barbara9460

About 5 or 6 years ago I tried several OA groups and some of those people can be downright vicious! They were the most vocal I've ever heard from anybody. They said bandsters and bypassers were weak, that they were unwilling to face their addictions, and on and on. I dropped them after a time. My mom will have her 25th AA anniversary in May and she said that the 12 steps can be worked regardless of having wls or not - as long as the person is serious about working the steps. It's very hard to find a group that will accept wls people though - I'm looking for one now - Clearwater, FL. Anybody know of one, let me know please. Congrats on your weight loss and for regaining your health! Barbara

I know exactly where you're coming from. I have had two back surgeries and have been on prescription dose of Ibuprofen for years to control inflammation. My primary doc says I just won't be able to take it anymore. He said my options are narcotic type pain meds or tylenol. I'm opting for the tylenol. He did give me some prescription patches - kinda like bengay or icyhot patches. They're called lidocane patches. They numb the area that's affected. I haven't tried them yet, but maybe your doc can give you a sample - that's what I did. I was also told to expect that I'll have various pains because as we lose the weight the pressure points are being relieved. I'm planning on calling them "losing pains" so that I convince myself it will go away. Good luck with this problem. I hope you get some relief - I know it can be bad. :rolleyes2: Barbara

:rolleyes2: You guys are going to be fine! This is all normal. If you didn't have this turmoil you wouldn't be normal. There's lots involved with any surgery - even "band-aid" surgery. I look forward to hearing from you all and finding out your experiences. My own band-day is two weeks from today. Actually, at this time (12:27 pm) two weeks from now I'll already have my band. Congrats to all of us for making this committment to ourselves and our families! Cheers, Barbara

I tried the Unjury products and liked the choc. and van., but the strawberry made me hurl! Really bad. Otherwise the product and people are good. :rolleyes2: Barbara

So far I have't cheated - but it's only day 1. I must say that I'm very hungry. I'm hoping it gets better soon. I had to sign papers acknowledging that they could get into the surgery and decide that I hadn't been compliant and close me back up with no band. I'm not about to let that happen. The only thing I've had that isn't extremely low or zero cal. is my coffee - I put in fat free halfnhalf. Two tbls. is only 15 cal. That's enough for me to have two cups in the morning! Wish me luck! :thumbs_down:

Did you maybe mean Optifast? It's a Meal Replacement type of thing - different flavors. Barbara

I'm getting my band on May 9th! I can't wait! Hey - we all share a "bandmonth" something to be proud of! Barbara

Just hang in there and you'll do fine. Though I would say that keeping to the liquid diet would be better for you during the surgery. My doc here in FL requires two weeks pre-op of Optifast (800 cals per day!) to shrink the liver to make the surgery safer. Also, to see if you'll be compliant with the liquids. I get my surgery on May 9th, so I start the optifast on Thursday - you'll be 1 day post-band by then. Best of luck! I've said a little prayer for you!:biggrin2: Barbara

Hi. I've told everybody. I'm so excited that this is something that I'm finally about to have. When you go from feeling hopeless and then find hope, how are you able to not shout it out to everybody!?!? It's the best thing I've every done. The more people I tell, the more support I find. And those people who show me disdain and call me weak - well, I tell them that they don't know the facts and ask if they want to hear. Many of them walk away with plans to call their own docs! Never, ever be ashamed of who you are! You should be PROUD of yourself for taking this step. I'm proud of me and I'm proud of you! Barbara

My name is Barbara and I'll get my band on 5/9. I start the Optifast one week from today. My doc is Dr. Krishnaraj at FOSA. I'm excited, nervous, scared, committed and more. Maybe I won't feel so crazy after the surgery!:thumbup: I look forward to getting to know you all! :smile:

Hey! I can't believe you both got your bands on the same day! It was pretty cool of them to do the surgery at TGH. I'm in Clearwater. I got Dr. Krish because he's the only one who takes my insurance. I like him though. How'd you guys do with the Optifast? Did you lose a lot of weight? How was the taste? Too bad you didn't make it to the picnic. We had a lot of fun. There's a picture on the Yahoo Florida Bandsters on the West Coast site.

Can anybody tell me what PB's are? I just recently learned what the "slime's" are. :tt1: Thanks

Thanks everybody. Boy I'm gonna hate those! :tt1:

This is so cool! I can't wait to hear how yours goes. :tt2: Are you having to do Optifast or some other "down and dirty" weight loss right before the surgery? I'm finding others that had to do diets long term and lose weight for several months first. Wonder why the difference. Anybody know? :tt1:

Hi. Yeah, this is Dr. Grossbard's group. How'd you hear about them? I understand that they are very good. I really like everybody that I've met there.

Yes, the optifast is the pre-op diet. 5 a day and low/no cal drinks like Crystal Lite only. 800 calories total. I'm worried about this part!