d4lussier

I, too, was happy to see your post even though it sounds like it was gut-wrenching for you to write. I have always admired people who are courageous enough to turn around and face the demons snapping at their heels - and you have done that. Kudos to you. I also appreciate that you have validated what I suspected; that we can only truly discover the demons once we lose our security blankets (eating). I'm only two months into this process and just got my first fill - I'm even more sure now that the demons are around the corner.

So...good for you for being brave enough to turn around and face that demon. I'll be sending warrior-type thoughts your way and you wade into battle!

I got on the scale this morning (showing Scale Whore Membership card) and the little needle pointed DIRECTLY at 0!

I'm kind of stunned - so many thoughts running through my head.

"This lap band is INSANELY successful!"

"How can I be alive if I don't weigh anything?"

"Hmm...oh wait...yeah that's right, the 300 lb mark is at the same place as the 0 lb mark."

Yeah..ok - so I weigh 300 lbs. BUT WAIT....

That's a 24 lb loss since July 15th (start of pre-op diet). WOO HOOOOO...

You and I sound alike. I analyze things too. Perhaps my different Point of view will help....you ARE mentally preparing yourself SIMPLY by asking yourself if you're mentally prepared! That's part of the process. :sad: If you weren't...you'd be refusing to open the book, you'd be doing everything in your power to NOT think about all these changes coming. The first step in accepting the changes is to *think* about them...wonder how they are going to affect your life, get used to the effects they will have, etc.

I was the same way...I had a couple of "OH MY - THAT change - I don't know about that one" and then a few days later I'd think about it again, and I'd be more comfortable with the idea.

It gets better. :biggrin:

Getting stuck. Not a bad one...but enough to let me know - I don't wanna do that again!

Morale of the story: DON'T BE POLITE! :sad: Son had made chicken, but over cooked it. I tried to choke it down, dryness and all. OOOOOOo not good.

And a question. I can TRULY barely eat 3 Tbsp of food. I see a blog post of someone 5 weeks from surgery who can eat a Wendy's Grilled Chicken Sandwich? SAY WHAT??? How is that possible? Not that I WANT to eat that...but OMG I can't fathom squashing that much food in my poor little tummy.

Congratulations! I had the same reaction when I got my approval and date. Had that reaction multiple times, even after surgery. Some little answers to your very good questions: 1. Shake you can tolerate - I had the same fear - got the suggestion of going to BariatricEating.com - BE, Inc. The number one bariatric website for protein, vitamins, and success.. They have a protein sampler pack - single servings of different brands, different flavors. Helped me find a handful of different ones I actually LIKED.

2. You WILL eat the same meals as your hubby (unless he eats unhealthy meals) just less. For example, tonight's dinner is stir-fry chicken. I just have a LOT less than everyone else.

3. Work lunches & dinners - this will be a challenge if your work has the same practices of mine - unhealthy foods. Chicken is usually a staple though - breast meat is best - but heck - a little dark meat is still going to be better than something more unhealthy.

4. At first I decided to not tell anyone at work. But then I told one person - and they were SO happy for me and excited and wished me good luck and offered any help I could ask for that it emboldened me to tell everyone. I figured I could never have too big of a support system. I had one person that I worried about telling - Mr. Know It All. But even he was supportive. You'll figure out what's best for you - and that's ALL that matters. This surgery is about taking care of YOU.

GOOD LUCK. :thumbup:

I've been released to the mushy stage. WOO HOO.

Yesterday evening I had my very first opportunity to understand restriction. Had my dutifully measured out 2 tblspns of moist chicken breast (teeny tiny pieces and chewed to a mush) and 2 tblsps of mashed potato. WOW. It actually felt pretty darn uncomfortable eating the potatoes.

Very interesting. :thumbup:

WOOO HOOOO. Congratulations! :thumbup: Soon you'll be posting on here that you just RAN a mile! :eek:

I had my surgery on 07/29, late in the day, so I stayed at the hospital over night.

I was walking very early on - did two miles while I was in the hospital. Ate some jello with protein powder, some beef broth, and some cranapple juice while there.

On day 1 (at home) I had pudding whenever I wanted, drank water as often as I could, and drank two 20g protein drinks too. Had some yogurt with protein powder, soup with protein powder, etc. Still was taking pain pills - mostly for at night. No gas pain.

Day 2 same as day one.

Day 3 same as day two. LOL

Day 4 forgot to drink the protein drinks - BIG difference.

Day 5 forgot to drink enough water - BIG difference.

Day 6 BAD day...pain at port site, grumpiness, growling at family. AHHHH - but then...the magical relief - yes - the poo-ing. AHHHHH BIG difference. Had to use some prune juice to help that along :thumbup:

I had 14 days of Optifast also...spaced mine every 2.5 to 3 hrs - and even had it if I wasn't hungry. Really helps to just get on the schedule and do it. And the poster above is SOOOooo correct....it goes by fast. :sneaky: AND I lost 17 lbs while doing it! That helps the motivation too!

First, $3500 is nuts. Keep looking.

Try looking here: American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery

This is the place that certifies the Center of Excellence hospitals and doctors - you can put your zip code in.

Hope this helps. Don't get discouraged - it is SOOOOOO worth it.

and helps you get rid of gas. Did a mile. All is good. I did pollute the neighborhood a few times. :sneaky:

Executive Overview:

The patient tolerated all aspects of the procedure well, and is healing quite nicely. Very few after-affects have occurred; the predominant after-affect realized has been loud gaseous expulsions. Prognosis is good.

Details:

I'm sick of pudding. NEVER thought I'd say that. :sneaky: I've reached the point in healing where I'm healed just enough to push it, and then hurt because I pushed it. :thumbup: Didn't sleep so well last night because I kept waking up after trying to roll onto my stomach - OUCH.

I really can't believe that this has finally happened. After researching and starting and stopping the process for five years, I have my lap band. For all of those who say they are terrified - I completely understand. I was terrified too - hence the starting and stopping. But really - it is NOT BAD AT ALL. Having a baby was ten times worse.

Amazing......

Farting rules. I'll just leave it at that.

Ok - burping rules too.

And life is good.

:sneaky:

My surgery was very late in the day - originally scheduled for 3:00, but he got called into another dr.s emergency - so my surgery didn't even start until 5 p.m. The people who were first in the morning were gone by the time I went in. I'm very glad I stayed though. It was just comforting to know there was someone trained checking on me. I love my husband - but he ain't no RN. :sneaky:

I'm now a Bandster. I'm so happy.

My experience was absolutely great (other than the two hour delay in my surgery). I feel great. I'm home (so still on the last dosage of the IV pain killers). and so so happy to be able to eat (?) some full liquids. :sneaky:

I'm a little fuzzy...a lot tired (hospitals are tiring places). I stayed over night and I'm glad I did.

I had the band, and I'm glad I did; the people who got gastric bypass the same day as I are still looking like they have been hit by a truck. I walked two miles in the 24 hours I was at the hospital.

Nap time for me now. :thumbup:

AHHHHH....

Thank you for all your well wishes.

Mrs. Mateo, I didn't get any meals - keep in mind that every surgeon is different; mine put me on Optifast. I had 960 cals a day, the only solid was a nutrition bar that I used as my mid-afternoon snack. Everything else was liquid. 4 shakes, 1 tomato soup, and the bar - all made by Optifast.

If you had told me 2 weeks ago that I could live on 960 calories, let alone function WELL on that level of calories, I would have told you to stop doing drugs.

My one biggest fear about having any type of gastric surgery was that I would be STARVING all the time and that I would be laying on the couch, hand to forehead, faint with hunger. (dramatic touch, eh?)

Well - that fear is gone. And now I'm just so EAGER for surgery - I *might* even embrace the IV! (my paranoia).

I've lost 15 lbs on the pre-op diet - with 2 more days to go. I feel SO much better just from that little bit!

I'm so impatient now...I told the surgeon's office that if by chance anyone canceled out I'd be HAPPY to take their place!

Oh - and found GREAT tasting chewable vitamins - Centrum Silver (I'm old) Chewables, and for my Vitamin D - gummy bear ones for kids! OMG - they are yummy!

I haven't been banded yet (07/29 is my big day), however the feelings that you describe sound like mourning. Perhaps you are mourning your previous life? your ability to eat whatever you want? Or are there other things in your life that you know, maybe that you're avoiding thinking about, that will be over now that you've made this very definite step to take control of your weight?

Just my humble thoughts....

and 13 lbs down! WOOO HOOOO

Tomorrow is final visit with surgeon...

I am so excited.

Got my shipment from BariatricEating.com - ordered yummy Believe drinks. OMG so tasty.

Already have protein powder on hand.

Tomorrow morning I make my "other stuff" list - sugar-free jello, etc.

I have been telling more and more people at work - EVERYONE has been supportive. I'm so happy for that. There is one person I haven't told yet - he is Mr. Know-it-all - and I expect him to tell me that I'm stupid. So I just won't tell him LOL

I'm not banded yet, and vitamins already make me nauseous. I've started using Centrum Chewables. YUMMY. :smile:

Made it through the weekend. I had a couple of briefly tough moments....but just firmed my resolve.

Ain't NOTHING standing in my way!

I've lost 6 lbs so far.....

Woo Hoo! :smile:

Good LUCK!

When is your surgery date?

....tried mixing the liquid things around...I'm also allowed 4 shakes, 1 bar, and 1 soup...

Didn't work so hot - I need the bar later in the day it appears - I've been hungry all afternoon.

BUT STILL resisted cake TWICE. We had a department meeting today, and they served cake. I just left before anyone could offer me cake.

The cake made it's way (walked by itself mind you! LOL) back to the kitchen near my office after the meeting, and I stumbled across it when I went to wash out my cup.

I glared at it. And told it that it had NO POWER over me anymore.

SO THERE!

I can tell you I didn't (don't?) want to be noticed which is a complete joke if you met me in person. I'm the person who everyone in the room knows eventually, because of my sense of humor and my "presence" (as one friend called it). But yeah - after many years of therapy I found the REAL reason I was overweight and it was because I didn't want to be noticed by MEN (history of abuse).

I have successfully made it through the first two days of my 14 days of liquid pre-op diet.

EVEN while spending both days at a training class with morning danish & donuts, a lovely catered lunch, and afternoon cookies, and unlimited sodas.

I'm proud of me.