Done

Hi Steph, I'm starving, too. :rofl: Can we have a b**tchfest together?? I hate the diet thing, too. I feel like telling people to get another issue.

I hear ya!!! Big hugs to you. I have a suggestion ... put a roll of duct tape in your co-workers Inbox at work with a note, "affix to mouth". I think we are all going to have to get used to the attention, whether it is perceived as being positive or negative. Everybody notices that we are fat before.... a lot of us just want to hide, and don't want the attention. Then when we lose weight there is an enormous increase in attention, comments, etc. and some of us just want to crawl into a hole and die, while others relish in it. I, personally, can't handle the fact that when I have lost weight in the past, all of a sudden people start talking to me more, making eye contact, and MEN, oh my god the men wouldn't leave me alone. I was EXTREMELY RESENTFUL. I couldn't understand why nobody liked me before, I just had extra fat on me, but I was the same person inside. I tell ya, when the men started to NOT look at me anymore, I almost died inside. I loved getting the attention, especially around my husband (my fiance at the time) .. it made him proud to walk around me. Now, five years later, I'm getting myself back to the way I used to be. I totally agree with everybody else's suggestions to walk tall and proud. Try not to "mind read" people...just be happy with what you have accomplished. I mean I can look at a picture of myself at my pre-op weight and totally understand why men wouldn't be attracted to me anymore, but it still hurts inside....I didn't perceive myself as being _that_ heavy. :rofl: I know there are so many annoying factors to it, i.e. my neighbhor whenever she has seen me (before surgery), she always asks me, have you lost weight??? It REALLY annoys me. I felt like asking her if her ass lost weight too. I know I need to lose weight, quit bringing it up in my face like it will make MY DAY to hear it from her that she thinks I am losing weight (when in fact I could have gained weight).

Way To Go!

Hey Girlygirl's husband, you wouldn't happen to be MY husband, with another wife? ha ha, just joking. Do you post to CGN? Just curious. My husband does his own loads as well and competes in the BCRA Sniper competition (I think that's what it is called) and in tactical shooting as well. I had a brief stint in the military years ago and of course was trained on how to use a firearm. Before we had kids I tried shooting at the range (back when the one in Port Moody was still open) but didn't really like it anymore. Whenever there is a shooting reported in the paper, we always ask, "I wonder if that gun was registered". Vast majority of time they aren't. I agree that there are a lot of careless idiots out there, but we are extremely safe, and our house would have to be blown up by a missile in order to gain access to my husband's firearms. They aren't used for home protection, they are his hobby.

Hi Jaymie, I will take a look today to see if I can find those fit n lite yogurts that you mentioned. Wow, I had no idea they came out with sf carnation instant breakfast ! Another one I"ll have to buy. Thanks for the suggestions

Day 10: Following my dietician's advice, I progressed to stage II foods which are liquid pureed Soups, yogurt, Protein drinks, etc. I welcomed the change with opened arms -- truly enjoy having squash Soup (Campbells Gardennay brand). I was worried about hair loss and malnutrition. I am able to supplement my diet with powdered Vitamins, add some Udo's 3-6-9 oil for my noggin, and liquid Floradix for Iron supplementation. I also finally got some BeneProtein powder which is awesome. My weight went up about three pounds at the end of week one, but then dropped again back to the original loss. So I am still at a 13 lb loss after a little over a week. I was dehydrated after having the runs from the antibiotics (sorry TMI) and also OMG you girls out there, you KNOW what antibiotics do to a woman!!! Needless to say it's been almost two weeks since my husband and I were close. NOT fun! My port spot barely hurts now. I can feel the port right under the skin. I feel like the BORG! I am going to the gym tomorrow after I drop dd off for kindergarten. I haven't been there in MONTHS. Look forward to getting back on the xtrainer machine. I have to admit I am struggling. I am so incredibly hungry as I no longer have restriction. I think yesterday in addition to broth I had about four half-cup servings of the soup. At 110 calories per cup that adds up. Plus the yogurt I had was 2%, need to read labels now..it rang in at 120 calories per half cup. I haven't had my post-op appointment yet --- a week late --- since I had no childcare last week, and there's no way I could let my three year old run around while I was drinking rocket fuel! My post-op appt is on Thursday, then I _still_ have to wait to have my first fill. I purchased a BODYBUGG off of ebay this weekend and it should arrive this week. I can't wait to use it! I've also thrown out the Nutella.

OMG, my heart bleeds for her and her children. For those who don't know, last night she was taken to a hospital for a psych evaluation. It was reported earlier it was time for her ex to take custody of her kids and she wouldn't let them go. (TMZ.com) I never liked her before but after she had kids, and had problems with depression, I really empathized with her. I had gone through some of the same things after I had my children - depression, lack of self worth, unsupportive husband, etc.. The torment she goes through on a daily basis with those leeches following her around is astonishing. I know we could go into her being rich and famous, for her deserving it, loving the attention, etc. etc. but really, none of us really know what has gone on in her relationships, her health, etc. Being followed around is probably the only thing that makes her feel worthy and beautiful nowadays. I reeeally hope she can get some help, some relaxation, some time to reflect, and to get her shit together and go after #1, her kids. I hope she doesn't die like Marilyn or Diana ... :cry

HI there, I am so very sorry you had to endure that terrifying ordeal. There is a difference between the meds used in a cesarean and those used in general surgery. From what I understand, in a cesarean, if it is general anesthetic (which is rare), they have to put you under for as little times as possible, as the anesthetic is very harmful to the baby. That might be how you woke up early. With a regular cesarean they do the epidural and give you (I think) a twilight sleep.... from what I have heard it is normal to feel intense tugging while the baby is being pulled out. Is that what you felt? Apparently they can't numb that pain. With this lapband surgery it is different and I think the risks are very low as there is no rush to wake you up. I would definitely talk to your anesthesiologist (spelling?) Good luck and hugs to you.

Hi there, bear with me in my ramblings here, it's 4 am and I can't sleep :eek: I am a week post-op and still having problems getting my clock back in order. Have you been in touch with your local LLL? They might be able to help you, or get you in touch with the hospital's lactation consultant, to help you with the breastfeeding during the pre- and post-op period. As long as you are properly hydrated, receive enough nutrition (how many calories? 1200??), I can't see there being a problem with nursing. You didn't mention how old your child is. Is he/she exclusively breastfed, or are they eating solids yet? If you have supply issues, or worry about them in the future (which I can see happening with the initial post-op low calorie liquid phase, you might want to take domperidone (motillium) which increases prolactin production which will in turn increase your production. Maybe they can look into getting you a high protein/nutrition liquid food (something like a Meal Replacement drink, but thinner consistency) during the post-op period where the band and your tummy heal. I take a great Protein supplement called BeneProtein. It is expensive, $27 cdn a container, much cheaper in the states. You can get it at Walgreens. It is used to feed children/patients in the hospital. Very thin consistency, you can barely taste it, and it doesn't clump at all. Another supplement to consider. It is far superior than regular protein supplements/powder that you can get from a store. It comes in a size similar to a small container of formula. If you google search it you can find more info on it .. made by Norvartis Pharmaceuticals. I bf my first daughter until she was 3.5 and my second a little over a year (had to wean due to meds ), I wanted to be a lactation consultant, so please pm me if you need any more info. You're doing a wonderful thing by bf your child, please let me know if you need any more help. :eek: Roberta

It helps to read people's previous posts to get some background and possibly be more of help. Aren't there any local support groups in the area? Do any run out of the hospital? Have you tried asking your surgeon's office for more assistance? Just off of the top of my head. I realize this is a tremendously difficult adjustment period ( I should know, a little over a week post-op), but if you don't act as your own advocate and go and get the help you need, you're just going to fall back into the same old patterns. Again, I really understand how difficult this period is. We all don't get obese overnight, and having to change our eating patterns "overnight" is extremely difficult, but we, and you, can do it! :eek:

I actually have the research papers if anybody wants to see it. PM me. :confused:

Way to go Jaymie! That sounds like absolute torture having to sit in a restaurant when you couldn't eat everything!

You can probably tell the top one still hurts. There are five incisions - let's play CONNECT THE DOTS! LOL:) I have a huge hematoma on my arm where they put in the IV, it is about 5" long and 3" wide.

Oh yeah, I also was able to drive and walk around yesterday almost like normal. My port cut is still really sore and covered with bloody scabs (sorry). My other incisions never bothered me at all. I wonder why they don't give patients some sort of a compression / support bandage to wear around their abdomen? I could have really used that instead of a pillow to hold in my port area..it hurt when I walked.

Quick update... I have already made some positive changes to my appearance. I started wearing my hair up aka Britney with the headband and the big ponytail, kind of teased at the top so it gets a bit of volume (aka Amy Winehouse). Started using an eyebrow liner and wearing lipstick (which I never used to do, just did my eye makeup and that's all, bare minimum). I lost 11 pounds in the first week. It went lower then went up 2 lbs and then stabilized. I'm pleased with the result. I must admit that I am weighing myself once, twice a day. I need to stop. I can't remember if I discussed this or not but I slipped up a few days ago and had some teaspoonfuls of nutella (chocolate/hazelenut spread similar to peanut butter). I am back on track now and trying some week2 foods - I had some potato soup, slim fast (with added protein), and a kids-sized yogurt (minigo). I'm finding that it helps a lot and doesn't leave me feeling so deprived. Whenever I drink something, even if it is the first sip or two, I get a heavy feeling in my chest and my shoulder pain starts. I don't get it!! It's hard not to drink air with the fluids, I still can't figure out how to manage to do that - have tried straws, spoons, right from the cup, no go. It's hard for me to tell if I am 'full' or not --- especially with liquids, how much am I supposed to eat? I don't understand. I emailed my dietician and hopefully she can answer that. Anyways that's it for now...thanks for reading. If you have a progress thread you post to, please let me know, I would love to read it!

Thanks Steph!!

Thanks Indigogirl! My major problem is I usually don't cook and rather would buy something pre-made at the store. I will give some of your ideas a try. I found by adding oxo and Beneprotein to my broth it added some flavor. I bought some Imagine organic Soups and they were pretty good - sweet potato, potato and leeks - they are all very thin. I also had a minigo (tiny kids-sized yogurt) yesterday and OMG OMG it was soooo good. I am slowly trying new things for the week2 diet. I can do this!

I want to put some sticky notes up in the house (bathroom mirror, fridge, computer, etc.) to remind me to hang in there, and to also stay on track. I could really use some good ideas from those successful bandsters out there! I thought of "don't cheat your band" but there must be a few other one-liners out there to keep one motivated, especially through the difficult liquid post-op phase that I am currently in. I remember seeing one that was something like "do not allow your eating disorder to cloud your judgement" but it wasn't that long.... Thanks!

Not sure why, but I take Nexium (by rx) and it is AWESOME.

This is awesome! Definitely fridge material. LAPBAND 12 COMMANDMENTS: 1. Thou shalt consume thy Protein first, followed by thy veggies and fruits. If thou, then hast any room left thou shalt comusme thy carbs lastly! 2. Thou shalt take the tiniest of bites, placing thy fork and thy spoon upon thine table, that thou shalt have more time between bites to savor that which thou hast eaten, and allow thy stomach adequate time to inform thy brain of thine fullness. 3. Thou shalt chew and chew and when thou has done so, thou shalt chew some more, lest thy band rise up and smite thee,causing in thy chest great pain, and spewing forth. 4. Thou shalt drink of thy Water, copiously, consuming all that has been recommended to thee, that thou mayest be spared the pangs of hunger and dehydration, and thou shalt thus, also keep thy kidneys well flushed, that thou shalt not develop stones to aggrieve thee. 5. Thou shalt exercise in a manner that thou mayest choose, of thine own accord, providing that thou art faithful to thine execise regimen,that thou shalt not falter on thy journey to thine smaller self. 6. Thou shalt honor thy band and maintain it well, that it shalt be a steadfast friend to thee throughout thine entire life. Thou wilt,from time to time, as thou hast been told, obtain for it the fills that it needest that it may then help thee in thy hours of need, keeping it always in perfect adjustment for thine benefit. 7. Thou shalt not worry and gnash thy teeth, becoming aggrieved at those times when thy losses seemingly stop and thy weight remaineth constant, remembering then that thou tookest long to acquire thine pounds, and that thy pounds must then take time for loss. 8. Thou shalt maintain a log or dairy of thine measurements, that thou mayest truly perceive the effect of they band when thine scale doth pause in it's downward progress. 9. Thou shalt join into and participate within thy local support community, for without the input, experience and love of they fellow bandsters, thou shalt have a much more difficult time in thy journey, and when thou art well upon thy road, thou shalt then likewise assist those who followest in thine footsteps that they too might be successful in their own diminishment. 10. Thou shalt beware of thine " soft caolries syndrome", keeping always in thy mind that thou canst thus sabotage thine efforts and thine investment and lead thee then therefore into depression and guilt. As once stated "Just because thou canst, it meaneth not that thou shouldith".

babygirl --- I LOVE IT!!! lapbandit - good one, too.

Ooh that sounds fabulous! I just got my three big vats of beneprotein today, now I can put them to good use!

How about asking your physician? Looking at your previous posts you have already eaten cookies and marshmallows less than a week post-op. Talk to your physician and tell him/her what you are doing. They need to know.

Does anybody know what time it starts? I think I am going to come over ... it'll be a big drive for me, I'll be coming from Maple Ridge.

Thanks, Karri, as well. :)