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Bklynike

LAP-BAND Patients
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Blog Entries posted by Bklynike

  1. Bklynike
    Hi, Everyone:
     
    I just got a very interesting question from a fellow bandster regarding my first fill last Thurs. So, I will put the question out to everyone.
     
    I was asked what I was eating since my fill, or more specifically if since my fill was I eating differently.
     
    My answer to this question is yes, I appear to be eating a little less than I was before - probably about as much as when I first got banded. But, I am not feeling "restricted" like other bandsters talk about. I eat very slowly and when I am no longer hungry, I stop eating. I have been consistently losing weight. I wish it was 5lbs a week, but it is always around a lb or more.
     
    I postponed 4 times and then I decided to get my fill because I was a little hungry between meals. I have not been sick, I have not gotten anything stuck, no belching, no sliming, no stuffed feeling. I got 1cc added to my band, and that was it.
     
    I am scheduled for another fill later this month, but I don't know if I need it. But again, I don't have a clue what a "restriction" feels like.
     
    What are you feeling?
  2. Bklynike

    1-more day

    By Bklynike,

    I made it almost an entire week on full liquids. Only 1 more day to go. I never thought it would be as easy as it has been. I am not "enjoying" it, but I have stuck to the rules to the letter. I can't imagine going through all of this and cheating. Who would I be cheating - no one but myself.
     
    Sunday is the clear liquid day. And then, and then, and then, my re-birth day. When I tell people that my surgery is actually on my birthday they think I am nuts. But I couldn't think of a better gift to give myself.
     
    To all of you who have had the surgery and found your "sweet spot", congrats. To those of us getting ready for the surgery I wish us all the best of luck - we have a long, hard road coming. But if I have the will power and strength to carry on and get it right, so do you all.
     
    To all my bandsters out there, I wish you a life of happiness and good health.
  3. Bklynike

    1st Day of Liquids

    By Bklynike,

    My first day of liquids, although not quite over yet, was OK. I started my day with 27grams of protein shake with a cup of decaf coffee. Mid-morning when my stomach started to growl so loudly that other people at work were able to hear it, I had a Jello cup. At lunch I had a 40gram Insopur drink (grape forest), which was very tasty and a cup of chicken broth. I finished my "meal" with another Jello. I drank about 80 oz of water throughout the day and for dinner tonight I had some cream of brocolli soup, a decaf coffee and glass of water with lemon. I will soon be having a sugar free ice pop. Yum. Thank goodness this is only a week long. I am not looking forward to having to do this after my surgery for 2 weeks, but having the lap-band is such a gift that I will do whatever is necessary to make this work. It has to work - it is truly my last hope to get healthy, look and feel better and live longer. 7 Days to go:w00t::tt1:
  4. Bklynike

    1st Post Op Visit

    By Bklynike,

    Today was my first follow-up visit to my surgeon. It has been 2 weeks since my re-birth and it was even better than I thought it would be.
     
    First, I was asked to get on the scale. I was at the doctor's office on the Thurs before my surgery (6/21 surgery date). At that time I was 254lbs. Today I stepped on his scale and weighed, drum roll please, 238.4. Yes you are reading this correctly. I am actually out of the 240s for the first time in years.
     
    He said my incisions (3) have healed so nicely that you can barely see them. I have to say I do heal rather quickly. My new "diet" has been good for me. I am more energetic, feeling better and sleeping better. I was an insomniac, but now I can actually sleep in bed all night. I can now eat regular foods, no more pureed or mushy.
     
    He wants me to stay away from sugar, which not be a problem for me because I never cared for sweets and carbs. Now carbs are where my problem has always been. I am a french fry and pasta-hollic. He said to lay off them for about a year, then if I wanted to add a little bit every now and again I could. But if I work my ass off to lose all of this weight, I am not going to want to add anything that could jeopardise my loss.
     
    Further, he said I can start lifting weights, just not to hurt myself. I AM SO EXCITED!!!!!
     
    I am not going to kid myself and think I will lose weight each and every time I step on the scale, but I believe that if I continue to do what I am supposed to do, the weight will eventually come off.
     
    The funniest thing happened this past Friday night at the gym. I got on the scale and couldn't imagine why I was 2lbs heavier than I should have been. Well, then I realized I was wearing my breast prosthesis for the first time to the gym, which must weigh easily 2 or more lbs. When I went back on Sunday, I didn't wear the "boob" and my weight was back on track.
     
    Dr. Bass, Hollywood Bariatrics, Hollywood, FL said I should make an appointment to see him in 2 weeks, but if at the time I don't feel I need any restrictions, I should make it in 3 weeks. I have a 14cc band and he usually inserts 2cc a visit. I may need a fill by then, or not. Because everyone is different, only time will tell.
     
    Best of luck to my fellow bandsters.
  5. Bklynike

    2nd Fill

    By Bklynike,

    Are you losing what you think you should?
     
    I wasn't sure if I was losing enough. 41 lbs in 4 months seemed like a good amount to me, but I read blogs here and some people are losing much more than I am. Some have lost less, but I wasn't sure. I felt that by talking to my doctor's PA, I would learn what was right for me. I wanted to make sure I was still on the right track with the foods I eat and with the 4 trips a week to the gym were enough.
     
    So, I went to get my second fill today. My first fill was a piece of cake, so I didn't expect today's fill to be any different.
     
    So the PA comes in and we start talking. How are you feeling? I am feeling great. Absolutely amazing.
    Are you losing? About 10 lbs a month, consistently.
    Are you hungry between meals? No. I am usually satisfied with my 3 meals a day.
    Have your portion size changed? No, I am still eating about the same amount as usual. Protein first, then veggies and if I have room, salad. I stop eating when I feel satisfied.
     
    We spoke about the fact that people who have let's say 200 or more lbs to lose will lose in larger quantities - 5-10 or more lbs a week, as opposed to me. I have about 60 lbs left to go, so my loss of approximately 10lbs a month is a great accomplishment.
     
    We decided I didn't need a fill today. She said she didn't want to mess with something that was working so I will go back on November 12th, if anything changes. If not, I'll reschedule for some time in December.
     
    What did I learn at my doctor's visit today? I learned that I should not compare my loss or gain to anyone else's. Each of us has our own journey to take and each journey will be different. If I have any doubt, my doctor and his staff will be there to keep me on track.
     
    I also realized that I love myself more and more each day. I am so proud of myself and I am starting to really like the way I look. I now have clothes that fit and it makes me happy to see myself looking so much better. I love hearing friends and coworkers comment on the changes I have made so far.
     
    I took this journey so I would be healthier, get off my medications and to look and feel better and I did it for me. My husband and family will also benefit from my Lap Band because if I am healthier, I will live longer.
     
    Thank you Dr. Bass, thank you Lap-Band. :thumbup:
  6. Bklynike

    Again??????

    By Bklynike,

    I am so sick of soup, protein shakes and especially Isopure! I am doing the Isopure because of the 40 grams of protein, but I can't get it down in one sitting. So I have been doing 1/2 and 1/2. My doctor will not let me have the mushy/pureed food until a week from today. My mouth is actually watering when I think of tuna or chicken salad and I never liked them before. But that is what food deprevation can do to a person.
     
    My question is, if you are eating regular food - once past the mushy or pureed stage, how are you getting your 70-80 grams of protein a day? I would love to not drink any more proteins until after a fill. Then my doctor wants 2 days of liquids and back to mushy and then regular food.
     
    I have been eating my 3 meals a day, and in between drinking the water. I stop when I start feeling full and then I get a hunger pang or two a few hours later but they go away very quickly. Normal?
  7. Bklynike

    Almost 1 year

    By Bklynike,

    For any of you who have read my blogs, you know I had breast cancer last year. My 1-year anniversary of being cancer free is coming on January 5th. I saw my oncologist today and she was absolutely thrilled by my progress - my numbers are great and my weight loss has been a huge help. Down almost 68lbs so far. I am still in remission - cancer free is a great feeling. Getting thinner is also a great feeling. I love my lapband.
     
    I am having a problem figuring out this new site. I hope all of my fellow bandsters are still getting what they need here. I look forward to reading everyone else's blogs, how they are doing and suggestions to getting better success. Weight loss is not an easy thing - hence the lapband surgery, but it is attainable and I know I will succeed. I have something to look forward to - I will be getting my boobs and a tummy tuck some time around Nov/Dec of 2011. I need to lose all the weight I want to lose and keep my weight steady so I can have the surgery. I was going to have the reconstruction at the time of the mastectomy (left breast), but because I was going to be losing so much weight, the surgeon wanted me to wait. So I will have both done at the same time.
     
    I already look better, I am cancer free, I have a fabulous husband and family and the new year is upon us. I wsh everyone who reads this the most wonderful holiday season. May you live as long as you want, but never want as long as you live. Here's to an easy journey for us all.
  8. Bklynike

    Almost there

    By Bklynike,

    Happy 4th everyone. I hope you get to enjoy the holiday with family and/or friends.
     
    The hubs and I were at the gym today - our regular Sunday visit. We both worked out and when I was done, I went off to weigh myself. I don't weigh myself anywhere but at the gym on Sundays and if I have to go to the doctor's office - they make me weigh in:cursing:
     
    So I stepped on the scale and almost fell over. I am down to 240.0. I can't believe it. Just one more ounce and I'll be out of the 240s. It has been years since I was in the 230s.
     
    I go for my first post-op follow-up visit on Tues. I am hoping he will tell me I am doing great and that I can start lifting weights. I do a lot of cardio, but one of my trainers said the cardio will help me lose the weight, but in order for me to loose the fat grandma upper arms and thighs I need to do some weight training. So I think that is my next hurdle to conquer.
     
    Then of course I think I am ready to eat all foods, not just the pureed salad things I am eating now. I have to say I am not hungry nor do I feel deprived of anything. But I would love to have a regular dinner with my husband.
     
    I truly believe the Lap-Band was the best thing I could have done for me and the weight coming off and the fact that I feel amazing is confirming it.
     
    To all of you thinking about having the surgery, go for it. This is the greatest gift you can give yourself. I truly believe that!
  9. Bklynike

    Almost there...

    By Bklynike,

    I can't believe it but I am almost out of the 230s.:cool:
     
    Tonight when I finished my workout at the gym, I weighed myself and was astonished that the scale said 230.8. So, I got off and after it registered back to zero, I stepped on again. OMG, I will be in the 220s sometime very soon. Possibly when I weigh in on Friday night or Sunday, which is the day I keep recorded.
     
    Monday was the start of my 7th week since my surgery and I am down 22.6lbs - an average of 3.2lbs a week. And still, no fill! This lap-band is an amazing tool, but I am working by butt off to continue with this forward momentum. Don't let anyone tell you this is easy, because it isn't. But I see it is making me so much happier and feeling so much better, that it is worth it all.
     
    I remember, not too long ago, that I would get into bed around 10 or 11PM and by 1:30am I was sitting in my living room on my recliner, wide awake, just looking around. I didn't turn on the TV so I wouldn't wake up the hubs. Sure I would fall back to sleep, but the sleep apnea would keep waking me up. Now I go to bed and outside of a quick trip to the bathroom, I get back into bed and wake up when the alarm goes off. How remarkable is that? My husband says I still snore, but softer, and we are both hoping that will end at some point (lol).
     
    So, I will continue on my trek. With all other diets, and I have been on almost ever stinking one, I would lose 25lbs and that would be it. I can't wait to hit the 26lb loss and then the 30lb loss. I know it is going to happen this time. I am so excited to see where this journey leads me and I hope you all come along for the ride and share your journey with me.
  10. Bklynike

    Almost Time

    By Bklynike,

    I am back from my Sister's Weekend in NY. Had a blast and now it is time to start concentrating on my surgery. 2-Weeks to go. I am so excited - I can't believe it is almost here.
     
    My husband is going to the grocery store tomorrow to pick up some of the full liquid items I am going to need to I can start tasting to see which ones I like. Cream of chicken, cream of brocoli, cream of mushroom will be the first 3 soups I am going to try.
     
    I have purchased several different protein mixes and I find when used in conjunction with low fat milk (1%) and put into the blender for a few minutes, they are not so bad. I did purchase an unflavored protein mix from my Surgeon's office, but when I got home and read the label it said it has milk and soy. Being a breast cancer survivor I am not supposed to have soy, but I will see my Oncologist on Friday to see if the soy content is small enough. I really would love to have an unflavored protein to add to soup or to add my own flavoring to, so please keep your fingers crossed that I can use it.
     
    Anyone have any good ideas for the pre-surgery diet?:thumbup:
  11. Bklynike
    After work tonight we (the hubs and I) went to the gym for our Friday night sweat. On Sun and Wed we do 1/2 cardio and a 1/2 weight training. But on Friday nights we do at least an hour staight cardio.
     
    To digress for just a minute, I somehow hurt my back a short time ago and I really don't know what I did, but it has been bothering me. We bought a new mattress and I love it, but I find I am sleeping more on my back, which may be the cause of the back pain. Who knows? On Tues I had a massage at the gym, which felt great while I was getting it, but soon afterwards the pain returned.
     
    So, anyway, we pull up in front of the gym and I mention my back and my husband who has been having a hip problem. He says to me, "Why are we going to work out when we are both hurting" and I said "Because it is Friday and this is what we do on Friday." So he asked me if I had a broken leg would I still work out and I said if I had to drag it behind me the answer would be YES!
     
    Boy has my complete outlook on everything changed since the lap-band. I have totally adopted and adapted to a new lifestyle and I know I am better for it. My eating style has changed, my fluid intake has changed. In my blog from 8/4, I said I was 230.8 and I couldn't wait to be in the 220s. I weighed myself tonight after the workout and I am now 230.2. I know that by sometime next week, if not sooner, I will reach my first goal and I'll be in the 220s. I am taking 10lbs at a time so I don't get myself crazy, which my husband says is not a far trip. Small steps eventually take you where you want to go and I am on the road to my goal.
     
    One of the ladies who works in my company was walking behind me today and she caught up with me and commented that I have lost a lot of weight. She said it was very noticable from behind. I was so excited to hear that - it made me very happy.
     
    Lap-band is a great tool. It gave me the confidence I needed to get off my butt and get to the gym, eat the way I should and start feeling proud of myself and my accomplishments. I hope you all feel as wonderful as I do!
  12. Bklynike

    Amazing

    By Bklynike,

    I think all the time - I had surgery just a short 3 weeks ago. I actually chose to have a band wrapped around my upper stomach giving me a small pouch that will make me eat less or I will get sick. I will have a few more incisions in my stomach, but I am not a bathing beauty to start with, so short tops and 2-piece bathing suits have been out for years. And by doing this, my entire life is going to change. I paid over $13,000 for this surgery out of my own pocket, after saving several years. I actually took this money away from my family - perhaps a special vacation or new car? After so many diets and dumb programs, is this actually going to work?
     
    Heck Yes It Is!!!! My life has already started to change.
     
    First of all, I am losing weight. I have always been able to lose about 25lbs and then it was over. No matter what I did, I couldn't lose more than 25lbs. I am at about 17lbs right now. I have no doubt that I will break through that 25lbs within the next weeks to come. You bet I will report it here.
     
    Secondly, my medications have been cut down. I am actually sleeping better. I have much more energy and am walking with some pep in my step.
     
    Thirdly, I have met so many wonderful people on this site. I wish each and every one of you lived in South Florida - I want hugs!
     
    I will keep reporting my progress and I love reading about all of yours. I try to respond to as many blogs as I can because there is nothing like finding messages in reply to a blog I wrote, so I would imagine you like getting responses to.
     
    I will be taking pictures this weekend, and will try to post them. I see the difference already and am loving it.
     
    Good luck to you all - I love our friendship.
  13. Bklynike

    Average Weight Loss

    By Bklynike,

    It is Friday night and I am excited to say I am down to 213.2:thumbup:.
     
    I wasn't in the gym last weekend because of our trip to Orlando, but from a week ago Sunday I lost 2.2 lbs. I have my 2nd fill scheduled for October 25th. I am losing an average of a pound a week. I wish it were more, but I don't know if it should be more? I have always heard 1-1.5 lbs a week is a healthy way to lose and keep it off. But with my band I thought it might be more:confused:.
     
    I have to remind myself that it took many, many years to put on the pudge and it will take time to get it off.
     
    Back in January I was 268 lbs. I started watching what I was eating, cutting out most of the carbs and started losing some weight. In May I joined the gym. By my surgery in June I was down to 251.4 lbs.
     
    Monday starts week 17 and I'm down, since surgery, 38.2 lbs. I feel really good and I am doing what I know I should be doing.
     
    I don't eat any carbs, unless they are naturally in the food I am eating. No bread, no pasta (this one hurts, I love pasta), no potatoes, no rice. I have gotten used to eating hamburgers without the bread and french fries!
     
    What has your average weight loss been like?
     
    Check out my photo album and my new tattoo!
  14. Bklynike

    Back from Vacation

    By Bklynike,

    We are back from our 2 weeks in CT. The cold weather was a wondeful change to our 80s in Florida.
     
