TexasT

Hi Y'all, Well I am now in the land of the banded. I think I'm doing pretty good so far. I ended up being the last one of the day and didn't get home until close to 7:30, but I'm not feeling to bad. The worse part so far was the IV experience. By the time I got to the back I had been over 18 hours without anything so I was pretty dehydrated adn they had a hard time getting a vein. It took 3 times so that wasn't pleasant. I had decided that if the third time didn't work that maybe I should take it as a sign and not go through, but at the same time I was prarying it would go in and after a little work they got it in. Anyway, I'm sitting here sipping water and juice and ice chips. Later, T

It's a done deal and doing pretty good. t

Hi all, Well I am back. I'm feeling pretty decent. The worse thing was I got there at 11:30 as directed, and didn't even get to the back until nearly 3:00 any way I got stuck 3 times for the IV because I was too dehydrated, DUH I had not had anything for 18 hours by that time. Anyway, it's a done deal so I'm sitting here watching TV and sipping Water and eating ice and hoping that I can feel as good tomorrow, but I know everyone seems to say the second and third days are worse. I have not had a lot of problem with gas as yet. When I very first was waking up I do remember feeling a little pain at my left shoulder blade but that has gone. At least for now. T

Hi All, You are right the waiting is the worse. I am sitting here waiting until time to go and I'm really thirsty. This no drinking anything since mid night wouldn't be so bad if you were scheduled at 8:00 but having to wait until 11:30 is pure torture. Thanks for all the words of encouragement. I'm anxious to join you all on the other side. T

NurseAmy you look wonderful. It's hard to hope I can look even half that good, but here goes. I am scheduled for my band tomorrow at 11:30. Maybe in a year I can be here giving someone else hope. I just can't thank you all enough for being so open. T

Hi fellow Harem members, I have found out that I will be joining the land of the band around 11:30 tomorrow. I'm anxious, nervous and excited all at the same time. I do so appreciate those that have gone before sharing and being so positive. T

Okay folks, I found out I go in at 11:30 so I'll be having a lazy morning. That's a long time to go without even a drink though. Any hints on how to get through the morning without a drink? T

Karey, I have to say that is amazing, but I also agree with it being "gross" LOL. Glad to see you are doing better since I checked in last and you had gone to the ER. Again, thanks for being so willing to share. I can't wait to see more pictures. Ty

Well Bonnie and I are both scheduled for the same day with Dr. Kim. When did y'all find out the time of your surgery? I thought I would hear today but so far nothing. Now I'm worried that it isn't going to happen. Who should I call about it? Dr. Kim or TLC? It is suppose to be Thursday and tomorrow is Wednesday. They said I would hear from them two days prior to surgery which I would have figured would be today. I hate this not knowing can you tell? T

32 that's fantastic. The dietician and I also came to a 140 amount, but Dr. Kim said 40 lbs a year would be good. Not that I won't take it, but I was hoping for a little faster than that. I was looking more like 40 by November. That may just be vanity though because my son is getting married. I guess anything between now and then will be better than what I have on now. This time next week I will be getting ready to go for surgery. This has been the longest two weeks! Any tips on what to have on hand or carry with me? T

I know about always feeling there is too much to do when you get home. I have a question for all of you. Before surgery when you talked to the surgeon how much weight did he/she suggest you loose per year? T

Hi, I am considering the procedure and I have my first appointment with a Center in Hurst, TX. I'm not sure yet if my insurance will cover or not. I'm hoping they will be able to tell me for sure next week. I have UHC, but I'm getting mixed information. I'm getting pretty excited, but I'm also pretty nervous. I have a question for anyone that has used Dr. Marsden or Dr. Kim. Anything you can tell me about the process would be appreciated. After the intial info meeting, what happens? What are the usual steps? I was first looking at Dr. Marsden, but then I understand that Dr. Kim may have a better price for self pay if I have to go that route. Thanks for any help.

