OfferRocker

Hey Colorado'ans---How's everyone doing. I'm kinda sick of the slick roads but the snow is great! We still have four feet of snow in our frontyard. Kirsten---have you had your first fill yet? Mine is scheduled for the 23rd of this month. I'm anxious because I'm getting hungry between my meals so the fill will help that, I hope. Take care everyone!

I use these! They're fantastic!!!! Where do you live. I'm in Denver, CO and I get mine at Safeway or at King Soopers. They are in the Soup area. Here's the stats: Chicken: Serving size 1 tsp; calories 15; total fat .5g; sodium 750mg; total carbohydrate 1g; Protein 1g. Ingredients: chicken meat including natural chicken juices, salt, sugar, corns syrup solids, chicken fat, hydrolyzed soy protein, dried whey, flavoring, disodium inosinate and guanylate, turmeric. Beef: erving size 1 tsp; calories 10; total fat (1% DV); total carbs 1g; protein 1g; sugars 1g Ingredients: roasted beef with concentrated beef stock, salt, hydrolyzed soy protein, corn syrup solids, sugar, flavoring (dried oregano, dried garlic, and spice extractives) Autolyzed yeast extract, dried whey, caramel color. WHEW! I hope you find them. I still enjoy them in my cooking but they had a good flavor when I was in my Clear liquids stage.

Gerbera--I'm glad you liked the sites. I have printed out several of the recipes so I can completely change my cooking habits. My husband has lost five pounds because of my recent changeand these new recipes have helped alot. Cooking Light magazine has some great ones too. Siyah--have you noticed that since your surgery you are cold more often? I have noticed this alot lately, however, I'm in Denver, Colorado and we've have four feet of snow in December. It's still laying out there on my lawn and we're expecting more this Friday. I have some great recipes for Protein shakes if anyone wants them. Let me know and I'll post them.

Kay, I really appreciated your post about your husband--that is wonderful that he is doing so well. I have finally realized that I was and may still be addicted to some foods, but your husband is right. "It sucks but you get over it. " You should put that on your signature page. Natalie, I keep a journal too but I don't count calories. My doc has us count carbs, but it all works out the same anyway. I'm having trouble getting my A** on the the eliptical and at 6 weeks, I'm supposed to be at 45 to 60 minutes per day of exercise, some of that being weight resistance! OMG! How much Protein grams per day are you all supposed to consume? Just curious---mine is 65 gms/day.

My doc says if you don't eat some type of protein every 3-4 hours your body goes into "starvation" mode and starts holding onto the fat since it doesn't know when it's next meal is. So he says eat five meals a day every 3-4 hours. He also says to have 75% of your diet be protein and 25% from carbs you get from fruits and vegetables. So far this has worked great for me. For example at one meal it would be 3 ounces of proteim with 1 ounce of veg/fruit. Does this sound like anyone else's doctor's advice?

Hi December bandsters, I found some great low carb, bariatric friendly recipes on two websites that you guys might like. One is BariatricEating.com and the other is BariatricBytes.com. Both sites have some wonderful recipes for everything from Protein shakes to real food. Take care and Happy New Year!!!!

Hello Joe, I agree with Shesha, it sounds like you're off to a good start. Best of luck and "don't look back".

Skinnymom---I think that's where your port is. From what I understand the muscles get sore having something foreign around/in them. I think it gets better as time goes by---at least mine has. I occassionally can feel it, but it's not like in the beginning.

Hey Steph--I read in my doctor's manual that you will eventually need a fill at about 6 weeks from the surgery. So maybe that's why things are going down so well. The swelling from the surgery has gone down and you don't have much restriction. I'm kinda nervous about my first fill because I feel the same way. No PB's or nothing getting stuck. It's nice because even my pills are going down great. I don't want that to end. We'll see what happens. Donna

Hey Eric--Congratulations on a successful surgery and your success at avoiding all those wonderful foods on Christmas. I know the feeling. I was banded on the 11th of this month and Christmas Eve was difficult. But I was able to puree some prime rib and I survived. Feels great to see the needle on the scale going down though, doesn't it? Denise-- Once you get to the mushie stage you won't feel hungry--at least that's how I feel. I can hardly look at chicken broth anymore. I'm still liking Protein shakes but don't have to drink those as much. Happy New Year everyone!!!!!!!!!!

Hi CareBear, I love this forum too. It's much better than the support group I go to monthly. Most of the people in my support group have had gastric bypass and there are only a few lap band people. Anway---it gets a little frustrating because their issues can be so much different than ours. I do find it helpful to see people in their various stages whether or not it's lap band or bypass. Anyway---good luck with your journey.

