Merry Mel

I'm on protein shake diet also but I do get 1 meal a day and don't have to do the clear liguids before surgery but I totally understand the hunger.

I am right there with you both. I get banded on the 15th of this month and have felt all of the emotions ya'll are going through. I went to hospital pre-op, more test and a support group on Thursday and even though I am ready for this I can back a little deflated. I told my sister-in-law that I was the fattest at the fat club meeting (support group) and she laughed and said don't call it that. She said call it the On The Way To Skinny Club. That helped me view things different. I have also not told many people, no one outside of my close circle of friends and family, and are not really sure how I am going to handle the question. The only ones that knew while I was waiting approval was my husband, kids, parents, brother and sister-in-law and 2 friends. Since approval I called to tell an aunt that I am close to and she was very supportive. I told my daughter's best friend, that we are very close to, that I was having a procedure at the hospital and couldn't help with her baby that week and she got teary eyed and worried wanting to know what was wrong and I didn't have the heart to lie to her. She was actually relieved it wasn't something bad. So it is a sticky situation but I really want to wait until I have made some good progress before it is well known. I can't wait to start seeing a difference in my clothes and looking forward to being able to dress for fahion and not to cover the fat.

My doctor didn't tell me to stop but I know others have had to stop to have the surgery. I am trying to quit but with the pre-op diet I am finding it hard to completely stop, even though I have decreased alot.

I wish you all the best!! I also just got my approval last week and will be having my surgery on 2/15/11. I was lucky in that from first appointment until surgery date it will only be 2 1/2 months. Dr. Strickland's staff stayed on top of everything and was really on the ball in getting everything I needed done fast. I have been obese for 20 years and come from a fanily that as weight issues. I never thought I would have surgery because several people in my family had the gastric bypass and gained all their weight back. But my back went out in August and was barely able to leave the house for 3 months and the doctor said if I didn't get the weight off I would be cripple by the time I got in my 60s. So after some research and realizing that my family failed with their surgeries because they never changed their lifestyles I was determined to do the lapband. I was getting a little discouraged during the process of approval but once I got my date I had renewed determination. Can't wait for 2/15/11.

I understand totally. I was totally ready when I went to the seminar in the middle of November and was well aware that the process wasn't easy. But just when I got stressed and ready to say forget it because of all the different things required I got a call last week saying that I was approved and my surgery date is 2/15/11. With that call my determination came back and even though the pre-op shake diet is not great I am back on board 100%. It only took me 2 1/2 months from seminar until when I have my surgery. Also kudois to my Doctors office because they really stayed on top of everything. Good Luck and dopn't get discouraged. Its just a little bump on the way to a new life.

I can sympathy with you totally. I just found out last week that my surgery date is 2/15/11. I was starting to wonder if I was doing the right thing when I was dealing with all the insurance stuff and all the testing, it overwhelmed me. but once I got the approval and date now I am just ready to go. Even though this protein shake diet is gross. lol