najah27

I didn't have any goal for weight loss, I just felt the pre op would jump start the weightloss. I was told to avoid caffeine so I've been drinking plenty of water/crystal light, de caffeinated splenda coffee/tea and sugar free tropicana. I'm not nervous about the surgery but am nervous my liver has shrank cause the pre op weightloss isn't going as I expected. I have 4 days left and I plan to make the most of them.

My surgery is 2 weeks away and I'm starting my pre op diet today. A few weeks ago I did a liquid diet just to see if I can handle it. It's not as bad as I thought but it's a little irritating to smell everyone else's food at work. I'm excited about the surgery so I'm not going to let anything discourage me as I keep my eyes on my goals. How is everyone else coping with the liquid diet?

Been married about 4 years and I have less then 4 weeks for surgery. My husband is supportive of weight loss but not so much weight loss surgery. Our relationship changed prior to me pursuing the lap band, and I am sure it will end eventually just because of our personalities. I'm losing weight for my health and my children, and my husband will have a small window of time to either get on board or jump off the pier. LOL. Seriously, we have many discussions on how my attitude may change after surgery. But the reality is, I'm the same person. I dress provacative in a size 22 and I'm sure I'll dress the same way in a 12. I have a high self esteem now and if it got any higher my head would be stuck in the clouds. I know that this type of surgery can have an impact on a relationship but it depends on the individuals, their self perception, their level of communication and security within their relationship. Just my opinion. Good luck!

Hey Holiday Hotties, I was approved for December 17, 2008. I'm beyond excited because I look forward to living healthier and being a more active parent to my children. I figure by the time the summer hits, I will be many pounds lighter and have even more stamina to chase behind my children. I'm going to make this band work for me.

I just got a surgery date of 12/17!!!!!!:thumbup:!!! I am excited.

Hey December Bandsters, I haven't gotten a date yet but my dr told me it would be before the year is out. We expect approval from my insurance by the end of next week. I'm trying to beat having to pay another copay with my insurance and my Dr has been very understanding in getting my paperwork in a timely manner. I look forward to being banded no matter what day of december it is. Good luck to everyone else.

It bothers me that I am receiving so much negativity from medical professionals in my area in regards to me having wls. I went for my appt with Psych last week and she said to me, in regards to surgery, that I have too many kids and have too much going on to be successful with the band. It bothers me and for the past few days, the more I read the forums, the angrier I get. I am 31, married, have 3 children ages 10, 7 and 5 months. I work full time, go to school and work a small part time every other weekend. I graduate in May and hope to have this surgery by the end of the year. I have great family support, my older children are very independent and helpful in the house, and my family life works like a well oiled machine. She suggest I give something up. Ever since I had my youngest son and returned to work, I wake up at 6 am and go to the gym at least 4 times a week. I have researched the band to the fullest, maintained my grades, cook dinner for my family most nights, check homework etc. I have started eating smaller portions trying to get my mind right for wls. It pisses me off that when a woman of color wears her many hats all we get is criticism. I do what I do in life flawlessly and when I set my mind to something, I get things done. I read all these threads and it bothers me that the only main discouragement other women not of color have gotten was their surgeon pushing gastric. When did 3 kids become too many. I understand I have a lot going on but that is the way my life functions. She asked what triggers me eating and I responded "When I get bored. But honestly speaking with my schedule how often is that?" Before I even considered lap band, I talked it over with my familyand figured how I can make it work for me. I really hate people telling me I'm going to fail when they don't know how I operate or what drives me.

I truly appreciate your reponse. I agree that I got a lot of education about the lap band when going for my psych consult. When I went to the grocery store last friday I did take longer thoroughly reading nutrition facts. I am in this for the long haul. Although my schedule is busy, I am prepared for this transition. What little family I have down where I live are ready to help and I graduate college in the spring. My boss is supportive and my company gives me 40 paid days off per calender year. I have plenty I have plenty of time to focus on my weight loss. I appreciate you adding in even more things that will entail me successfully losing this weight. I joined this forum to get as educated about this process as possible becauase I don't know anyone personally who has had it. I have a friend who works in the office I am going thru for the surgery and she helps alot about technical stuff but no 1st hand experience.

I appreciate all of your encouragement. If I get denied due to the pysch results, I will definately protest the decision. I am driven to get banded and have taken so many steps so far to help me in the process. I just get so mad that people try to quantify my lifestyle instead of encouraging my ambition.

