justPenguin

Inspired by the flappy skin post, and some recent pondering of my own, I want to know what you did to help your skin not get loose (as much as possible, we know sometimes it can NOT be helped) I was thinking about creams, lotions, potions, girdles, etc. Anything from normal to downright insane - what have you tried, and how has it worked for you?

What a learning process, isn't it? It's amazing how much this has forced me to listen to my body instead of shutting it up by shoving food into my mouth, to put it crudely. I still have slip ups, like drinking protien too fast, not taking the time I'm supposed to, to drink it; stopping when I feel satisfied, I'm used to keep going until I felt horribly full, etc. Great post, good luck!

That's probably what I did. I felt good yesterday, and was out for most of the day hobbling around slowly doing errands with my mom. Was so tired of sitting in the house. Guess today I'm paying for it. Thanks, Cheri!

I am thrilled with the process. I had Horizon BCBS, so I had to have Dr. Fresco from the Montclair office. I believe Dr. Reich was the assistant surgeon, because he was the one who came to see me a few hours after surgery. They were both great. Honestly, she put me more at ease than he did. :hi: BUT, would still do it over again even with the pain. I only had it done this past thursday, and aside from the pain at 3 of the 6 holes, I'm doing really good. I loved how they coordinated everything for me, and everyone spoke so highly of Tina, I only bugged her once. She found out my answer and called me back. I like how it's almost like a family there, how they really take care of you. There was only one nurse in the hospital I didn't like, the rest were amazing. Loved Janet @ night, and Daisy in the day. They are not kidding about the walking. I got up 6 or 7 times from surgery to discharge to use the restroom, and I made sure I did at least 2 laps around the unit each time, I only had bad gas pains on day 4 for about 4 hours. At home I walked around the block too to help it. Hardocore- well worth it. They mixed me up so many shakes, I bought two tubs the first day, brought packets home of the ones they didn't have available to mix up, and went back for another. Tomorrow I have my follow up, and while I'm in Manahawkin, I'm going to stop by to grab 2 more tubs, they are on sale until the 4th, buy one get one half off. I had cherry powder today, didn't care for it, but refridgerated the rest, tried it again, what a difference. I really learned much more from this board than I did at support group or nut class. Has really saved me. LOL Now that I wrote a book... hahaha Feel free to keep in touch and message me any questions about anything! Good luck!

I was wondering about sushi. How do you tolerate the rice? I had envisioned my next sushi outing with me picking all the rice off.

I try to mix it up a while before I need it, put it in a gladware container, and stick it in the fridge. No foam, and it tastes so much better colder. I forget sometimes, and I have to "suffer" with the foam. LOL

Hello all, just wondering what should I pack in my overnight bag? Obviously change of clothes, but I doubt I'll need a book. What did you bring?

Thanks, all! I ended up bringing too much. I only needed my slippers and my phone. Played some games for a few minutes here and there, never changed out of gown - made it so much easier to use restroom, had much difficulty bending. Never used magazines I brought, clothes, etc.

Let me get this straight- when you slime, you're literally drooling from the mouth? What a sight that must be. Children pointing in fear, parents screaming in horror, grabbing their children and running away from that "there's something wrong with them" wierdo seemingly looking normal, except for what I picture as a leaking hose worth of drool sloshing all over the place? LOL (kidding) Yes, I can't wait for THAT. Funny how docs & nuts never mentioned that. Or PB'ing for that matter. I learned so much from this board, it's been a god send. :wink2:

sorry for hijacking your thread, wren!

I am going to do everything I can to avoid all the nasty stuff. It was so strange to take a few scrapes of SF sherbet, 3 m&m size pieces of SF Jello, and have the spoonful of broth be too much at the hospital for my 'first meal'. I learned quickly to stop the moment I feel anything but hungry or thirsty. Thanks!!

Hmm... didn't think of that! Just got banded on Thursday, haven't had the chance to experience those joys yet. :thumbup:

LMAO Never noticed it until now... why would there even be a droolie? Totally made my morning. LOL

I had surgery yesterday, came home today. I am in alot of pain too. Same places, same ways you mention. I never knew how much you use your abdominal muscles until now. First time I stood up from bed was excruciating. I'm taking the tylenol w/codeine and that seems to really help. Congrats and good luck!

Just got home from overnight stay. Everything went well, not including the nausea from either the anesthesia or morphine, they didn't know which it was. Second anti-nausea worked. Walked so much, gas pains were minimal. Got up to use restroom 4 times between 530 pm and 530 am. Each time, did at least two laps around the wing. Waiting for the tylenol/codeine to kick in, they took IV out at 10 am, got home at 2, hubby brought RX to store, just got back with them. Few questions for those already banded: I do have to cough sometimes, is there anything I can do to make it easier besides pressing the pillow on my stomach? How do I know if the band is full when I am drinking water, eating ice pops, protien, etc? I did feel sick for a minute, and felt like I needed to burp, but nothing happened, I walked it off, and put the rest of the popsicle back in the freezer.

Getting banded in the morning. Officially freaking out. Will still go through with it, although I won't be good until I get my sedative. :sneaky: Couldn't quit smoking, and that's what's got me. Terrified of the anesthesia not working properly or being too strong because of it. My own fault, I know, but I can only handle one thing at a time, and being addicted to food, battled that the last two weeks on the liquids. It's horrible of me, I know, it is what it is. One thing at a time, baby steps. That's what it's about, right? Here's to all that are going tomorrow and the next few days: Good luck!

You might want to check them out, they do up to 500#, and I believe thats regardless of bmi. Stafford

Sure! We all need all the support we can get. I was going nuts on this diet, but I adapted it to fit my needs, being allowed RAW veggies, I didn't see a problem cooking them. So once a day I eat low fat low carb veggies in some form. Had a really bad day today, had anxiety attack about dying during surgery. Most days I'm good, but once in a while it gets to me. Best of luck!

I had a 52 at start of program, others were higher. I don't know where you are, but I'm going to dr. reich in manahawkin, nj. good luck!

I ended up with Syntrax Nectar in Cappuccino, Iso-100 in Gourmet Chocolate, and IsoFlex in Chocolate Peanut Butter. I also bought a bunch of single serve packets in flavors like lemonade, cherry, pina colada, dreamsicle. Jay Robb powders are chunky, no matter what I did to them. You can get them in a fitness nutrition store, not GNC. I like to combine a scoop of Cappucino with a half scoop of chocolate, and it tastes like a mocha frapp. Low cal, NO SUGAR, and I'm pretty sure no carbs. I also mix it up between using Skim Plus milk (tastes like 2%) and vanilla Silk (soy milk) Everyone's tastes are different, I only liked unjury's chocolate, the rest nauseated me.

Hi! I'm 10 days into a pre-op liquid diet, so choosing a Protein that was good was very important. I was told from my nutritionist that the TYPE of protein is of utmost importance. Whey protein ISOLATE is what is best for those with bands. From what I remember, if you read the ingredients on the muscle milk package, it includes OILS. That was enough to gross me out. Nutritionist strongly advised against, but that was my experience, yours may say otherwise. There's a mom-and-pop GNC-type store near the doctors office that gives patients 10% off for life, since we're going to be on a shake a day forever. They let me try a bunch of flavors before committing to purchase the giant tub of powders. I ended up with Syntrax nectar in Cappuccino, Iso-100 in Gourmet chocolate, and IsoFlex in Chocolate Peanut Butter. I also bought a bunch of single serve packets in flavors like lemonade, cherry, pina colada, dreamsicle. Jay Robb powders are chunky, no matter what I did to them. I like to combine a scoop of Cappucino with a half scoop of chocolate, and it tastes like a mocha frapp. Low cal, NO SUGAR, and I'm pretty sure no carbs. I also mix it up between using Skim Plus milk (tastes like 2%) and vanilla Silk (soy milk) Everyone's tastes are different, I only liked unjury's chocolate, the rest nauseated me. Good luck to you!

Definitely agree. Went to my first one last week, I get banded this week. What a weight off my shoulders! So many issues - good and bad- were touched on, and really opened my eyes and made me feel better about my decision to get this done! It's not an easy road by any means, but everyone who has done it is happier and healthier, doing so many things they hadn't done before. It's a great thing to take time to spend with others in the same boat.

Great topic! 1. Be able to run 2. Wear tank tops again without an 'overshirt' 3. Buy a pair of cowboy boots that will fit over my calfs. 4. Get a motorcycle without fear that I will be top heavy. 5. Go on a cruise and have enough room in that microscopic shower. :blushing: :smile2:

Woo Hooo! Getting done on 10/28! Had my share of nervousness, excitement, talking myself out of it and back into it, LOL Ready to get this over with and make my way back to solid foods and a better me! :blushing:

Hi! I'm 10 days into a pre-op liquid diet, so choosing a Protein that was good was very important. I was told from my nutritionist that the TYPE of protein is of utmost importance. Whey protein ISOLATE is what is best for those with bands. From what I remember, if you read the ingredients on the muscle milk package, it includes OILS. That was enough to gross me out. Nutritionist strongly advised against, but that was my experience, yours may say otherwise. There's a mom-and-pop GNC-type store near the doctors office that gives patients 10% off for life, since we're going to be on a shake a day forever. They let me try a bunch of flavors before committing to purchase the giant tub of powders. I ended up with Syntrax Nectar in Cappuccino, Iso-100 in Gourmet chocolate, and IsoFlex in Chocolate Peanut Butter. I also bought a bunch of single serve packets in flavors like lemonade, cherry, pina colada, dreamsicle. Jay Robb powders are chunky, no matter what I did to them. I like to combine a scoop of Cappucino with a half scoop of chocolate, and it tastes like a mocha frapp. Low cal, NO SUGAR, and I'm pretty sure no carbs. Everyone's tastes are different, I only liked unjury's chocolate, the rest nauseated me. Good luck to you!