poodlecamper

At 19, I weighed 132 (ht. 5'5") and was nice and firm--and I wore size 11/12 jeans!!!! Wide hips and big butt thanks to genetics. My daughter at 5'2" and around 145 wears a size 8--10. Go figure. Mysurgeon has never discussed a goal weight with me, so I picked what I weighed when I was married and figured I'd adjust it, depending on how I feel and look. After 4 kids, including a set of twins, who knows what will end up where? Carol

Hi---I was done on Tuesday and still feel pretty crummy. Sl nauseous, burpy, weak---I'm on clear liquids until Tues 1/22, hope that helps me feel better. I usually snap back quicker after, so I would say you might not feel able to travel----maybe have a back-up plan? Carol

Hey Diane, my surgery's at 7:30 too!!! But EST, so before yours. Nikki, thanks,that's my beloved poodle Delilah. Also got a puppy this summer, Oliver , a white poodle, "the Devil Dog". Good luck to everyone tomorrow!! Carol

12 days of 4 Optifast shakes and 2 Optifast bars, 2 days of clear liquids--my banding is tomorrow also!! (I lost 10 lbs.) Best of luck. Carol

After I have my band done (Tuesday) and I start to lose---I might broach it with her. She eats a very healthy diet and exercises regularly, but then adds the junk food. And one of their hobbies is making beer !!:welldoneclap: We all know it's a big life-decision---took me years to make up my mind. Carol

Great loss Phyl!! Have you felt any decrease in knee pain since your weight loss? Increase in the distance/time you're able to walk? That's what I'm hoping for. My knees are pretty bad and I'm hoping to avoid replacements. Do you have good restriction? How many fills ahve you had? Carol

Personally, I think my mother is one of the, if not THE main reason why I over eat and have always had a weight problem. So it's unrealsitic of me to look for support from that quarter. But it still hurts. My beautiful, brilliant daughter is almost my size and is already having knee and back problems. I would cut my tongue out before I'd say anything about her weight. She is a wonderful, generous person and good to her parents and siblings. I feel somehow responsible for her being overweight--on the other hand, she has a great husband and social life, and is a very happy person. We are friends as well as mother and daughter. Well, sorry to ramble on---guess the moral here is to focus on those who wish you well, and ignore the comments of the rest.

Today is day 1 of 2 days of clear liquids. I thought the Optifast was boring, but at least I wasn't hungry, which I am now!! Can't wait--I'm so anxious to have it done and get started on my new life. I've lost 9 lbs. on the preop diet. We were grocery shopping yesterday (I still have to cook for DH and DS and whoever else shows up) and saw salmon hotdogs for sale!! Anyone ever try those? I admit it was difficult seeing all the food--almost overwhelming--and not even the junk foods so much as the "regular" foods (mac and cheese, shrimp and pasta, etc.) Sigh............. Well, have to pack a small bag and shave my legs!! 2 more days for us fifteeners. Carol

I'm preop---my doc has his patients get liquid calcium and chewable vitamins. My medications can't be crushed, I asked about this, and my doc said "You'll be fine". Did you ask your pharmacist about the prozac? maybe there's another form for you--I think the time release aspect is important. Oh, also am starting Prevacid, that dissolves on your tongue, for when I resume my arthritis med (also an extended release med) The liquid calcium I got at a GNC store, by the way. Good luck!! Carol

I haven't been banded yet (on Tuesday!!) and the nastiest comments so far have been from my mother and sister. I started at "plump" at puberty and went from there, now I am in constant pain from arthritis. Me: "I got a surgery date!!" Mom: "You'll have all that saggy skin"--gee thanks Mom. Last night I said something about weight to my sister (both are like size 14-16) and she said she could figure out my weight by what her gastric bypass friend had weighed. first she mumbled something like "approaching 500" and I said "What?" She then said louder, "400 lbs." I said "NO" but didn't say what I weighed. I mean, I'm 5'5" and wear a snug 28. She guessed a 100 lbs. more!!!!But these two have always done this to me, I have to keep reminding myself. My mother has always favored my older sister, I guess she sees this as a competition. At my daughter's wedding I had a wig on, due to chemo, of course I was self-conscious--Sis says, "You looked fine (pause) like you got a too-short haircut". Gee, thanks. I should, we all should recognize these ambushers but it still hurts. After reading these posts, I'll try not to talk too much about the lap band journey---and there are plenty of great people here who want to hear about our successes, right? Carol Fortunately my kids, DH and best friend are excited for me, talking about all the things I'll be able to do once I start losing.

I swear by Miralax also. Tasteless, dissoves completely, and no cramps or straining. I have chronic contipation from lots of adhesions and nerve damage from chemo. It may take a few days to "set things in motion" Carol

Whoops! That was $125.00!!

