Hey 50 & over gang We have a new spot

[Little Bit 0]

hey harplayer :bolt:

this is a great post. you learn a lot here. i've been ok'd for surgery, just waiting for an appt. to see the dr.

[FeistyLory 0]

Hi, I like the vanilla whey Protein from Walmart - and it's a great source of protein. I used the blender and added ice cubes & Water. I liked them. I also like the EAS chocolate ones, also at WalMart. It's pre-mixed and also tastes good. The Atkins Advantage bars are yummy for when you get to that point too.

[Little Bit 0]

hey FeistyLory

thanks for the info. did you buy any supplies before surgery?

i keep making mistakes when i'm typing, i have three cats on my computer desk.

how long have you been banded?

[Katydid 0]

Hi Harplayer,

You'll learn lots of interesting things on this site. I was banded on 9th June 08 and have gone from a size 22-24 top down to a size 16 and pants from 18 to a size 14 (Australian sizing). I've lost a total of 23kilos so far (not sure what that is in pounds, will have to find a conversion site). My bloated look has gone and my neck hasn't been this small for years. It's amazing how much confidence I'm getting back already. I have another 18.5 kilos still to lose but the benefits are here already. The negative bits = PBing, gas and reflux are not much fun but what's a little discomfort when the positives are so great.

You have a lot of good things ahead and you'll be amazed how much your outlook on life will change too.

Best wishes,

Katydid.

[FeistyLory 0]

Hi Littlebit, I had to go on the 2-week preop diet - so I had Protein Shakes twice a day then a normal supper; I had the whey Protein and the EAS. I also tried an Atkins shake which I didn't care for. The EAS is very rich and I thought pretty yummy. Almost felt like a cheat! lol I was banded on August 6th. I've lost 35 since July 15 when I began the preop diet. I exercise at the Y 4-5 times a week. Most breakfasts consist of a chocolate milk Protein Drink (chocolate Carnation instant Breakfast, no sugar added, powdered milk and skim milk). I tried the low-sugar quaker oats brown sugar/cinnamon oatmeal and yuck. I'm looking for healthy warm choices for the cold upcoming Illinois winter! I try to make enough chicken or whatever for supper so that I've got some for lunch the next day to heat up. Good luck to you!!!!

[Charlene K 1]

which Protein supplement tastes the best. i'm like a little kid. if it doesn't taste good, i don't want it. been reading other posts.

they say Isopure-Protein bullets-Professional Strength Whey all taste horrible. :bolt:

Isopure drink is YUK! I like the Bariatric Advantage shake. Of course, I doctor it up with sf syrups that you use in coffee, and sometimes I put flavored yogurt in it. The vanilla and strawberry are my favorites.

You can get samples from the website....not sure of the price.

[FeistyLory 0]

Hi, I like the EAS chocolate fudge and vanilla whey Protein, both from Walmart. EAS comes in a four-pack, pre-made, the whey protein comes in a big plastic jug that you have to mix.

[harplayer 0]

Hi Katydid!

Thanks so much for your post! I am looking forward to moving forward on this journey..I kinda feel like I am still such a newbie that I don't what questions to ask. I was glad to see a forum for people our age...

My primary care Dr. has a friend who had the procedure last February and has done really well. I also have a friend a work that was banded in April...she and I have been weight-loss buds for many years...but she didn't tell me about her band...when I inquired what program she was currently following, she fianally told...she has lost 56 pounds since April. Your weight-loss and increase in confidence and energy...while shrinking in size is very exciting and encouraging!

My friend did tell me about the occasional issue with PBing...she just didn't call it that...:-)

I just found out that another friend's daughter was just banded 2 weeks ago...so I think God is trying to tell me something!

Harplayer

[harplayer 0]

Was your pre-op process long and complicated?? My Dr. seems to think that mine will not be too bad...and she says her is experience with my insurance provider has been good in the past...she is compiling all my records, history and info to send to the bariatric hospital....thanks for sharing with me...it sure helps!

