AmySays

Happy Band-day to Pebbagirl, mama2girls, sheilam, Jbowen, jk8101, newtoband2012, Tesha and Vi! I can't wait to hear about how your day went!

Rhonda, why are you depressed all of the sudden? You'll be just fine, girly. This is an amazing gift you are giving yourself & you should be so proud that you're taking this step. We all know the hard road ahead, but we also know that it will be SO worth it. This is an emotional time of year, on top of this being an emotional decision. Just take things one at a time and try not to feel overwhelmed. You GOT this, girl. And we're here if you need a shoulder to cry/rant/whine on. {{{Hugs from Texas}}}

Helen, I quit smoking 10 months ago using an e-cig, not the store brands though, those didn't simulate the vapor enough for me & the battery died too often. I used an eGo made by Joye, then I ended up stepping up to a different mod. If anyone wants to quit for GOOD, the eGo is a good starting place. A kit (with charger & 2 batteries) will run you around $40-50. This would be a nice gift for those smokers you love dearly, as well. A lot of times, smokers try the gas station e-cigs and are disappointed in the vapor production, battery life, taste... so they just go back to smoking. Good luck!

I'm glad to hear it's getting easier for you, Nancy! I know that Day 4 was a breeze compared to the first 3 days. I'm on Day 8 now & although I've had some moments where it was difficult, it passes quickly. My bad habit is not going to bed at an acceptable hour. I have 4 kids, a rambunctious husband and a dog... once they all go to bed, I'm just so happy to have the house to myself for the first time all day (we homeschool) I stay up WAY too late. That's a dangerous time for me... that's when I would always eat. I just need to find some other time to enjoy my "me-time" during the day and I need to get myself to bed by 10:30-11:00. I can't keep up with these 2:00am bedtimes and expect to be up and running by 8:00am anymore, lol. Plus, if I go to sleep, I'm not hungry!

Leigh, you are SO right! You brought a big smile to my face when I read your post. I'm so happy for all of us!

Amazon has them in 2lb tubs for $32. It comes out to about $1/serving. I've used the Fuzzy Navel flavor for the past week.. today was Day 8, I think. My cappuccino flavor came in this evening. I'm excited to try it in the morning! Thinking I might try it with almond milk (I've never had almond milk, but I bought it for my pre-op and haven't braved it yet, LOL). Anyway, I really like the Fuzzy Navel!

Cassie, I'm so glad your surgery went well. Keep checking in & let us know how you're feeling! You were banded & home quickly, that's fabulous!

YaY! I'm excited for you!!

Hi skinnymoo, welcome to the club! I'm on day 6 of my pre-op diet now and it's getting easier each day. I thought saying goodbye to my DP was going to be so hard, lol. I had switched to sweet tea with an occasional DP over the past month. I cut my sugar to almost nothing in the sweet tea after starting the pre-op diet (artificial sweeteners give me a worse headache than having no caffeine). Now I'm drinking just plain ol' tea... no sugar at all. I guess over the days of cutting out all sugar (other than the tea) it became way too sweet for me. I was thinking that I might have one last small DP (to officially say goodbye) at some point over the next week, but I really don't think I need it now. Glad you're here, good luck! p.s. I DID read your words in Taylor Swift's voice, btw.

I don't know if there is a brand that only does frozen greek yogurt, but the other day I saw that there were single serving cups of Oikos greek yogurt in a tray inside the freezer door with the ice cream at the grocery store. I know my kids love it when I freeze their Gogurts, so I assume this would basically be the same? I think I'm going to try it.

I mix with water. You could mix with sf lemonade or 100% fruit juice, but I don't think it's necessary.

I've told my husband and mom and one friend. I talked to another friend while I was just considering it, but she didn't seem too supportive, so I haven't talked about it again with her. It's a very personal choice. You can only tell the people you really think will support whatever is best for you without worrying about how your life changes will effect them. Wishing you the best!

Hi Sarah, I'm in Houston as well. I'm being banded on 12/12, just a few days after you! I can tell you that the pre-op diet does get easier after day 3. I'm feeling much more satisfied than I was on Days 1-3. Who is your doctor? I'm using Syntrax Nectar (purchased on Amazon for around $30). It doesn't taste bad at all. Glad you found the forum. You'll learn so much here!

