HarleyGirl

We're pretty much in the same boat....I feel the same way. I'm truly not hungry....but I want to CHEW something! I can start on mushies next Tuesday and I'm sooooo eager to do that. My dietician said I could eat thinned cream soups....I've been doing cream of chicken and split pea thinned down, but at least there is some flavor. I have also been having Malt o'meal and Cream of Wheat thinned with evaporated skim milk.....that's actually quite filling for me right now.

I don't know Christine, but I've been burping a lot, too...... I can keep them pretty quiet, but they're definitely there!

I am a Silpada Designs rep.......if you're unfamiliar, it's an exquisite line of sterling silver jewelry....a couple of years ago I bought the most gorgeous sterling and pearl watch....and it never fit right. Too tight and just looked silly...I was upset because one, it was expensive...and two, I just loved it! I've noticed my rings are loose, so I decided to try the watch yesterday....AND IT FIT PERFECTLY....hung right at the top of my hand like it's supposed to! Soooooooooo......I have an ass the size of Texas, but my wrists are NORMAL........ Victory comes with winning small battles.....and I'll take a well-fitting wristwatch as a WIN!

I had a fun small NSV today......I bought a positively gorgeous sterling silver and pearl watch.....there's no give to the band and only one 'setting'....it's ALWAYS been too tight to wear......I noticed my rings were a little loose, so I tried the watch and it fit BEAUTIFULLY....laid right at the top of my hand like it's supposed to......so while I'm delighted about that....I'm like SERIOUSLY....I have an ass the size of Texas and I'm losing weight in my WRISTS....................but really, I'm very happy that the 15 pounds showed up somewhere!

My daughter is pretty busty....we've had good luck buying the separates at Target....she's a M or L on top and a S on the bottom....glad she got my boobs, but even MORE glad she didn't get my ass!

I do the morning hop on the scale thing, too.....I don't get discouraged if it's up a little, I know things flucuate. It's just a good reminder for me to start the day.....there may come a time that I need to do it less though, because it can get frustrating! As for blood thinners, I had the heparin shot in the belly...which sounded much worse that it was....but nothing post op. I came home with pain meds and anti nausea meds, that's it.

I stayed six hours.....really, I can't imagine staying three days..... I'm sure I got better rest at home than I would have at the hospital.

I bought an off brand bullet at JC Penney.......LOVE it. I don't know if my blender would even be able to puree 1/4 cup.....but this can. It's been a real convenient item to have.....and I think it makes the protein shakes a little more palatable.

I really recommend this workbook......it's started to help me sort through what is HUNGER and what is boredom/stress/whatever eating..... [ame=http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0936077204]Amazon.com: The food and Feelings Workbook: A Full Course Meal on Emotional Health: Karen R. Koenig: Books[/ame]

Just have to say WAY TO GO....and thanks for putting yourself out there for those of us at the starting gates! You made me smile BIG :ohmy:

DO TELL? New source of Protein for early bandster stages, I'm all ears!

I'm getting quite bored with my chocolate Protein shakes....so this morning I made it with soy milk and put a teaspoon of decaf instant coffee in it......and lovely Mocha Latte it was! The soy milk adds 6 more gms of protein as well.......not a fan of soy milk on it's own, but it's okay with the flavored protein powder! Just a little tidbit from my morning.....which is MUCH better than yesterday! I'm off to get my hair done before the wicked grays take over!

I was banded on the 18th. I had a few very restless nights. I wasn't in pain and surprisingly could maneuver in to any sleeping postion, but I just couldn't sleep. I quit trying to fight it and would just get up and have a nice cup of chamomile tea and read a bit....I figured I didn't have anywhere to be for the week, so I'd just sleep when I could. I napped a bit during the day...but now, a week out...my sleep routine is pretty much back to normal. This too, shall pass!!

Wow, it's a banding frenzy today! Good luck to all you.......holding good thoughts for a very successful journey!

Sending serious good thoughts to the struggling shamrocks! Texgirl, you poor little peanut.....two of the most miserable ailments right on top of surgery.....hoping you're feeling better SOON!

It is a slippery slope....and that's why I would certainly advocate EDUCATION, EDUCATION, EDUCATION.....if the parents fail to comply with that, then take it to the next level. No, it's not abuse as we classically define it.....but it certainly could be quanitified as neglect.....if parents don't send their kids to school, it is educational neglect....if parents fail to nourish their children in a reasonable manner, it is neglect. Many of us become parents with little or no background and nothing really to draw from....the story of the mom feeding the baby eagle brand condensed milk comes to mind.....that was, quite simply, an EDUCATION issue. I certainly don't see foster care or criminal charges as a first line, only a very last resort.....but if there is an intervention at early stages, with compliance, just think how many people WON'T be looking at WLS as adults.

I was banded a week ago.....my stomach is always very vocal...and I really don't 'feel' hungry.....so I guess we're just getting reaquainted!

Sixteen pounds IS a lot, that's fantastic!! Congrats to you!

I'm thrilled that it's taken care of......that's for sure! I would hate to have to re-visit it later....I just wish someone would have told me they did it!! I knew it was a possibility and not uncommon....I'm just a little irked that it wasn't mentioned to me or my family before I got a billing call. As for more dough, that's what it sounds like. The billing lady was *fairly confident* that the insurance would cover that part.....esp since they're getting off pretty cheap with me paying for the bulk of it. IF the insurance won't cover it......not sure...time will tell. Hell, I'll go to my grave in debt, so what's one more?

Today was back to work day....I didn't feel good when I woke up, just really dizzy and sweaty. I got dressed and tried to put down a Protein shake, but it just didn't work..... Got to work at 9am and lasted until 11am......they sent me home. I guess I didn't look much better than I felt. We have a huge event on Saturday and my manager said she'd rather have me better for the event than try to knuckle through today.....so I obliged and came home. Slept for a couple of hours, woke up and tried another shake....much better this time. I actually feel okay now....it was just a really weird morning. I did find out that I had a hiatal hernia repair at the same time they did my band.....and HOW did I find out about this? Hmmmmmm, when the billing office called for my insurance information. She got an earful because I wasn't happy that I didn't know about the additional procedure. I understand that it's fairly common and I'm certainly glad that it was fixed, but I just think someone should have mentioned it while we were there...... Anyway....that's my day!

Mine also involved my daughter.....she and my best friend took me for coffee at Starbucks....and both of them, with tears in their eyes, said "We can't live without you.....and we're just worried about your health." I had been apprehensive to bring it up with my husband because of the cost (self pay), but he immediately said, "It's only money...we'll make more." It is a big deal because I retired from my job two years ago and just working part time now....but we made it work. My family and friends mean everything to me....and I want to enjoy them for a long, long time.

I've got an appointment on Friday and I'm going to stop in to the financial office and chat with them......we'll see what happens. My insurance company is usually pretty easy to work with, but they just happen to have an exclusion for WLS, so who knows what will happen....worth a shot, that's for sure.

If the people were starving the children.......would you support intervention? Different side of the same coin, IMO..... I agree that the foster care system has enough problems, but ignoring another one isn't the answer........fix the system, don't ignore the problems.

We went to our favorite steak house and I had a big piece of prime rib....it was delicious. Even had appetizers and dessert, which we never do! I have no regrets and have done great on the pre-op and the week of post-op so far!

I just got a call from the billing department of the hospital asking for my insurance information. I told them I was self-pay. She explained that they were going to bill the insurance for the "HIATAL HERNIA REPAIR". I understand that it's not uncommon to find one during the lap band procedure, but I'm a little upset that it was NEVER mentioned to me post-op. I didn't even know they did it until this call....... For those of you that had a hernia repair at the same time, did it change your post op directions at all? I'm wondering now, if they can bill for the anesthesiologist and recovery as part of the hernia repair.....hmmmmmmm.....could it be that I might get some money back? HAHAHAHAHAHA.......yeah, and maybe monkeys will fly out of my butt. Anyway, just wondering what some of you experiences were......