stept04

If your still constipated after trying the Miralax then I would suggest Magnesium Citrate. It comes in a liquid form and in a couple different flavors there is also unflavored. I think you can mix them in with juice or something, you also can take as little or as much as you need. After you get cleared out if you still have problems then you could go on stool softeners. But as always I'm not a Dr. so you might want to just make sure it's OK with your Doc. I'm on pain medicine that causes constipation so I deal with this all the time. ~~~Stephanie

Well I woke up early this morning I could not sleep in. I have 24 hrs before I leave for surgery, I have to be at the hospital by 6:00 in the morning it's my last day as a "non-bander" . They said I should be out of there by around 12:00 noon,that doesn't sound bad. I think I'm as prepared as I'm gonna be unless anyone has any last words of wisdom. I've go my gas-x, pillow, Protein drinks, broth, chap-stick, heating-pads, I've got two just in case. Anything else? It's been great having this site to learn stuff from, the Dr. might not think of because you all have lived it, and they can't remember everything although I have to say they did a good job. I'm happy so far with who I choose. It's going to be wonderful to have a support group around as soon as I get home, that can help support me along my journey. I hope for this to be a successful journey, as many of you all have had. I know the support will be here for me when times get tough. I feel like I'm writing my last will and testimont, well I guess in a way I am. I'm saying goodbye to the old me and starting a new chapter, at least that's how it feels. I'm trying very hard not to focus on the fear of failure. The odds look good I have heard way more good stuff than bad. So keep me in your prayers. I'll let you know how things turn out. To be quite honest I think I'm most afraid of not waking up from the surgery, how often does something like that happen? Sorry so long I got carried away. Thanks for everyone's support. ~~~Stephanie

Do you think you know now why you hit a wall? I'm just getting banded on Tuesday and just thought maybe I could learn something. Good thing you haven't given up. Good luck. ~~~Stephanie

Are all Realize bands 14cc? I get banded Tuesday and they use Realize bands. I was just wondering if that is what I should expect. ~~~Stephanie

How much Protein is in your shakes? ~~~Stephanie

Well, here I sit, nervous, anxious, and excited. I have all kinds of things running around in my head. I trust my surgeon but people do make mistakes, I'm so ready for this but at the same time worried something might go wrong. I've been trying to keep my self occupied but it has not seemed to help. I've got 2 days till my surgery, I'm on the liquid diet. Which means I can't use any food at all to cope, and I guess that will be true for the future as well. I've learned so many great things here,and also learned about the bad things. But I wanted to be well informed, and I think that was accomplished. I'm just trying to pass time till I move over to the other side, (I don't know if I like the way that sounds,being that I'm going into surgery and all ). So I'll say til I wake up from surgery with my band and no complications(please,please). I'm glad to have this place to come back to after surgery to help me with the rest of my journey. Plus it's helping keep me busy so the days go by faster. I do have a book I read that helps I switch back and forth between the two. I wounder if other people were like this before their surgery. The closer it gets the slower it goes. I have been watching movies too. I think I need to watch another one. I know I am just rambling but I don't have anyone else to talk to right now. So that's when I blog. I think I'm done for now. I'm going to go eat some "soup" and watch a movie. ~~~Stephanie

