ihomeschool4

Hey guys, I was there just a few days ago...I had to do the pre-op diet for 10 days. It provided ALOT of time for self-examination. I think the same thoughts go through everyone's minds. What if I can't do it? What's going to replace this addiction? Will it be something worse? etc... I spent alot of time trying to figure out how I had allowed food to become such an idol for me. Some people are addicted to material things, money, alcohol, drugs, sex...most of these don't result in someting you can physically "See" when you look at that person...we are addicted to food. With a food addiction, it's quite obvious to the outside world... Use these day(s) before surgery to make a plan...A friend of mine suggested making a list of all of my very favorite foods. Once I made the list, I had to go through and choose a few that I just decided I would give up altogether. Then I had to go down the list and write next to each one that was left the name of a food I was going to plan to use as a substitute...ex. M&m's = raisins or pasta = cooked cabbage (does very well cut into strips and cooked as if it were pasta...add it to tomato sauce or any recipe where you would use pasta...just cook it til it's tender then add it to your favorite recipe)...anyway...try and have a plan in place...then when you are feeling weak, you have a list to look at. It really does work - and it serves the dual purpose of focusing your energy on something that is going to make a positive difference in your new, banded life. I spent alot of hours crying and beating myself up and wondering: 1. how did I let myself get to this point? 2. how will I ever survive without my "best friend"? 3. can I really do this? 4. what if I can't do this? etc... Happy to say that after the surgery (I'm on my 4th day post-op), I'm not worried at all...I actually have no appetite. Just fed my kids some pizza hut pizza and was fine to sip on my protein drink. You're almost there...just a few days left.

Hubby and I are both banded. We decided to bring his laptop so we could e-mail friends and family... Surgery went well! Dr. Rumbaut was VERY happy that we had done the preop diet. He said it was easy to see from the size and condition of our liver that we had followed it well. He also said we would really notice it in the recovery time. The incisions don't hurt badly at all...but the gas pains...oh my!!!!!! It's funny...when I was on the way to recovery, I woke up and realized that I really had surgery...and that I did it in Mexico...left my four kids at home with my Mom and went to Mexico for surgery...that's just not a "me" thing to do...I was fully awake by the time they got me to the recovery area and I was able to hear my hubby (who had surgery BEFORE me) waking up and asking about his "esposita" or little wife, in Spanish. I tried to call out, but my voice was hoarse and he couldn't hear me. Surgery went very well for both of us. He is doing better with the pain than I am, but he has had a very easy time getting the liquids in (he drank his yogurt smoothie AND half of mine at the hospital the morning after surgery). I just didn't want anything. I was having to make myself drink. I had a reaction to one of the medicines and it made me very naseous. There were four people other than my hubby and I who were having the surgery yesterday. They are all here at the hotel...very nice folks. They hadn't heard of LBT, so I told them to check it out. Anyway, the nausea side-effect is supposed to only happen in 1% of the population and mostly in males...it happened to three of us ladies... It was difficult to take deep breaths without pain for the first two days, but I just keep on keeping on. To be honest, I was in ALOT of pain for the first few hours after surgery, but it is getting less and less. I got a shower before we left the hospital and that was HEAVENLY. Today was so much better compared to the last 48 hours! I have actually felt hungry and wanted some broth or something to help with the hunger. At this point, the liquids are still working nicely to get rid of the hunger. Dr. Rumbaut and one of his other doctors came and saw us in the hospital to check on us. He just sat and tlaked with us for about 20 minutes and let us ask him any questions that we had...awesome doc!!! We leave tomorrow afternoon and will get to go home and see our wonderful kids again...it's nice to have a break every once in a while, but BOY do I miss them!!! Thanks for all of your thoughts and prayers. It's all down hill from here! :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: BTW, the Mexico route with Dr. Rumbaut and team is AWESOME!!!! The facilities at San Jose hospital and the level of care is so much better than anything I have experienced in the states!!! The nurses are awesome. Dr. R's office staff gave us a list of some phrases we might need to use with the nurse and I brought a spanish/English dictionary with me. Well, I'm gonna go for now. I am really tired! WE'RE IN BANDLAND!!! WOOOHOOOOO

just in case anyone is wondering...I started my period just before surgery and was worried to death about what that meant during surgery...they will take care of EVERYTHING...just the doctors know! As they told me..."we see blood everyday!" One bad thing, though. They gave me some blood thinners to ensure there would be no postop blood clots...well guess what theat means for me...bleeding like crazy...worse than after having my babies! If this is something you will be dealing with through your surgery, be prepared. Take tons of feminine products with you!!

hello everyone... I was kinda out of it when I posted yesterday...I even wrote that I left my "three" kds with my mom, but I have four...which one did I leave at home alone...heeheehee...I fixed it in my previous post. As for post op info...I am feeling alot of discomfort, but it is not unbearable. I have been having a hard time getting any liquids in me...I just don't WANT anything. Last night my tummy actually growled for the first time and I drank about 2/3 of a Yoplait Light Strawberry Smoothie. When I woke up this morning, I did the dame and now I am sipping slowly on an Isopure protein water drink. I'm not sure of hte flavor, cause the label is in Spanish... . The doctors will be here at the hotel to check on us at some point today. We went walking last night. We stopped at a cafe and ate dinner (or drank, I guess I should say...we had some really tasty chicken broth). I was only able to drink about 8-10 spoonfuls, though. THen we went shopping for a bit and I had to get back to the hotel because I was really running out of steam and beginning to hurt. There are bunches of stores within easy walking distace of the hotel. We fly back to the states tomorrow. Looking forward to being home! For anyone wondering, the office team here for Dr. Rumbaut is awesome. The facilities were TOP NOTCH and the nurses at the hospital were better than our hospitals in Chattanooga!! Most of the nurses don't speak English, but Dr. Rumbaut's office gave us a list of Spanish to English phrases so we could communicate with them. Well, I'm gonna post another FOR WOMEN ONLY thing in just a second. Good wishes and prayers for those of you having surgery in the the next days to come.

Hubby and I are back at the hotel. We decided to bring his laptop so we could e-mail friends and family... Surgery went well! Dr. Rumbaut was VERY happy that we had done the preop diet. He said it was easy to see from the size and condition of our liver that we had followed it well. He also said he would notice it in the recovery time. The incisions don't hurt badly at all...but the gas pains...oh my!!!!!! It's funny...when I was on the way to recovery, I woke up and realized that I really had surgery...and that I did it in Mexico...left my four kids at home with my Mom and went to Mexico for surgery...that's just not a "me" thing to do...I was fully awake by the time they got me to the recovery area and I was able to hear my hubby (who had surgery BEFORE me) waking up and asking about his "esposita." I tried to call out, but my voice was hoarse and he couldn't hear me. Surgery went very well for both of us. He is doing better with the pain than I am, but he has had a very easy time getting the liquids in (he darnk his yogurt smoothie AND half of mine at the hospital this morning). I just don't want anything. I'm having to make myself drink. I had a reaction to one of the medicines and it made me very naseous. There were four people other than my hubby and I who were having the surgery yesterday. They are all here at the hotel...very nice folks. They hadn't heard of LBT, so I told them to check it out. Anyway, the nausea side-effect is supposed to only happen in 1% of the population and mostly in males...it happened to three of us ladies... It is difficult to take deep breaths without pain, but I just keep on keeping on. To be honest, I was in ALOT of pain for the first few hours after surgery, but it is getting less and less. I got a shower before we left the hospital about two hours ago and that was HEAVENLY. I don't have time to go back and read all of the posts right now, so if anyone has a quick second to update me on the folks who have checked in after surgeries since 4/10, that'd me great...nothing long just a list of names and the word good or bad would be cool. Thanks for all of your thoughts and prayers. It's all down hill from here! :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: BTW, the Mexico route with Dr. Rumbaut and team is AWESOME!!!! The facilities at San Jose hospital and the level of care is so much better than anything I have experienced in the states!!! The nurses are awesome. Dr. R's office staff gave us a list of some phrases we might need to use with the nurse and I brought a spanish/English dictionary with me. Well, I'm gonna go for now. I am really tired! WE'RE IN BANDLAND!!! WOOOHOOOOO

Hello all! I wanted to wish all of the folks with upcoming surgeries the best! I will probably not be able to post again until I get back Sunday evening/Monday morning. I am in the process of packing up stuff for the kids so we can take them to my Mom's tomorrow evening. They'll all four be staying with her while we are gone (she may need more prayer than us...:nervous ). Hubby and I are going to take them out and spend the day together as a family tomorrow then leave them at Mom's house. We'll be leaving for the airport at about 5am (Eastern Standard Time) Wednesday morning and will arrive in Monterrey at about 2pm (noon their time). We'll be going straight to the doctor's office for pre-op testing then to the hotel. Surgery will be Thursday morning... I'm nervous AND excited. It seems like I've been waiting SO LONG to do this. Every once in a while, I have doubts that I am doing the right thing, but the doubts always center around stuff like "well, you know you'll never get to eat that again," so, call me a fanatic if you wish, but I believe it is satan trying to defeat me...Food will not rule my life any longer...it's time to have some self-control and do what is right!!! As far as the pre-op diet goes, I'm finishing up my 7th full day of liquids and as long as I get my protein shakes (ready-to-drink EAS AdvantEDGE - 3x a day), I really don't have an appetite. Mealtimes when I have to feed the kids are hard, but I fix their plates and leave the kitchen and find something else to do while they eat. Well, sorry for the long post...I'll check in as soon as possible!!!

Counting down the hours and the days!!! TeachLady - 4/10 TracyTX - 04/11 ElizaJo - 04/11 Bubbles - 04/11 Bwaydiva - 04/11 KCQ -04/11 TinyBelle - 04/12 StaceyLynn - 04/12 Lucy22884 - 04/12 Horns10 - 04/12 Tater Bug - 04/13 MS_Jen - 04/13 ChicaChula - 04/13 Hello all! I wanted to wish all of the folks above the best! I will probably not be able to post again until I get back Sunday evening/Monday morning. I am in the process of packing up stuff for the kids so we can take them to my Mom's tomorrow evening. They'll all four be staying with her while we are gone (she may need more prayer than us...:nervous ). Hubby and I are going to take them out and spend the day together as a family tomorrow then leave them at Mom's house. We'll be leaving for the airport at about 5am (Eastern Standard Time) Wednesday morning and will arrive in Monterrey at about 2pm (noon their time). We'll be going straight to the doctor's office for pre-op testing then to the hotel. Surgery will be Thursday morning... I'm nervous AND excited. It seems like I've been waiting SO LONG to do this. Every once in a while, I have doubts that I am doing the right thing, but the doubts always center around stuff like "well, you know you'll never get to eat that again," so, call me a fanatic if you wish, but I believe it is satan trying to defeat me...Food will not rule my life any longer...it's time to have some self-control and do what is right!!! As far as the pre-op diet goes, I'm finishing up my 7th full day of liquids and as long as I get my Protein shakes (ready-to-drink EAS AdvantEDGE - 3x a day), I really don't have an appetite. Mealtimes when I have to feed the kids are hard, but I fix their plates and leave the kitchen and find something else to do while they eat. Well, sorry for the long post...I'll check in as soon as possible!!!

Panda: You look great! Keep it up...oh, and I wanted to let you know that I have the most supportive hubby in the world!! LOL:biggrin1:

Okay, I have to ask...what is the "bowel prep" and is it something I should do?

Sara Mos: I am so glad you are feeling better and more like yourself! And 13 pounds...awesome!!! Keep it up! I will continue to keep you in my prayers! Househuntress: Just prayed for you and your surgeon. You should be getting ready to come out in the next hour or so. Can't wait to hear a report! Teachlady: Tomorrow is the big day and you have made sure of when you are supposed to be there...no mix-ups!! What time does your surgery actually start? I will pray for you during your surgery and really look forward to hearing how you are as soon as you are able to post! TracyinKS: Haven't seen you yet today. Hope all is well! I know yesterday was truly a test...a hard one! If you can make it through that, you can make it through just about anything!! Just seep being strong! We're all here for you!

Thank you, Phil! I appreciate the encouragement AND the confirmation! He is risen...that's the ONLY reason I want to have for ANYTHING I do! That's what I am working on now! Food for thought...I think this pre-op diet is doing alot for me "psychologically" as well as physically...I'm glad I don't have to be coming to this realization (that food has been an idol for me) AFTER the surgery. I'm glad I'm beginning to actually deal with the idea and work to fix it now!! Well, I'm off to sleepy land! Good night all!

Phil, My hubby came in a few minutes ago with Domino's pizza for the kids...Oh MYYYYYYYY...My youngest son is three and doesn't really understand what's going on...I was eating my SF Jello and he asked for some. I told him that right now, mommy is being selfish because she can't have foods like his pizza...so what does the sweet young man do? Holds the pizza up in my face and actually BUMPS MY LIPS WITH IT...and says, "Here Mommy, you can have some of mine." I thought I was going to die!!! I see that you are a preacher...that's cool! Are you finding alot of support from your congregation? We all know that our preachers aren't perfect, but most sins aren't apparent to the eye...We can't hide ours!!!! I have to say that my prayer life is so much different now than it was just a week ago! I didn't realize how much I had put food on an altar! I have to say, one of my biggest struggles with the decision to do this was that if "I can do anything through Christ who gives me strength," then why have I failed and failed at this? Is it "cheating" to have the surgery...does that mean that I'm not relying on God? Well, my hubby (who is a wonderful spiritual head of our household!!!) pointed out that the struggle isn't over once we have the band...that just means that there's a punishment in place if we fail...a punishment that we can see (or feel or taste or throw-up...BLECH!) here and now. God will give us tools to do what we need to do to please Him...this is a tool. My hubby and I both feel called to overseas missions and have begun to explore our options...all of them require that we be in better physical health. It is so exciting to know that soon, we will be able to allow God to fullfill His plan for our lives and we won't be holding him back!!!! We're on a countdown now...This is SOOO exciting!

Fellow pre-op "sufferers": Janiebug, PSWashburn, DynamoMini, TracyinKS: Hey guys...hubby and I are in the preop phase as well...He started the clear liquids phase today...I started full liquids this past Monday and clear liquids yesterday...it IS hard...especially cooking for the kids...They are in the habit of warm food at every meal, so we have met in the middle...I've been cooking one or two meals a day...plus our Easter tradition is to make "resurrection cookies," so we did that yesterday. I got a little bit of melted butter on my finger and licked it...my first and only cheat (if you can call it that)!!! And the few times they've had sandwiches this week I've actually had to WILL myself not to lick the "meat juice" from the cold cuts off of my fingers...and I don't like cold cuts!! I'm telling you guys, I would not have made it this far without God and my faith in Jesus and you guys...If I get discouraged, I pray then I come here!!! Thank you ALL so much for that!! We leave for Monterrey Wednesday morning and have surgery Thursday. WOOOHOOOO!!!! Lunasa: I think we are all in a phase of self-discovery. This is a hard journey...it's like we're saying good-bye forever to a best friend. Sad as that is, that's what it feels like!! As someone who has dealt with depression for 20+ years, I'm all for making a pact with anyone who wants to...lets seek eachother out if we have problems in that area...it's so much easier to isolate yourself and push people away when we get depressed...I think we need eachother...we DO live in a different world than those who don't have this struggle! If you get depressed, lots of times, you just don't feel like talking to ANYONE. All you have to do is type a post with the words "I'm depressed." If I see a post like that, I'll respond as soon as I see it!! I'm not on everyday, but at least every other day. Sara Mos: Thank you so much for your thoughts and well-wishes! Hubby and I are leaving our four children with my mom and traveling to Mexico Wednesday. I am a bit apprehensive about the after-affects, but I am blessed with a lot of family close by. APRIL 12 BANDSTERS: WE ONLY HAVE FOUR DAYS!!!!!!!! Is anyone else going to Monterrey by any chance? We'll be there from April 11-15. If any of you are going to be there, let me know! Maybe we can sit next to the pool in the 90 degree weather and roast and recover together!! In a sick kind of way, I'm almost looking forward to the discomfort of the recovery...that way I'll know for sure that it is real and that this change is going to be real. :hungry: I am REALLY HUNGRY RIGHT NOW, THOUGH!!:hungry: I'd suck on a BBQ rib bone in a second...mmmm, that actually sounds good!!!