    I was so excited to see my sister and friends and to get their reactions to my new look. Everyone cried when they saw me. Good tears, thank goodness. They were very proud of me, which made me feel wonderful. I was very worried that 2 weeks away would cause me a weight gain. I tried to sign up at LA Fitness for the 2 weeks, but they wanted so much money, I decided against it. My aunt had a treadmill in her basement - a very old one, but it worked. And my cousin lent me some weights. So I went down into the cold cellar every other day and worked out for an hour. I also did not cheat on my food in take. I stayed on track and when I stepped on the gym scale today was thrilled to find I had a 3.1lb loss. I have just over 1 lbs to lose to hit the Onderland. I have lost 67 lbs since my journey started and feel amazing. And I have to say I got whistled at in the supermarket!
     
    We had a great Thanksgiving. Now I have Christmas and New Year's to get through. And because I am hosting Christmas Eve and Christmas Day at my home, I can control what gets served and eaten by me. All is good.
     
    I think 2011 will be a good year for us all.
  15. Bklynike

    Bariatric Eating

    By Bklynike,

    My girlfriend had her band done 2 years ago. She took me today to the only store in our area of S. Florida that sells bariatric supplies and lets you taste the product prior to purchasing.
     
    I can tolerate the Isopur waters, which are high in protein, and Inspire melon flavored protein mix. I am not a chocolate person, I always prefer vanilla but I really disliked the vanilla products this store carried. I will have to search around to find the right blend of proteins that I can tolerate.
     
    Any ideas?:smile:
  16. Bklynike
    I have never been a blogger. I only recently joined Facebook because my friends kept bugging me to. I really don't spend too much time at it. But, this site has been different. I don't know if anyone is interested in what I have been up to, but it makes me feel better to have some kind of log of my weight loss journey.
    My mom just died last year - Thurs will actually be the 1st anniversary of her passing. I am recovering from breast cancer - 4 months in remission - yea me.
    I am so excited about my lap-band surgery, coming June 21st - my birthday. I come here and read through everyone elses blogs to see what they have been experiencing in hopes that I will learn something.
    Last week someone wrote that they were cheating before they even had the surgery. I wrote to them in hopes of helping them when I got a very rude message back from the person I accidentally emailed. She could have just told me of my error, but instead was very rude. I hope never to get like that.
    We are a family here - albeit a family of strangers. We all have the same goals and dreams, to lose weight and get healthier. So to those of you who will be getting the surgery I truly wish you the best of luck. To those of you who have had the surgery, I hope you can keep up the same momentum you first had when you originally got banded.:smile:
  17. Bklynike

    Boy am I sore!

    By Bklynike,

    First night at the gym - an hour and a half. Felt good to be working out, slowly, but boy am I sore already. I am afraid of what I will be like tomorrow. My surgeon is very happy I will have 2 months of exercise under my belt before my surgery. No one said losing weight was going to be easy.
  18. Bklynike

    Breast Cancer Month

    By Bklynike,

    Hello fellow bandsters!
     
    My husband and I were away this weekend in Orlando, which is about 3 1/2 hours from our home. There was a horror convention going on for my husband and shopping with my girlfrieds for me.
     
    I cannot wear any of my old clothes, so I have given almost everything away to a co-worker for her and her daughter to share. So when the opportunity came up to hit some of the outlet stores with 2 friends who live up in Orlando, I jumped at the chance.
     
    I never knew the Gap carried larger sizes. Most stores will go up to a 14, the Gap goes up to a 20. I am now wearing an 18-20, so I was able to get 3 pairs of jeans and 3 sweaters for my vacation in November. We walked and walked and walked and tried on shoes, pants, tops, and had a blast. A year ago I wouldn't have been able to do the amount of walking I did this weekend. The weight loss has certainly made such a huge difference in my life.
     
    On Sunday I had a 1 hour massage at the spa while my husband was at the horror convention. I was resting/reading by the pool when he called that I should meet him for lunch. As we were walking around looking at all of the costumed people, I noticed a room with all tattoo artists doing tattoos.
     
    I have thought about getting a tattoo for a while, but never really had the opportunity - until seeing what was going on.
     
    I went into the huge room and walked around viewing some of the artist's work and found a young woman who I thought would be really good. So I actually got a tattoo.
     
    I am a breast cancer survivor. Anyone who has read my blog knows I had a mastectomy on January 5th of this year. October is breast cancer month and the month I was diagnosed with breast cancer a year ago. So, I have uploaded a picture of the tattoo that is now on the side of my left calf.
     
    Cancer certainly changed how I look at a lot of things. Losing weight and getting healthier has also made things look brighter and clearer for me. I have a better chance of keeping cancer at bay by losing weight and exercising, which is exactly what I am doing.
     
    For those of us who have had breast cancer, for anyone who knows someone who has or had breast cancer and for those of us who struggle everyday with weight, I am here to say there is hope. I am a survivor. I will succeed and I will continue fighting until I have reached my goal.
     
    I hope you all have a great evening.
  19. Bklynike

    Chicken Parmesian Recipe

    By Bklynike,

    I wrote a little while ago that because my doctor does not want me to eat real bread crumbs my new nutritionist gave me a great idea for coating fish and chicken .
     
    Well, we finally tried the coating on one of our favorite dishes, chicken parmesian, and it was great and very healthy. Here is what we did.
     
    Ingredients:
    1 small can cashews
    1 small can roasted almonds
    2 packages of skinless/boneless chicken (about 5 pieces per package)
    2/3 cup All Whites egg substitute
    Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Parsley to taste
    Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
    Tomato Sauce (fresh made, jar or can)
    Grated parmesian cheese optional
    Baking pan - sprayed with Pam or any non-stick coating

    We emptied both cans of nuts into our food processor and pulverized them into a fine "bread crumb" texture. Pour some onto a large plate and repeat as necessary.

    In a separate bowl, mix the egg substitute, garlic and onion powder and parsley in a bowl.

    Rinse your chicken and then dredge the chicken through the egg mixture and into the nuts to coat both sides then place in prepared baking pan. I found I had to press the coating onto the chicken to have it stick better.

    Heat oven to 400 degrees. Cook the chicken for 30 minutes. I did not turn the chicken over during cooking. When the 30 minutes are up, put 1-2 tablespoon of sauce on each piece of chicken, depending on size of the piece, and top with some of the shredded mozzarella cheese. Put the chicken back into the oven and cook another 10 minutes allowing the cheese to melt.

    I served the chicken with steamed veggies and it was delicious.

    Please remember, all ovens cook at different temps, so make sure your chicken is cooked all the way through before you eat it.

    If you don't like cashews or roasted almonds, substitute any other type of nuts. I prefer the egg substitute to real eggs, but if you don't like the egg substitute, use 2 real eggs.

    I made 2 packages because I like to keep prepared food in the freezer so I can grab one on my way to work. I had one piece of chicken for dinner, my husband had 2 pieces. That left me enough for us to have a 2nd dinner and some lunches.

    We have not tried this topping on fish yet, but it was so good I am sure we will do so in the very near future.

    Enjoy! :wink:
  20. Bklynike

    Day 2

    By Bklynike,

    2 days of the full liquids so far. I will continue on this "diet" until Sat. Sunday I get to have clear liquids in preparation of the surgery on Monday.
     
    I must say that yesterday I was starving all day long. Loud grumbling noises that I couldn't control, even after a Jello snack. Today, not so much. I brought a Jello, 1 cup of beef broth and 1 bottle of Isopur Apple Melon, plus I drank around 25 oz of water and another 25 oz of water w/Crysal Lite. While the Apple Melon was not my favorite, (love the Grape Forest), I drank the entire 40g protein drink. I didn't finish either the broth or the Jello and I am feeling fine. Would I love a hamburger? You bet, but I want the lap-band more.
     
    I am so happy to have found this site. Everyone has been so helpful, friendly and encourging. I get so excited when I see that someone has responded to a blog I wrote. The ideas and recipes I have received are priceless and I can't wait to start using them when on solid food again.
     
    Hearing how well so many of you have done, I know I have a real fighting chance to do the same.
     
    My husband paid the surgery bill today, so the only thing left to do is stay on track with the liquids and get through the surgery.
     
    More tomorrow...
  21. Bklynike

    Day 3

    By Bklynike,

    Cream of chicken soup is really good. Cream of brocolli is OK. Cream of celery, I thought, was awful. Tonight I will try cream of mushroom. I like mushroom gravy, so it can't be that bad, right?
     
    Isopur is not bad. I have tried 3 flavors and my fav so far is grape forest. At least I am getting 40grams of protein from each bottle.
     
    When this liquid diet is over, I don't think I will look at soup again; well not until I have a fill. Then it will be 2 days of liquids again.
     
    Monday can't get here fast enough for me!
     
    Hope you all have a great night.
  22. Bklynike

    Day 3

    By Bklynike,

    I am feeling so great! Yesterday I had a lot of gas and it really hurt to get up from a seated position. Much of the gas has passed, thank goodness, and the pain is less intense when getting up and down. I did not take any pain medication yesterday or today, so far, except for a tablespoon to help me sleep last night.
     
    I really wasn't hungry yesterday at all, but this morning I had a 1/2 protein shake and a few sips of decaf coffee. For lunch I had a 1/2 cup of cream of chicken soup. It was great not having only clear liquids. I have been trying to get my water down - slow and steady.
     
    I can't wait until the mushy or pureed food stage starts. I already have a wish list!
     
    I have been hearing from so many wonderful people with good wishes and great ideas. Thank you all. Please keep them coming. I love opening my blg and finding responses to it.
     
    Today is 3 days - I can't wait for 3 weeks, 3 months, etc. I can't wait to say I have lost 20 lbs. What an exciting day that will be and a great start to a long haul.
     
    Have a great day everyone.
  23. Bklynike
    Today is day 4 and I am doing so much better than I have ever believed possible. It must be that I am a Brooklyn chick and very tough stuff! I am so happy. I have not needed any pain medication since surgery day, I am able to get down and keep down my protein shake for breakfast (1/2 cup) with a cup of decaf coffee. Lunch is a cup of cream soup and 1/2 bottle of Isopur. Dinner is the 2nd cup of cream soup and if hungry, the 2nd 1/2 bottle of Isopur and an ice pop. I am not up to my 70-80 grams of protein, but my surgeon's office said that will come soon.
     
    By the way, I tried the Greek Yogurt and can't eat it. So, until 1 week from Friday, I will continue with this full liquid diet. When the cream of whatever soup calls for milk, I use water keeping the calories and fat as low as possible. Tonight I tried Cream of Shrimp soup. It was really good - I didn't even know they made that.
     
    So, I am healing really well and was resting very nicely until we got the call last night that my father-in-law, who lives 45 minutes from us was rushed to the hospital yesterday with some kind of bowel or intestinal blockage. They are running cat scans and other tests to determine what is going on. So we packed up the car and ran to the hospital. We will know more tomorrow. And then tonight we got a call from my brother-in-law who lives in CT to tell us he was rushed to the hospital with a blockage in his heart. Yes folks, the laughs just keep coming.
     
    So as happy and thrilled as I am for myself, I am devastated about them. We will find out more about the in-laws tomorrow, but in the meantime, please keep good thoughts for them.
  24. Bklynike

    Doctor's Visit

    By Bklynike,

    Well, I was at the doctor today for my medical clearance. Everything looked pretty good except my blood pressure, which was 140/100, is too high although I have been on medication. Now I have to up my blood pressure medication over the next 2 weeks or my surgeon may not operate. And my sugar was still high, although I am on diabetic medication twice a day. I thought I was doing well, but I guess not as well as I hoped. I cannot wait until the surgery is done and I will, hopefully, not have to take medication anymore.
     
    Has anyone out there been able to get off their meds after surgery?
  25. Bklynike

    Doing Well

    By Bklynike,

    So, I started myself on pureed food this past Wed night. Today is Sat and I am doing really well. I feel content - unlike with the soup thing my stomach is not always grumbling and I am not always hungry. I am sticking to 4 oz tuna or chicken salad, jello, string cheese, scrambled eggs, ice pops. I see my doctor on Tues and I'll see what he says. My only concern is that I am not sure if I am getting enough protein. The doctor's office told me not to worry at the beginning and I just had surgery 2 weeks ago this coming Monday. I am averaging about 45 grams, but I do feel really good. I guess I could add a protein shake or Isopure, but I haven't NEEDED to add anything. That may change once on regular food and after I have healed more.
     
    Anyone have any suggestions as to what you did at this point in your journey?
     
    I am at the gym 3 days a week, although next week I want to go to 4 days. I am happier than I have been in years.
     
    Have a wonderful 4th to all of you bandsters out there.

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