cindyluhu

Hi there. No, the thread is still there. It is under May 2007 bandsters. Congratulations on onederland. That is so awesome. I can't wait to join you!! Hopefully in a couple of weeks I'll be able to say the same. Best of luck and come back to the thread!!! Cindy

Maryumc, My doctor doesn't automatically schedule a fill, it is pretty individual. His philosophy is that if you are still losing an average of 1 - 2 pounds a week, that that is appropriate, what we should be losing. When we stop losing or are constantly eating, he will have us schedule a fill. I'm personally in no hurry, as I am averaging about 2 pounds a week since my last visit. However, I just was able to start eating regular food as of Wednesday, so everything could change soon, who knows. It's really kinda funny how I got so spoiled my first 3 - 4 weeks post surgery of losing weight so quickly, that now 1 - 2 pounds a week seems like not enough to me, I want the scale to move more, and I want it off yesterday. How spoiled am I?!!! This is an adventure, and I'm really starting the enjoy the ride!! Good luck to you. Cindy

Gingin, I had my surgery May 10, 2007 with Adam Glasgow (Glasgow and Glasgow) in Norwood, MA. They are a father/son team, Adam is the son, Arthur is the father and both are awesome. They have information group sessions in their office, where you receive great information, and they also have monthly group support sessions lead by themselves and a nutritionist. My before, during, and after care have been wonderful so far. It has been a great, very positive experience for me. My friend also went to them in March and is also very happy with her experience/care. Good luck on your decision. PM me if you have any questions. Cindy

I paid $175.00 for the psych evaluation, and $500.00 co-pay at the hospital which covers everything. Cindy

Yes, but the funny thing is it is from my husband. Anytime I go to eat something he asks if that is ok for me to eat, or is that "on your diet". Normally, I suppose he is correct in that mashed potatoes would not be on my "diet", but it's the mushy stage and it is allowed! Cindy

Janine, Good luck. Make sure you keep us posted with your progress. You'll do great. Kadrianmatthews, Look at you!! That is amazing. Keep up the great job. Cindy

I know it's hard, but try not to get discouraged. Look how great you've already done! I know how you feel, though. This past week mine has fluctuated between 5 pounds. 5 crept up, 5 came off, 2 on 3 off. But part of it is that I weigh myself every day, sometimes twice (once morning, once night). Bad habit. I will be stopping it. But like was just said by muscle, pms, water, weather, all can affect our daily weight. Don't forget, we are adding stuff to our diets during some points. All will affect our weight till our bodies adjust. I think you are doing just great. Keep it up. Cindy

I am taking Centrum chewable. They are really not bad, and you only need 1 a day. Works for me!! Cindy

Good for you :clap2: Keep up the great work! Cindy

Congratulations on the weight loss so far, that's awesome!:clap2:. One thing I enjoyed was taking a hardboiled egg and pureeing it up in the magic bullet with just a little low fat mayo. It tasted like heaven. I just ate it with a spoon real slow. It's a good source of protein, too. I also had scrambled egg and chewed really good to make it pureed! Good luck, you're doing great! Cindy

Deb24, Hang in there. It will get better, I promise. I got up about every 4 hours for the first couple nights, too, and also went to tylenol after. I'm sorry for your hospital stay, I'm sure that was not fun, but it's over now, and each day you will find some new improvement, truly. Good luck and let us know how you are doing. It took me about 9 or 10 days to feel myself. Cindy

I know what you mean, my taste is sensitive to it too, even the smell. What I find is I use 1 packet of carnation instant breakfast no sugar added chocolate with one scoop chocolate unjury, 1 cup ff milk and an ice cube and put it in the magic bullet and that works for me. I do the same with the vanilla, and sometimes for a treat will add 4 or 5 frozen strawberries to the vanilla without the ice cube. See if that works. It is 25 grams of protein with the instant breakfast. I usually have this on the way to work. Good luck. Cindy

Purpose Driven, Hang in there, you can do it. You sound very determined and we'll be here for you. It's not easy for any of us, that's why we're here! Let us share this journey with you. Cindy

Hi Julie, What I do is 1 cup ff milk, 1 packet no sugar added instant breakfast, and 1 scoop of the same flavor unjury, (or the unflavored, but it is better with the flavored) add 1 ice cube and put it in my magic bullet. Yummy shake for 25 grams protein. If I use vanilla, sometimes instead of the icecube I will add 3 or 4 frozen strawberries. What a treat!

Metalband, look at you! Congratulations on your amazing weightloss. Everyone here has been doing so well, but I just happened to see yours and was like, wow! Hope your discomfort is getting better. Believe me, I felt lousy for at least 1 1/2 weeks, and then all of a sudden, between adding more protein and my vitamins and that extra couple days healing was all it took. You, too, will feel better, I promise! Good luck and let us know. Cindy

I drink an unjury protein shake on the way to work (6:30 am). At around 9 - 9:30 I have a protein pudding. For lunch I have been having soup at hand (usually tomato). On the way home I drink a bottled protein shake (35 grams protein). For dinner, usually more soup. Throu out the day I drink my crystal light to go, although not as much as I should. For some reason it is hard to fit all the drinks in. I'm getting between 32 and 48 ounces (I need to double check but I think it is 64 oz that is needed). But that is about it for now. Now and then I will deviate if I have time and have a scrambled egg for breakfast. Twice I couldn't help myself and snuck a few bites of salad (chewed really well of course), and some tender chicken, also chewed well. Cindy

Good luck tomorrow our last day of May bandsters! Good luck tomorrow, you'll do great! Cindy

That is so funny, I can so relate. I used to drink at least 1 cup of coffee a day. I just put ff international delights french vanilla in it (delish - or used to be). After surgery while in the hospital (on day 2) I asked my husband to bring me one cuz I had a headache and assumed it was from lack of caffeine. That was the last coffee I had. I don't know why, I had a few sips and that was it. The desire for coffee is COMPLETELY gone. Go figure. I drink caffeine free flavored teas with splenda now, or regular salada tea. My taste has def changed too! I'm not complaining as I suppose coffee isn't the best for me. Cindy

Melissa I'm with you on that one. I feel like I am getting way too hungry for my own good! I keep trying to drink, but yup, I'm still hungry.

Same here! It will pass, but I DID call my surgeon to see if the extreme fatigue and lethargy were normal. He had me add in scrambled eggs and my chewable multivitamin a week early. That SO did the trick. Call your doctor and tell him how you're feeling. Maybe he will have you do something similar. As far as the liquid bm's, I had that as well. Liquid in/liquid out. Keep the faith though, honestly it does get better. I wasn't so sure for a while, but it really does. I can honestly say now that I am happy I did this. (10 days ago I couldn't have said at that point.) Good luck, and keep up the good work! Cindy

I just love this site!! It's just such a positive place. It's also nice to know there's someplace to go and vent if needed, and someone will understand! It's also great for sympathy, advice and just plain entertaining. You guys are great, thanks! Cindy

Mine stopped about a week after I was banded, which was about when I was able to introduce scrambled eggs and not on just complete liquids anymore. Boy was I glad it finally ended! Cindy

JSRico, good luck and congratulations! Remember to have something comfy to wear home from the hospital. You may want a heating pad. I didn't need one but alot have found great comfort from one. You'll want your pain meds (whatever they prescribe), drinks, SF popsicles, and just relax and walk when you feel up to it. Write and let us know how you are when you feel able. Good Luck tomorrow, you'll do great. (And PS, my husband had to fly to Houston - we live in Mass. two days after my surgery) But I was fortunate to have my teenage daughter home from college to help if needed. Cindy

Oh my goodness your story is so familiar. Today is probably the first day that if someone asked me if I was glad I got the band I could reply yes. (I had surgery 5/10 so it's been about 10 days). It was just the overall tiredness and weakness that were my biggest problem. My surgeon started me on chewable vitamins and some mushies a week early (I had already lost about 24 pounds since 5/01). Glad you are feeling better. It really does get better each day, and everyone does recover differently. Were you on the 10 day preop liquid diet also? Take care and look up. Cindy

It's such a personal decision to make. I am a very private person, so it is hard for me to be open about this. I didn't tell my parents because I know they would worry, and it coincided when my dad ended up having open heart surgery (3 weeks before my scheduled lap band). So I didn't feel the need to burden them. I told my husband, two daughters (19 and 22), one sister and about 3 friends. Maybe eventually I will tell, I'm not sure. I certainly don't want to lie. I think I will start off by saying that I am "dieting" when people start to notice. That won't exactly be a lie. It will just remain to be seen I guess. Cindy