lindata

Oh, good idea! Good luck everyone!

Kristina, you've already lost 52 pounds?! Yowza! You're smokin.

Sooverit, I'm getting banded this Fri! I know what you mean about out of control eating. I was badly, badly out of control for literally the past 6 months. It was just getting worse to the point where I either had to get my jaws wired shut or the lapband. I just could not control my eating. With the pre-op diet I knew I had to be strict for medical reasons. So somehow I'm doing it. At first I lost 6 pounds and then stopped losing. I thought if I'm on a bloody liquid diet I better be losing. My hubby said calories are calories, so instead of having 3 protein shakes and soup/popsicles/juice in between, I cut down to 3 protein shakes and maybe a cup of V8 juice a day and have been losing 1 pound a day. I'm just trying to lose as much as I can as quickly as I can because I have a feeling with the band on my metabolism is going to go way down and I've only got a small window of time before it shuts down completely. The pre-op diet was very hard for the first day or two but then I actually got used to it - and this is someone who never gets used to any kind of diet, believe me. The trick is (and I know you've heard it before) to drink lots of water, lots and lots, and it does help fill you up. Well, at least you don't get hunger pains. You still feel kind of empty but your stomach's not making noises. Linda

Happy Camper? That's a hilarious name, but an apt one, I guess.

5 more days to surgery!! Bandster 1007, about the not drinking and eating thing, that's something I've been thinking a lot about as well - and about forgetting to drink in between to get enough fluids. That's great you've lost so much in a month! Some people don't lose anything or even gain right after their surgery. I'm so nervous right now I think I've checked just about every thread on this website! Linda

Oh, I LOVE this thread. This is just the place for me. Thanks for starting it. These are exactly my concerns - losing weight when there's not as much to lose. I am being banded on Friday! I have a BMI of 37 and want to lose about 70 pounds or so, to get around 150 pounds. So 1 week into the pre-op diet and I've lost 9 pounds!! I was eating too much and not losing and my husband said calories are calories, so I started just drinking 3 protein shakes, that's it, no popsicles or soup or anything else in between like I was allowed, then the weight started to drop again. Obviously, I haven't been banded yet but I think what it's going to take from me is to be very rigorous in the not snacking department, exercising practically every day, and eating low carb. I have polycystic ovarian syndrome and a low-carb diet is suggested for that and it has worked well for me in the past - better than other diets. So I'm intending to stick to a fairly low-carb diet after surgery. Thanks for starting this thread! Linda

I can't wait to be in onederland again! Good for you! Linda

Friday's my day!!! I can't believe this whole Protein shake liquid diet crap is almost over!! I didn't think I'd make it. My parents are coming down for 2 weeks to help and to play with my son, thank God, since I can't pick up 20 pounds for two weeks and he's 38 pounds! Jelbel, I can totally relate to your panic attacks. What kind of translations do you do? I used to work at home doing court transcriptions. I really liked working from home. Now I'm still working from home but without pay - a SAHM. Well today was more of a but anyway ... I'm sure I have it in my materials somewhere but the 60 grams of protein/day, is that for after surgery as well? Linda

Laura, I tend not to believe things unless I see them. My sister-in-law has lost more than 50 percent of her weight with the lapband and looks like a movie star. That's the only reason I believe it can work, because I've actually seen it. I'm thinking if we eat properly (not just junk food) and exercise that it's got to come off. I'm hoping anyway! I know that she was eating pretty healthy with the odd bit of junk thrown in and still losing weight, but has since kicked it up a notch to get the last ten pounds off. I really like this thread. Can I just say everyone else's fears are my fears as well! Thanks for the honesty! Linda

Rhea, which was the book on the lapband? 5 days to go!! eeek

yeah, it worked!

Surgery's coming up in less than a week. Just wanted to test out my new siggy. Pretty cool!

oh cool that worked. now how do i get it onto my signature? can anyone help me? Linda

April - I have heard of water with lemon juice and a bit of cayenne pepper. I would suggest Atkins if you're not on a liquid diet. Lots of water. A colonic? Hmmm, the possibilities! :car: Linda

Hi, Laura. I'm getting my surgery next Friday too. You're not the only one. I'm conficted as well. I'm worried that this will be another attempt at weight loss that won't work. I've tried everything else, this being the most expensive and invasive obviously! My husband and family think I can though. I notice you don't have much weight to lose (compared to other bandsters), and I don't have that much to lose either - maybe 70 or so pounds. I'm worried that the band won't work for me because of that reason. I'm worried that I'm going to be very depressed over not being able to eat what I want - I still haven't got my head around that. But this is my last hope. I've GOT to lose weight. So you're not the only one with worries! I keep looking at the before and after pics of everyone and that always encourages me. On the other hand, I am going to be one sexy woman when this weight comes off. I'm so sick of living like a fat person. I just want to live a normal life again. It's been too long. So I live in eternal hope of that happening! Well, sorry to be so depressing! Linda

April - Why would they cancel surgery if you gained weight? Pam - I'm on nov 2 as well and am about the same weight as you - 220 right now. I'm going for the 150's. Getting nervous here, one week to go! Linda

Longhorn - I'm jealous. I wish I could do a low-carb thing too! Day to of protein shakes, protein shakes, protein shakes. Urgh.

Day two of pre-op diet - already lost 4 pounds - I know, I know, it's all the water weight. Got my hubby to take my before pics. Take care everyone! Linda

Started pre-op diet. Not too bad! First day to the new me! Linda

Hi everyone. I guess I should introduce Buffie. She's my sister-in-law and 95 percent of the reason why I'm getting my band done. I have seen her transform from a beautiful person into a beautiful, healthy, lively, happy, THIN person since being banded a year ago - all the things I want to be in a year's time as well. Thanks Buffie for everything! Linda P.S. Size 11!!! God, when was I that size, high school? Good for you!

Lindseyann - good, then I've got about 16 more years of being in my 30's. I'm glad I like it in my 30's! haha

Is the KFC worth it? I don't know, I don't like KFC ... but the chips and the chocolate? Definitely! haha. No, seriously, food is basically all I had for a long, long time. I couldn't enjoy many other things in life due to being a largish person - well, everyone here understands, I don't have to go into detail. So basically losing my bingeing, losing the quantity of food, is a bit like losing a friend, one that I'm mourning right now (sounds corny but true). That's great that some people are already gung ho and in the mindset of losing weight way before surgery, but I had to say good bye to food in my own way. I'm glad some others out there were brave enough to say "me too" when I asked is anyone else totally pigging out pre- pre-diet. Made me feel a little less lonely. Now, as for the insurance/self-pay, I don't care who's doing what, where, with who, we're all getting a surgery done here, people, SURGERY, with all the risks and lifestyle changes involved. I'm sure no one is going into this lightly. So let's just get this thing done and start losing weight together and support each other. Who knows, maybe we'll even have some fun?! Linda

All I have to do is protein shakes 3x/day and clear liquids like broth in between for two weeks pre-surgery. Linda

Bandster, keep us posted. Can't wait to hear how it went! Linda