citygirl4616

:whoo:Hi Jan. bandsters! I have been on the Lap Band forums for a while, but just found all you January gals (and guys!). I am 39 years old and live in Atlanta. Dr. Steinberg is performing my surgery at Dekalb medical Center. My husband is a physician who is about 90% on board with the surgery. I guess as a physician, he is not loving the idea of any "optional abdominal surgery", but is completely supportive of my decision to get the band. I have 2 kids..14 and 12, and I have not yet told them about the surgery. My daughter is 14, and has struggled with binge eating and a bad body image in the past. She is finally on a path of healthy eating and exercise, and I don't want to distract her with my weight loss issues. Once I am on my feet again, we can exercise and eat healthy together. I will probably tell the kids I am having some minor abdominal surgery, or something. My doctor only requires a 48 hour pre-op diet. I already have everything I need for the pre-op diet, and the 3 week liquid phase diet (homemade chicken broth in the freezer, sugar-free Jello, Protein powders, a new Water bottle for sipping, my Magic Bullet). I am ready! I am looking forward to sharing this exciting journey with all of you....

Congrats on getting your date! I am getting my surgery the day AFTER you...Jan. 10th! What a great way to start 2008! I am getting it done in Atlanta. Good luck, and I'll see you on the boards!

I am definitely in the same boat as you KatieBee. I have only told my close family about my surgery. I don't want to start picking and choosing what friends to tell, and then they tell their spouses, etc. To me, this is a very personal, private matter. I was thinking about what I would say to people, because they will obvoiusly ask how we lost the weight. I think I will just say that I am eating smaller portions of healthy foods. If they press further, I will just say my doctor and I discussed my health, and we decided on a plan that we both feel would fit my lifestyle (or something like that). I want to let them know it is medically supervised, so I don't get any unwanted advise from people commenting on any aspects of my weight loss or diet (you know there is one in every group). There are no lies in what I am saying. I am just giving out the information I feel comfortable sharing. Maybe one day, I will feel comfortable saying I had the Lap-Band surgery, but for now, I would like to keep it private.

Hey Hilary..No problem with the name! You are lucky to have a supportive friend who will walk with you. Walking is going to be a great post-op exercise, especially in the first few weeks. It is so funny to me that you are having a heat wave now! We had a terrible one this summer (August for us). About 3 weeks of 100 degree (40 degree celsius) and higher weather. Also, really high humidity. In the meantime..have a great week! Gwenn

Hi Hilary....Where are you located that it is over 100 degrees outside. it is cold and rainy here in Atlanta. Is your pre-op diet required by your doc? Mine only requires a 48 hour, pre-op, clear liquid diet. That won't be fun, because there is no protein to keep you full for 2 days! Does your doctor require an overnight stay in the hospital after the surgery? Mine does. Keep in touch...I am excited to meet another Jan. 10 bandster! Gwenn

UPDATED LIST Dec 31- Chrisann (honorary member of the Jan 08 bandsters) Jan 1- HAPPY NEW YEARS! Starting the year off right! Jan 2- phowell, Megmarie21, Gingerbug(Victoria), jengland, racetrackweary, rainbowme2(Bunny) Jan 3-WOWOX7, Woodsy,momto3, Mommamare(NJ) Jan 4- KUgirl, steviegene, SuzanneG Jan 5 Jan 6 Jan 7- CallmeJim, comepickmeup, NukeChik, mamato3, kintime, Shell, destined2befree, babedoe4 Jan 8 - Fat&thrifty(and husband Joe), itz me, faa31, crackedpepper, flipbarnett Jan 9 – Redtulips3, FLMan, TachaBaby505!!! Jan 10- luvsrocks, Hilary, Jen25bl, jtag10_4, Char1007, citygirl4616 Jan 11- brez1015, Tmusicmaker123, Poopsie Jan 12- jen6740 Jan 13 Jan 14- CoreynVA, acalpn, srbanker(Suzanne), grayl, cnukaya Jan 15- Travelology (Mexico), Dianego Jan 16 Kathy-CA. Saleel --Australia, back2reality, Cherry_Blue, Perth, West Aus Jan 17- SJK, Alfie, L.A., lwood, Kcintx Jan 18- RuthE?, shanarene Jan 19 Jan 20 Jan 21- mo7293 (Maureen) Jan 22- purplegoddess Jan 23- min, Ang1982 (Angela) Tigger_Shorty (Rose) Jan 24- holleyhobby Jan 25 Jan 26 Jan 27 Jan 28-kawanabear(Kalonda), crystalcml Jan 29 - diane-south fla Jan 30 - PortuguesePrincess(Stephanie),Amberwaves(Amber) Jan 31 SarahT1982, lkgrubb

Okay everyone...I am on the Jan. Surgery Date thread. Very cool to keep track of everyone's surgery date and progress.

Originally Posted by RedTulips3 UPDATED LIST: Dec 31- Chrisann (honorary member of the Jan 08 bandsters) Jan 1- HAPPY NEW YEARS! Starting the year off right! Jan 2- phowell, Megmarie21, Gingerbug(Victoria), jengland Jan 3-WOWOX7, Woodsy,momto3 Jan 4- KUgirl, steviegene, SuzanneG Jan 5 Jan 6 Jan 7- CallmeJim, comepickmeup, NukeChik, mamato3, kintime, Shell, destined2befree, babedoe4 Jan 8 - Fat&thrifty(and husband Joe), itz me, faa31 Jan 9 – Redtulips3, FLMan, TachaBaby505!!! Jan 10- luvsrocks, Hilary, Jen25bl, jtag10_4, citygirl4616 Jan 11- brez1015, Tmusicmaker123 Jan 12 Jan 13 Jan 14- CoreynVA, acalpn, srbanker(Suzanne), grayl, cnukaya Jan 15- Travelology (Mexico), Dianego,poodlecamper Jan 16 Kathy-CA. Saleel --Australia Jan 17- SJK, Alfie, L.A., lwood, Kcintx Jan 18- RuthE?, shanarene Jan 19 Jan 20 Jan 21- Jan 22- purplegoddess Jan 23- min, Ang1982 (Angela) Tigger_Shorty (Rose) Jan 24- holleyhobby Jan 25 Jan 26 Jan 27 Jan 28-kawanabear(Kalonda), crystalcml Jan 29 - diane-south fla Jan 30 - PortuguesePrincess(Stephanie),Amberwaves(Amber)

Hi...I am 39 years old and getting banded on 1/10. I am so thrilled, I cannot begin to say. This forum has been so helpful! Just a few silly questions, maybe some Lap-Band veterans can answer.. 1 - I am starting at 218 pounds (5'3"). I keep hearing these big weight loss numbers for the first few months, but that is usually people with a higher starting BMI. Anyone with similar starting numbers willing to share their weight loss experience? Does your starting BMI matter for weight loss rate? 2 - I seem to keep reading about a feeling of food "not going down", or wanting to vomit, and not being able to. People describe it as a terrible feeling (being way too full, and not being able to get relief). How does that happen, and how can I prevent that from happening? 3 - When can you start taking pills again, without having to crush them? 4 - In the liquid stage, after surgery, when you are having your skim milk with Protein Powder, do you just mix with a spoon, or gently blend in a blender (Magic Bullet)? Ice or no ice?:hungry: Thanks!

Brag away..you look great, and we all know it wasn't easy! You should be really proud of yourself, and your photo is super inspirational!

Finally got assigned my surgery date of Jan. 10, 2008. First day of the rest of my healthy life. I am completely thrilled. Even though I didn't want to share the news of my surgery w/ any other than hubby, I will have to tell my Dad and his wife this weekend. My surgeon, Dr. Steinberg, was really nice about getting me in for surgery ASAP, but Phil couldn't get off of work with such short notice, so I had to ask my Dad to take me in on Jan. 10th. I will explain the surgery to him this weekend (he is in FL. now). At least Phil can pick me up the next day. I do not know why I am so obsessed with keeping this surgery private. I keep thinking of what I will tell people when they start to notice my weight loss. Will I confess then? Or just say I started eating less (which is true)? I am still judging myself that I let myself get to this weight, and that I had to rely on surgery to get it off. I'll just take each day as it comes. In the meantime, I have everything I need for my 48 hour pre-op diet, and my 3 week post-op liquid diet. I am so excited, and just cannot wait to start losing. 2008 is going to be a great year! 2007 was a crappy year. 2008 can only get better!!!!!:biggrin1:

Hi Jan. bandsters! I am scheduled for Jan. 10th 2008!

Finally got assigned my surgery date of Jan. 10, 2008. First day of the rest of my healthy life. I am completely thrilled. Even though I didn't want to share the news of my surgery w/ any other than hubby, I will have to tell my Dad and his wife this weekend. My surgeon, Dr. Steinberg, was really nice about getting me in for surgery ASAP, but Phil couldn't get off of work with such short notice, so I had to ask my Dad to take me in on Jan. 10th. I will explain the surgery to him this weekend (he is in FL. now). At least Phil can pick me up the next day. I do not know why I am so obsessed with keeping this surgery private. I keep thinking of what I will tell people when they start to notice my weight loss. Will I confess then? Or just say I started eating less (which is true)? I am still judging myself that I let myself get to this weight, and that I had to rely on surgery to get it off. I'll just take each day as it comes. In the meantime, I have everything I need for my 48 hour pre-op diet, and my 3 week post-op liquid diet. I am so excited, and just cannot wait to start losing. 2008 is going to be a great year! 2007 was a crappy year. 2008 can only get better!!!!!:biggrin1:

Hi...I am with you girl! I am scheduled to be banded on 1/10, and am soooo excited. I am 39, have been married 16 years, and have a 14 year old daughter and 12 year old son. Personally, 2007 has been the worst year of my life. Anything that could possibly go wrong, went wrong this year. 2008 is going to be the year for us both. I'll look out for you on the boards! Good luck!

Thanks everyone!

I went to a friends 40th birthday last night. My 40th is on 6/29/08. I hope to be down a good deal of weight by then. I spent my 30's raising kids (they are 12 and 14, so I am still raising them!) and trying to lose weight. That is what I will remember about my 30's. Trying unsuccessfully to lose weight! I think I tried every plan out there, only to temporarily lose some weight, and gain it back a few months later, plus a few more pounds. If I hear one more person tell me what a "pretty face" I have...I will scream:eek:!!!!!! I can hear people saying in their heads.."..such a pretty face, if only she would lose weight...". Okay, maybe that sounds petty and superficial, but I guess that is my pet peeve. Sure, I am getting banded to look better, and younger, but my primary reason is my health. My cholesterol is at 203 (on Lipitor), and the ratios are not good. My doctor also said I have a "fatty liver". I am lucky that those are my only major health issues right now, but a few more years at this weight (or at this rate, probably higher), I am sure there would be many more. I am also lucky to have an incredibly supportive husband who thinks I am beautiful and sexy at any weight. :bounce: I am hoping this is the week I get my surgery date! I am so excited and hoping for a late December or January date.

I know I shouldn't be so impatient, but I cannot wait to get my surgery date already! I have completed all of my pre-op appointments, and have gotten all my clearances, except the surgeons office is still awaiting the results of the MMPI-II test (which I only took 6 days ago). I got the clearance from the psychologist, but the surgeon, Dr. Scott Steinberg, at Dekalb medical Center in Atlanta, also wanted the MMPI-II test. I just cannot wait to get this new part of my life begun! I have already purchased my chewable vitamins, B-complex supplements, and a few protein powder supplements to try out before surgery. I was originally hoping to get banded before the new year, but realistically, I am hoping now for a January date. In the meantime, I am going to keep on exercising. I am pretty active (yoga, tennis, walking), but probably need more cardio. I will also practice eating slowly (very hard for me, I am a quick eater). I will also practice patience. Another week or two will not make a difference in the course of my weight loss journey;).

I know I shouldn't be so impatient, but I cannot wait to get my surgery date already! I have completed all of my pre-op appointments, and have gotten all my clearances, except the surgeons office is still awaiting the results of the MMPI-II test (which I only took 6 days ago). I got the clearance from the psychologist, but the surgeon, Dr. Scott Steinberg, at Dekalb medical Center in Atlanta, also wanted the MMPI-II test. I just cannot wait to get this new part of my life begun! I have already purchased my chewable vitamins, B-complex supplements, and a few protein powder supplements to try out before surgery. I was originally hoping to get banded before the new year, but realistically, I am hoping now for a January date. In the meantime, I am going to keep on exercising. I am pretty active (yoga, tennis, walking), but probably need more cardio. I will also practice eating slowly (very hard for me, I am a quick eater). I will also practice patience. Another week or two will not make a difference in the course of my weight loss journey;).

The MMPI-II personality test is the last pre-op test result I am waiting for. I have been cleared from every other doctor. I took the test Mon. (that is one crazy test!), and it was being scored on Tues. Does it just get scored, or does a report have to be written on the results? Did anyone else have to take it?:eek:

Hi everyone! :biggrin1:I am Gwenn from Atlanta, and am hoping to get banded in the next month. I am self-pay (I have Coventry, and they practically laughed in my face when I asked them if they would cover the lap-band surgery!), and have completed all of my pre-op appointments. Everything has been cleared, I am just waiting for the results of my MMPI-II test (I think I passed!). Dr. Scott Steinberg at Dekalb Medical Center is doing my surgery. I am so excited! I have a few questions, and any feedback would be helpful. 1 - I have only discussed the surgery with my spouse. I am a pretty private person, and really do not wish to discuss my bariatric surgery with friends. My parents are super suppportive, but tends to "over-worry" about every little thing. Optional surgery would send them over the edge. Perhaps when my weight loss starts to show, I may consider telling people how I did it. Is it too much of a burden just to have my spouse keep this 'inside the family', until I am ready to discuss this with other people? He is OK with it, but once I am in recovery, I do not want him to have to lie for me, or anything. Who do I really have to tell? 2 - What do you say to people, after your surgery, in social settings, as to why you are not eating (at a business dinner, an office party, dinner party)? Do you just say you are recovering from surgery? Do you say you just had a lap-band put in? Or do you say you are not hungry? My husband and I have a lot of social engagements, and food is always involved. I hate the idea of telling strangers I just had bariatric surgery! 3 - I am so excited about the surgery, but not at all scared or nervous. Has anyone else felt that way? At our group nutritional class, everyone seemed excited for the procedure, but also very nervous. I just cannot wait to start this new journey, that I am experiencing no nervousness at all! I am sure I will be anxious the morning of my surgery, but until then, I can't wait! Am I nuts, or has anyone else been so excited for a surgical procedure? Thanks everyone! I love this forum, and have found it so helpful!