BandedAnnie

Wow, that is awesome! Good for you! How are you feeling now??? Do you 'feel' full since surgery on the liquids?

I made it through day one of my meal replacements. It was hard simply from a mind perspective. I was not really 'hungry' until late in the day, but my mind wanted to eat. I just wanted to munch on things. That is going to be my biggest obstacle. Today is day two. I have been experimenting with different flavors or recipes! hahaha sounds funny to say but I had to shake it up a bit! Breakfast today was vanilla protein powder (from my Dr - Bariatric Advantage brand), 20 raspberries, 6 ice cubes and 6oz of skim milk. It was fantastic! It has to be one of my favorites so far! Then for my early lunch/snack I had chocolate powder, 1T peanut butter, a banana, 6oz milk and 3 ice cubes. It was also delicious! One thing I am learning is how to 'feel' when I am full. I have to be honest and say I am not sure that I know what that is. I just eat. I don't realize it unless I am stuffed, you know that feeling you have after a big christmas dinner, when you can't breathe! That is the only 'full' I know. I just don't pay attention I guess. So this is a good learning. I can feel my tummy being 'filled up' with these shakes. I miss chewing though. I have a great support team though. Last night we went to my parents house for a BBQ and I even sat at the table while everyone had steak, potatoes, corn on the cob, bread, salad....it was hard! But I had my bowl of chicken broth which I brought with. I cooked it on the stove, even though there was no real need, it made it feel like a meal. I sat and ate it and although I was wanting what everyone had, I got through it. And my husband said he was so proud of me. As did my mom. I have a countdown ticker on my phone and everyday it tells me how many days are left, which is a huge lifesaver for this time period! i can do anything when I know i have a deadline! I don't know how many of you are like that, but when I see the days going by, it makes it easier to get through!

I've made it through an entire weekend on liquid only! This is an accomplishment that I must celebrate, as it struck during a very busy time. Yesterday, being that it was the 10th anniversary of 9-11, I had been booked to sing at 3 different events throughout the day. The first one was not as hard because there was not a meal or food involved. But the second event was a Banquet WITH LUNCH!!! The biggest issue I had was that I didn't want to draw attention to what I was doing. Not only that, the meal was served FAMILY STYLE. So for those that might not know what that is, they put enough food on the table for everyone and then we have to pass the plates. So every item had to be passed in front of me, through me, and across me! I had to explain why I couldn't even eat green beans, which of course are healthy in most aspects! BUT....I planned ahead. I stopped and bought a can of chicken broth and brought it with me. Then, very quietly, I asked the server if she wouldn't mind warming it up, to which they were so accommodating to do and thankfully it was rather satisfying! The hardest part of the meal for me was when they served cake and ice cream. Homemade cake, with buttercream frosting! I LOVE that kind! But....I made it through. I didn't even have one bite! Then the last event was for an Honor Flight celebration and they had alcohol! My mom had a wine cooler and she knew I couldn't have one. I ended up leaving rather quickly after I sang the National Anthem and God Bless America. There were thousands of Harley riders there celebrating our great nation. The main event was the Grand Funk Band, so I stayed just long enough to mingle and then went home to relax. I am half way there, but I feel as though it is an eternity today for some reason? My surgery is Wednesday next week and Tuesday is an all-day fast/cleanse. But maybe at this half way mark is when it gets tough! I have learned some things though that I would like to share. I've learned to listen to my tummy. It growled today. That was in a way a good sign, because I knew it was time to get my broth for lunch. I've also been paying attention to the 'full' feeling in my tummy, which I have to admit I am not good at noticing. I know I will need to understand that for after surgery. Thank you for your comments on my last post, please keep sending them, it is encouraging to know that what I write or feel is seen by someone else. Hope your days are going well and you are pressing through whatever phase you are in! Let me know if anyone is out there who has surgery next week as well? It might be fun for us to keep each other up to date on our healing and growth! Weight: 206 (down 7 lbs!)

I am just seeing these...wow thanks everyone! It is so helpful to read and get encouragements! I will keep posting!

I am getting banded 9/21....I'm on my liquid diet now. Final pre-surg testing scheduled for tomorrow. I am 34 and have 3 biological kids, 2 more through marriage...so we are BUSY! I have a background of stage work so I was at one time very small. I haven't been able to get weight off for years now and I'm really looking forward to this journey and change. I live in the Chicago area and would love someone who has been through this, to join up with me and walk this journey with me! Let me know if you are out there!

I'm in the Chicago area too....My date to be banded is 9/21!

Awesome! We can do this together then! I started yesterday! And I have to say...i'm hungry! But it is a 'mind' hunger??? How can that be!? I am on a complete liquid Meal Replacement through the Dr office. I can add fruit to it and I can have sugar free juice or Jello but that is it! Be grateful you can have things to chew! I just want to chew food! I have this for 14 days then a total fast the day before surgery....how long do you have to do this?

BTW...how do you get those cute countdown tickers on your profile?

I get banded 9/21....start my liquid diet on Monday. I have a family BBQ on Sunday so my hope is that I can enjoy a last day of 'full food' before this begins. It is sort of odd and maybe not the wisest thing, but I have been having little 'favorites' this week that I know I can't or shouldn't have after surgery. Has anyone else done this??? I'm quite excited to get started...I got remarried on the 1st of this year (1-1-11) and we are celebrating with a renewal/reception in November so I'm hoping I will have lost a good amount and feel more comfortable at my party! Looking so forward to getting to know more people who are on this same track! Go September Bandies!!!