TexasDianne

Thanks for your support, guys...keep the info coming! I love hearing about what everyone does/did before surgery. I am actually so excited about this that I am going to start tomorrow. The hell with waiting for Saturday. LOL. This should be interesting...

That's awesome! You're going to do great at this...and tell your sister that she's the best sister in the world for standing with you. :-)

You're gonna do great - don't worry! Maybe they'll give you something before you go in. Relax and before you know it, you'll be a Bandster. :-)

How did you find this doctor? Do you like him? Perhaps you should seek another surgeon who's more organized...I wouldn't have a real good impression if he kept rescheduling and springing new classes on me, etc. Something doesn't sound right. Have you googled this guy or talked to other patients who've seen him?

I started at 381 lbs. I'm at 374 now, just having given up sugar & diet soda...not even on any pre-op diet or anything yet. I'm interested to see what Protein Drinks others recommend, as I want to "try on" all aspects of the pre and post op phases before I actually have my surgery. So glad to have found these forums!

OMG yeah...I'm worried about that too. Like...is feeling full going to be enough? If I'm fortunate enough to have that feeling of restriction, is it going to stop me or am I really going to test the band and have a meltdown? My nutritionist recommended this book to me...and I'm still reading it, so I can't give a review...but it's for people who have a relationship with food like we do. Maybe it'll help us both. It's called "Intuitive Eating" and you can find it by clicking here: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0312321236/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&tag=batofthebut-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0312321236"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&Format=_SL110_&ASIN=0312321236&MarketPlace=US&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&tag=batofthebut-20&ServiceVersion=20070822"

Jason...2012 is going to be our year! Let's go, 2012 Bandsters!!!

My 6 month waiting period (ins required) is up on January 24th, so I'll most likely be banded in February...here's hoping! :-)

Sandy, I've been thinking about you! As you know, I haven't had my surgery yet...but I have had many conversations with my husband regarding what life is going to look like post op and beyond. The first several weeks after your surgery are not going to be typical when you consider the big picture - however, they are extremely important. If I were you, I would do whatever I have to do in order to focus on my own healing and recovery...even if that means not cooking for New Year's. I am fortunate in that I don't like many of the foods my husband does...most of the time, I make two dinners. However, he already knows what's not allowed in the house and what I'm not going to be focused on at first. You're the one having the surgery, but it'll make it easier if you have family willing to make the little sacrifices for you...I'm betting they'll care less about New Year's food and more about you having everything you need to succeed. :-) I'm so excited for you!

Thanks everyone! And congrats to all of you who are fighting the demons as well!! Jachut, I haven't noticed any difference yet...I'm only 11 days into my new no sugar lifestyle...and I take Ambien to sleep since I have rampant insomnia. I've been reading about a supplement called 5-HTP for people who suffer from migraines, depression, and obesity...all of which I have...and I've been taking that lately. I'm going to wean myself off Ambien before my surgery. Hopefully the healthier lifestyle I'm moving towards will help correct the insomnia and depression...I believe it will! (the insomnia is not due to sleep apnea...already been down that road)

Hi everyone! I'm in my 6 month insurance waiting period, which will be over on January 24th. I don't have a surgery scheduled yet but I expect it to be in February. Anyway, I'm trying to give myself every head start I can possibly give myself in order to ensure that I'm successful. I have just over 200 lbs to lose. So...11 days ago, I gave up sugar. 8-) When I say sugar, I mean candy...cookies...cake....baked crap. Any of my sugary vices that give me a cheap thrill...that's what I mean. I do not mean that I've suddenly become a "sugar nazi" and won't eat a certain healthy food because it's got a little sugar in it. My mother in law had sent me a ton of butter toffee & petit fours for Christmas and I made myself so sick eating them that I threw my hands in the air and said "That's it...I QUIT!" I took what was left and threw it in the trash. That was 11 days ago. I'm surprised I've been able to do this during the holidays. I work in an office and people kept leaving me goodies for Christmas and I would pick them right up and walk them over to our community kitchen and leave them for others to eat. I had no major issues with any of this...until 2 days ago. Mother Nature stopped by and I spent Christmas in the Happy Land of Cramps & Bloating. Ugh. The sugar/crap cravings came on hard. I was in such a horrible mood on Saturday. I know I was a challenge for my husband to be around. It's made me realize that I'm going to need to be ready with healthy behaviors so that I can replace my naughtiness with something good...so I spent yesterday dusting off my needlework supplies & projects. It's extremely difficult to eat and do needlework...because you have to keep your hands totally clean. I do counted cross stitch mostly...which requires focus & counting...so I plan on using that to steal focus away from my cravings and onto something positive. I'm also lucky to have a hubby who's completely supportive and understanding. We were watching the food network last night, which was totally fine because it was about BBQ and I don't like BBQ (please don't tell...I can get kicked outta Texas for saying that! LOL). The programming switched to one about cake and I said "Okay, time to watch something else babe..." He immediately changed the channel. :-) Thank God for the hubby being so agreeable. This has really hit home for me and I am a little afraid of what I'm going to be like after surgery when these moods/cravings hit me. I am really glad I chose to take these steps before surgery...because I think I'll have dealt with the no sugar thing enough by the time I have my surgery, which will make me ready to deal with the restriction phase (armed with my hobbies & new determination to focus). I've got myself down to 1 diet dr pepper a day as well...so this is the week I wean myself off of it completely. I definitely see the benefit to grabbing the reigns before surgery in order to multiply the chances of success. I can begin to imagine how much more difficult this would be if I'd waited to tackle this stuff after being banded. Yikes!

