magnolia

My husband has proposed the idea of going on a beach vactaion (i.e carribean) after I recuperate from surgery. For those of you who are post-op, how long after surgery do you think I would be able to go and enjoy a vacation. My surgery is March 5th..I was thinking perhaps end of April..what do you all think? Mags

we are deciding between anguilla and turks and caicos...love anguilla but have been hearing great things about turks...I am going to call and ask the do for advice..but i am hoping that at 6-7 weeks post-op i will be good to go. mags

i have been doing that pre-op...although i like the slimfast optima shakes..the bars seem to have the same calories and even more protein..so I have been eating them sometimes...I am assuming that it is ok. mags

good point I am pretty sure it is 6 weeks before swimming so the end of april would work for that. How about the eating in public part? When does it feel ok?

I keep gettting new info about this whole procedure. Now I foiund out that I would have to have an esophagram after the surgery. Have any of you had this? How bad was it? With every piece of new info, I get more scared about what I will be going through:)

My surgery was approved byt the Insurance Co! So I am on schedule for 3/5. The pre-op is going pretty well so far, although I do resent having to restrict myself before I am acutally restrticted if you know what I mean. On Monday I go to the hospital for pre-op testing..I am pretty sure it is just bloodwiork/chest xray and ekg. So I am definitely on the road. Mags

My pre-op diet is two weeks of slim-fast optima (5 per day) and plain veggies for lunch/dinner...weekend will be challenging since I will be away and at 4 different dinners...I thnk I am going to take Tracy's advice and look at the Feb banders to see what's up with them since my date is the beginning of March (the 5th)

Those pictures are so helpful, my surgery is March 5ht and now I know what to expect. Although I thought my dr told me that four of the scars were going to be in a row.

keep that guy around:) It took me along time to figure it out. This is day 3 of my pre-op diet,,,I am doing better than I expected, but the weekend will be hard since we are going out of town.

i am supposed to be on a Liquid Protein diet for two weeks prior to surgery..i feel really ripped off, since so many others don't have any pre-op diet at all. I know my surgeon is one of the pioneers of this surgery and he really feels that this diet will shrink the liver. He says that if you do not follow it (ie lose weight) then he will not perform the surgery. So this is day two and I am following it well...although i think i may eat a few of the slim fast bars instead of the liquid since they are more satisfying and they contain the same calories but even more Protein. But I must say after all these years of enjoying food way too much..this is a drastic change. My husband says that if i can do the pre-op diet then why do i need the surgery..can't i just lose the weight through diet/exercise....that is a thin man speaking for sure:) mags

Oh my, I guess I have a different take on this. I am telling all of my family and friends,so far everyone has been quite supportive and concerned. I figure after all of these years of being overweight, they are bound to notice and I could not lie and say that it is just a normal diet. They would notice it in a restaurant for sure. For me it is easier to keep things out in the open, than to try to pretend that this is all happening spontaneously. Somehow I feel I can embrace the whole concept more easily if I have the support of my fam and friends. What can I say..my life is an open book:)

I know just what you are feeling. My surgery is two weeks from tomorrow (3/5) and I still don't feel that it is really going to happen. At this point two years ago, I backed out. This time I am going through with it no matter what. But I am reallt scared. Yesterday I forced my self to shop for all the protein shakes etc that I will need starting tomorrow. Tonight my husband is taking me out for a steak and then I begin the pre-op liquids/veggies tomorrow. I am worried about my compliance to this part of things since it seems so many on this board have little or no pre-op diet to follow and have still had successful surgeries. Reading the board can be so supportive at times, but at other times so scary..re, the pain, those who are not successful etc. I am most worried about the post-op pain, and being able to eat out in public and enjoy a meal with friends. I am most excited about getting my blood suga/cholesterol/pressure back to normal; and of couse looking and feeling better physically. Basically I need som reassurance from those who have been through it , and those who are about to.

haha...just when i was about to pose the question...someone beat me to it. Thanks all for those candid answers. I get it...phew doing w/o food is one thing but....lol

My date is also March 5th..but I don't have to start my pre-op til two weeks before. What is your pre-op diet. Mine is mostly protein shakes and some plain veggies...I am not looking forward to it...I cannot wait to have the surgery behind me..as it approaches I am getting scared. mags

yes, he is most definitely an Aussie. The best part is that he has a band! So he definitely knows the drill..thanks for all the support...surgery is 3 weeks from tomorrow...I am starting to get very nervous/excited mags

looking for band buddies to compare notes with:)

thanks...i have found my way there:)

so it looks like sophie 248, glo girl and I are all being banded on March 5th..anyone else for that date?

i like him very much..so far. But of course I have not been banded yet. I first went to him about two years ago because he was a pioneer and was so impresed that he was banded...that's a walking advertisement, he looks great btw. He is an Aussie and very approachable and fortright. The waiting room the other day became a support group..we were all laughing and talking..and for the first time in memory, I was one of the thinner people in the room:)

Hi fellow March(ing) band people:) I am scheduled for MArch 5th. ned to start liquids 2 weeks prior to surgery..that is the part that is going to be hard..since I could never stick to any diet...but I am trying to change my ways, so there's a good place to start. This is a great place for us to compare thoughts and ideas. good luck to all,Mags

that's my date too !! where are you being banded. I am at NYU in NYC. I have to be on liquids 2 weeks prior...how about you? let's keep in touch..this is a bit scary:)

I have been reading a lot of posts on this board to get info before my surgery which will be on 3/5. No one seems to mention vomiting, although the one person that I know who has been banded has a big problem with that. Also what is PB ing? thanks, mags

so does that mean that eating in public can be very embarrasing? I mean what do you do if this happens in a restaurant..is there time to get to the restroom?

Oh now I understand...I didn't realise how fortunate I am that my insurance is paying for the whole thing. Insurance companies should think about the fact that paying for the surgery will save them money in the long run, treating all the complications from obesity. buena suerte en Mexico:)

I am being banded in NY on March 5th. Why do so many people go to Mexico to have their surgeries? Is it a health insurance issue? I am learning a lot from this board. thanks everyone for being so helpful