Wenjea

I love all the suggestions! My jr. High teacher called me slats when I was a kid because I was tall and flat as a board! May Pole brings back some memories, now I look nothing like a board . . . . more like a balloon! The journey idea is great because we are definately on the journey to our new world!!! Gotta go to nutrition class . . . bye

eljmom - one more week and then we will be lookin down the barrel . . . ooh,ooh! Are you getting nervous? I pay up tomorrow so there is no turning back after they get your money, right? Hows pre-op going for you?

sillywillymommy - I suggested May flowers way back on page 6 of this thread but no one responded. I still like the name! We could put it right under our name and then no matter what thread we were on everybody would know we were part of the May banders. I like it as one word 'Mayflower" and then something catchy like 'bloomin from within' or something like that.

Thanks for the tip on the better then boullion. I had no idea it needed to be in the frig after opening, guess I could of read the label . . . duh. I like it better then the others, especially the veg flavor. It's kind of a cross between the beef and the chicken. I'll go put it in there as soon as i'm finished here. Have you guys heard any more about Macysgranny? I hope it wasn't serious. I will send up some prayers for her, only good thoughts till we hear. Just finished day four of pre-op and still no movement from the bowels. Should I be getting concerned? I think I'm through the worst of the hunger now. I think my stomach gave up the fight. I might even actually cook for my family this week. NVGirl, phuber40, pghmomof3 - good luck tomorrow! We will be there with you in spirit with our good thoughts and prayers. come back soon and let us know how it went. Wen - I think it's great that we have the same name and are being banded on the same day. You spell yours different then mine though. I like the ii at the end. Jessica - I had better drop some weight tomorrow after walking two days in a row and not cheating even once in the last 4 days!!!

punkeytres - I live in Lakewood also. Sue and I meet often to walk at Fort steilicoom park or the Grandview trail in UP. Let us know if you want to walk with us. I'm got through day 4 of the pre-op and it's getting easier! Only 41 more to go until mushies. Who knew I would ever get excited about scrambled eggs, yogurt, and refried Beans. I can't wait!!! I have another class tomorrow at St. Francis. It must be about surgery and post-op since I already did the pre-op one. Anyone know for sure? Thanks for the info on the Clear liquids following a fill. I didn't remember hearing that. Maybe I will at tomorrows class. I let you all know. Tomorrow is the day I have to pay everyone too. boo hoo!

wen and twinmommy- I'm soooo glad you guys are right there with me every day! So day four is easier but I have a question for you both. How are your bowels working. Mine aren't since I started on the protein/clear liquids/vitamin pre-op. Anyone else have this issue? The bad breath is still gross but the headaches are better. I'm down about six puonds since I started pre-op but considering how few calories I am eating I thought it might be more. I told the fam they would have to do their own grocery shopping today cuz I'm not strong enough to go in there yet. They are suffering but it will be worth it to have a skinny mom. Let's do day four together!!!!

hey Sue just sent me a link to a group who meets at Red Lobster for soup night and they are meeting this Monday night at 7pm. We thought we would like to go . . . anyone else want to come? Sue can put the info up on here, I am not good enough on the computer to have a clue how to do that. Has anyone on here ever gone to one of the soup nights? I walked Grandview last night and did the whole loop. Told Sue I was only doing that once a week since I about died! We are talking about meeting at the bathrooms in Chambers Creek Park and walking on the flat path to the other end (where there are more bathrooms) and back again. Probably around 2 miles of flat. It's a nice walk and I need to make it a regular thing so anyone else who wants to do it let me know. I'm pretty flexible on time.

nbjen - what are you talking about with the clear liquids before the fills? Maybe I missed that during the seminar but what is the reason behind it and how long do you do it for before the fill?

day three of liquids done and only 42 left . . . .it is getting easier by the day. I even went to a baby shower today and was able to get through it without eating anything. I did make a protein shake while I was there and told them I was having some surgery so I couldn't eat. Didn't go in to it though, not the right time or place. I decided to not go to the Cinco De Maiyo party though. One party of great food a day . . . I'm just not that strong yet. Walked 2.5 miles on the new Grandview Trail in University Place. It was tough because of the hills but I did it!!! I am going to commit to doing that once a week. The rest of the time I will do the 2 mile flat walk. Mer - missed you at the mall. The food smells were killing me so I told Sue we need to start walking on Grandview instead. I can't take it when I'm on the six weeks of liquids. PineNut - thanks for all your input, it's always good to get as much info as you can before any big decision. You have been helpful . . . thanks for sharing.

I made it through the 2nd day of liquids and I'm feelin like today is going to be easier in the hunger department but harder on the mental. I have to go to a baby shower and a Cinco dai mayo (sp?) party tonight. How do I be around all that food and not eat it!?!?! I don't want to become a recluse for six weeks but what is a person to do? I feel like a weak person! Did anyone get a sore throat from thier protein and liquid days. I'm wondering if it's something in the protein drink or if it's all the fake sweetners. I know it's not yeast because I just got through with medication for yeast. And WHAT IS THE DEAL about this bad breath and taste in my mouth! YUK!!

Pine nut - do you mind if I ask what you are paying for surgery at NWWLS? I also am a self pay and am scheduled on the 17th at St. Francis. I had thougt about NWWLS but it was farther away for me. I hear lots fo nice things about NWWLS and I'm wondering if I made the right choice. I know some of the docs that I am with used to be with some of the docs at NWWLS. Not sure what happened. I think Dr. Oh is wxtra careful with his patients. What is your pre-op and post-op like? It's a total of six weeks before I get even mushies. Two weeks pre-op and 4 weeks post-op. Everyone is allowed to eat soooo different on here it's a tad confusing.

mommalee - you make it look so simple! I hope all of us have it that easy! Kathy - Struggling is an understatement. The protein shakes help but I'm already feeling like I'm drowning on liquids and it's only been two days. Everyone says the 3rd day is the turn-a-round day so hang in there. I haven't cheated yet but I sure have thought about it. I have to keep telling myself that I am giving my body what it needs with the protein and vitamens and water soooo anything else is just calories for my warped brain that got me here in the first place. The mental battle is the worst for me today.

wow! lot's of names on the chart now! I will have to print out a new one just to keep up. One week of banders down and four to go. 1st week - you did it! Yea!! 2nd week - Best of wishes and prayers for a safe surgery and a quick recovery! 3rd week - how are you likin this liquid thing. It stinks!!! 4th week - your turn is a comin!

NVgirl - well . . . . losing 4.2 pounds is better then gaining 4.2 pounds. I can understand why you would be dissappointed though because it feels like such a sacrifice to give up the food but totally worth it if you lose lots of weight. Maybe you will drop all of the sudden when your body realizes that this is a battle that you are going to win this time no matter how stubborn any old set point is. You are almost there so don't give up because I know you will succeed!

I'm on day two and my breath got really, really bad today! My tongue tastes horrible so I can imagine what my breath must smell like. I don't think gum even touches this stuff. Does it last the whole time you are on liquids? That's six weeks for me!! By the way, I love my protein drinks and my doc won't let us have milk or fruit in ours. . . . not fair.

Raysbabe - sounds like things are going well for you, way to go! Tomato soup makes me hungry since I am sitting here trying to distract myself from wanting to eat. It's day 2 of my clear liquid diet and I'm struggling . . . but as much as I want to eat, I want to lose this weight more. Guess I'll go have broth

Shar - you are not old enough to give up on life yet and let's face the fact that without this surgery that is what we are doing. We are giving up an active life style with our mates and friends. I want to be able to get down on the floor and play with my grandchildren. I want to travel and not worry about sitting in airplane seats, movie seats, resturant booths, and taking more then my fair share. I want to wake up in the morning and feel good about exercising and not looking at my bed wanting to get back in it because everything is to much effort. I want to feel pretty in my clothes again and know that my husband and kids are proud to be seen with me. I want all of these things more then I realize. We get very complacent about our size and somehow we don't think it is as bad as it is. Someone or some picture or somehow we wake up and know that there is an answer out there and we are tired of being fat. Aren't we lucky that the lap band is here for us and yes, it is scary and new and exciting . . . . .and I can't wait to get mine. You do it one step at a time . . . . day by day. Get through today and let tomorrow come in it's time. I am on day two of my 45 days of liquids. I can let it overwhelm me and give up or be excited for the day that I got through successfully. I'm choosing to celebrate my successes!!! All I have to worry about today is being successfull today. . . . and I will. You go girl! You can do this! We are with you all the way!

waterlilly - are you mall walking today with us? Hope so! This liguid pre-op is harder then it seems but the drop in pounds is amazing and that will help me to keep motivated. How did you guys do this?

Mer - things come up, it's work-a-ble, see you next week I'll still be there at 11:oo cuz I need to walk and I let life get in the way the last few days. I need to make me a priority!! Hope to see someone there!

It's so good to hear from all you newly banded ones. Every time you say it went well and it's not that bad I get less nervous. I started my liquid pre-op today and am feeling many hunger pains but I am determined to do this right. One day down and only 44 to go!!!! I'm running this race to win!!!!

Way to go Laura and Slackaction!!! It's so good to hear from both of you so soon. That is so inspiring for the rest of us to know how quickly you are up and typing already. Thanks for the pillow and liquid tylenol suggestions. I don't want to forget anything so keep the advice coming. I'm thinking of all you May 3rd bandsters and praying that you are healing well and will sleep good tonight. May 4th bandsters are doin it!!!! Be Strong!!! We are with you in spirit! I need to get out of my house, away from the kitchen, so I don't have to think about all the food I'm not eating . . . . . I'm off to the internist appt. so see ya . . . . .

My pills are working great! The pain in my esophogus is gone and I don't have all the heart burn. Who knew you could have all that from thrush. I won't be taking those antibiotics again since I had such a bad reaction from them. Thanks for all the hints and helps about what to do next time and prevention methods. You guys are great! See ya at the mall!

My pre-op is 2 weeks of protein shakes (90g/day) plus vitamins and clear liquids. For one week after surgery is clear liquids only (no vit. or protein), then I add back the vitamins and protein for the next three weeks. Dr. Oh says it takes one month for your stomach to heal, that is why he doesn't allow any food for one month. Then you do the mushies and on to food from there. Also I have to drink 64 fl.oz. of water/day. There is a huge variety of what you can and can't have when between the doctors. If you spend anytime on here at all you can see the huge variety of pre and post-ops. I know Dr. Oh is very conservative but that is okay since I want to get a lot of weight off quickly for that boost you need to keep going at the beginning.

hey all you May 3rd bansters, good luck and God Speed, may you all be up and typing soon . . . . we will be missing you! May 2nd bansters . . . . hows it going? Are you going to let slackaction show you up? Seriously though, take it slow, heal well, and our thoughts and prayers are with you.

slackaction - you make this look so easy. I hope mine goes so well. I can't believe you are home and typing already. All those who vote to have it so easy say I . . . . . . . . . Jessica - I start liquids tomorrow but I am pumped and ready. I'm looking forward to not having to think about food for the next six weeks. My biggest decision will be to have a chocolate or vanilla protein shake. Oh yea . . then there is the color of jello or popscicle to think about and also the 'what kind of broth do I want this time' question. Watching the pounds melt away will be my new favorite past time. The 31st is still in May the last time I looked so that makes you one of us!!!!