StevieVieth

I am an avid Hellman's eater. I know lite , low fat or reduced fat doesnt seem appealing, but I have tried them all and I think they taste similar. The Canola is probably my favorite Hellman's, but it has the same if not just a little less calories then Regular. I like the olive oil Hellman's too and it makes awesome deviled eggs, so I am assuming it would be awesome for some egg salad since its almost the same thing. I make my egg salad just like I make deviled eggs, except the whole egg is involved.

StevieVieth, it's not that I can feel the actual port unless I go feeling for it. It is that the port area is very heavy.

As for the heartburn, it started to freak me out so I did call my surgeons office. I had already been taking pepcid daily and they added tums yesterday. I go in on Friday for my first check up.

I have the Lapband not the realize, and I am nosey and cannot feel it. I understand what you mean by its really heavy, depending on where I am laying and how is when I can feel it pulling.

Now, I am also recently banded i was banded 1 week ago today as well, and I can not feel my port, but my port incision is the last to heal yet and it slightly painful. I still have to be careful when going up the stairs and such and sitting down and I cannot yet sleep on my stomach. Has anyone else had the problem with not being able to feel their port under their skin yet?

I was only 120 lbs when I met my husband. I gained all of my weight when I got pregnant with our son. My husband is still with me today and I am only 6 days post op, he is already nervous about other guys looking at me! But I know he is only joking, because he was with me when I was thin and he knows and likes the old me. Unfortunately he can tell that over the last 2 years my self esteem and attitude have changed for the bad, and he cant wait till I am back and normal like I was before not the whole depressed me that I have been !:biggrin:

Finding me..so glad you found a solution after going through the whole process and to be stuck at the end...I was going to suggest you check out Mexico as a last resort.....their are alot of people who have been having their surgeries there and they have had alot of success...however..you dont need that anylonger and March 25th is right around the corner! So happy for you!

well...Ive been so buisy getting ready for surgery tomorrow that Ive been reading all the posts but havent had time to post myself!

To all those who had surgery last week......im so glad things went well and you are all feeling good!!! YOu GUYS ARE GREAT!!!

Thanks for all the updates...its been really helpful for me.....so thank you. You guys have made me alot less nurvous relaying your experiences.

Ive spent the week getting all my bills and paperwork in order. Buying everything that I need for the post-surgery diet and stacking the fridge and cupboards so that I wont have to go shopping for the house any time soon.

This weekend.....I spent one day.....getting waxed, haircut, highlights, manicure/ped. All the things that needed to get done that I never have time for and do them in dribs and crabs....but did it all in what I called the marathon beuty day! Cant go to the hospital with hairy legs!! (or anything else) Ill be exposed in who knows what way during surgery lol

Today....im getting my bag together dropping off paperwork...going to bed bath beyond....for the "Bullet" and filling my scripts that wil be needed post surgery......

worst..thing I think I have a cold...or my allegies are really bothering me!!! Like alot. Crossing my fingers!!!

well....just wanted to say to all those who had surgery last week....glad you are all doing well.....and for those who are having surgery along with me this week......

Good Luck and my prayers and thoughts are with all of you!

Jodi

Good Luck Jodi, Ill keep you in my prays and I hope you have a safe and exciting journey. Just remember to WALK WALK WALK after surgery, or the gas pains wont go away!

Yeah, i had a nightmare about not being able to go through with my surgery cause the doctor said my liver was too big...actually in my nightmare he said that it had grown lol so ive been keeping that very close in my mind. wow..only have one more sleep to go! Arrgh!

First I want to say congrats to finding me for being able to stick with it even tho financial issues became a cross road.

Missnell, I had nightmares that I was to "fat" to get it, but im usually one of the smaller individuals at the support groups. I guess I had nightmares because of my worse fear was being told I was too fat. I am under the 200 lbs mark and I am only 6 days post op!!!! I had lost 8 lbs the week before going into surgery. They didnt weigh me till after the surgery and it was at like 3am.... I had just gotten up and used the bathroom and did my little laps around the bariatric wing and they were like good you are up! let me get your weight. This was after they have been pumping me with Iv fluids alllll day and the extra gas from the procedure. so I was 201 when I got there and then I was 202 that night. I was like I have not gained a pound in 13 hours not eating or really drinking anything! The nurse was like its all the extra Water weight from the fluids, and the excess gas in my body! I was like woooooo!:biggrin:

GoodLuck to everyone whos procedure is coming up! I go for my 1 week post op on wednesday!

