KarenH

Okay, I am packing to leave for the hospital. Didn't sleep much last night. Today I am scared, nervous and excited. I guess I have been putting off these feelings until the last minute. I try to envision this afternoon at 5 pm when all is said and done. I have to stay the night at the hospital because I have sleep apnea. I hope to be watching a movie and having something to drink! I am thirsty!!!! Thanks for all your kind words. I really appreciate them. There's nothing quite like the support of people who understand what's going on! Yikes!!!!!!!!!!! Here I go...........Karen

Karen Thanks! and congratulations to you as well! I think once I had all my testing done - pre-op doc visit, labs, ab u.s., upper g.i., chest x-ray, (and just for kicks my personal physician thru in a stress echo at the hosp.) and everything came back normal I was truly at peace with this. I have been over weight since having my first child 20 years ago. Until that time I was a size 10/12. I never took off any of my pregnancy(s) weight and have put on more. I need this surgery to get back to being me! Good luck to you! Thanks again for your positive words. Karen

I am scheduled this Friday (1/25) at 10 a.m. I am a little nervous and very excited! I am not required to follow a pre-op diet, and I think I wish I did! I am eating dinners like each one is my last! I do very well at work (primarily liquids), but come home from work and feast! I will definitely try to do better tomorrow! Soon I will have no choice. I am REALLY looking forward to having the TOOL to help me be accountable for the quantity of eating I have been experiencing. I have read all the concerns about pain and keeping things down or feeling nauseous. I think I am fairly well prepared with my pain meds, gas-x and recipes that I have gotten from this site. Wish me luck! I feel like I could use everyone's prayers! Thanks! Karen:lol:

Liquid Advil/Motrin? I have found Adult Strength Liquid Tylenol, but only children's liquid Motrin. I am stocking up and getting ready for surgery on the 25th. I have read the list of items (from experienced bandsters on this web site) I should get prior to surgery and this is the only one I have a question:confused: on. I prefer Advil/Motrin to Tylenol. Just works better for me! Thanks. Karen

Well, this web site is amazing. That is not the address I entered, but it is the correct thread and they made it a link! I have come to rely on this support group. I am addicted! Karen

skculpepper I did a little search and came up with this - http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f84/check-list-post-op-33414/ it is a list made from fellow lapbanders and their support groups. You will have to cut and paste the address. Sorry, I am not sure how to send it as a link! There are a couple of lists on this site and I have seen others since this (altho I like this one.) Just do a search on post-op shopping! Good luck to you! I am nervous and excited. How are you? Are you required to follow a pre-op diet? Karen

My surgery is scheduled for 1/25. Good luck to us all! UPDATED AND CORRECTED 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), RT, jojokitty Jan 3-WOWOX7, Woodsy,momto3, Mommamare, nancy52,AnneElliot, ovahkummer Jan 4- KUgirl, steviegene, SuzanneG, Songinmysoul, sleclerc (shirley), WendyRae, MamaJava Jan 5- texasbandster Jan 6 Jan 7- CallmeJim, comepickmeup, NukeChik, mamato3, kintime, Shell, destined2befree, babedoe4, ch4251 Jan 8- Fat&thrifty(and husband Joe), itz me, faa31, crackedpepper, flipbarnett, Joanna240, rustymarie, gingydilly Jan 9– Redtulips3, FLMan, TachaBaby505, Lillyanne_M, CJV Jan 10- luvsrocks, Hilary, Jen25bl, jtag10_4, Char1007, Pizzaman citygirl4616 Jan 11- brez1015, Tmusicmaker123, Poopsie, Ready2JustDoIt, B-Man, ganigirl6, Ms.BearKat11 Jan 12- jen6740 Jan 13 Jan 14- CoreynVA, acalpn, srbanker(Suzanne), grayl, cnukaya, Jessthat, Deedle, thinner-or-bust, gilliebean, greeniiii, mitch, WestCoastFatGuy, SMR100 Jan 15- Travelology, Dianegoe, poodlecamper, LKM, greeneyez Jan 16- Kathy, Saleel, back2reality, Cherry_Blue, Dazzle, nadean, with his help, Laurinda; Pikedafoe, Ms.Toya Jan 17- SJK, Alfie, L.A., lwood, tweenwaters, Laurieloo, kcintx,mia31771 Jan 18- RuthE?, shanarene Jan 19 Jan 20 Jan 21- mo7293 (Maureen), graham, lee41 Jan 22- purplegoddess, DPJDMOM, bcgates, AmyMT Jan 23- min, Ang1982 (Angela) Tigger_Shorty (Rose), WhirlWinds Jan 24- holleyhobby,jst4kel,kimmycrs, Somogyi1, rakes4321, RomeGA3 Jan 25- Noni(Mary), htay73il (Hope), Thor, rakes4321(Amy), khoffman (Karen) Jan 26- Louise (London) Jan 27 Jan 28- kawanabear(Kalonda), crystalcml, blg200200, justtjohn, PeachesPJ, kpoincon Jan 29- diane-south fla, Milton 5a (Lauren, UK, 21) Jan 30- PortuguesePrincess(Stephanie),Amberwaves(Amber), Tamika(taismommy), jaycee Jan 31- SarahT1982, lkgrubb, sexymama

