ReiterDR

I haven't had sodas since January. I got sick for 2 weeks and didn't drink anything but Water, tea, and juice... tried to drink soda again, and I can't do it it's too sweet. I've been told it's best to drink water over the day. I cannot stand the taste of plain water. I drink the Metro Mint and Hint Mint flavored water, no sugars, etc. 0 everything. I also drink Fiji water with REAL Lemon juice that I get at the grocery, it lasts quite a while, and makes the water taste great. I've found a lot of different types of okay to drink beverages are too sweet for me now.

I picked up a bag of whey Protein powder from the HEB organics bin section, and it tastes and smells AWFUL in anything I put it in. Granted its the plain one, got that one thinking I could put it in anything... WRONG! Is there one that tastes and smells good?

I'd like to start eating as close to the diet post-op as I can. I haven't been banded yet, but as I've said in other posts, fingers crossed I have my surgery within 6 months! What is on your grocery list typically? Do you shop multiple times a week? Once per week? Bi-weekly? Do you plan a menu and shop by it, or do you kind of buy whatever you think you'll feel like eating that week? My biggest problem is having to eat on the go, and not having much time to prepare meals, so the more portable the better if possible.

What are some good books/magazines to read prior to being banded, and going through the whole process up to and after surgery? I'd like to be as prepared as possible.

My general care doctor suspects I may suffer from hypothyroidism. My grandparent has hyperthyroidism, and I have 4 out of the 6 most common symptoms that come with hypothyroidism. To those that do have hypothyroidism, how has it effected you being banded? Do you find that you need lower levels of medication to control your thyroidism, etc? Any other info is great! thanks!

Hopefully I'll be banded within the next 6 months, however, I'd like to start trying to lose some of the weight. Weighed myself the other day and I've gained 5lbs since my last visit to the doctor. Current BMI is 38, but even if I lose 10-15lbs I'll still be above 35 BMI. Have people before being approved and banded, followed the post-op diets of Clear liquids, mushies, etc. and tried to get into the new lifestyle that comes after being banded? Is this a good idea?

Glad to see I'm in good company!! I'd probably wait about 6 weeks before I ride again, but I'm also trying to work around competition dates :redface: as I've got some big riding goals for next year too so no vacations for them, except the days they already get off, one will go to my trainer, the other I'm going to let a friend of mine use to do some schooling shows on while I'm out. Thanks for the suggestion of port placement! I've got a short upper body, so I don't think they'll be able to avoid being near my ribs to try and avoid my waistband. I was looking back to pictures of me when I was about 150# and riding, I used to think I was so fat then and I wasn't! I looked great! I then started watching different shapes and size of the professionals, and even they have some junk in their trunks for their sizes, they're built like WOMEN! Isbabell Werth, she's not stick then, but she's very muscled! I want to eventually get there. Is there an Equestrian LapBand support group? If not, anyone interested in making one????

I haven't been banded yet, hopefully I'll be approved within the next 6 months. Aside from the surgery and all the other things that come with being banded, my number one concern is, how long until I'll be able to ride my horses again? I do dressage (Dressage - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia www.USDF.org, a type of english riding. I'm competitive and ride at least 3-5 times a week, I will make plans to put my competition horse in training with my trainer while I'm out, but when I come back I'm concerned I'll bounce something out of place. When riding dressage you must use your core (stomach/ab muscles/back muscles) to help hold yourself in the saddle and control your horse. Any other riders riding post-op? Any words of wisdom, etc. would be greatly appreciated. I'm probably worried about nothing, but riding is my passion and life and I'd hate to compromise it.