maryrose

I agree with Waterlilly..I'm addicted to the Atkins Advantage Peanut Butter bar. 1/2 half a bar is enough to satisfy my sweet tooth..I think it has 19 grams of Protein. Wal-mart has good prices on them too. My nutrutionist is not too keen on those...but she agreed if I only bought 3 at a time and only allowed my self 1/2 a bar a day. So far so good... Just don't buy too many of one type until you try them...some I thought were terrible!

I like JC Penney. They also have an outlet...they have a plus size juniors dept. too.

Hi cher, I had two psychological exams. I am on meds. for depression. Did she say how long? How far into the process are you? I know I had to meet with her for a second time and initially recommended the bypass as I am a grazer. I would call the Clinic Mgr. and ask how long they expect to want to monitor you? If it's an indefinite amout of time, I would look elsewhere. A lot of us are depressed to begin with..that is nothing new to this disease. A couple of months, I can possibly see. maybe they just want to get to know you better and make sure you are ready. My process took about 4 months from first visit to the actual surgery. I know this seems like a setback, but call the office manager. Maybe she/he can give you some assurance? other than that, is ther another center close by?

<p>Exude,</p> <p> </p> <p>What an interesting post. I have been feeling the same way. I had my surgery on 4/9. I already feel the restriction and am due for my first fill in about a week and 1/2. </p> <p> </p> <p>I am wondering if I will need the fill also, because I am already experiencing the "too full" feeling when I eat something I am not supposed to and have had 2 PB incidents already without the fill. Of course this is all new to me and I'm still learning what I can eat and can't eat, but did not expect the PB experience to start without my first fill. </p> <p> </p> <p>I have lost 25 lbs. so far. 15 pre-surgery and 10 lbs. since the surgery, so that would be a little more than 2 lbs. a week without the fill, but we'll see how I do the next week. </p> <p> </p> <p>Like you said, I am not overeating as I was before and can definitely tell the difference in the amount of food I can consume.</p>

Sorry you are still in a lot of pain. I was banded on the same day! I still have a lot of soreness in the area. I would not call it constant pain, but it sure still hurts a lot. Do you have a lot of bruising? How are you feeling? I feel totally washed out and still weak. Maybe I am expecting too much? Are you able to get around and do things? I was the opposite with the BM..everything went right trough me until Yesterday. That could be the reason I am so weak. Hope you are feeling better soon!

How do you all feel? I have been feeling rather weak since Saturday. I am on Clear Liquids with only the Protein shakes. I see the doc on Friday, but thinking about calling and asking to have them move me up sooner...I feel rather weak and dizzy sometimes. I'm wondering if I'm not resting enough? I was banded on 4/9. Anyone else feel this run-down?

Gosh, we are in the same boat. I am 1 week post-op and am ready to chew my fingernails off..lol. I'm so sick of the shakes it's not funny. This is the first day I was drinking and drinking, I had been feeling rather weak til today. I cheated tonight and put a few crackers on top of my broth and let them get soft..and had them! oh well.. I don't know how I'll make it to Friday.

Overnight stay. I actually enjoyed it also. Nice room, actually a suite. Don't know how I ended up with that, must have run out of rooms. My group always keeps you overnight. They don't let you go home til you have a barium swallaw exam in the AM to make sure everthing is OK.

People answer and support each other on this board out of the kindness of their hearts. Whether you agree or not is your own business. I am grateful for all the support received on this board.

Thank you all so much. Teachlady and Vazdru...good luck to both of you!

Mon. 4/9 is my big day! I'm not nervous at all..hmm...why am I not nervous..lol.. Probably too much to do. Thank goodness for this board..you guys have really inspired me and gave me the the encouragement to move ahead on this journey!! Thanks again and will see you at the other end of band land.

Edie, I commend you on your weight loss! What an excellent inspiration! :clap2: Wow...I can only hope to do as well.

I agree with wasabubble, I watched that Oprah episode and actually sent an E-mail to them regarding a statement she said something like "Getting bariatric surgery now is as frequent/easy as having your teeth cleaned" How crazy a statement is that??? I plan on replacing my food thoughts with thoughts of ME. Going to concentrate of my needs for a change whether it be treating myself to a new outfit or getting a pedicure. Don't worry ...you'll be fine.

Nice to meet you Househuntress!! Me too.....Me toooo Same date 4/9. Are you getting nervous yet? I can't wait. This site has really helped me realize this is the right thing to do. I'm still getting prepared, forgot to pick up broth and diet Jello, but other than that, I think I'm all set. Have one one pre-op meeting with the surgeon and have a Pulmonary Function test tomorrow. Good luck! I'm sure you will do fine.

Oh gosh Brandy, tell me about it. They have been monitoring me and I have been having weigh-ins, so I have been good for about 1 1/2 months. Now that I know my surgery is next week...I've been a piggy wiggly for the last few days. Darn Easter candy...lol... They call it the Last Supper Syndrome and I was warned about it at the clinic last week. They told me "try to be good"....lol. I had my little treats, now it's back to business..You really want to lose as much as you can prior to surgery if you can. I know..it's hard!! :rolleyes

Keluliana, Congrats on your approval! Don't worry about the 5 lbs. Seems every clinic is so different. Have you met with the dietition? From the beginning we were advised to go out and buy the Protein drinks, find one you like, and start substituting one meal a day with the Protein Drink and also keep a daily diary. They said this would help with the approval process. Believe me....once you know you need to check in and have your weight checked....you will lose the weight..there is something about having to be weighed and accountable...it sure is helping me. I have to keep a diary and show to the dietition. This is serious stuff...lol... I also had to do the "mushy" stage for a few days to show I knew what I was getting into. I did get approved recently also...but just underwent knee surgery, so that threw me off a little, but will be scheduling surgery soon. The Protein shakes really help a lot. good luck..you will do fine...

That's great Sweet & berry. Nice to converse with Mass. neighbors. BE is a great hospital. I was just recently approved and will be having the surgery at Lowell General. The docs there are highly recommended and I am so fortunate to live closeby. Good luck on Monday Berry!

Thanks again Rockin...I saw and I was not grossed out at all....lol.... :phanvan Guess I do watch too many procedures! I thought it was great!

I pondered the idea for quite some time. Is there an informational meeting you can go to? That meeting pretty much sealed the deal for me. This board really, really helped me know this was the only decision for me. I'm from Mass. too! Some great docs in the area. Good luck with you decision. I have not been banded yet, but hopefully sometime in April. Good luck!

Wow...awesome.Thanks so much for the link! I can't wait to watch the whole thing! My fav. channel is Health& & Discovery, so I love to watch surgical procedures, etc. This will be great. Thanks again.

Thank you all so much for your replies! Wendy, thanks for letting me know about stevia. I have been wanting to try it. I did find one with Stevia in it but had sucralose in it. I am just figuring out the artificial sweetener (disguise) names...lol. I didn't realize there were so many names of artificial sweeteners! I basically always looked for nutrasweet, splenda, etc. Thank you all for the medifast and GNC information..I will look into those. Thanks again.

:help: I am still in the pre-approval stage, but slowly getting there. I am sensitive to artificial sweeteners, they just don't agree with me. Does anyone know of any Protein drink without the artificial sweeteners? Thanks so much. This site really has been just an incedible help!

Hi Boo Boo, My group is very strict with the NO coffee rule. They say it can erode the band. I was up to about 1 large pot a day, LOVE my coffee, but have been wanting to wean myself off of it and this is a good excuse. What I did was go out treat myself to a really, really good decaf. brand and do the decaf. and tea in between, as tea has caffeine too, so it was not too much of a shock to my system. yeah..I did feel lousy for a few days, but my BP has gone down about 30 points!!! I am not kidding...this is great! Good luck boo!

HI Firecallie, I know the feeling! What has helped me temendously are those small 4 oz. cans of fruit in lite syrup. They have 50 calories. Instead of getting into the "bad" stuff, I will grab one of those. Even if I had two a day, I figure it is betting than raiding the hubbies Cookies and wolfing those down. I also make my own cocoa with Hershey's unsweetened cocoa with a tiny bit of skim milk, vanilla and splenda. I sometimes add a dash of cinnamon for a little something different. It is my best friend right now! I am a pre-bandster with a lot to learn, but those are a few things that help me.

I was not too impressed with my nutritionist either! Someone mentioned self righteous, that is a good word, but mine did not make me feel humiliated. Like you said, if I could do this, I would not be here wanting to be banded. I do have to say though, and I hate to admit it, but it's almost like a drill seargent telling me I HAVE to stick to the food plan they gave me or ELSE!!..LOL. I have not cheated all week and knowin my weigh-in is on Fri. keeps me motivated....whoever knew???? LOL. Seriously, can you ask for another nutritionist? If she made you feel humiliated you should report her. We are all paying good money for this service and there is no need for that!