slm2007

I know there is a post on here somewhere that someone asked "What do I need after surgery" and I can't find it so I'm asking for myself. I need a list of recommendations. So far I have my shakes, crystal light, sf puddings, some cream soups, popsicles, heating pad and gas-x strips. I also have my pain medication at home already. What else should I have....suggestions really, really welcome and appreciated. (freaking a little here but holding strong) Thanks - Staci

Oh, NO WAY, are my pics going to be nude either, I was just saying that despite him seeing me that way (ick), I couldn't bear him taking pics of me in my stretchy pants and t-shirt as a "before" - - - heavens NO will there be "necked" pics of me EVER - geesh!

I don't know if what I like has the "least" of anything but it is one that I like and will actually drink. I'm to be banded on 4/18 so I've been trying some. I am particular about it because I'd rather have something that might be a few calories/carbs more if I can get it down....if that makes sense. Powders that I like are the Dessert line. I think they are BSN. I don't care for anything with cinnamon in it but that is just me. I haven't gotten into the whole mixing this and adding this yet, because I'm just trying to figure out what I can drink and won't drink. As for ready-to-drink....I really really like the Oh Yeah brand. Cookies and Cream is really good and the chocolate is very chocolate (actually too sweet for me, which is unbelieveable) so I mix 1/2 of the chocolate with 1/2 of the vanilla. This is actually almost milkshake good for me. I am really going to rely on r-t-d shakes because I commute so long to work and my "time" is so limited during the morning. I can't bother with mixing shakes during the morning because I dont' have time and #2, the blender is so noisy for 5:30 in the morning. I didn't like the Pure Protein line but I've heard that costco has a brand that people are recommending. I would suggest (this is what I did) going on to www.vitalady.com and purchasing a bunch of samples. She charges $1.99 per sample and it is good for one shake. There are a ton of different Proteins to choose from. I ended up spending $30 just for samples. I tried the Isoflex, Gaspair and the IDS Multipro and they were pretty okay for no "extras" being added.

I said something like this to a friend of mine when I told her I was second guessing myself and I said "after all this is an elective surgery and not something I have to do" - she freaked out on me. She said to me (cutting and pasting her email to me)......"This is not "just" an elective surgery! This is a life altering surgery. You have struggled with this since before you and I became friends. You are a beautiful young woman and your weight has effected every part of your life. This is not only a good thing to do it is a wonderful thing to do. You will find your entire life changed and only for the good. Okay?????" Don't necessarily agree with the "beautiful young woman" but do agree with the "life altering surgery" vs. using the term elective surgery! I think that we second guess because everyone is usually against us and it is such a "stigma" with WLS.....yes, it is considered elective, but sometimes even "elective" is necessary.

I am due to be banded on 4/18....you are NOT alone...here is my conversation with myself last night while drying my hair: I'm looking at myself in the mirror....... "are you sure you want to do this? This is going to be such a huge change to your life, are you sure you are ready for the 'after life'. Can you handle the pain, the changes? Are you ready to give up your lifestyle as it is. What about all the food you love? Why are you putting yourself through this. Everyone tells you that you can do it without the band. Maybe give it one more shot that way and not resort to surgery." I say back to myself "NO, jackass (that's what I call myself when I'm mad at my thoughts), you can't do it alone. You've lost the weight time and time again only to gain back more and more and more. You can lose it but you can't keep it off. Look how hard you have worked to get to this point. You had to dedicate yourself to changes. Why did you even start this if you aren't ready to do it. DO you want to look like this forever? Don't you want to be IN the pictures again instead of being the one who takes them all the time. Are you happy with how you are? Are you happy with who you are? Are you happy in general? Do you want to be healthy to play with your son and be around for your son? Do you want to make him proud to call you his mom? Why does food have such a meaning to you? What makes it so special? What is more important, a stupid hamburger or fitting into a rollercoaster seat so you can enjoy the amuzement park with your child. What is more important, stuffing yourself at Thanksgiving or having a healthy heart so you can see your child graduate high school, get married, raise his own children? Don't you just want to get out of the ugly fat clothes!" I know what I must do and I'm going to do it. Yes, I'm scared, not of the surgery but my life after. But I know that I must do it for ME and I'm finally, finally ready to gain control. I need to do this to be healthy and HAPPY again. I think that part of the reason I love food so much is because it is my comfort because I'm fat and unhappy....the cycle, If I were happy with myself maybe i wouldn't need to the food to make me happy, and the food is making me fat which causes me to be unhappy! I'm tired of making jokes about myself so that others don't do it first.... You have to be ready, and if you have done the work then most likely are. It is scary and I probably bet almost everyone who has had any surgery second guesses it at some point (before and after), but a lot of them would do it all over again. I'm excited for my new healthy happy life to begin...it's going to be hard getting there but this life isn't working for me anymore and probably it isn't working for you if you are even considering the surgery. This is a huge decision.....and people who think we just decide one day to have surgery to have an "easy way out" have NO IDEA what goes inside of our hearts and heads and how much we struggle before (and after) surgery. This is huge....and you wouldn't have come this far if you weren't ready. I had my surgery scheduled for May, and they had to reschedule it because the surgeon was going out of town. They moved it up to April 18th - a month earlier and I literally had a panic attack. I was sweating at the thought of getting it done sooner. I guess it was because I had less time to mentally prepare....although I've been preparing since July for this....I'm still scared and I second guess it all the time but I'm going through with it....start my liquid diet on Wednesday.... Good luck to you...good luck to all of us.

I'm not a smoker and I wish you the absolute best of luck on quitting before your surgery. I know that my surgeons office will test the patients urine before surgery to see if there are any traces of nicotine or the by-product in the urine...(they both take a certain amount of time to get out of your system, so they know how long you have "quit"). They will not do any surgery if they find any trace in the urine. Just an FYI, I don't know if your surgeon will do that or not. As for the surgery and being put under.....easy pee-zie. Nothing to worry about. The only thing is that when you come out of it, you might be sick to your stomach so make sure you let them know so they can give you medication. I remember when I had my gallbladder out, I had the most amazingly attractive anethesiologist (sp?).....he gave me some good stuff to "relax" me and I started the stupidest conversation with him. When I woke up...the first thing I realized is that he saw me naked! I'm glad I never saw him again (not that he'd remember me anyhow but I'd totally remember him!). Getting put under is nothing to worry about, you won't remember a thing and it is amazing how that stuff works.

I have an "apron" that I know is going to stick with me even when I lose weight. I dread it and can already see it starting to sag more and I'm not even banded yet...this is just with my slow weight loss over the past few months. I KNOW I'll be applying for financial aid somewhere along the line for a tummy tuck because I know that apron is going to want to "Hang" around......I don't think any amount of exercise is going to help that! Maybe I'll put a collection jar on my desk and ask for donations for a tummy tuck? Although my insurance does pay for tummy tucks if they are deemed to be "medically necessary" - - I'll have to see what is considered medically necessary when the time arrives.....Good Luck to you and congratulations on losing 80 pounds...that is AWESOME!

WOW...this really struck a nerve. This is so true..my husband I have been together for almost 17 years (dating/married) and I have probably a handful of pictures us together and my son is now almost 3 and I only have about 5 or 6 pictures of him and I together. I can't wait to get pictures with my son....he is the reason I'm banding. I LOVE THESE POSTS

Thank you. I have to add that to my list of things to remember!

That bad, huh? I'm getting banded on 4/18.....it is the "after" that is scaring me....keep us posted because I live on this site and want to know the good and the bad so I'm fully prepared. I've heard you should stay ahead of the pain with your medication ...don't let it get too bad before you take your meds. They gave us the medication for a reason, so we should use it. Heating pad and fluid. Good Luck and hope you feel better soon.

:hurt: That's all I have to say....I don't even want to start thinking about this part.....

I think if you have the co-morbities and I'm thinking things like PCOS, hypothroidism etc, might qualify. Your surgeon's office would probably know and it would benefit you to ask. I think even high blood pressure, even if not controlled with meds, might qualify you if it is documented that your PCP wants you to try to lose some weight before medicating you? Good luck

Gosh, you just have the best way with words sometimes! "at one time we all were *only* 50 pounds overweight" - AMEN. I really just wish I could get it through peoples thick heads that this isn't easy. Actually, if I wanted "easy" I'd probably go for the bypass because I think (for me personally) it would get the weight off faster and would probably train me faster (dumping syndrome and all) to watch what I eat. This band is not an easy way out and I guarantee that there aren't to many people that woke up one day and said "OOps, I'm fat, how about surgery." I don't think that a "skinny" person would be able to live with the restrictions a band puts on their lives. I'd like for them to try and see how "easy" it is! I remember oh so well when I only had 30 pounds to lose. I told myself at one point, "If I hit 150, I'm joining Weight Watchers"...and I did. Then I lost 20 pounds. It came back....then I said..."if I hit 175, I'm going to join jenny craig this time" and I did. This time I lost about 40 pounds and it came back. Then I said to myself "I'm never going to hit 200 and if I do, Bariatric Center"....and I did and I only lost 30 pounds and of course it came back and brought more friends with it like it always did! I said "If I hit 250 I'm just going to jump off a bridge"...well, I couldn't do that because I was pregnant and my son changed my mind about the bridge....but never lost the baby weight and here I am...getting surgery on April 18th. I'm done and I am glad that help is out there now sooner than later. I am looking forward to this journey and ElfiPoo's continued words of wisdom....

Thanks! Phew! I think from what I'm gathering that a lot of people have problems with "dry" foods. i.e. bread, dry chicken/meat. I'm thinking like you said, if you don't overcook it then hopefully it will be "easier". I know I won't be able to eat my whole steak anymore, at least at one sitting, but I wanted to cry at the thought of not eating a filet mignon every again...we'll see how it goes, and only time will tell what I tolerate. Maybe I won't even miss and I'll just love mushed tuna to death

I agree, this is what kind of disturbed me....she was six months out and eating spoonsfuls of "mushies" and broth! Her surgeon must be crazy if she is that restricted. I was sitting there with my husband (who is against me getting this surgery) with the hope that would enlighten him and all he could say was "see that is all you're gonna eat, just do that now"....first, duh, I'd be starving if I did that now without a band, and second, that is not what my doctor is recommending after six months of surgery. I think that part was a bit deceptive but I'm glad Dr. Oz kinda seemed in the corner of lap band surgery! I was pleasantly surprised but that.

Yikes....I'm a prebander and live on this site for all kinds of insight into what my life is going to be like....seriously, this freaks me a little. I do not want to have to live on mushed tuna and chicken, mashed potatoes and yogurt. I am totally willing to do small bites and chew till I turn purple but I love meats and that is a good Protein, right? I'm a little concerned now. I can give up bread, no problem, but the thought of giving up a good steak once in awhile (even if it is just a few bites) makes me a little sad. I'm just concerned of what I'm going to be able to eat now....when I get to that point of real food again.

on here first thing this a.m. all these negative "horrible band" posts that just freaked me out even more. In my mind I know this is the route I need to go....nothing has worked, I have to try it, but I read all these horror stories and am scared to death now. I'm not scared of failure, I can deal with that because if I fail, it will be my fault...the band isn't out to get me..but I'm scared of all this pain people are talking about, all the problems, and complications they have. Is it worth it with all these issues that seem to be running rampent in the lap band community? I know the rules and I know it isn't a magic wand, that isn't what scares me. What else freaks me out is that my husband has this really strange sixth sense....he reads people and situations to the point that is it scary and he is "afraid I'm going to regret this surgery." Makes me stop and think....what if his sixth sense is telling me something? I need positive uplifting stories and no more negative nillies.....I may just have to stay off of here till after the surgery and then I'll come back on to tell you if I'm having problems? Thanks everyone....

I'm scheduled the same day as you and has really started to hit me. I'm scared too, so you are not alone! I don't start the diet until the 13th (5 days prior, and all liquids). It hit me that next Wednesday I start the final countdown. I'm excited, nervous and terrified at the same time. Not so scared of the surgery really, more scared of the "After" and wondering how I'll do, will I hurt, will I be one of the ones on here with a success story or a story of disappointment. I'm going into this with the idea that I have to control it. I'm happy with a pound a week of weightloss adn anything extra is a bonus. I'm not in a rush (sort of) and I've set mini-goals for myself. I want to lose at least 20 pounds by my birthday which is just over 2 months after surgery. I've heard that losing in the beginning is easier, so that is above my 1 pound and then after that I'm looking for a pound a week. Let's be hopeful. Good luck to you......keep us posted.

I have to have my sister come over and do it.....despite my husband seeing me naked...I just can't bear the thought of him taking these pictures...stupid, eh?

I think I just pee'd myself! Spot that was so friggin funny! They are looking at me at work wondering why the heck my mascara is running down my face! I too am hoping that I don't have "it" during surgery but my system is so screwed up now because they wanted me off the Pill for 30 days so I'm a week early and it has been a nightmare! I don't know when the next Monthly will show up....part of the reason I love being on the PIll! I'm going just pray that it doesn't arrive and then take Spots advice...and laugh the whole time because I'll be reading that post over and over in my mind....so hilarious

Yikes, sorry to hear this! I hope you are feeling better.

My first goal is 1 pound a week. I'm not going to set myself up for unrealistic expectations...anything extra is awesome! My goal is to get to 160 pounds. I have quite a bit to go....but I've gained it over years, I'll have to lose it slowly too and I think that is better so your body can adjust. My other little goals are.....no longer shopping in the chubby chic section, being able to ride a rollercoaster at the amuzement park (I have a hard time fitting in the seats comfortably), taking comfortable pictures with my son (I won't do it now because I hate my face and body), buying a pair of Levi's that fit, and some cute shoes! I think it is what is going to motivate you. Getting out of "W" size clothes is huge incentive for me. I'm happy with a pound a week but secretly hoping for 2 pounds a week. Good luck to you and just find what works for you

I don't smoke but at the pre-op seminar they told the people that do that they should stop smoking 30 days before surgery. I don't know if that means it takes that amount of time to get out of your system or what? They also told us that they will test urine the morning of surgery. There are high, high warnings about smoking after surgery because it can cause bleeding ulcers and severe stomach problems and may increase the chance of erosion from what I've heard. Good luck to you!

Feeling better and more positive....Thanks I know that is up to me, and I know this is what I need to do and I know that I can fail or succeed by my own hand (and mouth) ...I'm good with that and will accept the responsiblity. I've also gone through all the pros/cons with other surgery and that is why I'm all for the band....what was freaking me was the "chest pains" the constant pain in the stomach/port area, the vomiting and other complaints. I know it is going to happen at some point, I'm going to be too "comfortable" and take too much on the fork or eat too fast, but these people that have these constant problems, makes me wonder BUT then I hear from the positives and I'm reassured that I have to try it. If' it is an issue for me and I have problems, nothings cut, nothings removed and it can be fixed. I do have a question and maybe someone out there knows.....because my surgeon's office didn't really have an answer. SAY I do have a problem, like erosion and they have to remove it, let the stomach heal etc. Can I get it replaced without having to go through the entire pre-approval procedure again? I know it may vary on insurance companies, but just as a general idea, does anyone have any ideas or has it happened to anyone? I just wonder. I would wonder too, if I'm successful on the band....and I have an erosion problem, would I be able to get the sleeve instead? I know they were saying that if you weren't successful on the band that they probably wouldn't do a sleeve because they are both "restrictive"....just some thinking I've been doing.