How am I going to do this?

Hello everyone,  I am currently on Stage 3 of the diet and I'm only 5 days out from Lap Band surgery but I just don't know how I'm going to survive the next week and a half on jello, broth and chicken soup. I feel like I'm going crazy sometimes. I do drink teh protein shake and Carnation Instant Breakfast but I feel like I need more. Any suggestions????????? Thank you for ANY help you can provide. Traci

Traci, try to channel your energies on other aspects of your life that bring you pleasure; this is only temporary! However, it's very important that you stick to the program because you don't want to do any damage to your new delicate system.  Make a list of things you enjoy doing, and the for the next few days, concentrate on doing them.  Some good healthy head talk goes a long way, as well.  Congratulate yourself for having the courage to take this bold step to reclaim your life and your health - do whatever it takes to move your thinking away from food and toward living life fully.  Best of luck, keep us posted. M.

Traci, Just for a change of pace, I went to the local Chinese resturant and got Won Ton soup without the won ton's . It tasted so good!! I also ate a lot of sugar free popcicles and they were always a great change. I was able to drink Isopure Protein drinks as well - many different fruity flavors and that was a nice change of pace plus it added protein to my diet. The only other thing I can think of is  and kind of sugar free mix to put in your water like Crystal Lite. Hope this helps - keep your eye on the great results you will have! Nancy K

Traci, first of all, Congrats on taking this huge step to regain your life! As for the eating, this is TEMPORARY!!! A few months from now you will look back on this phase and see that it was all worth it. When you see the weight coming off, and your health improving it will all be worth it. Use variety for now, different sf popsicles and jello, different soup flavors, tea, decaffe coffees if your doc allows. Sf hot cocoa....if you are allowed milk, Stop and Shop has a product called Moo Magic which flavors milk nicely : ) I recommend the Lifesavers brand sf popsicles.

Strained cream of mushroom soup.  That is what did it for me.  It gave me a full feeling that the others did not. Scott

Hi Traci, If you want this surgery bad enough, you'll do it....PERIOD! Stay out of the kitchen and the house.  Go for lots of walks...dance, garden, walk some more. Read, nap, do jumping jacks...anything to change your thought processes away from food.  Mute the tv during food commercials...or switch to the tv guide channel when they come on. Walking is the best thing to prepare you for surgery.  It acutally helps you heal better...it's true, cause I did it and I healed real quickly. You can do this.  You're determined to be a thin person and this is just one small baby step that you'll get over.  Liquid is not so bad.  At least it's something... hang in there. Paula

Thank you all for your advice and words of encouragement. I had the surgery on May 18 and already I'm down 14.5 lbs. I am very pleased with the results thus far but I have such an urge to CHEW. I bought some sugarless gum but gum is giving me gas. I will make it through, I know I will. Especially that I have all of you lovely people in my corner. I can't do much as far as excerise yet, my port incision is still very sore but I do as much as my body will allow.  Thank you all again and thank you for being here for me. Traci   

Hi Traci,
My doc says chewing gum with a lap band is a no-no.  If by any chance you swallowed the gum, you might need surgery to get it out.  Please be careful.  How about chewable mints?  My breath really need the mints right now. I am just counting the days (10****il I can have the mushy foods.  I'm getting really sick of the Carnation Instant Breakfast and protein shakes. I'm so glad you made out OK.  I'll check your profile to see how you are doing. Bev

have you guys tried freezing your protein shakes and making 'ice cream' out of them?