*susan*

Hi Christy, I am in the same boat as you. However, we have a ton of equity in our home. If you own a home, you can get a home equity loan or refinance it. We are refinancing it and cashing out for the cost of the surgery.

OMG, these are hysterical. I can't come up with anything to add, but I was feeling pretty depressed sitting here drinking my nasty pre-op liquid diet protein shake for lunch and this certainly brightend my day. Thanks for the laughs. :clap2:

Hi Molly! Congratulations on getting your band. So far, it sounds like you are doing great. Keep us posted and I hope you have a quick, speedy recovery.

Thank you so much for the reply. It very clearly explained what they are doing. I appreciate it.

Ok, I am officially terrified now. Maybe I shouldn't have watched that. :cry

I would absolutely love to be able to chat live with fellow bandsters! (of course, not during American Idol ). I am east coast as well.

Hi Margo Congratulations! :clap2: That is a fabulous NSV!

Hi Jen, I just started me pre-op diet yesterday and I am sooooo jealous of you, lol. My doctor has us go to physician's weight loss center and get our liquid diet. I would love it if he allowed me one real meal per day, then I think I could get through this no problem, but he doesn't. Fortunately, they do have a chicken soup that we are allowed and it seems somewhat like real food. Right now, for lunch, I am sitting here drinking a healthwise kiwi strawberry twist and let me just say it is so NASTY! The chocolate meal replacement shake was bearable, but this twist drink is just disgusting. I am plugging my nose while drinking it. When is your surgery date? I am having mine on the 28th and cannot wait! Good luck with your liquids!

I have followed Weight Watchers on and off for years and think it is the best program out there. My only thing is, I found that in order for the plan to work, you have to eat the points they recommend. I have not been banded yet, so I cannot speak from experience. But, I am just wondering, with the band, will one be able to eat the required points on WW, as well as all the fruits/veggies and dairy? I would be curious to hear from any other banders if they are following WW and their results. And, I must be honest, I am hoping to not have to "diet" once banded. I am hoping just making smarter choices and listening to band will be enough. Of course, I may just be living in fantasy land too. I guess only time will tell.

Hi! I am not banded yet. But, when I had my consult with my doctor, he showed me where all my incisions and port are going to be. Basically, my port is going to be exactly where you said your's is, just about 1-2 inches below my right breast. In fact, I normally wear wire bras, and he suggested getting some sports bras while I recover because the wire will hurt where my port incision is going to be. Hope this helps.

I started my pre-op liquid diet today. My surgery isn't until the 28th of this month, but my doctor wanted me on the pre-op diet for 3 weeks. I think this is going to be the toughest part of this. But, we can all do it. I keep reminding myself the reward will be my band and it is so worth it. My doctor said I need to do this to make sure my liver is healthy enough for the surgery. He said if he goes in and it isn't, then I will have paid $16,500.00 for him to just go in and have a look around. I am private pay and I sure don't want that, so you can bet I am going to stick to this.

Wow, you definitely can tell and you are gorgous! Congrats and thanks for posting the inspiring pictures.

At first I had thought I would share with my hubby, parents and kids only. But, I am so excited about my upcoming banding that I have also told several people I work with. Mainly, those who also have a weight problems. But, as time goes on and hopefully people begin to notice my weight loss, I will share with them how I did it. It is a very personal decision.

Hi Penni, I just have a quick question. If someone has to have their band removed due to slippage or erosion, is it possible to be re-banded once you are healed?

I think a clothing swap would be a great idea. I was planning on buying all my clothes at Wally World or on ebay while losing. You know, my hubby's hobby is rc racing and he is a member of several rc discussion boards. All of them have a forum for trading and selling rc related items. I think it would be great if we had a similiar forum on these boards. Just a thought.

Right now, I am in a 28 and sometimes 30 in shirts. I would be beyond thrilled to fit into a size 10. I am 5'4". Goodness, I can't wait to be banded at the end of this month.

I am so excited! :biggrin1: I just got off the phone with my surgeon's office. I am going to be banded on April 28th!!! I am so excited. Oh my gosh, that is only 3 1/2 weeks away, I can't believe this is really going to happen. I start my liquid diet on Monday. :faint: I am worried about that, I know it is going to be tough, but it will be so worth it. Thanks gang for all the support here. I am sure you will be hearing a lot more from me as questions start coming up and nerves start jumping.

Thanks for the encouragement. I am confident I will do well with the liquid diet as long as I keep coming back to these boards. The support here is absolutely amazing:clap2:

$16,500.00 at St. Vincent's in Jacksonville, Florida.

Hi everyone Is it ok if I join the group? I am getting banded on the 28th and start my liquid diet on Monday. I am excited and nervous at the same time. Audra, I love that you listed exactly what happened from the time you got to the hospital until you went home. It is great, because for me at least, it takes some of the fear of the unknown of what to expect at the hospital out of there. I hope you are feeling better.

Hi Kathy I am having my surgery on the 28th of this month. Starting this Monday, I will be on a full liquid diet. My doctor has us go to Physicians Weight Loss Center to get the liquid diet they use. I have to drink 5 of them a day and no other food. It is going to be rough, but he said if gets in there and the liver doesn't look good, I will have forked out $16,500.00 just for him to take a look around. I don't want that to happen, I want the band so as hard as it is going to be, I am going to force myself to do it.

You know, I have never flown and I think that is one of the reasons, I am embarrassed that I will not fit into the seats, in fact, I know I won't. It is sad how this rules my life. The last time I went to a basketball game, which I used to love watching pro basketball, it was all I could do to squeeze my hiney into the seats (they have armrests). So, I stopped going. The last time I went to an amusement park, I could barely fit through the turnstyle, so I don't go to amusement parks anymore. I can't wait to not have my life dictated by my weight anymore.

Hi Sally and welcome. Where did you have your surgery? What doctor? I am in Jacksonville, so was just wondering.

Oh my gosh, that is great! I love that description, and dread it happening to me too.

Congratulations! :clap2: Isn't is exciting! I just got off the phone with my surgeon's office about thirty minutes ago with the news that I have a date too. Mine is April 28th. Now, I don't know whether to be excited, nervous or both, how about you?