tai68

Stephanie - I sent you a request on myspace as well. Hope that is ok. Looking forward to sharing our recovery and progress very very very soon!!

kdlee - I put thru a request to add you on myspace!!! OMG, just gotta make it through this week!! The anticipation is killing me - as is the pre op diet!! I am realizing how important the "chew" factor is in feeling satisfied. I can drink a shake and feel full...but chewing on a spinich salad the other day was like heaven!! I have a much greater appreciation for the healthy foods I so look forward to being able to CHEW on somewhere down the line!!! I'm not having 2nd thoughts...but I am starting to have that "what the hell am I doing" thought. July 1 will be a much welcomed day - discomfort and all!!!!

I'm a June 30th gal as well!!! Finished the first week of the pre op diet, ready to gear up for week 2!! I am so ready to be on the other side of this...feels like it's been forever that I've been working towards it - well not really, only 3 months, but still!! Just glad that the day is almost here!!! Looking forward to sharing our stories as we go along!!!

When I met w/ the surgical center that I had chosen, they scheduled my band date for approx 2 months after my orientation. My doctor referral took a little longer than anticipated and my surgery got pushed back a few more weeks. Went in for orientation on 4/2/08. Original band date was 6/2/08. Actual surgery date is 6/30/08. All in all, I felt a good time frame for me to get all my ducks in a row. Good luck!! ~ Tai

I am on day #2 of the pre op diet. Day #1 was really difficult for me since I had spent the last 3 months eating anything and everything!! Fortunately, I had the day off and spent it pretty much at home just allowing myself time to adjust to the idea of where I am at in the process!! Today is much better!! Going to buy a blender to keep at the office to help make the shakes more like a smoothie!!! I'll be happy to get to next week...and then bam, the 30th is surgery day!! How exciting for all of us!!!

Ok, I am on day ONE of the pre op diet and it's like detox!!! I knew it was going to be rough, but wow!!! I didn't realize sugar free jello could taste so good!! I don't mind the protein shakes and the bars are kinda good. The facility I am going through requires you to buy a whole package for the 2 wk pre and 2 wk post. Lots of protein powder and bars...suppose to have 3 shakes a day and 2 bars plus SF jello, clear broth soups and lots of water or SF drink. I just got done w/ a large bowl of soup - which isn't all that pleasant with it being in the 80's here in CA!!! One day down...a lifetime to go!!!

Not sure if this is the right place to post this message...I've been doing a lot of random reading throughout the entire board and have lately been focusing on the various messages about how much some hate their band, or the constant gas/bloating, etc, unable to keep any food down, or can't wait to have the band removed...or those who have decided that a different procedure would have been better than the band. I realize all of us here are different. My experience is going to be completely different from those that I have read. But as my date approaches, 6/30 - I am beginning to feel anxious. I believe that I have made the best decision for myself and have not jumped into this hastily. I so want to be one of those "success" stories where everything goes according to plan - but there is no way to ensure that. It's at this point that I begin to overthink all of it!!! Right now my life is running so smooth...I had no insurance hold ups with surgery approval, am covered 90%, have the love and support from friends and family, ...work is good, I just got accepted into a Masters program, I'm turning 40 in mid August and will be going on a fantastic vaction to Europe w/ my husband at the end of summer. Seriously, it feels like everything I've ever wanted is coming to fruition... So why do I have this unnerving fear of doom? I'm not normally a pessimistic person, but I feel like with everything going so well, when will the bottom drop?? I then begin to rationalize that the bottom will be an unsuccessful surgery... Not really looking for answers or anything...just feel the need to get these thoughts out there...and for the most part have found so much comfort here on this board, just lately have been sidetracked on some of the not so positive stories and aspects of the band. Thanks for letting me get this off my chest.

