annecolorgreen

Every doctor is different. My doctor was actually a little upset when I told him that I didn't have any questions at the last visit because I'd been online researching. I reassured him that I understood that each doctor requires different things and that I would follow his protocol. ~~anne

Michele--you will have SUCH a wonderful 40th birthday! Just think how much better you will feel next year as compared to this one? For my 40th, my dh and I took a long weekend trip to San Francisco. I had a great time but was limited in what I could do physically (not to mention the plane ride and bus trip for the tour we went on being uncomfortable). I really wanted to go to Alcatraz but knew I couldn't handle being on my feet that long. Sad, huh? I think you should plan something really special NOW to do on your 40th! You are giving yourself the best gift this year :w00t:. ~~anne

Hi-- I've been doing okay on the pre-op diet but tried something tonight that may or may not be okay but it was a one time thing. I had a cup of homemade white chili. We used skinless/boneless chicken breasts, FF chicken broth, green chiles, and northern Beans. I only had the broth with a few beans in it and chiles. I froze the rest in small batches to use post-surgery and puree with my magic bullet. So, do you think that was okay? It seems like low-fat Protein to me. Thanks, Anne

Toots2008--It's good to hear from you! Is your grandson a preemie? I hope he's doing well. I am going to be a first time grandma in April--or earlier--as my son's wife has a medical condition that could cause an early delivery. Check in when you are better... I want to wish all the best to: nazzy; Ruby124; LynnN; Soupamom; taosgal; karook54; GratefulHeart! I know you will all do great and know we are thinking about you and praying for you! ~~anne

Birchmoon--I couldn't agree more. I just read a little motivational story using Nastia Luiken as the example (remember her? Olympic gold medalist in gymnastics). Anyway, the example was that she came out right off and did a perfect routine--and then fell. She didn't give up. She kept right on competing and ended up with a gold medal before it was over! As I enjoyed watching them this year, it really hit home for me. I'm sorry about your complications but :w00t: on the weight loss! Wow! Taosgal--I have to go back five days post-op for a full shift (I'm only on-call but the potential is there for 8 hours). From what I've read, it's doable. I think we just have to be sure and REST when we are at home and no overdo when we work. This is a good time to wish all the best to: nazzy; Ruby124; LynnN; Soupamom; taosgal; karook54; GratefulHeart! I know you will all do great and know we are thinking about you and praying for you! ~~ann

I FEEL less "bloated"...and I'm sure my t-shirts and pants are fitting a tad looser so my stomach must be smaller. I've lost about 6 lbs since Oct. 15th. It's so encouraging! ~~anne

imamld3--Don't be sorry, I really think it helps to vent and we can ALL understand that! From what some of my friends have told me who ARE banded, carbonated beverages are allowed later in small quantities. So don't feel like you'll never have one again. My guess would be that you won't want to have a route 44 again though! Our tastes and cravings DO change. Isn't it funny how us "fat" people all crave diet soda? Hmmm. Maybe there is more to the idea that they can actually increase carbohydrate cravings and increase weight??? Just a thought. You MUST follow your pre-op diet (we want you safe on the 22nd!). Feel free to email me if you want to vent anymore--or feel free to do it here! Hugs, Anne

Hey SickNTired--you made it! Yay! I'm sorry you are hungry :tt1:. I am addicted to McDonald's diet cokes but have been cutting back on them. My surgeon thinks it's okay to drink soda but, from what I've read, I don't think it's a good idea so I'm going to try not to do it. One thing I also LOVE is diet A&W cream soda. I even like it at room-temperature AND when it's been sitting open awhile. I think that will be my fall back as I can leave some in the car and have THAT if the mood strikes me for McD's. I also have found I like the diet lipton green teas and other flavors. Those are also handy to keep in the car. Oh, and my doc also okayed a tiny bit of SF creamer for my coffee! What a guy! :tongue_smilie: We'll get through this together! ~~anne

Hey sweepyxx--thinking about you today and wishing you the best! Let us know how things go! rondapooh1--I bought some unflavored powdered protein at unjury.com. I've tried it in a shake made from SF carnation instant breakfast so far and in pudding and I couldn't taste it in either. It has 80 calories and 20 grams of protein per serving. I want my hair and nails to stay healthy--so it's worth it to me! Also, I believe it helps with hunger. Another thing, the company is GREAT about getting the product right out and send out "after WLS tips" with your order. ~~anne

Heck, I would've stayed up late, cooked the roast, and ate it with yeast rolls! :smile2:(hence the reason I'm fat!) You did great! ~~anne

Absolutely! Congrats on your newer date! ~~anne

Julie Ann--if I were you, I would copy/paste/print your last post and stick it up wherever you need it...on the fridge, the tv, wherever. I'm so glad to be starting this journey with you! ~~anne

vicbrad--are you allowed to have caffeine? It sounds like caffeine withdrawal. Maybe try some advil and alternate with the tylenol. ~~anne

Hi Suziq--congrats on getting a date! Sorry, I've not heard of musclemilk but do "like" the unflavored unjury and the chicken broth. For instance, tonight I made a NSA carnation instant breakfast with 1 cup milk, one serving of benefiber, and one scoop of unflavored unjury. That gave me 35.5 g of protein, 265 calories, and 6.4 g of fiber for one quick meal...and it was pretty filling and good! I work at night so wanted to get "filled" up before work. Before that, I'd only managed about 250 calories for the day! I'm really trying hard to get calories in. ~~anne

I'm not there yet, but I would think hard-boiled eggs would be good for those times you might feel hungry and need Protein quick. What about white chili? You could avoid the chicken and puree the Beans. I plan to make that for a book club get together and just avoid the chicken. Others will eat it I'm sure! What's up with them outlawing brown sugar oatmeal? That's the ONLY way to eat it! :smile2: What about the "weight control" Quaker oatmeal? I guess soft mozzerella would be string cheese? If so, that is always good. You are fortunate to get so much time off work! I'm only taking off three days! :thumbup: ~~anne

From what it looks like to me, fitday.com is more personal record keeping whereas extrapounds.com is more interactive kind of like this site. Is that how you see it Penny? While I've never kept track of calories, etc... (I was sort of successful once on South Beach Diet), I really feel like it will be important to make sure I'm getting enough protein, fiber, and other nutrients while I eat less. I was shocked to see I had only consumed about 700 calories yesterday and I ate or drank all day! My surgeon's office recommends 1200 for women post-op. I really want to be smart with this whole thing and follow the plan EXACTLY how he lays it out. ~~anne

I wonder what the baby wipes and prep H are for? Hmmm. Getting a pedicure is a GREAT idea! I called my surgeon's office today to ask about nail polish and they said to leave one finger for the pulse ox (preferably the index finger). So...I'm just getting my toes done! ~~anne

Thanks for the recommendation...I just ordered it from Amazon. Earlier today, someone recommended the book by Mohammed Ali's daughter. I ordered that one too: Fighting Weight: How I Achieved Healthy Weight Loss with "Banding," a New Procedure That Eliminates Hunger--Forever . ~~anne

Congratulations!!!!! Isn't that the most awesome feeling??? ~~anne

Does pineapple juice help if you get stuck? I hadn't heard that. How long will you be on clears? If not long, I would get some full liquids too. Also, are you planning to take a Vitamin? Centrum has a chewable. I don't know about the girdle. I would think it would hurt. ~~anne

How true is that!! I almost missed out on a homecoming festival last weekend because I was thinking I didn't want to run into anyone until I lost weight...I DID go! Our minds can sure control us if we let it! Fitday does have something you can pay for (software?) but is totally free to just use their site. ~~anne

I'm taking a Centrum chewable Vitamin...orange flavored. It tastes okay I guess. I figured I may as well take something I could continue on post-band. My MD's office also recommends two servings a day of benefiber and tums for Calcium. Welcome Ambogrl! ~~anne

Penny--I just ordered the book! Sounds like a great read! Day three of my liquid diet and I've lost 6 lbs! It's getting easier...:smile:. A means to an end I guess! Enjoy your weekend! ~~anne

Yay tomatogirl!!! What did you tell them? I HAVE to be a pumpkin Smasher--get me in by the end of the month! :smile: New list: October 1- shanna234; salome000; wvprisonrn; 9pdmnm5; linro123; Meschultz; Elfaba thegood; LINRO123 October 2-Vidahlia; NEWLIFE4BEV; mrsrdh; mamac; kdraves; emialiabri; markfarnsworth; Bratty_Nicole; Carriejess; Terry in KY October 3-Miss Undastood; SaraJaneQ; LoneStarLoser; Cyndi2464; purplerose; brandie; garysmithey; Ara; Mistydaz; atomanne October 4- October 6-Odawa; DeeH; sim78; bandedCG; sweetgothic; daydreamer1; artistapril; roxann; MississippiGirl; trinaj; JerryBlade; SeaSide October 7-nighttart6; melboyd; EllindaGreek; NFaith; PandorasMom; Betelnut; mimilou; mark2842; lula23; harleyc; odawa ; short n' sassy; longhorn girl; cellis82; grannytwinkie; Sooner; Bama2; NFaith; MJay October 8-austex; LoveIslovely; karebare714; birchmoon; tiaj; lisalef; goosefraba; renita; socalcass; Toosywoots; MaryBnSC; cheryl1952; greg72 October 9-Izzyd; Mamacj; triciat; karenk; saninbham; imlindal46 October 10- morkiecoco; MomDukes58; BikiniBeachy; VEEJEE07; Monkeyband October 11-mama g October 13-myturn0421; lindatatu; vandih; fabnatsdiva; msk1968; travelinsorkel; missundastood; clv811; wifepilot; longhornmom; ctoyooka; suzanna; myturn; DC Girl; dcorna October 14-MyTurn; cstauble; bimbabe; BobbieND; crimsondawn; leannmorton; mamary5; sexievilyellow; nrpnrp; toots2008; caladonia41;Tyme2GetRite; Txnurse; up & adam; TJ1; hunnybunny3 October 15-rulooknatme; gritar; cheryl1952; alteration; animalover; ihadtodoit October 16-SickNTired; SanMateoDae; Bino; angelx5; tracie30; maggiehpp; msavoy4901; bemused; nayray13; deb’s journey; Scooby; jendenni; Scorpyian1; luv2bslim; lori ann; tracie30 October 17-Lshelley21; josiegurl; shadowland; newgrama0904; swalesfcc; hersheymalone; javabeans; skylady October 18- October 20-nazzy; Ruby124; LynnN; Soupamom; taosgal; karook54 October 21-SnowWhite760; Vickie; gottabthin; cyndyg; rondapooh1;HelloPenny; sveltelady; swpaintdiva; SnowBabymb; hallfamilyx2 October 22-annecolorgreen; jogirl; fortunate1; sandielaw; lorilei; purplesloane; BootyBee; Little Bit; imamld3; morph521; kjhack October 23- blueangelkc80; bugginbri; Oregonirish55 October 24-illinoishusker; bradley18; tyme2getrite; ktravel; tas; likebefore; ~Jenni~; DMULLENIX; kellypup October 25- October 27- ebonie1015; alabamagirl1975; dicustr413 October 28-Michele777; Rosie Sage October 29-knickerbocker; ~Bridgette~; SCTexasGirl; julie.ann; lauriel; dirigo; CMTurner; sunwyse; Altoonasoup; chrisfer1;wvgal33; gracie78; Tamisha; Road less traveled; debbie brooks; tomatogirl October 30-kygirl31 October 31-watermum

Ara--I don't know if it's too late to change your destination but here is my story. My dh also got reservations for Savannah, GA for my 40th birthday last January. Because my oldest son is stationed close to there and was deployed at the time, I knew I would be depressed going at that time (not to mention that it would be cold!). I thanked him so much for thinking of me and then kindly asked if we could go somewhere with a warmer climate! We ended up in San Francisco (I'd never been that far west) and had a great time. THEN, when my son got home in May, we went to Savannah to welcome him home! If you decide to go, make it a point to do lots of tours if you are into history at all. If I remember where you are staying, it's down in the historical end and you can walk to most "attractions". We spent a few days at Tybee before ds1 got home as he didn't want to see the sand! On River Walk, I remember there was a tapas restaurant that would probably be a good choice as you get those little portions. Have fun whatever you do! ~~anne