JoannMarie

Good idea, Tamra. I think it's a lot easier to share with the smaller group. I think it is strange, but my post op diet won't be given to me until I see the surgeon again on Nov 26th, just a week from surgery. She went over the generalities at my first consultation, but she said a lot in a short period of time and I don't remember the details (like to help with shopping!). I've been looking at the information that is out on the net, but there are so many variations I will feel better when I have the word from the surgeon. I'm sure we will have lots of ideas and recipes through this thread. Thanks!

Wow! These sound really good! Makes me think this all won't be so bad after all.... One suggestion for the Grasshopper smoothie - instead of heavy cream, might try fat free half and half. You will probably get the same consistency with a lot less fat (good for the liver...)

Hey All -- check out the poll Augies set up for us and vote on your favorite. Thanks Tamra!!

Check out the poll - and vote for your favorite. I know we haven't covered every one suggested, but there are lots to choose from.

Thanks, Tamra, for posting the poll. Everyone will have a chance to pick what they like and we can get a concensus. (at least I hope so...) Thanks again!

I am so sorry to hear about these job difficulties. DH and I have finally retired - but DH went back to work almost a year ago just because we were so concerned about our money lasting as long as it will have to. We have been through job losses several times during our careers - each time with 3 kids at various stages of school, and in time of economic difficulties making houses hard to sell and jobs scarce. Sound familiar? It is terribly hard to go through all that. You have not only the worry about finances, but also the blow to one's confidence level and the upheaval of job searching and interviews. The only advice I have is to cherish each other and support each other without question. In 48 years of marriage to the same guy, I will say those hard times made our marriage stronger than ever because we learned to be strong together. We also learned that God has a plan for us and we have to have faith in that. Pete, Susan, and Tamra, you and your families are all in my prayers this day. Pete and Tamra, I am glad to hear you are going ahead with your plans. This means better health for you in the months ahead and that can only be a good thing! God bless,

It's great to have you with us, Marilyn! We seem to be a pretty supportive group - all looking forward to beginning our journey in just a few weeks! Welcome...

Sharmom, you are in my prayers. The psychologist I have been seeing for lapband said that many people go through a period of mourning over the loss of our ability to eat the foods we love, and that we also now have to learn to deal with our hurts upfront instead of "eating" them and stuffing them down. There are lots of adjustments to be made with this lifestyle change. I agree with Phyl and Marilyn, you will find support and prayers here - hopefully you have a prayer group or support group nearby. That doesn't always happen - but you can always come here. Marilyn, I am thrilled to hear of your December date! Consider joining our thread in the December 2008 forum (under monthly support groups) called "Do you have a December date?" There are several ages represented, most are 40's and up. I think we have 10-12 people posting there now and all the way up to 4 pages! I think it will be helpful to share experiences as we are banded and beginning this journey.

Welcome Mommy! My date is December 4th also - as is Nina's. We have 30 days to go! The countdown is on... Fran, about the flu shot - I am glad you had this when you did. I wonder if the reactions are due to the type of flu this shot is supposed to fight. If you and your son felt this bad with the shot, you might have been much sicker with the real thing. I will get mine this week, hoping not to have a reaction, but better that than the real thing 2 days before or after banding... yuck. Hope everyone is doing well.

Welcome Jecca and Auggies! and welcome back to all... I'm not feeling the nerves yet - pretty sure I will, though, as Dec 4th draws near. The day I went in for my consultation with the surgeon I was very surprised to find I was actually nervous. It seemed a little strange to finally be meeting with this person after all the preparation, testing, researching, etc., - and all of a sudden be nervous! I think it is just the realization that it's finally happening. 31 days for Nina and me! Note to all - check with your doctor's office about flu shot. I read in a post on another thread that one of the docs did not want his patient to have a flu shot within 2 weeks of surgery. I checked with my coordinator today, and she said that's what my doctor recommends, too. I am getting mine this week. I've never had a reaction to a flu shot, but there is always that chance and I don't want that to interfere with the great recovery I am planning. It sounds like Merry Minis is rising to the top of the list with several people. I like it, too. Any other thoughts? Keep good thoughts! We are all STARS!!!

Please keep in mind Peter from Florida is a member of our group. I don't know if names like snowbunnies or wisps will make him feel at home here. I also agree with Goose that not everyone celebrates the same winter holidays, so we need to keep that in mind. Names with winter, December, holiday, etc., might work best. Personally, I like December Stars or Holiday Stars because they reflect the season and the fact that we are all STARS as we reach our goals. Remember, there is no RULE here! We don't all have to adopt the same name - or any name! Nobody's going to be kicked out of anything! We are all on this journey together just by the fact that we are being banded in the same month and we would like to be part of a thread that shares our experiences as we go along. The poll is a good idea - if I knew how to do that I'd be happy to! Anybody out there want to take that on? Remember, though, even with a poll, no one has to use a name that makes them feel uncomfortable. Support is about each of us sharing and helping each other feel welcome.

Hi Marilyn, It's good to hear from you again - so sorry you were disappointed in Iowa! Speaking as a mom whose DD and DSIL (w/baby and another on the way) are currently posted in South Korea - I will be overjoyed to have them anywhere in the lower 48! the sooner the better! It sounds like your surgical future is coming along - December sounds pretty good. My date is Dec 4th. I've started a December thread under monthly support groups December 2008, and our posters are growing by the day. You are welcome to join us! God is taking care of you and opening the doors to your healthy new life. He'll be watching over you in all the testing and preparations coming up for you. and me, too! I am so grateful for His love. God bless,

It's good to see you back, Don. I know you'll continue to improve over the next few days and be on your way!

Ditto to the Happy Halloween! I bought candy today - I bought two bags of stuff I do not like. at all! Any leftover will go with DH to his work early Monday morning (even though I do not like it). I am not taking ANY chances.

Ditto what she said! I think it is a real shame that people behave like this. Unfortunately, it seems women are really prone to envy - but I guess the men are too, they probably just express it differently. I hope everything goes well for you tonight - and tomorrow. Remember that everyone has choices - you have made a choice for you and it is working out very well. Your friends have options, too. They just have to act on them. If they are not willing to research them, act on them, and improve their lives, you are certainly not responsible for their choice. Be as supportive as you can, be confident, and enjoy yourself. You deserve all the good stuff, girl!

It's good to have you back! It seems like everybody's lives are crazy right now - but some more than others. I hope yours settles a bit for you. It's good to hear your weight loss is coming along, even though it may have slowed down, you are headed in the right direction. Maybe your fill next week will help you some. Good luck,

WELCOME PETER!! Okay, gals, erase the Holiday Belles name from the list - we have a male in our midst and won't be choosing the chick name! Your date is just one day after Nina's and mine - you have 37 days to go! We are currently requesting votes for our LBTalk "name" for the December group. I listed the suggestions people have made a few posts back - feel free to vote on your favorite. We included the name "Holiday Hotties" because it was agreed that guys are hotties, too, and we didn't want to limit our group to just chicks. (come to think of it, Santa's Vixens might be out, too!) Our group is growing, and very supportive. We are glad to have you with us, Peter.

Gosh, Nina, you are getting all that labwork out of the way early! My pre-op appointment is Nov 26 - the day before T'giving. Appropriate that my "last meal" will be the Thanksgiving one! It will be abbreviated, however, and all leftovers will be out of the house by 8:00pm. If DH wants another piece of pie, he'll have to visit one of the kids to get it! Nov 28 I go on liquids w/limited mushies, as directed by my surgeon. I finally talked with my son about the surgery last week. We live 20 minutes apart, but don't get a chance to sit and talk very often without spouses, kids, and dogs around. He asked about my research and my doctor's recommendation, and was very positive about this process as I explained it. I know he's been worried about my situation since my knee went into crisis mode last year and my weight has remained an issue. I had already discussed everything with my daughters and both are supportive. In fact, the DD who is in Korea till next summer is counting the days and planning my menus for our trip there in April. So that's 3 for 3 - and DH is counting the days along with me (36 days, Nina!!!). I am just waiting and practicing my chewing!

Okay - we're getting a few votes in. The rest of you please chime in with your favorite(s). We need more input...

Good one, Donna! Engage brain before opening mouth - I like that...

Hi All, Apples - thanks so much for the invitation! It sounds like a visit we would really enjoy. DH and I try to get to the Duluth/Silver Bay area every year or two. We have very close friends in Duluth, and several friends in Silver Bay; it's always beautiful along the north shore of Superior. It would be a lot of fun to get together. DH is a farm boy and will always enjoy being around the farms and farmers. There is always a connection. What is your route to Florida? If it is anywhere near Kansas City, we have a place for you. Lori - I did see the piece on Obesityhelp. I think I will go back and read it again, just to refresh. Thanks for the information. Glad to be back on-line with LBT tonight. I was having serious withdrawal today, too. Lori, sounds like it just was not your day. Tomorrow will be better for you. Jack, my sheltie, has come down to the studio to remind me it is time for bed. DH must have closed the door on him and the poor baby is worn out. I noticed there was a lot of squirrel herding going on in our back yard today - it's hard being a dog on squirrel patrol, you know. like trying to herd the cat... Have a good evening.

Cathy, it's so good to hear from you! We've all been wondering... My date is coming up on Dec 4th - and my surgeon recommended the Realize band - she says her over-65 patients are doing better with it. I had researched a lot and could not find much difference in the literature; I was having a hard time making the decision. I was glad to get the recommendation as it took the decision out of my hands. I trust this surgeon - obviously, or I would not be hopping up on that table. She and her partners do both bands and recommend both - but apparently she prefers the Realize for those of us of the senior persuasion (teehee). I'm glad to hear you are in the sweet spot neighborhood and losing a couple of pounds a week. That would be fine with me! Glad you are back with us!

Apples, I really enjoy your notes. DH was a sales manager with a Minnesota seed corn company in the 70s and 80s. We lived in Danube, MN - little town of 500 or so Norwegian farmers - for a couple of years. We really did enjoy Danube and it's people. We lived facing west on the western-most street in town with nothing but prairie between us and South Dakota. We had just moved in when the first snowfall hit. We could walk on top of the windblown snow up and over our garage roof! The kids loved it! Their own personal sledding hill from the garage roof to the driveway below. It was packed in solid, too - it took major equipment to dig us out! We all have great memories of that nice little town. Thanks for the reminder of the corn harvest.

Sorry that posted twice. My LBTalk is acting strangely tonight...

I am here! I am here! I've been lurking for a few days, enjoying all your messages. It's been getting cold here in northern Missouri, too. We'll have our first hard freeze tonight, but the temps should moderate later in the week and we'll be back up in the 60's, says the weatherman. I am just waiting - 37 days to go as of tomorrow morning. I'm reading a book by a psychologist called The Emotional First Aid Kit, recommended by my band psychologist. It deals specifically with WLS patients. He recommended I buy this book so I have it to read now and refer to later after the surgery. It has really been helpful - lots of suggestions for dealing with head hunger, exercise motivation, dealing with parties and holiday activities, etc. I can see why he wants me to refer to it later - I know when I hit a wall I won't remember the valuable tip I learned last night when I read that paragraph... We are all such creatures of habit and it's really hard to redirect ourselves into new habits. Author says one of the hardest habits to acquire is to exercise. We find lots of excuses to avoid our workouts. It's also the number one most important factor in keeping this weight from coming back. To all of you who are so good about exercising - my hat's off to you. I believe that is going to be one of the most difficult things for me. I have 37 days. I will be on my recumbant bike for 30 minutes in the morning. I will check back with you and report in.