LizzieNJ

I am curious as to where in NJ you are looking to book the conference. North, Central or South? Newark area, East/New Brunswick, Mount Laurel, Atlantic City? Philadelphia is also a great East Coast location with easy airport access for out of towners as well as easy train access. Before booking it would be nice to share a location more narrowed down than the entire state of NJ. NJ is alot bigger than NYC. Are you looking for a hotel with alot of conference rooms for breakout sessions, big ballrooms or an actual convention center. How large of a conference to you anticipate this being. I would be interested in alot more details.

I hope you are doing well. I took this week off as well and I am glad that I did and was able to. I really don't think I was up to returning to work this week. I am still pretty weak, from lack of nutrition I guess. I just can't get in enough Protein although I have been doing a little better with liquids the last 2 days. I go back for my 10 day check up on Fri May 30th. They told me I couldn't drive until after that appt, so I haven't pushed it. I will try to drive to the appt on Fri and depending on how I feel driving will dictate my returning to work, because I have a 30 mile commute each way. So I want to make sure I feel truly strong and confortable enough to not be a danger to anyone else on the road. It's not the pain meds anymore it just the turning and stretching to see the other cars etc, and being in traffic.

I ahven't been sleeping well either. The pain meds don't really seem to be doing anything anymore. I have 2 pills left. I took something last night to help me sleep around 4:00 am and then I slept well. I went out on Monday to get my hair washed and blown out and it really wore me out!! I go for my post-op on Friday and I am dying for some mushies mashed potatoes - something wonderful. I need food!!! lol I did have a tiny bit of ice cream on Monday. It was my b-day and my son got me some cake batter ice cream and I let it melt some and ate little bits at a time. I didn't have any bad side effects from it just felt bad for doing it. I haven't tried to eat anything that wasn't liquidy. I am looking forward to the mushies, like I said.

I hope you are doing well. I took this week off as well and I am glad that I did and was able to. I really don't think I was up to returning to work this week. I am still pretty weak, from lack of nutrition I guess. I just can't get in enough protein although I have been doing a little better with liquids the last 2 days. I go back for my 10 day check up on Fri May 30th. They told me I couldn't drive until after that appt, so I haven't pushed it. I will try to drive to the appt on Fri and depending on how I feel driving will dictate my returning to work, because I have a 30 mile commute each way. So I want to make sure I feel truly strong and confortable enough to not be a danger to anyone else on the road. It's not the pain meds anymore it just the turning and stretching to see the other cars etc, and being in traffic.

Stef - I just HAVE all that stuff - I tried it before surgery. I haven't even gotten through 2 cans of Slimfast today plus a couple of sips of Crystal Light with my meds. I didn't mean t mislead anyone into thinking I am consuming all that since surgery. They were just ideas for choices to use. I ahven't had Jello today. I have probably had about 16 or 17 oz of SlimFast and 2-3 of crystal light. I just made some broth we will see how much of that I can get in. It may help the gas because it warm. Here's hoping.

I am still not able to drink my requirments. But try to find something that gives you protein and liquid at the same time to make what you are drinking count for more. I find warm fluids go down easier than cold ones. I am straining Campbells Chicken Noodle Soup because I like the that broth tastes better than others. It makes me feel like I am having soup. I think I got in more liquids yesterday than today, but I am trying. Just feel so full so fast, a few sips and I am done for a while, I can't force/push it. Just do the best you can, and if you are still nauseaus I would call your surgeons office tomorrow or the hospital, someone will be on call. I need to call because my feet are swollen because they don't want me to take my BP meds cuz they're diuretics - don't want me to flush out the little fluid I am taking in and get dehydrated. we all just do the best we can. Take your pain meds if you are hurting and if they aren't enough tell your Dr. You need to stay as comfortable as possble. Chin up we will both make it and in a few more weeks this will all be a memory.

I am sorry you are having a hard time. My tummy has been pretty distended today from the gas I guess, uncomfortable. Gas-x has not helped. I am having trouble geting in my liquids too. Pretty slow. I am just doing the best that I can. Not comparing myself to others. because more sem to be having a easy time than a rougher time. we will be ok. I would rather be slow and make sure everything stays in the place that it was sewn into than hurry out to do something. Slow and steady wins the race, right? Good Luck.

I love me some Dale Jr. but love to look at alot of them!! My brother was part of the pre-race festivities today with his motorcycle club, he presented a POW MIA flag to the Speedway to fly. They rode on the track, but unfortunately it wasn't part of the televised pre-race. Someone said they saw an aireal view of them, but I must have missed it.

I am not felling pain really when I drink, just that full feeling and pressure very quickly. I have alot of pressure in my belly today. More than before. I assume its gas. I am on liquids for 10-14 days post-op. I go back to see the surgon on May 30th. I assume he will tell me if I can go ahead and start the mushies or conitnue on the liquids. I am not in any hurry to over exert myself or do anything to make my "innerds" not heal perfectly. I am missing food a little but I know that eventually I will be able to eat most of what I love. It will be ok, and I know we will both be ok too!! Good luck.

Dave - Good Luck to you in your journey to being banded. Mine was 12 months from starting to talk to my PCP about it, going to 3 informational seminars, being declined in Dec and then seeing a Nutritionist for 3.5 months and then finally approval in April and banding last Tuesday, May 20, 2008. I am not privy to your financial situation but some people have gone to Mexico and been very succesful with their banding experiences. I was lucky and my insurance covered 100%. I hope you have luck getting approval and surgery through your health services. There are lots of resources on the Web. I also use a website called ObesityHelp.com. They have a specific message board just for LapBand people. Good Luck!!

Star Jones did have a Gastric Bypass, I am not sure exatly which kind. I think the poster just meant by saying - "Pulling a Star Jones" was that she was keeping her procedure very quiet. Star did not go public for a VERY LONG time. She said she regretted that decision later becuase she could have helped people. But for her at the time it was the right decision. I have told a few close friends and minimal trustworthy coworkers. I just don't want everyone watching me eat and judging me. A woman at work had RNY and everyone judged everything she put in her mouth, how much she put on her plate, how much she lost and how fast. I don't need that kind of stress in my life. So for me at this time keeping this quiet is a good decision for me. No one needs the stress of being judged.

If you read her response - her first words are that she was banded in April 07- 13 months ago. No need for butt chewing just more careful reading.