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Pure Protein chocolate Peanut Butter: Calories:200 Protein:20 g Carbs are 19 but I dont eat a lot of carbs so I make up for it with this.

I'm going to start out by telling you about my journey. Sorry for the babble. I started my journey in April of last year. I went through all of my testing, dietitian, psych eval, plus some. I was originally scheduled for my op in November. It got pushed to December. A month before my operation, the insurance coordinator came in and told me that the doctor was leaving. I couldn't believe it. Luckily, I was able to transfer to another doctor and saw him at the beginning of December. I had planned to have my surgery over Christmas break. I attend school online and it is virtually impossible to miss class. Also, my husband was scheduled to have a break as well. Things got pushed back..again. The insurance coordinator at the new place was totally confused. She submitted my paperwork to the wrong insurance company, she got my name mixed up with someone else, and she didn't submit the correct documentation. BCBS IL determined that they wouldn't cover me. I was under 40 BMI and I didn't have the required comorbidities, although I do have asthma, gerd, and high cholesterol. I was crushed but I had come too far. I had looked as far as going to Mexico which I thought I would never do. I called the office and scheduled a weigh in. I put 5 lb weight around my ankles, wore heavy clothes, put stuff in my pockets. It was pretty nerve wracking and amusing....but I weighed in over 40 BMI so I was happy. Meanwhile, the insurance coordinator told me to appeal. I wrote a letter, my husband wrote a letter, the whole nine yards. Turned out all they needed was a submission of my weight. It was a predetermination letter not a denial! I took the initiative and submitted the paperwork myself. I about had it by then! I figure I will get news soon. A week later I get a call and the doctor needs to see me. There was no way that I would weigh in if they put me in a gown. I was determined so I ate a bunch of crap. Two weeks later, I went in with weights...in my bra this time (just 2 lbs) and I weighed in. They didn't even put me in a gown. I saw the doctor and he went all through my history AGAIN. It was so frustrating because they introduced a new system the day of my first appointment. Soooo....the doctor speaks to me and tells me that the information has to be resubmitted. Here we go again! I leave the office and they call me and tell me that my psych exam is not there. I knew for a fact they had it. I had the pile of files with me, psych exam and all on the day of my first visit. I told them and this time I was firm. Anyways, I waited for a few days then called the insurance company myself and my submission passed me for a "yes" for predetermination. I was so happy, I called the office and left a message...no call back then straight to voicemail. The following day I had the bright idea of using my husbands phone and I got to the coordinator. Turns out the original coordinator left and the job was handed to the scheduler and she admitted to me that she had absolutely no clue of what she was doing. I guided her through everything and my surgery was scheduled for Feb 10! Thank God! I have had periods of severe anxiety, depression, and mania. They have determined that I have bipolar but it has been up in the air for about 10 years. This whole situation left me on pins and needles. I felt fantastic for the past year (2013) but in December I came close to a mental breakdown. Everything was happening so haphazard and I honestly thought that God wanted me to lose the weight the natural way. I started to have anxiety so bad that it was hard to leave the house. It was really bad. I went to the doctor a few weeks ago and she increased my Effexor. Most of you may be aware of the mania that can occur with an increase in dosage.So here I am. My anxiety is soooo bad and my mania is driving me insane. Unlike many people, I do not enjoy mania. It makes me feel out of control and I HATE it. I'm trying to do my school work and I cannot put my thoughts into clear sentences. I'm anxious about the surgery, school, finances, everything. It is a vicious cycle. I'm concerned with recovery and my mental health. I know that the transition will be difficult but I suppose I need some insight on how any of you have dealt with your situation. I suppose I'm looking for a friend that I can share my journey with that understands how bipolar and mental illness can change with surgery. If anyone uses prayer, that would also be helpful. God is the only thing that keeps me going.

I wasnt trying to trick my body. I am trying to find what works for me. I was losing at a faster rate and using the facilities on the reg when consuming less calories. The nurse said bump up, so I did but I havent gone a normal amount in 4 days. The point was to see if anyone else varied their intake to keep everything dropping like its supposed to. Or if anyone else switched between full food and liquids in an intermintant fasting kind of way. I know that i will lose the weight eventually, i am not handling the fullness and bloating that comes with constipation well. Its been literally over a decade since I have had tbis problem. HW 385 SW 359 CW 335 (50lbs down!) Sleeved 10/5/16

I am not struggling with eating out of boredom YET, but I understand exactly what you are going through as I have done this my entire life. Planned snacks are great, and the nuts or jerky can fit into that plan. The key is having the mindset that the snack is fueling your body instead of just doing it because you are bored. I smoked cigarettes for 10 years. When I quit 10 years ago, I realized that "triggers" as they call it, were real. I mentally and unconsciously had a cigarette whenever a trigger was present. That trigger might be getting in the truck to drive. It might be the end of a meal. The point is that if you are snacking when you are bored, you are continuing the bad habit that got you into trouble in the first place. I think this is a big problem for most of us. We have to use this time to change that if we are to continue being successful. I work at a computer all day. I got my job to purchase a Veridesk for me, so that I can stand up and work. It does help. It takes me out of my comfort zone of sitting, and the cravings dissipate. I also burn more calories standing than sitting. Mind you, I don't do this all day. Just periodically. Maybe you can take a break and walk around the office for a minute or two whenever you get that craving. You are doing really well, and I have no doubt that you will continue to be successful. Mindless snacking might just be the thing that hinders you from meeting or exceeding your goal weight as the weight loss will undoubtedly slow down in the coming weeks and months. Anyway, good luck and thanks for bringing this up. This is a topic that is a real problem for most of us.

I just had my surgery with Dr. Benavides in Richardson. He had a 2 week pre-op diet of 2 Protein shakes (2 scoops in 8-10 oz of water) and 2 high protein meals. You also have to cut the carbs, sugar, etc. from your diet and basically live on a lot of low fat Proteins. I lost 6 lb's and after the surgery Dr. B mentioned that most of that weight probably came out of my liver because it was very shrunk. I'd also recommend him for your surgeon if you're looking for a doc. Him and his st aff are phenomenal.

I was banded 10/7 and I am eating soft foods I did pretty well too kind of sounds like you. Yep I too have that strange port feeling sometimes even still have it, they say they stretch your muscel to attach the port so thats what the discomfort is, its much better then what it was I understand completely. The hunger feeling yep I am the same way too no full feeling at all I am getting filled on 11/10 and sure hope it gets better but they say it ussally takes 4 times to get to that full spot. Good Luck and keep in touch we are all in this together.

I would not get frustrated. Give your body time to adjust. I was banded in jan 08 and have lost 60 lbs, I walk 2x /day gym 3-4 x week. I had weight loss every month but this last one, month 8. So I got another fill, got another coming up next week, lost only 2lbs this month. very slow the further you get down the road. It seemed as if I hit a plateu about every 10-15 lbs for a week or so. We had a support mtg on this topic, advise was to use the FITT technique. Change only one of these to break that plateau (Frequency, Intensity, Type or Time). I may only lose 1 lb per week, but my body is changing still every day it seems, everything fits differently each time I get dressed. It is wonderful. The inside stuff has to change as well. So it all has to catch up together as well. Learn to use the band to your advantage and don't work around it. The tighter you can tolerate the better, Hey that is what I signed up for. If I put in too much food, it should punish me, I have to learn to do the right thing , to make "good food choices". If we don't we will end up dissatisfied or worse ,where we were to began. This is a lifetime journey. relax and try to enjoy. I was banded in Pinehurst NC. Whoo hoo! No regrets!! Keep up the good work and don't be hard on your self. Marsha:thumbup:

Yes, no kidding! No strings attached either. Group is at 10:30am, next one is 5/3.

My doctor encouraged me to be out walking and doing any excercise I felt up to doing, as long as it wasn't something that strained the stomach muscles. Avoid lifting more than 10 pounds, don't do situps or crunches, and you should be just fine. I'm happy that you're feeling so well! Enjoy the warm weather and be active! It's great for your body.

I was told I could start swallowing my pills again after 10 days post-op. I am really looking forward to that!

I've heard several people on the board talk about DaVinci Gourmet sugar free Syrup and I finally found some yesterday. This stuff has no calories, no carbs, no fat...just 10 mg of sodium per 2 tbsp. I got the vanilla and kahlua flavors. I used some in my coffee this morning and it was pretty good. Just wondering if anyone could share some creative ways to use it, other than coffee. In greek yogurt maybe?

For me 15 - 45 minutes, but it's not quite a sick feeling, it's a stuck feeling... and after the first 8 - 10 minutes the pain pretty much overwhelms everything else. For some it's hours. For others it's over in a minute or two.

I HATE needles. Like, seriously hate them. I cringe and close my eyes when I get any shot and usually cry when I get an IV. That said, the lovenox shots are surprisingly easy to take. I only actually felt the needle once in the 10 days I had to do it. Other than that one time, I literally could not even feel the needle.

I have a high deductible plan for my insurance through BCBS. Does anyone know the average cost of 10 days? I checked with my pharmacy and they said around $500. Just curious if that seems right.

http://arthritis.about.com/b/2006/10/30/turmeric-shows-health-benefits-for-arthritis.htm http://www.livestrong.com/article/490526-how-good-is-turmeric-for-pain/ I use it for simlilar probs , joints and back

Hi Michelle, I'm feeling great! I'm not having the most rapid weight loss (down 11 lbs since surgery on 1/8 and down 19 since pre op started on 12/26, but I'm OK with the slower loss. I have a total of 100 lbs to lose and I didn't expect it to come off that quickly since it's not as much as others have to lose. I'm just sticking to the plan and it will all happen! I'm pretty much physically all healed (just a few sore spots that I feel when I bend a certain way), and I'm looking forward to being able to exercise soon! Good luck for you on Wednesday and let me know how you're doing! Kat

I think I know the answer to this but I'm so stinking nervous about my surgery that's coming up in a couple of weeks that anything and everything is running through my mind. After surgery, the staple line stays in place and your stomach grows around it, right? Do I need to worry about having leaks 3 years, 5 years, 10 years out? I don't want to have this done and then find out all is being held in place by the staples.

Brighteyes, best of luck Tuesday, January 11, when you get your band! Now get that hip replaced and you'll be good to go! Really, take care, have a smooth surgery and easy recovery! Please come back here and let us know how you're doing!

Hey Melaniek. Welcome to the forum. I am 32 and have been struggling with mines for the last 10 yrs maybe. This is actually my 2nd attempt to surgery. My first one was 2 yrs ago, while trying to do the lap band. I bagged out at the end of my 6 months cus I too thought that I could do it on my own. I was then 230 to 240. After the two years passed by, my weight soared to the highest ever..290. As the weight continued, someone told me about the sleeve and I to began researching it and fell in love with wanting to take back control over myself and do something about the situation. In my research, I found this forum. Didnt join at first. I was so moved and touched by the openness that everyone endured for one another. I loved the fact that I could read posts of people that were feeling what I was feeling and were so so honest about thier feelings. I have never been the one to join social networks. I dont even have a facebook page but I have fallen obessed with checking into this forum SEVERAL times a day. I want to read what others are going through and be a comfort to and for someone who feelings what I have felt or am feeling. I want to say again welcome. You are headed in your new direction and have found a new family to join along with you

I was banded on 4/8/10, and I've had a horrible taste in my mouth ever since I stopped the liquid diet. I used to use a couple of 5 calorie mints a day and drank my Water, but the mints are upsetting my stomach now. I still drink lots of water, but it doesn't seem to help much. Does anyone else have this problem? If you do, what do you do for it? Thanks in advance for any advice anyone has!

I have met my surgeon only once. That was for the two hour class. I also met with nurse and NUT that same day. I have a pre-op appointment on Sept 10 and then surgery on Sept 24. I was given a manual which tells me what to do before surgery and also what I will be eating after surgery. Good Luck with your surgery.

What your typical intake for the day ? I was sleeved 10-9 and it seems to me like i am able to eat quit a bit ... Being paranoid

Oreokitty...I am also doing this for myself as well as my children. My oldest daughter has been picking up my bad eating habits and I don't want her to live the life I have. I am working so hard at changing her and trying to stay positive! She is 10 and is definitely seeing the negative effects of a (small) weight problem! Girls can be so mean!

Yes iv had thrown up twice! Where I took a bite to many and ate to fast.. Try eating two bites and Waite 10-20 min later. Make sure you chew really good Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App