sistasassy

Does anyone take Cymbalta and if so is there any trouble getting it down? I take mine at night before bed so I am hoping I will not have much trouble.

Whoooo! I totally did not think of shaved meat. Awesome idea. Chopped up real fine it would be a mushy.

My doc said to prepare to have to stay overnight just in case but that most people he does go home the same day. I will leave my overnight bag in the car and send my hubby out for it if need be. I have a little tote that I have be preparing to take with me. It is a "Survival Kit", kind of like they make for college kids. It has: toothbrush and toothpaste deodorant Dove body wipes body spray (I have to have my spray :teeth_smile:) insurance information contact case and solution with my sunglasses for the ride home lip balm foot and hand lotion (my hands and feet get very dry) hairbrush These are all in travel size and things I use daily anyway. I am sure I may add a couple of other things I am not thinking of yet, but those would be what I would use right after surgery if I were going home. My overnight bag would just have: my cellphone (my hospital allows these to be used) showering items a fresh pair of undies my own pjs and robe (I cannot sleep in hospital stuff - just my thing) perhaps my laptop with a few movies or my MP3 player (either one, with headphones would drown out a noisy neighbor and nurses) I just plan to wear the same outfit home that I wear there. I also am going to wear my Crocs which look like a cute pair of slippers and can wear those in the hospital if I have to stay. Sounds like alot but actually comes out to being just a small shoulder bag and my little tote.

So, it really does not block your airway? I am assuming not since you don't hear about a lot of deaths. Sorry if this sounds like a dumb question but for potential bandsters, it is a real concern.

I have been practicing eating smaller bites and chew chew chewing. I have been practicing sipping instead of gulping and practicing eating my Protein first. I have been practicing everything we are supposed to do post-op. Is there anyone else working on this as well? I have found I do feel fuller on less food doing it this way. Must be that brain signal.

Don't know of any in the southern area but Dr. Gilman in Decatur, Dr. Hammer in Springfield both do.

I know I have noticed that if I am not paying attention that I tend to not chew well enough. It really takes effort to concentrate on chewing and I can understand now why some say that they "underchew" while their mind is on something else. I have been trying to make a concerted effort to have whatever is in my mouth into completely ground to almost liquid form before I swallow. It really takes thought, especially when you are hungry to start.

I think that SOME people truly don't get the information they need from their doctors. I am still in the pre-banding process and I have received very little information so far. I have found most of my answers on here. Granted, I have not been complaining, but, I know I will have questions later. The thing to remember about forums is that there are always those who go to the extreme. There will be those who, no matter how much information their doctors give them, will do what they want and then wonder why everything is going wrong. The best thing is to just ignore those posts and move on to more positive ones.

Being your time of the month ON TOP of just having surgery is probably playing havok with your hormones. Hang in there and if it gets too rough don't be afraid to call your doc for a bit of help.

Hang in there. 14 days will be worth it in the end. Perhaps your doc feels you need some extra healing time. You want to heal perfectly. You are strong to do as your doc is asking. Many would not and could cause themselves problems because of it.

I was nervous when I went for my consultation too. It is normal and it will be okay. Remember, even though you are going to your consultation, you are still in control of your choices. Just relax while you are in there. Don't be afraid to ask questions. The only dumb question is the unasked question. Don't be afraid to ask questions here as well. The best thing to do is browse around and read all there is to read. You will learn so much from this site. Good luck! :smile2:

I had been torn in my decision at first between the Lap Band and the gastric bypass. My doc made a very good presentation for the bypass and said he was initially against the band. That day I told them I would have the bypass. I went home and thought about it, prayed about it, talked about it and came to the realization that I really did want the band and that I had allowed myself to be swayed the other way. My doc is relatively new to doing the band and stated that he, in the beginning of the band coming to America had been against it. I was also intrigued by the potentially faster weight loss of the bypass. However..... I called them back the next day and told them to switch me to the band because a) the band is reversable, if needed; :behindsofa: the band will allow a bit slower weight loss thus allowing my skin to catch up; and c) this support forum. I found a forum for the bypass but was unsuccessful in finding support there. I have only been on this site a short time but love the interaction amongst fellow and soon-to-be bandsters. I like that no matter how many times some "newbie" asks the same question someone will answer and help out. The support here is motivating in itself. I too am a "borderline" person concerning my BMI. If I lose even a pound or two I will be out of luck. I am very excited about moving forward with getting banded. I, however, cannot make your decision for you, like the others have said. Only you can do that. I just know this is the right decision for me. Research, research, research, then research somemore! Good luck to you!

Congrats! I can't wait until it is my turn!

I had my appointment with the nutritionist today and that was an idea that she mentioned. She said marinating meat well was good way to get the meat in.

Did you find out what was going on? Your symptoms sounded heart related to me as well.

Thik of it this way: Your liver will be that much smaller and your surgery will be that much safer. :confused:

Has anyone used the Pampered Chef Shave Ice maker for the liquid stage? I bet Crystal Lite would be awesome frozen and shaved. I wonder if you could freeze the Protein Shakes and then shave them. Has anyone done that? I detest popsicles but love shaved ice. Weird, I know.

I did NOT tell my shrink this story today and I passed my psych evaluation with flying colors! Woo hoo!

Sooooo excited! I figured it would be fine but am sooooo glad to know I am done with that part. Another hoop bites the dust!

My surgeon did not require a seminar. He sort of gave me his own seminar at the consultation appointment. He talked and explained and answered questions for about 30 minutes or so.

I am only seeing my shrink (and I say that nicely) every six weeks at this point. My regular doc sent me there because he was having trouble finding a balance for my meds. I don't really seem to struggle with depression although I was mentioning to him that I have not felt this good in a long time. I have been having freak panic attacks since February that very much resemble heart attacks. They happen when I am most at rest or sleeping. Very odd. He figures they will go away or at the very least start to become less frequent within a year or so. Right now I am on round the clock meds to keep they at bay.

My concern about cheating on the pre-op diet is this: If you are already cheating, how will you be after you are banded? I am not SAYING you will cheat then. I am just asking you to take a long look inside yourself. We will all have our struggles, me included. I have been asking myself the same thing just to make sure. I have been confronting "favorite" foods and really looking at how I will face them later. For me, it has become a choice to live or die. My BMI is "only" 40. I carry my weight well and most would never guess my weight to be as high as it is. I can wear "thinner girl" clothes even today. BUT, I have trouble breathing when I sleep, my joints hurt, my blood pressure is slowly rising. All these things are because of eating the wrong way. I have chosen to learn to live a different way. To me it is truly a different journey on a different path. I will follow the rules because I want to be healthy. I want to live a long long life. Just stop and take a good look inside and ask yourself why you are being banded and that will help you to not cheat. Trust what is moving you toward this surgery and it will become easier as you go.

LOL. I asked if I could use my own and they said yes. I was soooo glad. I am comfortable with mine. He is a good guy and he really listens.

Mine was simple because I already see him for panic attack meds. He asked me what was new and I told him about wanting the band and that I needed him to write a letter. I told him what the doc needed it to say: that we talked about my weight, that I was stable, and that I would be a good candidate for the surgery (which we did then cover all those). He had me sign a release and he was dictating the letter today. He said they would fax it over tomorrow at the latest. He went on to ask about my panic attacks and we covered that, he wrote me a new prescription for my meds, and out the door I went! Woohoo!