Lisa0203

I'm just following my Dr.'s orders for full liquids which include protein drinks, thinned farina or cream of wheat, and any smooth soups (as well as all clears). I was instructed that during thirst very early stages, it is more important to maintain adequate hydration than focusing on the addition of protein to meals. I buy Unjury protein which I use in crystal light as well as chicken broth and skim plus milk. As always, everyone should follow their own physicians orders.

I'm in the same boat! I'm 5 days post op and only able to "eat" approximately 1/4c of thin cream of wheat or soup but find I get strong hunger signs about 2 hrs later even after hydrating. I made instant mashed potato soup today which was pretty tasty and filling. It makes a lot of servings so I froze half. Here's the recipe if you would like to try! 1 4oz pkg of instant mashed potatoes (any flavor) 2c milk (I used skim plus) 1.5c reduced sodium chicken broth 1/2c shredded cheddar (it will melt smooth) Bring milk and broth to a boil. Remove from heat and stir in potato flakes. Stir in cheese til smooth. Add milk or broth to individual servings til desired consistency based on stage.

That should look beautiful in 30 years when her wrinkles swallow the leaves!

Congratulations on your surgery and the beginning of your new, healthy lifestyle! I'm from Staten Island as well and getting banded next week (10/11/12) with Dr. Ferzli at Lutheran Medical Center in Brooklyn.

When I went to order Unjury I could only find it online at Unjury.com. I am pre-op but have tried them to make sure I would like the taste after surgery and they taste great! Purchased chocolate, vanilla, chicken broth, and sorbet. The chocolate is good for the basic chocolate protein shake and also mixed with instant coffee for a cafe mocha type drink. Vanilla is fantastic with frozen fruit and milk. Sorbet works well mixed with crystal light and the chicken broth will be great for the clear liquid portion of the post op diet. They are a bit pricey but from the massive amounts of research I have done over the past 10 months, people say they are very high quality! I've also read a great deal on their vitamins and plan to purchase them this week! Good luck in your search!

Anxious as anything and hoping for a bit of support!!!! Thursday will mark the start of my 2 week Pre op diet, but also my last day as a smoker and coffee drinker! I know most will think I'm crazy, but I've found to be successful I must change by necessity as I cannot rely on my own free will. I have been at this process for a long hard and dedication filled 10 months so I know I'm mentally prepared, but nervous nonetheless!!!!!

It's an amazing feeling to have such a wonderful support system. I woke up this morning and made the decision to not wait and do it all in one day. Baby steps, but packed up all of the coffee in the house besides decaf and put it in my car to bring to family next week. I only have 4 K-cups of decaf left which should hopefully land me on Thursday with subsided headaches and ready to tackle another challenge! I have a wonderfully supportive husband who offered to go on the 2 week pre-op diet with me. I am truly blessed to have someone in my life that would be willing to do that for me! As far as the smoking goes...continuing is not an option! I have promised myself, my husband, and my doctors that this will be the last time I allow myself to consciously make a decision that negatively affects my health. I am not going to allow anything to get in the way of my quest for a healthy lifestyle. Failure is not an option! I know there will be good days and bad days, but I will be armed and ready with the support of LBT to get me through!

Thank you so much! Your words of encouragement are truly appreciated!

I am not scheduled to be banded til October so i dont know from experience, but I had the same thought the other day which led me to believe there has to be a scientific explanation for this. In hot humid climates, objects tend to expand, and in cooler dryer climates the opposite. Just like jewelry, my wedding rings fit so much better in the winter because my hands aren't swollen from the heat and humidity. I could assume the same could, and would, happen with the band.

How coincidental! I was just making my list of things I wish for as I go into my surgery...here goes! Wearing shorts for the first time since grade school...painting my toes without gasping for air...wearing a skirt without my thighs rubbing together...no more double chin...standing with my feet together and not feel like I'm going to fall over... I could go on all night, but mainly all I want is to get my life back!!!!!

Oct. 11th here! From Staten Island, NY...got approved yesterday after waiting since January!

Congrats!!! I just got my call yesterday that I'm approved and scheduled for Oct. 11th! Been going through pre op clearance since January. Sending you good luck wishes...you will do great!

I can hardly contain myself! After nearly 9 grueling months, my surgeon has finally cleared me for surgery and sent in the pre-authorization to my insurance company...YAY! So, I decided to join this site today and was encouraged to tell my story...so here it is! About 6 years ago, I decided I wanted to have lap band surgery but was denied by the insurance for not being overweight enough. At that time I was approx. 230lbs. So, fast forward to 2012 I have managed to find myself extremely happily married to a wonderful man but 50lbs heavier than ever and ready to settle down and start a family. It has always been my dream to be a mom, but at my current weight, getting pregnant would not only be a risky endeavor for myself but would put a childs health in danger as well. That's when I decided, yet again, that lap band is the right route for me. I visited Dr. Ferzli in January 2012 and was given the protocol...6 months diet, cardiology, pulmonology, gastroenterology, bloodwork, sonograms, ultrasounds, sleep studies, the works! The whole process was extremly daunting, but after nearly 9 months it is finally over!!!!! I feel excited to start my new journey and thankful that I have a surgeon who made sure there were absolutely no surprises healthwise going into surgery! For now, I will be meeting the mailman at the door every day waiting for that approval letter so I can start planning for my new healthy life!