jena

It's starting to get hot here in Atlanta and it hit me this morning that I will be so thankful to be shedding this blanket of fat once and for all. I hate sweating and suffering in the summer! My family all live in Savannah, Ga. and it is SO hot and humid there. When I go to visit in the summer months I never do anything that requires going outside because I'm so miserable! There are so many other things that keep popping into my mind that I will be able to do as the weight comes off. Lots of things that others take for granted like climbing a ladder! Most ladders won't hold anyone over 250-300 pounds. Now I will be able to change my own light bulbs!! Woo! hahahah I can't wait to have energy! I can't wait for my knees to have less weight on them. I can't wait to take my dog on long walks. (She could stand to lose a few pounds as well!) Hey, I can't wait to spend less on groceries!! I get banded on THURSDAY! Anyone else have any thing they are looking forward to as the weight comes off? Jena

I hope I look half that good!! =D> =D> =D> =D>

Thanks Misty! I'll be using the Roswell fill center as well. My surgery is on Thursday. I arrive on Wednesday and return to Atlanta on Saturday. May I ask how your flight back was? That's a long flight from CA. to Atlanta and I'm just wondering if you were uncomfortable. Thanks! Jena

Don't worry, Jaqui! I'll be arriving with my step mother on the 7th and having my surgery on the 8th. There are a couple of other gals here that will be arriving May 7/8/9 as well. We'll all look out for each other! You won't be there all alone! Jena >

Monet, the car in your avitar looks a lot like my car! What kind is it? Mine is a 2007 Miata, dark gray with a retractable hard top. I LOVE it! It's my second Miata. I'm planning that this time next year I won't look like a Shriner in one of those tiny cars that are always in parades. Jena

I always wear a tshirt and panties. Think that would be okay to walk around in? Bwahahahahahhaha!

Have you followed the post op diet? When did you start eating lean cuisines? You shouldn't be on the pre op diet after you are banded. If you need the post op diet info, let us know. I do know Dr. Miranda wants us to eat "real" food once we have completed the liquid and mushy stages. Also, I've read about "bandster hell" which is when you are between surgery and your first fill, which is what you are experiencing! Hugs! Jena

Getting my band next Thursday! I was 50 in Dec. but in my mind, I'm still 29. Jena

I tried a thong. I realized I hate to have something up my you-know-where. :lb12: I woulld rather go commando than anything else. Hey Redgridj - so what did you decide with the corset? Are you going to keep wearing them? Jena

I'm getting banded next week and I have lost 25 pounds on my pre-op diet. I know when my weight loss starts to become more noticeable to others is when I panic and start to put the pounds back on. I made an appointment with a therapist who specializes in weight issues and I'll be seeing her 2 weeks after I get banded. I want to be ready to deal with it when those old feelings start to come up. I have read several peoples posts here and other places that have not been successful with the band and I am doing everything NOW to make sure I'm successful after I'm banded. In the long run, the only way to be successful at weight loss is to eat less and exercise more. A total change for me. I am counting on the band to be there for me when I start to slide. I still have to make all of the changes myself. Jena

I've been counting down the days too! I had 7 or 8 weeks to count. My surgery is on May 8, ONE WEEK FROM TODAY!!! Jena

Great reminder Alana! I ordered some tshirts and soft stretchy shorts, but I might have to pick up a couple of dresses. Just one week, girl! I am less nervous than I was last week. I freaked last week! jena

I was wondering if we could get Tylenol 3 without a prescription in TJ. If we can, how much can we bring back? I don't want to bring back a suitcase full, just maybe 3 bottles. I can get them when I go to France, but I haven't been in a couple of years. It would be nice to have some. Jena

Are you using Dr. Ortiz? My date is May 8 as well! Jena

What is so funny about it is every day on the way to work I've heard a Steve Miller Band song on the radio! Then I foud out yesterday that they will be playing here Memorial Day Weekend! 2fat4me, I love Bandito! How clever you are! Jena

Has anyone else named their band? Mine will be "Fifi Enchente." My friend Bill refuses to call it Fifi, and has given the band the name "Steve Miller." Before I had it removed, I had a fibroid tumor in my uterus. When I was diagnosed, Bill decided to name it "Tallulah." When I had a hysterectomy, Bill called it a "Tallulahectomy." So what have you named your band? Jena

The 3 of us will be there together, and I'm so glad. I haven't had a problem with the pre op diet, but I've got a lot of weight to lose, so I've been able to take a lot of weight off pretty easily. I've been so stressed about this, I don't know why, I've been looking forward to having this done for so long. I even had a fever blister pop up this weekend! I only do that when I'm stressed. My neck and back are killing me. I've gone off of the NSAI for the surgery and it's about to kill me! I'm coming in on the 7th on AirTran around 11:30 (I think) Mom12, what airline are you taking and when do you get in? Hugs!! Jena

The gastric bypass surgerys cause you to have "malabsorption" problems. IOW, everything goes right through you with very little being digested. It was important to get as much protein as possible because it caused a multitude of problems if you didn't. Your body not only needs protein to build muscle, but to repair it too. Not enough protein will cause hair loss as well. Since lap band doesn't cause you to have malabsorption problem - all of the food gets digested - an overabundance of protein isn't needed, except in the beginning when you are only on liquids. Once you get on regular food, you are advised to eat your protein first because you are eating so little of all food, you want to make sure you get your protein in, unless you want to be flabby and bald. Protein usually contains some fat, even lean meats have some fat in them and you need a small amount of fat every day. If you get full before you make it on to carbohydrates in your meal, you can always drink your carbs. Fruit juce, V-8, yogurt smoothie, whatever. It doesn't take a lot of juice or yogurt to get all of the carbohydrates you need if you find you aren't hungry enough to eat a salad or veggies with your dinner. Good luck! Jena - 9 days and counting!

Maybe I shouldn't mention this, but I know where you can by powdered white cheddar cheese. It's the real thing, too, not a bunch of additives and junk, just powdered white cheddar cheese. Like Cheetos powder but just the Chee, no tos! I won't be ordering any and if you ask I won't tell! Jena

One week! (and a couple of days) =D> :-h

Mom12, Thanks for thinking of me! I have been so busy at work! It's very stressful at the moment. I work for a small software company that is in the advertising industry. Officially, our product is a branded social media platform. Got that? Good. Hehe! Two websites are launching contests next week and another is about to change phases so there are a million things going on and we're working late nights and weekends. If you're interested, the one that is going on now is http://www.whencloverfieldhit.com/splash/index.html a contest being done by Paramount to promote the DVD release of the movie Cloverfield. SO...it's been busy and stressful! I've also starting to panic about the surgery. Am I doing the right thing bla bla bla. So I'm on my last nerve and looking forward to a few day away! I've even woke up with a fever blister this morning. ( A sure sign I'm stressed out. I'll be there on the 7th though! Stress or no stress! Take care, Jena

Michelle that is sooooo funny! You look amazing! You look like you are only maybe 25 pounds overweight. Either you are tall or you are working out like a demon! Or both. =D> jena

Make sure any time you have a sore or rash you go to the doctor so that it can be documented. Talk to your doctor about it and explain what you are doing and why you are coming in to see him. My PCP is with me on getting the band and he said he would do what was needed to get my insurance to cover the band but it was no use. After I get it (in two weeks) I'm going to enlist his help to document problems from saggy skin in hopes that insurance will cover it. I'm not trying to "rip off" the insurance company, but they will cover it if it is a medical necessity. Having yeast infections and sores from skin rubbing IS a medical necessity! Go to your PCP and get his/her help! Jena

I've heard Chocolate was poisonous to dogs, but I didn't know that about cats! 9 CATS??!! Just kidding! I had 15 at one time. I took in strays, had them neutered and gave them the best remaining years of their lives. I still have 5, 3 outdoor and 2 indoor. My oldest is about 15 years old. He's a tough old guy. One that I had, Barney (a girl), would watch me eat and when I opened my mouth to put something in, she opened hers too! Heh heh. I'm laughing now just thinking about it. Jena

I just got over a 2 week stall that was driving me crazy. Up 1/2 pound, down 1/2 pound. over and over again. After a few days of it I kept saying I'm going off of this diet! but I kept on with it. Finally this past Sunday I lost 2 1/2 pounds. That was a long 2 weeks.