panda

Panda- zCongrats on you loss!!!!! Hey- would you mind sharing your pre-op diet? I would very much like to try this before I have to start my liquid pre-op diet. I need a boost!

-Schexy

I'll give you the diet up until the 2nd night before surgery (surgery is monday, so up until Saturday night for me - that's when I start clear liquids)

This is also the last 2 steps of my post op diet, so I'm going to type it EXACTLY like it is on my sheet::

PHASE 3: (Day 9-Day 15) After Surgery (SOFT FOODS):

1. Avoid full fluids except Meal Replacements (Unjury, diet low carb slim fast, etc).

2. Baked NOT fried fish, pork, chicken, or turkey (no skin) and in small pieces

3. Lean ground beef finely crushed

4. Dried Beans, peas, and lentils -- well cooked.

5. Canned or well-cooked vegetables.

6. Low carb (30 grams per day is the maximum allowable carbs). NO bread, pastas, potatoes or rice.

7. Cottage cheese and non-processed cheese.

8. Scrambled/boiled eggs NOT fried

9. salad, Egg salad, chicken salad, tuna salad or turkey salad (mixed well). Low calorie mixes.

10. Separate solids from liquids 10 minutes prior to and 30 minutes after mealtime

PHASE 4: (Day 16 onward) After Surgery Lets Try Some Real Food:

1. You may try an solid foods -- Protein (fish, meat, poultry), vegetables/salads.

2. Eat your protein first, then vegetables/salads, then other (e.g. fruit).

3. Stay low carb (sugars and starches). 30 grams per day is the maximum allowable carbs.

4. Avoid full fluids except MEAL REPLACEMENTS (Unjury, diet low carb slim fast, ect).

5. Plan 3 meals a day. Remember it's ok to skip a meal, but NO snacking.

6. Cut your food up fine and chew well. Eat slowly. Avoid what doesn't agree with you.

7. No liquids 10 minutes prior to and 30 minutes after mealtime. May have diet carbonated drinks.< /p>

8. Continue to drink 3/4 to 1 gallon of sugar free clear fluids each day.

9. AVOID potatoes, rice, Pasta, bread products, popcorn, fried foods, processed meats, sweets, chips. When in doubt leave it out.

10. Don't forget to exercise at least 10-15+ minutes EVERY DAY.

I know a lot of that overlaps, but, that's exactly how the last 2 phases of our diet (which is our pre-op diet) is specified to us. It worked for me. but it was H-A-R-D for the first week and a half to 2 weeks. But after that, it's been pretty easy to adjust to. I've been drinking low carb/high Protein Shakes for Breakfast EVERY DAY..and i think that's helped a lot.

I hope this helps you guys!!

I can't believe i'm down to 6 days!!!:clap2:

Guys, I just had to share this with you all.

Since January when I had my first visit with Dr. Cywes and he first gave us a basic overview of our new diet/pre-op diet, I've lost 27 lbs!! :faint: :clap2: :faint:

Today I had to get cleared for surgery by a cardiologist, and at his office the scale said I was at 249, and I just weighed here at work (I know it's only 1 lb off from Dr. Cywes's office) and sure enough, I'm at 249!!! (it said 248, but again, it's 1 lb off, lol).

I'm OFFICIALLY under the 250 mark and I haven't even had the surgery yet (( didn't realize I'd been eating my 'pre-op' diet this whole time till last week - but it's do-able and apparently has been working!!)):hungry:

I hate to sound like I'm boasting - I know some of you are having problems losing the required pre-surgery weight your Dr.'s gave you, so i kinda feel bad about this post - and I'm not trying to boast....but I've NEVER been able to lose on my own...ever....period. No matter what I did, I couldn't do it. And now, I'm so desperate to be sure I didn't gain/that my liver would be right for surgery that i've finally be able to do it....

I have to go buy new clothes this weekend (with as much as I really can't afford it! - Thank HEAVENS for Goodwill!). Or raid my mom's closet (she's been a size or so smaller than me for a few years now).

I'm just absolutely BLOWN AWAY by this....i mean...just.....F-L-O-O-R-E-D.

Watch me get the band and not lose any more for a while, LOL.... j/k....I'm so excited for next monday (my surgery day - 6.5 days from right now!)....Thankfully I have plenty of work to keep me busy (at least for a couple of days...lol).

Anyway, I'm praying for all of you on this board, and I know we'll all do great!

Hope you're all having a great Monday!

-Panda-

GGGGGGGGRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR...

I'm online looking up interesting ideas for dh's & my 20th wedding anniversary coming up on April 4 and I thought "What about a balloon ride" and guess what????? -----

I'M TOO FAT TO GO ON ONE!

Max weight 280.

Wow.

What a wake-up, slap in the face, take a look at yourself moment.

(PS -- If anyone has any creative ideas, I'd love to hear them! The actual day is on a Weds, dh has to work (I think), we can't travel anywhere that week or weekend (Easter weekend), $ is a bit of a factor... I really want to be creative, which I usually am, but I'm completely stumped! I was trying to think in "20s"... burn a cd w/the top 20 songs from 1987, put a crisp, new $20 in his wallet, bake him 20 of his fav Cookies, give him a 20-min massage, buy tix to 20 soccer games (that's a bit much!)... you get the idea... he's a photographer & I have a sneaking suspicion he's been working on some sort of photo project for me... which is so thoughtful... and I've got nothing! I am in quite a funk right now!)

Let me tell you what I did for my hubby when we were dating....

At our 6 month mark, it was a big deal to me - my longest relatoinship without some horrible breakup in the middle - so I wanted to do something really nice, but I was a broke college kid living at home ((((THANKS AGAIN MOM!)))). So I got creative. I came up with 182 reasons why I loved him (one for each day we'd been together!!). Some sounded very similar but they were each different. I included special moments, things he said or did for me, every little thing I could think of. ((it didn't take long believe it or not)). And I typed 'em up, printed them out, cut those into smaller pieces and glued each one to it's own piece of colored construction paper, then used packing tape to ""laminate"" each card. I spent a total of 10 hours on it! I went to his parents house that day (he was working), and spread them all around his room, on his bed, pillow, dresser, floor, EVERYWHERE. I also had 2 real roses (one white, one red) and 2 artificial roses (again, one white, one red). Real ones were to signify how real my love for him was, artificial ones were to signify how my love for him would never die. White roses stand for truth, innocense - to symbolize how true my love for him was, and red - "I Love You", romantic love. ((yeah, i went nuts on this one)) LOL.

You can copy it or add some twists (i wouldn't suggest using one for each DAY you've been together, but try 20 - one big reason for each year!).

Just a suggestion. It cost me less than $10 total, but took time, effort, and thought. He cried for a long time once I got there and gave him the real roses (i'd left the artificial ones on his pillow, and a note on his door). He'd had a horrible day at work that day, so when he saw that, it meant even more to him

(((gosh, i gotta get on the ball doing something major like that again!!)))

If i think of more, i'll post them later GOOD LUCK!

Hey guys. Well, yesterday I went to my pre-op appt and anathesia screening.

Good news first - I found out the diet I've given myself the last 2 months is my preop diet!! How crazy is that? Guess that's why I've lost a total of 21 lbs since Jan 3rd! :clap2: So that makes me happy (but i'm still going to be stricter (is that a word?) on myself anyway for the last leg of this pre-op journey!).

Bad/Irritating news - When I did my anathesia screening at the hosp., they said I had to be cleared by a cardiologist because my blood pressure was up. *deep sigh* Good news in that is that my surgeon's office got me an appt with one on Monday at 10am...but still...I thought I was done with all the delays and bumps, ya know? So, a bit of a bump in the road, but I'm determined and confident that I will still have surgery on April 2nd after my mom. God led me here in this journey, Satan's trying to make me discouraged, and I won't let it happen

Anyway, so that's my mini-update. I don't post much, but I do read each post.

***group hug!!!*** We'll all do awesome!

-Panda-

Low Carb helped my PCOS, and enabled me to get pregnant...... when shots, charts, and pills couldn't...... you'll never in a million years tell me it doesn't work.......... BUT... it is HARD to stick to for a lifetime.. and is the reason I'm here today.

AMEN SISTER!!!

I have PCOS too and have been battling the low carb thing for YEARS. I could never get it right because they kept saying "net carbs" is what to look for. Uhmmmm NO. That doesn't work.

My doctor doesn't require weight loss before surgery, however he stressed that if we gained ANY weight by our pre-op appointment, he wouldn't do the surgery. So I've been so desperate to make sure I didn't gain, that I've lose somewhere between 22 and 25 lbs since my Jan. 3rd appt. Most of that was with ((Unfortunately)) lots of cheating!

However, I lost 7 lbs in one week by doing the following (warning: it wasn't fun, and i think it made my tummy 'upset', but it worked)::

Breakfast - 1 Advantage high Protein Drink (Chocolate Royale flavor)

Lunch - 1 Advantage high Protein drink and a bowl (around 2 servings) of canned green Beans

Dinner - Plain meat (mostly chicken or pork chops), and veggies (usually green beans again - i LOVE my green beans!). By "plain" meat i mean no sauses - just garlic pepper and a little salt.

All day - made SURE to get in all my Water.< /p>

Total carbs (not counting the carbs in the green beans) was 12 for the day (each of the chocolate royale shakes has 6g total carbs).

Again, not fun having the S-A-M-E foods over and over, but by God it worked....like I said, I dropped 7 lbs that week and I wasn't even exercising.

This past weekend was not so good diet-wise, but I'm back on program today.....I just have to remember what my nutritionist told us, "you're going to slip...know it, acknowledge it.....but DO NOT BEAT YOURSELF UP OVER IT! You aren't allowed to do that in our program. Just pick yourself up and start over at the next meal". And it helps SO much!!! I think that's half of what's kept me going so strong honestly. When I 'mess up' on my diet, I tell myself, "well, that was dumb, but it's done now...next meal i'm gonna be extra strict and get back on the right track". It really really helps!

As for the PCOS, it's been a pain - for the longest time I didn't even have to worry about birth control....((I do now though!)). But what a lot of people aren't getting when I tell them I'm having this surgery is that I can't keep the weight off alone. I've learned I can lose it, but it won't stay gone unless I get help. The band is going to be my help. My constant reminder, ya know? For the longest time I thought PCOS was always going to be in my way, something I'd never be able to take control of and get past, but now that I'm approved and getting banded in 2 weeks, I'm excited because I KNOW I'll finally beat it down and control it instead of it controlling me for once in my life!! :clap2:

I'll keep you all in my prayers!!!

-Panda-

I figure if I can help one person who struggles with their weight learn about the lapband, then all the rude comments are worth it.

Amen to that!

I've been a walking public service announcement for this surgery and found out that there are very few people who know it exists and out of those, a lot of them think it's just like the bypass.

I feel good knowing I've set the record straight and helped people out (several have said, "I have a cousin/brother/son/etc who needs to know about this...!").

In fact, my sister-in-law's brother-in-law (did you catch that one? lol) is looking into it and is waiting for me to get my surgery so he can ask qeustions and see how I do! :-D

We will be fitting into those old clothes (you know the ones in the back of the closet labled "skinny") before we know it!!:clap2:

You know, I guess it's a blessing and a curse, but I've never been "skinny". Unless you count when I was 4 years old...but I most definitely wouldn't fit into those clothes anymore!!! LOL. But I have acquired a few "skinnier" clothes over the years (still hanging onto some size 16s and 14s that people have given me, and some larger sizes that I KNOW shrank over the years! lol).

I see the pictures of those who have already been banded a year and a lot of them look like totally different people...so I'm curious to see if that'll happen to me...if i'll still even resemble the 'me' I've come to know......ya know? LOL.

The best part though is that I'll be healthy, no meds, have more energy, and I'll finally (after a year or two of being banded) be able to start having mini-me's with muh hubby :-D That's my ultimate goal - be healthy for life, but also to create life

My mom and I are both being banded by Dr. Cywes in Jacksonville FL on 4/2/07 :-D

She's scheduled at 7:15, and I'm right behind her at 8:30 :clap2:

My dad was going to do it, but he needed surgery on some nerves/muscles in his neck area (he's in surgery right now in fact), so he postponed his for the moment (he's lost 40 lbs just by supporting my mom and eating only what she can eat though! So he may not end up needing it!). My hubby doesn't need it. My sister (who is the person who introduced us to the surgery 3 years ago) was trying to get it done, but she's 10 lbs too LIGHT to qualify for insurance coverage and she said it's not worth putting those 10 lbs back on after working so hard on weight watchers to lose the 40-50 she did lose on her own. ((i don't blame her though)).

AND We have a lady at my church who is in the 6 month doctor supervised diet part of her insurance approval. So it's all over the board with me :-D

We could start our own support group in the family :-D LOL

I have been HORRIBLE with my eating! Absolutely HORRIBLE, but I'm trying not to beat myself up about it.

The nutritionist my mom and I went to told us that we were NOT ALLOWED to beat ourselves up over mistakes. She said, "It happens. When it does, just pick yourself up and start new at the next meal/next day".

She made us repeat to ourselves several times..."We're NOT allowed to beat ourselves up". And so far, I haven't done that but once (beat myself up over messing up my diet .

Just pick yourself up and start again tomorrow....you can do it :-D:clap2:

Just one for now, but I'm sure I could think of MANY.

When I was 10 years old (chubby, but not gigantic or anything) I was staying at my aunt and uncle's house which was about an hour from my parents house. We used to stay out there all the time (my sister and I). Well, my uncle came home towards the end of my stay that time (my sister was babysitting my cousins, so she was staying longer).

My aunt told him I had to go home in 3 days because I had a dentist apointment.

He looked at me, laughed, and said, "I don't think so, you're not leaving this house until you lose 10 pounds...":mad: :faint: :woot: :faint:

I called my mom the next morning and asked to come home, and she came and got me. I never told her why until I was older (about 17). She said she wished I had told her cuz she always wanted to give him a piece of her mind and making fun of her daughter would have let her do that.

Well, my surgeon's office told me at the one-on-one interview that when he says "you need to do this, cut back on that, don't eat any of those" to do it. I was told that if you get through your pre-op diet and he gets in there and doesn't like the way your liver looks, he will not hesitate to sew you up without the band.

The surgeon didn't say that personally, however he did stress (and explained with a diagram and everything) that a fatty liver is no good. He wont' be able to lift the liver like he has to to get to our stomaches (me and my mom are doing this together - same day 4/2). He's had us working on cutting out the sugars/sodas/carbs for over a month (look at my stats, it's already working!).

He explained that EVERYTHING we eat goes through our liver in the digestion process. When we eat a meal (but especially a very high carb meal) our liver blows up/expands. The liver has 2 choices, the first is to send the carbs/glucose on to the muscles to be used for energy (exercise). If after so long that doesn't happen, your liver can't hold all the carbs/glucose any more and it will turn them into fat so that the liver can go back down to normal.

He then went on to say that when we stop eating so many carbs, there's not a lot of glucose to use for energy, so the liver will PULL from our fat reserves, change it from fat back to glucose, and send it to the muscles to be used for energy. He said if we add exercise to that equation, it'll work even faster (he's only asked for 10 min a day of exercise from us!). I haven't added the exercise like I should have, and I've already lost weight. I'm not big on math problems, but I understand this one and knowing that if I don't do one part of the equation correctly, I won't come to the right answer really clicked with me.

I may not have explained that fully, or in enough detail, but the way he explained it FINALLY made sense to me why carbs were a no-no. There was a reason for it besides "your body can't handle them, you're not allowed"...ya know? I've done better this time staying low-low-low carb than ever before because I'm SO desperate to make sure I don't do anything to mess up my surgery (fear of him not putting the band in cuz he can't get to my stomache cuz my liver is so fatty).

I know the pre-op diet is supposed to take care of that, and I'm sure it would be sufficient, but I'm a paranoid type and I've been working on it since January. It's not as hard as I thought it would be. And I think i'll be better off post-op because of it (already having those practices in motion..ya know?).

Anyway, I wish you all the luck in the world, I'm sure you'll be fine if you stick to your pre-op diet :clap2:

Hello hello everyone! A few posts up my mom posted (darla) about how we are going through this together. Let me tell you, the last 3 years while I was researching and trying on my own it was so lonely (even reading posts on here didn't help much). I'm so glad we get to do this together! I feel bad for my dad though - his wife and his daughter having surgery back to back the same day...I know he's got to be going insane!

Anyway, I wanted to come in and say HI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and introduce myself :confused: I'm hoping to add some pictures/change my avatar to a real picture soon, I just haven't had time recently when I'm home.

So mom and I are joining Bandlandia on 4/2 and I couldn't be more excited. Everyone keeps asking me if i'm nervous or scared and honestly I'm not. I just look at them and say, "I was ready yesterday......hook me up, lets go!". My entire office (about 30 or so people) are rooting for me and supporting me. So I've got support pouring out of my ears!!

I'll tell ya though, there are people I've told who had NO CLUE what Lapband was and those who did thought it was like the bypass. So I made it a personal mission to tell everyone who would listen....I'm a walking PSA (Public Service Announcment)!! But I love it. I pray that me telling people will lead to someone else who needs this surgery getting it done. Ya know?

Anyway, I've written a book, I'll go for now. Take care all and GOOD LUCK!!!:clap2:

~Panda~

Is this just for husband/wife duos? My mom and I are doing this together. She just got approved on Friday and we're waiting on my final approval. As long as I get approved too, we'll be banded same day. :biggrin1:

My dad was gonna do it too, but he's losing weight just by being supportive of my mom (and only eating what she can eat, etc.). So he's decided not to. My sister is interested, but having insurance issues right now :-( AND we have a lady at our church who is trying to get it done!! But right now, just me and mom are actually in the thick of it...

My DH isn't really overweight (well, he is, but not enough to need the band....he's 6"3.5 and weighs about 240 - big, but not like me). When he actually pays attention to what he eats, he loses it quick and since he's being supportive of me by only eating what I can eat (cept he drinks coca-cola -> his downfall lol, and i make him eat my bread when it comes with a meal at a restraunt!). He's already thinning out around his face.

Anyway, my mom has been a great support and we help each other out all the time. I'm sure this is going to be a great adventure for us I hope to post pix of us side by side before surgery and then every so often after surgery

Other than that, just wanted to say good luck and congrats to those who have been banded :clap2:

-Amanda-

<TABLE class=tborder cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=6 width="100%" align=center border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=thead colSpan=2></TD></TR><TR title="Post 398686" vAlign=top><TD class=alt1 align=middle width=125>lizrbit</TD><TD class=alt2>:::rolling on the floor laughin::::::

sign me up for one, this clear belly thing. lmao...

can we get our serial numbers embossed on the top front, like a fancy tatoo? we could change our names to them! we could start our own colonies!!

Banderland.

the land of clear banded bellies. This is E613460, let me guide you through our community!

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

((not sure if i did that right, but we'll see!))

