cckcsharp

Julie is right about the pooping thing. I am not a nurse, but I had an experience a few years ago where I got an ear infection and it was so painful that I didn't eat anything or drink anything for days. I laid around and didn't move either. So, suddenly I realize just as my ear is feeling better that I have not pooped in about 5 days. I noticed this because I felt horrible. Sick and shaky and just plain not right. I am certain that is was do to severe constipation. And if you let it get real bad you will become compacted. This is a really bad experience. I am telling you because I lived it. I will not share the gory details, but suffice it to say that it was painful and humiliating. And it was all started with a simple ear infection. I will never again let myself go that many days without pooping. Getting compacted is really bad and I cannot stress this enough. If I haven't pooped in two days, I go into panic mode and start downing whatever I need to get the flow moving again. I would rather have the "runs" than ever get compacted again. So follow Julies advice and get that poop moving. She is so right about this. Jessica

Thank goodness you got it fixed quickly. We love having you on this forum and would have been missing you. Jessica

OHHHH my goodness. Vix, my surgery is for August 29th as well. So I am going to get to meet you. I am soooooo excited. I have been pulling for you and hoping that things will go well. So getting to see you at the OCC is just extra exciting. I can't wait to meet you and I am thrilled that things are turning out good for you. Jessica

Thank you. Jessica

Good to know. Jessica

Julie, I did have one question from your list. You said to take protein water packets. Is this just powder to mix with water? I heard of people talking about taking things like gatorade. But I was confused by this because the airport won't allow that as carry on anymore and if you pack it in your checked luggage it could bust open. You mentioned that you took boullion cubes. Did the airport security say anything about those? Thanks a bunch. Jessica

Okay, I found it. Thanks so much. Jessica

Julie, I saw you respond to the question about what to take to TJ. I can't find that post anywhere and I went back several pages looking for it. I even tried to search using the title you mentioned. I would love to see the list as well, as I was going to be asking this same question in the near future myself. How can I find this? Jessica

Julie, I cannot find the post that you said you bumped up. I like the question and wanted to know the answers as well. I tried doing a search for it and couldn't find it that way either. Help. Jessica

What is Facebook? Never heard of it. Jessica

Thanks cathy

Vix, We are all pulling for you and your success. I will keep you in my prayers. I cannot add to the already great advice that has been given, so I just wanted to add that I too am there for ya girl. Jessica

Hi everyone, Nearly a week ago, I posted in desperate need of help with my pre-op diet. Well, I followed all of the advice that you guys gave. I drank at least 96 ounces of water each day, and I stopped drinking the diet soda. I also made sure that my daily diet consisted of more protein(thanks, Cathy.) I was also more careful about what I ate. I realized that when the protein shake says 1 cup, that means 1 measuring cup full. NOT one large drinking cup full. BIG difference in Calories and this was part of my problem. Anyway I am happy to report that I not only lost the 4 pounds that I had gained back, but.......I also lost 3 additional pounds, for a total of 7 pounds this week!!!! Actually in just 5 days!!! While I was the one doing the work, I could not have done without all of you. Without your advice, I would not have known about the water, diet soda or the protein. As well as the moral support and cheers for my success. So I just want to express my deepest appreciation to all of you for helping me through this rough week and helping me to overcome this challenge. I cannot begin to describe the gratitude I feel for you all. Your are a fabulous group of people willing to help a total stranger. All I can say is WOW!!! Thanks for everything. Jessica I believe in weight loss now!!!!

Amber, I am so happy for you. Congrats on reaching the 100's. You are such an inspiration. It appears that you have done very well with the lap band. One question though. Do you have the 4 cc on 10 cc band? Thanks for sharing your happy news with us. Jessica

Thanks Julie. I just asked because sometimes it gets old drinking so much liquids. Since I am spending the next 4 weeks pre-op doing mostly liquid, I thought maybe I could sometimes substitute a protein bar for the shake just to mix things up a bit. Jessica

I might try these shakes from GNC. It's nice because they are local, so I can buy a few to try out and see what I think. Thanks for the tip. Jessica

I think you make a great point here and I laughed when I read your post because this is so like me. I would be asking the same thing. Thanks for the chuckle. Jessica

Awesome michele, thanks for sharing these with us. I considering doing this too because of you. You look so great. Jessica

Thanks you rock. Appreciate all the tips Jessica

So, you had your surgery at the OCC? Have you been back down there for them to do the fills and look at your band under Flouro to check it? Have you talked to them about it to see what they can suggest? I am sorry to hear about the struggles you are going through. I am saddened to hear that your husband and children treat you badly because of your weight. It sounds to me like there is something wrong with your lapband system. Since having the surgery are you always able to eat what ever you want? I am truly sorry for this heart break you are feeling. Jessica

Never heard of the da vinci syrup. Is this a specialty item or can I buy it at a grocery store or something. I would like to try it. Jessica

Congrats. I am being banded in 4 weeks and reading your post and then everyone else's responses really helped inspire me too. I hope things keep going well, and keep us updated on your progress. Best of wishes. Jessica

Your the second person that has told me that the optifast doesn't taste good. I am currently using herbalife, which is okay. The only real complaint is that it is powder does not mix well. The taste is fine, minus the clumps in there. I used to put it in the blender with some frozen strawberries and bananas and make it like a smoothie. But I can't do that for this pre-op diet. But I think I would take some clumps over what you are describing. Thanks for your help Jessica

I thought the diet soda might be contributing to the problem and thought it was at least worth a shot to try a few weeks with out it and see if this helps. But what about the diet soda causes the weight to stay on. Being that diet drinks have no cals in it??? Just curious if you know what the reason is. Giving it up is very hard. It is like my daily drug. So 2 days without so far and I am not the nicest person to be around. Hopefully that will fade. Thanks for your help. Jessica

Good luck and best of wishes. I hope all goes well for you. We will be thinking about you and waiting to hear how it all goes.