travelgirl

Hey, Rocko! Just because you haven't had the gas pains yet, doesn't mean they aren't lying in wait for you..... If and when it does hit, keep moving, try a heating pad/hot Water bottle/therma care wrap, rock in a rocking chair...anything to keep that stuff moving around in there so it doesn't "settle in" someplace. I was told that the "settling" or gas pockets was what caused the pain, and you just have to keep it moving.... It's good to hear that your surgery went well and that you're doing so well. ((((((hugs))))))

Ok, part of the reason you're so anxious (I was a train wreck the day before my surgery) is because you did opt for this surgery, and the others, you had no choice....but probably a bigger, more important reason that you're so emotional is because you are going to have a MAJOR life change in less than 24 hours. Not only are you having surgery, but the surgery itself is only a minor part of what you're doing. Not that the surgery is minor, but it's such a small part of what's to come. If you're like most of us on here, we all have this obscene love affair with food. We don't eat like normal people of normal size eat. And you're choosing to walk away from that love affair. This is not an easy decision to come to, nor is it easy to actually go through with it once the decision is made. I think I changed my mind 400 times between the time I "decided" and my actual surgery date. I kept moving forward, though, and the next thing I knew, I was banded, and on the losing side!! You will be fine, though, and you will be SO glad you did it! Keep us updated on how your surgery goes, and how you're feeling!! You're in my prayers, and I'm sending good thoughts your way.

Yep! And in the first 2 weeks after surgery, this site was my LIFELINE. It was so reassuring to know that there were people out there going through the exact same thing at the exact same time, and that we all had the benefit of veteran bandster's experiences and advice. What a great website!

They want to do the sleep study for your own benefit. The anesthesiologist needs that information for when you're OUT during surgery. Your anesthesiologist doesn't want to have ANY surprises while you're under his care, so it's just a precaution. If you are diagnosed with apnea, you'll get a cpap machine, and you'll be SO surprised at how much better you sleep....and if not, it's one less thing to worry about when you have surgery! Hang in there, your date is coming fast!

As far as the juice....try sugar free Tang. It has the best flavor of any of the sugar-free orange "juice" drinks out there, as far as I can tell... I know it's not juice, but it passes muster when I'm craving orange juice...

My doc switched me from Paxil 20 mg to Lexapro 10 mg. I was feeling dizzy a lot, so he had me cut back to 5 mg/day, and I do fine on it.

Good luck, Rocko! The day before my surgery, I was a weepy bundle of NERVES. I went to a nephew's birthday party the day before, and of course, EVERYONE wanted to talk about my upcoming surgery, and if I thought I was ready, and every time someone brought it up, I'd get started again. I felt ridiculous, I can't stand weepy women, and here I was, a weepy woman. Sheesh! See you on the other side!!!!!!!!!!! WELCOME to Bandland!

I don't think pizza is what your surgeon had in mind when he said mushy food. Mushy food is anything that you DON'T have to chew.... Mashed potatoes, refried Beans, cottage cheese....that sort of thing. Good luck!

"It does seem like alot of will power will be needed, and I stand by what I said." Yes, a lot of willpower will be needed, that's a lot of the reason so many of us get so mad when someone says that we took the "easy" way out. WHATEVER. This is last resort for many of us, and YES, it does take a lot of work. What are YOU willing to go through to be healthy?

Hi, Annie, you say that your PCP is reluctant, but it sounds like you haven't even discussed Lapband with her, only your other weight loss attempts. Have you discussed it with her? And if you have, what are her arguments against it? As soon as I mentioned it to my PCP, he was right on board with it, and was very encouraging. However, I didn't need his blessings to have the surgery. Does your insurance require it?

Try Campbell's soup at hand. I lived on the Velvety Potato soup while on my cream soup stage... You CAN do this. You just have to believe that you can.

I think I'd have made him return the damn camera.

Melissa, what types of foods are you eating? And are you keeping a food journal or using www.fitday.com? Good for you that you're going to start exercising! That is SO important....

Had my first PB today. Totally my fault. I wasn't paying attention, I was eating some canned chicken breast, ate too much too fast, and didn't chew well enough. I understand why it's called a "productive burp" now. It just feels like you'd feel better if you could just burp, but it's not air that comes up. Gross, but what a relief. It wasn't nearly as bad as I expected it to be, although I know they can be pretty awful. I've been pretty wide open until this week, I started my period this week, so I'm tighter than I have been.... Scheduled for a fill next Friday, not sure if I should get it or not.

berry, are you up and walking? You need to be as mobile as possible... How long ago were you banded?

Not having this particular problem, in fact, the very first place I noticed a difference was when I was able to put on a bra WITHOUT the extender. However, I have an idea...maybe the bra itself isn't tighter, but you're just a bit more sensitive right now? I have times when I'm pretty sensitive in my torso area.... Not sure...

Water, water, water!!!!!! Fiber, Fiber, Fiber and more WATER!! There are lots of great sources of fiber, lots of good ideas already here.

OMG, Carlene! That's a scene straight of "There's Something About Mary"!!! LMAO (in reference to the zipped whanker)

Kat, you said everything I meant to say. You have such a wonderful way with words!

I agree with Libra. You definitely need to have a serious conversation with your husband about all of this. If he has actually told mutual friends that he's afraid you'll leave him after you lose weight, that's a huge red flag. He might just be trying to hang on to you, no matter what the cost. I know that these conversations are difficult, but it sounds like you'll be able to work through it if you're both honest with each other. Don't let it go on any longer, though, or the rift between the two of you may get to be so big that you can't bridge it. TALK to him sooner rather than later! Keep us posted, and know that we're here for moral support if you need us. (((((((((hugs)))))))))

LOL, you're so funny Mark! Go into your subscriptions and turn off the e-mail notifications or change them to a daily or weekly e-mail...

Julie, I'm so glad to hear that you are feeling better about your situation today. (((hugs)))

I think it depends on the surgeon. Some do, some don't. I didn't have one. You can always call and ask your surgeon!

Actually, I used to work at a Pizza Hut, and they DO have a personal size thin crust pizza. At least the one here did. It's called a "Single Thin 'N Crispy" pizza. We only ever offered them at lunchtime, though. It's worth calling your local Pizza Hut and asking them if they have it. Another option is a crustless pizza. Wheetsin posted a recipe for a really good one somewhere.....I'll see if I can find it and post it here for you.... I found the recipe I was looking for. The following recipe was originally posted by Wheetsin... Crustless pizza Softened 4 oz of cream cheese 4 eggs (I use farm fresh brown eggs, just a personal preference and a steal at 25 cents a dozen) 1/3 cup heavy cream 1/4 cup grated parmesan (the dry, sprinkly stuff) 1 tsp chives (using fresh will make a difference!) 1/2 tsp Italian Seasoning 1/2 tsp garlic (fresh minced or minced in a jar work best) Pizza Sauce (I buy as brand called "Mama Mia". It's by far the lowest carb one I've ever seen that doesn't taste like poo. There's a regular & a mushroom version, I use the mushroom... and you can buy it in small jars... you'll use maybe 3/4 cup). 3 cups grated cheese (I buy either the garlic-flavored mozzarella, or there's an Italian blend that has Asiago, Mozzarella, etc.) Heat your oven to 375. Beat the cream cheese & eggs together. Add the cream, dry parmesan, garlic and seasoning. Spray a 9x13 with non-stick spray. Put 2 cups of your cheese in the bottom of the pan - spread it around evenly. Pour the egg mixture over the cheese, kind of poke at it until all the cheese is covered with egg. Bake for 30 minutes. Remove it and spread your pizza sauce on the top. Add whatever toppings you want. Here's what I usually add: Turkey pepperoni Hormel bacon bits (on 3/4 of it, for DH) Browned turkey sausage Browned hamburger (on DH's 3/4) Chopped onion Top with remaining cheese, bake until cheese is bubbly/browned, and let it cool for about 5 minutes before you cut it.

I was told to stop my bcp a month before surgery because the hormones could cause bleeding problems. I really didn't care why, if they wanted me off them, then I was off!