kity

Hugs Sara...this is an emotional journey. I am glad, and you should be too to have our band family here to share with. THERE ARE NO RULES, AND EVERYTHING YOU FEEL IS RIGHT...Know that you are loved and supported here. Tracy, I hope the cabinet didn't hurt you tooo much. I think I would have cried, if not from the pain, the pain in the ass at putting it all back together. Thanks for the giggles about the splitting of the pants...been there, done that! TeachLady, Welcome. I am a teacher too! This is a great site, keep us posted on your progress. I started liquids today and I am STARVING:hungry: but am proud of myself. I have a killer headache, sugar and carb w/drawl. I will probably go to bed early, just hope that I don't kill anyone in the next few days. My poor students...lol. They are actually awesome. Hang in there ladies and gents...APRIL IS AROUND THE CORNER!

The posts are so honest and heart felt...you made me cry too. Keep em coming.

slikchik, I hear that! I am ready for the break, but am a little worried about 5 days off in April, with testing coming up. I teach middle school ELD, and the kids are gonna be crazy for sure...hope the sub can handle it! I look forward to this so much, just want it behind me. Good luck on the 30th, please keep me/us posted. Good luck on the 29th too! Get the tucks! peace out

I went in to doctor today to pick up my preop diet food and was told that 2 days before surgery I am to have only clear liquids and the day before, I have to have bowel prep. I have been on here for a while now and I have never heard of bowel prep. Probably because no one wants to talk about it. Will someone tell me what this entails. I was planning on working the day before surgery, getting ready to be off. The office girl told me, "no, you will be on the pot the day before!" HELP...I am scared enough. Thanks in advance.

Hi April Peeps, Ok, I start tomorrow the preop diet. I get 2 shakes, 2 bars, and a soup daily. I picked up the food today from the doctor's office and wanted to weigh in to get a solid pre number. I FREAKIN PUT ON 5 POUNDS SINCE I WAS LAST IN HIS OFFICE IN DEC. I have had the last supper syndrome going on for 3 months...Gotta say it...SHIT! Ok, I feel better. I was pigged out today too...but it is officially over, and I am glad. I am tired of thinking about it, want to wake up in 12 days and have it behind me. I posted on another thread about a bowel prep that I just found out about today...another day off. I am not too happy, 1. I just found out about this, thought I was working the day before the surgery and 2. principal is not gonna be happy either (spring is testing time, not too good to have a sub for 5 days). But other than that I am ready. I am a little concerned about being alone 5 days after surgery. My partner lives in Long Beach and will need to go back to work, while I am on spring break. I guess I'll be ok. She told me today, that she will be working on cleaning and painting our extra room, while I lay around and "rest"...great, that makes me nervous too. I will just have to let her go, she needs a project. She remodeled the bathroom while she "rested" after her hysterectomy. Someone mentioned earlier about this being our band family...I TOTALLY AGREE. I have shared and confessed soooo much here, more than partner, friends, and family know. Thanks everyone...BAND HUG...Love ya! Peace out

Thanks for explaining that one...whew. Thanks for the tips Kat...will take your advice. The doctors office said, and I quote, "your ass will be on fire" so I will get the tucks for sure. It is so nice to have this site/community to ask such questions. Wish me luck w/ the preop diet starting tomorrow...chocolate shakes here I come. I am pigging out tonight, bad, but necessary. Thanks again!

http://www.or-live.com/BrighamandWomens/1372/event/webcast.cfm? I watched this clip of the actual surgery today. It was AMAZING! If you can handle it...it is graphic...but sooo powerful. I wrote down a number of questions for my preop appt. Less than 2 weeks, and I will be on the other side...can't believe it!

Thanks for all of your posts. My principal also had WLS so he is understanding, but the students...they are another story. I am still nervous about going back to work, I also teach at the local junior college Mon and Tues nights, so those are 12 hour days. But I will take it slow and easy. Thanks to everyone...keep in touch!

Hi everyone, I have read many posts from teachers here and there. I am having my surgery 3 days before spring break, and will only be out 3 days (plus all of spring break to recoop). Anyway, I was wondering if anyone has had trouble post banding w/ being a teacher. I don't always have access to the potty, I teach middle school and have a 3 hour block. Are there any other special 'teacher' things that I need to worry about? Thanks!

Hey Rockin, I think everyone should watch that one. It was full of info...and as I watched I wrote down questions for my doc. Thanks for posting that link.

JubJub, I sent you a private message.

I want to be able to cross my legs I want to be able to tie my shoes w/out finding a seat I want to be able to see my "privates" w/o a mirror (sorry...but it has been too long) I want to be able to feel healthy, sexy and alive again I want to not have to rely on my dazzling personality to capture someones attention I want to be 100 pounds less

FREAKING OUT...20 DYAS TO GO! Holy Crap, now what have I gotten myself into. (That is one part of me...the other part says) YEAH!!! 20 TO GO! WHOO HOO! Basically I am up and down. I had parent/teacher conferences today (with a low turn out) and spent about 5 hours on here (15 min to go!). Nothing fits. I think if I can just lose about 10-15, I'd have a new wardrobe of clothes that I haven't seen in a while. I went to Avenue this week and bought 2 pairs of crop pants (it is 96 degrees here, but should be in the 80's next week) and 3 shirts, even though my closet is busting...but nothing fits. I FEEL YOUR PAIN. I loved Kat's idea. Somehow we should start a BBW used clothing shop w/ all of the clothes we won't be able to fit into. Anyway...LOVE YOU ALL. This is a great site. I responded to a thread today and shared something that I have never told anyone. It is safe here. COUNT DOWN IS ON!!! HERE WE GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ladies, Listen carefully, this is the best advice anyone will ever give you about dear old mom...GET OFF LBT NOW...GO OVER TO AMAZON.COM AND ORDER A LITTLE BOOK CALLED, MY MOTHER, MYSELF BY Nancy Friday. When I began the lapband journey, I decided to go to a phycologist to find out WHY I am overweight. What I am learning has been amazing. My story begins w/ a young wonderful mom, who was very involved in her own life. She didn't neglect us (brother and I), but was emotionally unavailable, often off having "fun". I was unaware of the unavailability until therapy. I filled my void w/ something warm and yummy...and continued on that path. When she was diagnosed w/ cancer in 1996, I moved home to "help" her. That began an 8 year HELL where she controlled my every move. She was so mean, freaking ugly mean sometimes, I didn't recognize her. I was the "good girl", taking care of my ailing mom, while my brother did nothing. But anytime GOLDEN BOY called or didn anything small for her, I had to spend the rest of the night hearing how great he was. I kept coming home, even though I wanted to run away (keep in mind, I was in my 30's, fantasing about running away). There were some good times, but there was a constant need for me to be there for her, to help her, to cater to her every need. I WAS STILL TRYING TO GET FROM HER WHAT I NEVER COULD/DID AS A CHILD. I don't blame her, just understand now. When she died in 2004, I was lost. I don't know if I ever got from her what I was looking for. She did an amazing job raising by brother and I, in that we are both successful, and pretty well adjusted. But I continued to feed this void, again, unaware of what I was doing until my lapband journey. My Mother/Myself is a wonderful read. I am not finished w/ it yet, just started it last week, but already I've identified so many of my own patterns of wants and needs in life from these pages. I REALLY feel that this will help so many of us. The relationship a woman has w/ her mom is the foundation from which all other relationships will be built, even our relaitonship w/ food.

I have spent most of the day reading this thread. I LOVED IT! I am so happy to be a part of this great group of people. CYBER HUG EVERYONE! :success1: What I loved the most about how I've spent my day was that I have never told ANYONE what I am about to type for you. I would venture to guess that many of you have never shared what you shared on this thread w/ anyone else too. It warms my heart to know that we have each other. My first "stingger" was when I first started teaching. I was talking w/ an ex about the school I was assigned to being in "not the nicest neighborhood". We joked about getting a bullet-proof- vest to wear to work, one in each color. Then he said, "Do they make them that big?" I softly laughed and quickly got off the phone. My second "stingger" was just last year. My partner (who is a size 10, extremely fit) said, "That shirt you were wearing last night made you look 8 months pregnant." I got up and took a shower and cried for what seemed like forever. We talked about that one a lot. She said she didn't mean to hurt me, and she really felt like she was insulting the shirt (yeah right). I explained to her that my weight was my problem and if she didn't like it (I was the same size when we met) she could "hit the bricks". I accepted her apology and now she is excited and a bit nervous about my surgery. She is worried that I will 'change' who I am when I lose weight. What is common in this thread is that we are sensitive about our weight. It is important to focus on that we are all here at LBT to better ourselves as we go through our band journey. We are all beautiful inside and out regardless of our size, and most importantly...the negative people in our lives don't need to validate us. I don't need anyone to tell me that I am pretty, or fat. Guess what...I AM BOTH!

Hi everyone, Perhaps I've missed it in another thread, but I was wondering how long after surgery did it take until your um, libido to return? I know this is a weird question, but the does the port get "disturbed" during...you know? I am just trying to get all the info I can to inform my partner and myself. Thanks, and I look forward to reading your posts. :myscared:

I too was told the same thing...quit for at least 6 six before surgery or no band. I quit last year and cheated myself back to being a smoker. So on Valentines day I quit! I cheated yesterday (getting banded April3!), and felt sick and guilty. My doctor told me that he has had more removals w/ smokers due to ulcers. He has never removed a non smokers band. Be it true or not, that was enough for me. I think that since I am starting on a new journey...a new me...that I want to quit. It is tooo hard to exercise being a smoker. Cardio is best for weight loss...we all know that. So I now want to quit so I can exercise and get the most out of it. I don't want to stroll around the block, I want to get my heart rate up and benefit from the time I am putting into it. I am using the patch, but there is a great pill out there, Chantix. I have my perscription at the pharmacy, and will fill it after the surgery. If your getting your mind around a new and improved YOU...I think really jump in and start to really feel better! Good Luck!

I am having my surgery 4-3!!!! It has been a long time coming, but I am ready. I wanted to introduce myself...hop over to April 07, Head in to Spring. Great group over there. I look forward to hearing about your progress, I am sure we will have lots to say in April!

I guess it is not a cheat really, but I too am a Diet Coke freak. I read somewhere on this site, (love all this information, just can't remember where I read something) that if you POSITIVELY ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO HAVE DIET COKE, pour one into ice cube trays. Freezing it take out the bubbles, then you can blend it and make a Diet Coke slushie, or just suck on a cube for a while. I am not going to (or try not to) do this trick, because it is just better for me overall, but I might try it w/ Diet Sprite sometimes, which doesn't have the caffine. Anyway, knowledge is power right, so if your DYING...this little piece of info might help. :clap2:

Hi everyone, I transferred the money from a CD into my checking today. I have to pay $6000.00 to cover the fills, nutritionist, all doctor appointments etc for 5 years. I am excited now...getting closer, and yet, seems so far. I have been just taking deep breaths when I start to "freak out". Anyway, I am glad I have all of you, as well as my family and wonderful partner to hold my hand too! AAAAHHHHH!

Hi All, I just posted on the April 07 thread, but thought this might be good info for everyone. On Thursday, 3-8-07 Oprah is having a show about life after Weight Loss Surgery. The focus is on the pitfalls of replacing one addiction for another, but I would imagine there is good information for all of us. Especially the DONT DO THIS message. Enjoy!

Hi April 07 Band People, I just wanted to let everyone know that Oprah is having a very interesting show on Thursday about life after weight loss surgery. The show focuses on some dangerous pitfalls of replacing one addiction for another. If for nothing else, we might get some info about WHAT NOT TO DO. I can't believe I am less than a month out. I was freaking out this morning...nothing fits... I won't buy anymore clothes because I have enough clothes for the next -60 pounds! I am trying to eat about 1000-1200 calories a day. Then on the weekends, I enjoy going out to eat:) . I am sooo looking forward to having the surgery behind me, this anticipation is making me too nervous. I love checking in LBT daily, and reading more and more from pre and post op people. It gets my spirits up and makes me feel more and more like this is the best decision for me! Peace out.

Hi again everyone, My question this time is this...How many people are telling friends/family/work/etc. about getting and being banded? I have told many friends at work, my partner, her family, and mine. Everyone has been supportive (I am blessed), but I have read some threads where ppl mention they didn't tell work and some even said they didn't tell family ( I assume this meant family who do not live w/ them). Just curious about people's line of thinking on "full disclosure" or not.

Sara, thanks for your kind words and support. It does suck not being able to smoke, but I love how I smell now. Plus I want to do cardio and it is too hard when you smoke. Good luck to you!

:kiss2: Hi everyone, I can say that I am "freaking out" a bit as we get closer. I was approved on 2-12-07, but am still having to go through the formalities of all the testing. I had the stress test for the heart today. WOW...that sucked. I couldnt have coffee this am, and have been tired all day. Anyway, besides the Doctor signing off on the test (the tech is my friend, said it looked good)...I AM ALL DONE. My eating has been all over the place. As with all diets all my life, I start off great...and crap out during the day. On March 21, I pick up the 10 days preop diet of Optifast...so I will continue to try until then doing the best I can, and if I blow it from time to time, I will forgive myself. I am excited, and scared. But I AM READY. It is nice to have this April thread for us. What is the exercise challenge this month? I quit smoking 2 weeks ago, and am ready to jump in...I hope! HERE WE GO!