Hi all!

Well i first saw my chose Doctor in January and he told me the earliest he could fit me in was March 10 :smile2: thats only 3 more sleeps! Very Very nervous, but probably the most excited ive been in a very very long time

I had to do 10 days Pre-op diet..which i found really hard cause i have the ability to eat solid foods...i'm just not allowed to, whereas when i get banded theres no way im gonna be able to eat a nice big steak *drools* lol But im feeling a lot stronger now.

The pre op diet is a lot harder to do then the post op, because once your banded you dont feel the need to really eat food. I am 5 days post op and I dont fell like I am hungry ever. Its confusing because time will go by and I will have eaten nothing all day. I know that is nto goodd so I make sure I eat something. But I never know when I am hungry or not. But with the pre op diet, just think. It is to reduce the size of your liver for surgery, and if you cheat on your diet you could be cheating yourself out of surgery. SOme surgeons will not go through with the surgery if your liver doesnt shrink.:smile2:

congrats cynpatt on your surgery!!!

So day 4 post op and I took a 2 hour car ride to indianapolis and back to visit a friend...my grandma drove but still, I didn't expect to be feeling this good already! I am free of gas pains and am just a little sore in the ab muscles. I have only really felt a bit hungry in the mornings but luckily a Protein Shake cures that (special K Protein Shakes are awesome!)

I am proud of myself so far because my family has been eating around me and it doesn't bother me at all (I thought it would). I don't have the same appetite as I did before, which is awesome and although I am sure it will come back, its great for now!!

I am drinking all fluids just fine and I honestly can't believe it has only been 4 days!! I plan on going back to work on Monday but it will only be a 2 hour shift and I get to sit (I work at a tutoring center)

Stevie - did you get the LAP-BAND® or realize? either way, can early march bandsters feel your port yet (under the skin, obviously)? odd question maybe but I can't feel mine yet, could be because there's still swelling. just curious. :smile2:

looking forward to my first scale visit (my at home wii fit scale) on Tuesday!!

I got the Lap Band. not sure what CC it is or anything. But I too as well can not feel my port. My incisions are healing starting to get a little itchy. I am still having gas pains, but I am feeling much better. I believe that I push myself really hard throughout the day and cause pain and irritation at night, cause thats when I really feel it. I have no problem sitting in the car. My husband and I went to his bestfriends Gmom's funeral service yesterday, it was an hr away but we got lost for another hour. So I was in the car for about 3 or 4 hours. I was fine. I did bring my tylenol so I was prepared. My husband is going back to work today so he is going to bring me home some homemade Soup to enjoy! He is a chef at a well known( in my area) Italian resurant.

It sounds like you are doing great Stevie! Glad to hear it. How are you doing with eating/drinking? I'm going in on mar. 24 and cannot wait. Thanks for posting your updates, it really helps those of us that haven't gone.

I am doing well. Today had probably been my worst day for not feeling well. I am confused as to when I am hungry or not. Not sure what all the gurgling and such is from my belly. The worst is the gas pains in my shoulders from the surgery. That and the fact that I need to clean my house but im not allowed to vaccum because of the constant motion. I am doing alright I am mobile. As for eating and drinking, i havent really eaten much. I am not hungry I do sip on Water and crystal light all day. So that is not bad. I am well in the car and I dont find it to be too uncomfortable, but sometimes i get dizzy and dont feel too right. I have moved on to full liquids because my Dr. only required 1 to 3 days on clear post op. and since I am day 4 I have held down some Protein supplements and such. If I over do it, that is when I do not feel good.:smile2:

haha, I mostly want the youtube videos for my own documentation but I hope they can be of some help to others too.

I think I have dissolving stiches with steri-strips on top. and i think my incisions look a bit worse than they are cause of the steri-strips.

glad to hear everyone is doing well *march 1 and 2 bandsters*!! :smile2:

My incisions are jusy dermabonded(superglue for your skin) my Dr. is the director of bariatric surgery for the hospital that I went to. And he said for the best clearing up and chance to rid of all scarring he uses dermabond, Said that I should barely see anything and eventually withing the next year or two they will be completely gone.

