Pebbagirl

Wow! These are SO helpful (and some funny!) tee hee. Keep 'em coming!

I'm going to start assembling my "post op survival kit" as I'll be in a hotel the night of my surgery. What items do I want in my "post op survival kit"? I know heating pad, water, broth (I'll make my own). What else? Also, what's everyone's favorite fiber? I've used Benefiber in the past but I understand it's hard to find now. Has it been recalled or something? I need something that's tasteless/odorless and not gritty or slimy.

So, Lap Band Evangelist (and anyone else who cares to chime in), I get it that sugar is sugar and if I really want to detox I have to do it all, including all white stuff and fruit. But I don't want to do that. I truly feel that if I can just detox off of refined sugars ("the c's" as I call them: Cokes, candy, cake, cookies) -- plus a few other things with sugar -- that I'll be miles ahead of the game, so to speak. Actually, I have already gotten off the Cokes. I'm down to one DIET Coke a day and working towards getting off that in this next month. And speaking of DC, is it really true that I can never again have a carbonated beverage? I WILL be a rule follower once I'm banded. I'm just trying to get mentally prepared for the changes. And truthfully, I think I'm just trying to mourn the loss of some of my lifelong "friends". So...will detoxing off obvious sugars like sodas and candy be beneficial or will I continue to crave sugars? And, can I really never have carbonation again? TIA!

This is kind off a spinoff from another thread. I HAVE to get off sugar and need help. Most have said that cold turkey is the way to go so I've decided to go that route. I would love to hear some stories of people's real-life experiences with this: the good, the bad and the ugly! I know about the headaches and the crankiness. And most people have said 3-4 days. I truly feel like I CAN'T do it (but I definitely want to). How do you feel emotionally? Physically? And once you're finally detoxed off the sugar in 3-4 days how do you feel? Someone tell me everything!

Toni and EJRN, welcome to the December club! Come on in; the water's fine! My date is December 6th, one day after my b/day!!

My doc says I don't have to do a pre-op diet. But I am a total sugar junkie and want off the stuff. Do y'all recommend just going cold turkey and getting off it? Or does anyone recommend a more gradual approach? Any thoughts or advice are welcome.

I am self pay and will be banded in December. I could have had surgery within a couple of weeks of my first contact with the office if I had wanted to. Well, I DID want to, but I've been working out of town and December is the earliest that *I* could do it. It's differnet with each doctor, but that's my experience.

I live 2.5 hours from my LB surgeon and I'm divorced so I had to find someone to take me to and from. Tonight, my parents volunteered to drive me down the day before (for pre-op consult), pay for two connecting hotel rooms for us all to spend the night, and maybe spend the night of surgery if I'm not up to a 2.5-hour car ride after surgery. My parents are awesome and it's so great to have such wonderful support. One more step toward my goal! I'm so excited!

Make your own delicious chicken broth: Using a cooked rotisserie chicken from the grocery. Debone it and set meat aside. Place bones in a stock pot, cover with water. To the water, Add whatever spices you like. Garlic, parsley, cilantro, basil, curry, bay leaf, crushed red pepper flakes. Bring to a boil then simmer uncovered for 30 minutes. Remove the bones and discard. Strain out the spices. You can dice the chicken and freeze it to make chicken soup later.

I've never eaten cauliflower either but this DOES sound worth a try. I think I'll try steaming it in chicken broth and then adding some S&P and Greek yogurt. Greek yogurt is a great substitute for sour cream and adds protein. Thanks for this idea!

To sashawls and other addicts. I too am a food addict. It's important to remember each day that the band will never help you to not be an addict or to not be an emotional eater. I have discovered www.shrinkyourself.com. It's a 12-week online, self-paced program. If you're willing to spend the time it takes to do it and willing to get very honest with yourself (the program guides you every step), then you'll Definitely learn some stuff about WHY you eat and HOW to change those habits. I'm on week 3 of 13 and I've learned so much. I can't remember how much it costs but it's not free. But to me, it's worth the money!

Shrink yourself is not free. Can't remember how much it is but I do remember they bill your cc in installments of $39.99 a month. Can't remember how many months. Maybe 3 (since it's a 12-week program)? Its a lot of work and you have to be willing to cut the crap and get really honest with yourself, but to me, the payoff is great! Actually, it's not an app. You just go online at www.shrinkyourself.com (I think, maybe .org???) and sign up.

Oh, my heart sank for you when I read the title. I don't have any words of wisdom (I'm self pay), but I know how disappointing this must be. I'm so sorry.

I'm using and loving myfitnesspal.com. (phone app). I have successfully logged for about a week the good, the bad and the ugly. I'm also subscribed to shrinkyourself.com. It addresses emotional eating through a 12-week online program. I'm only on week two and I've learned so much about why I eat and how to stop it. Trying to spend this pre-surgery time improving habits.

As a yet-to-be-banded newbie, this is so helpful. Keep posting!

December 6th. I'm in Arkansas.

Could someone please explain?

Me, me! I'm on the bandwagon! December 6th, the day after my birthday!

I came up with a good protein source today: 20g of protein and less than 1g of fat!! Motts natural applesauce (NSA) and 1/3 scoop of my protein powder (CytoSport 100% whey, vanilla).

String cheese. Kashi cereal mixed with the Greek yogurt. The kashi I eat has 9g protein per serving.

How much weight can I reasonably expect to lose once banded (in December)? I'm F, 5'6, 252. Is 152 in one year reasonable?

I'm pebbagirl there and here. Adding you now!

My fitness pal is an app that tracks your daily food intake. It's awesome. My surgery date is 12/6! Can't wait.

I was thinking of learning how to play the fiddle.

Wow. These replies are awesome. And honest, which I love. I feel like I'm one of the family now. Thanks for taking the time to discuss this subject for me.