I wanted to start a thread for those of us who are waiting "with bated breath" for our surgeries in March.

I am supposed to start Optifast on February 26th. I am currently waiting for the shipment, including my surgical package to be delivered. Once I get my package I am supposed to call the clinic.

Ever since committing to this surgery (which I am paying for myself via a personal loan) I have been obsessed with reading everything I can about it and about people who have had it. I am still kind of hoping for some kind of "divine word" about whether or not it is the right thing for me to do.

I am "only" 75 lbs over my ideal weight but am type II diabetic. I am trying to figure out if my reason for doing this is my health or my vanity or a combination of both. The diabetes needs to be gone (when I am 20 lbs lighter it is gone) but I am sure looking forward to losing the weight and actually keeping it off for more than 20 minutes...

Scarlett, are you eating real foods already? I was banded on the 15th as well and I am still on liquids. I have an appt w/ my surgeon next Monday and will graduate to mushies next week. I know everyone's post-op instructions are different, but it seems everyone is moving on to solid foods so quickly.

I was thinking exactly the same thing as you. I was banded 11th and am still on liquids but I see others are eating all sorts of different foods. I was amazed that someone banded only on the 15th I think it was had been eating ice cream and nuts! I was told to seive everything.

I was thinking exactly the same thing as you. I was banded 11th and am still on liquids but I see others are eating all sorts of different foods. I was amazed that someone banded only on the 15th I think it was had been eating ice cream and nuts! I was told to seive everything.

I guess we all just have to isten to our individual surgeons and follow their instructions.

Scarlett, are you eating real foods already? I was banded on the 15th as well and I am still on liquids. I have an appt w/ my surgeon next Monday and will graduate to mushies next week. I know everyone's post-op instructions are different, but it seems everyone is moving on to solid foods so quickly.

Tammy..

LOL LOL noooo...that is my band talking about the salmon!! I am on creamed soups and yogart and I think I can start a smothie today. I just want to know how much to eat when I do get to eat. Sounds like you are doing super!!

Tammy..

LOL LOL noooo...that is my band talking about the salmon!! I am on creamed soups and yogart and I think I can start a smothie today. I just want to know how much to eat when I do get to eat. Sounds like you are doing super!!

Whew....that's good to hear. My post-op instructions say 3/4 cup of food per meal when I start mushies. I am starting full liquids today as well. I have been doing clear liquids up until today so I think I'm ready to move on. I can't wait to have some salmon too...lol!!! :biggrin1:

good Morning My March Buddies!!!!!

today Is My 2-week Anniversary And I Have Lost 20 Pounds To Date My Size 20's Are Very Loose!!!! Maybe I'll Hit Size 16 By Mid-april

i Can Start Mushies Now!!!!

lunch Small Chili With Sour Cream *pinch Of Cheese*

snack Sugar Free Jello

all The Water My Simply Beautiful Band Can Handled.

exercise For Today- Walking For 45mins

have A Super Day

I guess we all just have to listen to our individual surgeons and follow their instructions.

But what if my surgeon says I have to be on clear liquids for a month???:faint:

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Even though I know that probably won't ever happen, I would still do it anyway. I haven't been to medical school, yet, but I'm sure there would be a good reason. Tammy just hit the nail on the head, everyone. This goes for all facets, though. I can't tell you how many people I know stop taking perscribed medication of ANY kind WITHOUT talking to their doctor. YOU MUST TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR BEFORE STOPPING ANY MEDICATION! Unless the bottle says as take as needed or PRN (latin). Same goes for taking more than the perscribed amount. For example, taking a LITTLE too much acetominophen (Tylenol) can put you into liver failure without too much of a fight. Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB) can do incredible damage to your stomach if you don't take it with a ton of water and take it often. It's NOT uncommon to see people with that!

*end rant*

I'm sorry guys, this one's been bottled up for a while...lol.

Well, I did it. Banded on the 12th. Everything went as planned with the exception that I had a little hernia that they fixed for me.

So far I have had ZERO and I mean ZERO hunger. I am still on liquids so am doing boost/optifast and "milked down" cream soups occasionally. I am finding it difficult to get enough calories in because I am NOT HUNGRY!

