Cynsayshun

I started my Pre-Surgery liquid diet and I'm suppose to have 4 Protein Shakes, and consum 800-1000 calories I don't know how I can do that on liquids only. I could only get in 3 Shakes & a sugar free Jello and a bowl of chicken broth. I've been drinking Water, I somewhat hungry but more puzzled about how to get the required calories in?? Any suggestions.. I am not suppose to eat any foods, this is going to be the longest two weeks in my life. I have an awful taste in my mouth from the Slimfast shakes and it doesnt' seem to want to go away. I have also used unjury Protein shake and it takes good and doesn't give my stomach the "flux" like the Slim Fast shakes. I bought them because they seemed more convenient for carrying to work instead of powder and milk for the Unjury Shakes.. Can someone tell me how to sucessfully get through these two weeks.. I feel like I have a slight headache from not eating and I am fearful of taking anything, for fear it will push back my surgery..I'm feeling a little ambivalent right now, this is my SOS!! This is just day one!!!

October 4th is my day too! I met with the nutritionist today who took my full body photo, and went over some things with me. My weight was down 10 lbs. since my first visit with her in May. Today I started the liquid diet which consists of Protein shakes 4 x daily for a calorie count between 800 - 1000 daily until my surgery date. She showed me the General Surgery floor that I will be on after the surgery (Lap Band) and assured me I will be there the minimum being 2 days.. I am excited and nervous as I suppose we all are.. I'm going to have to exercise a lot of will power to just do the shakes for 2 weeks, but I'm determined to do it.. I wish I could fall asleep and wake up 2 weeks from now, LOL. I've been drinking the unjury vanilla for Breakfast several times a week since June. I have ordered the chocolate as well, but the Vanilla is really good!! I bought the Slim Fast strawberry, shakes to, just because they are bottled and ready to go, which is really convenient for me while working in my office.. So October Bandsters, lets forge on to lighter & healthier bodies.. Until..... "Cynsayshun"

Hello Newbie, welcome, I have found this forum to be very enlightening and informative. My surgery date is October 4 and we are almost in the same weight range.. I attended a seminar in April and started all the required appointments from May - Jul.. BCBS approved me in July, as I had documented proof of prior Weight Loss attempts before I went to the seminar.. It will be nice to have someone to compare changes of our bodies as we tread in to unforeseen territory..LOL.. Best wishes on your journey... I hope my ticker shows, I've been trying to get it to work. If it doesn't show up could someone PLEASE Help me with it

Amy, I 100% concur with the others, I'm scheduled for my surgery on October 4. I attended my 3 seminars over the last year and in April of this year I decided to go for it and started the required appointments i.e, nutritionist, surgeon,sleep study, pyschologist & exercise specialist, & an endoscopy. I had documentation of the previously completed weight loss programs that were needed for my insurance approval. . I've sat in the background here and other sights for over a year while considering the lap band. I have gained a lot of insight on this site and those that post their journey on You Tube.. HOWEVER, your post absolutely rates off the chart!! It was so forthright and honest, I loved it.. You captured practically every detail I have thought about! Thank you so much for taking the time to do this. Congrats to you on your continued journey as a bandster!!.

Thank you Sweet Pea for taking the time to respond I'm trying to figure out how to post replies to each person, if it doesn't work hopefully everyone will get this reply as well. I got a lot out of every reply and it appears the journey is different with each person. I'm glad to know the band will help with some cravings.. As one person stated her doctor said the same as mine "carbonated drinks" will stretch the stoma so stay away from them. Someone mentioned to use a center for "Excellence" the hospital I'm getting my surgery is Vista, in Waukegan IL and they were just added to the Centers for Excellence for Bariatric Surgeries. I'm walking for exercise now and I will start trying to develop the habit of drinking 30 minutes after meals, that is going to be tough, but since I'm looking forward to being a sucessful Bandster, I have to make the changes. It also seems like it going to be learning what I will and will not be able to tolerate through trial & error. That's a little scary but the advice shared here is so helpful.. I'll keep listening to those that have proceeded before me. Looking forward to more exchanges.. To all that took the time to reply, I'm truly grateful.. Synsayshun"

Hello Everyone, I'm another that has been behind the scenes in the Internet forums, You Tube,etc., watching the progress of those that have been banded for a couple of years! I started my journey April of this year, after the 3rd seminar I attended I decided to go for it. Luckily I had documentation of previous Weight Loss Programs from Curves, Weight Watchers, my YMCA membership, etc. So I didn't have complete the insurance program requirements for Weight Loss programs (they accepted what I had done). I have to work with a Nutritionist, Exercise Therapist. I completed a sleep Study and had to have an Endoscopy. I had everything completed by July and got my approval from BCBSIL in early August..Yeah!!! My surgeon is backlogged with patients therefore my surgery isn't scheduled until October 4. I'm sooo looking forward to it and yes to be honest I'm a bit "anxious" about the changes in how I eat, socialize, etc. I'm employed, I'm a widow and since my husband died in 2003, I haven't had a lot of opportunities to date. I socialize with girlfriends, play Bingo, go out dining & movies alone, travel to see my children & grandchildren, etc. I was told by my one of my sons, Ma are you ready for this? You're all ready "pretty" now you are going to be getting a whole different type of attention from men after your body changes. That kind of bothered me and I stated, I'd be a bit offended if a (man) that has seen me on a regular basis, would want to "date" me because my body changed?? Is that a normal feeling? I would think if they looked at me overall, they could have looked past the "weight" issue. I'm doing this to be the "best" I can be health wise, feel better about me, but are others really going to look at me differently?? Being a more "seasoned" woman, I'd like to hear from others that have been "Banded" in their lives at a later age and how it affected you mentally, socially, etc. I also would like to hear from those that were "Pop/Soda" addicts and how they have been able to transition none in their lives after the Lap Band... I'm not a smoker or drinker and I always told people "Pepsi" was my drug of choice. I have significantly cut it down, over the last year, however at least once a week I will have about 20 ounces of one. I've read NO carbonated drinks after one is banded.. Does having the band take away "cravings" for that type of issue, what about my one cup of coffee a day with "cream & sugar" is that something that will be gone forever as well? I know this is a pretty lengthy "introduction" it's probably just a drop in the bucket of all the feelings & issues I'm going through as I proceed.. Just jump in with any advice you may have and I say in advance "Thank you" I'll be around for awhile, as I Journey into the life of a "Bandster" As Ever, Synsayshun