Bandista

Hi there! I am a November bander, too -- congratulations not his decision for a healthy happy future. I am very excited.

Best wishes -- you've got this!

Hi Kelly, so excited for you making this decision to take back your health! There is a group of November banders for you to join. If you look all the way down in forum topics? Sorry I'm not a sophisticated enough user to give you better directions! My date is 11/5 and I'm doing pre-op liquid diet now. Very excited that it's all happening at last. Started my journey in June. Started my battle with weight twenty-two years ago.

Oh, and Starfish, that made my day. Drill Sarge! And don't we carry our weight so well? If any one tells me that in the next ten days I might slap them. But really the liquid phase is not bad at all. I am not hungry, just a little irritable and need to get those shakes in. I think it's the combo of the low caloric intake in tandem with pre-surgery jitters (even minor ones) that make this a little more challenging. Or I'm just moody this week, probably have PMS on top of the usual. Something else to worry about for surgery day!

Ramble on -- we will look forward to the blog! I hope I was too crabby up above. It's the pre-op day three and hadn't had my shake yet. My family will agree I'm a little grumpier than usual, plus I wonder myself if I'm doing the right thing, etc. YES, I AM! 245 on a 5'6" frame is fat enough. Gee, now I'm yelling with all caps and everything.

I am on day three of my pre-op diet. It would be nice to get a little chunk off prior to the surgery because I'd like that head start. I am able to be successful on a short-term plan -- even for a few months. I've gotten twenty or thirty off over and over again but I always gain it back because I can't sustain the ultra-strict dieting it took to get me there. That's why I want the band. I need something to help control my appetite. Maybe you were not a Yo Yo dieter so you have a different perspective. We are all different. I am not on death's door with obesity. I am fairly tall and can get away with being this fat even though you would probably think I'm not heavy enough to go through something this drastic. I have had the discomfort of overweight for twenty years and my health is suffering. Should I wait until I am even worse off? Let's not judge each other for not being fat enough. There are a lot of people here considering whether or not to do surgery or recovering from being banded. Who gets to decide what is right for them? They do, along with their doctor.

Hi Misty, my insurance company's only requirement was a BMI of 40+ and I was borderline for that -- had to be creative. The hospital's LB Coordinator did an intake and sent info to them which included a statement about how I have tried many weight loss methods without success, etc. All the insurance companies are different but the hospital/weight loss center will work to meet their requirements on your behalf. Good luck to you!

Good luck to you tomorrow!

Yippee! So happy for you -- and now you're in Onederland, too (under 200). Congratulations on all. Keep us posted!

I would write down everything you have tried -- just like in your post. Calorie-counting, low-carb and whatever else. I think they just need a statement for the insurance company but not formal proof. I'm 52 so my list was extensive -- WW, Atkins, Blood Type Diet, The Zone, Fat Flush, Cackling Grapefruit -- you name it! Good luck to you. Exciting to begin this journey!

Hi there, very excited for you! I've been on this forum for a few months and have learned so much from the people here. Now everything is falling into place and in two weeks I'll be banded. I look forward to being on the forum together!

Defeated? Not at all! You have lost twenty-five pounds and have not even really begun yet. I have not had my surgery yet but my understanding is that the band has been installed then comes the adjustable part of your adjustable lapband, the fill. You are doing everything right, the protein, the exercise. Your body is healing. The weight is going to come off but this is a time many people have a hard time with -- the in-between time. Keep up the good work and November 12 will be here before you know it. In about 5-6 weeks please remind me of all this when I am in this place! I hope I'm 25 down then. That's 25 you'll never see again.

Do you know Umeboshi plums? They are a Japanese staple available in health food shops and many grocery stores. You can get them whole (packaged) or in an Umeboshi paste. Very salty, so that's something to watch out for, but known for reducing sugar cravings, high in iron. If you like savory flavors, Umeboshi is amazing. You need very little - a teeny bit on a small spoon - to feel very satisfied. I just had some with my chicken broth (about an eighth of a teaspoon) -- on day two of liquid diet and needed something satisfying to help me through.

Hi JMJ, looks like you unwittingly stepped on to a minefield. Sorry I don't have any information for you but maybe some one else will. I hope you find insurance to meet all your healthcare needs. Best wishes!

Hi Lu, great post and good luck with upping the exercise. I am pretty sure that is a major key to success. Sometimes I wish I could just be tied on to the treadmill or something. Have not been able to convert over to wanting to do it, but I do feel great after I've worked out. It's so worth it but each day I have to make myself. But here's to that, the doing it anyway. Results will be fantastic. Best wishes to you!

That is great! Way to go..... I don't remember what I weighed when I got married, etc. but I do long for the day I weigh less than my husband. Ack, so embarrassing!

Hey Sweetie, so happy for you! Best wishes for a speedy recovery! I am right behind you in a couple of weeks -- can't wait to begin this new chapter.

A year ago I knew nothing about the band and now I'm two weeks out from the big day. I was at the hospital this afternoon getting my EKG and I mentioned to the nurse that I this is because of the upcoming surgery. She told me that she is banded herself over a year now and she gave me such a great pep talk by sharing her history. And last week I was at the hospital for yet another test. That nurse was banded, too! We're everywhere! I have to say I am really very reassured that so many medical professionals are choosing this path. As a layperson, it makes me feel like this is an excellent decision. Oh, and since I'm on my pre-op diet I had to go buy another blender while I was in the city anyway. This was not strictly necessary but it seems to go with the territory. I went to two places and looked over all the appliances. I really have to have glass so that limited my choices. Now we have a brand new little glass blender that specializes in smoothies, chopping up ice, etc. Guess I can put the other one in the basement. Kind of ridiculous but there it is. Happy Monday everybody!

I got my EKG today, too.....one more trip to the hospital for labs again next week then the following week finally the real deal. A lot of lead-up to this thing! Getting very excited now.......

My husband had his spine rebuilt last year and they went in through the front -- a 17" belly scar. He used Vitamin E and that has worked well for him. Trader Joe's makes a nice one that isn't too sticky (and no sticker shock either).

Hi there, did not mean to "like" the part about the headaches! Could this be detoxing or perhaps caffeine-related -- just a thought. Hope you feel better soon......

[quote name=krissy ' timestamp='1382321126' post='2064198] Missy... I just read the article by The Lap-band is NOT about Restriction- Dr. Simpson, that really seemed to answer some questions very well! I read this over and over again to help get me prepared for banded life -- so much good information there! Good luck to you, Krissy, you are going to get there!

Hi Rose, just read through your blog -- you are so ready! Look forward to updates. Very happy for you and we will be bandits together as I go in for surgery two weeks from tomorrow. Best wishes for smooth sailing and speedy recovery!

So happy for you! Work it, baby.....

Yippee! So happy you are finding this place of recommitment. Keg that switch in your head toggled in the right direction. I find fall is a good time for healing and hunkering down -- let's all work our you-know-what's off this winter and have something to celebrate in the spring. And Irish Eyes, it sounds like you are really lining it all up -- glad you're going in for a fill and weaving in the exercise component, too. I have a feeling this is the secret to success. Best wishes to all -- you, too Bulldog and Songstress (hey, that sounds like the name of a band or a children's book!).