Juli Salzman

Yes, I've used and am using Gas-x strips. I guess it'd be worse without them.

I'm from one day earlier and today is great for me. My hard day was yesterday. My eyes were really dry and I had some portal pain. The whole recovery process has been much easier than when I had my gallbladder removed two years ago. I can't wait to get back to work Tuesday.

I've never been able to "burp" at will. It's really frustrating because I feel like there is gas ready to come out and after walking and walking, all I get is a little whimper of a burp. My husband has tried rubbing and patting my back like a baby, but that doesn't help. For those of you that can burp at will, would you please share some tips.

Good game! At least your profile picture has LSU purple. My husband isn't a big football fan, so he went out to grab something. He came back with a new flavor shake for me, so I got something special for tomorrow.

Thanks for all the great recipes. Geaux Tigers!

I think avocados are great because they have a good bit of protein and the fat is the good kind. There are some great avocado recipes out there for bandsters.

I received my band on Thursday and will go back to school Tuesday. I'm a little nervous about it, although I'm feeling great today. So far, my recovery has been easy.

Hello all. I'm Juli. I am 5'9, my current weight is 245 and my BMI is 36.2. As an elementary music teacher, I am looking forward to having more energy and less injury with my students. It's been three years since I first attended a weight-loss seminar and the "beginning" is finally in sight. Originally, I went through all the lab-work, psych consult, supervised diet for 3 months, and was ready to submit everything to insurance for approval. Then, one roadblock after another found its way in front of me... 3 surgeries followed by my mother's diagnoses and death from cancer. Now, finally after redoing psych visit, lab work, nutritional consult, and sleep study, I was approved by BCBS of Texas on the first try! (TRS Active Care). My Surgeon is Dr. Todd Wilson of MIST Houston. The pre-op is August 24th and my surgery will be on August 29th, 2012. The surgery will be at Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston.

That's how I found relief as well, a heating pad. At what school do you teach? My husband is at Garcia Middle. My nephews go to Scanlan Oaks El. I teach in Angleton.

My BMI was 36 when I started my Pre-op diet, clear liquid only with 3 shakes a day. I was down under a 35 BMI yesterday for my surgery. My Pre-op diet was 5 days.

Best wishes and congratulations tomorrow, MWoods! Let us know how you're doing afterwards.

All is well, thank you joann852. I was told not to take my ADHD medicine today and made a fool of myself. When in the recovery room I asked the nurse what the second song was the Drs were listening to while my surgery was going on. Scared her for a minute. With my meds, I wouldn't have done that. Of course, I was out and couldn't hear the music. Other than being a brat, I'm doing well. I took a walk as soon as I got back to my room and got home about an hour ago.

It's 6:14 here. Starting the waiting game. My surgery is scheduled for 7:30. I love the warm air they pump into the gown. So relaxing. Well, waking at 3:30 helps too. LOL

Good luck, joann852. Here we go!

Getting ready for bed. 5:30 report time in the morning.

I hope your recovery is relatively painless Keep us posted.

I'm getting banded at in Houston at Memorial Hermann on Wednesday, by Dr. Todd Wilson with UT MIST. So excited! Let us know when your surgery is.

Sounds fun!

Yeah, there were 30 questions about risks, rules for eating, etc. I only missed two, so I made an "A", lol. I missed the percentage of people that don't lose their desired weight. I put 30-40 and the answer was 40-60. I also missed the 4 rules for eating after surgery. I put eat and drink separately, chew few to mushy consistency, Protein first, and eat until you're satisfied, not full. The correct answers were: no liquid calories, eat protein first, 3 meals daily with no grazing, and 48-64 ounces of calorie free Fluid a day. I was surprised I got the mortality rate of WLS correct (0.3%). I had just read that percentage somewhere on this site the night before the test and guessed, to be honest. The test my Dr. gave me was for all procedures, so he said that some of the numbers were different for lap-band surgery. I still don't like pop-quizzes!

The end of the month is creeping up. I just went to Costco for my Pre/post-op shopping. Bought premier chocolate shakes and flavored water. Not the shopping trip to take on the day you start a liquid diet. I was doing good until I saw fresh mango slices. Stopped at Krogers for sugar-free Popsicles, jello, and Gas-X strips. I think I'm ready for battle. Bring on Wednesday!

Written Test! I'm at my Pre-op appt. and I just had a 30 question written test. That was a surprise. Hope I passed :-/