Kittycat

Hi everyone, It took everything I had to get through a bowl of Quaker oatmeal apples and cinnamon mixed w/skim milk. Does any have any other hot cereal suggestions? I would love some! Thanks Cathy

Yehhhh! Restriction! That's great news! I am so happy for you. How are you BTW? I am doing better everyday, on the mend, walking a little slower than normal, but getting there. I stepped on the scale today and was down 1/2 lb from pre-op weight, so I am happy. My surgeon said not to expect weight loss during the 6 week recovery period, but how can I not lose when I am barely eating anything at all...especially compared to before. I am not going to stress over it, if I don't lose anymore until my first fill in July, but if I do it's a bonus right?! Take care chickie and I will talk to you soon! Cath

Hi Tadpole/Trudy, Welcome! I am Kittycat/Cathy and I live in Kitchener, Ontario...I was banded on Tuesday of this week, June 10th and doing well...little tender but getting better everyday. You will find the support and encouragement on this forum amazing, the ladies and gentlemen are wonderful. We are a mixure of various personalities who love each other, support each other and sometimes clash, but in the end it's all about the goal, the goal to be healthy and thinner! Best of luck to you and don't be a stranger. If you have any questions at all, they will be answered here! Take care Cathy

You gals are so naughty!! Keep it up it's fun! Cathy

Good for you! Every pound makes a huge difference in the end result! Best of Luck! Cathy

Yes you can have both...but keep in mind that for every soda you drink it cancels out a water you drink and it inhibits weight loss. In moderation would be best, you'll have to give it up when banded anyway. I am sure if the Jenny Craig fat grams and calories are comparable to lean cuisine, it would be fine too. Keep strong, you can do it and let us know how you do! Cathy

Have you been allowed to shower since your surgery? If so, a nice warm shower might help. I have stitches covered in tape and gauze pads. I showered today for the first time since sx and no redness around the incisions, which is good. Dried them off and put the gauze back on for a few more days, per dr's instructions. My port site is hurting alot right now too....I think you are right...too much computer. If the redness around the incision is warm, I would go to the doctor...you don't want to risk infection. Take care and let us know okay! Cathy

I am counting on it!!! Have a great weekend! Cathy

Really? That's amazing, my husband works in Cambridge. It's like 10 minutes away from us. Well I expect a call the next time you are here for a visit! And hopefully it won't be too long, but if it is...we will be thinner and hotter than now!! Oh I will make you the best roast beef dinner you've ever had, band style!! LOL!! And you are in Calgary, Alberta...it is a small world, I love it there, travel on business there every two years or so. I hoping for another meeting out there in September? And will definitely let you know. That's so cool!

Absolutely!!!

Absolutely...dinner is on July 21st in Kitchener, ON Canada...if you can get here, I will make it! Cathy

Wow, talk about an excellent story to support Lap Band vs. Gastric Bypass!! I am sorry the bypass didn't work for you, but if you follow the guidelines, the band will! Best of luck! Cathy

Tips and Tricks huh? Well I was banded 3 days ago and get better everyday...I have been taking OVOL for gas, it settles the gas during the night so that I can sleep, but the only thing that works during the day, is walking around. I sit, rest, get up and walk. I barely get up and from sitting or laying down and the music starts! LOL!! For travelling I would recommended packets of broth. I bought the cartons, just easier for me to pour into a cup and microwave. Like Mona said, loose clothing post-op and for a week or more afterwards. I wear two peice PJs and the waistband is very loose, and I am comfortable. Good luck, all the best!! Cathy

Thanks ladies! I put in the crock so that the fat drains into the water, I pull out the roast and disgard the drippings, no gravy for me, then or now! Sorry to make your mouth water....Paula Bee Cathy

Actually Julie posting was copied into Cedartown's posting. My posting entitled "Frustration with the Forum" was closed.

You are so welcome! We are all here to succeed and although it happens, we don't like to see people struggling, overeating and jeopardizing their goals. We all know it's hard, nothing is harder, but you are doing great, keep it up! I hope we didn't scare you off...we provide support in many different ways...if you cheat or overeat, we call you on it and tell you to get back on track. Nothing is more exciting to us than seeing you and everyone here succeed! Have a fabulous weekend! Cathy XO

That right, I start non-clear liquids tommorrow...so the diet includes drinking skim milk with the hot cereal and creamy soups, but I don't like milk and will mix it into the food. Cathy

I was wondering if anyone has had roast beef when able to eat solids? I love homemade roast beef. I put it in the crock pot with water and onion soup mix and it falls apart. Ok, enough, my mouth is watering, just thinking about it and I can't have solids for a month. If you cut it up small and chew like crazy is it okay? Thanks Cathy

You made your point and a terrific one at that!!! Good for you! It's no else's business how much you weighted before, during or after...you choose to share that information at your own discretion with those who are closest to you... my husband did not know how much I weighed until Monday night, the night before my surgery when I was excited that I went from 285 to 268 in 3 weeks...he wasn't shocked, surprised or anything. He loved me before, will love me during and will love me after! That's all that's important, right?! Love your humour, keep it up! Cathy

Thanks Julie, that's what I plan to do, blend it with the skim milk I am required to have instead of boiled water. I will eat around the chunks! Take care, Cathy

They didn't say to eat around the chunks or anything like that, but I will or use my hand blender to smooth it out. I am not a milk drinker and I am required at this stage to have 3 x 1/2 cups of skim milk w/meals. I will add it to the soup to make it more liquid. Thanks for the advice! Cathy

Lisa is right, as usual. You learn from your mistakes, we all do, but this is an opportunity for you to get back on track and show us what you can do!!! Cathy

I am three days post op and don't crush pills at all...the pain meds are tiny, the biotin is tiny, I chew my chewable vitamins and I have taken ES Tylenol capsules...no problem at all. I start on skim milk tommorrow as part of my non-clear liquid diet. I am afraid of peanut butter, especially because we cannot drink while we eat. It's gonna stick big time...if you can't live with it...wait until your solid food diet stage to try and let me know how it goes, okay? Best of luck, Cathy

I have been on clear liquids since surgery day on Tuesday...drank water and a little broth the day of surgery. Wed, Thurs and today, I remain on liquids, broth (chicken or beef), unsweetened jello (any flavour you like), unsweetened juice, gatorade and sugarfree popcicles. I had gained about 7 lbs with the surgery...swelling, anesthetic, gas etc...but I am almost down to pre-op weight now. It's normal to gain with the surgery, but it's not fat. My non-clear liquid diet starts tommorrow for two weeks, I have cream of wheat for breakfast with skim milk, creamy soup and yogurt or pudding for lunch, creamy soup and pudding or yogurt for dinner. I can continue to consume clear liquids as well, such as juice, gatorade and jello and of course popcicles. I bought Skinny Cow fudgcicles which are only 50 calories for my snack or treat. My mushy food diet starts June 28th for two weeks, and that is mushed anything...blend blend blend...eg: mashed potatoes, cottage cheese. Then I start on solid food on July 12th...and my first fill is to be scheduled 6 weeks from surgery date which works out to about July 21st or so. During the solid food stage I need to monitor restriction or no restriction with certain foods and at certain times of the day so that the surgeon can determine how much of a fill is required. I hope this info is helpful to you. Any questions at all, please ask. Take care, Cathy

Hi there, I was put on Optifast 900...four shakes per day, but I changed it up with their approval to one shake in the morning w/bottle of water, homemade non-starch veggy soup for lunch w/bottle of water. Optifast shake or lean cuisine (alternated days) for dinner and shake before 8 p.m. I also had sugar free popcicles for snacks. I lost 12 lbs in 13 days. It was not easy I assure you, but after talking to my patient coordinator the surgery went off without a hitch and my liver was just fine. I did cheat once the night before surgery (nervous wreck, I was) and ate a can of Pringles Light chips. I am not proud of that, but surgery freaks me out and by zero hour the night before surgery, the hard work had been accomplished and I had a treat. Some surgeons will allow a final meal, mine did not recommend it so, pringles was my last hurrah before banding and my new and improved lifestyle change. Good luck and if you need anything, just ask! Cathy