Debra

Thanks, Alex! My surgery is this Monday ...2 more days! I have been thinking along the lines of your post; ie, "gee, there sure are a lot of things that can go wrong with this thing"! But I've also been reminding myself that there are a lot of bandsters we haven't heard from in a while. Most likely it is because they have gotten on with their lives, are no longer fearing the unknown, and they are having no problems. When I came back from vacation, I was concerned 'cos my buddy BaileyM hadn't posted and she is newly banded. Turns out ... she's doin' great, following doc's directions and feeling good. I try to just keep this is mind! Maybe we should start a monthly "check-in" thread, just to give people who have "nothing to say" a place to say it! Thanks again!

Michelle, meet me in the chat room! Sorry I'm late!

I say when all of us hit goal ... we bring back mini skirts and go-go boots! There are enuf of us here to start a trend! The 1st time I lost a ton of weight I was so happy to fit into my old jeans, then cracked up when I realized they were hip-hugging bell-bottoms! Of course, now those are back! Everything old is new again!!

Nanny! So glad to hear you are doing so well! Keep up the great attitude and you'll be just fine!

Leatha Best wishes for you tomorrow! Remember; just like when you first got your band, it is a healing time for you! You'll be back to the "restricted life" in no time! Thoughts and prayers headed your way!!

Hi Janie, hope you're feeling better! Ladies, is constipation a common problem w/ banding? All this time my biggest concern has been ripping out my port while doing my "trying to wipe - gymnastics"! How 'bout good 'ol prune juice? Monday's my band-day so the questions are 'a brewin'!!

Hey Dizzy, Glad you dropped back in! I have my surgery w/ Dr. Deol on the 19th (5 days!). Any words of wisdom on after-care w/ her? Fills, etc. I have a feeling the aftercare is terriffic 'cos it's sure been great post-op! You are doing awesome! Congrats! Are you working w/ Patrizia for nutrition? Welcome back!

Let's keep track of me, um, I mean, US! Debra Surgery scheduled for July 19th! That's 1 week from today! I've been on my pre-surgery low-carbs for a week! Feeling good, except for a major headache the last few days! Other Julyers? Pre-band, post-band?

What a great thread! Keith: I am one week away from my surgery! I started my pre-surgury low-carb diet last week and have lost 4 1/2# that I know are gone forever! This is a new way of thinking, and a thought process I have never had before! I love it! Alex: You brought tears to my eyes, as you frequently do! You always manage to bring home the realization of what this is all about! Living, breathing, moving with a sense of ease, not total discomfort! Marie: How amazing! I'm taking half of the prescription meds. My blood pressure, arthritis, asthma, and hiatal hernia are almost none existent. This with a 25# loss of weight! Phenomenol! Great job! Darcy: My older band-twin! (ha! brown-noser!) 13 pounds! Awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bless you, Keith! I hope you continue to share all your peaks and valleys with us here! You are a great writer!

Awesome Leo! You look great and I'm sure you must feel sooo good! Congrats on your one year "bandaversary"!

Just got back from 2 weeks of camping and I have MISSED THIS BOARD and all of you! I have only skimmed over the 7 pages of "new posts" but I wanted to say Hello! Darcy ... you are BANDED! I can't believe it! Woooo Hooooo! Michelle, I hope you are doing well, I didn't see anything from you! Donali, I am so sorry for all you have gone though! You are such a great support and such a good person! Thanks for all you have shared and I wish you all the best! I started my pre-op "diet" on Monday, 7-5. Less than 30 carbs a day. There is still a lot to eat and I feel like I am cheating! I see the nutritionist tomorrow, and she will probably confirm that yes, I'm doin' it wrong!! July 19th is rapidly approaching! Not nervous yet, I guess I am still in disbelief! I'm ready, I'm ready, I'm ready!!

Thank you Ladies! I saw my nutritionist today and she sid I am right on track. Just staying Low-carb 'til the 19th! She also gave me the Phase 1 outline for the 1st week to 10 days. I've been reading about that for three or four months here on this board ... but it didn't really sink in until the instructions had my name on them! No, my rough camping vacation was in our 26 1/2 foot travel trailer, complete w/ central air and a bathroom inc. shower. I have a queen size bed in my master bedroom! Not really roughing it, but it's a nice get-away! The kids love it and we take the dogs w/ us, so it's a lot of fun. We are going again early August. Glad to be back!!!

You feel good, na na na na na na na!!!! All right! I just love hearing about those NSV's!!

Hi Donali I think you should splurge and buy yourself a beautiful bracelet. Everytime you think about overeating, or eating something you shouldn't, you just rub that new beautiful "band" and you will be right back on track! Meanwhile, we can refer to you as Mrs. Muir (the ghost and ...) !! I commend you for your terrific and upbeat attitude. I know this must be such a difficult time for you and you are in my prayers!

How come my picture didn't show? BooHoo, my 1st attempt!

Hello! I'm 43, married w/ a 12 (almost 13) year old son and a 9 year old daughter. We have 2 dogs (a Rhodesian Ridgeback / Boxer named Rufus and a Chihuahua / daucshund named Sophia. Yep, one's 85#, one is 8# and they are best buddies!) We also have 2 cats, Wendall and Gunner. A year ago I went on E-diets as a "last ditch effort" I lost 18# and have put on 32 since. I came to the realization that I had to DO SOMETHING or I would die. Literally. My "something" was to chose to have a LapBand. My surgery date is July 19th, less than a month away. I start my pre-diet on July 5th. I am so ready I could just crawl into a corner and sit there until the 19th. I want it done. I know that I will not change (size-wise) overnight but I also know that this is my line in the sand, or as Rica said ... my magic stop button! My rebirth! Michelle, I think that you are an extemely brave woman! I do not think it is a coincidence that you are deciding to stick to your values at this time. I think you did a great thing for yourself getting the lapband, taking care of you; and leaving Steve now is a continuation of taking care of yourself! Best wishes to you in this difficult time! rufus&sophie.bmp

Michelle! Welcome back! The only place I could find the liquid tylenol is Walmart. It's in a red box and it's just called Adult Liquid Tylenol I asked Rebecca how things went but of course she couldn't say anything! I'm thrilled that you at least feel up to posting! How was the hospital? I hope you are feeling better and better each step of the way! Just get your rest and take it easy! Post again when you can! I can't believe it ... you're in Bandlandia!

I cannot believe it is here already! I get shivers just thinkin' it might have been me! I'm really thrilled for you and I will be praying for you! You have been researchng and soul-searching and YOU ARE READY!! This is just ONE MORE STEP! (Remind me of all this in a month, ok!?) How is the pre-diet going? Has it been difficult for you? What did Patrizia advise you for after surgery? Is there a 24-hr fast the day before surgery for Dr. Deol? Oh, I'm so excited for you!! breathe, breathe, breathe! (Though not too deeply at the concert, you never know what may be airborne! :smoke LOL! Post as soon as you can! I wonder if Rebecca will give me an update so I can post for you? If you'd like me to, I'd be glad to! Let me know if I can do anything!

Hi Msknow Go to Bariatriceating.com They have a lot of Protein items, including sample packs. I'm not sure about the unflavored samples, thou. Most products (quality products! Now-a-days are not gritty. There's a lot of competition out there, so they have to make them yummy!

Michelle, you got my date!! Glad I could help!! With all the insurance gumbo I decided to wait 'til July, 'cos I started E-diets in July of last summer, so that gives me 12 consecutive months of charts, etc. So, July 19th for me. If I could have given the original date to anyone ... it would have been you!

WooooooooHooooooooo!! Seems like it took forever, and at the same time, like you just made this decision yesterday! At least that's how I felt! Hey, my date has been changed due to insurance bull, it will now be July 19th. You may well be the "older twin"! Really, Darcy, I'm thrilled for you! It's like a new lease on life for us all!!

Alexis! You look awesome! I can't believe how much YOUNGER you look! WooooHoooooo!

Hey Darcy You know I'll be thinking of you today! If it doesn't come out as you want ....we'll just have to APPEAL! So don't be too upset if it's a no ... but it won't be!! WOOOOHOOOO! Darcy's gettin' a baaaaaand! Darcy's gettin' a baaaaaaaand! I'm having a little insurance SNAFU myself. AFTER sending the preauthorization letter, Blue Cross has changed it's criteria, effective April 1st! I need documented structured weightloss efforts for 12 consecutive months! My whole life has been a weightloss effort, I just don't have it documented! So, my PCP is writing a letter, and I do have my E-Diets charts and graphs for the last 44 weeks, so I think I'll be groovy, delayed a little at the most. So maybe we will be bandtwins! (Mom always liked you best!!)

Hey, like Donali said ... Breathe, Breathe! Whatever you do, meditation, prayer, candles, garden, whatever calms you, go do it!! This is just one more step along your journey. The hard part was researching, making the decisions, getting approval (if it's ins. pay), pre-testing. Now you're ready. YOU ARE READY! It's natural to be nervous, but let some good thoughts in too!! There are so many people here who can help you post-op, and of course your doc isn't going to just shove you out the door w/out preparing you! Just remember to be good to yourself, don't rush your healing, pamper yourself even! Best of luck to you tomorrow! Post as soon as you are able ... we'll be waiting!