This had me trying to keep my giggles under radar here at work!!!! TOOOOOOOOOOO funny! :spit:

Thanks everyone. I really appreciate the words of encouragement. Again, I never wavered in my decision for the band...it just stumped me that I am finally losing before getting it! LOL. It was just weird to me that nothing else was strong enough to make me REALLY stick to something. But at least I have that motivation....

And now.....if only I would get word that I'm approved and get my surgery date! That would be awesome! This waiting for aproval thing is killing me!! :frusty:

Thank you so much

I wasn't going to change my mind...I'm dead set on getting the band (even if insurance doesn't cover it - I will find a way to self-pay, even if it takes years to save for it).

I was just bothered by those thoughts. I've never been able to lose weight (at least not more than like 5 lbs over 3 months...). So this sudden loss just got me wondering why I was never so dedicated before. Why now when I'm about to get surgery to help me? I don't know. Oh well.

Again, thank you for your story, it really makes me feel better knowing someone else has been there.

And by the way, I agree with you....Vacations are for enjoyment - not diets!!! :hungry:

I was talking with some of my co-workers about my surgery today and I was telling them that since I started making the changes needed for surgery (I'm drinking the low carb/high Protein shakes - adkins, advant edge, slim fast, etc. twice a day, plus green Beans at lunch for Vitamins and regular dinners - still LOW carb, absolutely no sweets/breads/rice/pasta) I've lose 7 lbs in the last week doing this. I was excited needless to say and wanted to share - I spend more time with these women than I do with my husband and I see them almost like sisters.

Well, they started congratulating me and were very happy for me:clap2: , but then they started saying "Well, if you did that for 4 weeks, that's 28 more pounds...If you keep it up indefinitely, you wouldn't even need the surgery..." And they started saying how maybe I should re-consider since I'm losing on my own right now. I tried to explain to them that I have things going on with my health that I would never be able to keep it off or get all of it off on my own - that I've tried (ok, so not quite THIS hard before - but I have to get my liver ready for surgery, plus if i gain more than what i weighed at my first appt, he won't do the surgery at all). I explained that the "life or death", "he might not do surgery if my liver is all fatty and he can't get to my stomache" is actually my motivator. Having that hanging over my head is what's working. I want this surgery so bad that I'm able to stick to the plan and do things right, FINALLY, for once in my life. And they didn't quite get it. :think

So I finally said, "I love you guys, and I know you're just worried about me and worried something will happen during surgery, but just know that I've been debating this, and working towards it, and praying about it for 2.5 years. I know what I'm getting myself into. This is what I need." I went on to explain - again- about my PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) and how I would never be able to keep the weight off because what I'm doing to get ready for surgery (and what's making me lose right now) could not be kept up with life-long. They still don't quite get it, but they backed off.

Unfortunately, now I'm wondering if I could do it on my own. Apparently I can do it a little bit (lost a total of 11 lbs in the last month - which is just...WOW for me...never happened before).

I'm not changing my mind. I know deep down the surgery is right for me. I have too many issues going on hormonally that I know it'd never stay off (even my doctors have told me this - my primary brought up surgery with me 3.5 years ago and BEGGED me to consider it because I was adament i wasn't doing it! LOL).

..but...I'm wondering why I was never SO dedicated before? I know if I lost the inspiration of this surgery, I'd lose my dedication. Why was nothing else I wanted important enough for me to stay on track? You know?

I had some REALLY big motivators in the past...((and granted, the surgery is going to help me achieve all those as well and they are the reasons I want the surgery)), but I just don't get why the surgery is what has finally got me to that, "I am NOT going to let ANYTHING mess me up - NO piece of chocolate/cake/bread/rice/etc/etc is worth losing this surgery".

Anyone else had this happen, or something similar? Not exactly second thoughts, but just......wondering?? :straight

Of course....

you've got it

Be warned, mine is long like bwaydiva's!!!

1.) Not take meds every day / generally be healthy for once.

2.) Finally be able to have a baby (currently have been officially battling infertility for 4 years). I can't wait to feel what it's like to be pregnant and know I'm carrying my hubby's child (actually, i want to be a breeder - I want like 6 kids! lol...Hubby says 3 right now, maybe 4)

3.) ROLLER COASTERS!!!!! I miss them! (on my honeymoon i tried to ride "the hulk" at universal's island's of adventure....waited in line 2 hours...couldn't fit...left my new hubby on the ride so one of us could enjoy it.....that was the most embarrassing moment of my life...)

4.) NEW WARDROBE!

5.) I will buy and wear an "itsy bitsy teeny weeny yellow polka dot bikini" to the beach and look (and feel) good.

6.) catalog/internet shopping for clothes! (no more guesswork "will this fit?")

7.) Be able to wear bras that actually fit (they don't make the size I am - too big around, not enough boobs)

8.) Travel

9.) Hike the mountains

10.) Like someone else said, not worry about public seating (if i'll break it!)

11.) More confidence

12.) (sorry for this one, but....) Sex, sex, and more sex. New positions, new places, confidence to give my hubby a lap dance.....can't wait (neither can my DH!! lol):heh: :heh: :heh: :heh:

13.) No more aching feet, ankles, knees, back, etc.

14.) Can we say HIGH SCHOOL REUNION?!?! ((10 yr for me is coming up in 3 more years -- can't wait!! I was always big, so a skinny me would floor most people))

15.) If i don't have the saggy skin I'll get my belly button pierced (just to say I did it..lol)

16.) I live in FL....shorts and tanks that fit and look cute on me!

17.) knowing I'll live past 40 ((this is a big one))

18.) sleeping better (undiagnosed sleep apnea)

19.) Dancing lessons - as someone else said, I wanna learn how to shake it like Shakira (i've got the hips under all these rolls!)

20.) Coming out of my wallflower shell in general

21.) More Energy

22.) I'm going to renew my vows to my hubby (so I can have healthy/fit pictures in a wedding dress!).

23.) Not having people snicker and look at me funny in public

24.) Feeling as though I'm a trophy wife to my hubby (he says I already am, but I don't feel it). I wanna feel confident when he shows me off to people, right now I just want to hide behidn him. I love showing him off too though...

25.) Being able to run!

26.) Being able to cross my legs (never have been able to do that the "lady" way...always had to do it the "guy" way).

The treat I'm going to give myself (and hubby) when I reach goal is going to be a cruise on the Disney Cruise Line - like 8 days long, and I'll have my own balcony! (yeah, gonna go broke on that one, but that's ok!).

:clap2: :clap2: :clap2: Great thread for inspiration!!:clap2: :clap2:

I know everyone's different and has different experiences, but I'm one of those who is telling the world.

Most of the people I work with (about 40-50) know, my whole family, most of my friends. But then again, they also know that I've been battling my health and weight problems for a long time. Everyone I've told has been so supportive and encouraging...I don't know what I'd do without all the support. And the more people I tell, the more I find out that people don't know as much about the surgery as you would think. They think it's just like the bypass and (as we all know) it's far from it. I've had to really go into detailed explainations with some people before they understood completely. So i feel as if i'm doing a public service and getting blessed in return (everyone is praying for me to get my final approval and have surgery). And one girl I work with is telling her cousin about it (the cousin is in our boat, overweight, health problems, the whole deal - but doesn't know about the surgery).

I do understand the constant questions thouhg. Every day someone asks what my status is. But it keeps me encouraged. It keeps me on track knowing that THIS many people I interact with on a daily basis are going to be holding me accountable. It will keep me straight as far as diet goes, and again, will keep me encouraged. Already my direct co-workers get on to me if I talk about eating something I shouldn't be, and I appreciate it...:clap2:

But, if you're going to tell people something else, be as vague as you want...I'd just say tell them you had to have some surgery, non life threatening, assure them there's nothing to worry about and that you just don't feel like discussing it. if they prod, go with the 'female issues' excuse. or say "personal female issues"....that should stop them in their tracks

Good luck in whatever you end up telling them!!!

I haven't bought GS Cookies in forever, because I know they will only last a few hours *embarrassed*. But I must say, I will dearly miss them after surgery ((i almost bought some this year just before all the good news that i would most likely be approved -- still waiting on final word)).

but I would do the same if my neices came selling them, i'd buy a bunch, but then I'd make others eat them!!! So I agree with the one person who replied and said to get them out of the house immediately!!! You can do it! :clap2:

Where I work, there is ALWAYS some type of goodie in the break room screaming my name....well...I'll be the one supplying instead of eating from now on!! :confused:

Good luck!!!!

I can honestly say I hadn't even thought about this issue *blink*blink*:faint:

yeah, makes me a bit uneasy, but I see why they have to do it. And I'm with most of the others....whatever they gotta do, i'm game for it. At this point, I'm at the "hurry up and wait" part (went today to drop off all my info for my insurance packet...waiting on approval now...).

When I get approved, I won't care...in fact, I don't think it'll hit me what I'm doing/having done until after I wake up from surgery!! LOL. It still seems like a dream that I'm finally making it happen! So it won't be until I'm in pain from the surgery that it'll sink in that "oh my gosh, I finally got it done!!!" ya know? LOL.

But good luck!!!:clap2:

I'm glad to hear that!!!!

All the meds I've been on (keep in mind I'm only 25 as of this coming sundday -- but i've been on and off a medley of prescriptions since i was 17 --) keep me from even thinking about getting close under the covers, yet alone actually wanting it.

Poor hubby deals, but i know he gets miserable at times. So one of my secret hopes of this surgery is that losing the weight will make me want it more (preferably a lot more!!). Which in turn will make hubby happier!:clap2:

Yet another cyster here :-D

By the way, have any of you been to soulcysters.net? I've been a member on there for years. It's the largest online support group for PCOS that I've hard of. Everyone is great, and there are boards for WLS cysters as well as allllllll sorts of other groups/boards.

You should all check it out

I was officially diagnosed just before my wedding in '03, but knew i had it for years before that. I've got every nasty symptom there is and have been on meds for blood pressure and cholesterol since i was 17 (i'm 24, will be 25 next month). Or had been on them anyway. Mid 2005 I couldn't afford my meds, felt better NOT taking them, so I didn't take them anymore, then lost insurnace......fast forward to now and I've got insurance again and I'm trying for the band again.

I'd had United Health Care originally, but it was a written exclusion in my policy :-( booooooo

My new insurance will cover it since it's a medical necessity though (just found out on monday!!!!). I got lucky and was able to get in to Dr. Cywes's office this coming Monday (the 11th) at 2pm!! Go in in less than a week!!! Amazing!

Next week I'll be jumping through alllll kinds of hurdles and hoops I'm sure trying to get all my tests/evaluations done, but I hope I can get them all done next week. I'm praying for a band for Christmas (as in, that week sometime). But we'll see. It's all in the Lord's hands. He's opened this door and I'm jumping through!! I*'ll keep you all in my prayers too

I'm at work so I gotta go for now...ttyl!!

-Panda-

Thank you for all the well wishes, and I'll keep you all in my prayers! :eek:

I'm just so excited I could burst. I know the band is not perfect and that it's not a magic pill of sorts, but to know that I'll finally have something to help me, it's just amazing. I've battled my weight since I was a child and have been on medley's (sp?) of medications for blood pressure, cholesterol, etc, etc, since I was 17. The thought of FINALLY not having to take 5 or 6 medicines a day and still be healthy is almost too much to imagine. I don't think it'll truly hit me until I wake up from surgery one day, LOL.

Anyway, I have to be to work early tomorrow, so i have to end this here. Have a great night everyone!

-Panda-