NewCC

Feeling a bit alone here. Surgery is tomorrow, now moved to 8am. I hardly told anyone. Hate lying to my best friends. Anyway, mentioned to my husband that I was getting a little nervous. His answer "It's too late, just relax", grabs a piece of chocolate and leaves the room. maybe I should have gone with the friends for support. Usually he's great - but I do know he has little emotion and likes people to be difinitive. BUT OUCH. CC

jfk - Thanks for the report! I have been sooo good the last 12 days, I was only required to do pre-op diet for 7 and then tonight with really only one eating day to go I ate carbs. :paranoid I asked DH if we could eat mexican - so I could do chips and queso one last time. I have been really good otherwise so hopefully I won't have caused myself or the Dr. any problems! Glad everything went well for you!! CC

First, I knew better than to join a group of women!! I am scheduled for 7/26 (2 days away) and Aunt Flo just arrived. If I had only stayed away!! At pre-op today, they told us that we were getting the new band and it already has a fill. We are still to schedule one in 4 weeks. Also said that the swelling in the early days is what helps us not feel hungry. When you start to feel real hunger, your insides have healed up for the most part. (for what it's worth) I am asked to do liquids for 2 weeks, or at least 10 days. at 14 days or when real hunger starts sometime after day 10, I can try mushies. Congrats for everyone banded today, and prayers for those tomorrow!! Please add me to Thursdays list. I was missing :cry. CC

dini - before and afters pics are in General Lap Band Discussion, in the top section, first thread! They are sooooo encouraging!

Icy, I think Nicole hit on it with the Carb call! As I plan ahead, I am finding it hard to think of non-carb mushies! My list said, of all things, queso - but kind of strange to eat it with no chips! I stocked on a tomato basil soup that is not too bad carb wise. We should try to make a list of low to no carb mushies to keep us going through that stage. cinC

Thanks Reconcilor!! I also have realized that most people don't understand that this is a tool rather than an easy fix! I also am not ashamed, I just had enough judgement over weight/food issues from infancy on.

Pre-op today at 1:00 for surgery on Thurs. I am so excited! Is anyone else like me - I don't want anyone to comment on my weight loss!! I am doing this for health, not to meet the worlds standard of how a person "should" look. I don't want to talk about food/weight with anyone but y'all. I think that comes from a controlling mother who still tries to watch my weight and used to "compete" with us for who was thinest and who looked the best, ouch! I am not telling my parents about this. When they notice I am having weight loss success I will tell them I just decided to get healthier and it does not benefit me to talk to them about weight or food. Back to the question. I know people mean well when they comment, but I don't see any benefit to talking about my weight loss with non best friends. Any one else struggle in this area? C

But your Dr. should very much want you to go on a 1-4 week Protein type diet prior to the surgery to shrink your liver. If you haven't seen a lab band surgery, watch one of the videos. I saw one at a seminar. The liver is very close to where they work. If the fat/size isn't reduced enough, my Dr. says they may have to switch to an open surgery to protect the liver (bleeds easily and they want to avoid it). You'll be amazed how much weight you lose on the pre-op diet. The diet may be pretty strict, but you will enjoy watching the pounds drop - makes it a bit easier!

Phyl, oh, sorry about the fever. Weird but fever makes me sleep really, really well. Hope it goes away soon! C

Renee, I joined here while you were away. I am sorry about your Collie. Dogs are true best friends and it's so hard to lose one! I will be in for pre-op on your surgery day, so I will remember you during your surgery. Best, C

Thanks for the port site information everyone. It sounds like mine is going where everyone else's is! It's getting so close, I can't wait to have my own. ( I think more to get it over with!) Prayers for everyone getting banded tomorrow and for those traveling tomorrow. Again I am very thankful I can get mine done so close to home. I really admire those who are traveling to get one!

Welcome Bblane53! You will find this forum very helpful. I can't help with the after part as I won't be banded until 7/26 but I can tell you that reading here was extremely helpful!!

Rachelle, I am very close to my banding date. I have to say, as I started my pre-op diet and pounds started falling off (8 in about 10 days, I was excited and starting eating "pre-op" earlier than they told me too!) I noticed how good each pound off feels! While studying whether to do this or not (self-pay also) I became more and more ready. You will know when you are ready. Today my husband had to attend to some business, so rather than go to church the rest of us slept in. I woke to discover that he had stopped for a box of donuts (he's thin) for the kids. I had the opportunity to discuss with myself - in advance of surgery- the fact that I was truly choosing not to eat donuts anymore! When I was thin I didn't really eat them either. The cost of not having a donut is VERY worth my health!! It was actually fun NOT TO EAT the donut. You will get there. Keep reading, go to seminars, ask questions and you will most likely be completely ready sooner than you think! C

Welcome Jackie! I am wondering where all of you have your ports. (I am still bandless, until 7/26) My Dr. is said to place them high, kind of under the ribcage. That seems all wrong to me! He uses the newest band, except I believe a smaller (flatter) port is coming out very soon, wish I could have it..... Ruby - I have a different Dr. but am in Dallas also. Are you going to the Richardson Surg. Center???!!! I am on the 26th also. C

Sunshine and Lynette, I also like water. I usually gulp down a glass or two at a time. Lynette - how did the transition go from gulping to sipping. Do you forget? Do you find you really wish to slam down a whole glass? Are you able to get enough down you each day by sipping? I'm hoping we'll remember easily - but it's another one of the little "unknowns" that scare me. C

Having quit the diet soda habit I have noticed that when I think of a "crave food" I also want the diet coke. I now will admit that having the diet coke with a snack was a really bad combo. I bet 10 of 10 times, I would eat MORE if also drinking a diet coke! Great to be FREE!! Kathybad, I also got the huge Migraine on day three. I forgot to have any caffeine. My regular medicine didn't even knock it out. Not three days though, poor you!!

<p>I am scheduled for 11:00, be there at 10, and only about 20 minutes from home. I met women at my med appointments that are doing the 2-4 hour drives. I really respect the additional committment y'all make! </p> <p> </p> <p>Kathy, the new kitchen looks great! And your daughter does look very much like you. How neat for both of you! </p> <p> </p> <p>Pre-op: I was told to do 2 Protein shakes a day, lean meat and veggies twice a day and a cup of fruit. At my seminar (same Dr. group as I chose for my surgery) we were told that the pre diet would be 2 weeks but they only told me to do one..... I actually started it about 10 days out because I was excited - now a tiny bit sorry! I think I am cheating b/c I count chinese food as the meat and veggies. I think they use a lot of oil and msg (read msg is probably bad for liver). I have to think of better things. Also, I've used a little feta or parmisan(sp) cheese in salads, topping them with a fish or some chicken. </p> <p> </p> <p>They have me deleting all sugar and carbs. I had forgotten (Adkins diet days) how the carb cravings go away when I don't eat any! I think the POST diet is going to be harder b/c it may allow more carbs and therefore potential cravings to deal with.</p> <p> </p> <p>I quit diet coke right away - just to be really committed to the no soda rule. I LOVE being diet-coke free! I feel like I overcame an addiction!!!!</p> <p> </p> <p>C</p>

It's me!! Is there another also?!

Good "morning" everyone. We played a fiesty game of Risk until late in the night and except for answering the phones and catching up here have done a big nothing this lazy Sat. morn. and it feels great!! Chris45 - Welcome to you and anyother new July bandster!! Laurend - I have a very thin, judgemental mom, who makes little "comments" (actually painful jabs). I finally started to say "are you sure this is worth it?" when she would start. Sometimes she actually thinks about it an stops! I have decided NOT to tell the parents about the surgery. They live in another state and would probably WRONGLY see it as a defeatest quick fix. Instead, if/when she mentions my weight loss, I am going to tell her that it is not benefitial for me to discuss my weight and food with her and end it at that. I cant wait!!! Jackie56 - BOWEL PREP???? oh, to be innocent! Will I get this at my pre-op? A step I won't look forward to - but will conquer with dignity!! C

Lynette, Maybe you can ask them to please invite you to things and let YOU decide if you can "handle it." It seems so improper for them to just exclude you without any option! I think they think they are being kind . I'm sorry it happened.

Thank you for the warm welcomes! And for the "yes I took a shower very quickly" info. I don't know how you all keep up with soooo many July Banders!! Nurse76: What form is your papaya enzyme in? Is it something I could get at a health food store prior to surgery? It sounds worth having around in case one of the dreadeds happen.

CeCe, I am scheduled soon also. I have pretty much processed through the thoughts you are having now. I have to remind myself that the band WILL still be hard work. I remember it will be a TOOL to help me make the decisions I made more easily back when I was thin. It will help me remember the full feeling. Not failure! Just choosing a safe way to achieve your goals for a healthier life!! People might want to think this is an "easy fix" but I would dare them to try this route and then open their mouth!! Be excited about the great changes you will make with the help of your band - at least that's where I am now! C

Lindaa, I am heading to NYC. It is almost a 4 hour flight. My husband and one son are going also (I will need help with overhead bin!). Sooooo relieved that you could shower right away! I must have read too many plastic surgery stories - I guess they are the ones who have to wait so long! Thanks, C

Hi All, I am welcoming myself to the Lucky 7's group! Hope thats ok!! I am getting banded on 7/26 - Does this make Sunshine have a twin, triplet, quad???! I was looking through some of your all's older posts and caught something about showering. Giant question. I am traveling by plane on Aug. 1st. Please tell me I will be showering? I never even thought of that. Oh my - I must shower prior to the 1st! My pre-op visit with the Dr. is the 24th. I guess we will discuss it - What do you who have gone before know? Thanks! C

Introduction: First, I am a Texan! I am 44, was thin until having 3 kids. (now ages 10-15). I just keep going up. I lose a few pounds and gain more back - same old story! There are really a lot of reasons I've kept weight on BUT I decided I was done with obesity a year or so ago but have made no real progress. I was hitting my highest weight when I started checking out this site and seminars earlier this month. I am already scheduled for 7/26! (There is a benefit to self pay!!) I am getting a little scared. when I can't fall asleep I start talking myself out of it, mostly for silly reasons. Anyway, Hello. C Highest 240, Current 234, Goal 150's or less. 5' 8".