Sask Patient

Another SUPER site is The Daily Plate. www.thedailyplate.com I plan on using it ALOT again once I hit pre-op diet mode on Aug 11th (which seems like an eternity). I'm super glad that I am starting to WISH for the end of the food farewell tour... GAWD I feel like a HOUSE!!!:biggrin:

Hey Blue - that is fantastic advice! We don't have to completely stop eating those yummy things - that was one thing I wanted to be very certain of before deciding on the lapband surgery.I definitely want to eat healthier but that doesn't mean I'm not ever going to eat anything deep fried again... or ice creamy... or chocolatey... uh oh, making myself crave!! But it just won't be as much or as often anymore... But to go without completely isn't living the life I need to so having the ability to still treat and enjoy and celebrate with food is a wonderful opportunity. :thumbup: It's going to be great!

Hey there Latina - don't give up - never ever... but DO try your best to replace that junk food with healthier alternatives for sure. After a while being away from it makes it easier to avoid too,. And here's a great motivator - have you ever heard of ShrinkYourself.com? (I don't work for the company and am not endorsing it in any way other than to say how well it worked for me) I totally stumbled onto it earlier this year and it was a Godsend for me - it is really helping me to deal with the emotional eating and explaning WHY I always reach for junkfood of every kind. It's really interesting to get to the source of it and it really REALLY helps me stay on track when it would be easiest to let emotional eating and overeating completely take over. Hitting the drive through is just WAY too easy but this is helping me get better control over myself. I'm being banded on August 20th so right now I'm having the farewell tour of all of my favorites, in the larger quantities that I love, but come the 11th when I hit pre-op diet mode I plan to dedicate myself TO myself and becoming the best I can be. I know you can too - hang in there - and please feel free to just drop me a PM if you EVER just need to vent! Here for you!! Stace:biggrin2:

Good luck kayacee!!! Will be thinking of you!!! 8:30 tomorrow... sending a prayer or 2 your way... CONGRATULATIONS!!

Hey there guys - Vegas, from what I've read you are absolutely right!! I'm gonna take some just to be safe - I don't want to make my DH or the nurses deal with that!! :seeya: ps - your list was AWESOME!!!!!!!! THANK YOU!!!!:biggrin2:

ps You are MORE than welcome!! Anytime!! :seeya:

My gosh girl - I completely understand... I know this isn't the magic bullet for weight loss, nothing is, but it is a TOOL to help me keep it OFF this time and that is the main thing. NO MORE YO-YO'ING!! :seeya: I am SO done with working SO hard to only gain it all back and more. And I would be willing to betchya that once the weight does start to come off, you would find that slowly working into some activity would help. But - I definitely DON'T want to influence you in any way. This is solely your decision so again, investigate and learn as much as you can, and research everything you can find - both good and bad. You'll make the decision that is best for you... good luck!!! Let us know if there is anything we can do... God Bless you in your research and decision! Stace :biggrin2:

This site is a WEALTH of information of pre-surgery, post-surgery, diet, possible problems, success stories and LOTS AND LOTS of incredible support! Since making my decision late in the spring and having my surgery date set for this summer I have been on here pretty much every day and almost every day I learn something new. FM or not, if you have a BMI of 41 I'm certain you would be a candidate for the band and losing the weight would make you feel better... both mentally AND physically I'm sure! I think we all understand the feeling that we get in the pit of our stomach when someone says something "helpful" that they mean no ill will by - it hurts like hell :seeya: and just having the possibility of removing THAT kind of pain made looking into the band worthwhile for me. (Let alone the physical reasons on top of that!) So investigate, read and ask a b-jillion questions. Everyone here is just so wonderful and you will in all likelihood make a whole new set of friends from all over the world! We're here for you!!! Stace :biggrin2:

Hey there Momto5 - FIVE!?!?!! :eek: Oh my gosh!! You must be a really busy laydee!! Just a quick note on the pre-op diet that my facilitator said to do - drink lots of water when doing it(which we should anyway right?). She said the hi-protein content can be tough on our kidneys so we should keep flushing everything through/out. Makes sense. Be safe, feel well and GOOD LUCK! So exciting hey??? Stace

Hey there all! This is an awesome thread! OK - Lapband stuff - Iim in Southern SK Canada and getting my band in Tijuana on August 20th (WOO HOOO!!!!) Right now I'm eating everything in sght pretty much but will do pre-op LSD diet for 10 days out even though my facilitator says it isn't necessary because my BMI is just over 40. Not taking any chances. Plus I'm eating SO well right now that I can almost hardly wait to feel hungry! Did I just SAY that!?! hahhaaa Went on my first diet at age 11 (I'm 43) and have yo-yo'd my whole life. Can't wait for this new adventure to start!! OTHER stuff - I married the most incredible supportive man last June. He has 3 kids from his previous so I am a step-mom to a girl 16, boy 18 and girl 20. I have none of my own so talk about hitting the ground running! :eek: but thankfully they really are "good" kids. I told all of them about the surgery this past weekend and they were just wonderful about it. I have 2 great GREAT dogs who are my walking buddies (my avatar), 1 cuddly kitty, 4 fun fishes and a sweet canary bird. Yes it is a menagerie but it's a great life... can't wait to see how INCREDIBLE it'll all feel when I can actually tie my runners without almost passing out! :biggrin2: Stace

