jbflorida

My good friend was interested in getting the band until she found out that her insurance does not cover it. She cannot pay for it herself nor borrow the money, so it's a no go. She has excused herself out of it by telling me that she is more social than I am and that it would diminish her activities of going out with others to eat. I know this is an excuse to make her feel better. I love her anyway. And I'm damn social!! hahaha-after all, I made a BUNCH of friends right here on line! (and I am grateful) Tuesday is the day!!! (down 13 from preop) Wish me luck!

Mely--congrats on your band! We're sending lots of positive thoughts about the biopsy. My philosophy is--don't worry until you have to--'cause you just may NOT have to! What do you mean by "you decided against the filter?" What is the filter?

Congrats to both of you! Tell us how you are feeling. I go in May 13--3 days! I will have 2 weeks Clear Liquids, 2 weeks full and then 2 weeks mushies. I am on Day 12 of Optifast. I keep telling myself how easy it is to prepare my "meals." Otherwise, I would need to hit someone.

Diane, Barb and Nicole--thanks so much for the support I needed! It helps sooo much when someone has walked (is walking!) in your shoes! You're right...it's the keeping off that is so hard. I NEVER thought I'd get to 200. Here I am! (and some) If I do not take charge--300 is around the corner as well as diabetes, maybe a stroke, more meds and more PAIN --medical, physical, EMOTIONAL--than I have now. I am praying for the day that I spend 24 hours without a "weight" thought. And I pray for everyone here. Hugs.

I wrote the above post and noticed that 13 people have viewed it, but no one responded to the support I need. Did I write something that offended others? Please let me know if I wrote something wrong or hurtful. I try to be sensitive. I will be needing this message board to "survive" what I am about to go through on Tuesday and the thought of being "ostracized" scares me! Judy

I just wrote about this in the 50's thread...I needed to hear your words! I am on Day 10 of Optifast and have lost 11.5. I was able to get comfortable in a size 16 pants. So I am thinking--why??? For 60 lbs?? Why spend all this money (self pay) and have SURGERY (for goodness sakes!) if I can lose it?? But just like I thought I'd never let myself get to 200 lbs, I'm there and I know that 300 is a possibility/probability. At my age--not good. I live in an active adult community where people are aged 55 and up. To be honest, there are VERY few very obese people past age 70. Surgery is May 13....I am confused and second guessing myself! Judy

I asked my surgeon which band he would recommend if his wife was having surgery...he said the LapBand. I also thought the LapBand seemed "stronger" that the Realize band--had more substance. Other than that, the doc said reports of the two have been the same as far as success goes. Realize has an involved website, but LapBand is going to have one too--competition, you know.

I go in next Tuesday, May 13. It's not real yet. Anyone have that feeling? When I talk about it, I feel like I'm talking about someone else.

Thanks, KristyK--love the little silly pictures on your posts! It is not discipline and it certainly is not willpower. It is CHOICE. I find that if I have to rely on discipline and willpower, I eventually lose....and I don't mean weight! It has to be a choice that I am making. Then there is no struggle. In fact, nothing at the party (and there WERE goodies) tempted me because I chose to do this. Mindset. Unfortunately, in the past, after I lost the weight and the choice to diet was over and I was "cute"--I got cocky and well, y'all know the rest. Today is day 8 of preop and I am more bored of it than anything...

Hi Erica--I'm a May 13 bander too! Hungry, but determined. I'm on 800 calories of Optifast. Boring. I just went to a birthday party--ate nothing. Yay me! Yay you!

More Southern gals! I lived in GA for 26 yrs--retired and now I'm in FL. Day 7 of preop--band on the 13th Hope I have your success--no, I WILL have your success! hahaha

Today is day 6 of 14 days of preop liquid diet. I am not a happy camper! Days 1-3 were not bad. Days 4-6 are a diffferent story. I thought it would be the other way around! I am very hungry and it's getting worse. The Optifast ain't cutting it! Cheating is NOT an option. What's going to happen after surgery when there is even LESS to have than now? I have to be on liquids for a month after surgery. Bandster hell for sure. Tell me it is worth it.

I am sorry about the loss of your friend. I am a hospice volunteer and I truly believe that the patient can "feel" all the love and prayers that are sent to her/him. We can "visit" in memories. One day, you will think of her and smile through your tears. That's when you know you are healing. Your friend is already fine, out of pain, and sending back love to you. I hope I didn't offend anyone with my spiritualism. If so, sorry. I respect all beliefs!

Any one who sees me naked has to buy me dinner first!!!

A big hello from Sun City Center, FL--between Tampa and Sarasota. Come on over; we can go swimming. 86 degrees today. Surgery set for May 13...Dr. Rehnke in St. Petersburg

Today was day 3 of 14 days of preop diet--Optifast and Clear liquids. I have lost 8 lbs. Today was the worst as far as hunger goes. I was told that my body gets used to it and I will be not be hungry soon. And yet, I know beyond a shadow of a doubt, that I am in this 100% and will not eat anything except what I am supposed to eat, uh..drink. I want this to work! So who else is feeling preop hunger? Does it get better?

Jilligan--sending you thoughts of good health and a fast and full recovery. Take a day at a time, do what you have to do, and remember that you have friends here that care.... Judy

I will be spending one night in the hospital and then, home alone. I do not have someone to be there......will I be okay by myself?

tootscritter--good luck on Friday! hope it is smooth sailing all the way! Curious--what did the 2 people you work with do to make it unsuccessful for them?

southern missy--I am preop too and yes, the diet is hard--but doable. This is written with lots of understanding and support--but isn't this how we got in trouble in the first place? We deserve a taste because it is our anniversary, we deserve a drink because we got a promotion, we deserve a taste because we worked so hard, etc, etc. There will always be SOMETHING! Holidays, celebrations, bad times, lonely times, family events, etc. And no, we do not deserve a taste. We deserve to TREAT ourselves and NOT have a taste. Think how good you will feel afterwards. Think of how GREAT you will feel going into SURGERY knowing that you followed the rules. Think of how THAT feeling of accomplishment will carry over to following all of the Band rules later. Think of how great thin and healthy will be. It's not so much the taste of something special that I am concerned about. It's the mindset of, "it's okay; it's my anniversary (or whatever)." Right now, it's not okay. We're having surgery because we couldn't say no. Say no. Imagine how powerful you will feel. Again, this is written with love and support. I want only good things for all of the fabulous people on this message board. jb

When people suggest that this is the easy way out--ask them if they go down to a river to wash their clothes. No one enoys doing laundry--it still requires work--but aren't we fortunate we have a great tool called a washing machine??? Same with the band. Started the preop diet today--not cranky yet. My date is MAY 13--anyone else sharing that date with me?

Alexandra--we know, we know. And understand. I am trying to change my mindset. If I see a treat and pass it up, I see THAT as the treat! I have treated myself to a good decision and I praise myself for taking care of myself. I switched from "I deserve to eat that," to "I deserve (I am worthy) NOT to eat that." Another thing I do that helps me (sounds silly), but you know how after we eat something that is "not in our best interests," we beat up on ourselves? We eat it and it is gone in seconds?? Well, I PRETEND that I have just eaten it and it is now GONE. And wasn't that delicious? Good luck....make THIS a great day....and do it again tomorrow

Surgery date--May 20! excitement/fear/wonder/doubt/optimism/shock/happiness all rolled into one...:thumbs_down:

Lucky May 13th!! Anyone joining me on that day?

Couldn't get the dogsitter for May 20--so I changed the date to May 13!! Optifast starting on Tuesday. I plan on being cranky.