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You are both doing really good it sounds like. I was banded Friday and have lost 9 1/2, 7.5 since surgery. You all should go to the Mayo Banditos group of threads since you were banded in May. (just go to "search" at the top of the page and type in May 2009, It will take you to a bunch of listings, go to Mayo Banditos from there. There's a whole lot of threads and discussion. You can also get a May banner and a counter like mine. Go to your "Signature" on your profile and paste these items on there. (click on my counter, go to the site, put in info, be sure to save it, then go back to your signature & place it there.) for the Banditos banner, it seems like you just copy and paste onto your signature. GB

Hi Jalicia, I was banded on Friday and I'm doing good. My starting BMI was 37 as well. I have high blood pressure which made it possible to have it done. Your pix are great. You have really lost a lot and it shows! That is really encouraging. Has it been a steady weight loss and how much did you lose in the 1st week or 2? GB

Hi Sarah, I see that the instructions just say not to "scrub" the abdomen. I think you can gently wash the area with no problem. I had my surgery yesterday and came home today after showering at the hospital. I was gentle with the bandaids. Good luck to us! GB

Hi Binda, I had my surgery yesterday as well. It went along very smoothly. I am drowsy now, but probably because I was given 2 Lortabs this morning. The gas pain is pretty bad today. I really have walked a lot though, trying to help it subside. I wil take a nap now and write again later. GB

Sara, Good luck with your's tomorrow. I have to be at the hospital at 5:30 in the a.m. I had my chicken broth for dinner earlier and can't drink anything else starting at midnight. I just remembered, I forgot my dessert, sugar free Jello. Better than nothing. Best wishes to us all. Talk with you on Saturday. GB

Thanks for the reply Kathy. It's good to hear that, especially since tomorrow is my surgery. Are you banded? How long ago was your friend?

I too have had thoughts today of "Do I really want to do this", but I think it's because I have had so little to eat since Sunday (being on liquids only). Restaraunts, etc are really beckoning to me to eat. I passed by one of my favorite hot dog joints and had such a longing for a plain old hot dog. I was not hungry until today and I know it's because I missed a protein shake between lunch and dinner and then didn't get home from work until close to 7pm. I will do fine though and I'm really looking forward to the new me as time goes by.

Hi, Mine is on Friday the 22nd. I am so excited and I don't feel nervous yet. I have been on liquids only since Sunday. I had my pre op at the hospital yesterday and with the surgeon today. They gave me the stomach soap liquid to start using tomorrow. Did y'all get that as well? I found out that my red toe nail polish is okay during surgery, just not blue, black or purple. I wear clear polish on my finger nails only. I will be staying overnight in the hospital. Anyone else? GB

Hi Venus, How are feeling today? Still good I hope. You can get a Mayo Banditos Banner by clicking on mine, copy and paste to your signature area if you would like. I'm pretty sure you can use any strained soup during liquids only. How about a smoothie with frozen fruit, banana, milk, spenda and ice in the blender? I don't start my liquid diet pre-op until a week from today, so I haven't checked into all of the possibilities. When you find out , let me know if there is any exciting liquid items. GB

Hi Aussie, I have bad sciatica as well and it affects my legs too. My chiropractor taught me how to keep the pain way down with pulling the nerves. It is incredible how well it works. Try this: Sit up straight, cross your bad leg over the other, pull your knee up (bad leg), & while pulling it up, force it in the direction of the other leg with your hands, you will feel it if you are doing it correctly in your lower back at your sciatic nerve. Hold for about 10 seconds, stop for about 15 seconds and do again, about 3 to 5 times. You can do the other side also to balance it out if you like. Do this several times a day and as often as you need (every day if needed). It pulls your sciatic nerve and in a day or 2 the pain will be gone. If you keep this up, you can stop the pain as soon as it starts and you'll be able to walk without pain. Good luck with it! GB

I'm really glad to be getting to know all of you! All About Me Where do you live? Tulsa, Oklahoma How old are you? 49 Are you married, dating, significant other, partnered? I am married to a great guy (7 years, we dated for 7 years before marrying). He is a computer programmer. Any children? none Grandchildren? none Pets? we have koi and gold fish in our pond in the backyard. Currant Health Morbidities? high blood pressure and sleep apnea and I had knee surgery 2 years ago. What are your greatest Fears? having a stroke like my Dad did when he was my age. What is your weight loss short term goals and Long term goals? Short term: to lose at least 25 #'s by my 50th birthday. (October), & start walking. Long term: to lose around 80 #'s and lose those co-morbidities, start jogging. List at least one thing you want to do/wear/eat/buy when you reach your goal? I want to wear a 2 piece swim suit, go horse back riding while on a cruise (they match you up with a giant horse if you are overweight, so I haven't gone riding in a long time). I would like to buy a size 6 or 8 outfit for once in my life and never gain this weight back again. Also: I am a residential realtor (13 years at it) and really enjoy it most of the time. I have worked in the sign business in sales and production and have worked as a corporate artist. I have a BS in Art Education. My husband & I went to see the new Star Trek movie tonight & it was wonderful. I have 2 nephews (12 & 15) who live on a ranch nearby. Both of our immediate families live within 45 minutes of us & we feel very fortunate at that. We also like going to the drive-in for movies or at home, going to ball games (semi pro or nephews). I have a very happy life. Congrats to those of you who have already been banded this month and how exciting for y'all getting it next week. GB

Hi Maybaby, I don't start my liquid diet until 5 days before surgery. Why don't you call your nutritionist or nurse and find out the protocol & you'll be better off being prepared for it. GB

Hi Tully, I am set for May 22nd as well. Yipee! This is just as much your thread as anyone else. Let me know how your surgery goes. GB

Hi Melissa, Just click on my signature on the right hand side only, copy and paste onto yours. Delete the url on yours 1st though. That should get it. GB

My doc won't let us have cafeine. Does anyone else have that rule? I have cut out cafeine, carbonated drinks, & gum as per his request. Also, no alcohol for at least 6 months. What about y'all?

Meem, I love it that you have all of your supplies laid out & ready. We found a place in the cabinet close to our meds so I don't forget where they are when May 22nd comes along. Wow, How dare someone write on your locker like they did. They were probably jealous of something good you have done recently. Karma will probably bite them for that. I'm so excited about this. I have to go to a convention for a week before surgery, so that will keep my mind occupied. This is such a great thing we are doing for our health. I'm so looking forward to not having high blood pressure and sleep apnea anymore. I think it will probably take 30 to 40 pounds lost before they go away. Yahoo! :drool: