kittyforet

Thanks 54Shirley!! Each day the pain gets better!! Hoping to sleep all night tonight!!

Something my NUT suggested to me was whenever you are making a protein drink, pudding, etc. with milk was to make it with DOUBLE MILK to increase protein.... To make double milk: combine 1 cup skim milk with 1/3 cup non-fat dry milk powder. Use double milk to make puddings, custards, hot cereals, cream soups, etc. Double milk has 16 grams protein per serving. So, if I had 1 packet carnation instant breakfast SF, I could add double milk to it and the protein would be 20-22 grams instead of 10-12 with plain skim milk. I was banded Monday June 20 and am having a hard time making sure I get in all my liquids. Right now I'm not allowed to have a protein shake with milk yet, but once I am I will for sure be making it with double milk!! Already tired of drinking "sweet" drinks like crystal light, etc.!!! Ready for something that seems less sugary!

I had to bring mine to surgery this past Monday. Yes, you will be intubated during surgery. I don't know if they even used my machine, but I was required to have it there. good luck!! kristi

I bought a small snow cone maker/ice shaver machine at Target the other day and my kids want snow cones every day!!! Since my surgery I've used it for making myself some cups of shaved ice. I just got some recipes for making your own sugar free snow cone syrups, so I will try that tomorrow...already made the syrup, so tomorrow I will have a SF lemonade snow cone!! The machine wasn't expensive (under $20) and has been well worth the investment!!! It is a fun little gadget to have around!!

Thanks Connie!! Didn't sleep much yesterday but gas pain isn't as bad today....just more stomach pain...almost like I had a c-section..... trying to get my Clear liquids in today.... trying to take it easy!!

Thanks Summer134!!!

I'm now a BANDIT!!! Not feeling great, but not as bad as I expected! Going to post in "Surgery Day Stories" soon... Good luck to all my BANDIT SISTERS (AND BROTHERS!) that are getting banded today!

Healthy4Ever, About to walk out the door to go to surgery!!!! I will update as soon as I feel up to it, hopefully later today!!! kristi

ihateproteinshakes.... I cheated too!!! But don't beat yourself up!!! Start fresh tomorrow!! It's not too late, you haven't done much damage (if any!)......let it go or it will eat you up!!! Back to protein shakes now!! kristi

My menu plan says Clear Liquids 1-2 days and then Full Liquids days 2-week 2, then start mushies..... Protein shakes mixed with water should be ok days 1 & 2, then mixed with milk should be ok after at least 2 days..... Good luck!!!

Hi Rene!!! Looking forward to tomorrow!!! And yes, I'll be your buddy!!! I know I need all the support I can get!! Kristi

Cindy, You aren't discouraging, I'm happy to hear that it's not all roses and that you have advice for me!!!! My husband took off tomorrow and my mom took of Tuesday, then I might have my sister come over Wednesday. After that, I'm not sure. I think I will send my kids to daycare this week instead of keeping them home with me, that way I can rest as much as possible. Even if I can't drive it will be ok, we live 6 houses behind the day care, so they can walk there if needed and I can walk with them. Thanks for the tip about Sonic ice (MY FAVE!!)..... I just bought a snow cone machine yesterday and will use that and Sonic ice!! And I have a pillow set aside for the ride home tomorrow, and will keep it handy near the bathroom just in case. I'm hoping I don't get sick, I hate to vomit!! UGH!!! But now that you've shared, I will be prepared!! Thanks again for all your advice!!! Would love to keep in contact with you!! kittyforet@yahoo.com kristi

Hi Shelliej13. My date is Monday too!!! Woo hoo!!! I too am ready but nervous!!!!! Let's keep in touch!!! Good luck to you!! kristi

Woo hoo!!! Size 14!!! Enjoyed your blog!

Sounds yummy, peppermint and white chocolate!!! All I have a SF chocolate, SF vanilla, and SF caramel!! Now I want more flavors!!! Let me know how they taste and what flavors you create!!! kristi

Oldiebutgoodie2... Would you mind sending me a copy of your recipes?? They all sound good!!! kittyforet@yahoo.com thanks! kristi

I'm in Houston also....well acutally south of Houston in the Clear Lake area!!! I'm a working momma with 3 kids too. We can all support each other! I'm getting banded June 20!!!! kristi

Thanks Vicky for adding your 2 cents!!! I have a heating pad already. Going to see the NUT tomorrow morning so I will talk to her about the medicines and Vitamins and benefiber. And I will put a pillow on the surgery day list!!! Thanks!

Hi Michael, I've heard nothing but good things about Dr. Hollis. When you're doing pre-op I will probably be in the OR!! We might even pass each other on the way in or out!! Let's stay in touch! kittyforet@yahoo.com Kristi

Hi Michael. July 1 will be here before you know it!! I'm nosy....who's your doctor at TR Houston? Mine is Dr. Reilly, scheduled for next Monday, June 20..... kristi

Thanks for the advice about the extracts.....when you get them from WM, are they in like the baking section with the regular food extracts? Like Adams brand in the brown bottle with white label? I will have to add that to my shopping list!!! Root beer sounds DELISH!!! I wonder how the cherry tastes when added to SF crystal light cherry limeade???? (I think I bought the Target brand of cherry limeade "crystal light" and I like it!) Thanks!

RedheadGirl, It does get somewhat easier! I get banded Monday June 20 and haven't done awesome on the pre-op, but each day gets a little better than the day before. I agree it is so hard to see and smell what others are having and not be able to enjoy it too!!! Some days I am ready to gnaw my own arm off, but then I realize it's not on my diet list!!! It's an emotional hunger that we are dealing with and you have to NOT let the food win!!! I suck at will power so if I can attempt the pre-op, you can too!!! soon it will all be worth it!!!! good luck!!

Thanks again Papillon Princess. I value your input. And now a million questions for you!! (sorry to hijack this thread!) I will speak to my NUT tomorrow about both the fudgesicles (even if I can't have them, I know my kids will gladly eat them!!!) and the stevia/truvia vs. still using the occasional sweet & low in my iced tea. I don't care for lemon-flavored tea but will check out the crystal light teas the next time I'm grocery shopping and might try some. I have to learn how to eat differently now!! YIKES!!! I will also look into the snow cone mixes and try some. I have an off-brand "magic bullet" and the full size blender that's the same brand as the magic bullet but I never use that big bulky thing....I will look for a snow cone machine next time I go to WalMart or BB&B. Darn, looks like I have to plan a shopping trip!!! I will research the chewable fiber (for some reason that just sounds gross!!) but I understand the importance of it. Do you also take a Calcium supplement??? So far I bought some of the Viactive chocolate chews and they are not very tasty!! I remember when they first came out years ago, they were yummy and now, uh not so much!! Debating whether to get some of the other brand (the name escapes me right now!) next time I'm shopping. What about multi-vitamins? So far I've tried the Gummy Vites kids and now the Gummy Vites adult and like them ok. Also not looking forward to the liquid tylenol, as any liquid medicine makes me gag!!! My kids have some of the dissolving tylenol tablets, think those will be ok or is the liquid stronger? Will plan a last shopping trip this weekend after I've met with the nutritionist. Thanks again!!! quote name='Papillon Princess' timestamp='1308099243' post='1626146'] Hi Kitty, Glad I can help (I do tend to have quite an opinion and do tend to lean towards my dr being one of the best...so take my advice as you'd like to. I don't mean it in a bad way or mean that you're wrong and I'm right! Everyone is different in what works for them. A few things...you said you got creamsicles and fudgesicles – check with your nutritionist on when and if you're allowed to have these (even though they're SF) they're not a clear liquid, you would need to be on full liquids. Creamsicles and fudgesicles are also quite a bit higher in calories than SF popsicles. (Just a thought…it's still up to you though). As far as the syrups, walmart and bed bath & beyond have sugar free snow cone mixes that are good in the blenders. (If you want a snowcone machine, go for it! I personally love my magic bullet and I can use it for lots of other stuff too!) I LOVE iced tea as well! I drink mine with truvia and it is so good! The truvia is quite sweet, so generally you won't need as much as if you were using actual sugar. It is a little pricy but when you see how much you'll actually use, it's not too bad. Also if you didn't know, crystal light has some REALLY yummy iced tea flavors (the regular is 99% decaf and the decaf is 99.9% decaf – so not much difference, regular should be okay). I love the lemon decaf iced tea by crystal light, it's so good! Any type of stevia should be okay to try, but I do love truvia so I haven't tried any others at this time. J The chewable fiber is pretty good (IMO) I buy fiber choice (I've had 2 flavors – the orange is very good and there is also one for weight management and it's strawberry flavored) Both of them are good. Amazon has some great deals on fiber choice if you find one you like. I get my Vitamins through bariatric choice, they have great prices and quite a variety of items. The liquid Tylenol isn't that bad, they don't have an "adult" option, just get the children's Tylenol and calculate the dose of acetaminophen that you'll need. I think I take 4-6 tsp of the children's Tylenol (double check on my math for that…I use a pre measured thing and figured it out the other day). The bubble gum isn't too bad.

GIRL, Don't beat yourself up!!!! I've cheated too!!! I was mad at myself but had to put on my big girl panties (yet again!) and deal with it!! Move on and take each day as a new opportunity to make it right! When I first had my consultation, the patient advocate said to lose 7-10 pounds on pre-op diet or doctor won't do surgery. THE END. However, when I went for pre-op with surgeon, I had lost a few pounds already and asked him how much more he required me to lose, and he said "it doesn't matter how much you lose, just that you lose something....the more you lose prior to surgery, the better your chances for greater weight loss after sugery." THE END. So, I am listening to what HE said and not the PA!!! I've lost 10 total since my consultation, and while I hope to lose a few more before Monday, I will do my best and not beat myself up if I fall down...that won't help!!! I am only human; I am only a failure if I give up now!!! Now, put on your big girl panties and deal with it sister!! I totally mean that in a nice way!!!!! Monday will be here soon and it won't be long before we no longer have to buy "big girl panties!" We'll just have to put on our small girl panties!!! LOL kristi

Tracie T: I have not been banded yet, but in my doctors' notes, this is what it says about fills: The first adjustment will be 4 weeks after surgery. Adjustments after this visit depend on the individual. Come in if you are hungry or are not losing weight." Good luck!!!