cherieinnv

I went to GNC today and found a liquid Amino protein that is going to help me get the protein I need after surgery. They also have herbal liquid iron, which claims not to constipate. I also bought the Trader Joe's soy protein powder in vanilla. Yuck! Chalky! I added Wyler's Lite fruit punch to make it easier to swallow. I may just stick to soy milk and add the amino protein. It HAS to taste better. I made a mistake today and tried to eat just protein drinks and ended up losing control and eating a big dinner. A huge salad, steak, veggies. Not exactly bonbons, but more than I meant to eat. I have my last exam with the surgeon Wednesday and want a loss, not a lecture. Here's a funny story, though: A woman I work with has a big candy bowl that I avoid. She must have filled it with new candy, because she put the old candy by the coffee pot, which I visit and walk past. I made it all morning and then at 2 p.m., I took 1 chocolate but left it on my desk. I even put a sticky note on it that said 12 Days! (until surgery). I finally cracked and opened it and took a small bite. The phone rang and I answered with the chocolate still in my mouth. It was the surgeon's office reminding me of my appointment! I had to talk around the chocolate because I suddenly didn't want it. As soon as I could, I spit it into the wrapper and threw it all away. What are they, the psychic hotline??:biggrin:

Wow! And the first thing I thought when I saw your photo was: LOVE her hair! I'd like to go shorter but I have a tatoo on my neck and work in an uptight corporate environment. I'll bet this goal will really motivate you. Good luck!

That is so true: F.A.T=Forever A Target. It is no longer ok to make jokes based on race, religion, gender, but blondes and fat people are fair game. God help the fat blondes!

Congrats! I can't wait until I am no longer "morbid."

My son, 12, is sad that I am getting banded June 27. He says I've always been his big, soft, huggable mom. My kids have never been embarrassed of me as far as I know. I told my son I will always be his huggable mom--hopefully for many more years than if I had stayed this large. By the way, I too have health eating habits but my portions are too large. Also, as I got heavier, I became more sedentary. Over ther years, it adds up. My nutritionist says I can probably only eat 800 calories a day and lose weight. I've screwed up my metabolism with dieting. Without the band, I can't eat that little.

Thank you for your detailed history of "bandhood." I get banded in less than 2 weeks and am really nervous, even though I am ready for this big step. Your success story helped me a lot.

I am feeling like a lunatic this weekend. I can't focus on anything and am shopping like a nut. Nothing too outgrageous, but I don't act like this. I've bought 3 pairs of flip flops, sports sandals, a lounging gown that I plan to wear home from the hospital, a new fan for the living room, protein powder, more broth, liquid Tylenol, Gas-x strips, weird cream soups, baby oatmeal, food I hate that my kids can eat, and other stuff. I keep forgetting to eat, which isn't good for a diabetic. OK, feeling calmer. ...I see my surgeon this week for my preop exam. I have to sign papers of consent, and pay a $2000 deposit, which sucks. Since I have to use a Carecredit card, they are chargin me $160! What's up with that? Ok, be calm...be the rock, be the sky... I have a dozen things I should be doing but am not doing any of it. Oh! Here's something cool! I went to my closet yesterday and discovered that clothes that have never buttoned, now fit me, I was so excited that I started pulling shirts from the back of my closet to try on. My pants are loose, too. Can I just have the surgery this week, please? I am too worked up. Let's just do it!!! I really am going to go crazy while I count down :w00t:the days.

I am feeling like a lunatic this weekend. I can't focus on anything and am shopping like a nut. Nothing too outgrageous, but I don't act like this. I've bought 3 pairs of flip flops, sports sandals, a lounging gown that I plan to wear home from the hospital, a new fan for the living room, protein powder, more broth, liquid Tylenol, Gas-x strips, weird cream soups, baby oatmeal, food I hate that my kids can eat, and other stuff. I keep forgetting to eat, which isn't good for a diabetic. OK, feeling calmer. ...I see my surgeon this week for my preop exam. I have to sign papers of consent, and pay a $2000 deposit, which sucks. Since I have to use a Carecredit card, they are chargin me $160! What's up with that? Ok, be calm...be the rock, be the sky... I have a dozen things I should be doing but am not doing any of it. Oh! Here's something cool! I went to my closet yesterday and discovered that clothes that have never buttoned, now fit me, I was so excited that I started pulling shirts from the back of my closet to try on. My pants are loose, too. Can I just have the surgery this week, please? I am too worked up. Let's just do it!!! I really am going to go crazy while I count down :w00t:the days.

