Caolin

I will be getting the new band when I get banded on the 31st. My doctor stated that it required less pre- and post-op dieting, which I was glad of. I only have 1 week both ways and then move to mushies...... Good luck to all those being banded soon!!

Wow, I'm actually here when others are around.......very unlike me!!! lol I never seem to find my way here until everyone is in bed......how are all the new banders doing? Congratulations, btw.......:clap2: Day two of my pre-op......nothing too exciting there.....except that I added fruit to the mix of what I could have......

Hello all.....is anyone still awake? Chim.....good luck tomorrow!!! You've always been a great support to everyone else....just wanted to return it!! My first day on my pre-op diet......it wasn't hell....but pretty close!! Headaches from diet pepsi withdrawl didn't help either. But, I also noticed that I could actually spend time listening to my stomach and when it was hungry verses me just being bored! Only 6 days to go...... After reading all of today's posts, I felt bad for those who had their "monthly bill" arrive at surgery time....before I got my Medina IUD put in, I had to worry about that, but no more...yipeeeeeeeeeeeee Lynette...I know you like some of the reality shows.....my sister sent a message to me this evening letting me know that Pirate Master has been moved to the internet (CBS site) and will no longer be shown on TV, that was a bummer, but I'm glad we will be able to see the end anyway. I bought some protein powder today, boy is that stuff spendy.....I got a natural and a vanilla creme, the guy who was at the Max Nutrition store was very helpful when I told him that I was going to go and have the band done...he ended up showing me a picture of himself before he lost his weight.......what a difference!! It just made me more determined and excited to be on the other side!! To all those being banded tomorrow....good luck!!!

I hated my sleep study!! I couldn't get out of that hospital fast enough so I could go home and sleep!! The tech did say I slept, but I wasn't convinced. Halfway through the night they came in and put the cpap machine on me.....oh, that just about put me over the edge, I was already wired up and down and totally uncomfortable. But I knew it was for a good cause, so I made it through and the 31st is almost here!!!:notagree Dini - Went and checked out your pic, wow, wish I looked that good at 23!!! I also wanted to mention that I've been to Dublin several times and love the city.......what a beautiful place to spend time. We did a lot of driving through the country side also, so Dublin didn't get as much attention as I would have liked. But the funny story is, when my sister and I went for the first time, she drove a car rental (wrong side of the road for us!!), we got into Dublin airport at 2:00pm and never made it out of the city!! We drove around and around and around......passing the same stuff and never finding out way out (we were heading to the west coast)...it was hilarious, we eventually found our way back to the airport and spend the night there......how embarassing!!! We laugh about it now.....not so funny then! Sunny - dating on the internet, what can I say....it worked for me, but my younger sister has not had such great luck, so it's really hit and miss!! I just got darn lucky. But I do believe it is a wonderful way to meet people, just be skeptical.....question everything. The first time I didn't and it caught me out, so when I met my husband, he got the third degree!!! But he's passed the test.....lol....finally!:ranger: Phyl - don't let that temperature get out of hand now!!! And tell those neighbors to shut the h**k up and let you sleep!:sick Chim - Not once did they offer to give me something to sleep....I would have gladly taken it!!!! I'm glad it went well for you.......and I hear you about the gunk in the hair......I showered before I left the hospital, thinking I got it all out, I get home and there is still Patches of it glued to my head.....what a mess!!:huytsao Lynette - I, too, am amazed at how each person's experience varies so dramatically. I have a one week pre-op diet (starting Tuesday), have the surgery and no after surgery tests at all.....not sure that is a good thing or bad. I did ask the nurse, she said that hospitals are more apt to do that whereas I am just going to an outpatient surgery. After hearing some of the stories, I'm starting to feel neglected !! lol:eek: Well, I'm a chatting cathy today......I guess I'm finally feeling like I have something to contribute, as my day is coming soon. Good luck to all those lucky people being banded this week!! Celeste

Phyl - just wanted to send my good wishes your way for surgery tomorrow....!!! It's at the NWWLS right? I'm with Dr. Watkins on the 31st! To all those getting banded tomorrow......good luck!!!

My biggest regret is thinking that I could do this all on my own, with just diet and exercise! What a waste of years that I could have been already where I needed to be, but life is what it is, I suppose. I finally took a leap and started looking into the Lap Band this March. Attended a seminar in April 2007 and did plenty of research online. Finding this site has been the biggest source of all things Lap Band and I can't express enough gratitude for all those who post on here, both the good and the bad. After viewing a variety of different posts and links here, I feel like I could be the most informed person to have this surgery. My surgery date was originally July 11th, but was pushed back to July 31st because I couldn't get my sleep test done in the time allotted, but was able to get it done on July 8th, so I'm just waiting for those results now. Hopefully by the end of this week (July 20th).

My biggest regret is thinking that I could do this all on my own, with just diet and exercise! What a waste of years that I could have been already where I needed to be, but life is what it is, I suppose. I finally took a leap and started looking into the Lap Band this March. Attended a seminar in April 2007 and did plenty of research online. Finding this site has been the biggest source of all things Lap Band and I can't express enough gratitude for all those who post on here, both the good and the bad. After viewing a variety of different posts and links here, I feel like I could be the most informed person to have this surgery. My surgery date was originally July 11th, but was pushed back to July 31st because I couldn't get my sleep test done in the time allotted, but was able to get it done on July 8th, so I'm just waiting for those results now. Hopefully by the end of this week (July 20th).

Hello, my name is Celeste and I once lived in Alaska for most of my life, but now reside in Bremerton, Washington. I also met my husband online about 9 years ago, except he was in Scotland and I was in Alaska, I'm not sure in the beginning we thought we would ever meet, but we spent months talking on the phone and he finally came to Alaska to meet me and my family....and I've hardly been able to get rid of him since!! He is a math professor at the local community college and I have returned to school to get my BS in Business Admin. (finance). Yipeee...I have one year to go!:whoo: Having come out of my shell in my 40's has been liberating and given me a new lease on life, now I want my outside to be a reflection of my inside; confident, capable and most of all healthy!! We don't have kids, as we started married life a little on the late side, but it has served us well as we only grow stronger together each year and I couldn't have asked for a more supportive mate than my husband! We do have two dogs though; Mac is a 5 yr. old Westie and MaggieMay is our 1 yr. old Rat terrier. I truly enjoy reading everyone's posts, but find it difficult to post myself, as my surgery date is the last day of the month and I've not started my pre-op diet yet, so I don't have much to offer to the mix just yet. I did have my sleep test done last weekend and hated every long hour of it. I'm sure I didn't get more than a few hours sleep....but it's over and I will use the CPap only as long as I have too, hopefully with the weight loss I won't need it! Sorry to ramble on....just wanted to say "thank you" to all the wonderful ideas and thoughts that flow through this site!

Chunky Buddy - Well, it's you and me on the 31st, rounding out the month!!! Lynette - thanks for the encouraging words, I'd pretty much come to that realization myself, all things happen for a reason! I read your progress each day and I hope your gas discomfort is almost gone! Chick - I know where you are coming from, I hid away most of my younger life, even though I did have to work, I would rarely put myself out there in situations where comments could be made. I wish I could pass along my more confident self (something I acquired as I got older) to you that hiding away doesn't make life stop moving along. I'm so glad you are doing this for you at 26, you will have a lifetime to figure out who you want to be as a more slender woman. But I have a sneaking suspicion that you will "grow" into it along the way. Don't be hard on yourself - it will be a slow journey for all of us and we will adapt to those new images of ourselves just fine! I wish you all the best....and remember, with you having children you will never be able to hide away, not with all the activities they will be involved in!

Oops, forgot the question of the day......what pieces of clothing am I looking forward to wearing??? Where to start. I've been heavy all my life, just growing larger each and every year, so I think the last time I wore jeans that didn't have elastic in the waist was about 15 years ago.....I'd love to have a nice fitting pair of jeans that look great on me, without my tummy falling over the waste band!! Someone mentioned a little black dress....that sounds sexy, I'd like one of those too!!!:eyebrows:

Hello all....I've been reading the posts, but not posting myself. I guess I've just been a little bummed that my day got moved from the 11th to the 31st due to the confusion to obtain a sleep study test. I feel like I was mentally psyched up for the 11th and now the 31st feels like a long way off (even though I know it isn't!) Some good news though, I am off to do my sleep apnea test tomorrow night, that was fast!! A cancellation allowed me to get in 2 days after my consult, I felt pretty lucky about that! I wish all those who have gotten banded recently a smooth and painless recovery...I love hearing how you all are doing. And to those who are going to be banded in the next few days, I feel your excitement and resolve and hope I feel the same way when my day comes.

