trinitys_mom

My surgery date is May 3rd too!!! We will be bandsters at the same time, how cool!! I hope you keep in touch and I will let you know how things are going over here! Where are you having your surgery done? I'm in Chicago, I will be having mine done at Mercy Hospital. I have completed the ekg, blood work, urine tests, pysch. eval. &nutritionist appt. I still have the sleep apnea test, stress test, and I see the cardiologist tomorrow. I am alittle nervous about my insurance co. everyone seems to be saying they have received letters saying that they have been approved. I have not received one yet, but my doctor's office hasn't said anything. I have to go to weekly lapband meetings on Tuesdays 12 weeks before and 12 weeks after, so I am going to ask them about that tonight!! Keep in touch!! May bandsters!!!

My surgeon said about 4-5 days off of work. Some people are telling me to take the entire week off just to be on the safe side, and if you get two days off a week take those two days at the beginning of the next week next so you have a total of 9 days off. Sounds good to me. I don't know what kind of boss you have but good luck. I love the list my friend sent it to me and like you said there were things on there I didn't even think of. When are you scheduled for surgery? I have about a month to go! Still a little nervous!!

Preparing for surgery can be a scary ordeal. Here is a list of items to take with you and to have ready when you get home to make life a little easier during recovery. My friend sent me this list and I think it will be invaluable!!!! Medicinal: Liquid Tylenol (they make adult strength) Chewable or liquid gas-x Gauze Pads 4x4 Paper tape Stool Softener Pill cutter Chewable vitamins Benedryl cream (suggested for those who have a slight allergy to gauze tape) Clothing: Loose waisted shorts or sweats For the ladies, a sports bra, no under wires Slip-on shoes Comfort items: Heating pad Flexible ice pack A few books or movies Pillow for car rides to guard against seatbelt irritation Wet Wipes Food/Kitchen items: Protein shakes Flavored water A good blender and/or a drink mixer Broth Sugar free popsicles/jello Kitchen timer ( for the first few days - 15 minute sips intervals) Crystal Light "On the GO" add to bottled water mix Gatorade Bouillon Cream of Wheat Creamy soups Applesauce Yogurt - Dannon Lite N' Fit Ensure, Boost, Glucerna etc Frozen fruits for protein shakes Small pudding cups Suggested list of things to have done before you leave: All laundry finished to ensure lots of clean clothes for a while. Having someone who is able to be there for a few days to handle meal prep. Ask at your pre-op for the pain med prescription so you can have it all ready to go when you get home. Get rid of all the foods in the house you are not to eat, before you go to the hospital . Make sure you have lots of fluids to drink afterwards - and for when you go back to work. Buy all the groceries you will need for at least 2 weeks after surgery. Check if your medications are “crushable”.

I have 4 weeks and 3 days until my surgery!!!! I have 1 week before I start my practice post-op diet! I have 2 weeks and 3 days before I start my liquid diet!!!! VERY VERY NERVOUS!!!!

I have 4 weeks and 3 days until my surgery!!!! I have 1 week before I start my practice post-op diet! I have 2 weeks and 3 days before I start my liquid diet!!!! VERY VERY NERVOUS!!!!

We had a crash course in healthy cooking! We made some tofu vegetable stir fry! It was alright except for the tofu LOL! I think that tofu is not an option for me, I just can't stand it, I will stick with chicken, turkey, and lean beef! I would have much rather had chicken and vegetable stir fry so I think I will substitute poultry for the tofu!! The nutritionist is great, she is really trying to help us. I think that some of us just don't get it. Many of us, are going to have a very hard time sticking to the liquid diet and some of them ask these questions like she's gonna say go ahead and eat ice cream and pizza you've got the band you'll be ok. Please!!! I just hope that everyone is really listening and not just thinking the band is a cure all for their overeating!!! I know that I am still nervous about going on the 2 week liquid diet and then 2 week liquid post-op diet. I think I will be alright following a low fat diet protein - vegetable - fruit but I am still a little nervous!! Still down 8 pounds!!!

We had a crash course in healthy cooking! We made some tofu vegetable stir fry! It was alright except for the tofu LOL! I think that tofu is not an option for me, I just can't stand it, I will stick with chicken, turkey, and lean beef! I would have much rather had chicken and vegetable stir fry so I think I will substitute poultry for the tofu!! The nutritionist is great, she is really trying to help us. I think that some of us just don't get it. Many of us, are going to have a very hard time sticking to the liquid diet and some of them ask these questions like she's gonna say go ahead and eat ice cream and pizza you've got the band you'll be ok. Please!!! I just hope that everyone is really listening and not just thinking the band is a cure all for their overeating!!! I know that I am still nervous about going on the 2 week liquid diet and then 2 week liquid post-op diet. I think I will be alright following a low fat diet protein - vegetable - fruit but I am still a little nervous!! Still down 8 pounds!!!

Well, let me start by saying ugh... I went to my appt. at 2:00 pm which I didn't see the doctor until 3:00 then instead of making the 4:00 meeting I had to get a blood test and a EKG then go to the 5:00 meeting! I was at the hospital from 1:30 - 6:30 it was very exhausting, especially since I had to be back there the next day at 1:00 for the appt. with Gilliam. The appt. with Dr. Gilliam went well, the questions they ask are a little ridiculous! Even if I were crazy I would have more common sense then to answer them wrong. Anyway, he said congrats and good luck with the surgery. I said does that mean I passed, he laughed and said yes, good luck!! So now I have the cardiologist, stress test, sleep apnea test and I should be done and ready for surgery. My weight stayed the same~ still down 8 pounds!

Well, let me start by saying ugh... I went to my appt. at 2:00 pm which I didn't see the doctor until 3:00 then instead of making the 4:00 meeting I had to get a blood test and a EKG then go to the 5:00 meeting! I was at the hospital from 1:30 - 6:30 it was very exhausting, especially since I had to be back there the next day at 1:00 for the appt. with Gilliam. The appt. with Dr. Gilliam went well, the questions they ask are a little ridiculous! Even if I were crazy I would have more common sense then to answer them wrong. Anyway, he said congrats and good luck with the surgery. I said does that mean I passed, he laughed and said yes, good luck!! So now I have the cardiologist, stress test, sleep apnea test and I should be done and ready for surgery. My weight stayed the same~ still down 8 pounds!

My surgery is scheduled for May 3rd and I have lost 8 lbs already but I am starting to eat more and more and I keep thinking I will never be able to eat this again. So I eat everything I might not be able to have once I am banded also my husband is telling me don't eat this or that and it is driving me nuts. Is this normal or am I just crazy. I am not hungry I am just eating more than usual. I hope this is just stress and I can stop. Has anybody else experienced this?

I have to be at the hospital on the 20th at 2:00 to meet with the doctor. So I guess I will just stay for the workout class at 3:00 if I am done with the doctors appt. so I guess I will be going to the 4:00 class instead of the 5:00 class so I don't have to go home and come back. March 20th 2:00pm Doctor's Appt. 3:00pm Exercise Class 4:00pm Lap Band Meeting March 21st 1:00pm Dr. Gilliam Appt. Dr. Gilliam called he's the Pysch. Doc. we made my appt. for 1:00 to see if I qualify for the band. I guess to see if I am not crazy or some shit. Anyway, he seems very nice he is usually in the band meetings so I already know who he is. It just seems a little creepy that his office is in the basement. What the hell is that all about!!???!!! The shrink is kept in the basement lol Anyway, I am still a little nervous about the meeting. My weight so far has stayed the same, I did slip a little bit my daughter's b-day I had cake and ice cream but it was the memories of the day not the calories...:rolleyes

I have to be at the hospital on the 20th at 2:00 to meet with the doctor. So I guess I will just stay for the workout class at 3:00 if I am done with the doctors appt. so I guess I will be going to the 4:00 class instead of the 5:00 class so I don't have to go home and come back. March 20th 2:00pm Doctor's Appt. 3:00pm Exercise Class 4:00pm Lap Band Meeting March 21st 1:00pm Dr. Gilliam Appt. Dr. Gilliam called he's the Pysch. Doc. we made my appt. for 1:00 to see if I qualify for the band. I guess to see if I am not crazy or some shit. Anyway, he seems very nice he is usually in the band meetings so I already know who he is. It just seems a little creepy that his office is in the basement. What the hell is that all about!!???!!! The shrink is kept in the basement lol Anyway, I am still a little nervous about the meeting. My weight so far has stayed the same, I did slip a little bit my daughter's b-day I had cake and ice cream but it was the memories of the day not the calories...:rolleyes

We learned about managing our food cravings and how to control what we eat. Instead of eating just because you're bored go out and find something else to do... call a friend, play with the kids, take a bath anything just don't eat to eat only eat when you are hungry!!! It was sooo funny because this girl in the class said she always carries something in her purse so when she feels hungry she's got something to snack on. The Dr. was really impressed until she pulled out a Snickers bar... It was classic!!!! Then afterwards, she was talking to another woman who was working on her 2 weeks of full liquids and she pulled out the snickers and started eating it while she was talking, the other woman said you know I think I just have to walk away from you right now... She just couldn't understand why!!! Well, another woman told me about getting optifast at the hospital so I need to check into all of that. I am sooo happy I lost 1 more pound at weigh in!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1 I even got my 2 friends to start exercising with me and go on a 1200 calorie diet. I hope that will help me after the surgery!!! all for now,

We learned about managing our food cravings and how to control what we eat. Instead of eating just because you're bored go out and find something else to do... call a friend, play with the kids, take a bath anything just don't eat to eat only eat when you are hungry!!! It was sooo funny because this girl in the class said she always carries something in her purse so when she feels hungry she's got something to snack on. The Dr. was really impressed until she pulled out a Snickers bar... It was classic!!!! Then afterwards, she was talking to another woman who was working on her 2 weeks of full liquids and she pulled out the snickers and started eating it while she was talking, the other woman said you know I think I just have to walk away from you right now... She just couldn't understand why!!! Well, another woman told me about getting optifast at the hospital so I need to check into all of that. I am sooo happy I lost 1 more pound at weigh in!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1 I even got my 2 friends to start exercising with me and go on a 1200 calorie diet. I hope that will help me after the surgery!!! all for now,

I went to my third meeting tonight it was about exercising!!! I still don't know if it was helpful or not! The speaker really didn't hold my interest. I have signed up at a gym, now it's just finding the time to go. At weigh in I didn't gain or lose anything so I guess that's good!! Going to find the time to workout this week and I will try very hard to make it a habit!!!

I went to my third meeting tonight it was about exercising!!! I still don't know if it was helpful or not! The speaker really didn't hold my interest. I have signed up at a gym, now it's just finding the time to go. At weigh in I didn't gain or lose anything so I guess that's good!! Going to find the time to workout this week and I will try very hard to make it a habit!!!

I will be banded in May, and I am trying new recipes for chicken since I really don't like fish!! I think this recipe should work for post-op when I finally get to the real food stage!! If not let me know, does anyone have chicken recipes that are kind of on the plain side. thanks 1¼ hours 5 min prep 6 boneless skinless chicken breasts 2 tablespoons onions,minced 3 tablespoons garlic crushed 2 teaspoons poultry seasoning 1/2 cup soy sauce 2 1/2 teaspoons artifical sweetner such as Splenda Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Place chicken breasts in a 13x9" baking pan. In a small bowl, combine remaining ingredients. Pour over chicken, lifting chicken to let liquid run underneath. Cover dish tightly with foil. Bake one hour. :hungry:

Ok I am trying some new recipes and hopefully they will be tasty!! I know that are loaded with protein 1) 1¼ hours 5 min prep 6 boneless skinless chicken breasts 2 tablespoons onions, minced 3 tablespoons garlic, crushed 2 teaspoons poultry seasoning 1/2 cup soy sauce 2 1/2 teaspoons artificial sweetener, such as Splenda Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Place chicken breasts in a 13x9" baking pan. In a small bowl, combine remaining ingredients. Pour over chicken, lifting chicken to let liquid run underneath. Cover dish tightly with foil. Bake one hour. 2) 1 beaten egg 1 (14 ounce) can salmon 10 crushed saltine crackers Mix all ingredients in a bowl. Form into patties, about 1 inch thick. Grill patties in skillet over medium high heat for about 10 to 15 minutes. Cook on the George Foreman Grill 3) Orange Dreamsicle (28 grams protein)1 scoop vanilla whey protein powder (20 grams protein) 1 scoop (individual serving) sugar-free Sunrise Orange Crystal Lightâ powder 8 ounces skim milk Alternatives: substitute 4 ounces orange juice for 4 ounces milk; substitute 4 ounces yogurt for 4 ounces milk; add 1/2 tsp. orange zest to shake. I hope these work!! lol

Ok I am trying some new recipes and hopefully they will be tasty!! I know that are loaded with protein 1) 1¼ hours 5 min prep 6 boneless skinless chicken breasts 2 tablespoons onions, minced 3 tablespoons garlic, crushed 2 teaspoons poultry seasoning 1/2 cup soy sauce 2 1/2 teaspoons artificial sweetener, such as Splenda Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Place chicken breasts in a 13x9" baking pan. In a small bowl, combine remaining ingredients. Pour over chicken, lifting chicken to let liquid run underneath. Cover dish tightly with foil. Bake one hour. 2) 1 beaten egg 1 (14 ounce) can salmon 10 crushed saltine crackers Mix all ingredients in a bowl. Form into patties, about 1 inch thick. Grill patties in skillet over medium high heat for about 10 to 15 minutes. Cook on the George Foreman Grill 3) Orange Dreamsicle (28 grams protein)1 scoop vanilla whey protein powder (20 grams protein) 1 scoop (individual serving) sugar-free Sunrise Orange Crystal Lightâ powder 8 ounces skim milk Alternatives: substitute 4 ounces orange juice for 4 ounces milk; substitute 4 ounces yogurt for 4 ounces milk; add 1/2 tsp. orange zest to shake. I hope these work!! lol

I went to my second meeting it was all about label reading and watching what you buy. I rarely look at these things, I mean I know what to look for and what not to buy but I never really cared. I do realize that by reading the labels I will have a better chance of really losing the weight and keeping it off. I know that I have to change the way I think about food and how I eat it before this surgery!!! Just so I don't have a nervous break down when I can't eat all of those yummy things anymore!!! Lost 2 more pounds since last week!!! I am finally on my way!!!

I went to my second meeting it was all about label reading and watching what you buy. I rarely look at these things, I mean I know what to look for and what not to buy but I never really cared. I do realize that by reading the labels I will have a better chance of really losing the weight and keeping it off. I know that I have to change the way I think about food and how I eat it before this surgery!!! Just so I don't have a nervous break down when I can't eat all of those yummy things anymore!!! Lost 2 more pounds since last week!!! I am finally on my way!!!

I had my first meeting with Erin she is the nutrionist at Mercy Hospital for the Lapband procedure. She is really a sweet person. We talked about choosing the right food and drinks, also about the portion size of these things. And of course, it's things you already know but don't really follow!! If you did you wouldn't be having this surgery!! It was insightful and I learned about what not to eat after the surgery and we went by date of what I will be able to eat and how much. We decided I should buy some of the shakes and things now and see which of these things I like and which I don't. I am a little more confident about making the right food choices now It's just doing it!!!

I had my first meeting with Erin she is the nutrionist at Mercy Hospital for the Lapband procedure. She is really a sweet person. We talked about choosing the right food and drinks, also about the portion size of these things. And of course, it's things you already know but don't really follow!! If you did you wouldn't be having this surgery!! It was insightful and I learned about what not to eat after the surgery and we went by date of what I will be able to eat and how much. We decided I should buy some of the shakes and things now and see which of these things I like and which I don't. I am a little more confident about making the right food choices now It's just doing it!!!

02/20/07 Today I went to my first group meeting. It was at Mercy Hospital at 5:00pm. I guess it was alright I don't know how helpful these meetings are going to be. We went around the room and talked about basic nutrition and what it meant to me. It was kind of silly everyone of course said almost the same thing and there isn't too many different answers. I just think the closer I get the meetings will be more for support than really teaching any of us anything we don't already know. But, it's what the doctor wants and what he wants he will get. I got a big surprise when I got weighed!!! Since seeing Dr. Bonomo I have lost 5 lbs. I told the nurse can we do this again I think your scale is broken!! She laughed and asked why? I told her I had lost five pounds in the last 2 weeks without any real effort and I was just surprised. The only thing I have changed is I switched from sugar to splenda in my coffee and I am using lite creamer instead of regular. I drank a couple bottles of water with crystal light. So I was shocked and of course Happy!!! I go to the nutritionist on Friday and hopefully all goes well there!!

02/20/07 Today I went to my first group meeting. It was at Mercy Hospital at 5:00pm. I guess it was alright I don't know how helpful these meetings are going to be. We went around the room and talked about basic nutrition and what it meant to me. It was kind of silly everyone of course said almost the same thing and there isn't too many different answers. I just think the closer I get the meetings will be more for support than really teaching any of us anything we don't already know. But, it's what the doctor wants and what he wants he will get. I got a big surprise when I got weighed!!! Since seeing Dr. Bonomo I have lost 5 lbs. I told the nurse can we do this again I think your scale is broken!! She laughed and asked why? I told her I had lost five pounds in the last 2 weeks without any real effort and I was just surprised. The only thing I have changed is I switched from sugar to splenda in my coffee and I am using lite creamer instead of regular. I drank a couple bottles of water with crystal light. So I was shocked and of course Happy!!! I go to the nutritionist on Friday and hopefully all goes well there!!