Longhorn

Vanessa: My next appointment is scheduled for December 14 but I may reschedule. That is also the day I'm supposed to start on soft foods and my mother's 75th birthday party is the next day. It's not the best time to go back on clear liquids, etc., or if that's not my doctor's after-fill diet (I don't know yet), then I don't want to be trying out soft foods at an event like that right after a fill. So I'm thinking I'll reschedule for the next week. It's not even a case of wanting to be able to eat. I just don't want my eating issues to in any way detract from my mother's special occasion. Not eating at all or sipping on broth or Slimfast will prompt questions or comments, even though nearly everyone there knows about my surgery. For this occasion, I'd just like it to be no big deal. My fills are free for the first year. My insurance doesn't cover any part of this. Sometimes we do lose in the face first, so maybe your friends really are noticing!

fitday.com and sparkpeople.com are both really great (at least for American food choices) and easy to use. They already have a lot of foods entered and you can add custom foods if you have the nutritional info. And they do the math for you, not just totaling calories, fat, carbs, nutrients, (fitday) etc., but adjusting for the portion size, too. I haven't used either since I've been banded because I'm just now starting full liquids/pureed foods but I'll need to start soon.

green is exactly right! I've been on three cruises and belong to a cruise board. What people wear is a hot topic but cruises are getting more casual all the time. Most of the big lines now allow jeans at dinner! And while some people really dress up for formal night, others dress the way green described and everyone still manages to have a great time. You could also check out any consignment stores in your area for the dressier stuff. I would NOT spend $500 on clothes that won't fit you for long. Have a great time!

I still haven't been hungry two weeks out and I just finished clear liquids (and Low-Carb Slimfast.) I think the Slimfast had a lot to do with it -- 20 grams of protein per can! I also had chicken broth mixed with chicken-flavored Unjury -- also 20 grams per scoop. It's quite tasty, especially when I get tired of sweets. I have the unflavored Unjury, too, and plan to start adding it to my full liquids and mushies to help keep my protein level up. I can add powdered eggwhites in some cases, too.

Anyone can update the list but when you do, please copy the most recent list. Otherwise, names that have been added will be left off. If your name has been left off or was never added, please post and let us know!

1st PattyPoo Nessa3678 brandymom1234 Mom_of_Chuy sanderro Holiwood Longhorn Forestcat Rhea Sades edeva3 2nd lizzie_07 lindata KristinaDawnB lindseyann2u sconie pam726 4th QatarPhil 5th DLW Hungryforchange wnt2lose jelbel 6th Wishes4444(Ann) Diva Inside ndmom kandiceb jetti vanessav hollyberries 7th Goldie1109 susieq125 shadst83 Cota129 Imonmyway7368 MyLady 8th anw5102 dawndannae stranger138 needto ebrow39 Bandstertobe zippykat QUEENMOTHEROF1 9th Banded4Life neen7171 maccy mariaxoxo4u Kristin1031 Carsons mommy chubbydiva Miztrniceguy 10th Selisejohnson omlagirl jen6740 anitak33 12th suebob Shalee04 13th CCFRA Princessannod1 Tralynn222 sschude BandChick64 14th lightenup! dream'n2bthin Life Change (Eulete) 15th steph_cn RxTracy Hopping to It- Danna sunshiny Tete2 16th Laurieu 19th Mrs Smartypants Momto1plus1 20th Skinny_Jill blondecz (Crissy) Firebolt (Judy) Cuerposano (Diana) 22nd luvmy4boys 23rd FlaLMT and fiance 26th kuchiegrl1 Tishbite2 Motocrossgirly jrsyshoregrl684 (Bypass) BigDoug143 BarBee 27th 731Shawty Cherlita Julie-Ann plump_princess 28th lukin puppy 29th Sassafras TAWHarris McQty

Today is my first day on mushies, including blended Soups. Up to now, it's been Clear liquids and SlimFast only. I did get a headstart last night -- I had a Jello sugar-free pudding. It was very satisfying! After I have my Vitamins, which are a meal in themselves, I'm going to fix some oatmeal. Then later, I'll have some pureed cottage cheese and a Soup-at-Hand (drinkable soup). It's going to be more challenging to get all the Protein in without relying on the SlimFast shakes -- I'll probably still have one or two of those as I get used to this stage. I'll be on it for four weeks! My port incision looks much better and is not sore any more since I started the antibiotics Monday evening. I've been religious about taking them! Yesterday, a colleague that I haven't seen in awhile told me I looked really nice. No one at work knows I'm doing anything to lose weight. I don't know how much weight I've lost -- I only weigh at the doctor's office -- but I can't imagine that it shows already!

1st PattyPoo Nessa3678 brandymom1234 Mom_of_Chuy sanderro Holiwood Longhorn Forestcat Rhea Sades edeva3 2nd lizzie_07 lindata KristinaDawnB lindseyann2u sconie pam726 4th QatarPhil 5th DLW Hungryforchange wnt2lose jelbel 6th Wishes4444(Ann) Diva Inside ndmom kandiceb jetti vanessav hollyberries 7th Goldie1109 susieq125 shadst83 Cota129 Imonmyway7368 MyLady 8th anw5102 dawndannae stranger138 needto ebrow39 Bandstertobe zippykat QUEENMOTHEROF1 9th Banded4Life neen7171 maccy mariaxoxo4u Kristin1031 Carsons mommy chubbydiva 10th Selisejohnson omlagirl jen6740 anitak33 12th suebob Shalee04 13th CCFRA Princessannod1 Tralynn222 sschude BandChick64 14th lightenup! dream'n2bthin Life Change (Eulete) 15th steph_cn RxTracy Hopping to It- Danna sunshiny Tete2 16th Laurieu 19th Mrs Smartypants Momto1plus1 20th Skinny_Jill blondecz (Crissy) Firebolt (Judy) 22nd luvmy4boys 23rd FlaLMT and fiance 26th kuchiegrl1 Tishbite2 Motocrossgirly jrsyshoregrl684 (Bypass) BigDoug143 27th 731Shawty Cherlita Julie-Ann plump_princess 28th lukin puppy 29th Sassafras TAWHarris McQty

1st PattyPoo Nessa3678 brandymom1234 Mom_of_Chuy sanderro Holiwood Longhorn Forestcat Rhea Sades edeva3 2nd lizzie_07 lindata KristinaDawnB lindseyann2u sconie pam726 4th QatarPhil 5th DLW Hungryforchange wnt2lose jelbel 6th Wishes4444(Ann) Diva Inside ndmom kandiceb jetti vanessav hollyberries 7th Goldie1109 susieq125 shadst83 Cota129 Imonmyway7368 MyLady 8th anw5102 dawndannae stranger138 needto ebrow39 Bandstertobe zippykat QUEENMOTHEROF1 9th Banded4Life neen7171 maccy mariaxoxo4u Kristin1031 Carsons mommy chubbydiva 10th Selisejohnson omlagirl jen6740 anitak33 12th suebob Shalee04 13th CCFRA Princessannod1 Tralynn222 sschude BandChick64 14th lightenup! dream'n2bthin Life Change (Eulete) 15th steph_cn RxTracy Hopping to It- Danna sunshiny Tete2 16th Laurieu 19th Mrs Smartypants Momto1plus1 20th Skinny_Jill blondecz (Crissy) Firebolt (Judy) 22nd luvmy4boys 23rd FlaLMT and fiance 26th kuchiegrl1 Tishbite2 Motocrossgirly jrsyshoregrl684 (Bypass) 27th 731Shawty Cherlita Julie-Ann plump_princess 28th lukin puppy 29th Sassafras TAWHarris

Congratulations! The 4th will be here before you know it! I'm glad you'll get to stay local. We've got good surgeons here -- everyone wants to live in Austin, right? :eek: I'm doing fine. I may have an infected port incision so I started on antibiotics this evening. That should clear it up. Otherwise, I can't believe how much energy I have! And I'm still not hungry so the two weeks of Clear liquids isn't really bothering me. However, I'm looking forward to the next step -- pureed foods/full liquids. And I'm planning what I can eat on Thanksgiving at my daughter's house.

Well, correct me if I'm wrong, but it sounds like the OP was asking not only IF she can start over but how? If she's eating soft foods because she's PBing all the time, isn't that a sign that she needs an unfill? In fact, I wonder if a doctor wouldn't unfill her completely and start with a liquid diet and then move her through the stages just like those of us who have just started.

Oooooh, I love it! Is there anyway to incorporate a flower into that design? And we can be the Nouveau Mums for short! :Banane42: We could do a poll, too, with a deadline. We have three suggestions but I think I'll withdraw mine because "Novembers" ain't too catchy. So two true suggestions now: Nouveau Chrysanthemums and November Nymphs, which is also cute and creates a great mental picture! Any more?

Hmmm. How about Nouveau Novembers? (Nouveau means "new" in French.) We're a pretty sophisticated bunch, don't you think?

Good summary! The only thing that was different for me, besides the diabetes, is that they put the compression "sock" on me in pre-op but they were off of me before I woke up and I never felt them. I hope you're getting stronger as each day goes by!

Are you getting in at least 70 grams of Protein every day? Drinking 64 oz of Fluid? I was banded on the 1st and I'm not hungry yet but I have either low-carb SlimFast (20 grams of protein per can) or chicken broth with a scoop of

I laid down on my stomach two days after surgery. I was sure it was going to hurt but my husband was going to give me a massage to see if that would help with the gas. So I tried it and it was the most comfortable position I had been in since the surgery! I actually fell asleep for a few hours but I don't normally sleep on my stomach so I eventually woke up and changed positions. It felt so good, I did it the next night, too!

Wow, I am stunned! I'm like you -- I can't imagine being hungry for anything, let alone a meal like that! I haven't even cheated on a sugar-free pudding! Is that psych evaluation a joke? Or do some surgeons not screen their patients? Or was the guy a liar? It's possible his mom has no idea what his post-surgery requirements are. That meal might have been tiny compared to what he would normally eat. The whole situation really boggles the mind! I wonder how he knew he had messed up his band? He must have had some really abnormal symptoms. Yikes!

Kandice: I'm 11 days out from surgery and I'm STILL not hungry! I can tell when it's time for another shake or cup of protein-enhanced broth but it's more like my energy wans a little than the hunger that I'm used to. Seeing food doesn't tempt me at all but sometimes smelling food does, but even then, it's only mild temptation. If this is what it's going to be like after I get some restriction, I'm going to like it! :woot: Andie: I assume you mean they'll change out your PORT to a low-profile port. I don't think you want them messing with your band. I have no idea what size band I have. I forgot to ask at my appointment. But the size shouldn't matter when it comes to initial restriction. They choose the size based on the size of your stomach and both sizes are partially filled just to keep the plastic balloons from lying flat. However, they do sometimes remove the Fluid during surgery if they think the band is too tight, based on what I've read. Glad you're both doing well! You'll be amazed at how much you'll improve day by day! :clap2:

Well, it turns out that the co-pay on the antibiotic is $98!!! I refuse to pay it! My incision actually looks better today than it did yesterday so I'm going to wait until tomorrow and call my doctor. If we still feel like I need the antibiotic, I think he can find something less expensive. They had a report on our local news the other night that there is a HUGE difference in prices from one pharmacy to another and the chains, like Walgreens, are the worst. Their spokesperson said they provide superior service, such as being open 24 hours. They featured one pharmacy in town that won't take insurance but their prices are very low. I'll get it from them if I have to!

Nessa: I don't know if this will help but when I was on Medifast a few years ago, I was hungry a lot. In order to deal with it mentally, I tried to imagine that every time I felt hungry, I was burning fat. Of course, to some extent, it's true so I wasn't lying to myself. It doesn't make it go away, of course, but maybe just helps you deal with it. Good luck! :hug:

I agree completely with Kacee. If you plan for more days and can go back earlier, that's great! But I wouldn't do it the other way. Is it possible to have your surgery right before Thanksgiving so you have the long weekend to recuperate? Or if you can't go back on Monday, is the worst that would happen is that you don't get paid? I'm a teacher, too, but I teach adults and I only teach up to three classes in a day. I can't imagine being ready for a classroom full of first graders on the third day after surgery! Go check out the November 2007 Bandsters forum and you'll see plenty of surgery and recovery stories. We're all doing great but it took a little longer than you have planned. Congratulations and good luck!

Yes, turning over in bed isn't a lot of fun! I asked my husband to sleep in the spare bedroom the first couple of nights so that I didn't have to worry about disturbing him. It doesn't hurt as much now but I still hug the pillow to my belly while I turn. I took the prescription painkiller again last night. I think I have only one dose left but my shoulder and port incision also don't hurt as much. When we pick up the antibiotics, I'm going to get some Tylenol PM. A good night's sleep is so important! I'm fortunate that my children are all grown and my husband did most of the cooking, when we cooked at all. We both have schedules that keep us away from home in the evening so we haven't had "normal" dinners for a long time. Maybe this is something we can change as I learn to eat again. I'm glad you're back in your bed and feeling better! Each day will be better from now on. :clap2:

Thanks, Stacy! Of course, I couldn't force my family to read it. My sister asked me when I would have my band taken out. :woot:

I didn't think you were knocking anything, Sades, and I'm sorry if I sounded argumentative. I just wanted to make sure that I had presented a complete picture of my doctor's philosophy because, while I believe that what you're saying may very well be true for some doctors, I haven't had any indication that my doctor is looking for quick success stories. In fact, he has cautioned me that weight loss should be slow but steady. I didn't have to do a severe pre-op diet, either -- just a low-carb diet, high Protein diet. I lost a whopping three pounds in that two weeks! :P

Even better, ask your doctor to call in your prescription ahead of time so you can pick it up before your surgery. That's what I did, partly because coltonwade, a friend I met through LBT, told me that some pharmacies do not always stock the liquid medicines and have to order it.