A thread for super-sized bandsters - starting BMI over 50?

[itcomputerchick 0]

what flavor of muscle milk are you drinking? i love Mocha Joe and chocolate / caramel / Peanut Butter ...

What is muscle milk? Is this like the liquid Protein we are suppose to drink on the pre-op? I have my 4 nutrition class on the 3rd of December so not sure of some of the supplements

Congrats on your losses! Al of yall are doing so great And welcome newbies - I am right there w/ ya

One good thing i work at home so dont have to worry about candy dishes. Just hubby bringing home hagen daz ice cream hard to fight that lol

[insubordination 0]

Welcome new posters. The pre-op is a killer. You should see my posts on LBT trying to negotiate my way out of it. I did pretty well but had several days of forgedaboudit. It does give your overall weight loss a huge boost and spring cleans your liver but the reality is, for some people, it's torture. I figure it's torture we have to go through to 'earn' the band.

[divaofsongs 42]

Hello everyone, my name is Mona, I live in Phoenix, Az, and I am getting the band by Dr. Kirshenbaum in Colorado on December 13, 2007. I have already started my pre-op diet 2 days ago because I wanted to get a head start on the liver thing, it scares me. I am worried about my BMI being 62 and afraid that my big liver may bend the metal thing holding it up. Is that possible?

[itcomputerchick 0]

Hey Yall

Was wondering if anyone purchased a medic alert Bracelet after getting the lapband? If you did what did you put on the bracelet to let someone know about your band? As in what words? Sorry for the silly question. Just was wondering is all.

Thanks so much,

Melissa

=)

[kansas sooner 0]

Hello everyone, my name is Mona, I live in Phoenix, Az, and I am getting the band by Dr. Kirshenbaum in Colorado on December 13, 2007. I have already started my pre-op diet 2 days ago because I wanted to get a head start on the liver thing, it scares me. I am worried about my BMI being 62 and afraid that my big liver may bend the metal thing holding it up. Is that possible?

Dont be afraid. Great Job on starting the pre opt early... I am unsure what metal thing your are talking about Which band are you getting maybe that is it.

I was at 60.8 bmi and i too started early b/c i wanted to give doc the best chance to work his magic. Good luck and best wishes

My mom lives in PHX and i have a good friend their toos met her here on this forum) I had my band in MX and love Dr. A and that is where i go for my fills and also get to see my mom and dad Great bonus getting a fill while seeing my mom:clap2:

[coolcrystal 1]

Right, a friend of mine who was about 350 when she got her lap band didn't follow that first diet 100% and they had to use the largest band on her because her liver didn't go down enough. Because of that, she's had to have SO many fills because her band is just so dang big. Apparently the bigger the band, the more fills you have to get. She was just telling me last night how she regretted not following that first diet because had she, they could have used a smaller band on her and she wouldn't have to keep going in for her fills all the time.

Of course, the flip side to that is, when she does need a fill, she said she can eat just about whatever she wants because the band is bigger.. BUT, she says she always gains a few pounds back when that happens. LOL.

Yesterday she missed her fill by 30 minutes and she had to reschedule it for AFTER thanksgiving, so she's pretty scared now. She said, "Now I'm going to be able to eat whatever I want for Thanksgiving". HA HA.

In a way, it seems kind of cool for that to happen right at the holidays :-) But, I guess the last thing a bandster wants is to gain a few pounds, but dang, she's already lost 110 pounds, so, what's a few pounds to enjoy the holidays and pig out?? Of course, I haven't gotten my band yet, so I'm sure I will think differently later, especially since I have that whole pigging out issue still right now.

[mmcbelle 0]

Hello everyone, my name is Mona, I live in Phoenix, Az, and I am getting the band by Dr. Kirshenbaum in Colorado on December 13, 2007. I have already started my pre-op diet 2 days ago because I wanted to get a head start on the liver thing, it scares me. I am worried about my BMI being 62 and afraid that my big liver may bend the metal thing holding it up. Is that possible?

Hi Mona,

My weight was 392.5 and BMI around 61 when I began. I lost about 12 lbs before surgery. I understand what you are asking and I don't think you have to be concerned. Stick to your pre-op diet as well as you can, you should be fine.

More about what Mona is talking about. There is a tool used during surgery that holds the liver up and out of the way so the surgeon can perform the surgery. If the liver is too heavy (fatty), the tool cannot hold the liver out of the way. Your surgeon has two choices if this happens: one; to stop the surgery and try again once you have lost more weight, two; perform the surgery open (increases your recovery and healing time). My surgeon did tell me that he had to stop a surgery because the patients liver was too heavy. The patient lost more weight and the surgery was completed at a later date. This is the only instance that I have found of surgery being altered due to the liver being too heavy.

Again, Mona, just stay on the preop to the best of your ability and you should be fine.

Good luck,

Mary

[losingjusme 12]

What is muscle milk? Is this like the liquid Protein we are suppose to drink on the pre-op? I have my 4 nutrition class on the 3rd of December so not sure of some of the supplements

muscle milk is a rather HIGH FAT drink that people who work out a lot tend to drink.

like i said, it is very high in fat, so i only drink it when i run and do strength training for several days.

try googling muscle milk - it will list all their flavors, etc.

i would not really recommend it on the pre op though due to the cals and fat.

[mmcbelle 0]

Hi itcomputerchick,

Muscle milk is a whey Protein supplement.

I drink the RTD(ready to drink), Muscle Milk light chocolate flavor (you can check out muscle milk here: Cytosport - Muscle Milk®). My band is not open in the mornings, so I drink a Protein supplement. Go to your local Vitamin Shoppe, GNC or nutrition store (health store or place where body builders/health enthysuasts buy supplements) and ask if they will let you sample some of the supplements or if they have sample packets purchase some for a try. Often they will let you sample. It is a good way to figure out what protein supplement (if you use them) you like taste wise.

Happy banding,

Mary

[McQty 0]

Well I got my letter from my insurance that my surgery was approved, but was still waiting to hear back from the surgery center to see just what my part was going to be. She finally called :phone: me back. She then tells me she just got off the phone with my insurance and that I have GREAT insurance!! :whoo: She then tells me that I am 100% covered and all I will be responsible for is the Surgery Co-pay of $100.:wow2: I was excited to hear that.

I wasn't worried about it, but I have this money saved on my flexible spending account that I need to use up by the end of the year. I certainly don't want to lose it.

Soooo now I am :car: raring to go. Only 9 day's and counting, I just wish the time :clock:would move a little faster !:cheer2:

[mmcbelle 0]

Hi my name is thomas, I am palning on getting my band in late jan but the doc wants me to lose 65 lbs befor then or it will be put off untill i lose it. right now i weigh 465 with a bmi of 59. pleas give mt help/advise on how i can get this weight off in 2 or 3 months... what should i eat and how much is what i really need to know. I try to walk about a mile a day if i can... thanks

Hi Tom,

• A high Protein and low carb (carb conscious) diet has always worked for me when I wanted/needed to lose weight fast. Atkins Induction (phase I) always produces results for me. My best guess would be to keep your calories above 1000.
  
• Also keep you Water intake high, minium of 64 oz per day.
  
• My other recommendations, cut sugar out completely. Artifical sweetners too. If you like to sweeten things look into a natural sweetner called stevia and give it a try. All the good benefits of artifical sweeteners without any of the bad and does not effect blood sugar/glycemic index like sugar.
  
• Add some resistance training to your exercise. Cardio has a big bang for the buck and resistance (weight training) will get you there faster. Remember to give muscles one day to rebuild between training sessions. Never perform resistance training on the same muscle groups on sequential days. If you have to choose, stay with cardio.

Also would like to recommend you talk to a different surgeon and get a second option. Seems a lot to ask a patient coming to you for WLS. Give yourself the opportunity to still get the surgery in a timley manner even if you do not lose all the 65 lbs.

Good Luck and keep us posted!

Mary

[mmcbelle 0]

Hi McQty,

Wonderful news!!!!! Congratulations, that should take part of the burdon off your shoulders.

Hang in there and keep moving forward.

Cheers,

Mary

[michiganer 0]

I am drinking the muscle milk as part of my preop diet. It doesn't quite fit into what my doctor wants (5 grams carbs, 5 grams fat) but it was all I found at the Vitamin Shoppe that came in packs. I also bought a few cans of other things. I am waiting for a tub of chocolate Unjury powder. It should be here tomorrow or Friday. Once I get that, I am stopping the muscle milk and going with Unjury until my surgery on December 4th.

This is day 2 of the all liquid diet (and half a cup of crunchy veggies) and I feel much better than yesterday. I feel more rested and less weak. The veggies really helped alot. I am getting some diarreah thought. Do you think metamucil will help with that or make it worse?

[dreno 0]

So for supersize banders, what is a good average monthly weight loss. I'm not sure I am on track yet. I was banded Aug 23, 2007 and have had 2 fills. BUT, I feel like I am still eating too much food. I am also having problems not eating in late evening. Any helpful hints? I would love to hear what and how much you all are eating for a typical meal. Also has anyone found a good snack for those times when you have to have something salty/crunch like chips or crackers?

[mandi78 3]

dreno-Genisoy has some great soy Protein Snacks that I love. I have tried the smart hearts and the crispy dippers as they are the only ones our wal mart carries. They are both delicious and low in fat and calories for a pretty good sized serving. I'm thinking about ordering some of this other stuff off their website. They have a lot of their snacks on sale right now and with any order, you get a free breast cancer awareness t-shirt and a free bag of crisps! Genisoy | Snacks