DynamoMini

Hey Gina - we have the same sugery date! My Preop is high protein/low fat with one liquid protein meal replacement. I don't know about afterward, but I have been on a liquid diet before and it is the easiest thing in the world. You don't really have to deal with food, it was such a relief to a consumptive person like me. Perhaps this will be your experience too. I did kinda go crazy on the SF popsicles. Oh well. Best wishes to you and hope to hear how you are doing!

Obsessing is one of the things that I've been doing too. It is wonderful to be online with so many other obsessives! Hugs to you all - best wishes to those recovering and those waiting, like me,

Kat817 - Wow! you have lost a lot of weight. I know that 200 can sometimes be a mental as well as physical barrier. Then I will remind you that it is just a number. It will drop off to the right side (if you have that kind of scale) or just appear one day as 19_. Congratulation!

Terry - I appreciate your supportive comments. So glad you have sailed through. The itch indicates healing, that's good, if not annoying. I don't know about the constipation. Did the doc recommend anything for that? I know anesthesia can really gum up the works. I also am somewhat lactose intolerant, so if I get stopped up a little milk works for me. From what everyone says, if we follow our doctor's instructions and not get fancy - things will heal well. I am amazed how quickly you have recovered. It gives me hope, altho' I am 10 years older than you. Best wishes for continued success, XXOO Michelle

Tracy - Sorry you are having the home ownership struggles. Be kind to yourself. You are starving, determined, and life sucks. What a combo. Im sure you've been there, done that, and know that life will go on. It is ok to feel your feelings, scream, cry, do whatever helps. You will rise to the challenges of life - look how courageous you are! Remember it isn't about doing the diet perfectly! Give yourself some down time and lots of love. Hugs, Michelle On a personal note, could you add me to the April Bandsters? - My surgery date is April 16. Hope you day improves, Happy Easter!

:faint: It's getting nearer and for some of us it is here. I am amazed by the similarity of experiences, thoughts and emotions we have. I really appreciate being able to tune in to the website and talk with you. I think one of the issues obese people experience is that there is a separation between us and the rest of the world. We may be surrounded by many loving family members and friends, but it is you, dear ones, who really "get" me. Thank you for that. It is the depth of understanding and support that is so amazing and healing here. I have one week to go, as of tomorrow. I anxiously read and reread everyone's experiences, the good with the bad. But I do know that candles and prayers help. Our unity here helps. We are scared and very motivated. I also have realized that I am committed to using this support for a very long time. Otherwise, when I am thin, I will forget and start to eat again for comfort. I belong here. :clap2: And I deserve a healthy life, as do all of us. Hugs to all and best wishes and a speedy recovery to those going into surgery this week.

I have just completed day 3 of my preOp diet. I am doing pretty well maintaining the hunger. I have been drinking a lot of water. My nutritionist didn't want me to go on liquids for preOp. So I am doing a high protein, low carb type of diet. I have: Breakfast: two eggs Lunch: 1/2 cup soy milk, 1/2 water 2 TBS protein powder and a couple of ice cubes (the shake takes me a long time to drink 1 - 3 hours) coffee with nonfat milk or chai with soymilk Snack: apple Dinner: steak, broc, mushrooms Hot tea, and lots (80oz) of water every day. So far so good, I am trying not to panic when I feel a hunger pain, but just relax and make sure I have things that are satisfying and easy to get. I know I can do this for a while, it was the excessive binging on carbs that got me here. Wishing those banded a speedy recovery and those in the lineup lots of luck with your surgeries!

I am gonna have "the talk" with her this week. I have banned her from coming to the surgery, because she spews poison and I'll be vulnerable. I am going to lay it out for her. She can't talk about my weight or diet at all. I don't want to hear anything positive or negative about those subjects from her. If she can't do this I will even move away. I am going to take care of myself. Now, she is turning 82, and plays it a lot. I'm too old to change, BS I think, it is a matter of desire. I will not be the brunt of her stuff any more. This is a hard won platform I've come to. But I am so happy I am there. Thanks for asking.

Eating is always the issue. It is in the head not the stomach. I hope I can learn to switch "head hunger" into creative energy. I think the beginning is easier than the end, yet you get up everyday -97 pounds and should congratulate yourself. You have done really well. Your health has to be better. I won't be able to have trigger food around me. I see it, I want it, I eat it. I relate, although it isn't Cheetos with me. I'm not sure but I will have to identify those trigger foods as time goes by.

lunasa - I know what it is like to get into those airplane seats and struggle to clip the stupid seatbelt closed. It is very uncomfortable pulling a tray table down, and finding it can't be level because of my stomach. I'm with you on not going crazy, because the surgery has given me hope.

Carlene - what a great idea! I didn't even think of that hose solution! You have been so successful. Are you at goal? I can't wait to get 97 pounds off of me. but the biggest issue for me is to keep it off.

I have started to experiment with the protein shakes. I tried the EAS protein mixes that I found at Costco. I bought a chocolate and a vanilla large bag. I tried it with water, pooey yuck, I tried it with coffee and ice cubes - better, but the best I've found is with ice, half coffee, half vanilla soymilk and either the chocolate or vanilla. I can only stomach one a day so far, but hope to bring it up to two, as directed by the nutritionist. My surgery is a week from Monday. I like the idea of the syrups and will check out WalMart. Keep the ideas coming. I've got to get prepared. I am jealous that so many of you are through the surgery, and excited to get 'er dun. Best wishes,

I feel for you. The feeling of emptiness that I used food to fill, but it was a lie. Food to excess is not a comfort, not love, not the cure for loneliness or boredom. It is good you are writing. All of us get to this place because we turned to food to "save" us from feeling our feelings. I need to find replacement activities. Things like quilting, reading, painting and being with friends help me. Good luck on what works, and nothing seems to work all the time. I try to remember the food lie. It is hard to change 57 years of lying. I was taught the lie, I believed the lie, I lived the lie, and I forgive myself for holding on to the lie for so long.

My preop diet is just high protein low carb, small frequent meals. Nothing too weird. I am close to between 60 and 80 grams of protein daily. Basically, eggs, protein shake, chicken with salad, fruit, meat, vegetables, protein shake (if I'm hungry). 80 oz. water So I'm doing great so far, but it's only been one day. Usually I can manage the initial stages, I feel better eating this way anyway, I had my last binge on Passover food (not all that great anyway). Thanks for welcoming me into the group!

Northernsun (Gayle) - I need to be careful of dreaming irresponsibly because I don't want to sabotage myself. Yes, I can't wait to get on the band wagon and carry less of this weight around. I hear you about the knees. I have been struggling, just recently, so it is a great reinforcer. Oh hell about the loose skin, but the healthy inside is what I am shooting for. I gotta keep my eye on that goal. Thanks and good luck, your goal is within sight!

Sign me up - I will be banded April 16th. I am so excited.

Northernsun - Wow! you are amazingly successful. Keep that in mind when you are bemoaning the jello look. My question is out of personal curiosity - are you working out? I want to know how much sagging I can prevent and tightening I can promote through exercise. So that is why I am asking the question. Even at 100 pounds overweight I am in better shape than I have been in 30 years. So I am hoping, but am realistic. I keep telling myeself - Ok - when I blow up a balloon and let the air out, it never looks like it did before it was blown, so what makes me think I can escape the inevitable? Hugs and good wishes to you, I wanna to be where you are - 100 pounds down! Hurrah!

Thanks kareyquilts! I think I deal with the sags and wrinkles in a couple of years. First I have 100 pounds to unload. You are doing so well. Congrats.

Ladies - I think wrinkly is something we probably need to expect. When I look at my age counterparts, they are lots more wrinkled than I am, which has made me look younger. Plumpness = smoothness I realize this has been a false vanity belief on my part, because of what the weight has done to my inside and knees is just the opposite; the weight has aged me internally. So, it's a spoon full of medicine that I am gearing up for. Perhaps we can look at each new wrinkle or fold as a victory to our living longer, healthier lives. I also guess I will save up for plastic surgery too. So wish me luck, my surgery is in 12 days. I am looking forward to those wrinkles - I want to see the real me someday soon.

So sorry for your distress. I know this will pass you are young and vital. A whole life to look forward to. I also know the blow you took looking at your own mortality. Use it as a tool to improve and believe in yourself. You are uniquely wonderful Best wishes for a rapid recovery, remember through each trial you suffer there is something to learn. And last but not least - life just sucks sometimes.

Thanks BJean - I was hoping it was like that. I am good at following directions and am sooooooooo ready to have the surgery. I just want to get my ducks in a row. I will go online to see the list of operation suggestions I think both the site I use have them. Thanks for the info.

:wave: Hi Everyone, Yes, I'm in Puerto Morelos. It is wonderful, wish you could be here. It is wonderful. I'm looking at the ocean, kite surfers and happy people. Take care don't forget me. I can't wait to get my surgery on April 16th. Can anyone tell me how much help I will need right after surgery?

green - you are too funny and very brave! I am impressed. About the burqa, I don't know if I'd be willing to go that far...... ha..ha... Good luck, whatever your decision and I'll remember you to be the cosmetic guru when it is my turn to be brave and my face looks like a prune due to thinness. Chuckles,

Hi HoneyLin - I helps each time to hear someone my age go for the band and do so well. Thanks for sharing and good luck with continued success.

BJean - There is no way that I would get to my destination with any bagels left. Bread the other frontier and gonna be my final frontier.