gisellehuet

I stopped smoking a year a go as I got my first appointment for the lapband. I wanted to show the doctors that I could commit to something. Then my periodontist gave me a program to Stop Smoking, not to quit smoking because I am not a quitter. I did not want to use the patch because I did not want to give myself more nicotine, so I told myself everynight while I looked at myself in the mirror that I would stop smoking, without recurring to food or getting crancky. It helped and also I tried to stay busy. Whenever I had a bad craving for a smoke I would hold a cinnamon stick in my mouth or fingers, like a cigarrette... wow that helped a lot. Every day was one more day....And so far...13 months and counting... I do not want to smoke ever again!! I never thought that after smoking half a pack a day I would be able to stop. But everything is possible....

I finally started mushies yesterday. So far I was getting full with the protein shakes and soups.. but just knowing that now I can eat many different foods.... made me really hungry and kept thinking about all the things I could eat. Then I ate too quickly and felt uncomfortable. That was the sign and I started to repeat to myself that the hunger is in my head not on my stomach, it helped a little. I guess I have to do that every day, because today after eating half a cup of mushies I realized I could eat more and I really want to split the cup into at least 2 meals and I really want to stick to the guidelines so I don't want to over eat. Anyway, I love this site because it always makes me feel better, reassuring me that I am doing the best for myself and that I am not alone in this journey, you are all there with me. Thanks.

Souds great I would love to get one!

I just came back from my first post-op visit. I am so excited I have lost 11lbs since surgery!! I feel great... I am also thrilled that I can eat soft foods now and not only liquids!!! Does anyone have suggestions for soft foods besides the regulars (scrambled eggs, pureed fruits and vegtables, tuna and chicken salad)? I think we all agree we all like options and variety!

jjsmema, Your doctor should tell you when you are supposed to start your shakes. Because I have read many sources and everyone says a different timeframe. About Protein shakes: well I do not like the milky ones so I tried nectar and is pretty good. I got the fuzzy navel falvor and I mix it with V8 Splah light or some juice. Its a lot better than all the other ones. Isopure clear comes already made in a glass bottle is also good but more expensive. TRy bariatriceating.com or bestpricenutrition.com Good luck and congrats on your 10lbs!! I miss bread but I am happy with my 7lbs lost since surgery!

ajkamk, Hang in there I know the waiting period can be very difficult. I am happy with UT Southwestern, everything has gone smoothly and evryone has been very nice. The nurses at Zale Lipshy were really nice and my stay at the hospital waspleasant, considering. Thursday I have my post-op and hopefully I will start the soft foods..

Hey! I was banded on march 14th as well and yes the pain is finally going a way.. I have lost 7lbs... I have not felt hungry until yesterday...I do not like the protein shakes taht much but I know I need them to heal. I have my post op next week and hopefully they will advance me to purees...my left shoulder is still bothering me though... Lets keep us posted!!!

Hey!! Everything went fantastic!!! I really have not had much pain... Tomorrow will be a week and I am just now starting to feel hungry... I hate the Protein shakes.... I think I will try the isopure. I did not have much pain, except on my left shoulder that sometimes it gets bad and all the gas, when I got home the first two night I slept on a chair. I have been having problems with constipation, but hopefully they will resolve. I know what you mean about the smells... its hard.. for me its bread... I really miss it... but I keep telling my self That "nothing tastes as good as thin feels".... I want to go into the soft foods already... but I am trying to remain calm. I have not had internet until today so that has also been horrible... but I have been walking around and that helps with the anxiety... I do not want to go back to work...

texgirl, I am really glad everything well with your surgery... I'll be sure to drink some black coffee since I do not want a headache... So far I am really anxious but reading your message gives me confidence. Thank you and take care... kep me posted on how you are feeling.

Friday is my day!!!!!... I am really anxious now... Its not that I am scared about the procedure... I just want to get it over with... After waiting for so long... 3 days seem like an eternity... I have my preops tomorrow and that cause some anxiety as well. I do not know what to expect. I think I am more anxious for what is going to happen when I wake up from the anestesia... My pre-op diet is making me really tired and light headed but just 2 more days... I think this site is great because it makes me realize that I am not alone... But I need ways to release some anxiety.... maybe I should hit something Anyone has any suggestions??? Thanks

lonestar, My DR. is Dr. Provost I am getting my band @ Zale Lipshy (UTSouthwestern). So are you on a liquid diet? I satrted my pre-op diet last Sat and so far I am down 5lbs. But it is no a liquid diet, just lo cal, low fat and low carb. Are you very nervous too?

Hi Healthychoice, Welcome! I live in Dallas and I get banded on March 14th. I am so nervous and excited taht I am getting really anxious. I know what you mean about this being the last resort. I feel the same way. But after waiting a year and a half for the band, I have gained confidence in the procedure, and I think that this time I CAN do it. I will succed! This board has so many inspiring stories that after reading some of them, you start to think that you can do it too. I am so ready to start my new life!

HI texgirl, My surgery is a week after yours!!! March 14th!!!!!!! I am very excited but I am getting very anxious too... I can feel it and I am having a little trouble sleeping... I am counting the days. I started the pre-op diet last Sat @ 235lbs (my highest) I am 5'1" tall. So far I have lost 5 lbs in 5 days! great! I am not on a liquid diet but in a very low cal, lo fat, lo carb diet.. the first couple of days was very difficult but I feel much better now, although I am starting to feel tired. Anyway good luck with everything!

Kamikris, Yes I went to the nutrition class on February 12th, it was very helpful. They are trying to start on an all liquid Protein diet, but they still let me do the old diet, which is 3oz of protein, 4oz of veggies 3 times a day, low fat or no fat. No bread, etc. I am excited... I will be eating egg whites, salmon, chiken, all grilled. ANd I think a lot of lettuce, since a friend who was banded a year ago says she has trouble eating leafy greens now. For after the diet I will buy the Isopure for my protein. Let me know how it goes, we can really support each other!!! I hope you agreeon being my bad buddy ...

Hello Marchbandsters, I am getting banded on March 14th! I start my pre-op diet the day after tomorrow. But in my case it does not have to be liquid... I am so glad because I do not tolerate creamy or milky textures very well... that is why I am thinking about the ISOPURE for my post-op diet. I bought one and it wasn't bad... also so far they are at a better price at GNC and bestpricenutrition.com. I am so glad we are so manny Marchers... we can all support each other!

Hello... I am also going to be banded at UT Southwestern on March 14th by DR. Provost. I know what you mean about getting nervous... but more than nervous I am more excited... I cannot wait. I will start my diert the day after tomorrow... Let me know how everything goes! Giselle:thumbup:

Rottimom, I know how you feel. I felt the same way when I went to my first appointment and found out that I had to wait 6 more months of supervised weight loss. I got approved with a BMI of 40 and no co-morbidities. But let tell you I thought ok only six months and that is it... it has taken a year... the first few months I was really anxious and frustrated because I though I was ready... I had made my decision so long ago.... But now as I only wait for 23 more days to my surgery I realized that I am glad I had that extra time, it allowed me to prepare myself mentaly and emotionally for the biggest change of my life. I am really ready to let the weight come off and let my tru self come out and see the world.... Hopefully all you paperwork and all wont take long... but hang in there I try to beleive that everything happens for a reason and whent they are supposed to happen. During the 6 month supprervised monitoring with my PCP I was a yo-yo gain 5 pounds one month, lost 3, gained, lost... until it was over... Good luck! Giselle

Hi! I will be banded on March 14th! and I am counting the days... I plan to take an entire week off... I think taht way I will be completely recovered since I am standing or walking most of the day.

Hi Kelly, I live in dallas and I will be banded on March 14th... I can't wait... My doctor is DR. Provost, he is the best, and because of that he has a lot of patients so you will probably have to wait for an appointment. I know someone that got it done at Presby and she had a good experience. I think it also depends if you are going to pay for it out of pocketr or if your insurance is going to cover the procedure... Good Luck Giselle

Hi, I got my date of surfery last week. And is March 14th!!! I'm in TX but I think we can support each other in this life changing experience. I am getting more nervous by the minute and a little sacred... but I am really excited because I know that this is the best for me. I will only spend a night in the hospital and be back at work after a week... but keep me posted on how everything is going... Giselle

I completely understand how you feel.. It took me months to make the decision to have the surgery, then I had to wait 3 months for my first appointment. And unlike your experience the personnel was not very kind. But yes I found out of all the "new" requirements that I needed before they could tell me if BC/BS would approve the surgery! I tried to get around it, especially the 6 month supervised weight loss, but there is no way out. All these requirements are going to take a long time... I can tell you it is very stressful and at times I just wanted to put all these behind and forget about the surgery... But beleive me you just need to learn how to be patient...I finally got approved after almost a year after my 1st appointment, and I found out because I called the insurance company, I still have not received the letter yet. NOw I am waiting to set the date and go for all the pre-op stuff. The waiting period is really hard... but during this long time of waiting I learned more about myself and my eating patterns, I have grown stronger emotioanlly, and I think that all these will help me after the surgery. I like to think that the surgery will happen when it has to happen, not before not after, just at the right time. Take it easy..

Hi, I don't have my date yet, but just knowing that I got approved and that it is happening made me think more about the surgery itself and its making me nervous. I have had 6 surgeries before and beleive me they were not fun so i guess that makes me even more scared. But what I try to do is come to this site and read all the positive results.. reading about many succeses reminds me thst this scaryu part is just the beggining of this ride that I have being waiting for so long and its going to let the real me come out. This site and all these people restor my faith in that everything is going to be all right and the I made the right decision.

Happy New Year to all!! HI I live in Dallas, TX and after a year of waiting I finally got approved by my insurance company to get thelap band. I still do not have a date. But I am really excited, something that seem so far away is getting closer which makes me a little nervous too. Does anyone has any recomendations on how I should prepare myself (mostly emotionally) for the surgery and before the surgery? I really like this site!

Hello everyone, I have not been banded yet... I am trying to get approved. Hopefully I'll have an answer by the end of the month. So please I beg you to keep your fingers crossed and pray that everything will turn out ok. I am getting pretty anxious already....:nervous I have been overweight for so long and I really beleive that the lap-band will help me! :eek: