HDmama

I was banded last Thursday (10/22), and went back to work Monday (10/26)...also a desk job:wink2:

I took the bandaids off right away (was having a reaction to them). I had staples and one of my incisions was looking a bit funky yesterday, so I went in and he removed the staples. He put steri-strips on them, and the one that looked bad, I think looks even worse now (it's like open)...so he put two steri strips on those and covered it with a band-aid - I've been changing that band-aid, but man, it really looks gross to me (but he wasn't worried about it). Maybe if you take it off in the shower, it will pull less?

Lolly - have you tried PB2? It's like a powdered peanut butter, and 2 Tbsp has like 57 cal, less than 2 gms fat and 5 gms protein - I bought some and also put in my protein shakes - SO yummy! You can add it to lots of things as you are able to eat them again to make it peanut butter flavored - supposedly you can also mix it with water to make it like peanut butter (but without all the calories/fat) - haven't tried that yet.

I don't know about the gum...I would call your doc's office about that just to make sure. I was told that to get your protein requirement during the liquid stage, you had to have the protein shakes (or you can buy protein powder and add it to your soups or drinks - I bought unflavored Unjury and you really can't taste it). I also like the Premiere ready to drink protein shakes (got them at Costco) - so far, those have been my favorite. I am finding it difficult to get two of those down a day (they have 30 gms of protein each)...I get in almost a whole one a day though and have just been adding the protein powder to my soup,yogurt or pudding to get in the rest.

I had my surgery the same day! GasX strips seem to help with the gas (at least for me they have, but I'll admit, it hasn't been a big problem for me). They have Isopure Protein drinks that are not milk based - you can get them at GNC or Vitaminshoppe - I've tried the blue raspberry (it's okay) and then the cytosport watermelon Protein Drink (not that good)....I did not like the isopure that much, but some people prefer it.

Congrats! Glad it all went well...it will all be worth it in the end :thumbup: I'm being banded this morning....hopefully mine will be uneventful also!

You can also make your own protein pudding...get some unflavored protein powder (I bought Unjury), and you can pretty much add it to anything to boost the protein (pudding, cottage cheese, crystal light, etc.).

I like the Premier RTD shakes (I get them at Costco)....the one by me only has chocolate, but they're good...they're 160 calories and 30 grams of protein....I drink one for breakfast and I'm good for 4 hours (and they taste good - not sickly sweet or anything).

The first few days were really hard for me too....but I think I'm good now. Although I'm finding it very hard to even get to the 1,000 calories a day that I'm supposed to be on....I am just over the whole Soup thing and so if I am not hungry, I'm just not having it :thumbup:. My surgery is next Thursday too...just went this morning for my blood work and my physical is today and nurse assessment tomorrow and then I'm done with the appts.

I think it is common to charge a program fee, but I don't think it's common to charge it BEFORE they've submitted to insurance. I didn't have to pay mine until after I was approved and my surgery was scheduled. I paid it at my last pre-op visit with the surgeon...I would be skeptical if they ask for it prior to approval - seems odd.

Timmmers - wow - glad to hear you are doing well - did the hospital/doctor tell you to take Advil/Motrin? Those were on our list of medicines we would NEVER be able to take again (which I was surprised to hear). Patricia - I didn't have to do that - I'm sure it will be okay -won't they give you something to relax you or knock you out? I hope it goes well! So I'm really not digging this liquid diet....BUT, I am happy that it appears that I'm losing a pound a day since I started it, so at least there's that :sad:

Hi....my surgery is scheduled for 10/22. I started my liquid diet today. I think all docs are different, but my doctor says a full liquid diet (1000 cal/day), so no solid food - at all. The following items are on my list - Protein drinks (2x day), low fat cream Soups (2 x day), sf Jello, sf pudding, light and fit yogurt (4 oz). I've obviously just started, but it hasn't been too bad for me. I had a Protein Drink for breakfast (which I've been doing for a while now anyway), and I had a cup of tomato Soup for lunch and a sf pudding - I'm supposed to have an afternoon snack of another Protein shake, and then for dinner I plan on having another cup of soup. I don't think I'm going to make it to 1000 calories today:confused:

No, I can't make it tonight....we're doing a birthday thing for my hubby tonight (a day early :wink2:)

Soexcited - I think that's normal - you will be fine...just remember all the reasons why you want to do this! Anoush - it was good to meet you too....how long is the nurse assesment thing at the hospital? I still need to call them for that (thanks for the reminder, lol). I have my appt with Dr. Q. this afternoon. I am getting very excited (and a tad nervous)...it's right around the corner :wink2:

I was at the last meeting....I don't believe we've spoken before though - my name is Gina...no, haven't heard of that group on lapbandtalk.

Good luck - I really like the Premiere shakes. Good luck at your party...my poor husband - not only am I starting my liquid diet on his bday - but I'm actually being banded on our 9th wedding anniversary :smile2:. I think we go to the same support group meeting (Dr. Q., right?)....

Holly - I like the Premier chocolate protein shakes...you can get them at Costco...I've been drinking them for the past month + and am so far not tired of them :smile2:. Nooshie - have you started your liquid diet yet? Mine starts on 10/8 (which happens to be my husbands birthday :smile2:)..honestly, I'm a bit nervous about it since I've been "practicing" eating as if I have a band - I don't take in 1000 calories a day now...I'll be the only person around to gain on it, LOL.

I was also pretty nervous about telling my husband that I wanted to do this....I knew his view on wls (and it's not good). I told him I wanted to do the lap because I felt it's less of a risk than than bypass - I got the whole - "no, you aren't doing it, not an option"....let's just say it got very tense for a bit. He still thinks that I should just be able to diet/exercise and will get the desired result - clearly I can lose weight, but I can't keep it off without some "help".....he has slowly come around - I'm scheduled for surgery on 10/22 and I think he's going to be supportive - he's seen that I have changed my eating habits and am losing weight and making needed changes, so maybe that's helped? I don't know....it still is a bit of an uncomfortable topic for me to discuss with him since I know what his real opinion of it is...but in the end, I know this is right for ME - and for once in my life I'm doing something that is in MY best interest and I hope, in the end, he is supportive. Best of luck to you.

Soexcited...don't get frustrated...the scale won't always move (it's Evil :bored:)...but you lost 9 pounds in a week - that's AWESOME...you started eating again and haven't gained - so it's all good, right? You will be losing again before you know it...try not to let the evil scale get you down...keep doing what you are doing and it will start coming off (perhaps slow, but as long as you are not gaining I wouldn't worry).

I got my surgery date today - I'll be banded on October 22nd! I'm very excited, but also a bit nervous knowing this month is going to FLY by!