Congratulations on your engagement! Here are a couple of money saving tips I used (3 weddings in 3 years, I'm the Mom). We got the flower girl's dress new, perfect fit, from an on-line site that sells pageant and flowergirl dresses--$29.95 plus shipping. I saw the same dress in a bridal shop for $125.00. For one of the weddings, I got my dress off ebay, new with tags, $30.00. And on ebay they sell the veils and headpieces identical to the ones in stores. My DD paid 4125.00 (that was a discount) and they're 1/5 of that on ebay. My son's wedding was at a restaurant, no band, but full meal about 70 people, came to under $1,500.00. The booze was separate, and expensive. I agree with wine on the table, or a punch . Also, less booze is drunk at an afternoon wedding. We were going to do an outdoor at-home wedding for my son, but I didn't want to have to worry about the weather, and after renting tables, chairs, canopies, it cost the same as the restaurant meal (we had the whole place to ourselves)Hope this helped!!

Phyllser--hi, I'll have to check into Therabands, I'm not familiar with them. Luvsrocks--ah, my twin!!!!! <G> The Y in the next town has water aerobics--BUT--it's cold here and I can't imagine having to go outside after being wet. Really hate the cold. I started using an exercise bike yesterday--did only one mile and again today. After 14 days of Optifast and clear liquids, I then have 1 week of clear liquids and 1 week of full liquids---so monotonous!!!--before pureed,soft,progressive soft. My docs are really strict. Trying to keep busy---took down all the Christmas stuff today.

Hi, I'm new here, on day 8 of Optifast and feeling mean and hungry!! My surgery is on January 15, and the last 2 days preop will be clear liquids. The post-op regime Can anyone recommend a good exercise DVD for someone (me) who is disabled with arthritis? (both knees and back) i have to exercise, but can barely walk or stand for long. Hoping weight loss improves that and decreases the pain. Carol in CT

I have to take my NSAID or I will be in SEVERE allover pain. So my doc ordered Prevacid Solutab once a day (dissolves on your tongue) I'll start it postop.

Hey WCFG---My surgery is the day after yours, and I'm on the SAME diet, except it's 4 shakes, 2 bars---which are gritty but at least you get to CHEW something. I've lost 8 lbs. since 1/1, and no I don't exercise but will be picking up an exercise bike tomorrow--bad knees, can't walk much. So the good part is that the Optifast will take some weight off preop--hang in there, I'm starving along with you!! Carol in CT

Going up to bed now---funny to think that you're in Australia and we're "talking"--it's 9:40 pm here. Did you try out any of the protein drinks? I got Isopure drinks and powder for "after". Goodnight!! It's freezing outside--32F--must be warm there, right? Carol

I have to stop taking NSAIDS and aspirin also---I've taken multivitamins and calcium for years, but don't know anything about taking vitamin K in relation to the banding. I'll have to give myself Lovenox injections for 7 days post-op to prevent blood clots, although I don't have a history of them, and I've had a couple of major surgeries. Better safe than sorry i guess. Carol

Hi Jen, I'm on the 15th also, and on Optifast for 7 more days then 2 days of clear liquids :eek: Are you staying overnight for your op? I will, but my best friend works there, so I'll have company. Lucky you, no diet!! Carol in Connecticut

Hi---I'm on day 5 and can have 4 shakes and 2 bars of the Optifast. You can also have sugar free drinks, jello, popsicles too, right? Today I woke up starving and it is starting to feel like a LONG haul to the 15th. This probably sounds lame, but it does help if you can get out and do something, or even if you knit, etc. I admit to a cheat, and that is some 1/2 and 1/2 in a big cup of tea--the warm liquid is very filling to me. hang in there--you are losing weight now and it will feel great to have that extra loss to start off with. Carol

You mopped the floor!!!! Glad to hear you're doing so well. Carol (surgery 1/15--on Optifast--bleh)

I have to stay overnight--standard for the group I'm using. Carol

My DH (who's maybe 15-20 lbs. overweight) also likes to go to Chinese all you can eat places and brings me my favorite snack foods home. Eating has become an "activity"---not good at all!! So I'm hoping to get out and do yardwork, walk the dogs, etc. as I begin to lose. I have such bad arthritis right now that I'm on Soc Sec Disability, and have to use a scooter to get around for shopping. I'm hoping all that changes. Saw my friend today who had gastric bypass several years ago--she made me feel better about saying "farewell" to favorite foods, and told me she can eat EVERYTHING, just in smaller amounts. And she has maintained her weight loss of almost 200 lbs. Good or bad, I need to know I can still have those favorite foods on occasion. Carol day 3 of 14 day preop diet