Lunasa, The airplane thing DOES suck!!! My hubby and I went on a trip to China last February...14 hours for the longest leg, plus a 2 hour, 5 hour and another 2 hour leg. The nice lady on the long flight over told me to keep the belt extender so I didn't have to ask for another for the rest of the trip...PHEW... My hubby just got back from a business trip to San Diego and the skinny little stewardess on the flight back gave him a hard time...He had asked for an emergency exit row seat and they gave him one. When he got on the plane, he discreetly asked for a belt extender. When the stewardess brought it to him, she said something to the effect of "oh, you can't sit on this row if you use a belt extender. maybe that will give you some incentive to lose weight. you'll have to move to a different seat." Well, the plane was packed and without even being asked, a guy two rows back volunteered. The woman wasn't even discreet enough to try and keep the conversation private. My hubby isn't usually left speechless, but this time he was...totally out of character, he just moved to a different seat and kept his mouth shut for the rest of the flight. Nice, Huh?? Like he didn't KNOW he had a weight problem...DUHHHHHH!!!!!! Well, all that to say...I can sympathize...when you stand up, it feels like your butt and hips are forever molded to the shape of the 17 1/2 inch wide seat... After the band...NEVER AGAIN!!!!

I had two c-sections and that happened both times...it was the air moving around and being reabsorbed...massive gas on the horizon!!! LOL:D

As far as the Whey goes, I have been assuming that's what we're supposed to use...it's DISGUSTING!!! in powder form, but I'm a texture kind of gal when I eat...as far as the EAS, they are AdvantEDGE and Myoplex LITE. They come in silver, foil-looking 4-packs and are usually near the vitamins and in the same vicinity, but not necessarily the same shelf as the Slim Fast, etc.

This week has really been very introspecitve for me... I feel like I'm going through a grieving process over food...if that's possible...anyone else? I have actually been reduced to tears a few times...if I'm this wacked out about losing food, is there any way I will ever succeed with this weight loss after the surgery? I've always thought of myself as a strong person, but what if I'm not? My hubby is overweight, too and is having the surgery with me. In everyway, we complement each other in our strengths and weaknesses...EXCEPT food. well, I just thought I'd throw this out and see if anyone else is as psychotic as I am over food?!?