Day 3 im a little sore. My shoulders are killing me. Ive been up and around a lot and I am going to my mothers for a little bit so she could see my son.Jayson(my son) is too young to know what is going on, he doesnt understand that I can no lift him right now. I tell him mommy has a boo boo. My husband has been wonderful support for me throughout the whole ordeal. He spent the night at the hospital with me even though he has serious issues with the hospital. Hes been changing and taking care our son.:w00t:

I love the fact that you updated youtube even though you just had surgery. Kudos! Now your incisions look a little different then mine, mine are hardly there. I do have the 5, and one is longer.are yours stitched or did the Dr. us dermabond as well?:smile2:

I am now day 2 post op and already I am feeling so much better! Not that I was feeling terrible yesterday but honestly I am excited at how well I am doing. I really don't feel like laying around all day but I am getting the rest I need, when I need it.

I am so excited for all of us March bandsters and for those towards the end of the month, don't worry, your day will be here before you know it!!!!

:thumbup:So at home, I got sent home yesterday at 10:30 am after my swallow test. They had me sipping broth and eating Jello only 4 hours after surgery. It wasnt bad, just a lot of discomfort. I also found out that I had a hietal (sp?) Hernia that the Dr. took care of while in the OR. I was up and walking like a champ right away too. And they didnt even need to tell me that I needed to walk. SO far everything is great. Ive been a little confused whether I was hungry or full or anything. But I am getting the hang of it. My husband had me make him a bagel this am. And boy did I want a bite, but I didnt! They only perscribed me some liquid Tylenol with codine. Which is ok, it makes me super tired, and the incision site doesnt look bad at all. Im super excited to begin this journey and I hope everyone else is as well.

Stevie...I hope that your husband will surpise you then by having the house cleaned? lol Glad you had a great day regardless.

Yes...March here we are....good luck on Tuesday all you March 2nd Bandsters!!

FindingMe....thats great that your daughter made the team and good luck on the preop diet!

Welcome "IwillSucceed" keep us posted and good luck!!

Okay.....so the weekend is over....for me anyways...tomorrow there is a carnival all day at school but I dont have to be there yea!!

Today..was actually alot of fun. We ran around giving and receiving but I have to say....the choc covered friut...the bestest idea...lol. Everyone loved it. Im glad...

The partys and dinner was really nice....and it just so happened that at dinner.....at our table...which was a family and Dassi and myself.....sat down this man.....who was single and good looking and well...I guess my age range...and he was very nice!!! Unfortunately he left before the end of the dinner....but it was nice to meet someone new for a change...Im just wondering why that happened is this a sign...to say...you know...your on your way to a new you....maybe its time to start socializing and meeting some new people. Who knows.

In any case..I have a new question. Shooting it out hoping someone can tell me the diff and if there is any or not!!! lol

Ive been researching the Protein Shakes, drinks, shots and powders oh and isolates.

Stevie...Ive checked out the site that you suggested and there were several others that sounded really good.

There are several different types of protein...however on most of the sites that Ive veiwed they offer "WHEY" Protein.

I remembered that when my daughter was a baby..the sensory O.T recommended that we give her "RICE" protein.

so....when looking at the differences...I find that there are several different sources. "WHEY" from Dairy...."SOY" vegetarian, "EGG", and "RICE". "Whey being the most popular and should not be in concentrate.

SO...

Question one....is the recommended popular...being "WHEY" because its the most easily digested?

Question two....does it matter whether its "WHEY" or "RICE" as "RICE" seems to me the best second choice as to quality and nutritionally and most available....Ive never seen "egg" and "SOY" seems problamatic these days as far as genetically engeneered seeds and the Increase on hormones causing poss cancer in woman.

So was wondering what the difference is and does it make a difference and why??

Do I really need this....does everyone supplement with all the above...and what about the Vitamins? ? Ive been looking at the differences between the vitamins that I have...which are high quality so I think...and the vitamins from all these sites...do they really make a difference and if I dont use the brands for bariatric patients...will I really loose my hair? ? etc etc?

oy......Im stuck on the "Stuff" I see....but want to be as prepared as possible for after surgery. I dont want to go out and start looking and researching after the fact...not a good thing...Also as I wont be able to send someone out to go and do this for me...except me...so might as well do it this week.

Its funny....my freinds..are concerned with my preperation of me....before surgery as I might never again be able to go out.;....lol like making sure to get a hair cut, manicure/pedicure, haircut, waxing done....highlights//etc etc and im like whattt?????? do you think I care about all the above?? who is going to see me???? I cant just shave??? whats wrong with my hair? I cant have nail polish. I have enough PJs and they will be clean.

Im thinking...of foods for me....and food prep for Dassi and setting up the cleaning girl, the dog walker, who is going to take Dassi to the bus off the bus and to all her activities and help her do homework? all the above?? Did I ever have time for those luxuries ever???? lol

Im allready thinking I best start going shopping for passover. I dont even have time to shower for more then 10 min. at a time...I think..maybe Ill allow myself a few more min for a quick shave....the night before and Ill be READY!

well....okay enough....its late and tomorrow is another day for preperation.

Thanks so much for all of your input and responses....I truly believe its because of you all....that I will be prepared...and not worried and...in the end successful.

Of course you all might need prozac at the end of the next two weeks but....I thank you in advance...(silly me)

Have a great night all.. and a wonderful week!!!

Jodi

I am not sure about the protein shakes. I have Isopure liquid for my clear liquid days, then I have huge tubs of Isopure powder that my husbands aunt gave me since she is 2 years post op. The are still good till next year. And the ticket price on the tubs is $68.99 so luckily I am saving this money. I know Isopure is not the most appetizing stuff on the market, but I looked up bariatric Protein Shake recipes and someone said 1/2 c. low fat chocholate sorbet, 1 banana, 1 1/2 TBSP low fat creamy Peanut Butter, a dash of skim milk, and 1 1/2 scoop creamy vanilla isopure protein powder.. Blend in a blender and no only is it low in calories. but it tastes delicious. I just used plain milk with the isopure powder and it tasted awful.

So this is it, count down, in 12 hours I will be at the hospital. I received my phone call confirming what time I have to be at the hosp in the am. 6:30 am. Ugh not looking forward to having to shower tonight and again at 5am. :w00t:

A lot of docs make sure that all of their women patients are not pregnant prior to banding...maybe that's why you have to collect first morning urine..HCG is highest then in early pregnancy!!

Thanks, I figured it out yesterday. I decided to fully read all off my information which I received Thursday, and in my little surgery pamphlet it tells you what the urine sample is for. Thanks though. Im in the clear though. Just finished the TOTM yesterday. Som im sure Im good. Well less then 24 hours and I will be in the OR. About this time I should be almost finished with my surgery if everything is performed on time. Good Luck all of you other March 2nd Bandsters. I probably will post a few times today as updates come in, but tomorrow I wont be able to. My Laptop does not work so I dont have a computer to bring with me!:biggrin:

Hi all.....Hi Megg..Welcome to the thread...Keep us posted with your journey...Good Luck....

Well.....its been an interesting weekend all.....Been reading and reserching all the information that you all have given me and well.....Ive learned some more things.

I decided yesturday to make chicken Soup for shabbat dinner.....but made a big vat with lots of vegggies and chicken..after we ate about two bowls each lol took out all the veggies and the chicken seperately...after shabbat blended them each seperately...put them in a freezer snack bags and Im ready for blended foods stage ala chicken and veggies. I blended some together to have Protein as well in each.

As for the Soup...that proved to be slightely harder! lol

I needed to cool it down...then I skimmed it tonight....but its not clear....sooo want to clear it so Ill have to do that tomorrow as I never cleared a soup before...however my "Settlement cookbook" tells you exactly how to do this!!

Whod have thought that an egg shell can do all this!

This week I will make a beef and vegetable broth the same way as above so I will be set with at least liquids for the first week.

Monday I will go to the Health food market and Trader Joes..to check out the Protein powders, drinks, and shakes...and compare to the sites that you also have all suggested and get a few diff samples and see which I like best....fun...lol.

Meanwhile...the marathon holiday weekend will be continuing.....Today we went to synaguage...havent really gone for the longest time due to the inclement weather lol..(I sound like the school closing site....due to inclement weather school will be closed today. Ive heard that one to many times this year.....but I digress). anyways...havent gone as the weather every sat....was so bad and we have to walk.

Today....wasnt too bad and its one of those days where we are recquired to hear the torah reading for the week...there are three such saturdays in the year...two are in winter...why??? I ask??? why??? of course If I lived elsewhere and it was middle of summer id ask the same.

After services....the youth group was having their yearly lunch with the Rabbi and his wife..and the youth leaders. This is where they tell stories, sing and eat. So..we had to go to services regardless as she very much wanted to go to this lunch with her friends....so yea..me I got to sleep for an hour and read for an hour?? wow that was nice.

Needed it as after I had to pick her up and found the after party was at our house....hmmgrh.

so much for resting. lol

Tonight was so much fun...it is Purim....that holiday for kids. and so Dassi and I...as I will always be a kid....dressed up...she as Medussa...and me...well I put on a bandana, dungaree skirt and jacket....and a few beaded necklaces and wallah....60's costume for me....

We went to two parties and one carnival...after hearing the Story of Esther....that was fun.. all the kids are dressed up in their costumes...of course I thing Dassis was best..but im biased...of course.

Tommorrow,....we are going to a party at the Rabbi from my daughters school. That should be interesting. hmm. After we hear the story of Esther for the second time..not really sure why we need to hear it twice.. but we do and then....after its party time where we go to the Rabbi...and then deliver our edible arrangements...treats and then we will go to dinner at one of the big synaguages....to eat a big meal...and Im calling it my last meal!

I hope I get through the day.....Allready my daughters complaining about her costume...the hem fell....the headress is hurting....the shoes are to tight...this ones better etc etc etc....by the end of the day...shel be in reg clothes...and ya know what?? who cares! As long as everyone is having fun.

So.....I must get some rest..its allready Two AM and need to wake early. Hah

Have a great weekend all

Jodi

Jodi, sounds like you had a wonderful day with your daughter. And the continuous weekend as well. Hope you enjoy the meal tonight!

So I am going to do a big house cleaning today. I was suppose to do this with my husband yesterday but he had to go to the Doctors and when he got home he wanted to play call of duty modern warfare 2.... SO that killed the day for me. It was alright though cause I went to the store called FADZ in the mall right across the street and they sell my single pieces of jewerly. I think im set, the only thing I need to do tomorrow is my assignments for this week or atleast anything that is due by friday, and hand them in. :wink2: Going to school online is fun, and easy. im just about halfway through I only go for 1 yr 9 mos. plus this was the first week for my new block of classes so next weeks work shouldnt be a problem.

:laugh:

I hope we don't have to pee. I am going in at 11:30 A.M. and was told not to even drink Water after midnight.

They gave me the soap to use when I went to hospital for pre-op this week. Surgical scrub or something like that.

Im not allowed to drink or eat anything after midnight as well, but at pre-op education they gave me a little pee cup and said to collect the first urine of the day. I dont know why? They just told me to go buy some dial antibacterial soap.this showering at 5:30am is not gonna go over very well. It is worth it though. :wink2:

I am on my pre-op diet, fortunately my Doctor only recommended that I do 7 days of full liquids. Which is Carnation instant Breakfast no sugar added for breakfast, and lo fat/low sugar cream of wheat for lunch and cream Soups mixed with lemon juice. I prefer heart healthy 98% fat free cream of mushroom Soup with lemon juice. Lemone juice has 0 cal 0 carb 0 fat. SO it is better then using fat free milk to cream it out.

I can honestly say I have not cheated... Although I never said I didnt want to. Boy my husband still has me cook him his meals throughout the day and it is torture. But it is my decision to go through with this. I want to be back down to my old normal 120lbs self. as I was 2 years ago.

Im sure youll do just fine, I have lost 6 lbs since tuesday and my surgery is on 3/2:thumbup:

63 (ish) hours until my surgery!!!

Isn't it wonderful that March begins Monday!! It is finally our turn March bandsters!!

:wink2:

I know I have to be at the hospital at 6:30am est. Sooooo excited. I went to the mall and just bought one retainer for my monroe, and just a plastic steptum ring and a plastic tongue right. I start clear liquids on monday, and have to run out for antibacterial soap like Dial to shower with on monday and tues morning. Does anyone else have to take a urine sample the morning of?

Hi. just wanted to touch base before the busy weekend.

Hi. CJPOI, Browneyes, and Countrychick... Welcome glad to see all the posts. Good luck and keep us posted with your journeys.

Whitney..so sorry to hear about your ankle that really sucks...but maybe by next week if you can stay off it ...it will get better.

Eileen. Hi. I also have a CPAP machine that I was given six weeks ago. I deal with it everynight as well. Its okay. Im learning to deal, not loving it but its part of this whole process so...im doing it all the way. I will have to bring my mask to the surgery as well...as it is overnight stay. At first I was really bummed out about it but now..well whatever...hopefully we will both not need it much longer after we have the surgery.

Stevie...im feeling soo old. lol I was trying to figure out what BC meant for the longest moment...then it hit me.

at 44 and no husband or bf at this time..I guess the doctors didnt even ask as I didnt list BC as a medication on the "what meds are you taking list"

Glad to see that there are people still having sex however...lol

The ring thingys...that totally lost on me...so wont even ask but I hope you guys get what you are looking for to keep the holes open during surgery.

I grew up in Bayside Queens. The girl Stevie that I heard of was my friend Karens.BFF when we were like 12. lol

I remembered it then and thought that...I would really like that if I ever have a girl for a child. Unfortunately my Husband at the time.....his mother passed away 8 months before my daughter was born..and well she was going to be a "Hadassah" whether I liked it or not...as that is what his mothers name was....Lucky I was able to make it short...to Dassi which was at least cute to me and tollerable...funny thing however...the name has grown and I love it as much as I love her.

Well have a great weekend all.... those on the east coast stay dry and warm!!!

Jodi

Jodi it is ok, I should have typed out birthcontrol. I didnt list it as a med that I was taking, but during my pre admissions testing I asked a question about it, and She was like well thats a medicine. I said I wasnt taking the pill I am on the Nuva Ring.

As for the previous post that you re posted here when the person referred to as "SLIME", the doctors will tell you it is called "Frothing" I have all this information in a booklet that I received at pre op education(BootCamp). Frothing would be the medical term, you will not hear your doctor refer to it as slime.

I just went through all of my extras and I need to go out and buy retainers for my facial piercings, I do however have my plugs so my 3/4" holes in my ears do not close.:cursing:

Stevie - I haven't been told to stop taking BC...did they give you a reason for that?

And I feel the same about my metal...now I don't have as much but I do have three ear piercings (in each ear) and a belly piercing soooo I guess I'll take them out and hope for the best. Do you know a chain type place I can buy retainers for all of the above? (for relatively cheap)

Thanks!!

ps. to everyone -I totally twisted my ankle last night and I don't even know how (something to do with a curb and my head being somewhere else completely)...my surgery is Tuesday and now my ankle is bothering me. I thought to myself (as it was happening) "Really Whitney...really? of all times to get hurt, this is not an option". It's more funny than anything but it does hurt. I will keep trying to work it out so that I can WALK on Tuesday...:mad2:

The Dr. Told me to stop right away, because for 3 weeks following surgery you are able to develope blood clots, and one birth control it triples that risk. I take the nuvaring and have been for over a year, and he told me to stop right away. So I would call your doctors office and ask before your surgery so you dont have a chance to get blood clots. So get a supply of condoms =) A chain store that you can get retainers at is like Hot Topic in the malls or like Spencers gifts. those are two off the top of my head, some odds and ends store that sells plugs and gauges for your piercings should sell them too. Not the fancy jewelry places, even claires accessory stores might. I know I have one or 2 for my monroe and septum, but I know I have to get one for my tongue ring. :eek:

Guess what??? I got moved up. March 9th!! Someone cancelled or didnt get clearance but got the phone call today rhat the insurance approved me allready and if I want to move my date up to the 9th I can...and boy did I ever!!

so..now im a March 9th bandsters....Yea!

Hey Jodi, My name is Stevie by the way. You dont have to write StevieVieth. Just call me stevie. I am excited but the weather however has me all arggg. Its snowing this morning and I am not the person to be driving in the snow. But I have to make my appt at the hosp. im not sure about everything with boot camp. Where in Ny are you? My sister lives in Staten Island and she didnt have to do the whole pre admissions testing at the hospital. Well off I go. Ill update when I get back~

Stevie thats great!!! SIm so excited for you about the surgery on the March 2nd and you are good to go!! You must be so relieved. Do you have to stay over night at all or are you going outpatient? I am staying one night..protocol. So, now you can get on with planning for your first weeks. My mother god bless her....she went out and bought me five days worth of new PJS and socks...lol of course it was appreciated as I really needed them in any case.

I had a friend once who who had a friend named Stevie she was a girl as well. I always really liked that name.

Im not really sure why I had to go through the hoops. Not sure wether it is the surgeons, hospitals or insurance company. Nobody seems to know lol but no one has the exact same protocol no matter what city or state they live in. Im just hoping for no blood gas~! That scared me more then the surgery itself!

You said your sister lives in SI? Are you from NY orriginally? Im in Cedarhurst LI. I work in Brooklyn.

OMG...me too...in fact I gained 5 llbs. in the last month..because its all about that last hoorah? I dont think I ate so much or anything additional..however I guess that psychologically its easy to think like this. I think that if I was on supervised diet for a certain amount of time before surgery and demonstrate some weight loss or noooo surgery...then maybe I would have..but I didnt need to be on any pre-surgery diet at all. The day before needs to be liquid and thats it. so...I guess...itl take a little longer but Im ready for it and I know afterwards...thats it!! lol So you arent the only one...and im sure there are others who feel the same.

