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Hi Ladies, You are both doing great - I know cause I've been there:wacko: 800-900calories is just about right - just make sure that if you do 'lapse' that it is lean Protein - NO CARBS. If you are finding that the shakes don't fill you, try adding a little less Water (makes the Optisludge a bit thicker) then freeze for about 1/2 hour then smash it in the blender again. It makes the shake a lot thicker and I found it to be more filling that way. I also tended to snack on my vege's so that I was able to have something when I felt really hungry. Don't forget that you can also have diet jellies - I also made these a little thicker than they say on the packet. There's not long to go now and I know you can both do it - you will be so pleased by the time you have surgery that the next 2 weeks of liquids will feel like Christmas has come again. Danna:whoo::clap2:

Hi Kylie, I am relatively new to this myself having only been banded since 3/12/07. It is a big change to make but I feel a worthwhile one. I am looking forward to the day when I can walk into a boutique and not feel like I am going to knock all the clothes off the racks if I turn around. I can't answer a lot of your questions but the 'vomitphobic' bit I can relate to. Mind you PBing is not exactly like vomiting. I have only had the sensation once and that was because it was my first bite of food and it was too big and I didn't chew enough. Without meaning to be gross, it just came back up the same way it went down and it wasn't all that traumatic - I had been really scared when I first heard about this. Anyway, its great that you are doing your research into this and I'm sure someone will be along shortly that can answer your questions. Danna

Hey Cherry, I noticed that you are from Perth. Have you been to the Yahoo group - there are a lot of Perthites on there and they often have get togethers - they seem to have a really great network and are very supportive. I have put the address for the group below. au.messages.yahoo.com/health/lap-band Danna

Hi, I lost 5kg in the week after surgery and was then promoted to mushies. the post op liquid diet isn't too bad - the first few days you don't really feel like eating anyway and then you get Soups and smoothies and jelly and broth and drinking yoghurt - basically anything that goes up a McDonalds straw. You'll do fine!! Danna

Well that's 3 of us, although my pain went away after a few days - I was told that it's something to do with the port being stitched into the muscle - but I'm not sure how. Danna

Everyone is scared of the operation and the after effects - no matter how much you want the operation it is going to change your life style. but look at it this way, it will be more important to you the quality of the food than the quantity. The diet set by each Dr is different. I have not been told that I can never have diet Coke etc again. I can't have it for at least 2-3 months but after that it is depenent on whether my band will let me drink it or not. Every person is different in what they can eat. I know some bandsters that can eat everything they used to eat - they just choose not to. I have only been banded since Dec 3 so have not had a fill yet and I am still able to eat any type of food. This may change after a fill - just have to see how it goes. If you are having second thoughts, it is better that you do it now before it's too late - but I think that if you have come this far then you have pretty much made up your mind. Just remember that the band is not the easy way out, it's just a tool. Good luck with whatever you decide. Danna

Sheila, Glad you're feeling better. You just tell those scales to behave themselves, that they are not imagining that you are getting lighter!!:biggrin1: Seriously though, it is good to hear that you are not so depressed now. Do you go onto mushies when you finish this week on fluids or does your Dr let you go straight onto soft foods? You will feel so much better when you are able to have something that is closer to real food (even if it is pureed). I made spaghetti bolonese and mashed it - looked disgusting but tasted great. Your right about not putting this weight on overnight. I'm suppose to only lose 1kg (about 2lbs) a week according to my Dr which is why I think he moved me onto mushies early. Remember our body weight also changes with the time of month. You have already lost 18lbs - you should be very proud of yourself - I'm proud of you and so is everyone else I am sure. Hope you have a great New Year. Danna

