WestCoastFatGuy

tracew, Thanks for your experienced advice on this topic. It was well-received by me. Sometimes the written word can be taken differently depending on the emphasis placed on certain words by the reader, thereby inadvertently missing the actual intent of the writer. Krista is a part of my 'pack' of New Year's Knockouts, so I respect her view as she, personally, took the posts. I do believe, however, that us newbies will perhaps look back on these early days differently when we are four years out, as you are. Thanks again!

Congratulations Shelli! Thanks for sharing the great news with us! You are such an inspiration!

129 lbs! Way to gooooo!!!! My jaw has dropped. I must pick it up. I so am looking forward to the day that I get to celebrate like I'm sure you are! Congrats! And thanks for the motivation!!!!

Congrats mia31771!!!! I got home Tuesday night and aside from some lousy gas pains that made yesterday not-so-pleasant, everything is getting better very quickly. Today was very good. You're in my prayers that every one of your recovery days will be great!

Hi there. Another Big Ole Gay Boy to add to the subscribers list. I'm getting banded on Monday (Jan. 14)... can't wait. Time to get some weight off this fat butt and get myself into some clothes that don't come from the Fat Man's Store. Hey there, kity. Just saw your Shrink'n Violets thread about you all hooking up to meet. What a great time it sounds like!

If you have the ability to splurge, the Tanita BF-350 is amazing. It's a scale with bodyfat analyzer.. also compatible with Tanita's bodyfat analyzer software for recording and tracking. It's a boatload of money $750 online from tanita, but I ordered it through a local scale company and saved around $100 bucks (as I remember). I've had it for about 5 years and love it! (440 lbs max).

Hi mreagle5... My surgery is on January 14th, so I started my pre-op phase (diet) 2 days ago. I, too, was having those thoughts for a couple weeks. Tons of anxiety, worries about dying and leaving my loved ones in the lurch, etc. Then strangest thing happened. The evening after the first day of the pre-op diet, I was watching TV with a nice fire burning in the fireplace... and all-at-once this weird "calm" came over me. From that point on I haven't had one moment of worry, anxiety or fear. I am just filled with excitement and eagerness to get on with it. Your feelings are completely normal and will pass. One post that I read on these boards was from a bandster who was so riddled with anxiety for the two weeks before that she was nauseaus and vomiting. When she woke up in recovery after the surgery she felt like an idiot for putting herself through all of the worry. Her realization also helped me feel a lot better. Feel free to PM me if you'd like to 'talk' about it. You're going to do great!

Hey there CMJ... I ended the day yesterday and started the day today pretty anxious and was questioning my decision. Surprisingly, as the day went on I've become more relaxed and find myself looking forward to the big day again. I'm sure I'll flip-flop a few times, but it sure is good to have encouragement and reinforcement from the folks here. I'll be happy when I've had success and can be one of those dishing out that happy thoughts! BTW, I'm in San Diego.

I'm on Day 1 of a 10-day Optifast shake Pre-Op Phase (I'm avoiding the word, "diet"). I get 5 OptiFast shakes and 1 OptiFast bar per day. The bar is repulsive. Yeesh! I'm confident that some skinny person devised it to torture fat people. The shakes are 'okay', 6-8 ounces. But need to be consumed 'immediately' (per the instructions) for 'best taste'. I drink them 'immediately', but they still aren't going to win any contests for shake-of-the-year! Two more shakes today... (total of 960 calories if I can choke down the other half of the snack bar)... and then nine more days 'til surgery. I find myself going from excited to nervous to eager to anxious to... you get the picture. I hope I've made the right decision.

As my first post at LapBandTalk.com... adding myself to the list of bandsters-to-be on January 14. Anxious. Excited. Terrified. Eager. I'm all that. 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), RT (Brisbane), jojokitty Jan 3-WOWOX7, Woodsy,momto3, Mommamare(NJ), nancy52,AnneElliot, ovahkummer Jan 4- KUgirl, steviegene, SuzanneG, Songinmysoul, sleclerc (shirley), WendyRae Jan 5- texasbandster Jan 6 Jan 7- CallmeJim, comepickmeup, NukeChik, mamato3, kintime, Shell, destined2befree, babedoe4 Jan 8- Fat&thrifty(and husband Joe), itz me, faa31, crackedpepper, flipbarnett, Joanna240, rustymarie, gingydilly Jan 9– Redtulips3, FLMan, TachaBaby505, Lillyanne_M Jan 10- luvsrocks, Hilary, Jen25bl, jtag10_4, Char1007, Pizzaman citygirl4616 Jan 11- brez1015, Tmusicmaker123, Poopsie, Ready2JustDoIt, B-Man Jan 12- jen6740 Jan 13 Jan 14- CoreynVA, acalpn, srbanker(Suzanne), grayl, cnukaya, Jessthat, Deedle, thinner-or-bust, gilliebean, greeniiii, mitch, WestCoastFatGuy Jan 15- Travelology (Mexico), Dianegoe, poodlecamper, LKM Jan 16- Kathy-CA. Saleel --Australia, back2reality, Cherry_Blue, Dazzle, nadean, with his help, 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, Rakes4321, bcgates Jan 23- min, Ang1982 (Angela) Tigger_Shorty (Rose) Jan 24- holleyhobby,jst4kel,kimmycrs, Somogyi1(Agnes - Ottawa), rakes4321 Jan 25- Noni(Mary), htay73il (Hope), Thor Jan 26- Louise (London) Jan 27 Jan 28- kawanabear(Kalonda), crystalcml, blg200200, justtjohn, PeachesPJ Jan 29- diane-south fla Jan 30- PortuguesePrincess(Stephanie),Amberwaves(Amber) Jan 31- SarahT1982, lkgrubb, sexymama __________________ __________________