Bino

I'm the 17th too!! I'm very excited.

This is exactly how I feel. What a shock when I saw the photos. I cannot wait until I'm post surgery and more active.

Thank you for the information...I carry the majority of my weight in my hips, butt and thighs.

I should get my pre-op packet from the doctor tomorrow. I won't have a long pre-op diet since I haven't gained too much weight since they took my band out in November. I have already cut out caffeine and bought some journals to track everything I eat/drink. Journaling will start tomorrow. I'd like to compare what I'm eating now (even though I've already cut back) to my new lifestyle.

I'm still four weeks pre-surgery so I don't have first hand knowledge. However, my boss had gastric bypass a few years and still enjoys social dinners and vacations. She's VP of Marketing and Public Relations, so she at social functions several times a week. I'm sure it will be tough at first, especially while we recover, but I think once we learn how to treat our sleeve and food isn't the main focus we will enjoy social dinners.

My date is March 17. I'm very excited but know I will need all the support I can get. Shala ... Thank you for setting up the FB group. I just sent you a friend request.

My NUT recommended the same thing for me.

That is an awesome story. Congratulations on a great start!!

I live in Westfield, but work in Edison near the MetroPark. My surgery is scheduled for March 17.

Can you freeze the muffins in the recipies you mention?

@TheBombMom ... thank you for the suggestion. I made some changes (things I omitted) when I went grocery shopping and plan on making small changes to my food choices over the next few weeks.

With my family's medical history of diabetes, high-cholesterol, heart disease, and arthritis -- and the fact that almost all of the family is obese -- I decided to go ahead with WLS surgery as a pre-emptive strike. It is a personal choice, but no one should fault you for taking care of your health.

Are bariatric vitamins different than normal Multivitamins?

I'm still almost six weeks out from surgery, but I want to do what I can now to prepare. I know I saw a list somewhere on the Forum, but can't find it again. So far, I've only done a few things. Bought: A hand blender (which I absolutely love already) so I don't always have to get out my food processor to make pureed food Some smaller bowls to use (I already have smaller plates) GasX strips Different samples of Protein powder and drinks to try out now. I've also started making and freezing some meals for my hubby and son to eat while I don't feel like cooking. Any and all other suggestions are welcome. Thanks!!

They just moved my date up one week from March 24 to March 17. I just have to do my pre-admission testing now.

@Rebeccaabrooks86 - which hospital in NJ will you have your procedures done?

Just heard from the surgery coordinator, everything was resubmitted to the insurance and was approved. The coordinator is going to send out a packet with all the information I need for pre-admission testing. I'm very excited and nervous!

I had a reaction caused by the anesthesia. Hopefully it will be a one time incident and hasn't caused any permanent damage.

I just saw her episode. It made me think ... I need to make sure I'm up to everything that I need to do on my part to make the surgery a success once I have it. I don't want to go through the process and then sabotage myself.

I have to get cardiac clearance. I go for a heart echo this Wednesday. I already had a stress test. I have no history of problems and no cholesterol problems, but I had a stress induced cardio myopathy during the surgery when they removed my band. I hope to get my clearance soon and then I can schedule my surgery.

Well, both my surgeon and the cardiologist think this was a freak incident. I have get cardiac clearance, but my surgeon is confident that I won't have any problems. I go back in a month for a check up with the cardiologist and she thinks I will be 100% at that time since there was no permanent damage. In the meantime, I'm trying to eat healthy and not gain weight.

So, I had my lap band taken out last Tuesday morning. Supposed to be a short procedure ...but that didn't happen. The band was taken out no problem, but then it all went bad. I ended up having a stress-induced cardiomyopathy (type of mini-heart attack) and pulmonary edema (Fluid in the lungs). I came out of anesthesia it felt like I was drowning and couldn't breath. Then there was the five days in the hospital being a human pin cushion and taking tests, and now I'm really scared to have any further surgery. How in the world do I psyke myself back up for this once the cardiologist clears me?

Well getting sleep in December isn't going to happen. During the removal of my lap band yesterday, I had a minor stress induced heart attack. Now I have to deal with rehab and a new diet to get my heart strong again, before they will even consider surgery.

Someone had recommended the book "Beyond the Refrigerator: Navigating Live After Weight-Loss Surgery". Its an account of one person's struggle with the mental aspect of food addiction.

Where in St. Barnabas? And what time? Is love to go.