Thank you for your opinions and experience. I am going to go with Dr. Kim because my insurance requirements are higher than I first thought. 40+ with 2 co mobidities. It's my employer's requirements. I don't have any co mobidites "yet", and I don't want to wait for them to develop. How stupid is that? T

Karey, I too am sorry to hear of your friend. I am not where you are, but about 12 years ago a gal I had been friends with since college apparently decided she didn't want to be friends with me anymore because at that particular time I had just lost 40 pounds. I got an email from her telling me that she didn't want to be friends any more. Talk about being HURT. I was stunned that someone I had considered a friend would feel that way. There has not been a year go by that I haven't wondered about her and her family. Maybe some day I will try to track her down and see if she still feels that way. Shoot if she had just stuck around a while longer the weight came right back on, but then I guess we'd be going down the same road now. It's hard to understand how people that you consider friends for years end up not being there when you need them. It's even harder to understand that same thing from family. The main thing to remember is REAL friends will always be there and always support you and the best friend of all is always there walking with you and carrying you when you can't make the walk. Remember the footprints. Ty

I saw the posts about the tomato soup and Progresso makes a really good tomato basil that would be good like that.

Oh and by the way, the leg cramps finally subsided in the wee hours and I got through Sunday okay. My legs were just really sore like I had been really working out or something. I could feel one muscle that keep trying to tighten up on me all day and I would rub it a few minutes and it would straighten out. I didn't have any problems Monday other than just being sore. Boy I don't want to do that again. T

Road King, Sorry to hear about your DH. Sure hope it isn't anything to serious. So you will be a hot motorcycle mama soon. Are you going to buy some new sexy leathers? How long have you been riding? Fortunately for me I quit the diet coke last year. I do still have one on occassions, but that was one thing I had decided I should try to change to get healthier so I gradually decreased my "dosage" so I wouldn't have the withdrawls. I actually can't remember the last one I had. T

Thanks for the information Leah. I had heard about the Isopure. I also heard about unjury and I just orderd a set of the samples to try. It's not a lactose intolerance. I seem to be doing okay with it but then I'm also mixing the chicken soup and the shakes so that probably helps. I don't have a bad intolerance anyway. I was also feeling a little shaky earlier, but that seems to have passed. Maybe it was because of the pain from the cramps. I took some leg cramp medicine (otc) and it seems to be working now. Earlier I couldn't even stand straight it hurt so much to try to walk. T You'll have to keep us posted.

Oh Stacy that does sound unpleasant. Thanks for the warning. By the way North Hills is in North Richland Hills not Hurst. I posted this question on one other place but I figure I'd ask my TLC Friends and probably get a response faster. Have any of you had any problems with leg cramps after going on the liquid diet pre surgery or I guess even after surgery? I've been having some doozy cramps this evening. I took my Vitamins and have been drinking Fluid in addition to the Optifast. So I don't think I've done anything wrong with what I've been told to do. T

Thanks SpecialK. I have been on the Optifast since Thursday and I have to agree with Pipes abougt the taste, althought the soup is a little more tolerable than the shakes in my opinion. And speaking of that, this evening I have been having horrible leg cramps. Did anyone else have this happen. I have been taking my daily vitamen and Calcium, but maybe I'm not getting enough of something. I've been getting most all of the liquids/fluids I'm suppose to. T

Susan, Welcome aboard, it covers (and someone correct me if I leave something off) the surgery completely, the initial consult is "free" there is 6 month follow up and fills. The only thing I had to pay for is the Psych eval. I don't think there was anything else I paid for. T

Hi Y'all, I am so glad you started this thread. I am scheduled for surgery on the 20th. I started my liquid diet day before yesterday. I'm like Fenton, I gulp it down as quick as I can. I am on Optifast, but sounds like I may need to try the unjury. Where do you get it? T

Dianne, thank you for all the fill update. So did they numb you first or what? I have to ask this and maybe you've already said and I just missed it, but how did you come up with Road King? Isn't that a motorcycle? Do you ride? T

Karey, I'm so glad you are doing well and seem to have a sense of humor also. I can only imagine the emotional trip you have gone through, and that I guess I am about to embark on. Since I read your story I have read some of the others and I can't say how much I admire everyone. I really really do appreciate your willingness to share so much of yourselves. I'm sure it is a help to you, but it is really a help, encouragement and inspiration to those of us just starting. Ty

You look great to me.