christasha

yup . . . that was my instructions too . . . no driving on pain meds . . . but walk walk walk walk walk . . . and then walk some more! Chris

Welcome aboard the bandwagon Holly! Glad you're doing well . . . Chris

EAK - my doctor made us give up all caffiene and carbination. The carbination because of the bubbles in the pouch . . . and he just is dead set against caffiene too. That being said - many people here were not given that restriction. Since I gave it up pre-op . . . I just haven't gone back to it - although New Year's with no champagne! OMG . . . this will be a new thing!

I'll be 4 weeks on Monday . . . and haven't understood that "anything" is just about doo-able in moderation. I've also been slow in loosing the last couple weeks . . . like NO movement . . .so I'm afraid to do much in the way of carbs . . . I'm an expert on poached salmon in chicken broth . . . with broccoli way over cooked . . . and cottage cheese with salsa, or SF applesause or alvacado . . . scrambled eggs do well .. . again with salsa - and grits are great with a bit of salt on them. I get my first fill on the 2nd . . . so we shall see what happens then! I do two EAS AdvatagEdge carb control drinks a day for 17 g protein each (WalMart - 4 for $4.87) Good Luck! ~ Chris

Dr. Mueller did my surgery on 12-3 . . . and everything went well. The $300 fee was for the year of exercise classes - made up of just his patients - and also for the monthly support group sessions we are required to attend for a year. Also - one jar of Whey Isotobe . . . I'm very happy with his office - and I get my first fill on Jan 2. He said he was fairly agressive with the fills. So . . . one week from today I start a new phase of this journey.

Dr. Mueller did my surgery on 12-3 . . . and everything went well. The $300 fee was for the year of exercise classes - made up of just his patients - and also for the monthly support group sessions we are required to attend for a year. Also - one jar of Whey Isotobe . . . I'm very happy with his office - and I get my first fill on Jan 2. He said he was fairly agressive with the fills. So . . . one week from today I start a new phase of this journey.

Good luck to everyone going in for banding for the rest of the month! We are all going to turn a page on the 1st . . . We'll all be Post Op for the first time! Wahoo! Dec 26 - Miss Polly jenncore lachica39 Palarin Tcuts gayle21 Kennergirl redd1733 Dec 27 - jasmona1214 glitzigirl thundandlight Jazzywoman jbaines Holly369 Dec 28 - The Fox imsamiam J.Discount Cleo2354 Mellis Jalee rebellerina Dec 29 Dec 30 Dec 31 - Justin Chrisann imb316 mvg1269

Good for you . . . take one day at a time . . . I was tired after my first days back at work . . . but I would have been going stir crazy sitting at home . . . it just keeps getting better each day. I have to keep remembering that I'm only 3-1/2 weeks out still . . . it becomes easy to start to overdue things . . . take it slow and easy at first!

I did fine . . . except broke off a piece of my FAVORITE sugar cookie . . . and only ate a tiny piece of what I broke off because it tasted like sawdust to me . . . so . . . I wasn't tempted any further . . . which is a GOOD thing. I had to pass on the prime rib I cooked . . .but I poached myself a piece of salmon in chicken stalk . . . which tasted like heaven! I get my first fill one week from today . . . so I'm looking forward to that!

I always stay home . . . don't want to be out on the roads . . . so I have movie night . . . anyone there can pick a movie they want . . .but it HAS to include "The Great Race" with Tony Curtis and Natalie Woods. I used to always have cold boiled shrimp and lots of appetizers . . . don't know what I'm going to do for food this year because I'm not suppose to have shrimp yet . . . but everyone else can eat them . . .

I was thinking of walking down to the mall today at lunch . . .just to see what is on sale . . . I'm early for buying new things . . . but gee . . . some smaller tops can always be used at some point! ~ Chris

I can't speak for myself because I've only lost a small part of what I have to loose . . .but from all the before/after pictures I've seen . . . EVERYONE looks YOUNGER to me! She might not be taking care of herself . . . taking her vitamins . . . exercising . . . eating the right things . . . be stressed with things in her life . . . but most people look way younger to me ~ Chris

And same to you RonKat! We CAN do this . . . "they" made 5 pies in my house last night . . . and all I did was go in and advise . . . and the cookies and fudge they've been making . . . it hasn't bothered me . . . I'm making them Prime Rib today (it's our Christmas today because my son's family goes to his wife's tonight) . . . and I'm poaching a piece of salmon for myself . . . now THAT is willpower to ME :rose: Have a GREAT holiday everyone!

My preop class told us to use Benefiber - which mixes well with anything and has no taste . . . I put it in my breakfast every day . . . but even with that . . . I'm averaging twice a week at most . . . but I was never a daily person before the operation. TMI . . . sorry . . . but I like the Benefiber

Another place for shoes online is footsmart.com - I got some really cute 10WW on there . . . and Friday night when we were going for family pictures I put one pair on . . . and I had to change - I couldn't keep them on my feet! Oh YEA if I can come down a size . . . that would be GREAT!

Good Luck to you Jenn! I'm hoping all is straightened out for you tomorrow! Hang in there!

Yea! Way to go! Keep up the GREAT work!

Welcome to the losers' side! Yes - swelling is standard . . .they fill us full of gas and it take it awhile to work itself out . . .

I'm one of the people still on liquids after surgery . . . and man all the sodium in the Soups and premixed EAS drinks and even some in the Propell . . . this has GOT to be making me retain Water or something . . . since this is almost all I'm living on (well SF Jello and popcicles) . . . you would think I would be waisting away . . . but this week my scale isn't moving . . . I wonder if it is something to do with the sodium . . . can't wait for mushies on Monday! Chris

Welcome to bandster land! That is so cool that your wife could watch the procedure! I haven't heard anyone have that option. (Although I doubt my daughter would have watched if she could!). Hang in there . . . and careful with the straws . . . they are a "no no" from my instructions because of getting more air into your stomach. Happy Holidays! ~ Chris

Yea! I get my first fill on the 2nd. This IS exciting! ~ Chris

WaHoo! Way to go! Chris

Oh Heavy . . . Good for you! I've moved on to mushies now too . . . and ff pintos with cheese and salsa are GREAT! Haven't done mashed potatoes yet, but will on Christmas day . . . It isn't easy traveling I'm sure. I went to breakfast this morning with some friends - first time since my surgery. Had a scrambled egg with cheese and some grits . . . and that was GREAT!

EAS makes a carb control premixed protein drink . . . 17 grams protein. Pack of 4 is < $5 at WalMart . . . I have to drink 2 protein drinks a day between meals, so I take these to work . . . less hassel. I like the strawberry and Chocolate . . .never tried the vanilla . . . they aren't thick and help get that protein in.

I guess I've been lucky . . . food hasn't bothered me either seeing it or smelling it . . .I just don't care about it. Since my son and his family moved in a couple weeks ago, my d-i-l has been baking nonstop. . . and no problems here. (TG!) Hopefully this will pass for everyone at some point! Chris