bandfan1

OMG!! Looking at my ticker show only 5 days left is soooo exciting!! I don't even feel nervous. I am so "at peace" with this decision. I can't wait to be one of the first banders for May!!!:w00t:

No breathing exercises yet. I am practicing getting 64oz of water down!! I used to be such a good water drinker, but have slacked off in recent yrs.... I am also practicing chewing 30 times!! I don't think that I have EVER kept food in my mouth for 30 chews :w00t: 5 more days until I am banded!! I am very very ready for this!!!!! I can't wait to start wearing all of the smaller clothes that I have in my closet!!!!

Welcome to all of you who are new to this site!! I am one of the "pioneers" for May with a band date of May 1st... I am totally excited and ready to go!!!!

It's great to have the support and wisdom of others who have already been banded. Most of the "horror" lapband stories that I have heard were from people who had their band removed because it was too tight. They got scared and didn't know what else to do... I will be seeking advice also after I get banded..... As always, when in doubt, CALL THE DOCTOR!!!!!!!

Thanks StephC, you'll be in my prayers too!! I can't wait to hear from you when you feel up to using the computer again!!!

Chris61: I am doing pretty well with the machine so far. It seems like I wake up at 3am and at that time it starts bothering me. I sometimes feel air leaking, so I try to adjust it. 9 times out of 10 I get fed up and just take it off. I figure I had at least 5 good hours of sleep with it. I will keep trying to keep it on all night. I have figured out how to manipulate the tube so that I am comfortable...I am now one with the tube :thumbs_down: Did you take yours to the hospital? I will be in the hospital overnight. My surgeon said to only bring it if I am comfortable with it. He doesn't want me to have to worry about the mask in addition to other things while I am in the hospital. I am still on the fence, but will make that decision closer to May 1st. A couple of times I have woken up because I think that I swallowed come air, but it doesn't happen very often. I started using the chin stap to keep my mouth shut...it was completely useless. I have pretty much trained myself to keep my mouth shut!! I definitely feel the difference when I use the machine. I have more energy than I ever knew I had. Also I feel like my memory is coming back!!! I am totally at peace with my decision to get the band!! My nerves will be frayed, however because of anesthesia, recovery, etc.... Congratulations on your victories!! I'm hoping that I will be able to not have to use the CPAP machine eventually and get off of all of my diabetes meds!!!

Hi Jamie: My doctor also doesn't require a pre-op diet. However, I am drinking 2 Protein shakes a day with greek yogurt and fruit and a mostly protein dinner. I am with a "Center of Excellence" group, so I trust their judgement. The main reason for pre-op diets is to shrink the liver to make surgery easier. Many obese people have fatty livers. I am doing my part before surgery by staying away from all fats, low carbs and high protein. I'm not going to starve myself... I will have plenty of time for that post-op :cursing: After the clear liquids for 2 days post-op, I am only allowed the equivalent of 1 8oz can of Slimfast per day!!!! This is the part that I am very worried about. I was told that I won't be hungry for about 11 days after surgery, but the last 4 days will be rough...:thumbs_down::scared2::cursing:

Natalee: Congratulations on your band date!! I know how stressful it is waiting for that date!!! You can now see the light at the end of the tunnel. Welcome to the site!!! :redface:

Wahooooo for you!!!! You must be doing a happy dance!!!!! Much better than having your surgery pushed back!!! Congratulations!!! 7 more days for me!!! :redface::scared2::hurt:

Great job Ladybug's mom!!! Now those are the kind of results that I have been seeing!! Very impressive!! 7 more days and I will be right behind you!!! All the best to you!!!:redface:

Fanny Adams: I think that the post that I read was someone who was at the very beginning of being banded. Comparing her to almost everyone else, this seemed to be very little for the beginning of the journey. I understand that the results are not going to be like bypass, and I don't intend to lose all of my 100lbs in 6 months, but 2 lbs in 3 weeks is still VERY little for the segment of her journey!!! You have done very well. Keep up the good work!!

It's nice to meet you, AJKAMK!! You're right, you are a baby!! Consider youself fortunate to be able to do this at your age. I'm 46 and I honestly wouldn't have considered this 10 yrs ago because it wasn't as "common" of a procedure as it is now. Obesity is definitely a "killer" and I feel that it will claim my life if I don't act NOW. With diabetes and sleep apnea added to the list recently I feel that it is time to be aggressive and take action!!! You will be a great role model as a nurse if you take care of your weight issue. Good luck and keep us posted!!!

Amsderb: How about cream of wheat for b-fast? Another option is cottage cheese with the real soft canned (in water) peaches. I know lots of people who eat the Protein shakes in the morning just because it is quick, easy and nutritious!! You are getting a good jump on your protein for the day by starting with a shake!!!

Hey Shortgal, you are going to be gorgeous for your son's wedding!! You can both be proud of each other on that day!!! Keep up the great progress!! Starbux Queen: I just returned from Florida. I was at my Mom's house and went through a bunch of old photos. I found a few of myself when I was much thinner. Those are going on the wall!!!! While I was in Florida I wouldn't let anybody take any pictures of me!! I am just not comfortable looking at myself the way I am now (sad but true!!). I am going to start a photo gallery of my photo's from pre-surgery to current. I think I will do it monthly. If nothing else, it will give me something to do!!! :blushing:

CTCutie: You are in my prayers!! I'm sure everything will be fine with you. You are on your way!!! Congratulations!! Keep us posted on your progress!!!

I have several abominal surgeries and was always given the go ahead after 6 weeks. You should check with your doctor though. Don't forget, if you start lifting weights, you may not see a loss in pounds, but you definitely will in inches!!! Maybe you should take some measurements before you start. At least you will see improvement in the measurement area which will keep you motivated!!!

Indiogirl: I appreciate your thoughtful posts. You are an inspiration to me. Your wisdom is something that I look forward to hearing. You have taken this journey and been through the ups and downs. I agree that you have to be in the right place mentally..... I am tired of letting myself down. It's time for me for a change!! I only have 9 days to go before I get banded, but I feel like I have started this journey when I first picked up the phone in January. Once I made the decision to go through with it, my focus has been unwaivering...... I know that I will be successful at this. Failure is not an option for me..... Thanks again!!!!:glare:

Hey StephC!!! Did you take a look at your ticker? We are both in the single digits!!!! Yikes :)!!! I am soo looking forward to this! I am starting to re-review my pre-op instructions to make sure that I am following the doc's rules. I am a little concerned about a couple of posts that I have read about people who only lose 2lbs in 3 weeks. What do you make of that? I am looking for MUCH better results than that. I think that a good deal is mental preparation in the beginning, but I could be wrong..... Would love your feedback!!! Your results have been great!! What can you attribute that to??? I'll be thinking about you on the 1st....All the best!!! :thumbup:

Starbuxqueen: hang in there. If you are following the doc's orders, then you will start to see results.... There are sooooo many successful people and you will be one too!! I am 110% committed to this journey!! I have been in denial about my weight for a loooonnnnngggg time. I need to not trust my own instincts at the beginning of this journey, but rather follow the doctor's orders to the letter. If I had the discipline to listen to my body, I would not be 100lbs overweight. If I try something that I am not supposed to, I will only be letting myself down. It's time for me to have more respect for myself!!! We all must be committed to our goals. Post your goals so you can look at them every day. Paste photos around your house of what you want to look like. Studies PROVE that if you establish goals and have visual aids, you are more likely to be successful!!!! I have an entire closet FULL of smaller clothes. I have picked an outfit that will be my first goal. I have it hanging outside my closet where I can see it. Once I have reached that goal, I will hang another outfit up and work towards it!!! We can do this!!!!! :biggrin2:

Ok, now I am getting nervous. Not about the procedure, but about some of the posts that I have been reading about people who are having little to no success with the band. I just read one this morning from someone who said that she only lost 2 pounds in 3 weeks. I have to believe that these people are just not following the doctor's rules. It is my understanding that the band is a "tool" to be used in conjunction with healthy eating habits. If your head is not in the game, then you will not be as successful. I say, "Let's show them" what success really is!!! I know that I didn't make this commitment to not be successful.... If there are other bandsters reading this, PLEASE post your successes!!!!!

Way to go laphappy!!! I am hoping for the same awesome results after I get banded on May 1st..... Keep up the good work!!!!

Wow Phyl808!!! What amazing results you have had!!! I am inspired totally!! I am very determined to report the same results here over the next few months!! I can hardly stand the wait. Only 12 days and it feels like a lifetime!! :biggrin: Keep us updated on your progress and don't worry about the scale slowing down. Your body needs to re-adjust. Just keep following the "rules" and you will do fine.....

Thindolphin3, hang in there!! You CAN do it!! Just BELIEVE that you can do it and you will!!! Justvalhere, we have the same band date!! It is getting very close and I am starting to get nervous about the after effects of the surgery (pain, anesthesia). I am very confident and sure about having the band itself. My doc is using the Allergan band because that is the one that he is most comfortable with. He basically said that the difference in the 2 is like Coke and Pepsi....... We are all doing this for the RIGHT reasons. This website is a godsend. I feel so blessed to have the support from here. Good luck everyone!!!

Congratulations on size 14 jeans!! You must look and feel amazing!! I will be banded on May 1st. I am going to work hard until I get into size 14 myself!! I just can't imaging myself being that small!! I do have photos of myself from when I was much smaller, so I will be posting them in a prominent place to keep me motivated. keep up the good work!! You all inspire me!!!:biggrin::thumbup:

Wow, I don't come her for 2 days and look what I miss!! :biggrin: I am vacationing in Florida still. We went to Key West on Thursday and Sarasota on Friday. I will be here for 2 more days and then heading home on April 21st. At least I'll have a nice tan when I get banded :biggrin2: Kikival and Awomangodcanuse, yes we are getting close!!! Looking at my ticker is starting to scare me. It's very normal to be nervous. I'm not worried about the procedure, just about going "under" :crying:. I'm not looking forward to the gas pains, the stomach pains and the after-effects from anesthesia!!! I have already had my liquid pain meds filled and I intend to use them!! I will definitely stay ahead of the pain for the first couple of days. For may last laporascopic procedure (tubes tied), it took 2 solid weeks before I felt "normal" again. Amsderb, I'm glad that you had a nice graduation dinner. You're right, you will never enjoy it the same way again. When we were in Sarasota, we went to Cici's. Those restaurants don't exist in CT. It was very good and yes I did indulge, although I didn't go crazy!!! I am still trying to figure out how I am getting to the hospital on May 1st. I am scheduled for 12:30. I don't want to have my husband miss a whole day of work (he is self-employed). He has already been in charge of our 16yr old son while I am vacationing with my daughters. Even though he would drop everything for me, I just don't want to burden him..... No worries, I'll figure it out. When there is a will, there is a way, right!!!! Well, I have rambled enough here. I'll keep you posted on my situation and I hope you all do the same!! Have a great day!! Bandfan1 (aka...Marilyn):cry_smile: