Aquameliza

I met with my nutritionist and she gave me a PreOperative Diet to follow for at least 2 weeks before surgery. As I had been such a bad, bad girl for the last few weeks (who am I kidding, last few months) knowign that surgery was coming that I am doing this diet for 3 weeks instead of 2- no alcohol, Protein shakes (I drink high protein slim fast), some fruit and a small salad with grilled protein- that is it. I am only on the 4th day, but I feel a little better already and it will help me get past the headaches, dizziness and empty feeling that would certainly happen after surgery if I was not prepared. Oh, I did get special dispensation to have a piece of birthday cake on my birthday which is a week before surgery!

I get such a kick when the young 'uns at work look at me like I used to look at people who were alive in the '60s - like I am ancient history becuase I graduated High school in 87 and college in 91 - so my first real solid memories and becoming an adult were in the '80s! It is too funny. Anyway, I thought Cereal came out from above on MTVs game show - and hey, on a side note, I tried out for that show and got to the final round - but, did not make it to tv!! And the smurf's cat was really Gargamel's cat and his name as Azrael (I think that is the spelling). BRING ON MORE '80s trivia!! Oh, and speaking of '80s clothes, how about "FRANKIE" big letter sweatshirts....I LOVED those and jelly shoes.

This is sad to say, but I more than completely understand. I lost a large amount of weight in high school and was molested/violated right after - so I now associate fat with safety (I have since regained the weight and more). I have a very loving and supportive husband and my life is much different (person not in my life anymore and I am in therapy) - but, I am also afraid of being thin. Sorry, I didn't mean to be sad sounding - but, I get what you are talking about and wanted to share my feelings. You are not alone and we will get better! Go May Flowers!

Liquid diet started today! Wow - I feel like I have to do well with this as a test - if I can't do this, I will fail in the long run. I know that is a lot of pressure to put on myself, but I HAVE to take this seriously - I truly feel like this is a gift and my last chance- if I do not take full advantage of this or only do it half a*%ed instead of giving this my dedication that I will deserve to fail. Oh, I am so very anxious and excited and nervous and all of those things. I am so happy to have this forum!! It gives me a place to go everyday to see how others are doing (isn't it funny to see yourself in newbies?!), to ask questions, and to just weigh in on issues. Mostly, it feels like I am part of a community and it is a great feeling. I forgot how many days to surgery it is (21 I assume)- it is so cool to see my ticker count down. I will weigh in again this Friday when I see the anesthesiologist. Anyone been through the anesthesiologist appointment yet? :blushing: Happy Earth Day Everyone!!

What kind of insurance do you have? I have Harvard Pilgrim and it was a cake walk (assuming everything keeps going this way)! Good luck. I am so excited - it is 3 weeks away!!

I suppose I will have to find something that I enjoy and is not painful. It is sucha vicious cycle of needing to exercise becuase I am obese, but exercise hurts becuase I am obese....I was thinking of joining the ladies at the Y for the aqua aerobics class - that seems like the least awful of the choices. I hope that after the surgery I will have lost some weight - at least enough to give my knees a little break, cause, boy oh boy do they hurt now!

Oh! I completely understand- check my stats- I am right there with you and concerned...but, I read everything on this site and it helps me believe in the surgery and myself. Good Luck!!

Those pills you describe are very expensive - you can buy chlorophyll gel caps at nutrition/vitamin stores for ALOT cheaper. I am not trying to push any brand, but here is an example- Vitamins.com Product Search and they have liquids and chewables too. These do work on most body odors, but I must warn you - they can make your poo green!!!!

I suppose it is a way to look out for fruitcakes..... Not sure I like the new look of the site- it takes longer to get around.

Well, my nutritionist wants me on liquids and one small meal of protien and veggies a day for 3 weeks! I am starting in 5 days and I keep telling myself to slow down or that first day will be worse that anything, but, all I do it eat like they will stop making food that I love tomorrow. This week is restuarant week in my town and it is killing me!! Good luck to us all.

I suppose that is the real answer - it is not about quantity but about quality. I think that can pull me through once the liquid parts are over. As long as I can still have tiny amounts of some new foods once in awhile, I should be ok, but the thought of never eating ethnic foods or new dishes would kill me - it is a big part of our (dh and I) life. No more Country Buffet for me (or China Buffet) again- only foods are worth the space in what will be my tiny tummy!

Sorry to hear about the cold...I was hoping you might share your experiences with Dr T? I am being banded at the Faulkner on May 13th and would really love to hear first hand about the hospital and/or doctor. Thanks!! Melissa aka Aquameliza

Hey Sandy- I am being banded at the Faulkner by Dr T on May 13th. How was your experience with the hospital and Dr T?

