TulipStar

I can't believe that you cooked ribs! You are a strong woman!! I just salivate watching my hubby eat a sandwich. A cold cut sandwich...who would have thought that would get me? I start mushies tomorrow! Yay! Also, for all of those wondering why I think my DH (dear husband) may be trying to sabotage me.... He has made several comments before the surgery that after I lost all the weight, I would leave him. I have no idea why he thinks that. We have been together for 12 years and been through so much. So, I just try to reinforce that I want to be w him no matter what size I am.

I also have this fear. Although I am far from goal right now, I have lost a lot of weight before and noticed the difference. The different way that people treat me or pay attention to me. It really is a shame. I like my fat and keep it around me as a protective barrier. It is scary to think of myself without my protection.

My Dr instructions said if you can't read through it, you can't drink it. I think all dr's are different though. My dr has lenient phases and I start on mushies on po day 8. Sorry you aren't feeling your best!

Hi Elizabeth, I am 5 dpo and I am hungry too!! Sometimes I can't tell if i's just head hunger vs. real hunger, but then my stomach starts to growl.... I just suck it up and make a Protein shake and that fills me up for a while. Hang in there!!

Today is day 5 for me post-op and this is the best day by far. I finally feel like I can move and have some flexibility back. I went to the grocery store and target (even though it took all the energy I had). It will get better! To everyone else.....re: why my dh is trying to sabotage me. I don't know. He says that he knows that I have always loved food and he is just trying to make me feel better the only way that he knows how: to feed me. I think I just need to have a sit down face to face with him and if he keeps it up, I will just ignore him!

I ate even more than I usualy did before my pre-op diet. In my "old" life I was perpetually on a diet. I was a calorie counter and did well in the morning and then mid-afternoon was when I was would have my downfall. When I found out I got approved for the surgery it was a free-for-all for me. I would order a diet soda at a restaurant and say "on second thought, change that to regular soda" and I would eat stuff I would never eat before.. I usually try to eat healthy with grilled everything vs. fried. HOwever, after I got approved, I started eating fried everything. I do regret it because I did gain 20lbs in 2 months. Now I just have to lose it again. Plus, from what I read on these boards, most say you can eat what you did before, just smaller portions. Good luck!!:clap2:

I am going on Day 5 post-op. Today has been the best day by far. Yesterday I was able to shower by myself & dress myself. Last night was the first night back in my own bed!! IT is a really high bed so it was hell getting in. I have been sleeping in a recliner. My dr. didn't specify how much Water I should be drinking. I have been drinking between 40-60oz a day. I only took gas x twice (day 2 & 3) then I stopped taking it bc I was getting some weird rumbling in my stomach after I took it.

I guess I didn't register on the right board... TulipStar 9/10/07 Dr. Marsden, Dallas, TX

Hey Cindy, I didn't weigh myself until 2 days post-surgery and found that I only lost 1 lb. Now as I am farther out, more weight keeps coming off. Your body is just probably retaining Fluid. Make sure you drink your Water and walk around. I can tell that I am retaining fluid/gas in my stomach area as it is very poofy!

At first I was only going to tell my DH and no one else. Then I decided to tell my MIL and she said that she wanted to fly to TX to help out. I decided to let her and then it all went downhill from there. She then tried to convince me to tell other people in the family bc they were "worried" about me bc she was now coming to TX. So, I ended up having to tell my SIL and Grandmother, Dad, etc. Or else she said she was telling them. So, I decided that I would tell them so they would get my unbiased story. At work, only a couple people know. My boss & HR lady. I was lucky to be traveling right before my surgery this week so I didn't have anyone asking why I was off this week. HOwever, I have a feeling that once I go back on Monday people will be asking. I want to say I had surgery, but then I will get the questions. I hate to lie and say that it was gall bladder bc what if I end up with gall bladder later? I thought that I could say I just had a cyst removed (female stuff) bc I always have issues with that. The reasons I don't want people to know: -Don't judge me -Don't need to hear your opinion -I have made up my mind and only need support

If you have a good surgeon he/she can place it just right so that as you lose weight you don't see it. My surgeon told me he has a method for placement so his patients won't ever see the port. As far as the band goes...everyone is right. There is no way you can see that as it is wrapped around your internal organ.

