larinshine

B- 1/2 Chocolate Slim Fast, Grande Rasp/Vanilla Iced Latte L- 1C Chicken Noodle Soup, 1C of Mashed Potatoes (from Cotton Patch) D- 1C Cream of Jalepeno Soup, 1/4 C of Mashed Potatoes *lots of water throughout day* Man, I'm so boring, and predictable!! Have a great night everyone! :biggrin2:

It took me 3 nights, but I finally did it!! I literally read every single reply on this thread...all 69 pages!! I really think you guys are amazing. I have LOVED reading your ideas, meals, positivity, etc. I was banded on the 9th, so am still on mushies. However, I'd love to join your thread if you'll have me. :thumbup: B--1/2 Slim Fast, Venti Iced Rasp Vanilla Latte from Starbucks (lasted til afternoon) L--Cup of Broccoli Cheese soup w/ crushed crackers inside from Jason's Deli S--1 C Mashed Potatoes D--1.5 C Pureed Campbell's Turkey Pot Pie Soup, 1C Cottage Cheese w/Frank's Red Hot Sauce *Lots of water throughout the day*

You're right, I'm so thankful he found the tumor. Good luck on your next 2 months. I noticed we're both McKinney residents.

I just had surgery with Dr. B on Wednesday! I think he's great. I initially went for the band on June 18, but Dr. B. found a tumor on my liver, and stopped immediately. He told me that he still could have done the operation, but that the tumor, was BY FAR, much more important. I guarantee you that a lot of docs would have still done the operation. Once he got word that the tumor was benign (from my other doc) he did the surgery. I never felt like my care was compromised. I would recommend him to anyone!

Since surgery, July 9, I've lost 8 lbs. However, I'm still bloated and VERY uncomfortable. The gas pains are driving me crazy!!!

I have 5 incisions. I thought I would only have 3, so I was a bit surprised. The port incision hurts the most. Plus, I'm DYING to pull the steri strips off and see how bad the scarring is. :confused2: Mine are definitely itchy too!

Good luck tomorrow! I had surgery on Wed. The first 36 hours post-op were pretty rough, so be prepared. The gas pain and port incision hurt me most. I know you'll be glad you did it though. I finally am.

Well, I'm definitely disappointed. I just came home from the hospital. I went into the OR around 8:15 this morning, and woke up in recovery, with only one incision area. Turns out the doc found a tumor "a little larger than an egg" growing on my liver. Obviously, until I have it examined, we are unsure if it is benign or malignant, but doc said it is most likely stemming from years of birth control pills, used to regulate my period. I have an appointment to have the tumor checked out tomorrow, and the good news is that doc said I should still be able to have surgery before the school year begins in August. Oh well, our God is an amazing God, and it is only by his grace that this was discovered. So, I've waited this long. I can wait a little longer. I wish the best for my fellow 19's. Take care.

Wow Gayle, just noticed your surgeon was Dr. B., and I'm having my procedure with him tomorrow morning. Any words of advice? So happy you have had such success. Take care. :biggrin:

I'm so sorry to hear that this happened to you. What kind of previous surgeries had you had, that caused so much scar tissue? My surgery is on Thursday, and I'm concerned that I'll be told the same thing you were.

Hey Sofia, I'm getting banded on the 19th, and plan to work on the 23rd. What kind of work do you do? I was excited to hear you returned to your job so quickly. Any advice would really help. Thanks so much. :biggrin2:

Thank you so much BrandyII. You are a very sweet person, and I appreciate it very much. Best to you. :smile:

Wow Jen, you sweet defender you. I'm on my way to a memorial service, so I'll keep this short. For your information, I love and respect those in my life dearly. Having a friend die in a horrific car accident on Friday night really puts things into perspective. I came very close to not responding to your accusations, but then decided it would benefit you if I did. In responding to EricaLyn, I was simply stating that if someone needs a break from something (which she clearly stated she did), I found it surprising that she would keep coming back and posting more rants to the site she was initially ranting about. Does that make sense to you? I apologize if I seemed insensitive.

Okay Greythope, I understand the fear that someone has been made to feel bad their whole life because of weight. However, if you're surrounded by overweight people on this site, don't you think that's the PERFECT place to get honest advice? Please don't say I came off sounding "holier than thou" because I'm far from it!! I, and I'm sure you, didn't get this way by sticking to diets. However, I know that the lap band can make you feel very "ick" (PB, Sliming) if you don't stick to a fairly strict regimen. If someone can't do it for 7 days, how are they going to be successful in the long run?? Come on, let's be honest with each other...not sugar coat what we're all thinking. I think the pre-op diet is where we should be asking ourselves, "Are we truly ready for this commitment to become the person we really are inside?"

Honestly, with all due respect, if you can't make it 7 DAYS on a restricted diet, I would NOT get the lap band. Your whole life is going to change, and I'm not positive you have the will power to make that change, if you can't do something for 7 days. Please do as much research as you can, in order to see if this is something for you. Take care.

Thank you so much for all the suggestions. I will definitely give these things a try.:biggrin2:

I would love some suggestions on appropriate things to eat during this pre-op diet. My doc said I could follow the Atkins diet, but I've never done it before, so any tasty suggestions, I would TRULY appreciate. Thanks so much!:biggrin2:

You know EricaLyn, for someone who is "better off staying away," you sure are coming back to post a lot. I think it's a great idea for you to just stick with your original plan. Bye.

Hi Rachel, so glad to hear you're doing well. Who was your surgeon in Houston? I was curious if you went thru Lap Band Solutions. Take care.:smile2:

I appreciate it Jimmy. Thanks so much.:biggrin2:

:confused_smile:Teacherofk, you mentioned scar tissue being a concern. What type of surgery did you have and how long ago? I had my large intestine removed 2 years ago, and I'm so scared that I won't be able to get banded on the 19th. My doc said it shouldn't be a problem because he is working up higher. My scar goes up pretty high though, so I'm not convinced.

Wow, your stories have been so inspirational. I have a 4 year old daughter, and my husband and I have been trying for another child for:wink2: almost a year now. I was diagnosed with PCOS many years ago, and got pregnant thanks to Nuva Ring. My doc's wife also had PCOS, so he knew the tricks. Anyway, my question is this...I am getting banded on the 19th, and really want to start trying again in Oct. I know they say to wait a year, but if I were to become pregnant, do they just take all saline out? Also, due to a prior abdominal surgery, I have to have a C-section (didn't with my daughter). What will happen with the band then? Has anyone had this? Thanks so much.

I really believe that I think about this every day, all day. I thought about it long before I ever knew about banding. The most important thing to me, is setting a good example for my 4 year old daughter. On the lighter side, even though I adore my husband, I think it would be fun to run into my ex-boyfriend, looking thinner than when we were together. I haven't seen him in years, so he's never seen me this big, but it would be so fun to look hot!! Also, I'd like to just like me again. I love myself on the inside, but cry and cry when I see what the outside looks like. I turn down fun invitations, like Bunko, cuz I'm so embarrassed of how I look. So, those are just a few things I'd love to accomplish.

I am scheduled for the 19th, with Dr. Benevides from Lap Band Solutions. My cost is 15,000 and that includes everything associated with the procedure, plus 2 years of fills. They have several support groups, and part of the required pre-op appointment is sitting down with previous patients for an hour, and then with the doc for an hour. So far, everyone from financing to the surgery center have been incredibly friendly and helpful. I'll let you know more after my procedure.:incazzato:

Not banded til the 19th, so I'm still going thru Starbucks getting the fully loaded treats that helped me get here. Anyway, I love this thread because I've been wondering what I could do instead. 2 questions...Do the SF syrups have any funky after taste because of the artificial sweetner? Also, I thought caffeine was supposed to be a no,no, but I'm not convinced I can give it up. Anyone kind enough to help a confused girl out?:biggrin2: