Candle

Yes - very emotional! :heh: The doctor's office left a message on my answering machine on Wed (even though they have it in their file to always call me on my cell!) I never get those home messages because that's pretty much just my boyfriend's phone and I always use my cell. I got the message late that night and freaked out all night that there was something wrong with my PST. I cried and yelled at my bf for not checking the messages earlier *blush* - I have no idea how he's been putting up with me. He's really one of a kind! I'm freaking out a little right now too. My mouth has been feeling real chalky and my throat has been feeling weird. It doesn't hurt but it feels like something is stuck - especially when I lay down. And now I think it's getting irritated because I keep coughing to try and "scratch" it. My sister is a nurse and said it sounded like I had thrush. I went to my PCP on Fri just to make sure everything was ok and she said it looked fine. No swelling, discoloration, and no fever. Additionally, I feel fine. Maybe I'm having a reaction to all the milk (I never drink milk) and or the whey Protein? I dunno .... I'm just really uncomfortable and worried about having throat issues right now. This is the last thing I want right before this type of surgery ... I'm not drinking any milk or Protein shakes today - and tomorrow is Clear liquids anyway. We'll see how it feels on Monday. Only 2 more sleeps …:whoo:

Ugh! I had to do the stress test for cardiac clearance. They injected me with that stuff instead of walking on the treadmill too. (I'm not really sure why) It sucked! Like you, it took forever! I went in at noon and didn't leave until 5:00pm - with nothing to eat all day! That stuff aka posion, they injected made my heart race, I felt really light headed and got a horrible headache. I went home and sleep for like 5 hours. I woke up at about 1am and was up for the whole night - lol!!!

NYU has an amazing reputation!

I like the Unjury Choc with a few frozen strawberries.

Bacteria in your urine ... what does that mean?!

I just got the call - my surgery isn't until 2:30 on Monday. That's going to be a rough day with NO food or Water all day.

Thanks guys I went and saw my doctor today. She was worried it sounded like thrush. (ewwwww) BUT Everything is fine. She said I could just be having some kind of reaction to all the extra milk and dairy I've been consuming on this stupid liquid diet. She also said to call my surgeon just to let them know. *phew*<!-- google_ad_section_end --><!-- / message --><!-- sig --><!-- google_ad_section_end --><!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

Peanut Chic Sesame Chic I was wondering if LC would still be a possibility after being banded. Most seem to have rice or Pasta.

I don't want to admit to my doctor that my throat is bothering me. I don't want them to put off my surgery. Like I said - I feel fine other wise and I saw my PCP yesterday - no fever. (of course my throat was fine YESTERDAY - errrrr)

Great job!! Thanks for the inspiration.

Good morning ladies! I was right about the sodium and retaining Water - I am now down 9lbs :whoo: That's so awesome about the pants, Shelli! I have a dress that I LOVE that I wore to a wedding about 3 years ago. It was at the time of my last "real" weight loss - about 35lbs. I had since gained that back, plus 10. When that dress fits me again, I will feel pretty successful. Did you take some before pics? I had my boyfriend take some last week – I HATE them :tired Claramae - how is your sister doing?

I thought it was a one-on-one thing but it's a group of people being banded around the same time, that just get together with the OR nurse to discuss details. Like what to expect during surgery, what to bring to the hospital, etc. You might get lucky and meet someone being banded on the same day as you - I was the only one with my date there. Warning - it lasted a LONG time. It was set for 2:45 and we probably didn't get started until closer to 3:30 and quite a few people asked A LOT of questions. I don't think we left until some time after 5:00! (The pre-surgery testing took longer than I expected too - it was about 2 hours. Most of it just waiting around) I only went to the one required seminar and that was back in March. I didn't find it all that informative but that might just be because I've researched this extensively. I brought my boyfriend, hoping he'd get something out if it but he said he really didn't learn anything I hadn't already told him. 2 older men with the band spoke but they mostly just talked about things specific to their cases. It was kind of weird. Good luck with everything - suddenly I feel like things are moving really fast!

I agree - but it didn't keep me from worrying about it!! The office seems like a well oiled machine at this point and my boyfriend kept telling me not to fuss over it. I'm a worrier though - and overly meticulous. (For example someone at Dr Geiss's office left me a voice mail this morning that I didn't hear until after the office was closed. All night I've been freaking out wondering why they called. I'm such a mess - lol! ) I saw my PCP today and she gave me a little crap about being over due for a PAP. In the past 6 months I think I’ve seen more doctors than I’ve seen in my whole life - that's the last thing I want to do right now!! only4me - How's everything going for you? I assume you are on mushies by now and feeling back to normal? (I'm soooo sick of Soup and Protein shakes ALREADY - ugh)

I don't see how it would be possible to not tell him? When you said you were getting a "procedure" he didn't want to know what it is? Most doctors have you go to a TON of appointments for a TON of tests before hand. There's pre-op diet, most likely liquid. I had to spend 2 nights in the hospital for sleep apnea studies. There are a lot of variables. I don't think you are going to be able to NOT tell him. Unless you are self pay like WASaBubbleButt and get it all done in one shot. I can't imagine that's the case though because you'd have to tell your husband you were spending that kind of $$$.<O:p</O:p <O:p</O:p Best of luck. I'm on LI too. Have you looked for a surgeon yet?<O:p</O:p <O:p</O:p <!-- google_ad_section_end --><!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

Great thread!! Where there's a will, there's a way! I had a rough time too - my insurance plan had an exclusion but I was able to find that elusive self-pay plan that covers WLS. (GHI for NY'ers in need. IM me if you need any info) I had to jump through a lot of hoops. The sun, the moon, and the stars needed to line up perfectly but it did work out and I got APPROVED!! Good luck to everyone

Thanks Alfie - Hopefully you find the seminar informative. My doctor has a few people speak that have been successful with the band. I liked hearing from them. I've lost 7.5lbs - I'm on day 7. I didn't weigh myself yesterday but I was a little bummed this morning to find I'd only lost 1/2 pound between Mon and today. I'm chalking it all up to too much sodium. (I’m becoming scale obsessed – I told my boyfriend he may have to hide it from if this keeps up. I always do this while dieting :phanvan ) I was on the run a lot yesterday and drank 2 V8's and had a Progresso Soup last night. All 3 were really high in sodium and I didn't drink as Water as I would have liked. I also didn't walk the dog last night because it's been raining here. BUT - I've been sticking the diet and very proud of myself!! My surgery is scheduled for 7:15 on Monday but that's not written in stone until they finalize the schedule on Friday. I had my pre-surgery testing yesterday. I had to pee in a cup, they drew blood, I had a physical exam, and met with the anesthesiologist. I see my PCP today at 2:00 to review the tests and get final clearance for surgery. (I don't really see why I have to take time off work and pay ANOTHER $30.00 co-pay for her to just sign a form but ... what ever!!) I'm grumpy today :biggrin1:

What scale were you weighed on initially? That could make a difference - being weighed on different scales. My doctor's scale always weighs me about 5-7 lbs more than my scale at home - I like the numbers on my scale at home better. LOL Being weighed in your shoes and cloths in the middle of the day, could be part of it too.

PS. Did you have your meeting with the OR nurse yet? Wondering if you were one of the people there with me last Tues. (there were a few Sept people there)

Hey Sue! Thanks for the reply. I went for my pre-surgery testing at the hospital today and they asked me when my last PAP was. I gave her the date and told her I had been worried about it. She said it was ok not a big deal. *phew* Are you excited? As my date gets closer and closer this just gets more and more real!!! :faint: Maybe we'll see each other at the support group meetings!?!

Wow!! That's so awesome! You must feel like a whole new person! Keep it up!

I was thinking about you yesterday, Shelli. How's everything going?

Do any women w/ Dr Geiss remember having to provide a current PAP Smear in with testing? Nothing was ever said to me about this and when I got the paperwork about my surgery date, I noticed it was on the letter to my PCP requesting clearance. When I called the office to ask about this, Rebecca said I didn't need to provide that. I'm a little worried because I just noticed reference to it on a few other forms. I go for my final physical for clearance from my PCP on Wed and surgery is 8/27/07. My last PAP was about 18 months ago - I'm over due for my annual but with all the pre-op testing over the last 6 months, I just forgot about it. (I just moved to LI last year and haven't found a new gyno yet) Thanks

Healthy Choice makes one too that's REALLY good! (20 grams of protein too) After blending I had to add a little broth to thin it. Good idea with the sour cream!

As long as it doesn't have a lot of fat - I say do it up! :guess Just make sure you get out the bean skins. I'd add some chicken broth instead of water to thin it though. (For flavor) What about Cream of Broc? 3 Soups I just tried that are really good! Butternut Squash Soup - Campbell's Select in a box Progresso Split Pea w/ ham & Healthy Choice Chic Tortilla Soup (both blended and thinned with chic broth)

Cottage cheese Soft Cheeses Soft boiled or Poached eggs Yogurt Chic/Tuna salad Egg Drop Soup mushy Beans (refried, kidney, black beans) Ricotta Cheese Protein shakes V8 High Protein Soups These are a few things on my list