TracieCat

Hi Billie, no, no one else from our area has gotten in touch with me. Happily though am going to be meeting some other bandsters that have the same surgeon as I do at my first support group meeting this week. So really looking forward to that. Can I ask, where in Armstrong do you hail from? And how did your nutrition appointment go? Will shoot you off a friend request.

Are those a boxed pudding or ready made? I will have to keep an eye out for them, been wanting to pick up some things in particular for the husband to have in the evenings when he is craving a snack.

My heart goes out to you, I didn't suffer as severely as you are right now, but I also had heartburn and nausea daily after I was banded, after about a week and a half, I finally had that nausea start to take it's leave and now I only suffer from it if I eat too quickly or too much. I hope things improve for you, definitely give your surgeon a call and discuss your concerns with them.

So sorry for what you have gone through and are still coping with, my heart goes out to you.

I also do the pumpkin mixed with cottage cheese (not ricotta, haven't tried that yet), some splenda and cinnamon. Delicious.

I saw those at the Netrition website, glad you posted about them, will keep them in mind for later. :smile:

I am from Pennsylvania as well and would love to become a new buddy.... :smile:

Yes, I knew you meant the pudding. I was misunderstood there. lol. I was just saying that your idea to use pudding gave me the idea to try it with Jello Gelatin powder also. That was two days ago, bleh it was awful. I tried SF gelatin powder strawberry in my vanilla Protein shake and I hated it. Won't be trying that again. :smile:

You look great, congrats to you! :smile:

So glad it is a good day for you, that is wonderful! :smile:

The brand I have been drinking is the powdered brand Super Advanced whey Protein. So far have been drinking the Cookies and cream and the vanilla flavors. I really like both of them but there are times when I have a hard time wanting to get anything else into me for the day and I have been making frozen smoothies with them instead of just drinking plain. Mixed with some Water, then I throw that in my smoothie maker with some ice and sometimes half a banana or a few strawberries. YUM. I particularly like the vanilla this way, I also splash in a bit of vanilla extract. I tried mixing in some Jello Gelatin powder into one two nights ago thinking that might be something for variety but I hated it, won't do that again. Next I might try picking up some SF Torani sryup or some from Natures Flavors site to put in the vanilla for a new flavor. :smile: Maybe you could try it as a frozen smoothie and see if you like it that way?

I remember being very nervous as well but was completely put at ease after that first meeting, the Doctor took about an hour and a half with me and in every appointment since then, I usually am there about an hour with Doc and staff. I think it will be fine, you will get in there and once they speak to you and you get to know them on a more personal level, that nervousness will be a thing of the past. As far as what to expect, I can tell you from my own perspective how that first appointment went. It mainly consisted of me interviewing the Doctor and the Doctor interviewing me about what I knew about the Lapband system, my reasons for wanting the surgery, my medical history, we talked about my various co morbidity conditions such as my Apnea and Osteo arthritis and high blood pressure. He asked about my family history and he also wanted to know about my relationships with my family and friends which I really liked, as it gave him a good indication that I had a set support for myself in place already. He proceeded to explain in detail to me the surgery itself, risks, etc. I also received a detailed packet of information to bring home to go through later. Like I said, it was a pretty long visit but the time flew by and by the time it was done, I was happy, not nervous anymore and it really drove home for me the fact that I was making the right decision for myself. I am wishing you all the best. :laugh:

Sounds like you are doing wonderfully and that you have a good head on your shoulders. You will be even more prepared for what lies ahead after surgery since you are practicing now. Congrats on your weight loss too! :laugh:

I was fortunate enough not to have anyone do this to me, the only thing that came close is when a sub Doctor at my regular Cardiologist's office tried to talk me into going with Gastric Bypass instead of Lapband. According to him, people who get bypass tend to keep the weight off better than people who get Lapband. Hmmm, that is the direct OPPOSITE of a discussion I had with my Lapband Surgeon. He happens to do both bariatric surgeries and when we discussed why I decided to go with Lapband, he said he felt I was making the most wise decision as studies show that folks who get Lapband actually keep the weight off longer and are more successful. Add to that he says that the Lapband surgery is far safer than other bariatric surgeries. I trust his judgement far more than I do from a cardiologist who is not in the business or from people with horror stories. I found out later that the surgeon this cardiologist mentioned to me happens to be within the same health system. Pppfffttt, sure explains a whole lot. Thank goodness that particular Doctor is no longer with the office and I only had to see him that one time. No one else has ever tried to throw horror stories at me, although I did have a friend and my Mother at least express some concern until I spoke to them at length and put their minds at ease. Basically it all boiled down to me letting them know that I could either have this surgery and take a chance to open up a whole new life for myself and get healthy, or I could keep getting fatter and die from an obesity related disorder. Try not to let the horror stories get you down, there are going to be horror stories no matter what decision you make in life. Do what is right for you and want you to know I wish you the very best in your journey.

I had a hard time with it until I spoke to my Doctor about it and he assured me that I could take larger sips than I was taking at that time. I was so afraid after reading horror stories about people throwing up after drinking too much at a time. But sure enough, I took slightly bigger swallows (not large gulps mind you) and now it is fairly easy to get my liquids in daily, I usually go over the amount I am supposed to have, once I start really drinking more in the evenings (my usual habit). I don't think I could get down completely clear Water though in that amount, at least not just yet. So I am doing a combination of clear and crystal light and some homemade iced tea with splenda. I also count in my hot tea, which I like to enjoy daily.

I am tolerating it fine so far, I am just about a week away from my first fill though, so no idea how I will do after that, we will see. So far though, am really enjoying having it some mornings for my breakfast. Thinking of trying some with a half half mixture of pumpkin and oatmeal, just to see how I enjoy the flavor. This time of year, I really love pumpkin.

My Doctor is another that recommends three meals a day. And the Protein goal he gave me to shoot for daily is 64 ounces, up until now I was getting most of that by drinking my Protein shakes, usually two a day, although sometimes I was doubling up on the powder to get it done in one shot instead of two servings. That is something I have been having an issue with, getting my shakes in like I should. I just this past week, am finally in the mushies stage of my post op, so at least getting some other sources of higher protein in now as well.

That is a nice idea... I wonder how it would be to try to add some SF Jello Gelatin powder to a plain vanilla Protein shake as well. Maybe a strawberry or Strawberry banana. :laugh: That gave me an idea to try this myself and I haven't yet had a Protein Shake for the day so I might try it out later.

Congrats to you, whoo hoo!

So sorry to read what you have gone through with the slipped band, subsequent surgery to repair it and then living with the careless comment that was made to you. My heart goes out to you truly. At least perhaps in what you have gone through and them realizing it will teach them to not say something similar in the future to someone else.

Here is mine, I am a relatively new Bandster, just one month out and also new to the world of blogging. Enjoying learning all I can about both! Life According To Tracie

Just wondering, for those of you that have done three day liquid diet before your surgery, is it the usual practice to ONLY have clear broth, sugar free Jello, Water and tea? It seems to me that I see folks have Protein shakes in there and I am confused as to why my doctor only ordered me to have the above? My hospital that called me for pre registration was concerned about me going so low on calories so she even took it upon herself to call my Doctor, just to make sure I had the facts correct and he confirmed that was all I was to have. HOLY MOLEY, I am only partway through day one so not hungry at this point, but really concerned that I may get to that nagging point in another day or so. What did you do hunger wise if this is what you also had to do? I am most certainly willing to do this, it has been a long journey since the beginning of the year and I am so so happy and excited for my surgery on Monday and starting my whole new life. But however, I am concerned about the low amount of calories I am ingesting. Anyone? Thanks kindly.

Congrats on the beginning of your journey! :smile:

Just chiming in, I am having my Lapband done this coming Monday the 13th... I actually started the whole process first of the year with my insurance required office visits but I asked my surgeon if we could hold off on my surgery until swimming season was over this year. We have a pool and I knew I wouldnt be able to get back in pool water for awhile after surgery. Best wishes to everyone who just had the surgery and everyone having it this month! So blessed to be beginning this journey and step towards a healthier life. :smile: