Kate rules

I'm with Lizzy. Everyone heals differently. Don't push yourself or feel like you are going too slowly. Each day since I was banded has been mixed with small victories and challenges. I'm in less pain and walked a mile yesterday but still not able to drink enough water. I know I'm not ready for work so I took off two more days for good measure. Maybe another 3 days off would do you some good and give you time you need to take care of yourself.

I was banded last week. I seriously considered canceling because I managed to lose 26 pounds before surgery. If I could lose weight without the band, why do I need the band??? Well, I figured out after a couple of cheats (my last suppers) that I will revert to my old ways without a firm reminder not to overeat for the sake of enjoying food. The band will still allow you to enjoy food, in fact I think I will enjoy more because I cannot eat as much. Each bite must be savored because there will only be a few. I'm glad I got banded.

I did not have to do anything with laxatives. I was clear liquids the day before. I did my protein shake, water and jello.

DH took me to movie theater yesterday. Glad I took a painkiller before seeing Transformers 3. I've managed 30g of protein today. Ate mushy breakfast and lunch. Gotten in some water but it really is a challenge to get in even half of what they tell you to drink.

Congrats on the loss and on finding balance with the band. I know I have a lot of emotional issues tied to my overweight body. Learning how to love my banded body is as much of a process as learning what you can/cannot eat. Takes time. Just went to church, so glad because we missed last week due to car trouble. Missed yesterday's service due to pain, so going today was nice. Feeding my spirit just as important as feeding my body.

I'm down to 172.2! Really haven't seen that in a few years. In another 5 pounds, I will be seeing weights that I haven't seen in 5 years! I'm so excited! Ok, so this is TMI area: you've been warned! I have the grossest, foulest smelling gas coming from my body. Also, I'm 5 days post op and haven't had a bowel movement since last Monday. I just started playing with mushie foods last night but before that the last food I ate was Sunday night last week. Just wondering what kind of foulness to expect...

My doctor has me on a full liquid diet. Milk, applesauce, pudding. Basically anything that can go through a strainer. I'm cheating and introducing mushies early because I feel woozy. Have had two servings of mushies and feel a bit better. Pain went away too but could just be a coincidence.

Hey Erica! You should look up the Family and Medical Leave Act. If you've been employed for 12 months and worked 1250 hours in that year, you cannot be the victim of any adverse employment action. Just a thought. Kate

@alygurl: good job on weight loss!

Wish I could work from home. I have big issues to handle when I get back to work. I've delayed my return to work until Tuesday because of my pain issues. I cannot be on painkillers while I'm working so have to stay home if I'm going to use percocet or lortab. Truth be told, I don't ever want to go back to work. I am starting to believe that I really don't want to be a supervisor anymore. Tired of bringing work stress home.

Sorry to hear I am not alone. Don't like it when others have problems. Take care of yourself.

My NUT said whey protein best.

How nice for dh to do that!

Hey everyone, figured I would check in here on the pre-op thread. I had a mixed bag of a day, thought I would share with you. I got in a lot more water today than I thought I would. Not quite the 64 oz I'm supposed to but much closer than yesterday. I'm down by 4 pounds to 174.4! Haven't seen that in a few years. I experienced sliming today. From water. Easy on how fast you sip and make sure it clears your tummy. I did not enjoy the sensation of water backing up into my esophagus. Gas pains are ok but getting rid of the gas been an experience. I mean, even my cats have cleared away from me. My kids are holding their noses, even I'm a little disgusted.

Sounds like you need a proper bra fitting. The way cup sizes/band sizes work is like this: 36D=38C. Sounds like you can go down a cup size or band size, but not both. My bra size, prior to starting weight loss for surgery, was 40DDD. My cups are definitely to large on that bra now! I am wearing one of my old 38DDD bras and it seems to fit properly now. As said by the other ladies, it might be time to bite the bullet and be prepared to lay out some significant cash for a well-made, properly fitted bra. I believe Nordstrom is a good bet due to the half-yearly sale. I wear Chantelle bras, runs from 50-90 bucks each.

My gas pains are getting better - but even my cats are leaving the room! Ewww.... I'm cheating my diet and introducing a mushie today. But I'm gonna puree the lima beans and add chicken broth. I have been toeing the line but have been feeling woozy. I'm going to try a bite or two. If that doesn't sit well I will leave it alone! I am super stoked about my weight loss so far! Would like to see 163 by September. I have been exercising every night. What a wonderful tool this is!

I managed to slime on water. Yes, water. I must have ingested too quickly because an hour later none had gone down and I had the icky, slimy, pukey taste in my mouth along with the uncomfortable feeling of water backing up in my tummy. I didn't vomit, but had one of those run to the basin moments! Yucky.

I'm so sorry you had that experience. I would take the other posters suggestion and not go to future dinner parties until you are able to partake of the food served. You should probably have an honest conversation with your mum. Explain that while she may not have noticed or appreciated your efforts after her surgeries, you were thoughtful in how you treated her so she would not feel excluded. She may not care but it could hold up a mirror for her insensitive behavior. Hugs to you, btw.

I've always baked my mozz sticks. They are good.

@LisaB: who did your surgery? Dr. Moazzez did mine and I was very pleased with Bluepoint.

Fordhook Lima Beans cooked supersoft with smart balance spread, salt, pepper for seasoning. High in Protein and smart balance has good fat in it. I love lima beans so bought 4 pounds. Mashed potatoes w a tiny bit of gravy and chopped roasted chicken breast. Broccoli florets w lemon.

Gas pain back today not as bad as before. Percocet and gas-x helping.

I doubted my own need to get banded. Hey, I lost 27-28 pounds in 6 weeks! That was one-third of my excess body weight. Some people might say I'm crazy to get banded to lose only 57 pounds but these 57 pounds are horrible for me in every way. I've avoided being in pictures for years and looking back through my digital albums I see tons of photos with hubby and kids but few with me because I hid behind the camera. My weight keeps me from living life to the fullest and from enjoying good health. I'm sure, if left to myself without the band, I would have packed the weight I lost back on within 6 months. No doubt in my mind.

Oh, weight back down to pre-surgery level. 177.8. Am worried I haven't had enough protein or calories and that this is pushing my body into starvation mode.

Doing so much better. I went for a .5 mile walk last night and held my diapraghm up as I walked. This did the trick because last night I slept and OH MY GOODNESS I passed gas like mad. Now that this unpleasant phase is hopefully a mere memory I need to concentrate on protein. Didn't drink any yesterday.