Well hope all is well with everyone. Would love to know what everyone is doing to get ready for their surgery and the first week afterwhich.

Are people buying containers of broth or making their own and if they are buying how much sodium is considered okay per serving:? If I make broth on my own..the chances of sodium and fat is higher for sure lol

so, clear liquids such as apple juice..low sugar and cranberry juice I was told..but that doesnt sound like it will feel good after another endoscopy and skin milk and clear Jello. hmmm that and broth and hot Water with hmm what?

any other ideas that people have heard? would love to start buying a few staples for the week.

any suggestions will be welcomed.

Have a great night! Jodi

Hey Jodi, yes I am originally from Staten Island myself. I was born there and raised most of my life. I know maybe one or two other girls named Stevie, but they are younger then I am. My parents loved Stevie Nicks and thats how I became Stevie-Nicole.. SO I lost 3 lbs since tuesday!!!!!! At frst the hospital weighed me when I went in for pre admission testings and bootcamp yesterday, but the scale they used was this old rikity thing. Im use to get weighed on my dr's scale at the office which is this all high tech can calibrate itself type that is right on the money all the time. The difference is the hospitals scale said i gained a lb. Then I went back to the Dr.'s office and they weighed me and I was down 3 lbs from my last weight check. So Im use to going by this scale and I was relieved. Plus at the Dr.'s office they make me take off my shoes and such the hosp didnt.

The problem I am going to have is I cant use my birth control for 1 month!!!! I dont want to get pregnant. And my husband and I are 23 and 21 so He is still at his peek !! Ive had to fight him off for the last day!! SO its off to the store for condoms. Another thing is you cant wear any metal into the OR. that means my tongue ring, septum ring, and monroe need retainers made of plastic so they wont close. Then I need to dig out my plastic or acrillic plugs as well! This part is frustrating,

Im super excited!!!!! I had my pre op visit with the surgeon to score everything. I had my bootcamp and pre admissions testing too this morning. Im set and ready to go!!! 3/2 is my date must be at the hospital at 6:30am I am the first on the list. Op is at 7:30... Yay its coming very close!:smile2:

Hi all.

Hope you all had a great day'

I actually was able to go to work today. My daughter was still not up to par..so she stayed home wih my mother. lol They apparently had a great day....because they cooked and baked....hmmm Tomorrow is school!!

I spent alot of time last night printing out recipes from a site that "Stevievieth" recommended. Now..that I hadnt gone to work for about a week it feels...I am real tired!

So...I think im going to call it a night....just am going to answer some posts...welcome new bandsters and thank some for their....great ideas...oh and of course...I will also thank some for their experiences with the presurgery date.....ouch!

Hi Scott!! Another lucky day...bandster! St. Patricks day seems to be a popular day. Several on the thread will also be banded on the same day! Where from? How have your experiences been so far?

Hi Marcia....Welcome...we will be banded the same week. Im March 15th. Good Luck! Where from? Glad you decided to post instead of just lurking more!!

Mitamia. Happy dancing is a good thing....glad that you posted!!.

Monica...Its great that your pre-surgery testing is over! Im so excited for you! yes, I hear the visit for final clearance is to your reg primary to say you are not sick...you dont have a fever, cold or not getting one. lol

You are home free!!! Yea you! The 12th is right arounf the corner to the new you.

What a great site this is...

I spent the whole evening pretty much going over it and im like wow....this is really great. I printed out the recipes for the Soups. I will start cooking and freezing the soups...lol. Preparing for the liquids and then blendeds lol. Thank you so much. I was also looking at all the Protein Shakes and Vitamins. They all look so good!

I just wonder how true it is to make sure to drink the Protein shakes and vitamins made for bariatric patients are really important or can we just get them at a really good health store..or company.. If its true about what they say...how we should only use what is made for us...or we will not get enough and end up sick?

Do you think this is true? Ive been talking to the nutrtionist and Dr..and they think not however....Im thinking that maybe they do have good points. I just dont know...and really would not like to depend on one company to rely on for the rest of my life to have to use these products. Im currently a shaklee fan...but only because I was able to try out all the products first and did find them superior...and they are cheaper for me as I have friends who are distributors, and I dont rely totally on them there are other comp that have superior vitamins..so im told. Have you heard anything.....

or anyone else about the importance of the vitamins etc?

omg...you are scaring the bejegas out of me...now im more scared of the pre-surgery then the actual surgery and post diet. They had to do a blood gas?? I hate that...I have that when my asthma is so bad that I need to be hospitalized..hasnt happened in years but I remember that test.; ouch. so this is bootcamp hmm?? Im going to have nightmares tonight. How are you however?? Are you okay?? How are you feeling? excited im sure but...sheesh. Does NY do all those tests as well?? Can you tell that im a big scardycat?? I didnt think so..but im beginning to.