I have a regular blender a hand held blender and a magic bullet. The magic bullet is by far the easiest to use and my favorite. Because you blend right in the cup, you dont' get another container dirty. You have multiple cups to use. I can make my shake and then take it with me on my ride to work. The stand is also portable, I can take it to work if I want to. Good luck!!

I just had surgery on Monday and I am planning on returning to work this Monday. However, the recovery room nurse told me that I couldn't drive until the DR. cleared me (after my first post-op visit in 2-4 weeks! ). This can't be right (no driving for up to 4 weeks)....or is it? I tried to call the dr office today but they are closed.

Mike, Let me tell you that I was so AGAINST any type of WLS bc my Dad almost died on the table 5 years ago. I was determined to lose the weight on my own and I did...I lost 110lbs but then within 4 years I gained 80 back. So, I started stubbornly thinking about lap band. Once I started to think about it, the life I have to live and all the things I want to be able to do like a normal person...I decided to go with it. I haven't looked back since. The only regret that I have is not doing it sooner. I know you will make the right decision. Keep researching and thinking about it. Good luck!!!!

I've only been banded for a few days so I don't have the luxury of eating grapes yet. However, I always have preferred my grapes peeled. I usually start at the top (where the grape is disconnected from the stem) and peel back like flowers on a petal. Yum yum!!!

My instruction said "no makeup" but I asked if I could wear nail polish and they said yes bc their machine can read through any nail polish. So the morning of surgery I went and got a mani/pedi to pass the time and de-stress! Even though I didn't have makeup, my nails and toenails looked good!!

Hi, I have a Protein shake that I really enjoy. I mix it with 8 oz skim milk and 3 ice cubes, put it in my magic bullet and voila.... tastes just like a chocolate milkshake with 27 grams of protein and only 210 calories and less than 5 carbs. It is called Essential Protein by Iron-Tek (100% pure whey). I use the chocolate.

I would just do the surgery. I gained 20lbs in 2 months waiting to get approved for insurance. I also was leary of the upcoming holiday season so to offset it, I made a holiday dinner at home...It was my "last supper" complete w/ turkey and all. Also, based on what everyone else tells me, eventually you will be able to eat like you did before, just less. The new you is waiting for you!

Thanks for everyone's feedback. I have to remember that everyone is different. To answer everyone's question he doesn't work out at all bc he has a knee problem and he eats 3/4 cup of ice cream every night. I have been craving ice cream..... can you tell? And I am only 3 days post op!!!

I just had my surgery this week, 3 days ago and here are my "stages": Stage 1, Days 1-7 post op: liquids only, broth or creamy soups (strained), Jello, sugar free popsicles Stage 2, Day 8-14 post op: Full liquid & soft foods including pudding, mashed potatoes, cooked vegetables, sot fruit, scrambled eggs, yogurt, applesauce Stage 3, Day 15-21 post op: solid food as tolerated. 3 meals per day with 1 Protein shake. I am really lucky to have only 2 weeks of post op diet although I am sure it will still be quite difficult learning new eating habits.

I was just banded on the 10th. Everything is going well. I am healing and hope to be back to work in a few days!!

I told my colleagues that I was out of the office and that my MIL was in town (true, she is here for my surgery). I did tell my boss and my HR person. It is very rare that I don't work when I am off (even on vac) so I made sure to tell them that I wouldn't be available and wouldn't be checking email. As far as I'm concerned, it's nobody's business. I have enough things to worry about rather than having to worry about people judging me!:eek:

I am getting banded September 10th too! It seems like so long ago I started this journey and now I only have a few weeks to go!:clap2:

UHC has finally approved me after 11 weeks!! It was a rough ride... and I didn't have a BMI over 40 for all 5 years (only 3 of the 5). But my dr office was great at dealing with them. My previous experience with UHC has been poor. Their reps on the phone don't know what they are talking about and you get a different story every time. For me, I found it was better to completely ignore them and NOT contact UHC bc they tell me the wrong things. I called my dr office every 2 days and they would give me an update on the status of my case.

I called UHC today to check on the status of my approval and the rep told me that it was DENIED!!! Because although my BMI has been over 35 for the past 5 years, it hasn't been over 40 for the whole 5 years. What kind of crap is that? I hate dealing with UHC...always a nightmare. I haven't gotten a letter yet, but he said it was denied on 6/29. So, I should get a letter any day. If he was right-- we all know how their reps can be and every time you call, it's a different story.:confused: