QueenB

Thanks loriely. I am three days post op now. Feeling better except the gas pains on occassion that flare up. The insicions do not hurt too bad. All in all, a good experience. I am getting headaches though...anyone else?

I was told that the next 3 to 4 weeks are for healing from the surgery. It is not aout losing weight at this point. I was banded on Tuesday Aug. 7. I have not weighed myself yet. Yeah, I am curious also, but I expect to be fluctuating for the next week or so, therefore I did not bother. Remember, this is for a lifetime of changing habits, and the weight will come off slowly. :whoo:

Hi Sweetie, Hope you are feeling beter. My insicions are a bit sore, and I have been using the heating pad for the gas pain. Thank God for that codeine!! :clap2: I have not been nauseated at all. I have been slowly sipping Water, apple juice and having popcicles. I had a cup of peppermint tea on our drive back home from Toronto. Have you started on Thursday diet yet? Francine said we could have creamy Soups and low fat yogurt etc? I have not started that yet as I want to make sure someone else has started. I am looking forward to the days ahead. It really was not so bad huh? I feel a bit of weakness when I walk around, but nothing more than that. well take care and keep me posted on how you are doing. Queenie

Your post was so helpful! Sweetforlife and I both go in on August 7th. We are trying to get through the Optifast stage together. We both have three weeks to do. Thanks for sharing your experience on surgery day so we know what to expect. Queen B

Hi Kero, Yes Weetabix is available in Canada. Just look in the cereal isle. Most grocery stores have it. I always have it at home LOL!

Me too! I am on Pre op for three weeks. I started Optifast on July 17th. My surgery is on August 7th. I am also constantly hungry. I usually end up munching on celery, cucumbers or pickles. Try doing something that takes your mind off the food. I have been packing ( we are moving soon) , and cleaning house! It gets hard as I have to cook and feed my kids and DH while I graze my salad! Look only a few more days to go. We can both do it!!:clap2:

I think after researchng the band and the bypass, it seemed the band helps out more naturally. It prevents you from overeating and thus reducing the weight. I was always afraid of the bypass and I think it is too drastic. I am afraid of major surgery and the band seems to be the way to go. I go in to get banded on August 7th in toronto.:whoo:

Well said Jenny! I wish i had 20 pounds to lose LOL! I think your doctor is misinformed. A lot of doctors lean towards the bypass because the banding is relatively new. I know two people personally who had the gastric bypass and lost about 100 pounds each BUT streched their stomach back to a normal size by overeating. (Something you cannot do on the band or you will suffer!:omg:) They are now both about 150 pounds overweight! I am scheduled for banding on August 7th and I think it will be the best decision ever. Good Luck!:clap2:

Control yourself sweetforlife. Remember the delicious Optifast shake you will be having for lunch? :hungry: If you are craving something sweet try some strawberries or blueberries. Freeze them and eat them after that. They are like candy! If you crave something salty and crunchy..try pickles! That is what i am getting today! Imagine yourself at the goal weight that you told me about...those cookies and timbits are yuck!!!!! Not worth it at all.

Pickles sound good. I am going to buy some tomorrow! Day three of Opti was a bit better. No headaches but i was really hungry. I had a shake around 11AM, a BIG salad at 3, another shake at 6, some stirfried veggies ( cooked with just a bit of Water and a couple tablespoons of soy sauce) and my last shake at around 10PM. I know it seems like a lot to go through in the day...but I am starving!! Any suggestions?

Yeah I felt drained today! I had a headache all day. I am on my second day of Optifast. I am taking advantage of the veggies though. I will definitely try the stir fry. I would be nice to eat something hot. Sweet For Life, I am also in on the 7th with Dr. Coubourn. I also have three weeks of Opti! I like the chocolate or vanilla mixed with a couple tablespoons of instant coffee and lots of ice. I am also diabetic and have not taken my meds for two days as my sugars are at optimum control. I am just afraid they might drop too much!

Hi Kimmom, I don't think the band will be effective if you drink while eating. It liquifies the food and it goes throughthe band too fast, so you eat more. You can drink and water load in between meals and you will stay hydrated. If you chew your food well, I don't think you would need to drink. I am not banded yet, but on my pre op diet right now, so I do not know the exact way it will feel but I have done my reading about it, so that is what i understand. Take care

Try a Optifast Mocha Frappe...mmmm...LOL! I use 2 teaspoons of instant coffee in my choclate optifat and add the 300 ml of Water and a cup full of ice and blend away. It is quite filling and I actually like it. It tastes like a frappe you would normally pay $6 bucks for. I also tried a cup of cold brewed coffee in the vanilla and it was okay but I like the choc. better. This is something we have decided to do ourselves. It is going to help us in the long run with the struggle with food. I am looking forward to the next three weeks on the opti and then off to the operating room it is! Take Care

I am getting banded on August 7th and decided to keep it a secret from everyone except my family. ( husband, parents, siblings know). For friends and co workers, i have been "faking" stomach problems for a few weeks and telling them I think I have gallbladder troubles or a hernia..still being diagnosed. LOL! I know it seems evil, but I really don't know what else to do. My friend just had gallbaldder surgery and it was done almost the same way as lap band surgery, so that is where I got the idea. She had 4 insisions done larascopically. It took her a bit over a week to heal, so i figure it would be the same for me hopefully.... I have told a couple friends that I "may" have to go for surgery if it is my hernia...so they are not surprised when I actually go in for it. Oh well...you do whatcha have to do right?

Hello Gang, I would like to join Crazy Ates. My surgery date is August 7th. I am being banded by Dr. Cobourn in Toronto. I start my Optifast pre op diet in the morning. (three weeks pre op diet for me) I would love to share stories with others in the same time line. Take care, ~BEE~