Newbie Alert!!! :)

["Just Jess"]

Hello all! I am brand new... I've skimmed and stalked around the website before... but now that I have a surgery date, I officially became a member yesterday! I want to dive right in and learn as much as I can. I've bought the books - from recipes that "banders" can make/eat post-op to "weight loss surgery for dummies" and I've also got about 50 websites on my favorites list - now I want to start talking to people that have done it and are doing it! My sugery date is Dec. 21st - Exactly one month today! I am excited and a little nervous. What did you do differently one month out? How did you handle the holidays? My lap-band is a MERRY CHRISTMAS gift to myself - but I am nervous about seeing all the food I look forward to eating each year. Obviously being I will only be DAYS post-op I will not be able to eat solid foods yet - will it be as emotional as I think it could be? ANy advice is CERTAINLY welcome.

I cannot wait to start shrinking! My sisters wedding is September of 2007... and mine is TENTATIVELY projected at August of 2008. I want to wear a confident smile in those wedding pics... both my own as well as my sisters. This is one small motivator in the grand scheme of MANY.
I am a teacher, and I want to be able to keep up with my kids. I do not want to be out of breath when I get back up to my classroom on the 2nd floor from the office on the first. I want my knee and back pain to go away! I want to put on clothes and FEEL GOOD in them! I want to look in the mirror and feel good about the girl looking back at me - whether she is clothed yet or not! ;)

My biggest fear, if of course failure. I've never known any other ending to the HUNDREDS of other attempts at losing weight I've tried in my life. Will I chew my food enough?? HOW can I eat without drinking??? Will I mess up at the beginning, during the clear-liquid or full-liquid phases and cause something horrible like a band-slippage to occur?? How did you all cope with those major changes?

Thank you for all the help you've all unknowingly given me over the past few weeks of me lurking around! And thank you in advance for all the support and contiuned help I am sure you will be in the near future!!!! :)
That's all for now... Sorry I've asked so many questions.... but for any responses you may have - I am all ears - errr... eyes, in this case!!!!! Well, now I've got papers to grade for my class and papers to write for grad-school (which is shortly wrapping up for the semester.. woo hoo!)! Busy, busy, busy...

~ Jess

PS: I almost forgot --- Here are my stats: I am 5'5'' and just within the last couple months have exceeded the 300 mark... ugh! I am currently weighing in at 308. My goal is to get back down to 150 lbs. - which was what I weighed when I played volleyball in college and was so in shape and happy with my body!

PPS: how do you get one of those ticker things??? To track your progress? I went to the website, but when I pasted it in my signature, it was just the link - not the actual picture... so I guess I need "technical" advice as well!!!!

PPPS: As I said, I am a teacher, therefore I tend to be a bit long-winded!!!!! Sorry soooooooooooooo long! :eek:

[Tricia K.]

*waves to Jess* :wave: Welcome to B2G!

You have to paste the code for the following into your signature:

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["Just Jess"]

THANKS!!!! I'm going to try again now...

[JoyceGA]

Hi Jess. I loved reading your introduction.

Be sure to join the L3 Club as you count down the pounds.
http://band2gether.net/showthread.php?t=945

[Tricia K.]

THANKS!!!! I'm going to try again now...You're very welcome...and it looks like you got it!

["Just Jess"]

I got it... now I just need to get that scale moving!!!! :)
I figured out how to add a pic too! go me!

Any suggestions as to what worked best for you - food wise - the first few weeks?

Thanks!

Jess

[AnnDe]

Welcome Jess.... You will love this board to know end... you will find answers to all your questions and the best of friendship. What a gift you are giving yourself. I stated that "the year of 2006 was all about me!" and it has been. Your on the road to the journey of a life time. Welcome!

[tattooedsuess]

You are so adorable! I don't even know you yet and you are so friendly and upbeat and positive. I LOVE that in people!!!

All of those questions can seem so overwhelming, can't they?!?! Just take a deep breath and you will find your answers.

It's totally normal to fear failure. We have all dealt with failure multiple times in our lives, so it's only natural to assume that it will happen again. I want to reassure you that if you do your part, failure is not an option.

The eating without drinking thing was REALLY hard for me to adjust to in the beginning, but you do become used to it after a while, just as you do with the eating protein first/smaller bites, and all that jazz as well. Practice makes permanent!

I am so proud of you for doing this right before Cmas. I had mine done November 8th 2 years ago, so I was in the mushy stage at Thanksgiving time. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, and I just tried to shift my focus onto spending time with my family.

I won't lie to you in that it IS an emotional journey. With you being on liquids still on Cmas day it might seem even more so for you. Again, I would suggest trying to shift your focus from the food, to spending quality time with your family and friends. It will definately help you out mentally speaking.

I wish you all of the luck in the world on your journey, and I implore you to arm yourself with some yummy tasting liquids for your Cmas day, ahem, feast. LOL You will do wonderfully, and with your positive attitude you should be healed and going again in no time.

Godspeed!!! ~Kelly

[JDru]

Welcome Jess! I'm Jess too...but most people call me J. You sound like you're really ready to change your life with the band. Keep us updated on your journey!

[Telly]

Jameza, I loved your introduction. Congrats on your upcoming surgery and I can't wait to see new pictures of you weekly, monthly..daily.

I have a question, are you any relation to the Short Family in Maryland. I swear you look like my cousin whose name is exactly yours. And last time I saw Jameza was 2003.

[Kathy]

Wow! You just fit right in here, you little ball of fire! Welcome to b2g! :wave:

Egg Drop Soup is my favorite recommendation for the liquid stage post-op. Yummy! I'm fairly certain there are some Stickies in the Food Forum for post-op diets. Be sure to follow YOUR doc's schedule, though. You are gonna do fine, and be fine! Sit back, and enjoy the ride. Woot!!!!!

[Telly]

Maybe Jameza is not your real name. But it's worth a try. I think I have a picture of her. I am in Maryland on Saturday. I'm going to surprise my Aunt Brenda and Sandy..Bronte and Shaunte.....if you are any relation then you'd know these names.

Ok ....

To answer your question, I think by 1 month out I was doing everything and anything physically, but consumption-wise I was still on liquids. I wanted to ensure I did not put too much pressure on the band by eating solids or mushies too soon. I started mushies 4 weeks out I believe, then solids 6 weeks out. It was a very tough time for me. But yeah, I was on my bike doing some serious miles a month out.

["Just Jess"]

Wow! To everyone who has expressed their support - thanks so much!!!! :)

Chevy, you're right about this website, I already love it!!! Thanks!

Kelly, Thanks for the compliments! I do like to think of myself as a positive person, as difficult as that is sometimes. But I am certainly outgoing and upbeat - so you've pegged me correctly! I already feel like some of the people I've talked to on this site could become wonderful friends! That is so comforting as nerves start getting the best of me!!!! It will make this journey a little easier - knowing I am not alone and have all these people who care about how I'm doing, even thought they do not know me.

J, thanks so much!!! ;) You're so cute - you remind me of a friend for mine!!! (and gorgeous name, btw!!!)

Telly, No, I have no relations with any "Shorts" - but I do get that a lot... I must have "one of those" faces... you know? hehe - My nickname: jameza40 - comes from when I played volleyball in college. It is a combo of my first and last names and my jersey number! :) Interesting though, that someone else has chosen that name! What a coinsodence!

And last but not least, Thanks to Tricia for all your "technical" assistance this morning!!! :)

I already feel more positive about the changes soon to come. I STILL have many many questions about how things are going to go post-op... and if anyone has any suggestions for yummy clear liquids for christmas dinner! please advise!! :) THANKS!!!

Jess

["Just Jess"]

To Kathy - thanks for that tip!!! I will certainly give that a try! :) And yes, I've been described as a ball of fire before! haha - hope that's a good thing.

Telly, OH MY! I hope I have the ability to be that active so soon! (and no, none of those names sound familiar to me... sorry!)

And to everyone - sorry I did not say it earlier - CONGRATS to all of you on your successes! I can only hope to be as successful! I have wonderful role models here! THANKS!

:) Jess

[Telly]

Your excitement and attitude is exactly where you need it to be. You sound focused and determined. Keep that train of thought, even through the rough times and you will come out a winner. With your attitude and thirst for the band knowledge..I have no doubts.

You've got me excited for you.

[lil'bitty]

Jameza, I am a newbie too and will be banded on 11/29. My first post was that I had cold feet. Going through all the emotions that everyone does I am sure just as you are. All I can tell you that it was not for this site and these peeps, I would not be feeling like a million bucks right now! I am on here everyday reading and looking - mostly at how everyone is shrinking. I want the same. It wasn't until I viewed someone's (EmileeKaye's to be exact) journey photos, did the switch flip! Don't mean to pick on you Emilee, but you were the one to make me feel like this!! I saw her disappear in each picture I viewed and was in awe!! I thought I can do this and I will and so will you!!!!!!!!!!! Keep us posted!

["Just Jess"]

THanks again to everyone for this VERY WARM WELCOME!!!! Vinny and I are off to PA for the holidays... my "last" Thanksgiving, huh? I won't go crazy though... promise!!! :)

Enjoy your Thanksgivings and let me know how it is on the "other" side of banded life!!!

Talk soon,
Jess

[Kathy]

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

[Stitchy]

Welcome to b2g, Jess. We are glad to have you here.

You do have lots of questions ... all of them good ones, and looks like you have gotten some good answers, too.

You doctor's office may have a pre-op diet for you to follow. Mine did not. So what I did to get myself in the right frame of mind was to eat the bandster way. I didn't limit the types of foods. I ate the same things I always ate, but I did the small bites, chew, chew, chew and no liquids until about an hour after dinner. I found that I didn't eat nearly as much, and in the month before my surgery, I lost 12 lbs without trying.

Oh, yeah. I did have the last meal syndrome a couple of times, too. :rolleyes: :rolleyes: No one is perfect.

["Just Jess"]

Thanksgiving wasn't TOO bad. I ate more than I should have - of course. But not nearly as much as I usually do... I did not feel so stuffed that I thought I would be sick or anything like that!!! My doctor's office does offer pre-op diet suggestions... they are basically to keep half of your plate veggies, one quarter of the other half protein, and the last quarter a starch such as brown or white rice... they say to begin limiting carbs and sugar and eliminating carbonation and sweets. Will this be enough? I feel like I need more of an exact list of "can have's" and "cannot have's" you know?

What about those first few days? How long were all of you on clear before going to full liquids? How about from full to mushie? I have books I've purchased myself that say about a week each... is that correct? My doctor's office hasn't broached that topic yet. I have an education session this Wednesday for 2 hours... I'm thinking that is when they get into those specifics... I will let you know how it goes...

Again, thanks to everyone for the very warm welcome!

Jess

[JDru]

How did your education seminar go? I was on clear liquids for 5 days, full liquids for one day, mushies for 3-4 weeks and now I'm starting to include solid food .

["Just Jess"]

It is tomorrow! I will let you know!

I like the sounds of what you had to do... not TOO TOO terribly long of a time on just liquids... I will let you know how it goes after tomorrow.

Jess

[Goannabanda]

Hi Jess, welcome, and nice to meet you!

You will most likely find at 4 days out that you will not be very hungry at all - most of us experience that at 4 days post op. Not being hungry sounds inconcievable before you have surgery, but take it on faith that it's true. You will also probably have some pain from the gas and incisions, and swelling, so keep on top of it with your liquid pain meds over the holiday season.

Our rules post op were clear liquids on the first day, then full liquids for 3 weeks, mushy for 3 weeks (transition during this time to solid food by the end of the 3 weeks).

A clear liquid Christmas diet would have to be meat or fish broth, icy poles, diet jelly, etc. Ask your docotor if you could have full liquids by Day 4 - if they approve, your Christmas dinner could be a fresh berry and yoghurt smoothie (add toasted museli for extra taste and fibre - just blend it really well), or make up a thick meat & vegetable soup or plain pumpkin soup and puree, then serve with a generous dollop of greek yoghurt or low-fat sour cream in it. Yummy!

Good luck!

[shackdog]

welcome and good luck

[PhotoNut]

What did you do differently one month out? How did you handle the holidays? My lap-band is a MERRY CHRISTMAS gift to myself - but I am nervous about seeing all the food I look forward to eating each year. Obviously being I will only be DAYS post-op I will not be able to eat solid foods yet - will it be as emotional as I think it could be? ANy advice is CERTAINLY welcome.....

My biggest fear, if of course failure. I've never known any other ending to the HUNDREDS of other attempts at losing weight I've tried in my life. Will I chew my food enough?? HOW can I eat without drinking??? Will I mess up at the beginning, during the clear-liquid or full-liquid phases and cause something horrible like a band-slippage to occur?? How did you all cope with those major changes?

Thank you for all the help you've all unknowingly given me over the past few weeks of me lurking around! And thank you in advance for all the support and contiuned help I am sure you will be in the near future!!!! :)

Hiya Jess :wave:

One year ago, I was in your shoes. An all time high of 307 pounds, unable to wear my size 26 jeans anymore so I was only wearing soft stretch type pants. I hardly left the house. I was super depressed. My feet hurt. My back hurt. I had acid reflux so bad I would wake up in the night with the stuff up in my nose. It was painful and scary.

And now, here I am, looking back over a year that has flown by. Reflecting on where my thoughts were prior to surgery. The main thing I can remember is feeling as if I was about to take a huge step toward what might be my final hope for living. I was scared to death of giving up food - it was my only comfort in life. I was scared to death of failing - my mom was putting up the money and my family could have used it for so many "better" or "more important" things. Thankfully, they all convinced me that there was nothing more important to them than me living a full life with them.

Today, I'm sitting here in a size 12 jeans, and an XL top. I have lost just over 100 pounds and that is with three months of stalling because of poor choices. So in spite of my failings, in spite of drinking when I eat (not a good idea but my weak spot), in spite of enjoying too many liquid calories, I have had tremendous success with the band.

Do not expect perfection from yourself. We are all different and will respond to temptations and difficulties in different ways. The important thing is that you ARE concerned about it which means you WILL be careful. I can tell by your words that this means a great deal to you. Investing in the surgery is investing in better health and a happier life. I don't think you'll regret the decision. There are a lot of things that will just happen naturally for you as you adjust to the band. The rapid weight loss in the beginning is a great motivator, as is the fear of getting stuck and PB'ing. It was, for me, a great behavior modifyer. So dont worry about all the details, as long as you have your head on right about why you are doing this, you'll do very well. :)

So, all that said.. Welcome to b2g! And best wishes for a happy and successful band journey. I look forward to watching your progresss. :)

["Just Jess"]

Susan: OH MY GOODNESS... you made me cry. Why? I do not know - I've been so emotional lately! Thank you for your words... It is good to know that someone who sound like they were built like me (300lbs-ish/5'5''-ish) is 100 lbs. less one year out. CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU! INSPIRATION TO ME! Thanks again for being so honest and helpful!

GoAnnaBanda: Thanks for the tasty tips! I will certainly ask what's what by that point and if I can have it - I may very well try out some of your creations!!! I appreciate the recipes! :)

I am very excited to see what tomorrow's educational session holds for me. I have so many questions (everytime one is answered, I pose 3 more -- so it is endless!) I am busy reading between, cross-referencing, and comparing and contrasting about 8 different "band" books I've purchased over the last couple weeks and CRAVING more information from people on the "other side" - like most of you!!!!!! So, keep the tips, tid-bits, etc.. etc.. coming! I'm soaking it up like a sponge! ;)

I already LOVE this website!

Hugs,
Jess

[Goannabanda]

No worries mate, just part of the service. LOL!

You sound like you are well suited to your life as a teacher. LOL!! All the research will have you qualified as b2g's resident banding encyclopaedia in no time! Once you've put your personal experience into the mix, you're going to be as AWESOME source of banding info!!! **adds Jameza40 to mental list of banding reference points**

["Just Jess"]

hahaha -- TOTALLY! And tonight, after this pre-op educ. seminar, I have the binder and everything!!!
Who is going to make me the name badge???

:Dancing_cool:

I want to share everything I learned - but I realize most of you already know it, huh? But what a weight it lifted!!!! They answered every "why didn't I know that yet?" or "I should probably know that!" question that participating in these forums has posed! I did get a GREAT list of protein supplements from our nutritionist and some fun recipes to do with them!!! If anyone is interested, let me know!

And regarding the question about what phases when, etc.. etc.. My COMP (Comprehensive Obesity Management Program) office gave us this progression:

Stage 1: Clear Liquids (first 48 hours)
Stage 2: Full Liquids (Weeks 1-3)
Stage 3: Pureed Diet - AKA: mushies (Weeks 4-5)
Stage 4: Introduction of solids (Week 6 and on)

I'm still very very nervous about Christmas time and the traveling that comes with it - being it will be so close to my surgery date. Thus far, although I plan on reviewing this plan with my boyfriend and family again soon, we have planned to go to my parents house (about 3.5 hour drive away) on Sat. Dec. 23 and then to Vinny's parents (about another 3 hour drive) on Monday, Dec. 25th... my nervousness is not just with the family visits - but that they have activities planned, such as a limo ride around the city and dinner and show, etc.. etc.. Will the waiter/tress look at me like I have 3 heads when I order soup with a side of applesauce???? I suppose I will get used to it - and I do not generally care with what people think. I think I am more concerned with how I will feel out - what if I get nautious? Or something of the like?? Oh, so many questions...........
I don't want to be negative - bc I am so excited and I know getting through the beginning will be tough, but so worth it! :)

Thanks so much to everyone!!!

Jess

["Just Jess"]

THIS is how i felt almost a year ago this thanksgiving holiday!!!!!!!!!!!! i was terrified of eating that "last supper" and scared about my impending surgery...

wow --- one year ago, feels like an eternity!!!!!