sue11

Wendy... Glad to see you up and posting. Merrillee... What kind of foods are you having trouble with? I can't tell you how mush I crave Wendy's chili!!! nbjen... What hospital does dr Fox work out of? Is he in a group/clinic? We're going to try to make the support group on monday at St Joes. Nasty headache today, what I wouldn't give for a couple excedrine!!! It's the only thing that helps my monthly headache. A baked potatoe probably wouldn' hurt either!!! Wish i had my pain meds already...I'd give that a go. Oh well, at least I should get through all that by surgery day on Thursday. Would sure hate to have cramps on top of it all.

Hi all, just visited Wenjea in the Hospital after 10AM banding. We went for our walk, though it was not the regular 2 miles, just to the end on the hall & back. She's battling nausea from the pain meds, but she's sipping water & eating popcycles just fine. Speedy recovery to all the new banders this week! Sue

nbjen... thanks for the encouragement...nobody knows unless they've been there. Wenjea & i were talking last night about realizing how much our lives have centered around food..that certainly needs to change...look where it's gotten me. I'm looking now for other rewards, it seems shopping fills the gap too easily...boy could that get me in trouble. Are you with Dr Oh also? Evila... My Doc has you do 2 weeks of clear liquid & protien shakes pre-op, then clear liquids only for 1 week post-op, followed by 3 weeks clear liquids & shakes. Then it's mushies for 2 week then on to softs & solids. It's more strict than other Doc that I've seen, but it leads to fewer complications (slippage) and great start in getting the pounds off! Many are down 20 lbs by their surgery date.

OK, day 4 of clear liquids, can't say I'm enjoying it...I think my feelings would land on the other end of that spectrum. The one good thing...I get to move my ticker! May not be much, but it's movement. Thank God for that one bit of encouragement.

Wendy...call me on my cell

Wendy and Pinenut... I know things will go well tomorrow. You're in my prayers for a speedy recovery. Have a relaxing, do nothing weekend, even if you're feeling well, jsut kick back and enjoy some R&R. Merrillee... We missed you tonight, but certainly understand. Wendy will be kicking back for a bit, but give me a call if you're on this side of the great waters.

Pinenut...it would be fun to meet ou if you're feeling up to it on monday. Congrats to your husband. Trying to remember, are you up north or in the Tacoma area? Wenjea...yes, sometimes I have to just close it all down and start over

Kids are at youth group in the PM...I should be free

Can you squeeze in a walk tomorrow? Have to be afternoon or evening...nutrition class in the AM

So Wendy...are you ready You're almost there!!!

Oh ya, we are plannign on going the the St Joe support group next monday. https://www.fhshealth.org/Bariatric/support.asp

Hey Dawneb, we've been meeting for walks, usually on Friday at 11:00 (I'm in Tacoma). My walking buddy (Wenjea) is being banded on thursday, so she won't be there friday. Maybe could meet Wed or thurs. Sue

Vitalady is a great place to start. They will let you sample different brands/flavors so you can find out what you like. They have a full stock of vitamins too. It can be a little overwhleming at first, but they will get you on the right track. I don't know if you are close to Puyallup, but they will deliver to Oh's office for you, but I would make the trip out there for the first time. It's worth it to be able to sample the different protiens, they really do vary alot. My favorites are Champion Nutrition (chocolate & mocca) and the nectar (lemon makes a great fruit smoothy base). There are dozens of different add in SF syrups at Cash & Carry to create different flavors. Lots of people like to have vanilla protien to add flavors to also, I'm not all that fond of the vanilla though. I'm on my second day of clear liquids and protien drinks and the shakes are the highlight of my day.

2nd day of Liquids, it's warm in my office...I really want a nap!!! Energy level was OK this AM, but in my warm office I can hardly hold my eyes open. Everyone says it gets better after the 3rd day...right? I sure hope so, cause I'd sure love a great big iced coffee right now! Do other Docs restrict caffine?

I forgot to get popcycles at the grocery store, did NOT want to go back. My sweet teenagers went for me...did that ever taste good! maybee I'll have another.

Merrillee... 30 WOW!!! Congrats!!! That is sooooooo cool, i can't wait to join you! It's my turn now...it's clear liquid (and shakes) starting today for banding on the 29th!!! Trying to look at it as the beginning of a possitive change...the new me...instead of a "diet". Had to go the grocery store...didn't make it this weekend as I had planned...boy is my tummy rumbling!!! Dawneb... I can totally relate to the insurance frustration. We had a verbal YES from the insurance, started all the testing then the insurance decided it was excluded. I was frustrated to tears. But we made the commitment to self-pay. Still makes me mad, but maybe the financial commitment will creat an even greater commitment to suceed! Now for some broth & a walk!

It was fun walking today, what a great break in the day! So great to chat and laugh with people who really get where you're at. Love to have more join us. Thanks Merrillee for answering the neverending questions. Takes alot of the doubt away when the unknown isn't so unknown.

Beckie & Punkytres, did you paste the ticker to the bottom of the edit signture page?

Hi Becky Congrats to your husband on his Blood Sugar contol, it's so important for his future health! The support groups are often avaiable to anyone, not tied to a specific Doc or clinic. I know Franciscan groups are open to anyone. I see you are up north, there should be some in your area. I know how important it is to me to be involved in a group that includes medical support and real life people. This site has had alot of great info from the "real life" perspective.

Sorry Gentlemen...didn't mean to make light of your journey, it's hard work for all. I think the grass is alway greener

Welcome Beckie9395, glad you're feeling better. There are very few times in my life that would rather be a man, weight loss is certainly one. They seem to drop it so much easier!!! Hang in there, I'm looking forward to my first 8 lbs! Merrillee...sounds like a great goal, I can't wait for "Onederland", I think the last time I was there was BC (Before Children)! We really need to get together for a walk soon. Sue

Oops, hit the wrong button and posted before I was done the Franciscan Weight Loss support groups are listed here: https://www.fhshealth.org/Bariatric/support.asp Surgical Weight Loss Support Groups Health professionals including behaviorists, dietitians, physicians and physical therapists, attend these meetings on a rotating basis to offer guidance and up-to-date information. First & Third Monday of the Month 6:45 pm to 8:15 pm Dining Room 3, in the back of the Cafeteria on Ground Floor St. Joseph Medical Center 1717 South J Street Tacoma, WA Join Us You do not need to make a reservation to join our support groups. Just arrive at the meeting place a few minutes before the meeting is scheduled to start.

Punkytres, The St Joe's support group info is on the St Francis Weight Loss web site:

Punkytres have you looked at the instructions on page 28 of this thread? Morsaille left a link to Photonut's detailed instructions. Sounds like you have the same problem Wenjea had, try the "pasting the ticker code" method when you get to the bottom. Try logging off & back on if it doesn't work, mine was stuborn the first time, but then worked later http://www.lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=16218&highlight=ticker Let me know if this doen't work, maybe we can brainstorm Good luck

Anyone part of PNW Bandsters? I see they have a monthly event..anyone been to "Soup Night"? SouthEnd (Tacoma/Puallup) Soup Nite Date: Monday May 7, 2007 Time: 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm Repeats: This event repeats every month on the first Monday. Location: Red Lobster Street: 72nd Street & I-5 City State Zip: Tacoma, WA