Lulu

Yup; she's the one -- VERY pregnant. And I checked again - it's just one week. Hooray.

I'm wondering the same thing myself! When I had my one-hour dietary session I asked about the 2-week window, and she (Kris) said it was just one week. I can't imagine there would be that much difference between doctors in the same clinic. Who did you get the two-week info from? I hope you only have to do the one-week also. I thought it would be easy; now I'm not so sure. Will have to be EXTREMELY focused on the goal!

Hi Denny, When is Dr. Engstrand's seminar? I haven't been to one of them yet but would like to go. This is doing things backwards since I've been through the hoops and have a date already (10/30). I'd like to take my husband along to give him a better understanding of the process.

Hi Carmen, Congratulations!!!!!!! Isn't it exciting??? You're just a few days behind me! I'm stocking up on yogurt, protein drinks, made some chicken soup last night, I'm ordering protein powder and bars........... etc. I'm so happy you finally have a date. From what I read on other boards, it's taking some people almost a year to get a date because of the popularity of the band. People are starting to hear about it and the word is spreading like wildfire. Good thing we got in when we did!!!!

Hi Cindy, I guess we're gonna be twins! My surgery is also on 10/30. I thought the time would drag until that day, but it is flying by faster than ever! On Thursday I go for my pre-surgery consult with the dietician, and next Thursday I'll go for the lab work. What's your schedule?

Thanks, Carmen - that helps A LOT. Yes, I have Dr. Engstrand. My appt with the dietician is this Thursday.... which means full liquids from then until the 28th - two days from surgery. I don't think I'll have a problem with that; I'm so eager to do this right and I'm really psyched up for it. Trying really hard to look down the road to one year from now as opposed to just the next few weeks. Do you have a date yet?

Christina, How are you doing? I'm 17 days away from Bandlandia! What kind of pre-op "diet" did you have to do, and for how long? Thanks!

Did any of you who had the surgery need blood transfusions? I'm wondering if I should ask my doc about having my own blood on hand "just in case."

I've been investigating the various products out there to supplement my protein intake. Does anyone have knowledge of protein "isolate" being far superior to the "concentrate?" The ads certainly sound like it, but I'm wondering if the difference in cost is really justified. Thanks!!

No need to send any money. Since our wonderful insurance company is taking care of my surgery, I do believe we can still afford a stamp (God bless UnitedHealthcare). I really really really feel bad for those of you who have to pay for your surgery out of pocket. Maybe if we were younger......... but at our age there's no way we could do it. I hope you get tons of cards!

I'd be very happy to comply with such a simple request. If you had asked for a kidney, that's another story (lol)! :cool: p.s. I'm not offended.

For years my PCP said a lot of my problems would be alleviated if I could lose some weight. Early this summer after my regular exam I brought it up, and told him I wanted to discuss something that I was dead serious about. I told him that he was aware of how long I've been trying to lose weight but it keeps coming back, and I am seriously considering surgery. He didn't say anything for a few minutes, then said that if I was SURE this is what I wanted he would suggest Dr. Engstrand who was in the same clinic! I had no idea there was a bariatric clinic in that building. While I expected an argument or "try another diet" he surprised me by being supportive. At the time I didn't even know about the lap band, and I'm sure he didn't either. This is so new the majority of doc's aren't up to speed on this wonderful tool.

Just noticed - our birthdays are 1 day apart (although you're just a young chick); our RE-birthdays are in the same month. Cool!!

Hi Ialadybug, I'm a fellow October bandster; I'm scheduled for Oct. 30 - WHICH SEEMS LIKE A CENTURY AWAY! Keep us posted on your progress!

Welcome to the forum!! How about those Packers last night??? Woooohoooo! My doctor is with Brookfield Surgical Associates, and there are three of them that do the lapbands (Engstrand, Burhop and Chiang). I couldn't tell you whether or not they would do fills for you, but here's the number and you can check it out. 262-786-3722. The bariatric manager is Megan, and her assistant is Darlene. They are both wonderful to work with. Good luck!

Dear Bandster Friends; I got the call!! I have been approved and my surgery date is 10/30. Yippeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!! Although the end of October seems so far away, I had prayed and asked God that if I could get banded HE should pick the best time. So what's my first thought? To call back and ask if they would fit me in if there is a cancellation!!! (I came to my senses quickly and didn't make the call.) I have learned so much from all of you and now it's time to put it into practice. The following are my goals for the next month: 1. No bingeing 2. Only ONE last supper at Red Lobster 3. Learn to chew slowly 4. Get used to drinking all that Water ahead of time 5. Start visualizing myself as svelte 6. Prepare meals for my DH for a few weeks while I'm on liquids Any suggestions from you experienced ones on what to add? Can't believe I'm really at this point. :mad:

Welcome, Anne - you came to the right place! This forum is where I was convinced that the lap band is the ONLY way to go! On another forum a gentleman made a comment that I just love. When someone told him that their surgery was the Cadillac of WLS, he said that HIS was the skateboard! Both can get to the same destination; the skateboard just takes a little longer with a little more effort on his part. (And a lot safer, too) As many of us have done in the past, at the beginning of the year we make resolutions to finally lose that 50 or 100 lbs; just one or two pounds a week is all that it takes. After many, many, many, many years of NOT achieving this goal, when I am finally banded it really won't matter to me if it takes a while to lose this weight - because I know that this time it WILL come off and STAY OFF. I have found that there is NO question that can't/won't be answered by this wonderful group of people. Best of luck to you!

Sending the last reply screwed up the formatting. This is how the top line should read: Diet- Started-Stopped-Weight lost-Weight gained back

As you can see from the following, all my attempts failed except for calorie counting. That was successful because I was in love and couldn't eat anyways!!! Weight Wt Gained Diet Started Stopped Lost Back Low Carb 2002 2003 9 + Carbo Addicts 2001 2002 12 + Hypnotism 2001 2001 0 " 1993 1993 0 Wt Watchers 1975 1976 12 15 Wt Losers 1970 1972 8 20 Calorie Counting 1965 1967 23 * * Kept it off for about 3 years and it's been uphill ever since Hope this helps!

Christina, Anxious to hear how you are doing. I hope all went well during your surgery and that you will be bouncing back quickly.

Alexandra makes an excellent point. Yugurt (with live cultures) is a MUST while taking antibiotics because it replaces the good bacteria destroyed by the medications. I've been very fortunate in that I never had a yeast infection - MAYBE due to the fact that I eat a lot of yogurt. The plain stuff doesn't taste half-bad when sprinkled with Splenda!

Nancy, Babs, Megan - Thanks for the hugs and encouragement. It is so helpful to get a fresh perspective from others. It seems the majority of us have to wait - and wait - and wait some more just to hear something, or to be able to progress to the next step. It's that instant gratification that has been such a factor for us in the past that makes this waiting period so unbearable. WE WANT IT NOW!!! NOT TOMORROW or NEXT WEEK!!! NOW!! (Do I sound like a spoiled brat?) Hopefully I can tame this tiger and use the waiting period constructively. Thank you again!

Having waited patiently for several weeks, I called the insurance company this morning to see where I am in the food chain (pun intended) for surgery approval. After being on hold for 45 minutes they said I had the wrong dept and should call Customer Care. Did that; after 1/2 hour waiting they told me a determination had already been made. When I asked what the outcome was, they said I had to call my doctor for that information. Just the tone she used was so discouraging. I called the doctor's office and of course got the care manager's voice mail. Not knowing is the hardest part of waiting. At this point even a rejection would be preferable to the uncertainty; at least they can then start the process of appealing. From you who have been there, what's the best way to handle a rejection without turning to a triple-dip hot fudge sundae? Maybe I'll get a big surprise but I'm not counting on it. I need a hug.

Dear Megan, Thank you so much! That is exactly what I needed right now. I love the analogy!! I've trying to convince myself that even if I'm not approved, I'm going to act as though I have been - and try to follow the program, including Atkins. There IS a skinny me trying to get out and has been struggling to get free for at least 30 years. I'm happy to hear that your friend was able to keep the weight off; success stories are the lifeblood of these forums. Thank you again!!!!!

It's even MORE amazing when you translate that 40 lbs of butter to 160 sticks of butter!!!! Those 1/4 pounders add up nicely. Congratulations and a big high-five!!!!