Hey Kirsten, How do you know what size your band is? I didn't realize there were different sizes. I'm assuming mine is large since I am a large woman. I haven't had my first fill yet. It's three weeks today since being banded and I'm finding myself getting hungry between meals. I think I'll be able to go to solids after I see my doctor on Wednesday. Stacy, Kay's right, it gets better once you get into the mushie stage. I started feeling human again once I got there. Hang in there! Kay, About the wheat thins, my doctor's diet suggestions allow us to have a few baked, whole wheat crackers with a little Peanut Butter even. That's in the mushie stage of course. So, I wouldn't be so worried about it. Before the band, I would have eaten the whole box of wheat thins!!! Best of luck. Donna

I did---I was banded on December 11th. It finally quit about day 6. I considered myself lucky since some have experienced constipation. Best of luck!

Natalie---I've been thinking about you. Hope all went well with your surgery.

Hey Beversman----didn't go to the emergency room. I'm fine!! I hope whoever it was is okay.

Nat---best of luck with your surgery., You're gonna do fine. I wouldn't worry about my hair, they just stick it in a cap anyway. Transformer--your day will be here before you know. I'll be thinking of you guys!

Hey Paula---I had surgery the same day. I agree, gas is a problem. I think it contributes to the soreness. I've been eating jello, popsicles and water all day. I'm not hungry either---but I'm ready for this gas to go away. Ouch!

I'm on my last day of liquids, my surgery is tomorrow. This is what I did today to keep me pre-occupied. Donna Twas the night before surgery, when all through the house, My tummy was rumbling----it woke up my spouse! My sweat pants were hung by my closet with care, In hopes that some day size 10 I would wear. My family was nestled all snug in their beds, While visions of sugar free Jello danced in my head. My spouse in his PJ’s and I in my gown, Had just gotten all of my Metamucil down. When all of a sudden the phone started to ring, So I sprang from my bed to answer the thing. My kids were at home, so who could it be? Of course---the anesthesiologist was checking on me. Drink plenty of liquids, get plenty of rest, Tomorrow your surgeon would be doing his best. He’ll make you feel better, your health will improve. Remember to exercise! Your body should move! The next day I rose, with my new life in mind. Through the surgery doors--who knew what I’d find. When what to my wondering eyes should appear, But a surgeon in scrubs with two nurses near. He was dressed all in blue, from his head to his toes. His hands were all scrubbed—--a mask covered his nose. A bundle of tools he had set out on a tray I couldn’t stop staring—I could not look away. His eyes--how they twinkled! His laughter how merry! From that moment on, I was no longer wary. He smiled as our eyes met and gave me a wink. Oh my, that’s my surgeon, Dr. Snyder, I think. He was fit as a fiddle, a right handsome young fellow, So calm and collected, I said my hello. A wink of his eye and a twist of his head, Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread. He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work. Finished in no time and turned with a jerk, “There’s more work to be done” he said to his team. They nodded politely and he started to beam. He took off his mask, to his team gave a shout, And away they all ran to help more people out. But I heard him exclaim, as he ran out of sight, At the end of this tunnel, now there is light. WHEW!!!! Happy Holidays everyone!

Thanks girlin, I appreciate your giving me the link to snopes. Every day I seem to be feeling better. The gas is the worst part I think. I'm not taking as much pain medication either. I'm not hungry but a little sick of broth. I haven't taken any of my diabetes meds and blood sugar has been "normal". OMG! Huray! Off to bed---take care everyone.

Hey December bandsters--it's done. I'm officially banded. I'm doing pretty well so far. I haven't had the gas paid into my shoulder--yet---maybe I won't. Well, I'm a little groggy this morning so I'll be back on later. Just wanted to let you know everything went fine. Take care.

Hey everyone! It's done! I'm not doing too bad----my stomach is sore and I have EXTREME gas, but other than that, I'm doing fine. On my week follow-up, I think I'll give my surgeon a copy of the poem. I'm glad you liked it. Good luck to everyone!!! P.s. I'm a little groggy too!:notagree

Thank you everyone for your best wishes. I can't believe this day is here. I don't think I could have mustered the courage to do this without becoming involved with this site. It is fantastic to know that there are so many wonderful, caring people out there.

Hey Natalie, Don't be so hard on yourself. Remember how much courage it has taken to get to this point. It takes a lot of courage to go through what we are going to go through. After all, we're trying to re-adjust to a new lifestyle, and that's not an easy task. My doctor only requires two days of a liquid diet however I have been on a low-carb diet for two months now. So I'm on my second day of liquids with surgery tomorrow. I can't wait to not be hungry. Carol--- I'm so glad to hear that you're glad to have been banded. It only re-enforces that I've made the right choice. Patty---I'm so happy to hear that you're doing well. I can't imagine not remembering to eat. Lately, I've had to remember not to eat and only drink my liquids. Bandiva----hang in there. I know how you're feeling. Good luck with your surgery. Soon we'll be exchanging smoothie and mushie recipes! Take care of yourself.

Congratulations Mystique! I understand the not sleeping thing. I'm sure it''s little of both. Best of luck with your surgery. Mine is on the 11th---one more day of liquids and I'm there. Take care! Donna

Hey Steph, You're probably getting just as excited as I am with our approaching surgery. Good luck!!! I'm cleaning house and getting bills paid---trying to keep my mind occupied. Let me know how you do. Donna