Poodles

Ok, I have the same issue... except with ice cream. I can not sleep without a bowl of ice cream or something similar. So I have made substitutes. What about a chocolate Protein shake with a little splenda, maybe a spoon full of Peanut Butter added in? Or a chocolate Protein shake mixed with decaf coffee (frappachino??). Or, get some low carb chocolate options to have on hand. If you are TRULY hungry then the shake is the way to go. If you are HEAD hungry then you may want to keep a low carb cheat on hand until you can figure out what the "trigger" really is. Good luck!

You think???? I can not even use the text books released this year because of the programs they require. Really prefer not to say the district name, just know it is small and poor.

I am a high school teacher. I NEED things for my classes next year. I teach technology on PII, Windows 98, 128mb, old Dell computers. I have one video camera and one scanner. Also teach ART I, II, and III with a $400.00 budget. YIKES!!! I am considering running an ad in the local newspaper asking for donations in exchange for tax receipts from the school. Don't think my district would approve (because they would be put on the spot), but they won't fund my classes either. I have applied for all of the grants I know about, and have not heard back from them. What would you do?

If you want fruit, go for strawberries and blueberries. They are allowed in small quantities. Have some with a little splenda and cream. Yummy!

This is what my band doctor says to do for the first two weeks. I bought several kinds of baby food to "water down" with broth, milk, etc. Figure since he allows baby food fruit, a little squash with chicken broth and a little salt/pepper would work. Sounds great right now!!! What do you think? LIQUID DIET: *Coffee, tea, fruit juice (NO orange or grapefruit) *Crystal light, Nutrasweet, Sugar free Kool-Aid *Diet drinks *Protein drinks as advised by the doctor (Myocel) *Broth *Skim milk or Lactaid milk *Sugar free Jell-O or Sugar free popsicles *Low fat yogurt *Sugar free pudding *Applesauce or baby food fruit

The first thing I asked my doctor was about my liver. He said it looked good and was "not an issue". Yeah!!!

Annemarie, you will be fine. Good luck. It was like a dream to me too. Surreal. But I made it thru. Reeneea: I am having to slip slowly, and I feel full with an ounce or so. Popcicles are the best because I let them melt slowly in my mouth. A little bite at a time. Now I know, I am only suppose to be having broth/water/gatorade, but figure my sugar free pops are close enough to gatorade, and I have only had one so far today. I have not had any gas pain, thank goodness, just a rummblie tummy. I am on liquids for 2 weeks, and then on mushies, so I am envious of you!! Be careful with the soft food though. Don't want to make that tummy work hard too soon... or you will pull your stitches! Hope everyone scheduled for today is having an easy time. And good luck to all those scheduled the rest of the week!

Hey here is another stupid question. My doctor put the medium size band in. Guess that is the 10 cm. He said it was "pretty snug" and that I should stay on broth/gatorade/water for two days. What do you think that means? I think I was borderline big band... but that he figured I would lose quickly. Your interpretation?????

I suggest a newbie forum filled with the "sticky" information in the other threads. That way Newbies can go and be educated on liquid diets, mushie phases, etc. Seems all newbies (myself included) have the same concerns. Do you regret the band, would you do it again, etc. It would be great to put that in one place so that they can go there first.

Ok, so I was banded yesterday. Last night and this morning my tummy is growling. Dr. B put me on broth and Water and gatorade for two days, yesterday and today. I am sip sip sipping broth right now to try and calm the rummblie in my tummy, but don't know what else to do. Is the growling normal? Do I need to worry? Is it as bad as getting sick? I am just worried that the "movement" will make my band slip or something.

Lizzie: The biggest difference between appendix and lap band is the location of the incisions. With my appendix, they were in my "giggly" section, so every movement hurt. With the lap band they are high, and I can lay down, sit down, move around, etc. Now I STILL HAVE PAIN. It does hurt, I will not lie to you, but it is much different, and I think hurts less than the appendix surgery, which I had three incisions. My incisions were glued and taped and then covered with bandaids. I think you will do fine with two days between surgery and heading home. I am already feeling much better... but that could be the codeine talking.

I love Dr. B. He did a great job on me today.

I made it thru the surgery ok this morning and thought I would share some info. First, be prepared to go up and down the elevator. I went to the second floor to admitting, up to the third floor to sign in for surgery waiting, back down to the second floor to get some lab work done, then back up to the third floor. Love the little pillows they give. They are a lifesaver, and the ice packs are WONDERFUL. That has really helped me today. The facility is still under construction, so be prepared. I rode 1 1/2 hours home, dozed most of the way. I let my nurse know I had a ride ahead of me so he "hooked me up" with some pain meds for the ride home. I did fill my prescriptions. I am a BIG WIMP and feel like dirt at this moment in time. I give the Decatur hospital and staff an "A" for their patience and service. They did a great job with this big pink chicken.

Hello all... Just checking in to let you know I am home too. Got to the hospital at 8am, did some running around to get labs done, then got ready for surgery. Made it home around 1:30 and have been sleeping off and on. Feel like I have been hit by a train at this point, but it is easier than having my appendix removed. Will post about the hospital on the Decatur thread. Congrats to all of us that did not chicken out today!!!

I started low carb on the first trying to get back in the groove of things. The Detox period is the hardest time, and I wanted to be working while I went thru this. Plus, I want my liver to be in good shape. Lost a few pounds, and then gained a few when I started on Myocel (it has carbs), then I went to three shakes a day and one meal and lost 5 lbs again. Hopefully, my liver will be good enough to handle the surgery. If you can, start low carb asap. This will help you in many ways. Atkins is your friend. I did eat WAY too much meat today, but figure if I go back to one meal tomorrow it will even out. And I will not eat anything after 12 pm. So so so scared... but I am also excited. FYI: I am off for summer... I am a teacher.

Scared is an understandment, so I know how you feel. One more day. I celebrated today with a nice big steak for lunch (remember, my doc just put me on low carb, not total liquids). Tomorrow I will be taking it a little easier on my tummy. Hubby has been very supportive today. He told me that I will be happier, when I am healthier. So I just have to remember that.

My hubby has shown some concern over the past few days. But this morning he said, "I want you to have the surgery, so that you can live longer than your parents." (Which both died at age 58, two years apart.) Told him that just prolongs his misery. Til death do us part you know!

My doctor does a fill at 4 weeks post op. Thank God for that! I want this thing to work quickly!!!

Best advice I can give is take your Vitamins. I go crazy if I miss my Vitamin. Get the CarbSmart, or other such vitamin for those on low carb. Then on top of that take a good b-complex. If you don't you will attack anything that won't bite back. Trust me... I have been fighting carbs for four years, and the best line of defense is a Multivitamin and a good steak!!!

I have been taking Milk Thistle, liver support, and liver cleanse Vitamins since October. Have been pretty good on my pre-op diet, and finally lost the 5 lbs I have gained. Surgery is on Monday, and as we all know I am worried about it. Wondering if anyone has actually been opened up and not banded because of their liver? Any suggestions on what to do with two days to go to avoid this from happening?

:cheer2: Congratulations!:cheer2:

Oh TellyMelly, I AM drugged up. Have been doing rather well with Effexor the past few months. I just really feel overwhelmed. Everything was fine when I thought I would just have one surgery to fix both things. Now three surgeries in three months seems unreal. I am going to do it though. I NEED the lapband. I know that. Thank you for being here for me. LBT is a great place for support.

Wow, there are alot of us Junebies.. Or shall I say June Babes... June Bugs...anyway you say it... we are on our way. Please pray for me. I will need it. Think I am turning into a chicken. Monday is coming fast.

OK, so I have decided to do both surgeries. Now, I can't stop crying... what is up with that? I have not been able to sleep, can't stop thinking about lapband issues, scared all the time, really afraid I am going to chicken out. I know everyone has the "jitters" and have read how everyone that made it thru them is happy... but man... I just don't have the words to express how I feel right now. Scared, excited, depressed, and want to run away... that is just a few that come close. Normal? Drama-queen? Chicken?

I am just on preop diet now, but last night I was ready to kill or die for ice cream... so I made a substitute. Chocolate protein shake (Myocel), 4 oz soy milk, 4 oz water, two packs splenda, and a big scoop of low carb peanut butter. Blend it up with ice and OH MY GOSH... Reeces protein shake!!! Yummy! Ricotta cheese mixed with Peanut Butter is also good.