Hello all, I am getting ready to go to the seminar and in hopes of changing my life for ever. I have already got pre-certified from my insurance so hopefully the next 6 mo. will go by quickly. I am very nervous but excited. I am looking for new friends and experiences so talk to me and I also would like to know other peoples receipes and do's and don'ts regarding diet after the surgery. Beck:wink_smile:

Hi guys, this is Brian, Jennifers husband and I finally thought it was time to join up. I am having my surgery Thursday 3/19 and am excited to next step toward my healthy new life. I have to admit you have all been a great source of inspiration to Jennifer of the last several months and wanted to express my thanks. So Hello to you all and wish me luck.

Brian

Welcome to the board Brian, glad you decided to join!:thumbup:

Nothing like waking up at 2 am wheezing and carrying on. I sound like I have the croup or something. I have a pysch test today, I cant be doing this!! I just got off a stupid round of antibiotics for a sinus infection....

ok, now that I have vented....

Jennifer and Brian. That is GREAT that you finally have your dates. Try to stay strong through this period right now. This is probably the worst part about the band. The "2 week starvation diet". Just keep reminding yourself why you are doing this and that it is just 2 weeks out of your life. You can do it!! :thumbup:.

Well, Im going to get off here and try a breathing treatment and see if that helps enough that I can get some sleep so I can take my pysch test. It is WAY too close to finals to be missing school.

talk to you all later

Ok, need some suggestions. I went to the doctor today and they put me on another antibiotic, breathing treatments every 4 hours, and steriods. Any suggestions on keeping the steriod weight gain down?

OK, I'm now thinking that people should be sedated for these two weeks of pre-op diet. Or at least if they have kids, move out for a while. My 15 year old daughter came home with Dairy Queen, "here mom try this new flavor" :scared2: My 12 year old son said "mom I'm going to make us hot pockets for dinner" Even my two year old tries to make me share her popsicles and last night I had so much ravioli sauce on my face from her kissing me I wondered if it was seeping through my skin!

Brian went to see Jeanne yesterday, he lost 16 pounds so he's good to go on Thursday. I have my endoscopy on Monday and Dr. Kaplan is putting in an IVC filter through my groin. Then I see Jeanne on Tuesday and my surgery is the next Thursday (March 26th).

We're actually doing really well on the diet, both of us. Neither one has cheated. But I think the two things I'm craving most are bananas and a piece of toast with butter. Did anyone else have leg cramps during the pre-op diet? I may call Lindsay today to see what I can do about it.

See you on the thin side!

Sounds like you need a banana. Can you not have them?? I craved bananas like crazy during my post op, needed the potassium. You're egs are cramping due to lack of potassium so that is why I said it sounds like you need the banana.

Good luck

Hey Jennifer - I agree with Elizabeth on the potassium thing, but you can't have bananas. They are loaded with carbs. However, you can have broccoli or spinach with your dinner at night for your veggie. 1 cup of spinach has almost twice as much potassium as a medium banana (840mg vs 560). If you don't like spinach, try broccoli. It has about 290mg per cooked cup. I know it sucks, but try to eat them plain, to get the best benefit for your pre-op diet. I had leg cramps pre-op also and the spinach seemed to help. Also make sure that you're getting your multivitamin in daily. Good luck and hang in there. It's almost over!!!

hey guys hope to see you at our support group meeting tonight!!!! i'm skipping my work out tonight to go! I hope it will be worth it, gonna have to cram my workout in somewhere else during the week gotta get at least 3 workouts in! :frown: It's all been worth it though. see ya guys tonight!

Yes your potassium is low, I agree with kdlee and elizabeth. Try the spinach it will help!

is it at 6 tonight? I want to go hoping I can finish this yard work and shower n come down...hope to be there

Yes 6pm.. The Allergan(spelling?) Rep will be there tonight. Should be interesting to see what he has to say.

I just got back from walking 2 miles in the park. It feels so good. I wasnt even out of breath.

Anyone want a walking buddy let me know, it is pretty boring walking by myself.

Hi Everyone! Im finally near the end!!! April 1 is my last nutritionist appointment and then my stuff will be submitted to insurance!!!!

Im so excited!! Hopefully all will go well with the insurance.

YEAAAAA the wait is almost over!!!

Hey for those of you who had the surgery done last year I found out there is a card we can get. The people who have had it this year, are getting it with their surgery.

Anyway, call 1-800-LAPBAND and Im pretty sure it is option 6 then go from there. You need to know your surgery date, band type, Kaplan name and office number. Then they will send it to you, its free. It looks like a credit card and it is the "official" card to show to get the smaller portion meals. My mom and I just got ours today. Just thought I would let you all know. Its not like the paper one we got the day after our surgery, its different.

Anyone here from Jennifer on how her surgery went?

Do all the resteraunts accept the card?

I havent heard anything from Jennifer...but on Facebook it sounded like her husband had complications.

not everyone accepts the card. There are fewer places that dont except it then there are that do take it. MOST the time, you dont even have to show the card. They will ask if you have a card and thats it. When I start to get mine out, they just say "Thats ok, I dont need to see it" It is good to keep on hand though just in case.

What kind of complications, do you know? I hope that didnt scare her out of her surgery. Hope he is getting better. I wont lie, those first couple weeks are rough. I remember one night laying in bed crying saying "what have I done to myself" Turned out I was so sick from other reasons though, but recovery can be rough. BUT it is well worth it, I have NO regrets.