TracyZ

We had a plastic surgeon come to our support group at Swedish Hospital in Denver (I was banded by Dr Tillquist at Swedish). Do you attend the support group at the hospital you were banded at? Kelly Elliott (the nutritionist) should be able to give you the info for the surgeon she invites to group. There were a few people in our support group that had been patients of his with some really great results! Like you, when I get to goal, my batwings have got to go!

In one week I have lost 10 lbs. Is that average? I lost about 20 pounds in the 20 days after surgery. Most was that first week after surgery. Like the others have said, it will slow down after a couple weeks. Which are the best Vitamins to take and what dosage? My surgeon requires that I take a chewable multi-vitamin. I had some from Bariatric Advantage that were not too tasty and I ended up with a decent one from my health food store. What are the best supplements (calcium citrate or the other, etc) I take quite a few because of some deficiencies I had prior to the surgery. The only additional one my bariatric surgeon requires is calcium citrate with Vitamin D (the ones from Bariatric Advantage are the BEST tasting and you can order them on their website). Best chocolate Protein drinks or powder without chalky taste? I had some pro-cal left over from a weight loss attempt years ago. They are only 100 calories per shake, they mix with Water, and they taste really good. I did have a hard time at the beginning getting more than 400 calories per day so you may want a Protein Shake that has more calories otherwise you may end up super tired. Best tasting clear liquids protein drinks? I didn't do these, so I am not sure. My nutritionist said that Bariatric Advantage had some... Any lotions or tricks to prevent saggy skin? Haven't gotten far enough to worry about this yet BUT I hear that keeping up your water intake will help a lot. When will I feel normal again? It took me about a week to feel better and about two to feel "normal". I went skiing three weeks out and regretted it because I did not have enough energy AT ALL! Any good blogs or website that could be helpful now that I have the band? There is a great community of Blogger sites. Mine is One Foodie's Band Quest. The first one I came across was Amy W's (the cheese and sunkist one another poster already provided) and on her profile she has a great list of other helpful bandster blogs. Any other good tip you think I should know? I think the blogs will have all the info you could possibly want or need!

You guys are so inspiring! I have been struggling these two weeks since my surgery - It is self inflicted torture really. My doctor has me on a VERY restricted diet. Only 2 oz three times a day. I am lucky to hit 500 or 600 calories (and I have to "cheat" to get to that). I know it will get better as soon as I am able to get fills. The doctor tried to give me 4cc on Tuesday (13 days out from surgery) but he said I had a lot of fluid buildup and scar tissue. Apparently that makes it tough to find the port. He said it will be easier at my 6 week appointment because the area will be less tender, less fluid, etc. He thinks he hit the port but I won't know for sure until I go back for the next fill. I am losing about a pound a day so at least I know the doc's rules are worth following. I've joined the 24 hour fitness and cannot wait for my first Zumba class. For now I have been walking on the treadmill and going on hikes. My first big goal is to get out of the 300s. I am only 4 pounds away. Hopefully by Monday I will be there!

Thank you for the thread reference. I am off to check that out next. I thought that my diet was super extreme. It's good to know I am not totally insane! I only had to do liquids for three days, pureed food for three days, and then mushy/soft food for a month. It is so good to know that what I am experiencing is normal. I was starting to freak out wondering if we'd wasted a ton of money...I can diet and be starving without surgery!! I am losing weight (about a pound a day so far) so at least it is fairly easy to stay motivated. Thanks again!

I know exactly how you feel. I was banded on the 16th and have lost 15 pounds but most of the weight came off the first week. As soon as I could eat soft food things really slowed down and I have been starving. My doc recommends only having 2 oz of food three times a day. It is like torture and every time that I eat more than I am supposed to I feel like a terrible failure. I told the doctor yesterday that I was having so much trouble and he agreed to give me my first fill a few weeks early. I got 4 cc but I am still eating more than he recommends. Everyone keeps telling me that this is the hardest time...between surgery and getting fills. We can make it even if the weight loss is slow for now. This is a forever change and nothing is going to happen overnight!!

I was banded (Realize - and I love the website) on 12/16 and have lost 15 pounds so far. I cannot wait until the day comes that I can book a plane ticket and not have to worry about flying at peak times on full flights...or about the bruised thighs, having to ask for a belt extender, or being able to put the table down.

I am two weeks out from surgery and I have been unbelievably hungry. When I went for my check up yesterday the surgeon decided to go ahead and try and give me a 4cc fill. It could all be in my head but I think there is a definite difference. I had half of a cheese enchilada for lunch with a couple of bites (small ones) of rice and beans and I felt so full...almost as though I had eaten a giant meal instead of only a little more than I am supposed to. It felt very different from the last week of being completely starving and never feeling full.

Hi - I am two weeks out from my band surgery (I chose the Realize band). I haven't found a site like this specifically for Realize patients, so I hope no one minds having me crash the LapBand site. I am on the soft food phase for the next couple of weeks but my doctor has my diet restricted to 2oz 3 times per day. It is torture to stick to that kind of diet without any restriction in the band yet. Did everyone else start with 2oz or were you allowed more food per meal? I find it hard to get more than 500 or 600 calories a day and I would think I would be losing more than a pound a day with such a low caloric intake. How did you successful banders make it through the first 6 weeks until you could start getting fills?