I agree Ebony Rose,family usually is the hardest group of critics. People are entitled to their privacy either way it goes, but as we have seen, celebrities, especially will lie about altering themselves. Look at the whole Star Jones thing. Her having WLS was nothing to be ashamed of neither was it a big surprise. If Jennifer Hudson, Queen Latifah or Mo'nique had WLS, I feel that them professing their decision can put them in a position to help other people make a better choice about their lives. For years, Mo'nique and other celebs go on a tyrant about being a big beautiful black woman, and there is nothing wrong with big women having confidence, but they did not promote the health risks associated with being overweight. Now that so many disparities plague our culture, now everyone wants to get fit but not all are being honest on their methods they are using. I've been the biggest person in my family my whole life and they all accepted and loved me for who I was. In no way was I shamed or groomed to have a low esteem because of my weight. To this day being 5'2 and 270 lbs doesn't stop me from being physically active, doesn't make me insecure and never stopped me from finding a good man. But turning 31 and seeing the grim future ahead as far as having diabetes and heart problems, I decided that losing the excess weight will increase my chances of spending a long life with my children and hopefully their children when they have them. If this was better supported and more broadcasted in a positive light, I may have made this decision a long time ago. I no longer have to be overweight and happy, I can be slimmer and healthier and be even more happy thanks to this alternative.

I agree Monique looks great. For all those who decide on WLS, and decide to hide it, my thing is.... It was no secret how large we all are to begin with, what is the big deal admitting we needed help to get rid of the excess weight. People should share in their WLS experience to hopefully encourage other people to make an informed decision. The only shame in WLS is not admitting you had it. These days I'm starting to think all of Hollywood has gone lapband crazy.

Today I had my psych consult. It went better then I thought. I was there over an hour and a half and learned alot about the process and the long term commitment. I am ready more now then ever. My issue is that my husband is scared for me to have the surgery and keeps getting the process confused with gastric, despite all the literature I printed out for him. Because of his fears, I was going to have my mom and sister come for the decision visit the end of this month. When I told him the pysch doctor suggested he go to put his fears at rest, he responded as if he was on board with the surgery again. I am determined to lose this weight for a better health, with or without him on board. Now I am worried he will come to the decision visit and ruin my chances of surgery. I know he wants me to live healthier but his own insecurity is making him irrational. Should I bring him or not. I don't want any negativity around my weightloss journey

In 2004 he came with me to the doctor and we were discussing my gall bladder issues. I was pushing to have it removed because of all the pain and he was against it because he just lost a close family member to a surgery gone bad. Before I left the doctor's office, the DOCTOR and HIM decided I can live with the gall bladder through proper diet. 3 years later I had a stone obstructing my common bile duct and had to have "laproscopic" surgery to remove the gall bladder. He was so scared, a friend of mines drove to NC from NJ to be there to comfort us b/c he was so scared of me dying. Needless to say, the surgery went well, except the doctor had to cut me open and I had to stay in the hospital 3 days. My husband stayed with me, but you can tell he was uncomfortable. He could not handle seeing me in pain. Earlier this year, we had to decide if we were going to have my youngest child natural or with a c section. Again, in the office he is protesting the surgery. I told him to shut up, until he gives birth to a baby, the decision was all mines. I had a c section and that surgery went well but left me with a severe spinal headache. Eventhough I recovered quickly from both, based on our past 2 surgeries, I understand his initial fears. Not to mention when he met me I was only 20-30 lbs lighter so he liked what he saw. He has an issue too about me losing too much weight, but he agrees for health it's the best thing to do. My husband is supportive in the fact that he will go exercise with me, handle the kids and the house so I can go to the gym, and discourage me from eating poorly. However, the idea of weightloss surgery has not settled well with him yet. More then likely, I will take my sister on the decision visit and let him come with me before the operation. This way my doctors can know that I do have support available to me.

I have a few weeks to really feel him out. I know he is scared and concerned, but his wishy washyness makes me not want him too involved. I can picture me having a hard time recovering and he throwing in my face how he was right. You know how men can be.

It is the visit you go to after you have all the pre op work up done, where you and the doctor decide which surgery you will have. Then he send the information to the insurance company for approval.

I wish Barb. I live in Greenville. I need someone who is dedicated to exercise right now. I re joined Viquest and only go about 3 times a week. I want to go more and a partner would be the right motivation.

send me ur email to asclark@regacc.com and I will email it right away

I did a 5 year diet history. Just list the types of diets you did, the dates, the amount of weight gained or lost.