Hello all

Gee, it has been awhile..I go tomorrow for my first fill...finally...I feel I could eat at Western Sizzling buffet right now..I am still under 300, so around 13lbs down...I did have a question for you bypass people, how do you get enough liquids in in a day? I would think that would be hard.. I found a protein drink yesterday at GNC that is 50 grms prot, 2 carbs, (cuz I got the choc), the fruit flavers are no carbs, it is 210 cals, with water. I may use half skim, half water with it. I will use it as my breakfast, since, they say bandsters are tighter in the morning. I met a girl yesterday at the book store who is a patient of Dr. Bakers, and should have bypass in about 3 months. She said she is going to check us out..lol..then last week another almost bandster at Catos Plus in Cabot. Gee Akransas is finally shrinking.. well, off tomorrow, I will post after the fill..thanks geri

Hi Geri, been wondering where you had gone to! I'm a bypasser and haven't had a problem getting in my liquids. I start my day with coffee(doc says it's ok) usually about 12oz, then I have my protein drink- 12 oz, then 30 minutes later bkfst. Thirty minutes later I start on my water. I buy 20 oz bottles at Sam's, that way I can keep track of my liquids by how many of them I drink. Anyway, I get at least three of those in per day, and most days I'll have a non fat sugar free latte made with calorie countdown milk. That's another 12 oz, plus 12 grams of protein. So, by the end of the day that's about 96 oz a day of liquids. I 'm at 5 months out and waaaaay past the "sipping" stage. Can pretty much drink like I did before surgery. I also have to confess, since I have sensitive teeth, I've always used a straw. GASP!!!! It's the ONLY thing my doc said I couldn't do that I have done. There are two more Arkansas ladies that are having bypasses this week. Rhonda and Johnnie. I'm meeting with Johnnie tomorrow, then plan to go see both of them this week while they're in the hospital. Glad we're getting to know one another better! Take care tomorrow, Susan

Hi, so Rhonda is finally taking the plunge...she called me a few times after my surgery..she was great..when does she go in??? Do you know where she is having hers?? I would love to visit both too...Even tho I dont know Johnnie..I need to get out more and start moving..I should be over this sore throat by Tues..but wont go to the hospital if I still have it...but if you could send me the info I could atleast call..Thanks for writing..I am really getting tired of the email group for banders I am on, they are the reason I left the West coast...most are from the Seattle wlc..one girl was just down right mean to me and called me a stupid "B" for asking questions...gosh...Anyway, take care and hopefully we can talk soon...oh my private email is [email protected]. You can write me with those numbers..thanks again..geri

Hi Geri, Well, I'm glad you found us! I admit I don't know diddily about lap band, but WLS surgery is still a common journey for all of us, no matter what procedure. So, I can't help with the diet issues, but you'll still get support from me. I think OH in general is a wonderful meeting place for people in our situations. However, I also think that there are some folks who get pretty high and mighty about the whole thing. How dare that person treat you with such disrespect???? Was this on the OH lap band forum? Also, I don't know how old you are, but I'm pretty active with the "over 50" forum, and there's a NICE bunch of people!!!! So very supportive and friendly. Heck, they'll even let you join in even if your NOT over 50 ..LOLLOL. I'm not saying that the AR forum's members aren't nice, mind you, it's just not very active. We're trying, though! As far as Rhonda and Johnnie, both are having their surgeries at Baptist. I posted about signing their support pages on this forum, right after (so it will be above) your post. You can go there to check it out and send them a PM if you want.

Geri, I am a little over three months out and I don't have any trouble getting my liquid down. I, too, start my day with a little coffee, about eight ounces, and later I start on my protein. I have more trouble with food than water. My surgeon has advanced me to chicken, but for the life of me, I can't keep it down. I have baked, boiled, baked then boiled, and baked in chicken broth and nothing, no matter how tender, nothing helps. I even pureed it, thinking, well, I can keep it down that way, but it didn't happen. I think chicken is just too dense for me. I love the on protein drink from walmart and I get the vanilla and make a million different kinds of shakes from it and protein balls. The only problem is, I can only hold about three or four ounces of the protein drink and then I have to wait about an hour to add more. Oh well, it's still worth it to get this weight off. Right?