It sounds like you did great! Congrats! You should be able to feel the port, but if not, I would just ask the doctor when you see him.

I am getting really excited. My surgery is 2 weeks from tomorrow! I have lost 22 pounds and hope to lose 3 more before surgery. Thanks you Cathychats for this motivational thread. You rock!

I lost another pound and broke 290 today. Hurray! This is my reward for only eating 2 small bites of pizza last night when I ordered it for the kids. I am getting to be an expert salad maker. I am alternating eating protein shakes one day and solid foods the next, and this seems to be working for me. If I get hungry, I drink a can of V8 or have the Special K powder drink, which does help cut my hunger. I like the fruit flavor and mix it with my protein powder and water and it tastes good. I'm going to see if I can order it on-line cheaper than they sell it in the stores. I had success buying the required protein drink from Novarti.com. I only need it once a day for a week. It was only $15.99 and free shipping. I picked strawberry cuz caramel sounds gross. I'm working like a fiend at work to try to get everything in good shape before my surgery but the work just pours in. Oh well, it'll be there when I get back. My mood is good and I'm only a little nervous. It helps to hear back from the Jazzy Junes on how they are doing. I hope I'm jazzy, too!

I lost another pound and broke 290 today. Hurray! This is my reward for only eating 2 small bites of pizza last night when I ordered it for the kids. I am getting to be an expert salad maker. I am alternating eating protein shakes one day and solid foods the next, and this seems to be working for me. If I get hungry, I drink a can of V8 or have the Special K powder drink, which does help cut my hunger. I like the fruit flavor and mix it with my protein powder and water and it tastes good. I'm going to see if I can order it on-line cheaper than they sell it in the stores. I had success buying the required protein drink from Novarti.com. I only need it once a day for a week. It was only $15.99 and free shipping. I picked strawberry cuz caramel sounds gross. I'm working like a fiend at work to try to get everything in good shape before my surgery but the work just pours in. Oh well, it'll be there when I get back. My mood is good and I'm only a little nervous. It helps to hear back from the Jazzy Junes on how they are doing. I hope I'm jazzy, too!

It's the weekend and I'm going to try to ramp up my weight loss by just drinking protein drinks (1200 cals). If I am starving, I will eat some veggies. I told my son (12) yesterday about my surgery, just in case anything goes wrong, also to explain why I am not eating much. He was not happy to hear I wouldn't be his big, cuddly mom anymore and asked if I would become anorexic. He offered to stay with me after my surgery, but I said I'll just want to sleep and be bitchy. I also don't want to watch him eat, to be honest. I heard from Mary, who was banded Thursday, and she sounds like she is doing great. I'll let her post her details. I need to wake my daughter (16) for a drivers ed class (no car driving!) that runs 2 weekends. Best of luck to anyone getting banded next week!:thumbup:

It's the weekend and I'm going to try to ramp up my weight loss by just drinking protein drinks (1200 cals). If I am starving, I will eat some veggies. I told my son (12) yesterday about my surgery, just in case anything goes wrong, also to explain why I am not eating much. He was not happy to hear I wouldn't be his big, cuddly mom anymore and asked if I would become anorexic. He offered to stay with me after my surgery, but I said I'll just want to sleep and be bitchy. I also don't want to watch him eat, to be honest. I heard from Mary, who was banded Thursday, and she sounds like she is doing great. I'll let her post her details. I need to wake my daughter (16) for a drivers ed class (no car driving!) that runs 2 weekends. Best of luck to anyone getting banded next week!:crying:

Welcome to the forum and congrats on taking a big step forward toward good health. You'll find lots of support here.

