Sara Mos

I'm got lighter life shakes too I was going to use after anon. My surgery cost is £7950.00 with 12 month follow up, monthly 1to1's with a dietician, 5 consultant check ups, 3 band fills, and support group, hence Im paying a bit more, but like you said GC53 its worth it for me personlly for peace of mind. Mines with the BMI hospital group.

Wow Kity, Im impressed, you gave up smoking 2 weeks ago! I went to the Drs on Friday to see if she would give me the new smoking pill, but she said to cut down and quite after, Im down to 10 ciggs a day now (not healthy I know) I must read that Alan Carr book again. The exercise challenge is 4 times a week!! Good Luck!

Hey I found a really good list on the March bandesters site: Post of for what we might need after: I'll post it. PREOPERATIVE SHOPPING LIST This list contains items that some patients wish they had before their surgeries but didn't think of til later. It is compiled from suggestions by Mandy, Photonut, Archermom, NancySmiles and her LBSG support group (including Nancy, Del, Cindy, and Toni), Gadgetlady, and NancyRN. Feel free to post your suggestions to add to our list. Hope these suggestions are helpful. food For Fluid stage: • Bottled Water – plain or flavored, some like Propel or Fruit 2-0 • Popsicles (sugar-free as needed) • Crystal Light • Crystal Light “On the GO” in different flavors - add to bottled water • Jello (sugar-free) • Gatorade • Bouillon or chicken/beef/veggie broths (low sodium as needed)* • Ensure, Boost, Glucerna - or whatever Protein drink the Dietitian asked you to drink based on your history* • Protein powder for shakes* • Frozen fruits for Protein shakes • Clear Soups • Decaf tea • Hot cocoa mix (sugar-free) For creamy stage: • Cream of Wheat • Creamy soups • Applesauce • Yogurt - Dannon Lite N' Fit • "Imagine" Soups - in cartons (Potato Leek, Butternut, Squash, Corn, Creamy Tomato....and more. They are considerably lower in sodium than Campbell’s soups.) • Soup-at-Hand soups • Small pudding cups (sugar- and fat-free) - Take a spoonful to get meds to slide down easier •Sugar-free gum (ask your doctor) •Sugar-free breath mints (Ask your doctor) *Make sure to taste each item before you buy them in bulk DRUGSTORE • liquid medications Tylenol (adult strength) Pain medications Gas-X or Phazyme You will want these meds right away when you come home. It can be very difficult to find them in a liquid form. Check with the pharmacy beforehand to see if they stock them or how far in advance you will need to order them. At your preop visit (or earlier if needed), ask the doctor for prescriptions so that you will have them ready when you return home. • Chewable Vitamins • Stool softener • Antihistamine cream, if you tend to get irritated by tape or bandages Do not put directly on incision. • Heating pad • Flexible ice pack • Pill cutter • Gauze pads 4x4 • Non-irritating tape, such as paper tape • Kitchen timer – for 15 minute sip intervals for the first few days • Blender • Wet Wipes or “adult baby wipes” like Cottonelle • Toilet tongs (long barbeque tongs) – Use if you are just too sore after the surgery to reach around and wipe your “behind”. Just wrap the wipes around the end to get an additional few inches so you don’t have to contort yourself.:funnypost: OTHER THINGS TO MAKE YOU COMFORTABLE • A few books or movies • Comfy clothes, such as loose-waisted shorts • Slip-on shoes • Squishy pillow for car ride -to cushion seatbuilt • For women, a sports bra – “doc said no underwire for a few days” THINGS TO DO BEFORE SURGERY • Prepare your advance health care directive form, so key people can carry out healthcare decisions important to you if you are unable to so. Discuss your decisions with these key people, including family and doctors. One excellent way is to fill out your “Five Wishes” booklet. Obtain several weeks in advance from “Aging With Dignity”, 1-888-5-WISHES (1-888-594-7437). You can obtain other formats from your hospital or online. • Cook some chicken before surgery. Save the broth and freeze it in very small containers (ice cube trays work well). This broth has less sodium than store brands, if you have a salt problem. • Check if your medications are “crushable” (able to be crushed without causing problem with effectiveness). • Get rid of all the foods in the house you are not to eat, before you go to the hospital. • Buy all the groceries you will need for at least 2 weeks after surgery. • Catch up on your laundry and housecleaning. • Make arrangements for someone else to prepare family meals – You may not feel like cooking for some time. • Get a manicure or pedicure. <!-- / message --><!-- edit note --><!-- / message -->

My prayers are with you today lara and Tea time....Good Luck, come back soon and tell us how it went...this time tomorrow you'll be banded This time next month it will be my turn...

Ok here it is: PREOPERATIVE SHOPPING LIST This list contains items that some patients wish they had before their surgeries but didn't think of til later. It is compiled from suggestions by Mandy, Photonut, Archermom, NancySmiles and her LBSG support group (including Nancy, Del, Cindy, and Toni), Gadgetlady, and NancyRN. Feel free to post your suggestions to add to our list. Hope these suggestions are helpful. food For Fluid stage: • Bottled Water – plain or flavored, some like Propel or Fruit 2-0 • Popsicles (sugar-free as needed) • Crystal Light • Crystal Light “On the GO” in different flavors - add to bottled water • Jello (sugar-free) • Gatorade • Bouillon or chicken/beef/veggie broths (low sodium as needed)* • Ensure, Boost, Glucerna - or whatever Protein drink the Dietitian asked you to drink based on your history* • Protein powder for shakes* • Frozen fruits for Protein shakes • Clear Soups • Decaf tea • Hot cocoa mix (sugar-free) For creamy stage: • Cream of Wheat • Creamy soups • Applesauce • Yogurt - Dannon Lite N' Fit • "Imagine" Soups - in cartons (Potato Leek, Butternut, Squash, Corn, Creamy Tomato....and more. They are considerably lower in sodium than Campbell’s soups.) • Soup-at-Hand soups • Small pudding cups (sugar- and fat-free) - Take a spoonful to get meds to slide down easier •Sugar-free gum (ask your doctor) •Sugar-free breath mints (Ask your doctor) *Make sure to taste each item before you buy them in bulk DRUGSTORE • liquid medications Tylenol (adult strength) Pain medications Gas-X or Phazyme You will want these meds right away when you come home. It can be very difficult to find them in a liquid form. Check with the pharmacy beforehand to see if they stock them or how far in advance you will need to order them. At your preop visit (or earlier if needed), ask the doctor for prescriptions so that you will have them ready when you return home. • Chewable Vitamins • Stool softener • Antihistamine cream, if you tend to get irritated by tape or bandages Do not put directly on incision. • Heating pad • Flexible ice pack • Pill cutter • Gauze pads 4x4 • Non-irritating tape, such as paper tape • Kitchen timer – for 15 minute sip intervals for the first few days • Blender • Wet Wipes or “adult baby wipes” like Cottonelle • Toilet tongs (long barbeque tongs) – Use if you are just too sore after the surgery to reach around and wipe your “behind”. Just wrap the wipes around the end to get an additional few inches so you don’t have to contort yourself.:funnypost: OTHER THINGS TO MAKE YOU COMFORTABLE • A few books or movies • Comfy clothes, such as loose-waisted shorts • Slip-on shoes • Squishy pillow for car ride -to cushion seatbuilt • For women, a sports bra – “doc said no underwire for a few days” THINGS TO DO BEFORE SURGERY • Prepare your advance health care directive form, so key people can carry out healthcare decisions important to you if you are unable to so. Discuss your decisions with these key people, including family and doctors. One excellent way is to fill out your “Five Wishes” booklet. Obtain several weeks in advance from “Aging With Dignity”, 1-888-5-WISHES (1-888-594-7437). You can obtain other formats from your hospital or online. • Cook some chicken before surgery. Save the broth and freeze it in very small containers (ice cube trays work well). This broth has less sodium than store brands, if you have a salt problem. • Check if your medications are “crushable” (able to be crushed without causing problem with effectiveness). • Get rid of all the foods in the house you are not to eat, before you go to the hospital. • Buy all the groceries you will need for at least 2 weeks after surgery. • Catch up on your laundry and housecleaning. • Make arrangements for someone else to prepare family meals – You may not feel like cooking for some time. • Get a manicure or pedicure.

