Barb

Congratulations Dee Dee. The 29th will be here before you know it. Start making your shopping list and go get your stuff before the surgery. I did that (on the recommendation of others) and it made these days at home recovering so easy, I've had everything I needed, plus you won't be allowed to drive while you are on the pain meds.

I was very worried about completely giving up Dr. Pepper after I was banded. Actually I was scared that I wouldn't be able to do it. I would drink 2 Diet Dr. Peppers everday (1 for Breakfast) and almost always have one regular Dr. Pepper fountain drink after lunch. I haven't had the slightest desire to have one - diet or regular. In fact, this is the first time I even though about it and that is because my husband is working at home tonight and he just came in and said he was going to 7-11 to get a Coke. My Dr. didn't say I had to give them up all together, but he did say they weren't good for you and keep them to a minimum, and none until I was on regular food.

NSV = Non-Scale Victory --a weight-loss achievement that has little to do with numbers

Best wishes Chris, I am sure all will go well.

I am going back to work on Thursday which is the same day I start "mushies." I decided it would be easier if I took my lunch since I can't come home because I commute. I figured I would try tuna salad, chicken salad, and egg salad with a couple of crackers. Can some of you'll tell me what you put in with the tuna, chicken, and egg? Also, what crackers work best when banded. I was talking to my husband and I decided it is ok for me to drive. I think we figured out that I wasn't suppose to drive for a week because the Dr. had given me pain killers.......duh, but I never took any of them. Anyway, I am going to go to the store tomorrow to by my lunch stuff for Thursday and Friday and realized I don't relly know how to make it, I know you add mayo but what else pickles, or relish? I don't want to call my Mom becasue we haven't told her about the surgery and she will definantly think something is wrong if I am making food at home.

I am glad they found the infection and can get it taken care of before you get the band. Best wishes, it will be here before you know it.

Thanks everyone. I guess I was just expecting it to come off more in proportion. I can;t see it in my face but I will be happy when I do..........well shoot, I will be happy with whatever.

Congratulations :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana Sounds like you better go buy some smaller shorts

Congratulations Jodie. It sounds like your family just wants the best for you. The surgery isn't bad at all so don't get to worried about it. Best wishes.

Jeninifer, I am only 5 days out. But, I just went back and looked at my paperwork and it states that once I am on the pureed (mushie) stage, I am NOT to drink anything while eating. My Dr. said it is possible to stretch the pouch but it takes consistently overeating. I ased if carbonation would do it and he said "maybe." He hasn't seen proof of that. Hope this helps I am to new to offer much else.

Shelley, My surgeon was Dr. Arturo Rodriguez, in Monterrey. Everything went great and I am doing great. It will be one week on Thursday. If you see this post tell him I said Hi and that I am doing great. I will send him an e-mail later in the week. Best wishes, Barbara

Ok all, I don't do windows!! But I will organize your closet, throw away your crap, clean out and organize your drawers, create a filing system for your papers, etc........... My husband took me to get some DVD's last night. So after I walked I watched a movie, then walked again and watched another movie. The other thing I hate is not being able to drive so I can't go anywhere. Nobody ever told me I wouldn't be allowed to drive for a week. I live to far from town to walk so I just walk to the park and back. I did better today with the movies. We don't have cable so I spent my first few days with nothing but 5 channels to watch so I didn't even bother. Something funny about the whole thing........my drawers were clean so the ones I cleaned out were my husbands. He didn't know until the next morning when he was getting ready to go to work. He had a cuss attack, I just pretended I was still asleep. I guess he liked having them messy with all that junk in there. I threw away all the junk. He hasn't said anyhting about it, but I guess that is why he had the idea to take me to get some movies.

I am so sorry. Sending prayers for a speedy recovery.

Vines, ROFL, I wish, I could look like Marilyn Monroe 5 day out. It ain't exactly hour glass but now that you mentioned it I hope that is where it is planning to go . I sure would be much happier if I had a loss in my hips....they are gigantuous!

Thanks girls. I think I will just deal with it until the swelling goes down some more. I hate the thought of going and spending money on clothes when I am just 5 days post-op and I have two closets full. I did decide to take my measurements just to see. I have lost 2 1/8" in my waist, 1/8" in each thigh, and I GAINED a tiny bit in my hips. Now is that not crazy? The only thing I can think of is the swelling and bloating. Swelling from the surgery and bloating because the blood thinner made Aunt Flo visit early.

Ok, this morning I was standing in the closet with only my under clothes on and my husband said "gosh, your waist is already getting so small." So of course, I had to go to the mirror and look. He was right it does look much smaller, and too some of the swelling is going down. The problem is I look like an upside down ice cream cone. My waist is to small in proportion to my gut and hips. I decided to try on some of my pantsuits. I go back to work on Thursday. Well, they fit better all over but the waist is way to big, I tried a smaller size and the waist fits better (still loose) but still a little tight around the gut. Does/Did anyone else have this type of problem? Maybe I just need to be patient and let a little more of the swelling go down? Don't get me wrong, I am not complaining about a smaller waist but the proportion difference is very noticable and makes my clothes not fit correctly.

Shirely, Would you mind sharing your daily diet with us? Thanks, Barbara

Hi Carrie, I am sorry you had to go back to school feeling so crappy. I was given a blood thinner shot not to long before I was to go into surgery and then when I got up to go to the bathroom before they took me in......guess what......Aunt Flo. I couldn't believe it, I am always like clockwork and this wasn't the time. They got me some supplies and I asked them to let me talk to the Dr. I just wanted to make sure all was ok. He double checked my lab work and we both agreed it was the blood thinner. Now on to the nutrients. I am eating most everything everyone has told you in the previous posts. I get in at least 4oz. of Protein shake a day and I am working up 1 oz. at a time, I am going to try 6 oz. today. I also tried the Egg Drop Soup yesterday, it was so yummy. Try some of the suggestions and I think it will help you feel better. ((((Hugs))))

You can also order mix for shakes that comes in chocolate and some other flavores from www.unjury.com.

Hi Fran, I am sorry to hear what you had to go through. Best wishes.

Joy to the World - Three Dog Night Ok, here is another. This one always makes me happy! Some things in life are bad They can really make you mad Other things just make you swear and curse. When you're chewing on life's gristle Don't grumble, give a whistle And this'll help things turn out for the best...

Congratulations, the day will be here before you know it.

Best wishes weightshaker. Who is your surgeon?

I got my Inamed book from my doctor with all my band information on it (Size, Ref #, and seriel number) I have an 11.0 cm. band that holds 9cc. according to my book BioEnterics Inamed Adjustable Gastric Banding Systems come in 4 sizes. 9.75 cm. maximum fill volume is 4cc. 10 cm. maximum fill volume is 4cc. 11 cm. maximum fill volume is 9cc. and the Vanguard maximum fill volume is 10cc. It doesn't say how big the Vangaurd band is at least on the systems components page where I got the rest of the information. It gives the access port features but doesn't mention there being more than one size, but I know I have heard of a mini port before. It could be there the book has 97 pages and I didn't look at all of them. It also says the port has been tested to over 200 hundred punctures with a 20-guage non-coring needle. I hope I don't need more than 200 fills .

porcindoll, I too had the Lasik and I was home in 30 minutes. Absolutely no pain. I have had no probelms and have 20/20 in my right eye and 20/40 in my left eye. I love not having to mess with contacts anymore. I think 2K is a good price. I paid $3,500 cash. My insurance wouldn't cover that either. The price has probablky gone down some now. I had it done 18 months ago.