TexasDianne

Hey y'all! I'm still pre-surgery (final nutritionist appointment is tomorrow...then on to the next steps...). Anyway, I've been trying to lose what I can beforehand and am still considering whether lap band or other bariatric surgery is the answer for me, but I came upon this motivation tool and it really inspires me and helps me - so I wanted to pass it on to everyone else. Motivation is a key no matter where we are in the surgery process! I went to the craft store and made myself some "Motivation Marbles" yesterday. LOL. Yes, I realize it sounds like I've lost my marbles...but look here and you'll see exactly what I'm talking about: Princess Dianne's Motivation Marbles Having these around has really helped me get my focus together. I see them first thing in the morning, they remind me of my goal as soon as I see them (and they make me smile because they're pretty!). And I love, love, love when I get to take a few out and drop 'em in the next jar. Anyway, for what it's worth...I hope it works for ya. It was a fun little craft project and I love mine!

Good luck! We'll be thinking good thoughts for ya!

Hi Sandy!!! I hear you...the idea of needles always freaks me out. I've heard it's not as bad as I imagine it would be, though. LOL Can't wait to hear how it goes...and I'll be thinking super good, supportive thoughts for you!

Sweetie, everyone's going to share with you that they felt the same way before their surgery...there have been lots of cold feet pitter pattering around on these forums. :-) I'm still not sure I'm doing to do this...just wanted to say I've had a few surgeries in my time, some that were way longer and riskier than lap band...and you're going to do just fine. It's not as scary as it seems. The nurses will treat you like gold and everyone will take wonderful care of you. Big hugs!!

Good luck to y'all! :-)

Hey there, my fellow pre-bandsters! My final nutritionist appointment is tomorrow...I've been trying to lose what I can beforehand and am still considering whether lap band or other bariatric surgery is the answer for me, but I came upon this motivation tool and it really inspires me and helps me - so I wanted to pass it on to everyone else. Motivation is a key no matter where we are in the surgery process! I went to the craft store and made myself some "Motivation Marbles" yesterday. LOL. Yes, I realize it sounds like I've lost my marbles...but look here and you'll see exactly what I'm talking about: Princess Dianne's Motivation Marbles Having these around has really helped me get my focus together. I see them first thing in the morning, they remind me of my goal as soon as I see them (and they make me smile because they're pretty!). And I love, love, love when I get to take a few out and drop 'em in the next jar. If this sounds like it would work for you and help keep you motivated and focus post-band, maybe get the supplies you need from the craft store now so that you have it all at home while you're recovering! Anyway, for what it's worth...I hope it works for ya. It was a fun little craft project and I love mine!

I am doing exactly the same thing...and I don't even have a surgery date yet. Tuesday is my final pre-op meeting before they submit everything to my insurance. After doing an "imaginary lap bad" pre-op diet several weeks ago, I realized I had some food issues that I hadn't made peace with yet...and now I'm not sure I'm ready for lap band. I went straight to healthy eating, cut out sugar and diet soda (which I'll have to do anyway if I have surgery)...and I've lost 14 lbs in a month. I would be happy for myself, but haven't we ALL been down that road before? We see a little success and then we end up failing again. I haven't ruled out surgery, I'm just not sure it's the best decision for me...or perhaps sleeve is better for me if I can't control myself. I am afraid that I would take advantage of "sliders" and it would all end up being for nothing. I'm still figuring it all out, but everyone's posts here made me feel so much better about my own head games I'm playing with myself. I wish everyone the biggest and best success no matter what!

You have the absolute best mind set for this, Sandy - I know you will be successful! I'm so excited that I get to watch your progress...go, girl!

So happy for you! Congratulations!! :-)

I tried the liquid diet from my surgeon's office in advance (possible surgery date in February). I just wanted to see if I could handle it and decided to follow it for 1 week, which is what my surgeon will require if I decide for sure to go with surgery. There's no harm in following your surgeon's pre-op diet early in order to see how you react to it...but don't follow it any longer than the time he's instructed. These diets are short term diets. I ended up only following it for 1 day, as I had a sort of "fat girl vision quest" moment and realized that I may not be making the right decision for me. It's too much to go into here, but if you want to read about why I decided to it I've posted it on my blog here: http://hotmessprincess.com/2011/12/imaginary-lap-band/ and if you want to read about the results of that incredible day, you can read that on my blog here: http://hotmessprincess.com/2011/12/imaginary-lap-band-day-1-is-done/ Again, I was following my surgeon's pre-op diet as he instructed...so I don't think there's any harm in taking that for a test drive. I am beyond happy that I chose to do this. It taught me a lot about myself and made me really think about my decision to have lap band. Whatever you decide, please use common sense and consult your doctor...that's what he's there for. :-) Best of luck to you in your success...because it's only a matter of time before you're kick'in some booty and look'in fabulous!

Hi Sandy - Good to hear you're doing well, although sorry about the hunger!! I am in "re-thinking" mode after my 1 day liquid diet last week. I'm not sure enough that I will be successful at this. I haven't but the brakes on anything yet, but I expect that I'll probably tell my surgeon to go into a holding pattern once I'm approved at the end of the month. Once I'm approved, I have a year to decide to have surgery...so there's no rush. If I'm motivated and successful (as I have been) at losing weight without the band then I want to try that. Cross your fingers for me. :-) I am so excited and happy for you - and I'm on my way over to read your surgery day story now!

Hi Sandy - Good to hear you're doing well, although sorry about the hunger!! I am in "re-thinking" mode after my 1 day liquid diet last week. I'm not sure enough that I will be successful at this. I haven't but the brakes on anything yet, but I expect that I'll probably tell my surgeon to go into a holding pattern once I'm approved at the end of the month. Once I'm approved, I have a year to decide to have surgery...so there's no rush. If I'm motivated and successful (as I have been) at losing weight without the band then I want to try that. Cross your fingers for me. :-) I am so excited and happy for you - and I'm on my way over to read your surgery day story now!

Hey, y'all - I was wondering if anyone has done what I'm about to do to myself this weekend. LOL. We all talk so much about what an adjustment this process is, from the pre-op diets to the post-op diets...we all have a hard time adjusting in one aspect or another. So I plan to go shopping for Protein powder and Meal Replacement shakes this weekend, but I'm not going to stop there. I am thinking of giving myself (pause for dramatic effect...dun dun DUN!!!!)...imaginary lap band surgery. I plan to start the pre-op diet on Saturday, then move to the post-op diets at the appropriate times. I have not been scheduled for surgery yet...that won't happen until February. But I want to take this baby out for a test drive and see what happens. I think it'll help alleviate some of the apprehension for me if I go through it knowing I have the "safety net" of being able to eat actual food if I really need to. Has anyone else tried this or am I the only one who's certifiable around here? :-)

Yeah, Maddy, the shakes my surgeon wants me to drink are 11 grams of Protein...not too far off of that - but I'm an emotional eater, so I'm sure my "freak out" was as much emotional as anything else. I was hungry at times, but I know it was more than that for me. I was surprised at my reaction, still...because I know with my head that I'm an emotional eater and I tried to keep in touch with that, but my body and subconscious weren't listening. LOL. (PS...thanks, Highland!!) :-)

Yes, I sure have...I went ahead and got the ball rolling because I have a 6 month waiting period before I can have surgery. I was very impressed with this surgeon and the other patients I've spoken with who've used him all think he's wonderful as well. I don't have a problem with a week long liquid diet. Since I have to make significant changes anyway in order to be successful, a week isn't going to kill me. This is a lesson I needed to learn and I'm super grateful for it. :-)

Yeah, I realize that...but the first part is just the pre-op diet, which I will be on sans restriction. I wanted to see what that would be like as well, since I'll end up having to do it if I definitely decide on surgery after my insurance waiting period is over. Boy, did I learn a lesson, you guys!!! I take my hat off to those of you who've had your surgery and had to go through the pre-op 7 day liquid diet. The first several hours were sheer misery for me. The experiment ended up having a profound effect on me that I could never have predicted. I wrote about it on my blog, which you can find here: http://hotmessprincess.com/2011/12/imaginary-lap-band-day-1-is-done/ I continue to weigh my options on both sides of the fence...and I'm so grateful to have these forums and all of you to answer questions/offer advice.

For me it was all the cutting. The higher risk involved with internal bleeding, re-routing how your insides work, and the fact that after bypass surgery food is not longer passing through the duodenum (which absorbs Vitamins, minerals, and nutrients). In addition, I worked for a healthcare corporation once and gastric bypass was free. I had about 10 girlfriends and co-worker do it years ago and saw all kinds of complications from it. I know only 1 person in all 10 who's kept the weight off. My best friend has had 2 hernia surgeries because she's gained all her weight back and her insides are just shot. It isn't worth that to me. The band seems like the best, most responsible decision with the least drama...for me...and that's why I'm considering it. :-) These forums are a huge help in my research and decision process.

Yep, first step is to call your insurance to see if they pay for it. They will most likely have an approved list of surgeons and others that are out of network. Make sure you choose someone who's in network. (I found a surgeon I thought I would like, then checked with my insurance before I schedule the appt to make sure it was covered) My ins requires me to wait 6 months, do a psych eval, and see a nutritionist...my 6 months is up in January, so I'm thinking surgery will be February. I'm still on and off the fence as far as whether I will actually have the surgery. I'm still learning about it all and I don't want to make the wrong decision for me. Welcome to these forums...you will find all the help you need here!

Congratulations!!! I'll be thinking good thoughts for you from Arlington, Texas! Go, girl!

LOL Okay, I know this topic is gross but I'd like to thank the OP for bringing it up...I haven't been banded yet and these types of questions really help those of us who are coming in behind you in this process. Congrats to all of you on the great output. :-)

Sweetie, you might want to call you doctor to give them a heads up...and not wait 2 weeks. This might be the indication of something serious...a phone call won't hurt and it might even make you feel better. Hope it gets better soon!

I'm so glad you're on the other side and that things went well! Be sure to keep us posted...so happy for you! :-)

I'm going thru Dr Stowers at Bariatric Solutions. Everyone in that office is awesome...I have no complaints. They are so attentive and responsive. They have several offices around DFW, but I went to their Dallas office up by the Galleria. 940-626-4683

Please call your doctor, sweetie. This doesn't sound good. Depression can be a symptom of your anethesia AND your surgery. You've just gone through a huge change. PLEASE call your doctor immediately and then post here and let us know how you're doing??? We're all in this together with you.

My BMI is...I dunno...5,000 or something. Okay, 56. But I have no health issues other than the fact that my arm reaches out and grabs any partially hydrogenated, fat laden food I walk by. :-) No problem here.