marieze

Getting banded on Feb. 13th. Freaking out (as I said in another post) about what I will be eating when all is said and done. Can you give me a sample of your typical daily menu? I'd appreciate it. Mariezer

Thanks for the inspiration! Marieze:clap2:

Wow! So sorry you had to go through that, but I'm so glad you are o.k. You must have been so frightened. I'm really glad you're feeling better! Marieze

Just curious if this is something I will have to do. I ask because when I have done Atkins or similar low carb in the past, it certainly was not low fat. I ate salad dressing, mayo etc. and did lose weight. Is this an option but with smaller portions (obviously) after the band? Marieze

That was beautiful ladybug! I'm very happy for your new found sense of peace. Walking in the snow with your husband and children; it's doesn't get any better than that, does it? I had my surgery scheduled today and I am getting my band on Feb. 13th. An early Valentine's present to myself!! Marieze

I thought I replied earlier but don't see it so I must be having a brain freeze! Anyway, after jumping ship from the corporate world of Fortune 500 companies, I packed up my stuff and moved my son and I to Lake Oswego, Oregon where I am the "Welcome Wagon" lady. That's right folks, the Welcome Wagon lady. Instead of meeting with Mr. CEO or CFO at their fortune 500 company, I now meet with Dave at Dave's Auto Body. I love what I do! No more suits, pumps and pearls for me!!!! Marieze

I, for one, am no prude, but I have got to say that I can't believe you posted what you did on this board. It basically gives us intimate details and very graphic ones at that about your sexual relationship with your husband, but really has nothing to do with the band or your band experience. Is there a "playground" part to this site that would maybe be more appropriate for you post. Personally, I am really blown away by how graphic your story was. Marieze

I live in Lake Oswego so we are neighbors!! My insurance, United Healthcare is paying 90%. I'm very lucky and have very good insurance! I went to the seminar on Tues. 8/21. I had my first set of appts. Thr. 10/18 and the second set Tues. 10/23. They then called about 2 or 3 weeks later and scheduled the appt. for that Thr. 12/27. They told me that I could have come for a consult with Dr. Jan this week. After the surgical consult, they send the file to insurance and when they get a reply, thats when they schedule the actual surgery. Well, they said that Dr. Jan was going to be off work on vacation the last 2 weeks of Dec. and the 1st two weeks of Jan. I figured that Patterson was my 1st choice so at that point I figured it would be about the same timewise. Being that you are a self-pay, you could skip that who insurance authorization process. Have you called them, I really think you should be in their face and push for your consult/surgery date. Marie

I have finished jumping through all the hoops and now have my consult set with Emma Patterson for Thr. Dec. 27th at 10:15 a.m.!! I don't know when I can schedule the actual surgery, but I'm waiting. Where are you located? marieze

could it be gas?

O.K. I was reading on another thread that after surgery many of you keep calories at anywhere from 800 to 1200. I'm pre-band, and I could "snort" that many calories at one sitting When I hear those numbers, and anything in between, I panic thinking I will be starving all the time. I don't want to be hungry. Will the band make so much of a difference that I will actually be satisfied on 800 to 1200 calories? I'm 5'10 with a large frame........ Marieze

aren't I profound:D Look, if someone looks at me sideways I burst into tears! I cry at At&T print ads for crying out loud! You think you're the only one (this is me doing tough love). Just kidding. Everyone on this board can relate to what you are saying. I am pre-op, finished all my testing and have the surgeon consult on Dec. 27th. When I think about meeting her, I want to vomit. When I set the date, I will cry and have diarreah. But even if I wake up the morning of surgery and don't want to move forward, I don't have to. I am in control of what happens, just as you are. I can totally relate to the embarassment etc. But interestingly enough, when I was in the docs office doing the day long testing (as were others), there was tremendous camradarie since we were all in the same boat. My advice; find a baraitric surgeon who does lapband, research to make sure they are on your insurance, call your insurance to make sure they cover lap (if you are not self-pay). If all is well, call the doctors office and just tell them you are seriously interested and how do you move forward. I wish you all the best, Marieze

Hi All You Fabulous Losers! I need to see what you guys think about something. I am pre-op. I just turned 53 on Saturday, am 5'10 and weigh 365 pounds. I "feel" as though I weigh 1000 pounds! So here's the deal. During the last year, it has become very difficult to stand for longer than a couple minutes and to walk any further than here to there. Not to mention how winded I am. When I wake up in the middle of the night to go tinkle, I have to hold onto the dresser for a moment then I walk like Frankenstein to the bathroom. Believe it or not, I used to be really healthy and reasonably athletic. I see people who I think look heavier than me and they seem to be more mobile than me. So here's my question: For my stats above do you think that it's from the weight that I am having such "mobility" problems or do you think it's probably something else? If I go to the grocery store, I am humped over the cart because of low back pain after about 5 minutes! I feel like I'm 100 years old. I live in a 3 story townhouse and you should see me "doing" the stairs!!!! I guess I have trouble realizing that 365 is frickin' huge! PLEASE tell me that it's from the weight and that after surgery, since I WILL be following the program, this will change. I really want to walk far distances, go to the grocery store, and basically just hang out in target without needing cpr.:help: Marie

Hi Guys, This thread is so encouraging! Please keep posting about your LOSS of aches and pains as that is one primary goal of mine with weight loss!! I appreciate all of you sharing your stories! My warriers!!!! Marieze

what the heck? Is there a reason you keep stopping and not telling us the whole story? I don't get it????? Marieze

Hi Dave, I was reading a reply of your on another post and you mentioned that you lost someone due to sleep Apnea Complications. Now I'm majorly freaked out! I was recently diagnosed with Sleep Apnea and received my cpap machine last week. I had to wait for the mask and just received it. However, I can't seem to get it to fit...so long story short....I haven't used the machine yet. The true confession is: I haven't really taken this whole Sleep Apnea thing very seriously. Now I read your post and OMG. What exactly happened if you dont' mind my asking? Marieze

Dave and Terry, Thanks to you both for your replies. Terry, that information is a real kick in the butt to me! And Dave, that story is so awful. I think I'd better get my but in gear. Thanks again to you both! Marieze

I absolutely cannot thank you all enough for your generous responses. I feel so surrounded by understanding from you all. I read your responses and realize I'm no alone. So many of you have walked in my shoes and are living proof that I am doing the right thing. You will never know how touched I am that you shared your stories with me. In Gratitude! Marieze

Wow! I can't believe how much weight you have lost so quickly!! Fantastic!! Truly an inspiration. Did you need to lose a certain amount of weight before they would do the surgery? Marieze

Yes, I am getting the band. I've finished all my pre-op and am now awaiting the surgeon consultation. I forgot to mention, that I have a bunch of that sagging stomach fat from being fat and having had a c-section. I'm sure that doesn't help my back either! Marieze

Just reading this thread is making me panic! I do get anxiety with this kinda stuff and I'm afraid I'll freak out if something gets stuck...(pre-banded person). Funny thing, during one of my pre-op visits with the shrink, (who is banded), when he got stuck the first time he told me he "freaked out". Gee, falls under the category, "what not to tell the pre-banded patient in front of you" Anyway, didn't someone mention that a few sips of grapefruit juice would clear it? Can you breathe when this happens? How long till it goes away? Do you panic? (See, you can tell I'm a LITTLE anxious!!! :help: Marieze

Betty, I'm just glad you found a place to feel "free". But don't kid yourself, probably every one of your colleagues has a monkey on their back. It's just that when it's food, we sort of "wear it" so people can see it. But, I must say, that the job offer sounds really great. Can you imagine being "free" 24/7? I really do wish that for you. Like I said though, the most important thing is that you are here and feel good about it! :clap2: Marieze

Hi guys! O.K., here's the deal. Yesterday when I had my psych/nut/doc/pt/appts. everything made sense. Today my brain is jello!!!! The psych himself has been banded so that is a real plus. He was able to answer questions up front. Now, the nutritionist showed me her plastic foods to eyeball portion size etc. While she doesn't condone any "diet" per se, if one is not losing weight they should then review what they have been eating by counting calories. I get that. What I don't get is this business of "eating around the band" as I have heard it referred to. She said that things like ice-cream, milkshakes etc. go down really easy and are loaded with calories...is that what eating around the band means? I have envisioned that with the band, you are limited with quantity no matter what it is. No? Obviously we need to change our relationship with food and make good food choices, but I also read about people losing 100 pounds with the band who ate small portions of crappy food. I guess I'm just afraid of having the surgery and not being successful, or finding out something I didn't know afterwards that would have been a deal breaker for me. Any feedback? Marieze

First, thanks to all who responded....I greatly appreciate it. Renewed Hope, That was a brilliant explanation and one that perfectly makes sense to me. So, in avoiding the liquides with our meals, we really should feel satisfied early on with our meals and stay satisfied for a longer period of time. I GET IT! So you were banded today!!!!!!! Congratulations!!!!! I would love to hear about it! How are you feeling? You're home already???? I figured I would be in the hospital barfing from the anesthesia!! I want the details!!! Marieze

That's what I mean........I DON'T GET IT!!!! The doctor tells you that the band helps you 30% of the time. In what way? If it's by limiting the food you eat due to a small pouch, how does that not work 100% of the time. How does it not limit your intake EVERYTIME you eat? Look, I'm not looking for magic here; just an understanding of something so that it makes sense. To me, it either restricts your food or it doesn't, no? If I'm eating only a fraction of what I used to, how can I not lose weight? Marieze