Onamissionn2013

Awesome post!! This is just the level I'm praying to get to! 14 Feb can't get here fast enough...so ready for my new life... Thank you for sharing! This is just what I needed to read today! Have a wonderful day!

Keep up the good work! You look great!

Praying for each of you!

Welcome! I'm on the 14th too! Pre-op is going well for me. I just keep remembering the end goal!

I'm on day 3 of pre-op. Should be day 4 but I started 1 day late because I needed my approval letter in my hand (which I did receive). But all in all, I'm doing better than my mind told me I'd do! My pre-op is 3 high Protein Shakes and 1 meal (consists of lean meat-4oz, starch-1/2 cup, veggie-1cup, fruit-1, low fat milk-4oz, fat-1tsp). I break the meal up during the day so I'll eat the fruit somewhere mid-day, and I might eat the starch or veggie separately. I'm actually having a problem getting the last shake in! I've been waddling in Water (I love water, but have increased my intake), and I can have sf popsicles, sf Jello, broth, decaf tea, diet snapple, crystal light & Protein Drinks. I purposely stayed away from home on Saturday because I knew if I were in the house, I'd go in the kitchen to cook! It really helped. I had jello in the car and plenty of water. Did a lot of window shopping (keep my purse in the car). But I wanted to share that I have tried unjury and I like them..ordering more. But what I really like is the Baractric Advantage Protein shakes...especially the Orange Cream. Tastes just like a creamsicle!!! They are more expensive than Unjury, but they're good. I bought one of different flavors (chocolate, banana, vanilla), so I'll let you know about them. So, because I leave in Europe, it takes longer for me to get my orders, so I'm already re-ordering. So...all in all...this isn't so bad. I'm t-minus 11 days and counting! I'm getting things in place here at home since I live alone (daughter away in college), but I have a great support system here with my friends-one of which has had the lapband surgery at the same hospital. So she's been in my ear with tons of information. She had her surgery Nov 2011 and is doing well. We CAN do this.. .YES WE CAN!!!

Thanks. Date's been changed 3 times..but I'm determined to stick with being a Valentine Bander!

I want my top to match my bottom. I've always been top heavy, so I know I'll never be able to do strapless because of the shoulder grooves, but I want to buy a suit off the rack and not have to switch the bottoms out! Maybe I'll even get some butt and hips along the way, cause I sure don't have them now! lol But for real, I'm losing as I said in my other post, to come off of meds, and prayerfully be around a long time for my 18 year old daughter! It's just she and I...and I want to watch her reach milestones in her life.

Fears..can't say that I have any. If I really had to identify one it would be the fear of having to pay for this surgery! That "fear" vanished this morning when I received my actualy approval by email. I needed to see it in writing! I'm happy now that BCBS has my back! lol Expectations...I'm expecting the band to be just what it's supposed to be..a tool. One that I prayerfully will make work for me. God has given me such a peace about this whole process, and I'm so excited. So, I'm expecting greatness, because that's what God has in the plans for me...Greatness! Goals..my ultimate goal is to be healthy...stop taking medicine for high blood pressure & reflux..reduce my knee & back pain...and be able to keep up with my college freshman daughter! I too love to travel, and living in Europe affords me many opportunities to do this. I haven't let my weight stop me from the many places I've gone, but I know that I can do even more being several pounds lighter! :D I've had my dates changed 3 times, but I'm truly thankful for my upcoming Valentine's present to myself! :wub: Keep posting...I'll keep reading...thanks for the inspiration! Have a blessed weekend!

Hi! I'm in Germany...about 5 hours from you! Surgery date is 14 Feb. On my 14 day preop now. Excited...prayerful...READY!!!

Valentine's Day--14 Feb. I'm praying that my insurance company doesn't get stupid again and make me change my date because they want one more piece of paper...for the 3rd time. I'm so ready...so ready...

My date is valentine's day too!

I'm just trying to see if anyone else has had to have them for their surgery. I'm in Europe, so I some things I have to buy first then submit to my insurance. I hadn't read anywhere that anyone has needed them, that's all. Also...I cannot group the 2013 Feb Bandsters group. I click to be added to the forum, but it doesn't allow me to comment or anything. I can just see the posts of everyone else. So--did the hospital put compression hose on you your 1st time around? Thanks

Has anyone had to get compression hose for their surgery? My surgeon is requiring them and they're almost $400!!!! I know I can file a claim with my insurance, but $400...really?

My date is 14 Feb and I'm in Germany. Just pray--we're almost on the other side!

I'm February 14th too! What a great valentine present to ourselves!

My surgeon required it. Endocrinology is the study of hormones. I'm glad my surgeon required me to see the endocrinologist because I truly felt that the "complete" blood work that my regular doctor had done wasn't showing the entire picture of my health. So I found out that in addition to my high blood pressure (that I found out about 2 yrs ago), my thyroid levels needed to be evaluated further and I am borderline diabetic! Now diabetes runs on both sides of my family, so I'm not surprised by that diagnosis, but it's another reason I wanted to get my band--so I wouldn't become a diabetic. Also--my dad has thyroid issues--has for the last 20 yrs. So even though I'm praying that many if not all of these issues will eventually leave me once I get banded and start my new life, I would have never totally known what I'm up against. My visit wasn't anything hard--mainly lots of little vitals of my blood! and he did an ultrasound on my thyroid. But the endocrinologist looks for more in your blood than a regular doctor does. Hope this helps. Blessings to you.

Yes ma'am there are! I know that there are some threads on here specific to faith, but I've met several others who are walking by faith in their band-life. God ordering my steps has been the only way I've made it this far on my journey. And Him keeping me encouraged as my date continues to be changed has been helping me keep my sanity. So yes...you'll find us Spirit-filled Christians sprinkled throughout these threads. Don't give the devil any room here...God doesn't bring you to something good...that will help to better your life...to take it away. God wants us to care for our temples... and some of us need the band to help to do that... Stay encouraged with your head held high!

Hi there. My date has been changed 3 times, but prayerfully I'm staying on 14 February. What a Valentine's present to me! I've been trying unjury shakes. www.unjury.com They have a sample pack that's only about $20 I think. But they are good. I also ordered from www.drugstore.com Carb Solutions High Protein shake Mix. I keep that one at work and the Creamy Vanilla is really good. I like the unjury because it comes indiviually packaged. I'm on the go a lot, so I don't need something that I have to measure out. The Carb Solutions I do...but I'm at my desk so it's not a problem. I also just ordered ProtiDiet Protein Fruit Drink Concentrate from www.bariatricchoice.com I am a fan of grape kool-aid, so I ordered the grape flavor. just got it in the mail, so I'll be trying it soon. It has 15g of protein, no fat and 2g Carbs--so we'll see. Also check www.bariatricadvantage.com I ordered a Nextar sample pack. Haven't tried them yet.This site has a wealth of information! Vitamins, supplements, all kinds of good stuff. I've been tryin to incorporate 1 protein shake in my daily diet to get used to it. One week before I start my 14 day pre-op diet, I will include 2 Protein Shakes. Hopefully that will ease the shock to my system and I won't have the side effects that everyone talks about. If I do have the side effects...I'll just deal with them...come too far to turn back now Praise God! Hope something I've shared is helpful. Be blessed.

Ain't nobody's busniess but your own. People mean well but they're quick with an opinion on YOUR body. I'm not even telling my job why I'm out. Had my doctor write a note that I'm under medical care. By law they can't ask me what.

I've been pushed to February 7...was originally 30 January. But all is good. I'm going to be banded! My pre-op diet also includes 1 meal w/a lean Protein. I was surprised because my friend who used the same surgeon a little over a year ago wasn't allowed any solid food.

I was reminded of something a stranger told me when I was trying to find money for my daughter for college this past summer. Even though she had a 3.76GPA, her college choice didn't give her a dime..only loans. This lady told me--"A delay is NOT a denial!" And I received that then...and I receive that NOW! Thanks!

So...I spoke with my surgeon after I got my approval in December and we set a date of 30 Jan 2013. He scheduled my pre-op appointment for today, Monday, @ 0830. So I get there and the first thing he starts telling me is that the band has so many complications and problems and they aren't really doing but about 30% bands but I should really get the bypass or the sleeve. WITH THE HECK!?!??! He then asks why am I so adamant about the band and I tell him that it's not permanent, and I have an option in my health and weight loss and I want the band. I did my research on this long and thoroughly. So he says ok. Then I go to see the anesthesiologist and I understand all that...then I have to go back to my surgeon. I then meet the other surgeon who is on the team at the hospital. He starts in with the same yada yada the first surgeon did and I tell him that I still choose to do the band. He then asks about the other surgeries I've had (I've had my gall bladder & spleen removed). He then proceeds to say that when they go in, if there is too much scar tissue that may have attached to my stomach from the previous surgeries, that they might not be able to place the band....that I have to have a plan B...like the sleeve or bypass....or they could just close up and come out. I didn't have to give them an answer right then, but I could tell them the day of surgery what my plan B is. (BTW...let me say that I live & work in Europe--yes I'm American, and apparently they aren't fans of the lapband, but they do them if the patient asks...but they push the bypass & sleeve...I ain't down for that!) If I'd wanted the sleeve or bypass...wouldn't I have said so in the beginning? Then, since the 2nd surgeon is unavailable on the Jan 30th, he said that they needed to find another date sometime in February...WHAT THE HECK??? I said look man, the ONLY reason my date is in January is because I had to wait on my insurance's approval and now you're pushing me to February? So I got pushed 1 week out to 7 February...I'm so mad I could SPITTTTTTTTT!!!! I'll have an endoscopy on Jan 24th. OK...I just had to get that out. If the surgeon can't do the band then PLAN B is I'm telling him to close me up and send me home! That just means God had something better for me!

Thanks...being quiet has never been a strong suit of mine...lol I was just frustrated today and needed to vent to those who would understand!

I wish it were that easy. I'm overseas, and I don't know of many doctors that do this surgery AND will work with an American insurance (BCBS). A friend used this surgeon and I agree...it's probably the money thing. I'm too close to start over again. And he'll do what I want...I guess he just had to get the last sales pitch in. I'm just ready for my lifestyle change.. I'm normally one of the most postive people you'll meet...I'm just a little frustrated right now because my original band date was 11 Dec. I'll be ok...and this surgery WILL get done...just another mountain for my God to move! Thanks for the encouraging words! Congrats on your success so far!

Found it! Amazon..$31. I'm on it! Thanks ladies! :rolleyes: