Barbee

Well, I'm on a dioretic everyday because my ankles swell... and it helps control my BP. I'm on a strong dose. To be honest, the low carb, hi Protein diet makes me so constipated that it's painful, but with several cups of decaf a day... lets just say... it keeps things rolling nicely. I'm going to make a list of things to ask, but sometimes you never see the doctor after surgery until your first visit. I know my gallbladder surgery I didn't see the doc at all until my first visit and only briefly before the surgery. I had a very crabby nurse practitioner who handed me the paperwork and explained things on my last weigh in. She had me almost in tears... she practically yelled at me if I asked a dumb question. Even my husband thought her bedside manner was lacking... I hope I don't see her again. Thank you all for your help.

Thank you!! And I'm very familiar with Egg Harbor, NJ as we always stay in a Days Inn in Pleasantville, when we go to Atlantic City. It's very nice there.

I have a few questions... my surgery date is Monday, June 28 How long after surgery can I enjoy my Decaf coffee with cream? My husband has a very important doctor appt. on June 30 that I'd like to attend with him.... do you think I'll be up for it? Does someone give you eating/drinking instructions before you leave the hospital? Has anyone left the hospital the same day? I'd save $425. admission co pay if I could. Thank you!:biggrin:

Anny... my doctor didn't put me on liquids until the day before surgery. That's lucky because I know you have to be on them for a long time after. Yukky. I have to stay on Phase 1 of South Beach. So other than protein drinks there isn't much you can consume that has protein is there?

Anny... my doctor didn't put me on liquids until the day before surgery. That's lucky because I know you have to be on them for a long time after. Yukky. I have to stay on Phase 1 of South Beach. So other than protein drinks there isn't much you can consume that has protein is there?

I bought a Protein drink from GNC that was very expensive. Before I open it I should check with you people to make sure I got the right stuff. It's AMP (Amplified Wheybolic Extreme 60 60 grams of protein for 3 scoops. I got the strawberry. Will that work? Is this what you call a shake?

You can have pudding? But not until later, right?

One of the reasons I had the best success with Atkins is because you don't have to count... I'm sort of lazy on that score. I hate counting. I can cut down, eat the right foods... but counting and weighing my food... no way. Right now I eat a big Breakfast of 2 scrambled eggs... ham/bacon/or sausage. I put cheese in the eggs. lunch is light since I'm still on hungry. Today I had a hard-boiled egg. (By the way... eating all the eggs I do... my chloresterol is great. My good went up and my bad went down) Supper tonight is a large dinner plate size salad with cheese, shredded broiled chicken, onion and lettuce of course. I'm out of tomatoes. for bedtme i eat some cottage or ricotta with a touch of whipped cream. Not over eating... yet I can't lose. I have to diet to stay the same....LOL.

ADAGRAY, you really made a difference. You've tipped my scale over to the yes, side. I'm 66 and very healthy and active except for high blood pressure, arthithic knee and back pain. Has anyone had hair loss? I fear hair loss because as you get older you lose a lot anyway and I'm at the point where I can't afford to lose any more. Thanks to you all for making a difference to the new people. I will definitely come back and share my experiences too, so I can help the pre surgery people also.:smile2:

OMG that's very discouraging, but chin up.... MOnday is when I go... we'll go together! LOL. YOu got a meal??? Lucky you! I've been on Phase 1 of South Beach since April. They told me I have to stay on it until the surgery so that my liver doesn't enlarge... does eating carbs make you liver large???? So... the day I got my date (3 wks ago) I went out and had two slices of pizza.... as a last hurrah.... and went right back to Phase 1 like a good girl. No cheating since. I'm very glad my doctor doesn't use liquid diet before the surgery... phase 1 is tough enough. Will we laugh at all this someday in our bikini's?:smile2:

They gave me a pile of paperwork but they are all pre surgery so I have no clue what to expect later. Excited? Noooooo I'd say scared is about how I feel. Which is why I came here. I am looking for reassurance that I'm doing the right thing. I want to lose weight, diets don't work for me.... but I still want to enjoy food even in small amounts. I won't mind the liquid diets as long as I don't have hunger pangs because I get nasty ones that make me shake and then I overeat to compensate. Proteins satisfy my hunger for hours and hours... besides the Protein drink, what other liquid has protein that I can drink to stave away hunger?

