NiftyNinjanator

Are you taking your vitamins? I'd vote that or not enough protein. A visit to the Dr isn't a bad idea, or maybe a phone call at least.

Gasx and counter pressure allowed me to sleep on my side from day 1, I have back issues too, the side is the only option! I put a folded up sheet in a pillowcase and held that on my tummy, as well as hugged a pillow over that. I kinda tucked the pillow under my belly too to support it up.

Keep your hands busy somehow, I like video games, knitting, even filing my nails. I also like to do some yoga moves when I'm feeling out of sorts, some quick stretches get the blood flowing and add a bit of peace to my mind.

I feel lucky not to have staples, just some super glue that keeps boogering up and falling off.

You can do this!!!!!!

I asked my Dr when I can get back to normal workouts and he said "when you can do this" and smacked himself in the tummy rather hard. I am 6 days post-op and did some light yoga yesterday. I plan on hitting my regular yoga class on Friday. Depending on how my incisions look, I am hoping to hit up my regular water aerobics class next Tuesday.

I have a sheet folded up and put in a pillowcase. It is heavy and small, the weight pushed against my tummy helps me cough, move, etc. This is what nurses did for me when I had a c-section, I did it this time too. I sleep with it too, just resting on my tummy, I considered strapping it onto my torso, but haven't gone that far really. I am 3 days post-op and feeling much better today. Coughing isn't so bad today.

I bought from amazon a big honkin jug of the Ultimate Muscle Protein based solely on the cake batter comment above. I tried it today, got banded yesterday and it is sooo gooood. Better than unjury, muscle milk, and any other ones I have tried. I am completely sold. Yummmmmyyyyyy.

I was just banded yesterday and asked my Dr about this, he said just take them as normal, one at a time, pausing between pills. He said if they get stuck, jump up and down and touch my toes, it'll go through, but do not drink on top of a stuck pill. I've been taking pain pills only so far, but they are a good size and I haven't had any issues, it has only been a day though. I'd think if I can do right after surgery though, that it would only get better/easier as I heal.

I was banded yesterday and have much less pain than I thought. I can get up and down pretty well, I even slept in my bed last night. I was expecting to sleep in the recliner. Not too shabby. I want to keep coughing, I'm assuming gunk in lungs from the breathing tube, and that doesn't feel good. Other than that, the pain is not to bad. I'm even working from home today. I am very thirsty though. I want to down my Water in one chug, but I am making myself sip it. I'm impatient so this is quite the learning curve.

They don't go away, they might change color. I know that on me they are red and fade out as they age. I'm not sure if they'd be different on your skin, although I bet similar. To my knowledge and experience, creams don't really work. Some people swear by them though, I think that they would have faded anyway and they just think the cream helped. My ex once said that I had belly flame, like I'm just awesomely detailed. Possibly the sweetest thing he ever said to me, and still cracks me up. :-)

I haven't needed one, only read of them on here.

3 days ago, nice. How you feeling?

I'm having surgery Tue the 27th! Hollah! Pre-op sucks. But I've lost 10 pounds so far, so Yay!

Look by the coffee. I can usually find Torani sugar free syrups there. They are the kind they use at Starbucks. Also if you have a hippy-dippy farmers market type store, check by their coffee. I have a Sprouts near me and they have stuff too, like flavored stevia drops. Also you can check amazon. http://www.amazon.com/SweetLeaf-Liquid-Stevia-Lemon-Drop/dp/B000S88ZW4/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1377279750&sr=8-7&keywords=stevia+drops

I am on day 4 of my 10 day pre-op diet. Not doing too bad, planning is my friend. However, yesterday I had quite the fit. I guess I should start off by saying I suffer from and take various meds for depression, anxiety, ADHD and the like. I also see a pain management dr for back pain, so I'm learning how to deal with that on top of everything else. Needless to say, I get overwhelmed. Yesterday was one of those days. I was having a hard day and not looking forward to the challenging evening as well, I worked myself into a tizzy and was just pissed and grumpy and wanted to treat myself to cheer myself up. I had no idea what else to do. I wanted ice cream or something equally as bad for me and nothing was making it go away. I needed a fix. It reminded of when I quit smoking, I couldn't do the one thing that I wanted to more than anything else in the world. I wanted that food to help me escape my horrible mood that I somewhat created myself by anticipating the challenges ahead of me. I was all worked up. I was trying to ignore my kids and play video games on my phone, getting more irritated when they'd break through my bubble and penetrate my walls. I couldn't withdraw enough and I wasn't sure how to snap out of it. My hubby came home early and unexpected, and I went into the room with him, he held me and I cried while I bitched and he figured out I didn't need him to fix it, just listen. I had some sugar free fat free pudding after that, and was still a bit irritated until the kids went to bed and I was able to have my own thoughts to myself. Yesterday was a work-out day for me, I should have been in Water aerobics at the time. However I had carpal tunnel surgery last week and could not go. I think that played a huge part in it. My classes are a huge mental wellness therapy sort of thing for me, and with that surgery and the lapband next week, I'm out for a good 3 weeks. *sigh* Anyway, I totally ramble (I mentioned the ADHD right?). What kind of tricks, tips, therapies do you have for when you are having a fit? I know that these will go away as time goes on, just like they did when I quit smoking. However, I would like to know what all of you do when you can't get what you want? Specifically can't eat what you want. Or how you treat yourself in the middle of a busy day when it has just been a hard one? I couldn't just leave my kids and go get a pedicure, there has to be other options.

Your hubby is lucking you still make dinner. I have been feeding my kids easy stuff so I don't have to cook it or smell it. The hubby is on his own.

Venting...Maybe I'll try just coming on here with a big vent of profanities

If I didn't have kids I'd totally go meditate, or do some yoga poses. Mama needs a way to take a timeout.

My nutritionist said I could blend them with milk and 1/3 c berries only (no other fruit). I'm not sure why yours is making you be so strict. Try getting some sugar free torani syrups (usually for coffee) and see if you can flavor them up a bit more. Other than that, they taste better the colder they are :-(

I tried unjury, got a sample pack. I use muscle milk light now. It is just not worth the extra money to me. I liked it ok, but I don't like it any better than the muscle milk light. I am sure you can use any Protein powder in unjury recipe's, not sure why you couldn't. Maybe I'm just cheap. :-) I don't like being forced to order off the internet and paying shipping (although 90% of what I buy is off the internet, but it is usually amazon prime, so no shipping). Definetly get a sample pack though, worth the money to find out for yourself!

Oh it is true. I apologize whole-heartedly. I'm on day 3 of pre-op and I am now sick of my premised muscle milk light. It tastes like hell and it took me over an hour to drink the whole damn thing this morning. They taste good a few times a week apparently. Bleeeeech. :-) I think I'm just going to mix it all myself now, the powder with milk is much more palatable than the pre-mixed. I was watching how its made this morning, they were making tofu and it looked so damn good to me, lol. I grabbed my sugar free fat free pudding and wished it was tofu. 7 more days.

I had steak, mashed potatoes, grilled asparagus and corn last week. Brownies for dessert. My last hurrah, and it was deliscious, and I bet I'll remember it for years to come. :-) I probably would not have done so if there was not such a list of food that my doctor said I should not eat after the band, red meat (unless ground), Pasta, rice, tortilla. I am sure I can eat them at some point, if I am careful, but the fact that he says not to, had me thinking it would be my last steak ever. I still remember stopping at culvers for some cheese curds and chocolate custard with Peanut Butter and chocolate sauce right after joining weight watchers too. This was 5 years ago. I started weight watchers the next day. Last hurrahs are big to me I guess. I am ok with it, and I am ready to leave it all behind me!!

I love Muscle Milk Light. I get the premixed ones and drink em up, but I prefer them in milk with berries, smoothie style. My nutritionist said that I could do it with berries 2x a day during pre-op. I love it! See if there is a way you can use it without just mixing with Water and drinking...dress it up. Other than that, I don't have much help. I used to hate Protein powder anything, but I've come to like it. I hear they have gotten better over the years, but I also think that the taste has just grown on me. Also, try something besides lettuce for vegetables. Iceburg especially, it is basically just water, it hardly has any nutrition or substance. Something else might be more satisfying. Regardless of any this, it is only temporary, and you are totally worth it!! Keep it up, it will be over soon and you'll be banded and on your way to a new you! Good luck!!