cleo6666

Hi James, If I understand correctly, after the banding drinking carbonated beverages will cause the band to possibly slip. I haven't had a diet coke in 6 weeks. I was banded on July 26th and I can honestly say that pop/soda is the only think I absolutely gave up. I used to drink 3-4 a day. My suggestion...wean yourself now because on a hot summer day after your band...an ice cold soda will be a tough one to resist! I found a protien drink mix at costco that was very affordable and actually tastes good. Much cheaper than the health food stores! Good luck with your diet amigo! ~M

Welcome home Beth! How's that fog this morning? :-) Michele

Why don't you call me at home. I'd be happy to talk to you. Or I can call you too. It's almost 8:30pm for me. Let me know and you can email me your number at mp6666@hotmail.com I didn't take anything to the hospital. I just wore loose fitting comfortable clothes. When I walked down to baggage claim, there was a driver with my name on a board waiting for me. It was funny because my last name is so long it barely fit on the paper. The driver will have ID on his person. It's a badge and that really did a lot to comfort me. Michele

Chrissy! I live in Mill Creek on the south Everett boarder. I think we could be neighbors. Yes Roger...you are invited. Let's have a lapband bbq at my house! I can't wait to see the menu ~Michele

Roger....I'm flying in just after 10 on the 7th too. Are you flying Alaska? Maybe I'll meet you at the airport! I'm going for my first fill. Two weeks to go! ~M

Let me know when you want to have our inagural meeting Michele

The water will go down just fine. I had no problem. :-) I continue to drink 64-100 oz a day. I'm never vistited the ladies room so much. It's odd though, I don't drink beverages with my meals now. That takes some getting used to. Mostly I will drink with meals at a resturant. And since I can't eat like I used to...I don't go out to eat as much. I guess that works in my favor. This is a favorite for drinking for me.... Buy a bottle of PROPEL Gatorade flavored fitness water. When you are done drinking it, fill it up with water. It has this great spout (where your lips go) that make it really easy to take sips from. The nice part is the first water bottle after has a little taste of the flavored water too. I love the berry. Mmmmmm. I like my water really cold too. It seems easier to sip that way. A little time in the freezer and it's perfect. Just don't leave it in to long or....explosion! :-) Good luck

HI! I'm Michele and I live in Mill Creek! Not far up the 405 from you. As I type this letter, you might be in the van getting a ride to the clinic. Have a great time. Relax. Sleep. Enjoy your new friends at the clinic...both employees and your fellow lapbanders. You have a special bond with the people who are having surgery today now. Well, I did. I keep in touch with one of my same day surgery buddies from Alabama and we talk/email almost every day. And just today, another one of my same day surgery buddies emailed me from New York! It's great. I love the support. If you'd like....we can start a support group in WA. I'm all for it. In fact when you're up to it, email me and I'll host the first get together. Let's invite the gals from Auburn and Federal Way and I believe a man that's local who is having surgery Sept 8th! Take care and be good to yourself. Michele mp6666@hotmail.com I guess I should have wrote "Hi Bethy" in that email.... If mommyrkr, Bethy, Pammie and Pammie's friend want to keep in touch....please do. Michele

WOW Rid....you are doing fantastic!!! Good Luck You have inspired me to keep up my new lifestyle. I have no restriction yet, so it's tough most of the time. I was banded on July 26th and am going for my first fill on September 7th. I can't wait! Michele

Hi! I will be in at around 10, but am waiting for my fill buddy to arrive at 12:30. If you'd like to talk to someone who just had surgery...I had it done on July 26th! Email me at mp6666@hotmail.com if you'd like. Enjoy these last couple weeks Michele

I will be at the San Diego Airport on Thursday SEPT 7th with another fellow bander for fills that day. Would anyone be able to coordinate a ride with us. We'd sure appreciate it! And we could split the costs. If someone is going Thursday for surgery, even better! We can meet you and support you and tell you all about our great experience! We were both banded on July 26th and are on our way for our first fill! Please email me at mp6666@hotmail.com

I too weighed about 170 at my pre op. I am very short, so this realy effects my BMI. My goal is to loose 50 pounds as well. But as the person in the email I just read to you said...."This is a life changing experience". Most likely, you will never eat again like you will have pre surgery. and a life style change is not the only thing, you have to change your ATTITUDE. I met a lady while I was in the clinic last Tuesday. She was banded in May and hadn't lost a pound. She wasn't keeping any food down except ice cream. ICE CREAM? I was suprised at that, but even more surpised that that was ALL she was eating! You can totally sabotauge yourself. Now don't get me wrong, this gal was doing what she had to for her. Everyone is different. And she did the right thing coming back to the clinic to have the doctor look at her band and talk to the nutritionist. Let me tell you this: In one week I have learned to get to know my body and how eating effects it. Prior to surgery, it was how I felt and how much food I could get into my body to comfort it. Hence my obesity. I am getting to know how foods effect me. I actually at a small piece of turkey yesterday for protien, which I should not have, and I felt the horrible feeling that was described to me about food blockage. I thinkit's called indigestion or heartburn. I don't know because I had never had it before. It wasn't anything I couldn't tolarate for the 20 minutes, but was it an eye opener. I was banded one week ago. I am doing well with little pain. The pain that bothers me most is the gas and it effects my left shoulder. It's funny because it feels like an old sports injury and...I've never played sports. LOL. My to my surprise, I haven't been hungry once. I went shopping when I got back from TJ and bought Jello, broth, and every clear liquid I ever wanted that wasn't carbonated. It was fun because I was spending money on other things and I splurged a little and bought the name brand popsicle which is something I would never do. It was fun. Good luck with your decision. Let me know if you have any questions. I've fresh out of the operating room! Take care. Michele