Thank you so much for taking the time to really explain it to me. That's exactly how I pictured it... like, finally I can stop dieting and I can eat like a normal person only much smaller portions... that's what I want. But I saw on the 60 and over thread that the people seem to be still on the South Beach with their menus. and that scared me. I've been dieting for 20 years and I'm sick of it. For one thing I never lost but a few pounds and for all the torture it wasn't worth it. I feel better about the surgery now. :thumbup:

I found a few stories on here that have me questioning my decision.... those "stuck" stories scare me. I had heart burn once so bad I thought I'd die... I don't like that sort of pain where there isn't much you can do... if I go through with the surgery I won't ever eat meat! My surgery date is next Monday!!

I use that for bug bites... works terrifically. Just mix with water and apply to a nagging, itchy, bite. I've been having trouble finding it lately in the supermarkets... I'll have to look better. I was excited about the surgery until I read a few things here on the forum. Is it too late to chicken out? I have so much money already invested in this.... I like the weight loss parts, I like not being hungry.... but I'm the type of person who wants to eat what I'm in the mood for. I do eat on the healthy side most of the time... no sugar and very little flour.... I do use whole grain Pasta... Splenda.... I do like eating a lot of Protein because it keeps me from getting hungry.... but will I never ever be able to enjoy a pizza, or have a sandwich again? A nice lean burger on a whole grain bun with lettuce, pickle and mayo? But in early April the program put me on South Beach... I finished Phase 1 and lost about 3 lbs. I started Phase 2 and stalled. They told me to go back to Phase 1 so I have been on Phase 1 since April and I am getting very sick of eggs for breakfast.... cottage cheese for lunch and meat and veggies for supper. I could probably lived the rest of my life on Phase 2 but this Phase 1 is killing me. Tonight I cooked chicken breasts in tomato sauce, covered them in Provolone and made whole wheat pasta for hubby and just couldn't resist a very small amount... it's been so long!!! I then walk a mile and swim if the weather is good... and I just can't lose.

Buffalo General... they said to take it but the darned thing is so awful I usually start out with it but rip it off after 2 hours and slip in my mouth piece instead. I can't imagine trying to sleep with it after surgery.

My surgery is a week from today and I'm reading this and wondering.... do I really want to do this? If I do, I'll never touch meat after reading this.

Cream of wheat already??? Is that allowed? I love Cream of Wheat. I've been on Phase 1 of South Beach for 2 months and I'm so sick of eggs...

How long before the first fill?

My regular doctor gave me Darvocet.... that will work. I hate the way these pain drugs make me feel. When I was on Lortabs I had terrible nightmares and nausea. Thank you. How long before I can actually chew food?

Wow...you've been a BIG help... you listed a few things I forgot. I bought the Protein shake.... wow, expensive I got the Vitamins but all I could get in chewable were Flintstones. Everything ran me $50. I hope I don't need much more. With the tests and everything.... and my husband's medical expenses it's getting tight. Medicare stinks.

My surgery is one week from today and I'm nervous about what I should have ready for when I come home. They gave me a 4 page list but I'm fairly sure the only items that are critical is the Protein drink and Vitamins the rest were puddings, snack and drinks and more vitamins etc. From experience... just what will I need when I first come home? My husband is going for hip surgery right after me so I won't have anyone to shop for me afterwards.

The office gave me a 4 page shopping list... does anyone know if we have to buy all of it? I'll have to mortgage the house?

I'm next Monday and very nervous. They gave me a shopping list and it's 5 pages long... do they expect me to buy all this stuff?

Tango.... my worries exactly. Hubby and I are retired and one of the things we enjoy the most is eating out... we go to different casinos and play the penny slots and enjoy the buffets... I'm sure that what we enjoy most will now be something no longer enjoyable for either of us. KHunt.... I do believe that eating disorders are an illness and they really need to find a cure for this. I don't think the Band is a cure for eating disorders. My problem is not an eating disorder, it's my metabolism. I hear my husband telling people... "but she doesn't eat that much".... I don't. I agree that I don't exercise like I should, but everything hurts when I do, so I don't. I don't think the Band is for everyone. I have 17 days to decide if it is right for me. My biggest worry is that getting the Band will not only take the pleasure out of eating out for me, but for my husband (who isn't fat) also. I am coming to this board to see all sides and decide before my surg. date of June 28.

How do you do the "thing" under your post that tells your progress...? I'd like to do mine too. My first weigh in was 238 and now I'm at 231. I'm anxious and leery at the same time... a bit nervous. Dr. H is going on vacation so I have to see another doc for my first visit and that is sort of a downer too.