azhoselady

Hello All, I am all set for my surgery on May 18th. I am a private pay so I have gone through this process pretty fast. Unfortunately my insurance has no coverage for Bariatrics so this was the only way to get the surgery. I start my liquid diet on May 8th. I am trying to prepare myself and I am really looking forward to this. I am done being tired and slugish. I don't like snoring and not liking how I look in clothes. I use to wonder how people wouldn't realize they were getting fat and stop it. Here I am 60lbs overweight and I get it. Tired of all the yo-yo diets. Ready to make a life long change... Hope to talk to all of you soon!

Elizabeth thank you for your compliment of my photo... Amazing what we look like with a professional makeup artist, hairstylist and photographer! You are right Coach Wooden left us some amazing words of inspirations! I really appreciate all of you sharing tips and ideas. I haven't researched this as much I would normally for something like this...But my fear of my health has motivated me to move quickly.

Hi Everyone, I am trying to get all my suggestions strait. Is there one tip or idea that you took from the site that you are really happy you did? Maybe any suggestions on things you wish you knew before the surgery that you could share with us yet to be banded? Thanks in advance....

oh I forgot.... My surgery is May 18th so EXCITED!!!!!

Hello Everyone! Scorpiolady I am a zonie too! Born and raised After reading all the stories I think we all have shared a similar journey. I am a 44year old Mom of 3 boys: 24,16 and 14. I was the baby of my family and born to parents in their 40's who spoiled me rotten. food was a reward for being a good girl and my childhood was candy and soda. Not to mention that my Grandmother lived with us and cooked and baked a lot. I have very early memories of her frying apple tarts. She didn't make ANYTHING that wasn't fried! Just prior to high school I went on my first diet and did well. I was 115lbs all through high school. However after my first baby at 19 I started to struggle with my weight and so I went on yet another diet. This became my routine for the past 24 years. I have done them all.... Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, Nutrasystem, Well 4 life, HCG, Slimfast, Atkins, sensa. I too drop the weight for a time and then slip back into the old patterns and put the weight back on. I am scared of failure but, I am determined. Being almost 45 I am starting to have health issues and it scares me. I was recently diagnosed with sleep apnea and PCOS which the doctors believe is related to my weight. So before I am a diabetic or have to have heart surgery I am going to get healthy and being slim is a part of that. My BMI is 33 and I am 57lbs overweight. However, my lovely insurance company doesn't cover bariatrics in my plan so I am a private pay. I feel blessed to be able to afford it. I also know this is an investment in my health. My ex husband just passed away in December (cancer) and that can happen to any of us but I need to be around for my sons. God forbid something like that happens to me but knowing I can control some of my health issues has brought me to lap band. I can't sit by and let the health issues pile up till its too late. Lastly I am a newlywed. I feel so blessed to have met and married the love of my life. He is my rock and biggest supporter. We talk about how we wish we would have met 20 years ago. I really wish he could have known me when I was 128 not 185! I want to like what I see when I look in the mirror. Its time for the outside package to match what's inside! Looking forward to getting to know all of you on this journey! T

Congrats! so exciting. I start my pre op diet on May 4 and surgery is on the 18th. We are both May banders! Good Luck on your journey,

Wow!!!!! Congratulations! You are a true inspirations... Yes, what is tell us the secrets? How often do you work out time/days per week? My Doctor says 30 mins 5 times per week is his required of his patients. I am on day two of that Good luck and keep it going!

Hi Manda! I have been told by my Dr. NOT to drink with my food and to not drink 30 minutes before or after eating. This has been the hardest thing for me. I am trying to not have a glass anywhere near me but I feel like if I don't have water close to me I might choke. I know so crazy but this is a habit I have had all my 40plus years of life! One day at a time I guess. Good Luck everyone!

Thanks Everyone for your comments! Good for you Guru to not give up! PS I LOVE John Wooden, the best Coach EVER!!!! Megan are you getting excited? My date still seems like so far out but its only a month! How is your liquid diet going?

Oneangel what shakes are you using? I don't start my liquid diet till May 8th. You can do it!

Hi Jenn1214, I am new here and haven't had a lot of personal experience but, I have been a life long dieter and if I had used them as a tool and took it to heart I might not be here today. I agree that nagging him will probably not help get the result you are hoping for. I have been looking on this board a lot and I have seen post about things going wrong. I have a friend who just got re-banded after 5 years due to a slip. It is her fault and she knows it. She has ate around her band for years. She lost 80lbs and yet she drinks diet soda like a crazy women. Hit McDonald's almost everyday and continues to eat ice cream. She also traded her food addiction for prescription drugs and is very luck to be alive. This was a wake up call for her she was very sick. Her Doctor told her he would try to do the surgery but if she has any other issues, she is done. The fear of gaining all that weight back seems to have put her on the right course. Does he read these boards? Maybe just sharing some of the scary stuff will help him. For me seeing good habits and support work great. I also just wanted to say hi to you and tell you look amazing! Way to go girl!

awesome, i wouldn't have known about the pillow... I can see that being VERY helpful on the ride home. I was wondering about that... I figured my dietitian will let me know food wise what I should have on hand for the first few days. thanks for the tips please keep ideas coming

I am in the pre surgery phase too. I just got scheduled for my surgery on May 18th. I am already wondering how it will be and why I couldn't to do this on my own with diet and exercise. Then, I think about all the money and time I have spent on fad diets that haven't worked. I am starting to have health issues that are due to being over weight. That combined with my ex husband passing away of cancer in December woke me up and made me decide to do this. I need to be healthy for my sons and MYSELF! I It is going to be a tool for us to use to get healthy and live. You are not alone I am right there with you. I am so happy I found this site and found other who feel the same way. Hang in there and best of luck!

Hi Judych, Thank you for your reply... When do you have your surgery? How are you doing so far?

So Happy to hear this.... Dr. DeBarros is my surgeon too! I am scheduled for May 18th I hope I have as much success as you!

Hi Everyone! I am new too... I am scheduled for my band surgery on May 18, 2012. I am private pay and my BMI is 33 so I will only have to do the liquid diet for 10 days prior to surgery. I am trying to get active now and also trying to chew slow and more and not drink with my meals. That has been the toughest for me. I keep forgetting! So excited and a bit scared too. Looking forward to getting to know all of you on our shared journey!

I don't know the answer to your question as I am not on my liquid diet yet. Just wanted to say hello and wish you luck! What day is your surgery scheduled for?

Hello everyone... I am going to my Dr in the morning to meet with the nutritionalist and start my journey. I have been stalking the forum for a week or so now. Like many I have tried all the diets out there with some success and ultimately I put the weight back on plus a few more.. I am looking for a tool to help me as I change my lifestyle once and for all. I am 44 years old Mom of 3 boys. I am atleast 60lbs over weight.. Sorry I can't remember my BMI right now. 5' 4" 185 LBS Goal.... to be Healthy!!!! I haven't really picked a number but at my best I was 127lbs. Although I haven't seen that since I was 25! I look forward to talking to all of you soon! azhoselady

Hi Bob, I am a private pay as my insurance won't cover me. I start my first appointment tomorrow... So excited. I would like to be friends and help support one another on this board! I am a 44 year old married Mommy of 3 boys and I wish I could run more with them... I get a bit winded coming up the stairs! I don't have a desk job but I am in sales. I am only going to be able to take a week off but I will make it work and take it slow on the second week. Really looking forward to getting healthy. Stay in touch! Azhoselady

congratulations! I am in the pre banding stages....excited to get to where you are at.... Glad to hear it was a success! Keep us posted on your journey