Hey TracyinKS, Check with your Dr. about going whole hog on the liquid/high protein/low carb diet this early...mine said it can cause liver damage...I think I read somewhere that you were kind of adapting it to include more than the actual pre-op diet...that's good... Being a southern girl, I was wondering if anyone might know if you can have very thin grits while you are doing full liquids...today is my last day before starting the clear liquid phase (for real this time...I started Monday and was supposed to be doing full liquids, but misread and was actually doing clear with yogurt added, but staying under 50g of carbs...three of my last 10 days wasted????LOL...I was ready to throw in the towel...). Anyway...just thought I'd throw that in there, Tracy...congrats on the jeans - that's awesome!! I don't have any clothes without elastic waistbands...that will be changing soon!!! 6 days til surgery!!!!:clap2:

The hunger is hitting me more today than before.... I'll have a glass of Water and then re evaluate! Are you already doing pre-op? I started mine this past Monday and my surgery is Thursday, the 12th. I had already started watching myself, but didn't know the true meaning of hunger until yesterday!!!:hungry: Things are much smoother now! My advice to everyone is to make sure you can actually keep the Protein shakes down BEFORE you start your preop diet!!!! EAS premixed chocolate fudge...the way to go... Also, read your doctors instructions well...I started myself on a variation of the Clear Liquids diet from Dr. Rumbaut on Monday and found that I've been torturing myself for the last three days...LONG story!!

EAS AdvantEDGE. chocolate Fudge flavored...I got it down and it actually was okay tasting...it's gonna be a good day!!! 17g Protein, 3g carbs, 11 ounces premixed... WOOOHOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!:clap2:

Thanks for the tip...I'm not a milk drinker, but as I've been choking these things down, I've been thinking...this would be SOOO much easier if it weren't so watery!!! I've tride Six Star vanilla and chocolate, unjury chocolate, vanilla, strawberry sorbet, unflavored (in jell-o - BLECH!!!), and chicken broth flavored blended in with chicken broth and water (most tolerable so far), and I've tried Myoplex pre-mixed chocolate fudge. I am down an additional 9 pounds since I started... I'm gonna get some of the carb countdown "milk" today. I'll let youknow how it goes. I am a texture and smell person when I eat...if it smells bad or feels bad, I have a really hard time eating it...since I've started on this Protein shake portion of my preop, I smell whey in EVERYTHING!!! I fixed the kids some tortilla pizzas yesterday and could smell it in the cheese...I smell it in yogurt...I'm ruined!!! LOL Well, today is a new day...7 days til surgery!!! Surely I can make it til then!!! Thanks again for the encouragement!

My hubby's name is Ross...he hasn't set up his own user name yet...he browses with me... Sleep well! :notagree

Hey there...I just stumbled across this thread and thought I should post... My husband and I are both going to be banded on April 12th by Dr. RUmbaut in Monterrey, Mexico. We are self-paying because insurance won't cover it...WLS exclusion...and he works for the insurance company...go figure!!!! I started the pre-op diet Monday :faint: - and if you read any of my posts from other threads, you can see how truly miserable and whiny I have become over the last few days!!!! My hubby starts his preop diet tomorrow because his BMI is lower than mine... Thanks for starting the thread!! I love being able to keep up with others who are "in the same boat"!!!

Ahhhh....but I haven't had the surgery yet...I'm just a wuss and a whiner...:think

Maurdan It has just really been a discouraging three days thus far...the protein shakes make me gag and heave...it's everything I can do to keep them down...none have come back up yet, but I have to sit quietly for 30 minutes or so everytime I drink one and wait on the nausea to pass. I am sure everyone else goes through difficulties with one thing or another, but I just keep asking myself if I really want to do this...it's like I'm saying goodbye to a best friend and know that I'll never have the comfort of their presence again...Silly, but real nonetheless! I actually spent an hour or so crying about it today...how dumb is that???? My hubby starts his 7-day preop tomorrow (I had to do the first three days solo), so I will have a partner with me...Maybe that will make it easier. I realized today that I accidentally cheated...I took a can of vegetable soup and blended it with water and unflavored protein powder and I forgot to add the carbs and protein for the 2 1/2 servings in the can. That means I ended up going over by about 10 grams of protein and 12 grams of carbs. And yes, the soup was equally as hard to get down with the unflavored powder.