Citygirl, Glad to hear that things have worked out. Men really are from Mars aren't they!!!:biggrin1: Luvsrocks, Thanks. I have been banded since December 3 and I am now on normal foods. My post-op diet was 2 weeks fluids and then 2 weeks mushies, but when I went back for my post-op visit 10 days later I had lost another 5 kg (about 11lbs) since the surgery - a total loss since starting the pre-op diet of nearly 12 kg (26lbs) and my incisions were healing nicely, so I was allowed to start mushies early. This was great because I was getting really bored with fluids. I was lucky with my Dr as he said that I could move onto soft foods as I felt ready for them. As the mushies ceased to make me feel full I was to thicken them up (less sauce and not as finely pureed) and that he thought I would be able to have normal foods by Christmas. So I celebrated Christmas with some real food. The hardest part is to remember to take small bites and to really chew them up well. I have had a couple of moments when I realised I hadn't chewed enough - oh well it's all a learning curve. When is your surgery? Good luck to you all - it really is worth it. Happy New Year. Danna

It is now 23 minutes past midnight in Sydney and I would like to wish you all a very happy and satisfying New Year and hope that 2008 will turn out to be all that you could wish. Danna:party::clap2::whoo:

Happy New Year to you as well!! To a new bandster, 2008 is looking very promising and I hope that there will be a whole lot less of me this time next year!!! Danna

Hi, Hope you don't mind me responding, I don't belong in the January thread but have some friends who do so was doing some late night (well very early morning reading). Sounds like your husband is worried about you. I know you said he is a Dr but that doesn't mean he isn't worried about you under going surgery. he will know that there is always a risk with any operation and perhaps he is scared for you? All the knowledge and training in the world is out the window when we are scared we might lose someone we love. My DH didn't show a lot of interest in my surgery either, but when it came time for me to go on the pre-op diet he started to get very concerned and was always after me about whether this was what I really wanted to do. Maybe he also feels that he has failed you - he is a Dr and doubtless has healed many people and helped them but feels he has failed you if you are resorting to surgery. Can you sit him down tonight and explain that you really need his full support in this as your husband and not as a Dr? Hope things work out for you and good luck with your surgery. Happy New Year. Danna

Sheila, Are you on full fluids yet - if not, maybe you should talk to your Dr. When I was on fluids I was basically told not to worry about calories but to make sure I had plenty of fluids. I was allowed anything that went up a McDonalds size straw - so I pureed chicken and vegetable Soup and put it through a strainer to get the lumps out. The thicker fluids helped to fill me up. I agree with the others that you need to up your calorie intake. One of the things my Dr and dietitian were adamant about during the Fluid stage was that I should have at least two Protein Drinks per day and a drinking yoghurt. How long are you suppose to be on the fluids? Also I was told only light to moderate exercise for the first 3-4 weeks. I was only suppose to be walking around the block at the end of the second week so maybe you are working your body too hard. I have also been told that it is not uncommon to actually put on weight after the operation but that at about 4 weeks, when you body has healed more it starts to drop off. Mind you the real weight loss doesn't really start until you have a fill and get some restriction. Try to stop feeling depressed and give your poor body time to heal. Danna

Debz, Waiting is the pitts!!! At least when you see the Dr in April you will be able to book your op so that you can be banded as soon as the insurance kicks in. Danna

Hi all, Just found out today that I have a date for my surgery. It is 3 December at North Shore Private Hospital. Now I'm scared - I want this but before it was just one day in the future - now I know it is for sure. :eek:

Hi Dazzle, Anyone who says that they didn't struggle with the pre-op diet is kidding themselves - or was on a very easy one. I was on Optifast for 4 weeks and I slipped off the wagon a couple of times - still had the surgery at the beginning of December so don't beat yourself up too much. There's only 2 days left so you need to stay strong for only another 48 hours - only 2 more sleeps and I have confidence in you doing this. Think of the reward at the end of all this - you will lose weight and won't feel hungry either. It really is worth the effort. I have my blog address below, if you go there you'll see that you are not alone in how you feel at the moment. Good luck with your surgery and post us with how you are getting along. Danna:whoo::clap2:

Hi Thistledo, there are a number of Aussie sights so I am attaching their addresses for you. I'm from Sydney and often post on Sydband and there are others that post there from Wollongong, Central Coast and Melbourne. they are a great group and only to willing to help if you need it. I was banded on 3/12 and have lost about 11kg so far. I haven't had a fill yet but am going back for another appt on 9/1 to see if I need a fill - think I might need a small one - not really hungry but I can eat just about anything without much restriction. good luck with your banding journey. Danna * * * * * * AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY * * * * * * CANBAND - CANBERRA AND SURROUNDING AREAS. CanBand : CanBand * * * * * * NEW SOUTH WALES * * * * * * SYDBAND – SYDNEY AND SURROUNDING AREAS. Yahoo! Groups

