Hey Ladies and Gents!

Having my Surgery done April 4th. Starting my Pre op diet tomorrow. They said Protein shake for Breakfast, small low fat/sugar lunch, Protein Shake for dinner until surgery. Any suggestions for the low fat/sugar lunch suggestions?

Im heading down to LA to get it done. They will arrange for me to be driven to and from there as I live in San Jose, Ca. My hubby is going to come with me for support. Hopefully they will give me enought pain meds for the ride home. Heh Woot! I'll be a Hollywood starlet by next summer haha!

So who else is getting banded in April? I could use a band-buddy for my journey!

Ramblings....

My beautiful step daughter is getting married June 23rd. Her mother is about the size I am. We do not have a good relationship. Like if I walk in the room' date=' she leaves kind of tense.

I have got to look better than she does in June - if it means I have to bribe one of you ladies to come use a chainsaw on me, I have to have a waist by then. I don't have to be a size 10 or anything, but I have to be down some! LOL

Like most of you I have tried every known diet. I'd been very successful at times, but gained every bit and then some back, each time. I am terrified that this will result in the same thing. I know that ultimately I am in control. I know that I have to change my lifestyle.... of couse I knew all that 30 yrs ago when this started too!

I lost 120 pounds with phen/fen.... I joined a gym and worked out every day, I spent money on clothes and fitness magazines. Then the gym membership ran out - I thought I had "arrived at my goal" and didn't renew - over the next couple of years I gained everything back. Phen/fen was off the market by then....

The what if's that go through my head are about failure - not a fear of surgery. I am scared silly of needles and thinking fills won't be any fun, but I do donate blood just to prove to myself that I can do it. I do believe in mind over matter, to a certain extent.

I haven't told my adult children because .... well, I don't really have a reason. I don't want to hear the expected "why don't you just lose weight the normal way?". I was going to tell my son last night but he and his wife invited us over for dinner - chicken, and I'm in the pre-op phase and didn't want to go for dinner.

It seems all socializing we do it around food and drinks. I don't know why. But does anyone have friends over and not have food? [/quote']

Don't fret over the mil she has issues! Tell the kids...they will be supportive if you can explain why you are getting the surgery. You need to know why it is your decision. As we get older hitting the gym hard is usually not physically an option long term.

Socializing.... Start playing cards or doing game nights. People don't notice if you don't snack. And you will be noticeably thinner so just play the your sticking to your diet no matter what card!

Goodluck!

Sounds like a bitter motivation.

However, I wish you luck.

thanks - and yes, bitter is prob the best discription, although I try to tell myself it is a goal to strive for.

Went to the RX today and got scripts. Insurance doesn't cover "compounded" meds, apparently - so hubs isn't thrilled with me, but surely he didn't expect me to go through major surgery with no pain meds?

This might be TMI, but I got banded on Thursday and I have not had a BM since. Is this normal?

I don't know about normal, but I think it's common. You're not taking much in, you're not getting any fiber.... are you drinking enough water and walking enough - if so, call the doc. If you're not drinking tons of water and walking a great deal, then you might try that.

I don't know about normal, but I think it's common. You're not taking much in, you're not getting any fiber.... are you drinking enough water and walking enough - if so, call the doc. If you're not drinking tons of water and walking a great deal, then you might try that.

OK, I thought it was, but just wanted some feedback. I am drinking water, low sugar apple juice, herbal tea and I made myself a big pot of cauliflower soup, so I wouldn't starve myself! I am sure I will be OK!

Thanks!!

OK, I thought it was, but just wanted some feedback. I am drinking water, low sugar apple juice, herbal tea and I made myself a big pot of cauliflower soup, so I wouldn't starve myself! I am sure I will be OK!

Thanks!!

cauliflower soup? Doesn't even sound good. But Lord knows, don't take nutritional advice from me! LOL. I wouldn't be in this shape if I had good habits.

OK' date=' I thought it was, but just wanted some feedback. I am drinking water, low sugar apple juice, herbal tea and I made myself a big pot of cauliflower soup, so I wouldn't starve myself! I am sure I will be OK!

Thanks!![/quote']

Cauliflower soup? Sounds interesting.

Bigger band is the newer better band with same amount of restriction. It can open wider and in

Most cases can rectify a slip by being emptied. Less erosion. Better for bigger patients too. It is what my doc uses on all patients.

Well, not thinking this is the time to ask which band he uses. Guess we'll see day after tomorrow!

Well' date=' not thinking this is the time to ask which band he uses. Guess we'll see day after tomorrow![/quote']

I was thinking the same thing. I'm not gonna tell my surgeon how to do his job. I'm too close to surgery day!

My surgeon uses either the 10 or 14 cc Allergan band. He said that most women get the 10 cc band, and most men get the 14 cc band.

If u have not had a BM by say four u need to take some Milk of mag. U don't want to get all backed up and the pain meds can put ur bowels to sleep

cauliflower Soup? Doesn't even sound good. But Lord knows, don't take nutritional advice from me! LOL. I wouldn't be in this shape if I had good habits.

It is actually delicious...it tastes like a creamy potato soup!

Cauliflower soup? Sounds interesting.

I will post the recipe, it is really tasty. I do catering, so I'm always trying to come up with ways to eat healthy and not feel like I am in prison!

Creamy cauliflower soup (My recipe)

1 large or 2 small bags frozen cauliflower florets

2 cups low sodium chicken broth

1 medium onion diced

1/4 cup cream

1/4 cup low fat sharp cheddar cheese (shredded)

salt and pepper to taste

In a dutch oven, saute onions using olive oil cooking spray until soft. Add cauliflower and mix well. stir in broth, cover and let cook until pot comes to a rolling boil. Remove from heat. (I have a hand held emulsion blender, so I use that, otherwise us a blender in batches) Blend broth and cauliflower mixture until smooth. If using a blender, once blended, pour contents back into pot, sprinkle in cheese and cream, mix well until cheese is melted. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

To me it taste like cream of potato soup...and is very filling.

I'm in the April Club! Banded today, April 16. In some pain, but feeling good.