Hello All- My name is Melissa and I live in Salem, MA. My surgery date is May 13th and I start my liquid diet next week (eeek). I was a fat kid and got disgusted by myself my senior year of high school and lost about 50 pounds. I maintained a relatively healthy weight for about ten years. After getting married in 1997, my DH and I ate and ate and ate our way to morbid obesity. I am very excited about the surgery and the whole process.

Hello All- I am scheduled for May 13th - anyone else in the Boston area?

Hello- The initial reason I wanted to go to a therapist was to discuss my out of control weight and what it was I was seeking solace in via food. I do hope to eventually get off of the Paxil I presently take, but if not, then I will continue.

This is a great thread. One of my girlfriends told me that she was worried about me getting this surgery becuase going out to different restuarants and trying new things is my very favorite thing to do. I adore ethnic foods - eating out and learning how to cook them. Some people have a spice rack - we have spice closet. I have at least 8 kinds of oils and 10 kinds of vinegar in the cabinet next to the stove. On top of that I am an oenophile! But, I keep thinking that I have to change my frame of mind and remember how blessed I am that abundance is my problem and that this surgery will give me the tool that I need to do what I know is right - sample the foods, enjoy the small bit that I can have and truly appreciate it. I am getting my brain around looking forward to it. Right now, my problem is that the monster is out of the box and I have my next 2 weeks of meals planned out to ensure that I can get in a FEAST of my favorites before I go on a 3 week liquid diet and then into surgery. :purplebananna:

Hello - I completely understand. Seriously, I didn't think anyone else understood. It's like the monster was llet out of the box!! My "D-Day" is 4/20 as I have to do a 3 week liquid diet before my surgery on 5/13 and I have been eating like food is going to stop being made. I am afraid that I will not be able to stop. Eating out, making my favorite foods. I have to slow down... :tt1:

I hear you ladies - I am totally obsessed with this site. I am on this board at least twice a day- usually more. This really keeps me on track. Now, I have to get ready to switch my mind set. I have been in "last supper" mode for so long...Actually, I was on what I call the double fudge diet for a few weeks to ensure that I would qualify when I walked in for the first weigh in - well, that was not a problem! Now, I really have to get my brain around this and start down the right road...I am ready and I can do it...I just need to do it - I know this is different than any of those other times that I started a diet- but I have the same feeling in my head and I am fighting myself. Anyone understand this? I have to do a 3 week liquid diet before surgery, so I need to prepare for that. Hoping all this rain will really bring some May Flowers!!

Hello all- How do we personalize the May FLowers logo- where did you make that?

Hello- I am being banded on May 13th and will have a small hernia repaired at the same time. I understand it is not a big deal, but I am also a little more concerned. However, I am really looking forward to not having reflux. I had it so bad a few years ago that the acid had caused one of my tonsils to swell to very visible size - they thought I had cancer at first!! I take pills everyday and would love to not have to. :wink_smile:

:rolleyes2:Perfect! I really am a May flower as my birthday is in May as well- Cinco de Mayo in fact - I have always wanted to go to Mexico for my birthday and pretend all the party was for me!! How many of us are there? Looks like Catterpillarfly is our capable leader? At least, I nominate her! Has everyone taken their BEFORE photo? Mine was frightening to look at, but it really made me determined to do this and see it through!:thumbup:

So far, it looks like May Flowers! What is everyone's surgery date- I am May 13th. My mother was horrified that the date is the 13th! Its not like its Friday the 13th! Anyone else think that the 13th is a bad date??? May Flower Bulb Aquameliza:rolleyes2:

Oh, I am sooo excited to be part of a group! My date is May 13- I like PlayMAYtes (but that might not be fair to males!) but whatever name we pick- I am just so excited to be a part of it. Anyone being banded in May in Boston? It would be great to find a buddy. :scared2:

Hello All- Well, I am on my way to becoming a real bandster too - I got my insurance approval (see previous post- Harvard Pilgrim ROCKS!) and now my surgery date- May 13th, 2008! :thumbup: My surgery nurse (who is soooo nice) said that I was approved for a 3 day hospital stay. I understood that lap band surgery only required an overnight stay, but she said that she puts in for as many days stay as possible (3 for lap and 4 for bypass) and if the insurance approves it, then you can use it. I must admit that an extra day in the hospital sounds great- but 3 days sounds excessive. So, the question for all is - How many days (nights) did you stay in the hospital? How many days do you think you SHOULD have stayed in the hospital? How many days would you have LIKED to have stayed in the hospital?