wisconsin jen

Hi Mangofish... I am a twenty year veteran of the Army, enlisted and officer and have worked in recruiting command.. in fact, my PhD is in ethics in recruiting ... The bottomline... no one on active duty is allowed to get this surgery. It is an absolute... no waivers...dependents of active duty personnel can get it if they meet the specfic criteria.... Currently with recruiting not being difficult (i.e. down economy) they are waivering very, very little. My suggestions are as follows: 1. lose the weight for you and get into good fighting shape 2. apply, you will never know if you don't apply 3. apply to all services 4. if/when you are denied.. see if you can get a waiver... 5. ask the question to the docs at the MEPS... if you get the band removed can you join...if you show you are in good health (there may be a waiting period) Much like a diabetic... eating restrictions are required.. an average meal for a soldier fighting in combat conditions is about 3000 calories....you cannot do that with a lapband... Yes I agree... there should be a way to serve but unfortunately.. I haven't been able to write the rules:):w00t: Now.. there are ways for you to serve in a selfless manner without being in the military... You could check out the National Guard... some states have a volunteer force like Georgia that has you serve only the state you live in. You could work in civil service... If your only goal is to be a soldier.. you may not get it... but if your goal is to be in selfless service.. there is a LOT you can do... Hang in there.. you never know.. and if they say no today, maybe when recruiting gets tougher they will say yes... I hope that this helps... Jennifer (Major (retired) Army)

Denise... I think it is my military experience that makes me condition the mind.. I went for my preop physical today and lost another pound (yeah:):thumbup: but I haven't been altering my diet. I think subconsciously I am thinking like I have the band... every bite I take I think about how I would have to eat when I have the band... so I think subconsciously I am eating less....although I haven't really realized it... So I am happy for that... I have no anxiety about not being able to eat...I am actually really looking forward to it... the worst thing for me is the hunger pangs .. then I go CRAZY....:thumbup:.... I am hoping that the band let's me keep my concentration and keep the crazy at bay.... But I am happy to say that as of today...9 pounds down before surgery on the 26th... I am hoping for maybe 11 or 12 gone before surgery.. just for a good jump start to my lap loss:):thumbup: I also, like you, am focusing on enjoying the company during a traditional feast fest like a cruise. I will tell you that I even saw a hypnotist about this.. (maybe that is why I think the way I do)... but the hypnotist basically said to consider the company during a meal.. not the food... so when I have gatherings..like thanksgiving or a cruise.. I focus on the surroundings and sample the food.... I also know that even during a cruise.. you will still get to try everything... just on a lower level ...so you could still graze all day and be satisfied... I think our mind is very strong... we want that HUGE heaping plate of food... my suggestion is to still do that.. but with a saucer (like a cup and saucer size) instead of the 12" plate.. that way you feel like you have done it.... I don't know.. just playing out the psychological part.... :thumbup:

I like that thought process Denise... that is how I see the lapband too... change how much you eat... I would be perfectly happy at an all you can eat buffet with a salad plate that had a tablespoon of everything... I like the small taste part... that is why I am so excited about this lapband.. I think it will allow my stomach to catch up to my mind:) Good points... Jennifer

Good luck to you too Lisa!!! Today is your day!!!

Good luck today krstjump03!!!:thumbup:

I understand.. I have lived that way all my life before starting my diet on Monday... that Monday that came a thousand times... I decided to change my mindset with this lap band.. I am not dieting.. I am changing my way of life.... so basically I am mentally detaching myself from food... I knew I was ready when I was hoping to get banded before Thanksgiving and everyone said no.. wait til after. I didn't care....I don't care that I will be decreasing the size of the plate... This is partially why I chose the band... I don't need a whole cake.. but a bite or two would be nice.... I think it is more psychological than anything....I will not miss eating a big plate of spagetti... I am truly, truly looking forward to being satisfied with a small portion.... For me.. it is less what I eat and more how much I eat....I lost 9 pounds since the start of this and I haven't dieted persay... I am making changes...like the 45 calorie Sara Lee bread... it is really really good.... So I am trying to make small changes that will add up to big changes...I am reaching for the Water more and more.... This is a battle...you will win....you are just filling the hump:) I do understand the why....I am just trying not to give in to that thought process...I hope I win that one:thumbup:

Good luck Barbara today:) It's your band birthday:)

Hello everyone... Well late yesterday my doctor called... Last Friday I had my barium swallow and they confirmed my hiatel hernia and they also found polyps in my stomach... I pretty much worried all weekend that my surgery was going to be pushed off... I called my lap band doc first thing Monday morning... the nurses said that he was looking at my results and would call me later... I did get a call from him and I got some good and bad news.... The good news is that my surgery date will not be moved... yeah:):thumbup: The bad news was that I have to get all of the polyps removed before surgery... so, that means next Tuesday the 18th I have the first surgery and then the 26th I have the next surgery..... However, I actually consider this a blesssing... I would have never have known that I have stomach polyps if I didn't get the barium swallow because of the lap band..... Everything works out the way it is supposed to I guess.... So, I am calm again... I know we have a couple folks having surgery today... let's think thin thoughts for them..... Jennifer

That is just awesome... I hope to have the same success after banding.... Congrats and continued good luck on your journey... Jennifer:thumbup:

The compression garment is a good tip.. I hadn't thought of that.. I see you had great weight loss.. was it all after the lapband or was it preop too... Thanks Jennifer

Claricey... That is AWESOME.... I always take my cross stitch .. it is my therapy.. .so I would say something like that. A book, homework...or a portable hobby.. maybe a deck of cards.... I was also told at my preop to take the heartburn medicine in the morning of your surgery because that will help right after surgery if you suffer from heartburn... I would ask your doc about that if you have medicine for it.... I am so ENVIOUS.. in a great supportive way of course:):frown: I wish mine was next week.. this too shall pass:):w00t: Congrats and think thin!! Jennifer

Thanks Just-Ice... It was a great birthday present to take the next step... I got a question for everyone out there.. during my barium procedure where they did xrays the doc found polyps in my stomach.. Now I do take Protonix which I think causes them.. but was wondering if anyone had stomach polyps and what did your doc say about them... I will be calling my doc on Monday but thought some may have some input... Thanks!!! Jennifer

Oh.. I found something out today at my nutrition appointment.. they told me that if I get "stuck" with some sort of meat that I make this mixture with meat tendorizer....not sure if it will work but I thought it was an interesting tip...never saw that anywhere on this site... Ask your nutritionist the next time you see them.. see what they say and let me know.. Thanks... Jen

Mandee, I am so glad that you said Wendy's chili works.. I think that is my favorite fast food... and it is pretty healthy for fast food... Equal carbs and Protein and 9 grams of fat.. I figured out this one about 12 years ago when I did the zone diet... I actually lost 15 pounds eating Wendy's chili....I think it is the protein in it that makes it work.... Maybe I will be able to have a chili once in a while now... Whew....not everything is getting cut out...:tt1: Thanks for sharing.. Jennifer

Claricey.. THat is so exciting... I think all of us want that very same phone call... I have to report at 5:30 in the morning.. ugh..... Be sure to post when you are having it.... Good luck:thumbup: Jennifer

Well I am happy today....just like Just-Ice.. I had my preop appointment today where they did all the testing that needs to be done... First of all.. BARIUM sucks!!!! However, they confirmed my hiatel hyrnia but they found pollyps (sp?).. I have to do some internet research to find out what these could be. They may want to do a scope before surgery...they are not ulcers which is good.. and they could be nothing.. but we will see on how that turns out. But I did the gallblader ultrasound (what the heck is that for) and the chest xray (again.. why do you need that for a lapband)... so I am becoming more versed in what is required. I then had my dietician appointment to discuss the pre-op diet and found out two great things.... 1. I lost two more pounds... I am trying to think link a bandster thanks to this site (thank you all my Jan Band Journey members)... I truly did not "diet" persay, I am trying to make lifelong changes....small things that add up...so I am glad there were two more pounds gone.. now only a bunch more to go:):tt1: 2. The second thing I found out is that I do not have a liquid pre-op diet like some do here.. I was shocked... I was preparing myself mentally to be restricted...severely restricted....well I have decided to take this as an opportunity to lose another couple.. my goal is to lose 3 more pounds before Jan 26, that will put me at 10 pound loss before surgery... I am really trying to focus on having a new mindset instead of a diet mindset.... I cannot tell you how great your stories have been everyone... I talked about this site at the doc today and mentioned how positive it is.. how it encourages success and not dwell on failures or steps backwards... I am truly thinking that it is the comradierieship that we will have here that will make us successful..... I decided today that I will do my official preop photo... why you ask.. because today I turned 40 and I see this year as a fantastic wonderful year.... My thoughts are with everyone that is having big milestones to conquer in January... we will support each I am sure over the next year..... :eek:

JN816 - I think you just hit it on the head on why we are all doing this... You said that your sister is "unlearning" some eating habits.... . That is exactly what the lap band does for us... we are making lifelong changes and unlearn things that have been engrained in our lives... Great point...:thumbup: Jennifer

I want to lose weight for a TON (no pun intended) reasons... I want to look good again on the outside... I feel good on the inside... but on the outside I don't look like it.... I want to catch the eye of someone.. just because you want to flirt to feel good sometimes... I don't want someone to care about me because of the size of my body, but the size of my heart.... But having the right body that you want, whatever the size, makes you act different in front of people... I favor the long skirts and big sweaters.. I want to wear the short skirts, long boots and form fitting shirts... for confidence... I want people to hear what I say, not wonder why I weigh more than I really should. I want to lose weight because I want to conquer this demon.. I want to be in control of what I look like, not the carbs in the cabinent.... I want to do this for me... for my confidence... for my ego... for my self esteem..... I don't want to do it for anyone else... I think my kids would love me any way that they could have me.. but I think about taking those hikes up diamond head mountain in Hawaii without taking a rest. I did that that with my 14 year old daughter when she was young... now I want to do it with my two young boys... I want to give them experiences that they will never forget...I NEVER want them to think they didn't get something because mom was too tired.... So, the answer is, for me, myself, and I with special motivation provided by the kids....

I would have forgotten those.. thanks:):tt2: I get more excited every day....

:thumbup: Lauren I am so glad you mentioned it about the pineapple juice... I am having surgery on the 26th of January and I am making a shopping list... Flavorless Protein Mix Protein drinks Soup Soup Soup Cans of chicken breast that I can warm up and eat Pineapple Juice.... Am I missing anything? Thanks for the tip Jennifer:thumbup:

I hear you.. I am scared of surgery too.. not the surgery itself but that I won't succeed... I think a LOT of us feel or felt this way.. that is why no other diets worked.... I am choosing to believe and have hope that this works.... Instead of giving into the fear.. I think about 2 months from now.. where will we be? Hang in there....keep coming to the site for inspiration... I come here nearly every day now... just because I want to be a success story too... Here... everyone understands what you are going through.... no judgement.. no pity looks.... no cringing when you eat anything, even if it is an apple..... We have to stick together.... Good luck..... Jennifer

I am SOOO excited everyone.. I am checking the forums every day now.. I know this will be great... Don't forget to take "before" photos...as harsh as that will be, myself included,... you will feel so much better if you can "see" your success.... I know that I still feel like I will be the one that doesn't lose and that is why I am on the site every day... to change my mindset.... Good luck to anyone have surgery today...someone's life is changing right now...:smile2: Jennifer

Corinne.. I am so happy for you.. be sure to let us all know how it goes and your weight loss success... I can't wait for the first two weeks after surgery and I see some weight come off... I am not buying anymore clothes until I start losing.. I don't want to buy FAT clothes anymore:) Good luck...:rolleyes2: Jennifer

Hi Just-Ice... I like Jammin January....it is catchy... I am open to anything but like the idea of a January 2010 name.. I think a lot of us will be on the site over the next year.... Jennifer