hopeinapril

I can't believe how quickly the date is coming up! I'm less than 2 weeks out.

Unjury isn't too bad. I would go to Walmart and buy the Body Fortress Whey protein in all the flavors you like. it is much cheaper than unjury and tastes just the same. The good part about unjury is that they have so many flavors. A lot of the doctor's offices have protein supplements. I also like healthwise. They have a tomato soup that is pretty good and gives you some variety.

Hello April Avengers! I love that name. Had my insurance paid for the surgery, I would have been one of you! As it is, they yanked me around for 6-7 weeks before I confirmed they will not pay. I managed to find which of our local hospitals gave the best deal. (Both are wonderful hospitals) The one I picked had a $11,000 fee for the hospital and $500 program fee. The program fee is for life classes, unlimited support groups and unlimited visits with dietician and coordinator. AND they don't charge co-pays. The hospital that I started with charged $700 plus $50 co-pay for each and every provider I saw. Sorry, I got a little distracted, so I won't continue the rant. :-) Anyway, I came over here to check our your boards because some of you are closer to my band time that some of the Shrinking Shamrocks. I wanted to suggest that you might want to check out the March, 2008 master thread. There are several of our group that have done every step of the process. I thought it might help to see what others are going through. (pretty much the same as you!) Anyway, my birthday is April 15th, so I am in with you all in spirit. Good luck in your journey!

Good luck shrinking shamrock St. Patty's day folks! I am so happy for you. I will be in this position in one week! Good luck!

lol, Fenton it is as follows: 8 oz skim milk 1 scoop chocolate Protein mix (I use Bodry Fortress) 1/2 frozen banana (or 1 packet health wise banana shake - if you use this, add an additional cup of skim milk) 1 Tbsp smooth Peanut Butter 1 packet of splenda (I don't use it, because it tastes good to me without it, but if you want something really sweet go ahead and add it) put everything in a blenda and blend until smooth. My doctor's office allows us to have this during the "full" liquids phase because the banana is not in chunks. I love it. Enjoy! Peppermint Patty: 8 oz skim milk 1 scoop chocolate Protein powder 2 drops peppermint extract ice cubes put in the blender and blend until smooth Citrus shake: 8 oz light lemon or orange yogurt 1 packet Healthwise grapefruit drink 8 oz Water 1 scoop vanilla protein powder 1/d drained frozen mandarin oranges blend until smooth. If you are in the liquid phase, delete the oranges and add ice Pina Colada: 12 oz skim milk 1 package healthwise pneapple orange drink 1 scoop vanilla protein powder 1/2 drained frozen pineapple chunks 2 drops coconut extract put it in the blender until smooth. If you are in the liquid phase, delete the fruit and add ice Tropical fruit smoothie: 1 packet healthwise strawberry Kiwi drink mix 10 ox water 1/2 cup frozen strawberries & one small kiwi or 1 cup frozen strawberries put it in the blender until smooth. If you are in the liquid phase, delete the fruit and add frozen juice or ice

Hi Annie: I'm glad that someone else admits to an addiction to this board! I want to see all the new March posts! I even look at the other threads from time to time. I am guessing that once I have the surgery, it won't be quite the same because I will have actually gone through the surgery, but this pre-op time is interesting. I spend not a lot of time here, but I check it several times a day. Yikes! I don't check my email that much! I guess I am the oddball in that I like my Protein shakes! I have some recipes to make them taste different because I think I would get bored with just chocolate and vanilla. We received this recipe from our class called "skinny monkey" and it tastes wonderful! Of course, I taste tested a bunch before I found the ones I do like......

I love some of those! 1. being able to shop in regular size clothing stores 2. being able to buy and wear the cute new fashions if I like them 3. not being pre-diabetic 4. being able to sit in my tub without touching both sides 5. my thighs not rubbing together 6. being able to wear non stretch jeans 7. living to 90! 8. not having arthritis like the rest of my family 9. not using food as a reward 10. not using food when I am angry 11. being able to look handsome men in the eyes 12. living my life to the fullest.....in stead of occasionaly living it from the sidelines 13. eating only half an appetizer and being full 14. not being the fat friend 15. not being the largest person in the room There are probably more!

Hi Reen! What a great birthday present! I am being banded on your birthday. (My birthday is actually in April, so I consider it an early present) Good luck! I have my pre-op marathon the same day. I am actually looking forward to it because it is one last thing I do prior to my surgery! How are you doing? I am excited and scared and having trouble sleeping. Also, this board is my new addiction!

I don't mean to come across as rude, but don't you think this post would have been better in the "post-operative" section as opposed to the "introductions"????

Hi everyone! Lynn - that is great. Are you excited? I am! Hi Laura - good to have you here. It is nice to have someone who is further along the path than we are. I love my doctor. He has been kind and attentive and answered all of my questions. The staff for the most part is attentive and responds quickly. Sometimes it is difficult to get someone to answer the phone, but my experience is that they will call you back. They do take insurance. I am self-pay for the surgery, but my insurance is paying for all the pre-op visits. (weird!) I will be banded on 3/25 so I can let you know more later. I don't know where you are in Maryland, but pretty much the only doctors that do this surgery in Delaware is the group I am dealing with and they are in Newark. (Actually, just down the street from Christiana hospital)

Hi Jessyca: To get the shrinking shamrocks logo just right click on mine, then "copy" and paste in your signature. (Let me know if you don't know how to adjust your signature). To get the ticker, click on mine, then follow the instructions and at the end cut/copy the gobblegook and paste it into your signature. Again, let me know if you need more information and I'll do step by step instructions

Hi Tammy, Welcome to the March, 2008 bandsters. It is good to have you. I am being banded a little before you. It is a very exciting time for me. Wow a month to get from the appointment to surgery, that has to be some kind of record. well, read on this thread for an education. There are some interesting posts!

Hi Kerri! I'm sure you are not sure if you should be happy or scared! I know I would be happy if my surgery was moved up, but then a little freaked out! Well....good luck! I'm sure that you will be busy this weekend getting ready!

I haven't been banded yet either, but I would have whatever Vitamins you are going to take (I have Flinstones and Calcium carbonate) and plenty of Protein drink stuff. (whatever you use) Skim milk or concentrated skim milk to mix. I have a variety of cream Soups. I also have some lo-fat creamy Peanut Butter. I put it in my chocolate Protein shakes. It is yummy and is ok for my liquid post surgical diet. I also have different types of extracts to make the shakes taste different. (Strawberry, mint, stuff like that) I have the tomato Healthwise Soup (which has a ton of protein) and the unjury chicken broth (also a ton of protein) I bought a variety of crystal light including the type you just drop in your Water bottle and shake up. I think that is it........ Out of all the things that I have seen on a list, I was most amused by the toliet tongs..... Since most of my weight is not in my belly I don't think the wiping will be an issue, so I didn't buy them. I've also seen suggestions of getting wipes. (like the baby or adult kind). Since we already have them here, I didn't bother. I'm sure there is more, but I can't think of it.

Hi Everyone! I'm glad there are some posts to this thread finally! I have ended up staying the March, 2008 bandsters group to find some folks. I hope things go well for you Lynn. Bummer they are messing with you. 366 - I finally gave up trying to get insurance to pay for it. I went self-pay and time is zooming by. I can't believe I am at the less than 2 weeks phase. Are you getting banded at St. Francis? I only ask because I switched from Christiana to St. Francis and now am attending the "support groups" right next to CHRIAS. My next one won't be until after my surgery. I have to tell you that once I had all my stuff done, I got a date very quickly. Once you have all your stuff or even almost all of it, call Misty and they will give you a date and set you up for a pre-op appointment. I had my pre-op appointment on 3/5 and my last clearance visit on 3/11. My band surgery date is 3/25. I look forward to "chatting" with any others in this Delaware thread.

Hi Jessyca: I am being banded the week after you. You should come and see the March, 2008 bandsters threads on the support groups. There are quite a few folks being banded on St. Patty's day. I do have most of the stuff needed for when I get out of the hospital, but I am very excited and having a hard time sleeping. How about you?

I have no intention of telling anyone at work. It is not their business. I would not use the gall bladder story because you might end up having it out later. My opinion is tell them the truth, but not the whole truth. I have told only one close friend and my ex. Both clearly understand that they are not to share this information with anyone else. As to the change in your eating habits, they can be explained rather easily with diet. All the decent diets tell you to eat slowly. I haven't been banded yet and am practicing that. I am eating way less and I take forever to eat. My suggestion, be creative, use what works for you. It is best to think ahead. I actually am getting a hernia repair at the same time. There are a few people that I have told that. As far as the weight. I have gained and lost 100's of pounds. No one will question me loosing weight again........

Hi SpecialK: I bough liquid adult strength tylenol at Walgreens. (It is a drug store). They also had night time adult strength tylenol. It looks like the nyquil bottles, but it was with the other tylenol. I would keep shopping or call them before you stop by. Great idea about Bed, Bath & Beyond. Hi Mikala: Welcome! jump right in when you want/need to. Hi Bluekygirl: My date is 3/25 so we are close. Do you have any pre-op diet requirements? Fenton: You are not a killjoy. I love it that you are keeping us on track! Funny enough, I bought one can of the fat free refried Beans and tons of broth and cream soup! Chubbychecker: yep, I see your post. I have more than a 100 pounds to loose as well. OK - It sounds like you are doing great. I broke out the sugar free pops last night, they were pretty good. I'm going to have to see if I can find different flavors though!

Hi Sugar! I am to be banded on 3/25, so we are close. I am on a pre-op diet, but it is only to eat 1600 calories a day. Then 2 days prior to surgery I have Clear liquids only. So far, so good. I am very excited. Time is going quickly for me. How about you? 30 pounds pre-op is awesome! We are about the same age and weight. I also have an 11 year old son. (I am divorced though)

Cathy! How awesome, you have lost 1/3 of your weight! Congrats! Mom: Good luck with the surgery. I look forward to your post on Friday.

Greetings All: Too funny, I have fat free refried Beans in the cabinet for post-surgery eating. I have to keep your suggestions in mind to spice it up a bit! Got to tell ya all.... I went to the support group meeting and no support group due to someone's family emergency. BUT, they still weighed me in. That is twice in one day. I didn't know I was going to be weighed in and had chugged about 32 oz of Water. My weight was 2 pounds higher than it was at 11 am at the doctor's office. OK, any other 3/25 bandsters excited? I'm having a hard time sleeping and am really getting excited. I thought time would DRAG, but it isn't. I have one last marathon pre-op visit next tuesday, which includes another meeting with the dietician and coordinator and then I am done. I asked the doctor today if I could take a dexatrim on my 2 days of Clear Liquids. He said no, bummer! Ah well, I guess I will just chug down all the liquids I can handle and stay busy. (I really am not to thrilled that the first day of clear liquids is Easter!) But, it is all worth it.

Hi everyone! I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this group. It is so wonderful to "talk" to others that are going through the exact same thing I am. I had my last "clearance" appointment today. There was a little glitch in that the idiots wanted me to come another time. Why you ask, because they can't get it through their head that my insurance won't pay. They finally agreed with me and gave me the clearance. Gosh I just wanted to smack them! (Of course, they don't care that I wasted 1 1/2 hours of my day there........and didn't want to do it again!) Anyway, my new hospital wants me to attend a support group meeting tonight. I'm looking forward to it. I'm hoping to meet some folks who have been successful. It should be interesting. ****WARING***** food talk below! I am trying to avoid "last supper syndrome". I went to Outbacks last night. It was tough not to drink the Water. I have been not drinking while eating for about two weeks, but I guess when the water is right in front of you it is tough. I chewed my food a ton and ended up eating only 1/2 of my dinner. I consider this a personal victory! I am going out to dinner tomorrow night. Hopefully, my success continues. Good luck to everyone in whatever phase you are currently in!

Hi MsHansy: I know what you mean. I am a week behind in band date, but I am still very excited. This website it my new addiction. (j/k) Come on over to the support group section and hit the March, 2008 link. There are quite a few of us on that board all going through similar things. Everyone is real friendly and open about answering questions. Welcome the March bandsters club!

Hi Jennifer: That is a great reward. My clothes are still snug.....I might make that my next mini-goal!

Hi Christine! I know how you feel. I absolutely refuse to buy more clothes. I am down a few pounds, but at my highest weight I was straining the seams of my clothes. Just think, those jeans will fit and then be too big soon! Soon, our problem will be keeping our pants up!