weighdown

Good Luck tomorrow to my fellow, future skinny lap band buddies.... I hope everyone's surgery is ontime, no delays, no complications... Happy Surgery Day! It's been a tough 17 days of liquids only, but I see the goal line in the short distance of tomorrow... I've lost 21 lbs, off 1 diabetic med already, the other one maybe even tomorrow; I went to the doctor friday and my blood pressure was 112/60.... I couldn't believe it.....NEVER had a reading like that in my entire adult life.... I put my hand to my chest to see if I even had a heart beat! I broke the news to family over the past few days about the surgery... some freaked, some cheered, some are very nervous. In the past, I coped with their opinions by eating...now I no longer have that option.... so I just thank them for their sharing.... and affirm my decision to do this; especially after dropping 21 lbs and stopping one of my medicine's (-3 pills) already... Hugs to you all!

No, and I am still a little ticked about it. Had gone to my pre-surgery consult with Dr; he said, "Oh, you start liquids today... liver too fat".... Well, last supper was going to be next night; so that was over... Now, I am dreaming about Popeye's chicken and onion rings.... as I have been liquid only for 11 days... I almost want to cry.... I have to cut the sound and close my eyes at any food commericials on TV now... and I guess I will not know who win's FoodNetwork's "Top Chef" because it's going to be emotinally taxing... Hopefully "Hell's Kitchen" is still do-able for me to watch .... because so far.... those chef's have made nothing I would want to eat given the option ...

I tried MANY over the last 12 days; hated everyone. Then started the unjury (advertised below on the site)... felt dumb because it's the one my surgeon gave me samples of and suggested to use... could have saved my self drama had I just done so .... Powders. The travel packets come 1 per unit; the canister has 17 servings of 1 scoop per container. I brought the individual travels, first; then ordered the canister's. they came jiffy quick in mail... I like the chocolate WITH MILK, not water!!!!!... with a tsp of chocolate syrup... dissolves completely... not "Protein taste"... now my hubby has started to ask for me to make him one when I drink it too.... he has "15 lbs" to lose... vanilla is fine also; I use flavor extracts to give it a taste strawberry is more like a flavored drink... put it in a crystal light, but was way to sweet for me; someone suggested lemon flavor crystal light... I see why. don't think I will like that one... chicken Soup my doctors assistant said was good but watch the temperature...of the Water or it will be terrible. non-flavored has versatility too probably will really use with extracts i put ice in the shakes, as said by others; i brought that small power blender (can't think of the name) and it sits on my counter now...as I have put away the toaster, the cookie jar and the chips... so, as a new liquid Protein drinker, Unjury has allowed me to get in line with this liquid phase easier.

Hello, I am having my "change of life" on 6/30...

Happy 6/30, kdlee... Congratulations on your success... I've been pre-op diet x13 days; down 14 lbs. Its tough; but I think of the starving children in "x?x?x?x" and I get over it. I've found that I am hyper sensitive to smell; and without sugar in my diet, the taste of strawberry unjury mixed with crystal light is waaayyy too much (sweet)... despite the no-sugar in it. I've struggled to get the right Protein drink and combo down; I've been using flavor extracts to help. I no longer have the intense headaches, but now have a tough time drinking cold items; my stomach feels seized up; and warm drinks of Water sooths it.... which is opposite of what I had been pre, pre-op.... I've loved ice cold water....not now. also, I've waken the last two nights in terrible distress/pain.... I guess I'm full of gas/air and feeling as if an elephant is on my chest; it goes on for about 1 hour.... I think this is the productive burp (PB's) that others have mentioned... which I had only anticipated post-surgery... I thought I saw the "warm glowing light" in the far distance until it was over... and was able to catch my breath... I have to practice self-talk to get me over the food desires; cut the sound on food commercials, and then close my eyes. It will be ok, for all of us!

Meri, Thanks for encouragement. All is well... heart normal, esphogus normal... Actually, I've found out more about my "true" health status in this pre-op period than I actually had before. Eyes wide open, now. Surgery is not just an option, but a necessity. Surgeon is Barry Greene, at Shady Grove Adventist (Rockville)

Prayer. and flavor extract. I'm on day 8 pre; with 10 days pre to go after hits and misses with the premade kinds, i was close to edge as the smell and after taste were going to send me over the cliff; i I finally got a clue from surgeon's staff and bought the unjury mix... thank goodness... no aftertaste; it just dawned on me to mix it with milk rather than Water (package says 6-8 oz of either, however 8 oz water is too much and 6 is pretty good; will try it at 4-5 in the morning, and it in power blender with ice

I didn't know of the weight limit either when I purchased one from Sears. Paid for delivery and had it at home for a week; then realized the lb. limit. Went back to Sears and asked for a model with a higher weight limit --- which is more for the size/power of the motor. They had it. Switched it out with no issue. So look at Sears... I don't remember the cost, but maybe $200 more.... oh, and it had a built in fan.... which is essential for me when I get going...

