I had basically given up hope of being able to lose weight until I found out about the Band. I have steadyly gained weight since marriage and having children and IO can't believe how big I am.

I am an American living in Saudi Arabia. The most jope I had for losing weight was to go back on Atkins after weaning my son. Problem is I usually nurse my kids for two years and he isn't even one yet. Then I discovered the band. Not only did I discover the band but I was informed the the surgeon who laproscropically removed my gallbladder was being trained to band and would soon be in charge of the WLC at his hospital. He is a family friend soI consulted with him in January about the band and he told me that as soon as the Mininistry of Health sent them all the equipment, he would band me. I was excited because this would be free at the Government hospital. I was so excited that I really didn't even care that he lacked experience. I figured he could put it in and I would do the rest.

Well the hospital was taking to long to set up the WLC and I was still gaining weight. Actually my eating had gone crazy after finding out about the band. It was as if I was trying to have everything just one more time before being banded. I started caling around to other local hospitals to price the band. They were more affordable than abroad ($6500) but I still could not afford it. So I tried to patiently wait.

In the mean time I had a nasty ineffection from an ingrown toenail. I got it around the same time I found out about the band. I basically went into depression and stayed home off my foot for 3 months. In a away I stayed home after finding out about the band avoiding people until after the band. I don't want to meet any new people until I loose weight and I do not want to see any old friends until I have lost too. Well my depression started getting bad once I found out my surgeon was on vacation for a month. At that point I said I couldn't wait any longer, called another local hospital and found out that their package was much more affordable because it was a semi-government hospital.

I made an appointment for a consultation a little over two weeks ago. Met with the doc. Did all my testing the same day and scheduled to be banded two weeks later. I am now 3 days post op and have no complaints.

The first night in the hospital I was only allowed to eat ice chips. They were great, I actually miss them. I have tried to blend up some ice cubes at home but it's not the same. I went to GNC and bought some Ready To Drink Myoplex Protein Drinks. Some are CarbSense some are regular. So far my favorite flavore is cookies and creame. I also have some Slim Fast Optimum and Carnation instant Breakfast. I am on a liquids only diet for 4 weeks. So far this is what I have eaten.

March 29th 2006 (weds day of Surgury)

Ice Chips

March 30th 2006 (thurs)

Ice chips

bout 2 spoons of chicken broth from hospital

17oz myoplex

16 oz water

March 31st 2006 (fri)

Breakfast- 8oz myoplex

Lunch- 1 cup of vegatable stock

Dinner- 8oz Myoplex

Snack- 1 cup of Chicken broth

Apple juice- 2 8oz cups

water- 5 8oz cups