want2lose

WOW!!! Quite a 6 months. It's hard to imagine all of that is possible in such a short time period. Thanks for the inspiration.

Well, I did all my shopping last night. I bought all my chewable / liquid vitamins, calcium, tylenol, heating pad, papaya extract, protein supplements, etc. That is when reality really hit me. I was panicing a couple days ago that my ticker was ticking down a little too quickly, but now that I have all my supplies, I feel much more calm and prepared. For breakfast I tried one of the samples I got from Bariatriceating.com. I has the Syntrax nectar fuzzy navel. I blended it up with water and ice. It's drinkable, but not something I could drink everyday. I think variety is going to be my best solution to protein drinks. My Dr. only requires liquids for 2 days prior to surgery, but I'm supposed to be following a low carb, high protein diet. I've given up soda, and am trying to eliminate all sugar & white flour from my diet. I can't believe it is finally Sept!!! Good luck to okiegirl and Texasbr@t today!

Thanks!!!! I am not a fan of protein drinks, but could definitely stomach CIB. I'll be banding in 1 1/2 weeks, and am trying to plan out my protein. I'm so thrilled at this option!

Does Carnation Instant Breakfast have a lot of protein? I never throught of it as a high protein option.

Can I defect to Canada?

I wish I could tell you it gets easier, but I haven't been banded yet either. I too am scheduled for 9/12. I hope someone responds to your question. Good luck getting you son off to school.

I started with www.lapband.com and cross matched inamed approved surgeons with my insurance web site. Once I had a list of insurance approved lap band surgeons in my area, I looked them up on www.obesityhelp.com to get "reviews" and read their statistics. The first surgeon I choose I went to his seminar, and learned that he charged a $2000 program fee, which is not covered by insurance. I promptly scheduled my initial consultation with a different surgeon on my list (equally qualified) who only charged a $150 program fee. You should feel free to go to as many seminars as needed to find a surgeon you are comfortable with. Good luck!

How exciting! Don't you have 2 weeks to go? I've heard good things about Shady Grove. Are you seeing Dr. Greene?

Donna, Where in MD are you having surgery? I'm in VA and am going to Fair Oaks.

I have been walking 30min / day. We got a dog in April, partially because the kids have been begging for one, but more so because I knew it was a way I would commit to exercise. Unfortunatley in May I tripped over the dog walking her at night and broke my hand. I had a cast on until mid July, and couldn't walk her. She is 120lbs and I need both hands on her leash to control her. Anyways, I am finally back to walking her daily.

Last week at my nutrition class they told us we should only take calcium citrate, not calcium carbonate. This means tums is out, viactive is out, and many other chewable calcium sources. I don't remember the reason the dietician gave for this. Does anyone here know?

I have been practicing my eating habits (even on my bad food). I'm trying to take small bites, chewing until mush, and trying to not drink with meals. Drinking definitely is the hardest for me (although chewing milk duds until mush was pretty hard too!). I'm also working on small sips of water throughout the day instead of gulping down a bottle. Now if I can just incorporate this into health food, I'll be golden.

Linstadt, Do not feel discouraged about your pre-op loss. At this point I hope not to show a gain by my surgery date! I am eating everything in site, and keep having my "lasts". My last popcorn at the movies, my last fried chicken, my last ice cream, etc, etc. I did give up soda, and am finally moving closer to low carb, high protein diet. I only have to do liquids for 2 days before surgery.

Congrats katt! I just added you to the September Bandsters board. You are the day after me! http://www.lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?p=279430#post279430

I wanted to make sure everyone saw this pre-op checklist thread. I found it very helpful in making my shopping list. http://www.lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=14814

Welcome to LBT. What did you have to do with the athletic trainer??

How are all the September Bandsters doing? Can you believe Sept 1st is Friday??? I have to plan out my first 3 days of mushies for my dietition. I'm looking for good mushy protein suggestions.

I was not planning on telling my girls. They are 7 & 11, and it is something I asked about at my psych eval. She told me that it was perfectly OK not to go into details of the surgery if I didn't want to. I would be able to set an example of how healthy eating and exercise is something that needs to be followed to maintain a healthy weight. Since I will be eating healthy, and exercising, that is the part they will see. I think one thing I have learned on this board is that the band is a tool and will not work on its own. I don't want my kids to grow up thinking there is a quick fix out there for anything in life. Fortunately my girls do not have weight issues, but I know my 11 y/o is about to hit puberty, and will become much more body conscious in the coming years. I hope my new food and exercise choices will become a part of our entire family's life. As far as going into surgery and the initial recovery period, I haven't decided yet quite what to tell them. I think I can just say I am having a simple procedure to help me be healthier and that may be enough information. We'll see.

Sorry I don't have any suggestions yet on good protein drinks. At my nutrition class yesterday they gave us a goody bag full of samples. I'll give you my feedback once I've tried them. Check the food board. I think I remember a thread on good (tasty) protein supplements.

That's great you have a plan of attack. Keep us updated on your progress. You hit the nail on the head when you said "I feel like I'm living every lap bander's biggest fear". As someone waiting to be banded I hate hearing stories like yours, but I'm happy to hear you're getting help. Good Luck!

Linstadt, Welcome to LBT and the September Bandsters! It sounds like you have finished all of your legwork, which is great. You will find tons of great information on these boards, and answers to all of your questions. Welcome aboard!

I'll keep my fingers crossed for you. That is great you are able to procede either way.

Emily, Welcome to the Sept group. Is your appeal still pending?

SUCCESS!!! I passed the sleep consultation and don't have to do the sleep study. Tomorrow I have my pre-op, which is when I think I'll get the bad news about the pre-op diet. I then have the 4 hour nutrition class. I hope they give us goodie bags like gonnabethin got. I would love to be able to try some different protein shakes without spending a ton of money. I'm a pretty picky eater and am not looking forward to the liquid stage.

Well, I survived my chest x-rays, gallbladder ultrasound, upper GI, and psych eval. I gagged my way through the upper GI, and am sooooooo glad it is over. The psych eval was very funny, because once she found out I was already insurance approved, she relaxed and just asked me my life history: How my parents met, what type of grades I got in school, what my grandparents did for a living, etc, etc. Kind of bizarre, but certainly painless. I have my sleep consultation in a couple hours, and am hoping they say I don't need to complete the sleep study. I'll keep you posted.