honk

It is shocking how many commercials are for fast food/junk food. They don't really bother that much but the "brownie bites" don't know their name that are "found in the refrigerator section" those are just evil.

Could have been 3 months but due to other health issues had to be 7 months.

I also use PB2 in Protein shakes. I like the chocolate version better (add it to chocolate shakes). The product is not that expensive but the shipping is high. I ended up buying twice as much as I had planned on because the shipping was only like 3 dollars more for 8 bottles than it had been for 4. I gave a reg and a chocolate to my sister. For ready to drink I second that Premier Brand at Cosco is pretty good high in protein and low in calories. As for Powder I buy it at Vitamin Shoppe which is MUCH better price wise than GNC. In regards to Protein Powder I use Gold Standard Double Chocolate whey and Dymatize Gourmet Vanilla.

I ended up having over 7 months between my first consult and the surgery. Will you have any classes on the mental/emotional aspects of over eating? I had to attend three (group therapy session basically) that really helped me to identify some of my issues. One thing I found was that I have a real carb problem. I like Cereal (no milk required), crackers, baked Lays. Things that go crunch. If you have'nt done so yet; establish an exercise program. Find something you don't mind doing. And to start it does'nt have to be epic. If you need to start out at 15 minutes that fine. Personally I swim. No keeping up in class. Do it at my own speed. I have a Water proof MP3 player and do an hour everyday. In the 14 months prior to the surgery I lost 80 pounds via diet and exercise. I see the surgery as a way to continue to lose and to keep the weight off.

Were you required to loose a percentage of your body weight pre surgery? I had to loose 30 pounds prior to surgery. As mentioned by a previous poster the doctors do want to shrink your liver. Another question is whether you are a low BMI patient. I think the lower the BMI the less strick doctors tend to be about presurgery loss in general. The less you weigh the less fat they have to deal with during the surgery.

One of my friends was asked today at the company gym if she was prego. She is about 5'5 maybe taller and maybe 125-130; very athletic. Good grief how thin do you have to be not to be asked if you are pregnant?

I got 4 CCs my first fill; and had no restriction. The nurse said it could take 2 weeks for restriction to hit. When I hit two weeks I called about setting up another fill my next one was another 2 weeks out. Their policy is that it has to be 3 weeks from the time of you last fill before they will give any more. I was able to get an appointment for exactly 21 days from the first fill. Hopefully this will help.

Regarding sort term food choices my doctor says full liquids first 24 hours and mushies soft solids next 24 after a fill. Based on that I probably would'nt do chicken for lunch.

If you have researched your surgeon and the hospital and they have a good rep than I would say the following. " My surgeon has an excellent record (if they have never lost a patient tell them that), and the hospital is top notch. If you don't have something supportive to say I am not discussing this with you." If they won't stop then walk away leave the gathering if neccessary. You don't need negative vibes. If however your hospital or doctor doesn't have a stellar record get one who does. Two weeks before my surgery there was a death of a healthy partial liver donor at my hospital. First death ever for this procedure at the hospital and first death nation wide in like 15 years. Had nothing to do with me, my surgeon, or procedure but still kind of freaked me out.

LOVE Hummus. My issue is that it chick peas are high in Vitamin K which is bad for my blood coagulation. I am on coumadin. Sooooo no Hummus for me.

There is a surgical process where doctors use natural human Orifices to do surgery. Yes one they use is via the mouth. I don't know whether Lap Band could be done this way because of needing to cut through either the esophagus or stomach.

I got 4 CC's in a 10CC band first fill. Oddly I felt a tightening sensation when I got up off the table but I have not had restriction. I have to wait 3 weeks before they will give another fill. I was able to get an appointment for this coming monday (3 weeks) instead of waiting for my original appointment which would have been 4.5 weeks. Right now I am dieting; and even more so than preband. And PreBand I was on a pretty restrictive diet. But I was clearly getting more protein (4-5 oz of protein) vs the 3 oz my doctor wants.

Herravan, I asked about single incision and my doctor said "Not at your weight". I was 281 at surgery; so I think you have to be low BMI to only have one incision.

My doctor frowns on Protein Shakes once you've moved on to solid food. I do on occation have a Premier Protein Shake (30 g protein 160 calories) prior to going to the gym since the time between lunch and dinner is long and I exercise in between. One thing to consider is perhaps having a small (1-2 oz) of chicken breast as a snack. That might actually stay with you longer than a shake.

I do think that both pre and post surgery that I have been more emotional esp during PMS. As previously mentioned I think the estrogen release probably is'nt helping.

Only had perscription pain killer at the hospital. Went to liquid Tylenol at home. Took it for the first four days or so every 4 hours (not before bed though) to stay ahead of the port area pain. I was pretty active and went back to the gym on day 4. Only real pain I had was standing up from sitting on the couch. Or sitting up from laying on the couch. Once I was standing or walking no pain.

I can't really tell you how long it will take you to get to your goal weight but I can give you my own experience. While I did not have a 6 month supervised diet; due to other medical issues I had to wait 7.5 months after my first consult. My doctor told me to loose 30 pounds prior to my surgery and due to the delay I had lost closer to 55 pounds. So every pound you loose now brings you closer to your goal. I also swim every day and highly recommend getting a water proof mp3 player makes lap swimming so much nicer! You can find them on Amazon.

Have you had any fills yet? I lost 20 pounds after surgery say first month and then things really hit a road block. I had one fill but really has done nothing for me cant have another one until next week. I too am weighing my food, exercising every day. Do I think I am loosing inches yes. But frustrating not to be loosing weight.

Before being able to move to solids I added a couple teaspoons of unflavored Benefiber to soups and protein shakes. I think it really helped. I still add it to my greek yoghurt for breakfast.

I know this sounds crazy but there have been times that I think they use smaller cuffs on purpose. I was in the hospital for a week about a year ago and when I came home the ENTIRE upper left arm was black and blue (not a couple bruises the entire area.) from the Blood Pressure Cuff. Like they could'nt have found a better fit for me?

I can really relate. Prior to banding I had been exercising and dieting for over seven months and had lost about 55 pounds. After surgery I lost about 18 in a couple weeks. Now I am stalled. I continue to exercise 7 days a week an hour a day; and go out and about to stores walking around. I very religously weigh my food so I don't think it's becuase I am over eating; and I am certainly exercising enough. I've had one fill two weeks ago; and I can't have another for another week. I will be calling to check for cancellations because right now I am dieting and hungry. This I find frustrating because prior to the surgery I was dieting but not hungry and loosing weight. And yes I'm whining and it's rainy and crappy out today so I admit it!

I had my first fill at 5 weeks 4CC. No restriction two weeks out. I called my doctors office and they wont give an additional fill until 3 weeks. So I will call to check for cancellations for next week.

I think you need to peddle your slander some where else.

A Hint I got from another poster was using low fat laughing cow cheese to mix in shredding chicken. So much better than mayo. Tastes better and lower calories and fat. You can also heat it up in the microwave. For mushies I also liked egg beaters with low fat chive cottage cheese added at the very end. Adds nice cheesy flavor. I have ever been a cottage cheese fan but I also discovered I liked cottage cheese with pineapple.

What are you having for protein. For the first 7 days I was on clear broth but could have protein shakes. If you are'nt getting protein that's why you are so hungry. Also how often are you eating? If you are only having broth I would just increase your servings per day. A cup of broth only has like 30 calories.