gelyfish

Post it! Post it! So glad to hear there's another "processed foods stink" person out there. Unless it's naturally SF or FF it's ALL PROCESSED CRAPOLA! Don't get me wrong - I've had my fair share of junk but over the past several years I've shifted to whole, organic, natural, minimally processed foods. I did find Syntrax Nectar Naturals pretty tasty as far as protein drinks - sweetened with Stevia. But to be honest - the convenience of canned goods has been wonderful these post op weeks. Moving next week and looking forward to being closer to Whole Foods again and only having food in the cupboards that I buy.

I did 2 weeks of liquids pre-op. It's not too bad. Occasionally hungry, but it really wasn't anything stressful. Get protein powder that tastes good. Syntrax Nectar from mybariatricpantry.com is pretty goods - so is Unjury's Chicken Soup flavor for when you want something savory rather than sweet. Keep busy and don't wait and get too hungry before you drink. You'll be fine.

POST OP UPDATE Hey, guys, Surgery was Tuesday morning. Not much pain, walking & drinking within hours. Liquid yogurt, broth and cantaloupe juice. No catheter. A bit sore and gassy, but pretty much through. Port incision is in a flesh fold so it's a challenge to keep it dry. Details on my blog. Heading over to post op pages. Good luck to all. Hit me up if you have any questions.

I've had the "nothing else has worked, why should this" lines run through my head a couple times. But I know it's a false voice. Your is too! As for being strong by holding it in - strength is asking for what you need, telling people how you feel, and not worrying about what they think. 90% of people's actions/reactions have to do with them, not you. If your sister can't/won't personally contribute to the your mother's needs then ask her to pay for a few more days of outside help. You need a supportive safety-net of family and friends during this LIFELONG, life-changing journey. Build this system now and with a good foundation. You've already joined this forum. Check out my website (link below), other's websites, and get the book "Bandwagon" from Amazon. You've found the courage to start this amazing adventure, don't stop now. Baby-steps. Breathe. And remember: 4 steps forward and 3 steps back is still ONE STEP AHEAD!

Breathe! It's all good. I get banded on Tuesday, too. Check out my blog (link below) and if you haven't bought "Bandwagon" yet, do so now through Amazon.

Just a couple days away from clear liquids only. Banded next Tuesday in Monterrey, NL, MX. Kind of excited. Hasn't all kicked in, yet. I've got a big event Saturday night that several of us have been working on for months. Need to get through that first. Then Sunday will be all crazy OMG-I-leave-for-Mexico-in-a-few-hours-when-did-this-happen. Liquid diet hasn't been too bad - have had reduced energy due to such low calories (500-800). Acupuncture's been a great help with sleep (insomnia due to nerves), joint pain (osteoarthritis), and catching a cold because I can't have any herbs, supplements, vits, over the counters due to surgery so near. Two GREAT books that have really been helpful: "Bandwagon" and "Weight Loss Surgery with the Adjustable Gastric Band: Everything You Need to Know Before and After Surgery to Lose Wight Successful" Happy Banding and Good Mojo to ALL

Day two of my liquid diet. I can't cay I'm not hungry, but it isn't bad. I'm drinking nectar Naturals (various fruit flavors) and unjury (Chicken Soup) Protein smoothies. They taste really good. (I use coconut water* (NOT coconut milk) instead of H20 for the fruit smoothies.) They are more expensive than other protein options out there, but I'm particular about limiting unpronounceable crap in my food. Syntrax makes the Nectar powder - the Naturals brand have Stevia for sweetener, the originals have the artificial stuff. Unfortunately the Natruals don't come in individual packets so I had to settle for the artificial sweeteners for on-the-go smoothies. They have an abundance of flavors and they really do taste good. Unjury makes several flavors, though I've only had the chicken Soup. It's like a creamy version of instant chicken soup w/o the noodles or dehydrated chicken. Pretty tasty, too. Trader Joe's has an excellent variety of blended Soups - Latin Black Bean, Roasted Tomato/Red Pepper, Butternut Squash, Mushroom, Roasted Corn (watch the carbs). I also went to my local diner for their fabulous Minestrone soup, brought it home and whirled it up in the blender. Delish! Nectars - mybariatricpantry.com Unjury - unjury.com my blog on my Mexican banding adventure (surgery Aug. 2) - BandolerG.wordpress.com *coconut Water is an isotonic - excellent hydrator, loaded with electrolyte

I'm pre-op. I'm allowed anything* that fits through a straw, is low carb, and low fat until the final 5 days, then it's Clear Liquids only - but apparently Protein Powder is ok if mixed with clear Water. (I was wondering how to keep the protein levels high while drinking only clear stuff!?) I think the idea behind blended food is that if it's blended your system doesn't have to process it as much as solids. Less work for the body = liver shrinkage = easier for Dr. to place band. (Though I don't recommend throwing a burger and fries or pizza in the blender or drinking milkshakes. Kind of defeats the low carb/fat purpose.) If I've learned anything from these boards it is that pre-post op regimens run the gamut. Check with your doctor and follow THEIR 'rules' not mine. *and I can have yogurt, malt o meal, oatmeal, pudding, etc., too

Day two of my liquid diet. I can't cay I'm not hungry, but it isn't bad. I'm drinking Nectar Naturals (various fruit flavors) and Unjury (Chicken Soup) protein smoothies. They taste really good. (I use coconut water* (NOT coconut milk) instead of H20 for the fruit smoothies.) They are more expensive than other protein options out there, but I'm particular about limiting unpronounceable crap in my food. Syntrax makes the Nectar powder - the Naturals brand have Stevia for sweetener, the originals have the artificial stuff. Unfortunately the Natruals don't come in individual packets so I had to settle for the artificial sweeteners for on-the-go smoothies. They have an abundance of flavors and they really do taste good. Unjury makes several flavors, though I've only had the Chicken Soup. It's like a creamy version of instant chicken soup w/o the noodles or dehydrated chicken. Pretty tasty, too. Trader Joe's has an excellent variety of blended soups - Latin Black Bean, Roasted Tomato/Red Pepper, Butternut Squash, Mushroom, Roasted Corn (watch the carbs). I also went to my local diner for their fabulous Minestrone soup, brought it home and whirled it up in the blender. Delish! Nectars - mybariatricpantry.com Unjury - unjury.com my blog on my Mexican banding adventure (surgery Aug. 2) - BandolerG.wordpress.com *coconut water is an isotonic - excellent hydrator, loaded with electrolyte

Hello, I am getting banded in early August, moving in late August and starting my masters 3 days later. It'll be a busy month. I'm getting all my ducks in a row and I'd like to get my support system together before I leave for banding. I'm 38/F, former OA-er (thinking of returning), with a good 175# to lose. I've got a blog - www.bandolerag.wordpress.com - I started about getting banded in Mexico, almost finished with the very informative book Bandwagon, and looking forward to this new journey. Anyone out there interested in mentoring a kooky, intelligent, fun, adventurous gal?

For those interested, I've started a blog about getting banded in Mexico. Bandolera G

I get banded on August 2 by Dr. Rumbaut in Monerrey, Mexico. Excited, nervous, it's sureal and will only become more so. Breathe breathe breathe.

We're in the same boat, girlfriend! I started gaining at about age 5. At 38 I'm getting surgery the first week of August. Good luck to us both!

Hello, flutterby66, I too have been overweight for 3 decades (I'm only 38!) and I go in for my surgery the first week of August in Mexico with one of the top doctors in the Americas. The US is still WAY behind in lap band experience and they charge SOOOOOO much. I'm very happy and have the utmost confidence in my medical team. Good luck with you adventure, maybe we'll run into along each other in these boards. gelyfish

Hey, Jenn, I just finalized my details and will go for surgery in August before school starts. (Going back for my Masters). We're in the same boat. Good luck, gina

Howdy folks, I'm a 38 yr old. female who weighs WAY TOO MUCH (325) - and that's not even my highest weight! I'm all set for surgery in Mexico the beginning of August. Dr. Rumbaut and his team in Monterrey are doing the surgery. I can't wait. I'm a little nervous (never had ANY type of surgery) and now that the excitement of planning everything has settled, my brain has moved into "what if it doesn't work?" mode. I'm a lifetime fattie (started gaining at 5) but I was pretty active until 3 years ago. I've backpacked through New Zealand, climbed fences, ridden roller coasters, kayaked, swam with dolphins in the open ocean, done 2 ropes courses (fell out of a tree), and danced until dawn with happening Hollywood hipsters - ALL ABOVE 280 POUNDS. I always said when my weight starts to keep me from being an adventurer I'd seriously thing about losing it. Well, my joints have rebelled and my weight has only gotten worse because of it. Aside from the joint problems I'm in OK (not great, not horrible) health - my BP is just starting to creep up after years of hovering around 118/79. My cholesterol has lowered from my undergrad days, but it is still high. Triglycerides are actually within range. If I wasn't in pain I'd be walking, swimming, bike, playing LOADS more than I do currently. I moved back in with the 'rents 2 yrs ago (and put on 50#) and my body deteriorated fast. We live in the 'burbs. I went from a public transportation/walking/bike riding city chick to a sedentary lifestyle LIKE THAT! Being unemployed certainly contributed. So, in the beginning of Aug. I get banded and at the end of Aug. I move to the city because I'm returning to school to get my Masters. I'll live about a mile from campus (1.5 from city center) will live car-free and my cupboards will be filled with only things that I buy. If it's not there I won't eat it - and if it's not healthy I generally don't buy it. LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS NEXT ADVENTURE.............