Weight loss, stress, you name it...it can take its toll. I'm super duper regular and have had a couple major surgeries before and mine hasn't faltered...but I know plenty of women who've had this happen. No worries, sweetie!

Chas, I'm not having my surgery until February - but this is also the part I'm most concerned about too. :-) I already suck at diets (obviously) and the thought of liquids only...and being hungry...is intimidating to me, but I am doing everything I can to mentally prepare myself for that week. I only have to do it for 7 days. 7 days is nothing compared to the change this is going to make in my life. I know I can tough it out and stick with it, but the anticipation is killing me. Let's go already!

You can call Kaiser and find out from them...it's mostly to do with your insurance and not your doc. My insurance requires a 6 month waiting period in which I have to log all my food & exercise so that they can see I tried. Yeah, I've been trying for 20+ years...bring on the band, baby. :-) What state are you moving to?

Sweetie, I've been obese for over 20 years and I was one of those "you're taking the easy way out" people until earlier this year. I'll tell you one thing: YOU are the only person who can make this decision for you. What finally flicked the switch for me this year was realizing that I've fought my weight for over 20 years, repeatedly saying "I can do this myself...I don't need the easy way out!" And yet...here I am. 215 lbs overweight. So if I can do it myself...why haven't I? I am now able to look at this surgery as a tool and not as an easy way out. In fact, if you look at the facts and what we all have to do before and after surgery...this is NOT easy. This is a tool, not a quick fix or a guaranteed thing. We all have to work to get the weight off and change the way we're living our lives. Finally, I thought about my Dad...who was never able to beat his alcoholism and died at the young age of 67. I realized that if there had been a surgery that would have helped him to stop the drinking...I would have supported him. I would have wanted him to do it. Because I would have had so many more years with my Dad...and now he's gone. I'll never have that. You have to do what is right for you. Let your friends and family know that you've made your decision and that you're standing by yourself. Make it clear that you've heard their input...and now it's time for them to shut it. You can stand your ground and have healthy boundaries...you're going to need to flex those muscles in the months and years to come. As far as support is concerned, you have it all right here sweetie. You can do this. And we will support you and be here for you.

I would talk to my doctor - that is probably going to make you feel much better. The main objective seems to be to shrink your liver before surgery. If you are drastically reducing your calorie & fat intake, a little solid food shouldn't hurt you...especially if if's healthy solid food. Just to be sure, though, check with your doc...none of us can answer this question better than he/she can! :-)

Steph, thank you so much for such a great post. This is really helpful to me. I have a first generation BodyBug, which I loved...but I do not like anything that requires me to have a membership (am I made of money? NO!) and I am one of the people who would break out where the bug "sat" on the back of my arm. Drove me nuts. I'm going to look into FitBit. I know the Bug monitors all your functions through changes in the skin's temp and texture, etc...not sure how FitBit can do that if it's clipped onto a bra, though, so I'd like to read through their FAQ's and see how it really works. Having read your very organized and thoughtful post, though, it seems like Fit Bit is definitely the way to go. Thank you again so much for posting all this info!

I had a bodybugg for a while and it was AWESOME. I loved going through my day and then getting home and downloading my info and seeing that I needed to get up and move my butt for 30 mins if I wanted to hit my deficit for the day. It was very motivating for exercise.

Good morning everyone! I've seen several posters mention having horrible nausea after surgery and wanted to mention this... My first major surgery was having 60% of my thyroid taken out. The anesthesiologist never mentioned to me that morphine & other drugs they use to make you go to sleep will make you nauseous. Here's the kicker: they can prevent it from happening, but only if they administer the anti-nausea meds BEFORE you go under. Personally, I don't know why every anesthesiologist doesn't just do that for patients who've never had major surgery. The result was me waking up and throwing up repeatedly...right after THROAT SURGERY. Yowch! So if you've never had surgery, talk to your anesthesiologist before he puts you under and ask about anti-nausea meds. Who wants to throw up after abdominal surgery? I realize our tummies are empty, but still...not fun!

So sorry you had complications - thank goodness you showed symptoms in the hospital and this didn't happen after you were home! I have only told two members of my family, a few friends, and of course my husband. My brother is against it and is fond of telling me why...so after telling him the topic was off limits, I've decided to keep it quiet. The main reason for this is not because I'm ashamed of anything, but more because I don't want this to become who I am. I don't want everyone to always be asking "How is the lap band going?" I want to experience this for me...and go through it as I should without having to deal with constant questions & input from others. Hope your recovery is going well!

was he testing you, perhaps? I think it's ridiculous that any doctor predicts the future. YOU are the only one in control...if you want to hit a certain goal, HIT it. The band is only a tool to help you get to that goal...no one can predict what you will do but you. :-) Go, girl!

Beth, Please be careful and don't hurt yourself. We're all in the same boat as far as the over-eating monster is concerned, so you definitely have friends here who understand how hard it is...but you're eating things your new body isn't ready for and I'm worried that you could hurt yourself. Listen, we all have our emotional issues with food...but it IS only food. It has no real power. People like us are always sacrificing ourselves for others...that is part of the reason why we're here. "I need to do XYZ for someone...I'll exercise later..." etc. This time has to be FOR YOU. Your post-op phase should especially be ABOUT YOU. You mentioned parties...don't go. I'm sorry, but you are more important than a party if you're going to be overly tempted by food. Caroline mentioned in her reply that she was helping her mother in law cook...and I know this may sound harsh to some, but I would NOT help my mother in law if it was going to tempt me. I am in the pre-op/insurance waiting phase, so I haven't had my surgery yet - but I'm already planning the changes that are going to have to be made in my house. My husband is already aware and has agreed that certain foods will not be permitted in the house until I say I'm comfortable with them being back. He's only allowed to bring certain kinds of take out home (I hate chinese food, so he can have a free for all with that...but if I see a pizza anywhere near my house, I'll kick his booty!) Removing yourself from tempting circumstances and going into "boot camp mode" in terms of a liquid diet, etc...those are not things that have to be permanent. Those are just baby steps that are necessary to take until you make new, healthy habits... Before you know it, it'll be Christmas 2012 and you'll be walking around a Christmas party looking FABULOUS in a little black dress...nibbling on an hors deurve (however you spell it) or even a small cookie...and you're going to be so grateful that you made a few little sacrifices in the beginning. It won't seem like a big deal to you at all next year. C'mon, girl, you can do this. Stop giving yourself grief and take control. You are far too smart & strong to be the only thing standing in your way. You GO girl! Chin up...your new life is beginning!

OMG, Sandy, I've been thinking about you all day today...this is great news!!! I've heard of cash patients getting scheduled really fast - I'm so happy for you! I've been reading the forums a lot as well and don't forget Life Savers (sugar free) or Halls Throat Drops (sugar free) in case you have a dry mouth after surgery...and Gas X strips...ya know...in case you're farty. :-) Congratulations!!!!!!!!!

Congratulations! That's more than a pound a day...holy crap! I haven't been banded yet either, but I have a question...only 2 oz of water a day? I'd asked about that at my doc's office, actually, because here in Texas it's pretty important to stay hydrated in the summer. They told me water passes right through the band. I guess maybe that's something that happens after recovery from surgery, etc? I hope! LOL

I haven't had my surgery yet...and I've gained a little during my 6 month documented diet. I believe I have a handle on it now, but one of the previous posters is dead on: it is just food. We have to stop giving it so much power. It is hard to do this over the holidays, but focus on making the changes you can make now so that your surgery goes easier for you. You can do it!