Harplayer

[FeistyLory 0]

Hi Harplayer, I began my journey last January when I met with the surgeon for the first time. He gave me a 2-page letter of my preop instructions to qualify; psych, GI, pulmonologist, lab tests, EKG, as well as my proven efforts to lose weight, in my case WWs, which when compiled, consisted of over a year worth of trying, though not consecutive and from two + years ago. Once I got through all that stuff, it was submitted to BC/BS and 4 weeks later they called, and 2 weeks later I was banded. I could've done it sooner, but I really took my time because we visited our daughter in Germany, she visited here, and I had a 50th birthday month-long celebration too (or so it seemed)! lol I did a lot of praying too, that this was the right thing for me, and if it was meant to be, it would be. I've been blessed...

[chicks3 0]

I was banded on 7/29/08 and had my first fill 2 weeks ago. I had good restriction but a couple of days ago I noticed my restriction seemed to be gone. He put 2 CC's in my 14 CC band and said I now had a total of 5 CC's. Is it unusual to loose restriction and need a fill so early? I find myself eating what I normally eat, only after an hour I am hungry again, after the fill I would go a good 3-4 hours without feeling hungry. I actually woke up in the middle of the night 2 nights in a row just ravenously hungry, I thank God my house has no "goodies" in it. I ate a FF SF pudding and that held me over until breakfast, I don't want to get in the habit of eating in the middle of the night, I have never done that and don't want to start now, but I could not get back to sleep due to the hunger. Perhaps a fill is what I need? I just didn't think I would need one after just 2 weeks. Is this the norm?

[FeistyLory 0]

Hi Chicks3, I had my first fill a week ago this past Tuesday and felt a difference right away. I am much more restricted as to what I can eat. I just had a small Wendy's chili and ice Water and I am full. I too get hungry kinda fast, but I don't think I want my band any tighter, at least not yet. Bummer that you woke up hungry! That's not good. My doc won't tell me how much my band holds or how many cc's he used when he filled it, just that he likes to go slow, and I'm good with that. My stomach really growls in the morning until I eat breakfast, there's no doubt, but my chocolate Protein milk drink fills me up if I drink it slow enough. I am definitely ready for mealtimes. Hopefully some others will have some advice for you too... Good luck!!!

[angelshere 0]

Little Bit: I like nectar or Unjury Protein Powder, blended with 1% milk and ice. I think it tastes great and have a shake nearly every day. Of course, everyone's taste buds are different....:thumbup:

[Little Bit 0]

hi everyone

thanks for your advice on the Protein stuff. talked to my brother-in-law's sister last night. she has been banded for a little over 2 yrs. i asked her what she drank for her 2 week post op. she said the dr. told her to drink Slim Fast!!!! i can handle that, i like it. i will be going to the same dr. that she had. hope he tells me the same thing.

i'm hoping since everything has been approved, that i will get a call next week telling me i have an appt. to see the dr.

my body is going crazy!!!!! it keeps telling me to eat all the sweets i can because pretty soon i have to give them up. i give in sometimes, but i try to fight the urge most of the time.:frown:

giving sweets and sodas up are going to be hard. i keep telling myself that when i get banded it will all be worth it. i want to get back to the weight i was when i got out of high school. i need to lose 100lbs. my bmi is realllly bad. that isn't good for a diabetic with heart problems along with other stuff.

i think when i hit 40 everything went downhill after that.:thumbup:

[phyllser 3]

my body is going crazy!!!!! it keeps telling me to eat all the sweets i can because pretty soon i have to give them up. i give in sometimes, but i try to fight the urge most of the time.:frown: giving sweets and sodas up are going to be hard. i keep telling myself that when i get banded it will all be worth it. i want to get back to the weight i was when i got out of high school. i need to lose 100lbs. my bmi is realllly bad. that isn't good for a diabetic with heart problems along with other stuff. i think when i hit 40 everything went downhill after that.:thumbup:

Yes, it will be hard, but get off the carbonated drinks and sweets ASAP!!

You'll have enough to deal with later. Get that out of the way now.

Once you are off of those things, the cravings will go away.

I LOVED my carbonated drinks. I had Diet Coke EVERY day, at least one!

I really, honestly don't even miss it! I drink Crystal Lite now, or the Wal-Mart or Albertson's brand. I still don't like Water much, but I get in my liquids with the Crystal Lite and black coffee.< /span>

YOU CAN DO THIS!!

I've lost close to 90 lb,

but I'm only about half way to goal and pressing on!