abracadabra

I've found a few places that have no issue with ordering from the kids' menu, but it's hard to find healthy kids options at most chain restaurants! I like Not Your Average Joes. They offer salmon, chicken, and a few other healthy options. They are also one of the few places that honors substitutions and special requests to make your entree more healthy. If all else fails, I order an appetizer or put at least half the full entree in a to go container as soon as it arrives. I get some strange looks but oh well! I did once ask the waiter if I could substitute some sangria for the kids' soda that was included with the meal. He giggled, I got my sangria, but had to pay for it :thumbup:

Please check to see if your insurance takes only your starting weight as most do! I have BCBS of MA and they use the starting weight from day #1 consult. My surgeon encouraged and expected (but not required) me to lose weight during the preop process and I was very borderline when I saw him- BMI 41 w no comorbidities. More than likely, you shouldn't face any issues if you lose weight. In fact, it makes you a better surgical candidate because it makes for an easier surgical case and you have shown that you are comitted to the lifestyle changes for post op. Good luck!

Liquids are the devil!!!!!! I was on them a week preop and a week postop. That preop week was hell. I was in a fog, couldn't concentrate, my head hurt, and just over felt like I got run over. I work 24 hr shifts and it got to the point where I would drive in the wrong direction or stop and look at my partner and say, "you hafta do this." I kept dreaming of chicken :devil_smile: I only lost a couple pounds in that week because I do not handle liquids well. I definitely go into starvation mode quick. My surgeon said he was looking to reduce the size of my liver, not for weight loss at this point, but I had already dropped 55# by surgery time. BUT!!!! It is the means to the end. Having surgery is probably the best decision any of us have made for ourselves. You will get through it and be prepared for an easier surgical experience. It does suck though!! Good luck!

The greek yogurt has way more Protein and way less sugars in it than the commercial yogurts. It's a better bang for your buck despite (slightly) higher calories. Don't get me wrong, I like them all, but I am more concerned with taking in good quality protein. I too add some splenda to plain FF greek yogurt along with some sliced berries or low fat granola. The plain needs a little sweetness added because it can be a little too tart. It's worth a little tweaking on my end for 15-18 or so grams of protein and about 90cal/ cup!

Rhonda, Your decision should be made between you and your surgeon and some self-reflection. I am 4 mos out now and feel great with my decision and my weight loss. That said, my surgeon was very clear with me that if I could not commit to regular exercise I would probably lose 20-40# tops! I am in the gym 5-7days every week since a month after surgery. For me, I had lost weight before I considered surgery. I know I can lose it and have the right mindset to succeed and keep it off. Also, I had made many lifestyle changes prior to surgery. I am young and otherwise very healthy aside from a back injury. At this point, I didn't feel I needed to go the more drastic route of RNY. I like that I am responsible for my weight loss. I have some restriction now, but I still have more control over my choices than bypass patients do. In 4 mos postop and a little over a year since starting this process I am now down almost 90# and down 6 dress sizes. So it can be done, but takes A LOT of dedication. If you are able and willing to commit to regular cardio and strength training as well as make the changes in your diet, then the band may be right for you. However, choosing the bypass is a great option as well. You will lose weight faster, but there are other possible complications and longer recovery. You can dump post bypass but not post band. With either surgery, vomiting and PB'ing can happen. Since bypass is malabsorptive, you can have Vitamin and mineral deficits, but these issues can happen after the band too, if you make poor choices. Also, do not look at the band as reversible because it should not be removed except in the extreme case of severe complications. The band is placed to help you manage your weight over time. Just because you lose X pounds doesn't mean then the band can come out. Both surgeries are major abdominal procedures and are permanent except in the rare case. RNY is more drastic and requires a lot of cutting and stapling while the band involves some internal sutures around the device. Both surgeries have been proven to be safe and effective. Remember, RNY is still considered the gold standard for WLS. In the end, both surgeries require you to exercise in order to keep the weight off. The bypass just shortens the weight loss phase. I know many people who have chosen both surgeries and each has been successful and healthy. The choice is yours, but I encourage you to be honest with yourself- your comittment, expectations, and lifestyle. Talk to your surgeon and others who have had surgery. Best of luck! I'm sure you'll come to the right decision for you. I wouldn't change my decision for anything!!

Don't worry what others think. You and your surgeon will make the right decisions for you. I hope you have some support system in place of family and good friends. They make all the difference! My BMI was around the same as yours at my surgery. I lost over 50 pounds before I even considered having surgery. In fact, one of my friends who said, "you don't look like you need surgery", is scheduled for gastric bypass next month!! You will not miss food after surgery! Yes, liquids can be tough but you know you will transition to soft then to solids. You're right that you don't know if you will be intolerant of anything post op, but keep an open mind and be willing to try. In terms of Pasta, every postop diet is different, and white pasta is never the best option. Consider, whole grain pasta or Protein pasta. Barilla Plus is an awesome option that has a great nutty flavor and A LOT of protein per serving. Just remember that a bowl of pasta will never look the same after surgery. Personally, I will have some protein pasta usually about an ounce with some sauce, chicken or shrimp about once a week and I do very well with it. Try to relax and remember you are making the best choices for yourself and your family. Good luck with surgery

Sharazy, Congrats on your band and losing 13 pounds! Protein is so important to your healing and weight loss. Too little protein can result in unsavory things like hair loss. :thumbup: Try to write down everything you eat either as a written diary or online site like fitday or myfooddiary. Once you are certain of what your intake is you can adjust your meal choices to maximize protein intake. I try for 65+ grams every day but generally take in around 80g. I feel better when I get enough protein especially when I've worked out especially hard. I like greek yogurt (14 or more gms protein) cheese sticks (~6gms), Peanut Butter (6gms) eggs (6gms) to name a few. Be careful with dumping protein into your smoothies. You can only process so much protein with each meal. My nut and doc recommend around 20-30gms per meal. Talk to your nutritionist or surgeon if you're concerned. If nothing else, they can reassure you that you are doing the right things. Good luck!

Congrats on losing 7#! That's awesome. I'm glad your Dr is supportive, that definitely helps. I love the pool too! My gym is great but they only offer 2 water workout classes all week (on days I work!) Stay in the pool as much as you can, every little bit counts. I also have good luck with the recumbent stationary bike because it supports my back, but if you have any knee problems, it may cause you some pain. I understand how hard making good food choices can be. I use myfooddiary.com to track all my meals and keep me on track. I work 24hr shifts at least twice a week in a high pace, stressful environment with not much down time, so I have gotten very good at planning my meals, portioning them, and adding up the proteing, cal, fat, and sodium before my day even starts. Then, once I have everything in my bag, I just have to find time to eat it all. My nutritionist says planning the day in advance is better than logging your food as you go, because temptation can win you over. Ya know, if you only have 400 cal sure go for the donut! It's working so far! I'm still losing fat and gaining muscle.... I gotta get back into pilates cuz my arms are getting too big! I was scared outa my mind about surgery. I've been in healthcare since I was 18 so I *KNOW* what can happen. It's normal to be scared but you know you're doing the right thing and the anxiety is a normal stress reaction. Having a great support system in your parents and good friends makes all the difference. I have a friend away at med school who would text me almost everyday before and after surgery to tell me I'm crazy and I would be fine and that I know better and best of all listened while I vented. Others let me cry on the phone or whine about how liquids kicked my ass! Sometimes all it takes is a listening ear. On another note, now since my surgery, one of good friends has scheduled her bypass, and at least 3 more are looking into bands or bypass soon. Not that I need to be an inspiration, I hope that my journey helps others start theirs and feel more comfortable with theirs. Best of luck to you:thumbup: Kim

I am 2 weeks postop and doing great. I did have some pain that was easily manageable with meds for a few days. I went back to work this Tuesday. My job is pretty intense and requires lots of lifting so I did take some extra time :thumbup: I am a medic so going back to work after a week was not an option even though mentally I was ready, my eneergy level was good, and I felt well enough. If you are a FT student, you should be well enough to go back to class within a week. Shooting for surgery over break is probably a good idea just so you can be home to organize meals and get settled into a routine. I give you a lot of credit for investigating surgery while you are in school. I should have, but was not brave enough then. As long as you have a support system, you will do well in making lifestyle changes. As to the insurance issue, everyone's insurance is different and my HMO Blue is different some someone's in another state. For me, the paperwork went in on Thursday and I was approved on Monday! I had to to see the nutritionist 3x, psych once, and 2 surgeon visits along with a clearance by my PCP. But, every surgeon is different. Since I have no medical issues, I didn't have to have any extra tests. Like you, I have back issues - a significant disk herniation. Losing weight typically helps improve pain, but you have several compounding issues with your back. I can say that my back feels awesome after losing weight. Most surgeons insist on avoiding NSAIDs post op to decrease the chance of band erosion, so if you are dependent on them now, you will need to come off Motrin, Advil, or any prescription ones after surgery. For me, I was able to stop the Rx NSAID by my second surgeon visit in December, that was about 30lbs lighter than my starting weight. My question to you is, are you able to exercise? If your answer is no, then bypass surgery may be a better option for you. I was able to drop some weight well before surgery (in fact, that's why I even considered surgery) so I could go back to the gym. Exercise is so important with lap band. Like others have said, it is no magic, you are in control of your success with food choice and exercise, at least until you get good restriction. I don't want to scare you off having a band, but you need to be honest with yourself. If you cannot or will not exercise consistently, the band may not be right for you. If you can commit to a program and your doctors feel you will improve with some weight loss then the band can help you greatly over time. But it is no miracle cure and everyone reacts to it different. I've lost 62 lbs now (10 lbs post op) so it is possible even with back issues. You are young and sound motivated to make a change in your life, so whatever you choose will be right for you. Please ask any questions you have! I hope my experience helps. Good luck to you!

I felt the same way too and lived on gas X strips as well. Those things are awesome!! It gets better after a few days (within a week for me) Good luck

I'm 2 weeks post op too (my surgery was the 24th) and a couple of my incisions are sore to the touch. My port gets sore if I lean on it too and forget about sleeping on my right side! We're still healing, so the tenderness is expected and normal. I doubt you are rejecting the port, that would be pretty extreme. But, if you're red, swollen, and have lots of discharge, your surgeon needs to see you, but you have an appt so it's a non-issue. I doubt pulling the steri-strips now would cause any ripping off flesh. You should be healed enough for them to come off. The tegaderms over mine were off by my 1 wk postop visit. I saw the NP at my surgeon's office yesterday because I thought I had a festering infection in one incision that has been painful and red for a couple days. She put my fears to rest a little and said it was just a result of the internal sutures still not dissolved. And today, it looks almost as clean as the other 4 incisions! :thumbup: Anyways, good luck, I'm pretty sure you're fine!

I am a Paramedic in metro Boston and a nursing student. Hopefully, grad school for CRNA in the next few years.

1. Surgery date? 2/23/2010 2. State you live in? MA 3. Doctor/Surgery Center? Dr. Randall @ LMH 4. Insurance or self pay? BCBSMA 100% 5. Age and height 28 5'6.5" 6. Current weight and goal weight? 250 --> 150, started at 297, at least that was my highest recorded but I think I was higher than that 7. What was your deciding factor for having this surgery? I'm healthy and want to stay that way and want to be able to have healthy pregnancies someday. I've lost 50# on my own so far too. I have a herniated disk and I know my weight isn't helping my back at all. 7. Do you have the support of family and friends? Yup, I have great family and friend support. I've told those closest to me only not for shame or guilt, but just because I don't need the children I work with talking and feeding the rumor mill! If someone asks, I'm more than willing to share, the same applies to many aspects of life. :bored: 8. Concerns and questions? Anesthesia petrifies me, the very thought of being sedated, induced, paralyzed, and intubated makes me want to vomit or go cry in a corner.