rdt123

I need someone to help me through these first couple of weeks. I am 23 year old female. I just had my surgery and I am already getting sick of the Protein shakes! Since the beginning of my weight loss journey, I have lost 11lbs. my beginning weight was 291.5lbs. according to my scales. My goal weight is 135-140. If you are willing to be my buddy, you can send me an e-mail. I check that more often than I am on this. Thanks. Raphaella raphaellat@gmail.com

I was banded on the 20th. I am still taking pain meds occasionally throughout the day and the prescribed meds at night. I am getting sick of the liquid diet and I would like to try and introduce some soft food into my diet slowly. I am not sure, but I feel like I could handle it. You know, just a little cottage cheese one day and maybe some tofu the next. Still drinking my protein shakes. Does anyone know any way to make them different? I am just getting to the point where I am not enjoying the smell of them. I weighed myself on the 24th and I have lost 11lbs. since the beginning of this whole journey. Yay! And, I am glad to say that I am getting a lot of support from family and friends. Raphaella

I am not sure what time I go in. They told me that they will call me a few days before to let me know, but they said that they are finished with all their band operations by 1pm, and they usually schedule it between 6-9am. I am working with the Richmond Surgical Group. Dr. Schroder is going to be my surgeon. Raphaella:smile:

I am in a very difficult situation right now. Before, when I began persuing the surgery, I was almost totally sure it was what I wanted. My mother supported me, and my father accepted it. I am one of five shildren and one of my older sisters is almost finished with her degree in Oriental medicine. My family as a whole are into natural remedies. We are not extremists to any degree, but just prefer the natural method if it produces results. My dad is openly against the surgery because he says that if all the band does is restrict what you can eat, then I could do that myself. I could just decide to eat less and make the diet changes you would if you had the band and it would produce the same results. Is that possable? My two older sisters are against the surgery too, for one because they are worried about my mental health in the future. They are worried about what effect not being able to eat a normal portion of food is going to have on me and the interaction I have with people. My dad is also worried because even if you have the band, you can cheat, so what is it that is stopping me? He asks what is going to be different when I have the band, as opposed to now? If I can't do the post- surgery diet now, then I am not going to be able to do it then. I am also worried about it. I don't have the willpower now to say 'no' to a cookie that is sitting in front of me, or the piece of chocolate in the fridge. I sneak food a lot. If I can't eat healthily now, what is going to make me make the right decisions after I have the surgery? Right now I am living with my parents because I am going to school and can't afford to live by myself, so any decision I make is greatly influenced by my parents. I am not a decision maker, but I know I have to make this one. I just need to be prepared to defend my decision because if I decide to go through with it, I am not able to keep it from my family. My underlying question is: Is it possible to have the same lasting results if I followed the post-surgery diet? I would really appreciate any input, especially if anyone has medical schooling. I am supposed to go in for my lab work on the 5th and my surgery is scheduled for the 20th. If I am not going to have the surgery, I need to let the hospital know. Someone, anyone, I am looking for answers. :cursing:

My surgery date is November 20th also. I am very scared about it and sad that I don't have the family support I want. Hopefully, they will be there for me when they finally see how much I want to do this and feel better, mentally and physically. Raphaella

I know I have to make the decision, and more and more I am wanting to do it. When I tell my dad this his question is going to be why not do the diet without the band, so my question is, is that possible? Raphaella

I just wanted to say hi to everyone. I don't have a surgery date yet nor do I have a specific doctor. I am waiting on insurance to get back to me. I am a little worried that I won't be able to stick to the diet after the surgery. I have a real weekness for sweets although I have gotten better than I was. I am working on a list of things the nutritionist gave me to work on before surgery, but I am just not sure I will be stong wnough to make such a huge change to my eating habits. Does anyone regret having the surgery? :wink_smile: