Ambrosia

Tracy, April 26 will be here before you know it. I know how relieved you must feel to have your date set. I'm still on for Thursday but there have been a change in the plans. The day after I paid Doctors Hospital, Dr. Malleys office called and said they are moving me to Heartland. I told them I already paid Doctors and couldn't pay Heartland until I get my money back from Doctors. I called Doctors and they are working on issuing me a refund. In the meantime, Dr. Malleys office assures me that Heartland will work with me knowing that I just paid Doctors. I am going to Heartland on Tuesday to do some pre-op work including an EKG. I am soooooo afraid Heartland will make me postpone my surgery until they get paid. I can't sleep at night I'm so worried about this. Anyway, keep us posted on your journey. I'll be sure to check the other thread to keep in contact with you. Good luck. Sharon

Alright, Tracy I'll be expecting a post from you tomorrow with your date. It may not be too late for February. Sharon

Welcome, Gene I'm with Dr. Malley also. Getting banded next Thursday. This board is a great resource. Good luck and keep us posted on your progress. Sharon

m1hocker, We'll be in the hospital together! Now if I can just get TracyinKS to join us it will be a party! I'm also a patient of Dr. Malley's and have surgery on 2/15 at Doctors Hospital. Just like you, I'm scared, nervous and excited all at the same time. Best of luck and keep us posted on your progress. Sharon

Tracy, Another barrier knocked down! Good for you! I'm keepin' my fingers crossed. Let us know. Sharon

The only pre-op diet I've been given is to have only liquids the day before my surgery which is scheduled for 2/15. So on Valentines Day when everyone else is gorging on chocolate, candy and other irresistable sweets, I'll be drinking water! I think I will try a self-imposed pre-op diet by just simply not pigging out for 4 - 5 days prior to surgery. Sticking with good Proteins and veggies and not do the "last supper" thing. Good luck with your surgery. Sharon

wrennbird, Would you believe that horses had something to do with me making the decision to get banded? My mother, sister and I were on vacation and thought it would be fun to go horseback riding. My sister used to own a horse and I hung out at the stables bumming rides from other horse owners. Anyway, we found a stable and a large sign at the entrance read, "weight limit 250 lbs. No one over this weight allowed to ride." Well, I wasn't 250 yet but I was darn close. It hit me like a ton of bricks. I have gotten so fat that even a horse would not be able to hold me. This was just one more thing that I could no longer do because of my weight. I am being banded 2/15 and when this weight comes off, I'm getting back in the saddle. Good luck on your journey. Sharon

Hi, Shawn I responded to your PM so check your messages. You can do a search for Dr. Malley and read all about him. Also check out his own website Malleysurgerical.com (maybe?). They also have a message board but not a lot of activity. I think TracyinKS, me and Kimmie have been the only ones that post on there lately. But still, alot of good information there. Keep us updated on your progress. Good luck. Sharon

Congratulations! Glad to hear everything went well. Keep the updates coming. Sharon

Feb. 15 for me also. Good luck to both of you. Sharon

Congratulations, Wanna be thin! Best wishes for a speedy recovery. Keep us updated on your progress since you're one of the first February bandsters. Let us know what else to expect. Sharon

I'm with Dr. Malley also. Really like him. Sharon

Thanks, Tracy. I didn't know about the KC Bandsters support group. After I'm banded, I would like to attend some of these meetings, or at Dr. Malleys, to gain more information and support throughout this journey. Sharon

Puddin, Your story is unbelievably motivating and so are your pictures on the "before and after" board. I want to be that active after banding. I will be happy just to ride a bike again! Keep the updates coming, they are very inspirational. Sharon

Kelsy, My doctor is only making me do one day of liquids and that is the day before my surgery on 2/15. Otherwise, he said I could eat what I want to up to that point. Of course, my liquid diet is on Valentines Day but I will comply. Sharon

Welcome, Indy This board is a wonderful resource. I learn more and more everyday. I am being banded in two weeks and can't wait. Read everything you can on here and it will help you with your decision making process. Sharon

Too funny! Can you imagine if that were to happen?!! I don't have any advice for you since I'm not banded yet. But I hope to lose enough weight and gain enough confidence to get back out on the dating scene. Now you've given me something else to worry about! Sharon

Marimaru, I haven't seen alot on these boards about vegetables. I know you are supposed to eat Protein first then your vegetables. Have you experienced any discomfort with vegetables? Are they harder to digest or cause constipation? Do certain vegetables go down better than others? Just curious since I'm not a huge veggie eater but I am going to force myself to eat them. Thanks, Sharon

mhemmway, I quit smoking cold turkey about 15 years ago. 2 1/2 packs a day. Methol to boot. I have always beat myself up for not being able to quit eating or control my eating. I keep telling myself if I can do something as difficult as quitting smoking, why in the world can't I quit eating so much. food is the only thing in my life I cannot get a grip on. Other than being overweight I have a great life. So, I decided to stop beating myself up and accept that there are options out there to help me. Sometimes I think the hardest thing for me to do is to ask for help. I have been researching the LapBand for nearly a year and I finally decided to take the plunge. I'm being banded 2/15 and can't wait. Good luck making a decision that's right for you. Sharon

Yea, Tracy!!!! Man, you moved this along. I bet you set some sort of record for getting insurance approval this fast. I really hope you can get banded in February with me. If not, I'll have to read the March bandsters to keep up on your progress. I can't dance either but my Irish side is doin' a little jig in your honor! Sharon

Welcome, Banrion, I am 48 years old and I'm being banded 2/15. I, too, have never had any type of surgery and have never even been in the hospital before. So yes, it is kind of scary. But so is being severly obese. Do tons of research on these boards. Every question or situation imaginable is addressed here. Good luck on making the right decision for you. Sharon

Welcome! I'm getting banded the day after you. Can't think of a better Valentine's Day gift for us. Good luck. Sharon

b russell, I feel the same way. My date is 2/15 and my stomach gets a little queasy when I realize it's only a little more than 2 weeks away. Plus, I have never, ever been in a hospital before so that kind of worries me. Relax and take deep breaths. You'll be fine. Keep us posted. Sharon

I figured up approximately what I spend on junk food each month and after I picked myself up off the floor, I decided that I will use that exact amount each month toward paying off the band. The way I figure it, this band will pay for itself in no time! Of course, I do want to set some money aside for a new wardrobe. Sharon

Don't ask for comments if you don't want honest feedback. The same applies to asking someone if you will fit, if you really don't want to hear what they have to say. I'm not saying the lifeguard couldn't have handled it a different way but you certainly could have handled it differently. The fact that you basically threw a temper tantrum, drawing even more attention to yourself, says alot. I was in Venice, Italy recently and went for a gondola ride. As I approached the boat, I could see the look on the gondolers face. I asked if there was a weight limit because I genuinely wanted to know. I sure as hell didn't want to capsize in the middle of the Grand Canal. He politely answered, "you are fine" so I went ahead with the ride. Had he told me no, I would have just left quietly, silently cursing myself (and no one else) for putting me in this position. Don't set yourself up. People may not know that you are joking. Being fat is difficult enough without inviting insults. Sharon