starting a new thread for anyone who has or is considering surgery thru the Brigham/Falkner program.

~Mel

surgery 11/13/07 Dr Vernon

-35lbs

Hi everyone!

You've all been chatty. I read through a lot of it. I'm still stuck in the same place/ ON / OFF "The Wagon". :biggrin: I'm getting pretty pissy w/ myself! :biggrin: I have an appointment Aug, 25th. I know I don't need a fill. I know I need to be journaling my food ect.

L2T7-funny that we've both seen Phyllis recently. sorry Dr R wont listen to you. Did he suggest the uppper gi or you? Happy to hear you are able to eat better now and not suffering.

Just discovered I am slightly restricted on solid protein...the junk still slides.:drool:

Junk always slides....ugh. Able to eat more. Loved the small slice of pizza I had on a date the other night. Dr. R's new PA actually suggested the Upper GI. I liked her. Happy to have a new person who is PERSONABLE!!

So my pre-op appointment with Dr. R was 30 seconds - I kid you not! I feel so overwhelmed/excited/nervous and seeing him for 30 seconds made me worse. Today I start my liquid diet and 2 weeks from now I will be banded. How was the liquid diet for you all. I just ordered some unjury [chocolate/no flavor/chicken soup and getting samples of vanilla and strawberry. I am getting bored of carnation instant breakfast. Does anyone eat unjury? whats your favorite & how was the 2 week diet? Also i want to go to some meetings at the brigham or faulkner. the brigham would be easier since i live on mission hill [a 2 minute walk to brigham] are there wtill meetings there?

thank you all,

kt

Hi everyone,

Just wanted to say that I got my date! Finally, I was driving into work yesterday afternoon, thinking about the whole thing and was just about to give up because I was not getting anywhere with Jennifer and considered changing docs and she called me.

Sept. 24 is the day. I do have to say she isn't sounding like her friendly self. Something must be going on, or she is pissed at me for telling Dr. R that she doesn't return my calls. LOL

Just thought I would share. Hope everyone is well!

She and I nearly got into it last week when I called for a fill and was told I'd have a 2-3 week wait---but she's pregnant and not looking terribly comfortable. She said she's due in October, but hoping to go far sooner. I'm headed in for my Upper GI and couldn't get a follow up appointment until the first day of school, which clearly won't work----but that's the 8th of September!!! I'm not going til the following week instead. Just can't miss the first day back for a follow up.

K8, don't be discouraged by Dr. R's cold ways. He's just not a friendly guy. I did really like his new PA, though I don't recall her name. She's a cute little thing and very attentive. He's a skilled surgeon. That's all that matters right now. Rely on Phyllis (the Dietician) and his PA's for your post-surgical support. He won't be good at that, either!!

Hi everyone,

Just wanted to say that I got my date! Finally, I was driving into work yesterday afternoon, thinking about the whole thing and was just about to give up because I was not getting anywhere with Jennifer and considered changing docs and she called me.

Sept. 24 is the day. I do have to say she isn't sounding like her friendly self. Something must be going on, or she is pissed at me for telling Dr. R that she doesn't return my calls. LOL

Just thought I would share. Hope everyone is well!

That's awesome!!! You must be so excited! I had mine done a year ago Sept 25th. Just think ......you'll have the whole fall & winter to work on your weight loss.

Come spring/summer you'll have a chunk of weight off! :thumbup:

Junk always slides....ugh. Able to eat more. Loved the small slice of pizza I had on a date the other night. Dr. R's new PA actually suggested the Upper GI. I liked her. Happy to have a new person who is PERSONABLE!!

Never mind the pizza........how'd the date go?? How's single life treating ya??? :thumbup:

So my pre-op appointment with Dr. R was 30 seconds - I kid you not! I feel so overwhelmed/excited/nervous and seeing him for 30 seconds made me worse. Today I start my liquid diet and 2 weeks from now I will be banded. How was the liquid diet for you all. I just ordered some unjury [chocolate/no flavor/chicken soup and getting samples of vanilla and strawberry. I am getting bored of carnation instant breakfast. Does anyone eat unjury? whats your favorite & how was the 2 week diet? Also i want to go to some meetings at the brigham or faulkner. the brigham would be easier since i live on mission hill [a 2 minute walk to brigham] are there wtill meetings there?

thank you all,

kt

Oh that's great only 2 wks!!! Don't worry it'll go fine & you'll be so happy after it's over with.

I'll be honest.....the liquid diet SUCKED for me :thumbup: but you get through it just like every other stage of the band. I have not tried unjury.

Ok, I have decided I DON'T need a FILL. I have been journling my food for a few days. I have been getting my protein & I'm not hungry in between meals. It's just the frigin HEAD HUNGER I gotta deal w/!!!! :thumbup:

Never mind the pizza........how'd the date go?? How's single life treating ya??? :drool:

Oh, Heidi----I'm having a great summer. I'm not seeing anyone special, but have been dating up a storm. It's funny how different my focus is now. I'm not looking for Mr. Right or Mr. Perfect. I'm having a good time going out and getting to know a lot of different guys---kind of like the Bachelorette, without all of the kissing and overnight dates. :thumbup:

It is challenging to avoid food, though. I try to play if off that I don't want to sit for an entire meal, making the date for after 8 at night.....but I don't drink often, either, nor do I hold my alcohol well....so I avoid drinking. I typically try to meet for coffee, but even that's awkward because I don't drink coffee!!!! Funny, huh?! I do avoid mentioning the whole banding thing. I figure, until they get to know me and have a chance at seeing my scars, they haven't any need to know!

I try for at least 4 or 5 dates a week before heading back to school. (I don't go back to work until after Labor Day!)

Sorry to hear you're still struggling with head hunger. THAT I can relate to! It's really hard to be sitting with other people who are eating and not keep picking or eating more than I should. I don't know how you people with kids make it through!

I'm finally back working out. My knee is still sore, but I couldn't stay out of the gym any longer. (Funny transformation, huh?! Morbidly obese to a gym lover!!!:sneaky:) I'm sore everywhere today and hardly even notice that I have a knee! Have a super day. I'm headed to the beach. :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::sneaky::thumbup: Paige

Paige,

I'm so happy for you!!! You just keep up the dating around & have an awesome time!!!! As, for me...... I almost made it through one more day {{{{sigh}}}}. :-)

One day, one meal, one workout at a time.....you'll get there. We didn't GAIN this weight over night. Habits take a long time to break and re-create better ones. Don't beat yourself up. Everyone else will do that for you......keep up the good work. Look how far you've come!!

thanks Paige!!

has anyone taking ibuprofen afterwards? I just see tylenol? I have my upper GI tomorrow then Sept 16 pre op and Sept 22 the day..........Dr. T. is giving me the realize band so I'm feeling good about that......I've tried this protien called Eat Smart they have a flavor strawberry cheesecake its pretty good and filling also found a protein pudding by Dorian yates.......as anyone tried the "NAKED" protein brand Its all mixed and when you look at the atkins etc...the price is basically the same

has anyone taking ibuprofen afterwards? I just see tylenol?

Had an Upper GI today at the Brigham. Make sure you're there 15 minutes early. They're super efficient and I started right on time. It took less than 25 minutes, start to finish.

As far as the ibuprofen goes, once you're banded, it can be dangerous because you don't have digestive juices in the upper pouch to help it dissolve. Once your band has restriction, it's possible that the pills will just sit on top. It can cause ulcers, which in turn can then cause erosion of your band. It's ok to take on occasion (I've just asked my surgeon this recently!) but not for regular or long term use. They have liquid tylenol available. You should switch to liquid and chewables whenever possible once you're banded. I had a sport-related injury that my orthopedic suggested I take ibuprofen for...and my surgeon said it would be ok as long as it wasn't frequent or long term. They also gave me a pill splitter when I was discharged from surgery. I used that just to be safe.

Remember--no gum, liquids, or anything in your mouth (brushing teeth is ok!) after midnight tonight for you! Good luck!