Band Out, Sleeve In! It's done.

[WASaBubbleButt 41]

Yes, you can add artificial sweetners to drinks. I would go to a health food store and see if they have samples of whey Protein. Try some post-op to see if there is one you can tolerate.

Remember, if you can't do any of them (most people can do one), contact the patient coordinator (Gaby). I found soy slender in the grocery store that's got Fiber, 8 g protein, and 80 cal in 8 oz. I was allowed to use that after gagging up the whey stuff... day 5 post-op.

Gaby isn't a coordinator, she's the aftercare specialist, she's a psychologist. She's great about things like... transfer addiction! She has really helped me a great deal with issues like that.

[Elisabethsew 50]

Geeeez! I don't need another addiction! LOL. I suspect shopping for new clothes in "regular" stores will be fun.

[WASaBubbleButt 41]

Geeeez! I don't need another addiction! LOL. I suspect shopping for new clothes in "regular" stores will be fun.

BTDT too! ;o) It's still fun to shop in regular stores. That hasn't worn off yet AND it's cheaper!

My big mega issue right now is body dysmorphia. :)/

[Elisabethsew 50]

BTDT too! ;o) It's still fun to shop in regular stores. That hasn't worn off yet AND it's cheaper!

My big mega issue right now is body dysmorphia. :)/

The lowest size I got to was a 14-16 so it's a dream to get to a 10-12 and shop in regular stores. I do remember looking in the mirror and thinking I was much heavier than I really was and swearing the clothes I chose to try on would never fit... they did. LOL.

[Malaika 50]

The lowest size I got to was a 14-16 so it's a dream to get to a 10-12 and shop in regular stores. I do remember looking in the mirror and thinking I was much heavier than I really was and swearing the clothes I chose to try on would never fit... they did. LOL.

My mom has always said you stay heavier in your mind longer than you do your body.

I will be so excited to not have to buy in the W (my g/f talks it WIDE) section and to be able to have cuter clothes. I've told my DBF he better have a lot of $$$ because I'm going to need a whole new wardrobe when this is all said and done. He said NO PROBLEM!

[kareyquilts 1]

It really exciting to look forward to the smaller sizes isn't it?! I remember the euphoria I felt when I made it toa size 12, now I'm a size 10, was an 8 before my unfill:cursing:. Anyway enjoy the ride!

[Malaika 50]

It really exciting to look forward to the smaller sizes isn't it?! I remember the euphoria I felt when I made it toa size 12, now I'm a size 10, was an 8 before my unfill:cursing:. Anyway enjoy the ride!

I haven't been out of women's in SO LONG. And when I was able to get my weight off and keep it off for any length of time -- long before the days of pregnancy -- I was a size 12. One time I got into a 10 and everyone thought I looked anorexic ... I am tall; however, not big boned, so I have no idea what size I will be in once I reach my goal ... however, I intend to enjoy the ride on the downhill side that is for sure!!!!

[Elisabethsew 50]

I'm the opposite... 5' 2" and petite bone frame... tiny hands and a size 6 shoes. At my present weight, I am a 1X (18-20). Since I have never not been fat, I have no idea what size I would be at goal so it should be fun seeing how low I can go... weight and size! LOL.

[WASaBubbleButt 41]

I haven't been out of women's in SO LONG. And when I was able to get my weight off and keep it off for any length of time -- long before the days of pregnancy -- I was a size 12. One time I got into a 10 and everyone thought I looked anorexic ... I am tall; however, not big boned, so I have no idea what size I will be in once I reach my goal ... however, I intend to enjoy the ride on the downhill side that is for sure!!!!

It gets *really* expensive as you lose weight. The closer you get to goal the faster you go down in size. I was at an 8 and satisfied with that and then band problems kicked in big time and I was on liquids for a few months. I had a huge wardrobe of size 8 clothes that I have spent a fortune on. Then I started losing more weight. I'm down to a 4, sometimes 6 depending on brand/style. Then I had to start all over again. It's fun but verrry expensive! ;o)

I still go in stores and wish I was small enough to fit into something on display and then... I remember I'm at goal. HA

There was a post on another board from someone that is in the clothing industry. She works at the factory level. She was explaining the reason you go through sizes so fast when you get closer to goal is that there is 2" more material between sizes for Womens than there is between sizes for non-womens. That's one of the reasons it takes more pounds to change sizes in womens. Once you are out of those the sizes start zipping by.

[Elisabethsew 50]

That's interesting about they make garments differently based on size. I am still wearing the same clothes I did the day I had the revision surgery but they are VERY loose. The tops I can get away with a little longer but the dress slacks will need to go after another 10 pounds is gone.

[Elisabethsew 50]

On May 2, I was allowed to go back to an unrestricted diet and eats solids. I am still surprised at how little I am eating and at how much I need to chew food in order to get it down. This is something I never had to do with the band as food easily went down with that.

All my gherlin must have been cut out because I never feel hungry and I notice that I get the hiccups when my stomach is full. It takes just a small amount of food for me to feel full and I'm in no hurry to go back to solids.

[Oregondaisy 2,020]

That's great that you're doing so well Elizabeth. You'll be wearing small sizes in no time at all.

I am confused when it comes to the mushy stage. I am not there yet, but I think Dr. A's idea of mushy is different from what I could have on my list after lap band surgery. For instance, I could have soft cheese like

mozzarella and provelone on my other doctor's mushy diet. He called it mushy/soft. So it could be mushy or solid as long as it was soft.

What is considered okay to eat during dr. A's mushy diet?

[Violetflame 0]

Elisabeth, do you mind sharing what kind of band you had and what was your highest fill? i have an Inamed (sp) 5cc band w/a 3.9 fill.

Will anyone share what i may expect as far as the psyche profile/eval goes? I must do this Wed. Tomorrow I see my pcp regarding my bp-140/100-is this bad? i didn't even know my bp was an eyebrow-raiser until the nurses @ the clinic took it twice last week and asked if it is always so high. maybe that why i am so #!*#!! tired.

[Elisabethsew 50]

That's great that you're doing so well Elizabeth. You'll be wearing small sizes in no time at all.

I am confused when it comes to the mushy stage. I am not there yet, but I think Dr. A's idea of mushy is different from what I could have on my list after lap band surgery. For instance, I could have soft cheese like

mozzarella and provelone on my other doctor's mushy diet. He called it mushy/soft. So it could be mushy or solid as long as it was soft.

What is considered okay to eat during dr. A's mushy diet?

You can have Soups, mashed potatoes, puddings, chicken salad, tuna salad, cottage cheese, yogurt, meatballs, Pasta, etc. You can't have hard Protein like a steak or chicken breast or pork chop.

[Elisabethsew 50]

Elisabeth, do you mind sharing what kind of band you had and what was your highest fill?

I had the Inamed VG 10 cc band. After 11 fills there was 9.3 ccs in it. When they took all the Fluid out the day before I revised to the sleeve, they got a total of 8.6 ccs out.

i have an Inamed (sp) 5cc band w/a 3.9 fill.

Will anyone share what i may expect as far as the psyche profile/eval goes?

The psych eval is a breeze. They want to make sure that you know what you're doing and why you're doing it and that you have realistic expectations. You fill out some forms, sit and talk afterwards, and that's it... about an hour in total.

I must do this Wed. Tomorrow I see my pcp regarding my bp-140/100-is this bad?

Yes, it's elevated. The bottom number is the heart at rest and they like that to be below 80. The top number should be below 120. You need to be placed on hypertention medication and maybe a beta blocker if your heart rate (pulse) is fast. They might also consider a diuretic.

i didn't even know my bp was an eyebrow-raiser until the nurses @ the clinic took it twice last week and asked if it is always so high. maybe that why i am so #!*#!! tired.

The tiredness might be due to anemia or abnormal thyroid values. Simple blood tests will give you the answers.