WLS Wagon...RNY, Lap Band, etc. - JUNE, 2008

[Kdlee]

Originally Posted by Gracey

Hi Everyone,
Quick question for all: I know that bypass patients have a tendency to lose more weight than lap band. Do any of you have advice as to how to lose weight quickly like a bypass patient? I know many people say that slow is better but I didn't gain weight slowly so I don't want to lose it slowly.

I am on my liquid phase. Dr. Ortiz mandates everyone to have 3 weeks of liquid fast. The second week is cream soups and it is tastes like I've drank/eaten soup for the first time and the cream soup is lower in carbs. It is so delicious.

Final Question: I know not drinking with meals applies to lap band individuals. However, does anyone know if this is inclusive of the liquids stage?

First, congratulations on your surgery! I'm glad to hear that you're doing well.

1st question - LapBand patients will not lose weight as fast as bypass patients. The two surgeries are completely different. With lapband, our intestines have not been touched and we still absorb everything we eat, just the same as you did before surgery. The lapband just helps to keep your appetite in check and under control. You still have to make healthy choices and eat to lose weight. Short of starvation (which will only work short term until you shut your metabolism down) you just aren't going to lose as quickly as a bypass patient. That said, you can certainly do some things to speed your weight loss up. Exercise is the best thing you can do to help drop pounds faster. Also make sure you're getting enough protein in to help you feel full longer. I am to have abpout 60-70g of protein daily.

2nd question - During the liquids stage, you again want to make sure you're getting your protein. Don't drink water with your liquid food, because like regular food, that's going to move it out of your pouch faster. I have a great breakdown of hour by hour what you should be taking in from my NUT. It shows when you should drink, eat, take meds like vitamins, etc. It's at home. I'll try to post it on here tonight or tomorrow for you.

Good luck with your weight loss. Sounds like you're well on your way!

[mycattaz]

Gracey congratulation on getting your band in... so glad surgery went well for you.... looking forward to hearing more of how you are doing.... keep us posted

[mycattaz]

mysti where are you?????


I had a whoosh over night...lol... lost 2.2 lbs still 19.2 lbs to go to reach 30 lbs off for surgery.... which is 2 weeks from today

[Kingschild]

Gracey - I'm so glad you're doing well! Trust me, even within the rny community it's best to not compare yourself to others. Regardless of what procedure you have done, each person is different on how they lose. Honestly, the 2 weeks after surgery, I lost 18 lbs. while my best-friend lost almost 40! But what I do is focus on my own success. I get up each day and do what I need to do to be healthy. She gets up and does what she needs to do.
Low-carbing, in my opinion, is the best way to get the fat off your body. I posted an article on the CC board talking about how it all happens. It really helped me to understand it more.

As long as you focus on what your body needs, you're going to do great! We're all here for you.

[Kingschild]

Originally Posted by mycattaz

mysti where are you?????


I had a whoosh over night...lol... lost 2.2 lbs still 19.2 lbs to go to reach 30 lbs off for surgery.... which is 2 weeks from today

Gotta love whooshes!!!

[mycattaz]

Originally Posted by Kingschild

best-friend lost almost 40!

mysti just curios, how much did she weigh before surgery?

[Kingschild]

I'm feeling a little better today. I worked really hard on my fluids yesterday. I went to the mall with my friend Mary and walked and walked and walked. I think I passed out in the bed around 8pm last night. LOL

I got a little carried away with snacking while watching tv last night. I ate a couple of tbs. of peanut butter with a few crackers.

But, if I don't take food up to my bedroom then I won't eat while watching tv! I'm a genius, huh?

[mycattaz]

mysti sounds like you are feeling alot better then you were... do you feel you have more energy sence losings 33 lbs..... I am so looking forward to abundance of energy...lol

[Kingschild]

Originally Posted by mycattaz

mysti just curios, how much did she weigh before surgery?

She was right at 300. She didn't lose any weight before her surgery. Then after dropping all that weight, she stalled for a month. LOL So, there's just no way to know how fast you'll lose. You just do what you need to do for your body.
I lost 6 lbs. the week prior to surgery then have lost an average of about 7 lbs. per week since. So who knows! LOL I decided before we ever had surgery that I was going to support here no matter what and that I was NOT going to get jealous of her success. I can't control her weight-loss...only mine. So that's what I focus on.

[mycattaz]

thats all you can do mysti... we all lose different... and thats ok...

I wish I could lose another 10 lbs at least before surgery..... I am only a few lbs away from siggy weight

[mycattaz]

mysti, to put your fitday on here... go to home page of fitday and it has a link that you just copy and paste to your thing on here

[mycattaz]

finally figured out how to put the fitday on here.....

[Kdlee]

This liquid diet thing is rough! So far today I've had my low-carb slim fast shake, 20 oz protein water and I'm working on my 2nd 20oz protein water. I still have a hangover from the anesthesia from yesterday and I have an terrible bruise on my arm from the IV. If I can just make it through the next few days, I think I can do this! I have a 15 page paper to write for school that's due tonight. After that I am going to make myself busy in the evenings to take my mind off the food I'm not getting!

[Kdlee]

I was thinking earlier that I don't know alot about everyone on here other than their surgeries. Why don't we tell a little bit about ourselves to get to know each other better. I'll start...

I'm 32. Married for 8 years. I have one son who is 7, a step-daughter who is 13 and a step-son who is 16. I am a Registered Nurse and work in a student health clinic at a larger university. I'm also a full time graduate student and will be graduating in the fall! (Can't wait!) In what little spare time I have, I like to camp with my family.

Ok, who's next?

[JennyV]

Hi everyone,

Kyla, I'm so glad everything went well yesterday. The liquid diet can be tough to stick to, but it won't last long (even though it feels like forever, I know!).

Mysti, you're doing great! Glad you're feeling better.

Lisa, congrats on your whoosh!

Tracy, you're soooooo close to the 170s! I loved seeing your pictures from the Shrinking Violets weekend--you all look so happy and healthy.

Gracey, congratulations on being banded! I went to Mexico too, but to the other side of the country. I've heard really good things about Dr (Ariel) Ortiz, so be sure to follow his instructions (and those of your fill doctor) closely. I want to echo what Tracy and Kyla and Mysti said: comparing yourself to RNY patients or even to other banded people is, frankly, asking for trouble. Please, please try to work your head around this being a process, not a quick fix. The weight doesn't necessarily melt off, and getting all of it off will require you to make good decisions and have patience. It's HARD work a lot of the time and it can be really frustrating. I knew this going in, but knowing something and [i]knowing[i] something are different things, and I'm still learning about my band every day. There have been times I've wanted to cry, in public, because of the band, whether it's because I can't finish a dish I'm really enjoying or because I happened to take a little too big a bite and am now in pain and trying to figure out whether I'll have to dash for the bathroom. I wouldn't trade the results I'm seeing so far, and I believe it was the best decision I've ever made, but that doesn't mean it doesn't suck sometimes. I'd hate to see you be disappointed if your results aren't what you think they should be based on looking at someone else. Please continue to come here to ask questions and share your journey!

Okay, this is turning into a novel, so I'll answer Kyla's question briefly: I'm 32, a lawyer (mostly non-profit work), and I live in Washington, DC, but I'm from Tennessee (Go Vols!). I have a sweet and loving boyfriend of a little over a year and a wonderful family back home. My favorite thing to do on the weekends is to drag the bf around to farmer's markets and specialty food stores or wander through local gardens and parks.

Have a great day, ladies!

[mycattaz]

I attend support meeting regularly...everyone is different..... some lapbanders lost 50 lbs in 5 months..some lost 50 lbs in 3 months... it has nothing to do with the band but people are different..... do as you are suppose to and the weight will come off ... like someone said this is not a race

I am 46, will be 47 June 27th(just thought I would throw that in)

I am not ashamed of my age, alot of people don't like to admitt how old they are, I love to tell people how old I am..... because I get commits like you can't be that old, you look like you are in your 20's, 30's.... .I was even told my son looks like he could be my brother......

I am married to a wonderful guy, for 8 years and 6 months.....we got married after not seeing each other after 23 years... I called his parents on December 13, he called me December 14 and told me that he was always in love with me... funny thing is I had a big crush on him in school, which at the time I was dating his brother.... anyway I came to birmingham from florida on December 23 and we were married December 28th.... everyone said it wouldn't last... but we are more in love then ever.... His is my best friend, my pal, and a wonderful husband....

I have two children of my own, daughter is 27 has a set of twins that are 7 and a 5 year old... so I am grandma
and I have a son, who is 25 and is now living with me until he can save up enough to move out again....

my husband has 3 children, that we hardly ever see.... kinda said

I have had a weight problem all my life.... did diet pill, seen diet doctors, went to get a stample in my ear at age 12.... did weight watchers, did gastric stampling twice..... I do better on low carb diets then anything.... but after a while they seem to stop too

ok enough about me.... NEXT

[Kingschild]

Originally Posted by mycattaz

mysti sounds like you are feeling alot better then you were... do you feel you have more energy sence losings 33 lbs..... I am so looking forward to abundance of energy...lol

Not exactly! You'd think I would, but I'm still severely fatigued from surgery and my allergies. My body just shuts down this time of year. I will say that I feel much better when I get all my fluids in...which takes a lot of work!
I could chug 100oz. or more of water pre-op, but after surgery, you have this yuck taste in your mouth all the time...and water makes you feel queasy when it hits your pouch. Weird, I know. But, it does get easier. It's just one of those things you have to work on each day. Not drinking is not an option. Since we don't get hardly any fluids from food any more, every drop we do drink is critical. There are quite a few different ways to get your fluids in each day though. Water (gag), Propel, Crystal Light, s/f hot chocolate, milk, diluted diet juice, s/f popsicles, etc. I try to mix it up each day.

I actually have less energy now than before, but, I haven't had any knee or hip pain since surgery...which is amazing. The energy will come...someday! LOL

[Kingschild]

I'm 37 years old. I'm married to the most amazing man I've ever known. We've been together 19 years and married 16 years. We have 3 great kids, Christian, my daughter, is 14; Ty is 12 and Caleb is 8. I've been a SAHM for 14 years and have no desire to ever work outside my home. We go to an amazing church in an amazing city. We love living in the mountains! I'm an Arkansas Razorback, but we've lived in Colorado for 10 years now. I am blessed beyond measure and I want to live a long, full, active life. I absolutely LOVE playing Guitar Hero on our Xbox 360. I also love watching The Bachelor/Bachelorette, LOST, House, Survivor and Criminal Minds. When I'm bored I do crossword puzzles. I have a Mini-Doxie named Gracie that's my baby-girl. My "love-language", the way I receive love, is through "acts of service". So, if my hubby does the dishes or puts gas in my car, I receive that as an act of love. I lost 90 lbs. about 5 years ago. Diet, exercise, water...the usual way, but gained it back after I fell into depression after my husband's back surgery. When I'm fit, I enjoy hiking in the mountains. I could do that all day!

[Kingschild]

Oh boy, I messed up today. I never ate breakfast...just wasn't hungry. Then at lunch I started gettng hungry so I ate some polluck and green beans. That was two hours ago and I am so pukey I don't know what to do. I can't drink anything...I tried to suck on a s/f popsicle, but that made it worse. I keep feeling like I'm going to throw-up, but I can't.

[mycattaz]

so sorry Mysti..... I am not sure what polluck is.... hopefully this will soon pass

[mycattaz]

anyone else drinking skim milk or using skim milk??

I just read on the carton on mine that it has sugar it in.... do they all have sugar in them?

[mycattaz]

Originally Posted by Kingschild

Oh boy, I messed up today. I never ate breakfast...just wasn't hungry. Then at lunch I started gettng hungry so I ate some polluck and green beans. That was two hours ago and I am so pukey I don't know what to do. I can't drink anything...I tried to suck on a s/f popsicle, but that made it worse. I keep feeling like I'm going to throw-up, but I can't.

mysti how are you feeling

[lisabinil]

Originally Posted by mycattaz

anyone else drinking skim milk or using skim milk??

I just read on the carton on mine that it has sugar it in.... do they all have sugar in them?

The sugar is not table sugar thats the natural sugar in milk-lactose. I am able to tolerate skim milk and most can post WLS-great way to get your protein in.

[mycattaz]

I am post opt..... and on a 1,000 calorie diet, I can have skim milk... it shocked me when I saw 12 grams of sugar on the lable... I know I am not suppose to have sugar.. expecially at the stage because i am trying to get my liver ready for surgery.....

thanks Lisa... thought I had made a big mistake

[Gracey]

Hi Everyone,

Thank you all for your wonderful wisdom and advice. I am full of questions so please bare with me when I ask them.
(1) For the liquid phase I have been eating cream of chicken and mushroom. The cream of chicken has micro slivers of chicken and some larger pieces. I have been successful in drinking the cream and avoiding all major pieces. However, there may be a few that may getting through- Is this okay? It is only day 2 of creamy soups. I am thinking about purchasing a strainer. Other lap band people say its okay but I thought it would be best to double check with all of you.
(2) Also, another forum suggest liquidy grits for the liquid stage as well as liquidy mashed potatoes. Although I bought both I am little nervous about them. Do you guys think they are okay?

I am 30 years old soon to be 31. I am married to a wonderful man. I am a high school principal. I live in the suburbs. As recently as 2006 I weighed 198 pounds which I lost through Atkins and exercise. I had a major separation with 2 family members/friends. I became so depressed that I stopped adhering to my diet. I maintained this weight for 2 years prior but after this life event I begin to eat, and eat and eat. It was as if I had some mental block (well I guess an emotional block is just as bad). I literally gained all my weight back and then some within 3 or 4 months. I stayed to myself (and husband) and ate. When I reached 250. I started a horrible cycle of losing weight and gaining weight until I gained all the way up to 335. I feel like I lost weight so easily in the beginning. I stuck to 1 meal a day and made that meal low carb while also working out. However, this just did not work when I would try it again. I should say it worked but I found it difficult to stick to. So faced with a history of parents, aunts and uncles who range from 350-500+ (3 of which have died because of obesity related illnesses and 2 that came close) I was scared that I too would manifest these genes and pounds. With the lapband, I could at least "catch myself" with a fill. However, I do realize that I cannot "blank" out like I did before. Genetically, it is just way too easy for me to gain weight.