Crabby54

My surgery was on 6/27 and I'm trying to find new ways to get in all that protein. Yesterday I made some sugar free jello and added a scoop of Any Whey. This morning I had some for breakfast with nonfat vanilla yogurt. Wow, what a nice breakfast!:hungry: This is what I had: 1/2 cup SF jello = 3 gm protein 1/4 cup NF vanilla yogurt = 8 gm protein So for 11 gms of protein I had a nice little breakfast.:clap2: I may even have some more as a snack later tonight. So what's your new favorite protein snack/meal? Care to share?

OK, I'm in too. Starting mid month but I used the weight from the beginning of the month, which is when the challenge started. I can correct this if needed. My weigh in day is Wednesday. Name.............................Starting….Current…...Goal….....To Go losingjusme........................293...........2 94............266...........29 juliegeraci...........................226......... ...226............206...........20 areellady.............................251.5....... ..246.5.........230...........16.5 punkeyb88..........................306............ .238............225...........13 Chris_NJ.............................326.......... ..322............290...........32 PaulaD................................222......... ...222............200...........22 MM.....................................248........ ....248............230...........18 sdakotaRN...........................255........... 255............230.........,..25 Babygrl1234.........................224........... 218............199............19 faithmd................................312........ ....311.3.........285............25.7 Jan421................................267......... ...267.............247...........20 Metalband...........................203........... ..201.............183...........20 tann....................................223....... .......219.... ........198...........21 Banannie.............................182.......... ....179.8. ........162...........17.8 Josette................................322........ ......322... .........299...........23 chickatee............................217.......... .....217.... .......199...........18 beachgirl.............................270......... ......220.... .......155...........65 Marlluvia.............................220......... ......220.. ..........200...........20 Jennifur...............................222........ .......219.. ..........200..........19 KariK.................................179......... .......179. ...........155..........24. MarCar...............................296.......... ......291.. ..........276..........20 Punkeyb88.........................238............. ..238............ 220......... 18 Jadrad7..............................243.......... ......243... .........220..........23 Denise...............................330.......... ......265... .........240..........25 Wen..................................303.......... ......303.. ...........285.........18 SWEETY...........................217.............. ..215..... .......199..........16 Lochnagar..........................249............ ....249.... ........221..........28 glinadb...............................285......... .......285.............260..........25 Denise...............................330.......... ......265.............240..........25 mel....................................254.4...... .......248.4..........230..........18 .4 Amelia40............................285........... .....285............255...........30 Crabby54.....................257.............245.........232........25

I'm now at a total of 216 minutes. Almost halfway.

Reporting in for the exercise challenge. I've exercised for a total of 111 minutes so far. (Don't ask where the odd minute came from, I don't know. LOL)

Yesterday was my first "outing" since being banded. I felt sad, depressed. I had tears in eyes and could have broken out crying a few times. There was no way I could get out of it as it was my grandson's 6th b'day party. The night before I made my famous macaroni salad. And of course I had to have a taste. So I took a chance and ate maybe a total of a tablespoon. It was so good and I chewed it in small bites (probably a noodle at a time) and it went down without a problem. My first cheat! Yesterday morning as I was packing my stuff up I started to feel so sad for myself. Ooops, the start of my pity party. Admit one please. That one was just me of course. So I made me a super sized strawberry protein shake to sip during the day. (It's the first time I had this kind and it will surely be the last, it was terrible!) Then I got really ticked off at my hubby who was laying down watching TV while I was getting stuff together. OK fine, he has a bad back and will prossibly be need surgery within the next year and can't pick up heavy stuff and will be going for pain management shots starting the end of the month and ------ Ooop sorry, let me reel it back in. So everything goes well at the party until my grandson wants me to get in the pool. Nope sweetie can't do. (Doc said no pool for the first month.) Then the food was served. While everyone was eating picnic type foods I was sitting there, party of one at my pity party, sipping on that yucky protein shake and wondering what the hello I did to myself! :think When we got home I shoved another tablespoon of macaroni salad in my mouth, chewed a little bit and swallowed. All I got to say is it's a good thing I slimed AND pb'd afterwards because I surely would have eaten the rest of it. :sick So after my tummy calmed down I fixed myself a cup of soup/broth and SF jello. Had a bit of a cry and tried to get over it. This morning I feel better about myself and just chalked yesterday up to a phase I had to go through in order to move on. So now I'm going to go jump on the recombent bike for 30 minutes. It's too dang hot to go for a walk! Thanks for listening/reading.

That makes 3 of us ---- I'm from Wilmington, Delaware!

Get yourself some 100% Vitamin E oil and use it a couple times a day. It's really sticky but will the scars will heal faster.

Glad to hear everyone is doing great! I can't believe some of you all have been banded for a month now. WOW! The other day they had a marathon of Big Medicine on TV. I watched them all again. Love that show and always learn something during that hour. That other show about Brookhaven Obesity Clinic is just too sad. Plus I don't understand it: the staff knows these people are calling out for food, so put a stop to it already! I have a ways to go for my first fill but I'm reading what you all are going through with some trepidation. I think I'm going to be scared to finally start eating and chewing again. TMI alert - Right now I think I'm having a hard time telling the difference between hunger and gas pains. Last night was really rough and I ended up doing that slime thing. (First time and hoping my last.) I'm not sure what happened either. The only thing I can think of is my chewable calcium pill. That sucker is huge. Without thinking I popped the whole thing in my mouth and chewed and swallowed. I don't think I chewed it enough and took too big a swallow. My sides hurt and my breast bone hurt. It wasn't good. Then I was up almost all night with diarrhea. On the protein drinks - I found High Protein Boost is really good at 8oz for 15 gm of protein. I got some powder protein from The Vitamin Shoppe. I use 1/2 scoop of the banana flavor in my cream of wheat with LF vanilla flavor organic milk. Oh so good and high in protein. I did order some samples from Bariatriceating.com. I want to have a good selection so I won't get too bored with the same flavors. Missy, WTG getting into twoerville. That is awesome. :clap2: Angel, you were banded 2 days after me and the bloat and gas pains got me within the same time frame. Have on hand plenty of Gas-x, either the strips or the chewables. Drink slowly and try to belch often. Another thing is to recognize when you are full. (I'm still learning this.) Oh and not to sound like your Mother, but sit up straight while you eat and even afterwards! I'm a big sloucher but found that sitting up straight helps with the digestion. Boy I wish I could address everyone but my old brain goes on overload after reading. :faint: Take care everyone, and KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!

I have been knocking on wood everyday that I've been without THAT gas pain. Ooop, last night was different. I told my hubby that the swelling in my tummy must have finally gone down as I was feeling a bit hungry. A small cup of SF jello took care of it. Then about an hour later it was back and stronger than before. I sat there thinking I've got to get something to eat. And I mean EAT not drink. So I sat there almost in tears because I really didn't want to eat before I was allowed to. So started some deep breathing exercises and realize my ribs hurts. And my left shoulder was starting to hurt. Oh crap!!! The dreaded gas pains. :faint: After 3 Gas-x strips and more deep breathing I was able to get to bed. This morning I feel better. OH Please! No more gas pains for any of us!!!!! That hurt.

MM, when would you like us to update you? On a daily basis? Or once a week? You da boss on this, let us know. Oh, and thanks for keeping track.

LOL, maybe I should change my goal to a total of 450 minutes!!

MM, add me to the July-zer-cizers. My goal is a total of 450 hours.

WOW, it's been a very long time since I last posted. And lots has happened during that time. Good changes on the thread. So much easier to move around in. And to find! And I'm now in bandland! :whoo:I was banded on the 27th. I'm still not quite sure of these wierd tummy feelings. I had to stay on clear liquids an extra 24 hours due to swelling. Today I've added protein shakes and cream of tomato soup. However I have to remember to sip slowly or I get these ful/heavy diaphragm feelings. So far just belching, non-productive. I still have some pain but good ole tylenol w/codine does the body good. So I'm now on full liquids for the next 4 weeks. This includes protein shakes and strained, creamed soups. It's good to see there are many more of use here. It's also good to see everyone doing so well. Signing off for now, Marie

GOOD LUCK to today's banders. I now 14 days away and getting a bit nervous. I decided yesterday to rearrange the living funiture so I can bring up my recumbant (sp) bike up from the den. (I won't use it down there. Too lonely LOL). I'm hoping I can get my daughter over this weekend to help bring it up as it's a heavy son-of-a------. Gotta get ready for work.

WOW this is a busy place! Hard to keep up with you all. Welcome newbies and good luck. Sounds like bandsters are doing great. And Good Luck to Tuesday's crew. I do have to say that I thought I was going to have it easy with my pre-diet being only 48 hours. Boy am I wrong!! After reading what you are eating this soon after surgery I realized it's ain't gonna be easy. After surgery I'll be on full liquids for 4 weeks! 4 weeks of nothing but liquids. Then mushy foods for 2 more weeks before I can start adding soft foods as tolerated. That's 6 weeks without chewing. Guess I better start buying lots of sugar free gum to chew so my jaws don't lock up. LOL Night all

Good luck and Prayers to tomorrows crew! lo2us, Becks477, SuperKawaii, Reeburgdon, Insubordination, Clarice, JOJOSMAMA, and joeygirl Great to hear our bandsters are doing well. I've been wondering as well just what it "feels" like. I can't imagine not being hungry. On who I'm telling and who I'm not; I've chosen to tell my most of my family (My parents are both gone.) and friends. No one has had a problem with my decision and are excited for me. I had a hard time deciding when and how to tell my bosses. I work at Curves and didn't want them to view it as a comflict of interest. I've now told both the owner and manager and they seem to be excited for me. Or maybe just see the hidden potential here; such as me doing the health fair at the bariatric center. :rolleyes I have told only a handful of my clients, maybe about 6. I have not heard one negative comment and that makes me feel good about this. However today has been one hellava whirlwind day. The sleep study place never called ASAP like the doctor wanted. I called them today and got the first available appointment - June 17th . So since it was so close to my surgery date I went ahead and made the follow-up doctor appointment. The earliest? June 22nd! Surgery is on the 27th. I called the surgeons office and talked with them. The first lady said there wouldn't be enough time to get the insurance approval but had someone else from the office call me back. When that lady called I explained everything, gave all the dates and what does she tell me? Don't worry, BCBS sends approval within 2 days! I asked what would happen if they denyied it. She said don't worry about it. So I now have my pre-op appointment. Which just happens to be the 22nd, the same day as my follow-up appointment for the sleep study! One is at 2:00 the other is at 3:00. Good thing they are in the same building. Oh and just before all this I got a call from my husbands surgeon changing his appointment from this same day as my 2 appointments (the 22nd) to 2 days after my surgery. (He may need back surgery.) Whoa, what a day! <O:p</O:p And I'm not doing very well on my self-imposed pre-diet either. When I told my hubby that he laughed at me! Told me it ain't gonna matter come the end of the month. LOL (He is my biggest supporter! With my daughter coming in a close second.) OK, I'm rambling now. Guess I better get this posted. Good luck tomorrow.

Nina S and Kimmum Good Luck tomorrow!!!!!

OK MM, not sure what happened but to finish what I was saying -- Where in Delaware did you live. I'm on the out skirts of Wilmington.

YAY, MM is home! Hope you have a comfy night tonight. WTG on the 31 lbs. Awesome! Where in l did you live? I’m on the out skirts of <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comDelaware</ST1Wilmington</st1:City>. <O:p</O:p Snoppy, yes we are being done on the same day. I’m happy (?) I’m having so many tests done but it’s really frustrating. My binge weekend is over and I’m ready to get it on, baby! <O:p</O:p Toni, sounds like you are doing very well! Yes, I’ve been watching Brookheaven for about 4 hours. It is fascinating. But also so sad. It’s also hitting too close home. I feel like if I’m not banded, I may very well be joining them. <O:p</O:p Janine, I got my Gas-X at Walmart today. Along with about $70 of other stuff.<O:p</O:p Yes, the light at the end of that tunnel will be SO worth it! I’m so ready NOW! LOL <O:p</O:p Serena, I’ll be 53 next month and always thought I had my weight under control and had NO health problems. Boy have I been wrong! My blood work showed that my total cholesterol has gone up and I’m now pre-diabetic. <O:p></O:p> <O:p</O:p Again, Good Luck tomorrow to our 4some!:clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2:<O:p</O:p

OK, now it's your turn - tanderson, LisaMack, huntersmom, and serena Good Luck to you all tomorrow!!!!!:clap2: Have we heard from Lisa H, Kt 999, and Nvalicia yet? Wonder how they made out Friday? Yes, I have to do another sleep study thing. This time with the CPAP. I tried to tell the doctor I didn't have sleep apnea but I guess he knew better! LOL I did get clearance from the endocrinologist pending the sleep study. So it's really only a partial clearance. But now I need to get the sleep thing done, go back to the pulmonologist for that clearance then to Dr Peters (surgeon) for the pre-op. All within 24 days. The kicker is they haven't called for the sleep thing appointment even though the doc put on it ASAP! Then it will take a full week for doc to get the results. So I'm looking at mid June for final clearance. :star: The pre-op appointment is supposed to be 2 weeks before surgery. So I'm looking at mid June for pre-op. I think I'm going to be on the fast tract for June. This is so nerve racking.:banplease: Well, on the bright side I can now say I know my body and it's aliments better than ever before! I've used this weekend as my last supper, final binge weekend. I don't have a 2 week pre-op diet to follow (mine is just 2 days) but tomorrow I'm going to start drinking my breakfast, lunch and Snacks. Then have a healthy dinner. I really think I need to lose at least 10 lbs before surgery. Also I'll bump up my exercise to 5 times a week instead of just 3. Does that sound like a plan or what? Well guys, thanks for listening to my tale of woe :rolleyes I think I really needed to sound off and you all know what it's all about. I'm heading out to Wal-mart and see what kind of stuff I can pick up. Think the liquid Tylenol and gas-x strips may be cheaper there.

Hey Toni, it's great to see you up and about! So happy to hear about the no gas thing. Can't wait to hear from our 6/1 banders!! Suzzzie, glad you finally got a date. I'm asked the same thing and truthfully I'm more excited than scared. Of course the closer I get I'll probably be feeling little (very little) pangs of being scared. Insub, you said it! June IS ticking away for the rest of us. I can't believe I'm looking at 3 1/2 weeks already. And I still have another sleep study (sleep apnea) and 2 other appointments. Looks like I'll be on the fast track soon. Can't wait, can't wait.

Hottytoddy, Lisa H, Musicalmomma, Kt 999, Nvalicia GOOD LUCK to each one of you tomorrow!!! <O:p</O:p

Toni, GOOD LUCK tomorrow!!!!!!!! I had my blood work done today and I go tomorrow for my follow up from the sleep study. Then on Monday I see the endocronologist and he's the one to make the final decision. (Of course, I don't know if I've even been approved by my insurance yet.) I'm so excited for you all going this week. Yes, a bit jealous also. But I know my day is coming. MM, just read on another thread that you were born in NCC DE! Small world. Hotty, I got deleted from the calendar. ;( Better get to bed, I'm off work tomorrow for doctors appointment (hubby has one with the surgeon in the morning) nite all

WOW! Those of you doing the liquid diet now are dealing with it GREAT! Kudos to you all. It's a lot better than I would be doing. My doctor seems to do the liquid diet backwards. I'm only on clear liquids 48 hours before surgery. And clears the first 24 hours after surgery. However, I'm on the full liquid diet for the first FOUR weeks after surgery. Then I have TWO weeks of pureed foods. After that I can gradually start to add solid foods. Question - somewhere on this board there was a list posted of items that may be needed after surgery. Does anyone have it? Or direct me to where it may be? I should have printed it but of course I thought I'd remember where it was and could go back to it. HAHA (I started making my "To Do" lists today.)

Hello everyone! May I join the ranks of over 50? I have skimmed through some of your posts and found myself laughing with you all. I can so indenify with most of you. I'm not banded yet but will be on June 27th. I can hardly wait. I was starting to have some doubts about being almost 53 when I'm banded but seeing this thread has given me more hope. And more excitment. Looking forward to getting to know you all.