MargieOK2

Thank you!

I had to smile as I read your post about cheating.....Being of Irish Catholic descent, I discovered my propensity for following the rules during my pre-op diet. We were limited to two Protein shakes a day, 64 oz of Water, four ounces of protein and a half cup of vegetables. We could "snack" on broth, sugar free Jello and sugar free popsicles. I followed the pre-op diet religiously and lost 20 pounds in the process. Our doctor's nurse told us we had to follow it to the letter in order for the liver to shrink so they could get to the stomach. With the fear of God in my heart, I worried for two weeks that my liver would be too big and, once in there, the surgeons would close me up and make me start the program over. I later learned that many of my already banded and bypassed friends didn't follow the diet. One had a Pasta dinner the night before surgery. Another had a steak and baked potato two days before and yet another spent the evening before at Red Lobster! When my doc asked how I did on the pre-op diet, I told him that I had lost 20 pounds and never want to taste sugar free jello again in my life, adding my horror stories about those who cheated. Get back on track and you will be fine. I wouldn't worry about one piece of pizza, except for trying to get the dough down. You are the captain of your destiny. :w00t:

This is a great question and a great debate.....I told close friends and colleagues and now the entire world knows although I haven't been "outed on Facebook" yet. I did receive some negative reactions from close friends, one of whom commented that I "just wanted to be a size seven." I'm 5'10" and will never in this lifetime be a size seven. A size fourteen would be nice. To combat the nay sayers, I compiled a list entitled "I want" and proceeded to list the many things I want to do once I lose my targeted weight. Some were funny and others were serious and, judging from the responses, those to whom I sent the emails "got it." My humorous reasons included not wanting to have to double tie my shoes fearing I'd have to bend over to tie them again, stepping onto an elevator keeping part of my foot on the floor I was leaving so I wouldn't shake the entire car, not destroying someone's soda in the cupholder next to me in a movie theater when I sat down, wanting to sit comfortably in sporting event seats and not wanting my thigh on top of someone else's in a golf cart....and the list goes on. People may judge you as having flown the white flag but you have not. The program I'm with made us list every diet we've ever tried, how much we lost and how much we've gained back. This was a real eye opener as I saw on paper how many times I lost weight and soon thereafter gained it back. You are taking control of your life. You are planning for your future and you are taking care of yourself. It's your decision what you tell people but don't ever let anyone make you second guess what you're doing for YOU! It is for you more than anyone else and then your family. You tell them what you want to tell them and know in your heart that you are the primary reason you are doing something about your weight.....try an "I want" list....It's actually pretty therapeutic! :w00t:

Hey Doreen --- Welcome to the early November club! I was banded Tuesday, November 3rd and am feeling better each day. I still have some tightness in my chest but it gets better with more and more walking. My staples come out tomorrow. I was surprised that I didn't feel as tired after this surgery as I have been with others. One of my previous (female) surgeons told me, "Women who work full time are more tired after surgery because they're exhausted going into it." My throat hurt too afterward and the thought of drinking Crystal Lite lemonade in the hospital made me cringe. It's still a little sore, now five days post-op. My surgeon, here in the Chicago area, has us on 3TBS of pureed Protein for the two weeks after, plus 64 oz of Water each day. I've been pluverizing everything in the blender, except for eggs and cottage cheese. It's down to baby food consistency....I move up to 1.5 to 2 oz of soft foods in a week or so...... You will feel better every day and will be surprised at how well you're doing. Congratulations!! Margie:thumbup:

Can one of you tell me how you post the ticker at the bottom of your profile?

I didn't see what date you were banded, except for the "two days ago." A colleague of mine and I were banded the same day and she had arm and shoulder pain early on but I think it has since dissipated. I have a tightness in my chest (was banded three days ago) when I drink. I'm still using the sperometer from the hospital. I think it may have something to do with the air they fill your stomach with...one of the nurses told us that it rises and causes pain in the shoulders, neck and chest. Walking helped us a lot!

I would avoid broccoli....That's one of the vegetables that we have to work in later. We don't do fruits or vegetables for several weeks. Right now it's 3TBS of pureed protein, avoiding red meat. We can have cottage cheese and eggs, which don't have to be pureed. After two weeks of this, we move onto soft mushies....but no baby food because that has too much sugar. I start the soft mushies the week of Thanksgiving....and it says no beef, no processed meats and yes for protein for eggs, fish and cheese....That's 1.5 to two oz.

I have staples and sterry strips....staples come out on Monday. Do they use an office staple remover? :thumbup:

I too am a November 2009 Bandster, reporting in from the Chicago area. Just finished two days of post op clear liquids and am moving onto 3 TBS of pureed foods (only certain ones!) for meals tomorrow. For those of you who are about to have surgery.....WALK!! I cannot tell you how much of a difference walking and walking and walking after surgery made. A close friend was banded in June and she went right to bed with horrific gas pains from the air they fill your belly with. Walk it off! You will feel much better the first night. I started walking shortly after arriving in my room from recovery --- once I was coherent enough to put on foot in front of the other. It makes ALL the difference in the world. :thumbup:

:thumbup:My doc has us on two days of clear liquids post op and then we move onto 3 TBS of pureed foods, avoiding certain ones of course. After a few weeks of that per meal, we move onto 1.5 to 2 oz of protein, again avoiding red meats and other problem foods.

Trina....I have been following and enjoying your posts for the last several weeks. I just wrapped up the last of my pre-op testing and am looking forward to surgery in April or May. Thank you so much for sharing your experiences and for being such an inspiration to those of us who are following your progress. You look wonderful and know that you have many people enjoying your success!! Margie

Band Groupie.....I enjoy all of your blogs. I'm new to the site and am looking at a spring 09 LB surgery. I too had the TV sling....or as my friends called it, my SWING. It didn't work :thumbup: either and I am hoping that my LB doc's stat of "82% of patients report an improvement in urinary incontinence." We shall see.

Wow....You are on top of things! I love the NOT FAT --- FLUFFY! I tried to get my ticker going, having just begun my six month insurance company imposed weight loss program. I really thought I did it right but apparently not. I can't relate to the Pennsylvania terms.....I'm down here, freezing in Chicago. What the heck happened to autumn??? I didn't even get the Christmas decorations up yet. I'm hoping for a spring banding. If I figure correctly, from my initial consult with the surgeon, that would bring me to April, 2009. I don't know how long after that it takes to schedule the surgery. I have found the detailed descriptions of what to expect to be VERY helpful on here.....just read a play by play blog of one girl's post-op report. Glad to know all that she shared. Good luck and happy holidays to all! :smile2:

I don't know if this will reach anyone with the previous messages having been posted a while ago. I too am seeking out those in their 40s....with metabolisms like mine that didn't slow down --- it stopped! I too have started my journey and am now in my six month insurance company imposed program. I've completed the psych eval and have the pulmonologist scheduled, followed by the cardiologist. My insurance company also requires a 20 pound pre-op weight loss. I'm working on that now. My primary doctor wasn't thrilled with my choice for "elective surgery" but was more assured when she heard of the pre-screenings I would be going through. How are those of you who have posted on here doing? Do you regret the surgery? How were your side effects? Any problems? I have a few friends who have had bypass and others who have been banded and they're all doing well. I'd love to hear from others in their 40s. Thanks!