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Good luck with the ultrasound. Orea

Liza, congrats on reaching the century mark, and so quickly, too! You give me hope that my journey may be shorter than I thought. Do you exercise much? Orea

Pop back a page and you'll see our July list. :-) Orea

Glad to hear you did it and you are okay! Onward and downward! Orea

Generally speaking, they require a Body mass Index (BMI) of 35 or over if you have comorbidities like the ones you mention. Or if your BMI is 40 or greater you only need the weight and not the comorbidities. They may require you to show that you have been at that weight ballpark for 2-5 years. Good luck! Orea

Some of the bands are installed with some fluid in them. Call your surgeon. It sounds like you are way too tight. Dehydration, etc. is nothing to mess around with. Orea

BTW, count your blessings! I am not even allowed veggies of any sort. I asked if I might have a plate of steamed green beans and the answer was no. I'd almost kill for some veggies about now... Orea

Mel, I'm on day 6 of Optifast and finally it's getting easier. Now, about those soups: They need a good bit of doctoring. Hit your herbs and spices and got to town. For the awful chicken soup, I add poultry seasoning, thyme, garlic powder, and even a little Molly McButter last time. I got some low salt low fat chicken broth and mixed that in, too. At 5 calories per cup it can't be too wicked. LOL I like the tomato soup better. I add garlic, oregano and basil, or chili powder, cumin, oregano and garlic... Next time I may try adding some beef broth. Disgusting as they may be, I find the warm soups comforting and I feel fuller with them than the drinks sometimes. Now as for the drinks, I use my magic bullet type blender and whiz them with crushed ice and DaVinci sugar free syrups. I love the vanilla with the chai! Chocolate is good with toasted hazelnut and or English Toffee. Or raspberry. The chocolate bar is simply vile. I take a bite, chew it and wash it down with water as quickly as possible. LOL The only thing that kept me going the first few days was telling myself, "Could you do this if your life (or your kids' life) depended on it? Then you can do it!" Hope this helps. Orea

Hi, just checking in. Finally my body has adjusted to the Optifast regimen. I don't feel so miserable any more, thank goodness. I can't believe I'll be having surgery next week! :crying: Time to start packing while the laundry is clean! LOL Orea

It's worth doing what you have to do, to get it. Yes, you may have to develop more patience and fortitude than ever before! I've been working on this so long I can't quite believe I'm almost there. But I learned so much while I waded through it all, I think the wait was a good thing. I am very well prepared. I know most of the ns and outs of banded life from being a long term member of smartbandsters at Yahoo groups. And I used that time to start the weight loss process instead of waiting for the band to do it all. I've been practicing bandster eating habits to the point where a baby spoon feels more normal to me now than a normal spoon does! If you find that it takes time, make the most of it. You know, lemons out of lemonade! Orea

April, you sound too tight for me. If you find after a couple days you still can't eat, call your surgeon and go in for a slight unfill. Too tight will slow your weight loss and possibly endanger your band. Good luck! Orea

Congratulations! :crying: Orea

Here is the short version: Last April, I was diagnosed as diabetic. Just one point over, but that was enough. I gave up most sugars and white carbs within days. I had nasty cravings for about a month, but I let myself eat things like cheese as needed instead of caving. I try to eat lean protein, lots of veggies, fruits with protein so I don't get a blood sugar spike and plummet. In 2007 I lost 28 pounds and gained back 17 of them. I redoubled my efforts with the new year and started losing again. In March, I got helpful advice from the dietician I saw as part of my Aetna qualification, and joined CalorieKing.com. That was a great move. I keep a meticulous diet journal there. Everything I eat gets logged, and the program tells me how I am doing in terms of calories plus ratios of protein, fats and carbs, and fiber, etc., and how they compare with what is recommended. I Like the Kashi high fiber high protein cereals. I enjoy popcorn, and if Calorieking says I am low on fat for the day, I put some butter on it! I occasionally have a potato now, but it isn't often. I have noticed it does slow my weight loss if I overdo the potatoes. Steamfresh veggies are a great convenience food. We eat a lot of them every week as easy side dishes. We usually use Molly McButter now instead of real butter. (sigh) Oh yes, and I an trying to find more ways to add beans and lentils and the like to my diet. Fiber is my friend! And I don't drink liquids with calories except for my low fat milk. I have to say that eating this way, I am feeling better than I have in many years. I don't lose steadily every week, but if I hang on through the stalls, there is a good loss week coming my way eventually. I still eat out sometimes, but I am learning to order more wisely and to do things like ask for vegetables in place of the french fries. It really is a mind game. Here are some of the mottos I learned at Smartbandsters that serve me well: Just because you can, doesn't mean you should! It's not how much you can eat, it's how little you can get by on. Am I trading what I really want, for what I want right now? Do I like that food enough to wear it? If hunger isn't the problem, food isn't the answer. The last six pounds have come off since I started my two weeks of Optifast diet to shrink my liver for surgery. Oh, and my latest blood work shows that my non-fasting blood sugar is well into the normal range! :biggrin2: Orea

Welcome! Congrats on your upcoming bands. I'm coming down to the wire on mine. :-) Orea

My instructions from the dietician say to keep up with two protein shakes a day (or 56+ grams of protein) between meals until I can eat that much in food. Which will be after I'm done with pureed foods. I'll bet it was the iced tea that caused the headache -- or the lack of it! it does have some caffeine as well as theobromine. I love the stuff but had to give it up as even if I drink it in the morning these days, it interferes with my sleep that night. When I do have some, which is rare, I quickly get a buzz! LOL Orea

Hi Alice, nice to meet you! According to my understanding, the band is not supposed to "restrict" us or force us to eat less. Its purpose is to dim our appetite so we are better able to control our eating. How to tell if you need a fill? These are the signs they look for: If you are eating your bandster portion of 3 oz. lean protein and 1/2 cup veggies, with maybe a bit of good carb if you have room, and you are hungry well before 3-4 hours elapse. If you are trolling the house for food between meals. If you aren't losing 1-2 pounds a week for several weeks in a row, or you are gaining. Good luck! Orea

Lynn, most of my root canals have been relatively pain-free, but the one that left my jaw aching taught me that icing it really helps. Good luck! Orea

Some people can eat rice, but I'm thinking that sticky rice such as that in sushi may well ball up in the tummy and cause a problem. Besides, while we are trying to drop pounds, the high glycemic foods like rice, potatoes, and breads are not the best choice. To me, weight loss is far more important than sushi. That said, I've been thinking of a possible faux sushi salad using grated cooked cauliflower as the faux rice, seasoned with the rice vinegar, and seafood of choice with some finely shredded nori on top. I shouldn't be thinking about food on my frist day of Optifast, this is making me hungry! LOL Orea

LisaB, I'm so sorry! That really stinks, to put it nicely. I'm thinking that if you can't get in be the end of the month, you are going to need to find a new surgeon. But check with your insurance company about this. All of your paperwork should transfer, I would think, with the possible exception of lab work that expires in 30 days and that kind of thing. Good luck! Hope you can get a cancellation or something. Don't let this make you dive into the refrigerator! Food won't make this better, but it will make you feel worse about yourself. Orea

Hi, Kathy, and welcome! I just started my two weeks of Optifast preop diet today, and I must say I'm not a happy camper right now. I know how you feel. For me, saying goodbye to sushi was a hard one. But we have to keep our focus on what we have to gain by getting our weight under control. That's what makes this all worthwhile. Good luck! Orea

I know it's tough to have to wait when the need feels so urgent. And I also know about irritating and stupid nutritionists! (Though I have some great ones now, both at the hospital and through my surgeon.) So, you have my sympathy. I think we've all been there, where we want it yesterday. I've had to wait close to a year to change insurance companies and jump through Aetna's hoops. So I also have the experience to say this: Make the most of this waiting time. Practice eating bandster style: Lean Proteins, lots of veggies and fruits, Beans and other high Fiber carbs. Take tiny bites and chew thoroughly. (My surgeon's dietician says to chew to applesauce consistency. That made it really clear for me.) Pause between bites. If you haven't already cut back on caffeine and carbonation, start now. Drink plenty of Water and other non caloric fluids. I have come to really appreciate the waiting time I had because I was able to research thoroughly, join bandster groups and see what they are going through, and I put my good habits into place while losing some of the excess weight. :frown: So I have a head start on the journey to my goal weight! Time will pass. You will schedule your surgery in a way that works for you. It's all good. If you choose to make it good. Orea

I just Googled this to refresh my memory, because I remembered - kind of - something about longer term cardio burning fat. Here is what I found: Cardio Exercises to Burn Major Calories! The best cardio exercise is simply the one you will do day in and day out consistently. Choose one which you enjoy doing and don't be afraid to mix the exercises up. Interval cardio work consists of moving from one exercise to another in set time intervals. For example, you could do the elliptical trainer for 15 minutes, then switch to the stationary bike for another 15 minutes and finish off on the treadmill for the last 15 minutes. Interval training is a great way to keep everything fresh! There are two schools of though when it comes to cardio training. The "slow & steady" group and the "high intensity" group. These two groups breakdown like this: Slow & Steady Cardio Long duration (45min - 1 hour) Low intensity Burn fat and not carbs Preserve joints High Intensity Cardio Short duration (20min - 30min) High intensity (interval training) Burn tons of calories & rev up your metabolism throughout the day Treat cardio like weights - explosive movements (sprinting, etc) Our advice is to try both for at least 6 weeks and make sure to monitor your progress with a journal and take weekly photos of yourself to see if you're truly losing body fat. Which Cardio Exercise Burns the Most Calories? Below are the top 10 cardio exercises which burn the most calories in 30 minutes. 1. Step Aerobics - one of the most favorite cardio exercises preferred by women. Step Aerobics mainly target your legs, hips and glutes, and can burn approx. 400 calories in 30 minutes. 2. Bicycling - stationary or outdoors is a great cardio exercises, depending on resistance and speed can but 250 to 500 calories in 30 minutes. 3. Swimming - like cross-country skiing is an excellent cardio exercises as it is a full body exercises. Swimming is a great cross-training for other cardio activities. Doing the breast stroke can burn approx. 400 calories in 30 minutes. 4. Racquetball - side to side sprinting makes racquetball and excellent cardio exercises. A 145-lb person burns over 400 calories in 30 minutes. 5. Rock Climbing - is not only a cardio exercises, but also uses arm and leg strength and power. Rock Climbing can burn up to 380 calories in 30 minutes. 6. Cross-Country Skiing - whether on a machine or outdoors on snow, is an incredible cardio exercises as it involves both upper and lower body. A 145 lb person can burn approx 330 calories in 30 minutes. 7. Running - Running is an excellent cardio exercises because all you need is a pair of quality running shoes. Running burns serious calories. A 145 LB person can easily burn 300 calories in 30 minutes. 8. Elliptical Trainer - is an excellent cardio exercises and a great way to build endurance. A 145 LB person can burn about 300 calories in 30 minutes. 9. Rowing - is both a cardio exercises as well as giving your arms an incredible workout. 145 LB person can burn about 300 calories in 30 minutes. 10. Walking - Brisk walking is a less strenuous form of cardio exercises. Walking can burn up to 180 calories in 30 minutes. Sprinting, adding hills or an incline can increase amount of calories burned. For the real high intensity cardio people out there who love the H.I.I.T training (High Intensity Interval Training), below are the top three cardio exercise which will provide amazing results! 1. Jumping Rope - This is one of the simplest, yet most effective exercises one can do. In just 15 to 20 minutes, jumping rope will give you an unparalleled total body workout. Jumping rope is ideal for cardiovascular endurance and enhances performance in virtually any sport - tennis, basketball, football, skiing, volleyball and more. This simple exercise is also great for eye-hand coordination, lateral movement, foot and hand speed and agility. 2. Sprinting - Sprinting not only burns HUGE amounts of calories while sprinting, it also keeps your metabolism flying for days after. Sprinting combined with running / jogging can bring amazing results 3. Spinning - These high-intensity workouts to music simulate a challenging bike ride, complete with hills, valleys and varying speeds, all dictated by the group instructor. --from http://www.shapefit.com/cardio-exercises.html

Thanks, everyone, for checking in and letting us know how you are doing. I start my two weeks of preop Optifast diet tomorrow, and your words are very reassuring to me. I really appreciate it! Orea

What kind of shake is it? I don't get to try mine until Wednesday. Orea

Congratulations on making a wise and life-affirming decision. I wish I had this option when I was a young mom. The best of luck to you! Orea