sistasassy

My gosh! I laughed so hard at these. You know you wanna be a bandster when: You are actually excited about going for a psych evaluation, upper GI, gallbladder ultrasound, EKG, and blood tests. Your doctor starts you on your liquid diet for two long weeks.

Truly, Lunabeane, you are a sweetheart. It is people like you that put the "support" in a support group. I think that sometimes we begin to think that our band (mine is yet to come so I am speculating) is going to be the food police. I think the mental thing we have to learn is that the band helps us learn to be our own food police and it is sort of the reinforcement police. We are going to fail at times. That is part of being human. We just have to learn to get back up, dust ourselves off and get back on that wagon. I know my struggles are yet to come and that they WILL come. I hope everyone is there to help dust me off when it is my turn.

I was afraid he would say it was too soon since I had started having those panic attacks but he said he thinks it will actually be beneficial. He said not to be afraid to call if I start to have trouble around the time of surgery and that he will bump my Xanax up for a couple of weeks. I told him I expect to be fine because I do work so hard at relaxation techniques but that I will not hesitate to call if I get into some I can't handle. The less time in the ER the better.

Which weight loss surgery book would you recommend buying, if any? I am getting a lot of info from this site and other sites. I was wondering if the books offered anything new that I am not learning or will not receive from my surgeon or nutritionist.

Congrats and welcome home! I hope my surgery goes as well as yours. I can't wait until I am a bandster. Thank you for the good information. I have panic attacks and would swear they are heart attacks when they happen. Will be good to know that it is not my heart right after surgery if I have that type of pain. Get some rest and keep us updated! :cursing:

That is one I was considering. Marking that one off my list now. Thanks!

I am soooo excited! What a great room! :thumbup::thumbup::frown:

The Powder Room Gone Wild! Whoo hoo!

Powder Room! Since I haven't been banded yet and I am still heavy can I vote twice????

How will chewing gum stretch your pouch? I love gum.

BrandyII, I am still on my Xanax (although I forgot to take a dose today so I may pay for that later) but I am feeling less.....stressed. I go out of my way to keep my life simpler now and that is helping alot. I also tend to be one of those people who has a hard time saying no. I tend to take on more than I really need to at times and I have begun to learn how to a) say "no" and keep my mouth shut and not volunteer. I take a bit more time for me now. It is making a difference. I hope that after a while that these panic attacks will just sort of fade away. Of course, perhaps I need them as a reminder to keep it simple.

I like The Powder Room. Keeps us classy instead of sassy.

Sometimes you can breathe away the anxiety and panic. I have panic attacks in a big way and the first thing I do is begin to take long deep breathes in through my nose and take just as long as you exhale through your mouth. Try to visualize someplace that is tranquil to you. Let yourself "go there". I also use a bit of lavender oil behind my ears and on my wrists. Anxiety and panic can be very very scary. I agree with those who said to call your doc also. He may be able to prescribe something to calm you for a while so your body and mind can adjust to the new way of life.

Oh, I like The Powder Room.... or The Ladies Lounge.

If you are eating mainly Protein and very very few carbs it may be that you are in ketosis. That will cause a change in your breath. The good thing about it is that it does pass in a few months. That is my opinion from reading a post on another board. That is not fact though. I would keep the mouthwash handy for a while.

July Butterflies is cute.

Thank the Lord! I was so scared Mexican food would be taboo. It is my favorite. I have been evaluating their menu to see what higher protein/lower "junkish" type food they offer. I am glad to know I can still go. I will just be eating a different and better and smaller way when I do! :thumbup::thumbup::smile::thumbup:

What about Jiggin' Julys. (Not Jigglin' Julys - although cute too). Everyone is gonna be doin' a jig when they start losin'! I am hopeful that I will be a July as well. Working my way through the hoops right now.

I have not been banded yet but I have read the others say that warm liquids go down easier. I would try to sip some hot tea.

If you do not want to switch to a new surgeon, I would call back and "befriend" one of the nurses. Then only ask to speak to her when you call. Get to know them by name and use their name in conversation with them. This helps to build that "friendship" sort of thing and makes you a real person to them rather than potential surgery. Let them know you are there and wanting to get moving and are ready to do anything to make the process move faster. Ask lots of questions (valid and good ones). All of that will sort of put you on their "radar" and they will be more apt to move things along. Be sincere and honest with them and hopefully you will see some progress.

Read Read Read! That is what I did and that is how I made my decision. I am in the same weight range that you are and I am very unhealthy and unhappy. I just had my consultation with my surgeon and then took about 24 hours to REALLY decide between the RNY and the Lap Band and finally opted for the band. I have five children and at this point I am not ready to go for the more "dangerous" surgery. I would prefer to give the band a chance to help me. Remember, the thing I have read over and over is that the band will be a tool to help you lose. You play a big part in that process. Good luck on your decision!

My guess is that it is an internal suture working its way out. I had them doing that for months after I had surgery on my leg. Your body "should" continue to work it out. Some come out. Some don't.

My doc says I will need to be on Optifast before surgery. Will I get that from him or is there somewhere to buy it?

My mom didn't say much until she did her own research on it. Now she is totally onboard. My grandfather, on the other hand, said "Well, someone just needs to tie you up so you will stop eating." Flat broke my heart. I cried and cried after he left the room. My grandma, who has never been overly nurturing came over, hugged me, and told me to just forget about what my grandpa said. That made me feel better but I was still pretty upset for a while. Some people just don't understand it because they have never battled and I mean LITERALLY battled their weight.

Too funny! My son said the same thing to me today. :thumbup: