marathinner

Hello fellow Febs... I am one week into my pre-op diet, which is 3 shakes a day and "one small meal". The first few days were rough, but I figured out how to adjust to the diet and make it work for me. As of this morning I'm down 7 pounds!! I'm getting banded on 2/5 and the reality that is 9 days away has definitely kicked in. For those of you getting ready to start pre-op diet, IT DOES GET EASIER. Not that everyone will struggle, but I was really hungry the first few days. I've also been gettting on the treadmill which has made a big difference. Hope everyone is doing well and feeling great!! Amy

Hey Feb Bandesters... Today is the last day to vote for our group name. Victorious Valentines has a slight lead over Fab-U-Less Febs, so get those votes in. I will post results on Monday morning (West coast time). I will be great to come together under one name. Februrary starts next weekend.....wooo hoooo!! Amy

Right on Gibson!!! So happy for you...when is your date? Mac...I was one of the lucky ones. My whole process from orientation to insurance approval took 6 weeks!!

Bonnie... Are you on a pre-op diet? My doc has me on 3 shakes a day and one small and healthy meal. It was SO hard the first couple of days, but today I feel better and have stuck to it to a TEE. It's like the transformation is already starting. I think we all fear that the habits that have dictated us for so long will rear their ugly head, and perhaps those demons never go away. But I believe by making a decision to be banded is also a committment to conquering those demons. Stay positive....YOU are doing it!! WE are doing it and together we can get through it!! Oh...and when you're having a bad day, you can come on here and drop some f-bombs and we'll all be here for you!! :rolleyes2: Amy

DS.. You can come join the Feb bandsters group. There are about 25 of us all getting banded in Feb!! A lot of us (me included) are on our pre-op diets. We're still trying to come up with a group name....but definitely come on over. There is a TON of support and info and great people on this forum!! Best of luck to you in this journey! Amy

Ohhh....that would be great Angie!! Let's see where we are at on Sunday!! :redface:

Sunny San Diego for me!!

I for one can say that this forum is EXTREMELY helpful in dealing with these issues just by the simple fact that we are writing about. Being open, honest and exposing our vulenerabilities is a big step. Hell...just starting this thread and entitling it "scared" is a big step. For me to even disclose my weight in a public forum albeit a weight loss forum is monumental. I have felt empowered by the fact that I can openly discuss the demons that haunt me and why I got this way with those going through the same thing. Yes, we have our work cut out for us and we must stop our STINKIN' THINKIN', but I think coming to LBT and being willing to lay it all it there is a pretty powerful thing. As long as we can be honest with ourselves and each other as we progress as a support group, we can take each other to places we never thought possible....for instance FREEDOM for the prison of weight and food!! We are strong and we CAN do this!!

Hey Shannon... Scripps Mercy partners with a program called Pacific Bariatrics. When I first started the process I had to jump thru a couple of hoops with insurance. I had to have the surgery done at a Center of Excellence and the only two were Scripps Mercy and Sharp. I'm having my surgery at Sharp on 2/5. My hubby is also going getting banded and he has Pacificare-HMO and is going thru Scripps Center for Weight Management in Del Mar and will have his surgery at Scripps Green (fabulous hospital). Anyway...hope this helps! Amy

Oh my goodness....so glad to hear you are clear of "the gum incident". Hey stinaNYC....what kind of yoga do you practice? I LOVE yoga....used to be a pretty advanced student until I had back surgery. I'm getting banded in less than two weeks and am wondering when I can start practicing again. I would love to get back to when I could do advanced poses....I was in the best shape of my life then. Just curious how it has worked for you being banded. And CONGRATS on being so close to your goal!!

Way to go Jazzy and Alisa!! Congrats on getting thru it and doing so well. Keep it up!! It's REALLY encouraging for pre-banders like me. Less than 2 weeks until I join you!! Please keep us posted with your progress.

I read magazines backwards. I always start on the last page and work my way up to page 1. I also have to ALWAYS have the middle piece in a new loaf of bread.

I'm staying on plan today because I am in my pre-op diet phase and want to start off on the right foot. Also, they will cancel my surgery if I gain weight. I'm staying on plan today to honor myself, my self-worth, and my committment to this life change.

Awesome that you got your date, Angie and way to kick us off DxMom!! Everyone else...go to the new poll and vote for a group name!! The poll is open until Sunday. We really should get some dialogue going since Feb is less than two weeks away. Alot of us are on our pre-op diets and others are getting ready to start. Let's "band" together everybody!!

Good luck to all you bansters tomorrow!! You will all do great and have wonderful updates to report. We'll all be thinking good thoughts for you.

Hi Sadie.... I'm Feb 5th...less than two weeks!! Wow...you're doing awesome on your pre-op diet!! I just started mine yesterday. I have to do 3 shakes a day and a small low carb meal, then I do Clear liquids only the two days prior to my surgery. I'm 37 and happily married. I live in San Diego in work in public relations. I too, have been overweight all my life. Oh my gosh.....8 weeks off, I don't think I've heard that one so far!! My doc said I will be outpatient and can go back to work within a week. Well, I'm happy to see you on these boards and glad that we have such a great group of support. Amy

Hi gals... Isn't it great to have this support system!! Oh god....I'm so scared!! And yes....I think it's fear of failure not fear of the surgery. I've had plenty of surgeries in my time. Bonnie....you have every right to NOT tell people of the surgery. I have told a SELECT few....people that I can count on to support me, not be judgemental, and help me if needed. God bless my hubby who is soooo supportive and awesome. But mostly...god bless this group!! I'm getting banded on 2/5 (Fat Tuesday) and started my pre-op diet yesterday. It's basically 3 shakes on one low carb meal a day for two weeks. Since doing my marathon in October I haven't done a LICK of exercise. Going to the gym tonight and ready to come full circle with this committment and process. I think we are all brave and courageous for taking this step and making this all important committment to our health. We can do it girls!!! Amy

I'm with you, Karen. I'm not loving this season either. I'm just not as inspired by the teams. Maybe it's because my inspiration is coming from myself and my decision to have the band!! How many hours do you think they work out while they're at "the ranch"? I would venture to say between 6-8 hours a day? YIKES!!

I can tell you after training for and completing a marathon a 240 pounds that my GOD SEND was my sports bra!! It was a contraption of such epic proportions I'm pretty sure NASA manufacturers it....LOL!! The brand in Enell and you can get it online or at a running specialty store. Seriously, the "girls" were locked and loaded and this made my running soooo much easier!! Good luck!!

Hopefully this works. Here I am crossing the finish line at the Nike Women's Marathon on October 21st, 2007. I'm hugging my Mom and holding on to that Tiffany box. They give you a Tiffany necklace as your finisher's medal. One of the greatest days of my life!! This will probably come out as a GIANT photo....but oh well!!

Good suggestion, Anna. We'll see where we are on Sunday night!!

Should we close it out on Friday or wait a little longer?

I think Crystal who originally set up the poll got her surgery date moved to January and is a member of the New Year's Knockouts. I will post o revised poll and we can vote again since there are a lot of new people. Amy

I have BC/BS PPO in California. Once you get all your consults in, you also have to get "medical clearance". Mine came from the endocronoligist that works with my surgeon. Sometimes they can make you go thru additional testing before giving you clearance. Once you get that, the coordinator from the surgeons office will submit everything to insurance. Mine only took 2 days to approve!! Good luck. Sounds like you're keeping pace with everything!!

I'm 37, also live in San Diego and getting banded on Fat Tuesday!! I've been married for 5 years and am hoping to have kids one day. I work in public relations and absolutely love my job. I weigh 245 and hope to get to 140'ish. Started my pre-op diet today and looking forward to the support and sharing this journey with all of you!! Amy