I'm getting banded on the 28th. I'm so excited but extremely nervous at the same time. I trust my surgeon but people can always make mistakes,so I'm putting it in gods hands, that's all I feel I can do to ease my anxiety besides take my Klonopine So will see each other on the other side. Good luck and best wishes to you. ~~~Stephanie

~~~This sounds like my wish list for the future. ~~~Stephanie

So sorry to hear all you've been through, but it sounds like you've held it together very well, which I'm sure was not easy. Just wanted to extend my sympathy and wish you the best with the rest of your story. Maybe you'll get a break and have some good things happen in your future. God Bless ~~~Stephanie

It's an inspiration to see people pick themselves back up after a slip. I am just starting this journey and I'm a perfectionist which is not good especially in this en devour. If I fall I'll have a tendency to beat myself up, and that won't do me any good. So it was good hearing your story and know that I should not beat myself up but get back on the horse and keep riding. I'm so glad you did pick yourself up and start again. Thanks for sharing. ~~~Stephanie

Yea, one of the reasons I'm getting the band is in hopes that I don't have to struggle with having will power and being hungry all the time. Like catfish said, sounds like you may need a feel if you are getting hungry in between meals. At least that's what I've been taught. Good luck ~~~Stephanie

Any surgery you could have chosen could cause a problem or not cause a problem. So as it sits right now you don't have a problem. No one can predict the future. The best thing you can do is stay compliant like mis73 said and hope for the best outcome, as you would with any surgery. Congratulations on your weight loss. ~~~Stephanie.

Thanks for the info. I think it is a good guideline to have around. I printed it out to keep as a go to in case I need a refresher course. It goes along with my Dr.'s guidelines , and plus I personally have to stay away from those types of carbs, I'm addicted to them. So it works for me. ~~~Stephanie

I think it might be up to you Dr. My Dr. just did not want me driving on pain meds, that's all that he mentioned. ~~~Stephanie

Well I can understand. I don't think it was fair, but you've done a great job in my book anyway. So good luck and enjoy your accomplishments. ~~~Stephanie

I think you would have to ask your Dr.. Everybody's pre-op can be different. Like I can have 4 Protein shakes, 1 Protein Bar, and any Clear liquids with no sugar, that includes Jello. So your Dr. might not allow a Protein bar or he may allow something I can't have. Hope this helped. Good luck. I'm on day 5. ~~~Stephanie

Maybe you could fight it? ~~~Stephanie

That is so cool, congratulations. Job well done ~~~Stephanie

Thanks for sharing. I have a big problem with eating to fast. I was in the Marine Corps and in boot camp you basically had like 5 min to eat your plate, so it taught me to eat big and eat fast. I'm sure I was already prone to that, but it sure did help secure it as a habit. So I'm going to get me a timer and give it a shot. I just have to work on size and chewing. I get banded Tuesday. ~~~Stephanie

YEEESSS!!! I'm sooo excited! ~~~Stephanie

I have to go in for surgery Tuesday. So you don't think the pain is that severe? I'm afraid of not waking up but I'm also afraid of the pain. ~~~Stephanie

Well I had all my pre-op stuff done yesterday, and all went well. I've been on the high Protein liquid diet now for 4 days , I am surprised it has not been as hard as I thought it would be. Trust me I have cravings, I chew gum for that, but I have not been hungry I have been satisfied, my Dr. said the key was the protein, If you get in all your protein your more satisfied. I have 4 Protein shakes a day (Bariactric Advantage), 1 Protein Bar, and liquids. I believe the shakes are what is making the difference. They are a Meal Replacement shake. I would definitely recommend them to anyone looking for a Protein Shake. They were recommended by my Dr. 3 Days and a wake up and I'll get my band. ~~~Stephanie

Congratulations, and take what you need from this site. It's very helpful, I have learned a lot and I feel better prepared than I was for my surgery and recovery, my surgery is Tuesday. So use this time to get prepared, it really has helped me. Good luck ~~~Stephanie

That seems unfair. So if you dieted and worked out and lost weight it would be OK? Or do you have to be born with this "beachbody" to qualify? Seems to me however you get your body in shape for the competition would all be the same. I'm so sorry there disqualifying you, it is just plan wrong. Men and women do and take all kinds of things to get great bodies, sound like discrimination. You've worked hard you deserve it. ~~~Stephanie

I'm so jealous. I'll never be able to run. I went into the Marine Corps and was in my best shape ever, but could barely pass the running part of the PT then. I am now 47 and have bad knees so I don't see running in my future, but I do wish I could. So when your running I'll be there in spirit. Good luck in achieving your goal. ~~~Stephanie