MissBS

Thank you Jodi. These kind of tips are just what I am looking for. I don't want to spend all my time counting every morsel I eat. I'm sure once I start on solids, I will figure out what works best for me, but I can always count on my friends here to help me out. Sometimes I worry about things that I shouldn't.... but..... Again.. thanks for your help!!! Becky

I love coffee, want coffee, and need coffee. I quit for my pre-op diet and then my doctor told me I could have it. I just have a cup in the morning and on a rough morning... maybe 2. I also drink Lipton tea. I don't think giving up everything you like is what this is all about ( eating healthy of course). Moderation and portion control are very important, but we do have to eat like this for the rest of our lives. Of course you should follow your doctor's instructions, but maybe you will be able to have a cup down the road. Good luck to you. I know exactly what you are feeling!! Becky

Hi Everybody. Hope all newly banded people are doing well and good luck to those being banded today and in the future. I am having a hard time figuring out portions, calories, protein etc. I am only on the clear liquid stage of my post-op diet, but I read receipes and what I am supposed to eat when I get to solids and I'm not sure what is considered a serving. Would like to try and not just eat till I'm full. Does anyone who has been eating regular food have suggestions/menu?? I still have a few weeks until I get to solids, so I will do more research. I have my doctors plan, but it is not done by calories. I would love it if people could share what they are eating or a plan that I could fill in with what I like. Breakfast.... ???? Lunch.... ???? Dinner....???? I do know that I am only supposed to eat 3 meals and nothing inbetween and that is ok with me. Also, when in your diet did you get cottage cheese (mushies???) and milk?? I have also read about people who kind of use the Weight Watchers plan to figure things out. I am familair with that, but I just need some tips. I'm probably worrying about this for nothing. So far, things have become clearer/easier as I get to them - but a lot of that has been because of the tips/advice I get from eveyone on here. Any help you can give me will be greatly appreciated. I work so I have to take my lunch every day. Lunch box tips? :rolleyes2: Becky

Hi Iate. I'm so sorry you are not feeling well. I had my surgery on Friday and I am feeling pretty good... but... I do have moments. It sounds to me like a lot of what you are feeling is gas. Do try Gas-X. I had the extra strength cinnamon flavored strips and they really helped. I also drank peppermint tea and it helped too. The heating pad made me feel better. I hope you get to feeling better soon. I don't think your symptoms are that uncommon, but that doesn't help you. You are the one feeling badly and that is no fun. Take care of yourself and keep us posted. Becky

Hi LW5. Welcome!!! You are going to love this site!! So much information and so many nice people. Not too long to wait till you are banded. Good luck to you. Becky

Hi All. I am home safe and I will write you all tomorrow. But.. I needed to share this with you. I don't want to get too personal... or give you TMI about my life but.....I was very constipated... before and after my surgery. I went to the hippie store (Whole Foods) and found a tea called "get it going". I'm not even kidding. It comes in tea bags and isn't too bad with Splenda. I drank two cups and...... got it going!! It was not too expensive $10.99 for 36 bags. It comes in a greenish round can. It has no caffine and didn't cause any cramping or diarrhea. May not work for everyone, but it sure did work for me. Becky

Thank you Teri. I'm feeling great and can't wait to get home. Hope you are healing/feeling well. Have a wonderful day!!! Becky

Didn't mean to start something. I only took pain meds for one night after my surgery. Not only did they not help me sleep, they gave me a bad headache. Today is day 13 in this hotel (Hurricane Ike). You are soooooooo right Restless - I AM SICK OF THIS HOTEL!!! I fly home tomorrow and I can hear my Lazy Girl calling. I'm sure I will sleep better once I get home. Remember - we are all different, we all have different surgeons, we all have different post-op instructions. What works for one, might not work for all. I asked for advice and I really appreciate the tips you all gave me. Thank you!! Becky

Welcome Debbie. You are going to love this site. Read, read, read!! I had most of my questions answered, my concerns were shared by others, and the kindness and support I have received here .... unbelievable. Keep asking questions. You will find answers AND friends here. And who can better answer your questions than people who have had the same ones... people who know where you are coming from. Can't get that kind of support just anywhere!! Good luck to you!! Becky

Hi. Just got my band Friday and I am feeling great. Not gassy, no pain meds, ......but... I can't sleep. I've tried the bed, the couch, the chair... nothing is comfortable. I'm still in this hotel in Houston. I am going back to Albuquerque on Tuesday and I'm sure it will be better once I get home. I miss my Lazy Girl!!!! Any suggestions??? Becky (1:10am)

Janine. You are so right about the scale. I gained 5 lbs. from the time I had my surgery till the next morning. I know I didn't really and luckily I had read on here that would happen. I know it will be gone soon. Becky

I just had surgery Friday and am on what is considered the Clear Liquids stage of my post-op diet. I have to have 2 protein shakes a day. Next week when I get to the Thicker Liquids stage, I only have 1 a day. I am also to have one a day for ever more I think. I'm sipping them. I know everyone has different post-op diets, but I don't think having one shake will hurt you. Becky

What is a 25g protein shot? My doctor told me I had to get 60 grams of protein in a day. I thought that was a lot but now it seems like it might not be enough.

Hi Janine. I have had the same headache. Did they give you any tips on how to get rid of it?? Deep breathing?? I too am stopping the pain meds... if I am uncomfortable, I will try the liquid Tylenol. Nothing seems to get rid of this headache. I feel so good otherwise. No problems with gas and not even that sore. If you come up with anything please let me know. I can have caffine so I know it's not that. Thanks. Becky

Oh my gosh Becky... not long now!!! Good luck to you. My thoughts and prayers will be with you on Monday. Just got my band yesterday and I am feeling MUCH better than I thought I would..... so far anyway. Keep smiling. You're gonna do great!! I'm excited for you!! Becky

oops... you already did.... duh!!! Thanks gg!! Excuse me.. gonna blame this one on the meds and not too much sleep LOL!! Thanks again. Becky

Hi gg. My date changed from the 12th of September to the 19th. If you update the list, maybe you can change me. No biggie though - I'm still a September Samauri. Thanks for doing the list!!! Becky

Thanks Heather and Restless. I quit drinking coffee when I started my pre-op diet (about the 20th of August) and hardly ever drank carbonated caffine beverages. Coffee and tea are on my clear liquid diet (wk. 1), so I made myself a cup of hot tea and drank more water and I THINK my headace is gone. I can drink hot tea without cream, but don't like coffee without it. I have also found that peppermint tea has really helped with the gas pain in my shoulder and tummy, which hasn't been too bad so far. I'm feeling much better! Again... thank you for your help. You guys are the greatest. Becky

Thank you for your reply lizzieann!! I did take liquid Tylenol and it hasn't helped yet. Only took one dose. I'm glad you said taht your doctor was ok with ibuprofin ... after I took it, I was afraid that I shouldn't have. Frustrating. I am supposed to get a call from someone at the surgical center tomorrow and I will ask. I'm glad yours went away. I too am in a hotel.. and as you can see... still awake. Thanks again!!!! Becky

Hi everybody! I have finally landed in the world of the banded!!! I had my surgery yesterday and I feel so much better than I thought I would. My gas pain is not bad, sorness not bad.... but... I have had a headache ever since my surgery. I hardly ever get headaches... but sure got one now. Anyone else have this problem??? Suggestions?? You'd think since I am taking pain meds, it would go away, but it hasn't. Becky

Hi. I had my surgery yesterday and now I have a bad headache. I feel great except for this. Gas pain.. not bad...sorness in incision area... not bad. I'm drinking lots of fluids.... more?? You'd think with all of the pain meds I'm taking, that it would go away, but it hasn't. Anyone else with this problem?? Any suggestions?? Becky

Congratulations dal. It sounds like things are going great for you!! Keep up the good work and keep us posted. I go in at 8 tomorrow morning to get my band. I'll let you all know how it goes. I'm ready. Been in Houston for a week and 2 days now - that is enough. I want my band and I want to go home. Becky

Hi. Greetings from Houston. I think I finally have a real surgery date... it is September 19th... tomorrow. I hope whoever is trying to keep the date chart updated can change my date. I've survived Hurricane Ike, lived without power and water for 3 days, had my surgery date changed 3 times, and have lived in this hotel for a week and a day... my surgery will be a snap after all of this. Congratulations to all who have recently been banded and good luck to those getting ready to be banded. Keep smiling. Becky

Hurricane update - first thing this morning, I got a call telling me my surgery has been postponed from tomorrow (Friday) to Wednesday because of Hurricane Ike. We had to change our flights, extend the rent a car, and quickly get our hotel room for 4 more nights. We then had to go to a grocery store to get food (liquids) for all the extra days we will be here - the 23 day pre-op diet was bad enough, but now..... oh well. I also had an accute gallbladder attack today, so Mom and I had to go to an emergency room for that. What fun!! I am dissapointed that I won't be getting my band tomorrow, but... not much I can do about it. Our hotel suite is nice and I think we are safe, so....... The Great Houston Journey continues. My new surgery date is September 18th!! Keep your fingers crossed for me. I've heard of people naming their bands - mine is a no brainer - Ike :sad: Becky

Hi Everybody!!! Well... I'm in Houston. I had my pre-op appt. today and got to meet my doctor for the first time - I LOVE HIM (thank goodness). He is the perfect doctor for me. Mom and I are having fun, BUT... now there is a tiny problem... Hurricane Ike is coming to Houston too. I am from the desert in New Mexico and needless to say I have NO hurricane experience. My surgery is scheduled for Friday morning and Ike is supposed to hit late Friday or early Saturday - YIKES!! I worried about my liver being too fatty, I worried about not losing enough weght on the pre-op diet, but I didn't worry about a hurricane. Of course I am worried about the things people worry about when a disaster is headed your way - the people, their homes, and our safety..... but... I want my band. They can proceed with the surgery if it's VERY windy or if it is raining HARD... but I think if power goes out.... I am keeping my positive attitude and just want you all to send "power on" thoughts this way. I am so excited to see all of my September friends being banded... keep smiling those that have your band, good luck to those getting ready to get your band, and thank you all for your support and encouragement. I LOVE THIS SITE!!! Becky