Road Queen

You must look awesome - and look at your stats. Congratulations on the whistle and good luck on the PS.

My dr in Bismarck ND is Dr. Mike Schmit at St Alexius medical center. I know he does fills on people who were bonded elsewhere. There are also dr. in Minneapolis that the Minnesota people can give you the names and drs in SD. If you decide to come to Bismarck, let me know and maybe we can get together. I don't know anything about the tickers. Haven't tried that yet. Good luck getting your fill and losing weight.

Bandland is great!! Congratulations. Celeste

Aileena, I was banded the same day as you and got to go home that day also must have been a lucky day. Glad to hear everything is going well for you. I get to have yogurt now so I started putting my whey Protein and Vitamin powder in that. Alot better than Isopure. I am hoping this will give me more energy. Congratulations on everything going so well. Celeste

35 pounds is a victory - no matter what. I'm not married and don't even have a date so I can't make any comments on what anyone would tell me. I'm a little assertive so I think my past dates have usually only told me what they think I wanted to hear. Anyway, my cousin was banded in October and has lost about 50 pounds. Her husband is very proud of her and proclaims it continually. He knows she wants to live a longer healthier life so they can enjoy more time together. Just come to the board for support for this and someday your hubby may realize just what this has meant for the two of you.

Okay, I took a gulp of my protein drink to finish it off about a half hour ago and the pain is intense now. I think I'm learning my lessons.

I have had pain in my left shoulder and chest off and on since surgery last week. I just got off the phone with the dr office. They said I am either overeating or drinking too much...eat less and sip is what they told me.

I'm still looking for this in the stores. It sounds awesome.

The swimming hole looks very inviting and congratulations on making it there. You will enjoy this for years to come. Celeste

Krystal, I actually got out my last 2 years tax returns and did a year to date 2005 projection in case I didn't make it. (okay, I'm a true accountant at heart). It will be fine. I had my surgery last Thursday. Eveything is going well. Looking forward to hearing from you Friday. Celeste

Hang in there. It will all get done. Due to some scheduling issues I had to get all of my stuff together in less than a week and I ended up with over a dozen appointments at different times. But it all worked out. It also seemed like I was spending more money every day but that too is ending. Just think of how much happier you will be when this is over and you are banded.

Does everyone's surgeon have only de-caffinated coffee on their allowed food list initially? Over the years, the FDA has found problems with different chemicals used to decaffinate coffee so I would prefer to stick with the real stuff. I don't drink tons - at most 2 cups a day. I would really like to mix coffee with my morning shake for an iced coffee but I don't want to buy decaf if it isn't essential. Any input is appreciated.

I too am scale driven. This morning I made myself wait to weigh until after I walked on the treadmill and showered. It almost killed me to wait. Now here's the funny side of this. Through my scale obsession, I have watched my weight go up and up and down and up but overall up. When I go on vacation, I don't have a scale with me and typically I lose weight. Shouldn't that be telling me something? Thanks for sharing your dilemna. It makes me feel better. We will get through this and weigh alot less!!

Ruthie - it sounds like you have a great attitude and are ready for the changes in your life. I was banded 5 days ago and wish it had been done 2 years ago. good luck and keep us updated as you go through the preparation and surgery. Celeste

I am in the liquid phase - 5 days after surgery. I had the broth from wonton Soup yesterday and for lunch today. I'm thinking of going back to the chinese place and getting hot and sour soup and straining that for supper. Do you think its too spicy? The 1st day I had the wonton broth I watered it down with chicken broth - maybe I could do that with the hot and sour soup too. Any suggestions?

Yes, going through the emotions is normal. I am three days out of surgery and glad I have taken the steps to improve my life and health. I think of the things I haven't done because of my size or the hastle in plane seats or other things and know that this is the end of it. Just take a deep breath, take a walk, think about what your life will be like when you lose weight.

I didn't have alot of pain and I am a wimp. Today, I am sore - like I did too many situps (of course I haven't done 1 in 10 years). But there really hasn't been pain.

okay, I will tough it out. The nutritionist said I could try the liquid diet tonight so I will have potato leek Soup. I lost 9.4 pounds on the pre-op diet but gained some back from the ivs. As of this morning, I have lost some of that so I am down 7 from the start. I am hoping to get out and start walking more but it is so cold. I know I need to have a little more patience.

I'm 2 days post op and on clear liquids. Do you think it would be okay to cut a few chives into my broth? It is getting a little bland for my taste buds. I would call the nutritionist but its Saturday. Thanks for any help. Celeste

Isa - you are beautiful. Great job.

Corsha - our bands share a birthday. Good luck and welcome to band land. Aleena and Guitarman also had bands on 5/26. I have just realized that my computer chair is the most comfortable place in my house for me to sit. Oh, I am afraid I will live on line for awhile...Celeste

I was also self pay. I did it here and the cost was 12500. Of course, the add'l costs are coming in (pre-tests, etc) so I expect it to be closer to 14000. I am using 0% credit card, refinancing vehicles, borrowing, begging, etc. I am glad I did this. I will find a way to pay it off. The long term savings on my health, shoes (that wear out faster from my excess weight), bigger clothes, etc will help. I also teach college classes for a second job so I'm going to increase the number of classes I teach. Think of what you will save in food bills, eating out, etc. Think of how much better you will feel. And when you are down in the dumps from being broke, email me and we can whine together. Celeste

Oh, wait. I am swelled. I just looked in the mirror and my belly button is a long tunnel...

Am I supposed to feel this stiff? Yesterday I felt great. Today i feel like I"m being stretched. I don't think I'm swelled up but just stiff. I don't have a comfortable place to sit in my house. I have a crappy couch (I have not decided) and a wicker chair that looks pretty. I really planned for warm days where I could sit in the swing chair and sun....instead its cold and rainy and I froze when i went walking this morning. Thanks for letting me vent. Celeste

I have been taking a powder vitamin that you add to liquid for a few months. It is called Reliv. It provides 7 grams of soy protein too. The last time I ordered the Classic (which I don't like as well as the other stuff - the taste isn't as good). When I get back to where I order it from, I can give you the name if you are interested in it.