I was so happy to break my last plateau and hit the 20-lb loss, but now I'm stuck again. I got on the scale today, expecting a loss, but I was where I was 4 days ago. BIG SIGH! Oh well, I'm excited that my new friend Mary is having her surgery tomorrow. I think I am about to get really serious and start on just protein shakes for the 2 weeks before surgery. Yikes! It's almost here. I feel like food is losing it's hold on me. At work today they had a free cookout and I decided to take my lunch and stay on target. Well, gotta go!

I was so happy to break my last plateau and hit the 20-lb loss, but now I'm stuck again. I got on the scale today, expecting a loss, but I was where I was 4 days ago. BIG SIGH! Oh well, I'm excited that my new friend Mary is having her surgery tomorrow. I think I am about to get really serious and start on just protein shakes for the 2 weeks before surgery. Yikes! It's almost here. I feel like food is losing it's hold on me. At work today they had a free cookout and I decided to take my lunch and stay on target. Well, gotta go!

There are instructions in the FAQs. There is a web site that you go to and make a personalized one, then cut and paste the BBcode into your signature box. Good luck!

I have to have the same kind of intubation, but nobody blinked an eye when I told them. I'm sorry for your delay. You are having the surgery for yourself and your health. If your husband wants to celebrate more anniversaries with you, he'll understand. If he needed prostate surgery, you wouldn't relate, but you would support him, rght?

Good luck with your band and welcome! I have found so much support here; it has been a huge help to me with calming my nerves and answering my questions.

Good luck to everyone having surgery tomorrow! I'm sure you'll do great!

I started that detailed journal (previous blog entries) weeks ago. Things have changed a lot. I have a surgery date: June 27th. Yahoo! But the weirdest thing happened, as soon as I got the date, I was nervous as hell. But that, too, has passed. I have met Mary, and am happy to have a "band buddy." She has her surgery next Thursday and it is nice to be able to reassure someone else! She is kind enough to have offered to drive me to the hospital and stay with my daughter, who wants to come with, then drive my daughter home. My daughter is almost ready to drive but isn't licensed yet, so this is a blessing. Another change is that I started swimming again at the local rec center. In just the two years that I stopped swimming because I had such awful psoriasis, my body strength has dropped, especially my leg strength. So, besides swimming an easy side stroke and back stroke, I use a kickboard and do 2 or 3 laps justing kicking my feet. I barely move! I also feel like a giant goober. My swimsuit is old and stretched out but I refuse to buy anything new until after banding and going down one size. When I am not on this website, I "fantasy shop" at sites like Victorias Secret, which has surprisingly cute clothes. I told Mary I am a complete fashion victim with no clothes sense. She has said she will help me shop. I also watch What Not to Wear to try to determine some basic clothes rules. I am tall and have really long arms and legs so have always done better buying men's clothes, which are too big in the shoulders. I've always been to fat for the Tall womens clothes, and they are often too expensive. I am not going to detail my food, like I did at first. I have found that this is a very emotional journey and I need a place to vent those emotions. I also want to share anything I discover along the way, like this morning, I decided to open up the two medications I take daily and see if I could mix them with applesauce. I opened both capsules into a small bowl, mixed in one small spoonful of organic applesauce, mixed well, spooned it into one spoonful, held nose and swallowed. It worked! No horrible taste, no gagging. It worked so well, I decided to try it with my vitamins. I take Andrew Lessman vitamins because I think they are the best. His capsules pull apart and the ingredients are finely ground. So I opened the CoQ10, the Eye Support, and the MSM (for joints), mixed with applesauce, held nose, swallowed, and GAG, almost RETCH. Ewww! Sorry, Andrew. I love your vitamins, but these weren't even the pack of multis I take. I will be going to the bariatric site for liquid vitamins. I'll use chewables as a fallback, since I don't think chewables are absorbed well (dinosaur shapes do appeal to me, though). OK, I doubt I'll write this much every day, but things are spilling out. I keep slipping off the 1200-cal preop diet. Yesterday, in a BIG way. My daughter suggested lunch at the Tbird lounge, which has the world's best friend mushrooms. I crumpled like a paper bag under a semi's tires. I didn't eat the bread for my steak sandwich, and only a few fries and about a third of the mushrooms, but I was soooo angry at myself. I didn't eat dinner, and then ended up eating microwave popcorn. What a mess! Now it's Sunday, and I am still drinking coffee and haven't eaten (except for 2 spoonfuls of applesauce). Being diabetic, I have to eat, so I'll go make my protein shake now. I know, don't beat myself up...I guess this is why I am getting banded.

I started that detailed journal (previous blog entries) weeks ago. Things have changed a lot. I have a surgery date: June 27th. Yahoo! But the weirdest thing happened, as soon as I got the date, I was nervous as hell. But that, too, has passed. I have met Mary, and am happy to have a "band buddy." She has her surgery next Thursday and it is nice to be able to reassure someone else! She is kind enough to have offered to drive me to the hospital and stay with my daughter, who wants to come with, then drive my daughter home. My daughter is almost ready to drive but isn't licensed yet, so this is a blessing. Another change is that I started swimming again at the local rec center. In just the two years that I stopped swimming because I had such awful psoriasis, my body strength has dropped, especially my leg strength. So, besides swimming an easy side stroke and back stroke, I use a kickboard and do 2 or 3 laps justing kicking my feet. I barely move! I also feel like a giant goober. My swimsuit is old and stretched out but I refuse to buy anything new until after banding and going down one size. When I am not on this website, I "fantasy shop" at sites like Victorias Secret, which has surprisingly cute clothes. I told Mary I am a complete fashion victim with no clothes sense. She has said she will help me shop. I also watch What Not to Wear to try to determine some basic clothes rules. I am tall and have really long arms and legs so have always done better buying men's clothes, which are too big in the shoulders. I've always been to fat for the Tall womens clothes, and they are often too expensive. I am not going to detail my food, like I did at first. I have found that this is a very emotional journey and I need a place to vent those emotions. I also want to share anything I discover along the way, like this morning, I decided to open up the two medications I take daily and see if I could mix them with applesauce. I opened both capsules into a small bowl, mixed in one small spoonful of organic applesauce, mixed well, spooned it into one spoonful, held nose and swallowed. It worked! No horrible taste, no gagging. It worked so well, I decided to try it with my vitamins. I take Andrew Lessman vitamins because I think they are the best. His capsules pull apart and the ingredients are finely ground. So I opened the CoQ10, the Eye Support, and the MSM (for joints), mixed with applesauce, held nose, swallowed, and GAG, almost RETCH. Ewww! Sorry, Andrew. I love your vitamins, but these weren't even the pack of multis I take. I will be going to the bariatric site for liquid vitamins. I'll use chewables as a fallback, since I don't think chewables are absorbed well (dinosaur shapes do appeal to me, though). OK, I doubt I'll write this much every day, but things are spilling out. I keep slipping off the 1200-cal preop diet. Yesterday, in a BIG way. My daughter suggested lunch at the Tbird lounge, which has the world's best friend mushrooms. I crumpled like a paper bag under a semi's tires. I didn't eat the bread for my steak sandwich, and only a few fries and about a third of the mushrooms, but I was soooo angry at myself. I didn't eat dinner, and then ended up eating microwave popcorn. What a mess! Now it's Sunday, and I am still drinking coffee and haven't eaten (except for 2 spoonfuls of applesauce). Being diabetic, I have to eat, so I'll go make my protein shake now. I know, don't beat myself up...I guess this is why I am getting banded.

