piercedqt78

That is my new moto, Nothing taste as good as being thin feels, it is even on my personal e-mail signature. I am not allowed ensure, boost or any of those drinks. Only carb solutions or atkins shakes. The problem is I don't tolerate sugar substitutes well, I would rather drink unsweetened drinks. I am getting there today is day 3 and I didn't wake up ravinous so that is a start I think. I am going to be out with my mom all day and I am packing a bag of stuff that I can have with an ice pack to keep it nice and cold. I think I might go for a swim this afternoon too, then get to bed early. I have several books that I picked out for after surgery but I may need to get more as I have been reading during meal time at my house, it keeps me away from the table. Thanks for the encouragement and kind words, you all are the best. ~Mandy

I amdoing the atkins shakes, I have used them in the past and they really aren't too bad. I am allowed sugar free popscicles, jello and broth, 2 protein shakes and 3 servings of yogurt each day. And as many sugar free drinks as I would like. I found the atkins fruit punch to be really good as well as the propel. I am just starving, I made the joke that even the catfood looked good and they are on dry food only :rolleyes . I know I can do this, I am just not sure why I can't have chicken as it is low in carbs and has no sugar in it. I would love to have anything solid right now. I am going for sugar free popscicles tomorrow, they were out of them over the weekend but should have them again tomorrow. We are in Chicago and it has been really hot lately and the frozen section of the store was pretty much cleaned out. Well I am going to make some broth and then take a nice warm bath, maybe that will take my mind off of this. ~Mandy

bernadette, Hi, it's Mandy from the hospital. I am so glad that you are here. I love this place and I am sure that you will find it as informative and caring as I have. I will add you to the July bandsters list in the support page. See you on the 28th~Mandy

We have a local resale shop/ thrift store here that the proceeds go to a christian church/private school. That is where I am going to do my shopping. Their pricing system is cool, shorts are $2.50 no matter what size or brand, shirts are $2.00. Everything is donated and they really pick through it and only put out the really nice, clean stuff. Most of my current wardrobe is from there and it is almost all Lane Bryant. Then when I have lost out of it, I can redonate it and get a tax write-off. They also have something 1/2 price everyday, so there is potiental for even bigger savings. I have lucked up and bougt tupperware for $1 a bowl a few times too. I would check the phonebook for that sort of thing in your area, they are pretty common, most battered womens shelters also sponser a resale shop to.~Mandy

I admit it, I was at the midnight Harry Potter party last night with my husband and 4 year old. My nose has been in the book most of the day. I am a Harry Potter addict. Anyone else??? ~Mandy

My husband works out in the heat all day/afternoon and his work gives him these little packets that remind me of the new single serve crystal light packets. They are called sqwincher lite quik stik and they are sugar free, carb free and calorie free. One packet makes 20oz and they are loaded with electrolytes. Anyone ever had them? They are quite good, but I have not been able to locate the little packets for sale. There are some of the larger packets on ebay, they make 1 gallon or 2.5 gallons. I am looking for something to stash in my purse or car for easy use. ~Mandy

It was really good, but sad, have some tissues ready. It was only 652 pages this time, short compared to the last book. I have finished it and now can't wait for the next movie to be released. The goblet of Fire is due out in Early November. The best part about these books is that the kids grew up with the readers. They are all 16 turning 17 in this book so even older teens can relate their life events. Anything to get kids reading is a good thing. ~Mandy

This is the list I have ready for my banding on the 28th: heating pad flexible ice pack liquid tylenol (they make adult strength) chewalbe or liquid gas-x a few books or movies comfy clothes (loose waisted shorts or jumpers) squishy pillow for car ride (guard against seatbelt) a sports bra (doc said no underwire for a few days) protien shakes flavored Water make sure you have a good blender I bought a drink mixer for the protien mix (cost $10 at walmart) broth or stuff to make broth sugarfree popsicles and Jello sugar free gum (ask your doctor) sugar free breathmints (ask your doctor) *Ask at your pre-op for the pain med prescription so you can have it all ready to go when you get home, our walgreens has to order liquid pain meds and it takes 3 days to get them.

I added you to the July bandsters list, it is in the support forum. That way we can all keep track of each other. ~Mandy

I was told that is could take 4-6 weeks to review the information. I was originally deined and had an answer in a week, but that is because they deemed it experimental. I fought it and won, eventually, I had my first appointment in the end of March and my surgery is schedualed for the 28th of July. Hope this helps, also you should be able to call the number on your ins card and ask about surgical review turn-around time. ~Mandy

I added you to the July bandster list, I am being banded on the 28th. The list is on the support board, maybe you would like to connect with others that have been banded around the same time as you. Good luck and I hope you have a fast recovery~Mandy

My 4 year old was eating a lollipop yesterday and she dropped it in the floor. She came over to where I was sitting just as she went to put it back into her mouth and I said, "hey that has fuzz or a cat hair on it", she says, "well I dropped it in the floor but I picked off the big fuzzies, can I still have it?" I told her to put it in the trash I would get her a new one from the cabinet. You see we just adopted a himalyan cat and he is nervous and shedding everywhere she hasn't adjusted to the new kitty and forgets that he sheds. (our other cat is taken to a groomer on a regular basis so no extra kitty hair from him) ~Mandy

If you go to the Suave offer and fill out a survey they will send you 5 products for $1.99 shipping. They are full sized products and the products are sent according to you answers to the survey. Here is the link : http://suave.com/country.asp ~Mandy

I am so happy for you. I have just 18 days to go myself, so I know how excited you must be. I am sure that you will be fine, this is the best thing that we can do for ourselves. Here's to a smooth and uneventful surgery and recovery for you and all of the July bandsters~Mandy

Funny, I did the same thing yesterday. I cleaned out my linen closet and gave our local womens shelter a whole box of lotions, body sprays, and bath goodies. My mom always buys me bath sets on the after christmas sale and I can only use some of the sprays. I usually find a good use for the basket in my daughters room and the rest goes on a shelf in the linen closet. That shelf is now clean. Today I am working on the kitchen pantry, I am going to put all of my "post-op foods together and get rid of some junk food. I need to take stock and go to the store, I have a lifting restriction after surgery and My hubby works odd hours so I need to get it bought and in while I can still lift stuff.~Mandy

Here is another sugar-free flavored syrup that is a bit cheaper and my local costplus world market carries it. http://www.torani.com/create/fpsugarfree.shtml It is $5.99 for a 24 oz bottle and it comes in loads of flavors, they also make several sugar-free sauces for ice cream. I did the SF peppermint in a chocolate atkins shake and it was yummy!! I am still experimenting for my liquid phase which starts on the 18th.~Mandy

When I went to my info seminar (march 05) my sister ask a few questions and dropped it. Then she told my mother that a woman she knows,knew someone that was banded in California (i believe Mexico and California was the cover story) 5 years ago, there were complications and she spent 4 months in a coma. When she woke up she had premanent damage to her brain and several other complications. Then she went on to say that this was common with banding and she would never do it. Fast forward to last week, my band is all approved and I am making appointments to have pre-op labs done. She asked to see my lapband booklet from the seminar. My husband says that she sees the band as a $20,000 toy that I have and she doesn't. By the way my mom is FINALLY starting to accept the whole band thing. I took her to my consultation and that helped, also she is reading a few books on weightloss surgery. Thanks to my sister I had to convince my mom that I was going to be ok and this was a safe thing to do. I guess this really teaches us who our friends are. ~Mandy

We have DSL and love it. In 3 years it has been down 2 times and both times were in massive snow storms. Our phone company provides it and it is only $26.99 a month. My sister, only 2 blocks away has cable and it is $48 a month and she has tons of problems. So my vote is for DSL, it may take some time to get the bugs worked out but it is worth it. ~Mandy

I drink tap water after it has been through the Brita pitcher in the fridge. We have Chicago water and it has LOADS of chlorine in it yuck, but the Brita takes care of that. ~Mandy

I didn't see Friday March 4th 2005 anywhere. I saw a date of "Approval Date: June 5, 2001" And the letter of approval is dated the same. Where are you seeing such a current date on that page? ~Mandy

For nausea I use cola syrup (no carbonation). It is loaded with calories but you only take a teaspoonful or 2 and your tummy will feel better. My local pharmacy orders it for me, it is about $3.75 for a 4 oz bottle. It is the only thing that got me through beinf pregnant and sick for 9 months. I was one of those women that had morning sickness the day I went into labor, the cola syrup was a lifesaver.

Just 9 short weeks after I get my band I am going to be in the happiest place on earth. My husband and I are going to sneek away for 4 days and 3 nights at our favorite place, Walt Disney World. We are celebrating his birthday and our anniversary. My question is, will I be able to ride the rides? Will I still be sore at the port 9 weeks later? Also I know I should be back on solids with no problem so I can eat, just less food. I really can't wait. I hope I will need a new swimsuit and maybe some smaller shorts too. ~Mandy

That won't be problem, as Disney food is sooo good my hubby will be hoping that I can't finish anything so he can have my leftovers :rolleyes . The only thing that will get me is the dole whips, they are pineapple heaven, it is juice and pineapple sorbet blended into shear bliss. They are my favorite disney treat, however this time I think I will skip them as I will just be getting back to real food I am sure that I will be sick of smoothies and blended food stuffs. ~Mandy

If you have a merle norman ( http://www.merlenorman.com/ ) near you they do make-up consultation for free and in a private area of the store. The products they sell are a bit pricy but worth every penny. I only wear make-up once or twice a year but this is my choice of product when I do.~Mandy

I eat pinto beans cooked in the crock pot until they are soupy texture and they rock!!! My husband is naturally from the north so he does not get this, he says they smell relly bad. I had a colonoscopy a few years ago and had them cooking so I could eat them when I got home, my MIL had gone to help with my daughter while I was in the proceedure. When we got home she asked me what had died or if the trash needed to be taken out. I explained to her that I was going to eat that later in the afternoon. She thought I was nuts. I grew up in the south so that is good eatin' to me. I also like cornbread dipped in buttermilk. And I love collard greens, and I dip 80% of my food in Ranch dressing or dip.~Mandy