Hi Guys, Well Ive been trying to diet, yesterday just had a pear and a whooping evening meal! (not very good is it!) Hows it going for you SaggiJ, weight loss wise?Since September? The dietician told me to folow the British heart foundation diet...and after she said not to buy slim fasts etc...but liquidise normal foods? Gosh GCs3 you are lucky being given a pre op diet pack, maybe I should be doing that too, I wonder how much the liver actually shrinks by doing that? They said mine would be big (fatty etc)... I saw a reall good pre op list on the March bandsters site...I'll try and find it for you GC53

LOL, at least if you have the treadmill in the bedroom you'll have a soft landing Terridoddle I know what you mean jennifur re feet issues on the TM.....Im constantly watching I dont tread on the front bit.... Thing is we havent got long to go have we, Ive starved myself today (eating only a pear) then pigged out on Pasta (in cheese sauce) chicken & veg for dinner...not very healthy am I? I'm aiming to lose 14lbs before the 2nd of April.... This time next month we'll all be having kittens :scared: excited and nervous! & this time next year ...watch out world here we come....dressed in what ever we want...confident, sexy, looking good, and feeling FANTASTIC!!

Boo, thanks for your well wishes...I am so excited, and I cant wait to see what Ill be like this time next year like you are all at now

Thanks synicalchick, I agree he has crossed the line....Im going to see what happens next...I'll go to HR if he does question me or says anything else, I hate conforntation.

LOL!!!!!! Clothes rack....LOL....I have one of those too Jennifer, and it stands upright all alone in the office, I also have a rower and an elptical trainer Ive hardly ever use....I bought them a year or so ago now, You can't 'swing a cat' in this room its stuffed with office stuff and equiptment, trouble is im always scared if the jogger goes too quickly I'll slide off into me desk! Ok I aim to do 30 mins today.....

Hi All, Re Tammys and Mrs Huskers post about telling only people that need to know: I was in an awkward situation yesterday, I told my boss that I was going to be off for 2 weeks in April, and he kept questioning me what it was for, so I told him...and do you know what he said?? Why dont you just diet!! So I said I have, for many many years and each time I lose the weight I put it back on and more some, and I have reached the stage that I need help....then he asked me what my BMI was and I explained that I didnt want to say, anyway he got it out of me, then he turned round and said well Sara...you may need to check this out with HR (as its my choice etc) I nearly exploded, and said Im doing it for health reasons, and my own Dr is supporting me and feels it is a good idea.....I just felt crap folks

Hi All Sounds good Jennifur! Ok x 4 exercise workouts a week starting from now! (its the 1st of March...yippieee!!) Only a month to go.... Hi Jennifer, welcome to the group, hey thats great having surgery on the 3rd of April, Im having mine on the 2nd...... The April 06 Bandsters have set up an exercise challenge, so some of us in here are going to as well, so please join us... So far Jennifur and I are up for the challenge...is any body else going too aswell?

Good Luck Synicalchick!!

Ooo forgot to say Hi to Lap dancer and maggiec, hope to speak soon

Hi All...and WOW...!!!!!! There are is so much information from everyone Sorry Ive not responded before now, only I work away every week (only a couple of days) so thats why Ive not logged in. Jennifer: Your surgery date is the same day as my youngest daugters birthday! :scared: and Im up for the exercise challege with you!! Kat:Thank you so much for answering my questions, an 86lb loss is just fantastic! You must feel amazing. When I read you have no longer felt hungery since July (since your last fill) I long too to experience that feeling of feeling full, and not constantly graze. JulieNYC: Wow thank you also for sharing your experience of the procedure and after. You were out of Hosp so quick, and back to work quick too (Im going to be booked off work for 2 weeks after). I too have a package that says I can have monthly one to ones with the dietician and up to 5 consultant checks etc, they did say in time I probably wouldnt need to come in monthly, but I think at first I'll be there until I feel more confident re diet and coping with it. It must have ben frustrating putting on weight initially pre fill, Im also pleased you mentioned about the fills dont hurt as I am a bit nervous about that. Wow...150lbs loss...that is just awsome Julie! Day3447 & Terridoddle & Mdrai: I'm so plaesed your having surgery in April, look forward to talking to you all soon :scared: lol, I had trouble working out the trickerfactory thing,then it just suddenly appears! Speak soon x

Hi All, Thank you Betty, Julie & Delta in welcoming me to the group. Ok....its the beging of March now, have 4 weeks to try and shape up prior to surgery...so will go for the x 3 workouts and walk at weekends

Hi All! SaggiJ: I'd love to meet up with you, it will be great to have someone fairly close to exchange notes! Ooo when did you have your surgery? Yvonne: Ooooo Ive since had 3 last 'suppers!' and Im begining to worry slightly, as I have to lose weight before my op on the 2nd dietician said so....help...!! I must have a chinese before its too late, and I cant too..

Hi All My names Sara, I live in Dorset and Im having surgery on April 2nd at a BMI hospital in Winchester, Im so pleased to see you have a UK thread! Everyone Ive talked to on here have been so helpful, its such a life line, to know whats to come and everyones experiences. I went out for my last 'dinner' tonight with my family, Im going to try and lose a stone before my op, as I was advised to by the dietician. They gave me a British heart foundation diet book, Ive sort of half heartedly tried to follow it, but my bad habits creep back in, do you guys have a local support group you attend where you live, or do you mostly get all of your support on here.Look forward to chatting to you on here soon. Sara x

Hi Amourette, Thank you so much for sharing your experinces Ooo I wish I could have 6 weeks off afterwards, Im having the first 2 weeks in april off. Can I ask you another question: How long after you had the band in did you have your fills? Did you have an unfill because it was too uncomfortable, and does that mean that when you ate it was more difficult to eat food? On the surgery form I have it says I have my first fill after 6 weeks. Thanks Amourette....I find this site so helpful now, its like a lifeline :eek:

Hello All, My name is Sara, I live in England (Southwest) I'm having surgery on April 2nd, Im 245lbs and 5ft 4. I hope you dont mind me visiting this site, I'd like to get your advise on setting up an achevible exercise routine, I do get out of puff easily, I thought Id try and do some sort of exercise 3 times a week, my goal prior to surgery is to lose 14lbs. I saw in the begining of your thread that you set up so many exercise sessions,Id appriiate it if you can advise me, thank you

Hi All Well, just been out for my last 'dinner' out with my parents and family, lol, it was 'all you can eat' indian resturant, I had 2 smallish plates full, but as from next week (well its March of Thursday folks!) I am going to set a goal of losing 14lbs before surgery.... I'm also going to try and do 3 days of 30 mins exercise too! Gosh synicalchick, good luck for this week, you must be really excited and kind of nervous now... have a great week everyone!! :eek:

Guyis, Thank you so much for all of your information, it is really good to hear how you felt, and your experiences. I think your right, this site is so supportive, I think I'll start joining in daily on this site, as it focuses you and everyone else is in the same 'boat'. Like you the hospital Im having my surgery is about 2 hrs drive away in a town called Winchester, I know I have to stay in over night as Ive already asked, and Im booked into an afternoon slot, then my hubby can take me home the next day. I found it really useful to hear your experiences on how you felt and coped after surgery the first couple of days, my mind tends to wander as in fear of the unknown as to what I may experience (pain wise). Your weight loss is fantastic, you must feel on top of the world, and I think the exercise regime that the April 06 bandsters have done is fantastic. Belive it or not I used to love exercise, especially racket ball, but now I find it hard as I get so out of breath, and I tend to avoid it now, which is silly, because I know I need to get back into the swing of it. I think I will join your April thread and focus on doing so much exercise a week. Thanks Guyis x LapBandit:Thats an amazing weightloss, really inspiring, and is what I needed to hear re lossing weight prior to surgery.

Hi guysis ans amourette, thanks you so much for your support and incouragement inviting us to join your April 06 threads, I cant wait to start asking you loads of questions!! I guess the first one, is how you felt after surgery, the 1st 48hrs of what to be aware of, and the 2nd is what support did you get in the first year from your hospital/Dr, how many fills did you need to have in the first year, did you have a support group that you could attend....as you can see, theres soooo many questions! lol, I dont know where to begin! Thank you both again for your support to us all x

Opps I mean April the 2nd! x

Thanks Tracy Hey I had an idea, I was looking at the April 06's discussions and I noticed that they had set up an exercise goal for them all, I thought it was a really good idea, what do you think if we did the same for us, even if its on 30 min walking,swimming,workout 3 times a week, then reported back to you all that we did so many sessions, so that we help each other tone up? What do you think? I'm no exercise fan to be honest, but once we have surgery our bodies are gonna change so much, and I feel like that we are all in it together here, and your my buddies now, what I'm kind of saying is I really do appriciate everyones support, I'm also pleased that theres another person (Adumont75) having surgery the same day as me. Tomorrow I'm going out for the last 'dinner' out with my family and parents and brother, I explained I wont be able to go out for dinner now for some time, and its March next week, I have 4 weeks to really get serious before March 2nd.... Gosh folks, April will be here before you know it! Have a lovely Saturday evening x Speak soon