December Bandsters 2009

[KarynA 0]

One more thing... BEST OF LUCK TO THE DECEMBER 9th bandsters! Everything will be just fine. My thoughts and prayers are with you!

[Poppyred 0]

As was mentioned, the no soda/no beer requirement is pretty standard. It's the carbonation that's the problem because it expands the pouch. After my surgery last week, my doctor (who himself has a band) stressed the importance of not having these things. "Protect your band" is what he kept saying.

I'm not that big on soda anyway, so it's not a huge loss for me. HOWEVER, my favorite cocktail of choice is (was) Captain Morgan's (rum) and diet coke, so I was more than a little bummed about not being able to have that anymore. I did not pig-out or anything before my pre-op, but I did have a drink or two of rum and diet coke, while toasting to a better, healthier, longer, thinner life. It's well worth the exchange.

I totally agree...my hubbie gave me a hard time..saying of all the new changes you are making you're worried about diet pepsi...LOL OK Im addicted..but sure the ice tea will give me my caffeine in a different dose! My diet started the day after thanksgiving so I didnt have the chance to go to Olive Garden but didnt seem so important now. We have a christmas party to go to ..and Im going to sip apple juice in a wine glass...I finally figured out the ticker ..except how to change it when I start losing that 100 lbs...will get that when I start losing. Thanks for the response..enjoy it alot!

poppyred

[Melinco 1]

Poppyred,

To change the weight on your ticker, just click on your ticker, it will take you to the tickerfactory website, enter your password, and then enter your new weight and save. It will automatically update your ticker where ever you may have it (like here and on a blog). You won't need to do anything to your signature here, it's automatic.

Good luck! I just changed mine this morning as I'm down a couple of more pounds!

[Melinco 1]

It's a head game - but boy does it suck!

Yesterday was tough. As you remember, I'm on a solid high Protein low carb diet. You'd think it would be easy, as I do get to eat. However, it's pretty tough to stay below 30 grams of carbs, especially when my head is telling me that I want more. I need more! I. HAVE. TO. HAVE. MORE! Shut up head!!!!

I went through my cabinets last night looking at everything trying to figure out what I could eat that would keep me below my limit. I finally pulled out my creamy Peanut Butter and had a spoonful, which put me right at my limit.

It's amazing, even eating lots of meat, cheese, yogurt, etc., my calories are still lots less than where they should be for a one pound per week loss. I'm wondering if I should quit tracking it all and just concentrate only on the carbs.

Oh, and to start today off on a GREAT foot (sarcasm dripping here), one of my coworkers brought in his Christmas treats that he makes from scratch (he's Italian, so very yummy Cookies and such). When I go up for my break this morning, I am going to move that tray of yuckies to a different table so they are not staring me right in the face.

On a different note, I took my first packet of Miralax this morning in my hot tea. I couldn't even tell it was in there, which is good. I was afraid that it was going to be thick and icky, but it wasn't.

Good luck to everyone having surgery today! You're going to rock!!!

[illuminationlady 7]

Mel, I'm right there with ya!!! I, too, am on two shakes a day and one meal and I am STARVING! Although, the last day or two haven't been as bad as the previous days. Now, in the a.m. I'm not nearly as starving and I wait as long as I can to have that shake. I also bought low fat cottage cheese and boiled some eggs for Snacks. But you're right. This Preop diet is horrible!!! At least we suffer together!

[Melinco 1]

Illum Lady,

I am not a fan of cottage cheese, but I am thinking I might buy some (given it is low or no carb) and blend it with some spices and make a dip out of it for celery and cauliflower. I think that will help. I'm not too concerned about calories in my pre-op, just the carb level. Oh, I'm going to the store tonight!!! Thanks for the idea.

[mkmelissag 0]

The low-carb stuff isn't too bad once you get all the "carby" stuff out of the house. My hubby is so excited for me to get the lap band, and the low-carb pre-op diet. Low carb is his weapon of choice in the battle of the bulge. I won't be "sabotaging" him any more!

Some of my faves: I find that tuna, chicken or egg salad are good to eat with a lot of salad greens. And easy to make in a pinch. I eat my eggs and bacon every morning. Real cream in the coffee - no sugar. I'm not a huge meat eater, so I like to steam up a pile of broccoli and cauliflower and make a cheese sauce out of cream, cream cheese and cheddar. Yummy. snack on celery and cream cheese. Taco salads without the chips. Then SF Jello with real whipped cream for dessert.

I can keep that up for a couple of weeks. I never could longer than that, though. That's why I'm doing lap band! If hubby keeps it up, he'll probably lose as much as me!

Sending everyone being banded this week tons of good thoughts!

[Sweet Pete 0]

Hi all!!

I'm new to the forum.

I started my journey in July and my surgery date is set for the 22nd of this month!!

Yesterday was my first day of the liquid diet. I noticed everyone is pretty much able to eat a little something or the liquid diet isn't that strict. Can I just say that I'm really jealous! My surgery is really really really strict. For 2 weeks it's Clear Liquids only, besides the Protein Shakes. So I only get to have shakes, broth, Jello & SF pops. That's it. No SF gum, because of the sugar alcohol. Ah well, it's worth it. I do have to say, I"M STARVING! LOL! Is that bad? It's only been a day and a half. I'm worried I'm going to bite my families head off and kabob them.

Did you/are you all dropping weight really really fast in the liquid diet? I've dropped 5 lbs. since yesterday. That's not right. It must be all Water because I've been in the restroom every half hour. Crazy! My spouse doesn't believe me, it's that crazy!

Good luck to everyone getting their surgery today! I'm excited to get to know everyone.

[Sluggo 0]

Pete:

I posted this message on a similar Dec Banding forum but wanted to share in this forum - I am doing a Protein Drink only pre-op. It is an Optifast clone and tastes the same. I am on day 9. I thought I was a tough dude and would laugh in the face of such a regimen. Maybe it is the Christmas season but I am climbing the walls. I gave my dog a Beggin Strip, ya know looks and smells like bacon. I started to fight him for it but didn't want to get bit up. I gave up smoking cigars 3 months ago. I don't want a cigar. Right now I want to smoke crack or shoot heroin. The good news is I will not waiver or mess up. I will do this, I am committed, and I've paid out big $$ (now that's a motivator!). However, by my Dec. 15 date I fear I will be completely insane compared to 3/4 insane at this moment. I don't dream about wealth, fame, or ladies, I dream about my first cup of broth! Oh yeah, losing all the weight during this time keeps me going. I retired a suit the other day FOR GOOD. I will probably use it this time next year for an "After" photo with several friends in my britches with me.

[abbylamb 1]

Pete/Sluggo-

Can I just say I AM FEELING YOUR PAIN!!!! AND to top it all off, after 3 days of doing this ridiculous diet, I GAINED a pound!!! How, I don't know (although I suspect it probably has something to do with the sodium in the broth I've been downing and the fact that I haven't been getting my Water in.) This sucks, but it's only a small blip in the giant timeline, right? Or as my dad used to always tell me "that which does not kill you will only make you stronger". Yeah, I hated that phrase then too.

[65DueceCoupe 0]

you can can do it. Beacause I'm going to need your support starting my liquids next tuesday. This has got to be extra tough for us steak eating red meating loving men. Glad I have other men on here for support also.

[65DueceCoupe 0]

Pete/Sluggo-

Can I just say I AM FEELING YOUR PAIN!!!! AND to top it all off, after 3 days of doing this ridiculous diet, I GAINED a pound!!! How, I don't know (although I suspect it probably has something to do with the sodium in the broth I've been downing and the fact that I haven't been getting my Water in.) This sucks, but it's only a small blip in the giant timeline, right? Or as my dad used to always tell me "that which does not kill you will only make you stronger". Yeah, I hated that phrase then too.

gotta be the sodium - look for low sodium broth - the weight will drop then.

[abbylamb 1]

I'm sure it probably is the sodium, but damn it, that's all I've got going for me for flavor for the next 12 days! I don't want to give that up too!! Have you ever tasted reduced sodium chicken buillion? So bland! But yes, I know you are right. Sigh.

[Sweet Pete 0]

Thanks for the support!

Seriously, I totally think I might go nutters. It's sure will power at this point. Amazon delivered a book yesterday and I seriously wondered is the cardboard box would taste good with a little pepper on it. LOL!

I saw someone post that they are doing everything they can to keep themselves busy, I get it now. My house is going to be spotless in the next couple of days!

Oh, try straining Soup. I did that last night and my doc said it was fine, so it's not just broth. It was a chicken & rice low sodium Progresso. I strained the "good stuff" and DS can have that and I ate the broth. It actually wasn't bad. I got all the flavors which is much better than broth. I can't do plain broth. I might as well chew on a bullion rock. Blech!

Oh and this morning I was looking at the ads from the paper and of course they are all grocery store ads and my spouse came in and said, "whatcha readin'" and I said "Porn!" bwhahahahahahahha!!

[abbylamb 1]

Thanks for the support!

Seriously, I totally think I might go nutters. It's sure will power at this point. Amazon delivered a book yesterday and I seriously wondered is the cardboard box would taste good with a little pepper on it. LOL!

I saw someone post that they are doing everything they can to keep themselves busy, I get it now. My house is going to be spotless in the next couple of days!

Oh, try straining Soup. I did that last night and my doc said it was fine, so it's not just broth. It was a chicken & rice low sodium Progresso. I strained the "good stuff" and DS can have that and I ate the broth. It actually wasn't bad. I got all the flavors which is much better than broth. I can't do plain broth. I might as well chew on a bullion rock. Blech!

Oh and this morning I was looking at the ads from the paper and of course they are all grocery store ads and my spouse came in and said, "whatcha readin'" and I said "Porn!" bwhahahahahahahha!!

LMFAO!!! Seriously, that is hysterical. How sad is it that I totally understand that? I'm thiiiiiss close to licking the salt off some pretzels just for the flavor! I didn't know I could have just the broth from regular soup...hmmm...have to try that. Thanks for the tip!