Oh boy do I hear that! I totally understand...and I bet happens to so many of us! Just know that it takes time for the loss to catch up with how your body looks. The scale says one thing, your clothes say another and the mirror tells a completely different story. Realistically, it doesn't make any sense. I guess this is where patience comes into play. Keep doing what you're doing...you have lost SEVENTY pounds - that is AWESOME!! You are 70 lbs lighter...embrace that and keep moving forward. I can't wait to get 70 lbs off my short stature. I truly get how you feel. Know you are not alone. And on the other side, when I lost 120 lbs on weight watchers, I wish I could have seen how good I looked long enough to hold on to how good it felt...rather than continuing to see myself as big and undesireable. Maybe if I could have embraced it sooner, I woulnd't have gained most of the weight back. I guess it's a learning experience for all of us. Sending you really big hugz and hope your nasty feelings go away soon!!!

Hey Long Beach!! I'm live in the Belmont Shore/Heights area...and work in Fountain Valley. I am set to get banded on 6/30 with Dr. Quebberman. Nice to meet you!!!

Greetings!! I live in Long Beach and work in Fountain Valley. I am gearing up for my final pre-op consult this coming Thursday and will *fingers crossed* be getting banded on 6/30. I am going through the N.E.W. Program with Dr. Quebbeman and the surgery takes place at Chapman Medical Center in Orange. It's all a bit overwhelming, but I am optimistic and excited about the opportunity to change my life!! Best of luck to you - and everyone else - on this journey!! ~Tai

Kelly - Just wanted to let you know that I'm thinking of you and wishing you good thoughts!!! Keep us posted when you can...can't wait to hear your update!! I'll be where you are on the 30th of this month and my nerves are already keeping me up at night!!! Best of luck to you ~ Tai

I can't wait to be able to post my "day"!!! 29 more days for me.... whoooo hooo!! Glad all went well for you...

I will shout it from the rooftop...I LOVE the 80's!!! Loved everything about it - especially the music!! The leggins with 2-3 different colored socks and "witchy" booties and long sweaters that covered the butt!!! And bangs that ALWAYS covered one eye!!! It was a lovely time...

I'm right there with you!! My date is set for 6/30 and in the past 3 months I've gained 15 lbs!!! And it's not even so much that I am eating a LOT, it's the fact that I am eating all the things I hadn't been eating for a very long time. I'm a Weight Watcher at heart... lost over 100 lbs w/ WW back in 2001 and within the past year, even while the weight crept up on me, I would follow plan and drop 15-30...only to gain it back. But I know what foods to avoid...and those are all the foods that I seem to be inhaling!?! I'm ready for the 2 wk preop to begin...and even then, it's 2 weeks before that happens - SO, what do I do between now and then?! The logical and practical side of me knows what to do...but the emotional food addict has been taking over. Best of luck to you on your journey...stay strong!!

WHAT??? I hadn't read/heard anything about caffeine!!?? I knew that diet soda or carbonated drinks were discouraged...but caffeine?!? I haven't been banded yet...but this worries me! I'm a caffeine FREAK!!! It's enough to think about giving up my energy drinks (rock star, monster) due to carbonation....but coffee?? That would make me very sad!!! I suppose I'd get over it, but sad all the same!!:thumbup:

Hey Daniela - sorry your date got moved...but we now have the same surgery date!! Whoo hoo!!! The waiting is the hardest part! I'm ready for it to be here so I can move on to the next part of my life!! Looking foward to reading all the Jazzy June updates between now and the 30th!!! Yeah us!! ~ Tai

Thank you so much for sharing!! I am scheduled for June 30th...and have been scouring this site for all the stories I can read. I realize everyone is different, but it's just nice to be prepared for any possibility. I'm taking a week off of work, but am hoping that it will be a week off spent feeling good enough to walk around town or mabye go to the beach!! Thanks again and good luck!! Tai in Long Beach, CA

Two words....HOT DAMN!!!!!!

Yup...my date is set for 6/30. My 2 week pre-op diet begins on 6/16...and my mindset is what food(s) can I enjoy "one last time". It feels out of control and part of me doesn't want to control it. Then the rational part of me, wants to nip it in the bud. I also have concerns over having made the decision to go w/ the lap band over GBP because of my sweet tooth...but the I just feel that the lap band is a better choice. I'm hopeful that we will find our way to get the final binges under control and move on to a much healthier lifestyle!! Best of luck to you!!

You indicated that you had been on WW - do you still have the weight log that they used to write down your weekly weight? I used that as part of my "supervised" monitored weight history. Not sure if that helped my case at all - I was fortunate enough to have a physician write up a letter of referral that I'm sure helped my case as well. But it may be something you want to consider using. Best of luck to you!

I'm scheduled for June 30th....a bit late in the month, but June all the same. I suppose you can guess - my name is Tai and I was born in '68... and that means my 40th is approaching in less than 3 months. So in a way, this surgery is a bday gift to myself!! I live in Long Beach, CA (south of LA; north of the O.C.). Married a wonderful man in 2000 - having met the new traditional way, via the internet. He met me when I was at my heaviest and during our years together he has seen me lose 120 lbs through WW and gain more than half of that weight back. He's always been my biggest supporter - and while he doesn't necessarily agree with the lap band procedure, he understands my reasons. I have had all my preop testing done...will go in on 6/12 for the final consult and begin my 2 week preop diet on 6/16. I'm excited and nervous and so very ready!! We have a European vacation schedule at the end of August...just seven weeks after the surgery. My hope is that I will have lost a significant amount of weight to help make that trip a bit more comfortable...flight, tours, walking, etc. And beyond that....a lifetime of being a lot more comfortable!! :smile2:

I am not quite sure how I feel...I started to research the lap band about 6-8 weeks ago. Then attended an orientation through the N.E.W. Program, followed by meeting with my primary care physician - who was totally supportive and wrote a referral letter that obviously did the trick...after less than 2 weeks of waiting, I received the call today that I have been approved by my insurance!!! JUNE 30th is the big day!! I have between now and 6/12 to get all my pre-op done and figure out how I am going to finance the fees that aren't covered by insurance (approx $3500) and then I go on the 2 week pre-surgery diet. I'm overwhelmed. I thought for some reason, I would be denied the first go around. I geared up for receiving a "no" response followed by a list of reasons. And while I am thrilled, a bit of fear has set in. My biggest concern is that I am traveling to the U.K. at the end of August - which only allows me 7 weeks to recover. I'm just hoping that is enough time to figure out what the heck I am doing...because I want to enjoy my time in Europe. I'm fairly sure all will be fine, but it's definitely a thought in the back of my head!!! And I don't want to put it off either...turning 40 in August, this is the best birthday gift I could possibly give to myself!!! So, I move forward. Preparing for life changes!! And am THRILLED beyond belief!!!! (and scared as heck!!)

It's even more official....I received the insurance letter of approval yesterday, and I guess that kind of seals the deal?! I will do the blood work lab tests next week...and completed the EKG, echo, ultrasound and chest x-ray last week. I go in on June 12 for the preop consult (have to pay the fees that aren't covered by insurance) and then begin the 2 week preop diet, which I believe is a liquid diet. I'm in the "my last french fry", "my last cupcake" mode...even though I know realistically, that isn't the right mind frame. My friends are planning my "last meal"...and it's hard not to get excited at the thought. I feel like I've got the angel on one side of my shoulder and the devil on the other!!! I'm just so very ready for this!!! Now, if I get my acceptance to the grad program I just applied for, everything will really have fallen into place!!!!

The number one thing I want to make sure I do when I reach my goal - is to allow myself enough time to process the change. I had been successful on WW back in 2001. I lost 120 lbs and got down to size 10/12...but seriously held on to that goal for less than a month. I never "saw" myself as thin. Today, I look at pictures of how I looked then and was amazed at how small everything was - my face, my neck, my arms, wrists...it was crazy that I couldn't see it then. And hell yeah, I'm going to shop at the Limited, The Gap, and VS!!! Getting banded on 6/30 (if everything continues to go as planned)!!