Lindsay

I had really terrible acid reflex for the first 6-ish months after i got banded. I remember taking an OTC antacid every morning, just to keep it under control. It only lasted about 6 months, and I haven't had a major problem since. I do avoid high acid foods/drinks (I dilute orange juice), don't drink carbonated pop & pineapple seems to irritate it. But those are my experiences with the band.

Just wondering if anyone has talked to any of his past patients? (besides the one's the OCC might refer you to) I couldn't find ANY info on him .....

I'm trying to plan a last minute trip down there, to get a fill (actually, a slight unfill) ... Just depends if I can make it fit into my busy schedule!

wowwowowowwww!! you look AMAZING! !!!!!!!

Are you exercising? Your metabolism won't move unless ........... less calories does NOT mean automatic weight loss for the majority of the population. Are you keeping a food journal? What do you eat on a typical day? A calorie isn't a calorie. ie. 220cal chocolate isn't equal to 220cal of protein. I would have to say, I've seen A LOT of people come and go throughout this forum, and the ones that are successful are the ones that make drastic lifestyle changes from exercising at least 3x's week, and completely revamping our relationship with food.

Do you know what your bodyfat percentage is? This is a much clearer indication of your body composition. If you haven't had your bodyfat tested, I would recommend you get it done .. not with a scale (they're terribly inacurate) but with calipers, or even better, if you're near a facility that offers the BodPod, you should go and get it done. It's amazing ... esp as you really watch your progress kick start from here on in.! A trick: Have you tried drinking with a straw? I find this really helps me with gas, and keeping liquids down, esp first thing in the morning. It's one of those things I always use now - a straw! Are you using a HRM (heart rate monitor) during your workouts? If so, what kind is it? As you're losing fat, you're building muscle, which is something you want to maintain. As for Protein ... I don't really eat for pleasure anymore. Protein is protein. It gets boring after awhile .. Join the club, sista'! I don't go for dairy as a protein source -- I take a calcium supplement, and I don't like the the way dairy makes me feel (bloated). I wouldn't pick dairy as a protein source --- not a great one, as a whole ... so don't reply on it as your protein source for a meal. Chicken. Beef (lean), Turkey, Salmon, Talapia.. what kind of fish are you eating? Fresh? Wild? Farmed? (Stay way from canned.) You could also do a post-workout protein shake .. I believe I had a post on here, on my protein shake recipes. Try doing a search for it, and let me know if you can't find it .. I'll repost. You can make up to 2 meals a day, a shake. They're kind of what I tend to go to, when I don't feel like eating (like when it's really hot outside, and i'm not hungry AT. ALL.

Mine was tender, too ... I believe I had off and on pain like you're describing for a few months post op.

I've only had my fills done without it -- the only clinic around me that would do my fill doesn't offer it. They have you lay down on your back, so usually, the port can be felt, even if it's through a thick layer of fat. Don't worry - they're professionals, and they know what they're feeling for. It's not a big deal if they have to go int a couple times to find the spot. It happened to me a first .. again, not a big deal, as the need is thin and it's worth the extra pinch. If anything, it's the amount of fill you should be concerned about. You don't want your fills to be done aggressively, causing a serious overfill. I went back 3 times, with 3 month time spans (the recommended time between fills) before I felt any real restriction. This is on the side of caution, but the way you want your fills to be done, if they're done blind (without flouro)

Hey Sherri! I'd be curious as to why your (registered?!) dieition/trainer is having a fit you're only taking in protein? She needs to reminded you're going goal is fat loss. I would guess she's not under the full understand of what the lapband is. Most (i'm going to generalize) doctors & professionals in the diet/nutrition field don't understand the entire 'i can only eat 1/2c of food PER MEAL', which is what us lapbanders are dealing with. To them, it's completely barbaric, and unhealthy. We can not eat nearly as much as they'd like to see us eat ... therefore, we have to really be cautious of what we do put in our system, to ensure we're being smart about the calories we do take in. High protein diets are extremely common for weight/fat loss, as it causes the least amount of muscle mass. If you feel your energy is low, increase your fats (ie. add a Tbsp of flax oil on your chicken, then eat) -- this will really make a huge difference. You will be adjusting your diet, based on your results and the way you feel. Carbohydrates are completely unnecessary, if you feel your energy levels are manageable. Because we have restricted amount of room in our stomach, we really need to ensure we're taking in VALUABLE food sources. I would NOT suggest going below 1200cal a day .. I don't know what professional would suggest 600-800 cal a day if you're working out regularly. This will not only deplete any muscle gains, it can also do a lot of damage in terms of bone density, and blood sugar levels. It can also do serious long-term damage to your metabolism, which is a bitch to get back into gear ... once it slows down ... While you have great weight loss at first, on an extremely low caloric intake, it will come to complete halt --- at which time, you'll need to reset your body by taking in even MORE calories, usually in the form of protein. What is your height & current weight and bodyfat %? Also, what is your current workout routine like? How many cc's do you currently have in your band? And now many does it hold? ...

I suggest you do a search in this forum for HCG before spending another cent on it.

That is not 'normal'. If you're gagging on liquid (water at the gym) you are definitely too tight. If you're only taking in an average of 3 oz of chicken (breast, specifically) a day, that's about 30g of protein. You should be taking in about 1g of protein per POUND OF BODY WEIGHT per day. Ie. I weigh 145lbs, and take in a minimum of 140g of protein A DAY.

I didn't spend the night at the clinic. They let me go back to the hotel ... but they said i could stay if i wanted to!

It's to decrease the size of your liver, and is emphasized as it will/can decrease your risk of complications. "Reducing body fat in the abdomen and liver increases patient safety." Losing weight before surgery will lower the risk of complications and make weight loss surgery safer. For the super obese patients, losing sufficient weight before surgery will allow the surgery to be performed laparoscopically, rather than as open surgery. The main purpose of losing weight before weight loss surgery is to reduce body fat in the abdomen region, especially in and around the liver. By reducing the size of the liver, the operating time for laparoscopic surgery is shortened and the procedure is safer. In some instances, a bariatric surgeon may postpone surgery if the patient's liver is too large. The average weeks prior the bariatric surgery is normally eight to twelve weeks and this does not mean that the patient can eating he or she wants. The patient should this waiting time to start eating healthy. and more info:

Source: Life Science/Yahoo

I believe the gut would swell AFTER surgery. Not during. It's an after effect. And it's not to the degree you're imagining. You will have 'swelling' from the gas they use to expand the stomach cavity during surgery. But that has nothing to with the folding of the stomach, which is what plication is. If they're reducing your stomach size by 70%, the odds that you'll have to go back for tightening would be extremely slim, to none. Like with any of these procedures, diet and exercise is the key to your success. Not the actual procedure. Please keep this in mind.

This is very true.

If I have one word of advice: make sure you track down a fill centre/facility/doctor/nurse PRIOR to the lapband surgery. This has been a HUGE issue for many banders, and it's an extra expense they didn't plan for. AND, most doctors won't touch a 'foreign' lapband. This also applies for follow up health care. Unless you plan on traveling back to Tijuana to the OCC for each fill, you'll be paying out of pocket for each fill -- which can be from 3-10 fills, varying in cost from $300+-$150. So pleeeeease do your research and tracking down of a source PRIOR, and save yourself the pain of realizing you have NO support/follow up local to where you live.

I love my band, knowing I can adjust the restriction ... If i need more calories, I can ... i'm not stuck at one spot.

like everyone else that's posted, I don't know where i'd be without my band. it literally saved me from a lifetime of health issues. and completely changed my life.

I would stay away from Jamba Juice, to start. They're 'high protein' drink has over 480 calories in it, unfortunately not even HALF of that is protein! They use high fructose corn syrup in all of there drinks, which is basically shit in a cup. Stick with real food sources. Protein & fats will be your best friend while you get over this hump ... I would reco making your own smoothies with a high quality caseine (if you can digest lactose' note: Jamba Juice includes lactose in all of there drinks) or whey protein, mixed with unsweetened almond milk, and fresh/frozen berries. Add a tbsp of flax oil if you're still feeling starved. This will really help.

I've never seen any photos of Dr Quiroz's work. I wish someone in the forum would post. *hint hint*

Is it a tool, or a crutch? ..........

Where in Canada are you? I'm in Toronto!

Doolittle, not that they were rude or pushy, I just didn't like the style of sales. Price and discount is NOT going to make my decision easier! If anything, it's made me take them off my list all together.