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What are Kaplans' support group meetings like? I will definetly plan on attending those.

Oh......I hope I can return early. I started a new job in July and I hate to use 1/2 my vacation up by taking a week off. :smile2: I really wanted to go on a vacation to the beach this summer. Maybe in a bathing suit......with some weight loss! Is the pain from where they pumped gas into you to do the surgery?

Im probably a little bit of a freak.........I LOVE the taste of the Flinstone vitamins! lol I used to eat one when I would give them to my kids. hahahaha!!!

Elizabeth - were you in much pain after the surgery? How long did it take before you returned to work? Im hoping to be back to work within 2-3 days. I'd really love it if he did the surgeries on Friday...so I could return Monday, but im sure that is wishful thinking.

Sounds good! Please post the recipe! Thanks!

Whats the difference between sugar and sugar alcohol? I dont think I've ever saw that on a label before. Im going to have to check that out. That is a good rule of thumb: 1 gram of protein per every 10 calories.

Oooooo yeah...I read about that. You need to avoid throwing up to help prevent it. I dont know what happens if you have the flu. ??

My boss (who is a huge exercise buff) take Syntha 6 for Protein. She really likes the taste. I looked it up - it is a huge jar (2.9 lbs). It runs around $20-$30. I thought I would try it once I am banded. It has 4 or 5 different flavors - she drinks the vanilla all the time. She says it helps to keep her from getting hungry. I cant wait for my appointment next Thursday. Im dying to get this started!!! Plus...I have been losing weight since I added the Kellogs Fiber Supplement drink mix and a Fiber One bar every morning. (The only change I made in my diet.....and im losing weight now.) Which would be a good thing....BUT I'd like to get my weight on record before I lose any more! Its funny......I couldnt lose weight for NOTHING before and now that im at the beginning stages of this....I have lost 4 lbs! ??? Who knows!!!

I've been to the line dancing classes in Scotts Depot...past Charleston. There is a really good group of line dancers down there. Its called Extreme Country Linedancers. They are a lot of fun. I would still be going down there if it werent for the hour drive and the high gas prices. :rolleyes2: You want a total meal under 300 calories? I have a huge binder full of weight watcher recipes that are really good! I will look through them this weekend for some to email you. I would like to be able to start enjoying fish. But it has to not taste like fish. Im not a fan of that. I've heard salmon (spelling?) is good. However, I really wouldnt know how to prepare it. I've thought about trying out different recipes with fish....but I just havent gotten the nerve yet. I hate to waste all that money and then it tastes awful! If anyone has any recipes for seafood that is really good and low in fat.....I'd love to have them! As for Zumba Gold....go to youtube and type in zumba. It is a toned down version of it. Its a latin dance aerobics. Zumba is a toned down version of that. I would like to work up to Zumba...but it may be after the band...when i've got less weight on me and hopefully am in better shape.

I attended the seminar in Sept and have now jumped in with both feet! I cant wait for this wonderful life change! A permanent change. Im tired of not having enough energy and being held back because of my weight! Im ready for a permanent weight loss solution. Imagine never having to worry about outgrowing another pair of jeans? I love that idea! Im so tired of having to go out and buy all new wardrobes because I outgrew the last! I have a lot of friends who went thru this & is doing great! I hope you make the right decision for you. :rolleyes2:

I have BCBS and I just got on it July 08. They are making me do a 6 month pre-op diet before banding....but they already pre-approved me for the band. I have BCBS PPO out of WV.

Kellogs Fiber Supplement - the tea flavor (which you have to gag down) and a Fiber One bar works for me. I dont know if you are able to eat granola after you have the band or not. ?? I am just beginning the pre-op diet...but if so........that works, at least for me.

1200 Calories.....woo....that is going to take some work. I've been tracking the number of calories im currently eating on myfitnesspal.com and im averaging 1400-1600 a day. (And I thought that was really cutting back! ----Sad, I know!) My biggest trouble is trying to figure out the number of calories im consuming when eating something homemade...like a casserole or something. I am going to try and spend some time this weekend entering the recipes into myfitnesspal to see what it says. Hopefully that works...otherwise...I will mainly be guessing. I have a hard time with that. I am doing better by adding more exercise to my week. Im going to Zumba Gold classes on Monday, linedancing Wed & Thurs. I love them both! How much exercise is required pre-op?

Ok......I start my 6 mo pre-op diet on Thursday....so what am I doing this evening.....Heading to Ryans. I know....BAD BAD BAD!!! But....I told the fam...this is it....your last time to go to a buffet....enjoy it while you can. Im not going there EVER again!!! As for tonight...im going to go...enjoy it and be done with it. When im on the diet...there is NO way I will go there.....and after....what would be the point?! Im not paying a ton of $ for a cup of food! Update....Well, I didnt go after all. I WANTED to..........and I probably will before Thursday...just one last Get it out of my system!!!!! Sad.......I know! I would have went if I would have gotten there in time!

Ok......I start my 6 mo pre-op diet on Thursday....so what am I doing this evening.....Heading to Ryans. I know....BAD BAD BAD!!! But....I told the fam...this is it....your last time to go to a buffet....enjoy it while you can. Im not going there EVER again!!! As for tonight...im going to go...enjoy it and be done with it. When im on the diet...there is NO way I will go there.....and after....what would be the point?! Im not paying a ton of $ for a cup of food! Update....Well, I didnt go after all. I WANTED to..........and I probably will before Thursday...just one last Get it out of my system!!!!! :rolleyes2: Sad.......I know! I would have went if I would have gotten there in time!

What's OI? :confused: Im not sure if I have it or not. lol Tonight is the Biggest Loser!!!!! I didnt know that!! I LOVE that show! SWEET! Froggy: November!!! That is Excellent!!!! What was the 6 mo diet like? Im dreading the 2 week pre-op diet.....all liquids! How does anyone survive without seeing everything as food!!! ?

I had an endoscopy & colonoscopy in March (not for this surgery) and thankfully they are going to use that. I really dont want to go through either again. I dont remember the endoscopy...but the colonoscopy....I will be thankful if I NEVER do that again. The message boards are Great! I've learned tons from here. Everyone has been really helpful and answered any questions that I've had.

My friend Carol had her surgery in Feb. 2007. I havent had mine yet. :tt1: Mine should be in Jan/Feb 2009. I have to go through the 6 mo pre-op diet for my insurance. I dont know how long your husband should take off. Carol only had her husband off the day of the surgery. She said she could have returned to work in 2-3 days...she felt fine. Her Dr. went ahead and had her off for a week and she had the available time off. I am hoping to be back at work within 2-3 days as well. I cannot wait for all of the changes that will come with losing all of this weight!!!! :wub: Lets GOOOOOOOOOOOOO Mountaineers!!!!!! :confused:

Hi Saundra! Im from Parkersburg and am going to be banded by Dr. Kaplan. My friend was banded by Dr. Shin last year. She is doing great!

A requested colonoscopy!!!!! Ooooooooooooo I had a required one around March....and it will take something tremendous for me to have to spend another day in the bathroom like that!!! Woooo......that stuff I had to drink was NASTY!!!

Hi wvnascarfan03! Good Luck on your Surgery!! Keep us updated on your success! Im glad to see that you havent had any problems with BCBS! My BMI is right around yours and I've been worried that if I lost too much weight on the 6 mo diet that they wont approve me then. Hi Denise37 - Great Job on your weight loss!

Oooooooo. I will definetly have to work on finding the right amount of food to eat so I dont experience that.

Why do people slime?

The one I read yesterday said they had a drooling problem after eating a slice of turkey. And others replied and stated they'd had the same problem. But I've seen it on some of the boards. Some people call it sliming. ???

Hi Jennifer! My friend Becky and I should be having our surgery around January/February. We are still in the beginning stages of this. Its great to have support from someone whose going through this or has gone through this. Everyone has been really great and helpful. I've learned so much from everyone on here. Good Luck with your insurance!! I also have a ? for the ones who've been banded.....I was reading on the message boards about people drooling. ?? Why is that?