Colleen C

Wow, that is awesome! Great vibes going your way!

I flew with Southwest and it was free for the second seat. You can buy two seats and be refunded or check in with disabled seating which is seated first because it is first come seating. Here is a link that explains it in there policies Its called Customers of Size Policy, it is complimentary. http://www.southwest.com/html/customer-service/extra-seat/index-pol.html Most people dont know about it even sometimes the people working but if you let them know they are happy to do it.

I think you probably could eat anything you wanted. It not coming back up might be a different story. Seems like from what I read it is different results for different people. My drs office told me no carbonated drinks, ever. That was it but they suggest low carb, low fat diet and eating Protein first. As for cravings, I just had my surgery today, so I spent the last two weeks on chike shakes, The mind will miss all them yummy tasting food we have allowed ourselves but the end result of not eating it will be so worth it in so many ways. In time I think the cravings will go away. Good luck, you can do this and try to keep the goal in mind, no food is worth loosing our health one more day.

I am home from the hospital today banded along with my hubby. They gave us ahead of time Tylenol with Codeine. I have taken one full dose of it so far today. I hurt but I am not miserable. I have been trying to walk around to keep things ok. For me, I would call the Dr.'s office if it becomes too much pain. We don't all tolerate pain the same. Some need more and some less. My hubby didn't take any meds so far. I have not ate anything but sipping Water, I don't feel like clear juice or anything yet. Maybe tomorrow. Hubby was into the popsicles. Take good care of yourself.

Do you have a sheet from your doctor what you are allowed?

My surgery is tomorrow and I can not stand another sugar free anything. I have never liked any of it and after drinking some SF drinks these past two weeks almost all I can stomach lately is Water with a wedge lemon. Not sure what I will do next week. I do know that chili sounds like a dream and I would be right next to with the tissue box crying if I could have some!

I am on the last day of my pre-op diet. Surgery is tomorrow, whoo hoo. Problem is my stomach is so sore, raw feeling. I am drinking Chike shakes from the dr., & broth. I can hardly stomach them and only get 2-3 out of the 4 I am allowed per day. Although I dont feel hungry (stomach growling) do you think it is what it is? The only thing that has helped is when I had a little baked chicken. I dont like to do that though because it isn't on my list and surgery is tomorrow. It hurts constant. Has anyone else has this or know why?

I am to be banded tomorrow, 20th. Lost 22lbs. on 14 day pre-op.

Did you tell your Dr, this? Are you able to see another Dr for consult? It doesn't seem right to me that you are feeling this way and so much time has went by. Put yourself first and get some answers. I hope you get this worked out, don't give up.

It is all about your insurance for sure. Mine was really quick but from what I gathered from the dr's office that usually is not the case. They did say something about co-morbilities (not sure of spelling) Anyway, I have high blood pressure and sleep apnea so there wasn't a problem. I too would be disappointed to have to wait 6 months, I have heard some say a year. Ugh. Try to stay positive, February will pop around before you know it. This weight loss is for sure a long process from square one to our goal weight. But, look what we get out of it! So much we have been longing for.

I think only you truly know what is best for you. Your surgeon should also be able to help you with finding that answer. Go to more than one Dr. and see if they tell you the same best thing for you or completely different. Also ask them how successful they are in each of the surgeries. I personally think Drs. sometimes make decisions for us that benefit them greatly. You have to live with this decision everyday not them. Goodluck, I hope you find the answers you need.

I haven't thought about in that way but I have definitely had thoughts of Thanksgiving, especially stuffing, and subs and so on. I know many bandsters can't tolerate bread and of course we will miss some things but from what I have read from others experiences that if we stay on track those happy memories of food will fade away to feeling a lot better about many other things, like clothes, our bodies etc. I also am a comfort eater and have been cranky on and off during this pre-op process, or so my family has been telling me! Lets stay in touch!

I am on pre op diet too, Its been 12 days. Friday 20th is surgery day. It has been really hard, I agree. I also have had a pickle here and there, baked fish, chicken once each when I have been very sick to my stomach. I have lost 20 pounds. So YES I can relate! : ) Colleen

My surgeon is right behind Dairy Queen too! lol Maybe they do that on purpose!

Me too! June 20th. Lucky you with the three day pre-op! Mine is 14 days!

I can agree, I dont like or think artificial sweetener is good in any sense of the word good. With that said, lots of stuff like medicine I take that I need (blood pressure etc.) is not good for me in one sense but it is better for me than the alternative. (heart attack, stroke). So for me that is how I think of the sugar free is that as an obese person, when I feel I have to eat something sweetened, it just has to be sugar free because the alternative to it is more sugar and more weight gain. We absolutely should eat it in small amounts and learn to cut it out or greatly decrease the amount and while we are in that process the sugar free is what helps us get there and loose weight in the meantime. I hope that made sense, Colleen

Wow, what a difference in life this is. My husband usually wants me to make his favorite dishes for fathers day. We are both 9 days in on the pre-op diet. This is the first of many holidays that we have to totally find new ways of celebrating. I honestly don't know what to do right now. We have disabilities that keep us home so what a journey of new things we will have to find. We are allowed chike Meal Replacement, broth, sugar free Jello. Not much to enjoy but I keep thinking this is a good start to our new world. I am down 16lbs so at least I have that to hang onto. I can honestly say, I feel so HUNGRY!!! Love to you all for complete success. Colleen

I just looked at your stats, wow very inspiring along with the quote.

Hi, well can't be a walk buddy but would be happy to share mental support. Colleen

Wow, I feel your excitement! Put a big smile on my face and I dont blame you for wanting to shout from the roof tops! Go girl!

I think the pickle would be ok but the avocado I would pass on. Look up the fat/calories on the avocado, I know it is good for you but it is neither low calorie or low carb. Of course the best decision is by those doing the surgery. Good luck, this pre-op diet sucks. I am not suppose to have anything besides chike Meal Replacement, broth and sugar free Jello. It has been really hard. I am on day 9 of pre-op and down 16lbs. Good luck, keep in touch.

My doc gave me Chike Meal Replacement shakes, these are the ingredients, sometimes things are tricky to understand, different names. etc INGREDIENTS: whey Protein isolate, whey protein concentrate, natural and artificial flavor (includes annatto and turmeric added for color), soy protein isolate, sunflower oil, maltodextrin, polydextrose, corn syrup solids, magnesium phosphate, cellulose gum, soy lecithin, dextrose, sodium caseinate, salt, mono- and diglycerides, potassium phosphate, Calcium phosphate, sucralose, medium chain triglycerides, acesulfame K, ascorbic acid, zinc sulfate, alpha¬tocopherol acetate, tocopherols added to protect flavor, niacinamide, L-selenomethionine, reduced Iron, calcium pantothenate, copper gluconate, manganese sulfate, Vitamin A palmitate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, riboflavin, thiamine mononitrate, folic acid, chromium chloride, Biotin, potassium iodide, sodium molybdate, phytonadione, vitamin 03, vitamin B12.