ckiki

I was going to start my pre-op diet today, too, but I keep putting it off. I still have 4 weeks until my surgery, so I am still ok. I wanted to start early, because I already know I am allowing myself a cheat day for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. However, I am having a hard time getting started. I pretty much have to rely on pre made drinks, because of work, but the only ones I like are slim fast. I bought some protein powder at Henry's Market, so I am hoping to be able to make my own drink while home this weekend. I am dreading this pre-op diet more so then the 21 post-op liquid diet. I can do liquids, I did it for several weeks after having my tonsils out, it's just this damn protein drinks *sigh*

1. Name: Kristin 2. Location: Rancho Cucamonga, CA 3. Age: 32 4. Band Date: 1/8/09 5. Married: No 6. Children of the human or furry kind: 1 daughter who is 11, and one furry daughter who is 3 named Sophie. I also have a turtle and 2 guinea pigs..lol 7. Hobby(ies): Going to the movies, camping, playing Wii, being online, texting and Disneyland. 8. Work: I work as a vendor at Home Depot, however, there are layoffs every month, so I may be gone soon. 9. What was the deciding factor(s) on getting banded: When I saw my cousin and how thin and happy she was. Also, I can lose weight, but I always gain it back plus more. 10. Interesting factoid: Not sure if this interesting, but I coach my daughters soccer team. I cannot wait to be thin and be able to run along and play soccer WITH the girls, rather then just be on the sideline.

Excellent. Thanks so much for the ideas. Also, she mentioned to take 'chromium picolinate'. I have never heard of that before. Oh, and about the Metamucil capsules, my mom takes metamucil because she has IBS (or something like it), and so I always thought of metamucil as something you take to keep you regular. Taking it to control hunger pangs, won't make my stomach all twisted up, will it? :lol

Ok, so I contacted Dr. Miranda over the weekend by email, and she replied back today saying I need to start Pre-Op option #2. I am really freaking out about this pre-op diet, only because I don't like lean cuisines (frozen dinners in general). Has anyone ever substituted? I was thinking of maybe doing a chicken breast in the George Foreman grill with some veggies, wouldn't that be just as healthy if not healthier then a lean cuisine. What do you guys think? By the way, getting a response from Dr. Miranda today made me so excited..lol...because 4 weeks from this Thursday it will be my turn to be banded!! Up until now, it seemed like a dream.

When I worked with a trainer years ago, she would always have me do this exercise. You know that machine at the gym that you lie down on your stomach and hook your heels under the bar, and do legs curls..well after I do the leg exercises, she would have me keep my heels under the bar and then cross my hands on my chest and lift your body up and hold it. It was hell everytime..lol...not going to lie, but not only does it help with back fat but it also makes your back stronger. Another exercise is, using the bench that you lean on, stomach down, hooking your calves under a bar, lean forward over the tiny bench, and then you can do crunches. I was told it helps your stomach and your back. Good luck

Congrats Kristy And what a great loss of 20 lbs to start off your journey. I hope to be as successful as you

Ok, so I attempted to start my pre-op diet (it's about 5 weeks early) and I already failed. I bought the EAS drinks from The Vitamin Store, and it almost made me sick. I handle to almost hold my nose to get it down. And then by mid morning I was STARVING, so I broke down and bought a breakfast burrito. I know someone here had posted a good recipe for a homemade protein drink, but I don't know where it's at. I also wasn't sure if making my own will make it more fattening. I leave for work at about 5 in the morning, so I don't really have time to be making a drink, and although I am going to try a few more protein drinks, Slim Fast is really the one I like, and I know people have posted on here that there aren't good for you, but what if I had just one in the morning and then made my homemade one when I get home in the afternoon, would I still be ok? Ugh, these protein drinks are killing me..lol. Thanks everyone!

LMAO, I am so glad someone asked this, because I was always curious about that.

I, too, wasted my 20's being overweight. As soon as I had my daughter at 21, I just kept gaining and gaining. The sad thing is I put off taking a professional picture with my daughter and I, because I wanted to lose weight and that never happened. She is now 11 yrs old, and hopefully we'll finally get that picture next year after I am banded in Jan. Anyway, my point is, don't put it off. I wish I would have known about Lapband years ago. Money was an issue with me, but I was willing to sell my car or get 2 extra jobs if need be. Good luck!!

So, I have changed my date to Jan 8th. YAY!

I LOVE the Biggest Loser!! I, too, cannot stand Vicki, she's evil, and I don't like Heba either. I am really happy to see Michelle and her mom being able to share going to NY together next show, and Vicki has no one to share the experience with...lol

I always wondered about this too. I even scheduled my surgery date way after that time of the month, because I wasn't sure if it would have something to do with the band size. Now I wish I would have just scheduled it earlier..lol.

Wow, I am kind of scared to see what my goal weight will be at 5'11 1/2..YIKES! I know that before I got pregnant I was like 180 (which was over 11 yrs ago), and even then I was a little on the chunky side. I was hoping to get to 160 or 170. I am definitely a big boned girl and I also have a lot of muscle. So I guess I'll see.

That's how my Dad is, he even told me I was taking the easy way out. He has no idea. He seems to be supportive now. Oh, I forgot to mention that I told my regular doctor while seeing him for something else. He mentioned my BMI and I told him I was having Lapband Surgery. He was very happy for me, and said that that surgery has saved many lives. He was very supportive. When I told him I was going to Mexico, the only think he asked was, how much it cost, and then tried to mention maybe Kaiser could do it, and I told him I wasn't going to wait a year for them to do it.

That is also why I am starting my pre-op diet early, because I do plan on cheating on Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day, and I also plan on having my favorite restaurant for dinner 2 days before my surgery. I am not being banded until Jan 14th, but I am starting Dec 1st. So it's one day that you cheated, that doesn't mean your going to necessarily gain back the weight you have lost already, just put it behind you and keep moving forward. You will be fine!

I have told a few of my closest friends, my daughter, and my parents. As much as I want to tell the rest of my family, part of me wants to keep it a secret, because some of them will be very judgmental, especially about going to Mexico, but the other reason is, I want them to see me after a few months time, and be surprised at how much I have lost (hopefully) lol. However, I am so excited about having this done, that I want to tell everyone, it's so hard not to!!

I hate when this happens to people, it makes me so angry. It happened to me about 4 weeks ago. I met a guy from eHarmony. The only picture I had on there was of my face, so the guy thought I had a pretty face, we talked on the phone and on online for about 2 weeks before we met. He loved my personality, but as soon as we met, I just knew he didn't like the rest of me. We went to dinner, and then he ended up ditching me at the movies, saying he would be right back because he had to "use the restroom". What a jerk, I can't believe that he had such a problem with me being a bigger girl, that he couldn't sit through a 1 1/2 hr movie with me.

My surgery isn't until Jan 14th, which is a Wed as well. I live about 2 hrs away, maybe less, and will be driving in. What time did you arrive, and what time was your surgery? I was hoping that I will make it in time with work traffic. Also what is Phazyme?

I had made a separate post about my date, but I thought I would add it here too. I will be having surgery on Jan. 14th. I am so excited, and not nervous at all. I REALLY wish I could get banded now..lol. Good luck to everyone. We will all be starting 2009 on the right foot

OH WOW!! Well, no wonder they taste good...lol. Thanks so much for the information. I am glad I didn't buy anymore. Ok, so I am sure it is somewhere on this board, and I probably already asked, but right now I am on information overload..lol...what would be some alternatives to Slim Fast, that are more healthier? Boost, I think is one of them, right? Oh, and hopefully they taste good too Thanks !!

So is there actually a certain number we are supposed to have of proteins? Will OCC advise me of this? And is there such a thing as getting too much protein? Also during the liquid diet right after surgery, wouldn't the protein drinks be too thick for that phase, and in that case how do you get your protein in? Oh and last question, I am a very picky eater, and hate trying new things, so all these suggestions (although appreciated) of protein shakes and powder, make me nervous to try them, and since I already know I enjoy slimfast, are those considered a good source of protein? Sorry for all the questions. You guys are awesome!!!

It's probably a lame question, I know..lol..but I am kind of confused on why all these protein shakes, protein bullets(??), protein drinks, are so heavily pushed after lapband. I am really horrible when it comes to the ins and outs of nutrition, which would be why I am overweight to begin with. I know that protein is good for you obviously, but it seems overload.

Thanks everyone!!! I just watched Dr. Ortiz on "The Doctors". He is adorable!!!!! Watching the procedure, has lessened my anxiety about it, it looks like a piece of cake. I think the only thing I am not looking forward to is the gas bubbles. I had a c-section with my daughter and I just remember the gas bubbles were so painful, and then the nurse pushed on my stomach to release them...AHHH....I wanted to smack her..lol!! Oh my gosh, this is so true!!! For the last 10 New Years, losing weight was number 1 on the list of resolutions. Good luck to you Kimberly!!

Hmmm...good question. I didn't even think about that. I don't think I have them either.

Actually Dr. M was available, and although I am sure he is just as wonderful as Dr. Ortiz, I just feel more comfortable going with Dr. O, since I have already done all my research on him. It will be worth the wait. Thanks for the idea about the notebook to put everything in, that is an excellent idea.