Oh my gosh Andrea - you are SO NOT ALONE! (I say as I sit here crunching away on Doritos/Tostitos at my desk!!) I am doing a farewell tour (luv that analogy!) of all of my favourite foods as I lead up to my pre-op diet too (I am for surgery on the 20th and LSD diet on the 11th). Because I'm in Canada and my surgeon is in Tijuana I haven't had any one on one contact with him yet, but the Facilitator (who is an RN) said I'm not required to do it at all because my BMI is just over 40, so I definitely should not go any longer that 2 weeks under any circumstances. Apparently, the higher protein content can be tough on the kidneys so she suggests lots of water intake during that time. I've decided to go with 10 days just to be safe. I completely want to do it too, just to make sure my liver doesn't get in the way... AND I know that even though I won't love it, it's bearable for that short of a time... BUT, back to your question about eating everything in sight right now - yah - pretty much. I seem to ALWAYS do this when I feel "the end is near" which really isn't bright, but it's almost like a last hurrah. This morning I felt pretty crummy from eating rich foods all weekend so now today I've just gotten into the trailmix and now the Doritos/Tostitos for some salt. Trying not to let myself beat me up too badly remembering that once the LSD begins that is it... and I will hold myself to it - I don't break promises to best friends so not gonna break this promise either. NO WORRIES GIRL... WE WILL BE GREAT!!! Stace :biggrin2:

FANTASTIC to be here with all of you!!! Thanks for inviting me!! :biggrin2:

:biggrin2:Congrats on your August dates guys!!! And Welcome to this great group of August All-Stars... the best support group I have ever met!!

Hey there Froggi - yup, you pour your "whatever" in (I can't wait to try milk and OJ for a cremesicle) and stir it periodically for about 5 minutes and apparently you get a slushie drink! I should have mine in 6-10 days so I'll be sure to let you know how it works when it gets here. Not sure about pop at all - I have a strong belief in me that if there is ANYTHING that can possibly hurt my band I will not have it - and that includes any possibility of carbonation (some say that the freezing kills the carbonation, but even if the pop is flat-I don't think I would trust it).I'm gonna ask my surgeon about that for sure... Anyhow, that's the concept of "The Original Slush Mug". :biggrin2:

Hahhahaaa!!! Froggi you are so cute!!! It's a mug with a sleeve that you freeze, then you add you favorite drink or what-have-you (chocolate pudding! Milk & OJ for a creamsicle!) and stir it as it turns in to slush. I'm a huge 7-11 slurpee fan :wub:so this is a dream gadjet for me! But I couldn't find anyplace that would ship to me,:tongue: AND THEN, yesterday I found a place that will ship to Canada :teeth_smile:- Vermont Country Store on line. OK so it's totally costing me a small fortune ($40 for 2 of em with shipping!) but it's gonna be Soooooo worth it! Yes I am a dork... :thumbup:

Hey there Shamrock-I really glad that your DH is recovering well... good thing he wasn't scheduled for his at the same time as yours! At least you have a few weeks before hand. GOOD LUCK WITH YOURS... all of us August All-Stars are gonna be sharing our post-op stories before you know it!! ps-my doggies and I LOVE Goldens too!! :biggrin2: Have a great week!!

I just called the distributor at Original Slush Mug He was so nice.. BUT THEY CAN'T SHIP TO CANADA!!! :thumbdown: Gonna cry... I luv LUV my slurpees and I think this would be the ticket... is there anyone out there willing to order one for me - I'd send you a certified cheque... Yah - this would be great to have post-surgery. I get my band on Aug 20th. Thanks!

You are all so amazing! These stories are so touching and we all understand each others' pain so very well. What inspirational proof we ALL are! There are SO many straws... - I have no children of my own so I look forward to being a Gramma to my step-children's kids one day. So one straw was having my 20 yr old step daughter say she won't bring her babies to me when she has some 'cuz I will make them fat :Banane03: - yeeeowch! - Barely being able to walk my dogs and seeing the longing in their eyes, when at one time I ran a 1/2 marathon and trained with them. - Having a child who doesn't know me make a comment that I should be on a diet - HAVING to be on TV for my job and hearing people whispering in public places "hey-it's that fat chick from those commercials!" - Having to watch myself when those same commercials are on the air - Those summer pictures that people take - I don't even bother to try to escape anymore. - And the final one that made me make the call to do this... my DH works out of town and surprised me by coming home on his 24 hour shift turn-around so we could have some romantic time. I showered and caught that "HOLY HELL!" :Banane11: glimpse in the bathroom mirror. I pretended I didn't feel well because I just couldn't let him touch me... SO GROSS!!!!! Well, being married for just under a year I said enough was enough. He deserves better and SO DO I. Years of fighting with this 100-80 pounds is OVER!! Thanks so much for sharing everyone... the bending over, wiping yourself, how's about cutting your toenails??? They are all straws and I am SO GRATEFUL for everyone sharing theirs!!! GOOD LUCK AND GOD'S BLESSINGS TO EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US!!!!!!:biggrin2:

Hey there Heather! Thanks SO MUCH for that... I guess I'm just so on the defensive after all the other comments I never considered that my doc's receptionist only meant maybe this actually will be an easier way for me after all the struggles she's seen me go through with my weight. Of course I immediately went into the "easy way out" mode with her comment - fight or flight mode as it were. I know that the band will help my portion control issues and can't wait to actually feel FULL with a reasonable amount of HEALTHY food for once. Thanks again - you are bang on sister!!

Those are GREAT questions! I'm being banded in Mexico on Aug 20th. I was planning on my GREAT big panties (the elastic is shot so they barely stay up anyway), a loose fitting sports bra, a baggy tank top and the loosest shorts/capris that I have. I'm going to take my bathing suit top too so I can at least tan a bit on the 2 days following the surgery while we are at the hotel. GOOD THOUGHT on the Gas X stuff too! Never thought of that but I will definitely bring some. Who's doing your surgery? I have Dr. Kuri at Hospital Angeles Tijuana. :cool2:

Hey there VegasGirl!! CONGRATS ON THE DATE!!! So happy for you!! Wonderful news!!! And MOE - Cutie put this up a day or so ago and it worked for me... Originally Posted by cutiew/booty LOOK! I figured out how to do the glitter words!! -Click on my August All-stars it will take you the web-site -Complete steps 1-4 -Go to your profile and edit signature -paste your code in the box where you signature is...then hit save signature ****You will not see the glitter until after you save it, if you hit preview signature it will tell you there's an error and it won't work....It took me about 10 - 15 minutes to figure it out.

This is such a great thread - I've found another gal on here who is getting banded at the same hospital, by the same surgeon as I am, the day before I do, so we are actually going to get to meet in person when we are both in early recovery!! How exciting is that!?!! I'm on the Canadian Prairies and she's in the US. Kiki'smom...can't wait to meet ya face to face!!! Tijuana here we COME!! :cool2:

The comments are so unthinking! Wow... "Do you know what your getting into?" Ummmmmm actually no - hadn't looked into this at all... "Are you sure it's safe?" Of course I'm not sure, honestly, I haven't done ANY research at all, just doing this on a whim DUMB AS*@!! :eek: "She's gained it all back before, she will again" Oh yah - I think THIS was my favorite comment. My sister said it to my mother and mum told me. Now THAT'S the spirit and support I was looking for. :eek: "Well if this makes it easier for you, why not!?" This one from my doctor's receptionist. Of course we ALL know it is going to be SUPER easy! All because it is a special sparkly magic band that eliminates everything we eat - c'mon you're a health professional..get a grip! And as for the "You'd better enjoy that now, you aren't going to get any after you do this". You know what, you are right I won't, but I am going to feel SO much better replacing it with another choice and looking ever so sexy when I DO it!! Yah - these comments seem to come from those folks who have never had to deal with obesity in the long run ever in their lives. They have no idea. And we have ALL done the work of losing (& gaining), losing (& gaining) and losing (& gaining) so many times, and spent so many thousands of dollars on gimmicks and tricks, I applaud us ALL for having the courage to find a better way to finally be healthy once and for all! I love the comeback answer too "I am watching what I eat very carefully, exercising more than ever and OH YAH... I had surgery to help in my efforts" I'm gonna use THAT one for sure!!! GREAT THREAD!!:eek:

Couldn't agree with you guys more - lovin' food and having it as a crutch is what brought me to this point too. To help with the pyschological side of why we overeat and eat the wrong things, try checking out "Shrink Yourself" www.shrinkyourself.com" It's not a diet at all, it just gets into the mental reasons WHY we do it to ourselves. It's really helping me with the whole mental side of this before I HAVE to stop. I'm scared too - I love having an ice cold beer on a hot summer day. The thought of giving that up is sad, but then thought of sippin' a Crystal Lite in a bikini top and sexy blue jeans kicks in and sure takes the sorrow away!! WE'RE GONNA BE FINE! More-over... WE ARE GONNA BE GREAT!!! GOOD LUCK TO ALL THE ALL-STARS!!! Stace :thumbup:

Wow - what a powerful group of great people! So proud to be a part of it... I can see a whole lot of new friendships coming out of this - not to mention a whole world of support! AND I have tried my hand at adding a sparklie... let's see how I made out! LOVE our name... :tongue_smilie: Oooooooo - it's real pretty!!!