Shell Mar.....I'm planning on attending on Monday night! See you there. Got some great news today, I went for my consult with the sleep study people and they had scheduled me for the sleep study on the 18th - - that was cutting it close to my scheduled surgery date of the 31st. But as luck would have it, there was a cancellation and I get to go in on Sunday! That was fast and unexpected. I'm excited knowing that my results will get to NWWLS in plenty of time before my surgery date! And as I'm on the waiting list to be moved up the calendar, it could just happen sooner, who knows? Thanks for letting post my good news somewhere!:clap2: Cherrybomb - sure hope I have as good of an experience with Dr. Watkins! Congrats.

Well it seems as if I've got this ball rolling again. I finally got a date for a sleep test consult this Friday and I hope I can keep to my new surgery date of July 31st......I like it in July!!! Chimboree - loved the dress, thanks for sharing your pictures, you definitely looked radiant and very elegant! Lynette - as Sunshines stated, "You are my idol" I have to agree. You definitely are the poster child for lap band successes! I love reading how you are progressing.... Hope everyone has a great 4th of July......whether you can eat or not!!!:clap2:

wadew1976 & Carebears - Thank you so much for being full of encouragement. It seems not all is lost, I got a consult. with Dr. Russian at the Western Washington Medical Group for Friday, so, fingers crossed, we can get this sleep test done and move forward. And you may be right, maybe the delay will have me in a better state of mind come the day of surgery, who knows? Hope everyone has a wonderful 4th of July.....whether you can eat food or not!!!:whoo:

Lucia Maria - how wonderful for you, to finally have a date! And it looks like you and I will be sharing that day of July 31st! Fortunately, I only have one week of pre-op dieting, two weeks could be a little much for me! Welcome aboard!:clap2:

JenniferNAz - congratulations on getting your day moved up! That is great and you are right it really isn't going to give you as much time to ponder for long! For me, I did ask to be put on a waiting list, so if I get my sleep study done early, I could still get in if an opening became available, so fingers crossed! As for the nails, glad to hear you can keep them on. I get a pedicure each month and thought I might do that before my surgery....

wadew1976 - thanks for the words of encouragement! I know he's being cautious and that is how I would want them to be, I suppose it's just a let down because I was spending so much time getting "mentally" prepared for surgery, you know? But as you say, life goes on and it will happen, eventually!!

bfyneNtyme, glad to hear you are home, safe and without any complications! Congratulations on the rest of your life..... Hello late night people!! I see a few lurking around.......well, my date got changed from the 11th to the 31st, the doctor insisted that I get a sleep test and I've been trying to set it up for almost two weeks now, but it's been one thing and another...... I listen to those who are next on the July calendar and feel both jealous and resigned to the fact that I will be not in the middle of the month, but at the end......oh well, such is life......

Carebears - actually I just got bad news about my surgery, it seems now Dr. Watkins won't do the surgery without a sleep test and so I've been rescheduled to July 31st......to say the least, I am bummed. I'm now taking a more proactive role in making sure this sleep test gets done ASAP, just incase there are any cancellations and I can move up my date. Sheesh......my PCP's office just let my request for referral sit there as neither sleep disorder place in my area had none of the paperwork on their desk.....marching onward!! Thanks for asking....and I am looking forward to being one of the banded, believe me!

Thanks Sue, I didn't think of checking with the local hospital....I'll go to their website and check in out!

Lynette....congrats on the smooth sailing through your surgery, I can only hope that it is that way for me when my day comes! Again, congratulations!!

Welcome Jennifer - it will be great to add another July bandster to the calendar! I also kept thinking I could do it myself, but more and more I had to admit that I could lose it if I put my mind to it, but I couldn't maintain it! I wish the band was in full swing when I was 35!! Good luck....:clap2:

:)Laurend, thanks for the wonderful stats sheet, it will be exciting to keep track of the BMI and weightloss across time......

Lynette, Beefy, and Bfynentyme good luck tomorrow, am definitely feeling your excitement and anxiousness. I start my 7 day liquid diet on the 4th and the surgery is on the 11th..... For some reason, thinking about surgery makes me nauseous maybe partly due to the actual surgery part and the other side would be the fear of failure once again.....am I crazy? And if I am....could someone tell me? Marcy, I know of the Thomas family in Ketchikan, so it is a small world after all......I only lived in K-town for 10 years, before that I lived in Metlakatla. I left the state wanting to be in a warmer place.....and I've found it!! lol I'll leave the snow and crappy weather to you all.....

Still hoping to locate the Silverdale support group, can anyone help? Thank you!