Hi everyone--I thought I'd listen to some advice from one of the other monthly groups and start one master thread in which we have an ongoing discussion/updates. I don't know about you all but I certainly spend most of my time on these boards on the pre-op forum and the general forum, not here. It would be nice to have just one thread to go to once in this forum.

We can maybe start out with introductions?

As for me, I'm going the "online privacy" route for now (paranoid that people I haven't told about this will somehow stumble across me on this site I guess, which is crazy, I know) but I can give you the big picture:

You can call me Penny, I'm 27, single and live in the Washington, DC area. I have a background in politics (which is why I live in DC) but now I'm a librarian which is much cooler and way more fun (trust me on that). Oh, and there's no "Marion the Librarian" thing with me either. One of the things I hear most frequently (besides the cliche "you have such a pretty face") is "but you don't LOOK like a librarian", which is another one of those bizarre backhanded compliments that you never really know how to take.

Personality wise, I'm kind of dorky, big into public radio and books and popular science. Oh, I'm also a little on the paranoid side (as you may be able to tell from earlier in this post). Beyond that I'm just kind of silly and friendly, VERY much so into traveling and I'm an aspiring "green" domestic diva (but that's not going so well).

Hi July Bandsters -

I thought I would share a somewhat humorous event from last night. First, I'm still on liquids until this weekend when I transition to mushies. Anyway last evening I had to take my elderly dad to the hospital (he's ok). We were there for 6 hours and I hadn't put anything in me. So while he was being tested I went to the cafeteria for something to eat. Of course since I can't eat solids yet my choices were extremely limited. In fact the only liquid option was the gravy from the fried chicken meal! Yes, I was so hungry I almost got just a cup of gravy. But, I perservered and found some yogurt instead. If I was in a different place (pre-band) I may have ordered the gravy for my dinner. I guess I am making progress.

Hope everyone is doing well.

Kathy

I can laugh with you Boos02. I think we got banded on the same day, the 21th. I was on liquids for four days and now solid liquids for four weeks. I've been dreaming about eating food. Every thing from black olives to chicken alfrado. I've been doing good making meals for my family but dont ask me to sit with them. I just want to lick their plates when they are done. Just alittle taste. Nope, I'm a good girl.

Great choice! Congrates on your will power.

Tina

Edited July 30, 200818 yr by just1more
dont know my surgery date, duh!!! got it wrong, had to fix

Gosh I can not imagine eating soft liquids for 3 weeks! I have been on soft the last almost 2 weeks. Which is almost anything except crunchy or that is how I was explained.

As far as some of the post go about not losing weight. I haven't lost any in the last couple weeks. I even stopped weighing myself. I just keep going on cause sooner or later it will come off.

It really also helps if you go to the store with meals in mind of what you are going to eat. I put a list up on my cabinet of my menus and cross them off after I pick one and cook it for din din. This has helped me more than anything. I would also suggest if your husband is not a good cook do not allow him to cook. I let my husband cook last night and it went into the trash! He cooked shrimp that was already cooked. It was so tough it could have been a bullet. Ha haaaa haa

So make sure you have another choice just in case something goes wrong.

I sometimes get worn out and have to go home and take a nap. Does any one else do this? I could use a nap now and I have 2 1/2 hours before I can go home. Need to go to the store also but won't have the energy. Any one?

Does any one have cramps that is located n the left side?

Gosh I can not imagine eating soft liquids for 3 weeks! I have been on soft the last almost 2 weeks. Which is almost anything except crunchy or that is how I was explained.

As far as some of the post go about not losing weight. I haven't lost any in the last couple weeks. I even stopped weighing myself. I just keep going on cause sooner or later it will come off.

It really also helps if you go to the store with meals in mind of what you are going to eat. I put a list up on my cabinet of my menus and cross them off after I pick one and cook it for din din. This has helped me more than anything. I would also suggest if your husband is not a good cook do not allow him to cook. I let my husband cook last night and it went into the trash! He cooked shrimp that was already cooked. It was so tough it could have been a bullet. Ha haaaa haa

So make sure you have another choice just in case something goes wrong.

I sometimes get worn out and have to go home and take a nap. Does any one else do this? I could use a nap now and I have 2 1/2 hours before I can go home. Need to go to the store also but won't have the energy. Any one?

Does any one have cramps that is located n the left side?

I do get worn out. The nurse at my doctor's office said to be sure to get plenty of water to avoid dehydration, thought I needed a bit sugar as well and suggested diluted apple juice (1/2 cup of apple juice diluted with 1/2 cup of water); sweet potatoes mashed and really try hard to get a minimum of 40 grams of protein a day. She also reminded me that I had surgery under anesthesia and even if I did not feel the after effects now, I am still healing and that will tire you out as well.

I am not eating enough protein maybe around 20 if that. Breakfast I don't like eggs and don't eat pork so I don't care for anything except like bagels or pancakes. So I have a problem there. Dinner really trying to have the protein. I don't care for the protein shots and I thought you are not supposed to have any more shakes a couple weeks out of surgery. If you have a chicken breast for dinner do you know the protein content in that? I am going to have to take time out and figure out what I am going to eat for lunch and breakfast like I have dinnner.

Orea, are you there? How did you surgery go?

Yes, Orea, please let us know how you are doing.

I am not eating enough protein maybe around 20 if that. Breakfast I don't like eggs and don't eat pork so I don't care for anything except like bagels or pancakes. So I have a problem there. Dinner really trying to have the protein. I don't care for the protein shots and I thought you are not supposed to have any more shakes a couple weeks out of surgery. If you have a chicken breast for dinner do you know the protein content in that? I am going to have to take time out and figure out what I am going to eat for lunch and breakfast like I have dinnner.

I found at a Hi Health store a drink called ISOPURE. They taste like Kool-Aids...so you feel like your being bad:biggrin: Anyway, they have 40 grams of protein, zero carbs and keeps you hydrated. It has done wonders for me!

Good Luck everyone! I hope this helps!

Great to see a place for us "July Butterflys". Was banded on the 22nd and I feel almost 100%. Can't wait for a fill. I am hungry but controlling it well right now.

I do have a couple of questions. Does anyone use the livestrong.com to track their food? Is it worth the price, does anyone use any free sites. I would love to be able to just log in and keep track that way.

Also, how do I create a new tread? I can't find a link anywhere to do that.

Thanks

Lori

So ready to move onto mushies! I finally get to eat the glorious mushies starting friday for two weeks. Then onto soft food for another 2 weeks! My surgeon has us doing liquids for 2 weeks, mushies for 2 weeks, and then soft foods for 2 weeks. 6 weeks! aaahh!!

Sometimes I get worried that I am consuming the wrong liquids. Yesterday I got so sick of the liquids that I had some cream of mushroom soup. I diluted it with water. I hope that's OK. But I'm telling you guys...I'm just SO HUNGRY. I had to. For my sanity! lol

Anyway- really looking forward to pureed tuna salad on friday night!!!! But also still very nervous about putting back on all the weight that I've lost on the liquid phase. I guess we'll see.

Have you guys been exercising? I've been walking on the treadmill for 30 minutes each day. Do you think that's OK?

Oh- and did you guys fill up on mushies? i havent had a fill yet (got banded on the 18). Do you think it will fill me up?

Orea and all other July 30 bandsters- good luck! I hope everything goes well. Please please keep us updated

Hi July Butterflies!

I found at a Hi Health store a drink called ISOPURE. They taste like Kool-Aids...so you feel like your being bad Anyway, they have 40 grams of protein, zero carbs and keeps you hydrated. It has done wonders for me!

Good Luck everyone! I hope this helps!

Oh- and did you guys fill up on mushies? i havent had a fill yet (got banded on the 18). Do you think it will fill me up?

I do get full on mushies. Just make sure you eat slow. I also "chew" although chewing isn't necessary. If you feel like you want more, just wait about 10 min and you will realize it is probably enough food to satisfy you. I just finished my 1/2 cup of chicken salad and i am really full.

I am not eating enough protein maybe around 20 if that. Breakfast I don't like eggs and don't eat pork so I don't care for anything except like bagels or pancakes. So I have a problem there. Dinner really trying to have the protein. I don't care for the protein shots and I thought you are not supposed to have any more shakes a couple weeks out of surgery. If you have a chicken breast for dinner do you know the protein content in that? I am going to have to take time out and figure out what I am going to eat for lunch and breakfast like I have dinnner.

Orea, are you there? How did you surgery go?

Please try to get your protein intake up. They say it may help with the hair loss that usually occurs 3 months after starting to lose weight. Having a protein shake for breakfast is fine. It is preferable to have food, but a shake is better than nothing. I make up a big bowl of tuna or chicken salad and then I am put it in the small(4oz) containers. For lunch, I just get one out of the refrigerator. I save my more innovative meals for dinner when I have more time to cook and then eat.

I don't think I have been doing things right. The office that i went to for my 1 week follow up said soft foods that you can use a fork to smush it. It said also chicken cubes, so I thought if I cut up chicken that is fine. Now I don't know. Planning on having a cheese burger (90% lean cooked on George Foreman) with sweet potato fries (baked). Is that soft foods? It is not hard or crunchy. I have been so confused on the food part. I have tried though. I will be 4 weeks on Friday and they say you can have normal foods. I know for one thing that I don't eat as much as take out as I used to.

I have a cramp on my left side does any one else? Now I am worried that my band is slipping.