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wow edie thats great!!! Were you eating mainly protein? Thanks so much for the reply!

I lost about 90lb and it took me 14 months to do it, I havent lost anymore since then even though I havent changed anything. I'm just inside the top of my healthy weight range, so considered normal weight. I'd like to lose a bit more I guess but dont really care enough about it to change things so much as to make it happen. I did it on a normal everyday diet. I eat carbs (good ones). I dont count Protein. I ate less and moved more - I run an hour five or six days a week. I didnt get scientific about it. I lost fast sometimes, slow others and not at all for weeks on end. I've never had my band tight, had only one or two PB's and dont get blocked up very often. I kept my hair, havent had any complications, so all in all a pretty easy, smooth journey for me.

You are all done soooooooo well. Edie - What Protein bars did you eat? and was it one a day?? Also, this is probably me being thick but what is sf liquids?? Thanks

Hi, I was originally interested in the sleeve but thought better of it after my initial consultation and after looking around on the forums am glad I have changed my mind it seems a much better option. Did you have a band for long and did it work for you at all. I'm currently 273 pounds and 5' 3" and have tried every diet going I lost tons of weight a few years ago and gradually put it all back on again as usual. Good luck with your operation and let us know how you get on.

Probably not. They want to see that you can stick to the diet, follow instructions and are serious about making this change. Because you are going to be living high protein, low carb from surgery forward.

Not sure if I understand the question 100%. So your doctor is planning on the possibility of him making a life threatening error in surgery? Maybe a new physician would be a good option? :-\

If you drink a at least 2 protein shakes and other stuff you should be good!

Your energy level will get better but it may take a while if you're like me. Keep up with the protein shakes and take multi vitamins. With me I believe that part of the fatigue was caused by depression because I was mourning overeating. That went away as I saw success on the scale. Best wishes to you. Sue

I thought this was a really great FAQ that answers a few more questions beyond the usual what is a band/how is it adjusted type of question. Also, interestingly, the doctor talks about the causes and repair of erosion, slippage, and pouch dilation. This docter says erosion has to do with the way the band is stitched to your stomach. If that's true, it might explain why erosion is more likely to happen with some surgeons than with others. Just a thought. liquids. That said, average weight loss is 50% of excess weight at 5 years. But this includes all patients, including those who have lost little or no weight. How is the Band adjusted? The Band is tightened by accessing the port with a needle. This is most commonly done in the office. Some surgeons do it at the hospital under x-ray guidance, but this is generally not necessary, and makes the procedure much more expensive. For patients with very thick abdominal walls, it may be more difficult to find the port. In our office we have an ultrasound machine which makes it possible to access most ports without need for x-ray. Can I adjust my own Band? In theory, yes. But the answer is NO. NO. NO :confused: (you just know somebody has tried this at home) Why do I have to take Vitamins? The LapBand operation is purely restrictive, so technically you don't need to take vitamins if you are eating a healthy diet. On the other hand, by definition you are eating a hypo-caloric diet, one which will cause you to lose weight. Because of this, we worry that you won't get all the vitamins and minerals you need. This is the main reason we ask you to take vitamins after the surgery. What about the gallbladder? We don't remove the gallbladder unless you already have gallstones that are causing symptoms. Weight loss is slow and natural, so the risk of gallstones is not sufficiently elevated as to make gallbladder removal worth doing. Can the Band be rejected by my body? The Band is made of silicone rubber, and cannot be rejected. Of course it can become infected and require removal, but this is not the same as being rejected like a transplanted organ. What happens after I lose my weight? The Band causes you to lose weight by restricting your caloric intake to less than your caloric expenditure. As you lose weight, your calorie requirements diminish. Once intake matches expenditure, you stop losing weight. How long does the Band stay in? The Band stays in forever. If it is removed you will regain all the weight you lost. What is a slipped Band, and what causes it? There are two types of slippage; anterior and posterior. This refers to whether the front or back side of the stomach slips. There is something else called concentric pouch dilation, but this is not the same as slippage. Slippage or prolapse is when the stomach slides up through the Band, making the pouch bigger. If this happens the Band usually becomes too tight, and patients experience symptoms of reflux (heartburn) as well as nausea and vomiting. This is because the amount of stomach being “squeezed” by the Band is increased, thereby obstructing the Band. There are several causes. Posterior slippage was more common when the Band was placed by the “perigastric” technique. With this technique the back side of the stomach was free to slide up through the Band. These days most surgeons use the “pars flaccida” technique, which was developed to prevent posterior slippage, and has more or less eliminated the incidence of this problem. Anterior slippage is when the front of the stomach slips up through the Band. We try to prevent this by suturing the stomach below the Band to the stomach above the Band, “locking” the Band in place in the right spot. In spite of this, slippage still occurs. It can happen because we haven't placed enough stitches, or they haven't been placed in the right place. Slippage can also occur if patients eat too much and vomit frequently. How is a slipped Band diagnosed? Fortunately, this is very easy. Often the diagnosis is made based on the history alone. A patient who has been going along fine, with no problems, and then suddenly develops reflux symptoms or symptoms of a too-tight Band will most likely have a slipped Band. The diagnosis is easily confirmed with an x-ray and barium swallow examination. Endoscopy is rarely necessary. How is a slipped Band fixed? A slipped Band needs to be fixed with an operation. The Band has to be dissected out, all the sutures removed, and the position of the stomach made right. Some surgeons remove the Band and place it back through a new tunnel. Others just straighten things out and re-suture the stomach over the Band. What happens if the Band slips again? That's a tough one. One could certainly try to fix the slip again, but my personal view is that, for whatever reason, the Band is just not working for that particular patient, and ought to be removed. What is a Band erosion? This is when the Band actually erodes into the stomach. It is a more serious problem, and generally requires removal of the Band. Band erosion is thought to be related to placing too many sutures (or too tight sutures) at the time of Band implantation. Surprisingly, Band erosion is often unnoticed. Occasionally the port will become infected if bacteria track along the catheter out to the port. Other times patients will stop losing weight. Diagnosis often requires an endoscopy. What is concentric pouch dilation? This is technically not the same as slippage. In this case the pouch just seems to be enlarged. Sometimes partial emptying of the Band may help with this. What is esophageal dilation? This is when the esophagus enlarges over time, and is probably related to either too tight a Band, or possibly improper placement of the Band around the junction of the esophagus and stomach. This requires loosening or removal of the Band. What happens if my Band has to be removed because of complications or failure to lose weight? One option, of course, is to give up on weight loss surgery. Another option is to convert to another procedure such as Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. This can be done at the same time the Band is removed, and is generally done laparoscopically. If you have questions that have not been answered by this FAQ, please send them to me and I will try to answer them for you. Mark A Pleatman MD 43494 Woodward Ave. #202 Bloomfield Hills, Michigan 48302 Office Hours: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Phone: (248) 334-5444 Fax: (248) 334-5484 Email: pleatman@laparoscopy.com

Truthfully, I think if you up your lean protein calories, that will help a bit. Check your carbs versus protein ratio, too. I did find that my mini-plateau was a combo of carbs and calories, I was using the wrong calories. I also think if you switch up your exercise routine that helps. It's like that P90X - they do have some points about muscle confusion. :smile: But, it's more "body confusion". LOL!

What has your doctor told you to eat? My doctor recommends whey Isolate Protein powder. Remember protein keeps you full longer than carbs. shakes like slimfast and carnation instant Breakfast do not have enough protein and won't keep you as full. I like Dymatize vanilla and Gold Standard Double chocolate. From costco Premier ready to drink protein is very good and has 30 g protein for only 160 calories. Also space out your food as much as possible. I understand if you only have one shake you will still be hungry. If however you know you can have something else in a couple hours it may help you stop snacking on unapproved food. FYI post op you will probably have 2 weeks of liquids and you can not cheat then it will be very bad for your stomach!

If you have a costco close to you the vanilla premier Protein... is great! Taste like tapioca pudding! The chocolate Premier Protein is a wonderful smooth chocolate flavor! You can taste the Vitamins in them, however they are very yummy! They have 30 grams of protein in each shake too. I have tried others, but these are my fav!

Congratulations on your amazing progress! You should be SO proud of yourself! I am in a similar quandary, and am meeting with a new nutritionist next week to get some guidance. I work out hard (triathlon and strength training) a minimum of 6 days per week, and twice per day on most days. I take in about 1000-1300 calories per day, and my target split is 30% Protein, 35% fat, 35% carbs. I had surgery 14 months ago and I'm just 1.8 pounds away from my goal, but feel like I'm overdue for switching from bariatric-weight-loss mode of eating into athlete-fueling mode. I tried to talk this through with the nutritionist on my bariatric team and she didn't have a clue how to advise me. Thus, I'm meeting with a sports nutritionist next Thursday. I'll let you know what I learn!

I just ordered sample kits of Protein powder from Chike, unjury and Syntrax. Does anyone know of any other companies that offer sample packs/kits? I've been scouring the internet with minimal results. What kinds of protein powders have you tried? Thanks in advance!

So, I'm doing my pre-op low carb/high protein diet. My surgeon didn't give me any exact numbers; he just said low carb/high protein. He said I can eat all the veggies I want (no fruit though) and a bit of fat. I've been tracking my nutrition using cronometer, and of course everything is a mix of carbs, fat and protein, so I can't get 0 carbs, but I'd like to have a number to shoot for, especially because I'm eating a lot of vegetables, which are mostly fiber (ie. carbs). I've averaged 1200 calories, with 102 grams of protein, 56 grams of carbs, and 69 grams of fat (which I know is too high) for the past three days since I've been dieting. I could cut my carbs down if I swapped out some veggies for another protein shake, but I'd rather not if I don't have to. Does anyone have any ideas of how many grams of carbs are ok? Or even what percentage of my total calorie intake can be carbs?

I take a probiotic pill, went back on it when I got home - but I do also use a stool softener. I was getting a lot of my Protein from cheese early on, now that I am eating more meat I may be able to discontinue the stool softener. However, I personally think everyone should be on a probiotic all the time, so I have no plans to discontinue that. the fizzy you will need to ask the doctor about.

yes it is- but the feeling is also normal.:sad: How you deal with it now, may show your willingness to follow through after the surgery. The band is only a tool- you have to use it as only part of your weight loss plan. Take a deep breath and start working on the habits you will need post surgery- the chewing, the exercise,at least X amt of protein/day, only X specific snacks/day, - :nono:DO IT NOW!!! It will take your focus from what you are giving up (with the operation- stuffing yourself) and focus on what you will gain (more control). You will start exercising (walking) by day 2, so get started Consider starting the Pre-op diet early; Or approach it in stages. i did 1-2 meals a day from my pre-op diet, before I had to. Get the products and any equipment you will need (protein powder, chewable/liquid meds and vitamins,magic bullet etc) set up so they are easily accessible when you get home. You won't drive or go shopping on the way home,or for a few days post surgery. You have a lot to do before the surgery- no time to waste focusing on what you think you 'll miss. BTW, you will eventually be able to eat most items you liked before the surgery-just a lot less.

Hi!!! I was revised from band to bypass on May 21, 2014. Omg I love my bypass! What a difference!!! I don't feel like I'm stuck all the time, I don't throw up, I don't have to find a barroom before I eat to make sure I can run there in time.. It's awesome! I was successful with my band lost all my weight 120 pounds in 9 months, kept it off for 5 years then bam one day I couldn't keep anything down even with an unfill. So revision was my option.. My band had eroded. I can tell you the revision surgery was easier for me than the band surgery. I knew I had to get up and walk ASAP after surgery because the gas pain killed me last time so I did!! I walked within 2 hours of surgery and kept walking. I was able to go home day after surgery and my recovery was amazing. Felt awesome! I even asked my doc if he really took out the band and did the rny I felt so good!! Feel free to pm me with any questions!!! And good luck!!

See this article for a full explanation... Everyone experiences hair loss on a daily basis. Normal hair loss is barely noticeable, amounting to less than 100 hairs per day. However, the stress of a major surgery can cause hair loss to accelerate up to three times as much in both men and women. It's the body's way of reacting to the trauma of the operation. The Facts During a normal hair growth cycle, hair grows, then enters into a resting or "telogen" period and eventually sheds. According to the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology, "telogen effluvium" is a term used to describe hair that has been rushed into the resting state after the body suffers a shock due to major surgery. As resources are redirected to help heal the affected surgical area, the body temporarily shuts down hair production because it is not necessary for survival. Identification Telogen effluvium related to surgery can be distinguished from other forms of hair loss in several ways. Individuals typically begin to notice the increasing hair loss two to three months after the surgery. hair loss after surgery is uniform, noticeable on the scalp but never excessive enough to cause a patchy appearance or complete baldness. In addition, the shed hairs all exhibit a specific pattern at the root, which resembles a white bulb. Time Frame Hair usually resides in the telogen phase for a period of two to four months before growth resumes. Individuals don't begin to notice the increase in hair loss when showering or brushing the hair until about three months post-surgery. Although the resting hair is being pushed out of the scalp by new hair that is already growing, it can take anywhere from about six months to a year for the hair to return to its normal fullness. Gastric Bypass Surgery Individuals who have undergone gastric bypass or other operations of the digestive tract designed to reduce obesity are more prone to hair loss post-surgery. This is due to the reduced intake of food in the weeks and months immediately following these procedures. The body needs an adequate amount of Proteins and Vitamins to maintain hair production. Protein-enhanced shakes are often recommended for these patients as a substitute until solid food can be better tolerated. Proper Diet Hair loss related to surgery typically reverses itself without any medicinal intervention or the need for over-the-counter hair loss tonics or treatments. However, maintaining a diet rich in Protein and Iron is believed to help promote and speed up healthy hair growth. Suggested foods include salmon, Beans, eggs, spinach, broccoli, nuts and whole-grain cereals. Avoid foods that can inhibit hair growth, such as those that contain high levels of caffeine and fat. Read more: Losing hair After Surgery | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/...l#ixzz1QtFeANl3

I got the recipe from allrecipes.com, it's called Slow-cooker buffalo chicken Crockpot/Slow Cooker Chicken pieces (thigh, legs, wings, breasts, etc) 1 oz. dry ranch dressing mix Buffalo Chicken Sauce (12 oz. bottle) 2 Tbs. Butter/Margerine (optional) Put the chicken in the crockpot/slow cooker. Sprinkle 1/2 oz. of the dry ranch mix on the chicken. Cover the chicken with the entire contents of the buffalo sauce. Optional: Add the butter to the sauce Turn on to Low heat for about 5-7 hours, the chicken will come apart easily the longer you cook it. For a faster cook time and more firm meat, cook on High heat for about 3-4 hours.

Hi Jennifer, Thank you so much for the feedback. I love this site and the fact that we are not alone in our journey and trials. Currently I do feel like I am hungry in between meals and its less than my 4-6 hours. Of course everyone is different and I may not feel that feeling of being satisfied on what is in my band right now. I'm concentrating on making sure I'm getting my protein and lots of water. Next appointment is on 10/14 so we'll see how it goes then. I decided to put my scale in the closet and stop worrying about it. A friend that was banded almost 2 yrs ago said he used to hop on the scale every day and I have been doing that and its time to stop.

Hello to all. I am confused. I will be having surgery on the 22nd and I am having a hard time with the protein shakes. I can do the liquids but after the 2nd protein shake my stomach says no more. Any recommendations? Sent from my SM-G955U using BariatricPal mobile app

I was up walking the halls within an hour of my surgery. I got my kids back (3 and 4) about 4 days after surgery. I would say a week would be good for you, but only as long as you really do take it easy, rest a lot, get your protein and water, and let yourself heal. no picking her up for at least 4 weeks. I have trouble just lifting a 10 pound bag of cat food right now without having pain. And i don't want to tear out my stitches.

I am a hugely picky eater and have been having a really hard time with the ready to drink Protein shakes. I am in my full liquids stage and I am also having problems drinking as much as I should. My mom was experimenting with some fresh strawberries (I love fresh fruit!) and came up with this protein rich shake: 1/2 container strawberry yogurt (3g protein) 1 container strawberry Greek yogurt (12-15g protein depending on brand) 1/2 cup of milk (2-3g protein) 10 strawberries 1/2 bottle of vanilla Pure Protein shake (10g protien) 3-4 tablespoons of fresh squeezed orange juice Blend together. Add more milk or orange juice to make it thinner. Mine is pretty thick but as I'm on liquids only right now, it's also pretty filling. But finally something with a good amount of protein that doesn't make me gag! The Pure Protein Drink gives it the slightest hint of vanilla and I don't have the nasty protein taste!

I am pretty anxious! I literally just finished my first pre-surgery diet meals (all protein shakes). My good friend is having hers done in 2 1/2 hrs! We are 2 weeks apart. :purplebananna: She lost 10 lbs in the first week of the diet. I'm not sure about the second week. My personal goal is 100 lbs. If I loose more I'll be happy too.:Banane01: