DynamoMini

Hi Angie38 - I am feeling really good these days. My PostOp is Thursday at 9:30. I had scrambled eggs with some cheese. I just remember to eat slowly and space out the drinking throughout the day. I even had some ground beef, yes I chewed the poop out of it. I don't have the pains described by lots of people here. I iced at least three times a day post op and I think that took the swelling down. I am currently enjoying a protein shake mixed with SF Cheesecake pudding. Yum! I eat that between bits. I also am doing the grazing thing. I am so happy for you. Dr. K is really a great surgeon. Hugs, Michelle

Margi - I second what BJean told you, it is ridiculous that you are forced to drink something repugnant. I think there should be alternatives. I found EAS powder that I can mix with fruit, milk or soy. You can also add some SF pudding for taste. It just can't be that bad. I thought the Isopure was putrid. You'll find your way.

Kat - I want to be where you are in a year from now. You must feel great having lost 87 pounds. What type of food plan have you followed? Do you exercise? I am still worried I will screw this up. I love my band, being only one week out of surgery, but I am not confident that I won't sabotage myself somehow. I think the past is haunting me. Anyway any advice would be welcome! Tracy - I think you'll be fine. I could have sat somewhere for my job after four days. I was on liquid Tylenol, and probably couldn't have driven too, but I didn't because I didn't have to. Take is easy, be a princess, but ya gotta pay the workers. I hear ya. Hugs to all of you out there. Jennifur - I bet between the mice and the dumb-ass boyfriend you have hardly had time to breathe. I always think things happen for a reason, when you've lived as long as I have it seems to be true. So go with the flow - good stuff is coming your way, I know it! Michelle

:clap2: Well, it's been a week. Yes, I have little twinges. The Tylenol seems to help, walking seems to help, little sips of water seems to help. I really don't know how I'm supposed to feel so I think things are ok. I am able to drink coffee again, so I am happy. I seem to burp more than I used to, Oh well. Lunasa - I loved your post, however, don't be so hard on yourself. It is empowering to realize we can do something about our weight, but usually there are mitigating experiences that have made it feel more painful to control our weight than eat for comfort. That is our headwork. Accepting who I am and moving on from here is the big change for me. Finally seeing myself in the mirror, as I really appear, not some fantasy of me, I am so grateful for the vision. Coming from a place of love instead of hate, has been tremendous growth for me. I continually have to exorcise thought patterns of old me, "why am I not losing faster?" "one more bite won't hurt."... lots of patterns to break up, digest, and change. I love you all and hope this thread will go for at least a year. I'll get brave and post a picture soon. Hugs to you April Bloomers - Michelle

:clap2: Collector - I think a summer get together would be really great. We can pick a central spot, a park, a restaurant, :hungry: whatever. Then get your vote in for daytime or night time, weekend, etc. Any great ideas? I think the more we support each other the more successful we'll be. Even if it is two of us or many it doesn't matter. What do people think? :heh: I've been banded one week now - I love my band, so far. I can take my medication without problems, and find a little bit of mushie fills me up for a while. Thanks Collector for getting the get-together idea. I'll be there. Michelle

Angie - I am on mushies too. I wonder if it is too quick. But Dr. K. said use common sense. He is good. So at least with mushies I am more satisfied. How about you? Yesterday I had half a plate of refried beans, today some Progresso chicken noodle soup blended with extra chicken (about 3/4 cup). Very filling. Smiles.

BJean - My doc didn't want me on a liquid diet preop, so no, I didn't do the two week preOp clear liquids or the two week postop liquids. I don't know, but Dr. Kirshenbaum wanted me to do high protein, low carb, preOp and now clears to mushies to food, with protein drinks inbetween by week 2 or as quickly as I felt ok with. I am surprised, comparing myself to others here. I am worried I might be eating too much, but I am losing anyway. So who knows. I have a postOp appt on Wednesday. so I will ask again, to make sure I am doing it right.

Gosh - I think I confused everyone! on 4/16 Yes I was banded 6 days ago. Wow! I am healing well. Some pain, but using the Tylenol for it. I ice three times per day too. I have started light mushies, just so I can get some protein in. I also don't want to start a deprevation thing going. My weight loss is pretty good, I plan on two years to lose the extra 100 pounds I'm carrying around. Hugs to all of you kindred agers, Michelle

Hi all, Yes, a beautiful Sunday in sunny Colorado. I am six days out, starting on mushies and delighted with my weight loss. I do have these twinges and pulling sensations too. I think the ice pack really helps with this. I am able to hydrate enough, but wasn't at first. It is a weird feeling to get this golfball feeling in your throat because you gulped water too quickly. I have tried to take it slow and easy. I am motivating to go for a walk. I have been able to sleep on my side or stomach without problem. My port is centerally located. I am looking for high protein low sugar mushie ideas if any of you have them. I tried some refried beans yesterday at a Mexican restaurant and was surprised how good they tasted and digested. Best wishes to you all!

Today I tried my EAS smoothie with a banana, 1/2 soymilk,1/2 water, 2 scoops of EAS protein powder. It took three sessions to finish, but the taste is good and it is filling. I go with the soymilk because i am somewhat lactose intolerant. At least I got 27 grams of protein, plus the soy protein. I can see that getting enough protein will be the issue. I appreciate all the ideas here. I like the April Bloomers.

Well all you oldies but goodies out there - i did it! Yep ! I am banded! I am doing very well. It is a lot to go under anesthesia, but wonderful that I am no longer hungery every minute and am welcoming new lifestyle changes. This isn't the easy way out, but the only way for me to change. I am now on mushies, but going slowly. I wish everyone luck and good health.

It takes almost a day to read all the postings here! Subjects from golf balls to sex have been covered. From mothers to starvation. I am overwhelmed by the wonderful, eclectic style of this strand. Go April! Did anyone come up with a name yet? I thought about the April Fools, but some might be offended. I am four days out, feel pretty good and have experienced most of what has been described. The dizziness I believe is from lack of hydration or protein. Retraining eating habits is really hard work, but I am finding that with my body reminding me (sometimes not so gently) I'll get there. Yeah bands, what would we do without them? Hugs and good wishes to all you April Bandsters, Michelle

:update: I am officially banded! Yesterday I was kind outta here, because of residuol anesthesia, but I am only on Tylenol and antibiotics. So, I even ventured upstairs to my bed for a good night's sleep. It was wonderful i also made a mistake and got on a scale. I had gained 11 pounds from right before the surgery. Whew ! That seems like an excessive amount of water weight. But I have been bouyed to know that many of you have had the same experience. Just wanted to let you know I am alive and kicking.

Thanks for all the support. I'll be heading to the surgical center in 45 minutes. I am excited and think this is the best idea ever. Kat817 - I've met people like that and they won't keep their weight off, because they haven't done the headwork that it takes. She is still self-centered and mean-spirited and obviously hasn't resolved how she got the weight on in the first place. As if this was a contest. OMG I feel good, strong, healthy, and ready to be banded!

Well - I walked the dogs around the neighborhood, it is like everything is waking up. I love spring. I am ready to go for tomorrow. Thanks to everyone who wished me well. I'll let you know how it goes. I think it will be great. dede801 - what support group do you attend? I have read horror stories of people moaning and groaning. Not my style, but an upbeat support group is always helpful. Collector - I am thrilled that you are doing so well. I am more in your age range, and I want to be walking and talking just like you. You are funny about the bill collecting! Glad it provides a living - Bye all - tomorrow I'll be banded. Yeah!

PreOp diet advice is hard to give as so many docs request different stuff. I think they want high protein and low carbs to shrink your liver for surgery. My doc said that as long as i didn't eat potatoes, bread, rice, etc. my preop diet was good. I got EAS protein powder at Costco. It had good amounts of protein, i mix it with half soy half water and a banana if it is for a meal. I find it satisfying. Good luck finding everything - but just use common sense and you will do fine. Best wishes,

Collector - I hope your surgery went perfectly and you are up and running. I go in Monday! So let's keep in touch. I live in Greenwood Village, near the Denver Tech Center. I love Ft. Collins. Hugs to you, What do you collect?

Hey - I am from Colorado! Dr. Kirshenbaum has a big following, however, many of his patients are from out of state. I have connected with a few other Denver area band or to be banded people. So Howdy to all of you! Wasn't it gorgeous today? So glad we didn't get the snow.

Christy - welcome to bandland. Glad it all went well.

KAt817 - Thank you for writing your heart out. It was the best explanation I have read so far and spurs me on to really want the surgery Monday. I appreciate your sharing.

Angie - I am about 15 minutes from the hospital, so I think I will be ok driving with a pillow in my lap, and sleeping:notagree on the recliner in my family room. It works pretty easily and there is a bathroom close. Staying in the hospital isn't all its cracked up to be. This is a "minor" surgery, so you might have to wait for the nursing staff to get to you.:help: The only thing is that the roads in CO Springs are awful, unless they've fixed them. I was down there every day when my son was hospitalized at Penrose for pancreatitis (too much drinking in college). The experience seems to have "cured" him. :clap2: People online have mentioned bumpy roads being awful :omg: to cope with. So a motel room might be a nice luxury, I have a feeling we'll just want to sleep, but the next day we may feel even more sore, so. I don't know. I find it rather confusing that so many doctors deal with the aftercare so differently. It is also confusing with the range of experience online members express. I guess we are all pioneers on our own special journey. I say this with a smile. I'll be happy for a week from Monday when all the pains should be better.

Good luck Bubbles. Let us know how it goes......

mdrai - You are working really hard and I hope the insurance jocks get it right. We all have been through the wringer, otherwise we wouldn't be taking this step. I have BC/BS of Colorado and they don't even consider WLS. Other states that have BC/BS cover it, but not here. I think that is really unfair too. So, I am a self-pay. Cough! But I deserve it. So I am going ahead with it. Good luck with the system! You are a woman on a mission and surely will be approved!

Tracy - Don't be too hard on yourself! You were going for a record breaking perfect diet, which has always been a set up for me. Look at what has gone right and love yourself. Hugs to you, been there - perfectionists of the world - and there are lots of them out there. Huh, guys?

laura - guys definitely have it over us when it comes to the weight thing. I know it isn't all guys, as there are a few that are on this website. But in general. It has been my experience that the food-gender thing just sucks! It isn't fair at all. But it is what we have. Hugs and good luck. We are being banded on the same day. Do this for you!