Firebolt

I have also moved to soft/mushie stage (I'm 11 days post banding). I have found something wonderful to share with you: :whoo:Wendy's Chili:whoo: Yep - My doc told me that this is one of his patients favorites when moving to this stage. Well, we went out of town this weekend, and I was "forced" to get something on the road. I told my family we just HAD to go to Wendy's cuz I could have the Chili. Ordered a small size. Ate 1/2 and was totally full (about 1/2 of a cup and it had 9 grams of Protein in that 1/2 cup - or 18 grams in the whole cup if you can eat the whole thing). It was a real treat after doing the liquids for a week. Another to share with you: 2% String cheese 70 calories & 8 grams of Protein. I chew it really well and seem to tolerate it well. Totally portable also. Besides that, I've had 1/2 of a baked potato w/low fat sour cream & cheese, cottage cheese & peaches (canned), Lean Cuisine brand Mac & Cheese (1/2 cup) & green Beans. Hang in there gang. Before long we'll be chewing fish & chicken!

Hi friends, It was so good to read from all of you today. I'm glad everyone is doing pretty well & hanging in there. I really appreciate Bandpal's details & hearing from TLWEMPEN, CANADIAN COMFORT & TOWENS. Someone asked (sorry, can't remember right now) how much liquids we're getting down. I've been keeping a food diary just to track, and I, too have just not been feeling any hunger. Here's been my average food intake: coffee (1 cup) Slimfast - Breakfast (16 oz, 20gm protien) Isopure (sipping through the day - 40 gm protien) Creamy Tomato Soup (1/2 cup - no protien, but delicious!) Light & Fit smoothie (while my family had Ice Cream) Water sipped throughout the day to get me to 64 oz (all of the above liquids DO count towards the 64 oz - Thank Goodness) Bandpal - I too, today felt that pang of "needing" something to eat. For me, I think it was more of a desire for texture than emotional. I just want to crunch on something! It feels like I want whatever I'm not supposed to have. I threatened to eat a scrambled egg, I almost ate leftover mashed potatoes, etc...My DH kept me on plan though. I finally just had some cream of mushroom soup blended in the blender. I've been trying to keep up on the walking. Try to walk about 10 minutes 3 times a day. I had a very difficult time sleeping last night - back pain. I've been sleeping on my back since the surgery, and have not been changing positions, which makes the back very sore. I am still taking the Tylenol w/Codeine, but probably have only 1 or 2 doses left. I called the doctor to see if I could get a refill, but they prefer that I try to relieve the pain w/Motrin (chewable). I'm hoping this will keep the pain at bay (I've also got pain from the Haital Hernia repair). Am I being a baby? Maybe by day 6 I won't need any more. I was so glad to hear from someone who mentioned at 2 weeks out she felt great & it was a real turning point. I hope it will be the same for each of us. Keep in Touch 11/20 Friends! Judy

Good to hear from Bandpal & SkinnyJill! I hope you're all resting & feeling better every minute. I've been a little more tired today. I took about a 3 hr nap. I've not had any problems getting my protien & Water in. Although I think I'm more sore today than yesterday. I just keep managing it with the pain meds. I've taken a few laps around my cul-de-sac the past two days, but have yet to get out there today. It snowed last night & it's pretty darned cold out there! I'll get my but moving before too long though! Hey Bandpal - I bet that coffee was the best you've ever had! I know that's what I couldn't wait to have. A cup of my coffee sugar free coffee creamer. Oh, it made my morning! Yipee! I hope TLWEMPEN, CANADIAN COMFORT, NEWLIFE35 & TOWENS are all doing well also. Drop us a line when you feel up to it, ok? Take care & be good! Judy

Hey there Ovahkummer - sorry it didn't work out the first time. You sound incredibly dedicated & ready to go. I'm sure the MD's will work out any potential complications & get the procedure completed for you. I imagine it must have been a huge disappointment. :faint:But, now your Dr.'s know what to do the next time. You just keep your chin up and keep up your positive attitude. You will prevail! You will overcome! Your time is now! Hang in there & let us know how your doing, ok? Judy

Hey & Hi to you Bandpal! Hope you're doing well after surgery.

Hi Friends! This is my first post since being banded on the 20th. It looks like all of us are hanging in there and doing well! Glad to hear from Israel too! My surgery went well. They found a Hiatal Hernia that they fixed while inside. Kinda a two for one surgery. Unfortunately, they also found a golf ball size tumor on my liver. Took a biopsy. They said it looked beniegn, but I will know in a few days. It's a blessing that they found it - if I'd have not had this surgery, we may have never known it was there!:straight I've only had some managable pain at the incision sites. The Tyenol/Codiene Sryup is keeping the edge off though. I've not yet had any of the upper shoulder gas pain, or nausea that I was expecting. I prayed for each of you that I knew was having surgery on the same day. I'm so glad we did it together & we're all home now. Keep in touch & let us know how you're progressing! Judy

Wendy - As I write this you are in the hospital. I pray that all went fine and that you'll be home soon. We're thinking about you & all of our fellow bandsters. Let us know how you are doing when you feel up to it. I'm going to get mine tomorrow. Words of advice? Take Care! Judy

:whoo:Ok friends, IT'S ON!:whoo: Just a few more hours to go before we're "banded together"! I am so excited for each of us. We all get a new start. A clean slate. A fresh beginning. Forgiven for all past failures - we are free to move forward. I will keep each of you in my prayers. Don't be fearful. Write back soon & let us all know how you're doing, how things went & keep us posted!

Hey Summerbushnell - you just need to go to Tickerfactory.com. Once there, towards the bottom of the page you'll see: Weight Loss Click on it. You'll have plenty to choose from. Once you've chosen, you just follow the dirctions. Once the HTML code is displayed, you'll need to "copy" with your mouse & paste into your signature on LAPBANDTALK.COM (see your user setup pages). I believe it will show 3 different versions of code. I had to use the 2nd set of code (the first set didn't work for me) Good luck!:scared:

John - luckily, I've not had to do any pre-op torture! No pre-op diet, no bowel prep, etc...Thank the Lord above! I am contimplating having a Margarita with dinner though! It will be the last one for a very, very long time! No eating or drinking after 12am. That's about it. Go in at 9am & surgery at 11am. Hope to be in recovery by 12pm & home by Wednesday (they make me stay 23 hours). That is if all goes as planned! Thanks for keeping me in your prayers! Judy:)

Well, tomorrow is the "Big Day"! I am so encouranged by your words of wisdom. I continue to read them when I get feeling anxious. I have done the research. I have a great surgeon. I have a great facility. I have terrific support from my family & friends. I have paid cash (hee hee - that's always a motivator!) I AM READY. In the words of Todd Beamer "Let's Roll". I will let you all know in a couple of days how went.

Hey TLWEMPEN, Good to hear from you...Don't worry about your ex - They'll be amazed before too long! It's great you're doing this for you and your kids. Your whole family will be healthier & pleased with you. I'm amazed you're going back to work on the Monday after your surgery. I've booked the whole 2 weeks off. Hope I can go back sooner, but kinda planning on the worst case scenario. Did you have to do a pre-op diet?

Wendy, Good luck to you, your DH & DS! It's terrific your entire family is doing this together! May you all have great success!

Tracy, So glad to hear you're doing well. Thanks for the tip on Emend! I've asked my Dr. if he can prescribe to me prior to my surgery on Tuesday. I too have awful nausea post General Anesthesia. Take care & keep us posted!

Hi friends! I imagine if you opened this thread, you're in the same boat I am. How are you feeling? How are you sleeping? Are you ready? Shopping done? Cupboards cleaned out? Is your Christmas shopping done? Who's cooking Thanksgiving dinner for your family? What will you do on Thanksgiving? Let's stick together & support eachother through the next few days, weeks & months! Are you ready for some smaller clothes?? Yeah!:whoo:

Thanks to each of you who've posted. I'm to be banded in 3 days. It's comforting to hear your stories. Thanks friends!

Khaley - I feel your nerves! I'm being banded this Tuesday. I too am 43 yrs old. Do you have any kids, hubby, or other support? My mom is having the surgery about 1 month after me. I have been having trouble sleeping as the day gets closer. Not really 'scared' but just anxious. My Surgeon & PCP agreed that I could take Ambien for the next few nights to help me sleep. I wish you much luck on the liquid the next two weeks. I guess it's good preparation. My Surgeon didn't require it, but I've been taking it very easy with food. I don't want my stomach to be too bloated when they band me. It's good that both your liver & stomach will be shrunk and in good shape before the surgery. I imagine this will make your recovery smoother!

John, Your words are very encouraging. I'm glad to hear that getting 'stuck' isn't as bad as I perhaps had thought. I used to have trouble with lettuce while pregnant - I wonder if that will be my problem food w/the band? I guess I'll just have to wait and see. Any of us who've dieted before know that we all make sacrafices - I guess yours is Romaine!?! I'm also glad to see that you were up so quickly after surgery. I have been trying to walk every day in preparation for this. Anything I can do to get myself ready! You are a real inspiration. I'm glad you're working with patients in the field passing your inpiration and knowledge on to others. Together, we can do this! Thanks again...

John, How long until you and your wife felt better after surgery? I know this is an individual feeling, but I'm wondering if I'll be up and around a couple of weeks after. I've got my entire family coming for Christmas! And have you ever gotten something stuck? I think I'm most worried about having to go the the ER in the middle of the night! Thanks for helping me remember all of the positive thoughts! I will try to keep them at the front of my mind the next few days!

Oh Cerrin, I'm taking a deeeeep breaaaath noooooowwwww....At least I had the motivation to walk on the treadmill this AM. Still Shakin....Can't let my Hubby or kids see it though!

Ok, my surgery is in days (tuesday). I've reviewed all my pre-op documentation, done all my shopping, have my own shelf in the fridge, purged all 'off limits' items from the pantry. I'm starting to get nervous. Can I really do this? Will I remember everything? Will I screw up? I'm kinda freaking about 'getting stuck' - do you really have to go to the ER everytime this happens, or can you just PB it back up? How often should I plan on going to the ER? How long will it take me to learn to slow down & chew fully? Can I be successful at this after failing so many times in the past? Will I be recovered in time to decorate my house for Christmas & have family in town? So many thoughts - I can't even sleep. Thinking of asking my surgeon if I can take an ambien tonight to get some sleep. :help:

Ok, Chris - I get the food intake, and can probably comply well with that. But how much TIME does this workout take you on an average day? This sound scary to me, since I'm pretty sedentary right now. How long did it take you to work up to this pace? Thanks for your "Secrets"!:bounce:

I am paying $15,700 for the surgery. I do not yet know if Insurance will pay for the pre-op tests that I'm going to tomorrow. Of course, my Insurance (UHC) has a specific "No Weight Loss Surgery" clause. Whatever it costs, I've got to do it! I've taken a 15,000 loan out from my credit union & will cover anything else out of my normal savings. You know, many people pay more for a car! I'm paying to get more life in my years & more years in my life!

Andie, You will & your family will be in my prayers. You will be fine. You know you can do this, and we're all rooting for you. You've done your research, you trust your MD and you have the love & support of your family... Hang in there girl! Tomorrow, you will be a new woman!

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 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 12th jrsyshoregrl684 suebob Shalee04 13th CCFRA Princessannod1 Tralynn222 sschude 14th lightenup! dream'n2bthin Life Change (Eulete) 15th steph_cn RxTracy Hopping to It- Danna sunshiny Tete2 16th Laurieu 19th Mrs Smartypants 20th Skinny_Jill blondecz (Crissy) Firebolt (Judy) 22nd luvmy4boys 26th kuchiegrl1 Tishbite2 27th 731Shawty Cherlita Julie-Ann plump_princess 28th lukin puppy 29th Sassafras __________________