Angelsma

I actually found a liquid cherry flavored vitamin at my local healthy food store.

Ditto..gas. I was banded 7/10 and I still have some pain. The pain meds help, heating pad works wonders, but the best if walking and resting when you're able. I use the CVS bran gas-x and just picked up the CVS brand Phazyme - doesn't seem to do any better than the Gas-x.

If it's any consolation, I also am having gas pains, bloating, tightness etc. I tried the store brand gas-x - helped for awhile. However, it seems like the CVS brand "phazyme" sp? gelcaps are working fast! They're a little pricey ($10.50 for 60) but heck when your stomach feels like it's ready to explode it's worth the price. I cannot wait until this passes altogether.

jack&kota, as you prefaced everyone is different taking into consideration a persons age, job, physical demands etc. Personally, I took a week and 2 days vacation (my surgery was last Thursday) and I am praying that I have the energy to take on a full day of work next Monday. I was told that my energy would come back but I had no idea. Couple that with no caffeine! one-two-punch (I did have a cup this morning because I needed it bad). You know your body better than anyone but I would take no less than a week to recuperate.

If it's any consolation I am 7 days post op and can't remember ever feeling so sadness as I have over the last week. I believe my sadness has everything to do with food - particularly comfort foods that I used as a drug before the surgery to comfort myself in good times and bad. Now I am seriously grieving the "loss" of my oldest and dearest friend (talk about a one-way relationship!!). So, once I realized it I began to write when I feel sad. It's very therapeutic. Maybe writing isn't your thing - find something else that helps you. I hope this helps.

Willbefine, after signing up for the "Chrstian Banders" thread, I received a link to this new thread. I too, I have found myself in a similar situation. While not with the exercise but with trying to eat over the feelings, and I'm only five days out from surgery! However, if it's any consolation DON'T BE SO HARD ON YOURSELF. YOU WILL GET IT TOGETHER. Take it all in stride as you walk out your faith with each new day with this wonderful gift / blessing in the form of a lapband. Some suggestions if you haven' t already..begin to journal your experiences, your feelings, emotions, struggles, triumphs. Prayer, journaling, working the 12-steps of overeaters anonymous (even if you don't attend the classes - yuu can find the 12-steps online). Print them off and place them where you can see them. God Bless you and be encouraged. All will be well.

I was banded on 7/10 (Thank you Jesus!!). Considering that my band is still wide open I continue to battle portion controlitis. However, I know that will come to an abrupt end after my first fill so I'd better stop cheating. Anyway, In addition to having the normal stuff i.e. s/f Jello,

Check out Shaklee's (soy or whey) protein. You can order online (see link under my signature). All Shaklee products are 100% guaranteed or you get your money back.

Good question....I'll wait to hear answers from the group

There are many factors that will be taken into consideration through the approval process: your insurance, your doctor, how thorough you are in completing your applications/answering questions, when/if you're required to complete behavior modification classes (me), and ulitimately when the surgeon can schedule your surgery. My process has taken about six months. I am tentatively scheduled to be banded second or third weekend in July (applied in 12/07). Yoo hoo :cursing:

this is a great thread... - feeling like I'm going to die when I bend over to tie my sneakers - the look in people's faces who haven't seen me since high school when I was a freakin 115 lb majorette - squeezing into restaurant booths - wearing a gigantic bra that hurts, binds and rolls - huge stomach, arms, thighs and double chin - running from cameras, mirrors, and reflective windows - men never really looking at me - being treated like a second-class citizen in department stores - being winded going up stairs - being tired all the time - hurting knees, back, hips - snoring :thumbup:

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!! This article speaks to me so clearly. For the past two weeks I have been eating out of control as if rebellion to my behavior modification classes. Matter of fact, before reading your article I had put a call into the behaviorist at OSU who I'm working with to see if she had any idea what was going on. Yesterday, I came to the conclusion...who am I hurting other than myself? The more important question is why do I feel the need to hurt myself? Your article clarified it all for me. I'm going to forward this my sister who is struggling with the same thing.

Thank you for the play by play. It is very helpful for us who want/need details.

Get real...it's like that for all of us. I can guarantee you that it's like that for every fat working person in America. While it can't be proven, I believe, obesity is the last stone wall of discrimination. So, if you can't beat em (I'm not going to try) join em and get happy while you're doing it.

Beautiful reminders. Thank you :cursing:

I was drinking herbal tea in place of my one (big cup) at home early a.m. and then another cup of reg. once I got to work. That was ok M-F but by noon on Saturday I guzzled a diet coke. Then on Sunday after church I couldn't understand why I had a sickening headache. I chugging another diet coke at 9pm Sunday night!! I won't do that again. So, I'm going to dry the 1/2 caf 1/2 reg and gradually go 100% decaf and ultimately 0 caffeine. Prayerfully, once I lose the weight I won't need a fake engergy booster. Thanks everybody for you kind and helpful feedback.

I understand that we can't have any caffeine before, during and immediately after surgery. I am trying to give it up or wean myself off (don't have a surgery date yet). Any suggestions? More importantly, how long do I really need to be off the stuff? The withdrawal symptoms are monstros...I feel for drug addicts who are in withdrawal. :thumbup:

In reading your note several things come to mind...(1) hater, (2) so unprofessional, (3) ignorant to the facts, (3) hater!!

"Bringing Sexy Back" LOL...that's really sweet and very funny. Sometimes I wonder how I'll feel once I lose the weight because it has been such an excuse not to get close or a "wall of protection" for me. I'm working on all that in behavior modification classes.

You should ask your doctor about that...while it makes sense it may interfere with your surgery.

WOW...that sounds like me. I'm currently in behavior modification classes at Ohio State University (3 of 12 classes to go) and I'm beginning to feel the same urges of wanting to eat all I can while I can before the surgery - the stress is amazing. All the while in the back of my mind (and I've seen some people here touch on it) that I will eventually need to say goodbye to one of my nearest and dearest (mute) friends, food -comfort foods in particular. I don't believe it's always about the food I'm eating (and lots of it at times) but the FEELINGS that I associate with it. I need to remind myself to get in touch with my feelings (very difficult to do at times) i.e. fear, sadness, stressed, anger, hurt, happy, sad, excited, lonely and determine how best to respond to what I'm feeling vs running to the frig...it's a lifetime of un-learning signals of reward and punishment with food....."here have a popsickle you'll feel better"...."have a bowl of soup you need it"...."I'll have a cheeseburger..I deserve it"..."we're going to get ice-cream if you're good". Does this make sense to anyone else?

CONGRATULATIONS! Now get some rest :cool2:

Congratulations! That is so exciting and the perfect way to start the day :blushing: All the best to you in your journey.

As long as you keep taking in sugars you will continue to crave carbs. How about a thick creamy strawberry/peach protein shake? or oatmeal with a flavored (sugar free) syrups? I heard others say they realy like won ton or hot and sour soup from a chinese rest. Just a thought.

Abby, please know there are 1000's of people who feel the same you do at one time or another in our journey to better health. Don't be so hard on yourself. Matter of fact this is the time that you need to look yourself in the mirror and tell that girl "I'm going to take care of you and we're going to get better...one day at a time/one minute at a time". You have beat yourself up so much for so long for wanting/eating stuff you know that you should that you can't get past the guilt. STOP IT. Yesterday is yesterday and you may (more than likely you will) do it again. So what, don't use it as an excuse to pig out - just pick yourself up and get back in the race girl. You're going to it. Maybe you can join a local support group (overaters anonomous) or find a group here that you can pour your heart out to on a regular basis. All the best to you! oxoxox