MissBS

You don't need her - you've got us. I agree with what everyone has said. Don't talk to her about it. If you don't live with her, and you are not asking her to pay for it, then who cares what she says. I lost 107 pounds on Weight Watchers... I think I was at goal for 4 minutes. We can all lose it, but keeping it off...... You sound like a very wise woman.... much wiser than your step mother. Keep your conversations with her about the weather or the price of eggs. Good luck to you!! Keep us posted. You've got lots of support here!! Becky

Hi Cleo's Mom. I was on the pre-op diet for 4 weeks. It was supposed to be 3, but I got stuck in a hurricane in Houston when I went down for my surgery. Then I had a week of clear liquids post-op. I am now on soups for a week, then mushies for a week and then week 4, I move to solids. It does seem like you are going to be without food for too long. 5 weeks of liquids (that's really what soup is too) .... YIKES!! You are going to float away. I don't have any advice for you - I wish I did. I can see why you would be hungry and weak. Are you friendly with anyone at your surgeon's office?? Are you comfortable calling and telling them you are feeling weak?? And it is hard when you read a post from someone who had their surgery at the same time you did and they are already eating food. Sometimes I read posts, and I say "Wish that was my doctor"... and sometimes I read posts and say "Glad I have my doctor." I would call - they may tell you to keep drinking - but you never know. Good luck to you. Soon we will be eating "real" food. Becky

Welcome LW5!!! You are going to love this site AND the Samurais!! You will get lots of answers and support here. Your surgery is not far off - good luck with that. You now have a whole group of friends who are with you!!! Keep us posted on how you are doing. Becky

I too was self pay. If I would have had to pay for a night in a hospital (lots of $$$), I probably couldn't have been able to have had it done. I felt fine to go home. Guess it just depends on you and your doctor or insurance. Not all the same.

Hi Becky. How are you feeling?? Good to see you up and about!! How long were you on the clear liquid stage and the soup stage??? You are already getting mushies. WOW. I have to eat soups for a whole week... but... I'm not complaining..... chicken brothed out!!!! I hope you are feeling and healing well. Becky

I was very glad to get to come "home" after surgery, even though it was to a hotel. I do not like hospitals.... and I was more comfortable in the hotel than I would have been in a hospital. They made me sign a paper stating that I had someone to drive me "home" after the surgery before they would even do it. Good luck to you.

Thanks Slim. That makes sense. I will blend AND strain. Good luck with your clear liquids stage. It wasn't easy for me, but it wasn't TOO bad. I ate/drank nothing but the liquids I was supposed to have. Keep smiling and drinking!!! Becky

Thanks Curves. What kind of soups did you have?? Canned?? What brands?? Homemade?? Any tips on really yummy ones?? I LOVE soup - even eat it in the hot summer. Thanks again for your help. Becky

Hi Emilie - a fellow chile lover!!! I am from New Mexico and I cannot live without chile. One of the first questions I asked my surgeon at my initial consultation was, "Will I still be able to eat chile?" He assured me that chile was fine. I am in the clear liquid stage now and when I make my chicken broth, I take my strainer and put hot salsa in it and just the juice goes through. Makes it spicy and hot and yummy. Can't wait to get to the mushie stage so I can have scrambled eggs with chile. I love to cook so will be making things and freezing small portions, so I can control the salt. But I will never give up chile!! It is good for you and I call it my favorite vegetable. Good luck to you!!!!! Becky

Froggi. What is your pre-op diet and how long are you on it? Mine was three weeks and it was a pretty strict diet (shakes for 2 meals and 6 to 8 oz. protein, unlimited green veggies, and 1 cup of fruit for dinner). I lost 12 pounds, BUT.... I was not on any diet before that. You can do it!!! I'm cheering for you and wishing you all the luck in the world. Let me know how you do. Becky

Wow Marti. I'm glad your story ended the way it did. You sure have been through a lot. Congratulations on the weight you've lost. I am so proud of you and I don't even know you. You are an inspiration!!!! Becky

Got my band a week ago today. Been on clear liquids for this week. Get to move to liquids (creamy soups and yogurt in addition to the clear liquids), for a week starting tomorrow, then a week of soft foods (mushies) and then week 4 is when I start eating regular foods. A week of clear liquids has been rough, but I did it. Can't wait to have some soup tomorrow. Good luck to you!!! Becky

My port is right between my boobs... well.... if my boobs were where they are supposed to be, it would be between and a little lower... but sad to say it's right between them. I got my band a week ago and I don't even want to feel to see if I can feel my port yet. I can't eat chicken yet, but I am one. Good luck with your surgery on Monday. Everyone doesn't have the same size band, but I don't know what determines what size they give you. I'd like to know that too. Becky

I'm so glad to hear you are keeping some liquids down. I think that heartburn feeling might be connected to the gas. Mine kinda felt like that. Make sure you are taking TINY sips. Also, it hurt when I drank cold liquids the first few days. Popsicles hurt too. My heartburn feeling is gone now and I can drink cold beverages and eat popsicles - my surgery was one week ago. I hope you continue to get better and better. Take good care of yourself. Keep us posted on how you are feeling and healing!! Becky

I'm sorry you are not feeling well. You might try Nauzene Chewables. I was told that these would help with nauseau after surgery. They put an anti-nausea patch behind my ear right before my surgery and I did not get nauseated at all. I did buy this at Wal-Mart. Good luck to you. I hope you are feeling better soon. Becky

I'd say that is great news. You can place a "Hello My Name Is" tag on your smaller sized shirt if you need to. Congratulations on your loss. That is great for sure!!!!!! Becky

Thank you so much for asking this Shauna. Exactly what I need. I feel so confused about what to eat, how much to eat, serving sizes, etc. And thank you so much Pumpkin and themis for your great suggestions. It is easy for me to take your day Pumpkin and sub in the things I like, although I do like many of the things you had. And themis- great suggestions. I never thought about ground beef or turkey being on the mushie stage. I live in Albuquerque New Mexico and I LOVE my chile - both red and green. That is one of the first questions I asked my doctor. I can give up a lot of things, but not my chile. If you think up, or come across any more Mexican food receipes, please share them with me. I am still on liquids and after reading your posts, I am salivating. Can't wait. I know there are supposed to be foods and recipes threads on LBT - do you know how to find them?? Again... thanks!!!! Becky

Wow!!! I'm feeling better already. How nice of you all to respond, and it feels good to know I'm not the only one. I'm sure it is true that I used to use food to help me deal with life's ups and downs. And our bodies ARE going through lots of changes. I cried like a baby when I got off the plane and saw my granddaughter after my surgery. Being in Houston for my surgery when Hurrican Ike struck was very emotional, and our 4 day trip that turned into a 2 week journey took a lot out of me too. Thank you guys so much for making me feel like I'm not a freak. Because lapband surgery is not done here in Albuquerque, there are no support groups. But I've got you all - you ARE my support group. Thanks again. Becky

Yes. If you try to gulp with the band, you will remember to sip. I was never a sipper either, but I am now. It hurts if I take too big of a sip. And I've noticed so far that hot liquids go down smoother for me than cold ones. Hurt a tiny bit when I ate a sf popsicle today. I had to hold it in my mouth for a minute to kinda warm it up. But it still tasted good!! I also had to mushify the jello before I swallowed it. I only had my surgery Friday so I'm sure that it will get better as I heal more. Good luck to you!!!!! Becky

Thank you for your reply. Maybe we could send each other tissues. I feel lucky that I don't have periods anymore - I'm sure I would be an emotional mess. Our bodies will get used to the changes and we will be back to our sweet selves soon. Good luck to you!!! Keep me posted on how you are doing. Becky

Google it. Some cannot be crushed or broken and some can. That is how I found out my BP pill couldn't be cut. And capsules... not sure about those. I know what you mean about switching when you find something that works for you. Good luck. Becky

Becky. I can relate. I have to drink 2 a day too. I liked them better before the surgery. Now it takes me a llllllooooonnnnnggggg time to sip them. Starting Saturday, I am down to one a day. My doctor wants me to have one a day forever. I guess if I know I will get a good lunch and a good dinner, I can live with it. I think I will ask him when I go back in a month if there is anything else I can do besides the shakes. What kind are you using?? I'm still using the Atkins Advantage - switching off between chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry. Good luck to you. How are you feeling when you aren't drinking a shake? I hope you are feeling/healing well. Becky

I just had to resolve all of my meds issues with my PCP. My surgeon told me if the pill does not fit through a straw, you need to talk to your doctor about getting another form or type of the same medication. I take a pill for high blood pressure that certainly would not fit through a straw. My physician just prescribed a different one that is much smaller. I take chewable Centrum and chewable calcium. The liquid pain meds and liquid Tylenol were so yucky that I'm glad I didn't need them long. Of course they are better than pain. Good luck to you all!!!!!! Becky

I'm so very sorry for your loss nayray!! Becky

Hi sash!!!! Of course you can be a September Samurai!!! How are you??? I am finally home and doing pretty well. Not much pain, but still pretty tired. What is new with you?? Not too much longer now. Are you getting excited?? Keep in touch!!! Becky