poodlecamper

Personally, I think my mother is one of the, if not THE main reason why I over eat and have always had a weight problem. So it's unrealsitic of me to look for support from that quarter. But it still hurts. My beautiful, brilliant daughter is almost my size and is already having knee and back problems. I would cut my tongue out before I'd say anything about her weight. She is a wonderful, generous person and good to her parents and siblings. I feel somehow responsible for her being overweight--on the other hand, she has a great husband and social life, and is a very happy person. We are friends as well as mother and daughter. Well, sorry to ramble on---guess the moral here is to focus on those who wish you well, and ignore the comments of the rest.

Today is day 1 of 2 days of clear liquids. I thought the Optifast was boring, but at least I wasn't hungry, which I am now!! Can't wait--I'm so anxious to have it done and get started on my new life. I've lost 9 lbs. on the preop diet. We were grocery shopping yesterday (I still have to cook for DH and DS and whoever else shows up) and saw salmon hotdogs for sale!! Anyone ever try those? I admit it was difficult seeing all the food--almost overwhelming--and not even the junk foods so much as the "regular" foods (mac and cheese, shrimp and pasta, etc.) Sigh............. Well, have to pack a small bag and shave my legs!! 2 more days for us fifteeners. Carol

I'm preop---my doc has his patients get liquid calcium and chewable vitamins. My medications can't be crushed, I asked about this, and my doc said "You'll be fine". Did you ask your pharmacist about the prozac? maybe there's another form for you--I think the time release aspect is important. Oh, also am starting Prevacid, that dissolves on your tongue, for when I resume my arthritis med (also an extended release med) The liquid calcium I got at a GNC store, by the way. Good luck!! Carol

I haven't been banded yet (on Tuesday!!) and the nastiest comments so far have been from my mother and sister. I started at "plump" at puberty and went from there, now I am in constant pain from arthritis. Me: "I got a surgery date!!" Mom: "You'll have all that saggy skin"--gee thanks Mom. Last night I said something about weight to my sister (both are like size 14-16) and she said she could figure out my weight by what her gastric bypass friend had weighed. first she mumbled something like "approaching 500" and I said "What?" She then said louder, "400 lbs." I said "NO" but didn't say what I weighed. I mean, I'm 5'5" and wear a snug 28. She guessed a 100 lbs. more!!!!But these two have always done this to me, I have to keep reminding myself. My mother has always favored my older sister, I guess she sees this as a competition. At my daughter's wedding I had a wig on, due to chemo, of course I was self-conscious--Sis says, "You looked fine (pause) like you got a too-short haircut". Gee, thanks. I should, we all should recognize these ambushers but it still hurts. After reading these posts, I'll try not to talk too much about the lap band journey---and there are plenty of great people here who want to hear about our successes, right? Carol Fortunately my kids, DH and best friend are excited for me, talking about all the things I'll be able to do once I start losing.

I swear by Miralax also. Tasteless, dissoves completely, and no cramps or straining. I have chronic contipation from lots of adhesions and nerve damage from chemo. It may take a few days to "set things in motion" Carol

Whoops! That was $125.00!!

Congratulations on your engagement! Here are a couple of money saving tips I used (3 weddings in 3 years, I'm the Mom). We got the flower girl's dress new, perfect fit, from an on-line site that sells pageant and flowergirl dresses--$29.95 plus shipping. I saw the same dress in a bridal shop for $125.00. For one of the weddings, I got my dress off ebay, new with tags, $30.00. And on ebay they sell the veils and headpieces identical to the ones in stores. My DD paid 4125.00 (that was a discount) and they're 1/5 of that on ebay. My son's wedding was at a restaurant, no band, but full meal about 70 people, came to under $1,500.00. The booze was separate, and expensive. I agree with wine on the table, or a punch . Also, less booze is drunk at an afternoon wedding. We were going to do an outdoor at-home wedding for my son, but I didn't want to have to worry about the weather, and after renting tables, chairs, canopies, it cost the same as the restaurant meal (we had the whole place to ourselves)Hope this helped!!

I have to take my NSAID or I will be in SEVERE allover pain. So my doc ordered Prevacid Solutab once a day (dissolves on your tongue) I'll start it postop.

Hey WCFG---My surgery is the day after yours, and I'm on the SAME diet, except it's 4 shakes, 2 bars---which are gritty but at least you get to CHEW something. I've lost 8 lbs. since 1/1, and no I don't exercise but will be picking up an exercise bike tomorrow--bad knees, can't walk much. So the good part is that the Optifast will take some weight off preop--hang in there, I'm starving along with you!! Carol in CT

Going up to bed now---funny to think that you're in Australia and we're "talking"--it's 9:40 pm here. Did you try out any of the protein drinks? I got Isopure drinks and powder for "after". Goodnight!! It's freezing outside--32F--must be warm there, right? Carol

I have to stop taking NSAIDS and aspirin also---I've taken multivitamins and calcium for years, but don't know anything about taking vitamin K in relation to the banding. I'll have to give myself Lovenox injections for 7 days post-op to prevent blood clots, although I don't have a history of them, and I've had a couple of major surgeries. Better safe than sorry i guess. Carol

Hi Jen, I'm on the 15th also, and on Optifast for 7 more days then 2 days of clear liquids :eek: Are you staying overnight for your op? I will, but my best friend works there, so I'll have company. Lucky you, no diet!! Carol in Connecticut

Hi---I'm on day 5 and can have 4 shakes and 2 bars of the Optifast. You can also have sugar free drinks, jello, popsicles too, right? Today I woke up starving and it is starting to feel like a LONG haul to the 15th. This probably sounds lame, but it does help if you can get out and do something, or even if you knit, etc. I admit to a cheat, and that is some 1/2 and 1/2 in a big cup of tea--the warm liquid is very filling to me. hang in there--you are losing weight now and it will feel great to have that extra loss to start off with. Carol

You mopped the floor!!!! Glad to hear you're doing so well. Carol (surgery 1/15--on Optifast--bleh)

I have to stay overnight--standard for the group I'm using. Carol

My DH (who's maybe 15-20 lbs. overweight) also likes to go to Chinese all you can eat places and brings me my favorite snack foods home. Eating has become an "activity"---not good at all!! So I'm hoping to get out and do yardwork, walk the dogs, etc. as I begin to lose. I have such bad arthritis right now that I'm on Soc Sec Disability, and have to use a scooter to get around for shopping. I'm hoping all that changes. Saw my friend today who had gastric bypass several years ago--she made me feel better about saying "farewell" to favorite foods, and told me she can eat EVERYTHING, just in smaller amounts. And she has maintained her weight loss of almost 200 lbs. Good or bad, I need to know I can still have those favorite foods on occasion. Carol day 3 of 14 day preop diet

CTman---How was your visit? I met Dr. Erlich when I was in for my GB in October--nice, cute, too. I'm on day 3 of Optifast--not too bad tasting, but the TV food ads sure loom LARGE and everything smells good----hope I lose a good amount to start me off. My insurance required a 6 month process--and the time went by fast, although at first it seemed like forever. Had my preop bloodwork done and saw a friend who had gastric bypass about 3 years ago. She lost close to 200 lbs. and looks great. Told me she can eat whatever she wants and doesn't feel deprived at all--good to hear. 12 days to go!!

Thistledo: Wow 21 days on Optifast!! I started today, 4 drinks and 2 bars a day for 12 days. I don't feel hungry (yet) but with DH and DS around, a lot of food is circulating and looks appealing. The Optifast is tolerable. I agree, best to do it right, get a good start. I'm starting to get nervous now--I've been on this path since last May. Carol in CT

Chrisann, 24 lbs. is awesome!!! Keep us posted on your recovery and progress---we'll all be there before we know it! Carol

adding my name UPDATED LIST Dec 31- Chrisann (honorary member of the Jan 08 bandsters) Jan 1- HAPPY NEW YEARS! Starting the year off right! Jan 2- phowell, Megmarie21, Gingerbug(Victoria), jengland, racetrackweary, rainbowme2(Bunny) Jan 3-WOWOX7, Woodsy,momto3, Mommamare(NJ), nancy52,AnneElliot, ovahkummer Jan 4- KUgirl, steviegene, SuzanneG, Songinmysoul, sleclerc (shirley) Jan 5 Jan 6 Jan 7- CallmeJim, comepickmeup, NukeChik, mamato3, kintime, Shell, destined2befree, babedoe4 Jan 8 - Fat&thrifty(and husband Joe), itz me, faa31, crackedpepper, flipbarnett Jan 9 – Redtulips3, FLMan, TachaBaby505!!! Jan 10- luvsrocks, Hilary, Jen25bl, jtag10_4, Char1007, citygirl4616 Jan 11- brez1015, Tmusicmaker123, Poopsie, Ready2JustDoIt Jan 12- jen6740 Jan 13 Jan 14- CoreynVA, acalpn, srbanker(Suzanne), grayl, cnukaya, Jessthat Jan 15- Travelology (Mexico), Dianegoe, poodlecamper Jan 16 Kathy-CA. Saleel --Australia, back2reality, Cherry_Blue, Perth, West Aus Jan 17- SJK, Alfie, L.A., lwood, Kcintx, tweenwaters, Laurieloo Jan 18- RuthE?, shanarene Jan 19 Jan 20 Jan 21- mo7293 (Maureen) Jan 22- purplegoddess Jan 23- min, Ang1982 (Angela) Tigger_Shorty (Rose) Jan 24- holleyhobby Jan 25 Noni(Mary) Jan 26 Jan 27 Jan 28-kawanabear(Kalonda), crystalcml Jan 29 - diane-south fla Jan 30 - PortuguesePrincess(Stephanie),Amberwaves(Amber) Jan 31 SarahT1982, lkgrubb __________________

Oh, and CTman, please don't worry about the surgery--or try not to. The guy next to me was walking all over the recovery room before I went home, and I was also up and about. I used a total of 2 pain pills. Mostly I felt tired afterwards. Hope you get a date soon!!

CANTWAIT2BETHIN: I'm scheduled for January 15 at St. V's! Dr. Craig Floch is doing my surgery. I start the Optifast diet on Tuesday. CT MAN: My insurance required a 6 month process before they would even review my records. Fortunately they approved me in 6 days. I had my gallbladder out this past October--the man next to me had lap-band done by Dr. Erlich, who stopped to introduce himself. The doctors and office staff at Fairfield Bariatrics are fantastic. And St. V's was great also--wonderful people.

When I was 19 or so, this cute , popular guy was really rude to me. I lost a lot of weight, and when he saw me out dancing with my friends, he totally didn't recognize me. I was completely rude to him, wouldn't dance with or acknowledge him---LOVED IT !!!!!!! Yes, I was $%#ch. Now, as an "oldie"---well, if someone has been that way towards me due to my weight, well , they're shallow losers, aren't they? I would be polite, distant, cool, and definitely not their friend. Because inside, that person is lacking. JMHO Carol in CT

Hi--Jan. 1 I begin my 12 days on Optifast shakes (4) and protein bars (2) each day, then 2 days of clear liquids, and surgery on 1/15. I had a preop visit on 12/28, but when I got home, I thought I might have purchased the wrong amount of shakes per day, so will check on that. My BMI is 51, and the paperwork states 6 shakes per day with a BMI in that range--so we'll see. I'm excited, and nervous. Keep having these "Last Supper" moments about lots of foods, and hope that I can handle it after.:whoo: I so look forward to less pain in my back and knees and being able to get about without a cane and scooter.I'm on Soc Sec disability, and hope to be able to work again eventually. We never discussed a goal weight, so I just picked what I weighed when I got married, which was still not thin by any means!! But I'd be thrilled to weigh it again.:clap2: So glad to have a group to follow along with starting the New Year!! Carol in CT

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