Lanakila

Nikole, It sounds like you are suffering from a serious case of "head hunger". It looks like you are doing everything right, with the soups and such. I would go ahead and eat mushies (my dietician says it should be thin enough that you could drink it through a straw 'cept you can't use straws). Track every bite on something like www.fitday.com and make sure that you are getting about 1000 calories a day too! Stay away from the egg salad. Even chewed well it's too rough for your healing stage, and that mayo is not good for your lifestyle change. Next week you should be ready for "softly" scrambled eggs.

Hey Gypsy, I hope that your stuff goes as quickly as mine did. I had my first meeting with the surgeon on June 23rd. I got my psych, xray, nutrition, labs done by July 11th, and had approval from insurance a week later. I'm on the BCBS State Health Plan (work for the state) and was shocked at how efficient they were! Welcome DietBuddy, You might be an online virgin, but you're a lucky bandland resident! I hope you enjoy the boards and come back to post often.

Now buddy, THAT's some awesome pick-me-up right there! Hang in there gal...we're all pulling for you!

Oooooooo...I'll have to use that one..."body noise"! :w00t: Hey Julia, did you ever get things rolling after your "Dear Julia" letter from Allergan?

Are you in Carolina? I'm in Holly Springs, right outside of Raleigh. There's another gal right up the street, another in Cary, another in Greenville, Goldsboro, and Hickory that I know of. I'm sure there are many, many more. What surgeon are you considering? I'm being done by Dr. Joseph Moran in Raleigh on the 28th. Lanakila

Wow Lisa, they suck! I'm sorry that this has come up at all, let alone right when you don't need the distraction. I seem to recall that someone else in your company is on the boards somewhere. Does she know yet? Can she give you any leads? After seeing how everyone is doing post-op, it looks like you won't be down very long and will be able to focus on the job hunt as soon as you are up to it. Good luck, and rant if you need to!

Yaaaayyyyy Shelby! :wink_smile: You ran through that hospital like a crazy woman, didn't you? It's great that you came here to let us know that you're doing well and how things went.

Maleliz, I am on Yahoo IM from 8-5 Eastern time every workday. It doesn't look like I'm on...but I am. Stop by...anyone! HWNSCIGIRL1 Lanakila

Nina, I know it's hard to arrange, but pop out of the house a little early on Friday and go raise a little ruckus in the office. You are the customer! Be firm, but not rude, and it will get taken care of. If not, I'm quite an imposing figure and you can threaten them with a visit from that big Hawai'ian woman!

Hi Dee, and welcome! This board is absolutely fabulous. We've got folks who are almost a week post-op and about a zillion of us just chomping at the bit to go! Stick around and soak up the inspiration and support. I love it! :wink_smile:

After having tried about 30 different varieties of Protein powders and drinks, my absolute fave is the fruit punch bullets by New Whey. I have the 42 g ones and just dump them into my crystal light. Now, granted, 42 g is too much to absorb at once, so I only put half in one glass and the other half in a later glass. Don't EVER try to drink the bullet straight though. It is very medicine tasting, like cherry nyquil :wink_smile: I have a real problem with the protein smell and that tell-tale flavor in the shakes and powders, but I haven't had a lick of trouble with the bullets.

Amaltha, I think this was a fantastic post! I know that alot of people are having to self pay and go to Mexico. I think that you should post this on the pre-op boards too...especially the part about your suggestions of who might not handle the "loose" timelines well! I'm so glad that you are happy!

Beena and Pharts go first...hurry back you Aussie and Aotearoan!

Welcome Becksie! You will find that this community is very, very supportive and I hope that you will visit the boards often. I get so much inspiration and strength from reading all of the posts! Lanakila

I think that guy had a link on his blog page that said something about a Couch to 5K program? I told myself to go back and look at that, but didn't do it yet. Typical! :cry_smile:

I actually had to think about this overnight, but I reserve the right to change my mind or "reward" myself at any time :drool: 260#: To meet the next goal, I will up the treadmill to a 1% grade and step up the pace to 3.2 mph. My treat will be a whopping trip to the salon for fresh highlights and a frisky copper rinse. My hubby freaks over the $200 bill (I have long hair), so this will be an awesome reward. He agrees! 249#: Only 11 more pounds to lose from the first goal, but a hugely symbolic goal since I haven't been under 250 in AGES! To meet the next goal, I will up the treadmill to a 2% grade and add 5 minutes. My hubby will be taking me for a weekend to see the xmas decorations at the Biltmore in Asheville, NC. 240#: This will be -50# for me!!! To get to the next goal, I will drop the grade, slow the pace, and add in 2 minute jogging intervals:eek: I will indulge in a really pretty, sparkly bracelet 'cause my wrists will be small enough to actually wear one! One of my girlfriends told me to get a bangle so that it will make alot of noise when it taps the desk at work...just to remind me of my achievement. What a gal, huh? 230#: Alright girlie...time to pick up the pace, pick up those feet, and jog it 5 minutes at a time! A HUGE shopping spree:bras, bras, and more bras! 220#: Get off the treadmill and run the 5K already! A celebratory spring roller coaster trip to an amusement park...where I can ride every darn ride I darn well please...darnit! :cry_smile: 210#: I gotta think on this one for awhile. One-derland! A big fat trip to the Aquarium in Atlanta. 190#: Hell, if I get to -100# I think I'll deserve a trip to Manhattan!

Super best wishes to all who are going to bandland on Tuesday. Your band buddies here will be thinking of you!

I've had directives for years, but updated them to my husband last year when we got married. It's a very simple form, just make sure that all of the parties involved know what your wishes are and where the forms are. In NC, we can pay $10 to place a directive with the Secretary of State so that there is a central location for healthcare to verify. Here's a resource for Texas TxPEC - Texas Partnership for End-Of-Life Care

I'm gonna guess Blackberry? Or is it IPhone? Either way, congratulations on your new "accessory." Lanakila

My doc said absolutely no straws, and no chewing gum...ever. He said that both just make you swallow air and that stretches your pouch. He said if you are going to ignore his advice and stretch your pouch, then there's no point in making the pouch in the first place. Ouch, harsh, but point taken!

I'm off to Starbucks right now! I have alot of shake stuff that tastes good, but the protein smell is just blecky. I hope they have the small one that you mentioned Helen. :thumbup:

I'm not banded yet, so I'm not speaking from experience but I think this is what they call "brain hunger" around here. It's when we aren't actually hungry and yet we WANT food. There's a really nice article on the home page that is about turning off your Autopilot. I dunno if it will help you, but I thought it might be useful. Know that we are all here to support you and that this is a place where there is always SOMEONE who understands what you are going through. Sometimes you just need to vent, and other times you need to reach out. We're here for you!

The ultimate mushy food...hummus is yummus! :thumbup:

OMG, I have so many questions! 1. Where did you find a sippy cup that didn't have an "outie" that is basically a hard nipple? I've been looking everywhere for the kind that has a lid that sinks into the cup so that it's more like actually drinking from a cup instead. 2. I have to get some of that cream! What is it and where do I get some :thumbup: Lanakila

Currently I have no requirements for pre-op. I see my surgeon again on the 22nd (sx on 28th) so he might put me on something then. I'm going to TRY to move into the one-meal with the rest liquids starting two weeks before my sx date :thumbup: I've gotten loads of samples of Proteins and having been trying one out each day so, hopefully, I'm set on all of that. Lanakila