MaryD

If I can do 14 days, you can do 5!

What is the 5 day pouch test?

Did anyone have a tummy tuck at any time PRIOR to surgery? I had one after I was sure I'd stay at the weight I lost 8 years ago. Now my tummy is relatively flat, but I have gained a HUGE butt and thighs. Does it make the banding surgery more difficult? Did you lose weight proportionately?

My doctor also told me not to drink 1/2 hour before and 1/2 hour after eating. He also recommended drinking from a sippy cup so I won't guzzle down liquids. I'm trying to find one without the Little Mermaid or Sponge Bob on it.

I am an almost 62 year old female, very active, and I am ready to start my 41st year of teaching. School starts Ausust 19th for me, and I am really pushing to get this done in time! I am married to a very supportive husband, and I will have the surgery done at Mission Hospital in Asheville, NC. I am starting with 270 pounds, hoping to lose 100. I would love to have a mentor or hear from anyone who is having surgery around the same time. I won't have my exact date until next week. I would also like more info on how to create a weight loss time line here. Mary

Thanks, Carolyn, I am here! I am getting banded on August 6th in Asheville, NC, and I am now on day 5 of my 2 week fluids diet. My doctor told me that I needed to do this because I have a "fatty liver," which means an enlarged liver - something that is common in obese patients. The banding procedure takes place behind the liver, so shrinking it helps the procedure go smoothly. I also had to lose 5% of my beginning weight before surgery. I lost 8 pounds on my own, and this fluid diet is taking off a lot more than what I needed. That's a good thing!

Lordy, I can't find the link to August All-stars anywhere! Can you give me instructions on how to get there?

Vicki, I am doing better than expected with all these liquids. I make sure I have 3 protein shakes a day. My nutritionalist asked me to try for 4, but I am too full with all the other beverages, jello, soup, pudding, etc. You must be like me - I check my weight every morning and get upset if there is no change. We just have to be confident that it will come off when it is ready to as long as we follow doctor's orders. Maybe stepping up the exercise would help.

Hi, Debbie! It looks like we are all in this for the right reasons. Have you started your pre-op diet yet? Probably not, it's still a little early for that. Let me know what your restrictions are. They seem to vary from doctor to doctor. I am on all fluids for 2 weeks, but it is going fairly well. My birthday is August 13, and this is the first year I will have a shake instead of a cake!!

First of all, I am excited for Dianne and Orea! My surgery is right behind yours - August 6th, so please keep me posted. Also, I have fibromyalgia as well as osteoarthritis. Are there any fibro patients out there who have benefitted from banding? I'd like to hear from you.

Good luck to Orea and Dianne. I am right behind you (August 6th banding date), and I will be very interested in hearing about your recovery and progress. Keep posting!

Carl, I am also from Franklin! I am on fluids now and having my banding on August 6th. Where did you have yours done? Who is your doctor here?

I am just wondering if anyone checked the shake recipes for protein and calories before posting them. Some of them are just too yummy!

I am on day two of the liquid diet, twelve more days to go. Actually, I surprised myself by loving the shakes and feeling full all the time. There is a link on this site to over 200 shake recipes. I printed it out and checked my favorites. I get two treats from List B each day, so I opt for jello and tapioca pudding - sugar free, of course. My husband has been great. He is cooking for himself for the first time, but he is trying to eat healthy as an example for me. He is lucky, he eats all he wants and stays the same weight he was 30 years ago. I know I can do this and I can't wait until AUGUST 6TH!!

Thanks - I am sure I sill need support as I slosh through these liquids! Any suggestions are appreciated. I have never been much of a "shake" person.

I went to the doctor today and I FINALLY have a banding date: August 6th! I start all fluids tomorrow until surgery. I just can't wrap my mind around that yet, but I am excited that the big day is just around the corner.

I went to the doctor today and I FINALLY have a banding date: August 6th! I start all fluids tomorrow until surgery. I just can't wrap my mind around that yet, but I am excited that the big day is just around the corner.

I went to the doctor today and I FINALLY have a banding date: August 6th! I start all fluids tomorrow until surgery. I just can't wrap my mind around that yet, but I am excited that the big day is just around the corner.

I went to the doctor today and I FINALLY have a banding date: August 6th! I start all fluids tomorrow until surgery. I just can't wrap my mind around that yet, but I am excited that the big day is just around the corner.

I went to the doctor today and I FINALLY have a banding date: August 6th! I start all fluids tomorrow until surgery. I just can't wrap my mind around that yet, but I am excited that the big day is just around the corner.

I went to the doctor today and I FINALLY have a banding date: August 6th! I start all fluids tomorrow until surgery. I just can't wrap my mind around that yet, but I am excited that the big day is just around the corner.

Thanks so much, Tami. That makes me feel a whole lot better - especially the part about the doctor seeing it alot. I was somewhat embarrassed about it. I will keep in touch - I should get my banding date tomorrow, so I'm almost there. Mary

Hi Duane, I am having a little better luck than you, but maybe its because of the insurance. I have BC/CS of NC. I went to the first seminar March 4, had my initial consultation with Shirley on April 3, my psych exam on April 23, met with the nutrtionalist/Shirley on May 5 and again on June 13. I was approved for surgery by the ins. co the second week of July and had my labs and tests at Mission on July 15. Tomorrow (July 22), I will meet Dr. Edwards for the first time. My final appointment with Shirley is Friday, July 25. I am hoping that I will get a banding date this week so I can start on my two week liquid diet as soon as possible. I teach school and go back on August 19, so I'm under pressure to "get 'er done!" Sorry about missing a game. I'm a huge NFL fan - my husband follows college sports, so I understand your feelings completely. My birthday is August 13 and it looks like I will not be having cake and ice cream for the first time in my life! Keep in touch, Mary

I would definitely like to be in a group with August banders. This is really a little exciting now instead of being nervewracking. I am glad I found this site. May