robbynnoel

(((((((((((Dana)))))))))))

Great idea. That will help me stick to my pre op. I'm flying to Dallas in a couple days, attending a wedding and then having the surgery the moment I get home. This will help motivate me to stay on track. And my friend has already purchased isopure for me so I don't have to worry about finding it when I land.

(((((((((((((((((Carry)))))))))))))))

Hugs to you. I haven't been banded yet, but I can relate. You mentioned the scale hasn't moved for 3 weeks...a little question for you that you don't have to answer on the board. Just think about when your cycle is, and how much weight you normally water gain you have before and how much water gain you lose after.

I had to remind myself about that this am because the pre op scale stopped...in fact it went up about a pound. Then I remembered that according to my calendar my cycle is coming next Saturday (which means I'll have it during my surgery). I then understood what was going on.

Because of that, I'm going to put the scale away until after my cycle is over.

xo

Hugs!

I'm so glad you're feeling better!

I should add....happy year anniversary on the band!

I didn't catch this original post but I'm so glad I found it today. You did a great interview and you've inspired me.

(((((((((((((Barb))))))))))))))))

Hugs. I'm glad your doctor has been responsive and you were able to see him today. Thank you so much for posting the update!

Hugs SheRee and Carrie and everyone else.

I am looking for an article that is titled "100 Reasons to Ignore the Scale" but since I can't find it at the moment. In the meantime I found these.

http://health.msn.com/weight-loss/slidesho...entid=100213228

http://exercise.about.com/od/weightloss/ss...osingweight.htm

http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.com/for...es-can-lie.html

Call me crazy...but after reading the boards, I've noticing I'm having symptoms prior to the surgery that many posters say they are experiencing after the surgery.

I haven't had a diet soda in about a month, but I threw a party for my husband yesterday and after all of the guests went home, I decided to indulge and have one.

I took a sip or two and the bubbles set my stomach on fire, plus the liquid was so thick I could barely swallow it.

As you can imagine, since I haven't had my surgery yet, I was shocked.

But it doesn't stop there. Yesterday, I really did well all things considered. At the party, I was pretty restrained, but I did have some brie (well a lot of brie).

I read a post yesterday or the day before about mucus getting stuck mid throat and not being able to swallow it down. Sure enough, about 3 am yesterday I had a sensation in my throat that I couldn't swallow down and I thought, "OMG, I'm lactos intollerant." lol

Then 3 or 4 days ago, I woke up about 5 am (not after a cheat day) and had a sensation where liquid (my isopure which tastes like fruit juice) came to the top of my throat.

I'm also noticing (again...obviously prior to the surgery) that if I drink too fast it comes to the top of my throat.

So just throwing it out there, is it possible, maybe that the symptoms we associate with the band are really just symptoms of a healthy diet change?

Just a thought.

xo

((((((((((((((((((((((((Kristy)))))))))))))))))))))))))

I'm so excited for you! Good for you.

xo

Thank you so much for posting this. My friend found a website recently that will take a photo and then in 24 hours show "you" in the photo up to 100 lbs lighter. I've asked her to give me that website. When she gets back to me, I'll post the link here.

(((((((((((((((((((((Hugs to you))))))))))))))))))))

Jnlebean,

A big congrats to you to log our food and post your message. Because you took that step, next time, you'll have a different result. It's progress...not perfection.

I am very proud of you and so excited that you are going for your first fill!

xo.

((((((((((((((((Hugs))))))))))))))))))

I see a big change (and I bet your clothes don't fit anymore as well). You are doing fab fab fab.

Yikes I found several hundred typos.

My calorie range is between 400 and 800 calories per day PROVIDED I consume 80 grams of protein.

xo

Sorry about that.

Every doctor is different, but here are the guidelines given to me.

I was allowed to start the program immediately. During my initial consultation I weighed 257. Today I weigh 239. My doctor told me to keep my calorie range is between 400 and 800 calories a day PROVIDED I consumed 80 grams of protein.

2 Weeks Before Surgery

* Lose weight by a low carlorie, low carbohydrate dieting.

or

* Replace all meals with Pre-Op Kit.

As far as liquids that are not purchased from my doctor.

Trader Joes

Designer Whey Protein Powder

Designer Whey Aria Women's Protein Powder

Met-Rx Protein Plus Protein Powder

Trader Darwin's Soy Protein Powder

Worldwide Pure Protein Shake (can)

Safeway

EAS AdvantEdge Carb Control

Atkins Advantage Shake

GNC

GNC Pro Performance 100% Whey Protein

GNC Pro Performance 50 Grand Slam

EAS Myoplex Carb Sense Drink

ON Procomplex Augmented Protein System

ON 100% Whey Gold Standard Powder

Perfect Zero Carb Isopure Powder

Perfect Zero Low Carb Powder

Perfect Zero Isopure 20 Ounch Drinks ***** This was my doctor's top choice so that's what I have in the fridge

American Body Building Whey Force Drink

American Body Burilding Whey Extremem Body 50

Worldwide Pure Protein Shake (can)

Stacker 2 Protein Water

Muscletech Nitro Advanced Protein Drink

Whole Foods Market

Biochem 100% Whey Protein Powder

Biochem 100% Greens and Whey

Biochem 100% Raw Foods and Whey

Biochem 100% Hemp and Whey

Bioplex Nutrition Pure WPI 100% Whey Protein Isolate Powder

Bioactive When Protein Complex, Aspartame Free, Acesulfamine-K Free

Jarrow Formulas Whey Protein

Jarrow Formulas Vegetarian/Vegan Iso-rich Soy

Jarrow Formulas Vegetarian/Vegan Iso-rich Greens

MRM Whey Pumped

Nature's Life Super-Green Pro-96 Soy Protein Powder

Whole Foods Market 365

Whole Foods Soy Protein Powder

My doctor said if I have 80 grams of protein a day I can eat as few as 400 calories a day (but no fewer). That's another reason why I reach for ISOPURE...they are 40 grams of protein each...so 2 are 80. They are 160 calories each, which is why I have to reach for something else in addition to that.

My fridge and pantry has:

Sugar Free Popsicles

Sugar Free Fudgesicles

Sugar Free Jello

Sugar Free Jello Pudding

Herb Ox Chicken Broth Cubs

Sugar Free Hot Chocolate

Diet Cranberry Cocktail

Instant Decaf Coffee

Decaf Tea

Instant Grits

Weight Watcher Carb Controlled Oatmeal

The day before the surgery - Stop before midnight

* Drink clear liquids only

Clear Liquid Diet Info:

http://www.gicare.com/Diets/Clear-liquids.aspx

http://www.drugs.com/cg/clear-liquid-diet.html

Surgery Day

* Nothing

Hugs to you. I hope this helps.

I really needed to see these posts tonight. Today was my first challenging day since transitioning to the pre op diet and I didn't follow it to the letter. It was a very stressful day. I was grieving the loss of my mom and it was just a stressful day. By 10 am I wanted my husband to pull the car over so we could eat breakfast in a restaurant. It was really struggle for me. Today was the first time I had to acknowledge that I didn't know the difference between emotional hunger and physical hunger.

I took a protein shake and bottled water with me so I knew it wasn't true hunger.

About 5 pm I gave in 560 calories worth. I felt better after I ate but it really scared me. I have to do this through 4/1/09 and beyond.

I came home and really began to have a second thoughts. I needed to see so many positive posts!

Thank you thank you.

I have a funny twist on this. I think I mentioned that I used to be a weight loss consultant. It was a firm that didn't feel their consultants needed to be at goal, just able to relate to weight loss itself. Anyway, I walked into a fast food restaurant with my children and my mother one holiday for lunch. In walked one of my clients. These situations were always uncomfortable. Some clients didn't want to be acknowledged if I ran into them in a restaurant others were okay with it.

I didn't say anything, and neither did my client.

A few days later I met with the client for her regular consultation. She asked "Was that you I saw at Chicken Little a few days ago?"

"Yes." I said.

"Was that woman you were with your MOTHER?" The client interupted and continued. She was pretty sarcastic. I got the impression she didn't like my mom. "I feel so sorry for you."

"Why?"

"Don't you live with her?" She persisted.

"Yes." (After I divorced the kids and I moved in with my mom for a time...)

"I can't imagine how hard it must be for you to live with someone who has no idea what it's like to NEED TO LOSE WEIGHT!"

Then I got a shocked look on my face and I shared with my client that my mother was heavy all of my life, but when she found out she was going to be a grandma, she was motivated and she had been 134 lbs (5'9) for over 15 years.

This totally embarassed my client. She met my mother as thin, pulling chicken skin off chicken, taking small bites, eating a quarter of her meal and formed an impression.

But the story gets better.

So I get home from work and my mom is on the couch with a friend of hers she'd known 40 years (oh and the friend was slender). In other words, mom met her friend when my mom was was heavy. (Can you feel where I'm going with this...)

I open the door and I call to my mom, hey mom...a client of mine is mad at you because you have no idea what it's like to be fat.

"Who do I write the check out to?" My mom asked in a joking way.

Then her friend barely whispered, "Oh, yea. You've lost a little weight since I've met you."

And I said, "She's lost over 100 lbs since you've met her."

So point is, strangers will never assume what you weighed and there will be friends, even good ones, who will never acknowledge your loss or compliment you.

That doesn't mean everyone is like that...but you get the idea.

Hugs.

Every doctor is different, but here are the guidelines given to me.

I was allowed to start the program immediately so during my initial consultation I was 257. Today I'm at 239. Then again, he told me my calorie range is between 400 and 800 calories a day.

2 Weeks Before Surgery

* Lose weight by a low carlorie, low carbohydrate dieting.

or

* Replace all meals with Pre-Op Kit.

As far as liquids that are not purchased from my doctor.

Trader Joes

Designer Whey Protein Powder

Designer Whey Aria Women's Protein Powder

Met-Rx Protein Plus Protein Powder

Trader Darwin's Soy Protein Powder

Worldwide Pure Protein Shake (can)

Safeway

EAS AdvantEdge Carb Control

Atkins Advantage Shake

GNC

GNC Pro Performance 100% Whey Protein

GNC Pro Performance 50 Grand Slam

EAS Myoplex Carb Sense Drink

ON Procomplex Augmented Protein System

ON 100% Whey Gold Standard Powder

Perfect Zero Carb Isopure Powder

Perfect Zero Low Carb Powder

Perfect Zero Isopure 20 Ounch Drinks ***** This was my doctor's top choice so that's what I have in the fridge

American Body Building Whey Force Drink

American Body Burilding Whey Extremem Body 50

Worldwide Pure Protein Shake (can)

Stacker 2 Protein Water

Muscletech Nitro Advanced Protein Drink

Whole Foods Market

Biochem 100% Whey Protein Powder

Biochem 100% Greens and Whey

Biochem 100% Raw Foods and Whey

Biochem 100% Hemp and Whey

Bioplex Nutrition Pure WPI 100% Whey Protein Isolate Powder

Bioactive When Protein Complex, Aspartame Free, Acesulfamine-K Free

Jarrow Formulas Whey Protein

Jarrow Formulas Vegetarian/Vegan Iso-rich Soy

Jarrow Formulas Vegetarian/Vegan Iso-rich Greens

MRM Whey Pumped

Nature's Life Super-Green Pro-96 Soy Protein Powder

Whole Foods Market 365

Whole Foods Soy Protein Powder

My doctor said if I have 80 calories of protein a day I can eat as few as 400 calories a day (but no fewer). That's another reason why I reach for ISOPURE...they are 40 grams of protein each...so 2 are 80. They are 160 calories each, which is why I have to reach for something else in addition to that.

My fridge and pantry has:

Sugar Free Popsicles

Sugar Free Fudgesicles

Sugar Free Jello

Sugar Free Jello Pudding

Herb Ox Chicken Broth Cubs

Sugar Free Hot Chocolate

Diet Cranberry Cocktail

Instant Decaf Coffee

Decaf Tea

Instant Grits

Weight Watcher Carb Controlled Oatmeal

The day before the surgery - Stop before midnight

* Drink clear liquids only

Clear Liquid Diet Info:

http://www.gicare.com/Diets/Clear-liquids.aspx

http://www.drugs.com/cg/clear-liquid-diet.html

Surgery Day

* Nothing

Hugs to you. I hope this helps.

Day 7...

Well I fell off the wagon. Maybe it was too agressive to cut over early prior to the surgery. Maybe I was asking too much of myself?

I'm not waiting until tomorrow to start over again, I'm putting down the fork and starting now.

xo

(((((((((((((Shelby))))))))))))

I got a great tip today. Is your bridesmaid dress one peice or two? If it's two, when you get the dress you'll probably have little white strip that you'd use to hang the skirt on the hanger. If that is the case, the strips are so long you can actually hang then from your shoulders for extra protection.

Who was the genius who thought of that?

Sending you skinny vibes.

((((((((((((((((((((((((((((Slim)))))))))))))))))))))) Hugs to you!

Good for you! I admire your thirst to bike over several days. It sounds like you are inspired and motivated. Wonderful wonderful news.

(((((((((((((((Lisa)))))))))))))))) - Hugs to you.

I love love loved your post. You do not look the age you said you were in your post. I don't believe you.

What an accomplishment. There was a diet guru named Susan Powter. Her coined phrase was "Does it grow that way?" That sounds very similar to what you are doing now. Marilu Henner has some books out that have the same premise as well.

I'd love to know more about your food choices!

Thank you everyone for your heart felt condolences and support.

I learned a big lesson from this, and I'm learning about my body, mind and spirit.

Day 5

Phew...my technical cut over date to liquids is tomorrow and I'm hanging in there. Yesterday I did eat a sour pickle but aside from that I've been on program.

I can't believe my body is able to function on between 400 and 500 calories a day. My doctor's data specified I was to have between 75 and 90 grams of protein to prevent hair loss so I'm keeping that in mind.

I've been using ISOPURE (which is 160 cals/40 grams of protein) and a Costco Chocolate Whey Powder (which is about 200 calories with an 8 oz class of nonfat mile and 20 grams of protein).

I guess th protein is preventing me from falling over. In addition to that I have sugar free popsicles, non fat yogurt, chicken/beef broth...the usual stuff.

Onward and upward.

There is some back story here.

On 3/12/07 at 294 the moon, stars and sun aligned. I lost weight and I was motivated. I logged every bite, lick and taste.

Fast forward to June 08. My best friend is engaged to be married, I'm her Maid of Honor and my mother and I go dress shopping. I weigh 212.

So, they bring out an 18 and it fits me okay, but since my mom and I knew I was losing weight we purchased the dress in a 16 (which did fit). After all the wedding was in September.

The moment, moment, moment I pay for and pick up the dress, my friend calls me and says the reception hall was accidentially double booked. Yikes. The wedding was moved to March.

And did I mention my mom, who I consider the best in the world died.

Talk about rock bottom. So this dress haunted me. In dealing with my mother's death I started to put on weight, I stopped logging food, I started watching the food network (I didn't know how to cook) and I fell in love with the Barefoot Contessa, who looks a bit like my mom did when I was a child and the way I did when I was at my heaviest. I'll post a photo, I was a brunette then (and my mom was too).

A small off topic comment, when my mom passed away, she was a 5'9 blonde who weighed 135 lbs. She lost weight 20 years ago when my father died and kept her weight off.

Okay, so the Barefoot Contessa...beautiful, happy, charming and she got more and more beautiful. And I thought how wonderful it would be to cook and eat whatever you wanted (not that she does that) and just be who you're meant to be.

So I mentally, physically and emotionally wanted to weigh 300 lbs again. Yep, I wanted it. And I wanted it quickly. Crazy I know.

Despite the obvious, what was the problem with this? I had a bridesmaid dress in my closet that was a size 16 so I kept on being roped back in to who I used to be.

But as the months rolled by, I got sloppier and sloppier with my program. The dress was like a curse. It haunted me. I felt trapped by it.

So flash forward to January and a dress fitting. Yikes. 4 inches taken out on both sides. Oh yea, that was a mess. Had to find fabric...etc. And the simple solution of buying another dress wasn't an option, it wouldn't be in before the wedding.

Can you guess what brought me to my knees and commit to lap band? The dress.

So I commit to surgery and on 2/13 I see my doctor and he says that although two weeks of liquids prior to my surgery would be 2/16 I can start at any time. I mean I was 257 by this point and I didn't want to feel as if I was working in reverse so I started early.

Ah yea...start early and then go in for the final dress fitting...which of course is now 2 inches too big on either side.

lol

I know I know, I am happy but I think it's funny. This poor dress looks so odd. At least there is only one other bridesmaid and she was smart and didn't order her dress prior to the date change so by the time she purchased hers the material had been discontinued and replaced with something a similar color but different in texture...so we aren't going to look alike anyway.

My final final final fitting for the dress is Friday and the wedding is in 10 days. I've already warned the bride we may have to use safety pins to keep it on. She is very understanding but that is what best friends do.

Hugs to you.

I have been reading the boards to prepare for my surgery. I have a question for you, prior to opting for the band, I lost over 80 lbs BUT in July I lost my motivation (due to a dozen reasons) and the weight flew back on VERY VERY VERY quickly. I gained 50 lbs. Ironically enough, I was then eligible for lap band.

So my question is, how stable was your weight prior to the surgery? Did you struggle to keep your weight balanced? In the past, the first few weeks of a diet did you lose quickly or slow and steady?

Hugs to you. I haven't had my surgery yet but I read your post and I can understand why your results might have you a bit down. I used to work as a consultant for a national diet plan...(I know I know...and I still decided to have surgery) anyway, this is what I know because I saw it personally all of the time.

As you lose weight, your body requires less calories. Simple enough. So at 200 lbs your body would lose weight at 1500 calories a month, and each 10 lbs you lose, in theory, you should eat about 100 calories less ... and in the world outside of surgery solutions, we didn't let our clients eat under 1200 calories a day.

So when we begin our journey, I can't speak for everyone, but my liquid diet is just a smidge over 400 calories a day. Again, I can't speak for everyone but from what I've read, once solid foods are introduced our daily calorie allowance goes up...until it settles at about 1000 (which is the reverse of the commercial diet world).

Because when we are on liquids our daily calorie intake is low and then slowly rises the weight loss results will slow down, plateau...etc.

To be at your current weight and losing .75 percent of your body weight each week is really an exceptional result. I know that's not what you want to hear...but honest, it really is.

I hope my post makes sense. I also have a list of about 100 items that might have occured with your or your body that would say to ignore the scale...a little too long to post here.

Hugs to you!