I am finally eating to live not living to eat. I am praying that this feeling continues forever! (or at least until I can get a fill). Even last night when my family was eating delicious smelling pizza and I had to cut some up for my son to eat I did not feel the urge to eat any. I am looking forward to someday being able to have a small bite of at least the toppings but the knowledge that at some time I would be able to was enough for me. I didn't feel deprived or missing out at all the yummy smells didn't even make me hungry.

I had a few issues at the place I stayed in Missiaugo, ON "heritage house" and while I would recommend it to other I would suggest that anyone going there be very clear about what they expect will happen regarding transportion and medication dispensing as well as the costs. At the end of the day I was glad I went there but it was not seamless.

I am to stay on liquids for one more week and then graduate to mushies. I am not seeing a "band doctor" until it is time for my 6 week check up because there is not one close to me. I am on my own to moniter my ability to graduate to different foods. I am going to err on the side of caution however because it sounds like PB ing is AWFUL and I am deparately afraid of slipping my band. I LOVE NOT BEING HUNGRY and am not going to do anything to jeopardize that.

Had surgery about 7:30 this morning. Now it's 1:20 and I'm ready for a nap at my house with my new sheets and clean bedroom and the windows flung open with fresh air coming in (plus an arm/shoulder massage from my very DH). Drinking some broth with the loritab. Not much pain--more like pressure in my chest when I have to breathe deep, which the dr. and nurse said I need to do a lot of because my oxygen was a little low.

Surgery took about 1 1/2 hours because they had to repair a hiatal hernia that I didn't know I had plus there was some scar tissue to work around from previous surgery (hysterectomy most likely).

Ready for dreamland. Will get back to you later. Thanks for your positive vibes, prayers, and good wishes. I'm thrilled! I made it and will be anxious to hear about my bandsisters. Karen

I was thinking exactly the same thing as you. I was banded 11th and am still on liquids but I see others are eating all sorts of different foods. I was amazed that someone banded only on the 15th I think it was had been eating ice cream and nuts! I was told to seive everything.

No, I had a dream about doing stuff like that... LOL. They are very realistic dreams though. My current eating includes liquids only and some yoghurt and pudding-- all the lowest fat versions. Now I do intend on eating ice cream before too long, when I get to the proper stage in a couple of weeks, but the kind I'm saving in the freezer has no nuts in it.

I might be fantacizing or dreaming about eating foods like pizza and crab alfredo and dougnuts and other forbidden food but right now I am being a good girl and sticking to the rules. I thought about cheating with some cottage cheese (I'm a big fan of the stuff but I don't get that until mushy stage), but I know better.

According to books I've read, at least annecdotally, if one is lost in the wilderness and pretty much starving when that person does get found he or she has to be careful not to eat too much at all at once right away. Apparently that can be dangerous and even kill them. But I bet for the people who are wondering around starving, they aren't thinking about that. I bet the people who are wandering around are thinking things like "If I were at the seafood buffet at the Rio, what would I eat first?" Its sort of like that for me. All the food I talk/think about may sound lovely but its just a fantasy because I know better. I need to go through the baby steps first. Though I am thinking maybe we should have hit Vegas again before I was banded... but that is neither here nor there.

I thought I would have more time to post, but my husband just came home and wants to put the counter top on in our new kitchen.

I have 18 hours until suregery!!! Still scared to death about wakeing up, but very excited.

I will post as soon as I get home (or as soon as I can) after surgery!!!

Hey, I asked Chris the other night if he had to show a list of foods he is eating and how much but he hasn't answered it yet. Did you? I haven't been keeping track of it all.

I have my first doc appt. on Tues.

No I did not have to show a list of food that I was eating. However Dr. K. did ask what I was eating and he said to start keeping track of everything that goes in my mouth, by calorie, fat and protein.

I am curious on what Dr. G will tell you that you can eat, compared to what Dr. K. told me I "should" be eating.

I actually have this ben and jerry's apple pie ice cream I have been saving to try... LOL I feel so proud of myself saving it like I have been.

My nose does not get along with my band. Today I was experienceing some post nasal drip. Its a problem I have- I have sinus and allergy problems. Since the banding on Wed I have been taking oral guiafenesin and little tiny sudafeds (usually I take one big ole combo pill that is a 12 hour guiafenesin and sudafed combo). I also take two nose sprays and zyrtec and hydroxezine. But since I'm on the liquid vicoden i'm just taking the hydroxezine more and not the zyrtec (they are actually chemically related, zyrtec is derived from hydroxezine). But I still get nasal issues. So tonight some post nasal drip struck. So I was standing over the sink spitting it out and waiting for it to go away but it didn't work and it ended up irritated my tummy and I ended up throwing up. I only had about two sips of slimfast in me so it wasn't a big deal and I felt better afterwards. But I was miserable for a while because then I was burping constantly and tons of gas and pressure and then I got the hiccups. What I did was first I tried some kaoepectate. That really helped soothe my tummy. Then the stupid hiccups wouldn't stop so I had a tiny bit of creamy peanut butter because that always works for me and it worked this time too. So then I took another sudafed since I had thrown up recently after I took the first one and soon I was doing better. About to go to sleep here.

But man those sinuses are going to cause trouble if I don't watch it...

Kye:

The nose drip wthing will resolve itself, give it a week and it will go away, so don't think it is forever.

YAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! sleep well and check in when you feel like it!

Had surgery about 7:30 this morning. Now it's 1:20 and I'm ready for a nap at my house with my new sheets and clean bedroom and the windows flung open with fresh air coming in (plus an arm/shoulder massage from my very DH). Drinking some broth with the loritab. Not much pain--more like pressure in my chest when I have to breathe deep, which the dr. and nurse said I need to do a lot of because my oxygen was a little low.

Surgery took about 1 1/2 hours because they had to repair a hiatal hernia that I didn't know I had plus there was some scar tissue to work around from previous surgery (hysterectomy most likely).

Ready for dreamland. Will get back to you later. Thanks for your positive vibes, prayers, and good wishes. I'm thrilled! I made it and will be anxious to hear about my bandsisters. Karen

I don't have a ticker Bikergirl- (I might have to call pam too)I started at 248..ack i can't even believe that. By the way i loved your bikes in the picture i saw in your garage.

Pam, I agree with you about eating. I think this is going to be alot lot easier to deal with if we have a steady learning curve and not make ourselves crazy with the "forbidden"foods.

BTW- who is chris?

Sue

When we are BOTH on next time lets go into the chat room and we will both open up seperate windows and do the ticker thing together, it takes about 5 minutes, because the phone bill from Russia would be enormous.

Chris is another bander on a local thread in Reno, Nevada. He does not blog as much as Gail and I do.

Pam..

Okay heres the question for anyone. What is the amount we are supposed to eat? Half a cup for the whole meal or half a cup of protein and half for veg etc. I am scared to eat to much so have been sticking to half a cup.

Okay here is "MY" answer; don't know if it politically correct. This is how I am eating.

I, 30 minutes before I eat drink 23 ounces of flavored water ( i live in a desert and drink alot of water). Then I sit to eat and I eat until I AM NOT HUNGRY ANYMORE, (not until I am full) so you really have to concentrate on what you are eating and what your satisfied feeling is. But I think I am 19 days post op suppose to be eating 1/2 cup every 3-4 hours or so. Then I wait as long as I can (1 hour is my personal goal) to drink again, and I usually can tell that there is still food in my pouch and at that point I know I am "washing it" through the band.

I will go home tonight and if this answer is much different than what the doctors paperwork says I will repost.

But! If I was hungry for chocolate I would take a candy bar and divide it in 1/8ths and eat 1 section per day, if that made me happy. I say this because in the whole life story (figuratively speaking) I can't imagine depriving myself of something I love for the rest of my life; thus moderation is the key to all healthy relationships, including chocolate.

We all got the band so we could eat like a skinny / healthy person, so they eat chocolate, they just eat it in moderation.

Tell me if you think I am that "off base".