harlito

The first week I had Swanson Chicken broth (low sodium), sugar-free Jello and Hi-Protein Boost. I would drink about a cup of broth, 1/2 a bottle of the Boost and about about half a cup of the Jello - 3 times a day. Add to that water, water, water and more water! The chicken broth does taste good when it is all you can really eat. I would look forward to it. But by the next week I was loving pea soup. It's amazing what you will consider a "reward" after the liquid phase.

No joke! When I get up in the morning the last thing I am thinking about is fixing something to eat. The shakes work out just fine.

Congrats, JenB! Good luck to you.

I have so much extra money jingling in my pockets now from not spending so much on food that I don't know what to do. Maybe I'll take my family out for a good meal? Damn! Never mind. Old habits are hard to break!

Yes, I think it is. I find meats hard to eat so the protein shakes/drinks make it easier to get all the needed protein. Plus, they are a very lean source of protein and they taste good too.

Yes, welcome! We'll be with you all the way.

Had some beer... yeah... and the next night too. What a disaster that was! I became so ill at around 5AM that I thought I was going to vomit. I had to run to the local 24 hr. Walgreens for some Pepto and was up for another 2 hours trying to get my stomach from killing me. I was so scared and kept telling myself, "never again, never again" - not until the next time. NO! I don't think I will be doing anything like that again. A beer here and there will be no problem but no more over doing it. I also went out a few days ago with a friend to eat at IHOP. It was not so bad, I got the senior 2 egg plate. Eggs are not a problem and I was fine. I ate about 1/2 of what I would have usually ate before so I was happy that I could still enjoy going to dinner with friends. They seem to be happy about that as well. Life seems to be going OK with the band and - knock on wood - I haven't had any complications. I haven't even had any Pbs or other such episodes. Chew, chew, chew... Still losing around .85 pounds a day and I am very happy with that.

Had some beer... yeah... and the next night too. What a disaster that was! I became so ill at around 5AM that I thought I was going to vomit. I had to run to the local 24 hr. Walgreens for some Pepto and was up for another 2 hours trying to get my stomach from killing me. I was so scared and kept telling myself, "never again, never again" - not until the next time. NO! I don't think I will be doing anything like that again. A beer here and there will be no problem but no more over doing it. I also went out a few days ago with a friend to eat at IHOP. It was not so bad, I got the senior 2 egg plate. Eggs are not a problem and I was fine. I ate about 1/2 of what I would have usually ate before so I was happy that I could still enjoy going to dinner with friends. They seem to be happy about that as well. Life seems to be going OK with the band and - knock on wood - I haven't had any complications. I haven't even had any Pbs or other such episodes. Chew, chew, chew... Still losing around .85 pounds a day and I am very happy with that.

Myoplex LITE Nutrition Shake: 25g Protein 2.5g fat 18g carbs (dietary fiber 3g & sugars 1g) 190 calorie premix drink or 180 calorie mix packet. I have been drinking the Dutch chocolate premix since the surgery and haven't tired of it yet. The makers, EAS, also have a box of mix packets called Chocolate Lovers that have the following variety of flavors: Dutch Chocolate, Mint Chocolate and Chocolate Peanut Butter. I've tried the Boost Hi-Protein but that only has 15 grams of protein and 230 calories. It tastes good but not enough protein. I have seen Myoplex LITE at GNC and even our local Kroger grocery store.

I went thru the same thing. Don't worry, it gets better and it will all be worth it. Count yourself lucky because I know of people that feel like they are starving all the time.

The only thing I seem to be having a problem with is chicken breast. I haven't really tried meats - it hurts too much. I have not attempted rice or any raw vegetables but I've tried about everything else.

I got off my diabetic meds immediately due to the fact that they were time-release capsules and could not be crushed and they were too big to swallow. But two weeks after surgery my doctor said that my diet was doing it and that I didn't need to go back on the Fortamet. So its one down and one to go. How nice it will be to not have to take anything but multi-vitamins. Just like a good metro sexual should!

Now I am really looking forward to Thursdays again. It use to be one of my WW days.

I live in Pasadena, near Houston, and I am looking for meetings or get togethers with other banders. Is there a group? There is one with my surgeon but I would rather go to one that is not "sanctioned". I think a non-sanctioned group would be more open and better. Plus, we would get a consensus of what all the doctors are saying in the area regarding banding.

I guess this will be my "coming out" post. My name is Harlito and I am a super-sized bandster...

See you there...

That's great! I live about a mile from that Barnes and Noble. Is this every Thursday or just once a month?

I am heading to Casual Male right now myself for some new clothes. It's good to "down-size", isn't it? And cheaper!!! Nice story.

I was a little worried this week. Would I lose any weight? The week before (9/27) I had weighed myself and could not get a positive reading on the scale. Each time I stepped up it would say something different, it kept fluctuating between a few pounds. So the next Saturday I was a little upset when I got on the scale and it reads -32.4. Had I gained from -33.5??? So today when I weighed and it read -38 three times in a row I knew - I had lost more weight. I AM DOWN 38 pounds!!! PS - I went out to a bar last night with some friends... don't tell anybody. I even had some beer!

I was a little worried this week. Would I lose any weight? The week before (9/27) I had weighed myself and could not get a positive reading on the scale. Each time I stepped up it would say something different, it kept fluctuating between a few pounds. So the next Saturday I was a little upset when I got on the scale and it reads -32.4. Had I gained from -33.5??? So today when I weighed and it read -38 three times in a row I knew - I had lost more weight. I AM DOWN 38 pounds!!! PS - I went out to a bar last night with some friends... don't tell anybody. I even had some beer!

I had my surgery on September 6, 2006. I had been working on it since about last October - insurance, doctor visits, psychiatric evaluation, Weight Watchers, etc. You know, the usual stuff. I had it done by Dr.Spiegel after getting a referral to him by a co-worker. It's kind of funny because with all the infomercials and billboards he has out now I think we'll be seeing him on cable with his own show soon. He seems nice and so far I haven't had any problems with him or his staff - they've been very helpful in fact. The hospital stay... ughh! That is another story. I guess hospital stays are not going to be pleasant no matter what the circumstances are. I was so glad to get home the next day. The following morning after surgery the hospital brought me breakfast - an apple-flavored protein drink, coffee, jello, beef broth and apple juice. Quite alot for someone that is only able to eat about 4 to 6 ounces at a time! I've made it thru the liquids and the soft phase and have started on "regular" yet restricted foods. As of Saturday, September 23, I have lost 33.5 lbs. I will weigh again this Saturday. I don't want to end up getting scale-shock from weighing too often!

I had my surgery 9/6 and as of last Saturday 9/23 the scale says I am down 33.5 lbs. How long will this last? I just started eating "real" food this week.

I first thought about getting banded back in April 2005 but thought I had not tried everything I could to lose the weight. Unfortunately by the end of 2005 I had been diagnosed with sleep apnea and type II diabetes. My blood pressure was also on the rise - I was a prime candidate for the surgery. After working on getting all the documentation needed and getting my mind set to have the surgery done I was approved on September 1st by the insurance company and had the surgery on September 6, 2006. I have quite a way to go but I think I can do it. My doctor was Felix Spiegel in Houston and I had the surgery done at the Twelve Oaks Medical Center.