mommalee

I am 12 hours away from surgery--I cant believe it! Thanks for the thoughts and prayers ahead of time. I was definately thinking of our first group of banders today and praying they all have a successful operation! This is a great group.

Most surgeons seem to require a pre op diet that is high protien liquids a week or two before the operation. Its a good idea to completely cut out fatty foods and most carbs and stick with whey based protein drinks, low fat yogurt, pureed low cal soups. The purpose is to build up your protein levels for quicker healing after surgery and to shrink your liver since they have to move it during surgery. Also, my dr. said people lose better if they start a high protein regimine before surgry.

The countdown begins! Good Luck May 2 bandsters.... One more for the list: I look forward to NOT being the largest person at our family gatherings!

Thats a clever idea and very appropriate since you are a fan of the show!

The May countdown is hours away! Just want to wish all those getting banded tomorrow the very best wishes...... I am having a hard time believing that I will have my band on Thursday-wow! I have been reading as much POSITIVE experiences of bandsters as I can find right now. Anyone got names picked out for their bands??? I think it would be fun to name mine, and am going to try to think of one by the time of my surgery. Any suggestions or ideas out there??

I had the craziest dream last night!:notagree I was dreaming that I was brushing my hair and found I had hundreds of headlice:omg: and was desperately trying to get some shampoo that kills them. Then I was dreaming that I overslept and was 4 hours late for my surgery and the nurses were mad :angryand told me I couldnt have it and would have to wait.:think I can understand the lap band surgery dream--but the headlice dream is a mystery.... Hey May 3 banders.... Only four more days--are we ready or what?!:clap2:

May 3rd is just around the corner--my band date also. It doesnt seem real somehow! Im sorry to hear about your grandfather. Let us know how he does....

I agree with you that you are finding an excuse to not start your high protien diet-just because I have done the same thing many times. Its so easy to find reasons to put off doing things we would rather not do! SO I am going to encourage you to find a way to do it--I know you can figure something out!!:clap2: Once you get started it will get easier and by the time of surgery you will be in a good frame of mind to start your new post surgery lifestyle!

Love the chart! Good job Nimble..... Besides walking, what other exercises are you all doing? I have been doing a swimming aerobics class and its awesome. Most of the gals are overweight or pregnant and no one else is in the pool at the time we exercise so I dont feel self concious. (I bought my swim suit on-line from Pennys because I knew that trying on a suit at the store while viewing myself in a 3 way mirror would be more than I could take!) I also walk on a treadmill at a place called superior courts. I have only done it a few times but really enjoy the hi-tech machine-- As long as I have a magazine to read the time goes by pretty fast. I am beginning to realize that this is actually happening in just 5 days. Oh MY Gosh! Ive thought about it for so long--it took a lot to make it happen and I have decided that we are a bunch of very courageous individuals.....we have an opportunity to better ourselves and are going for it despite the hard work and risks! Yeah for us...

Wow, I guess I am lucky...Getting as much as 1200 calories and Only having to be on liquids one week before my surgery. I did go on a supervised diet several years ago that only allowed me 560 cals a day, all liquid--it was a nightmare so I know how you feel! All I could think about was how hungry I was. Probably didnt do my metabolism any good since I only had to lose 35 lbs in the first place. Not only did I gain that back, I gained another 65 lbs with it! Keep up the Good work--you're almost there.....

Hi everyone! I have just been reading all the interesting posts....I started my liquid diet this week and my surgery is on the 3rd. The first day was hard but I get to have protien shakes, pureed soup, v-8 juice, as long as I dont have more than 1200 cal a day. I did eat a whole head of romaine lettuce last night...just had to chomp on something! My surgeon told me that I would only need to be on clear liquids a day or two after surgery and then could start the thicker liquid drinks, etc. I'm sorry its such a hassle for some of you with your insurance but at least you have that option and the savings in $ will be worth the hoops you have to go through...I had to self pay and will be making payments forever. What is soooo ironic is that my insurance is through the Medical center which is also part of the Bariatric Center--yet they dont pay for the surgery. We get a 10% discount but thats it...Go figure!

HI everyone-just been reading all the great posts. May is just around the corner.....wow! I dont have any more meetings or appts until my surgery on the 3rd. I am getting ready to go on the pre-op liquid diet in few days. I found a vanilla protien drink at Costco thats pretty tasty, UNLIKE the caramel and strawberry stuff I tasted at the pre-op seminar!

Hey Tracy, I am a Tracey too-with an 'e'. Cool that we have the same banding date! I am 40 bmi and hope to lose about 100lbs. (mommalee)

Hello my fellow May Bandsters....wont be long now! I got to take the tour at the hospital yesterday to view the bariatric ward. It is in a brand new part of the hospital called the tower and the views of the mts from the rooms and lounge are gorgeous. This pre-op time has been very positive for me. The people at the bariatric center are just as commited to my success as I am. Its wonderful to be treated as a really important person who deserves the best.

It sounds to me like you have a great plan....focusing on the day and not worrying about tomorrow is my advice. Take time to Enjoy each moment you walk, garden, work, drink water and savor that protien shake as if it were the best drink ever. (that may take a lot of imagination-ha)

My date is also May 3 . My husband asked me today if I was getting excited and I told him NO...I am relieved! I've been thinking about this for a long time, researching, making changes in my eating habits little by little, exercising more, etc. I couldnt decide if I should get the band or not, but after going to the seminar I realized that it was the tool I needed to help me reach my goal of losing a significant amt of weight. Once I made the decision I felt a tremendous sense of relief, like my life had been in a holding pattern but now its moving forward. Fortunately I find the time to be going by super fast as I am so busy. I am self employed and the grandmother of 6 little ones that I watch regularly. I have added aerobic swimming 3X a week, and the treadmill/bicycle 2X a week. In addition I have had all the required mtngs (surgeon, bariatric coordinator, psychiatrist, nutritionist, all day pre-op seminar, gym trainer,etc ) to attend before surgery. I have two more meetings next week and need to purchase my vitamins and protien drink, etc. And I am working with a couple of clients right now. (I do interior decorating, upholstery work, etc). SO......May 3rd will be here before I know it. The only 'down' side is that I have to be at the hosp. by 5:30 am. YAWN.

Ive just been reading all the great posts that you May Banders have been leaving! Good luck to all of you. I just got my 'date' and its May 3rd. My birthday is also in May as many of yours are. There are so many things to do and appts to keep beforehand that the time is flying by.....there was a really good program on PBS the other night about obesity. Anyone see it? It was very encouraging and I am even more convinced now that the band is the way to go (for me.)

Sure hope you can get the insurance going in time to be a May bandster! Good luck.....

Hi there, I am getting banded the second week of May. I am so glad to have this opportunity to get off the excess weight I have been lugging around for the last 18 years! I am going through the Southern Oregon Bariatrics Center, located in Medford Oregon. My surgeon is Dr. Castillo and they just started doing the lap band surgeries in Feb. 2007. My insurance doesnt cover the cost so its a real sacrifice to come up with the money, but I know it will be worth every penny.....Any pre-op advice, encouragement, questions, etc., are welcome!

I appreciate the advice and I am making a list. GAs-X, liquid tylenol, NOT TOO much post op food, (I am glad for that because I was prepared to buy tons of it!). I have been going to a water aerobics class and concentrating on my waist muscles when we do water sit ups, scissors etc. I will see the nurtritionist on Tues so will get to start the pre-op diet. I am truly on the path to a fit trim new me!

:clap2: Isnt it exciting to think about moving around without that extra 100 lbs!? It really does affect everything you do. I am looking forward to the day when I actually enjoy exercising, buying clothes, and looking in the mirror! I was kind of nervous about the surgery at first but after becoming thoroughly informed and finding a dr. I trust I have pretty much lost my 'jitters'. It really does make a difference to have the support of other people. I didnt know I would need it but it has made me feel stronger and even more determined to acheive my goals.

I am scheduled for the week of May 7th! My birthday is in May so I am considering this a great Birthday gift....not just for me but for those who love me. My bmi is 40 and my goal is to lose approx. 100 lbs. It will be great to get to know all you May bandsters and follow your progress. Best wishes to everyone!