Aquameliza

This is an interesting thread for me. I was banded on 5/13 and was scheduled to attend a conference on 6/2 in another state. When my surgeon and nurse found out (whan trying to schedule a check up) they literally forbade me from flying. I was upset at first. They gave me a letter for the hotel, conference and airline and so far I was able to get the money back- but I had not heard a thing about this before and I was on this site a few times a day before surgery! My understanding is that in the first 6 weeks, the change in pressure can pull on your stiches. However, I kept thinking about all the people who fly immediately after surgery - those that go out of the country or to another location - how are they able to do this? Do they get hurt? I ask because my surgeon's office made a HUGE deal about this. :confused2:

I have done Weight Watchers more times than I can count and always gained the weight back. So, I feel like I will stick with WW online and my band (5/13/08 banded). I am avoiding carbs as my nutritionist seems to be pushing me in that direction. So, I think WW was always good for staying on track - although my protein requirements are much higher now than they ever were!

Gender identity is a difficult issue- just becuase you cannot see someone's problem (like you cannot miss ours) does not make it not real. People born with both sets of genitals, or missassigned or just confused have huge rates of suicide and major depresssion. Just as we were born with genes that make us the way we are - they were also born that way.

So, I ended up calling my doctor yesterday as I was so concerned about the 5 days of loose stools - very dramatically loose ones- stomach cramping and all. Yuck. It was certainly the napalm assault of the antibiotics- so I had to recolonize my intestines by breaking open acidopholous capsules and drinking Keffir yogurt- it you can find it, it is the best thing in the world - low fat, but no fake sugars and high in protein and fiber. I think they should tell everyone to drink yogurt drinks along with the protein shakes to recolonize. Did anyone else have this problem?

I had surgery on 5/13 (along with a hernia repair) and I am still quite gassy- I can feel every movement of gas in my intestines. I had a tough time urinating the first few times in the hospital and that is better- but, every time I go, I also have liquid diarrhea. It is distresssing, but I am still home for a few days. I am weak and tired and sore too- I keep telling myself that this will get better. If I still feel like this on Monday, I will call the doctor's office. The Gassiest May Flower Around. :thumbup:

Hello All- I am four days before surgery and nervous. Nervous about changing my life and nervous about not having everything ready. So, to clear at least one things off my list - what did everyone wear during recovery week. My mom insists that I will want nightgowns, but I hate those- what did you wear? What is uncomfortable or hard to get into or out of? Thank you!!

Thank you for taking the time to write that - I needed to read that now. I am being banded this coming Tuesday and I am so afraid that I am shaking and cannot think of anything else. I also want to run out and eat a bacon double cheeseburger, and a steak and cheese and all the things that I won't eat again.

Hello All- I think there are physical reasons for the diet, but I am finding that there are other reasons as well. At first, it was really hard not to eat whatever I wanted, then that got easier, then it was really hard to be hungry and that got easier and now it is pretty simple all around. I feel like this pre diet is so that we can get focused and start understanding what it will be like post-op. I think it would be really hard to go from my old eating habits right into sugery or only a day or two of liquids. I bought slim fast high Protein at BJs by the case - a much better deal and I think we will always need to go back to these if there is irritation or after a fill and such. Although, I am one to talk as yesterday was my birthday and we went out for steak - a favorite food that I hear is difficult to eat post banding! Good luck to us all!

All of these services are SO expensive! I think you can do these meals at home for much, much less and eat larger, fresher servings of vegetables too. It's not a bad idea to look at thier lists and borrow from their menus of food pairings - but they are at least $20 per day.

Right you are- capris rule!!

I have more than a hundred to go - but, I am ready for this and this fabulous tool will get me there!

Ok, so I couldn't get into Duran Duran becuase EVERYONE was into them - but, I thought David Lee Roth was the hottest thing ever- I had this poster of him coming out of a swimming pool...I can still picture it. I know, I know - but what does a 15 year old know about sexy - I just adored him and their music. To say the least, my tastes have changed!:wink2:

May seems to be a very popular month! Do you think the surgery is gaining approval or more people are hearing about it? I was at the hospital getting my Pre-Op done and there was a story on CNN on the tv in the waiting room about the lap band. I wanted to scream- "hey, that is what I am here for", but I stopped myself!

I can't believe how many different diets are out there! I think I will have some Italian food that I have been craving tonight - healthy, but not in a can!

I have my anesthesiologist appointment tomorrow - what happens there? Did you get weighed? What do they ask about?? What is the purpose?

Chantix, Chantix- ra ra ra!!! This stuff rocks- I have been without a cigarette for a year now and I never thought I would be able to quit. Talk to your PCP about getting an Rx for Chantix- it rocks! The dreams are a little wierd, but interesting!

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.