healthyhappyme2010

I was banded at Hahnemann Hospital; Dr Castellanos is awesome. Given your weight loss, he'll given you what he thinks is best (not to overfill), but he'll state to see him in a month...sooner if you feel that you're eating too much. For example, if I had a fill Jan 10th, I would make my next appt for Feb 10th, and if I felt that I was still eating more than 4 oz a sitting, I would reshedule for Jan 30th. Because, I was lossing extremely fast up front, he was very conservative with my fiils, but now that my honeymoon is over, I'm a llittle more aggressive with seeing him for fills.

You don't want to make such a decision blind...do your research. Based on the info you provided (height/weight), you qualify because your BMI is 40, for your height you should weigh 100-120 lbs. I totally get where your coming from with not wanting to lose too much weight. In high school I weighed about 135 or so, which put me in the low to mid BMI range, but when I got to 150 in college, I was in love with my body because I put weight on in all the right places. With that said, you can lose as much or as little as you like...you are totally in control of your weight lost unlike with other procedures. The band does not have to stay in forever, if you should decide that you no longer wait the band it can be removed...totally reversable. For complications, I suggest that you do due dilligence and visit lapband.com or realizeband.com; you'll find everything you need to know and a comparaison of other WLS procedures. And yes, you can drink liquor...whether you should or not is another discussion...everything in moderation.

It all depends, but know that it will happen. Also, switch up your routine sometimes and introduce core training into your reigmen. I went from a 26 to a 18 overnight.

I totally agree. I'd just like to add that you can also find subsitutes to make a meal better fit YOUR needs. The low carb bread is absolutely great. You might be interested in changing the sauce (Trader Joe's has a red suace that only 50 cals) & cheese (use any low fat or light cheese; it would only be about 90 - 110 cals). Thanks Mellie!

Old Navy has nice outfits at reasonable prices. You could also try Lane Bryant, Fashion bug & Target. You could also wear plain pants/top and spice it up with a nice jacket.

Karebare714, do you have a Planet Fitness near you? I just joined, and they have offer free personal training sessions. You'd meet with a trainer and tell them your goal and they set up a plan and walk you through using the appropriate machines. It's not the typical one on one hand holding experience, but it's a pretty good deal. They're having a special right now, $10 down $10 a month (until Oct. 14th). I have a gym in my home, but I joined about 2 weeks ago because of the free PT and the ability to workout on my lunch hour. It's a pretty good deal for $10. I live in Philadelphia, but I imagine the special is at all locations.

Congrats on being banded!

I was eating 1/4 cup Liquid Eggs whites w/ 1 slice of cheese and a Monring Star Farms Breakfast pattie. However, I realized that I wasn't getting in enough calories per day so I swtiched to a protien packed breakfast--Chobani Greek yougurt w/ 2 Morningstar Farms breakfast patties.

Ok, I haven't lost a single pound in the last two weeks. I think it's because my body is in stravation mode; I eat and I'm not hungry, but I need more food. I typically make really good food choices and they happen to be low calories. After looking in my food diary, I've discovered that I eat between 600 - 800 calories a day. I need help with incorporating more calories into my diet. My current weight is 266, I lost 41 pounds pre op (June - Aug) on my own by eating 1000-1200 calories and exercising 4 to 5 times a week. The only change has been less calories and I think it's because I cut out eliminated carbs (bread/rice/pasta) from my diet...because it's a "no-no" post WLS. Here's a sample of what I eat in a day: Breakfast: 30 liquid Egg Whites 1/4 Cup 25 Kraft Fat Free American Cheesse 1 Slice 80 Morning Star Farm Veggie Pattie 1 Pattie AM Snack: 120 Trader Joe's Greek Yogurt Lunch: 150 Homemade chicken Stew (chicken w/ veggies) 60 Jello sugar free pudding PM Snack: 90 Trader Joe's Sesame Corn Tortilla Crackers 3 pieces 35 Laughing Cow Light cheese Diner: 100 Trader Joe's Turkey Breast w/peppers 3 oz 24 Heinz Gravy 1/4 Cup 25 Green Giant Mixed Veggied 2/3 cup What can I do to get in atleast 1000 calories? Any advice is greatly appreciated. **Edit-Exercise: My exercise routines have remained consistent. I usually do 1 of the following: 1 Yoga/pilaties (sp) video for 1/2 hour and then walk/jog on my treadmill for 30 - 45 mins 2 Walk/jog treadmill for 30 - 45 mins and then theWii Just dance or EA Sports active for 1/2 hour 2 walk/jog on the treadmill for 45 - 60 mins I workout 4 to 5 times a week Thanks in advance!!!!

My exercise routines have remained consistent. I usually do 1 of the following: 1 Yoga/pilaties (sp) video for 1/2 hour and then walk/jog on my treadmill for 30 - 45 mins 2 Walk/jog treadmill for 30 - 45 mins and then theWii Just dance or EA Sports active for 1/2 hour 2 walk/jog on the treadmill for 45 - 60 mins I workout 4 to 5 times a week

I would suggest looking on the "share your food" sticky - tons of people list receips. Hungry Girl has some really good recieps; really good books, but you can make them even healier.

Fill you're home with tons of healthy Snacks...sugar free popsicles, fudge sicles, Applesauce, Diced Peaches, Jello etc. I found it good to only have healthy options around me. When all else fails chew gum. If you're craving specific foods such as pizza, you're just going to have to exercise a little will power. I know that it's easy said than done, but we've all been there.

Congrats, I hope you need another smaller pair sooner.

Diet snapple Hawaiian Punch Light Diet V8 Splash Diet Ocean Spray Speciality Teas from Trader Joes Water Minute Maid Just 10 (juice pouch-squeeze into cup) All of these are great tasting drink with little to no sugar and under 10 calories for 8 oz.

Glad to see you're on the other side. Good luck with your journey!

Please don't let others opinon shape yours. You have to have a REAL talk with yourself. If you need help in the area of making good food judgements/exercise/have co-morbidites than bypass may be right for you. Why did I choose the band--first and foremost, the word "gastric bypass" scared me. I thought it was very drastic, I didn't want to risk death or the side effects of mal absorbtion. I didn't want to physically alter my body. If I had a whole set of issues and my doctor said that it was a matter of life or death, that would have been a whole different story. I don't have any issues outside of being overweight, I can make great food choices, I want to move my body and live a healthier life. Knowing the risk/benefits & pros/cons of both procedures and most importantly your eating/exercise habits only YOU knows what's best for you. Good luck with your decision!

Hi Marc, First, congrats on the band. I didn't experience pain so I can't help you there, but I have a great tip for preventing dehydration. A lot of us coming out of surgery are uninterested in drinking because we lose the desire to (temperarily). Mix a Protein drink and keep a bottle of Water near, get a medicine cup and drink an ounce every 10 to 15 minutes. You'll get in a good amount of protein and kept yourself hydrated. Best of luck!

I totally agree, you drastically improve all of your bodily systems by exercising. Our goal is to be healthier, not just thinner. If your having trobule getting motivated, create a dream board filled with items/possibilites associated with reaching your goal. My dream board contains pictures of cute shoes and dresses and new vacation destinations. Also, start off slow and build up your endurance...10 mins 2 times a day for a week, 15 mins 2 times a day for a week, 20 mins a day for a week, 30 mins a day for a week etc. Hope this helps, good luck!

I have BCBS and I didn't have to do a 6 month supervised diet. I saw my primary doctor for my annual visit on 5/11/10...upset with my weight gain over the past year. I went to 3 seminars (various doctors) within a week. I met my surgeon on 6/2/10 (consult) and had my surgery on 8/16/10; 2 months and 2 weeks from once I decided on my surgeon. Maybe you can ask that they submit the paperwork and see what happens. I know my doctor's office submitted my paperwork on a Monday and they received word that I was approved the next day for surgery within 5 days. I asked them to push my date back because I wanted to met with the dietrician one last time and get some things squared away at work. Good luck!

Omg, didn't find out that I could eat until late in the afternoon once my doctor advanced me to solids. I immediately ran to Trader Joe's! Lobster and Crab Ravioli w/ Voduak Red Sauce 180 calories and 12 grams protein

I'm not a season vet, but from what I understand most doctors do fills 6 to 8 weeks post op. I'm 2 weeks post op and I went for my 1st check up today, the nurse ast. put items for a fill out for the doctor. I was like oh my word, I get to get a fill...yay! When the doctor came in the 1st thing he said was no fill it's too soon you're still healing. I was so glad that he put me on solids. I'll see him in 4 weeks, that will put me at 6 weeks post op, I'm sure he'll give me a fill then. Try chewing sugarfree gum or hard candy to surpress the hunger. I did that pre op and it worked. Good luck.

I used to wish I done it back in 2008 when I spoke to my doctor, but I'm glad that I was being lazy. I know myself well and if I would have done it then I would not have been successful. My relationship with food and body movement has changed for the better and I know that's the key to a successful journey.

I've lost 50 or 60 lbs so far and I went from a 24/26 to 18/20. I always had to find something with spandex, now I'm in 100% cotton. I think it just depends. Before when I was smaller 10/15 lbs made a huge difference, it was the difference bewteen a size 6 or 8. I realized its totally different with larger sizes I gain 30 lbs the year before I had my surgery and still wore the same size. It will come, congrats on the weight lost so far.

If you're a professor why not do a blackboard session? When I was in undergrad and grad school TONS of professors had blackboard assignments. If you're university or college doesn't have a BB system, why not a assignment to be completed in the interrim and have then turn it in when you're back? No matter what you're profession is you SHOULD NOT return to work within hours of having surgey. You don't want to over do it and you can't know how the procedure will effect you.

I think you should give youself atleast 3 days. I was banded on Aug 16th and I wasn't in pain at all, but a lot of people experience gas pain and nasaue (sp). I'm an accountant, my job is not physical at all and I'm not going back until Sept 27th. I REALLY want to relax and get to know my band before I think about going back.