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Thanks for the words of encouragement. I am hanging in there. Today I feel a little bit better and have really been trying to meditate. I feel that the majority of this is mental hunger and it is all in my mind. Meditating has helped me calm my mind and my thoughts. Today I made a great discovery... Diet Orange Crush mixed with vanilla protein!!! I never realized that I would come to appreciate something so small! I almost felt guilty drinking it because it was so good! I tried drinking broth last night but I gave me a gag reflex I just couldn't get it down.

Hello everyone, I am thankful to have found this forum for both emotional and physical support. I say 'physical' because I really do believe that the encouragement and community here will help have an overall impact on my physical journey, as well as emotional. I have long thought about having a lap band procedure done, but the fears have always got the most of me. I've had family who has had the gastric bypass done and they have suffered physically, and look horrible. I spoke with my doctor a few months ago ago and finally told him that something needed to be done. While trying to live an active lifestyle, I realized that my weight was causing me more issues and it seemed as though I was being punished for attempting to live a physical life. He looked over my medical history and reasons I have gone to him, and told me that I would be a great candidate for the lap band surgery. After MANY doctor appointments, evaluations, tests, etc., I was approved for surgery and will be having it done on April 11th! I am both nervous, scared, excited, happy, feel a sense of relief, worried...so many emotions all wrapped up into one big ball! Today I start my 2 week fast and am sipping on the ever so lovely Optifast (yuck!). I have so many things running through my mind, but in the end, I am excited to have this tool that will help me get to where I want to be in my life. I look forward to making new friends!

We are in the same boat. First day, today, seems like FOREVER!!! My doc has me on a liquid ONLY diet for 2 weeks. My surgery is April 11th. I can drink 4 protein shakes daily, clear broth, sugar free jello and popcicles, crystal lite and diet soda. That's it. My head is pounding tonight and I'm starving.

Interesting. I haven't been banded yet. What part of the back do you feel the pain?

I agree with others. It seems to vary from each case, due to insurance. Some insurance is can make this the one year process. I started looking into information around December and finally got an appointment and a referral from my doctor to go to a seminar. It was interesting because my first appointment was at my actual surgeon in January. I was approved 2 weeks ago and will be having surgery over spring break. my process was pretty fast and they said that is very typical for the type of insurance I have. They are paying 80%.

Yep, only shakes. I feel like I am an addict in detox! Lol! Good for you for resisting!

Hey ladies I am feeling too. Today is my first time doing the pre op and I am feeling really weak and emotional. I am starting to think more about life and I have even been really nervous and scared about this procedure. I have thoughts racing through my head as to what would happen if something went wrong. I met with my therapist and he shared with me that these are very normal feelings and that I need to be practicing mindful meditation to focus on my goal. He stated that I need to continue to focus on why I'm doing this and believe that it is the right decision. Trust me, you're not alone. Feels good to be in this with you all.

Thank you for sharing this and being honest. This is SO me. My loving mother is concerned about my health and has hinted and been blunt throughout my life. I didn't want to tell her, but my sister told me that I should. I didn't want to tell my dad, but my sister said it needed to happen. I did, and I am thankful for it. They were very (and continue to be) skeptical about this, but like you said, this is PROJECT ME!

This is all such wonderful information! Thank you! Another important question: how many people did you fill in on your procedure? I haven't made a public announcement on Facebook, because I don't need critics. I have only told my parents, my siblings, my husband, and my best friend. At lunch while I was having my Protein shake, my coworkers were asking what was going on with the sudden change in diet. I felt pressured as though I was living a double life and that I should fill more people in on what I'm doing. I try to be private, but wanted to know what everyone thought. How much of an audience or group knew what was going on?

@@Bandista Thank you SO much for your encouragement! I feel that I have just hit the jack pot by finding all of you! I have felt a little lonely, so much opposition in doing this. I know people are being this way because they care about me and worry. I feel like I have found a group of people who are encouraging and real with me. Thank you! It baffles me to think that I will ever "get full" by so little food. I can eat...A LOT. I've never looked at food as something to satisfy me as much as something to really bring me pleasure. I know all of the menus at all of the fast food places I want to be healthy. I want to have children. I want to be the person I know that I can be. Before, it was for vanity, but now, it is because I know that I will die at an early age if I don't get my health under control. I've worked too hard in my educational journey just to die at a young age.

Yay! I found my April buddies! I am new to the site, please add me! I am scheduled for surgery on April 11th. Looks like I will have a good group of friends to journey with on this long, long, winding road. Lol I started the pre-op liquid fast today. 4 shakes a day, Optifast shakes (EW!). These taste nasty, but they're the only thing the doctor allows his patients to drink. I've only been doing this for a few hours and I want a basket of onion rings and extra ranch.

UGH! That's what I'm dealing with: the 12349087123049781234 documents that say "I may die" and then the anxious, nervous, fearful mother who tells me daily "DO NOT DO THIS!"

I'm only on the first day and it is nearly 1 PM here in California! My body is already making all kinds of sounds and telling me that a #15 with 10 chicken mc nuggets, a Mc Double, large fry and large Coke, two strawberry pies and a dipped cone is what I need right now. Must...fight...the urge!!!

Awesome! I was approved in the same time frame! It is an awesome feeling! I am having my surgery on April 11th!

Hey Ranjith, nice to meet you! I am having a different surgery (Lap Band) and won't have it until April. I cannot tell you what my experience has been because I am just now starting my liquid diet for pre-op. I can, however, respond to you on some of your experiences. I know what it is like to be obese at a young age. I hate looking at pictures from when I was "thinner" or hear people see a picture of what I "used" to look like. They pay compliments to the pictures, which only makes me feel horrible. I used to want to one day lose weight so that I could prove to the world that I was still that person in the pictures. Life has changed and time has moved on. This is no longer a journey to prove to others what I am/am not, but this is a battle to gain my life back (just like you said). This is a battle to be the person that I want to be, and to enjoy life to the fullest! The "ah! ha!" moment hit me when I was trying to go hiking with my dogs. I felt so much pain, so much uncomfort, that I couldn't stop and take in the earth's beauty, nor enjoy the moment with my pups. I realized that I wasn't living life to the fullest. This was not life. I hate taking pictures, and hate when people tell me to get in the picture. I hate looking in the mirror. Now, I can look in the mirror with pride because I know that I am taking my life back into my hands. Hope you find what you're looking for around here. Today is my first day posting.

You are SO RIGHT! This has been the hardest thing for me. Today is my first day with the pre-op liquid fast. I've had some difficult moments today. Last night I was prepping myself, mentally, for what is about to go down over the next 2 weeks. I had my "last meal" last night and totally endulged. It felt like I was having to go through a divorce with a partner that I've had my entire life. food has been there for me during the highest of highs, and the lowest of lows. I can't imagine being limited, especially over the next 2 weeks. My pack of oreos and gallon of milk have been there for me when no one else was. I couldn't believe why I felt so down last night. It felt like I was going through a break-up. I have to believe that I will see results down the road and that it will all be worth it. You all are a true God-send to my life right now. Feeling alone and as if "no one else understands" is just ammo for a disaster. I decided today that I would reach out and look for help. I'm so thankful I am going to make great friends who "get it".

I think 6 pounds is pretty good! I just started today and am currently drinking my first protein drink. Optifast is the only thing my doc allows...and this stuff is NASTY!

Thank you!

I can totally relate with what you are feeling because my surgery is coming up and nerves have staretd to overcome me. I have kept this information within a small group of close family and friends, and some of my very conservative family members think this is taboo. They are trying to talk me out of the decision, and they compare what I'm doing to what "Aunt/Uncle/Cousin" did 20 years ago. I tell them that things have changed and that this is a safe procedure. I can't help but feel worried. The worst part is reading the paperwork you have to sign before surgery (that includes all of the risk factors). I agree with what everyone else has said. You will be fine, and keep in mind what your end result is. You can do this!!!

Great to see how many people are honest about their journey. I just started my 2 week liquid fast and I am also scheduled for surgery on April 11th. I'm really nervous about this 2 week fast. It feels like it is going to be pure hell. It's almost sort of depressing, but my husband keeps reminding me of my end-result and what my goal is. I know that one day I will look back and be so thankful that I took this step and made this decision.

Great to read how many of you out there had it done in March! You are all an inspiration to me!

I am 30 and have seen lots of people pass away all around me. I took the opportunity, through my work, to purchase additional life insurance. You're right. We never know what could happen to us at any moment in our life. I don't have an exact "will" but I have made it known to my family that I have a life insurance poilcy and who is to get what percent of my benefits. I spoke with the people who are on my life insurance policy and made sure that they know how to distribute the money incase anything were to ever happen to me. This is kind of a scary reality, but I think it is good to be prepared, regardless of where we are at in life.

Yikes. That doesn't sound very comfortable. Have you called your doctor to ask him about it? I am barely on Day 1 of my protein shakes. I was only given the 2 week liquid diet and am only able to drink 4 shakes a day, water, crystal lite, Diet Pepsi drinks etc., and clear broth.