vegasgirl44

Cutie, I have no idea what her prob is. It's not like anyone is out to get her. She's got problems. Look at where she lives! I think she's anti-social or something. Ridiculous! Andrea, don't worry. You are doing this for your health, so you don't end up with chronic disease such as hypertension and diabetes. I think it's as much for your well-being as it it for vanity. Vanity is just the icing on the cake. You will be healthy AND hot! LOL! Hey Denver, I'm having surgery on the 14th also.

Yes, thanks, I called him last night and told him exactly what I was eating and doing and he said the calorie count is good and the weight loss is good. I actually wasn't eating the salad and he said I could add that with a calorie free salad spritzer, so I'm excited to be chewing something. But I'm down almost 10 lbs in 3 days, so I'm psyched. He had given me a more lenient diet last week with chicken and starches, but I was thinking I was going to have surgery in July, much sooner, and so he suggested the protein drinks for faster weight loss. Now, I'm having surgery on August 14th, and I'm liking the faster weight loss with the protein shakes, so I'm trying to stick to that...kind of so I can get used to the postop period also. It's been fun! Thanks for your concern, TxShtKicker! Oh, by the way, I lived in San Antonio for 30 years, so I'm proud to have called myself a Texan once. LOL!

That sounds pretty much like what I'm eating. 3 shakes a day (I like the Nectar protein mix), and certain veggies only with 0 calorie salad spritzer. I'm starting day 4 and I've had the headaches from caffeine withdrawal, most likely, and a feeling of head hunger. I have been feeling more energetic from the weight loss, but just a little out of it. At least more than usual. LOL!

Wow! That is great! Look at all the new August Bandsters....we are growing in size and the support we will have for each other is great! I can't wait to hear how the Aug 1st group does. You guys are going to be our mentors. LOL! Nobody should be afraid of what's to come. Everybody should be afraid of not being able to live their life in a better way. Let's celebrate! WhooHoo! Ok, sorry, I added a little instant coffee crystals to my morning chocolate protein shake and I'm off work today, so I'm a little out there.

Sorry if I sound stupid, but what name did you pick? August 08 with your name on it? It's pretty and all, but doesn't really say much. You are obviously quite creative and that is obvious. However, your social skills are a bit lacking. You joined in Feb. Many of us just joined fairly recently and have spent hours just trying to learn to navigate through the site. Therefore, maybe we didn't see your poll. I can't recall who started the thread of "who's getting banded in August" thread, but it's been pretty active lately. There are a few of us who have bonded and are getting banded the same month. You are right. It's just a name. So get over it. Nobody is on the warpath to piss you off. We are just people from all over with a common interest and problem. We should be supporting each other. And in my opinion, if you can't say anything nice, please don't say it at all. You are somewhat of a downer. Respectfully, but honestly....

bamamine, that is the very reason that I'm not telling anybody except for a select few who I know will be supportive. I waffle on decisions something awful. The band is the one thing in my whole life that I've been so sure about. I didn't want anybody screwing it up for me. When they start saying stuff to you about how you've been losing weight and how are you doing it, just say, like I'm going to, that I've been on a high protein diet. That's it. And stick to this forum and your local support group. Good luck! We are all here for each other.

CassCass, I'm also self pay and finance and I hope that things work out fine. That's why I'm doing everything my doctor tells me to do to the letter. I don't want anything to get in my way of a full recovery.

Great post! That is exactly the way it should be said. I'm scared too, but I feel like this is my salvation. My doc has a great track record, so I'm putting my faith in him, the fact that I'm adhering to everything he tells me to do, and of course, my maker. And ThinknHealthy....I also have a soon to be 12 yr old daughter and she just returned from camp today. She is off to visit her Nana for one month this weekend. I wanted to have the surgery while she was gone. But I think that you prepared yourself well. It certainly doesn't hurt in any circumstance and at any time. Good Job!

I just finished day 3 of my protein shake diet. I drink 3 shakes a day made with skim milk and ice. Plus, I eat sugar free popsicles and jello. I am also allowed a salad with only certain veggies and 0 calorie spritzer spray. I'm eating about 600 calories a day and tons of protein. My doc wants me to lose 5% of my total body weight before surgery. That is 16 lbs. I've already lost 7 lbs in 2 days and will weigh myself in the morning. I've stopped running to the bathroom to pee so much. I can't say that I've been really hungry. I'm trying to listen to my stomach. I have dreamed about toasted wheat bread with tons of butter on it and a big ribeye steak from Claimjumpers. But I'm determined to do this. I hope you guys are right and after tomorrow, it gets easier. I'm expecting that time of the month in a couple weeks and I'm sure I will be wanting chocolate. That will be my true test. My surgery is in 1 month. I can't imagine how much I would lose in that time if I just continued eating like this!:frown:

Hey girl! That is so exciting! This Friday, wow! You are going to be one hot chick....you are already GORGEOUS! I met with Dr. Teng today and have my surgery scheduled for August 14th, so I am pumped! Going to get my cardiology consult, upper GI, and lab work done, and I should be just about ready to go. Good luck with your surgery!:frown:

lellow, it looks great! Good Job! Skylersmom, thanks, it's so exciting. We adjusted my goal weight to be more realistic, so I have 10 less lbs to lose. Haha! Never been under 200 that I can remember, so it will be a learning experience.

libguy! Welcome! Oh, how I wish I would have done this earlier in my life, but you know, I just wasn't ready. And that's ok. When you are ready, you will know. Do your research, go to a support group, and ask around. This site is HUGE! Don't miss out on life. It's so much easier now than it was when I was 21. And you have plenty of time to find yourself a hot, young thang, too. LOL! Good luck to you!

Ok, people! I just got my surgery date! August 14th! Whoohoo! I have so much to do before then. Upper GI, cardiology consult, and lab work. Yuk! But I'm so looking forward to being able to wear all my cute heels again. Yeah!:embaressed_smile:

So many new replies on this thread with some really great responses, and "straw stories" that probably ring a bell or 2 for all of us. I want to run again, like a kid. I want to run in the park, or run to the mailbox, or be able to run if someone is chasing me (unless he's cute and wants to ask me out--then it's ok, I'll stop. LOL!). But I feel all your pain because I think I've felt many of those things at least once in my life. I won't even put current pics of me on any of my sites I belong to because I don't know who that woman is! When I look in the mirror, I see a gorgeous, yet chubby hot chick. Then, I see a pic of me, and I don't recognize her. Who is that? It's not me. I can totally relate to all of you who posted about picture taking. I want to go to Glamour Shots again and actually fit into the costumes they have and not have to have them "shave" a few inches off my chin or put me in some contortionist position to hide some lbs. Sigh...

jillbeme! We ALL love food, baby! That's how we got in this predicament! LOL! I'm scared too, but honestly, I'm more excited and I can't wait to find out today what my surgery date is. I'm an August All-Star in heart, but if I can get surgery in 2 weeks, I'm going, baby! If your doc says you don't need a liquid diet preop, be glad. My BMI is 50.1, so I think that's why. Your BMI must be lower. Food is good, and maybe after you have the band and you recuperate, you can still enjoy many of your old foods that you enjoy now, just not in gallon sizes. LOL! I think the band will remind you to stop. And it's important, I hear, (cuz I'm not an expert) to adhere to the food stages your surgeon gives you (ie, liquid, mushies, etc) so you don't stretch your stomach out prematurely. YOU CAN DO IT!

Cutie, Sask, and all! I noticed in another posting somewhere that someone had used the same banner site and gotten STARS with the words! And I was like, how did they do that. So, I started playing around with the fonts and realized that only certain fonts allow asterisks and at least one of them puts them as real STARS. I forget which one, but if you are willing to change your font, put an asterisk before and after the name, you get real stars. And I used a - mark, but I think it came up as a star instead. Weird, but cool. Sask, welcome to the group. We've only been chatting a few days, but we are already tight and we don't even know each other's real names. LOL! Figpuddin, that is exactly the way I made my protein smoothie last night, except I used Boston Cream Pie ff yogurt with Chocolate mix. Hey! it's the only kind I had in the fridge. Wasn't too bad. LOL! Later!

I actually started yesterday. I can't believe I lost 4 lbs in ONE day! And day before, I only had a steak dinner. I've been weighing the same for weeks and it only took 1 day. If I had known this, maybe I would have tried it sooner. I haven't really gotten hungry yet. What I'm scared of is if I get bored. But I was home all day yesterday and was determined. Today I was at work and busy and drank water all day. For lunch, I just took a Slimfast low carb shake with 20 proteins. I think it's definitely the high protein that keeps me full. But I saw a commercial for some wheat bread, and then I kept dreaming of toasted wheat bread with lots of butter on it. LOL!:crying::smile2: Then I just think about why I'm doing this and I think, dang it!, I'm gonna do it, and so can you guys!:confused_smile:

Lellow, oh yes, I'm on a liquid protein diet right now and visiting the bathroom every 30 mts or so. Sometimes sooner. 3 shakes a day and sugar free jello and popsicles. My nutritionist recommend I start right away since I have 16 lbs to lose before surgery. I'm down 4 already. WhooHoo! Welcome to our club!

Clayverde, thanks for the tips. I was a little worried about the cappucino, and I thought if I hated it, I could always use half that and half vanilla and make sure I blend it up in the blender. I'll definitely follow the directions, though. And I have been mixing my proteint shakes with skim milk instead of water. I can't wait to try the fruit punch mixed up, too. Just finishing my second day of protein drinks only, and doing well. Not too hungry yet. But I have been getting mild caffeine withdrawal headaches. This too shall pass, right?

Clayverde, I also ordered the Nectar in fruit flavors (I think fruit punch) and cappucino & vanilla flavors. I was wondering how you mixed the Nectar fruit with Crystal light. When you put it in the blender, do you add water or what? Can you explain please? I need more variety for my liquid diet. thanks!

OMG! That was so real to me, I had to respond. Except for the medication part, everything you said was stuff I think about and don't look forward to. Good Post!

OMG! I did it! I don't even know when my surgery date is yet. LOL! But I'm hoping the first week in August. If that's not the date I get, I guess I'll have to remove my banner. Haha!

you know, several people who have the gastric bypass lose hair. I think it's the lack of nutrients--you can't get as much in, or they just don't follow diet exactly. Not sure, but my hairdresser did lose some of her hair. I figured with the band, it wouldn't be that bad. However, I have heard of some people getting thin hair. I hope it doesn't happen to me, but if it does, I guess it's just a good excuse to go shopping and buy a hairpiece or wig! I'd rather wear a cute hairpiece than be fat, and that's the decision I made.

linksmom! that is too funny! I'm just finishing my 1st day of preop liquids...so far, so good, but peeing a LOT at the end of this day. Are you saying the diet is giving you diarrhea? What are you eating? I'm curious. You know, one funny thing. I supervise a medical records dept and the other day, I had to bend over to pick something up and farted. In front of 2 staff. It was embarrasing, but oh well....that happens....and lately to me a LOT!

I don't even know what it's like to be thin, except for 1993 when I went on Jenny Craig and lost 80 lbs, down to 200. I think I even went under to 198 for about a week. I worked out incessantly. I think I was addicted to exercise and was solid muscle. I don't even know what a good goal weight is for me. I'm tall and have very compact fat as opposed to fluffy fat. My mom compares me to a pillowcase. Imagine packing cotton in a pillowcase until it's so firm. The pillowcase hasn't gotten any bigger, but it's hard as a rock. I'm big, no lie. But people think I weigh less than what I do. I'm now 320 and some lady at my lapband seminar said I looked really good. I carry it well. Shoot! I don't want to carry it, PERIOD! You know? I've never been a cheerleader and don't even know what it's like to be "normal," if that's ok to say. The straw was a really bad PMS episode a few weeks ago. Mixed with personal problems, kid away at camp, boyfriend pissed me off, and can't even think about going to this work seminar in October because they might make me buy an extra seat on the plane. Screw that! I've had enough, you know? I want to be FEARLESS and FABULOUS at 50 in a couple of years. My life is just beginning. And you ladies who haven't reached your 40s yet. Just wait! If I had been banded 10 years ago, nothing would have stopped me. You are sooooo lucky. Being 40 is downright the best decade of your life, and being banded is going to make it freakin' awesome! WhoooHoo!