jaybirds3

This is excellent! I have gotten a huge number of samples for very little cash. I have tried most of them, and I will be buying more of the Syntrax and the Ultimate Nutrition shake--that's the best thing I have ever tasted! Thanks! Jean

Wonderful news! Sounds like you did great! ~Jean

I am not banded yet, but I am telling no one except my husband and my daughter. No one else needs to know, and as far as work goes, I will be taking vacation after the surgery. If they notice me drinking shakes, etc. later they will just put it down as yet another diet! The rest of my family--sibs, mom, etc. live quite a ways away, and while some of them might be supportive because they know how I have struggled with my weight, most of them would be of the "why can't you just loose it on your own?" type, and while I might tell them someday, it is not something I feel the need to share right now! My best friend is of the "WLS is taking the "easy way" out" group, and so I probably won't tell her until after the fact, either! It's a very personal decision, and it is up to you who you want to include in it! ~Jean

I want to join too! email me at jeanniedee@aol.com ~Jean

December 16th! Can't wait! ~Jean

Hope you are feeling better! Just a couple more days now! ~Jean

I am right there with you! Completed my 6 months on Thursday, done with the psych consult, the nutritionist, and the gastroscopy...now just waiting on all the paperwork! Good luck to us both! ~Jean

I am pre-op and trying to plan what I will need, and what food items sound best to me. So, how do you puree food for the mushy stage? I don't have a food processor and don't really want to buy one just for that, but will a blender or small grinder (like a coffee grinder) work for things like fruit, veggies or meat? Thanks for any insights--this forum is a great source of information! ~Jean

Thanks! I have a blender for the more liquid things, and so far I like all of the Protein shakes I have tried just shaken in a bottle. Does the immersion blender work for meats and veggies? ~Jean

I am pre-op, and I take so many pills daily--7 for blood pressure, one for cholesterol, one for thyroid, etc., etc. My nutritionist said anything bigger than an asprin would need to be cut, and anything I take in a capsule I would need to get in a different form. I asked my surgeon about it last week, and he said that he has never had a patient that had any problems taking even very large pills after banding! He has been doing this for many years, and has done literally thousands, so I guess I will believe him--at least for now! LOL! ~Jean

My tenative date is December 16th, so I won't be on pre-op for Thanksgiving, but I am hoping to be really good and lose a few more pounds before then, so I volunteered to work over Thanksgiving so I won't be too tempted! I will be 9 days post-op on Christmas, so that might be a little rough, but I keep telling myself that this is the best Christmas present I have ever given myself and my family! ~Jean

Thanks! That will help, I think if I can add some unflavored protein to broth, Chrystal Light, and other clear fluids I won't be so hungry post-op! My nutritionist only said things like sugar-free jello, popsicles, etc. and I thought it might be pretty rough! ~Jean

Hi all! I have been a lurker here for several weeks, just reading and learning! I am from Bonfield IL, about 65 miles south of Chicago. I started researching Lap Band a couple of years ago, started the process to get insurance approval last year, then found out that my insurance at the time would not cover WLS under any circumstance! This year, my company changed hands and we got new insurance in July, so I started over again, and this time it looks like it will go through! I am really excited, and only slightly apprehensive about becoming a bandster! All of my pre-tests and various visits--nutritionist, psych, PCP, etc. will be done by the end of this week, and the surgeon said we will try for Dec. 16 as my surgery date. I am SO ready for this! I have read so many people's experiences on this board, and on ObesityHelp.com, I feel like I am prepared for almost any contingency--good or bad (but hopefully all good, of course!) I have followed the advice of several people here, and have tried various protein shakes, etc. I have just ordered a variety pack of Unjury powders to decide which ones I might buy. I have even tried doing the pre-op diet of 2 shakes and 4oz of lean meat per day, just to make sure I can do it. Thanls for reading so far! Does anyone have suggestions for clear liquids besides sugar-free Jello, popsicles and broth? Also what kind of broth is best? Thanks again! ~Jean

OOPS! Sorry about the "unmentionable!" If you add protein isolate powder to broth, is it still considered a "clear liquid"? ~Jean