Lynette617

So it wasn't really a last straw for me, but just a lot over the years added up to enough. Life changes after kids, and my 3 year old did it for me. He's more than motivation for me. Also losing my father at a very young age (43) to a disease that is heriditary, as his father passed from the same disease(at 40). Being 35 in a week, I just was so depressed to think I could be gone and never see my son graduate, FROM ELEMENTARY SCHOOL!!!!!!!! He is the love of my life, as is my DH, but I always hear parents say they'd do anything for their children, even die for them. Well, I decided to live for mine, and change my life for him and my family. Lynette

There was two threads started for July 07 Bandsters, and now everyone is combining onto one thread called Lucky # Seven July 2007 Bandsters.. Is there anyway to close the other thread called July 2007 Bandsters started by me, Lynette617? Thanks for any information you can give. Lynette

Good Morning to all, We have a great group going here. Time is flying by, and my surgery is already 3 weeks away (from tomorrow) OMG!!!!!!! I still just wish it was tomorrow and then all this anxiety will be gone, but it will be nice to still enjoy some favorite foods before hand. Heading to Kings Island (amusement/water park) with my family today. I think we'll be at the waterpark most of the day since it's going to be hot here. My 3 year old is a fish, he just loves the Water. Usually I can't get him out of it unless he is kicking and screaming. Hope eveyone has a great day and I'll check in later. We need to get this thread back on the first page. We'll hopefully have a new member join us who visited the old July Bandsters thread. Her name is Corinna.

Corinna, Welcome!!!!!! Please come join us in the Lucky # Sevens- July 07 Bandsters thread. There was two threads started for July 07 and we decided to combine threads. Our group is growing every day, and I'm so glad to meet you. Please join us at the Lucky # 7 thread. Lynette:)

:help::help:So I have my surgery scheduled for July 2, and my surgeon said to stop smoking one month prior to surgery. So for the past week and a half I have cut way down. On Monday, I smoked 2 cigarettes, on Tuesday, I smoked 1, and haven't had another since, BUT I WANT ONE SO BADLY:faint:. Why, I don't know. I'm trying to figure it out. I'm petrafied that he will do a blood test and see nicotine in my system and cancel surgery, and that is what has held me back so far, but it's getting harder every day. I'm trying to research information on how long nicotine stays in the system, and read about body cleanses to do before drug tests. Am I crazy!!!!!!!! I feel unhuman right now. It doesn't help that my husband smokes and there is a pack of cigaretes sitting about 10 FEET from me as I type:angry. So my question is, a lot of smokers used the nicorete gum to stop smoking, but this puts nicotine into your system also, so if a Dr. was to do a drug test, how would they know if you were smoking or chewing the gum:confused:? I want to buy the gum today, but don't want the nicotine to screw up my surgery date, and of course it's Saturday and the Dr's office is closed until Monday. I'm not sure they'll think it's that big of an emergency like I do:eek:. Anyone else been through this, and am I crazy for even thinking about cheating my way through a drug test. If I can get the gum and chew it, maybe I won't want the cigarette anymore. HELP ME!!!!!!!:help::help::help::help::help::help::help::help::help::help::help::help:

My insurance won't cover it and the cheapest I can find it is $118 for a month supply. I'm self paying for the band, so that leaves me with little to spend on this problem. I have friends at work who have used it and it works for them. In fact, my DH has a perscription for it right here from his Dr. and never had it filled. I'm doing this on my own now, I just have to keep strong, and push it out of my mind. Thanks!!!

Thanks for your input. What dissapoints me even more is that I did quit, cold turkey, on August 8, 2005. I was smoke free for a year, 4 months, and 13 days, and fell off the band wagon. Stress got the beter of me, and yes, I was in a social situation with others smoking, and I lost the motivation. I'm still kicking myself in the ass for it, but I have to let it go. And it was easy for me to quit cold turkey, then. I think I'm having such a hard time because everyone I know acts like I'm going to be able to do it again with no problems. I just don't feel so strong now. I don't want to push the date back of surgery. I do think it's the only thing keeping me from smoking. I know I will not smoke after surgery, because I'm self pay, and could lose the band to smoking and erosion and other problems. I guess what's different is before when I quit, I guess in the back of head I knew I could go back to it, but didn't want to. Now, I know I can't go back to it, so I think I'm mourning it, probably like I will the food after surgery. In honesty, I know I can do it without the gum, or any other meds. It's just been hard with this time.

Great to see all the June Bandsters coming back to give us their story. I so wish I was still a June Bandster, but now I'm in the Lucky 7 group, having surgery July2. Best of luck to all that had surgery today. Hope to hear from you soon. Tina, You can e-mail me at dolphinatic617@yahoo.com if you need to talk, or you can find me in the Lucky 7 thread. I'm not familiar with your Dr, but I'm wondering if you can pay a small fee to join the support group at St. Luke in Florence. They meet one night a month, I think on a Thursday. It's something you can call and ask about. I know a lot of my Dr's patients are on Obesityhelp.com in the Kentucky forum. Hope to hear from you soon. Have a great day Junies. Lynette

Marcy, I know my insurance wouldn't pay for the consultation, but they did pick up the tab for the upper GI since they put "Gerd" on the file instead of pre op for bariatric surgery. I was suprised to know they won't pay for any of the hospital either. I can understand the surgeon fees, but the hospital bill is something I think they should pay part of because if it was any other circumstance, it would be a covered visit. Cherybomb, I don't have a pre op diet:clap2:, but I don't feel like I'm over doing it, except the last few days since I've quit smoking. I've been sucking on way too much hard candy. At least it's Fat Free. I've also bought a lot off my shopping list, and I've planned my last dinner out for a while on the Saturday before surgery. As far as excercise, I've taking a few walks here and there with my DH and son, but that's it. Felicia, I hear your on the slim fast shakes, but I actually freeze mine and eat them like slush. They are very good this way, plus it takes you much longer to eat it, rather than dring it so you actually get full from it. Try it some time. It tastes great in the summer especially when it's hot out. I love the Cappuccino delight Optima shake. YUMMY:hungry:. Dini, Welcome. I was a June Bandster also, but my date got pushed back to July 2. I still stop in there to see how everyone is doing since they've started the banding. My original date was the day after yours, but the surgeon was going to be out of town, so I had to reschedule. I wish I could of moved it up , but I couldn't because my store has inventory on the 24 and 25 of June and I can't miss it. They wanted me to come in on June 18, and I so wanted to because my birthday is the 17. But no, I couldn't. So welcome. You will now be our fist bander, so you'll have to let us all know what it is like. Lynette

Hello all, I myself just quit yesterday. My doc wanted me smoke free a month before surgery. I got down to 2 on Monday:phanvan, 1 on Tuesday:rolleyes:, and 0 yesterday:), and 0 today:D. My question is, my surgery is scheduled for July 3, almost 4 weeks from my last cigarette. Do you think when they do the pre op testing on June 29 that I will still have traces of nicotine in my system or blood:confused:.

Marci, I'm feeling the pain of insurance coverage, or shall I say lack of, because I'm self pay also. But it will be money well spent. I look at it this way. I'm 35 years old, in 2 weeks, and I've never really spent any money on myself. I'm one of those who buys everything for others. Even working in retail, I buy loads of things for family, but never myself. So if you take the $16,000 I'm spending, and divide it by the 35 years, it equals $457 dollars. I think I'm worth that. I believe I've spent way more than that just on x-mas presents in a year.

Hello all, I had a class on Monday evening where we taste tested some of the Protein powders, CIB, etc. It was nice because now I know what I can tolerate and what I can't. It wasn't too bad. We are growing again. I'm sure there will be amny more to come in the next few weeks. Hope everyone is doing well. I've been getting all the things on the list when I go to the grocery. I have a whole cabinet that will be just mine when I get done. I'm heading to bed, so I'll talk to you all tomorrow. Lynette

Hello, I'm in Covington, KY and will be banded by Dr. Sonnanstine on July 2. Everyone says he's the best, and so far, I think he's great. The program they offer there so far has been very informative, and they have support group meetings post op also. You should look him up. He does surgery at St. Luke West in florence. Lynette

Hello, I'm not banded yet, but this is a good question. I've heard that after 5 years the results are comparable to RNY weightloss. I believe this has already been wrong as it depends on the individuals, but the good thing is the weight comes off slower, and if you excercise, you have a good chance of firming as you lose. You can not do this with RNY. You can't firm as fast as your body is losing the weight. Please correct me if I'm wrong, this is just what I have heard. Lynette

Hey, I finally got my pic up on my avatar. WoooHooo.

<p>Sunny,</p> <p> </p> <p>I'm glad you like my motto, and yes we can all use it, and it will be great. I just went to our amusement park today with my DH and 3 year old. It was exciting to know that next year, I'll fit more comfortably into the seats when we have to ride with him. And even though I'm not even thinking about a bikini at this point, I'll just be glad to actually look half way decent when we go to the Water park!!</p> <p> </p> <p>Welcome Patti!!! We're growing by the day. I'll be 4 weeks pre op tomorrow. Yikes!!!!!!! I've really been cutting back on my portions also, even though I do not have a pre op diet. Every little bit helps.</p> <p> </p> <p>Hope everyone had a great weekend.</p> <p> </p> <p>Lynette</p>

Chimboree, Thanks for the list of upcoming July surgeries. It's great. I know on the June thread someone was able to put in all on a calendar. I'm not too good at that:cry, but the list is great. We're definitely growing! So Marci, what is the time zone difference from say, Kentucky:confused: Like right now, it's 4:20 PM here. Are you in the same time zone as California? I'm kind of in the same boat as you, now that I have a date, I'm just sitting here waiting for the day. I've researched everything, everywhere for the lapband, and I know it's for me. Right now, I'm taking my time trying to get used to chewing food slowly, and forever, and trying to not drink when I eat. Keeping my mind busy is real easy once I start thinking about all the changes I'm going to be making. What has made the wait better is that I've already started my post op shopping list. Every weekend I've been getting a few more items checked off my list, and storing them for later, like Jello, puddings, Protein powder, etc. It keeps it exciting for me. I'm also thinking about going clothing shopping, maybe at one of those re-run stores we have out there, just to pick out a few items in a smaller size :clap2:that I'll be able to wear a month after surgery. I've also heard people say that there's a good read out there from Mohammad Ali's daughter who has lost 100 lbs. with the Lapband. I'm going to track it down and start reading it. Please don't get discouraged. This should be a happy time, so try to make the best of it, and come up with new ways to make it exciting. I think coming here keeps me excited too. Just talking with others that are feeling all the same emotions as I am, waiting on the same surgery, and trying to bette their life. Lynette:)

Hey all, Just letting everyone know we're going to jump over to the Lucky # 7 thread that was already started before this one. The more the merrier, so come join us there, please. See you there, Lynette

HI all, It's Lynette from the July 2007 Bandsters thread. I started that one because I didn't see one already. My bad. This one was first, so I think we should all come here from now on, because I love the name too, and 7 is my lucky number!!!! My new motto is "It's going to GREAT in 2008*!!!!!!! Can't wait to see the final results of this journey. Lynette

Chimboree, I'm from Covington, KY and having surgery in Floence, KY, about 10-15 minutes from me. At least I had no more bad dreams last night. I told my friend today about the dream. She thought I was going to tell her I dreamed she was pregnant (she's 63) so we laughed it off. I turned in my medical leave papers today. I'm taking 4 weeks off. I have a physical job, and on my feet all day, and I get 15 weeks medical leave paid at 66% so I figured I'll take off 4 weeks. This way I can do all the liquids at home, and hopefully be on mushy's when I go back. I'm looking forward to having a month off over the summer. I plan to sit outside and soak up the sun while my son swims in his little pool. Sunny, any word on a date:confused: I guess that's a stupid question, because you'd want to post that right away. I'm praying you get one soon, and will join us in bandland. Lynette

I know what you mean, I had a dream last night that a friend was having bypass surgery, and died. I was so upset all day, and someone I talked to said it's probaly my sub conscious worring about the surgey. I'm not worried at all. I've had two previous lap surgeries, and both went well. (gall bladder removal, tubal pregnancy) So I'm real comfortable about the surgery part. I think having a surgeon you trust makes it comfortable.

Chimboree26 and gwhite, Congrats on getting the date. It will be here before we know it. I've been out a few times walking with my son recently. It's been a while since I've done anything, but I have a job that has me on my feet all day, and very active, so it helps. Thought about starting weight training next week, but I'm not sure if it will benefit me to start a program now and have to stop for 4-6 weeks after surgery, and then start again. I was actually at the Dr. (PCP) 2 weeks ago for a dog bite and had to go back today. I actually lost a pound, and wasn't even trying. That's a first. So chimboree and gwhite, where are you having your surgery? Lynette

ON YOUR MARK, GET SET, GO GET SKINNY!!!!!!! Good Luck to all the June 2007 bandsters. I'll be right behind you on July 2.:clap2: Lynette

Sunny, I have told a lot of people, including family, friends, co-workers. Everyone has been very supportive, but my mother. She gave me the whole 'isn't there anything else you can do' story most of us here. She's coming around though, and has offered to keep my 3 year old the night after I get out of the hospital, and wants to be there the day of surgery. So it's getting better. Everyone at work is just thrilled for me. My manager, male at that, is very excited for me. They all know that I have tried and tried to do this on my own, and even if I haven't given it 100% effort, 100% of the time, I have tried. I even walked a marathon last year. I trained for 5 months, and finished all 26.2 miles, but lost nothing in the process. So at least this has been positive for me in telling others about my plans. Sure hope you get a date in July. If you don't get one until August, keep coming back to July thread. We're happy to have you. My goal is to keep this thread on the front page near the top, so everyone new can find us. The June thread is going great. I had an original date of June 26, but was postponed, so I started out there, and still check in once in a while. Lynette

Edie, thanks for the support. You have done amazingly well in a short amount of time. Congrats on the huge loss. Mind I ask what kind of excercise program you do? or how many times a week you do excercise? I think this will be the key to success. Food is only 1 part of the equasion. Thanks, Lynette