Search the Community

Hey Lyndsay! I'm Sophia! Nice to meet you:) Yes I am considering lap band as a choice for WLS. I'm in the Pre-Beginning stages! lol I'm thinking of getting banded in Mexico, because my insurace does not cover ther cost, and there is NO way I'll ever get it here in the states with how hight the pricing is. It's so much cheaper there. The only concern I keep having is "What happens to me if something goes wrong and I'm here in Colorado?" What if I need a revision or a somthing goes wrong... what do I do... go back to Mexico, Try to see a surgeon here. It's confusing on the after care part... and that seems to be the most important part of the process. I need to get my band at the right place and pressure so that I can lose the weight optimally, ya know. So ya that's where I am. Not so scared to go to Mexico for actual surgery... I'm just thinking post op, what are my options. Where were you banded? Do you like it so far?

Thanks for the support! I need it:-)

Sophia

Hey Bobbie...I am starting my pre-op diet today also. I am kinda excited. You know...just ready to get it over with. I have to do protein shakes for breakfast and lunch with a snack of yogart and a piece of fruit. Then for dinner i get 3 oz of meat and a cup of veggies. If i dont lose wieght on this...i dont know what else to say. Today is the beginning of our new lives!!

Wow, I bet the Russian was a nightmare! The hubby went down last week on Wednesday & Thursday - he said it was combat fishin' at it's finest. I wanted to go, but knew if it was that crowded that those people would have killed me as I would have been the one to snag all their lines as we fish elbow to elbow!

My preference is Deep Creek or Whittier (we have an offshore fishing boat). We dipnet on the Copper River (using a friend's river boat) and use our smaller boat for the Kenai Dipnetting - so needless to say, I'll have PLENTY of PROTEIN to eat when I get the lap band.

We are retired Air Force (hubby retired in 2002) and decided to come back to Alaska to retire (we were previously stationed here from 1994-1998). The only negative thing about AK is being so far away from family.

Love to hear how your journey goes .....

C'Ya,

Tammy

Wow .... you have done great !!! Any little "secrets" to your success. Will be banded August 4th. Also, what kind of protein shake did you use ? Do you ever feel deprived ? Are you happy with your band ? Any complications ??

Thanks !!!!!!!!!

Janat in New Hampshire

My surgeon just requires you to go on a 1200 calorie a day diet for two weeks. Its not bad since thats around what I usually eat a day anyway. Two days prior I go on an all liquid diet. But I have found a protein shake I really like so I don't imagine it'll be too bad. Wow the 24th! It sneaks up on you doesn't it?

alex: having problems with the chat room again. Can't get in. The screen is just blank with no option of signing in anywhere.

alex, I am having trouble with the chat room again. Can't get in. Has something changed? The screen is just blank with no option of signing in anywhere.

Hey girl, just wanted to say that my doc did away with the 'mushies' stage just for the reason you stated...you can chew almost anything into a mushie. Also during Bandster Hell (before you get restriction) it's all about healing. If you're drinking more protein shakes (or eating more mushies) to curb your hunger, it's OK...they go straight into your stomach (many gain weight during this period). When I got to solids I found I actually didn't have to chew much at all...in fact I got hungry faster if I chewed everything into a pulp before restriction. Hang in there...I think it's different for everyone and part of this process is figuring out what works for you. Good luck! -BG

Hi Dionne!

27.5 lbs.!!! That is awesome!

I got my third fill about a week ago and I am definitely restricted now too! I lost 4 lbs. in the first week following the fill! I think this will get things rolling again for me, as my weight loss had all but stopped too! I have lost 28 lbs. to date! We seem to be neck in neck with our progress!! It's been interesting adjusting to the new restriciton, but I am doing pretty good. I have a much harder time eating breads, muffins and buns now. I mostly avoid them. I have to stick wtih protein shakes for breakfast, because it is just too tight in the mornings for foods. But by lunch time, I can eat regular food. Thank goodness, because I am not real big on those shakes! I just found out a few days ago that I am going to my a bridesmaid in my cousin's wedding in April! So, now I have even more incentive to lose this weight! Take care and let me know how you are doing with your new fill as well!

Shelley : )

Thanks BG! Yes solid proteins are staying down nicely now. I am on Day 3 of LOW CARBS and I feel pretty good, I have more control again. I have tried to low carb pre-band and I lost 40lbs but gained most of it back soon after. I hoping now with the band that it wont come back. So far so good 3 days in. I happy to be back on the band wagon.

Thanks Keith, and congrats to you on the 100# mark – that is a huge milestone. I think the weight training and protein have been key in getting the BF where I want it. I am about due to get tested again and think I am closer to 13% now. Can you believe it? Me at 13% BF, I still think it’s unbelievable. Truth be told though, some people are saying I look a little too skinny – which is sort of true. I haven’t been able to tone up all of my muscles fast enough. So while it’s true I have very little fat left, I still have quite a bit of work to do on the muscles. It’s all good though, I love going to the gym now.

Hi -- Glad things are going good for you. I just got out of the 190's myself (187.8 this morning), so we're right there together. This was my third fill and it made a lot of difference in my hunger, although I'm pleased that I'm not "strangulated" either. My first two fills were fairly shortlived, but that was okay by me.

I don't have problems getting my protein in. I think it's important for a while to track your protein grams, along with calories. You need to get at least 60 in, depending upon your activity level, up to 80ish. My protein during the day consists of egg whites and cheese in the morning, FF refried beans, tuna, almonds, and then at night, fish, chicken, or turkey. If I'm short (like on mushy days right after a fill), I'll have my super protein whey shot, which has 26 grams of protein!! Holy moly - I love that it has so much. But I only do that when I need that big boost of protein.

Good luck to you!!

Dear Aurora:

Sorry I didn't see this sooner. This morning when I stepped on the scale I was 189.3 - didn't take a picture, but I must say that I'm amazed -- I would have killed a year ago to know that I would be a little over 50 pounds lighter. This surgery was the best thing I have done. In fact this morning, I was thinking that on prior "diets" I would have probably lost my resolve by now, or because I now look o.k. in clothes, I would have gone back to my old eating habits. Now, that's not an option for me. I'm a very slow loser compared to others on this site -- I don't know if it's my age, or what, but I am losing. I do follow, for the most part, the bandster eating rules, and I exercise like crazy (boot camp 5 days a week). I guess I am proud of myself. Good luck on your journey!

I'm a HUGE peanut butter fan - I've actually found a really yummy substitute that doesn't have anywhere near the calories or fat...it's called PB2 (ordered it online)....it's basically a peanut butter powder, you can mix it with water to make it spreadable like PB (haven't tried that) OR you can add it to recipes...I put it in my shakes - so yummy. It has like 50 (something) calories for 2 TBS, just under 2 gms of fat, and like 5 g protein...I only use 1 TBS in my shakes, since it really gives it enough of the PB flavor. But seriously - crackers sound awesome right now...really anything other than liquid does...can't wait for cottage cheese (how crazy is that?)

Hey Vikki!!! I feel your pain!!! I'm getting my fill 11/5 and hear everything will change after that! Like you, I'm not restricting myself with portion control. Second helpings? Yes, please! I've been skipping bread and trying to make good choices, but sometimes I am just out of control! I haven't gained anything either (whew! My doctor has a temper and I think he would be pissed!) I've been going to a gym 4-5 times a week and I workout hard for about 30 minutes. I walk on the treadmill, and do strength training. (However, just hearing about your schedule made me more exhausted.....how do you do it?!!!) It's got to be really hard trying to find that perfect high protein, low carb, no sugar, blah, blah blah meal when you're on the go like that!!! We're going to be fine! It's always great to hear from you!

HEY Leslie!!! hows it going?? im doing great I have to say....been feeling full lately off a lil' bit of food...and now down 15 lbs!!! sooo happy...i go to drs on thursday and then start soft food....whick i kinda feel like im eating now. but im still doing one protein shake a day for breakfast...its either that, scrambled eggs or oatmeal so i dtry to mix it up!! i took some of your suggestions and YUM!!! hope your doing well! have a great day!!

I got the whey protein powder from GNC and added it to vegetable soups. I like those soups in a box kind of like a milk carton...they're made by V-8. Tomato and butternut squash were the best. Cottage cheese is good if you like it.

Well thanks for the add! Great job on your weight loss! I'd say 30lbs in a month is something to be proud of! Mine is really not as bad as others I have spoken with. 2 meals are protein shakes which I adore! My fave is one I invented chocolate-cherry-banana YUM! The 3rd meal is soup, snacks I can have sf/ff yogurt, pudding, or jello. And the fact that I dropped 8 in 6 days, shoot I must be doing something right : )

I took my son for a walk before we ran errands earlier. It was only about 20 min. but hey i was walking as fast as my fat butt would let me and pushing his 26 lbs in his car, lol. Well I have already had a c-section so I don't figure this pain to be near that. My goal is 145 or a little lower and I am only almost 5'3". So I am really going to try to push being stricter on this last week. I go get bloodwork done on friday. How long would you say I would have to go without picking up my 18 month old?

HUGS, Starla

heyyy yea im actually back to normal now, just sore if i touch the incision. I havent weighed my self yet because i want to wait till i go see my surgeon on friday omg the liquids was horrible the first week, im happy i can have yogurt and i feel in love with greek yogurt soo ive been doing that for breakfast and lunch yesterday and today, it has a lot of protein so i figure its okay. Anyway sorry to ramble on, how is the banded life going? when were u banded?

No, i don't have staples. I have stitches (that poke through my clothing), and over the stitches, they put crazy glue. Don't worry about the staple removal. Once it's over, it's over. right now i'm dealing with constipation issues. the protein shake has a lot of iron in it, and it's causing me grief. because of that, i'm only having one a day...and i think maybe i'm not getting enough protein cuz the scale hasn't gone down in 4 days. : (

hahaha...you r pretty funny!!!! thanks for the compliments!! yes i am soooo ready to be the hottie in the neighborhood...my next door neighbor is this lil' hot number with 4 kids...sooooo cute (and of course i'm green with envy, but she is one of my good friends and she is pushing me to do well!!! yes im def gonna have to be creative on this new journey...which will def be a challenge since im not at all impressive in the kitchen....and my kids of course dont eat what we eat....sooo i have a lot to learn!! im still trying to figure things out in this "mushy" stage. I ahd prepared sooo well for the full liquids, and b4 i knew it a week was over and now im on the mushy stuff and thats hard too!! yesterday all i ate was a protein shake, sf pudding, tuna, oatmeal w/ protien stuff in it, and sf fudgy pop....and to be honest i wasnt even hungry all day....god, at this rate i'll be like 50 lbs soon!!! thanks for the advice! have a FAB day!!!

Hello! Sad to say I'm not really exercising. I started taking swimming lessons this week and have made sad attempts w/ the elliptical machine I have at home. Hmmm, I can tell you what a typical day of eating is like.

8:00a - protein shake w/ 8oz skim milk

10:00a - I have either cream of wheat or a boiled egg w/a slice of wheat toast

12:00p - lunch: today I had a crab cake and 1/4 cup of boiled potatoes w/onions and a large apple

It's 3:00p now, I really don't have an appetite but will have 2 rice cakes

Then at 7:00 I have dinner - I always cook, so tonight it will be a chicken stir fry w/a little white rice.

Most evenings before bed I have an Isopure drink (blue raspberry is my current favorite) or a protein shake.

hey doll...yes i too had first hunger pangs on sunday...uggghhhh!!!! im in the puree stage tomorrow...gotta get ready...ur there right?? lemme know anything good you got going on there!! im always up for ideas!! although, tonite i made some hot cocoa.....1 scoop ANY WHEY protein stuff, i cup skim milk, 1 packet sugar free hot choco mix and nuked it and YUMMY!!!!!!!!!!!!!! talk later!! good nite!!!

ok i went for a walk today and it felt great! today was def the best day so far...less gas in my arm, and overall i feel better. i tried some cream of chicken soup(blended and strained of course) and boy did it feel goog going down!!! also i added a a tablespoon of peanut butter to my choco protein shake and it was YUMMY!!! i weighed myself...down 11 lbs! so im psyched!!!! hope your day was great!!!...cathy

hey, honestly i feel terrible today...still in a lotta incisional pain and weird gas pains in my arms and stuff. im having a hard time getting in the required fluids and protein that we are supposed to. I dont know why i didnt think i would have sooo much pain...afterall i am a nurse and see lots of people with incisions and excruitiating pain.....lemme know how the days have been for you. I'm still happy and I can wait to start seeing results. Right now I feel like FOOD is the furthest thing on my mind!!! Thanks for keeping in touch! I;m still trying to navigate around this site so I hope i'm posting this on the right thing!!! Cathy