KlopOut1

I thought that Jenny Craig tasted better because the ingrediants are fresher. Nutrisystem is either dehydrated food that you have to bring back to life or it's perservative city, like canned Pasta and not that good. Their deserts and Snacks were awful! Like bad faux chocolate or tasteless cheese curls. Jenny has better quality food. This is strictly my opinion!! No offense to any nutrisystem lovers out there!! I've just done both and some others ones too!! Karen Los Angeles

I quit smoking last August. Commit lozenges were really helpful and I kept busy as much as possible. I was told to be smoke free at least 6 weeks before surgery and that it interferes with the healing process and when you are under the anesthesia you have a harder time with the breathing tube also smoking thins your blood vessels and that can also complicate things while under. It's a pretty good idea to try to quit. The sooner the better. Just do your best. Karen Los Angeles

Congratulations on your surgery date. :clap2: The best advice I have for you is not to be nervous. I took that advice from other members and it was so helpful. Everything went so well and was fast. The biggest complaint I had was a dry mouth and being thirsty. Any pain was completely tolerable and the nurses addressed it quickly. When I got home it was sore but the pain meds took care of it. Don't worry!! You'll feel really silly if you let your nerves get the best of you! Karen just banded on 5/16/07 Los Angeles

Hey Mal, Good to hear from you. It sounds like the way I felt too. I didn't have much pain until I got home and my pain meds have helped tremendously. The biggest complaint I had was my mouth being as dry as dirt. That cleared up within a few hours after surgery. I was also soooo tired, but it was a good thing. My doctor told me that my sorest incision would be where the port is and they were right! It's tolerable but sore. The others I am hardly aware of. Keep me posted!! Karen

I was the same way. I kept thinking I didn't have everything I needed or what if I don't remember what I'm supposed to do or eat. You'll be fine. Each day I'm feeling a bit better. I think tomorrow I might even be up for walking my own dog. My mom has been taking care of her. Karen :mad:

Hey mgh1965 I hear the shoulder pain may be gas related. The gas they blow into your abdomen travels around your body as it's dissipating. Hang in there. I'm three post op and I'm doing pretty good. I'm not climbing trees or anything, but I'm getting around. Everyone's advice was spot on. Walk as much as you can and drink super slow. I got a little over zealous and actually hiccupped... I do not recommend this. Ouch! Karen :mad:

Hey everyone! It went fine. I was pretty sore yesterday but with the help of pain meds, it's been tolerable. The gas pains have been minimum. I have been sleeping a ton! I spent one night at the hospital so I couldn't reply sooner or I would have! Mal, give us an update when you can!! Karen PS - Anesthesia wasn't that bad. I had a little bit of a sore throat when I woke up and my mouth was dry but it was all fine.

I will let you know how it goes. Did any of you have trouble with the anesthesia? I'm nervous about it. Karen

My surgery is coming up fast, on the 16th, and I'm nervous. But it has helped so much to hear from everyone in here. I came to the decision to have the surgery after gaining 40 lbs once I stopped taking prescribed diet pills last year. I weighed 190 before stopping the pills, which is still obese for me I'm 5'3". I think that's when it just made sense to me that I was exhausted with the uphill battle and tired of depending on pills and fad diets. The lap band made so much sense to me. I finally felt that for the first time my body could be working with me, instead of against me. We'll see after the 16th, but I'm excited and really appreciate everyone encouragement and advice!! Karen KlopOut1

I hear you about the steak!! I was at dinner last week with family at a steak house and I thought about no steak in the future because it's too much work to chew!! I challenged everyone to chew each bite 30 times and it wasn't easy! Good to hear it's going well. I'm nervous but it helps to hear from those who have already been banded. Karen

The only worry I have about the Vitamin gum is that I was told by one of the nurses to avoid gum. If you accidently swallow it, it would be impossible to pass. I don't know if I'd risk it so thought I'd pass it on just in case.

Hi Everybody!! You have all helped me so much through this process!! I found you about three or four weeks ago, but I wasn't ready to talk because I didn't have a surgery date yet and I was really having a hard time with that. Now I have a date, 4-16-07. I'm very nervous and it's my first surgery. But I'm very reassured by all of your previous postings and the fact that I love my doctor and my family is totally there for me. Just wanted to say hello and thanks!! :clap2: Karen PS - I'm the most nervous about waking up right after surgery!! I've been told it's the worst!!

My surgery is 5/16! Sorry for the mistake. Nerves! But once again you guys pull through and give me something positive to think about. Thanks again!! Karen:)