chica

My doc actually recommends putting peanut butter into your protein shake if your hungry (pre- or post-op). It's more filling and it's delicious! But I believe you should avoid eating peanut butter by itself until mushies.

Great job on your weight loss! I started on mushies yesterday (a day early), and had my kids leftovers -- blenderized 2 oz salmon (had to add a lot of liquid and it still was pretty tough...), Green Giant Teriyaki veggies (broccoli, cauliflower and carrots, blenderized too -- YUM!), and for dinner, f/f refried Beans with salsa and guacamole (the last 2 had to be blended to remove chunks -- my doc is pretty strict about that). I plan to have some Green Giant creamed spinach today (doesn't need to be blended - YAY!), and this stuff that now looks like yucky baby food, but it's really blenderized veal-filled ravioli with a spicy arrabiatta sauce. They told me get over looking at the food and just taste it, so I'm trying. :thumbup: I think this phase is harder than liquids. Anyone else?

My doc has this and I just had my first one done last week. It's a hoot! Yes, you go into it naked as a newborn, and you hear a pleasant voice talk you through how to stand (holding handles with feet in correct place), and then there are a set of lights that go on and off in a sequence. The hilarious part is when they play this bizarre circus music :biggrin: (I swear that's what I thought of, but that may not be the music used everywhere) -- because I kept visualizing that I was the fat lady in the circus freak show at that point. Then it's over, you get dressed and you can see your body scan on the computer. It shows so many measurements! And no, you can't see anything graphic, it's just more silhouette-like. At this point it was just plain scary-looking (I'm so fat!), but it apparently provides a lot of positive reinforcement when you see yourself shrinking as the months go by. :cursing: Not painful at all, just shocking if you don't spend a lot of time looking at yourself naked in a mirror.

I keep some gauze over the steri-strip, and then put on a sports bra. Doesn't look as good as an underwire, but I'm not comfortable with the regular bra yet... :wink:

I've been a Curves member for almost 3 years now. I had plantar fasciitis a couple of years ago and was told to get Dr. Scholl's arch supports. They WORK! :crying: (And I still wear them even though the problem is gone.) I don't know that resistance training is the same thing as weight bearing exercise. You don't need to be worried about "running" on the recovery boards -- you're not supposed to be able to run, you should be fatigued from working the machines hard enough that you just want to walk in between. Otherwise, you end up working anaerobically, which is not good. Also, it may not have come to your Curves yet (mine is one of the early clubs doing this), but Curves has a new CurvesSmart program that records how hard you're working each machine. It's making everyone work out harder even if they're not using the new technology! :thumbup: I don't use it, but my gym pal does, and even she has noticed that I sweat more now. Try it!

Well, from all the supermarket research I did, the best thing about chicken broth over veggie broth is that with chicken broth you get some Protein built in vs. zero grams protein in veggie broth. :wub:

Hi Fenton, I don't claim to be an expert and I know each doc is different, but my doc really wants us to have some protein within the first 30 minutes of waking up because it really revs your metabolism for the day. So, even if it's half a shake or some Protein powder added to coffee, it's gonna help. Just a suggestion...:cheers2:

Women may appear to have a higher tolerance because we're famous for going through childbirth often without any painkillers or complaints of pain beyond the actual delivery. That's because it's organic, natural pain -- it's part of the magic to keep our species alive, and our bodies are meant to deal with it. Cutting and sewing into our bodies is inorganic, unnatural pain. It's not supposed to happen. I think we just aren't prepared for that -- although knowing upfront what kind of pain to expect (what is 'normal') does help deal with it. That's why we research and read these posts before surgery to get ready. But we're still surprised at it. Now, why do men take the pain 'like men' and deal with it with less complaints? Beats me. I'm still trying to understand how my husband can sleep through his own snoring! :shades_smile:

Hi, MsHansy. I definitely am peeing much slower and much less than before. (Dontcha just love how open we all are with this info!) But I don't go frequently either. I find myself clenching and grinding my teeth way more at night than usual (my dentist is going to hate this) and biting my tongue too. Maybe it's because we're not chewing at all and our bodies want to? :thumbup:

Hi, Everyone. I got my band 3/11, I'm doing okay other than problems with my Protein shakes. Doc thinks I might be somewhat lactose intolerant (so much bloating! :tt2:), so I'm trying to find good options that are not milk-based. Six more days before I get to move to mushies. But enough about me. I've been lurking on this thread from its first day or so, and I must tell you how much I've enjoyed reading about all of your experiences. (Fenton, you in particular amuse me most with your honesty and humor!) I'm getting hungry (okay, and jealous) thinking about what those of you who have moved to the next stage are having. :biggrin: Can't wait to go one of my favorite restaurants to ask them to blend me an order of lobster bisque next week! :thumbup: Main reason for finally posting here... so I can keep track of where I left off reading! This is a prolific bunch!

ARGH! You've really burst my bubble, but you've opened my eyes too. :biggrin: I tried one of the Profect Protein test tubes to try to get away from milk-based shakes and thought it would be okay. My doc thinks I may have some lactose intolerance issues because I'm having constant bloating on these Protein Shakes I've been drinking. So, what is the solution to get good quality protein without all the milk? The powders I have are yucky made with Water...

Welcome, 2BMe! You're right, it's good to have all of us to bounce all our strange and wonderful new experiences on. My doc thinks I may have some mild lactose intolerance issues that I've never noticed because all my Protein is milk-based shakes, and I've never consumed much milk before. (Cheese, on the other hand, is no problem! :thumbup:) So he wants me to try liquid Protein without the milk-base. Mom007, this may be your issue too?? I tried Profect protein (peach flavor) that someone gave me. It comes in a big test tube, but it's a small quantity of liquid for 25g protein! It wasn't great, but it wasn't bad either. Now I've ordered other flavors to sample. Maybe this'll help with the whole bloat thing. Plus whenever I get a fill, my doc requires 2 days of liquids again, so I'll need something for those times too. Bossstar, I got read the riot act for eating too early. My doc stitches part of the stomach over the band to the pouch area to help it stay in place. (Saw the very graphic photos from surgery!) Eating too soon may cause the pouch area to swell and rip (ouch! :tt2:) the stitches through the tissue of the lower stomach. That visual and explanation was enough for me to promise that I will try not to cheat at all anymore for the next 7 days. Then I get to move to mushies. However, there's no denying you're losing weight at an amazing rate! :tt2: I hope everyone here is feeling better today. I got great sleep last night! :biggrin:

Just curious. Did you like the Profect? What flavors? I just ordered a sample pack...

I just had my first taste of one, Fuzzy Peach Nectar, which was given to me by a co-worker of my DH. I don't much like the peach flavor, but I love 25g protein in a very drinkable form that's not milk based!! I just went and ordered the same sampler you did (from profect.com) -- Blue Raspberry Swirl, Cool Melon Splash, Fresh Citrus Berry and Grapefruit Mango. I'm hoping those flavors will be better, but the small amount you have to drink to get all that protein is a winner.

Welcome back, PreK... It's been a week now for me, too, and I'm still really struggling with that bloated feeling. I can't get in as much protein or water as I should either. No matter what I drink, I immediately feel bloated. Wish it was gas that would come out (top or bottom, lol), but it just leaves me feeling really uncomfortable. I admit I cheated yesterday and had some laughing cow light cheese in the morning and evening to help get protein that wasn't liquid. It felt great! I have my post-op visit today and will mention it. I'm supposed to be on liquids one more week, but I just don't think I can do it with all that bloating! :shades_smile:

Wait! I have one that I really like -- especially since I've given up my morning coffee habit for these early band stages of healing. The Cappuccino flavor (blended with skim milk and a little ice) is really satisfying and delicious. :biggrin: I didn't like their chocolate flavor, and while I have a cherry sample, I haven't tried it yet.

Holy Moly! :ohmy: That's just amazing! Good for you!!! Hmm, wish I has asked about the skim milk... I started using it in my shakes right away, and yes, sometimes it takes me over an hour to drink to one. Oh well, either way, we're on the road to healing. Congratulations on getting onto the fast track! :thumbup:

It's great to hear from you, O2BT, but sorry you had such a rough time! :biggrin: Welcome back...

Here's a question for all you newly banded folks: If you are like me and can only manage some portion of what you should be taking in during this liquid phase, do you try to get all the 64 oz. water in or all the 60g protein? My thinking is try to emphasize the protein because of its healing powers. But I understand that it's really important to drink the water too. What to do? What to do? :biggrin:

ARGH! My kids were sick Friday (pink eye and sore throats) and they're taking antibiotic eyedrops. I've been fighting like the devil to stay healthy. I'm due to be banded tomorrow. No problem with pink eye (phew!), but my throat has really been hurting and looks pretty irritated to my untrained eyes. I hope they wouldn't cancel my surgery over it. (It's too late in the day to get out to my PCP today). If I don't have a fever (and I don't so far), do I have to mention this tomorrow morning? I'm guessing a fever would cancel surgery?? Otherwise would it be a go? I'm gonna have a sore throat anyway when they remove the breathing tube, right? Any advice? :confused2:

Best of luck, Hazel-eyes! I'm glad you're on the mend. Let me know how it goes for you.... :smile2:

Hazel-eyes, See my post about Help Please! Don't want my surgery cancelled. They can deal with this. I think it's going to be okay, just be sure to let them know how you're feeling. Plus, maybe you'll be better by tomorrow. No point in not using the power of positive thinking! :drool:

I just wanted to follow up with you all. When I went to the surgery center, the anesthesiologist came over and asked how I was feeling. Told him about the sore throat, he looked, checked my temp, agreed it was drainage from allergies since I could barely breathe at all through my nose (and not at all if lying down). He ordered double the normal medicine they give to dry you up a little, and gave me a couple of rounds of maximum strength Afrin-type nasal spray, and I could literally feel my nasal passages opening up. It was great! Surgery went well, they sprayed my throat with that numbing stuff, it stayed with me for hours, but then the pain came back. It's decreased a lot since I can breathe again. Anyway, I'm glad to be on the other side now and just begin the healing process. Thanks to all for your responses!

That's the right attitude, lynnt! You'll likely get another chance to at least try eating those things a little later down the road.... :teeth_smile:

Good to hear from you, Bossstar. But what is Previcide?