Thanks for the above..its always good to be prepared though as to what needs to happen..as we were all wondering what this long six to eight hour day was about right?

Okay...im gonna suck it up tomorrow...tonight Im going to cry lol.

Hello again all.

It is wonderful to hear of so many others who will be starting their journey at the same time as me...I will think of that often in the good and bad times and probably come here often for support!

wlcoyle;

You are not alone in that thought above....I know I feel the same.

What ive found most helpful about finding obout about all your concerns above was to look at the February bandsters for about a month back to now.....these are all people being banded now...in February...who like us a month ago were asking and feeling pretty similar to what we are feeling a few weeks before our surgery dates.

I find myself checking their posts as to how they are each coming along...and they have been posting their experiences before...and on the day of surgery to the days after surgery. I found this to be really helpful.

You can also try the chat room support group here on this site. People have been pretty helpful and open giving support answering questions and just giving it straight...you are having your surgery next week....so fortunately for us..you will be our leader ....and we will be asking you all the questions as we will all be banded after you.....and you have its true no one...to kind of ask...so maybe these suggestions might be helpful.

Maybe others will have some other ideas as well....

no matter what we will be here and next month....we will all be on the journey towards health....and the process of the actually banding will be well behind us!

Good luck next week!!!

Thats all folks! Have a great night and those who are breginning their pre-surgery diets this week ....or have started...good luck and hope they are going well!!!

Jodi

Hey Jodi, My name is Stevie by the way. You dont have to write StevieVieth. Just call me stevie. I am excited but the weather however has me all arggg. Its snowing this morning and I am not the person to be driving in the snow. But I have to make my appt at the hosp. im not sure about everything with boot camp. Where in Ny are you? My sister lives in Staten Island and she didnt have to do the whole pre admissions testing at the hospital. Well off I go. Ill update when I get back~

Good evening all,

Today was my day for all my final testing. I had a chest x-ray, Pulmonary function test, pulse oximetry test, upper G I test, lab work, and an EKG. I think that is everything that I had to do. I have to get clearance from my regular doctor, but i can't do that until the 5th as he is out of the office. I'm sure it will not be an issue as he is the one who refered me to the LAP-BAND® doctor in the first place. I can't believe that the 12th will be here so soon. I am so jazzed about this how procedure, i'm looking forward the the next chapter of my life!!!

Have a great rest of the night and day tomorrow.

Monica

Isnt the Upper G I series horrible. I was reading up on it and I believe you have to do something similar after surgery too. The Barium is terrible. I felt so sick after that. But I also had all of my testing done at once. First the chest x-rays, then the Upper G I series, then I went and did my pulminary functions, where they also drew blood from a vein where the woman said blood has oxygen and it was on the side of my wrist. Then I went and had a ekg, then someone came in an did a eeg which is a sonogram of your heart that was pretty neat to watch. I did my bloodwork and nicotine pee test another day, because my insurance didnt cover it through the hospital. Tomorrow is my pre admissions testing, I am excitedddddd tuesday!

Im not sure who it was that asked about the pre- and post LAP-BAND®® diet...and this is a great site that I found.

This is the article along with several others about how much time to eat...liquids, broth going on to ground, blended etc...over about a 4-6 month period.

This is the site...

Support for Post Surgery Lap Band Patients | Lap Band Diary

this is the article.....

how much food and Protein does one require after having LAP-BAND®

Surgery? | LAP-BAND®® Diary

They have several great articles explaining what and how much and when....I found it pretty interesting. Several things that were not explained to me with the nutritional consult that lasted the 1/2 hour. lol

okay.....here is another post-op diet that gives you options and exact amounts for the clear liquid diet and the pureed diet. This diet also gives you the amount pf daily dietary allowances for protein and suggests that after surgery we try to eat 25-30 grams of protein each day. It then gives suggested Proteins that are soft or can be pureed.

This diet can be found at:

http:www.obesitylapbandsurgery.com/diet.html

Bariatriceating.com is also a great site for pree and post op dieting and such. They also sell Protein Shakes and misc. protein items.