Hi Everyone,

I'm Rebekah and I hate discussion boards. But, I figure this is a huge journey I'm undertaking and it might be nice to have some support along the way from people who have been there.

I had my lap-band placed yesterday, March 25th. Today, I'm sore and still very bloated from the surgery gases. So far I've only had Water and a Carnation Instant Breakfast. Doc says I can eat anything I can get through a straw. I'm thinking...hmm, where do I buy jumbo sized straws? Seriously, though, I'm going to do this right. No sense in going through all thispain and trauma only to cheat the system. I'm a little timid about drinking my food the next 2 weeks. I have kids and a husband and their real food is going to get to me. But, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

I'd like to have one of those cute little tickers for the bottom of my messages - where do I find those?

Height: 5'10" (hey - that's important! I hate it when I see diet success stories and don't know how tall they are!)

Starting weight: 316

GW: 190, although doc says 220.

Looking forward to getting to know you all!

Also, I only have flavored protein powder so far... what's the best unflavored powder?

hello, im shonda7911 im would like to follow ur success. Im not banded and plan on being in they nexth 4 months.

tickerfactory.com is where I got my ticker. I pointed my mouse to someone's ticker and clicked and it took me there to edit but then I chose to set up a new one. I don't know about the unflavored protein powder. I use Isopure from GNC. I know they have clear Isopure in bottles but I use the vanilla and chocolate. They are pretty mild in flavor not too sweet. Good for mixing with other flavors. I only like them in a blender with ice though. Not shaken. I know what you mean about having a husband and kids and it being hard on the special diet. I'm 3.5wks post op and it's been rough making mac n cheese, pb&j, eggs, bagels, dinner. My husband does cook sometimes when I just can't take it.

Hi, my name is Terri and I too am a Christian.

I am 6 foot, and YES you are entirely correct: every inch is important.

I started at 320 highest, 307 DOS (2/15/2011), and am now 283. My goal is 175.

You will start feeling better soon. I recommend afternoon naps, and warm liquids. Its like a hug from the inside.

Heating pads and massage help with the shoulder pain.

The all liquid phase will be tough since you will watch others enjoy their food. But this, too shall pass.

Once you can eat soft foods you have alot more options. Mashed Potatoes, oatmeal and, hummus were my favorites.

If you are a busy mom on the road alot, the fast food places can actually be helpful.

We went to KFC for mashed potatoes when I needed a meal quick. Yes, I ate the gravy too, I'd have fought to keep my gravy.

McDonalds has oatmeal.

Once you can puree things, you will feel lots better. Personally, I thanked God that I had made it through the wilderness.

I am lactose intollerant and allergic to eggs. Protien drinks and cream Soup gave me the runs.

BTW: Hot dogs DO puree. So does chicken salad.

Hamburger - not so much- wait on those.

A friend made me homemade pimento cheese spread. AWSOME!!!!!!!!!!!!

I just mashed up fish. pureed fish was, totally off-putting to me.

Well, I've tried to be funny as well as offer some advice.

Welcome to the boards.

If you want a laugh, go to the powder room gone wild forum, it really has some wild questions - that are very valid.

Terri

.

CONGRADULATIONS ON BEING BANDED..I CANT WAIT TILL ITS MY TIME..I STILL HAVE ONE MORE DR.APPT TO GO TO FOR MY 3MO EVAL,BUT I DID EVERYTHING ELSE..KEEP EVERYONE POSTED ON UR JOURNEY :rolleyes:B

Hi, my name is Terri and I too am a Christian.

I am 6 foot, and YES you are entirely correct: every inch is important.

I started at 320 highest, 307 DOS (2/15/2011), and am now 283. My goal is 175.

You will start feeling better soon. I recommend afternoon naps, and warm liquids. Its like a hug from the inside.

Heating pads and massage help with the shoulder pain.

The all liquid phase will be tough since you will watch others enjoy their food. But this, too shall pass.

Once you can eat soft foods you have alot more options. Mashed Potatoes, oatmeal and, hummus were my favorites.

If you are a busy mom on the road alot, the fast food places can actually be helpful.

We went to KFC for mashed potatoes when I needed a meal quick. Yes, I ate the gravy too, I'd have fought to keep my gravy.

McDonalds has oatmeal.

Once you can puree things, you will feel lots better. Personally, I thanked God that I had made it through the wilderness.

I am lactose intollerant and allergic to eggs. Protien drinks and cream soup gave me the runs.

BTW: Hot dogs DO puree. So does chicken salad.

Hamburger - not so much- wait on those.

A friend made me homemade pimento cheese spread. AWSOME!!!!!!!!!!!!

I just mashed up fish. pureed fish was, totally off-putting to me.

Well, I've tried to be funny as well as offer some advice.

Welcome to the boards.

If you want a laugh, go to the powder room gone wild forum, it really has some wild questions - that are very valid.

Terri

.

Terri,

Your post was so funny and iinformative that I'm printing it out! Thanks!

I just made myself a potato soup concoction - leftover mashed potatoes, chicken broth, milk, sour cream mixed with chives, and some smooth cheese dip. Tastes good, but I'm already tired of that dairy taste. Oh well, the end will be worth it, I hope!

Thanks for your posts, everyone - I'm enjoying reading them all, just trying not to spend all my time here thinking about it.

Night!

Hi, StratCat!

I am soon to be banded (started my two-week diet on Thursday last week and banded on 4/7). I just wanted to give you a little high-five of support. I, too, am a Christian woman, and I know that God has put me on this path - even if I am nervous and scared! I can hardly wait for surgery, but am scared to death, too. You potato soup concoction may be a saving grace a couple of weeks from now! I got my ticker at www.tickerfactory.com - they are super easy, and really cute.

Good LUCK!!

Amy

Hi, StratCat!

I am soon to be banded (started my two-week diet on Thursday last week and banded on 4/7). I just wanted to give you a little high-five of support. I, too, am a Christian woman, and I know that God has put me on this path - even if I am nervous and scared! I can hardly wait for surgery, but am scared to death, too. You potato soup concoction may be a saving grace a couple of weeks from now! I got my ticker at www.tickerfactory.com - they are super easy, and really cute.

Good LUCK!!

Amy

Amy,

Nice to meet you, Sister!! My potato soup concoction was good - better than anything else I'd had. But I'm so bloated today I can't stand the thoughts of it! You have to be on a pre-op diet? Liquids only? I've heard of that...I didn't have to do anything except eat light the night before.

I, too, was nervous and scared as well as thrilled to be taking a monumental step into my future. I'll warn you - I woke up regretting it and have cried every night! LOL, I guess the nights are harder. Especially when I can smell the dinner my family is in the other room eating and I feel like no one around me understands what I'm going through - having to give up food as a crutch.

Speaking of, have you read "Made to Crave"? I'm going to start it soon...

Nice to meet you all..

having to give up food as a crutch.

I just had to comment about giving up food. You summarized it for me. And I want to tell you about my journey dealing with loosing my crutch because I just realized in the past day or two what loosing the crutch means to/ for me.

I feel like I actually grieved the loss of my best friend. FOOD. It loved me, I love it.

I was so wrong about how I treated food.

I got real honest with myself about how much I ate to medicate my overworked mind, tired body, hurt feelings, uncertainties and .....so .... on. And I did not like what I saw. I lived to eat, not ate to live. I had no idea how much I depended on food to make me feel better. It was soooo wrong.

The good news is that on the other side of the band, you get your food back. My PA and I got into a discussion, I wanted to know what I could/should eat. "He said whatever. That's what the band is for. You eat quality now, now quantity." And friends, that set me on a new direction. I am not dieting, I am simply eating small amounts of the food that I love. Protiens first, then veggies. I eat what my husband eats. (just not as much)

And he (hubby) and I actually discussed the idea that I will not loose as fast as others because I am not eating low-cal diet food- - We agreed that the important thing is that I WILL get there and perhaps become even more successful, since I will actually enjoy the journey.

Don't misunderstand. I am still stuggling to feed myself correctly. EVERY DAY. Some days it is harder than others. But, thanks to my PA's wise words I am trying to learn to eat like a natural person and not like a fat woman who is dieting. Does that make sense?????

I just had to comment about giving up food. You summarized it for me. And I want to tell you about my journey dealing with loosing my crutch because I just realized in the past day or two what loosing the crutch means to/ for me.

I feel like I actually grieved the loss of my best friend. FOOD. It loved me, I love it.

I am trying to learn to eat like a natural person and not like a fat woman who is dieting. Does that make sense?????

Yes, it absolutley makes sense. Just last night I was crying to my husband and said, between sobs, "Its like I've lost my best friend." Thankfully, he understood and didn't run from the room away from the crazy sobbing lady.

I don't want to drop 5 lbs a week unless it comes from eating normally, like all my skinny friends. Well, not all of them. Some of them only eat junk and are still skinny! (They're not really my friends...s sssssh!)

On another note ... I feel awful today. The horrible gas is much better, but today I'm weak, still can't drink much (really, broth and Protein shakes...for 11 more days?!). And I have a fever of 99.5. I called the doc and left an afterhours message..

Anyone else banded by Dr. Ray in Bloomington?

THANK YOU, Stratcat, for thinking exactly like ME!

Hi Newbek and Stratcat! I just wanted to say how great this thread has been to read. I'm not much of a journaler but have had to sometimes just to have somewhere to stow all my craziness as I go through this journey. I too feel the loss of a friend. Really I think food is more of a "frenemy", it's comforting to your face and then backstabs you when it adds the pounds on. I've been a big girl since I was a child, so giving up my longest lasting "friendship" has been hard. I know we get to eat again so that's helpful, I'm 5 days banded now so still working on broth and light Soups for the most part. I have such an addiction to food that everytime I see a food commercial on tv I want to run right out and get it and shove it in my mouth. My 2 week liquid diet was Hell on earth but I will have an appreciation for the taste of things now. I have always been a fast food addict so eating different soups and having to sit around others eating has also given me an appreciation for how good food can smell.

I think the biggest change I've made is that food can't always be my entertainment now. When I'm bored I can't grab the hubby and ask which restaurant we are heading too. China buffet can't be the norm for Saturday lunch anymore. I thank God that I have such a supportive husband but we are really going to have to find new things to do with ourselves. We actually did venture out to Cracker Barrel today and that turned out to be really nice. He began Atkins when I started my 2 week liquid diet and Cracker Barrel has a whole part on their menu devoted to Low Carb. So he got his low carb meal and I got some yogurt. lol It's kind of fun being the cheap date now with my $2.99 meal. Of course I barely ate much at all but having the social part of eating out was still really nice.

Anyhow, Newbek I saw you have a fever and don't feel well. I hope they call you back and everything's all right. If it takes them awhile to get back with you, the back of your insurance card (assuming you have it) usually has a nurse advice line # to call.