Losing 2

Your message sounds great!! It's really great to hear you are doing quite well & that your Hubby is doing a wonderful job at taking good care of you. As said before, walk, walk & walk! Best of Health to You!!

------ KarenK, I am so very sorry to hear of this. Really I am - I told two co-workers only and would be krazy if they told anyone. If I decide to tell, fine - but I hate that this has happened to you and wish you much luck with moving on through it. Today was my first day back and I just thought to myself that I really don't want everyone to know.... but, what if they did - oh well, I've worked EXTREMELY hard to get this far, to have this done - emotionally, physically & financially. Continue to hold your head up high, do what you need to do to take action against the culprit - but return to these forums to vent your frustrations without letting anyone there know that they may have gotten on your nerves with this. Never let them see you sweat it... let them see you lose the weight like the winner you are!

That is so funny and soooo encouraging!:smile: I went out Monday to the mall and wasn't going to buy anything - just browsing & waiting on my glasses to get fixed. So, I cruised through Carson's plus size dept and decided I would ease over to the misses section - just to check. I tried on four size 16 tops and two of them fit snug, but I thought to myself... if my belly goes down - I can wear these. So, I got them! They were on clearance & oh, so cute! Could have never found that in my 20/22 blouses. I'm amazed. Now that I'm getting ready to go back to work Monday, I've tried on a few of my business suits because I know I'll need to alter a bit. Well, the pants I can easily do, but the jackets look a mess on me and that's certainly a NSV for me! So, yesterday I politely clipped all of the 20% off coupons off for Carson's and if I can find some really, really discount prices this weekend - I think I've found an excuse for at least 2 new outfits to mix and match for work!

Thanks! I have been making soups for lunch daily and haven't strained them at all. I've just put the cream soups in the blender and then warmed in microwave. Never thought about taking them to work and I have plenty of these small containers with lids! And sprinkling with cheese sounds awesome! Thank you.

You should at least check the policy of the surgical center/hospital - I agree with previous posters; You might be fine to go alone, but I've had several surgeries and have always had to sign or agree that I'd have someone pick me up, or all bets were off. So, make sure. I've heard of a couple who arranged for limo service after their surgery. At one of the surgical centers here in Chicago, they provide you with round trip limo service - it's a thought. I really like the idea of a pre-arranged cab ride. Best of luck to you.

Hello All: I have a few ideas in mind, but for those of you have returned to work - I'd like your advice. When I return to work Monday, I'll be on day 13 and want to make sure I shop for the right items to have at work and on hand. There's a lot of messed up food items in the facility where I work, from co-workers to the cafeteria and I want to be armed and ready! These are the items I'm told I can have and want your help with adding to it or making it easier for travel - I have my own fridge & microwave: Water, sugar free Jell-O, Sugar free popsicles, chicken, beef or vegetable stock broth (low sodium is a better choice) Crystal Light, Minute Maid Lite, Diet Snapple Reduced sugar yogurt, Sugar free pudding, Creamy Soups (cream of potato, cream of broccoli, cream of tomato) STRAIN ALL CHUNKS FROM SOUP; Protein shakes eggs – prepared any way, taking small bites and chew thoroughly. “Soft Cheeses” -cottage cheese. -soft cheddar, -soft mozzarella, Soy, Tofu, Hummus Mashed potatoes regular or sweet- limit your volume to ½-1 cup/day Cream of wheat; Cream of rice; oatmeal – No brown sugar or honey; Grits; Farina;

MJay & VeeJee07 glad to hear that you are now banded and am hoping you find relief very soon for soreness and uncomfort. GasX and Liquid Tylenol really helped me. When it was too bad, I took one of the prescribed meds I received. Rest and walk are great helps also. Many Blessings to those of who were newly banded this week and are ready to go in tomorrow! :laugh::wink2:

Hello Casscitymom, hoping you are doing well yourself these days. I'm doing very well, everything went fine with Dr. Laker & his staff - he's so hands-on & very personable. He was able to really, really comfort my husband while I was in recovery and I needed that! Since being home, I realize I need to take it slowly and not over do it. Still trying to ponder whether or not I'll return there for my first f/u in six weeks, or just go to get a fill locally. I don't want to wait to long to make the decision, since airfares are rising all the time. Take care and keep in touch!

I'm so exciting for those of you who are on your way in... and am also very glad to hear that us newly banded are feeling much better. :thumbup:I appreciate all of the well wishes I received this week. I took your advice and sat my tail down for two days straight! I'm still off until next Monday and don't anything at all planned - except to sit down and get my hair done before Monday. Rest is extremely important (even if you are feeling better). Lesson Learned:redface:

I have added a small amount of water and half container of yogurt. I'm sure a full container won't hurt a bit. Thanks for the above post - I keep forgetting to add splenda. Never even thought about cream cheese or cocoa, but of course these must be absolutely tasty! Found more protein shake info: Simple Shake 1 scoop protein powder (Nutri-quick tm) 8 ounces fat-free milk Mix well in shaker cup or blender. Banana/Peanut Butter Shake 1 scoop protein powder (Nutri-quick tm) 8 ounces of fat-free milk 1 tablespoon creamy peanut butter ¼-1/2 banana Blend until smooth in blender. Orange Dreamsicle Scoop protein powder Scoop SF Sunrise Orange Crystal Light 8 oz skim milk Substitute 4 oz orange juice for 4 oz skim milk; substitute 4 oz yogurt for 4 oz milk; ½ tsp. orange zest --------------- Ideas for tasty protein shakes Add instant coffee to chocolate protein powder bananas, creamy peanut butter Almond, vanilla & coconut extracts Place milk in ice cube trays and free - blend with shake to make it really cold & to add protein without diluting Add yogurt to increase protein / creaminess

CONGRATS!!:smile: Find out what your pre-op diet will be like and read, read & read the tips on this forum that were given on how to make it through!

:w00t:CONGRATS!!!!:biggrin:

I cannot believe that I'm still on the fence about this one. My family knows, a few very close friends and so far, two folks in the facility where I work knows. The thing is, I've been off work for less than 2 weeks and have lost 17lbs.; well, the questions will be flying. Think I'll begin like the previous poster - if someone flat out asks me if it was wls - I'll say yes.

Good Luck to you!! Let us know how are doing in a few days.

Dcorna, Cstauble and all new and soon to bandsters this week, best of luck to your healing process this week. I was given a stomach binder to wear. By about the third day - I wished I had some of those surgical stockings - the back of my legs felt like led for half a day. Today, I've laid around very uncomfortable - think I over did it yesterday. I walked for hours, got in and out of our SUV several times. Today, I can 'feel' the band and everything else in my belly. Had to get back on the liquid tylenol.:biggrin:

I am soooo very sorry this happened! Since I was self-pay - I have a few dates and a couple of cancellations, because of financing - but never got as far as you... so I am TRULY Sorry. -------------- I agree, you have come so far and have prepared so much - why not just do it? I went to a surgical center before going where I went. If they would have taken my financing - I so would have preferred going there. As a matter of fact, I talked with so many surgical centers and they were just on the ball! They knew what you needed and were ready and prepared. I really, really like my surgeon and his office staff works just like a surgical center; however, his surgerys are done at a local hospital. I've forwarded them a nice long message. Cause those folks at that hospital were absolutely incentive to my lapband needs. When I arrived at 5:30am for my 8:30am procedure, there were approximately 15+ other folks there for other stuff and after having waited to be almost LAST to have my name called.. there were at least 20+ folks in there - a madhouse of folks for all sorts of stuff. When I arrived on the floor, the care was just not there. My husband took care of me. In the middle of the night I had an excellent, well-seasoned nurse. The next morning - I was totally unsatsfied with the care again. None of the other nurses knew what I could/couldn't have (I learned more of that while on this site) and was telling them! Personally, I truly believe the surgical centers are professionals in the needs of a lapband patient. And most everyone I called and/or visited, a co-worker or two at each place had been banded! Good Luck with your decision, either way.

Oh, I really do hope that you begin to relax at least a little; I don't think that what you are feeling is uncommon at all. We have all wanted this for so very long and when it finally comes up, we are are FULL of a wide variety of emotions. I saw my cousin this Saturday night, she has lapband 4 years ago (and there was another lady at the party who didn't know who had it). They looked absolutely amazing!!! I actually had to ask someone else first, to make sure that was my cousin, before I approached her! She said she's never looked back and that she's had no problems what so ever. Her confidence level was already a 10 before surgery and now, I could swear it's at a 15!! I believe you will be just fine. I do. Bless you

My Goodness... you must be excited! CONGRATS!!:laugh:

Congrats & Welcome to Band-Land! I go from sitting on the couch, to lying in the bed, to sitting in a chair - to just plain old walking... even if its just from room to room throughout the house. You might to keep trying until you find something comfortable. I had a headache until I was able to get a cup of coffee. Had to have it black for the first 2 days. Then, I was a allowed a smiggen of cream (THAT VARIES BY DOCTORS). It helped my headache. Feel better very soon. And I'll be thinking of your Mom... that's so sweet that she's helping.

Glad to hear you are hanging in there after a month!! Take care

:thumbup:Your NSV!!:laugh: You must be feeling Amazing!

Hello all, I got this recipe out of a book I'm reading on the lapband. protein powder (I used choc. whey protein) low fat SF yogurt skim milk (I used FF) water ice I blended this in my little magic bullet - the taste is amazing! Good Luck all

I'm 6 days post-op and yesterday was the first day I was able to almost finish a can of the EAS AdvantEdge Carb Control ready to drink shakes. I think that was because I walked a whole lot this weekend and way too much yesterday. So, I was quite thirsty and almost finished it. Prior to that - since surgery, I would drink half for Breakfast & half for lunch or later in the day. Take Care

Good Luck to all of you have taken the plunge & for all who are on your way in this week to join band-land! KarenK: So glad to hear that you are doing at least a bitter today.

Hello, I was able to have SF creamer in my coffee all the way up to the day before surgery. On the day before surgery... it was all CLEAR LIQUIDS!