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I can totally understand your frustration and the waiting period can be daunting as we are all excited to start our journey. Try to be patient. It will come. You have dealt with your weight probably for a long time... what's a few more days. You DO belong. You are welcome and knowledge is power so it is good that you are on here even if you are not quite "there" yet.

Good for you. The more you lose now the less you have to lose later. I have also set some goals for myself. I'd like to lose about 23lbs that would put me down about 53 pounds before surgery. Just two difficult months to get through. My surgery will probably be in February. Just checked the last item off my todo list so now I just need to get a firm date. I also worry about doing the surgery and not make my goal or able to maintain. My fav quote, "At any given moment you have the power to say: this is NOT how the story is going to end." - Egg Face

Also, note that in a standard size serving of Bailey's (not including if you add milk to it) there is about 1/4 of the calories most of us are told to have in a day. If you are having 2 (assuming they aren't larger than this size) that is more than half the calories we should have in a day. That could be a big culprit drinking so many calories. Original Irish Cream (Bailey's) Serving Size: 3.38 oz (100 ml), Calories: 327, Fat: 13g, Carbs: 25g, Protein: 3g

I have noticed from others that sometimes after being banded for a while, it is easy to forget or stray from the original guidelines or some banders didn't get adequate information from their centre initially. For starters, I would log what you are eating (ideally through myfitnesspal or something like that that will track calories too). You should not exceed (per my doctor) about 1200 calories per day and should have about 60+ grams of protein. Try not to exceed 1 cup of food per meal and have a planned healthy snack in between meals (piece of fruit) or something. If you are not able to get even yogurt down, perhaps your band is a little too tight which may be causing you to eat some unhealthier items (sliders) that will go down easily and that may be part of the problem. It sounds like you could really benefit from a visit (or 2) with a nutritionist to get back on track. You shouldn't feel so defeated and frustrated with your food choices. I am able to eat most anything as long as I eat slowly and eat small bites. I would urge you to see out one (my bariatric clinic has ones on staff) and they have a lot of great ideas and advice. I truly don't feel deprived and only did when I was too tight and struggled getting solid food down. I also have found healthier ways to still enjoy many foods I loved before but now in a healthier way. There is a website called Emily bites (I believe) and there are many recipes that you make in cupcake pans so they are portioned out into appropriate sized meals. They are healthy versions (ie. lasagna) of everyday foods. I really enjoy them. Good luck to you!

WOO-HOO congratulations.

I went to unjury and bought the starter kit, which is basically a sample pack of their protein powders but I will probably make heavy use of the unflavored and just it it in everything that I can. I've seen so many people go through this surgery and as soon as they can, jump right into white flour and sugar despite the fact that we need protein first, then they struggle to get out of that cycle because it goes down so easily. I plan to get as much of the daily recommended amount as possible. I am not much for shakes but my friend who had the surgery said muscle milk makes okay protein drinks. They are really sweet, though, which means they'll only taste good if they're ice cold. For vitamins, I don't like pills so I got Celebrate ENS Multivitamin & Calcium Drink Mix in wild cherry. There are 14 packs so I have a good two weeks to decide if I like it. You just mix it in with water or Crystal light or whatever and you have your vitamins. I also bought a bottle of Biotin, which I am iffy about actually taking before I need it. The last time I took Biotin I broke out in pimples everywhere, from the impurities coming out through my skin. Not sure I can go through that again but maybe I will take a low dose. I got the wild growth hair oil, not for WLS reasons but because I wear my hair in a pony tail everyday and I am losing the hair at my edges. Though it is known to make the hair very soft, and I am all for soft hair. I am grateful and blessed to have someone close to me that just went through the procedure so I will pass along any tips she gives me-- like making sure to start getting your water in and practice sipping, not gulping.

Hello! I am set for December 17, 2012. What kind of vitamins, protein shakes, ect do you plan to buy? Also, I'm taking vitamins now to help with hair loss, maybe? lol... I can only hope and try right? :-) I'll look into the oil you are trying.

God didn't make us with 85% less stomach, but he also didn't make us to give into temptation and get ourselves to where we are today. The idea is to use those he has put in our path with the talent and ability to perform a procedure that will get us back to where God wants us. Healthy and able to avoid the temptation the devil puts in front of us so we don't abuse the beautiful body and life God was loving enough to give us in the first place. Don't give in to doubt! God put you here at this time for a reason. I feel that I'm here right now because this is where God needed me to be so I could benefit from the procedure the has helped the medical profession perfect. Years ago they would have taken my stomach, or I would have been wearing a mu-mu waiting to die from a coronary or a stroke. Now with this procedure, I get to keep my stomach, lose weight, be healthy and live a long, happy life. Good luck!!!

Your story is my story.....pretty much the same. I just got my lapband removed and sleeved last Thursday. The Lapband failed me, you and so many others. It has worked for some but common in many of us that it did not work.....WE HAVE BLAMED OURSELVES. The weight, the embarrasment and so many other things like, hiding. I relate to you. What I want to do is ENCOURAGE you to pilot your life regarding your Drs visits. "You demanded...." Good. You have to let them see you because their work is routine and unless you holler, they may not hear or see you. It took me years to do that because I blamed me for the Lapband failing. I took the captain's chair in June 2012 and had the defective band removed (got sleeved too) on 8/23. I felt like a failure because not everyone knew of my band but enough people did and it felt like a PUBLIC failure. Depression.......my middle name. I was a happy go lucky person......had to take meds. I did, I still do. I want you to be encouraged. I want you to be empowered. Writing and getting it out is good. Being emotional about it is good. I don't know how many pounds I have lost since pre-op diet and since I've been on my post op diet.......I haven't checked. You know why? I feel good because I believe and know it will work. Since surgery, my outlook for life is changing. I have VISION. I was so blinded by my own darkness and now I am coming out. I know I will be fully out more and more as I make progress. So, go through your mental process and use US. Use me. We are here for you because many of us are or have gone through the mental beat us, depression and so forth. The light is there. You are peeling off layers.......continue because the Sleeve is right there for you. Navigate your ship. Keep me posted.

heck yes! i may be big boned n short but i am sure looking good! loving the sleeve!