November Bandsters!!!

[CharmaneFischer 4]

Tomorrow will be 7 days post op and each day I feel better, My incision sites are starting to itch a little. Sometimes they are a little sore then it goes away. I have steri strips on them and they haven't started to fall off. My question is how long before it is safe to take them off. My doctor didnot use the glue.

[ShirleyJean 0]

I use Unjury. It doesn't taste bad at all. Kind of expensive but hey it's my food:) SJ

I too will be banded in November, I will not find out until 10/26 if it will be 11/7 or 8 or 11/14 or 15.....I have started my pre-op but someone please tell me why do Protein Shakes taste so bad??? I am not a chocolate person but love sugar free carnation instant Breakfast in chocolate...I have tried Ensure, EAS, Muscle Milk, HMR Shake.....HELP!!!! Someone told me to buy Protein Powder and put it with the food I make..has anyone tried this?? Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated

[gina413 0]

I use the Unjury shakes too. The chocolate splendor tastes just like chocolate milk, there is not chalky aftertaste either. They also have a chicken Soup flavor that you make warm, which is a nice change. A tub is around $20 and there are 17 "scoops" or shakes per tub, so just a little over $1 per serving. Also, you can buy single serve packet for less than $2 to try it before you buy a whole tub.

I use UNJURY. It doesn't taste bad at all. Kind of expensive but hey it's my food:) SJ

[MrsRobinson 10]

I was a Dec. bandster and have turned into a Nov 22nd Bandsters!!!!! Hello everyone......

Email me

[MrsRobinson 10]

Thank you so much!!!

Good Luck to all those who will be banded this week. Hang in - think positive - listen to your Doctors - and go for it with gusto!

Mine will be on one week tomorrow and already it seems soo much longer. After a couple of days of rough Patches - I turned a corner and feel fabulous. Yea!

Positive vibes heading out to all who recently banded and about to be banded (oh and of course everyone else too!)

[ShirleyJean 0]

Sorry for the double post! The wee one is my grandaughter making her funny faces

ShirleyJean: You look like your feeling Good !

Shirley.

[pswheat 0]

I am getting banded tomorrow 11/18...excited and nervous at the same time! All will go well I just know it...

[54Shirley 105]

Sorry for the double post! The wee one is my grandaughter making her funny faces

She'll break some Hearts someday.... :heart:

Very Cute !

[Darkkmocha 5]

I am getting banded tomorrow 11/18...excited and nervous at the same time! All will go well I just know it...

Good luck. I just had mine today 11/17/11. At the hospital at 9:45 AM and left the same day at 2:15 pm. Feeling really good, walking with no problem, very little shoulder/gas pain at this point.

[mypearson 30]

Cheri, that was so encouraging and honest. I will be banded on November 30. It felt great to read your thread. It has motivate me to go head on.. I won't be defeated this season.. I'm on my journey for a reason & I plan on finishing this race on top!! Thank you and have a bless evening...

[Clioamuse 4]

Good Luck All. I just returned from my cardiologist and I am down 28 lbs between the pre-opt diet (1week) and surgery (Nov 8) - I am sooo pysched! And this is easy to follow and obey the guidelines. We can all do this and we will truly be the Biggest Losers!!

[Determined and Ready 2]

November is the month of my birthday. I have been banded for over 2 years down 84 lbs. I love my LapBand and will always be happy I to decided to do this. I thought I might give you all some advice even though you did not ask for it and I am not a November Bandster but its something I wish I had known when when I got banded.

The surgery is not bad, and the recovery time for most is very short. I think you need to go into this already knowing you will be hungry for about a month afterwards. You will not die if you feel some hunger pains. But if you go into it with the mindset that it is only one month out of your life. You can spend this time getting ready to really lose weight.

The first 6 months to a year is when most people lose the most weight. You are getting banded right before the holidays it is a hard time since people make everything about food during the holidays. I tell you it is a must that you do not give in to temptation, be strong and see food as what it is just food. It does not mean you can not enjoy the holidays just because you can not have "All you can Eat" on all the food. I do not know about all of you but I can not just have a little of a food that I should not be eating so stay away from it one bite and it can start you on a roll.

Be as strict as you can during that first year eat only what your are suppose to and work your butt off once you get an okay, but remember you do not need an okay to walk. You will see the weight drops pretty steady the first year and then it slows and for some people it really stops. I wish I would have worked out more during that time period. I did workout but and extra 30 minutes could have pushed me along faster. But if you are not careful the holidays can really hamper your losing from Thanksgiving to New Years Eve. that is 2½ months of peak losing you time could miss out. There will be plenty of years of holidays to come, by next year you will be ready to face the holidays and know how the whole band thing works.

Also something seemed to happen to me and a couple of my banded friends about the 6 month post op, we had drop a lot of weight and we kinda dropped the ball on our diet. It was like we rewarded ourselves with food for being so good the first 6 months (What were we thinking.) Some of us gained some weight and that really upset the ones who gained. Also it is not always easy to get back on track when you give in to the bad eating habits. I need to lose another 15 lbs and I have been playing with that for a good six months. I know that if I would just step up my exercise it would take just a couple of months. I have made a promise to myself that this holiday season is not gonna be about food. Yeah, we have to eat, but not pie, cake, rolls, Cookies, etc. figure out another way to not make food be the center of the Holidays you will be so happy when it is New Years Day and everyone is wanting to lose you will be so far ahead. Since most who post here will be getting banded in November (unless some other crazy like me invades your thread) you should make at least one contact and exchange e-mails or phone numbers and get that add touch of support. I met a lady on these boards and she was banded 2 days after me and we met for coffee alot and we talked on the phone everyday or text each other. Then you are with someone in the same stage you are. Do not compare yourself with each other on pounds lost or fill amount as everyone is different, just support each other because nobody will understand you like someone who is going through the same thing.

Also stay on these boards for support too and find a support group you can attend in person. I always hated when the support group meeting is over. Also I would find you a couple of books that deal with the LapBand as when you really need some support or understanding you can read them. (amazon has some great ones I have about 5 )One last point always listen to your surgeon over what you read or someone says on these boards. Sometime you have to decide what is best for you, but always follow your Doctors rules. You trusted he/her to cut you open and mess with your inside listen to them. If you think at some point you surgeon is wacko find a new one. We all have to remember food is food it is NOT our friend, or a shoulder to cry on and getting something you know you should not when you are sad, upset. That is when you should workout. Oh and how can I not tell you all what you have heard or been told "The band is just a tool" it does not control what you stick in your mouth, drink all your Water and just my opinion never touch Ice cream in your peak losing time as it takes only one bite to get you hooked as it goes down smooth and taste so good and will become a habit just because of those reasons Also chew, chew and chew some more.

This time next year you will be wearing your pretty, smaller clothes looking good and feeling great. I believe in prayer and before I sign my name to this I am going to pray for all of the Novermber Bandsters to have and great surgery, short recovery time, courage during the holdays and a great band experience. YOU CAN DO IT. starting picking your buddy now, buy your books and go for it!

Cheri

[Determined and Ready 2]

Cheri!

Thank you for the encouraging words!. I am having my surgery on Nov. 28th. I am diabetic and drinking the Protein Shakes on day three of thirteen, my sugar got down to 64. I will see my doctor tomorrow. The surgeon's nurse told me to eat one meal a day. I sure hope I can get off my meds. I know with God all things are possible. Sure glad I ran across your post, and will certainly take your advice.

Thanks,

Jimmie

Determinded and Ready

[ShirleyJean 0]

Thank you Cheri! Your message is a great gift for us newbies!

[deevadee 2]

November 30th......Surgery day! I am SOOO ready to begin this journey. Ready to actually feel what the unknown will be like. Nervous but excited!