kathystrick

Sounds like a lot of fun!

From what I have been told, it is harder to stretch the stomach than it would seem to be. Relax and try not to get distracted next time you eat.

My doctor requires an overnight stay too.

You will find this is a topic that comes up a LOT here on this board. Unfortunately, sometimes those closest to us are the ones who understand us the least. Would your husband attend a seminar with you to learn more about the band and what it does? Has he seen you struggle to diet, only to lose weight and gain it all back plus more? Is it possible that he is just afraid of the change? My husband was less than supportive when I first started this journey too, but he gradually came around and realized that if we are going to grow old together and enjoy retirement one day, this is a necessity or he will be old and alone because chances are I will be dead. Good luck to you. Let us know how things go.

A lot of us also carry that fear of failure into surgery with us. By the time we reach the point of considering surgery, we have failed so many times that we can't believe this may actually work! Look at the threads about getting rid of clothes. There are a lot of people here who have piles of clothes in various decreasing sizes just piling up because they are afraid of failure. I have only lost 10 pounds because I am pre-op, but can already tell I will be one of those people. Just know that everything you are feeling is natural and you can always find someone on here who is going through the same things.

:thumbup: A true friend would be happy you are taking steps to improve your life and not expect you to stay fat to make them look better. Obviously SHE is the one with issues. I would continue avoiding her and not give her the opportunity to cause you any further pain. I'm sorry you are losing a friend, but hopefully you are gaining some insight. Good luck!

Hi and welcome to LBT! Did you have any fill at surgery time? If not, any restriction you felt after surgery will diminish as you heal and the swelling goes down. Just let your doctor know you are feeling hungry when you go in for that check-up. It sounds like you are doing well dealing with "bander hell". Keep up the good work!

I'm sorry you are having to deal with all of this! At least you are aware that you are not doing your best and it didn't take getting on the scale and discovering you had gained 20 pounds for that to happen. Since you are in a situation where you have to eat out, try to make smart choices. Avoid fried foods and sauces, remember the protein first rule, eat slowly and stop eating when you feel full. Good luck to you and I hope your life gets back to "normal" soon!

I have the chocolate ones and found they had a strong vitamin after taste. They are sitting on my shelf. Maybe I should try them again and give them more of a chance. It could just be an acquired taste.

I have read about support groups having clothing swaps so that as you move down before you reach goal, you won't have to buy so many different sizes. I am hoping to start one once attendance gets up at my local support group. We just had our first meeting in April.

Please, all of you, do let us know how you like it! I am definitely curious!

I saw that advertised and was wondering about it too. Would love to see a review of it from a fitness magazine or some other reputible source before plunking down the $$. If you are lucky enough to get it (fingers crossed for ya!!), please post and let us knwo how you like it!

This sounds like the best solution to me as well. Have something high in Protein to help get you through your workout, and yet felling enough to last you until you can get dinner fixed. IMO, as long as you stick to your doctor's calorie, protein, carb requirements for the day, it should be up to you when you get them and how. The same plan isn't going to work for everyone and obviously the way it is now, his plan is not working for you. Take care and try to keep you chin up! Always choose laugh over cry.

Congratulations!! Glad everything went well. Thanks for sharing your story. Here's to a speedy recovery!!

Your anxiety is normal, especially since you have the added pressure of losing weight before surgery. Just stick with what you're doing and you should do very well. Before you know it, worrying about your weight will be the farthest thing from your mind. Good luck!

WooHoo!!!!!!!!! Congratulations!!!!!!!! I am so happy for you!!

Hi and welcome to LBT! Congratulations on your surgery date. I hope everything goes well for you Monday. Post and let us know how you are doing as soon as you feel up to it. Good luck!

Hi and welcome to LBT! You might want to check the Insurance and financing thread for info on Aetna. I have BCBS PPO and it took about 3 weeks for pre-authorization. Have you seen a copy of Aetna's policy on WLS? Is your Optifast pre-mixed or powder? I know the powder would last longer, but the pre-mixed usually have a pretty long shelf life too. Did you check the packages for a "Use By" date?

Don't be so hard on yourself! I know if you are anything like the rest of us, you have gone through all the diets and exercise programs and losing just to regain. You have probably gone through every possible scenario of ways to lose without having to resort to surgery. But you know what? For some people, surgery is the only way they will ever be able to lose the weight and keep it off. That is a hard concept for some to understand. The battle to lose weight and keep it off is a long and hard fought one. The realization that surgery is the only way that is likely to ever happen for you is also a difficult one, IMO. You know why you made the decision and you know why being healthy is so important to you. Making other people understand those reasons is not important. A year from now, when you have your band and are well on your way to reaching your goal, it won't matter how you got there. I see around the boards that a lot of people have to deal with the comment about "taking the easy way out". We all know that is so untrue. We still have to diet and exercise, just like anyone else who wants to lose weight. The difference? We can do it without feeling hungry all the time! Good luck and stay strong!

Hi and welcome to LBT! Your fear is natural. I think at some point in the process we all fear something. Your fear is not of being healthy and living a longer life; your fear is of the unknown. You don't know the person you will be when you lose the weight and that is scary to those of us who use our big bodies to shield us from people and their cruelty. Once you lose the weight, you won't have to "hide" from people and their hurtful ways. You will have the confidence to stand up for yourself and not be ashamed of all the things you couldn't do as a fat person. Your life will improve in ways you never imagined. The only thing life can be is better because YOU will be better. Get healthy, grab life by the horns and just run with it! I wish you much luck and success.

Congratulations and good luck!

Yep, sure is! If you have trouble finding it in your grocery store, there are some really good and easy recipes online.

Mine was only about an hour too, but I know a lot of people here ahve ahd them take much longer.

Oh, let it flow! Feel free to vent anytime!! That's what we are here for. Six months is a long time to wait for surgery, but by doing the pre-op diet, you are already working towards a better you. You said you have been big all your life. So you have already waited 22 years to start this. What's six more months to wait for surgery? You have already started the journey by doing the diet and pre-op testing. The rest of the time will fly by faster than you can imagine. Just hang in there, keep your chin up, and keep up the good work. That 3 pounds will be 10 before you know! From here, the only way to go is down. Good luck!

Wow! You are all moving right along. You'll be having surgery before you know it! Good luck!