I haven't used Isopure. I'm using Syntrax Nectar. 23g protein, 0 fat, 0 carbs per scoop. It tastes pretty good too. I use the Fuzzy Navel flavor, but I've heard the cappuccino flavor is good too... getting ready to order that now.

Uhh... haha? I accidentally went on my "no pea" rant on the wrong thread. Since I can't just delete it, I'll leave it here for educational purposes. You're welcome, lol!

I had to do a bit of research because that "no peas" rule was making me twitchy. I don't even like peas all that much, but when someone writes, "NO PEAS" on something, I want to know why. I found a couple of unverified, yet plausible answers. Apparently peas are very starchy (like potatoes) and convert to sugar at a fairly rapid rate. Other veggies to avoid for this reason are: potatoes (duh), corn and lima Beans. The other answer is ~ GaS. Peas are high in Fiber and can give you a gassy, bloated feeling, which must be expelled from the body in the most unattractive way. So there you have it. No peas, please!

I had to do a bit of research because that "no peas" rule was making me twitchy. I don't even like peas all that much, but when someone writes, "NO PEAS" on something, I want to know why. I found a couple of unverified, yet plausible answers. Apparently peas are very starchy (like potatoes) and convert to sugar at a fairly rapid rate. Other veggies to avoid for this reason are: potatoes (duh), corn and lima Beans. The other answer is ~ GaS. Peas are high in Fiber and can give you a gassy, bloated feeling, which must be expelled from the body in the most unattractive way. So there you have it. No peas, please!

My family & I went to Dimassi's Mediterranean Grill in Houston for what would become my "Last Supper". I had a small greek salad, roasted cauliflower, 2 chunks of lean, marinated chicken, grilled tomatoes, hummus with 1/2 of a pita and a tiny sliver of baklava. The next morning, before Breakfast, I got the call with my surgery date, so I started my pre-op diet that day. As it turned out, other than the baklava & pita, I can easily have that other stuff post-band, lol. So even though I felt a little gyped on my "Last Supper" after I found out it WAS my LAST SUPPER, I'm actually pretty darn proud of myself for the healthier choices I made. I will say, it was nice to walk out and not feel stuffed to the rim. I can't wait to be used to that feeling!

That's terrific to hear, Bekah. I just love coming to LapBandTalk... hearing everyone say how well they are doing and that they are 100% glad they had the surgery calms my nerves.

Jumping on the December Bandwagon... 12/12/12! I'm on Day 4 of my pre-op diet. For those of you on Days 1-3, it DOES get easier. I have a friend here locally who had her's done in November & she told me that it will be better after Day 3 and I can verify that she was completely right. So, hang in there...

I was told not to use the gummies because they may get stuck. Has anyone had a problem with them? I'm taking the chewables every day, but they are just nasty!

Welcome to the forum! I haven't been banded yet (12/12/12 is my date), but I will say that you've come to the right place. There are so many well-informed, experienced bandsters here. I have 4 kids & need to be fit to keep up with them - and be there for their graduations, weddings, future grandkids! Good luck & I can't wait to hear about your success.

Hmm, I like dill pickles. I need to re-read my info & see if I can have those, lol! They also make "Pickle Pops" popsicles, need to see if those are SF, LOL. Just the thought of them sort of turned my stomach before, but now (day 4 pre-op diet), I'm thinking they don't sound too bad. I have a shake for Breakfast, a shake for lunch, then 3-4oz lean meat Protein, 1C green veggies (excluding peas - anyone know why??) and 1C allowed fruit if I'm still hungry. I can have SF popsicles, SF Jello, Water, tea, coffee, broth. No specifics on salt intake, other than "try to make good choices". It's so interesting that these doctors have so many different directions for the patients!

Yes. It ended up just making financial sense! Especially since I had the hernia, as well.

Got my date... 12/12/12. Nervous, excited.. nervous. I go from one emotion to the other. Am I doing the right thing? I can't wait until I can wear normal clothes again. Am I taking the easy way out? This is going to be a lot of work!! No way is it the EASY way out. I just go back and forth and I have these internal battles on an hourly basis, LOL. It doesn't help that my support system (almost every freaking one of them) is playing "Devil's Advocate". I probably sound crazy, I promise I'm not. I think I'm just a little anxious.