Hi Hilary, Not long now.:whoo: Are you allowed diet drinks (diet coke etc) on your pre-op diet? I was and I found that Fanta light mixed with vanilla Opti tasted just like an orange spider, so you could try adding your favourite diet soda. I also added things like WW diet berry cordial and diet lime cordial - tasted like a milk shake. If you are allowed to us Tony Ferguson shakes they taste great frozen and eaten like icecream. I found the chocolate dessert tasted great with either coconut or orange essence added (the orange makes it taste like a giant jaffa). I also made my vege's into a salsa with celery sticks for between meal Snacks - about all that got me through the work day. It's worth sticking to the diet (although I did fall off the wagon once or twice) as it does make the op easier and recovery faster. Good luck for the 10th. Danna:clap2:

Hi, I'm from the December bandsters thread, but just thought I would drop in to see the new up coming bandsters. Don't freak out about the diet, the main reason for being on a liquid diet pre-op is to shrink your liver to make the op easier. If your Dr doesn't think you need to go on it then you don't need to. It will help your recovery, but if you really feel that it would be too difficult just try to cut down on the amount of carbs that you eat. as for eating foods you won't be able to eat later - some people have no problem with white bread others do - it's an individual thing. I haven't had a fill yet and at the moment I can eat anything - so long as I chew it up well - but the best news is that I am eating a whole lot less than before, even without a fill. The post op liquid diet is easier than the pre-op especially when you are on full liquids. I was allowed smoothies, low fat icecream, diet custard, smooth Soups etc. So try not to worry too much. Good luck for your banding dates. Danna:D

Hi Debz, I'm doing great -haven't had a fill yet but go back to see about that on 9/1. Was lucky to be back on normal foods for Chrissie, though ate more than I should. The good thing though, was that I didn't eat anywhere near what i would have done last year. So while I haven't lost anything over Christmas I haven't gained anything either, so for this time of year that has to be a plus. Anyway, back onto the proper eating plan now and I hope to have lost more weight by my appointment date. How's everything going for you? Danna

Great news about the mushies - so much more to choose from and so much more taste. Stick with it - not long now till you're back onto real food. Danna

I'm just waiting for clearance from my Dr and then I'm off to join the gym - 3 mornings a week before work - I'm actually looking forward to it. Danna

I made mushie spaghetti bolonese - made the sauce a bit sloppier than usual then mushed it up with the blender - looks disgusting but tasted great. Also had some Thai chicken curry - again looked awful blended up but tasted great. Anything with sauce to it can be turned into mushies, i know of someone who turned lasagna into mushie. Danna

Congratulations on such a brave attitude - I was scared out of my brains before surgery. Soon you will be on the other side, so when you feel up to it, post and let us know how you are going. Danna:whoo::clap2:

Hi Tia, I know how your husband feels, I was banded on Dec 3 and had all those thoughts as well. Many of us have. I don't know that there is anything that you can say to another in these circumstances. While not trying to minimize any other surgery, it is important to understand that while the fear expresses itself as a fear of the operation there is so much more to it than that. This operation is life changing - and that in itself is scary. Then there is the fear of failure - for most of us if we were successful dieters we wouldn't have to consider surgery. So when you put those together with major surgery it can become too much. I don't know what to say to your husband, but there are thousands of us that have had the surgery and we are still alive. You said that his aunt and uncle are banded - could he call and talk to them perhaps? Your love and support will mean a lot to him, but sometimes talking to someone who has experienced what he is going through is the only thing to help. I know when I was scared before my surgery that although my friends assured me nothing would go wrong, as did my surgeon, it was only my banded friends that were able to help me. Sorry I couldn't be of more help, but just keep letting him know that you love him and support him in this. Best wishes, Danna

congratulations Mary, Let us know how you are after the surgery and welcome to the other side. Danna