honk

Vitamin Shoppe, I joined their frequent buyer club and they even send me $5 off coupons.

I was told 2 weeks. I had been doing an hour of swimming a day for 16 months prior to surgery though so it was'nt a shock to my system.

I had blue cross blue shield and the only requirement they really had was being over 40 BMI. Each doctor has their own requirements. Mine required EKG, up to date PAP and Mammogram, meetings with a Nutritionist, 3 mindful eating sessions with a psychologist, blood work. You will want to see what items your insurance covers (will depend on your policy) and then if you need to use someone in your network. I had really good insurance but did not cover nutritionist sessions for weight loss. They would have covered it if I was diabetic though. Shrug.

I was on a very stricted diet for 7.5 months prior to surgery. In the weeks leading up to surgery I did a protein shake for breakfast (fat free milk, whey isolate protein powder stay below 120 cal, 1/4 fruit) and dinner with a very conservative lunch. Usually chicken breast no sauce, raw veggies. I lost 50 pounds during the 7 month period.

I can feel your pain. I am a slow loser as well. I do find that I am losing inches rather than fast weight loss. Do you have any clothes that are far from fitting. Try trying them on once a week to see how much "size" you are losing vs. pounds. Also are you doing a lot of exercise? You could be losing fat but adding muscle which needs to show up on the scale somehow.

I was banded at Lahey Clinic in MA; I met with the surgeon a couple times before surgery but have worked with two Nurse Practicioners within the WLS department.

My doctor says to wait 1 year. You are only 29 believe it or not you have the time to wait.

Please follow your doctors orders. I was on clear liquids for 7 days, full liquids for another 7 and was not allowed eggs until week 4 so day 22.

This is what I have for breakfast: Chobaini greek yoghurt 0% fat with fruit; 2 teaspoons benefiber, 1/2 scoop vanilla whey isolate protein powder, splendra, 1/4 cup kashi go lean (high protein version). Mix the powder ingrediants then the cereal. I find if I mix and let sit for a 2-3 minutes it also firms up the yoghurt. I say about 25 g protein for about 250 cal.

Did your doctor give you specific instructions on what a "small" meal is? Some doctors call for 3 shakes only so it's possible you are consuming more calories than the doctor expected. I would consider a small meal to be 3 oz plain chicken breast no sauce, 1 cup plain veggies no butter or sauce; which would be about 200 calories. My protein shakes were 90 cal fat free milk and 110 cal. protein powder. So two small meals 400 and 3 protein shakes 200 X 3 =600 total 1,000 cal. What are your calories per day? Also all protein shakes are not created equal some have high calorie counts.

I buy Premier Brand ready to drink shakes chocolate and vanilla from Costco they are quite good.

Well my periods are'nt "timely" anymore. I used to be very regular. In high school I was every 28 days AND started at 10:20 AM. While in adulthood I was not that regular I never used to be like this. After having a bloodclot and being on bloodthinners and then having WLS I a mess. I've averaging 25 days and then this month 30. If it's the weekend I give in and take naps in the afternoon because I am exausted and have terrible cramps.

I was back at the gym on day 4 starting with 30 minutes on the treadmil no incline. Was allowed back swimming at day 15.

I highly recommend watching a real surgery on YouTube. Not gross at all because the way the surgery is done the is no blood. You see how they flip the liver out of the way; which when it is fatty is a lot more difficult. I was not on a 2 week liquid diet because I hade already lost 50 pounds on an extended presurgery diet. Start a diet now. The more you lose now the lower your eventual goal weight.

At my first consult I was told I had to loose 30-34 pounds prior to surgery. So it really depends if your doctor is looking for significant weight loss or just the liver reducing diet. From what I've read on this site most insurances go with the first weight the docto submits from the initial consult. To the person who is at 38 BMI I would ask your specific insurance as most will not cove the sugery below 40.

Feel your pain. For premade shakes I like Premier brand which is available at Costco. If you go for Mucle Milk ready made make sure to get the light version.

I agree if you are going to have a snack (which my doctor frowned upon) I would stick to high protein low carb. Chicken breast or string cheese. I would stay away from liquid calories as they slide right through the band and leave you hungry.

My doctor never said not to chew gum.

I know my doctor would not. They only thing I can really say is to measure your food out and stop. Entering week 3 I was on tomato soup and cottage or ricotta cheese. What does your doctor call for? I would have 8 oz of tomato soup and then a hour later have cottage cheese. This is why it's called bandster hell. You're hungry because the band is'nt helping. The other half of the equation is you are used to eating certain amounts of foods and you are'nt doing that anymore. Part of the bandster journey is mental. The band will never stop someone from eating sliders: ice cream, candy, etc that's all will power.

My doctor wants me at a restriction level where I CAN eat any food. Some people keep their bands too tight. It's true the band will not fix emotional eating. My doctor required attending group therapy where we discussed what triggers you to over eat. Those sessions really did help me. I learned what food triggers me to over eat. I CHOOSE what foods I'm not eating on a daily or weekly basis. If I'm at a party I can have a couple crackers or a piece of nice bread; but I don't keep them in my house.

You should def. follow your doctors orders. I was not on a doctor ordered diet. I was only told to not eat after midnight. Day before surgery I had a protein shake for breakfast and dinner and went out to lunch with my mother and we shared one meal.

Yes, I strickly followed my doctors orders, especially regarding the food progression from clear liquids to full liquids etc. My personal experience is that often when people write on this board about issues post op it turns out they have not followed their doctors orders. Not trying to be mean spirited just noting what I've seen.

I had my gall bladder removed 20 years ago and I have never flushed anything!

From my presurgery mindful eating sessions I learned to recognize my food triggers. For me it's processed food that goes crunch: dry cereal, low fat chips, crackers, etc. I live alone so I no longer buy any of those things. If I am at a party I can have a couple crackers as a treat.

Based on my unscientific personal experience no. I do think people who go from no diet before the pre surgery liquid diet, and no exercise at all loose faster once they change their habits. I had been on a very stricked diet for 7 months and had been doing an hour of cardio 7 days a week for 18 months; and I have been loosing at about 1 pound a week. I lost 52 pounds from my first consult to surgery.