honk

Have you had any fills? If so when was your last? My doctor's office says when you get a fill it can either take effect immediatly or take up to two weeks for you to notice. Until my last couple fills I would get some restriction immediatly after and then it faded away. My Nut does'nt worry so much about calories but says to measure food esp Protein. When pressed about calories she says to stay in the 1200 range. For me processed carbs are a trigger food so I stay away. Are you eating 6 meals a day (ie including protein) or 3 meals and 3 Snacks? Are you eating cheese and crackers or those cracker and cheese "sandwiches"? Either one is probably not a great choice as they are both high in fat with little protein and high carbs. You may want to try a low fat cheese stick. Also non fat Greek yoghurt is low calories high protein.

Ah yes! I have to say I don't think my cravings are as bad now. I don't know if it's from the band or a product of the fact that I don't buy my trigger foods any more (crackers, chips, candy). So even if I see something really tempting at the store it does'nt get bought; because I don't buy that stuff any more. One thing that's frustrating for me is because my periods have been so messed up since surgery it's hard for me to know WHY I am craving something; but then low and behold the next day I start.

beergut, It sounds to me like you are too tight. I think it is a slippery slope to start having protein shakes to get your protein in because you can't get solids down. There have been enough stories on this board of people have slipped bands because they were kept to tight for a long period of time.

I was on Clear liquids for 7 days, full liquids for 7 days, mushies (cottage cheese) 7 days, and then I could start mashed potatoes. Based on that you may feel so full because you're food progression is too fast. Though I understand your doctor may progress people faster than mine does. One thing I've learned is to never weigh myself on different scales. You may have lost that amount but you would really need to weigh yourself on the same scale you used before to get the most accurate measurement.

I am a slow loser so if I do buy something I get it to fit or slightly small. I work remotely so I don't don't dress for work. This means that 95% of my clothes are to big. I am pear shaped so I am 2-3 sizes larger there. I find knit pants look like they fit longer as you loose weight.

I have done a day of liquids/mushies which makes me feel like I'm shrinking the pouch. I find doing it for more then a day is counter productive. In general my doctor does not want people drinking calories because liquids just slid down into the large stomach.

If you can have canned chicken (my doctor had a week of cottage cheese mushies and the next week I could add canned chicken); adding a wedge of laughing cow low fat cheese is nice. I esp. like that you can microwave it for a few seconds to heat it up.

I normally go to Vitamin Shoppe since I find they have better pricing. A place like GNC or Vitamin Shoppe will normally have workers who can tell you popular flavors. Also my doctor requires whey isolate powder. Not all Whey Protein is created equal so you need to confirm that you are getting isolate. It is more expensive but it's easier for your body to digest. For brands I buy Dymatize Gourmet Vanilla and Gold Standard Double chocolate. I agree that if you were getting more protein you would feel better. The protein I use is about 24 g protein, and the fat free milk adds another 10 g. That is going to be wayyy more then the slimfast. Personally if I could'nt do the doctors slimfast plan I would feel better about doing Whey Isolate shakes then a high prtein solid food meals. Just my opinion I am not a doctor. I also like Premier brand Ready to Drink from Costco: 160 cal. 30 g protein.

If I were you and will be having the surgery I would continue my former employers insurance via COBRA. You should receive informationa about the company that will be managing your COBRA (normally done by a third party.) You send your premiums to this company who then sends them to the insurance company. As mentioned earlier fills are very expensive: my doctor's office charges $240 for the fill and $220 for the "office visit". My insurance pays for the who thing but when my COBRA ends I will need to negociate a better rate.

ALWAYS apply for unemployment. Let your former employer fight if they don't want to pay. If they refute your claim they have to attend in person or by phone an unemployment "trial" or whatever they call it. I was let go by a company once and they did not report all my earnings which meant I was set up to loose 10 weeks of unemploymnet. I had to supply my pay stubs to prove how long I had workd for them. SOB's.

I quite like my personal blender by Hamilton Beach. The mixing cup is a travel mug. It's only $15 at Walmart which is much cheaper than Magic Bullet. Works great on Ice Cubes.

I highly recommend getting a digital food scale that you can zero out after you've placed the plate on it. At this point it really is about will power. Measure you food and when it's gone, stop eating. For now the pizza and muffins need to go. I don't really consider my self a low carber but I don't keep bread of any kind in my house. I do have about 1/8 of Cereal in my morning yoghurt but that's it. Not to discourage you but I did not get any restriction until 9.4 CC, I currently am at 10cc; and am going in for a tweak this week. So six months after surgery. I disagree with a previous poster to have shake for Breakfast. That is a liquid and will slide right through your band. Personally, I have Greek yoghurt with added Protein powder ( 1/2 scoop), splendra and cereal. Though some people might say it's a borderline slinder (greek yoghurt is much thicker than regular). You may want to have egg whites, chicken breast, or oatmeal for breakfast. You want to shoot for high protein meals: muffins (all carb), pizza (high fat, possibly limited protein). One tool I use is to ask my self if I would be embarrased if my surgeon saw an item in my grocery cart. If so it stays on the shelf.

I have Chobani fat free greek yoghurt with fruit for breakfast and my Nut is fine with it. I do add 1/2 scoop vanilla whey isolate, 2 tsp benefiber, splendra, 1 protein scoop kashi go crunch (high portein).

You might consider calling the billing department and telling them the procedure you are having and the expected cost. They should'nt be suprised. People are actually recommended to check on pricing at different hospitals for procedures. There was a national news story last year that highlighted the cost of Medical procedures here in NH. Rates varied by as much as 100%! Yes, full sized hospitals not clinics.

I would look into a credit union; they are easier to get into than they used to be. Not that I recommend it but would it be possible to get a home equity loan?

I'm sorry but if you already knew why are you asking?

Do you have the Nutritionist at your doctors office? For ready to drink I like Premier chocolate from costco. I find Vitamin Shoppe to have the best prices. I would go in and ask them what flavors people like best. My doctor calls for whey Isolate. There are different kinds of Whey so ask which ones are Isolate. It will be more expensive but it's easier for your body to digest. I like Dymatize Vanilla and Gold Standard Double Chocolate. I recommend the Hamilton Beach individual blender; the mixing part is a travel cup ($15 at Walmart). I make Milk Cubes (2) and mix the shake in a blender. Gives it a frosty texture.

The band goes in a humnan body which means all bets are off because we are all different. I am very near restriction (have limited) and I can eat any food I want. I eat chicken, turkey, fruit, egg whites, pork and red meat if I want it. I believe SOME of the people who have trouble eating certain solid proteins have their bands to tight. Which is BAD for you.

Well if if makes you feel any better I have only lost about 32 since August. I consider my self a good patient. I stay between 900-1200 calories a day and exercise 1 hour a day 7 days a week. I get my water in, have only 1 cup coffee a day and don't snack between meals.

J & J makes Lap Band, Allergan makes Realize. Lap Band makes commercials so that's what people know. Kind of like when you say Scotch Tape or Klennex.

<br /><br /><br /> Unless you have a union most companies hold the right to terminate your employment at anytime. You would need to prove some kind of discrimination. Most companies can terminate you for ANY reason as long as it is not because of your Age, sex, or religious affiliation.

Call the company that is managing your COBRA. You have a right to continue your health insurance for 12-18 months (depending on what the federal law is at this time.). Not sure if the Fed is still paying 60 % of COBRA costs or not. Otherwise you will have to pay the whole thing; which is expensive. Good Luck.

Do I think you have hurt yourself; probably not. How long is your liquid diet? If it's 2 weeks I think you should get a calendar put it on the wall and cross off everyday. The more days you are sucessful the more empowered you will be to stay on the plan. My doctor puts some people on a 500 cal. diet for MONTHS. So if you only need to do 1-2 weeks I think you can do it. Remember post op. You MUST follow your doctors orders. It will be dangerous to eat solid foods before you stomach is healed.

Knock on wood I am 6 months out and I have never vomited. I think that SOME people get their bands too tight and that leads to vomitting. There are posters who say I can't eat red meat or something else (it makes them vomit), but is'nt that great I'm eating less! Uhh no. There have also been posters who write in to say: Don't keep you band to tight it leads to vomiting and eventual slipping of the band. Which means surgery to remove it.

I do agree about the potassium. Also, as someone who had a stroke (not band related) since you are so close to surgery I would worry about blood clots. Please call your doctor to be safe!