JulieLu

It is a pretty basic book but full of facts. I can send you my copy if you want. Julie

WOW, you've lost weight! How did you do it??? Thanks, I've been eating less and exercising more.

Elena - The only time in my life (before being banded) that I've been able to loose a large amount of weight was with strength training. I hired a personal trainer and she helped a lot. I had 80 pounds to loose and I think the weight training was key. If I could of just got my eating under control... Anyway, I'm still intimidated by the gym and think I will go to Curves when I get clearance from my post op doc. Good Luck!

I was able to sleep on my stomach the day after surgery. I slept on my sides the night of surgery. No one told me not to sleep on my sides.

Congratulations!

Rett I hope things are going well and you've seen your doc. I've had a blood clot (Deep Vein Thrombosis) in my leg. It was caused by foot surgery, BCPs and a clotting problem I didn't know I had. After my foot surgery I was immobile, unlike the lapband surgery where I was up walking only a few hours after the procedure. Anyway, blood clots HURT and I could not flex my foot and it hurt to walk. I'm praying you don't have one and it is just something related to your IV.

Myoplex by EAS has 42 grams of protein and tastes good. It has 23 grams of carbs but that's not bad considering the 42 grams of protein. You can get them at Walmarts and GNC. The website has free shipping on orders over $75.

I went to Mexico by myself. I was driven to the hotel after leaving the surgery center and also driven to the airport. I flew home and drove to my mom's house from O'Hare. Then the next day I drove two and a half hours home. It was tiring but the only thing that was horrible was dragging my own suitcase to my car at the airport. I asked people to pick it up off the conveyor and up into my trunk. Good luck! Don't be afraid to ask for help!

Congrats to everyone preparing for surgery. It is such a relief when it is over and not as bad as I had thought it would be. I'm only two weeks post of and feel great. We'll be thinking of you all!

OK I'm almost two weeks post op and feel great. When did everyone start back or start (in my case) at the gym. I know to avoid ab work but was wondering about basic weights and cardio.

My doctor had me on clear liquids for the first week. Clear liquids being any liquid you can read a newspaper through. The second and third weeks post op are just all liquids. You might ask the nutritionist for clarification of your surgeons instructions. Good Luck!!!

I had my band surgery a little over a week ago. The pre op diet was much harder for me than the post op diet. I've used Myoplex shakes and they really fill me up. I haven't been very hungry.

I had a Lovenox injection the day of surgery as well. Also I have a blood clotting issue so I also am taking one shot a day for 30 days after surgery. I took two shots a day for my entire pregnancy and never had a problem. I've also taken them in the past due to a blood clot. They never really have bothered me.

I too had my first treatment about four weeks ago. I had my upper lip done only. It was VERY painful and I would recomend the numbing cream for the lip as well. I went to Sona Med Spa in Indianapolis. They have them all over and it was a very nice place.

I am on day three of a seven day pre-op diet. My surgeon wants me to have three protien shakes a day and that's it. I thought it was impossible but it really hasn't been that bad. I've been drinking Apex meal replacement shakes. They have 210 calories, 21 grams of protien, 31 grams of carbs and 2 grams of fat in each shake. That is a pretty good balance of carbs and protien and fairly low in calories and fat. I'm mixing them with skim milk which I know adds calories and carbs but it is very filling and I'm able to stick with it. Here is the link if you are intrested. Also one jug will last you 20 meals and it's only $36. Pretty cheap if you ask me! Julie http://products.apexfitness.com/cgi-bin/apexfitness.cgi/3721.html

Trauma Nurse - Your frenchie is too cute. There is just something about those little smushed noses that get me! I was going to get a french bulldog before I got my two pugs...but don't tell them that!

Congratulations Pat!

Regina Awesome job on pre-op weight loss! Just a few more days, you're in the home stretch!

Of course they won't cover your lapband surgery. However, they would be more than happy to pay for multiple sleep studies, diabetes medication, a CPAP machine, gout medication, high blood pressure medication, cholesterol medication, MRI's to diagnose back pain due to excess weight and the list goes on... I cannot understand why insurance companies will not help people who want to deal with their weight issues. It seems to me that it would be much more cost effective for them in the long run. My surgery is in a week. I decided to go the self pay route because I was sure my insurance company would never approve me. They basically agreed that I was fat but with only one co-morbidity, I wasn't sick enough. Go figure. Good luck to you on your journey. Thanks for letting me rant a little.

Glad to hear all are doing fairly well despite post surgical gas pain. I'm not sleeping well as my mind is just racing about my surgery. I start my pre op diet tomorrow. It is only a week but I'm already doubting my ability to do even that. One day at a time I guess...

Here are my two pug boys. They were practice for my real baby. They are great with my daughter. I couldn't ask for better dogs.

Poodles - Good luck tomorrow! I hope you are able to get a little sleep tonight. Will think of you tomorrow. Please post as soon as you can so we know how you are doing. Zexxah - I start my pre-op diet Monday. Dr. Ortiz requires only seven days of pre-op diet. I will be enjoying three protein shakes a day with an occasional salad the week before surgery. Doesn't sound fun but very much worth it. Maybe you could start a low carb diet like South Beach and journal your food intake. That might help at getting a sooner than later surgery date. Keep me posted!

Nine days before my surgery and I cannot think of anything else. It's not so much fear but anticipation and nerves. I know I made the right decision but could it hurry up and get here already! :girl_hug:

I have a heart with wings on my low back. The heart is for my daughter (I got the tattoo a day before she turned one) and the wings are for my grandmother with whom I was very close. I had a tough pregnancy and I think my grandma was watching over my baby so she's our angel. Julie http://www.flickr.com/photos/julielu/64666231/in/set-824430/

Lanie - You are worth every penny. You will succeed! I'm getting banded on June 13th in Mexico so I know EXACTLY how you feel. Keep positive! Julie