Hello to you... at Shady Grove Hospital, which is 30 miles from home but fighting Beltway traffic each way, ... Dr. Barry Greene where did you go?

Hello ... I live in Bowie ; I'm scheduled for 6/30... Congrats on both your successes...

I'm June 30, too... Cathy, can you show me the way to the 6/30 group too????

Meri, I live in Bowie... where do you live?

Dear Meri, Can't quite say I am excited; but relieved that it is within reach. Being fat --- morbidly obese is no longer an option --- I see a different kind of life ahead... I have had several bumps this week along the road to prep for surgery... -surgeon says I have a fat liver -surgeon says I had to start liquids, asap -surgeon says I may be bumped back if I don't lose weight in next two weeks and my liver doesn't shrink -surgeon says my blood sugars need to be 90's -pulmonologist says that my heart is enlarged, need CAT scan of heart, lungs before I get cleared on the positive side, I had my endoscopy yesterday... it was normal!!! I started liquids yesterday, and practiced self-control and I didn't lick my hubby's face after he ate his dinner of leftover ribs, chicken and steak But through it all, my hair looked really good yesterday!!!

Dear Hazel-eyes, Yes it is in the regular drug store. There are two kinds.... Biotin 1000 mcg and 5000 mcg. (my doctor requests I take 1000) Small tablets. at CVS drug store costs $10.50 for 100 tabs. Take 1 tab with meal. From the bottle: "Found in foods such as oatmeal and soy. Biotin is wqater soluable B Vitamin assists in eergy metabolism in cells. Biotin is essential for the intermediate metabolism of carbs, Proteins and fats. Biotin also helps support healthy skin and hair". I had read about Biotin benefits about a year ago, meant to start it, but doing the prep for surgery it was required. I wish I had started in years ago... but I lacked the insight. I think it's a benefit to my overall health, hair and nails.

I've been using Biotin 1000 mg for about 6 months. In my research hair loss is an issue for gastric and lap band. my surgeon requires the use of biotin and multi-Vitamins. i've used it for 6 months and i have noticed a HUGE difference in my hair and nails. my hubby didn't know i was taking biotin until recently; i happened to mention it and he said he had wondered why there was no longer a barber shop quantity of my hair on the bathroom floor in the morning anymore. he thought i was combing my hair in the car. It works for me; and my nails...which are brittle and not cute at all have changed too. thicker and growing. band placement on 6/30...hopefully

Tai... I just finished my master's April 2007; and then started this lap band process a few months later in the summer. I didn't think the stress of finishing school and lap banding would go together well for me. Self-doubt, emotions are going to be coming up in your life. Don't put too much on your plate - figuratively and literally!!!! Take it slow, be aware and find an outlet that doesn't involve food because that's been an intrical part of how we've arrived at this weight crises. You are not alone in what you are feeling; but find a safe haven to express yourself and find validation. Unfortunately, many friends/family aren't able to provide you with that safe haven because they have no prior knowledge with which to speak on it or in fact may not be able to cope with their own personal struggles. I've only told two friends; just recently told one of my sister's who also struggles with morbid obesity; (my other sister is normal weight, and I am not yet willing to share with her; and nor have I told my longest friend can't relate either) so my safe harbor is small; I don't want/feel like coping with other people's emotions about what I am doing to save my life... not yet atleast. Have fun in Europe;

"If you are like me, and have struggled with weight and food issues for many years (most of my adult life) then this is a very big step. I'm scheduled for surgery July 1st. In many respects I am letting go of something that is very familiar -- both my weight and my ability to use food as a source of comfort. For me, weight has always been both a shield and a sword. Something to protect myself and "blame" when things were not always so easy for me or did not go my way. For me the lap band represents a huge change and, in many respects, I feel like I am getting ready to experience a huge loss in my life. I am letting go of something very familiar, comforting. My weight has been part of my "self-definition" for so long, I am worried about not having it as a point of reference. I am so ready to make this change, however, and I think because I'm ready, the feelings are intense." How did you read my mind? I have started to cry in the last few days .... and I am not a cry-ing kind of girl. I am scheduled for 6/30 ... if my pre-op fast works, my liver shrinks, my weight goes down, and my cardio is ok.... It has opened up pandora's box ... which had a pretty good lock on it; and now that I don't have food as a comfort option, I will use the "food eating energy" to do the things around the house that I have let go; and get my fat butt on the treadmill to burn the energy. I completely understand what you feel; positive self-talk is essential; being confident in making this good decision is the best thing for your new change. It's probably one of the first times that many of us have done something for ourselves, first .... and not been concerned about being a people pleaser or caretaker to others; therefore the emotions and stress are coming forward. We've stood still in obesity ... now it's time to move out of that shell and reveal ourselves - pound by pound to the world. It's frightening for that reveal to become reality. It's almost like the show "Clean House"... if you've seen the confused state of how these people are living ... and say..."how in the world could they live that way???" .... once the "stuff" starts to shift out of the house, the people want to "hold on" to what's been comfortable and cause for the confusion; they often break down on something they we as "watchers" think is soooo insignificant ... a teddy bear, or a pair of shoes ..... but it's real to them as a symbol of what was or what use to be.... we have to bear that same emotion as we shift out/reduce our weight... and get ready for a new kind of life. we've taken the major step to "clean our physical house" but we must tend to the "mental house" also.

Had a stress test yesterday per my pulmonologist during my pre-op clearance appt. She heard my heart murmur (since birth), but so had my cardiologist a few weeks ago, and my primary serveral weeks earlier than that. The cardiologist ordered an echo and was told that I had some changes. But said it needed to be monitored each year. However, yesterday at the pulmonologist, she was very concerned about it and has ordered a heart CT and lung CT also; while looking on xray she said that my heart was enlarged and wanted the 3-D picture to evaluate Fluid around my heart ... therefore she wants that to clear me... well that took the wind out of my sails... I had an appointment with the surgeon 20 miles away an hour later and had to get gas.... I broke down crying... I never hated the weight before...just didn't like it; but now .... I curse it. It's going to kill me. the guy at the next pump thought I was crying about the gas price ($4.29) and asked if I was short on money to pay.... I said no, just have a sick relative that I was concerned about. When I saw my surgeon a hour later, he felt that I had pulmonary hypertension and that the CT would be key. this only validates the need for the weight loss because of the domino effect of other health issues... so if I have again validated 100% based on these changes in my healthy, that surgery will be essential. This is truly a fight for life. I had to do 6 minutes of walking to capture my oxygen rate. Then 5 minutes on a treadmill, set pretty aggressively; then 30 minutes of lung function tests by breathing into a machine, holding breath, pushing in/out air; then two sticks to get my blood gasses; I was exhausted afterwards.

I survived the upper endo.... the hurry up and wait was the biggest thing; but I've surrendered to the entire pre-op process - fasting, testing and refraining from eatting. I was "out" within seconds of the tooth/mouth guard being put in; woke up 45 minutes later...sleepy with a sore throat and very sore bump on my inside lip that is painful still... had some internal pain going down my esphogus/in my stomach... found out the doctor did several biopsies which was the cause. Late this afternoon I really had discomfort as the meds wore off... but Tylenol has stopped that. Had a very small appetite which helped get through the 1st day of the pre-op fast; tomorrow I start the trial/error of several kinds of Protein drinks...

my doctor doesn't like slimfast either according to his medical assistant. ... the smell choked me up in the high Protein he prefers a brand called "Unjury" protein power... i start it today. question: what flavor Atkins' do you like ... his med asst. says that's her favorite kind... my liver is my issue too; along with losing the weight also or my surgery is pushed back... what ever it takes I shall not eat but drink for the next two weeks in hopes my surgery goes on 6/30

I'm on my way to an upper endoscopy... preop requirement... It's very close to the same... will let you know what happens with that!

I agree.... be strong; DO NOT CHEAT! WALK AWAY! YOU CAN DO IT!!!!!!!!! Saw my surgeon yesterday and he said I had to start liquids that very moment rather than next Monday.... my liver is fatty (hehehe, if that was the only thing). His Nurse practioner said that I shouldn't eat another solid piece of anything; now I have to go in for a weight check for the next two weeks (30 miles from home x 4.29 a gallon).... Surgeon said he would bump back my surgery if I didn't lose weight by next week; and my blood sugars weren't in the 90 range... he wasn't happy... Had other appointments yesterday for pulmonary clearance... I have an enlarged heart, now need to have a CT of heart before the pulmonologist will clear me. Have to leave for a upper GI in a few minutes, to make sure my eshophagus / stomach are clear; Got 9 prescriptions from surgeon to take pre-surgery. I broke down crying too ... I can't remember what food that I have eatten in the past 40 years that tasted sooooo goooood that it was worth the health crisis I have evolved into.... Food and me are no longer friends! I have ended the relationship as it has existed previously at 12 midnight on 6/12

Per my surgeon, I've started using Biotin 1000 mg Vitamin supplement (in the Drugstores)... for hair support. Not banded yet, but for last 4 months, I've noticed a huge impact on my hair and nails... a few weeks ago, I said something in passing to my hubby about Biotin... then he paused and said "thought" something was up... because he hasn't seen as much hair on the floor of the bathroom.... and thought I was combing my hair in the car....and my hairdresser commented too

what's PB?

Congrats on hubby's support. Mine is totally on-board with me too. I tease him that when he eats before coming home; he better look out and take a deep breath ... because when he walks in the door.... he's going to get the longest, deepest, fully mouth hello kiss I can muster up ... despite being in my weakened and hungry state.... because I intend to taste every bit of what food pieces he has left in his mouth from his dinner ....!!!