Kittycat

Thanks ladies....you have convinced me! I have heard that diet coke/pepsi can clean the rust from your drains...so imagine how hard that is on your stomach?? I love cranberry juice and ice cold water...so I will do just fine.....I was tested last week when I had the flu and couldn't have soda for 3 days..I did fine! Thank you so much for the info and support....that's why the members of this forum are the best!! Have a great day, Cathy

Thanks ladies, I will do my best to give it up...and maybe try a cola slushie when I get desperate! LOL!! Cheers! Cathy

Paula Bee said she used to take a frozen diet coke to school...which got my wheels turning...if you drink soda/pop as a slushy, is it still carbonated? Has anyone ever had a diet coke slushy? If I can get my diet coke in any other form that will not jeapardize the band....I'll do it! If not, I guess I'm giving it up Thanks Cathy

I know exactly where you are...I am 45 and have gained over 100 lbs in the last 10 years. I am scheduled to be banded on June 10th here in Canada. I have strugged all of my life with my weight and diet after diet. Sure I lose weight when I diet, but then it all comes back. Having the band is going to be a huge, life changing experience for me and I am scared and excited about getting healthy. I am determined to make it work. I can't say for sure that I won't struggle, but with the support of my friends, family and this forum, I know I will be able to succeed. The band is a tool, it will not work if I continue to make bad food choices. I have started making better choices now in preparation for the future and have lost 10 lbs so far. I wish you luck with whatever you decide to do! Cathy

Hi Lock27, A pound a day is more than standard...generally it's 1-2 lbs per week. So I would not worry about stalling for a couple of days. However, if you don't eat/or take in enough calories, your body will go into starvation mode and your weight loss will stall indefinitely. Try to take in more calories if you can...best of luck Cathy

WOW WOW WOW!! OMG YOU CAN SEE A HUGE DIFFERENCE!! AND YES I AM SHOUTING! Your transformation is so inspirational and definitely makes my decision to do this the right one! In one month I will take before pics as well...and start my journey as a bandster on June 10th! Thank you so much for sharing your pictures and all of your knowledge. YOU GO GIRL!!! Cathy XO

Wow, good for you! Glad all went well, keep us in the loop on how you are doing? Safe trip home! Cathy

I am with you Jacqui1...and I learned alot about myself when I had the flu last week and wicked gas pains, I could not drink anything carbonated. I drank cranberry juice and water...and amazingly did not miss the diet coke at all...mind you now that I am feeling better I am drinking it again, but now I know I can do without it...if I have an uncontrollable craving, I will flatten it or swish and spit. LOL!!! It's the carbonation that stretches the band. As the other ladies have said, you will be surprised what willpower you will have to do the right thing!! Take care Cathy

Hi there, I think the success depends on both, the right fill and choosing healthy foods. You can have the perfect fill and eat fries and ice cream, although you may be eating less than you did before, these food choices are not going to promote weight loss. Not to say that you can't have a treat once in a while, but on an ongoing basis the goal is still to lose weight and the band is a tool to help you eat less and digest more slowly. It's all about what you eat that counts. Hope this helps! Best of luck, Cathy

You'll do great! Best of luck! Let us know how you are doing okay...take care Cathy

Thanks Momof12, Question: Are you really a Mom of 12? My understanding is that the diet depends on the doctor...but from what I have been reading here....it's 3-5 days clear liquids, consumme, water, juice etc. and then onto non-clear liquids, such as creamy soups, yogurt drinks, anything that can go thru a straw for a week or so...then mushy foods, mash potatoes, yogurt, pudding, mashed veggies, etc. Thanks for your suggestions, much appreciated! Cathy

Hi Ladies, I am looking for suggestions for bring to work meals during the early stages of banding. I plan to take about a week off work after surgery, so that I will be past the clear liquid and well into the creamy soups stage of the post-op diet. I work in an office with a kitchen, fridge/freezer, microwave, water cooler. I would love some suggestions on what you bring to work for lunch. Thanks Cathy

Hi there, I researched all options, gastric bypass, duodenal switch and lap banding. Even though you have have more f/up visits with the band, the surgery is less invasive and you recover more quickly. I was not keen on getting my stomach cut or stapled, which again lead me into the lap band direction. Lap band is considered permanent as the other surgical options are, but it can be removed, if medically necessary or if I choose to. The diet plan for all three options is not much different, the weight loss with the band is slower, which is also what I wanted to minimize loose skin and have the opportunity to exercise and create some muscle where the fat is slowly reducing. I live in Ontario, Canada, where gastric bypass and duodenal switch are covered by our provincial health care plan in Ontario...so I could get it completely paid for....but I chose to pay for by lap band at a whopping 15K. If that doesn't tell you something about how sure I am about the band?! Only you can decide what is right for you. Good luck with your decision. Cathy

Wow, you look fantastic....and you can hardly see your incisions at all, bonus!! Cathy

Wow, good for you! I can't say that I have seen that reaction before, most people dread the pre-op diet. I like your attitude much better!! Good for you! I can't say that I will be looking forward to mine, but I am certainly looking forward to the potential of losing the weight in just two short weeks!! Best of luck and keep us up to date on your progress! Take care, Cathy

I am getting my band on June 10th!!! But...here in Canada. I had gallbladder surgery a few years ago...and the incisions are very similar to the banding ones...and mine are faded and hardly noticable at all. I don't expect to be wearing a bikini even when I am thinner, so I am okay with my mini road mapping. There is scar cream available, I believe the ladies were discussing it yesterday. Best of luck and keep us up to date on how you are doing!! Cathy

Wow, it's amazing to see the transformation! I never thought to buy a goal outfit or dress and try it on as I progress...that is a fabulous idea! BTW you look fantastic, I can't wait to see you in that dress, all dolled up for a evening out with your hubby!!! He better start saving for that night out!! LOL!! Take care Cathy

I am in Canada and we do not have Special K Protein water, unfortunately. I do have another question, the tasteless protein powders...how many calories are they per serving? Do you had them to water or milk or food or all? I am trying research ahead of time and narrow down some choices. We do have protein water here. I guess I assumed that it would less calories than 50 (Sp K)??? Thanks ladies, Cathy

Great news Paula Bee!! I know about pain, hips, knees and sciatica...my doctor told me to loose the caboose and my pain would reduce or go away...and you know what, I have lost 10 lbs, just trying prepare for the banding process and it has helped already. Even my breathing when I walk is better....so there is no doubt that weight has everything to do with how your body reacts. I am so looking forward to being pain free and being able to walk without huffing and puffing!! All the best Cathy

Hi Marylou, you must be so proud, you have done so well!! Question about loose skin, do you have a problem with it? I am 45 and 275 and I am concerned about loose skin in my stomach, legs, arms and butt? I know for a fact my stomach will be an issue. Have you had any problems?

Only you can decide what you need. In Ontario, we have to pay for Lapband surgery, no coverage at all and you I believe you need to have a BMI of 30 and over to be considered. If you have had difficulty losing weight and keeping it off, you may be a candidate, however the band is a tool to help you make good food choices to lose weight and maintain weight loss....if you continue to make bad food choices, it won't work!! Best of luck! Cathy

Wow, that looks invasive!! In Ontario , gastric bypass and duodental switch is covered by our Provincial health care, but Lap Band is not! Go figure! I could save 15K, but refuse to have my stomach cut or stapled. In addition, I wanted a slow weight loss to minimize loose skin. All the best to your friend, I to have well over 100 lbs to lose. Cathy

I am scheduled for June 10th, but I am having surgery here in Canada...good luck to everyone!!! Cathy

Thanks for your reply...it will keep me from overeating too...EWWW!!! LOL!! Cathy

Glad things are going better for you....you mentioned slime? So when you are full, you slime? Ewww! Please explain...I haven't heard anything about this! Thanks Cathy