JMinDallas

I'm so jealous of those who get to eat food! I drink 1 Optifast for breakfast, 1 for snack, 1 for lunch, 1 for snack, 1 for dinner. (Sounds yummy already, doesn't it?) In between I guzzle Water. I once or twice eat sf Jello. My life saver is at night eating 2 sf popsicles. Oh and I usually eat one bowl of broth. Enjoy!

Hey tori! Double ck w/Dr Kim's office. I was told we can do SF popsicles. They are my life saver at night when I want a munchie. I was also told we can mix the shake with skim milk. (It gives me the runs...but maybe you might be ok.) And they said I could do broth. It seems they only write out a few things you can have, but once you question them on it, they do add more things. I think that might help. We're almost to surg date! Think how great you're going to feel soon!! I would just put the scale away if I were you. Have your hubby put it somewhere that you don't know where it is. This way no temptation to stress over one more thing. Hang in there! You'll do great! Keep it up!

Congratulations! That's amazing!! You must be so proud of yourself!

To the OP - I went to my pre-op class and learned something I didn't realize. After surgery, you'll have no restriction really until you get a fill (our dr won't do ours until 6 wks post-op). That's the time to have your stomach rest from the trauma it was put through. So, it is really hard to stay full a long time, and to not be satisfied. It's as if nothing is really done to you yet. I haven't been there yet (on pre-op diet now) so I can't speak from exp, but from what I'm learning, it's normal to feel the way you do. It's normal to be hungry, and small servings not be enough. Relax, take it easy, don't stress. Don't feel like the band isn't working. Give it time to work. Wait for your first fills and onwards to give it a chance to work. This is your time to practice what different eatings habits to have. Go for walks, drink lots of Water, try eating smaller meals throughout the day so you won't be so hungry. Don't give up yet! You'll be losing soon enough and forgetting about these days!

I've never been a shake type of person...I don't like slim fast, herbalife, or whatever other kinds are out there. So today I started my 2 wk Optifast shake...5 horrible times a day. How can I make these taste better? I've used Water for the first one, plus ice, strawberry flavor. The 2nd one I used skim milk, ice, strawberry flavor. Both didn't taste too good. Is that normal? Can I add anything else to them..use less or more water? I don't like coffee...I have strawberry and vanilla flavors. Any advice would be helpful. I know it will get better around day 4...but in the meantime, if they wouldn't taste so yucky I wouldn't mind as much.

I took pictures this past wknd in a new one piece bathing suit. Normally I wear the shorts, or the 'dress' type bathing suit, but not this time. I took front, back and side to side pictures using the mirror. Too embarressed to have someone take them of me. Boy was I like you! It's funny how I look in the mirror every day, but I never really *looked*. I posted them on my computer in a folder so I can view them again. This was the motivation I needed. My surgery is in 2 wks, and I can't *weight* (haha had to do it!) until I start to lose.

My surgery is scheduled for a little over 2 wks. I too have decided to not tell anyone. My hubby, my sis (only cause she's helping me finance it) and the doc and staff are the only ones for now who know. Too many people can be judgemental with or without meaning to, or too many will say should you be eating that...it's none of their business how I lose weight or why I've chosen this way. I feel when the time is right, and weight starts to come off where people notice, then I may say something. But for now I won't be telling anyone. Don't feel too down on yourself about not telling anyone. There are many here who are much better at understanding than others who've never had the surgery.

I saw a thread somewhere, but I've read so much, I can't find it. Would you pls provide suggestions of food items we should stock up on? I know post-op is different for everyone, depending on dr, but there seems to be a common for all. SF Jello, and stuff like that. Also, there were other things too I remember, like anti-nausea meds, and gas x...are there other things too we should have too? Want to have all my things in order so I don't have to worry about this little stuff. Thank you!

thanks! thankfully from reading everyone on here, I told her yesterday I wanted the Optifast.

I just made my surg the same date w/the same DR! Do they do more than one surgery a day? Guess so. That's so awesome! Are you going 6/14 for the orientation mtg or whatever it is? I'm going at 10:00. then get to pick up our lovely shakes!

I'm with you! I called right now and made my date for June 29! So we're going to be around the same time. I too feel a little strange...excited, yet nervous. I think I'm more nervous on making sure I do everything right. And of course part of me worries, will this really work, when nothing else has. kcarny - where r u located? What is ur surgery date?

I had my consult today with Dr Kim in Dallas. Excited! I forgot to ask a few things I was hoping you could answer. How long was it before you could carry weight? My son is about 20 lbs and isn't walking yet...so I'll need to plan accordingly for help with him. I'll be on a liquid diet for 2 wks before surgery, Optifast, I think it's called. How does this get made? Is it mixed with Water or milk? Do you have to use a blender? (We may go out of town during the time I would need to be on the pre-op diet, so want to know what I would need to take with me.) I can schedule as soon as 6/29, but I may be leaning towards mid-July since we do have that trip planned. I am so ready for a new me!!! Dr was really nice. BMI was a horrible 43.3, but at least I have no other medical conditions, so something to be grateful for.

Would anyone recommend a good dr in Dallas/Fort Worth area? There are so many...how do you choose the right one? Interested in the Lap band procedure.

The shoulder pain is more than likely from the anesthesia. I haven't had this surgery before, but did have a D&C. I had horrible shoulder and neck pain, like I'd been in a car accident. A few months later I had to have a different surgery, and mentioned the pain to the anesthesiologist and he said it was the anesthesia. Because the procedure is so short, they have to give you a certain kind that causes some people to have shoulder and neck pain from it.

I noticed a lot of people have UHC for insurance. If the policy states not covered for WLS is that for sure? Even if dr said it was necessary? I was just curious. I know the insurance person at the dr's office will give me more info next week, but was wondering.

I have an appt next Wed with Dr Kim! Nervous & excited. My insurance doesn't cover WLS, so it'll be self pay. Hoping for some financing to pay for part of it. I'm so ready for this to happen.

thank you all for your responses. Dr Kim is who I was leaning towards, and now with everyone suggesting him, that's probably my choice. I'll call their office for more info.