. This Journey is about 95% awesome and 5% hard, the attitude is the key so keep up the good work. Best of luck to you

I almost bought some of that at costco last week, but the bag was huge so I did not buy it. I did not know what I would do with it if it did'nt work. I guess I need to find a smaller portion to try!! Thanks

I wish it worked for me, because the breakfast thing would be very handy. I did try the chocolate low carb one in my coffee when I was on liquids to substitute for breakfast, but even though it was low carb it raised my blood sugar way too much. I am ultra sensitive in the morning so I have to either use Flax meal cereal or hard boiled eggs. Boring but it works.....

I stayed low carb on liquids and mushies. I put meat, chicken, tuna, eggs, etc in the blender and thinned them if needed with chicken stock. I used a low carb protein shake some, but did not like it. I got low carb protein liquid drinks also. I did use the cream soup but only one cup of the lowest carb one I could find and then melted some cheese in it to boost the protein. If you limit your meals to one cup of liquid and drink lots of water you will lose very well on liquids and mushies. For mushies, I ate avacado, spinach, and soft boiled eggs. I still used the blender but did not thin stuff so much. I stayed away from yogurt because of the carbs. I lost 9 1/2 lbs in my first week post op. I think we get too caught up in the whole carb thing because of the liquid and mushie deal. If you think about it, you can find ways to do it. I had to because of diabetes so I found ways to do it. It also helps with the hunger during "Bandster Hell" Best of luck!!!

"Don't fight your negative thoughts, acknowledge them and move beyond them" Louise Hay

I would research the Gastric Bypass extensively before you try it. I have been reading these forums for quite some time. It has a higher rate of failure than banding. It also has a ton of terrible side effects. It is also not reversable so you are stuck with those side effects for the rest of your life. You also have to do the work with it, the same as with the band. It does not do the work. I am sorry to say that you are back to having to figure it out. Are you in therapy for your depression? If not you might consider it as your reasons for being depressed may be tied to your reasons for being overweight. Exploring that may be your only answer!! Love and Light!!

My doc said no liquid protein drinks after I am on solids. He says they are high in calories and slip through the pouch so they are not as filling. I do have some on hand for fill days, but for the most part I stay away from them...

I never wanted them in the first place. I needed a bra when I was 11, and none of my friends did. My husband notices they are smaller, but I don't miss them at all.

I had a couple days of intense cold the week after surgery. I decided I had a mild fever from the inflammation. I am cold now too sometimes but right now it is because we have sub zero temps where I live. If you think about it though, a calorie is a unit of heat. When we are eating less, we are not producing as much heat. A hot bath before bed fixes up the falling asleep part but the rest of the time, we have to dress for the conditions. Amazing huh?

Nioxin Shampoo is called Cleanser. They have several different kinds tailored to the type of hair you have, you can ask at the salon which one is best for your hair. The scalp Therapy is the conditioner but you need to also rub it into your scalp. It is sort of like an anti-inflamatory. It is also good to rub in to your skin like a lotion if it is red or irritated. Wonderful for sun burn. Both the Cleanser and the Scalp Therapy have a wonderful refreshing mint smell. It wakes you up in the morning very well. I use it and love it. They may try to sell you other syrums for the scalp, but you only need Nioxin Cleanser (shampoo) and Nioxin Scalp Therapy (conditioner) Have a great weekend.

I am very glad I got banded, I would certainly do it again. I feel in control of my life for the first time in many years. I am 58 years old, and my daughter was banded 2 years ago. She has lost about 95 lbs and looks so good. I want to lose a total of 75 and am currently down 26 so I am well on my way. It takes a lot to get to know all the stuff you need to know, but every bit of it is worth it. We have to learn to throw off the stuff everyone else says. Fat people will criticize because they are jealous, and thin people will criticize because they think all we need to do is "get away from the table a little sooner"!! It is our journey and our journey alone. I have learned to shake off other's opinions but for some this is very hard to do. Best of luck to you...I feel so much younger already, you will too.:eek:

I have read about this a lot on this and other forums. There is mixed opinions about the protein and Biotin helping. I am a hair dresser and I know beyond a doubt that Nioxin Shampoo and Scalp Therapy will stop the loss in 30 days. It will help your new hair grow in faster and it leaves your hair nice and full without any coating. Buy a big bottle of each (between 40 and 50 dollars) and your problems will be solved. And also don't be too obsessed with the fall out because stress increases it. Of course more protein and Biotin won't hurt anything so if it were me, I would use all three. Best of luck!!!!!!

Even if you could find a food that is 0 cal, 0fat, and nutritious, you would still have to limit the amount because of the band. Stick to protein and Vegs and don't worry about the calories. By the way, my post op book says don't eat celery because it has strings in it. It also says not to eat popcorn though, and I do eat a small amount of that from time to time. Good luck!!!

I think you do have restriction. That is what the PBs and vomiting are telling you. I can fit more into my pouch at times but it is always a mistake. I sometimes feel hungry between meals and I then have a snack, but if I find myself hanging out in the kitchen snacking, I have to figure out what else to do. You have to remember "full" isn't the same as it once was. It sounds like you are trying to reach the "fullness" you once had and it is causing problems. Also many on this forum have talked about missing food, which is natural for anyone who has issues with food. Focusing on food, focusing on the things that are going wrong, focusing on forums that are not very positive, and focusing on what others tell you, are all counterproductive. Our Journey is not only about changing our attitude about food, it is about changing our attitude about being fat. I once read in a book, that if people are not ready inside of their mind to get rid of the fat, they will set themselves up for failure no matter what the circumstances are. For me choosing good bandster foods is the key. I am less hungry if I just make myself do it and then leave the kitchen and focus on other things. Sugar and all forms of it make me more hungry so if I make myself leave them alone, I do much better. I am less moody, and more positive. Wierd I know but there is something that works for you too. I believe you will find it. Best wishes and good luck....

My inlaws were almost 80 when they helped us build our house in 2005. Oh my god they worked circles around us. My Fil built all of the cabinets, installed doors and all of the wood trim. My Mil stained miles of woodwork, painted, and picked up tons of construction waste. I identify so much with this post. Good work and I am also sorry for your loss.

He does need a name!! Any ideas?

"Dieting" has always made me instantly obsessed with food. Plus it was always a lot of work. I am basically lazy I guess, or I would not be overweight. I remember my Mom was a very small person. She could eat slowly and would often be at the table after everyone else left. She could walk away and leave one bite on the plate. I always thought that was amazing. Now I can do it and I finally feel normal. Yippee!!!!

Your date is coming up soon!!! Yea!!!!

Lean meats any way you can get them down. Stay away from sugar since it increases insulin production and causes hunger. Chicken, fish, eggs, hamburger, steak, roast, pork, liver. I put steak in the crock pot yesterday and still had some trouble getting it down last night. Today, I mixed my brocolli and Caulifour with cheese in with the steak and broke it up. Then I was able to eat it. My lunch was the steak and the vegs. That is all. No yogurt, no protein shake, no milk. I was not hungry all afternoon. Best of luck!!!!

I also believe Doctors are not God. Someone suggested in another thread that they are out to get the money, and even though not all of them are, some definitely are. Who knows, maybe a lot of them are. Anyway, we as overweight individuals, are often less forceful because we think we are not worth it. That is hard to overcome. In my case, my Doc have me more of a fill than I thought was standard. It turned out to be perfect, so thumbs up to him.

Yes. I am a hairdresser and I have it happen at work! I have started playing the radio in hopes that the clients don't hear it!!! I think it is way better than being stuck, since I have done that a couple times. I am afraid it is part of the band experience and we need to get used to it. If it is severe or you have pain, you may have reflux. Watch for any severe symptoms okay?

My BMI was 34 also. I am down 26 lbs and am very happy with it. I am very glad I got banded. I think it is a very good idea for lower BMI patients. I went to Mexico to Dr. Kuri and I got a small 4cc band. I am currently filled to 2cc and I have good restriction. I named my band Geraldo and he does not like some foods. Only a few so far, but I am greatful for his guidance. You have made a good decision, go for it!!!

The cottage cheese didn't make you gain weight. Your body naturally fluctuates that much from day to day.. Even a drink of water will show up on the scales. I only weigh once a week in the morning before coffee or anything. It is the best plan to keep me motivated because those daily fluctuations can really be discouraging. Best of luck!!!