Back on the bandwagon, questions, please help....

Ok I have a few questions:

#1: good protein powder, that tastes good, I like chocolate or vanilla I will usually mix some strawberries/blueberries in it, and high in protein

#2: Has anyone had their band taken out for a while and a new one put back in? I'm wondering how the second one went

#3: how much did you lose your first, second, third week so on when you were newly banded. I've only lost like 7 lbs my first week, I know thats a lot, BUT I feel like i lost so much more my first time around... ok, patients... lol

#4: Good book/site/link for recipes, especially pureed/soft recipes

#5:  A GOOD SUGAR FREE DRINK. ugh SF snapple: Gross, SF: water, can't do it, maybe a good cyrstal light flavor idk so sick of only water
TIA
crystal

 I like click protein powder (mocha or vanilla latte..they have a shot of expresso in every serving) or BSN lean chocolate or vanilla bean

soft recipes...worldaccordingtoeggface.com

I can't rememebr the specific on how much I last each week in the beginning

Thanks so much!

Hi - I lost roughly 7 pounds each the first two weeks totalling 14 pounds (surgery was 12-30-10) and am not just at around 24 lbs down...it's slowed quite a bit, I'm afraid...hang in there, I believe 7 in a week is good!

I live on S/F Hawaiian Punch drink mix like Crystal Lite that you put into your water bottles - it's 5 calories and has a much better, sweeter flavor than some of the crystal lites...I get it usually at $ Store and I go specifically for S/F Hawaiian Punch flavor, and their Lemon Berry - really good for a drink to have to kind of feed the taste buds...I think I've seen them at Rite Aid, too - otherwise, Target has their own brand and their Punch flavor is good.

Good luck!

Kudos on that click protein powder - I'm gonna check that out myself!

1. Never had a protein shake so can't help!
2. Again, no experience
3. Have just checked my profile - never los much in any week. See below

242 23rd May 2006 Day of surgery
239 27th May
236 31st May
232 5th June
233 12th June
231 19th June
227 26th June BMI 38.8 (no longer morbidly obese!)
226 3rd July
224 10th July
224 17th July
220 23rd July
218 31st July BMI 37.4

Kate

Hello, I had revision surgery on January 20, 2011.  My 1st banding date was 12/10/07, so it had been a while.  My band actually slipped down, not up, so I was able to eat a lot.  The 2nd surgery was a lot easier than the last mostly because the port did not have to be stitched in.  The shoulder pain from the gas was UNBEARABLE. I was MISERABLE.  It felt like the gas had squeezed between my bones and muscle---UGH, I hope I never have that issue again.  I did not have to do liquids before the surgery. I lost 10 lbs in 4 days on liquids after surgery.  Yeah, it was crazy.  Then I proceeded to lose another 4 lbs 2 days later.  I had dropped 14 lbs in a week.  Unfortunately, when I started doing full liquids (lots of milk products) and then mushies, I gained 4 of it back.  I'm 4 weeks out and I've maintained a 10 lb loss.  I'm somewhat disappointed in that (though I haven't been thorough about exercise).  I don't remember having to wait 6 weeks for my 1st fill last time, but this time it's 6 weeks.  I feel like my doctor didn't even revise my band.  I'm always hungry and I can eat a lot.  Every now and then I get the soft signals, but not every time.  I'm taking this time, if anything, to learn how to chew my food and eat very slowly.  When I'm really thinking about every bit I put in my mouth, I slow down and do get fuller with less food. It's just mind over matter. 

I don't do protein shakes because the band is not meant to restrict fluids.  It may have protein, but goes right thru my pouch and does not keep me satisfied. There's something in chewing that brings true satisfication.  I too thought I'd get more avid about protein supplements, but I need substance. I get the Zone protein bars - the ones with real sugar.  I don't get the stuff that tastes like cardboard.  The Zone bars are very filling and keep me satisfied longer. I highly recommend them - especially the Fudge Graham bars.....YUMMY! They are 200 calories each.  I won't buy the other versions because they are artificial sweetened and taste nasty.  And unless I mix protein whey with ice cream and make shakes, I won't be happy with the flavor either.

I bought Jean McMullin's "Bandwagon" Book. It was a good refresher on the basics and such, but you can get a lot of the same information on here for free, as long as you listening to the seniors and not the newbies.  The reason my band slipped was due to being to tight and bad eating habits (eating too fast, not chewing well).  The big deal on this forum was  RESTRICTION.  I lived off these threads and that's what got me in trouble. Everyone was talking about 1/4 cup meals and I was eating 1 cup-2 cups.  I thought I didn't have restriction, when all along, 1-2 cups was fine.  hard lesson learned, but I'm moving on.

I know water does get boring.  I don't do any artificial stuff (sugar free) because it triggers the body into thinking its getting all these calories because of the taste of sweetness, but it's not, and it actually causes you to get hungrier more often.  Also, all the artificial stuff is chemically made and the body doesn't recognize it and stores it as fat.  I gained weight on that stuff.  Now I try to keep away from it as much as possible. I buy the To-Go Singles of Kool-aid (does have 50% artificial stuff, but the other 50% is true sugar).  I also love the Country Time Lemonade Singles to go.  I stay away from the Crystal Light stuff.  You can always add lemon to your water or tea.  If you want to sweeten anything, I recommend Blue Agava, Pure Honey, Pure Maple Syrup or Stevia (not the knock off stuff).  They all prevent your body from raising your blood sugar/creating insulin, thus keeping you from having cravings. 

If you ever want to just keep in touch, seeing that we are going thru the same situation, let me know. I'd  love to have someone to talk to going thru this all over again.

Charly

Thanks Charly! Yes def keep in touch!

1] My favorite protein source:
Ready Drink Protein: Premier Protein
Flavor: Vanilla or Chocolate [I prefer Vanilla]
I buy it at: Costco

2] Had a port replaced, not the whole band. I have been doing really well since port replacement a month ago, -16 pounds as of this morning.

3] My weightloss after getting banded:
01.17.08 ••• 364 *surgery
01.23.08 ••• 358 -6
01.26.08 ••• 351 -13 [9 days out]
02.07.08 ••• 348 -16
02.14.08 ••• 345 -19 [4 weeks out]


4] My favorite sites for recipes:

the world according to eggface & skinnytaste.com

5] My favorite beverage if I am not drinking water is SOBE Lifewater. Lots of flavors... really refreshing. I try and limit my intake to one 17oz bottle a day and the rest of my fluids I get in tea or water.

Hello Crystal,

I read your message. I wanted to know does the insurance cover for a second banding? I had my lapband done on December of 2006 and I have gained even more before my band. I am having a hard time to lose weight. I don't know what can movative me to lose the weight again.
Do you have any suggestions?


thank you very much for you time,

Celina