jbflorida

Ashley and all, I spent 2 weeks preop with Optifast. I did just fine. Post op was Clear Liquids for 14 days. Today was Day 10 and I called the doctor because I really feel a difference in the hunger! 100 calories a day, feeling weak, blood pressure getting low-- The PA told me to have one Optifast today. I was so happy, you'd think she told me to go to a buffet. Tomorrow--2 Optifast and then on the full liquids on Saturday, instead of next Tuesday. She said my band would be fine. So this is bandster hell. The swelling has gone down and the hunger has returned. With a vengence! I will be good about the full liquids as I really want this to work! It WILL work--and I will "work it." Down 24.5 lbs as of this AM--banded on May 13. Started at 217, now 192.5. Have to buy new pants.

Holly--it sounds like someone is PROUD of herself! And doesn't it feel GOOOOOOOD! From one Southern Belle to another

Holly--let's pretend that you ate the mashed potatoes. How do you now feel about the decision you made? Was it worth it? Are you now going to spend the next 6 months worried that you agitated your stomach and may have a slip? Are you going to be upset that once again, you gave in? That you made food more important than surgery success? Sure we're hungry. AND SO WHAT? You will not die. This may not seem supportive, but it's TOUGH LOVE. Do YOU want success for yourself as much as I want you to succeed? My head and heart is so much louder than my stomach. They are yelling, GO GIRL! You can do it! You are a strong woman in charge! I just started my 4th week of liquids and have 3 to go. I have lost 24 lbs. I am a powerful woman! And so are you--you just don't believe it yet. hugs, Judy

2B--only one word. Jealous. Feel sorry for them. Bless them in your heart, smile at your success and go on your way. They are not mad at you; they are angry with themselves. But if they acknowledge THAT, they may have to actually do something about it. You are an easy target for now. Try to let it roll off of you--just keep thinking how you are taking charge for a wonderful and healthy YOU! Judy

Hi Waynette--I can offer you no advice about the IV, but I just want to give you a big hug! You have survived so much and you deserve to have some big success with the band. You sound like one strong woman! I had surgery 8 days ago and so far, so good! I want to hear the same back from you on July 19!

Banded on May 13 and just started Week #2 of Clear liquids. I have about 100-150 calories a day. No wonder my energy is low. I will start full liquids after next week--yay-protein drinks! Down 22.5 lbs as of this AM. My sites are itching!! Also, I can feel my port! When I lose what I want, will my port stick out?? Anyone else with this concern?

ja--wishing you a safe and speedy surgery and recovery. We are all rooting for you. I too only (only!) have 85 to lose, but I knew 185 could be around the corner--my mantra is--Who am I Kidding?? So my band is partially preventative. It is a nice feeling to know that diabetes is now probably NOT in my future! Also, I am ready to be cute again!! haha--it will have to be 56-year -old-lady-cute, but I am tired of being matronly! It just does not match my insides. I retired at age 52 and I cannot begin to tell you how great it is! You will have lots of energy for travel--maybe you'll come to FL one day! Follow your doc's order to the T. It will be so worth it. I just read a post from someone 2 days out of surgery and is asking permission on this board to have mashed potatoes. I feel compassion for that person, but we just have to suck it up! I am hungry too, on Clear liquids for one week, one more to go--bandster hell, remember? We are worth it! And I've lost 21.5 lbs. in 3 weeks. I want to hear the same success from you! God bless and I will look for you. judy

Yes, treat yourself! Treat yourself to a pedicure, treat yourself to a new CD, treat yourself with cute summer shoes--DON'T THINK OF food AS A TREAT! It is not a treat! It is nutrition! I am sorry, Angelface, I do not mean any disrespect. But seeing food as a reward for ANYTHING is what got us here in the first place. We have to CHANGE that mindset. This is not a 5 week program; it's the rest of our lives! Am I alone in thinking this?

TxChelsea--just a suggestion--why not go out to Mexican and eat like a "normal" person and really enjoy the company and the atmosphere? We have got to stop seeing food as a reward for good behavior OR a special treat. That doesn't mean don't enjoy yourself, but eat as a healthy person would and don't indulge. Think how proud you will be of yourself that you have changed your scale numbers AND your behavior! And this is what it is all about--taking charge!! And isn't it damn time??? (believe me, I am writing to myself too!) Sending you good thoughts about a successful fill.

Anneican--I was banded last Tuesday and so far, so good. Sure, there is some discomfort, but I feel a change every day. I have been on clear liquids with no problem. I think one of the best things you can do for yourself is to really research surgeons in your area and find one that has lots of band experience (over 200 done--mine has done over 1000) and has a great reputation. Use this board to help research. I think the surgeon makes the difference. My doc is strict--2 weeks preop Optifast, 2 weeks postop clear, then 2 weeks full liquid, then soft foods until I get to my goal. But he really wants me to succeed and so do I! In almost 3 weeks, I have lost 21 lbs and I feel sore, but fine. I'm not so perky as I am not eating much, but I am healing! Good luck!

Thanks for the positive notes! I was banded on Tuesday and read some things today on this board that was not, shall we say, helpful? Downright scary! I want to hear SUCCESS stories, please!

I wrote about this experience awhile back. I am retired from 30 years of teaching middle school. One day, I was kidding about my weight (I called myself "fluffy") and a boy called out and said, "You're not fat, Mrs. B, you're just short, so you LOOK fat." I thought it was hysterical. He was trying to be nice, but being a middle schooler, his mouth worked before his brain could activate.

Good question, Holly! He said I didn't need it right now. I have 3 "meals" a day that can include Clear liquids that have some calories--broth, gatorade, clear fruit juice (light sugar), Powerade, propel, sf popsicles, sf Jello. And in between, non caloric drinks--Water, tea, and crystal light. In 11 days--to full liquids, including Optifast, low carb Protein drinks, low carb yogurt, thin cream of wheat and egg drop Soup. This doc is tough, but gets good results. I started at 217 on April 28 and am at 197 19 days later. I'll survive, but if you hear a loud "YAY-FINALLY!" coming from the Southeast of the US in 11 days, it's me.

May 13 was my day. I am down 20 from the start of the preop diet. My abdomen is swollen and "tight" and sore..to be expected. I have a bit of fever--99something that I hear is normal. Since my doc does not have me on any Protein until May 28, I am weak and hungry. But I'll survive...my body can live off "the fat of the land" until then. It's unusual to feel hungry--I never stopped eating long enough before to get hungry! Still glad I did it. Just waiting to feel peppy again. How long does that take?

I once heard Dr. Phil say to a guest--When did you decide you would just settle for being the fat girl? Hit me between the eyes.

Cathy--I am looking at your picture and visualizing you surrounded by a flow of positive energy and health. Yes, a bump in the road, indeed. Meanwhile, relax, deep breaths, and smile thinking of all the good thoughts being sent your way by people who care. Judy

I am 3 days out from Surgery and I am on Clear Liquids for 2 weeks. The meal time liquids can be lite-sugar --Gatorade, Powerade, fruit juice and broth. But the rest of the time is no calorie drinks--water, tea, crystal light. No protein! Doc says no problem at this point with no Protein. Down 18 lbs--reached onederland today! I think of everything I was headed for (without a doubt) and everything I am preventing. I am proud of all of us!

Opinion #2 Do NOT have the diet pepsi! Think how proud you will feel knowing that you followed what was the healthy thing for you to do. The pepsi is not the treat for you; making the right decision IS THE TREAT! Also, we need to change our mindset that food is a reward of some kind. One pepsi for being good on the preop leads to 2 Hershey kisses for doing well in surgery to 3 cookies for blah, blah, blah....we ALL know the rest of the story. You did well on the preop? Great! Get a manicure! Buy a shirt that will fit soon! Treat yourself to a magazine subscription! Food is not a reward; food is nutrition. True, some nutrition tastes better than others--haha! Suffering on the preop diet? Suffering on the postop diet (I was banded 3 days ago) WEREN"T WE ALREADY SUFFERING ENOUGH?? Don't use willpower. MAKE THE DECISION TO CHANGE! (I submit this knowing that I am not a physician and this is only an opinion and other opinions have every right to be here too!) Judy

I just think about pants size 8---you are our cheerleader! (Clean the patio??? I don't think so!!)

Day 3--What are these gurgly sounds???? (I am not hungry, but I make sure I am getting liquids in..) So nice to hear from all of you...no regrets with my decision! The abdomen is stiff and sore. Duh! When does that go away?

Hi--doing okay! Glad I stayed overnight in the hospital. Not hungry at all. Home now and feeling like I was sucker punched in the stomach a few million times, but other than that....able to walk the dogs at bit and get in and out of bed--sloooowly. I am on Clear liquids for 2 weeks. To all of those whose surgery is comin' up--relax. It really is more discomfort than pain. I'm glad it's done and now--on to this new chapter of life. And I have had no moment of "what did I do?" Nice to have friends here. You're all special. Judy

If you go to the first message of this thread, you will see ME as the author. Well, I conquered the confusion and anxiety as-- I just got home from the hospital! day 2 and I feel like I did 9495448 situps. More to come. Judy who is now in The Band! (I want to name my band and so far, all I can think of is Phillip----fill up?)

I have to leave for the hospital in an hour!! ACKKKKKK!!!

Tomorrow is my day too! I don't have to be at the hospital until 1:30 and surgery isn't until later afternoon.....I will be starved since I can't eat (drink, duh! preop diet of liquids for the past 2 weeks) anything after midnight. Wish it was earlier! It's still not real! I guess when I wake up from surgery with holes in my body, it will be real! Good luck everyone! I'll be back on Wednesday. Stay close....I will need your friendship and support! (I use a lot of exclamation points, don't I?) Judy....!

Hairband--whenever I have felt lonely, I do some volunteer work. It makes you feel good about yourself AND you are doing a service. I volunteer in dog rescue and with hospice and the rewards are wonderful. Find something you would like to do and help out. And the counseling is also a good idea. Meanwhile-We're here for you.