BikiniBodby30

Way to go!! I'm very excited for you and encourage you to keep going

Sorry Alli - it's the simple carbs in the potato that isn't good for us. All of the potatoes you listed would be 'bad' but you can do sweet potatoes... I know, not the same

Hi

I'm day 5 post op and Sooooooooo looking forward to my mushie stage. I can see how mashed potatoes can be very addictive which, as Sojourner said, can lead to not so healthy choices. I have heard about Mashed Cauliflower. Here is a recipe that I found after doing a quick Google search. Worth a try!!

1 head of cauliflower

3 tablespoons milk

1 tablespoon butter

2 tablespoons light sour cream

1/4 teaspoon garlic salt

freshly ground black pepper

snipped chives

Directions:

1. Separate the cauliflower into florets and chop the core finely.

2. Bring about 1 cup of Water to a simmer in a pot, then add the cauliflower. Cover and turn the heat to medium. Cook the cauliflower for 12-15 minutes or until very tender.

3. Drain and discard all of the Water (the drier the cauliflower is, the better) and add the milk, butter, sour cream, salt and pepper and mash with a masher until it looks like "mashed potatoes." Top with chives.

I'm day #5 post op and am doing well for the most part. Took my last pain meds on the eve of day 2, nothing since day 3. I'm moving around a lot and have been driving since day 3 without a problem. I'm back to work today and having pretty severe neck pain (trapezius muscle aka the shrug muscle) on the left side. My port site hurts on occassion but feel that it may be due to the amount of activity/talking that I am doing today since being back at work. Like many of you, I'm having difficulty getting in my Protein - my poor hair Today is really the first day that I'm genuinely trying to get down my Protein Drink. It makes my stomach hurt to try and digest it though. Almost like it's protesting LOL I am hungry all the time now, but I don't actually want to eat because of the pain that it causes - I feel like my stomach literally seizes up when it gets food to digest. Hopefully I can push the rest of my Protein Drink and it can move the healing process along. I only had four incisions and none are very painful - the port site does get sore but nothing that is not manageable. My surgeon did an awesome job and can only think that the Trap pain is from the hiatal hernia repair.

We can all get through this, one minute at a time

I feel the same way CMK, I'd really like to know more about how people avoided the sag.

I've had the same issues, most recently since being on the pre op diet. This past weekend I was not invited out for our regular saturday plans of hitting the bar for some dancing and in my friends case, drinking. I do feel a little jealous but also tell myself that perhaps my friend doesn't want me to feel like the odd man out because I'm not drinking with everyone else. I tell myself that my friends still care about me, they just don't understand.

I hope it doesn't stay this way because I would be lost without my friends but I know exactly how you feel.

@ Nebula- Something rich in Protein and low in carbs. Usually just a Protein Shake for most people. And the reason you want to take in the protein is so that your body can repair the damage that is done to your muscles and burn fat calories instead of taking those calories from muscle. Basically each time you work out with weights (and all of us should) and become sore the next day, you've made tiny tears in the muscle fibers. This is the only way that the muscle builds and gets stronger. Hence the reason for the protein. Protein is food for your muscles.

Hi Angie - this is to help keep your metabolism up and help you build lean muscle. Which in turn helps you burn more calories when you're resting.

Congratulations on your upcoming surgery! The pre op diet is tedious and boring but ultimately the whole reason we are doing it is so that our liver shrinks. What has kept me from cheating these past 12 days is knowing that if my liver isn't small enough, they will NOT place my band. I'd hate to have to be cut open, just to find out that they couldn't do the implant because I couldn't follow instructions.

Congratulations

I've been having a Protein Drink that is clear and has 160 calories that I sip on throughout the day. I believe that this keeps me full over the course of the day and pray that my doc doesn't take it away!

That is so inspiring! Very happy for you

How very exciting!! Your life is going to change so much- for the better

I really like Isopure - its a Protein Drink with 40g of Protein adn zero carbs. DO NOT get the Mango Peach, it's like blek. The Alpine punch is good though, definitely drinkable. I like to sip on my new protein drink a little all day. That way, I get my protein in without having to choke down a nasty, chalky shake. I am slowly experimenting with other stuff but ISOPURE is nice to have in addition to Water. Not cheap tho - $4/bottle (serving). Good luck and good question!

Sissy, you'll do fine. I would voice your concerns to the anesthesiologist but aside from that, if you've had four surgeries previously without complication, then you should be fine. Lots of prayers your way of course. I made the mistake of watching a YouTube live surgery - which freaked me out but kind of intrigued me. I think I'll ask if I can have a video of the surgery, just to be weird. But come on, how many people get to see what their insides look like without having something terrible happen?! Sorry - back on track, You WILL do fine. The more you think about it the worse it will be. So focus all your energy on your pre op diet, exercise and looking forward to meeting your first goal! Good Luck Sissy, I can't wait to hear how everything went - I think your surgery is the day before mine!

Hi Woobs, I'd recommend the book written by Dr. Paul O’Brien. "The Lap-Band Solution: A partnership for weight loss" This book was handed to me at my first consultation with True Results. I read it cover to cover in a week and KNEW that the Lap Band journey was for me. It may be difficult but it was the best option for me and my life. Good luck with your decision and God Bless!

Good for you, recognizing that you need help and seeking it out. Even if it's only an "added benefit" to being with your parents. Being around people that are supporting your new life style is crucial to staying on track. Maybe you can get some healthy recipes from your parents and can share them here As always, good luck with your journey and welcome back to the fold

Yay for you I'm getting banded in 2 weeks and it still seems surreal

^{Going in for my Pre-Op Surgical consult tomorrow. Does anyone have suggestions of good questions to ask the Surgeon?}

I have a computer/desk job and will be having my surgery on a Thursday and plan to come back on the following Tuesday. As of right now the Dr. has not indicated any extended time for recovery.

I'm being banded on June 21st. Starting my Pre-Op diet on June 7th. Admittedly nervous about the pre-op diet but know that it will be worth it in the end.