And the Band Plays on… DAY 1: Today isn’t really Day 1. It took me 2 years to decide to have gastric band (lap-band) surgery. I’m well into the process, too. I’ve attended Dr. Teng’s (surgeon) seminar, which was like a cattle call of the morbidly obese, plus some folks who looked just plump to me. I had my first consultation with the very pleasant and to-the-point doctor, who says I can get down to 165 (!!!!). I had a very intrusive but enlightening psychological profile. I’ve met with a very slim dietician, who says he thinks I’ll get into the 180-190 range and told me losing weight before the surgery reduces the size of your liver and makes the surgery easier. I have created a chronological diet history (a real walk down memory lane) and assembled all required medical proof of obesity for Aetna EXCEPT for 2004. (I have 2003, but not 04.) I need medical records for 5 years and in 2004 I was out of work and living on Ramen. A doctor’s visit was a luxury, with no insurance. But I recall a visit to my oby-gyn for anti-depressants, and I have requested my records in writing, since she has retired without passing on her records. So far, no reply. I’m trying not to stress since everything else is falling into place like dominos. If I don’t have the records this week, I may knock on the doctor’s door this Friday (yes, I have her address). Or perhaps a certified letter would be less obnoxious. I’ve learned to trust Dr. Teng’s staff for help when I think I’ve hit a roadblock, like the $2,000 deposit. They told me about getting a CareCredit Card (geonlineservice.com) for medical expenses. I was approved for $2,000, no problem (even without perfect credit) and I almost wish I’d asked for more. I’m not sure how much the hospital will be after insurance. A little history: Chubby kid who was fed a nutritious diet and had plenty of exercise. Can anyone say “Genetics played a role” in this body? I was introduced to diet pills in high school by my boyfriend’s doctor and starved to the 150-160 range. In college, pizza and a new awareness of the evils of amphetamines took me to 180-190. For my wedding day after graduation, I starved into a Size 14, the best I could do. I started overeating BEFORE the honeymoon started. We stopped for food AFTER the reception. I’m surprised the wedding dress didn’t burst! My husband was chunky, too. I yo-yo’d for 9 years and got way up into the 200s. I even did the binge/purge thing to try to stay at an acceptable weight. I worked out. I fought the good fight. Once, I went on an 800 calorie a day diet and worked out for an hour a day. I lost a ton of weight but then hurt myself at the gym and spent the next 3 months with my leg in a cast and Nacho pity parties at night. After my first divorce, I went on the Divorce Diet Diet Coke, coffee, alcohol) and looked pretty good. I met my second husband, fell in love, got married, ended up with two great kids and eventually, another divorce. I packed on plenty of weight before, during, and after the pregnancies, but the divorce diet and exercise took a lot of it off. Then my health started going to hell. Eventually, I was diabetic and 315 lbs. But there has to be a Day 1, so I am proclaiming this day as Numero Uno because I am following the dietician’s pre-op diet for the first time. Before I started this process, I lost 6 lbs and was up and down until settling at 298. Meeting the dietician made me throw a “Nobody can make me do this!” tantrum of eating for a few days. I realized last night that it was entirely up to me. So today, I’m following the diet. You may find some recipes in this blog. I make no claims at being a great cook. I do love to “invent” recipes, so I will be trying to create edible meals. I bought tiny bowls, a small food processor, and will use my children’s old baby spoons to eat. I am using Andrew Lessman’s Secure shakes (powder) because it’s in my cabinet. Once it’s gone, I’ll buy the ones recommended by Brandon, the dietician. I am checking off days on the diet sheet because I have 7 days until my appointment with Dr. Teng when all the paperwork is submitted to Aetna. Then, we see if I get approval or a fight. They supposedly approve this surgery. Food so far today: Brkfast: 8 oz choc soy milk 2 scoops protein powder 4 oz OJ 8 oz V8 1 cup coffee Lunch: 2 scoops protein powder in water Handful broccoli florets, ground up in food processor and microwaved with 2 oz shredded parmesan cheese, 1 tsp diet margarine, garlic powder. (not bad) Dinner: OK, dinner didn’t go so well. I was hungry at 3 pm so I ate a banana. At dinner, I had a cup of rice, a T diet margarine, an entire pork chop, and a large serving or asparagus. Any other night, that would be OK, but it’s more than twice what I was supposed to eat. This will be easier when I am banded and get full easily! I’m determined to do better tomorrow! Day 2 Today went better and I followed my diet except for two of the 100 cal snacks and some sunflower seeds at night. I find that the whole ordeal of shelling the seeds and chewing them to pulp keeps my mind off other treats. I am upset today about a couple of things but I can deal with them. I think another long, hot bath tonight and submerged (except face) meditation is in order. It felt good last night until the A/C came on with a whoosh and broke my focus. Food today: Breakfast: 8 oz soy mile and two scoops protein powder 1 small banana 4 oz berry Cheerios Snack: 100 cal Sun chips Lunch: Broccoli with lemon pepper 4 oz shrimp 2 scoops protein powder in water Snack: Coffee and 100 cal cookies Dinner: 3 oz turkey burger with mustard and onions (no bun) Green beans 2 oz frozen defrosted berries Snack: sunflower seeds I still haven’t received the medical records from 2004. I guess I need to send a registered letter but am a little short on cash. I’ll call Dr. Teng’s office tomorrow to get Tina’s advice. The weirdest thing happened recently. I met a guy for coffee from an on-line dating site. He sounded OK on the phone and I said I was heavyset. He was nice enough and intelligent but no chemistry for me. I think he liked me, though, which is awkward. I even told him about the upcoming (I hope) lapband surgery and he was very negative and full of misinformation that “a friend” had given him. I told him he was misinformed. Although we did meet later and walked our dogs in a nearby park (very public) and I enjoyed talking to him, I just don’t have time for someone right now who has to be convinced that this is the right decision for me. It took me 2 years of research and soul searching before I made this decision. I think I’d better hold off on dating until after the surgery. Then the deed is done. Of course, then if I meet someone I’ll always wonder if he would still like me as a fat woman… Day 3 I do not feel well today. I didn’t sleep well last night and today I feel like my blood sugar is all over the place. I ate the same breakfast as yesterday but felt really light-headed at 9:30, so I ate another 2 oz of cheerios. I was starving at noon and had half a turkey bacon sandwich and skipped the shake. Now I feel dizzy … like I ate at a buffet. I may go lie down for a bit. Met a possible “band buddy” on-line last night. Her name is Mary and she is a retired nurse. She sounds close to the same stage in the process and I know I could use some moral support.

And the Band Plays on… DAY 1: Today isn’t really Day 1. It took me 2 years to decide to have gastric band (lap-band) surgery. I’m well into the process, too. I’ve attended Dr. Teng’s (surgeon) seminar, which was like a cattle call of the morbidly obese, plus some folks who looked just plump to me. I had my first consultation with the very pleasant and to-the-point doctor, who says I can get down to 165 (!!!!). I had a very intrusive but enlightening psychological profile. I’ve met with a very slim dietician, who says he thinks I’ll get into the 180-190 range and told me losing weight before the surgery reduces the size of your liver and makes the surgery easier. I have created a chronological diet history (a real walk down memory lane) and assembled all required medical proof of obesity for Aetna EXCEPT for 2004. (I have 2003, but not 04.) I need medical records for 5 years and in 2004 I was out of work and living on Ramen. A doctor’s visit was a luxury, with no insurance. But I recall a visit to my oby-gyn for anti-depressants, and I have requested my records in writing, since she has retired without passing on her records. So far, no reply. I’m trying not to stress since everything else is falling into place like dominos. If I don’t have the records this week, I may knock on the doctor’s door this Friday (yes, I have her address). Or perhaps a certified letter would be less obnoxious. I’ve learned to trust Dr. Teng’s staff for help when I think I’ve hit a roadblock, like the $2,000 deposit. They told me about getting a CareCredit Card (geonlineservice.com) for medical expenses. I was approved for $2,000, no problem (even without perfect credit) and I almost wish I’d asked for more. I’m not sure how much the hospital will be after insurance. A little history: Chubby kid who was fed a nutritious diet and had plenty of exercise. Can anyone say “Genetics played a role” in this body? I was introduced to diet pills in high school by my boyfriend’s doctor and starved to the 150-160 range. In college, pizza and a new awareness of the evils of amphetamines took me to 180-190. For my wedding day after graduation, I starved into a Size 14, the best I could do. I started overeating BEFORE the honeymoon started. We stopped for food AFTER the reception. I’m surprised the wedding dress didn’t burst! My husband was chunky, too. I yo-yo’d for 9 years and got way up into the 200s. I even did the binge/purge thing to try to stay at an acceptable weight. I worked out. I fought the good fight. Once, I went on an 800 calorie a day diet and worked out for an hour a day. I lost a ton of weight but then hurt myself at the gym and spent the next 3 months with my leg in a cast and Nacho pity parties at night. After my first divorce, I went on the Divorce Diet Diet Coke, coffee, alcohol) and looked pretty good. I met my second husband, fell in love, got married, ended up with two great kids and eventually, another divorce. I packed on plenty of weight before, during, and after the pregnancies, but the divorce diet and exercise took a lot of it off. Then my health started going to hell. Eventually, I was diabetic and 315 lbs. But there has to be a Day 1, so I am proclaiming this day as Numero Uno because I am following the dietician’s pre-op diet for the first time. Before I started this process, I lost 6 lbs and was up and down until settling at 298. Meeting the dietician made me throw a “Nobody can make me do this!” tantrum of eating for a few days. I realized last night that it was entirely up to me. So today, I’m following the diet. You may find some recipes in this blog. I make no claims at being a great cook. I do love to “invent” recipes, so I will be trying to create edible meals. I bought tiny bowls, a small food processor, and will use my children’s old baby spoons to eat. I am using Andrew Lessman’s Secure shakes (powder) because it’s in my cabinet. Once it’s gone, I’ll buy the ones recommended by Brandon, the dietician. I am checking off days on the diet sheet because I have 7 days until my appointment with Dr. Teng when all the paperwork is submitted to Aetna. Then, we see if I get approval or a fight. They supposedly approve this surgery. Food so far today: Brkfast: 8 oz choc soy milk 2 scoops protein powder 4 oz OJ 8 oz V8 1 cup coffee Lunch: 2 scoops protein powder in water Handful broccoli florets, ground up in food processor and microwaved with 2 oz shredded parmesan cheese, 1 tsp diet margarine, garlic powder. (not bad) Dinner: OK, dinner didn’t go so well. I was hungry at 3 pm so I ate a banana. At dinner, I had a cup of rice, a T diet margarine, an entire pork chop, and a large serving or asparagus. Any other night, that would be OK, but it’s more than twice what I was supposed to eat. This will be easier when I am banded and get full easily! I’m determined to do better tomorrow! Day 2 Today went better and I followed my diet except for two of the 100 cal snacks and some sunflower seeds at night. I find that the whole ordeal of shelling the seeds and chewing them to pulp keeps my mind off other treats. I am upset today about a couple of things but I can deal with them. I think another long, hot bath tonight and submerged (except face) meditation is in order. It felt good last night until the A/C came on with a whoosh and broke my focus. Food today: Breakfast: 8 oz soy mile and two scoops protein powder 1 small banana 4 oz berry Cheerios Snack: 100 cal Sun chips Lunch: Broccoli with lemon pepper 4 oz shrimp 2 scoops protein powder in water Snack: Coffee and 100 cal cookies Dinner: 3 oz turkey burger with mustard and onions (no bun) Green beans 2 oz frozen defrosted berries Snack: sunflower seeds I still haven’t received the medical records from 2004. I guess I need to send a registered letter but am a little short on cash. I’ll call Dr. Teng’s office tomorrow to get Tina’s advice. The weirdest thing happened recently. I met a guy for coffee from an on-line dating site. He sounded OK on the phone and I said I was heavyset. He was nice enough and intelligent but no chemistry for me. I think he liked me, though, which is awkward. I even told him about the upcoming (I hope) lapband surgery and he was very negative and full of misinformation that “a friend” had given him. I told him he was misinformed. Although we did meet later and walked our dogs in a nearby park (very public) and I enjoyed talking to him, I just don’t have time for someone right now who has to be convinced that this is the right decision for me. It took me 2 years of research and soul searching before I made this decision. I think I’d better hold off on dating until after the surgery. Then the deed is done. Of course, then if I meet someone I’ll always wonder if he would still like me as a fat woman… Day 3 I do not feel well today. I didn’t sleep well last night and today I feel like my blood sugar is all over the place. I ate the same breakfast as yesterday but felt really light-headed at 9:30, so I ate another 2 oz of cheerios. I was starving at noon and had half a turkey bacon sandwich and skipped the shake. Now I feel dizzy … like I ate at a buffet. I may go lie down for a bit. Met a possible “band buddy” on-line last night. Her name is Mary and she is a retired nurse. She sounds close to the same stage in the process and I know I could use some moral support.