Electrawoman

when were you allowed to have oatmeal, grits or cream of wheat?

Guess what? It's midnight. Time for full liquids. Look out pudding, here I come! But someone please help me figure this out. My doctor's list includes oatmeal, etc. in the Full Liquids list. From there, I go straight to real food on January 8. So am I correct in assuming that my full liquids stage is the same as the mushy stage?

Guess what? It's midnight. Time for full liquids. Look out pudding, here I come! But someone please help me figure this out. My doctor's list includes oatmeal, etc. in the Full Liquids list. From there, I go straight to real food on January 8. So am I correct in assuming that my full liquids stage is the same as the mushy stage?

Garlic Bread Soup 1 whole head of garlic 2 shallots 1-2 T olive oil for sautee 1 small sandwich baguette, cubed 1/4-1/2 c parmesean cheese 3 c chicken broth/stock (you can substitute 1/2 cup with white wine for added kick if you like) 1/2 c fage plain yogurt sautee garlic and shallots slowly in oil until carmelized. Add stock and bring to boil. Lower heat and add bread. Cook until the bread is soft and mushy. Remove from heat. Add yogurt and cheese. Dump in blender or food processor and blend until creamy. This tastes so good and is great for boosting your immunity.

You can do it! Don't give up now. If you cheat, get back on track and keep going.

LOVE YOUR BLOG! Keep writing! And for protein, the best shake I have ever had is Formula 1 from Herbalife. It has good vitamins in it as well as the protein and isn't too sickly sweet. I get mine from Ajay's Fitness. Also, hands down the best protein bar is Supreme Protein. They are sooooo good!

Dont beat yourself up! Guilt will not help you. Just get back on track and everything will be just fine. I cheated once preop, too. The doctors know this is a possibility. You'll be okay.

yay! you and me, both! I had mine on Monday and felt pretty good throughout the entire process. Keep up the good work!

Day 2 Post-Op and I am feeling even better. I removed my On Q catheter this morning. It was easy, did not hurt, and did not bleed. I have had one dose of medication since 5 a.m. and I feel fine. Still sore but it's no biggie. I realized last night that I left my valuables at the hospital! I drove myself in because I didn't want to wake the baby that early. My husband picked me up so I knew my Jeep was still at the hospital. What I forgot was that I bundled all my credit cards and ID and check book into a security envelope. Now, we have to go get them today when hubs wakes up from his nap. Poor guy is BEAT from doing all the work around here. I had a moment last night when I really wanted to eat something besides clear liquids. But, I came to the Lap Band Talk forums and read some horror stories to quickly change my mind. I think I drank a little too much last night because I did have some gas and for a brief moment, felt like spitting up. So, Michelle and everyone else about to get the procedure, when they tell you to sip , SIP and take it slooooow! Since I have fasted on clear liquids for 6 days now, I am feeling very particular about what I want to put into my body in the future. I have had a few little cravings for junk food but mainly, I have the urge to eat nothing but whole, fresh foods. I have always been sensitive to chemicals and do not like processed or fast foods as it is. I am really going to be careful from now on about the types of food that go in my body. I don't even like to take in Splenda but it's not as bad as some artificial sweeteners. From now on, this body is a temple.

Day 2 Post-Op and I am feeling even better. I removed my On Q catheter this morning. It was easy, did not hurt, and did not bleed. I have had one dose of medication since 5 a.m. and I feel fine. Still sore but it's no biggie. I realized last night that I left my valuables at the hospital! I drove myself in because I didn't want to wake the baby that early. My husband picked me up so I knew my Jeep was still at the hospital. What I forgot was that I bundled all my credit cards and ID and check book into a security envelope. Now, we have to go get them today when hubs wakes up from his nap. Poor guy is BEAT from doing all the work around here. I had a moment last night when I really wanted to eat something besides clear liquids. But, I came to the Lap Band Talk forums and read some horror stories to quickly change my mind. I think I drank a little too much last night because I did have some gas and for a brief moment, felt like spitting up. So, Michelle and everyone else about to get the procedure, when they tell you to sip , SIP and take it slooooow! Since I have fasted on clear liquids for 6 days now, I am feeling very particular about what I want to put into my body in the future. I have had a few little cravings for junk food but mainly, I have the urge to eat nothing but whole, fresh foods. I have always been sensitive to chemicals and do not like processed or fast foods as it is. I am really going to be careful from now on about the types of food that go in my body. I don't even like to take in Splenda but it's not as bad as some artificial sweeteners. From now on, this body is a temple.

My doctor has me on clear liquids until Thursday. The nurses said I couldn't even have jello. I would really like some milk or cream of wheat at this point. On Thursday I am supposed to go to a full liquid diet that includes some mushies. Its confusing when I hear that others didn't have to do clears at all and knowing that I just go straight from clears to cereals. I don't want to get sick but I am hungry now and protein water is not doing it for me like it was.

OH and for the recipes, I too am thinking about that. My doc has me on clear for another day. Then it's full liquids/some mushies until Jan 8. I was thinking that a good mushy meal might be: puree a chicken breast in the food processor and add a little lite mayo plus salt and pepper for a chicken salad with a side of mashed potatoes or carrots or turnips or cauliflower, etc. But I am looking up recipes next. I will post with any more that I find.

I like the name and I am now at home with my band. Everything went great. Very little pain...wonderful experience (as wonderful as surgery can be, I mean). Let's just say it ws delightful :smile:

My surgery went great. The surgeon and everyone else said I did excellent. My husband was a dream and not only took care of Chuck while I was gone, but cleaned the house AND did laundry. He is amazing and HOT. I am so lucky! I found out that the surgeon did not require a clear liquid diet prior to surgery. But, because I did it anyway, it helped me get through it easily. My nurse, Sam, said that the clear diet was the reason I did so well. I woke up in recovery calmly with very little pain. I did not throw up or feel nauseas. I was able to walk around a few hours after surgery. I got a headache at some point but was given Toradol through the IV and it quickly disappeared. The people at the hospital were incredible. I didn't run across one person that pissed me off or irritated me in any way. My nurses Sam, Siu Ying, Gemma, and Cynthia were very competent and kind. The PCT, Rosie cracked me up. My abdomen was sore but it wasn't bad at all. It felt like I had done a bunch of sit-ups or had been kicked in the stomach. At first, I thought I was feeling good with NO PAIN MEDS. It took me awhile to realize that I was actually feeling no pain because I had the OnQ system attached. The On Q Pain Buster is a ball full of novacaine that feeds directly into the surgical site. It's very cool and keeps you from using too many narcotics. If you have the choice, get one! Mine is still attached until the medicine runs out (probably tomorrow). I got another X-ray with something other than barium. I don't know what it was, but it tasted like shit. The test was sort of like the Upper GI, but without all the rolling. They only took 3 pics to look for leaks. Luckily, there were none and I got to see my band in place. Cool. The nurses told me that Thursday and Friday might be a little harder but I can take it. Thursday, I get to switch to full liquids and light mushies. I am really looking forward to have a little cream of wheat. I am also planning recipes for mushies like chicken or ham salad, pureed in the food processor. I have been craving very few foods. The foods I want are all healthy. I think that has everything to do with listening to the Gabriel Method meditation CD every night for the past week. I am especially wanting some soft carrots right now but the thought is not overwhelming me. I am not hungry. Yesterday, I ate half a container of jello and felt full. Then, Nurse Gemma said I couldn't have jello and took it away. This morning, I had half a sorbet cup and again felt full and satisfied. I am trying not to get too excited but this might actually work! I have lost about 15 lbs to date. Friends, Tammy, Joom and Mary came to visit and brought me "dinner" which consisted of one Nik L Lip and one tiny Reese's cup. They told me not to eat it all at once. Ha Ha. We spent the next hour or so laughing about things too dastardly to post here. After they left, I talked to my sister, Barbara and we both hung up quickly so we could watch the new episode of Hoarders. It was one of the best ones, yet!

I did it! The lapband has been successfully installed on my stomach. I feel fine, except for a sore throat because my mouth is dry. I got 5 incisions and I don't feel a thing except for a little pressure. The IV pain meds must be responsible for that. Everyone said I did excellent. Blog more later. Sleep now.

My surgery went great. The surgeon and everyone else said I did excellent. My husband was a dream and not only took care of Chuck while I was gone, but cleaned the house AND did laundry. He is amazing and HOT. I am so lucky! I found out that the surgeon did not require a clear liquid diet prior to surgery. But, because I did it anyway, it helped me get through it easily. My nurse, Sam, said that the clear diet was the reason I did so well. I woke up in recovery calmly with very little pain. I did not throw up or feel nauseas. I was able to walk around a few hours after surgery. I got a headache at some point but was given Toradol through the IV and it quickly disappeared. The people at the hospital were incredible. I didn't run across one person that pissed me off or irritated me in any way. My nurses Sam, Siu Ying, Gemma, and Cynthia were very competent and kind. The PCT, Rosie cracked me up. My abdomen was sore but it wasn't bad at all. It felt like I had done a bunch of sit-ups or had been kicked in the stomach. At first, I thought I was feeling good with NO PAIN MEDS. It took me awhile to realize that I was actually feeling no pain because I had the OnQ system attached. The On Q Pain Buster is a ball full of novacaine that feeds directly into the surgical site. It's very cool and keeps you from using too many narcotics. If you have the choice, get one! Mine is still attached until the medicine runs out (probably tomorrow). I got another X-ray with something other than barium. I don't know what it was, but it tasted like shit. The test was sort of like the Upper GI, but without all the rolling. They only took 3 pics to look for leaks. Luckily, there were none and I got to see my band in place. Cool. The nurses told me that Thursday and Friday might be a little harder but I can take it. Thursday, I get to switch to full liquids and light mushies. I am really looking forward to have a little cream of wheat. I am also planning recipes for mushies like chicken or ham salad, pureed in the food processor. I have been craving very few foods. The foods I want are all healthy. I think that has everything to do with listening to the Gabriel Method meditation CD every night for the past week. I am especially wanting some soft carrots right now but the thought is not overwhelming me. I am not hungry. Yesterday, I ate half a container of jello and felt full. Then, Nurse Gemma said I couldn't have jello and took it away. This morning, I had half a sorbet cup and again felt full and satisfied. I am trying not to get too excited but this might actually work! I have lost about 15 lbs to date. Friends, Tammy, Joom and Mary came to visit and brought me "dinner" which consisted of one Nik L Lip and one tiny Reese's cup. They told me not to eat it all at once. Ha Ha. We spent the next hour or so laughing about things too dastardly to post here. After they left, I talked to my sister, Barbara and we both hung up quickly so we could watch the new episode of Hoarders. It was one of the best ones, yet!

I did it! The lapband has been successfully installed on my stomach. I feel fine, except for a sore throat because my mouth is dry. I got 5 incisions and I don't feel a thing except for a little pressure. The IV pain meds must be responsible for that. Everyone said I did excellent. Blog more later. Sleep now.

I am both excited and nervous about surgery tomorrow. Mainly, I just want to get it over with and move ahead to the part where I can eat food again sometime near the end of January. I am looking forward to staying the night in the hospital, funny enough. I was pleasantly surprised to see that my boobs now project further from my body than my belly. I am losing pre-op, but I don't know how much because I don't keep a scale at home. This is a rule that I hope to continue post band. I don't want to focus on the number. Clothing sizes---well, that's another story. I love fashion. I don't love it in the way that most women do--following trends and watching hip designers, though. I like to be creative with my wardrobe and I am big fan of accessories. Before making the decision to get banded, I was in the process of picking a new "look" for myself. It is even more fun considering the possibility of dressing a smaller body. So many choices! My look of choice has always been pretty eclectic and bohemian but I am excited to look at other possibilities now that I am an older Mom. I still want to look creative, but not trendy or like I am trying too hard. Any suggestions? How would you describe your look?

This is all I am going to say: Throw that damned scale away and listen to your body!

Michelle, if they don't give you good pain meds...ask for some! Remind them about your car ride and all. I will be praying for you. And thanks, Leslie!

My family and I had sooooo much fun today! My son is 2 and we took him to see his favorite toddler celebrities at Yo Gabba Gabba Live. We had a ball. There were balloons falling from the ceiling and confetti cannons blasting the arena. Erykah Badu and Biz Markie even showed up to sing and beat box. My son got to see the characters up close, touched DJ Lance and Muno, and stood by Biz when he came out into the crowd. I have never had so much fun even at an adult concert. Well, there was that one time when I got kicked out of a Rolling Stones concert but that's a story for another blog, right M? Anyway, with all the excitement, I didn't think too much about food except that I noticed pancakes everywhere. We drove by iHop and I whimpered a little thinking about a nice fluffy short stack with lots of butter and syrup. Then I started noticing pancakes everywhere. My husband and I counted 8 references. How much is one person supposed to take in one day without eating a pancake?! (I didn't but I still want to) After the show, my husband decided he wanted turkey. He thought it would be a good idea to pull ours out of the freezer and cook it up so he and our son would have something to easy to eat while I was in the hospital having my surgery. We have an entire pre-cooked Thanksgiving meal in the freezer because we didn't end up eating it on Thursday. Never one to cook a small mean, I decided to cook him the entire lot of TG food. I heated everything up while he took our son to visit his "Ain't Beff". The food was done before he came back. Wait. Actually, he came back several times after dinner was done and I begged him to hurry up and eat so I wouldn't be tempted. But he had to go get cat food. Then he forgot the money and had to come back and go out again for cat food. And I was alone...with a turkey and all the fixins. The temptation was too heavy. I tried to stop myself. I really did. I paced around the kitchen. I talked to myself. I left the room. I watched TV...but all I could smell was that damned turkey. I am supposed to be only drinking clear liquids for the next day and a half. But I couldn't take it anymore. The turkey was calling me. 3 bites of turkey and 2 bites of stuffing plus half a carrot went down the chute before I knew what hit me. Clearly I have an obsessive problem with food. Duh. That's what got me here. I am trying not to beat myself up too much over it but I feel like a failure. (even though the carrot--of all things---was the best thing I have ever put in my mouth. Really) I tried to get myself back on track by having hubs help me pack the food up so I wouldn't be tempted to eat while I packed. Then, I made broth out of the bones. It's not exactly clear...but its close. I finished off the night with a cup of broth, a protein water, and two strawberry hard candies (I read someplace that we could have those). But now I am wondering if I screwed everything up. Am I doomed? Do I have to reschedule my surgery? :thumbup: