Kittenqutie

Just wanted to say HELLO and a big THANK YOU:w00t: to all that attended the meeting today at Black Bear Diner. I had a chance to meet a GREAT group:grouphug: of people and had alot of my questions answered and fears quieted. You were all so welcoming and helpful. As mentioned my Big Day is FEB 4th (just one week away:eek2:) and I am so excited that I can barely stand it:lol:. I dont know if every city has a support group :wink2:as wonderful as you guys:iloveuall: but they should. Once again THANK YOU ALL (especially you WASaBubbleButt you ROCK:bananapowerslide:!!!)

You are an inspiration!!:ohmy:

I was banded on 2/4 and like you had alot of restriction (i'm betting that was swelling) but now I can eat more though I keep stopping myself. I don't want to gain back the 30 pounds I have lost either:thumbdown:. I have been told that this is a time to heal not to lose weight but if you do then thats a bonus. Veteran Bandsters have told me that this is the period that sucks that most:sneaky: you have a band in and want it to start working like its supposed to but you have to wait to get your first fill. I won't be able to get my first fill until 3/29 because my DOC is ultra conservative (if most say 4 weeks he says 6) so I too will be counting my calories and making smart decisions. I just really want to get this show starting, I mean I have already come this far the waiting is killing me. Long story short I HEAR WHERE YOUR COMING FROM!!! Lets get through this thing together!!:confused:

Well its finally happened I am BANDED:Banane13:!! I took the road less travel (or more traveled as it turns out to be) and went to :car:Mexico. No one was more shocked :yikes:then I but when my employer changed insurance just shy of my 6 month supervised diet and the new insurance would not cover the procedure even with medical necessity. I researched, researched and RESEARCHED:Banane37: and finally decided on Dr. Aceves and I must say it was the best decision I have ever made. The hospital was immaculate, the nursing staff was incredible and I have never met more caring doctors in my life. I mean seriously my grandmother had a triple bypass and she didn't get as much face time with her surgeon then I did with Dr. Aceves. Day one was bad but here I am 3 days out (went under the knife on Monday) and I'm doing great, Yes I'm a little sore but who isnt after surgery but all in all I am in a great place and couldn't be happier. I am currently in the First Phase of the Post Op diet but I am ready for the road ahead. Thank you to all that sent me well wishes and prayers they did not go unanswered. If anyone has any specific questions they would like answered please feel free to PM me. Thanks for reading. . .Kitten:lol:!

Hey my first time at the meeting was pre op and I was told all are welcome. You may want to PM Wasabubblebutt she usually organizes the when and the where and she sends out reminder emails with the location to everyone that wants to go. If not I will be sure to try and PM you when I know all the details. Keep doing your research its a great journey once you get there!:scared2:

Well I'm here 1 week post op and I'm doing great:lol:!!! My soreness is down considerably and I am less tired. I will be sooooo happy come this thursday I will move onto the full liquid stage (who new that I'd be this happy about pudding and milk:drool:. I have lost a total of 26 pounds (20 pre op, and 6 post op), I know most of it is Water weight but I'm so happy I would be jumping up and down if it wouldn't hurt to do it:banane58:. Thank you all for your kind words and well wishes I hope everyone else is doing well also.

Okay so its Monday just like every other except I am having surgery and its because I want it?!?!? This is something a crazy person would do. . .but know I am sane (well, maybe not sane but definitely not certifiable):biggrin:. This time tues. I will be on the losers bench a little sore but there none the less:lol:!

Yes I have a pre op diet low or no carbs, high protein and low fat:drool:. So basically I can eat chicken and high protein meats no breads or pasta. I am drinking alot of shakes just because it is easier on me and I am not tempted to eat any other thing though I have had chicken 3 times in the last week. I have lost 10 pounds and I still have a week to go until surgery:crazy:. As the day draws near I get more nervous but I had a wonderful lunch today with the AZ Bandster's Monthly Luncheon:grouphug:. I got to meet alot of people that have been banded and that have gone to the surgeon I have chosen so it eased my mind a little. I am much more confident in my choice now and just want to get this journey started:hurray:.

Okay I started my liquid diet yesterday and I am using Isopure, I dont knwo if any of you are familiar with this but its a high Protein (50 grams per serving) no carb powder that can be mixed into almost anything (they also have ready made drinks that are only 40 grams per serving). I was wondering if anyone else used this or has her of it:confused:??? If any veterans have any good advice, suggestions about what you used and worked for you and or what might be somewhat drinkable, PLEASE SHARE:drool:. Thank you all in advance

HOLY TINY PRINT BANDMAN!!:cursing: I was having trouble myself and usually small font doesn't bother me. But from what I could read you are right and its okay to be a little scared it lets you know you are alive!! I am about to start day 8 of the pre op diet which means there are only 6 More to GO WOOOOO HOOOO:Dancing_biggrin: then the big day I can hardly stand it. Making the decision to have surgery is a big one and it shows that you really want this so you can do this:welldoneclap: pre op thing because you know whats in store for you. If I can do it anyone can.

TachaBaby505..................Natacha........................ ...9 January 2008 crystalcml.......................Crystal.............................2 8 January 2008 DxMOM...........................Jennifer.............................1 Febuary 2008 CynthiaMcC Cynthia 1 February 2008 Sadie..............................Sarah.............................. .2 February 2008 4jin02******************Janis********************4th February 2008 Neenco..........................Dineen...............................4 February 2008 Kittenquite.....................Ko...............................4 February 2008 slbindc..........................Susanne............................4 February 2008 Big marathoner.................Amy................................ 5 February 2008 Sharon160.....................Sharon.............................. 5 February 2008 Michelle9003..................michelle.............................5 February 2008 Beachbum0519................Alisa.................................5 February 2008 JaxBandster...................Karen................................7 February 2008 EnchantedRuby...............Ruby.................................7 February 2008 TinaBobina......................Tina................................11 February 2008 LilMissBand-Aid................Irene...............................11 February 2008 Angie4b1g......................Angie...............................12 February 2008 Mac the Knife...................Mac...............................13 February 2008 travel_anna.....................Anna..............................13 February 2008 Princess21.....................Kimberly...........................13 February 2008 Viridescence.....................Viri...............................14 February 2008 Nikki2001.......................Nicole..............................14 February 2008 taismommy...................Tamika............................14 February 2008 voxwatt.......................Cristina.............................14 February 2008 Glynda...........................Glynda............................15 February 2008 Valvinnek........................Alyssa...........................25 February 2008 Amieru...........................Amie.............................26 February 2008 Dana-k...........................Dana............................26 February 2008 Mel119..........................Melinda...................... ...27 February 2008 fireleo............................Jess.............................29 February 2008

This day will be the best 4th ever even better then that little known one in July. I get banded that day and can hardly wait. Yes I am scared, nervous and all the rest but I am also excited, overjoyed and speechless (okay maybe no speechless but I was when they told me my date). My motto "Bandland the Happiest Place on Earth!"

Hello, I am 30 years only and a transplant to AZ, originally from NYC. Being overweight in all this heat is no picnic, but hopefully this summer will be different. I must admit I am scared:eek:, excited:biggrin:, overwhelmed:huh2: and wowed:w00t: all at the same time I am 1 week away in the liquid diet phase and can't wait to be banded. My motto is "Bandland the Happiest Place on Earth:lol:" (okay I stole that from Disney but when your good; your good!)

Didn't I say this would be a story to tell the kids and grand kids. You two are soo qute its like a movie:lol:. You 2 seem to be spending ALOT of time together and its great that even his friends like you (I have seen that break up even the best of unions). Llyod and you make the Hopeless Romantic me think there actually is hope.:redface: I'm sure things will work out just fine. And about that kiss did it make your toes curl??? SO congrats and keep up the good work at the gym. My band date was moved to the 4th so I am even more scared:scared2:, but I think it will be fine. SO keep me posted all of us on here are curious:w00t:.

I haven't had any constipation with the liquid protein in fact its been quite the opposite, my guess is if it goes in soft it comes out that way as well (sorry for the mental image). But so far so good for me. I will be banded on the 4th the doc just changed my date because they had someone cancel. . .lucky me!

I forgot to mention they tast pretty good i mean for protein drinks but for the amount of protein in each serving I can't complain;-)

I found it at both GNC and Hi-Health stores it ranges from around $40.00-$55.00 but they have a whole lot of flavors in the powder from vanilla, choclate, Cookies and cream to peach mango, apple melon and even tropical punch. The ready made drinks come in a varity of fruit flavors also. There is also the Isopure clear ready made version that can go in just about anything. Well I am glad to know I am on the right track. My brother is a personal trainer and when I told him what I had to do he suggested it. Shortgal: do you think you could possible email or PM me that list I just want to cover all my bases

I am not worried at all that your Mr. P. (Mr. Perfect aka Lloyd D.) will be getting in touch with you he sounds very interested. And further reading about your 'rents lets me know that its a strained relationship (you & the 'rents) from the start so this incident was just another log to add to the already burning fire. Unfortunately we cannot pick our families thats why Gog gave us friends (and message boards;-) Thanks for the kind words about my surgery I must admit I am happy and very excited but TOTALLY scared at the same time. . .does that sound weird?? I'll keep you posted and please let me know when you and your crush take the next step;-)

Hello ALL, I have been researching this for a while. I hope to get all things in order next month. From the looks of it everyone one seems to be happy with their decision, I hope to be on the losing side as well. Thanks!

Okay if I were you and that happened I would just die of embarassment:eek:. I would be soooooo MAD:mad: at my mother and step father. . .UGH!!! But on the bright side you Mr. P. is still calling and going places with you. I definately thing you will past the friend realm and look back on this and laugh:lol:. Its one of those stories you tell your grandkids one day and go "remember when we first started dating. . . " Congrats on your journey into Bandland, my surgery is scheduled for Feb 5th wish me luck!! Take care and I will be checking your blog for updates:biggrin:

Thank you so much this site is so helpful. I have contacted some Dr.s and I am hope to finalize every thing next week (I am a self pay my ins changed at work and the new one will no longer cover it) oh and I am in Phoenix. This is all sooo exciting and yet scary at the same time. Everyone here is sooo welcoming I know I have made the right decision. Please keep me posted about the Phoenix Bandster lunch I will definately go!