mary on a mission

I am also 7 days post-op and starving. Fortunately, my nutritionist said I could add cottage cheese, eggs & yogurt as soon as I was able, and I have had yogurt and cottage cheese. I was so hungry earlier today that I stopped on the way home for hot & sour soup and got egg drop soup too! I ate some of each and FINALLY feel full. I've been starving for 2 days. This will pass, too!

Don't worry. It will all be over in 24 hours. Nerves are a normal part of it. I am 6 days out, and I've forgotten all about that. Just remember why you are doing this and what you have to look forward to. Hang in there.

Well, I am now banded! My surgery was at 2:15 yesterday. I had to show up at 11:45 (antsy all morning!). After the initial intake & check-in, they took me back at 1:15 to the holding area. There they started my IV and had the DR come talk with me for a minute as well as the anesthesiologist and tons of other people. Then they gave me a shot of 2 gin & tonics to relax me before going to the OR. (Seriously, the anesthesiologist said it would make me feel like I had 2 of them, and then called it that !) I remember going into the OR and getting a shot and seeing the oxygen mask going on & that was it until I woke up in recovery. After I was good & awake they gave me a shot of morphine & took me upstairs. I felt pretty good and did some walking with my husband, but I went ahead and took more morphine as a preventative measure around 8:30. I also hoped it would help me sleep. No such luck. All those tubes and stuff made it really hard to sleep. I probably slept about 2 hours. Anyway, this morning, the doc came in and gave me the once over and said I could go after my abdominal x-ray and once I was able to drink 2 oz of protein shake. All that went well and I left the hospital at noon. I am lounging in my bed getting ready to take a nap and get ready for a walk later. My dog needs me to take him walking! I am sore, but not in pain. I keep hearing about the gas I should be having, but not yet. I would say the experience was fairly easy. I hope you all have such an easy time of it!:smile2:

Some restaurants, even without a card have a 1/2 portion they don't put on the menu. Went to a biz lunch at Bravo one day and one of my co-workers asked me to bring her something back. She went on-line and thought the prices were too high, so she called and asked if they did 1/2 portions, and they did. So she got a 1/2 size order for a little more than 1/2 the price and didn't have to stick with chicken fingers and fries. I think most places are eager to accomodate. I will send in for my card, just in case, but I anticipate either sharing meals with my husband or bringing home leftovers (I love leftovers...means you get to eat out twice for the price of once!:smile2:)

Based on what I have seen on this site, what you can have during your pre-op varies wildly from dr to dr. I have been on my pre-op diet for 10 days now. I am supposed to have 3 shakes a day (I can't ever seem to get that 3rd one in) and 2 meals of 2 cups green salad and 3 oz protein. Then I can have SF popsicles and jello and all the cucumbers & a few other veggies I want. I have modified it a little and had some cooked veggies instead of salad sometimes and only 2 shakes and I have not been hungry unless I forgot to eat. I have lost 10 pounds already! I am so excited! Surgery in 3 days!:smile2:

Hi All! Had my pre-op with the surgeon today. He just did a quick once-over, listened to my lungs, etc. Only 6 more days! I have already received a phone call with my instructions from the hospital and I am ready to go! I can't tell you how excited I am. Oh, and btw, down 7 lbs on the pre-op diet! yay! Bring on the band!:redface:

Not bad. I am not really a salad lover, but I have not been hungry much and I have a positive outlook. Down 4 lbs. You?:thumbup:

Can't believe I just found this thread! I am 43 years old, and I have a wonderful husband (most of the time) and 3 children - 14, 15, & 20. I was normal weight with a few slightly heavy years until I had my second child. I quit smoking (did with #1 also, but started again) and gained 75 pounds. Didn't lose it before #3 and gained a 25 more. Then just let loose and didn't really try hard at anything for a few years. I tried several diets, but never could lose enough weight to stay interested, or if I did, I would put it back on as soon as I eased up on myself. I opened a catering business 1 1/2 years ago, and I have been introduced to the world of physically challenging work. I went from a desk every day to 60+ hours a week on my feet on a concrete floor. My body started to really hurt! Additionally, the cholesterol and BP were creeping up, so it was time. I attended a seminar in Nov 08, did all the other testing, and here I am, scheduled for July 7. I think many of us have the same date! I am so very ready to start this journey and also to LIVE IT for the rest of my life. No more dieting then feasting for me. It's not worth it!

Question: JLray, you mention protein shakes for breakfast or lunch. My surgery is scheduled for 7/7, and the nutritionist told me that the shakes will be a thing of the past once the 2-4 week post-op period is over because the shakes will not make me feel full since they will slide thru the band. Did anyone else get that?

I think the key is to be able to imagine ourselves eating like normal people. Our minds are a big part of why we are where we are, and it's important to re-train our minds to expect normal. Remember, we have to visualize the success we want. If we continue to see ourselves eating every time something pops into our minds, we will continue to do so. I am starting to see that picture in my mind. It comes and goes, but I will continue to concentrate and not let my mind stand in the way of good health!:thumbdown:

A memory from back in the old days that may help you....I used to go to Physician's weight loss and also LA weight loss (anyone surprised?). Anyway, they had these protein drinks that you mixed with water. They tasted like kool-aid, and were really good. Cranberry Grape was my favorite. Unfortunately, I don't have a box left that has the nutrition info, but I bet you could google it and find out how much is in it. I hope this helps!

Hang in there! I am doing modified pre-op dieting until tomorrow because I am out of town, but I am still doing as low-carb & high protein as possible. Only 13 days till surgery!!!!! Tomorrow, nothing but protein shakes and salads with grilled chicken!

I am July 7 also, and had my nutritionist appt yesterday to discuss the pre-op diet. I am supposed to start it MONDAY. I will be out of town till mid-day Wednesday, so I will start it when I return. I was worried about it till I saw you guys aren't starting till Saturday. I figure I will be smart while I'm gone, but the shakes will have to wait. Staying with family I don't want to discuss the surgery with. I am so excited. It has been a long journey, and I am ready to change my life. I am under no illusions, I know it will be hard, but I am so ready. Let's keep up with each other! :tongue:

Wow, Chad, you really did get it done quickly. I am in Greensboro, and we only have 3 surgeons in the same practice that do lap bands. I started with the seminar in NOVEMBER and am going to be banded July 7. I didn't even have my first consultation till Jan 22 (and I signed up immediately after the seminar). I guess Raleigh has it goin' on!

I think it's all over the page, depending on where you are, your payment situation, etc. I am in Greensboro NC, and I started the process in November 08. My surgery date is 7/7/09. I felt like it took forever. Even after all the requirements were met, the surgeon's office has a 2 month backup. I was bummed when I saw here that some were banded within a couple of weeks or a month, but I know everything happens for a reason, and July is almost here!:tongue_smilie:

I think it's all over the page, depending on where you are, your payment situation, etc. I am in Greensboro NC, and I started the process in November 08. My surgery date is 7/7/09. I felt like it took forever. Even after all the requirements were met, the surgeon's office has a 2 month backup. I was bummed when I saw here that some were banded within a couple of weeks or a month, but I know everything happens for a reason, and July is almost here!

I think it's all over the page, depending on where you are, your payment situation, etc. I am in Greensboro NC, and I started the process in November 08. My surgery date is 7/7/09. I felt like it took forever. Even after all the requirements were met, the surgeon's office has a 2 month backup. I was bummed when I saw here that some were banded within a couple of weeks or a month, but I know everything happens for a reason, and July is almost here!

July 7 here.....can't wait!

Let me just say this. I have been eating like I will never eat again, knowing that D-Day is coming in less than 2 weeks. The pre-op diet for me is not really a liquid diet. It is no carb, 2 shakes & 2 salads a day, low-fat and all that. I was so concerned after visiting the nutritionist the first time that I was not sure I would make it. By that, I mean that the same diet continues after surgery, with some changes, but basically very low carb, no sugar, etc. for at least a year. And there is no way I am going thru all this stuff, paying my $$, and not following the plan. But I was concerned, so I did a little experiment with myself. I gave up sugar for lent. It was horrible, mostly psychologically, but I did it. Then, last week, I gave up caffeine. I hate to be dependent on the stuff. That was worse than the sugar, and I am still sluggish and tired all the time. But the headaches are gone, and I am going to make it. All that to say: we can do this. Yes, it will be hard, and yes, it's a totally different way of life, but we need to know it can be done. So, even though I am eating way too much right now, I am totally prepared to go cold-turkey on June 23. You may not want to be around me the first few days, though! Remember, losing weight and keeping it off is mostly in the mind (especially once we get banded - keeps that pesky hunger away!). Have faith in your ability to withstand the storm. And pray, pray, pray!:cursing: Have a great day!

Ok, time to get down to business. What is the number 1 issue you are facing RIGHT NOW? It looks like we are all 2 weeks or so from the liquid diet. For me, the fact that I will be giving up sugar completely for about a year has been foremost in my mind. I thought I was ready for this, and I am totally ready for this change, but my mind has been playing games with me, so I find myself eating a lot of sugar these days. Anyone else? :cursing:

Ok, now I can't find the link again, but there was a question out there under the pre-op questions. Inside there was a link with instructions. Since I can't find it (and it was only last night that I found it!), I will try to tell you from memory. You go to tickerfactory.com. You should open that in a new window or tab. Then you go down to the bottom and click on weight loss tickers. You choose your ticker, and put in a username and password, etc. Then when you finish setting it up, there is a url at the bottom that you can use on your website or whatever. Highlight that url and right-click and copy. Then go back to LBT and click on the tab at the top for your personal preferences, etc. Then choose edit signature on the left. Once the window comes up, paste the url in and it will give you the option to preview. I hope this helps and that I didn't forget anything! :thumbup:

I like it...Jewels are good!