cckcsharp

You really do have to force yourself to drink and eat at this phase. I wasn't physically hungry either, but the others are right...you must drink something of substance for your poor, tired body! Feel better soon, and check back with us later to update your progress.

Denise

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

This is so funny. I had to change my email address as we changed our server people. anyway I did as instructed on the page and then I went to post a reply and it said I was not authorized to do this. I tried to reply again to something else and again it said I was not authorized to reply. I felt panic that I could not communicate with my friends, OMG I thought what to do? I emailed the administrator and in just a few seconds got a reply telling me I had to finish the steps taken by verifying I had entered the info. Whew... thank goodnes this worked or I might have had the big one. This showed me how hooked on this forum I really am, perhaps a new addiction?

Thanks to the administrators for helping me so quickly. I love this forum!!

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

Jessica

I wanted to update everyone on my drama. Gosh, I've only been here a short time and ya'all know more about my life than some of my real life friends do...lol

Everything has calmed down and all is well. My husband and I talked after he wrote me a long letter and it was as a lot of you said...he was afraid and worried. Even tonight he was asking questions that led me to believe that he's still worried. But, he wants to go with me and I made our airline reservations tonight. So...no stopping me now! The only slight glitch is that I had to put my surgery back 2 weeks because we have to order his birth certificate from Wyoming. Other than that, all is well. I will have my surgery on August 29th now instead of the 15th. It will sure be hard to wait those extra 2 weeks, but, in the grand scheme of things, I guess I will survive...

I wanted to thank all of you who wrote me privately, and those who commented on the thread here. I honestly can't tell you all how much it means to me and how much your strength helped me get through those couple of days. I read the posts every day, and you are all one helluva support group!!!

So, now I will probably be back to asking silly questions about my surgery since I'm still pretty scared.

Thanks again for everything and let me know if there is someone out there lurking who is having surgery on the 29th!

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

Glad you found it.

Yes the protein water packets I refer to are made by Special K and can be found in the diet drinks/bars sections of the store. They also make actual premade bottles of the "protein water" which are great too but not easy to transport. I had no problems with any of the items in powdered form I took. Neither airport security or the border patrol took a second look at my "powders"

Hope this helps.

Thank you.

Jessica

Food wise my hubby said there is a great grocery store within walking distance and the food is cheap they have liters of gatorade and broth. I brought gas x strips which were great!

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

Hi Jessica,

Julie's post for the items to bring to TJ is in the Doctors Corner under "Questions".

Hope this helps!

Christina

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

See the post I just bumped up for you. It's called Suggestions of what to take to TJ...

I hope others will add more to it so it's a 1 stop list for anyone that needs it.

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

I am on Facebook, anyone else?

What is Facebook? Never heard of it.

Jessica

That's amazing Jessica, good for you!!!

I found that just giving up the diet coke helped sooo much!! You are on the road to a healthier, thinner life. It's so rewarding isn't it!!! Nothing is more rewarding that to see the numbers fall on the scale or have the waistband in your pants too loose.

You go girl, you are doing terrific!!

Thanks cathy

Hi Julie,

I just came on to give an update actually and thank you for writing. I didn't tell him last night...I was too scared. Waited all day to tell him...the day was going so well all day...he even got me flowers. But, about an hour and 1/2 ago I told him and it didn't go well at all. I've been crying ever since and am not doing well right now. He is absolutely apalled that I would go to Mexico and thinks that everything I've read and everyone I've talked to is all a scam to get me to go to Mexico so they can steal my money and leave me injured or dead. He said that he feels betrayed because I went behind his back and made all the plans and that I made a big decision without including him and basically that he can't believe I would be the type of person to do this. I told him it wasn't about him...it was about me...but he is absolutely livid with me...and I'm just crying my eyes out...so I won't be on probably for a while until I can fix all of this. I'm beyond sick right now.

Thanks everyone for being so kind and for understanding.

Vix

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!!!!

It has arrived! Today, 199.4! Had to get on the scale 3 times just to be sure... Same EACH time

Haven't seen any one hundreds in about 13 to 14 years. I'm so excited!!

Amber

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

I do believe that you can have the protein shakes or bars for you "non" food meals. I remember seeing it on the papers I received. If you are careful to compare the labels like you have, you should be fine during this pre-op time. Now of course after surgery you won't be able to eat them until after the 3 week liquid phase as you know. You will find things you can and can't eat for a few weeks then you may have no restriction until your first fill. This is the willpower stage, and it's tough.

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've tried lots of different protein shakes and I keep going back to GNC's 100% Whey Protein - they really do taste good and they have a great assortment of flavors:

Chocolate

Vanilla

Chocolate Caramel

Strawberry

Banana Creme - my favorite

Mixed Berry

Cookies and Creme

Matter of fact, tomorrow I'm going to get some more as I'm running low and I think I'm going to get the plain chocolate this time so I can mix it with the Banana Creme = ummmmmm Chocolate dipped bananas!

Yummy!!!!

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 always do...just wondering what the difference is???

I chew everything so well, it's mushy before it goes down anyway??

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

You can get it at Wal-Mart. In the coffee aisle, usually on the top shelf the sugar free has the blue label.

Thanks you rock. Appreciate all the tips

Jessica

SORRY TO BE A PARTY POOPER BUT I WAS BANDED IN OCT 2007 AND I WAS ONLY ABLE TO LOSE ABOUT 12 LBS PRE OP. THEY STILL DID THE SURGERY BUT GUESS WHAT? IT HAS NOT WORKED. IF YOU DON'T GET A GRIP ON YOUR EATING AND CHANGE YOUR LIFE STYLE I STRONGLY SUGGEST YOU DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY. MY EXPERIENCE WAS A POSITIVE ONE WITH OBC BUT I HAVE NOT LOST ANY WEIGHT AND I NOW AM LIVING WITH MORE SHAME THAN BEFORE. ARE YOU SURE YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO LOSE THE WEIGHT? I HAVE HAD FILLS BUT I HAVE NEVER GOTTEN TO MY SWEET SPOT. I BEGINNING TO THINK I HAVE A DAMAGED PORT. WHICH SUCKS BECAUSE I WILL NEVER HAVE THE MONEY TO GET IT REPLACED. BE SURE THIS IS WHAT YOU WANT TO DO. I WOULD NOT DO IT AGAIN. GOOD LUCK. I HOPE YOUR ARE SUCESSFUL.

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

I added the sugar free Vanilla Da Vinci syrup to all of my shakes and I loved them, personally I've yet to find something I've liked better (I do use the coffee flavored slimfasts when I am on the go and need something pre-made)

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

There may be other shakes that taste much better than Optifast...I would do a forum poll. I hated them. The first day I gagged on it. My patient coordinator told me to add some unsweetened cocoa and put in the freezer to thicken it and I was able to get it down. I had to do 4 shakes a day, OMG! that was the longest two weeks of my life!!

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

Diet sodas tend to help the weight stay on, so it is good that you stopped having them. Also, keep drinking LOTS of water. That is probably the best thing you can do.

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.