Bandida

:wave:Hello!! Just wanted to:update: everyone. I went to my last pre-op appointment with my MD and it went AWESOME! :biggrin1: I've :lost3lbs:more !!!:clap2: My blood work was normal except my liver...so, a 2 shakes a day and sensible meal diet until surgery...:cry I guess no "last meal"...no worries, though...I'd rather have a successful placement!!!! Now, can anyone tell me which of these pre-made shakes are best..the Atkins ones aren't very taste...I brought some powder one that I am going to try...any sugestions? Thanks to everyone for their support! :cheer2:You guys are :cheer2:AWESOME !!!!!!!!!!:peace:

:update: :update: :update: :update: OHH MYY LORD!!!! i went to the see the surgeon today and am I excited or what!!!!:biggrin1: :biggrin1: :biggrin1: I got the results of my lab work and everything was great..I LOST 2 more POUNDS!!!!:clap2: A little fatty liver, but he said it wasn't to much to worry about. He said if I can loose 5 pounds before the surgery it would be great...So, now I am on a 2 Protein shakes a day and a "sensible dinner.." Liquids the last 24 hours before surgery (my choice to do) and LOTS OF LIQUIDS (as always)..... After my appointment I went over to BJ's (similar to Cosco) and bought the Adkins shakes chocolate and vanilla (I had a chocolate one :scared: (YUCCKK!!!!) They are NOT very tasty...so I have to keep the choc ones and return the vanilla...I guess we'll just have to try other things...At Bj's met up with my bestest friend and her husband and we went walking:faint: I MEAN POWER WALKING.. We did 2 miles and had to stop because I got dizzy (weird) I guess the excitement got to me.I ate some skittles (i think it was due to low sugars) and felt MUCH BETTER! We decided to call it a day and come home...I picked up my children from school and here I am...I will have some Crystal Lite Ice Tea/Lemonade and maybe do some excercises on my excercise ball! :eek: 10 days and counting!!!!

:update: :update: :update: :update: OHH MYY LORD!!!! i went to the see the surgeon today and am I excited or what!!!!:biggrin1: :biggrin1: :biggrin1: I got the results of my lab work and everything was great..I LOST 2 more POUNDS!!!!:clap2: A little fatty liver, but he said it wasn't to much to worry about. He said if I can loose 5 pounds before the surgery it would be great...So, now I am on a 2 Protein shakes a day and a "sensible dinner.." Liquids the last 24 hours before surgery (my choice to do) and LOTS OF LIQUIDS (as always)..... After my appointment I went over to BJ's (similar to Cosco) and bought the Adkins shakes chocolate and vanilla (I had a chocolate one (YUCCKK!!!!) They are NOT very tasty...so I have to keep the choc ones and return the vanilla...I guess we'll just have to try other things...At Bj's met up with my bestest friend and her husband and we went walking:faint: I MEAN POWER WALKING.. We did 2 miles and had to stop because I got dizzy (weird) I guess the excitement got to me.I ate some skittles (i think it was due to low sugars) and felt MUCH BETTER! We decided to call it a day and come home...I picked up my children from school and here I am...I will have some Crystal Lite Ice Tea/Lemonade and maybe do some excercises on my excercise ball! 10 days and counting!!!!

:biggrin1: Hello, Hello!!! Today is an AWESOME DAY!! I have my last appointment today with my surgeon....I have MANY quesitons and hope to get ALL the answers!! I'm hoping all goes well!!! I will update once I come back..I'm feeling good. I had a light breakfast and will have a shake before I go to see him. I'll write more later!! Wish me luck!!:clap2: :clap2: :clap2:

:biggrin1: Hello, Hello!!! Today is an AWESOME DAY!! I have my last appointment today with my surgeon....I have MANY quesitons and hope to get ALL the answers!! I'm hoping all goes well!!! I will update once I come back..I'm feeling good. I had a light breakfast and will have a shake before I go to see him. I'll write more later!! Wish me luck!!:clap2: :clap2: :clap2:

I also found this site and it has a bracelete as well... http://home.bellsouth.net/p/s/community.dll?ep=16&ext=1&groupid=313302&ck=

Sherilynn, this is the closest I could get..Let me know if this helps!!! Good Luck and keep me posted..I'd love to get one!!! Hello, Let us introduce ourselves: We are Caroline Dumas (a future bandster) and Nancy Teasdale (1 year post-op). We are both young French speaking ladies living in the province of Quebec, Canada. As members of a French Canadian bandster support group, we followed-up on a suggestion to create a silicone band for the lap-band, in a similar fashion to the Live Strong band for cancer or the pink band for breast cancer. The response was amazing! This bracelet exists for several reasons, the first being to represent a symbol that identifies us all to each others as bandsters. For lots of us, it also serves the purpose of encouraging and reminding us, on a constant basis, of how proud we are that we took this great path towards health and a better life, as well as to get the support from those close to us, ones as they wear it too. Ultimately, this bracelet represents an excellent way to raise awareness of the lap-band. About 7 weeks ago, we collected suggestions from members of our forum to find a slogan to write on the bracelet. We then proceeded to a survey with all members to chose which of these slogans would be their favourite. "Renaissance - O - Rebirth" came out as the slogan that represents what the lap-band means to the clear majority of us. "Renaissance" is the French translation to the word "Rebirth" and the circle (- O-) actually represents the lap-band. The colour that was favoured by the majority is midnight-blue, that we feel is sober and of good taste. The picture of the bracelet can be found here: http://scratandboo.com/rebirth%20band.htm) Once all decisions were made as per the aspects of the bracelet, we proceeded to order 100 of them, which are currently sold out. There is now a waiting list for a second order. Since the bracelet is written in both English and French, we think ic could be of interest to bandsters from outside of Quebec. That's why we are offering it to you. The price of the bracelet is $4, plus actual shipping ($1.50 for shipping to US and $1.00 for shipping to Canada). The shipping price remains the same whether you order 1 or 10 bracelets. You can either mail us a cheque to that amount or send us the money via Paypal. We wish to emphasise that we are not a company nor an association. We are not selling this silicone band commercially or to incur a profit. We are simply two bandsters, pre-op and post-op, who responded to a request from our fellow members, nothing more. We are actually offering you this bracelet at cost, considering that we only order small batches of them at a time (which increases the price per bracelet), and that we also have to pay for taxes, brokerage fees, duties, enveloppes, milleage to go to the post office, not withstanding the numerous hours we gladly dedicate to the task of promoting the bracelet, receiving the orders, preparing and mailing them, etc. It's up to you to decide if this silicone band is for you. If so, do not hesitate to e-mail Caroline at nelf000 @ yahoo.ca and to indicate the quantity of bracelets you need and your mailing address. Upon receipt of your e-mail, a confirmation reply will be sent to you, including the mailing address to send your cheque to or the e-mail address to send your Paypal payment to, whichever is your favourite method. We appreciate your trusting us and hope to hear from you! Caroline & Nancy ffice:office" /><O:p></O:p> <O:p></O:p>

Nella :welcomeB: and Hi! I've taken up walking and excercising! I went out and brought myself an excercise ball and some weights for my arms..I' ve noticed that i can even do these things watching tv...I also write, write, wrtie..i have 2 journals, a myspace and my poetry notebooks...keep your spirits high and share your thoughts with people you can trust and are close to you and even here on this site..There is alot of support.....keep up the great work and congratulations on your decision to join us....KEEP US POSTED!!! :confused:

:scared: YYYEEEEEEAAAAAAAAHHHH!!!!!!!! Excitement is here!!!!!!!!! Tomorrow I see the surgeon the last time before surgery :biggrin1: . I have many questions, comments and concerns to bring up with him!! I can't wait!! I'm feeling MUCH betther today!! :eek: My headache is almost gone and I can breath now!!!! :clap2: I did my excercises..can't walk cause it's raining and cold out and I don't like to go out in the rain..:think plus my kids are home and they HATE walking.. I will meet up with a friend and walk tomorrow before my appointment . I can't shake this happy feeling (iguess that's a good thing)!!! Well, I'm off to watch CARS with my boys..:hippie:

Hi Tracey, I am 11 days away and can't wait!!!! :teeth: Nervous, yes...But EXCITED to know that now I CAN loose the weight AND be HEALTHY!!! It's not just you..I hear it CONSTANTLY, at work, at home, at school, and in my sleep!!! It sucks that people can't understand :doh: that if we COULD do it we WOULD do it without the surgery...For me, this is MY LAST resort..I've tried everything!!! and NOTHING WORKED!!:faint: I've heard the same comments. .I've learned to just let people say what they need to say and walk away. The harder you argue the worse it is. Sometimes I've even gotten down right rude and told them, Please keep your bad vibes and comments as far away from me as possible. They are NOT needed!! I've also realized, during this journey, who my TRUE supporters are. SO, keep your chin up!! Your doing WHAT'S BEST FOR YOU and don't let ANYONE tell you different!!!! You have ALOT OF SUPPORT HERE!!!!!!!:confused: :gluck: on your surgery! Keep me posted!!!

Hi Kaydotrn- THANK YOU!!!! :confused: I hadn't heard about a liquid diet until I started to read the posts here..I guess my MD will tell me tomorrow! Yeah, I think the best thing to do is stay overnight. My thoughts are if they allow it and I don't have to pay for it I might as well take advantage of it. Better to be safe than sorry..I've only had general anesthesia once and THANK GOD there was no reaction...It's good to hear it wasn't that bad...Thanks, I hope it clears up soon too...I'm feeling much better now with the meds the MD gave me...Thanks for the support!!! How are you feeling? How is your progress going? How has your experience been? I'd love to hear your thoughts...

:wave:Chrispy-Thanks for the words of wisdom :clap2: and for the heads up on the dehydration:omg: , they have a hard time getting my veins as it is:eek: , so I WILL DEFINATELY be drinking more water . That's the hardest for me...the water/liquids...I've never been a big water drinker and now that I'm starting to i'm in the bathroom CONSTANTLY...:confused: but I guess it goes witht the territory... I know my insurance covers "23 hours" (unless there are complications) so I will take FULL advantage of those 23 hours...Having 3 kids at home, I think I'll need them to rest up...Thanks for the words of wisdom!!! Loki-I did the same with the 2 support meetings...my reason was no babysitter (my husband travels ALOT)...I hope you get a date soon..are you just waiting for insurance or just a date? Which psych did you use? I had Dr. Tobin.. Keep me posted!!!! My good thoughts and prayers are with you!!!!

loki - that's what I thought. I guess I'll find out tomorrow. I also heard the same about the overnight thing, but I thought I'd ask...I'm hoping to stay, just to the be on the safe side...we'll see what he says...thanks for the answers...and good luck to you...keep me posted!:confused:

:confused: Artale, Oh, I most definately know that excercise is one fourth of the equation...The band, the diet, and MY WILL power and determination will complete it.:clap2: I use my bowflex and/or my excercise ball 2 to 3 times a week :faint: , sometimes I do an excercise video with some friends:dance:, and I usually walk 1 to 2 miles a day. I'm getting there. Like I said, I've been trying for many years and this is my last resort....Believe me, i've been through two c-sections :cry and I do NOT LIKE surgeries or hospitals..I would NOT be doing this if I didn't feel so positive about it...Thanks for the advice though, it's good to see people genuinely interested in my sucess. :whoo:Keep me in your thoughts and prayers:pray2:, A sI will keep you in mine!!!

Hello MA Bandsters..I'm on my way to be "banded" and would love the support...Keep me posted on new endeavors, I'd love to join...

Hello MA Bandsters!! Just wanted to say hello...It's soo :whoo:good to see there are bandsters from massachusettes...I've posted with many but none from MA. I'm glad to see people here from Dr. Haag/ Dr. Fiallo's office. I will have my final appointment with Dr. Fiallo before surgery on Tuesday 1/16, my pre-op testing is on 1/23 and my surgery is on 1/26.:clap2: ..I'm on anitibiotics for a sinus infection:sick and I'm hoping this won't interfere....I guess we'll see what he says on tuesday. ..:help:Can anyone tell me if Dr. Fiallo puts you on a liquid diet weeks before surgery or not? Has anyone stayed overnight and what was there experience? I'd LLOOVVEEE the input!!!

Lala- it's natural to be scared. I to have been going back and forth with the decision, but I have a HUGE FAITH in God and I know he would not let me get this far if it wasn't meant to be. My journey through the process has been fairly easy compared to others and I know He has a lot to do with it. I am also an only child and mu husband is my only support. Keep your spirits high and your prayers will be answered!! We're with you in thoughts and in prayers:pray2: !!! Keep your chin up and keep us posted!!!!:gluck: tomorrow!!!

:wave:I hyphenate my name because it is a tradition in my home land...I almost dropped my fathers last name and took my mothers maiden (i hold a grudge against him)but my mom wouldn't let me do it...She said it was disrespectful...So i kept my maiden name, added my married name and now my childrens school can't get them straight...Confusing enough...

Wow! Awesome thread...You know nobody ever asks that. People just look at you and say oh, look how she let herself go...or wow..he/she can sure eat..They don't like to look at what's behind the extra weight. For me it's been a very long and uphill battle. Ever since I can remember I was being teased and ridiculed for being "chubby". Growing up in a latino home it was just not proper if you didn't eat and have meat on your bones. I was mom's pride an joy when my little legs looked like tiny hams. yeah a was cute but not healthy. When I got to middle school I lost some of the weight but was still kinda heavy. All through high school I was average...College the same...I met my husband (at about 16o lbs), fell in love and had my daughter. She was very sick during the first six months of her life with reflux...She cried 24 hours a day,s even days a week. While she cried I ate and ate and ate and...ate...the refridgerator was my companion...I went from 160 lbs to 220 lbs in the 6 months my daughter was sick. Since then I have tried EVERYTHING and nothing works. Now, at 31 I'm up to 237lbs ( I've lost 20 on the LB journey) I have PCOD and Hyperthyroid desease.my family has a hsitory of diabetes, high blood pressure, coronary desease, as well as other deseases...Funny, how with the hyper part I can't loose the weight...So, yes some of this is my fault and I've tried to correct it in many ways..the lap-band is my last resort...I'm praying that this commitment that I've made to myself and my family to get healthier will turn out well. Keep me in your prayers as I will keep you in mine!!

:sick Well, what can I say...I just got back from the MD and I am officially sick...:faint: I have a mean sinus infection :omg: !!! That was what my headache was from the other day...:eek: I am on Cipro (antibiotic) for 10 days. The good thing was I was weighed and I've maintained my loss!!!!!! I can't wait to hear what the surgeon will tell me on tuesday...:scared: I hope this doesn't change anything!!! And to add to the stress, my husband left today on business and won't be back until thursday the 25th (the day before surgery:dance:) Well, what can I say... I will spend some time with my children, take my antibiotic and prepare for my surgery.

:sick Well, what can I say...I just got back from the MD and I am officially sick...:faint: I have a mean sinus infection :omg: !!! That was what my headache was from the other day... I am on Cipro (antibiotic) for 10 days. The good thing was I was weighed and I've maintained my loss!!!!!! I can't wait to hear what the surgeon will tell me on tuesday...:pray2: I hope this doesn't change anything!!! And to add to the stress, my husband left today on business and won't be back until thursday the 25th (the day before surgery:dance:) Well, what can I say... I will spend some time with my children, take my antibiotic and prepare for my surgery.

wph74-Your welcome. My surgery will be at Baystate Hospital...I'm a little nervous but reading all this information helps a lot. My husband is more nervous then I am..We'll se how it goes... So, how are you feeling? How is your journey going?

GREAT DAY today...My husband was home and we spend some time together during the day! No kids!!! YEAH!! We watched a movie, did the bills, and talked about everything. He is a little anxious regarding the surgery but i told him there is no need to worry. Our jorney has not been in vein and God wouldn't let it get this far for nothing! I am very excited. I have many questions for my MD and I hope to get them all answered on tuesday. I can't wait!!! I'll keep you posted! :scared: :eek: :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :)

GREAT DAY today...My husband was home and we spend some time together during the day! No kids!!! YEAH!! We watched a movie, did the bills, and talked about everything. He is a little anxious regarding the surgery but i told him there is no need to worry. Our jorney has not been in vein and God wouldn't let it get this far for nothing! I am very excited. I have many questions for my MD and I hope to get them all answered on tuesday. I can't wait!!! I'll keep you posted! :pray2: :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :)

hey Julie, thanks for the words of encouragement...I'm glad you've had such success. I can't wait fro surgery although I'm a little nervous...Keep up the great work and keep me posted on your success!!!