Amy - I can so understand what happened as it has happened to all of us even prior to banding. We snack without even realizing it. I am not banded yet - on the 25th - and my doc does not require a liquid diet prior to surgery. I have thought about what I will do after surgery when I have been on liquids and feel the need for something to chew on and have decided to keep gum in my mouth during times that might be tempting. If I am going to be tempted to eat something, it will require that I remove the gum from my mouth and this may give me that second or two to stop myself. Don't worry. You will get through this. Saleel22 gave me some great advice. "Read every thing on here as it does help." You can do this! Good luck. When is your surgery? Karen

Hello bandsters! 2 weeks from today (the 25th) I am scheduled for surgery. I had a pre-op physical, ab u.s., lab work, upper g.i., chest xray, surgerical consult and on Monday I have a stress echo (thanks to my personal doc who I just happen to work for - she's VERY cautious/conservative) Each day I say, "This is the right thing for me. I have researched it, talked about, and worked towards it." I also have a mini meltdown each time I think about how I have failed in the past so many times, does this surgery confirm all my failures? I sit here crying as I write this. My struggle (as so many of the people I have read on this site) has been long and hard. Up and down. My father passed away in March from every complication there is from diabetes. I have recently been diagnosed with diabetes. I know I am headed down the same path as he. I don't want to be model thin. I am, quite frankly, too old for that, but young enough to still want to enjoy biking, hiking, camping and living life without worrying about my weight all the time! I so appreciate this web site. I have read so many "testimonials" and appreciate everyone's perspective - negative and positive. This site has educated me on so many things that are not covered in seminars, nutritionist visits, or doctor's visits. I am going into this with my eyes wide open, but I am still anxious. Sorry if I sound redundant, whiny, or needy. I am sure I will be on a roller coaster ride until the 25th and possibly thereafter. I am also so excited to feel like I will finally have some control on my over eating! Thanks to everyone for sharing. It makes me feel like I have many friends who have my same experiences and emotions! Thanks to you all. Karen

I have read in several postings that one of the issues after surgery is shoulder pain. Is there a specific reason for this? Can anyone elaborate? Thanks.

I am scheduled to be banded on 1/25/08. Once I had a scheduled date I started to have severe anxiety. I have begun reading all the posts - especially the problem-oriented ones - which are not easing my anxious feelings any, but I want to know ALL the potential problems. The one thing I do not see addressed here - and pardon me if I have overlooked something - but does anyone know how long one can be banded for? Are there any banded people out there in their 70's or 80's? As we get older we tend to have digestive issues anyway. Does the band pose additional issues, or does one just become "unbanded" or "unfilled" at a certain age. Has the band been around long enough for there to be an statistics on this? I will address this issue with my physician as well. I still believe this is the most viable way for me to lose weight and keep it off. Like so many of us, I have tried everything else. I see the band as being the tool to keep me accountable. Any facts or thoughts on this would be much appreciated. Karen

I had a feeling that your answers were what I should anticipate. My concern is being banded at age 70 or 80 and the band causing additional digestive issues. I will just keep in mind that one of the beauties of banding is that it is removable at any age. Thank you all for your responses. I am nervous and excited!!! Have a great holiday!!

I will be having my surgery in January. I am curious as to how soon after surgery your doctor recommended/released you to return to work. As part of the initial seminar, they say you can have your surgery, go home the same day (if all is well), and return to work the very next day. How realistic is this? thanks.:ranger:

Thanks for everyone's words of wisdom. I work in a doctor's office and, believe it or not, have only 3 sick days for the year. My job is that of a medical biller, so I do sit quite a bit (hence - the shape I am in.) I will look into having the surgery on a Thursday with the option to return on Monday or Tuesday. I think the pain medication may be a big factor in my job performance! Also, I really like writing out my food schedule - thanks make33 - as I can see the potential to overlook the necessities!

I am at the same stage as Patchelton, but my insurance recently changed and I am not required to have the 6 month diet program. I am about the same height, weight, at age 48. I agree, perhaps it's age and maturity!!, but I could care less what other people think. I, too, have co-morbidities that will definitely be improved by this surgery. Weight loss is my primary concern, but I am tired of sleeping with a cpap, taking metformin for pre-diabetes, and having knee pain! Tell who you are comfortable telling. Who cares about the rest anyway?

I was told during my pre-op nutrition eval that I would be able to have caffeine, just not pop. I am a diet coke drinker and am trying to stop/cut way down before surgery.

I have just begun the process towards banding, and I think I am afraid to become "thin" again! I am concerned about the liquid phase, what people will think about me.......... I have the beginnings of diabetes (controlled with exercise and diet) and sleep apnea. My BMI is 40. I already feel a food depression when I think about the first 6 - 8 weeks after surgery. I want this procedure, but could use some words of advise on how to overcome these feelings. Thanks.

I just became a member of this forum yesterday. I can totally understand how someone can rely on it for support. As I read the responses to my concern this morning it made me break down and cry. People are really wonderful and care and support can come from unexpected places. Thank you!

I am so excited for you! I am still in the pre-banding stage and will probably schedule my surgery for January as I still have a few hoops to jump through. I will look forward to your updates on how things are going! Good Luck!

I don't think I had issues that caused me to gain weight. 3 pregnancies, lack of exercise, laziness.......... It's the loss of weight that I think I have issues with. I have just begun the process towards banding, and I think I am afraid to become "thin" again! I am concerned about the liquid phase, what people will think..........