Band_Groupie

Thanks Yoco and Terelbel (true journey...so true)!

Thanks JA!!

Hi ANO and welcome to LBT! Come join us at the April 09 Bandsters Forum Click HERE. There are about 200 getting/have gotten banded this month...lots of talk about gas pains. See you there! -BG

OK, the best NSV ever LOL!!! Holy Cow girl...and a McCutey to boot (he was so hoping to be a McSteamy). That should boost your self-image over the moon! -BG (PS- the album link doesn't work)

Thanks gals for all your support all along the way!

Bunny Bandsters logo HERE then go to post #128. Weight loss ticker below. Quote will bring up that person's post like I've done with yours above. Multi you can click on several posts then click on reply and that will bring up several posts like I've done here. Good luck tomorrow! Isopure is a fruity (also choc. & vanilla I think) Protein drink the premade ones are clear in a bottle and the powder (need to buy the low carb version) turns out foamy like a smoothy. It's a good one because it's very high in the right kind of protein (whey isolate- body absorbs it easiest). GNC has them. There's a ticker tutorial right here on LBT with pictures...have fun! Click HERE

Congratulations Erica!! Doing the happy dance with you!

Well, I told the boys Sunday that I'm having surgery. I told them it's a stomach issue and that I'll be having laproscopic surgery (explained all that), and I told them I'll be getting some internal stitches...then my white-lie...hiatal hernia. I HATE, HATE, HATE, lying, but I really don't want to tell anyone and with two big family events coming up there's no way it wouldn't have leaked out...if that happened the whole graduation party would be about me and not DD...I'm not willing to risk that, and I don't want to have to defend my position or talk about this now. The boys are comfortable that it's not a big deal and that I only have to stay in the hospital overnight because it's the law here (true). I explained the post-op expectations, soreness, liquid diet, etc. It went well. I called my bariatric coordinator this morning because I noticed the post-op diet I received in class didn't jive with what the NUT gave me. Apparently they just revised it and took off fruit and vegetable juice. So, for the first 2-3 weeks post-op the only calories I'm allowed are broth (almost no cal...but the homemade stuff I made is probably got more nutrients than the canned, thank goodness...thank you Voiceomt2002 for the recipes!), and 3 8oz. glasses of skim milk (how many calories could possibly be in 3C of skim milk...I'll have to look that up). I was about to complain that I'll be fainting on only a few calories a day when she said I can add some very low cal SF powdered drink mix to the milk, like SF Carnation (we still can't find that one, so DH just found me another one). I know I won't be hungry the first week, but I'm going to be starving after that...I know...it's all pay-back for the no pre-op diet. Ahh well, I’m not complaining…yet (LOL). DH and I are going out tonight for our 27th anniversary, since I certainly won't be up to anything but broth on our actual anniversary this Friday. I've been wildly getting things ready today; called my insurance to make sure the home prescriptions are covered (apparently Nexium sometimes isn't covered, but it is on ours), I started packing for the hospital, made a list of info. for DH, scrubbed my body with anti-bacterial soap as instructed, shaved my stomach and I can't tell the difference...my tiny blonde hairs were almost invisible, but now I can say it’s already done when they come at me with the dull dry razor (thanks xavier for cluing me in that it's better to do this at home…and I’m coming after you if I sprout dark stomach hairs this summer), and I drew up my porthole (thanks Lena) picture on paper…those in-the-know will remember I have a choice on my port site, if not read (Spew Alert!!) HERE. I still haven’t come up with whether I need words or not, but I’m a little afraid he won’t get it or think it’s a badly done tattoo and avoid that area completely. I’ll have to do this upside down on myself as DH can’t trace a straight line to save his life. If it turns out badly I’ll scrap the idea, but if I go for it I’ll take a pic for you. Off to finish packing... Countdown...5! 4! 3! 2!...Countdown to BG's Banding!!!

*Portion of Post Deleted for Lap Band Book I called my bariatric coordinator this morning because I noticed the post-op diet I received in class didn't jive with what the NUT gave me. Apparently they just revised it and took off fruit and vegetable juice. So, for the first 2-3 weeks post-op the only calories I'm allowed are broth (almost no cal...but the homemade stuff I made is probably got more nutrients than the canned, thank goodness...thank you Voiceomt2002 for the recipes!), and 3 8oz. glasses of skim milk (how many calories could possibly be in 3C of skim milk...I'll have to look that up). I was about to complain that I'll be fainting on only a few calories a day when she said I can add some very low cal SF powdered drink mix to the milk, like SF Carnation (we still can't find that one, so DH just found me another one). I know I won't be hungry the first week, but I'm going to be starving after that...I know...it's all pay-back for the no pre-op diet. Ahh well, I'm not complaining…yet (LOL). DH and I are going out tonight for our 27th anniversary, since I certainly won't be up to anything but broth on our actual anniversary this Friday. I've been wildly getting things ready today; called my insurance to make sure the home prescriptions are covered (apparently Nexium sometimes isn't covered, but it is on ours), I started packing for the hospital, made a list of info. for DH, scrubbed my body with anti-bacterial soap as instructed, shaved my stomach and I can't tell the difference...my tiny blonde hairs were almost invisible, but now I can say it's already done when they come at me with the dull dry razor (thanks xavier for cluing me in that it's better to do this at home…and I'm coming after you if I sprout dark stomach hairs this summer), and I drew up my porthole picture on paper…those in-the-know will remember I have a choice on my port site, if not read (Spew Alert!!) HERE. I still haven't come up with whether I need words or not, but I'm a little afraid he won't get it or think it's a badly done tattoo and avoid that area completely. I'll have to do this upside down on myself as DH can't trace a straight line to save his life. If it turns out badly I'll scrap the idea, but if I go for it I'll take a pic for you. Off to finish packing... Countdown...5! 4! 3! 2!...Countdown to BG's Banding!!!

Welcome to LBT Woobeesmom! We're band buddies...I go in the 22nd also! Come join the other April Bandsters at our own form on LBT HERE. There are lots of threads to get involved in and we're (about 200 getting banded this month) all in the same place! See you there and good luck Wed., keep me posted! -BG

Don't sweat the liver size too much. There are others here besides me without any pre-op diet...my doc doesn't require one for anyone, regardless of size and he's never not been able to do the surgery. Best Wishes!

That sounds like a good idea...all I get is a doppler check on the legs before going home. I've been looking at this almost a year and I've never run into anyone with a filter...cool.

I'm SO glad to hear you're doing so well just 3 days post op! I gives me hope that this will go smoothly! I think I just can't wait for it all to be done. I'm exhausted just trying not to think about it (especially at night!). Scrambled eggs; coming your way! Thanks so much!!

Come join us at the April 09 Bandsters Forum HERE! Congratulations on your banding! -BG

What the heck is a 'filter'? ...And hello fello April 22nd band buddy!

Almost there! Say it with me...Countdown...5! 4! 3!... Countdown To BG's Banding!!!

Almost there! Say it with me...Countdown...5! 4! 3!... Countdown To BG's Banding!!!

I can hardly sleep KMCD! ...nerves are normal....now recite with me "I'm going to my happy place...I'm going to my happy place"... We'll get through this together!

I don't have a pre-op diet (stop screaming...I have no clue how hard this must be). I have been doing 2 self-imposed protein shakes a day and after trying a bunch I can tell you may favorite is the EAS Advantage Carb Control Chocolate Fudge premade shakes (I buy them at the Target Store in PA). The Atkins ones aren't too bad either. I answered a post about my post-op liquid diet today as it's a liquid diet, hopefully this will give you some liquid ideas. Oh, and please come and join us at the April '09 Bandsters Forum HERE. There's lots of threads you can join as we're all starting this month too. Good luck! -BG Liquid ideas: - SF Popsicles - Broth or any thin (non opaque-not creamy) soup that you can pour through a strainer to take out all the goodies. - SF Jello - SF Drinks: Crystal Lite, Propel, or other Splenda drinks, decaf tea, decaf coffee - skim milk (can add SF chocolate drink mix like SF Carnation instant Breakfast) The above is all I'm allowed until I go back for my check-up at 2-3 weeks, but my doc is the strictest one I've seen. Most others are allowed the following (and I may add some of these too after a week, otherwise I'll be passing out from only calories from 3 glasses of skim milk a day LOL! They tell me I won't be hungry, but I think I'd be lightheaded on just the above...we'll see.): - Skim Milk with protein powders or I bought a low sugar Nesquik chocolate one. I also bought a SF decaf Suisse Mocha Mix (General Foods International). - protein drinks (You're not allowed to make your own smoothies yet until mushie stage) - Juices (non acid ones): Low sugar, 100% fruit juice (I bought , Diet V8 Splash, and 100% of cranberry, grape, and apple) - Liquid yogurt drinks (not my fav) - Some are allowed strained cream base soups (watch out for acids, no tomato, orange juice, etc. until you heal). I made some homemade veggie soups (thanks to voiceomt2002's recipes) and pulverized them in the blender so I could leave some taste in (ie. my cream of mushroom has the tinniest bits of mushrooms still in it-they'd go through the strainer...love that magic bullet. You could do this with canned ones then run them through a strainer.).

I'm breaking the mould...sorry I'm a low BMI'er. I went a little bigger than the 1-1.5 lbs. per week they tell, so I'm doing 15 in the 9 weeks (I'll re-evaluate on May 1 if I'm feeling any restriction, but I want to be realistic during Bandster Hell). I tried a ticker and thought it was best just to add up pounds to lose like the other challenges on LBT show (so mine shows 0-15, not my weight, this makes it easy to add the ticker now since we have no idea what our weight will be May 1). You can click on it to get it below, then click on the 'edit/update style' and add your own target goal (add your own PIN so you can keep adding pounds lost), then add the message board code here under edit your signature. If anyone finds a neater one feel free to share it. Here we go! PharmaGirl ----------------- 20lb --------------------- ? -------------------- 1 May ---------------------- ? ------------------------- ? NYLady --------------------- 20lb --------------------- ? -------------------- 1 May ---------------------- ? ------------------------- ? Lingling--------------------- 20lb (9kg)--------------- ? -------------------- 1 May ---------------------- ? ------------------------- ? JayTee---------------------- 20lb --------------------- ? -------------------- 1 May ---------------------- ? ------------------------- ? MrsMitch -------------------- 20lb --------------------- ? -------------------- 1 May ---------------------- ? ------------------------- ? ALuv82---------------------- 30lb --------------------- ? -------------------- 1 May ---------------------- ? ------------------------- ? Band_Groupie ------------- 15lb ---------------------- ? -------------------- 1 May ---------------------- ? ------------------------- ?

Bought the Isopure Alpine Punch powder. I choked it down yesterday...it was like taking medicine. Today I mixed it (1 scoop) with milk (8oz) instead of Water and threw in a banana and a handful of frozen blueberries...so much better! I bought more of the EAS Advantage Carb Control chocolate Fudge ones...love them! I'm so glad my doc never requires Protein drinks (actually says they're a no-no after solids, so it's my choice to use these immediately post-op and probably just after fills too. Living on Protein shakes everyday long-term like some do here would be the pits (and why bother getting the band).

Welcome to LBT pbailey! We have our own forum (this thread is in our forum) for people being banded in April- Click HERE. You can then go to 'forum tools' at the top of the first thread, then chose 'subscribe to this forum'. Now when you log in click on your 'User CP' and the April 09 Bandsters Forum will show up there. There's ppages of threads on all kinds of things you can get involved with; banding; weight loss, etc. or you can start your own threads. Glad to have you as a band buddy...I go in the 22nd also! I can hardly wait!!!!

Hee-hee! Be careful about losing that 5 pounds right away. I had to stay above the minimum 35 or 40 BMI for the whole 6 months before approval...hoping yours won't be that long! I can so relate...Read HERE. Good luck! -BG

Thanks guys...Pharma it's finally our week! I know you're counting down too!

Come and join the April 09 Bandsters HERE. I'll be following you this week (I have asthma too, so thanks for the detail). Feel better soon! -BG